After a harrowing 2023, I entered 2024 with a cautious attitude.
Thank God it was a year of family, growth and providence.
A Year of Books
I inherited 1000 books (more or less), which spurred my reading habit. Some of the books, like the Puritans or John Calvin’s Institute of the Christian Religion, were free online, but having physical books is a bonus.
To help with reading more, I bought a Boox Onyx Note Air 3 C—an e-ink reader with color—a tablet that looks so boring that my kids won’t touch it, muahahaha.
First time reading The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Completed them under 60 days. I could feel my mood grow lighter when Frodo is at rest or cheery, or moody at the deadly mashes. But the plot must go on. Frodo has to finish his mission. Slowed down as nearing the ending not wanting the story to end. My wife and daughter said “of coz lah!” when I commented “wow reading the books over 2 months is more pleasurable than watching a 4 hour extended movie!”.
Mystery of Providence by John Flavel is great in understanding everything is under God’s control. Both good providence and bad providence.
A Year of Videos
For a photographer, video editing isn’t my strong suit. There’s always a backlog of projects lolz.
Most notably I now only shoot videos for important family events that last at least a day, content for a storyline. Or just myself, reciting bible chapters I memorized.
An ongoing project for now is to find a nice location to recite the book of Hebrews. That page will update till the book recital is done.
A Year of DIY
Oddly, I don’t record myself fixing things. My mind is already preoccupied with fixing things that may not be fixed, so why record, right? But the exhilaration of saving money while stretching the dollar is really fun.
Replaced my washing machine door sensor chip for only RM35.
Fixing a ceiling fan that has its switch broken. Removed the switch and hotwired it.
I can hear my food grinder motor turning on, but the grinder won’t spin. I took it apart but can’t get it to move. I ordered a new one. The last resort was to use a chisel to unstuck it and it worked! I quickly canceled the order—whew!
My 11yo Panasonic 55″ TV is fried. 3 years ago a lizard died in it, so I knew what part to replace. But this time the screen would turn on for 10 minutes and kaput. The price for spare parts is still affordable, but could go into a new TV. Well, this time I hack my TV cabinet to fit all the cables via the back of the TV rather than dangle through the front. Grind and saw my way through the obstacles, and bought the cheapest 4K 65 inch TV I could find. Except Xiaomi. Their TV failed me once. Ended with a Sharp TV on Carousell. This seller bought a TV too big for himself and was desperate to sell. muahahahaha
I waged war against the rats in my home. Little did I know for months, they ate through the CCTV wires and used that hole as an entry point. Maybe should get a cat.
A Year of Death
My cousin passed away suddenly at the age of 46. I don’t think it has hit me yet how hard this news is. Or how fragile life is. But it made me take stock of my life and clean up some unnecessary entanglements.
My daughter’s hamster died. Just a month before, I decided to shoot a short life in a day of Muffin.
