Eventful Evening

Last night was a pretty eventful evening:

• Finally had my annual review with my CC
• Had my first flute lesson
  
• A friend came over to cook and eat dinner with me

Annual Review
This is actually very overdue, considering the annual review process was completed at the end of August. But, better late than never. My CC is a super cool guy, but I just wish he is more reachable, especially when I feel very lost with where my career is heading. I pinged one of the guys from my start group yesterday, and he's a dev team lead now... I'm very jealous that he actually likes what he's doing, but I can't really complain because I honestly don't know what I want... Many people have suggested that I should just quit and look for something else, but I don't think I'd be happy doing the same thing year after year at the same company either... I've been praying about this for a while now, but God seems to want me to explore a bit more for now.

Flute Lesson
The flute instructor that I’ve found on Craigslist turns out to be pretty cool. She seems really knowledgeable, but her rates are pretty low. We spent the first 15 minutes or so chatting about flute lessons in general, and we had a short lesson after that. I seem to be doing ok with the lower notes, but the high notes are… well… not so pleasant.

The funniest thing is that her cat has completely fallen in love with me. At the end of the lesson, she just slept on my lap and purred when I stroke her back. I think my teacher was a little jealous of that, but oh well. :P She has a little yorkie also, so I can’t wait till I meet her next week.

Dinner
A friend from church came over to my place for dinner after my flute lesson. I managed to set some soba noodles on fire before she arrived (don’t ask me how I did that…), but other than that, it was a fun evening. :)

I’m going to help out at the church tonight, then I think I’m going to have dinner with friends both tomorrow and Thursday night. Cell group meeting is on Friday nights, and he’s back on Saturday morning. (Woohoo! ^0^)

A Fresh New Look

After saving it for 3 years, I've finally chopped my hair off. The hairdresser was very skilled with the scissors and extremely meticulous with my hair. So meticulous that it took her 1.5 hours to cut my hair... The longest haircut I've ever gotten was perhaps an hour, but this is by far the longest I've spent getting a haircut. I love the new haircut, but the trade off is a $40 parking ticket... making this the most expensive haircut I've ever gotten... :(

Core Consultant Seminar

I've spent all day at the W Hotel in SF downtown for a one-day Core Consultant Seminar. The W Hotel is very hip and modern, but I think it's a bit pretentious. In the States, an elevator is an elevator. Why the heck would you want to call it a lift when you know darn well that you're not in the UK?

The seminar was a complete waste of my time. I had envisioned this as a part networking, part propaganda kind of seminar, but it was nothing of the sort. To begin with, the instructor spent a full hour on a song-guessing game, where collaboration was not allowed. Then, there a video that mocks Accenture on every single slide. (And, in some cases, 5 videos per slide.) The instructor said he had come to SF for his team, but he went a little too far when all he could talk about was how difficult his project has been and how great his team is. For goodness' sake, there is more to the world than his little government project. And, it's not exactly motivating to keep putting the Accenture methodoloy down. For example, in the game of systems implementation jeopardy, he asked, "These should have been fixed in systems test, but they won't be in the system until a later date." And, lo and behold, the answer is "future release". Forgive me for being so critical, but I just don't think that's the kind of message you want to pass to your consultants.

All in all, I think that was the worst training I've ever been to. The only redeeming part of the day was the people development presentation, which was done by a different speaker. Obviously managing people is a lot easier said than done, but it's good to hear real life examples of what worked and what didn't work.

It was the good old fashion networking happy-hour after being bombarded with mix messages for 9 straight hours. As I have never been a big fan of randomly introducing myself to strangers, I decided to take off early and treat myself to a shopping spree. (After all, it was stressful to just sit there, wondering how much I could have gotten done if I was not sitting in that room.)

The new Bloomingdales and Westfield mall are amazing, but H&M remains my all-time favorite. Forever 21 is still cool, but its return policy just doesn't cut it. I don't know how they're still in business with a no-refund policy. At any rate, I spent about an hour and a half at H&M, and let's just say I was happy with how my day ended. :)

Work Life Balance?

While most Hong Kongers that I have talked to think the Americans are lazy bums, the radio is now talking about how we should cut back on our hours and take our lives back. Is there really such a thing as work life balance now that we have learned to practically identify ourselves with the work that we do? I’m not concurring with the workalcoholic way of life, but it’s almost just the norm these days. People are always talking about finding a career where your passion lies, but passion doesn’t end at the end of the work day. Or, at least it shouldn’t… The point is how exactly do you differentiate work from leisure if you are one of the lucky few that get to do what they love?

My manager has just talked to me about not going over a certain number of hours in the month of October. This is the first time I’ve been asked to limit my hours, but with the amount of work I have to do, that’s just not possible. Having come from a project where it’s totally acceptable to work 80 hour weeks and have $10k dinners, this request just seems strange to me… I simply can’t understand why the budget is so tight. Oh well, another sign of poor planning. (And, I’m sure this will not be the last time I see this.)

I was thinking of my choice in career again last night, and I think God must have had a purpose when he put me here. After all, he gave me the promotion when a lot of equally qualified people were denied the opportunity. But, whatever that purpose is… I have yet to find. I can do a good job at what I do, but I honestly can’t see myself as an executive here. There are just way too much politics, but I guess in the end, it’s all just a numbers game. Oh well, just keep praying, I guess.

Interpersonal Intelligence...?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence

You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others. Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel. You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations. A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict. You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

New Musical Beginning

Maybe Vienna does have some kind of mystical power that draws people to music. Both he and I have been really into musical things after a visit to Vienna on our honeymoon. He now practices on the piano almost every night and is giving himself jazz piano lessons. And, I finally acted on my childhood dream of taking flute lessons.


While I'm home trying to get over a fever, I have finally gotten myself to go on craigslist and found myself a flute instructor. She has quite a bit of adult students and is less than 10 minutes away from my house! I don't know yet if I will be any good with the flute, but at least I can proudly say that I've given it a try. :)

Home Alone

After weeks and weeks of talking about it, I've finally seen him off on a flight to Beijing. This is the first time we've been apart since the wedding day! In actuality, since I'm going back to SF on Wednesday night, it feels almost as if the home alone period doesn't start till next week. Long distance has never worked for me, and it probably never will. But, never say never, I guess.

Rigoletto

We saw Rigoletto at the SF Opera tonight.

Rigoletto is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo. It was first performed at La Fenice in Venice on March 11, 1851. According to Opera America, Rigoletto is now North America's ninth most performed opera.

Even though the tickets were over $100 each, we had to take 3 flights of stairs before we could get to our seats. The acoustics weren't nearly as good as Vienna's state opera house, but the costumes were 10 times better.

Purpose of Life

Well, OK, that's too big of a topic to be tackled by me altogether, but I can at least think about the purpose of my "professional" life.

After working for a few hours last night, I woke up at 6am this morning to get into the office by 7am. Time really flies by when I'm just typing away at my desk. It's sad that my tasks don't really require me to think, but then again, that may be a good thing, given that my brain is practically dead from sleep deprivation.

After slaving away for close to 5 hours, I stopped to question what exactly am I killing myself over. I know I've complained about my job for a long time now, but what can I do? A girl's gotta make her living somehow. According to M-W, a career is a calling, a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement. But, to be honest, the longer I've been out of school, the dumber I feel. So, what exactly is the purpose?

Is the point just to earn enough money so that I can live without worrying about not having enough to live on? Or, is a job just something to occupy my time so that the days go by more quickly? Be a good witness of God, some say... But, who has the time to talk about religion when everyone's in endless meetings all day?!

So, I'm left with no conclusion other than I need to have my lunch now...

Hair Donation

I woke up this morning, feeling like I want to cut my hair, so I decided the option of donating my hair to people who have lost their hair due to illnesses. Locks of Love seems to be the most reputable amongst the various organizations, but they have very strict rules on whose hair they'd accept. And, unfortunately, Locks of Love (as well as all the other organizations I have found) don't accept chemically treated hair. So, so much for my willingness to donate my hair. I personally don't think my hair is damaged because I try to take very good care of my hair. But, oh well....

There are also people who'd sell their hair for a hefty price!
http://www.hairwork.com/bidhere.htm

What Gender is Your Brain?

Ha! I guess it is true that I'm more of a guy than a girl! May be he's more of a girl!

Your Brain is 47% Female, 53% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Can't Concentrate

Today's the single most unproductive day I can remember. I started out with good intentions, waking up at 8, thinking I'd finish all the transition documents. But, the reality is that I spent approximately 2.5 hours fully engaged in my work. Is this an indication that I really can't get myself to enjoy what I'm doing, or that I haven't switched back from the vacation mode?

He was clamoring his urge to go back to work, while I simply abhor the idea of having deal with looking for a new client, ramping for a new role, and/or figuring out what my next career goals are. People who have the guts to simply quit to look for their passions have my utmost respect. I suppose not having any source of income will give you the sense of urgency to really get you moving. But, sadly, I think I've come to tying my identity with my so-called career too closely. And, having supported most - if not all - of my expenses since high school, I'm just not used to not making money. It's one thing when I'm not spending coz I don't want to, and another if I'm not spending coz I don't have the money to.

And, this "quarter life crisis" saga shall continue...

Your Brain's Pattern

Your brain is always looking for the connections in life. You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first. You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker. You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Is This Worth It?

I've almost forgotten how it feels to be so busy that I've forgotten to eat. Being unstaffed should be the best part of being a consultant because, theoretically, you are paid for not having to work at all. But, somehow, that's not the case this time. Bouncing between helping my last project, ramping up for the new project, and researching for an exec, ACN is squeezing every bit out of me... Although, I guess I really shouldn't be complaining since I got 2 whole weeks of pay for prepping for my wedding.

After 1.5 months of easy life, it's time to get back into reality. Just when people are commenting on how great my skin looks, I can feel 3 little pimples creeping out coz of the stress already. *Sigh*... is this really worth it???

In the meantime, I've become really addicted to Blogthings :P

You Are 2: The Helper

You always put on a happy face and try to help those around you. You're incredibly empathetic and care about everyone you know. Able to see the good in others, you're thoughtful, warm, and sincere. You connect with people who are charming and charismatic.

What Number Are You?

My Birthday!

I've finally decided to make the switch from Xanga to Blogger, and I guess it's appropriate for this new beginning to happen on my birthday.

2006 is truly the most memorable and meaningful year for me. So much has happened that I think it's going to take some time for me to fully comprehend what has just happened. And, sometimes, I'm scared that it's all just a dream, that none of this has really happened. All in all, God has really showered his blessings on me. :)

You Are a Blue Flower

A blue flower tends to represent peace, openness, and balance. At times, you are very delicate like a cornflower. And at other times, you are wise like an iris. And more than you wish, you're a little cold, like a blue hydrangea.

What Color Flower Are You?