Achievements of the Year: Celebrating Successes in Academia and Life

The school year is coming to a close, and it's a great time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past twelve months. I recently crossed off a major dream on my bucket list: publishing my first debut novel. It's a romantic fiction, and I hope it brings joy to all who read it. If you’re a fan of fiction, this is your weekend reading recommendation. Leave a review, and I'll appreciate it greatly. You can find the book here.

The Journey of Learning and Creation

This year has been filled with learning and creation. I completed the Arabic language course on Duolingo, a significant personal milestone. In my professional endeavors, I expanded my skills by creating an OpenGL-based video player that evolved into a comprehensive video processing software. I also developed an FFT-based image codec, and implemented various coding methods and techniques. These accomplishments include a fast Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT) and inverse BWT (iBWT), as well as a motion vector estimation technique based on gradients and contours. Furthermore, I developed a text codec that, in many cases, outperforms .zip and .tar.gz archives.

Writing and Living Life to the Fullest

I’ve written my sixth book, and I’ve visited many places I’ve always wanted to explore. Despite a shoulder fracture, I coped with it and soldiered on. One of my biggest achievements this year was learning a new language, which was a challenge I set for myself and a reward for my perseverance. At the age of 60, I reflect on my journey with great pride. The decision to retire in the home we’ve had for 20 years began a chain of events that included paying off the mortgage early and undertaking extensive repairs and renovations. I tackled everything from plumbing and electrical work to painting and installing equipment like a new water softener. It was a significant challenge, but the results are spectacular—every room is an accomplishment.

The Golden Years: Reflections of a Retiree

Last winter, we decided to retire in our home. This decision set in motion a series of projects, starting with refinancing and early loan payoff. The summer saw numerous repairs and renovations, each more ambitious than the last. Replacing kitchen appliances led to plumbing and electrical work, and I installed them all myself to ensure they were perfect. The list of tasks grew, and I had to manage a schedule to complete everything on time. By the end of the renovations, we had a beautifully updated home, with every room a testament to our efforts. What may have seemed daunting in my younger years became a manageable project, and everything works great. This summer, all I have to do is rebuild our decks, not a bad task for someone in their 60s!