This is my first time writing an end-of-year summary. In the past, I always liked to record sentences, calling myself a "one-sentence insight writer." I have intermittently recorded eleven long memos, but I have never written a long blog post, always worried that I wouldn't have much to say. So let's start with the end-of-year summary!
Choices#
2022 was a year full of choices for me. Each choice seemed incredibly significant at the time, as if I were standing at a crossroads in life; every decision felt like it could change my life, leaving me very hesitant.
Relationships#
At the beginning of the year, I complained about how much I disliked this place, where I had contributed to the GDP for eight years, after missing the amnesty in New Zealand. Fortunately, I could run away alone, planning to become a digital nomad. Perhaps my soul is wild; I enjoy going up mountains and diving into the sea, preferring the wilderness over the city center. It was during this time that I met my brown bear, who, with the passionate and reckless love unique to youth, insisted on staying by my side even after I said I would leave this country. As a result, my three years of being single ended just six months after meeting the brown bear.
It seems to validate a saying: "A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."
I wouldn't say I'm an emotionally stable person with a sense of security. Over the past three years, I've met many people, and it seems that men become increasingly selfish as they age. The brown bear, who can provide appropriate emotional value, feels very different.
I've always said that New Zealand doesn't like me at all; I was never included in the amnesty since I was fourteen. But it seems that it does like me, as it kept me here for several months right before I was about to leave to wander the world. (But deep down, I still want to run away; I've already encouraged the brown bear to escape together in two years, hehe.)
Career#
This year's career has also been quite good. At the beginning of the year, there was already a thriving trend, even though I encountered terrible market turbulence and harsh conditions. Fortunately, the factory is filled with a group of partners who genuinely want to contribute to the world. Their perception of the market isn't very strong, and everyone is working hard to protect the developers, trying to minimize their exposure to negative external influences. As a result, morale is stable, and my colleagues continue to work diligently to develop useful products. For example, I'm currently using the quirky xlog, and I must say, it is indeed very useful. We developers really have something to offer.
This year, we held the first internal hackathon at the factory on October 24th, and it was a huge success. As the operators said, "It's even better than what we spent on external events!" I excitedly wrote a long blog post, but some projects were shelved because they revealed too much about the internal team, haha.
The outside world always says that the industry is filled with opportunists and pyramid schemes, but perhaps my mindset is always quite optimistic. I truly believe that there are still people who will pay attention to products because they are useful.
Everyone's dream is to change the world; my dream is to protect everyone in achieving their dreams.
Independence#
After my work gradually stabilized, I decided to live independently. Being taken care of by my sister all the time isn't a solution; my peers have been living on their own for many years. Mainly, I really dislike compact apartments; they feel too cramped. Finally, this year, with favorable circumstances, I found a great house with a dream bathtub and a spacious kitchen and living room, along with my own independent studio. I discovered that it's better not to have the desk and bed in the same room; otherwise, I always want to lie down.
Overall, the experience of living alone has been quite good. I used to complete 80% of my life in my bedroom—sleeping, working, binge-watching shows, and eating late-night snacks. Now, the space is much more spacious, and I feel more relaxed.
This year, I also got my driver's license and learned to drive. I really dislike taking the driving test; this subconscious aversion probably stems from failing the written test twice in the past two years and being overtaken three times by someone while driving a go-kart (I was lapped). I didn't expect to pass the written test with a perfect score this year, which is worth celebrating.
Learning to drive in New Zealand is quite hardcore. My instructor's first lesson was right at my doorstep, and he asked, "Can you drive by yourself? Let's start from here!" I was taken aback: "No, instructor, shouldn't you teach me how to shift gears first?!" The first lesson was just circling around the small road in front of my house, but by the second lesson, because there was a car tailgating closely behind, the instructor didn't dare let me turn into the small road and took me straight onto the main road. Oh my, that was my second time driving! The cars on the main road were truly terrifying. By the fourth lesson, I was on the highway; it was intense, but I returned unscathed. That was definitely a highlight of this year.
Life#
Although I couldn't wander the world this year, I still got to see some beautiful scenery. Life really needs these scenic healings, and I hope to travel around the globe in the future. One downside of New Zealand is that it is located in a corner of the world, making everything feel far away.
Footprints#
- Queenstown
I visited Queenstown twice this year; it's truly a wonderful place, perfectly fitting the image of a comfortable retreat for wealthy middle-aged people. Even if I don't stay in New Zealand for long, I hope to buy a holiday house here!
The first time I went, the weather wasn't great, and I didn't encounter many sunny days. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the heavy clouds and fog revealed some very unusual scenery. Driving on the mountain roads in such weather felt quite special.
I accomplished a life milestone: bungee jumping from a height of 134 meters in the middle of a canyon. That's right, I jumped from that little platform in the middle of the picture, suspended by a steel cable. On the way there, there were about ten of us in the car, and we all took the cable car to that little platform. At that moment, I thought to myself how brave foreigners are to bungee jump in such numbers. But when it came time to put on the gear, I realized only three people were actually jumping; the others were just there to watch. The real thrill-seekers were doing the canyon swing next door. :)
The first two jumpers were tall, muscular foreign guys who prepared for less than three minutes before gracefully leaping off. I was stunned. Oh my, 143 meters!!! I stood at the jumping point, gripping the safety officer's hand tightly, too scared to let go. I asked her if she could push me off, and she said no. I asked if I could jump backward, and she said they strongly recommend facing forward for the first jump.
So I prepared for a long time, first letting go of the safety officer's hand, then lowering the rope, inching forward, and finally being encouraged to spread my arms. When I turned around, I found a row of people watching, and I almost cried. I kept muttering that I couldn't do it, my hands and legs were shaking, and the staff counted down countless times: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. In the end, I closed my eyes, crouched down, and jumped. The cheers from above were so strong; the experience was surprisingly good, with a feeling of being lifted by the wind and no strong sense of weightlessness. I didn't expect that the scariest part of bungee jumping wasn't the jump itself but the twenty minutes of anxiety while standing on the platform.
It was terrifying, but I'll come back next time; they say returning customers get a discount.
The second time I went was in autumn, and I was lucky to have beautiful weather this time. Autumn is wonderful; it's a season that's both delicious and visually appealing.
I also took a helicopter ride to see the glaciers; places without human presence are always great.
Marking a very cool horseback riding experience at the filming location of The Lord of the Rings, riding freely and crossing a rushing river. Mist rose from the distant mountains.
Lastly, I highly recommend Fergbar in Queenstown, located right next to the famous Fergburger. Most people go for the burgers and often overlook the excellent bar next door. It has become my favorite bar in New Zealand, serving delicious cocktails at an incredibly high cost-performance ratio. In a high-end restaurant where oysters cost six dollars each, this place is truly exceptional.
- Returning Home
Due to the pandemic, I hadn't returned home for three years, but this year I had to go back at all costs. This time, besides Xi'an, I also visited Yunnan and Shanghai.
In Xi'an, I drove with friends to Guanshan Ranch, which looked so much like New Zealand that my friend kept exclaiming, "Haven't you seen enough sheep? You're back to see grass and sheep again." Childhood friends + self-driving + ranch + horseback riding + treehouse = growing up is really enjoyable.
Yunnan is a great place; I've been there countless times. The barbecue is delicious, the fermented tofu is fragrant, and the bamboo shoots are tender. I brought back a lot of custard apples, which sell for over ten dollars each in New Zealand. This time, besides visiting the famous Starlight Night Market, I also went to Mengbalala in Xishuangbanna, which was a fantastic place to stay. It's a huge resort town in Menghai County with many standalone villa hotels, perfect for family vacations. We stayed at the Banyan Tree Hotel, which had an excellent cost-performance ratio! The hot spring area was also beautiful, giving off a Moroccan vibe. There were many attractions like a peacock garden where you could wander among the peacocks. It's a great place; I feel like there is a lack of such pure vacation spots in the country (or maybe my understanding is just too limited).
This time, I finally felt the charm of Shanghai, thanks to Yingzi's wedding, where I met many friends. In the past, I never felt a sense of belonging when I visited Shanghai, but this time, hanging out with friends in various hidden bars, working together in a coffee shop in the afternoon, and enjoying delicious flower wine chicken made me realize that the charm of Shanghai belongs to the night. Upon reflection, it's not just Shanghai that is charming; I find it even harder to part with these interesting people.
- Daily Life
I work from home five days a week, so I definitely seize the opportunity to run away on weekends. As a result, every weekend, I've been working hard to improve the animal feed at various farms around Auckland. My favorite activity is snorkeling; I can float and watch fish for a long time. I also attended a candlelight concert in a church, which had a great atmosphere, was very beautiful, and made me quite sleepy.
This year, I've also been working hard to collect sunsets, becoming a competent sunset collector. The best sunset viewing spot of the year is Hamilton's Gap, with a long coastline and soft black sand beach, perfect for picnics and camping—very romantic.
Food#
This year, I had too many delicious meals while dining out to list them all. Since I started cooking this year, I can make some evaluations.
Sauce of the Year
- Masterfood Tuscan Dry Spice
This unremarkable little spice, when rubbed on lamb chops with a layer of oil, will give you a Michelin-star experience. What's the difference between me and a Western chef!
- Pizza & Pasta Sauce
I just finished it, so I couldn't take a picture. It's that kind of tomato sauce; I feel like the ones in supermarkets shouldn't be too bad. You can choose any, but make sure to buy the one labeled as dual-purpose sauce. It's great for making pizza, pasta, and pan-fried fish fillets; using it captures the essence of Italian chefs.
Unexpected Quick Dish of the Year
This year, I tried many different styles of home cooking, and the strangest recipe was white fermented tofu, soy milk, and smoked chicken pasta. It's not dark at all and is exceptionally simple. Just stir-fry onions and smoked chicken, pour in four or five pieces of white fermented tofu and half a bowl of soy milk to make the sauce, then stir in the cooked pasta. Done. If you use less white fermented tofu, it tastes just like normal white sauce pasta (low-fat version). I would call white fermented tofu the Chinese cheese!!
Most Frequently Cooked Home Dish of the Year
Stir-fried pork belly with spicy kimchi and leek. I looked it up, and leek is a type of chives; I think using green onions would also work well. It's super simple: slice the leek, fry the pork belly, add the leek and spicy kimchi, pour in some soy sauce and sugar, and you're done. It's a quick dish that even someone with no cooking talent can easily make, incredibly delicious and highly recommended.
Personal Development#
I must mention Joshua. Although he is very strict with me, he has played a crucial role in my rapid growth. He is a very intelligent, kind, and patient person.
Achievements#
- Taking Responsibility
This year has been a year of rapid maturity. I remember when I first started working, I would look for reasons and excuses for even minor issues, often having to say, "I don't mean to blame you; please don't look for other reasons." Eventually, I slowly learned to take responsibility, solve problems, analyze causes, and prevent them from happening again.
- Living Up to the Title of "A Warrior Who Can Stand Alone"
I became more proficient in managing various company affairs. Whether it’s legal matters, investor relations, or internal management, I made significant progress this year. In the early days, I often sent emails that were too casual, and I was told I needed to take a formal email writing course. Now, I can calmly handle lengthy document requests. I completed many tasks related to the company's structure, and I find that I have a good mind for this.
- Gaining In-depth Understanding of Projects
It's common in the industry for team management and project groups to be somewhat disconnected. However, in a technology-focused team, it's essential for everyone to understand the projects. This year, I made an effort to participate in project meetings, actively use the products, and understand project developments. I plan to continue this next year!
Areas for Improvement#
- Mathematical Rigor
I hope that in 2023, I won't miscalculate money or anything related to it anymore. Please save me!
- Understanding of the Market
I feel like my participation in the market has been a bit lacking and not deep enough. I can work harder next year.
New Year's Wishes#
Life Management
At the end of 2022, I established a routine of regular exercise, work, and healthy eating. I hope to continue this in 2023. Working from home is enjoyable, but it can lead to some health issues due to insufficient physical activity. In 2023, I must work hard to achieve my dream body shape!
Work
2022 was a tumultuous year. I hope that in 2023, the market will recover, and I can protect my colleagues at the factory, allowing them to live happily and code joyfully without worrying about anything outside of technology.
Expanding Horizons
I hope that in 2023, I can travel to farther places, participate in events, see the world, meet various people, and hear about the things they want to do.