The winter solstice is always a good time to reflect on what has happened during the last year. Also a good time to express gratitude for all the good things that have happened. I appreciate this is not the case for everyone and, in fact, the Xmas period can be stressful or downright sad, particularly if you are missing loved ones. Maybe because of this, an extra reason to be thankful.
Holidays played a major role this year, not because we visited distant places such as we did in 2023, but rather because we shared them. First with my parents in our little tour of Extremadura and Andalucía, then with one my nephews in a Summer road trip including five countries in Europe and, last but definitely not least, the Camino de Santiago with my sister, the highlight of the year. So much so that I wrote a 70-page booklet with my travel notes similar to what I did last year with the trip to Japan. Finally, we also stayed overnight in El Toboso, something we had not done for many years.
One thing I did better this year than last was keeping physically active. I did follow through the C25K programe, which was a good enough training to make through the 140km of el Camino. Who knows, maybe next year there will an opportunity to do other parts of el Camino. With so many trips, it was not difficult to take the one or the other nice picture, almost completely with my phone, which I have come to accept as my main camera now. And talking about photos, this year I have (almost) completed something I had been thinking about for a long time, a desktop app to make collages. It turns out it was a lot easier than expected thanks to a great framework I discovered through my brother.
Work wise, another very busy year, although I managed to control the amount of overtime despite (or maybe because of?) a surge in office days compared to previous years. The team managed a couple of major breakthroughs in the product we are developing and, of course, there is no shortage of challenges. Tremendously proud of my team and everything we have achieved. It's now seven years that I am in this position, the longest I have ever been in the same place in the soon to be twenty five years working at Rolls-Royce. Time flies when you are having fun.
Same post rewritten with AI (Gemini)
The Winter Solstice always marks a time for reflection – a moment to acknowledge the journey of the past year. Gratitude fills my heart as I consider the blessings I've received. I understand this sentiment may not resonate with everyone, and the holiday season can be a challenging time, especially for those grieving the absence of loved ones. Perhaps this shared understanding makes gratitude even more meaningful.
Holidays played a significant role this year, not through far-flung travels like 2023, but through cherished moments shared with loved ones. A road trip through Extremadura and Andalucía with my parents, a summer adventure across five European countries with my nephew, and the unforgettable Camino de Santiago with my sister – these experiences stand out as highlights. The Camino, in particular, inspired me to document our journey in a 70-page travelogue, much like I did after my trip to Japan last year. And finally, a long-awaited visit to El Toboso brought joy and a sense of homecoming.
This year, I made a conscious effort to prioritize physical well-being. Completing the C25K program proved invaluable, providing the necessary foundation for the 140km Camino trek. Perhaps future opportunities will allow me to explore other sections of this remarkable path. With so much travel, capturing memories through photography became a natural extension of these experiences. My phone has become my primary camera, and I've embraced its capabilities. Speaking of photography, I finally achieved a long-held dream: developing a desktop app for creating photo collages. Thanks to a fantastic framework discovered through my brother, the process turned out to be far easier than anticipated.
Professionally, this year has been another whirlwind of activity. Despite a significant increase in office days compared to previous years, I successfully managed my workload and limited overtime. The team achieved several remarkable breakthroughs in our product development, though challenges undoubtedly remain. I am immensely proud of my team and their accomplishments. Seven years in this role marks the longest tenure I've held in my 25-year career at Rolls-Royce. Time truly flies when you're passionate about your work.
