The biggest change in 2014 was my job. My role and responsibilities didn't change much; I was even demoted, from a team lead to a regular employee. But I moved from a traditional software company to the internet startup I'd long dreamed of. That turned out to be a very wise move: I've been there just six months, and it's been happy and fulfilling.

With the new job came a new city, from Nanjing to Hangzhou. It's not far, just an hour by high-speed train, but it's a completely different way of life. I no longer have to squeeze onto a bus for over an hour every morning. I rent a public bike and ride leisurely for ten-some minutes to the office, getting exercise and saving bus fare at the same time. My coworkers are excellent too: they love their work and take initiative, so I no longer have to go back and forth coordinating over small problems, which saves a lot of communication overhead.

After years of living apart from others and drifting from place to place, moving to a new city is exciting for me. My girlfriend followed my job change to Hangzhou, which wasn't easy for her. Setback after setback in her job search left her a bit discouraged, but after many twists and turns she found a job. It isn't ideal, but at least she's settled. Hangzhou is beautiful and the people are fairly down-to-earth, and we both love it. We hope that through our efforts we can find our footing in this unfamiliar city and have a little home of our own.

Another thing that made me happy in 2014: my parents came to visit me in Hangzhou. When I was still in Nanjing, my mother visited once. I happened to be at a low point then. I had just been discharged from the hospital after an illness and had quit my job, and I didn't dare tell her any of it. I didn't host her well during those two days in Nanjing. This time, at my strong insistence, they both came to Hangzhou. My girlfriend and I took them around West Lake, to the movies, and out for hot pot, and they were very happy. It finally made up for that earlier regret. I'm not homesick by nature and didn't think about them much before, but this time I noticed they've clearly aged. I've cared about them far too little and rarely called. I haven't lived up to my duties as a son, and I need to find ways to make up for it. Enjoy life while you can, and care for your parents while you still can, so you don't end up full of regret when you finally want to look after them and they're no longer here.

I used to always dream of stars and seas, poetry and faraway places, living a life that was too carefree and unreal. That life was great, and if I were a few years younger, I'd still live it. Murakami wrote, "Live to 26, then die," a rather pessimistic declaration that youth and ideals are gone. I think of it more as a transition, a man's coming-of-age in the social sense. You should still have ideals, not just for the moment they might come true, but as a reason to keep living an interesting life.

I'm full of hope for 2015. I hope that in the new year I live up to my family and to myself.

At work, balance depth and breadth. Do my current job well and serve users well, while following industry trends, broadening my horizons, thinking more, and writing more. Learn one programming language properly. It doesn't matter which; master one instead of wasting lots of time choosing. What matters is sticking with it and going deep once you've chosen.

Have a lifelong hobby. I've gotten started with the harmonica and can play a few simple tunes. I need to practice more, learn some common techniques, and play at least 5 tunes from memory. Photography, which I love, seems to have stalled; I'm not happy with what I shoot. I should shoot more in my spare time, look at more great work by photographers on Instagram, raise my taste, and use filters sparingly. This year I plan to buy an entry-level prime lens and take some portraits.

Family and life. Call home once a week, try to get my parents to visit Hangzhou again this year, and try to take a short trip with my girlfriend to a city near Hangzhou. While keeping life on track, start saving money. Don't be stingy about investments that help me grow; don't be small-minded. Mentally, anxiety and irritability are still my two big problems. I'll work on them myself as needed, and see a therapist if necessary.

Don't dwell on the past, don't fear the future, and live each day well~