At the end of last year, I wrote about many things that happened with me in 2023. And it was fun to go back and reflect on those. I even created some AI podcast episode that discussed. So I thought why not to do it again this year, again?
But I have been working today, so I am tired, and I will keep it short.
I started the year by visiting family in Abu Dhabi and then in Jordan. It was good to escape the crazy winter, and spend it somewhere else. Abu Dhabi weather was amazing. We visited Dubai for 2 days as well. Jordan was cold but fun. It was great spending the time there, because I was watching the final of AFC Cup 2022/2023, when Jordan made it to the final, but lost to Qatar.
This year I had a company event in Las Vegas, then I traveled to NYC, where I spent 4 fun days, and met some friends. Before going back to Munich.
I went for a short trip to Dublin in April, for another small company offsite. It was my first time ever in Ireland. And I haven't even been to the UK yet. Reminder for myself: I need to visit London in 2025.
In the summer I went to Jordan again, and went to Sharm Elsheik with my close friends for 4 days. It was fun, but super hot. My first time ever in Africa.
Then I came and spent the rest of the year in Munich. I didn't even leave the state.
I got promted to Senior this year!
Last year, I realized that I need to do uncluttering in my life. Especially that my apartment is small. I sold and got rid of many things. This helped me to feel better at home, also to focus on the things I have. Like books.
I thought that this was supposed to be a "wave", and it would fade away, and then I start buying stuff again. Well, I was wrong. I kept that going. I even got rid of more stuff, and old books from my apartment. Feels good. Looking forward to get rid of more stuff in 2025!
This year I took tennis classes for the first time ever. It was super fun. Probably the best thing I have done this year.
I kept going to the Gym, and fitness classes (Eisbachfit). This year I finally ran more than Half-Marathon at the Wings for Life, after failing to do that for 2 years in a row. But in the October Munich Half-Marathon I had slower time than last year. Probably because I hadn't been, and still not, running for long distances while training. Something that I need to do again in the spring.
I did a few hikes this year. Probably more than last year. It felt good. Most of them were hikes that I have done before, but I felt more confident, and less intimidated by the technical difficulties or heights.
This year I killed my personal project, ChessDuo, the multiplayer chess website. It's not running a very simple version, just to try some ideas that I always wanted to try with Go. No Ruby is involved. Most of the frontend is taken from the old website. The community has already moved to other websites like LiChess or Chess.Com
My name is Omar Qunsul. I write these articles mainly as a future reference for me. So I dedicate some time to make them look shiny, and share them with the public.
You can find me on twitter @OmarQunsul, and on Linkedin.