sundayevenings11pm

[sundayevenings11pm]

26 Jun (Mon)

Recognizing progress

Last week i worked on 2 main features for Kotakit. First, I got all the pages working with Markdoc. Integrating markdown-like editing features took a while because I wasn't too familiar with the process. But in the end, it turned out fine, and was pretty straightforward.

Second, I worked on getting the adding new project form working right. This was a curveball and took me way longer than I expected. I've documented the reasons in the dev logs, but the gist of it is, I couldn't leverage on Create-React-App's Form features using my current Antd forms. What I learned is that Forms are usually rather complex under the hood, and you should probably be sticking to one "Form" design pattern in your projects. Throughout this debugging exercise, though I've learned about the difference in the different form design patterns, and the way data is being transferred and rendered on the screen. It is still a rather deep topic where my knowledge is still skimpy, but something really worth investing in, so if I have the time, I should do a deep dive on forms.

In any case, the priority right now is still to get a demo version of Kotakit out, and given that Athiyen is not much of an initiator, I am going to lay out and take control of what else needs to be done. It's a long time coming, but I feel that the demo will be done by this week.

To do this week:

Kotakit

Push through final set of features (keep it minimal and lean)

Host it on Heroku

Record a Minimal Working Demo and pass it off to Fatin

<DONE>

Covalent

after I m done with Kotakit stuff, I'll continue with Covalent stuff.

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12th Jun Monday

Recognizing progress

Last week the main thing was finishing the appliances page in terms of CRUD functions, as well as began on refactoring of the document upload feature.

I'd want to definitely refactor the document upload feature and make it more streamlined. And then proceed to the next pages.

The main (stretch) goal of this week is to have a working demo of the app ready, something that Fatin can use to show around. So quite a bit of stuff needed to get it to that state.

But I can basically make a list of the items.

Completing the app: that is important, and it should still be number 1 priority. It's through this process that I implement a lot of the techniques that I learn in clean code.

On the Covalent front, I've managed to build a multi-chain block explorer page and wrote out the content, as well as explored whether I can build an etherscan advanced filter component, so pretty dope!

Top priorities this week

Kotakit

Clean up and refactor Documents component that handles document upload across multiple pages

Finish implementing Electrical Plan, Concept board, Material List, Elevation Drawings, 3D rendering pages

Wire up the backend routes for each of those pages correctly.

Host everything on Heroku.

Create a fully functional demo video / prepare demo link

Covalent

Create 1 more content piece and other stuffs - look into FAQ?

Yep - that's about it this week. Theme of the week - stay healthy, sleep well, and push hard for Kotakit.

[sundayevenings11pm]

5th Jun (Mon) - L

Recognizing progress

So last week, I've completed almost the entirety of the docusign feature, as well as finished the appliances page for Kotakit.

We also have the end in sight - 2 weeks to completing all the pages for Fatin to begin showcasing it, and 4 more weeks to a full live demo that users can use!

This is what completion look like :)

Throughout the entire journey, I became much more fluent with backend development, as well as frontend -> backend -> various services interactions and the handling of logic and behavior on various fronts. This is, in essence, what being a backend engineer look like - you're configuring how different parts interact with each other and handling the various situations and cases that might occur.

To be honest, I am still not very versatile at handling edge cases and other kinds of errors, but hey, let's get the MVP working first, and then we can proceed to getting the app battle tested.

In terms of growth, I would say it's like I've quietly levelled up 2 levels or something.

I want to get this done, and then go back to finishing my data structures and algorithms course lol which I've left halfway to dedicate more time to Kotakit.

So yes - top priorities this week: Kotakit, and Covalent stuff.

Top priorities this week

Finishing all the various pages of Kotakit

Furnishing board

electrical plan

concept board

material list

Elevation drawing

3D rendering

2. Begin on Block explorer series for Covalent

3. Content for enhanced DEX & NFT tables

By the end of the week, I'd want to have those 3 things done.

The journey stays the same - I'd want to get a role as a full stack developer / Web3 full stack in 6 months. The goal is $150k in 6 months. Never stop.

[sundayevenings11pm]

29th May (Mon) - L

Recognizing Progress

Last week I spent most of the week pushing the docusign feature for Kotakit. I've managed to implement it, and have a clear grasp of what is required now.

Apart from that, I was just juggling Covalent stuff.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. I am getting there.

To do this week:

Kotakit

Implement getting all signed document feature

implement whatsapp integration

Finish working on applicances page (generating appliances list)

---

Also, this week, I had a chat with Harish on the possibilities with Covalent. I am going to go with the bolder decision: negotiate for a change in my involvement with Covalent to be a freelance contractor basis, where I can still handle whatever task you need, at a lower price.

Let's see. If the chat happens, this is what I am going to be saying. In any case, the top agenda for next week would be to push Kotakit as much as I can.

[sundayevenings11pm]

24th Apr (Mon) -L

Recognizing progress

So last week I got back from Bali, and had quite a productive week for work.

Worked on data science for command line for 4 days, before beginning on the DSC1007 course.

Finished Kotakit Backend development work

Worked on Covalent stuff

This week, it's still the same in terms of juggling different things.

Priorities

Finish the assignments for Week 1

Pipe the Kotakit frontend to backend

Manage Covalent stuff

That's about it, fairly straightforward.

Reminders:

Extend your perceptions of time

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

Fun things to do:

This weekend it's Fatin's bday party. A long dinner would be nice. This can happen.

[sundayevenings11pm]

3 Apr 2021 (Mon)

Recognizing Progress

I guess the big progress last week has more to do with my personal life instead of work.

I've arrived in Bali and I actually did manage to surf every single day.

Slowly conquering this beast and getting better at it.

I am extremely lucky and privileged to be doing something like this whilst still working and getting good pay.

I am grateful for this arrangement.

I am grateful for the sea.

I am grateful for the affordable food and safe environment that this place provides me.

I am grateful for the daily videos and stretches.

I think it's an incredible privilege.

---

For work, I guess i have created some content stuff. I did manage to finish that component, which is great.

So part 4 article will have to be written.

My mission of creating the best content house - after this series, I'll venture into other series.

There is of course my personal goal - which is to be a sick full stack web3 dev.

I need to be lazer focused with my goals. Too much moving around and prioritizing other stuff at the moment.

And yes - I want this job. It gives me enough time to be really good at what I need to be.

----

In some ways, I need to rethink this week by week basis.

We're entering Q2. In Q2, my personal goal is to create 2 guides per week. So I can fill up all the different hubs.

Once I finish all those work, my web3 skills will be pretty sick. The content house I've produced will also be very helpful for marketing the product.

So let's go. Have some urgency and ownership in this. Once I finish it, I can probably move on to other areas.

----

To do this week:

Part 4: Pools article

Gather video

Another article.

And then, if I have time, I'll work on Flashcards app / Kotakit.

[sundayevenings11pm]

27 Mar 2023 (Mon)

Recognizing Progress

Last week, I guess I was juggling work (3 AMAs, along with 1 content piece for wallet) along with my flashcard app.

Work is just work - meh. My flashcard app has seen significant progress. I just have the final bits left on tidying up the persisting features for questions, and also some loose debugging, and I'll be done.

Most likely, I aim to finish that flashcard app by this week.

I think it's going to be sick!

So on top of heading over to Bali, it's also going to be a start of the week.

I guess I should see this trip as mostly a time to get quite serious with work and projects, as well as an opportunity to unwind in the best way possible: surfing.

A balance that vibes way more for me.

I am also quite behind on my equities analysis reports. I'll definitely need to push through those as well.

To do this week

So, obviously need to settle some stuff for Covalent. ~15hrs

Push part 2 and part 3 of Wallet article

Create wallet part 4 article + Refactor all the content?

Gather video

Research tatum

Yep, mainly from the developer resources perspective. I believe it's a weeks' worth of work no doubt. And I'll soon find that sick routine.

Personal

A smarter way to learn X

To push my app to production. Begin using (use it for Malay learning)

Send it to Mark Myers

Identify a list of places for marketing.

Track site traffic + account usage. ~15hrs

Overall goal: get it to 1k users.

Investing

Finish investment analysis report for Tencent. 3 page report - on whether to buy or not. (~15hrs)

The rest of the time surfing :)

Books to read:

The Xiaomi way.

[sundayevenings11pm]

Recognizing progress

Last week, I managed to look at a couple of things.

Ignoring the things with work for now, I've mainly managed to

Lay out an important investing framework, the essence taken from the Investing with Keyes book. On this front, I am ready to begin coming up with equity analysis reports.

Began development work for Ownless app for Solana hackathon. This is quite interesting

I have also done a bit of thinking work wrt the general direction of where I want to to progress towards ito skills and specialization, for my next lateral move within this industry (company a little hard - but would it be possible? - if it is, then it'll be sick).

I want to be a full stack web3 developer. So Typescript, rust, etc.

I need to begin having all those skill sets, and actively take time to do those kind of work within my work itself.

Now, I am in a good position to. Let's get it.

So, in summary of the progress:

Laid the groundwork for investing.

Began on Solana hackathon project

Concretized career goals.

Not trivial.

Plans this week

Solana app - try to move as far with it as possible

Begin with 1 equity analysis report.

And of course, on top of all the Covalent work, which involves:

Building out one content piece, mainly.

Time to move everyday towards those outcomes.

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28th Nov Monday - Lei

Recognizing Progress

Last week was an exceptionally busy week in terms of work. This was partly due to the fact that the week before, I only worked half a week due to the Bali trip. The top of the agenda last week involved judging those two hackathons, ensuring quizzes are going smoothly, working on Transactions component, Boba AMA, design on React components, etc. 

A lot of smaller miscellaneous pieces as usual. Well, as long as it pays. 

The recent weekend was spent in a restful manner. Played ball for both mornings of the weekend. Kinda just chilled / did housework / finished listening to Empire of Pain, which is so good. Had a nice dinner with Fatin on Saturday night, which was preceded by the fateful morning tea at 6th Avenue where we decided, after talking about it, to give the relationship another go. Big happenings in the emotional space over the weekend, and we are both still adjusting I think. So yes, recognizing progress: these bigger life decisions, made over smaller, seemingly mundane mornings and afternoons. I believe that this decision is the right one and that it is personally meaningful. 

In terms of my original 40 days plan, I’d kind of detracted since Tues 15th Nov, which not coincidentally was two days before I flew to Bali. The Bali trip effectively put a break to my original goal, which was this:

The goal is really to master Typescript, and then put it into practice by building a frontend app for Evmos.

First, I’ll need to finish the Typescript course and really master Typescript, by building a frontend application using Typescript for Evmos. This is the first goal, and if I do it well, it’ll allow me to also win a prize that might just inflate 100x in a few years.

Taking stock of progress, I’ve gained a moderate understanding and practice of Typescript. I’ve not mastered it yet, merely acquainted myself with the basics. I’ve also applied what I’ve learned to build out a transactions component. At this stage, it’s perhaps wise to see how best I can move forward. 

A few things to do (Personal): 

1. Finish the final exercises of FullStackOpen (Top priority)

2. Read and make detailed notes of The Art of Clean Code - and write a blogpost about it.  (Top priority)

3. Find out what other typescript exercises I can do to at least progress with 5 days this week - despite EthIndia - to make it Day 28. (Top priority)

4. Mum’s website (Top Priority)

5. Read and learn Non-Timing-Trading System

6. Write a blogpost on Empire of Pain 

7. Clean up musingsondefi - make it more publically presentable. 

8. Finalize application for NUS masters course. 

To do for Covalent:

(to add as the week progresses)

1. Collate FAQs into a notion page

2. Discord support 

3. Prepare for EthIndia presentation 

4. Create Promising Projects spreadsheet 

5. See where we’re at with Oasis AM

6. Final week of encode 

[sundayevenings11pm]

31th Oct Monday - Lei

Recognizing Progress 

I haven’t written here for quite a while but let me just recognize the progress I’ve made for the last two weeks. 

The first big thing that motivated me was that I wanted to be a participant for the evmos hackathon. The cosmos ecosystem is really interesting and if I could win some prizes at the hackathon, that would be an even greater win. 1k worth of evmos tokens might just be worth 100k during the next bull run. So I shouldn’t underestimate the amount even a small winning could get me. 

To get to the stage where I could produce something good, I need to be good at typescript. There are many projects that’s written in typescript, and quite frankly, if I become a typescript ninja, I have one of the most valuable coding skills of today. Typescript is tough, but it is not that tough. It’ll enable me to code very robust apps, that’ll drastically increase my skillset as a blockchain developer. 

So last week, I spent the entire week working more than 3 hours a day on Week 9 of the fullstackopen course on typescript. It is tedious and at times frustrating, but fulfilling nonetheless. 

In summary: I spent much of my time 2 weeks ago on the Evmos ecosystem, and last week finessing my typescript. 

This week started kind of tough because I realized that the fullstackopen course got to a point where it’s way more difficult than what I’ve expected. I am dealing with a couple of more ‘advanced’ concepts such as react hooks like useContext and useReducer - the former of which I have just been exposed to, and the latter of which is pretty rusty to me. On top of that, i am implementing things like types to each of those. So it started to get confusing very quickly. 

I stepped back and evaluated the estimated time I’ll take to finish just this part of the course, which is around a week. Looking at the number of things on my table, I felt that I needed to perhaps readjust my focus back to some work elements again. The big hackathon starts next week, and I’ll need to begin ensuring that all the pieces are in place. On top of that, I’ll need to dive deeper into the evmos ecosystem and see what else I can learn there. 

This week is also the start of sprint #1 of Q4. There are a couple of pieces on my table for the next two weeks - should be a fun and productive two weeks. 

Goals for the week 

Work:

- Ensure that hackathon matters get looked into (everyday 1 hr)

- Channel sales support (1hr)

- Identify large sponsors for Fantom Hackathon (1hr)

- Workshops (EthDenver) - focus on perfecting a version (2hrs)

- Review Submissions for Encode x Harmony (2hrs)

- Begin on Dex Pools table component (review by EoW) (2 x 3hrs)

Quite a lot of stuff for work already this week. 

Learning: 

- Slowly learn and fully master 9d of Typescript course so that I can start using it in my build for evmos. (3 x 3hrs)

- Evmos ecosystem stuff (5 hrs)

Personal Projects:

- Mum’s website (3hrs)

Let’s go. Bali in two weeks. 

[sundayevenings11pm]

4th July - Lei

Last week has been rather tumultuous in terms of work. First, Argent got back to me with a negative, which meant that my strategy would have to adapt accordingly. Second, on the Covalent side it seemed like they are looking to deploy me into a product ownership role after all, but things would only finalize once I head over to vancouver. I think that is somewhat of a good news for me. I did not really manage to cover that much practice for Solidity. Only did 2 days. Joyce brings about a more lazy atmosphere to the house. 

Had a great pizza dinner w Fatin on Sunday evening, where Fatin told me all about her braidsmaid horrors. We drank and had a lovely night. 

The next day, we talked about the possibility of F going to do a degree. Seeing her so pumped up over it really makes me happy. 

Recognizing progress 

- Reviewed 2 hackathon projects, mostly

- Did 2 days of solidity 

- Brought sister around 

- Had to move everything back from the studio

- Polygon fellowship stuff

Goals for the week 

- 3 days for solidity

- some stuff for work

[sundayevenings11pm]

27 June 2022 - Lei

Recognizing Progress

Last week has been quite productive in terms of my solidity learning - I completed 5/5 days of practice, and worked on like 4 mini practice projects. At this point, I feel like I am way more fluent with the tech stack. Coding in solidity is starting to feel like a breeze. 

:) 

In terms of work, nothing much happened. 

Plans for the upcoming week

I’d wanna do 5 days of solidity again. The progress I had for the last week was insane. Would need to recreate that - and I would have moved on to intermediate level dapp coding. So:

1. Aim to do 5/5 days of 100 days into Web3

2. Hope to hear back from Argent. 

3. Move some stuff for work. 

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19 June 2022 - Lei

So many things have happened over the last few weeks. First of all, of course, we had an amazing trip in Bali. My soul feels re-grounded and my outlook stays open. :) And then, of course, we got back and were all hit with Covid. So that took an entire week away from us. 

On the side of the market, everything took a steep downward turn - SNP is at $3600, price of Eth dropped to $900, two very large looming bankruptcies - Celcius and 3AC. I am not exposed personally, so it doesn’t affect me directly. In fact it’s going to be an opportunity moment soon. But yes - general mood of the market is dire. 

On the side of careers, an interesting propositioned dropped onto my table: a Devrel role at Argent, remote Europe, $100-130k. Covalent has yet to propositioned me with anything wrt change in position - so my plan right now is to wait for both balls to land back on my court, and make a judgment call with a fuller set of information. 

In the mean time, I want to continue moving with what I originally intended to do. Which is to complete my 100 days into Web3. The last that I worked on it was 1st June, so it’s been 20 days since I’ve worked on that. I wna cover 5/5 days again this week. Get back into the momentum of learning, doing really deep work, and creating. 

I am just so happy that I am feeling so refreshed and my baby is also feeling very refreshed and we can both be happy and tackle everything ahead of us.

And in the backdrop of the waves and the meandering streets, amen. 

Goals/priorities of the week:

1. Complete 5/5 days for Solidity 

2. Move some stuff forward for Covalent work (Hackathons, mainly)

3. Gain clarity on both options (argent n Covalent)

If I manage to finish number 1, it’s a good week. 

[sundayevenings11pm]

30 May 2022 - Lei

Recognizing progress for last week 

First up, for my solidity course, I’ve managed to finish Sections 5, 6, and half of 7 - did not exactly manage to finish all of what I planned, but at least around 60% I suppose. Could have done more definitely. Last week I only did 3/5 days. 

I think the first half of last week I was quite busy tidying up the remaining of Klaytn hackathon. As well as project submissions judging, for both Klaytn and HackMoney. 

Which reminds me, there’s a whole series of post-hack logistics that I’ll need to get on with this week. 

A major break through in terms of career is when Ganesh messaged me saying that Harish has passed on the message and he’s got a new role lined up for me, and that it would involve greater responsibilities. I expressed my gratitude. The gamble I took in expressing what I felt paid off, greatly. 

I mean, there was a small chance that it would backfire, and that 1) either they don’t have any other roles to use me, or 2) it would mean that I’ll need to look for another job soon. But it didn’t happen. Not only did the ideal situation played out, Ganesh seems to be suggesting that it was some kind of promotion as well, with the whole ‘leveling up my responsibilities’ thing. 

I got lucky. 

But also, the other lesson to take away is, you never know until you ask. 

So yes - I am happy and looking forward to the future. At least I’ll be more stimulated, which is all I asked for really. 

But that also means, I’ll need to get my act together. A more serious pond calls for higher levels of competence. 

Goals for the week 

1. Finish the entire Thomas Weisner course: Section 7 (truffle), Section 8 (Geth), 9 (full project). And then, this is quite important: get the Certs for both courses by finishing all the videos. Aim for 5/5 days this week. 

2. Begin planning on your first DAPP, to start next week. 

That’s it for personal stuff. If I manage to finish that, it’s a great week. 

For Covalent stuff: 

- Manage all the post hack logistics, 

- Other misc matters, which I’ll plan soon. This is second priority, obvs. 

Gratitudes

Grateful for the lovely udon that my bbg cooked on Thursday nite. It banged so hard. Grateful for nice wagyu meal and the fact that we both had v nice rest at 10pm on Sat :D Grateful for funny n nice fishing session with Tim where we caught 0 fish. Grateful for nice drinking sesh with Ari + Joel, n Zhi. Grateful my bb patched up with friends cos that’s important. 

[sundayevenings11pm]

23 May 2022 - Lei

Recognizing progress for last week:

Personal journey:

Managed to practice 5/5 days for Solidity. Made significant inroads with the course. Specifically, I’ve not only managed to finish Section 8 and 9 of Dumitrescu’s course, I’ve completed the entire thing. Furthermore, I’ve returned to Thomas Weigner’s course and began on the Shared wallet exercise. 

There are only 5 more chapters to go for Weigner’s course. I am day 16 into my solidity course, and I think I’ve got most of the fundamentals locked down. Now, it’s just about polishing up my fundamentals, and then hopefully moving on to intermediate level this week. 

Work:

1. Klaytn hackathon management also went by without much hiccups. 

2. I conducted a successful Buidler’s Thursdays session. 

3. In my weekly update, I’ve let Harish known of my thoughts wrt the job scope. Some things, perhaps it’s better to be said explicitly. 

In short, my week was very career focused and steady progress has been made. 

Goals for the coming week 

1. Finish Section 5, 6, and 7 of the Weigner course. 5: shared wallet. 6: web3.js. 7: Event trigger / Truffle. 

2. Succesful handling of Klaytn Hackathon

3. Conduct another Builder’s thursday

4. Renegotiate job scope. 

Gratitudes

Grateful that I get to still work on so much self-improvement stuff even with a full time job. 

Grateful for the lovely saturday fishing and playing overwatch with friends. 

Grateful for a relaxing Sunday, watching a nice film (Gangubai) and for the nice food. 

[sundayevenings11pm]

17 May 2022 - Lei

Recognizing progress for the last week:

I’ve only managed to do 2/5 days of my course, mainly because things were rather busy for Klaytn hackathon kickoff. 

However, hackathon kicked off in an orderly manner, and no major fuck ups. 

I managed to get the ball rolling for an initiative of mine, Buildler Thursdays, and got good interest from Harish and team. 

This move is impt because it accomplishes many goals at once: it’s way more intellectually challenging and interesting work, moves me closer to the product, and also levels the team up together. So I am patting myself on the back for taking this initiative and for it landing well

And of course, an amazing weekend in JB. Blew my mind, just being in another space. in the presence of lovely friends and my bbg

Goals for the week:

Personal: Get some good solidity practice in by finishing Section 8 and 9 of Dumitrescu’s course. 

Work: continue managing the hackathon, have a good first session with team on Thursday. Rest well on Thursday so I’ll have energy at 10pm. 

Exercise 3 times. 

[sundayevenings11pm]

Sunday 8th May - Lei

Recognizing progress:

For Covalent, I spent most of my time on rolling out the Klaytn hackathon. It was quite tedious, and frankly, grunt work. But at least the ball was rolling for that.

An interesting task I got was Anadi approaching me and Cheeto to ask for a breakdown of the use cases for the API based on the projects that I've seen. He might have been directed by Harish to request for this. Im glad cos it's more interesting work. Could also be a signal of possibility that Im moving closer to product side.

Solidity course:

I managed to do 3 days of course last week - Day 7,8,9 of my 100 days of Solidity.

Switched to the Dumitrescu's course cos it's a bit better; did a lot of practices, and ytd I began trying my hands at the Auction contract.

3 days is not too bad - but I think I should aim for 5 if possible.

Planning the week ahead:

Settle Covalent work as best as I can.

Do 5 days of the course - finish the sections on the Auction and crowdfunding smart contract?

Perspectives that keep me going:

Every additional month I stay in this job builds up the perception of industry experience and expertise, seen from the outside. I must not neglect that.