JOURNAL | Abel Gancsos

By Bye 2020, Hello 2021
2021-01-01 00:00:00
So, 2020 started like any other new year, full of hopes and dreams, but very quickly it turned into something completely different.

In all honesty, it started pretty great, I got a new car, which was pretty new and I love it, but it was only because my GTI broke down.

After that, the year seemed too slowly start going downhill.  COVD-19, which broke out in 2019 and has been around for a while already, but it really became a pandemic in early 2020.  It’s still shocking how a virus could completely change the world.  For example, many businesses were forced to shutdown because they either dependent on patrons or weren’t prepared at all to stay afloat while working from home.  Fortunately enough, my employer was able to offer full work from home and stay somewhat afloat, but it wasn’t easy.  Be it because of the new business model we go by or COVD, it was a very touch year sales-wise and even worse on the technical side trying to meet the demands by the end of the year.  Many sleepless nights and the constant 16 hour workdays almost seemed inhumane, but we were able to get stuff done.  

Besides the business impact, there have been several confirmed deaths and hospitalizations due to the virus, mostly people at high risk.  My heart breaks for their families and prayers go out that they can make it through this time.  May we not forget how fragile life is and how family must always come first.   This is especially true for my family because although we were fortunate not to experience the death portion, but my family experienced at least one scary hospitalization that changed how my family interact with each other, for the better.


Another big hitter was Armenia.  It wasn’t bad enough that there was a genocide attempt in 1915 and then again in 1993, but in 2020 there was another attempt.  How ridiculously pathetic can a country be that in 2020 we’re still trying to wipe out other nations?  And over land that has always been the in birth Armenian, sadly when a dictator declares one’s country as someone else’s, this isn’t taken lightly.  What hurts the most is that no other country provided in aide Armenia’s hour of need.  Sure, we tried to make laws and petitions, several opportunities to make history and not repeat, but EVERY country failed to jump at the chance.  We were busy focussing on issues of less importance, for example a presidential campaign fir the new president, which is always full of lies and BS.  We as a human race cherish partincionship over life, how much more degenerate can we get?  It’s always been my view that the best military isn’t the biggest one that can destroy another nation, but the military that answers the call of need, all military units FAILED to answer this call, shame on you.  Shame on us…. So then Armenia was somewhat forced to make a very difficult decision in agreeing to basically a handover, which split the Armenian nation apart.  Having had been a team lead for several years, I can see why this decision was made and how heart wrenching it must have been, to give the living a chance to live the rest of their lives, you had off a country.  On the other other, this might not have been the best decision because it opens up many doors and windows for other countries, while the nation of Armenia suffers a horrible loss.  What’s even more heartbreaking is that even after the handover, the brutality from these pathetic barbarians continues, with civilians being beheaded on a daily basis and Armenia’s beautiful culture and traditions destroyed, simply because other countries lack the same beauty.  I really wish there was more that I could do, but more importantly, words can’t describe how disappointed I am in my country.  “Land of Opportunity”, but we don’t give friendly nations the opportunity to exist, it’s all BS.  With so many heartbroken and in pain, now is the time more than ever to seek eternal peace for Armenia.  This is more than the loss of land, but of their beautiful culture and heritage.  A big piece of their essence was brutally taken and depraved by barbarians and all they wanted was the same right as many of us take for granted, to be.  Our hearts break for those that feel broken during this holiday season.  Please reach out to your Armenian friends and acquaintances to let them know that they are not alone and that they are loved by other nations.  Also if possible, please contribute to the Armenian Fund, it won't bring back the loss, but it'll help with resources.

Now, not to close out this retrospective of 2020, as mentioned in 2019’s goals, I wanted to become the best engineer I can be and also become Scrum Master.  Well, I’m not sure about the best engineer part, but once again God has blessed my by allowing me to become Scrum Master.  I’m very grateful for the trust that my managers and team leads have in me to take care of our User Stories and the Sprints, this also comes with some decision making that requires a lot of responsibility.  

To answer the question if there were any movies this year, of course there were, but because almost every movie was watched at home, that experience wasn’t there so there’s no real list this year.

As for goals, it’s very similar to 2019, to continue growing in my Software Development career, but to also start living.  I would really like to adopt a puppy this year and if the Lord wills it, find that person who might become something more than just a friend.  

So, as we close out 2020 and start 2021, I believe we learned to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.   Have a blessed 2021 and may we not forget that God is in control.

Resources:
* https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-plan-of-action-stop-the-armenian-genocide
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