Third Year in Latvia

As I reflect on my third year in Latvia, I realize it has been an incredible adventure filled with both joy and challenges. In this blog, instead of my usual yearly summary, I want to share the significant transformations in my life and how I’ve felt throughout this journey.

Tying the Knot

Undoubtedly, the highlight of this year was my marriage. After two years of being together, my girlfriend and I decided to take the next step. I surprised her with a proposal, and we celebrated our union with two weddings. The first was a simple ceremony in Latvia for our friends and relatives living in Europe. The second was a more traditional yet modest celebration in Turkey with my family and close friends. This new chapter in my life has been both exhilarating and deeply educational.

Thriving at Work

Work has been a consistent whirlwind of activity. I’m still with the same company and, apart from minor challenges, everything is running smoothly. Our team went through a downsizing phase, but I remained part of the core group. Currently, my primary focus is on UI/UX development for our project. This field has always been exciting for me, and I continue to learn and grow.

Books, Podcasts, and Growth

Although I couldn’t dedicate much time to reading this year, I made up for it by listening to podcasts during my commutes. My favorites revolved around artificial intelligence and finance. One book that left a lasting impression on me was Quit. I also plan to integrate Spotify’s API into my website again to share my favorite podcasts in the future.

A Musical Revival

This year, I had the opportunity to attend a 30 Seconds to Mars concert, a band that holds a special place in my heart. And the performance left me in awe. I discovered the band through their song Kings and Queens, and this experience rejuvenated me spiritually and artistically.

AI in Action

Artificial intelligence continues to be a field I deeply value. I believe AI offers immense convenience, especially for those with a software background. However, I encourage beginners to first seek their own solutions before relying on AI, as the learning process is invaluable. At work, I use AI mainly for creating drafts and proof-of-concept designs. On the other hand, my personal projects heavily incorporate AI. For instance, I developed a trading bot that uses AI for analysis, and the results have been remarkably successful.

Rediscovering the Kitchen

Given our busy schedules, my spouse and I often resorted to takeout. However, we realized that many options lacked quality, and the good restaurants were prohibitively expensive. To change this, I deleted all food delivery apps from my phone and discovered a blog featuring practical recipes. Now, we prepare a variety of dishes in our kitchen, combining Turkish and Asian cuisines. While döner remains my favorite, homemade chickpeas with rice has become my top comfort meal.

Games and Inspiration

Amid the hustle of work, I noticed mental fatigue setting in and decided to rekindle an old passion. I returned to games like God of War and The Last of Us, which I had been eager to play since high school. However, instead of simply enjoying them as a gamer, I analyzed their UI/UX designs and graphical elements. These masterpieces created by game studios not only inspired me but also provided new perspectives for my professional work.

Looking Ahead

These were the major milestones of my year. As time goes on, I may add forgotten memories or new developments to this post. Here’s hoping 2025 brings joy and success to us all. Take care and stay well!