Fall 2025 Update
It's been a while since I last screamed into the digital void. Why not write an update on a rainy Sunday evening?
The rise of AI tools has had a detrimental effect on my confidence in my writing abilities — a topic for another day.
So, start simple. What's been going on in my life?
Mortality
I still contemplate the inevitable passage of time on a semi-regular basis. I will say it has less sting than it did a year ago. Life goes on.
I have made major strides since this whole "quarter-life crisis" started 3 years ago.
Work
I quit my job in March. It was long overdue, and I harbor no animosity towards my former employer. It was simply time for the next chapter. Leaving, and the associated garden leave that came with it, provided some much-needed time to rest, recover, and plot my next move.
I am now, for the first time since graduating from university, looking for work. I interviewed at several interesting places so far, but I am still looking.
Health
My last 2 years have been plagued by chronic pelvic and low back pain. After countless pain flares, tailbone misalignment, physical therapy sessions, injections, and more, I am finally beginning to feel once again "normal". It's surreal. On bad days, I often think, "Well, at least my back doesn't hurt as much". It's great!
I'm slowly returning to more intense exercise, something unimaginable a year ago.
Travel
I visited several countries:
- Belize
- El Salvador
- Germany
- Hungary
- The Netherlands
- Croatia
- Mexico
- Sweden
- Norway
- Denmark
- The Czech Republic
- Spain
- Portugal
Each was remarkable in its own way. Trips to Japan and China are unfortunately postponed for now.
Home
I have been moving around a lot. I was in Amsterdam from September to February, bouncing between Airbnbs in Chicago until March, then back and forth between New Jersey and different travel destinations until August. I'm now temporarily in Jersey City while looking for an apartment in New York.
As much as living out of a suitcase pleases my minimalist tendencies, I am excited to have a space to call my own again — get some houseplants and all that.
Education
I started OMSCS.
I graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from Northeastern University. Despite this credential, I was never required to take a computer systems course.
To start, I’m taking GIOS. It’s been awesome learning about multithreading, scheduling, and more at a deeper level.
My motivations for starting OMSCS warrant their own post. Do I need it for a career in software? Probably not. Is it exciting learning at a deeper level? Absolutely.
Reading
I still have >200 books on my To-Read list. This year, I actually hit my reading goal of 12 books (13 already).
Favorites include:
Final Thoughts
When I look back at the past year, I can say a lot has changed, mostly for the better, and I hope this trend continues.