waiting, going, and waiting

My entire fall has been working hard on my application, besides hard work. I have not comfortable sharing my plans with friends as I do not know what will happen. I'd rather wait and see. First week of Dec. one week worldwind trip was eye-opening. I came back with so many questions, figuring where I want to be. The most sacred question was "Am I good enough to be there?" When did I feel low on self-confidence? never, but at this moment, I definitely have my hesitation.

It is a holiday season. I did not feel like a holiday at all. My mind has been in full-speed focusing on my plan. A few notes I got from business week are about this coming week, most invites will send out. I admit that I am getting very anxious and nervous. I pray that God will give me the directions and let me realize my dream walking on the path he wants me to be.

Sometimes I felt that I had a long surgery to myself, mentally. All the essays' questions really make me think, analyze myself, my past, present and future.

waiting, only thing what I can do now is to patiently wait...



just finished the book -- My American Journey By Colin Powell, highly recommended!!
Now reading the book -- Charlie Wilson's War, my 2 cents,
"read the original book" is greater than "watch the movie
have not read/not completed reading the book" is greater than "just go to watch the movie" do you like my formula?

endless english words

I had my first interpreter test today on Social Service. Within 90 minutes I need to finish 100+ questions. My eyes moved fast while my brain worked hard. There were couple questions unsure but the rest, I felt pretty good. When I stepped out the test center, I called Melissa asking her all these grammer and paraphrase questions. So far, I feel pretty good about this one.

I am reading the book , such a fun traveling journey. I wish I were on the trip somewhere.

Impressive

Talking to my friend Jerry in MIT Sunday night, I learned a lot. Can you believe it, two Chinese speaking only English on the phone. I do not remember since when, we have never spoken Chinese to each other. He is MIT system design master program, which he shared with me a lot of his study experience and confusion at this moment about what kind of job he is looking for after graduation. He has a very strong determination on his career. Our friendship could chase all the time back in 2004 when I started realizing that I would like to switch to business side instead of staying in technical side. I checked out a few schools that year. Meanwhile, he got the offer from Carnegie Mellon. But he chose to take a new task setup a new office in China for his company out-sourcing. Last year when I went back home, I visited him and knew that his new office grew significantly. A year later, he came to MIT for this program. During the conversation, I expressed my plan for next year. He recommended me to talk to one of his friends. After couple emails, I can his friend Danxia on Monday. How could I describe the conversation, well, Impressive!! I got my thoughts more clear and know that is what I will go for. I was so thankful for this person's time and efforts to share all of his experience and knowledge.

When I type this post, it is already in Independence Day. This will be the 9th one I have in U.S. yesterday I took my parents to meet Governor. She is so much down-to-earth and easy to talk to. I told my parents she is my highest boss for me now.

July 1st, a special start

If you ask me what I have accomplished yesterday -- June 30, I will tell you a long intense real story. oh, well, in short, a new era is to start. I never believe too many Chinese old tales, but this time, it proves: a good journey will begin after many frustrations and difficulties. On thing I did that day, was that I quickly made the good decision within such short time. Usually I could hesitate, but I am glad that at that moment, I made a sharp decision and did not drag to the coming week. This process has been long enough for me. I have already questioned myself why I would let my own life being controlled by others who I have no clue, and if all this original idea is still good for me. Couple years ago, I have told myself that I will not let this drag me down and someday when I look back, I won't regret since I have accomplished other things than staying for a process(and some possible whining). ha, a grow-up! Later, I found out there are quite a few people hesitate at that moment. I am glad I did not.

I originally planned to go to Seattle working in the law firm today, but I decided to take low-key, spending time with my parents, taking them around and enjoy the sunny day.

Meanwhile, I start to prepare the test this month. Talking to my friend Jerry in MIT, I realized that struggling to improve my language skills is not just my concern. He feels the same way. I certainly reached the level too long and try to figure out how to step up to the next one.

Last month, I found my dream house and was happy to know that I can afford without carrying too much loan. It is a big house by the lake with 0.7 acre land and gorgeous landscape. For years, I have always missed the time living by the water where I grew up. I promise myself someday I will buy a house by the water. The house is close to 10 years old and special design by an architect. I like the way how it lay out getting a lot of sunshine with many windows. Inside, there are all wood floors and marble kitchen. Two big bedrooms with two private large bathroom. There is another bathroom by the kitchen for guests. see what I mean, that is my dream house. But, here is but... I always feel that I am not quite settling in this area and I still carry the dream I want to go for. I went to check out this house four different times. I told myself that I can always buy a house I dream for, but I can not give up my dream which carries my own identify and characters in.

For the T test, I should put more time seriously and well organize my time efficiently. I have chopped down a few regular appointments. I am very thankful to my parents who strongly support me.



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Current reading: just finished the book -- A Mighty Heart, highly recommend. I do not think I will go to see the movie which usually ruin the originally writing. I just got a new book today and start to read. < A woman in Charge>
Current listening: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

a busy week

so far the week has been super busy, here is meeting, there is meeting. Today I have a whole day meeting, an entire day. In the end, I promised myself I will stand up for the evening to let my blood vessel at least feel better.

Tomorrow I will start my temporary translator work at law firm. I look at as one opportunity for me to look into international development. well, I shall see how the work goes.

work day off, unexpected fun!

This time of day, I usually work in the office or run between meeting, sometimes, draining my brain on the project problems. But today, it is nice weather in the afternoon. I took off early and walked outside for a while. Yes, Spring is coming. I am listening King FM 98.1, my favorite radio channel. Maybe I am an old fashion. Somehow I could not understand the rock and roll, esp. rap(really, can someone tell me what they are trying to say...), but I love classical music from bottom of my heart since I was a kid. I just found out that Yo-yo Ma will have his Silk Road Series performace in Seattle today and tomorrow night. The tickets are totally sold out. I could not believe I will miss his performance again. Three years ago, I missed due to business trip :( I hope I will see his performance someday, someday...

Yesterday I met Micheal and Christen who are Konings sisters. They came to visit me in the afternoon. Please imagine the image of three girls getting together and chatting. Later, Brain and the "pregnant" lady joined us later. They taught me some kind of cards game. It was fun, as I won the highest score. The game rule is, whoever got the lowest core and reached highest level is winner. I guess I was sitting next to the winner. The little koning really passed a few thoughts to mom's brain during the game. Waiting for the good news from M and C to move here in the fall!!

Saturday I went to Lower Lena Lake, which was nice, well, should say sweet, though I was totally wet under the pouring rain. Do you remeber the time when you were care-free, just went to the new place with no clue wondering, no one around, you were whispering, jumping, screaming in the woods(for fun) and enjoy a totally different adventurous moment. At one moment, I thought if the bear walked toward me, I might have giving he/she a bug for the surprise! After couple hours walking, the lake suddenly jumped inton my eyesight without any warning. I sat there by the lake, watching the misty air, breathing in the fresh air, whatever bother your mind previously all gone and award you with peace and comfort. What a creation!

Tonight I will work more on my Spanish. After taking one year lesson, this year I decided to pick up and put more time and effort to study it. A preganent lady friend thought that would be very funny to listen my Spanish speaking with Chinese accent. Aha, I'd better prove that my Spanish will have less Chinese accent, may well coming with some English accent :)

Currently Reading: by Roger Lowenstein (I just finished , highly recommended!) http://www.amazon.com/When-Genius-Failed-Long-Term-Management/dp/0375758259

a start......

After reading so many people's blogs and visiting friends' spaces, I finally decided to join the crew and start my own.

There are so many things to record in life, but the most beautiful part is to enjoy the jouney I am in right now. Can someone tell my chi-nglish(Chinese English)?

I recalled that I have another blog focusing purely on my professional field topics. well, no one says that I can not have one wordly recording some part of my life. So, her it goes...