About me
Hello there, readers! I'm Mohit Kumar, a young tech enthusiast from India, always eager to explore new horizons in the field of technology. I've dabbled in several programming languages such as Python, C++, Java, and Javascript, and lately, I've been diving headfirst into web development with MERN Stack.
My journey with Bitcoin began during the infamous 2017-2018 cryptocurrency wave, and it's been a topic of fascination for me ever since. When I heard about the Summer of Bitcoin program, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't afford to miss. The program provided a wealth of resources to help me delve deeper into the world of Bitcoin, and the prospect of an internship in this field was just too enticing to resist.
While I may be new to the world of open-source technology, I'm eager to learn all about the culture and practices of the community. I recognize that I don't have much experience, but I'm determined to gain practical proficiency and make the most of every opportunity to learn. I'm excited to use my boundless curiosity and willingness to explore new frontiers as I embark on this exciting new journey.
For me, technology is more than just a hobby or a career - it's a passion that I'm eager to pursue to the fullest. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences and insights with all of you as I continue to explore the ever-evolving world of tech. Stay tuned for more updates!
A Journey of Discovery, Disappointment, and Triumph
It all began when I stumbled upon GSOC and was instantly captivated by its culture. Eager to delve deeper, I scoured through various blogs and YouTube videos, thirsty for knowledge. It was during this search that I stumbled upon the fascinating world of web development. I was intrigued by the endless possibilities and the opportunity to get my hands dirty with real-world code.
As fate would have it, this was also the time when I came across the Summer of Bitcoin program. The concept of Bitcoin had always piqued my curiosity, and the program seemed like the perfect opportunity to dive deep into the fascinating world of Bitcoin technology. I eagerly filled out the application form, hopeful for a chance to contribute to a project that aligned with my interests.
But alas, it seemed that luck was not on my side. By the time I discovered the program, GSOC had already released the list of selected organizations, and the one I had my heart set on was already inundated with applicants. The immense crowd made it difficult for mentors to respond to everyone, and I realized I was already late in the process.
As if that wasn't enough, a personal tragedy cropped up, leaving me with no time to contribute to any project. Despite my best efforts, I was left with zero contributions and no project selected.
Disheartened but not defeated, I knew it was time to refocus my energies and prepare for my mid-semester exams. Sometimes, life throws curveballs, and all we can do is regroup, refocus, and continue to strive for success. And that's exactly what I intend to do.
The Turning Point
As fate would have it, just as I was preparing for my mid-semester exams, a mail from the Summer of Bitcoin program landed in my inbox. It instructed me to complete two Bitcoin courses and their respective certification exams as part of the screening process. Eager to seize the opportunity, I hunkered down and focused on acing my exams.
With my exams out of the way, I dedicated myself to the task at hand and completed the courses and certification exams within a week. The feeling of accomplishment was immeasurable, and I was thrilled to have passed with flying colors.
But that was just the beginning! Soon after, I received another email informing me that I had been accepted into the proposal round of the Summer of Bitcoin program. I was ecstatic at the thought of getting the chance to contribute to such an exciting project.
To top it off, I was also provided with a link to join the program's Discord server. It was my chance to connect with other like-minded individuals and collaborate on a project that had the potential to change the world.
The journey had been long and arduous, but the rewards were worth it. I was filled with a sense of purpose and passion that burned brightly within me. Join me as I continue to navigate this exhilarating world of technology and share my experiences with all of you.
Navigating the Rusty Waters & Crafting a winning proposal
The clock was ticking as I had only 15 days left to submit my proposal for the Summer of Bitcoin program. The task at hand was to select an organization to work with, and that was proving to be quite a challenge.
As I scrolled through the list of organizations, I realized that most of them were using tech stacks that I was unfamiliar with. C++ and Python only had a single project each, which made my decision even harder. But then I noticed that over 50% of the organizations were using Rust, a language known for its steep learning curve.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I narrowed down my options and found myself drawn to the Eclair project (Scala/Kotlin) and The Eye of Satoshi (Rust). Ultimately, I decided to go with Eclair and chose the project "Make the eclair-cli awesome". If I ran into any issues, I planned to work on the project "Create a web-based GUI" for TEOS.
The first step was to set up my development environment, but that proved to be a challenge that took me three days to accomplish. Despite my struggles, I had a rough idea of what I needed to do, so I broke the project down into smaller parts and tackled them one by one. After conducting thorough research, I was able to draft a proposal in just a few days.
As my mentor was not available, I sought feedback from Adi and received valuable insights. I revised my proposal, adding technical details about the libraries I would be using for my project. Finally, I had a clear understanding of what I needed to do and how to do it.
With my perfect plan in place, I was ready to dive in and complete the project. Stay tuned for my next update as I continue to learn and grow in the world of tech!
Revving up for the challenge: Meeting the Mentor
The moment I saw T-bast, the mentor of the project, join the server, I knew I had to submit my draft proposal and get his feedback. We had a quick chat about the project, but I was thrilled when he invited me for a call after a few days.
With the deadline approaching, I was determined to learn the required programming language, Scala. I started by immersing myself in the Rock the JVM, scala lectures, and delved deeply into OOPS concepts and functional programming.
The day of the call arrived, and my heart was racing with anticipation. But as we began to chat, I quickly found my stride and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the team had decided to use Kotlin instead of Scala for the project. With ample time to learn Kotlin before the program starts, I embraced the challenge and was ready to take on the project with renewed enthusiasm.
Beginning of a dream
As I was scrolling through the Discord channel, I saw an announcement that caught my eye. It was with a mix of anticipation and anxiety that I clicked on the message, only to find out that I had been selected for the program after going through all the proposals.
I couldn't contain my excitement and felt a sense of relief as I read the message again and again. It was a dream come true!
I took a deep breath and felt a surge of gratitude and appreciation for everyone who had supported me through the journey. From the mentors to the other participants, everyone played a crucial role in getting me here.
I knew that this was just the beginning, and I was eager to dive into the project and give it my all. But for now, I was just grateful for this incredible opportunity and to Adi Shankara for making it possible.
A Tale of Miscommunication and Redemption
As the result day approached, I eagerly waited for the email that would decide my fate in the program. But when the email finally arrived, my heart sank as I read the words "not selected." Panic set in, and I immediately began frantically messaging Adi through DMs, hoping for a miracle.
To my surprise, Adi replied promptly, calming my nerves and explaining that I had received the wrong email. As one of the few who had been selected early, I had nothing to worry about. A wave of relief washed over me, and I felt grateful for Adi's generosity and quick response.
The Beginning of an Unforgettable Journey!
This opportunity has been a true blessing, and I am filled with immense gratitude. I cannot wait to document my journey and share it with all of you. I know that this experience will bring forth valuable lessons and unforgettable tales that will stay with me for a lifetime. Get ready to be inspired and enlightened as I take you along with me on this remarkable journey. stories!