This is what happens

when two nerds hang out - teaching each other basics of engineering and human performance improvement. :)

My Dissertation

I just found out my dissertation is availiable on FSU E-Library. Isn't it sad that my dissertation cannot be in the library and collect some dust? But, to save trees and to make process much simpler, all I had to do to publish my dissertation was to upload the PDF file.

For those who don't believe that I have Ph.D., here's the evidence. ;)

http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11102005-120503/unrestricted/Suh_S_Dissertation.pdf

Enjoy reading, especially when you have troubles falling a sleep. It's only 140 something pages.

Conference Follow-up

After reading this entry, you can call me a dork since I deserve it. :) I love to attend conferences and be engaged in thought provoking conversation/discussion.

Over the weekend, I attended the International Society for Performance Improvement conference in Dallas, TX. It's one of my favorite conferences since I can learn what I'm interested in and talk about my interest with people who really care about that matter for Hours.

It's been already 3 years since I first attended this conference and was surprised to see I met many presenters already and knew how this conference works. Those are the things you learn unconsciously.

After the intense three day stay at the conference, I feel intellectually charged. Also, I had a chance to think about my career and what i want to do in a long run. The problem is I want to be in Academia and Consulting at the same time and it's not easy. However, there are quite a few people, and they are the proud FSU IS alumni, who do the both successfully. It was inspiring to meet them and learn about what they are doing and how they did it.

To me, conference became an annual reunion with colleagues, friends, and alumni. Once again, I learned that FSU is still a big name at the ISPI; I met so many FSU graduates who are now in Coast Guards, HRD centers in Korea, and professors in universities. I even met a friend from college in Korea at the conference. We haven't seen each other over 5 years and she came to my session. What a surprise!

Ahhh... After attending the conference, I had to deal with the feeling of "Publish or Perish," which I tried to avoid for the last several months. Yes, I was a bit burnt when I finished my dissertation but it's time to go back and write an article. *sigh* Well~ I can do it! I just have to find my time between working full time, rock climbing, and attending my friends' events. :)

Back to Basics

I'm an over achiever and like to move forward. That's why I tend to learn fast and make a big progress in the beginning of learning something new.
It was somewhat the same with the rock climbing. It has been two months and a half since I started and I was able to climb a couple of intermediate routes very quickly.

However, as I tried on harder routes, I felt I needed more skills and techniques. Sometimes I stuck in the middle and could not climb gracefully in some routes.

Recently I started to climb with one of my co-worker, who' s very experienced in climbing - It's fun to have someone to talk about climbing at work. He recommended me to stay on beginner's easy routes and work on building techniques instead of pushing myself to a harder route.

I already started seeing some results of going "Back to Basics." I had more energy to climb when I stayed in easier routes and working on my balance, foot works, and endurance.

When I went to the rock gym after a long day at work last night, I really wanted to go home and take some rest. I yarned the whole way to the gym. Guess what? Once I warmed up properly, I became an Energizer Bunny. I climbed for 2 and a half hours and I had to give up not because my arms were tired, but because of my toes, which means I started using more toes and legs (good sign).

Sometimes I forget to go back to basics when I am very focused on moving forwards. However, sometimes you need to step back a little bit to be even stronger and better. It’ll be the same thing with my job. Instead of focusing on promotions, I’d like to be good at whatever I was assigned in the project and leverage my knowledge and skills properly.

Lonely girl became a Party Girl?

As my social caldender is getting full, people started seeing me as a party girl.
After a hard core party last Wednesday, I cannot help but agreeing my friends' opinion. Some of my co-workers really like to go out and we ended up having a party till 3 in the morning on WEDNESDAY!!

Last Saturday, I was invited to go to a hot night club in Atlanta. Since she was a friend of VIPs of the culb, Vision, I didn't have to pay the expensive cover (20 bucks!!).
I think i went out for dinner or drinks almost every day for 2 weeks in a row and i cannot keep up anymore.

When I look back my life in January, it's been a big change. I wanted to have friends and go out everyday. Since I was very very lonely until mid February, I prayed about that matter quite a bit. God knows I'm so impatient and sent me Joyce immediately. Yeah~ My personal party organizer. ;)

The bottom line is I'm grateful and happy with my new life in Atlanta.