Looking Back at 2023

22-Dec-2023

One year is a long time. I tried to recall what all I did this year, and I hardly remember anything from the start of year. I had to look at the google photos of the year to rewind. 

2022 ended with my father, sister and brother-in-law spending about 10 days in Bangkok to mark their 25th Marriage Anniversary in December and I travelled back to India soon after they left and celebrated New year in India. There were many things unclear at the start of year both on personal and professional front and when I look back, 2023 has been a remarkable year. 

• Anvay was preparing for 12th boards and what he would be doing next was one of the open items. At the end of 2023, he is already finishing his B.Tech first semester at Manipal Bengaluru campus. It's a long way to go but there is a path to follow. It's a tough journey being away from home, staying in hostel with other roommates, adjusting to the new setup etc. 

• It was also not clear at the start of year when Myra and Pallavi can move to #Bangkok, although there was a tentative plan dependent on where Anvay goes for his studies. Finally, they moved in Aug 23, and its 5th month running, almost half year. Myra already going to new school and seems to have settled well. 

• Pallavi is still busy with the new work she found, and it keep her busy.  It's a good thing in general.
• I also got promoted to Associate Partner effective 1st November, and it's a major milestone achieved from my career point of view. It comes with its own challenges but isn't it true at every step-up of job or business. There are new challenges and new expectations. I prefer to slow down a bit. Year 2023 is also marked with few travels. 

• First to US Miami, Florida in May for the Golden Circle award.  Winning IBM Golden Circle award is a true recognition of all the hard work done over last five plus years.
• To Phuket, Thailand in August to celebrate wonderful H1 in terms of signings, revenue and utilization. Only countries which achieved targets were invited. 
• To Singapore in August also to a CPM trainer program. I also met some old friends Gangadhar, Arun Prasad and Munish Chaturvedi. 

• The only thing not great this year is my trading. I was hoping to do better after turning 2022 as profitable, but it ended as worst year. The losses spike up causing 27% drawdown (Apr - Dec 23). The saving grace was equity investments which balance almost all the drawdowns saving me from a significant net loss. I am not sure if this can be recovered soon but too many lessons to be learned. As of now, I just can hope that 2024 will be a better year. 

There are so many memories created this year, and hope 2024 will also be same. More memories!!

vA