Yeah, it's 2024 :)

Next month, being September, makes it three years since I finished secondary school; signing off into a world of fun, pain, sorrows, and now a new chapter of adventure and hope. This year is the first year ever in my life to start without my mum.

I started the year with a list of over 10 milestones I would love to achieve; a list that I tossed into the bin two or three months into the year (can't recall why), but now I wish I hadn't. Although, I recall three things that stood out from that list, which were to: "Become closer to God," "Become Financially Independent," and "Get a software development job."

I haven't achieved any of these yet; fulfilling any of those for me is like stepping out into your backyard to pluck an orange from a tree. Currently, I've got the young orange tree in my backyard with my legs working perfectly fine—all I need is to take that stick, try harder, and make each a reality.

See-Saw

Within the first three months, I made some decisions that would change the trajectory of my life and career (temporarily). Sometime in the third month, I got a call, and two weeks later, I was back at the institution where I graduated from; this time not as a student, but as an Instructor / Lecturer. Judging from my first ten classes, I know I'd be next after Eminem if we contested for the Rap God title. For over a month, I was super thrilled that I had gotten a new job, mainly because I'd get to share my knowledge and impact people's lives (I just felt great about that). I also got the chance to learn while getting paid, and because I knew I would have a source of income that could help me save for a better laptop — though that hasn’t been the case yet.. That decision to work over here at Prime has taken my life on a huge turn—a turn that has brought me into contact with a spectrum of amazing people. Looking back, the coder in me would have wished he had referred back to what he outlined for the year before making any decisions (but I would say I am glad and grateful I did).

Merry-Go-Round

Reading through Lost, somewhere towards the end, I wrote that I'd be sticking with Node at the time and not proceeding with PHP. Well, yayo! I am currently writing Python (Flask) and can't wait to use FastAPI, by the way. But before I prevaricate from my point, reading that, I wasn't happy—not because I hate Python or wish I was back writing Node. What I disliked was my indecisiveness, and I know for a fact that the reason I haven't become a better software developer is because I have been switching from one language to another, one framework to another, not staying long enough to build something tangible with any. The only thing I have been consistent with for over a year now is my operating system.

Roller Coaster

I am done with my ride on the roller coaster of indecisiveness; I want out so I can make something meaningful out of my life and live with direction and vision—not letting the wind blow me like fallen leaves from a tree. My current choice of language really doesn't matter to me anymore; I just want to solve problems using software, and currently, Flask has been that for me. I picked Python to run on the backend and TypeScript on the frontend. I do want to learn Golang towards the end of the year, but right now, my priority is learning Python to the core and also building something useful. Truly, no one cares what you use as long as it works just fine. I decided to streamline my path towards backend development; I am currently applying for the role of a junior web developer to kickstart my journey in the development world.

Fair's Closing

By the end of the year, I want to secure a new job as a web developer; I am also on the lookout to solve at least one problem using my skills (something that people can make use of), and if an idea doesn't come up, I'll finish my course on DSA and finally check out PostgreSQL, concurrent programming, and more advanced backend concepts. I plan to achieve this by documenting my journey through blogging on every new topic I learn.

Fireworks

Creating isn't a problem; the problem is putting yourself in that state of mind.

Kindly note: I am not depressed, but the death of my mom has affected me throughout this year. Though I have always denied her death having much of an emotional or physical impact since the start of the year, oh boy, I miss her. She was always the reason I worked hard and gave my best. She was undeniably my source of strength and courage, and I won't let her death be an excuse for me (never). Watch out, I am going places.