Random Thoughts to Ponder On

After stashing these thoughts away for a while, I've finally got a chance to share them with you all. Today's post is a catch-up of sorts, as it's been a few months since I last wrote about what's been going on in my life. Here's an update on how things have been, and some of the exciting (and not-so-exciting) developments that have occurred over the past few months.

New Job

Been keeping busy lately, it's been a challenge but also a relief to be earning again after a couple of quiet months since my last transition. Never thought I'd go this long without a steady income, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to get back on my feet.

Despite the recent changes, I've had the opportunity to dive back into learning new skills and exploring different technologies.

• I've set up a personal AI project at home
• Released an open-source gem for Ruby
• Built my own note-taking app with AI integration
• Migrated my website to NextJS
• and experimented with Docker and VSCode's devcontainers

It's been great to be able to do these projects with some extra time on my hands, as I had become so comfortable in my previous role that I wasn't keeping up with the latest developments in tech.

Leaving that previous role was likely one of my best decisions - it forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to focus on new opportunities, which I might have otherwise missed. Despite feeling stuck in terms of skills development, I'm grateful for the time I spent there as it laid the foundation for my life here in Australia. The company gave me a chance to experience this country, which has been an incredible journey so far - from being a skilled migrant to starting the path towards citizenship. The people I met along the way will always be special to me and have made my time here truly memorable.

I've got a few irons in the fire right now, working full-time for one organisation and contracting part-time on the side. It's definitely keeping me on my toes, juggling roles and managing time and stress levels. Luckily, I have the flexibility to work from home, which has been a lifesaver - it's great to have control over my schedule and be able to balance everything without too much hassle.

Share Options Experience

Last year, I received some news from a past employer, which was a pleasant surprise - one of their businesses has been sold, and as a result, I received a payment related to some share options I held with the company. To be honest, I wasn't expecting any further payments on these options after leaving, but they've still offered me compensation, which is great. Of course, there's always tax to consider - capital gains will need to be declared. In addition to this news, they also reached out and asked if I'd be willing to lend a hand with the transition process over a weekend and a couple of days. It wasn't a problem for me at all - I'm happy to do what I can to help ensure a smooth transfer. This just reinforces my positive experience working with them in the past.