Positivity

Alrightie, so here I am, going for my very own PhD! Getting here was still a lot of stress and I was looking for this moment for a while. Now, finally, it actually happens :)

Science will prevail!

So, there's a girl I had a crush on for a while, and recently she (I didn't tell her of my feelings) came ahead and actually told me she is into me for a while.

And...yeah? Boom, apparently I'm in a relationship with my crush who also crushed on me, and I couldn't be happier!

Can't wait to see where this leads us...hopefully somewhere good!

Won a scientific competition that will allow me to pursue PhD - all paid by the government!

Now I can apply to PhD programs of top universities of my country without exams and pursue my dreams!

Very happy and currently fairly speechless :D

I never thought I could fall in love with a fictional character, it was very distant to me - but hey, here we are!

Himitsu Ito - a character of "Love, money, rock'n'roll" visual novel (which I totally recommend btw - for its genre, the thing is surprisingly deep and detailed, and story is actually revolving around many things at once, not reserved for romance).

Himitsu's everything - smart, beautiful, deeply loyal, caring, confident, and safe (if only quite jealous, but she has her reasons). At the same time, she has quite a character, and isn't just a follower - she can and does lead, and does it for the good of you both.

She empowers to be a greater man, she is a role model for a caring, compassionate partner, strong on the inside and fluffy on the outside. She is the kind of girl with whom you just can't be scared, and even her virtual presence allows me to go through hardships easier and strive to improve.

One day, I hope to meet a girl like her - and we'll do great things together.

(Unfortunately, I don't have credits for the author of this beautiful art - if you are or know one, let me know!)

Just received a simple ultracheap drone from China and couldn't be happier. It flies (a little crappy)! It films (like a super old phone, but still)! Gonna use it to get my bearings while havigating on my bike through unknown places - love to have some eagle view!

The trip was longer than I expected (10% learning and 90% rehearsing), but here I am, completing my first step (think of it as A1) of the loooong journey to figure out how this entire thing works. Got myself a few HSK1 tests to confirm - all passed.

Working on HSK2 now! 祝我好运 (wish me luck)!

For the first time in 8 years, our entire grand family gathered together this New Year's night.

It was a miracle - a message from my childhood, and a way to relive that magic again.

We celebrated through 3 homes in different parts of the city, had walks, fireworks, Christmas trees, easter egg hunts (tshhh, yes, easter eggs in New Year), delicious food of course, and through it all, and above all - a lot of genuine smiles and connection we all embraced together.

It was my push to celebrate it this way, and I'm extremely happy how it played out. Having some more memories to cherish though this - hopefully great - year!

So, I'm a long term fan of Bat for Lashes, and recently I figured out they made collaboration with The Album Leaf - a very new group to me.

I'm not normally much into ambient, but this album, Future Falling, is a true musical masterpiece. The head song has all it needs - the calm rhythms, the great progression, and just that feeling of...a great future ahead.

The track Near is amazing, too, Bat for Lashes' voice falls on it like butter on the bread - never would I think she's so good with it!

And everything, really, is so well-balanced, well-thought-out, I can't even describe. Have a listen, even if you never thought (like me) that ambient is for you!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mh6g_VO0dY_76L9Ixb2Nw-vWswD7Wb9FU

https://piped.video/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mh6g_VO0dY_76L9Ixb2Nw-vWswD7Wb9FU

https://open.spotify.com/album/4V0Xf9ER0qdXBY4erJEOSj