Self-reflection – Mid-November 2023

It’s always November.

November marks the month of career progression for me. Back in November 2019, I was on the hunt for my next career move and landed my current position as a Java developer. Fast forward four years, and it’s time to take the next step in my coding career.

This time, I’m more focused and equipped with a multitude of tech skills. Unlike the previous search where I applied to numerous companies for various roles, my primary focus now revolves around Android.

For those following my journey, my unwavering passion for Android and app development is evident.

Fortunately, through a recruiter who discovered my profile on LinkedIn, I applied for an Android position at a Japanese tech company. Additionally, I submitted applications for various roles, including mobile app development, Linux administration, and Java.

Three interviews coming up:

Finally, the moment of challenge has arrived. Taking a risk is far better than the regret of not trying at all. I’m fully aware that I’m risking my current job, but one thing I’m certain of is that my career is ever-evolving. The real risk lies in not exploring new opportunities.

For the application process, I submitted various portfolios, showcasing my expertise. This includes an Android app developed in Java and an ongoing project of a Kotlin-built app.

Uncertain about what the future holds, but I’ll give it my best shot. Wish me luck!!

Meetups are great, but…

So, as I’ve shared updates in my previous posts about my participation in meetup events, everything has been going well until today…

There’s an old guy who may have developed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and unfortunately, this individual shows up almost every Sunday at the meetup I regularly attend. For those unfamiliar with ASD, here’s a brief summary:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first 2 years of life.

Autism Spectrum Disorder – NIMH

So, let’s get back to the main story here. This older man’s mission is to give every foreigner he meets at the event his Japanese ‘lecture’, which is usually not appreciated.

Most of the foreign participants are not overly excited about learning Japanese; some of them are just staying in the country for a short period of time. Despite this, the annoying older man continues giving his lectures with a loud and high-pitched voice. Ughhhh…

And today, it happened. When I shared my dislike for Japanese culture, this old guy abruptly interrupted me. In doing so, he displayed symptoms associated with ASD: a loud voice and wide-open eyes, asking everyone else around about something related to what I was talking about.

That moment – it’s what we call the ‘elephant in the room.’ Everyone instantly noticed his weird behaviors: loud voice and that annoying expression. Simply scary and psychopathic.

The organizing lady was obviously confused by his behavior, and somehow this guy exposed his secret hostility towards me, expressing those words with an odd demeanor.

From that moment on, the event was simply uncomfortable for me, and I left the event 10 minutes before its closure.

I don’t plan on participating in the event in the near future.

I believe I might have unintentionally triggered his behavior associated with Asperger’s. The atmosphere became awkward, and I felt the need to leave the place as soon as possible.

At least what I can tell you here is that he taught us how not to behave, and I myself had mismanaged the situation.

What I can share with you is that he demonstrated how not to behave, and I, in turn, struggled to manage the situation appropriately.

My solution – Exclusivity:

At least, what’s really important is to keep moving forward without dwelling on the past.

So, what I’m thinking about is joining a meetup where those who see things eye-to-eye with me, especially programmers. The meetup event I attended today seemed to attract individuals with unique personalities.

One of those meetups I found is in Roppongi, Tokyo. At least, when I joined this meetup a few weeks ago, the participants were generally young, and some of them seemed to be in their mid-thirties, just like myself.

I don’t mean to judge people based on their social hierarchy, but I’d prefer a certain level of social exclusivity where only those who are in the upper echelon of the social totem pole can join.

Elevating the standard – embracing a refreshingly new life:

You can’t satisfy everyone, but you can select those you want to engage with. As I mentioned earlier, considering my impending job change, my aim is to attain both social and financial success, embracing a new life filled with exclusivity.

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