I’ve decided to start a series of posts that are simply snapshots of my life at a given moment. This is the first. The goal is to capture how things are - the setup, the hobbies, the state of mind - so I can look back later. If you’re reading this, welcome. You’re getting a genuine look.
The Professional & Personal Foundation
I live in Canada, where I work as a consultant with Deloitte. I’ve been with the company for about three and a half years now. My path here started when I moved to Canada for my Master's in Information Studies at McGill University. I graduated in June 2021, briefly joined McGill's web services team on a short contract, and then left early to join Deloitte after a manager approached me.
On the personal front, a major milestone: I got married in 2024. My wife is a dentist and is currently in India.
The Apartment on Sherbrooke
I’ve been living in the same apartment on Sherbrooke Street since 2023 - the same year I got my PR. It’s a small 2 1/2 studio on the 14th floor, and the view of Mont Royal and the Montreal skyline is a consistent hit with visiting friends and relatives.
I’ve carved the space into zones: a sleeping area separated by a large curtain, a dedicated work setup, and a bench by the window for projects. There’s a small children’s cot I’ve modified to act as a couch for guests, though I rarely have any these days.
The first thing anyone would notice is the sheer amount of electronics. The heart of it all is a white TV cabinet I got from the Bunz trading group on Facebook. On it, you’ll find:
A desktop with a total of 4 screens.
4 projectors (two active) in various configurations for video streaming.
An ensemble of 4 speakers, a record player, a Bluetooth receiver, and an amplifier.
I also have a decent number of books scattered around.
The kitchen is small but adequate for my use. The bathroom is tiny but has a tub - a non-negotiable feature for any apartment I live in. The laundry, however, is a bit of a chore. It’s in the basement, necessitating three trips downstairs for a single wash. The cost isn't fun either, so an in-unit system is a must for my next place.
As for climate control, heating is through a central water pipe. There's no air conditioning, so I’ve installed a small window unit in a hole in the wall, which gets covered and insulated during the winter.
Hobbies & How I Spend My Time
My current hobbies are a rotating cast of hands-on projects:
Leathercraft
Tinkering with thrifted electronics
Writing AI solutions using vibe coding
Thrifting (though I’m cutting down on expenses now)
I have a history with other hobbies like urban sketching, but I haven't touched it in two years. I still dip into sewing, designing, and 3D printing small projects for around the house, with some photography now and then.
In my spare time, I’ve mostly replaced Netflix and Amazon Prime with YouTube Premium. My feed is a mix of news outlets and wonderfully unconventional hobby channels. Favorites include one where military rations (MREs) are tested and another featuring an electronics genius in the UK who repairs vintage audio/video equipment. I’ll probably dedicate a future post to my favorite channels.
The "Why" Behind This Blog
I used to blog frequently during my undergrad, but the habit faded after I started working, with gaps stretching into months and even years. Other social media like Facebook and, more recently, Instagram, took over. I’ve since realized that running after external validation isn't the goal. I’d rather focus on journal-style entries here, on my own space.
Going forward, I have a few values for this blog:
Blog Frequently: To keep the momentum going and make it a habit.
Embrace the Unpolished: No fancy write-ups or scripted, aesthetic shots. The focus is on how things are.
(Try to) Write My Own Way: I’ll occasionally use AI to structure my thoughts, but the writing will be my own. We rely on AI so much at work; this is a place to keep my own voice alive.
Avoid the Noise: I won’t post about politics or general rants. The world has enough political opinion and doesn’t need another product or restaurant review from me. This isn’t for engagement; it’s my open journal, one I’m comfortable letting the world see.
This post is the first of many where I’ll share a snapshot of my current life and the things I’m into at that point.
Disclaimer: AI was used to give structure to my word vomit. The content and voice remain my own.
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