Merry Christmas

Still Wandering

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your support over the past year. No matter where you are, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you’re spending this moment surrounded by those you hold dear.

This year has been a particularly special one for me—what I’d call a productive yet bumpy year. I met many new friends, reconnected with some old ones, and had the privilege of visiting three provinces and regions in China I’d never been to before: Jiangxi, Fujian, and Xinjiang. I also explored three new states in the U.S.: Nevada, Texas, and Nebraska. Throughout the year, I worked on new projects with friends, published dozens of newsletters, and recorded a few podcasts.

If I were to pick a personal highlight of the year, it might be recording an episode for Sinica Podcast with Kaiser Kuo and Yang Liu. I felt it was one of the most authentic conversations I’ve ever had, and it gave me the chance to reflect on my early career journey.

Of course, the year hasn’t been without its challenges. In July, I injured my left foot, and though I’ve recovered enough to walk without issues, I’m not yet 100% healed. I find myself longing to get back on the court to play basketball—something I hadn’t expected, especially since I’d more or less “retired” from the sport before the injury. Strangely, the injury seems to have reignited my passion for the game, so that’s one of my personal goals for 2025.

I’m also deeply grateful that Anna’s surgery went so well and that she’s been in great health. My hope for 2025 is that she continues to thrive.

This year, my most-played song on Spotify was Jay Chou’s “Still Wandering” (还在流浪). There’s a certain sadness to it, but one that feels just right—a melancholy that resonates deeply.

That’s all for now. Once again, thank you for being part of this journey with me. Here’s to a wonderful holiday season and an even better year ahead!