Of 2024

How was my 2024 in a nutshell?

If I had to sum up my 2024 in one word, it would be “misspent”. At the start of the year, I set out with big dreams and promises—plans to pursue a master’s degree in Taiwan, launch an online business for my dad, and so much more. But as the time passed, I found myself falling short of these goals, both in my personal and professional life.

I feel just like this cat. :/

Some setbacks were beyond my control, but others? They stemmed from my own distractions and misplaced focus. Looking back, I can’t help but think how much better things could have been if I had stayed locked in.

Still, 2024 wasn’t all bad. Despite the missteps and missed opportunities, there were lessons learned and stories worth celebrating. I failed often, but I grew even more. This is my year in review—a reflection on the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Vietnam Trip

My brother and I were fortunate enough to get free plane tickets for a tour in Vietnam, where we visited Dalat and Nha Trang. However, there wasn’t much to do in these places, as we spent most of our time traveling by bus between attractions, which were quite far apart. The weather was hot and humid, and while the food was decent, it wasn’t really to my taste. Overall, it was a great experience, but next time, I think I’ll visit larger cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to explore more.

Taiwan Trip

This year-end trip to Taiwan was one of the best experiences of my life. My girlfriend and I spent a week there, visiting Taipei, Jiufen, Taichung, and Sun Moon Lake. The people were so friendly, the food was amazing, and the views were beautiful. We explored busy streets, enjoyed peaceful lakes, and ate way too much good food. For New Year’s, we counted down near Taipei 101, watching fireworks that were so bright they almost hurt my eyes. Taiwan was incredible, and if I get the chance, I’d love to go back.

Applying for a Master’s Degree in Taiwan

My dad always says that knowledge is the most important thing in life if you want to be great. With that in mind, after working professionally for a few years, I decided to pursue a master’s degree, hoping it would help me excel in my field. I put in the work—taking tests, preparing documents, writing essays, and even reaching out to professors for recommendation letters. This year, I applied to two universities in Taiwan: NTU and NTUST, both for a master’s in computer science.

I was rejected by NTU but accepted by NTUST. Despite this, I decided not to go forward. NTU was my dream school, and not receiving the MOE scholarship made the decision harder. I thought I had done well and believed I was ready, but being rejected by NTU made me feel like a failure, like I wasn’t good enough. It was a tough blow, and for a while, I felt like a fraud.

But maybe it just wasn’t my time. Maybe I still have more to learn, more growing to do, and more patience to practice. Who knows? Perhaps I’m destined for something else—something even better. I’m not giving up on my academic dreams. I’ll try again, and who knows? I might end up at a university I never even imagined I’d get into.

I got a new car

This is the biggest purchase I’ve ever made in my life—I bought a brand-new Mazda CX-30! I’ve been dreaming of owning a car for a long time, and I finally made it happen.

At a time when hybrid and EV cars are the talk of the town for their fuel economy, I went for a pure petrol car. Why? Because; particularly my model; it drives so well. It’s smooth, quiet, and in my opinion, the best in its class. The assembly quality is excellent, the materials feel premium, and the design is simply elegant.

In an engineering standpoint, I also think that the internal combustion engine is easier to maintain. While hybrids and EVs have fewer moving parts, they are still new technology, and I’m not sure if I’m ready to deal with the potential problems they might have. For hybrids, you have to maintain 2 powertrains, and for electric cars, you have to worry about battery degradation and aftersale services. All that considered, I think a petrol car is still the best choice for me.

The one downside everyone points out is fuel economy, especially with Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams. Cars burn through petrol like there’s no tomorrow in those conditions. Luckily for me, I don’t need to drive everyday. I mostly use the car for long trips, while for work, I rely on the MRT—or maybe even a new motorbike in the future!

I love this car. I’m going to take care of it as best as I can; for as long as I can.

Some Missed Opportunities

I started this post with “misspent” because that’s exactly what my year felt like. There were things I wanted to achieve but didn’t, like launching an online business for my dad. I had the idea, the plan, and the resources, but I lacked the time and focus to see it through. I let distractions take over, and now I regret not following through.

I also failed in my attempt to pursue a master’s degree. After putting in so much effort, I didn’t get in. On top of that, I’ve been studying Chinese for a while, but it feels like I’m stuck and not making any real progress.

Looking back, I realize I spent my time badly. I didn’t exercise enough, didn’t eat healthily, and didn’t get enough sleep. I didn’t travel as much as I had planned, and I didn’t step out of my comfort zone like I’d promised myself I would. Instead, I wasted so much time on useless things; binge-watching TV shows, doom-scrolling on social media, and doing stuff I shouldn’t have done at all.

I regret every minute that I spent poorly this year.

What have I learned?

Brainrot is real. I spent way too much time this year on social media, watching TV shows, and playing video games. These activities drained my time and energy, and I know I need to cut back and spend my time more wisely. A friend once told me that while there’s always time for anything, there’s not enough energy for everything. That hit me hard—because it’s true.

You get tired. You need rest. And when you try to do too much, you end up losing focus. To achieve what matters, I need to prioritize and put my energy into the things that are truly important. I didn’t do that this year. I wasted my energy on things that didn’t matter, and now I regret it.

But it’s not too late to change. I still have time, and I will. From now on, I’ll focus on what’s important and work hard to achieve my goals.

What’s next?

Here it is everyone, my New Year’s resolutions for 2025:

I have big plans for the coming years, and I’m determined to make them happen.

First, I want to transform myself physically. I aim to have a six-pack, be lean, and strong, which means committing to healthier eating, regular exercise, and better sleep habits.

Second, it’s time to finally set up an online store for my dad. This is a goal I’ve talked about for years, and I won’t let our family business fade out in my generation—not on my watch.

Third, I’m going to achieve HSK 4 in Chinese. I’ve been studying for a while, and it’s time to prove to myself that I can do it.

Fourth, I want to dive deeper into my field. I’ll study at least 10 software engineering books to learn more and become a better developer.

Fifth, I’m going to create content consistently. Writing is something I love, and I want to share my thoughts and experiences to inspire others and help them grow. I’m sticking to blogging for now, but I’m also considering exploring video content later.

Sixth, I’m going to travel more—two international trips and five domestic provinces. I want to experience new places, cultures, and perspectives. Alongside trips with my girlfriend and family, I’ll take some solo adventures to reconnect with myself.

Seventh, I’ll lay the groundwork for pursuing my master’s degree the following year. I’ll be financially, academically, and mentally prepared when the time comes.

Lastly, I’m bringing back some old hobbies and trying new ones. No holding back—I’m going all-in to live my life with maximum effort!

Epilogue

I’m not going to lie, 2024 was a tough year, but I wouldn’t be able to make it without the people who stayed by my side. My family, my girlfriend, my friends, and my colleagues, they all helped me get through the tough times. I’m grateful that I have them in my life, and I hope I can be there for them when they need me too.

Although I’m not sure I’ll be able to meet all that goals, but I’ll try my best, I’ll keep getting up every time I fall, and I’ll never give up. I’m ready to make 2025 my best year yet.

Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉

Siraphob, 2024.