Reflections on Home, Travel, and What Comes Next
My favorite holiday season has passed, and I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas again in twelve months. Christmas is the only holiday I truly get excited about. I love the idea of gathering together, sharing meals, and enjoying simple activities like walking, watching movies, and drinking coffee with loved ones. It’s undoubtedly my favorite time of the year.
Summer, on the other hand, has often been our time for travel, usually abroad. Despite the increasingly hot weather, I still enjoy it immensely. Last year, we visited Peru, Tokyo and Singapore. While the heat and humidity were challenging, I thoroughly enjoyed Singapore—but I loved Japan even more. It was our first time in Singapore and our second visit to Tokyo. Tokyo’s culture aligns beautifully with many of our preferences—walking, savoring excellent food and coffee, and appreciating aesthetics that are both functional and stunning.
This summer, we might stay within the U.S., but nothing is set in stone. I might visit my family in Mexico in the next couple of months, and I also want to bring my parents to the Pacific Northwest in late spring or early summer to show them the natural beauty of the area. I hope this plan works out. I’ve been trying to make it happen for a while now, but after six years in Seattle, it still hasn’t.
Travel continues to be one of the best medicines for both our spirits and bodies. Felly and I truly enjoy our time together, and while we love being at home, traveling brings out the best in us. It’s not that we behave differently—it’s that we’re presented with opportunities to engage with the world, explore places we’ve never seen before, and meet people whose lives are so different from ours. This exposure brings out a sense of community and appreciation for everything around us: the people, food, wine, roads, buildings—everything. Traveling feels to me like what people describe when they meditate or exercise. You might feel physically tired, but there’s a deep sense of fulfillment, accomplishment, and peace.
Later this year, our current lease will end. With our youngest son graduating from high school, we’ll have the opportunity to explore new areas, cities, states, or even countries. Years ago, Felly and I entertained the idea of moving to Italy, and while it’s still on the table, we’ve grown to appreciate other aspects of life that might steer us in a different direction for now. We’ve considered buying or renting a home outside the city, one with more space for the things we love: house plants, gardening, a larger library, and a dedicated space to work, think, read, and write. It would also give us a place to entertain our kids and their partners with more room to offer.
At the same time, we adore city life—the ability to walk out of our building and grab coffee next door or from any of the dozens of coffee shops nearby. We love walking to the movie theater, working remotely from cozy cafes with great internet, and having access to a wide selection of shops—all without needing a car. It’s been our way of life for six years, ever since we moved here from Austin, Texas, where driving everywhere was a necessity.
Life is all about choices. I’ve written before about how our decisions shape our future, so we’re approaching this next chapter thoughtfully, hoping to maximize the positive outcomes for the years ahead. While having roots in a single place has its benefits, our experiences of living in different states, cities, and countries have given us opportunities we’d never have had otherwise. I’m especially grateful for the decision to migrate to the United States, for meeting Felly, and for the life we’ve built together. We’re thankful for our children, our jobs, and all the opportunities that have come from living in diverse places.
As 2025 begins, I’m eager to embrace the changes and life transitions we’re about to experience.
Sometimes, I reflect on the “artificial” boxes we place ourselves in when it comes to our identities. For example, it’s common to define ourselves by our professions: if you’re a lawyer, you might think of yourself as a lawyer your entire life and feel hesitant to explore other pursuits like cooking, photography, writing, or sports. Just as living in different places has exposed me to new experiences, I’ve made an effort to explore other facets of myself beyond my “day job” as a software engineer. I don’t define myself solely by my career. I see myself as a multifaceted person capable of learning and doing many things. Exploring new areas of interest leads to reading about those fields, which introduces you to new communities, people, and perspectives—ultimately expanding your thinking and enriching your life with unique experiences.
I’m writing this at a coffee shop, letting my thoughts flow freely. I apologize if it feels scattered. Sometimes, I just let my fingers type as my mind wanders. It’s deeply satisfying to see my thoughts take shape as words and to observe how one topic leads to another. Everything is connected, and while it isn’t always easy to express these connections clearly, writing helps me organize my thoughts. It’s not unlike practicing morning pages.
How is your 2025 shaping up? Do you have any major changes or decisions planned for this year? Even small decisions can ripple out into substantial changes over time.
Oh, one more thing: one of my favorite pastimes during Christmas is watching movies with my family. I was a bit disappointed with last year’s holiday movie releases, as most didn’t meet my expectations. However, one movie I watched last summer stood out, and I highly recommend it: Perfect Days. It was the best movie I saw last year. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a link to learn more about it: Perfect Days.
Have a great weekend!
