As I reflect on 2024, it has been a year of both personal challenges and significant developments for my website. The passing of my father, navigating changes in my online presence, and improving my website’s infrastructure have all shaped my experience this year. Although there have been moments of grief, the progress made with my digital projects has been rewarding. This review serves as a reflection on both aspects of my life over the past year, honouring my father while celebrating the growth of my website.
Website Hosting Upgrade: Semi-Dedicated Shift on May 03, 2024
One of the major improvements I made to my website this year was switching to a semi-dedicated hosting plan on May 03, 2024. This move was necessary to better handle the increasing traffic and content demands of my website. A semi-dedicated server offers more resources and better performance than shared hosting, without the full cost of a dedicated server. With this upgrade, my website is now faster and more reliable, ensuring a smoother experience for users.
The shift to semi-dedicated hosting is part of my ongoing effort to future-proof my site. The growing audience has been a positive indicator, and I want to maintain an optimal user experience. Upgrading the hosting plan was not just a technical improvement; it was a statement of commitment to the continued success and sustainability of my digital presence.
Website Theme Renewal: May 11, 2024
I have been using the Jannah theme from Tielabs, which I renewed on May 11, 2024. This theme has been instrumental in helping me create a clean, user-friendly design for my website, enhancing both the visual appeal and functionality. A good theme is critical for any website, and the Jannah theme has allowed me to strike a balance between aesthetics and practicality, making it easier for visitors to navigate and engage with my content.
Domain Renewals: A Quick Explanation
For those unfamiliar with the difference between registering and renewing a domain, here is a brief explanation. When a domain is registered, it is the initial step of claiming ownership of a specific web address (URL). This registration typically lasts for one year, after which the domain needs to be renewed to maintain ownership. Renewals are simply the continuation of that ownership for additional years.
This year, I renewed several domains:
- miroslavglavic.com and miroslavglavic.ca were renewed for the 19th time, marking nearly two decades since I first registered them in 2005.
- miroslavglavic.net and miroslavglavic.org were renewed for the 13th time, having first been registered in 2011.
- miroslavglavich.com was renewed for the 9th time since its registration in 2015.
- Lastly, miroslavglavich.ca, miroslavglavich.net, and miroslavglavich.org were renewed for the second time, as they were first registered in February 2022.
Maintaining these domains is part of my long-term strategy for digital branding, ensuring that all variations of my name are secured and continue to point back to my online presence.
Font Choices: A New Look with Mathevas and Zekton
This year also saw a change in the visual identity of my website. I switched the font for my website’s logo to Mathevas, a stylish and bold typeface from 1001 Fonts. The new font gives the logo a fresh, modern look that aligns with my goal of maintaining a dynamic online presence.
For the main content, I chose Zekton as the font. Zekton’s clean, futuristic style enhances readability while giving the site a contemporary, sleek feel. This font change may seem like a small adjustment, but it plays a huge role in improving the overall user experience by making the site’s text more engaging and easy to read.
Personal Challenges: The Passing of My Father
In 2024, personal loss was a significant part of my life. My father passed away in 2023, but his burial took place in 2024. The delay was due to various legal and logistical challenges between Canada and Croatia. On March 8, 2024, my father’s birthday was the first one without him, and experiencing that day was profoundly difficult. These milestones served as reminders of his absence, making it a year filled with both reflection and sorrow.
One of the most emotionally taxing moments of the year was travelling to Croatia to lay my father to rest. On August 22, 2024, his ashes were interred in Croatia, fulfilling his final wishes. The journey was exhausting in every sense—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Yet, it was also necessary for closure, a way to honour his life and legacy.
My own birthday on September 1, 2024, felt empty without him, a stark contrast to previous years. Though he had passed away just over a month after my 2023 birthday, this year’s celebration was the first without him. It was a challenging experience, grieving while trying to celebrate life’s milestones. However, knowing that I fulfilled his final wishes provided some comfort.
Returning to Canada on September 11, 2024, felt surreal. Flying on that day, which carries such historical weight, added an unusual layer to the journey home. It was exactly 23 years after the tragic events of 9/11, and the experience felt oddly symbolic. In a way, I had been with my father on the journey to Croatia, fulfilling his final wishes. But this flight back was the first time in 46 years that I was flying without him. Over the years, no matter where I went, he was always there when I returned home—waiting for me in Canada. This time, as I returned, he would not be there to greet me. Even though the trip was for closure, the grief of losing my father remains a presence that will always accompany me.
Website Visuals: A New Photo and Continued Growth
On a lighter note, the photo of me on the sidebar of my website was taken on September 10, 2024, in Župa Dubrovačka, Croatia. This image represents a fresh start, as it was taken just before my return to Canada. Although this year has been full of personal challenges, this photo serves as a reminder of the beauty and resilience found in life’s transitions.
Despite the difficult personal events, a lot of great progress was made for the website. The traffic has been steadily increasing, and the website’s infrastructure and design continue to evolve to meet the growing demands. I am optimistic about where things are heading, and I look forward to continuing this upward trajectory in the coming years.
Conclusion: Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Forward
2024 has been a year of contrasts—personal grief and professional growth. The passing of my father has left a deep void, and navigating life without him has been challenging. However, I am grateful for the moments of closure, like burying his ashes in Croatia and finding peace in that process. His memory continues to inspire me, and I aim to honour him through the work I do.
At the same time, my website has experienced incredible growth this year. From upgrading the hosting to semi-dedicated on August 17, 2024, to renewing my domains for another year and refreshing the design with new fonts, these changes reflect my dedication to maintaining and improving my digital presence. The switch to Mathevas for the logo and Zekton for the text has been part of an overall effort to modernize the site and enhance user engagement.
As I look ahead to 2025, I plan to continue building on the successes of this year. While there will always be moments of sadness as I navigate life without my father, I am confident that the progress I have made with my website will help carry me forward. My commitment to this project remains strong, and I am excited to see where the journey takes me next.
With 2024 coming to a close, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and hope. Although life is full of ups and downs, this year has shown me that resilience and growth are always possible, even in the face of personal loss. I look forward to continuing this path of both personal and professional growth in the year to come.
