I’m writing this post to capture a feeling — though I can’t quite define what it is, nor come up with a proper title. So, let’s just call it Snapshot, like those untitled Chinese poems of the past (wuti, 无题). I don’t know if anyone will ever read this and feel like they’ve gotten to know me, but I hold on to the faint hope that somewhere out there, someone might stumble upon this — and realize that, once, a person tried to document a fleeting moment of his life.

By the way, I’m writing this in IntelliJ IDEA. I assume if you’re reading this, you probably found it through GitHub or a similar site — which means you’ve already figured out I’m a programmer. So yeah, no surprise there. Speaking of IDEA, the AI code completion tool keeps suggesting words while I type. I didn’t disable it — it’s actually kind of amusing to see what the AI thinks I’m about to say. At the very least, it makes writing a bit less boring. Haha.

I just spent about two weeks in Guangzhou, and it was quite an experience. Guangzhou is truly distinct from Beijing in numerous ways, not only in its use of the Cantonese dialect and the unique regional characteristics of its people, but in many other aspects as well. One striking observation was the sheer number of electric motorbikes that seem to be everywhere. It can be a bit intimidating when so many rush past you in such close proximity.

It has been an incredibly long time since I last wrote any notes. Life has undergone numerous significant changes once again, and I simply haven’t been able to find a moment of spare time to document them. However, I firmly believe that putting these experiences into words is crucial. It serves not only as a record of my life but also as a testament to my struggles and my very existence, even if it all may ultimately seem ephemeral.

Every night, as I lie down on my bed, ready to sleep after the daily routine of either work or rest, my life flashes before me like sparks from a burning campfire. I feel the passage of my life slipping away, tasting the bitterness of regrets. I resist the indescribable grace of it all, seeking the identity of my own existence. Yet, sadly, it seems to be a complete void. Despite this, I still don’t want to sleep. Just staying awake feels like enough, satisfying even if, in the end, everything is empty and meaningless.

It has been nearly three weeks since I formally started working at the company. To be honest, it hasn’t been very intensive, and I think they are indeed giving me quite a lot of time to study things related to our work, either through watching online video tutorials or reading some documents.

I’m still trying to find the rhythm of working in the company and to discover the most comfortable and suitable way for myself. Deep in my heart, I hope to have a complete and meaningful day, even if it can be quite intensive. On the other hand, I desperately refuse to sacrifice my personal time. My life has to be separate from work; during weekends and after work hours, I strongly prefer to deal with my personal matters. This makes me puzzled and confused.

After a 5-hour journey on the CRH train, I finally arrived in Beijing. I’m about to start a new chapter and begin my career here. I still feel dizzy, and everything in front of me seems like a dream. So far, everything has gone smoothly, and the weather is quite pleasant.

Regarding Beijing and me, I visited Beijing last year for a flight transfer at the airport. Before that, I came with my family in 2008 to see the Olympic Games, which was 16 years ago. I would never have expected that after so many years and so much traveling, I would one day return to Beijing to start my first professional career.

Between mid-May and mid-June, I embarked on a crazy sojourn, primarily staying in Shanghai while trying to understand why the city is so highly regarded by students returning from abroad. Indeed, Shanghai is a city of vast opportunities and high living standards. The fusion of Eastern and Western cultures gives the city an exotic charm.

Additionally, I visited Zhoushan in Zhejiang to explore Putuo Mountain and traveled to Suzhou to see its gardens and streets, embracing Buddhist traditions and glimpsing the charm of the Qing and Ming Dynasties.

I recently wrapped up a week-long journey in Nanjing, a city that has played a pivotal role in my formative years. Nanjing, with its storied past and vibrant culture, has always held a special place in my heart. It was here that I navigated the challenges of international high school exams, embarked on solo international travel at 17, and delved into the intricacies of IELTS and Japanese.

Nanjing’s rich tapestry of history and culture is palpable at every turn. I visited several landmarks, such as Fuzimiao, Jiming Temple, Xuanwu Lake, and Mochou Lake, each narrating its own story of the past. These sites are not just scenic; they are profound testimonies to the historical and cultural evolution that has shaped humanity and the region, especially during the tumultuous years of 1912-1945.