--- title: Looking Back 2023 date: 2023-12-31 09:00:55 permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/12/31/looking-back-2023/ author: Lester Chan excerpt: "Looking back at 2023, the 'back to normal' year as most countries ended COVID restrictions. It was also the year I tumbled into the coffee-making rabbit hole and built a full setup." categories: - Blog tags: - "2023" - "2024" - looking back --- 2023 is the “back to normal” year when most countries ended their COVID-19 restrictions. It feels like we lost three years, all thanks to COVID-19. I hope we will never experience something like that ever again in our lifetime. ## Coffee I jumped onto the coffee-making bandwagon and got myself stuck in the rabbit hole. Here is my setup: - Coffee Machine: Leli Bianca v3 - Grinder: [Niche Zero](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/03/06/niche-zero/) - Weighing Scale: [Acaia Lunar](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/03/09/acaia-lunar/), Timemore Black Mirror Nano - Tamper: The Force Temper With d-Flat Base - Tamping Station: Saint Anthony Industries The Bloc - WDT: 9-Prong Coffee WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) Tool By [ikaruswill](https://shopee.sg/9-Prong-Coffee-WDT-(Weiss-Distribution-Technique)-Tool-i.139102358.22588011807) - Cupping Tray: Coffee Bean Dosing & Cupping Tray By [ikaruswill](https://shopee.sg/Coffee-Bean-Dosing-Cupping-Tray-i.139102358.23387922014) - Puck: Normcore Ultra-Slim 0.2 mm Puck Screen - Dosing Funnel: Normcore Magnetic Dosing Funnel V2 Tall Version - Pitcher: Kruve Create Latte Art Pitcher - Container: Airscape Coffee Canister Small, Airscape Coffee Canister Large - Cup: Kruve Imagine Glassware Latte Plus, Kruve Imagine Porcelain Latte Plus ## Gadgets/Tech Since I have moved house, this is the year of me getting a lot of Aqara devices from [Souky](https://www.lazada.sg/shop/souky/). - [Aqara Smart Wall Switch H1 EU (With Neutral)](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/01/25/aqara-smart-wall-switch-h1-eu-with-neutral/) - [Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/02/20/aqara-smart-video-doorbell-g4-review/) - [Aqara Presence Sensor FP2](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/05/02/aqara-presence-sensor-fp2-review/) - [Aqara Camera Hub G3](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/05/29/aqara-camera-hub-g3-review/) - [Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/09/18/aqara-temperature-and-humidity-sensor/) - [Aqara TVOC Air Quality Monitor](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/09/25/aqara-tvoc-air-quality-monitor/) - [Aqara Smart Door Lock D200i](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/10/02/aqara-smart-door-lock-d200i-review/) - [Aqara Wireless Mini Switch](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/10/23/aqara-wireless-mini-switch/) - [Aqara Water Leak Sensor](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/10/26/aqara-water-leak-sensor/) - [Aqara Wireless Remote Switch H1](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/11/06/aqara-wireless-remote-switch-h1/) - [Aqara Motion Sensor P1](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/11/23/aqara-motion-sensor-p1/) - [Aqara Camera E1](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/11/29/aqara-camera-e1-review/) ## Apple Finally, in April 2023, [Apple HomePod was officially available in Singapore](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/03/28/apple-homepod-and-homepod-mini-finally-officially-available-in-singapore/). I got two new Apple devices. Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) for my new house and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to replace my Apple Watch Series 7. Li Xiang dropped her Apple Watch Series 3, and the screen came off. So I did a “hand-me-down” and passed her my Series 7. Of course, for the usual yearly iPhone upgrade cycle. I got the 512GB iPhone 15 Pro Max in Natural Titanium. ## PS5 “Slim” I am waiting for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. Sadly, it is exclusive to PS5. So, I got myself the new [PS5 “Slim” Digital Edition](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/12/19/sony-ps5-slim-digital-edition/) as my Christmas present during the 12/12 sales day for S$549. It is an export set from Japan. ## Travel It feels weird that it is back to normal, and throughout the whole year, I only traveled to Bangkok. And that happens at the end of October 2023. Having said that, I will be going to Tokyo in February 2024. **[What I Said In 2022](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2022/12/31/looking-back-2022/)** > For 2023, probably the most significant change is I might be moving house to somewhere more central in Singapore. If that happens, I will re-look at all the devices I really need in a smart home again. The good thing about your second house is that you will know what you want and don’t like. It is like learning from all the mistakes made with your first house. I did move to somewhere very central in Singapore, and I love the location. Going everywhere is so convenient now, whether by bus, MRT, or driving. It will get even more convenient in 2025 because an upcoming MRT station is just a 2-minute walk away as one of the entrances is just opposite my block. I hope it will be sheltered. My new smart home setup is now primarily on Apple HomeKit, and most are Aqara devices. And for those devices (like my Lights and Ceiling Fan) that are not directly compatible with Apple HomeKit, I bridged them using Homebridge. Here is the list of plugins that I am using with Homebridge: - Homebridge UI – UI for Homebridge. - Homebridge Dummy – For me to create dummy switches for automation. - Homebridge Tuya Platform – My lights and ceiling fans are on Tuya. - Homebridge People Pro – This is much more accurate than Apple’s default Home/Away feature, which is based on geofencing. Instead, this plugin checks whether your iPhone is connected to your home Wi-Fi network. - Homebridge Magic Occupancy – A more advanced way to determine whether a room is occupied. Also, shoutout to [Starling Home Hub](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2023/11/02/starling-home-hub/) which makes all my Nest Cameras work flawlessly with Apple HomeKit. This works better than any of the Homebridge plugins for Nest Cameras. ## For 2024 I like the Apple HomePod and use it to control my smart home daily. Though I wish it had a screen. I hope Apple will introduce an Apple HomePod with a screen sometime next year. I am not getting my hopes up, though. My [Apple iPad Pro 10.5″](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2017/06/30/apple-ipad-pro-10-5-space-grey-256gb-wi-fi-cellular/) will be 7 years old next year. It may be time for me to upgrade it. At my new house, I am using the [EverDesk Max Standing Desk](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2021/12/13/everdesk-max-standing-desk-review/) as my gaming and working desk. I hope to get a separate gaming desk soon, as the setup is not conducive for either purpose. Regarding traveling, I hope to visit Taiwan, Hong Kong or China towards the end of next year. **Wishing all my readers, visitors, and supporters a Happy New Year 2024! May we earn more money since inflation is still not stopping, and yet we have another war.** **Looking Back 2023** >