Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-07-26 16:11:06

    📘 "A Fly from the Holy Mountain" — "O muscă din Sfântul Munte" by Vasilis G. Frangopulus

    I couldn’t find this book in English.

    This book is mostly about life in Mount Athos. The story is about a sculptor who was an atheist and ended up working at Mount Athos. There he saw and truly understood that God exists, and that all those people who sacrificed their lives for faith had felt or seen something real.

    Right now I feel like I’ve gone a bit downhill with my "dependencies" like always being on my phone... thinking about nonsense. I feel the need to rebalance myself, to pray more. Maybe I’ll even go and confess to a priest again.

    For my mind, the Orthodox faith helps me. It even helps me evolve in my career and keeps me mentally strong. Some may see prayer as a waste of time, but I see it as a time when you develop your brain and grow much more.

    I often think about life after death—what it will be like, what happens to our soul, and that our Creator will judge us. From my perspective as a programmer, I also see God as the Supreme Programmer.

    Project: Presentation, Date: 2025-07-19 19:37:45

    📄New Page Added: “About Me”

    I’ve just added a brand-new section to the site menu — the “ABOUT ME” page! This is more than just a biography. It's a reflection of my belief in transparency — something I value deeply both personally and professionally.

    I want people to know not just what I do, but who I am and what I stand for. Being as open and transparent as possible is how I choose to build trust — and one day, my dream company will follow the same principle.

    I hope this page helps others connect more with my journey, my mindset, and the bigger picture I’m working toward.

    Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-07-13 15:51:17

    Reading: “The Brain and the Mysteries of the Soul” by Leon Dănăilă

    This week I’ve been reading a powerful book in Romanian: “Creierul și Misterele Sufletului” by Leon Dănăilă, a world-renowned Romanian neurosurgeon, scientist, and a deeply faithful Orthodox Christian.

    Unfortunately, I couldn’t find this book in English — it seems to exist only in Romanian. But it touched me deeply because, just like me, the author tried to combine science with faith. I believe in God, and in life after death. I believe there will be some kind of judgment for the way we live here on Earth.

    In the book, he explores the mystery of the soul and the mind, tracing how humans have questioned their existence for thousands of years. Some ancient beliefs placed the soul in the heart, others in the brain. Dănăilă approaches this subject from both a scientific and spiritual angle.

    One thing that stood out to me is how he emphasized that what we now call "the mind" was often used interchangeably with "the soul" throughout history. And maybe that’s not far from the truth.

    My own interpretation? I see the soul as a kind of software. The body is like a computer, and the soul is the invisible code that gives it purpose and functionality. It moves silently, has no weight, yet powers everything. But just like you can’t see software with your bare eyes, you can’t “see” the soul without the right tools. I believe one day science will get close to proving it .

    Some key points explored in the book include:

    • The search for the soul across ancient civilizations
    • Mind-body dualism and the theories of Plato and Descartes
    • The relationship between the brain, consciousness, and immortality
    • The impact of faith and prayer on brain activity
    • Modern neuroscience and its limits in explaining human spirituality

    This book inspired me to keep asking questions, keep learning, and never stop believing — both in knowledge, and in something greater than ourselves.

    – David

    Project: Presentation, Date: 2025-07-05 16:38:24

    Site Update: A Step Closer to Transparency

    This week, I made great progress on updating my presentation website. One of the biggest changes is the new design of the header menu — now with a much cleaner and white look.

    For me, white isn’t just a color — it represents transparency . That’s exactly what I want this website to stand for: honesty, clarity, and being true to who I am.

    • A new, brighter header navigation with a minimalist and transparent feel.
    • More focus on simplicity and ease of use.

    What’s next? I still need to build the “About Me” page , where I plan to share more about my story, how I started as a developer, and the values that shape my journey.

    This site isn’t just a showcase of my work — it’s a growing space that reflects who I am and who I want to become.

    See you again next week with more updates!

    David

    Project: Presentation, Date: 2025-06-28 14:40:52

    Upcoming Updates for My Presentation Site

    In the following week, I’ll be working on refreshing my personal website with a cleaner and more modern design. It’s important for me that the website reflects who I am and the direction I’m heading toward.

    • A brand-new theme for a more elegant and user-friendly experience.
    • Adding a brand new “About Me” page to share more of my journey and values.
    • Creating a “Contact Me” page so people can easily reach out to me.
    • Revamping the footer area with more useful links and resources.
    • Improving the menu layout and navigation structure.

    I believe my presentation site can grow and become a place where people really get to know me, what I stand for, and the goals I’m working toward. This is not just a website—it's part of my dream.

    I won’t forget my long-term vision: to help as many people as possible, to build my dream company, and to bring to life the projects I believe in.

    Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-06-22 13:11:04

    The First Steps Towards My Dream Company

    I'm excited to share that I'm starting to take concrete steps toward building the company I've always dreamed of. Right now, my focus is on developing myself as a better freelancer, sharpening my skills and understanding the market.

    One of the platforms I've been exploring is UpWork, which seems like a great place to begin. Here’s the plan I’m setting for myself:

    • Step 1: Complete at least 3 small tasks and earn 3 positive reviews to build credibility.
    • Step 2: After that, aim for bigger projects to challenge myself and grow my portfolio.
    • Step 3: Achieve a steady and good income from these projects.
    • Step 4: Register a sole proprietorship (PFA) so I can legally manage my income and grow further.

    Alongside UpWork, I’m also looking for other clients on different platforms to diversify my opportunities and build a sustainable freelance career.

    Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-06-16 18:01:55

    My Dream Company

    🔭 The Vision ▼

    I've been thinking a lot about the kind of company I want to build in the future. A company unlike most others – one where people matter more than machines, where human principles are just as important as productivity.

    I know I’ll start small – maybe just me at the beginning. But I imagine a structure that blends German-style organization with deeply human values.

    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A Human Workplace ▼

    Many companies, especially large ones, forget that we're human – not robots. We have feelings, families, and dreams. In my dream company, teammates can bring their children or family members to the office. Some could even sleep there if needed.

    The workplace should feel like a second home – a place you look forward to being in, not just a job.

    🏛️ Company Structure ▼

    The hierarchy would be simple: just two levels – myself and team leads. There will be three main departments:

    • Development Team – focused on building features and writing the core code.
    • Testing Team – ensuring stability, quality, and user experience.
    • Clean Code Team – a unique team responsible for refactoring and optimizing code after it has passed development and testing.

    🌱 Ownership & Growth ▼

    Key team members will own shares in the company, but I’ll always hold over 50% to protect the vision. If someone makes a mistake while trying something new, they won’t be punished.

    On the contrary – those who try harder and search for better ways will grow in the company and earn greater respect and opportunity.

    💡 Transparent Finances and Open Salaries▼

    In my dream company, financial transparency is essential. Every employee will know how the money flows — from operational costs to salaries to profit. Salaries will be fully public within the team. I strongly believe that when a leader earns more by delivering results and inspiring others, that shouldn’t be hidden — it should be respected.

    Trust grows when there are no secrets. Every member will have access to financial overviews, and big spending decisions will be made together. Everyone will feel like a stakeholder — not just an employee.

    📖 The Bigger Picture ▼

    These ideas were inspired by books and my own experience. I want to create a better system where work is meaningful, enjoyable, and something to be proud of.

    When people feel safe and respected, they do better work – and that’s the company I want to build.

    Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-06-08 13:25:33

    How ‘The Dose Effect’ Changed My Behavior as a Programmer

    In the book “The Dose Effect,” the author explores the four pleasure-related chemicals in the brain: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. What I found most helpful is the practical examples of how to live a happier life and actually change your behavior.

    One key change I made was paying more attention to my phone usage. The book talks about how important it is to reduce the time spent on apps like Facebook that waste your time and focus. I started putting my phone in “Focus” mode so I wouldn’t be tempted to open distracting apps.

    The book also mentions the “Wim Hof method” which I’d read about in another book – this is all about cold showers and breathing techniques that can instantly change your state of mind. I’ve tried cold showers in the past and am trying to make them a habit again!

    Another area I’m working on is being more organized at home. The book explains how even simple things like making your bed in the morning can boost your mood – and I’m guilty of skipping that and just grabbing my phone first thing in the morning (like most of us!).

    Overall, I really recommend this book! It’s full of actionable tips and relatable stories that inspired me to be more mindful and proactive in my daily life. I’ll keep sharing updates here about my progress and any other insights I discover! 😀

    Take care and see you soon,
    David

    Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-05-31 14:32:49

    Why Your Greatest Enemy is Yourself

    Hello everyone,

    Why do I believe that mental health is crucial, especially as a programmer? Because in my experience, the greatest enemy on the path to success can often be yourself. In today’s digital world, we’re surrounded by constant distractions, attention traps, and things that lower our stress tolerance and motivation. As a programmer, I realized that I need to create tools that protect me from myself and help me stay focused on what matters.

    I’ll present two small but useful applications I built recently, and based on these ideas, I plan to make even more.

    🔧 1. Chrome Extension to Block YouTube Ads

    One day, I asked myself: why should I waste my time with YouTube ads that distract me and bring no value? So, I created a Chrome plugin that mutes YouTube ads and plays a motivational quote in the background: “David, don’t waste your time!”. It helps me snap back to reality and appreciate my time more.

    View on GitHub

    🛡️ 2. SafeHosts – Block Distracting Websites

    My second project is called “SafeHosts”. Often, like many other internet users, I’d end up on explicit content sites, gambling platforms, or other pages that mislead and distract me. With this project, I have thousands of domains already blocked. I can also add custom lists, which I write into the /etc/hosts file (if you use Linux) to block these sites locally on my machine.

    View on GitHub

    That’s all for now! I’ll see you next week with more updates and new ideas. Take care and stay focused! 😊

    Best wishes,
    David

    Project: Myself Ascending, Date: 2025-05-25 15:19:54

    .

    A New Chapter – Who I Am and What I Want to Do

    Welcome to the first post on my personal and professional vlog page. I'm excited to start sharing my journey with you!

    My name is David, and I’m a web developer with solid experience in PHP, particularly the Laravel framework. This vlog will be a place where I document both personal growth and career achievements.

    Web development image

    🌱 Personal Growth Goals

    On a personal level, I’m focusing on becoming a better, healthier version of myself. Here are a few goals I’ve set:

    • Living a healthier lifestyle: eating clean, staying hydrated, and improving my daily habits.
    • Doing regular physical activity: working out, running, or simply staying active.
    • Reading more books: I might also share the books I'm currently reading in future posts.
    • Learning beyond coding: diving into subjects like cryptocurrency, financial markets, and investments.
    Personal growth image

    💻 Professional Journey

    Professionally, I aim to continue building my programming career. I want to keep learning and pushing myself through personal projects and real-world experience.

    One of the projects I’m currently working on is a tool related to sports betting arbitrage. It's still in the early stages, but I’ll definitely be sharing updates here as it evolves.

    Programming work image

    🗓️ Weekly Updates

    My goal is to post here at least once a week. Whether it’s a new project, a book review, or personal reflection, I want this to be a space where you can get to know the full me — not just the developer, but the human behind the code. 😊

    Thank you for reading, and I’m looking forward to sharing more with you on this journey!