If I were to assess this year, I’d give it a rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Today, while at Starbucks, a barista unexpectedly leaped in front of me, presenting a wrapped gift and exclaiming, ‘Thank you for coming, Stasy.’ I burst into laughter. Despite being a regular patron, it genuinely brightened my day. I returned a smile and took a moment to reflect on my experiences throughout the year — a substantial list, I must say, and I’m sure yours is equally extensive.

I set New Year’s resolutions, aiming for a 100% success rate. However, I overlooked the fact that life itself is subject to the variables of time, altering TimeSpace, which includes an almost constant element of uncertainty.

Unexpectedly, I found myself engaging with strangers who are willing to speak up. I began communicating with ministries to convey citizen perspectives on matters like education and tax. I embarked on a journey through diverse CS and economics courses, successfully completing each one. Participation in a Hackathon and assisting a girl with her U.S. college application were unforeseen yet fulfilling endeavors. The volume of letters I wrote also took me by surprise.

I am sincerely grateful for these encounters.

During my college days, I worked part-time at a publishing house. The editor, aware of my voracious reading habits, sometimes sought my book recommendations.

Here are some of the books I read this year:

‘The Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson
‘Bewilderment’ by Richard Powers
‘Rules of Civility’ by Amor Towles
‘Anil’s Ghost’ by Michael Ondaatje
‘The Beginning of Infinity’ by David Deutsch
‘The Compleat Strategyst’ by J. D. Williams

Looking ahead, I guess I will be asked similar questions in the coming year, possibly in a different setting.