2018.

Well. Here we are. The end.

This is my second shot at this.

2018.

Take two.

I wrote a bit yesterday during my usual bah humbug to all, but it got fucked over.

Laptop died.

My fault. Water damage. Tea damage.

2018.

Another casualty.

2018.

I’m glad to be rid of you.

2018.

Here I am, again, now writing from home.

I hope I can replicate what I wrote yesterday, but who knows?

New day.

New start.

2018.

Let’s roll.

A Bah Humbug to all.

* * *

2018.

It was a continuation of 2017.

It’s like 2017 never ended.

Time.

Space.

2018.

Work.

Work took the most of the finite time that was 2018 and took up the most space.

I strive for a great work-life balance and I do have it. I’m not going there and bitch about it. I do have a great work-life balance, but this past year seemed the most imbalance in quite some time.

The past few years had been The Year of Phong. This past year was no different.

I’m still alone, living my life on my terms continuing in this tradition of party of one with no end in sight, but if I would give this year a new title, it’ll be: The Year of Responsibilities and Advancement: A Work Story.

2018

The Year of Responsibilities and Advancement: A Work Story.

Work.

It’s all about work.

I ended last year working through the break, migrating our Social Bridge sites and files over to SharePoint.

Finished, we started the year off with it being our tool of choice for work, storage, and collaboration.

Users were on boarded onto the system and overall it works. Documents shared. Collaboration flowing.

When SharePoint works, it works, but there are issues that we’ve been experiencing that was the biggest stressor within 2018.

We share too much.

Which almost killed our SharePoint.

2018.

Stress.

Work.

I’m the face of the platform. When there are issues, I’m the one to point fingers at. It’s my responsibility.

My stress leveled out and reached a manageable level as we created a new Developer position for SharePoint. He quit, but we found a replacement.

Now he’s the one that’s tackling the speed issue as I take a step back. He’s the one with the skillset to make things work.

Pivot.

Responsibilities.

Shift.

Work.

I hope we get this issue fixed.

2019.

Treat us better.

2018.

Besides SharePoint and my other duties, I somehow got drafted into a new project which I’m actually excited about.

It’s different.

The Data project.

I’m so invested in it that I’m actively furthering my education. I went back to school for it.

Data.

Big Data.

It’s the future.

It’s where the industry is going. It’s where everything is going.

Hopefully I’ll get some advancement and possibly pivot my responsibilities to the project and slowly shift out of Microsoft and SharePoint.

It all started because I got drafted and then I made a business decision that will help our team.

2019.

I hope for something new and fun.

I hope to return to more balance.

* * *

2018.

School.

An education.

Not just an education, but a continuing education.

I went back to school. I’m a student again and I have another class coming up next year.

It stemmed from work, but overall, I think it was more of a natural progression of want to work my brain, wanting to learn more.

I’ve been thinking more about my future and with work and all that is happening with new responsibilities and new projects, it just made sense that I get a formal education on these new advancements of technology.

I went back to school to learn SQL and Database Management. I need it. I may be the point person and the administrator of the new system for our RAI team.

I made that decision. I’m covering my ass.

2018.

A student.

I never thought I’d be a student again. I never thought about going back to school to get my Masters or a Doctorate. I didn’t know what I would go back to school for. It’ll be a waste of money since I didn’t know and I don’t want to be in debt.

But now, I see the light. I’m protecting my future.

School.

A student.

I enjoy it.

I’m using my brain again. I made an effort to better myself and to secure a better future.

2018.

Every year, I’ll say that if you aren’t learning, you aren’t growing.

It’s important to learn, to continue to obtain new knowledge.

It’s healthy.

Growth.

Besides the extension classes at UCLA, I still have a few online classes that I need to take and finish.

All for work.

All to be better.

2019.

I’m look forward to new skills and more knowledge.

* * *

Take three.

A new day.

A new laptop.

I’ll finish up this current bah humbug on this temporary Google Doc before going back to the old fashion way of doing things. Just not use to it.

So, here we go.

2018.

What a shit show.

* * *

2018.

I winds down.

Another day down and just a handful left to go.

Brain fried.

Tired.

That seemed to be a anthem for the year. Tired.

Fatigue.

My brain, drained of anything worthwhile after a busy day of work.

I don’t want to do anything.

Eat.

Unwind.

Become a vegetable in front of the television as I drift in and out of consciousness trying to pay attention to the shows that I’m watching.

Maybe I’m bored with the shows I’m watching, or maybe I’m drained, but there’s no focus at home.

I retreat into the darkness of my apartment, on my futon, not thinking and yet thinking at the same time.

Such a contradiction.

By 10 I’ll already be in bed, unwinding on the ipad catching up on news that I’ve already read and then memes.

My brain doesn’t have the capacity to read anymore.

I’ve been on Stephen King’s It for more than a year.

Brain fried.

No energy or focus.

Nothing seeps in.

I wish I could go back to reading at night again. Maybe that’s something to work on in the new year.

Reading.

Books.

Stories.

I miss them.

Let’s work on that.

Get my brain going. Ignore this fatigue.

I know it’s a new normal for the past year, year-and-a-half because of work, but I hoped that I would have adjusted by now.

It’s not the case.

2018.

Such disappointment here.

Let’s change it. Make a new normal.

Let’s go back to the old days where I’m able to sit in bed and read for hours.

There are too many books to read. I don’t have time to just let my brain die from exhaustion.

I need a little creativity in my life.

Reading.

Here’s to 2019.

* * *

Projects.

2018.

Not existent.

There were no creative projects this year.

No cooking projects.

No writing projects.

That Christmas Movie idea? Still stewing in my mind.

I thought about it and took some notes, but nothing much have came out of it.

Work got in the way.

Work.

Imbalance.

Brain fried.

No creative juices that flow.

Just a thick sludge of stagnation.

My creative mind dies.

I know a lot of it was due to time and how I manage my time. There were times when I thought I’d do some writing but I focused on my online classes instead.

Python.

Learning.

That took a forefront this past year. My focus shifted and hopefully in the new year, I’ll find a better balance.

Creativity.

Let’s get the juices flowing.

I’m thinking of doing another 365 with the iPhone. I don’t want to commit with the DSLR. Go simple.

Cooking.

I didn’t do a cooking project this year, but it didn’t stop me from cooking new things.

I’ve done a tonkotsu ramen and korean army stew and beans and rice. I’ve taken pictures of the things that I haven’t done before and I think I’ll continue to do the same.

I may start up another cooking project. 30.

Let’s do it.

Writing.

Let’s see how that goes. I’ll always have this and its entries. Maybe I’ll be a little more sporadic since I want to focus on schooling and more creative writings.

I need creative outlets.

Looking forward to it.

Let’s get back to creating.

Let’s get back to making.

* * *

2018.

Wanderlust.

Travel.

Trips were small this year.

Personal.

Short.

There were a few work trips mixed in to the regions and one to NOLA for the Tableau conference.

I wished I did more traveling.

I wished I did more hiking.

I needed to recharge. I needed nature.

I got some.

Not enough.

Looking back at the pictures, it seemed that I did a few trips.

It started with Yosemite in February. It was my first break from work. A real vacation. Short, but something.

Then it was my special weekend. Short and relaxing.

I forgot my trip to Bishop and the Eastern Sierras. It’s another place that I need to go back and visit. More hiking.

More nature.

Of course, I had the roadtrip during the summer home.

I miss road trips. I need more.

More traveling.

2019.

Just more.

I know of at least two trips. My usual special weekend and the big Spain trip.

2019 will bring flexible time off.

 

Unlimited Time Off.

 

I know I’ll have about six weeks off if I go by the amount of time I have available. I’ll use that as my basis.

Six weeks.

Let’s make something happen.

Let’s get out, chill, slow down, relax.

Wanderlust.

Traveling.

I’ll go wherever my feet will take me.

The world is my playground and I’m ready to play.

2019.

Bring it.

2018.

Thank you for all of the different trips you allowed me to make.

* * *

2018.

My loves.

My furkids.

Pickles.

Relish.

Pickles & Relish.

They both had a good year.

After last year’s trauma with Relish, she’s been in the house not exposed to anyone but Pickles.

No Chutney’s or strange dogs.

She’s back to her normal self roaming around and being her bitchy self from time to time.

Pickles.

He’s old.

He’s a troublemaker.

Pickles had some health issues this past year. I found out that they food that he was eating was causing him some stomach issues.

Now, he has peeing issues.

Old age.

I took him on our usual Boy and His Dog trip this year. Overall, he did well, besides that bout of diarrhea at the house, but other than that, he was fine.

I took him on a few hiking trips and realized that he’s too old and tired to make it. He can’t handle anything that strenuous anymore.

He needs something more simple, flatter.

Pickles. My old man.

My old son.

Besides the peeing issue, he’s in good health.

I’m making an effort to preserve him as long as I can.

I’m making an effort to preserve the both of them as long as I can.

2018.

Thank you for giving them a decent year.

No emergencies.

No trauma.

2019.

Bring it.

* * *

2018.

People.

Socializing.

Pro-Solitude.

It was unlike any of the past recent years.

Again, it was another Year of Phong. It was a lonely year, back to basics.

I did whatever I wanted.

On my own terms.

I socialized when I wanted to. I tried to keep up the Year of Yes, agreeing to outings that I get invited to.

There wasn’t many this past year, especially the second half.

I made an effort.

I go out when I wanted to.

I socialized around the office.

I get all that I need so that when I go home I can shut myself in.

Like any other year, friends, people, they come and go.

Some I reach out to, hoping that we can keep in touch and others I just let go.

That’s a part of life.

Making an effort, I guess.

Hopefully I can make more of an effort next year.

Hoping.

* * *

2018.

Family.

Surprisingly, it was a very family oriented year.

It wasn’t something that I was expecting, but I saw a lot of family this year.

Mom and bro are both doing great.

Although we didn’t get to hang out much during the summer on my trip back, we did get to do a Napa trip together after the wedding.

It was great to see him enjoy the wine and have his own tastings. He got fucked.

I went to two weddings this year.

One was Annie’s wedding this past October. Saw a lot of aunties and uncle there. It was good to see everyone and hang out with everyone.

The other was Loretta’s mini tea ceremony and banquet way back in June. It was a shit show, but it was great seeing them. I had a great time at their house when I was up during the summer too.

She’s one of the closes cousins that I have. Nothing will change that.

I actually saw Gifu’s family twice this year. One for Loretta’s banquet and the other was for Chinese New Years.

I made a stop on my way to Yosemite.

Philly.

Moorestown.

I saw the east coast family too.

It started when Linda and Sung flew out here during the summer. I spent a day with them.

I stayed with them when I was out in Moorestown for work.

Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them. It was just great seeing them and hanging out with them again.

They got me thinking about my future, especially about retirement. Am I saving enough?

Adulting.

Family.

I didn’t know that I would see that many this year.

It was great seeing 5th Auntie too. I haven’t seen her since before 5th Uncle passed way back in 2014. I’m glad to see that she’s doing great.

Family.

2018.

I love them.

I had a great time hanging out with the kids too while I was up north. I got drinks with all of them. They are of age.

Man, it seem like it was yesterday when they came.

Time flies.

2019.

Family.

Let’s keep them safe. Let’s keep them near.

* * *

Adulting.

2018.

The Year of Transition.

I’ll be 40 next year. This past few months had been a slow transition into 40.

I keep telling myself that I’ll need to give adulting a try when I hit 40. It’s time, right?

I’m working towards that.

Being more comfortable when it comes to socializing is a part of that.

Working on my flaws is another.

I know my issues. I know my problems.

Anger.

I have fucking severe anger issues. I get annoyed by people and by stupidity.

It’s something that I need to work on.

I have no control over that. I’m usually good at letting things go, especially things that I don’t have any control over.

But, sometimes, it affects me and that’s when I snap.

Microsoft.

Sigh.

Fucking Microsoft Support.

They were the source of a lot of my frustrations and anger this past year.

I’m sure they flag my name whenever I make a ticket.

I’m sure there’s one word next to my name: DIFFICULT

 

I don’t want to be difficult, but holy fuck man, do Microsoft Support really get under my skin.

I’ve made an effort to treat them a little differently.

I don’t curse them out anymore. I made an effort months ago and it’s sticking.

I haven’t cursed them out yet.

Biting my tongue.

They are doing their best, even though it is just fucking shitty service.

They are making an effort.

I should to.

Let’s hope that things change next year.

Let’s hope we don’t have any more MS issues next year.

No more SharePoint issues.;

No more Office issues.

Let’s hope.

I don’t want to lose it again.

2018.

There’s a small handful of people at work, my department, that I had issues with.

Whenever they talk or try to do something or worse, not do their fucking job, I lose it.

My anger boils.

My annoyance surges.

There’s nothing that I can do.

I have to let it go.

My boss knows.

He’s not going anywhere.

I have to learn to live with it.

I have to learn to work with him.

I need to figure a way.

He doesn’t know how to do anything.

He doesn’t do anything.

Lazy.

Power trip.

Let it go.

I need to let it go like I did with the other.

Let it go.

Move on.

He’s hopeless. Helpless.

I need to remember that.

Maybe, then I’ll understand.

Maybe I’ll be calmer.

Just maybe.

2018.

Growth.

Adulting.

Year of Transition

Drinking.

Work.

I drank so much last year and this past year.

Work.

Stress.

Just stress.

I need to control it and I think I have it under wraps.

I don’t overdo it.

My liver hates me, but I’m being a little more responsible.

For the office parties, I take a Lyft.

I don’t drive anymore.

Making an effort.

I don’t over do it.

Chicago was the last time.

That fucked me over.

Not anymore.

2018.

Let’s wrap it up.

Let’s keep it in check.

2019.

Adulting.

Just a smidge less stress, please?

Bring it.

* * *

2018.

Maybe it’s because I’m approaching 40, but I never really thought about retirement before.

Maybe it’s because work is stressing me out and I really feel that I don’t want to fucking work anymore.

Adulting.

Retirement.

Linda and Sung got me into thinking about my future.

Retirement.

I don’t want to do this shit for the rest of my life.

I would like to fall back and retire so I can focus on my interests: reading, writing, art.

Adulting.

Growth.

It’s just a natural progress of things.

I’m making an effort to put more of my money into investments for my retirement.

I want my money to help me make money so I can retire at a reasonable age.

My bro aims to retire at 50. He can do it too.

Me, not so much.

I don’t know when I’ll retire, but I hope that I do.

I’m ahead of the curve with people my age, especially millennials, but I want to be safe.

Adulting.

Thinking about my future.

I want to be secure.

2018.

Just getting my shit together.

2019.

Let’s be better.

Let’s be smarter.

Let’s do this.

* * *

2018.

A few more days.

Just a few.

Then, it’ll be a New Year. A new number.

New.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a year where I’ve grown so much.

It’s been a long time since I”ve had a year where I made an effort to grow.

Growth.

It should happen every year.

Have a better understanding of yourself. Have a better understanding of your flaws.

Chip away at it.

Be better.

Grow better.

Know better.

Growth.

Every year.

Just do better.

Don’t limit yourself on what you already know. Be better by learning things that you don’t.

2018.

It was a great year for me for that.

I’m working on being positive. It is The Secret.

Be positive. Great things will happen.

Be positive.

Get exactly what you want.

Be positive.

Know yourself.

Just be.

I’m working on growing my skill set.

I’m working on just being a better person.

Adjustments.

Corrections.

Little things here and there.

Eventually, I’ll excel and then I’ll find another thing to be better that.

Constant growth.

Constant learning.

2018.

You surprised me.

It was an uneven year, but it was a year of adjustments, of transition.

2018.

Year of Transition.

 

Change.

Growth.

Evolve.

Peel another layer and get a deeper understanding.

2018.

You came and took me by surprise.

It was uneven, but damn, if you weren’t interesting.

It was a tough year and I survived it.

I came out stronger.

I came out better.

2018.

I bid you adieu.

Thank you.

2019.

Bring it.

I’m ready.

Bring it.