2025 Year in Review: A Year of Growth and Adventure

Three Out of Four Goals Achieved

I set four main goals for myself this year and managed to knock out three of them between Q3 and Q4. It feels good to look back and see I actually followed through on most of what I promised myself.

Diving - Got my scuba certification and did my first dive in Taiwan. I was nervous at first, but once I dove down and saw that completely different world beneath the surface, I was hooked. The colors, the marine life, the weightless feeling - it was like discovering a whole new planet.

Motorcycle License - Got my license in Seattle this year. The whole process was challenging but rewarding, and having that license feels like I've unlocked new possibilities for future adventures.

Health Goals - I set an ambitious health target at the start of the year that felt overwhelming and maybe unrealistic. But I committed to it and stuck with it. By December, I hit that target and managed to keep my blood sugar levels in the normal range. The journey wasn't easy, there were days I wanted to give up, but it was totally worth it. I feel healthier, more energetic, and more confident.

Finding a Girlfriend - This was the one goal I didn't achieve. Dating in Seattle has been interesting, had some conversations on apps but nothing clicked. Balancing work, projects, and travel made it tough. I'm carrying this forward to 2026, hoping a fresh start in Japan might bring new opportunities.

A Year of Travel

This was one of my most travel heavy years. I went to Boston and Toronto with family, Miami with friends where we had a blast, Europe solo through Berlin and London which was transformative, and Tokyo and Taiwan with friends where I did my diving certification.

Work Challenges

Work was both productive and chaotic. I completed multiple projects I'm proud of and have been pushing for a promotion. The weird part? My manager changed three times this year. Each transition meant starting over, rebuilding relationships, and proving myself again. It's exhausting and makes advocating for promotions harder. Not sure if I'll get it next year, but I'll keep trying.

Looking Ahead to 2026

I'm most excited about hopefully getting my Japan visa approval to move there in April. If it works out, I want to visit outlying islands like Tanegashima and Okinawa, actually learn Japanese properly, explore the possibility of getting PR, meet new friends, find a girlfriend, and most importantly, build a life there that I'm excited about. It'll be challenging adjusting to a new culture and being far from family, but I'm ready.

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Looking back, this year had challenges and changes, but I learned new skills, explored new places, took care of my health, and set myself up for an exciting new chapter. Three out of four goals isn't bad, and that fourth one is rolling over. Bring on 2026!