personal

Finally, an update! (and a drawing for the first time in years.)

I didn't quite know what to do with this website for the longest time — and, in fact, I still don't. The most effective websites, I've found, offer a wealth of content for a specific niche, but for me, what exactly would my niche be? For awhile I toyed with starting my own freelancing business, but then I got employed by a wonderful 300-person Silicon Valley start-up and we got acquired by Microsoft. Then I thought of starting a "study hacks" weblog, even going so far as to register the domain name. And then, school happened. Compound this with the fact that Carolen says I'm likely in a "quarter life crisis": is there one single thing I'm interested in, that I can create a website around? A topic that can define me? I love so many different things that it's hard.

So, I'd like to start by picking a subtopic in my blog and seeing where this leads me. Transit in Orange County. I can't find another website dedicated to such an important topic in a county where cars are revered. With bus and train ridership shooting through the roof thanks to increased gas prices, plus all the cool transportation projects in the works, it's a topic ripe for discussion. I'll discuss news items, projects in the works, and tips for making transit work for you (if you happen to be in Orange County).

In the meantime, welcome to my website. I hope you enjoy the redesign. read more→

Last month, I walked across two stages and turned my tassel twice. My family — all of whom have supported me throughout the past five years — were there. My friends — who have studied, sweated, toiled, programmed computers, and dissected animals with me — all were present.

We're done! read more→

I finally get to walk at not one, but two (two! 2!!!) ceremonies. As you can see, I am quite excited.

I have lots of tickets leftover, so post a comment here if you'd like me to get you one. :)

• Molecular Cell Biology: Friday, May 19, 2006, 7:00pm at Greek Theatre
• Computer Science:
  Sunday, May 21, 2006, 2:00pm at Zellerbach Auditorium

I've been playing games a little bit more lately, not just because they're fun, but because I suck at it. I should've realized this a long time ago when my own sister beat me at Bomberman, but it hasn't quite sunken in until I saw my co-worker cleanly slice through Geometry Wars, a space arcade game, on the new Xbox 360 at work.

Oh, and half a year ago, my sweetie thrashed me soundly on Puzzle Fighter.

Maybe I'm missing something. Is it because everyone else has better visual reaction times? I don't drive a car, so maybe that's part of the problem. Driving a car is essentially a game in itself, except, if you mess up, you lose your life. Literally. read more→

So, I'm thinking of starting a side business in graphic and web design, to earn more money for the *ahem*treofund*ahem* and in case I'll need it for the future. It'll be especially for folks in the sciences and health fields, but it would be for non-profits too. ;)

What do people think about these logos? And this, as a business card design? It would sure look nice on glossy cards, wouldn't you agree?

Side note: I'll be taking my very first official graphic design course at nearby Foothill College! :D Yay! read more→

I'm trying to decide whether I need a Palm Treo. These gadgets are amazing devices that let you take photos, listen to music, talk to friends and family, send e-mails, surf the net, play old-school Game Boy and even some DOS games, ... yes, the list does go on. But with a subscription rate of $600+ a year, it's a rather large cost to factor in to my budget. There are plenty of areas in my life where I could use such a device. read more→

My list of personal goals has grown ever since I graduated: one of them, public speaking. And, as I'm typing this on BART, I should brainstorm what my real motivations are behind pursuing public speaking. Getting up in front of a crowd wracks the nerves, so why do something outside my comfort zone? read more→

A new job, a new place to live, and, starting Monday, a new life! I am now a proud Software Engineer at TellMe Networks, which works on linking telephones to Internet services so you can access things like stocks, news, and traffic reports using a regular telephone instead of an Internet connection. The unique thing about their products is that they use a voice interface, so you have to speak to navigate around their menus. I have Tingting to thank for helping me introduce me to her friends, too. I can't wait to start work this coming Monday!

I also am almost moved out to Mountain View, which is arguably the heart of Silicon Valley. It's exciting to know that the Mozilla Foundation is down the street from me, TellMe is a short walk away, and that companies like Google and SGI are nearby. The thing is, it's hard to get around without a car since this place was built in a Southern California-like suburban sprawl. I spent a good deal of walking around yesterday trying to find a bookstore, but all the bookstores here are too small, too old, and a 20-minute walk away. The buses pass by every half hour. Here, the car is king. :( read more→

This past weekend, I helped Carolen get her life organized. We spent, oh, six or more hours poring over paper planners and Palm PDA. (Pocket PC's have a user interface from hell and we Berkeley students like to stick it to the man when we can, so we avoided it.) After much debate over the advantages and disadvantages of each, we concluded that although Palms were much more expensive than paper, it was, by far, the most flexible and most portable way to get one's thoughts down. read more→

I should be happy. I should be ecstatic that I won't have to attend lectures on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday anymore, go through rounds and rounds of examinations, and attend office hours. I should be jumping for joy that I have done my time at Berkeley, that I am now classified as an "alum."

But when children reach the end of their school year, they all joyously proclaim,

no more pencils,
no more books,
no more teachers' dirty looks.

Somehow, "Bachelor Chan" does not quite have the same ring as "Master Chan," or "Doctor Chan." read more→