Over the years, I have developed a habit and preference of always taking leave from work at least for the last week of the year. It allows me some time to take a step back and do a review and summarize the year, while always setting some goals and hope for the upcoming new year. So yes, I am on leave now writing this post 😀
Looking back at 2024, I started the year feeling energized and fresh as I have managed to cleared off one of the toughest module till date in my part time course, with that it allows me to proceed on to other modules which has it as a pre-requisite. Work wise, I am still working hard in my career (not just a job) spanning into its 10th year with my current company which is a milestone I am looking forward to (at least the perk of additional days off awarded moving forward is precious for a working adult juggling with night classes and also other family commitments.
Started off the year and first semester in earnest, pacing myself relatively well, staying on track with study plan not falling behind was a bonus. Had a simple 3D2N trip back to Malaysia to visit my extended family during Lunar New Year was an impromptu but great decision I took as I realized it has been more than a decade since I went back to celebrate Lunar New Year with them always citing busy schedule. (I do work on public holidays)
Lion dance to usher in the New Year.
Down with a bad throat and flu after all the shuffling and lack of rest right after returning from the trip.
Fast forward 3 months to the end of the first semester, was pleasantly surprised I did better than expected for my modules, losing a small bet I had with a few besties in class that I will have to take the tab for a end of semester meal as we had a side bet on my grade for one of the module which I happily fulfilled
2024 was also Olympics year and I personally love to watch it as I do have a physical limitation which I will not go into detail in this post but it does not allow me to be as sporty thus I enjoy watching the pros doing what they do best, especially swimming, fast and furious and competitive. But that also meant I have to wake up at 2am to watch these swims especially those finals.
watching from my Ipad so I don't wake up the others in the family
Second half of 2024 was not as friendly as the first half, was reading yet another killer module which in fact I am still worried about till today, but well I have given my best and can only hope for the best. Schedule was so hectic that I had to apply to school to read the module together with the full time students which also meant I had to take a day leave each week for the whole of the semester (Ouch that hurts) in order to be able to take another module which lands on the same night had I wanted to take both module with part time students which the college don't allow. Went through a lot of admin for that to enable it.
Health wise was bad as well, had a fall while working which ended up with multiple stiches required and a lot of reporting to do at work, I had a heated argument with my supervisor of many years over this and subsequent follow up which we both do apologize to each other later, didn't want to kill personal friendship over work matters. Knew he meant well, just unable to reach an agreement over some actions.
Down twice with food poisoning is no joke, so bad till I lost 3kg in 2 days from all the runs but taking it positively some quick weight loss to advance closer to my ideal weight.
Looking back, health was neglected and work was not as smooth as I had hope it to be, not seeing my name on the promotion list sure is quite a heartache but lesson learnt this year is the importance of staying health as we were often told Health is Wealth, this year cannot be more true.
Looking forward to 2025, hopefully I can finish up the remaining module and complete my study as per plan.
Also to keep my cool better at work, not that I am like a volcano just to be cooler, not a cucumber yet.
Change is inevitable as the only constant in life is change, but how we react to changes is the key to our happiness. a glass half full or half empty, I think most of us knew the story but how many of us really take the time to give it a serious thought?
