2024 - a year of successes, celebrations and many firsts.
It took me a while to decide where to post this, eventually. Ironically, although I am a content writer, but I don't appear much on social media. I haven't written in social media for a long time. This stemmed from the social media detox I have taken about 7 years ago (read: when I left the corporate world), which eventually led me to decide that I will no longer play in this space in terms of content writing. I have since decided to only do long-form writing, as I think it will create greater value over the long term.
But, I wanted a space to record a fantastic year in 2024. I have penned down my thoughts and reflections, so I can eventually look back at this article years down the road, and remind myself what a fantastic year it has been, and it will always be in my memory where I can draw strength and inspiration from.
These are the positive highlights in 2024, many of which are firsts in my life, both personally and professionally:
- Invited to attend a celebratory event in KL where the Malaysian Culinary Olympic team won silver medals at the IKA/Culinary Olympic in Stuttgart, Germany. An event graced by Her Royal Highness from the Pahang Palace. I was in awe at how down to earth she was as a royalty. I was truly proud to be a Malaysian, knowing how much hard work went in behind the scene. I teared up when Her Royal Highness was giving out the medal to the National Culinary Team on stage. I could feel the excitement reverberating from the team.
- My client hosted the event above and they had me seated at the same table as the Protocol Team from the palace and researchers from some of the top local universities. I am proud to say that I did not let my client down in explaining the benefits of their products, proven with scientific evidence.
- Inspired by Tan Sri Augustine Ong during an interview with him - he is not ready to retire even at the age of 90! Today, he is still alert, lucid and actively contributing to the palm oil industry.
- Invited to attend the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians press conference and award ceremony and witnessed my friend receiving the award. I was so touched seeing him flying high.
- Worn the traditional baju kurung for the first time in my life. Yes, first time despite being a Malaysian. I just never gotten around to wearing one during high-school days.
- Attended a live fashion and art show, and rubbed shoulders with the artist and the fashion designer.
- Completed 67 resumes for those affected by company restructuring in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
- Coached 17 people affected by company restructuring and were going through career transition.
- Conducted 2 online CV workshops with participants reporting that they have learned useful tips from the workshop.
- Fine dining - tried it for the first time in my life, and I ended up having it for about 5 more times during the year, all of which were paid for by someone else. The Gastronomy God was definitely watching over me in 2024 and you will see why as the list goes on!
- Tasted the Korean sparkling rice wine - Makgeolli for the first time and fell absolutely in love with it.
- Tried Lebanese food for the first time and was pretty impressed by it.
- Tried durian ramen for the first time with 2 friends. One of them absolutely hated durian, but endured the wonderful smell of the fruit and sat through the entire meal with us.
- Realised my aspiration (one which I planted in my brain about 10 years ago) of bringing my folks to the Orchid Room for a relaxing English afternoon tea.
- Wrote a review of a bakery for The Yum List. I ended up falling in love with the bakery and brought friends there to try out their food.
- Tried the "Farm to Table" concept at Genting Sempah and experienced a fresh veggies meal directly from the hillside farm.
- Celebrated my eldest uncle's 80th birthday, coordinating everything from cake design (all the way to Australia) to restaurant arrangement and RSVPs from all the senior relatives.
- Had a beautiful and delicious home-cook meal on Christmas day with a fantastic cheese board / platter.
- Secured the sponsorship management for an annual conference, and kick-started the work for 2025 on the 2024 Christmas eve!
- Finally secured a contract for a collaborator in the AI Security industry after 5 years!
The less positive experiences, also firsts of many:
- Called an ambulance for the first time in my life because my dad had a fit in the middle of the night, and felt totally lost, not knowing what to do.
- Having 2 - 3 doctor appointments every week for a good 2 - 3 months in a row.
- Started managing daily medication for my dad.
- Had to cancel all my travel plans because of my dad's health condition.
- Admitting that I was overwhelmed and needed help in managing my parents' health, along with a hectic work schedule. I was a little depressed and resistant to the changes at first, but swapped my thinking after about 6 months, and powered through for the rest of the year.
- Drifted apart from close friends because of the location of my humble abode (the heavy traffic stopped us from visiting each other) and my hectic work schedule. But there were also close friends who were kind enough to notice my efforts in travelling and agreed to meet me at the halfway point so I can travel less.
- Proposed, started and managed the shift of my grandparents' niche in view of future planning with all the ageing older generation.
- Experienced firsthand on how a dementia patient will act on a daily basis.
- A next-of-kin who disappeared for the longest time reappeared suddenly, asking for help.
Overall, it's been an extremely hectic year. As always, there are positives and negatives, but I am thankful that the list of positives is longer than the negatives. And I will remind myself to draw strength and inspiration from 2024 should I fall into a slump again in the future.
Is the article perfect? Definitely not.
Did it cover everything that I have experienced in 2024? Definitely not either.
But did it do what I intended for it to do - to reflect and celebrate the wins in 2024? DEFINITELY!
I am very much looking forward to what 2025 has in store for me. I am hoping it will continue to be an upward trend from 2024.
If you have read this far, thank you for reading.
I wish you all the best in 2025 and may we all experience an abundance of joy, happiness, and contentment as we continue growing and adapting to our respective journeys in life!
