Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Eternity's End

I just stumbled upon this cinematic clip from not-so-well-fared Blizzard's Warcraft 3. And its title, it turns out, is Eternity's End.

Although it's not the same as this blog's title, it let me like this title even more. I like it. I like it...

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Growing Up

I always say I want to grow up, to be mature, and be responsible. Yet, I am unable to do just that. I keep looking for someone I can depend on; I try to cut myself some slack, like giving me some easy time when I'm avoiding things I need to do; secretly wanting people's attention without becoming worthy of it. I may show a glimpse of what I can be, like... being responsible, so I know I can become someone I want to be.

But what's stopping me?

I've read somewhere that people are deeply affected by stereotype without them knowing. Any categories or descriptions that you put to people, not just racial, but anything, and I mean anything (such as bad singer, bad artist, or conversely good mathematician) makes you unconsciously drive yourself to fit into that description.

Now, there is something my mother likes to tell me whenever she is talking about "those good, old days," and it's about how strong or weak each of us, my siblings and I, are born. My brother was born strong and very bright, and my sister and I are born weak. (For example, while my strong and brave brother loved to ride swing as a baby, I freaked out.) Because of this, she has been taking care of us and be worried about us constantly, believing being hurt in that dangerous and wild world will cripple us big time. So, naturally, I kept thinking that I am born weak, and I have been making myself into a helpless, dependant boy who constantly needs to be reminded how well off I really am.

Before I move away from home to my new job, I am going to ask my mother to let me go. Let me be on my own, and stand strong on my own.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Quote #02

Affection is the broadest base of a good life.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Atlanta Welcomes Me

Yes, that means I have just accepted the offer from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics company, located near Atlanta, GA.

Some say it's far and too South for me, but I think not. I am all excited about this opportunity. Atlanta is big, home to some 5 milion people--so plenty of stuff to do--and extremely low cost of living compared to Northern Virginia... but most of all, it's aeronautics company!! That means I'll be making software that goes on Lockheed Martin's one of the longest selling cargo plane, C-130J Supoer Hercules*!! Well, a variation of C-130J Super Hercules that collects data inside storms to be precise, but exciting neverthless!

What's more exciting for me is that they actually assemble the plane in that giant building I'll be working at, and they also make the newest fighter jet, F-22!! I hope I can take some pictures...heheh.

Anyways, now this is done, I can now focus 100% on the research project I'm working on. I even have to show the group what I've been doing. (Um...) So time to concentrate!!



*You might have seen that plane at some point, because it's pretty much everywhere. They carry vehicles, troops, supplies, weapons... and of course, Naked Snake jumped off of it in Metal Gear Solid 3 in the beginning of the game as seen below:


I'm not 100% sure about this, but it sure looks like it.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

UPDATE: Yes, it is C-130, a modified version of it. AC-130 SPECTRE, as it is named, is modified by Boeing to be equiped with powerful guns to give support to ground troops.

Friday, June 8, 2007

On Love and Timing

어디선가 읽은 적이 있어,
사랑하는 사람을 만나는 시기가
그렇게 중요한 것 이라고.

너무 어릴때 만나면
사랑인지 모르고 지나쳐버리고,

준비가 안됐을 때 만나면
여린 마음에 어쩔줄 몰라하다
헤어지게 될지도 모르고,

너무 늦게 만나게된다면
벌써 다른 사람과 결혼했을 수도 있다는 것..

또 적절한 시기에 만났지만
착각과 어긋남의 연속에
그냥 헤어져 버릴수도 있는 일이야.

그렇게 생각해 보면 정말 사랑하는 사람을 만나서
평생을 같이 한다는 것은 (또는 그렇지 못한다는 것은)
정말 하늘의 뜻에 달려있어 보이지 않아?

이제 곧 내가 일자리를 쫓아 어디를 가게되고,
그것에 따라 누구와 멀어지고 누구와 가까워 지게 되느냐는
하늘에 뜻에 달려있는 것이지,
결국 우리가 아쉬워 해야할 이유는 별로 없다고 생각해.

앞으로 어떻게 될진 모르겠지만,
앞으로 많은 변화가 올 거라는 생각에
아쉬움보다 두근거림이 앞서가는
나를 탓하진 말아줘.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Yet Another One

With the deadline to respond to the offer nearing, I scored yet another interview with a competing company here in DC metro area. To give it a shot, I am back at home...only after 4 days since I left here. I don't know why I'm so lucky with getting interviews these days, but the recruiter was very eager to bring me in, and extend an offer that will defeat the one I already have if possible. Which items on my resume did she like that much, I wonder? Or is it the feedback from all those interviews I head previously? What kind of feedback did they give? I wish there was a way to find out.

Anyways, with only two business days to make up my mind on the standing offer, I will be using today for the interview, and hopefully I'll get the response from them by next Monday, which is the day I have to make the decision of my life.

And I do mean the decision of my life--maybe not the only one, but certainly one of the most important decision ever. That choice will have lasting impact on my life ever after... I am practically making a career move here; I don't want to be turning around to camera and saying,

"I'd not want to move up in this organization... While I'm down here, it's a job. Anywhere higher, it's a career, and I'd kill my self if that happens."*

I want it to be my career for at least a while... maybe at least about 3~5 years. Then, I'd like to look at where I am and make another decision: Stay in that route, or change lane.. hopefully into one called "entertainment."

I'm sleepy, and I've chit-chatted like a girl. Enough of this already! Need rest for the interview.

Wish me luck. Fingers crossed.

PS. I did a little calculation of the offer, and it turns out, it's not bad at all. But... there's nothing to lose in trying to negotiate, yes? (Of course, that's if I don't mess it up big time and lose the offer, but... .... I need a wooden board... 'knock knock')

* If you don't get it, start watching more tv shows. The Office in particular.

Monday, June 4, 2007

My First Job Offer!!!

Atlanta's skyline

I just got a call Lockheed Martin's headquarter, and their HR personnel gave me a good news. Well, I had been expecting this for a while, but I finally got the offer after about 2 weeks of waiting. This is my first job offer, and so, I am really excited.

But as always, there's a catch. Their offer, as she outlined it for me, didn't quite live upto my expectation. I will know more about it in detail once I get the offer package by snail-mail, but I want to negotiate the offer and try to get as much more as possible. But then, she says they don't negotiate if I don't have any other offer at hand... Hmm, is this true? Maybe this is one of those things they say just to avoid going through trouble of negotiation, and to fool youngsters like me into an unfair contract.

Well, for now, let me be happy. But I guess I'll tell other locations to hurry, since I'll only have a week to decide once I get the package.

As people say, I guess no one can have everything they want, hmm? But I don't think trying to be in 50th percentile is all that greedy.

UPDATE: I just got another call from same company, in different location about another interview. It was nice because it was local, but when I told her that I just received an offer from same company, but different division, she said she can't pursue it if that's the case. Apparently, I have to decline the offer I got today in order to pursue other positions in the same company. That means interviews I did at Syracuse, the one at VA Beach I was looking forward to, all went out the window today--if I do choose to accept that offer that is. Ah... Sadness....