I am not hardworking, I haven't pushed myself.
"Time flies like a fleeting horse through a crevice." This idiom I recently learned perfectly encapsulates how quickly time passes. I didn't notice that I've reached an age where I sense the swiftness of time (laughs).
University life is progressing faster than I imagined, and I've already completed half of it. Yet, I feel like I'm still at zero. My skills in coding, guitar, and creativity haven't seen noticeable improvement. As 2025 approaches, I don’t feel joy but rather anxiety and fear of stagnating further. I genuinely want to grow stronger!
Okay, no more bullshit. Let's quickly review my 2024.
Regrets #
1. Never truly practised coding #
I planned to practise coding since the start of Year 1, Semester A. Part of the reason was to prepare for future academics and career, and part was personal interest. Yet, I haven’t made any real progress. The CodeWars account I registered in mid-2024 still shows 0 attempts.
2. No much improvement in guitar skills #
"No much improvement" implies that my skills didn't improve much in 2023 to 2024. I don’t recall making any real progress. Despite resuming lessons during the summer and starting to read [Guthrie Govan’s] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUZK9dasP8s) materials, I’m still slow. Though I touched on chord tones, improvisation, and fretboard visualisation, my progress is as slow as an elderly man strolling.
3. Still dont know how to type Chinese #
- In 2023, I ambitiously aimed to master Cangjie typing during the summer but failed, leaving me frustrated at my weakness.
- In 2024 summer, I set my goal on mastering Cantonese Romanisation but again failed without much effort.
- The wars of 2023 and 2024 ended in defeat. Here’s to a comeback in 2025!
4. Unfinished personal "projects" #
In Year 1, Semester B, I had a few projects in mind. Once they’re done, you’ll see them. Some are academic, while others are for personal interest.
5. Slacking off at semester-end #
I have high expectations for my GPA but laughably low results. I dedicate lots of effort to assignments and projects during teaching weeks, but once classes end, I inexplicably lose motivation. This strange procrastination leads to poor final results. Rinse and repeat every semester.
6. Stuck in my comfort zone with fashion #
In late 2024, I finally thought, "Wow, my outfits are so boring. I don't want to dress like this forever." Since then, I started paying attention to others' fashion styles.
After much observation, I realised how utilitarian my style is. Practicality over aesthetics, to put it mildly.
7. Cooking remains basic #
I can cook a few dishes, but they’re all beginner-friendly:
- Scrambled eggs with tomatoes
- Tofu with scrambled eggs and tomatoes
- Canned fish with scrambled eggs and cheese
- Pan-fried pork chops with scrambled eggs
- Stir-fried vegetables and meat
- Potatoes and scrambled eggs with tomatoes
Notice the pattern? Everything revolves around scrambled eggs. It’s my ultimate comfort zone.
8. Haven't finished a story #
Life is ironic. Here’s someone who claims to love writing stories but has never completed a novel. The "masterpieces" that always turns him on includes a half-finished 1,500-word draft and 2,000 words of setting notes.
9. Poor society operations #
The core issue, I think, is there are not enough activities. After an active start, the society went quiet. The mid-year member-only jam night was a disaster. Why can’t we achieve the same level of success as UST?
Achievements #
1. Leave "Hong Kong City" #
In May, I joined a school-organised study tour to London for a month, visiting other the UK cities along the way. It was my first time leaving fucking Asia. As they say, the grass is greener on the other side. The architecture, natural scenery, and streets of the UK were breathtaking. I still cherish the memories of Bath, Dover, Hendon, Oxford, and park outings with friends.
2. Liked someone and took action #
Success or failure aside, I conquered my fear and made an effort. Though it didn’t work out, I gained experience. Reflecting on my failures, I realised my impatience and lack of strategy gave my opponent the upper hand early on.
3. Created this website #
I’ve long wanted a platform to share my thoughts and knowledge. In 2023, I explored options like Typecho, Hexo, Hugo, and WordPress. I chose Hugo for its simplicity and speed. After a long journey of trial and error, I succeeded in mid-2024.
4. Arranged a song #
Around 2023–2024, I began developing my own ideas for guitar arrangements. My first completed project was a seven-string guitar adaptation of Secret Base Kimi ga Kureta Mono as a farewell gift for my best friend leaving for the UK. It took three weeks, and I love the result.
5. Improved basketball skills #
Compared to my high school days, my shooting, offensive threats, and basketball IQ have improved significantly, thanks to a friend who reignited my passion for basketball in Year 1. While I initially struggled with three-pointers using a two-motion shot, I transitioned to a one-motion shot in August. Although my shots often airballed, by December, I saw slight improvements in trajectory and accuracy.
Goals for 2025 #
0. No regrets of "not trying hard enough" or "lacking dedication." #
1. Improve guitar improvisation and rhythm stability #
I aim to express the melodies in my mind and tell a cohesive musical story through improvisation, akin to this example.
2. Finish my story #
Just write, no excuses.
3. Organise more events for Band Soc #
I have some ideas in mind and expect this to be a challenging yet rewarding journey.
4. Find a summer internship #
It’s time to gain work experience and boost my CV!
5. Learn Chinese typing #
Enough said—just do it.
6. Complete research on internet censorship #
This is part of my personal project.
7. Further improve basketball skills #
- Reduce airballs and achieve a 40% three-point shooting rate.
- Master smooth dribbling and finishing techniques inspired by Derrick Rose.