Popong 11/Accomplishments

After turning over 60, I resolved to focus my time on tasks with high returns on investment (ROI) that bring me joy and fulfillment. After more than three decades of serving others and supporting my family, I believe I deserve this. However, the transition hasn't been as straightforward as I hoped.

Life continues to present challenges, but some of the tasks that once seemed daunting, like learning computer languages, are now much easier and more rewarding with AI’s help. For years, I wanted professional editing for my writing but couldn’t afford it. Now, AI can handle this task almost for free, delivering impressive results.

Today, I asked AI to edit one of my old book reviews for readability. It completed the task in less than a minute, and I was pleased with the outcome. Still, I ensure that my brain generates the core content of my writing, not AI. I maintain the privilege of expressing my personal assessments and reactions. AI helps make my writing more comprehensible but doesn’t replace the joy I get from reading, reviewing, and writing.

I was satisfied with the result—until I tried to post it on my website.

Web development is another hobby I cherish during my free time. I enjoy programming and coding, handling both front-end (HTML, JavaScript) and back-end (PHP or other languages) tasks. This hobby is thrilling but time-consuming. Now that I’m entering retirement, I hope to revive my web development skills, which I set aside nearly a decade ago after graduating in IT and returning to my healthcare profession for job security.

Returning to my project, I uploaded images, filled out forms, and encountered a problem: the website wouldn’t accept the data. I went into full coding mode, accessing the site via SSH and reviewing the forms I had created years ago. Despite having some help from Google back then, I found the site’s code outdated. Coding and programming are constantly evolving, and what I knew a decade ago is now obsolete. PHP is notorious for frequent updates. I also noticed that security measures I’d put in place had failed to prevent hackers from adding junk files and codes. After meticulously removing them, my new blog data was still rejected. I discovered numerous errors and outdated codes, making it feel like I was learning computer languages for the first time again, without the satisfaction of solving the problems.

The reality is, I’m behind in the world of computer languages after a decade of non-practice. It’s frustrating to feel stuck in the basics while others advance. I once thrived in this field but chose a secure job over further exploration of technology.


After two days, I finally resolved the issue with my PHP code for the blog. It turned out that a query statement evaluating a MySQL function, `mysqli_affected_rows`, was being ignored by PHP. I replaced it with a condition checking for values greater than 0 instead of equal to 1, and that solved the problem.

Today is Monday, and it contrasts sharply with yesterday. I woke up late, so my usual jog was halved. I also had work, despite being retired, to ensure a smooth transition until my replacement is found. After work, I came home hungry but was grateful for leftover fish and salad that made a decent lunch. Today followed a more routine pattern: wake up, meditate, jog, work, and handle afternoon tasks.

The joy of retirement extends to many days ahead. I no longer face overwhelming workloads and can choose my schedule. Although I feel some sympathy and guilt for my colleagues who might struggle without me, I am almost fully retired. I’ve established daily rituals: working out for physical health, meditating for mental clarity, and engaging in hobbies for joy. I’m getting closer to a lifestyle that maximizes these effects.

I also need to address hunger issues. Cutting carbs due to my diabetes has depleted my energy quickly throughout the day. I’m looking for healthy snacks to fill the gaps, like mini crackers with hummus. I’ve tried yogurt, but it triggers my eczema, so I hope this new option will help maintain my energy.

I feel elated about retirement, not for comfort, but for the chance to work hard on what I love most. Retirement allows me the freedom to pursue my passions, with or without compensation. The goal is to enjoy working on what I love while being able to cover my expenses.

Yesterday was a perfect example of this. I ran, meditated, made videos for my YouTube channel, worked on my website, and practiced self-restraint to balance work and relaxation. I slept well and woke up ready for a new, fulfilling day.

The greatest benefit of retirement is the freedom to pursue my interests. However, it also requires discipline, especially in the digital realm. I’ve been reflecting on my constant desire to work on my computer, fearing it might be driven by unmet social and psychological needs. I’ve been sharing reels and seeking approval online, but I also spend time learning new techniques and ignoring social media when more exciting activities arise.

Ultimately, as I age, my reflections grow longer and more detailed. I wonder how many people are interested in my daily experiences and whether anyone finds my history worth reading.
2024-09-10 06:16:16
popong