Mac OS -> Swift Development

Memory Lane: Many, many headaches...

A little update here. I'm finally doing it. 

Years ago, before I turned from 19 to 20, I started dreaming about app development. It was when iPhones and Android phones had only been around for a few years. Probably less than or equal to five years in. 

I went to the local library and checked out three huge books. That same week, I went on a fishing trip. While my grandparents were driving the motorhome, I sat at the table, with my seatbelt on, reading through one book.

A heavy book on HTML5. 

I had this huge headache. Never before have I ever attempted to think imperatively or with logic. What was syntax? And why is it that misspellings or capital letters sometimes work in the browser? What are hyperlinks? And why was Javascript needed?

Didn't even realize coding was creative as well. That logic needed imagination to go with it. Art running in parallel with the technical. It was too scary to think of anything else. On top of it all, I tried coding on my Ipod Touch with an app. I just shake my head when thinking of that memory. But a smile always creeps upon my face with fondness towards my younger self.

All of the rules scattered and taxed my brain. The order of execution just gave me one freaking headache. Tracking every line. I learned the meaning of line number. My mind was developing, and the stinging tension wouldn't go away for a very long while. Until I got used to it, and I knew what I was seeking to learn. All of it confused me in the beginning. I never tried learning on my own before. 

The obsession never stopped. I needed to understand, and I needed to learn. Advance! Evolve! Show everyone I mean to conquer! 

So I had headaches for a while. Probably for a few months at least. 

All of my life, I daydreamed about creating my own version of everything that could be designed or made. What about a rocket? I wanted to do theater and plays. Oh and sing!(**not the best memory**Wince*) Play an instrument. How can I create an instrument? Create a sword! Metal forging in my backyard. Discover hyperspace travel. Create artificial gravity. How about blocking sound with sound waves? 

(That last one. I thought of before noise canceling came out. A point of pride for me.)

Oh, oh. How do they make games for the N64?!

I watched the upcoming development of Star Wars Episode III. From the special DVD inside Attack of the Clones movie case. They showed some footage for the new Star Wars ROTS game. I was blown away. It looked like magic. I was still tapping the computer at the time. I did that when pc games were slow. A little eccentric? Yep. Of course I didn't know anything about Binary, Boolean Logic or compiling code. In fact, when I did some college, I was excited to learn how the computer worked from top to bottom.

All of these new things got me losing some sleep. A lot of stimulation for just looking at 'syntax'. 

It didn't stop there though.

I never gave up my dream. Nor my driving passion. My zeal to create and change the world I see. Even when sickness took over my waking days. I spent my small ok moments studying and dreaming. Imagining how code worked. How to interface digital with the physical. Whenever I had the strength, I spent all of my built up energy writing some code. As much as my health would allow. 

Now with my physical treatment, I have the energy. I have the drive. And most importantly the keyboard at my fingertips without all the body aches to catch and lift.

Present Day: On my Mac machine

I felt strongly to begin developing in Xcode. Something I have explored before. I have read through a lot of Swift official intro a few years ago. I remembered the feel and sounds of the language, but the specifics were not in focus. So I used AI to give me a crash course on Swift UI and then Swift itself. (Still doing that crash course by the way. The writing has only just started...)

Yes! Like walking in a theme park. Munching on cotton candy. Although what I am doing is not some cheap sugar. It is real. And the impact resting inside of me.

Opportunities are here. The avenue is opened still. The portal to my life stable. I have the means and ability. Which means...

This feels amazing. All those years of struggle and praying on a daily basis worth it. Freedom to create. The life to build. I am laughing at the stupidest jokes when I click buttons that I have made. No freaking joke at all. 

It is so much fun, and I get to explore it with minimal screaming in my head. Sensory is calmed down. No fickle mind that grabs my attention away. I am not lifting iron bars to just sit there and rest.

My autism is forever still here. I am not ashamed of myself. Autism is both a gift and a challenge. Emotions are crazy at times, but it is much, much better now. 

You need to fight for your dreams. One day that light will shine. And it will feel incredible to have made it.

Now....

It's time to take the next step. Don't be scared. Failure only happens one at a time. It is a journey of growth and perseverance. Then success will pile like gold. Look at it glitter. It is never in the singular time line stream. 

For success is one heck of an investment that accumulates. 

A symbol that, when you write, it will never fade.

Worth the effort. Worth more than gold to be yourself. Dreams to reality, and personal gems filling safe portions of your heart. 

All in all. Go after your drive!