Obligatory New Year Post 3

Hi readers! Didn't expect me to write the next post in the series of "Obligatory New Year Post"? I know it is a little late, since this year I spent it in my home country and I'm sharing my room with my brother. In the last few years, he had been studying in China and thus I usually had the room all by myself around the new year, and I got into reflective mood pretty quickly. Also, I am kinda (ok, REALLY) addicted to Civilization V. Moreover, I am worrying about my FYP all December too. Shortly, it is kinda hard to get into reflective mood these days. Finally here I am and here we go.

First, let's start with comparing where I am now with my last year's resolution.

1. To go for most opportunities available

I can't believe it, I forgot to record down sometime in the middle of last year too... Probably due to the same reason as the previous year (internship during summer - or winter, at the place where I was interning). I sure hope I will be able to keep at it this year!

But actually.. I do have something to say about this. One of the reason why I decided to take up FYP is because of this resolution, and I suffer (still do!) as the result. I should probably put in some more thought into it too.... Reminder for my 2017 self!

2. To improve my communication skills (used to be "To improve communication skills especially in Chinese and with girls" in previous years)
Nooo.... Nooo.... Nooo.... I totally blew this one. I did not participate in any activities last sem due to my stress from FYP... So not many opportunities to speak with girls. And my Chinese totally deteriorated despite taking Chinese 5 to help maintain my proficiency from China. Must bulk up this semester!

3. To be more physically fit

I skipped quite a number of days in my pumps every 2 days regime last year. Hopefully I won't this year! Totally no change to my physique, that's for sure.... Maybe I should go for runs too, like what a friend in Aussie advised me...

4. To spend my summer doing internship

This resolution went better than expected. It's something, especially among all the other failed resolutions lol. (To those who have been missing my posts, or this is your first time here, I interned at Google last summer, or winter, at the place where I interned - Aussie)

5. To create something that I can actually be proud of

This... I failed this. Well.. To my defense, I did finish my work at my Google internship, and it got shipped a couple of weeks after I left, but the product was less than satisfactory according to my standard. Not sure how it went through QA.

Anyway, if you are interested, the product is actually a preview of Excel files in Google Drive. If you are using Chrome, you'd probably think the product is awesome (it is awesome on Chrome! Yay!) However, once you try using any other browser....... I'l let you see yourself and let me know if you notice a huge difference in UX (user experience).

So yeap, doesn't look satisfactory at all. I only managed to completely fulfil 1 out of 5 resolutions, despite that with "flying colours", so to speak. I must really bulk up this year. Also, I kinda noticed that my resolve is only strong for the (Spring) semester, and it wanes on the following (Fall) semester. So, I am considering writing some kind of a midpoint check blog post, just to keep my resolve high. Or probably I should do it quarterly, like Google (affected by Google culture too much? lol. But I think most companies do quarterly reviews too, not just Google) For now, I decided to just do a half-yearly first, and see from there.

So, here goes this year's resolution:

1. To go for most opportunities available

2. To improve my communication skills (especially in Chinese and with girls)

3. To exercise more than once a week

4. To get close (preferably get attached) to a girl before graduation

5. To create something that I can be proud of

6. Be more resolute in whatever I do

FAQ again, because it turned out to be useful to *myself* when I re-read and evaluate my resolutions lol.

1. Why the "especially in Chinese and with girls" making a comeback in resolution 2?

Because turns out those parts are quite important. Now it is in the brackets which means in general communication is the direction, but girls and Chinese is to be given special attention.

2. Why change more physically fit to exercise more than once a week?

I mentioned in the last year's obligatory post that I want it to be more "quantifiable". Not sure why I left it there as it was last year. "more physically fit" is not at all quantifiable.

3. What's the deal with number 4?

I am aware that getting to know new people when I start working will be a lot harder, which means much harder time meeting new girls. Meaning I should make full use of the time I have left here in university where it is much easier to meet them. The "preferably get attached" part is just for more motivation.

4. Why is number 5 still there?

Well, I already told you that what I did at Google was not something I am really proud of. Just "kinda" proud of.

5. What's the deal with number 6???

Well... I just had a "talk over smoke break" (I don't smoke, my friend does) and my friend sort of nudged the issue of how undecisive/uncertain I am. I know I am and I know something has to be done about it. I am still not sure (uncertain!) what "more quantifiable" things I can do to write, so I will probably improve this one later on (maybe not, but hopefully I will during the midpoint check, if I remember to do it at all!)

So that is all for now. Hopefully I will be able to fulfil at least half of it, whichever half doesn't matter. They support each other so being able to fulfil some meaning some progress on others too.

All the best in your endeavours in 2017!