This year felt so long but also felt like it was short too. Many things happened and it was tough to go on too, but in the end things will turn out fine, hopefully.
The year started pretty well, riding on the highs from last year, but I broke up and had to start coping with it. I took a break from social media and it helped a lot. Having numerous calls with Leo also helped very much. Also, I booked my flights to Japan 2025 trip and it gave me a new focus to set my mind towards, especially since I spent a lot of time towards developing my travel planning web application: Ikuyo: Plan Your Next Trip.
The break from social media made me realize that it was very easy to cut off friendship, and to realize who I was really close with in my friendship circle. I started putting more effort in chatting with them directly and I felt like getting more honest reactions compared to blasting it in social media.
This year, also marked my 3rd year of learning Japanese. I initially thought of going for the N3 exam in July, but I delayed it to December for more time in preparing. Turned out I got a lot more busy towards the end of the year that I rushed learning the grammar points only 2 weeks before the exam. Outside the exam route, I found myself getting more comfortable with Japanese media: anime, novels, radio shows, and TV shows. Anime is the easiest level to get into, but it really depends on which series. Novels are kind of slow, but I tried hard to have a progress each day. Radio shows are great way to train listening, while I still can’t understand 100% of what the presenters say, I find that I don’t need to put much effort in my N3 listening exam. TV shows are something I got into, and I realized that it is really difficult to get access even to the untranslated content; however I find that it is a much better way of immersing compared to anime as the actors and actresses use full use of body language and facial expressions to communicate. With all that, I find that my trip to Japan was quite a success.
This year, I started having realization that life is both beautiful and really fragile. I had that realization when I was at the jagged rocks at Hinomisaki lighthouse area. That area was the most beautiful place I’ve been, and I felt really grateful to be alive to enjoy the view. However, that place was also quite dangerous, as there are lots of jagged rocks and one mis-step, one could fall into the sea and lost their life. This made me realize that life is fragile too.
Speaking of events, this year I attended one large scale concert (Yoasobi), musicals (Wicked, Phantom of the Opera), one football match (Lion City Sailors), and several orchestral concerts. I think I enjoyed them all pretty much and look forward to more of such experiences.
Career wise, it was getting tougher too, since I am now the manager of the team and had to take care of the members’ wellbeing and progress too at the same time in achieving the goals of the team. I attempted the rank promotion too but alas wasn’t successful. I wasn’t very sure yet if staying for another year and attempting again is worth my time or not.
On books, I didn’t reach much. Since my goals were to immerse myself in Japanese, I read mostly Japanese novels and my progress there was quite slow. For English books, I only completed like three books to have some “break” in between those Japanese novels.
One very surprising thing that happened this year was that my house is now completed and I have received the keys to my own house. It probably will be my focus in the next few months to furnish and to move in.
Conclusion
What a year inedeed. I think it was summed well with the omikuji I pulled from Izumo Taisha: even though I am doing pretty well in various aspects of life, I endured numerous hardships and downturns too throughout the year.
For next year, I’d like to practice gratitude and forgiveness more regularly. Besides that, I am looking into my personal growth and life skills too. Maybe learn driving too? Let’s see…
Happy new year 2026!