Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Jump to the current...
Jumping to what I am actually doing now... I am in Nashville, Tennessee exhibiting in a show at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. It has a glass dome section that makes it feels like you are outdoors on a beautiful street with water fountain, trees, etc. I'll try to get some pictures in the next few days.
Oh yeah, I am hooked on this numerical puzzle game call Sudoku. I am amazed at how many different ways one can look at a set of numbers to solve these puzzles.
Also, stay tune for my bike-commuting piece, which I will write on the plane home.
Oh yeah, I am hooked on this numerical puzzle game call Sudoku. I am amazed at how many different ways one can look at a set of numbers to solve these puzzles.
Also, stay tune for my bike-commuting piece, which I will write on the plane home.
June's big news
June is an important month because I have two real big news for the year... 1) Pei passed her orals for her official entrance to the PhD program and 2) I am out of Tucson and moved into Los Angeles because of work. For Pei, it was an important milestone because it means she is firmly seated in her program and can concentrate on her research and other steps to reach her graduation. For my own news, it's sad because I have grown to enjoy being in Tucson and I have to leave Pei behind, who has at least 2 more years to go. Fortunately, we agreed to continue as a long distance relationship. The good part is that I'll be working the office (I was working remotely from home in Tucson). I thought remote work would be great, but it isn't, especially when an office isn't setup for such a type of work. So much of my work involve looking at the items that it was difficult to work from so far away. Another good thing about LA is that it's got unbeatable weather (although the smog and the traffic kinda negates it).
Alvera Street
Anyway, I really hate moving because I had to go through everything and decide whether to keep, toss, or give away. It's amazing how much stuff I have, even though I don't consider myself as someone who buys a lot. I guess years of accumulation really adds up. All my stuff fitted in a 14' U-Haul with only my table and office chair as my only big furniture (no bed, sofa, tv, etc)... very scary. I owe Pei so much for helping me sort through and pack my things. I think it would have taken me three times as long if I didn't have her help.
Pei at Jungle Falls in Huntington Garden
Green House at Huntington Garden
Bridge of Japanese Garden at Huntington
As for the move itself, Pei and I drove out over night on June 22 so we can avoid the desert day-time heat. The drive went well, but I was dead-tired upon arrival. I was and am currently staying at my god-sister's in La Habra (Orange County) until I can afford to get my own place closer to work. Actually, I timed my arrival with her and her husband's 2 week vacation in Germany so I can house-sit for her. It worked out really well.
Compare palm size with John Woo
Settling in didn't take too long because I left most items in storage, so we took the opportunity to explore the Northwest side of LA. On Saturday we visited: Huntington Library and Gardens, Pasadena, China Town, LA Grand Central Station, Alvera Street, and Hollywood (Mann-Chinese area) via the metro Gold and Red lines. On Sunday we dropped my godsister and her husband off at the airport in the morning and then visited Venice Beach and grand canals.
Pei flexing her muscles at Muscle Beach City Gym - Venice Beach
Venice Beach Grand Canal 1
Venice Beach Grand Canal 2
Anyway, I really hate moving because I had to go through everything and decide whether to keep, toss, or give away. It's amazing how much stuff I have, even though I don't consider myself as someone who buys a lot. I guess years of accumulation really adds up. All my stuff fitted in a 14' U-Haul with only my table and office chair as my only big furniture (no bed, sofa, tv, etc)... very scary. I owe Pei so much for helping me sort through and pack my things. I think it would have taken me three times as long if I didn't have her help.
As for the move itself, Pei and I drove out over night on June 22 so we can avoid the desert day-time heat. The drive went well, but I was dead-tired upon arrival. I was and am currently staying at my god-sister's in La Habra (Orange County) until I can afford to get my own place closer to work. Actually, I timed my arrival with her and her husband's 2 week vacation in Germany so I can house-sit for her. It worked out really well.
Settling in didn't take too long because I left most items in storage, so we took the opportunity to explore the Northwest side of LA. On Saturday we visited: Huntington Library and Gardens, Pasadena, China Town, LA Grand Central Station, Alvera Street, and Hollywood (Mann-Chinese area) via the metro Gold and Red lines. On Sunday we dropped my godsister and her husband off at the airport in the morning and then visited Venice Beach and grand canals.
April to May catch-up
I know it's been a while, so here is another catch-up (April and May) of what has been happening with me... actually a lot:
April 8-23: went back to Taiwan to attend the Taipei Sporting Goods Show. The show was only a few days long, but I stayed longer to hammer out some stuff for work.
April 30: STOMP came to Tucson's UA Presents. Pei and I got the cheap student ticket to see the show. It was a great event; it's amazing what they can do with just everyday items. I highly recommend going if it ever tours in your area.
May was another travel laden month.
May 2-3: In Raleigh, NC visiting a client with my dad. A quick in-and-out trip
May 4-5: Returned to Los Angeles and went house hunting with mom and dad.
May 6-20: Spent 2 weeks in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a Bicycle Mechanics Class at Barnett Bicycle Institute (BBI). I thought I was done with school, but this intense class reminded me of school. We were in class from 8am-5pm, then we had homework and reading to do after school. I try to do a bit of activity (like riding my bike) after school to keep me sane. I really learned a lot from BBI's class. If you plan on being a bicycle mechanic, I highly recommend this school. They are very thorough and methodical. I believe even if you already have quite a bit of experience, you'll still learn a lot by being methodical.
Morning snow in May
I sent my folding bike there as my local transportation because I flew there. It was such a great place/time to bicycle because the weather was perfect - a bit chilly in the morning but just right in the afternoon; the scenery was beautiful and traffic level was manageable. I really enjoyed my stay there. Even better, Pei came to visit me over the May 13-14 weekend so we spent it touring the area. The most amazing was Pike's Peak - an 14,000+ ft peak that you can *drive* up to the top, I am not kidding. The road up did not have guard rails so it was a bit scary to drive up because it often looks like the road just dropped off and disappears. Fortunately, the road is super wide. Check out the machines that stays there to clear the road:
Pikes Peak Equipments
Road on Pikes Peak
Top of Pikes Peak
We later hiked on a trail call Helen Hunt Falls, no, it's not named after the actress, but a 1800's writer/poet called Helen Hunt Jackson. It's a nice little hike from the water fall to a look-out.
Pei borrowed a bike from a very generous female classmate so we could go riding in the near-by Garden of the Gods. This park has wide shoulders - great for cycling and very photogenic. I actually rode through it several times myself because it's only 5 minute bike ride from where I stayed. I highly recommend visiting it.
Me in Garden of the Gods
We also visited the US Olympic Training Center Headquarters in downtown Colorado Springs. We got to view the state-of-the-art swimming pool (from the outside) and the wrestling training area. I wish I could have seen the Velodrome, but it wasn't on-site and I didn't know it existed. Maybe next time.
Olympic Training Center - Track racing
April 8-23: went back to Taiwan to attend the Taipei Sporting Goods Show. The show was only a few days long, but I stayed longer to hammer out some stuff for work.
April 30: STOMP came to Tucson's UA Presents. Pei and I got the cheap student ticket to see the show. It was a great event; it's amazing what they can do with just everyday items. I highly recommend going if it ever tours in your area.
May was another travel laden month.
May 2-3: In Raleigh, NC visiting a client with my dad. A quick in-and-out trip
May 4-5: Returned to Los Angeles and went house hunting with mom and dad.
May 6-20: Spent 2 weeks in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a Bicycle Mechanics Class at Barnett Bicycle Institute (BBI). I thought I was done with school, but this intense class reminded me of school. We were in class from 8am-5pm, then we had homework and reading to do after school. I try to do a bit of activity (like riding my bike) after school to keep me sane. I really learned a lot from BBI's class. If you plan on being a bicycle mechanic, I highly recommend this school. They are very thorough and methodical. I believe even if you already have quite a bit of experience, you'll still learn a lot by being methodical.
I sent my folding bike there as my local transportation because I flew there. It was such a great place/time to bicycle because the weather was perfect - a bit chilly in the morning but just right in the afternoon; the scenery was beautiful and traffic level was manageable. I really enjoyed my stay there. Even better, Pei came to visit me over the May 13-14 weekend so we spent it touring the area. The most amazing was Pike's Peak - an 14,000+ ft peak that you can *drive* up to the top, I am not kidding. The road up did not have guard rails so it was a bit scary to drive up because it often looks like the road just dropped off and disappears. Fortunately, the road is super wide. Check out the machines that stays there to clear the road:
We later hiked on a trail call Helen Hunt Falls, no, it's not named after the actress, but a 1800's writer/poet called Helen Hunt Jackson. It's a nice little hike from the water fall to a look-out.
Pei borrowed a bike from a very generous female classmate so we could go riding in the near-by Garden of the Gods. This park has wide shoulders - great for cycling and very photogenic. I actually rode through it several times myself because it's only 5 minute bike ride from where I stayed. I highly recommend visiting it.
We also visited the US Olympic Training Center Headquarters in downtown Colorado Springs. We got to view the state-of-the-art swimming pool (from the outside) and the wrestling training area. I wish I could have seen the Velodrome, but it wasn't on-site and I didn't know it existed. Maybe next time.
