I always feel more free and calm when I’m walking/hiking in nature or just sitting somewhere that lets me obsere it. For that, I am thankful for the window office I’m assigned to. Whenever it gets dull, boring, frustrating, or even angry, it is always helpful and encouraging to just take a look out the window for a few seconds. At least that’s how I feel. Take a look :)

And obviously, I am a big nature guy.

See news about New York Subway Superman

I actually saw this on the TV news. It’s one of the first few reported, pretty big news obviously. In a nutshell, Wesley Autrey jumped on top of a man who’s fallen onto the subway track and covered the man enough to save both of them from a oncoming train. For that, he received the highest NY citizen honor – a copper medal! Well, I should not be cynical. This man did something extraordinary. Seriously, I don’t know if I’ll be doing that or for many people even if I was present in the scenario. He deserves our respect. To end the news on a happy note (I feel happy for him too), Wesley is receiving rewards from random people for performing this deed, including scholarships for his daughters and $10,000 from Donald Trump. Though I thought, “Oh, it’s Donald Trump. Wouldn’t he be giving a little more?”

Oh well. We should be happy there’s some good news on the news nowadays.

I was gonna do a repost of something today but decided not. My day started crappy with a traffic ticket. It’s a bit ironic how I never get ticket for speeding though I do it frequently and by wanting to go to a bank at a place I never intended to in the 1st place, I got a ticket for right turn on red because of unfamiliarity and hence did not see the sign. I will be going to the court to attempt to waive some penalties.

Next, I returned to the gym after 2 weeks of slouching. Glad that my weight capacity has not decreased.

I did not get a chance to mention this. As of this past Sunday, I found a roommate who promptly took the room and wrote me a check for his 1st month’s rent. A US-grown Brazilian named Jean (I thought it was John…haha) Just like how people always take Ken for Kin I guess.

I was somewhat reluctant about having a roommate due to the loss of some privacy/freedom, but I have to say Jean has been a pleasant roommate for the few days.

In fact, he rented a Brazilian movie named The Man Who Copied (aka O Homem que Copiava) tonight. It started out a bit slow as a small town story but took QUITE a twist that makes you think “what the heck” half way through. It was entertaining :) Highly recommended if you want a not-so-invovled, light-hearted movie to relax in the evening but also be entertained.

At the end of the day, things got brightened up and tomorrow is another day. For that I’m grateful.

And I shall persist on my piano pieces that’s proving to become challenging -_-

To all my friends out there (who find this blog, haha), I wish you all a happy new year.

Year 2006 has been a very hectic year for me. As I’ve mentioned before, I concluded my Master program in Computer Science at Stanford – So thankful it’s finally over :P After new year, I will be on my way to a job as developer job at IBM at the Silicon Valley Lab. I have also become an uncle – Alas, I’m getting old! And 4 months earlier, we have relocated our parents to the Bay area. Things have been quite different w/ them around – a little less freedom, but I’m glad they are here as their aging and the weather in the mid-west don’t go so well together. It’s good they’re able to help out with my niece.

A few small accomplishment including seeing some result from all the gym’ing and basketball, learned to play the 1st piece of Sena’s Piano – Close to You from Long Vacation (I’ve always wanted to play it since…high school!), my vocal is getting better.

Not just me, people around me are going through many changes also, I have my best wishes for them. Who knows what’s in store for all of us, but hopefully everything will be fine. As quotes from Jet Li in his Fearless interview, “Ourselves are our greatest enemy.” and “Do you best, it’s good enough.”