Lovin' Life 24-7: February 2006

Working from Home

A typical "working from home" day. Lounge wear, no make up, and just being comfortable.

Rock Climbing Progress Report

Now I can climb most of 5.8 routes and some 5.9- ones. Colorful knees are the symbol of my hard work. Who knew I would enjoy climbing this much? I went to the rock gym 3 times last week and learned lead climbing as well. :)

Welcome to my family

Out of my 40 pairs of shoes, I realized that I did not have basic black pumps. Since I was in Florida, I have so many open toe slip-on shoes, which I cannot wear to work. (a great excuse to buy another pair of shoes) Guess what? Now I have them. Welcome to my family.

NAAAP Power Lunch

I started enjoying my life in Atlanta as I attend more social events and meet people. Through my friend, I got to know this National Association for Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) organization. I was pleasantly surprised the size and activities of the organization. I attended one of their biggest events last weekend and heard about the Power Lunch. Since it was going to be at the next building of my office, I attended although I didn’t know anyone (Wasn’t I brave, as always?). The lunch was a small but powerful networking opportunity and truly enjoyed getting to know some people. During the lunch, I learned about a leadership workshop and planed to attend it next weekend. It seems like I have more things to put on my social calendar now.

Oh! The main mission of the NAAAP is to build network and positive impression for Asian American professionals across the business industry. When I mentioned this to one of my co-workers, he said “isn’t the impression is smart and hard worker? Why do you guys need to change that?” Well.. I guess that’s a good stereotype. Maybe the new mission of NAAAP should be “We know how to have fun.” That sounds more like my-kind-of organization. ;)

(If you want to know more about the organization, go to http://www.naaap.org/)

Rainy Wednesday

I’m not a huge fan of rainy days, especially after spending more than four years in the Sunshine State. Although it was raining pretty hard all day long, I had a good day after all. First of all, I had two lunches – one before noon at my desk because I was starving and the other one around 2 with co-workers. I had a chance to eat at the one of the top 10 seafood restaurants in the nation, which happened to be a block away from our office. I got to know some of co-workers we share the space together. Finally I was actually busy at work and made me feel good (For those who hung out long enough with me would understand how excited I was since I finally got busy). After work, I had a chance to eat dinner and drink my favorite Sam Adams seasonal beer with a friend. Yeah.. It was a good rainy day since I was busy all day, had two lunches, and drank Sam Adams. :)
(picture is from http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/bilder/rainyday.jpg)

Changing Lanes

Changing lanes

One of the biggest challenges I have experienced ever since I moved in Atlanta was dealing with bad traffic and the complicated road system. For the first couple of days in Atlanta, I had to think through whether going outside of my place is absolutely necessary since driving around was very stressful for me. I may have good memory but do not have great sense of direction, so it takes time to memorize roads and landmarks. Once I figured out the 4 mile range from where I live, I had to commute to this downtown office, which is 18 miles away from my condo. The most stressful thing that I had to deal with at work was getting there. The lanes in Atlanta highway tend to disappear and reappear and drive me crazy. For example, it will be 7 lanes in downtown and becomes 4 and then 5 and then.. .who knows how many lanes it will be? The thing is it’s not easy for me to change lanes when the traffic is so bad.

I studied how to minimize changing lanes on highways. Here’s my routine to go to work. Until I get on the GA 400, I’m just cruising this waviest Peachtree-Dunwoody road for 4 miles. As soon as I get on GA400, I have to move two lanes on left within 1 mile otherwise I will go to the 285 highway. When GA 400 merges to I-85, I have to move one lane to my left and then two more on my right before I get off the exit.

When I go back home, I have to change 3 lanes on my left as soon as I get on the highway in one mile. Otherwise I will go to I-75, instead if I-85. Believe me! It’s quite a challenge if you want to perform this task between 5 and 6 pm in Atlanta. No wonder I’m so tired after work. Sigh.

Although it’s not easy to go to the office, I’m a positive person at the end. Instead of avoiding working at the downtown, (well which was not my option anyway), I decide to make this commute as my learning experience for Atlanta roads and bad traffic situation. I have to admit that I still feel a sharp needle on my spine whenever I had to change lanes on the busy highways. So Guys! Please pray for my safety on the road.

At the new hire training. 8 people from 6 different countries - Korea, America, India, England, Austrailia, and Lebanon. I was happy to see such a diverse group at the training. So far, it's a fun place to work.

Harvard Law Degree vs. Climbing 5.10

I notice that I do not get easily impressed on material things or educational background. I went to a single gathering yesterday and one of the guys I talked to kept talking about his Harvard law degree whenever he had a chance. For example, I asked “Where are you from?” and he said “I’m from Louisiana but I went to Harvard law school and spent some time in Boston.” He just went on and on about his law school dorm mates and his plans to retire when he turns 40 and become a professor. He also talked about how lazy he was and that’s why being a professor will be cool – flexible schedule and what not. And he kept going on about his plan to get his Ph.D. So, here I was, a bit annoyed to hear all those stories, telling him “Oh, sounds great! That’s why I already have a Ph.D. I also want to go back to academia when I have a good opportunity after having some experience in the business industry.” I guess after that, the Harvard law school conversation was pretty much ended.

However, I get impressed on some other things – usually artistic and athletic skills and abilities. I would stare at a great climber who climbs a 5.10 wall with admiration. Or I would be amazed to see someone’s artistic skills – from drawings and photography to singing and playing musical instruments. I didn’t really think about what impressed me and, after the last night’s gathering, I realized I’m pretty weird on that perspective as well.

We went to "Twist" 5 minutes before the kitchen close. Guess what? We used that 5 minutes very well and ate the whole thing - 4 sushi rolls, fried calamari, chocolate tasters, shrimp dumplings, and of course martinis.:)