Good news!! I will work for US Olympics Committee

May 1, 2008, I received the notice from USOC (United States Olympic Committee) about my new role this summer in Beijing Olympic Game. I am very happy to get this opportunity, to be one of 35 volunteers to server USOC.

"Greetings!

This email serves as your official invitation you to represent the USOC as a volunteer at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China this summer. Below are the steps you need to take to secure your space at the Games. Please review the attached documents for information on tourist visas, housing and dress code...
"

I vividly remember the interview, talking about my professional work, leadership skills, event-planning abilities, hobbies and other activities. When she found out that I have been working for BBBS(Big Brother, Big Sister) over 8 years, she reponsed "I am the Big too!" wow, immediately, we felt we were much closer and trust between us. Later I look back, when I volunteered for BBBS, it was purely from my heart and passion for Children's growth. Little did I know that it led me more opportunities in several events and expend network horizon. I wonder if BBBS has helped me more then I did.

I am going home to do something which I am longing for, being a bridge between two counties I truly love and appreciate. USOC requires me to be in Beijing from Aug.1 to Aug.24. I will spend the day of Aug. 18 in Beijing. That is a very special day, by Aug. 18, 2008 I come to U.S. totally ten years. I have tought about how special it will be and what I should do to make it very meaningful. see, I will make a circle, staying in China and helping Americans to know more about my country and help them to enjoy this special event in my motherland!

There were couple opportunities that I could work for two famous althetes as interpreter during the game. They will cover my flight, boarding expense and pay for my work. After thinking over, I decided to take this volunteer, long-length, paying all these expense from my own pocket job. I do not want to be in Olympics as audience, or just see the games, not only those, but being involve more in the structure set of organication settings. While many questions my decision, I encourage myself to follow my heart and do what I like to do.

Elissa told me that I will work at the Beijing Hilton -- USOC headquarter (3rd Ring Road) and USA House -- business and hospitality center (right beside Worker Stadium). They are about a 10 minute cab ride from one another and very close to my uncle's place. Ye, Beijing, I am back!

My crazy schedule continues, no complaints here, but more fun and I enjoy it absolutely, really! Yesterday strategic management class we discussed Disney case. Later I found out that I am one of two students never been to disneyland or disneyworld. me, and another american girl. Last year if I did not plan to pursue my plan travelling to east coast, I would have been to disneyland. Maybe I should consider this as my next vacation location. Strategic Management becomes one of my favoriate classes now, though there are tons of reading, referenced reading. I told myself that I will finish all the readings and fully prepared before the class. Though I could get by, I'd rather use my time wisely.

Couple weeks ago, the language agency asked me to help an american family in Children's clinic as interpreter since they just got back from China, adopting one boy(after they have adopted two girls in China.) I said yes. During the interpretering time, I got to know this lady Patty and kid Kai, a cutest nicest kid ever! She expressed the interst about getting Kai and her two girls' Chinese language education. After she found out that I have taught in Chinese school and wondered if I could do the job, I told her "Yes, I will". I know, how crazy my schedule is, but, I just could not say no to her, a nice American lady willing to take three kids to their lives and try her best to keep their heritage and language skills. Plus, I really like this little boy, goofy, funny and very adorable. This monday I spent 1.5 hours there working on their Chinese speaking. I have to admit, these three kids are very committed to learn. They even work on writing those Chinese Characters, cool!

Lately, I found some nice way to get those top rating good books through UW. I am very excited! so far, I still keep up with my new year resolution: one book per week. The Everlynnwood reading skills are helpful for me to read the big books fast without loosing to grasp the meaning of contents. Keep it up, Girl!

This week reading:
1. Developmental entrepreneurship : adversity, risk, and isolation
2. Growing Up With China -- interesting.

Here are the book review for "Growing Up With China" by Wall Street Jounal.

Socialism Is Great!
By Lijia Zhang
(Atlas Books, 320 pages, $24)

Bookshelves are replete with poignant memoirs set during China's Cultural Revolution – but few and far between are personal accounts of the 1980s. The decade that began with Deng Xiaoping opening China to the outside world and ended with the protests of Tiananmen Square in 1989 was transformative not just for China's economy, but also for the people living through it.

This is the backdrop of "Socialism is Great!" a memoir by journalist Zhang Lijia. The book chronicles 10 years in Ms. Zhang's life as a factory worker, during which she is transformed from a dutiful communist leading her school class to a nonconformist responsible for organizing the largest pro-democracy protest in Nanjing in 1989. Socialism is not "great," as the title ironically notes, but rather fosters an air of paranoia and repression so strong that Ms. Zhang is soon doing everything in her power to break out of the mold. Trapped in the stultifying environment typical of a state-owned enterprise characterized by "surplus labor flow and inefficiency" – often leaving workers with little to do other than gossip – Ms. Zhang describes herself as a "frog trapped in a well, unable to access the world beyond."

"Socialism is Great!" is a riveting tale, but it would have benefited from more historical context. The ups and downs of the '80s play a secondary role to Ms. Zhang's coming-of-age story. Now a world traveller and accomplished journalist, Ms. Zhang is full of political insights about the era of her youth. "The 1980s was a big missed opportunity," she notes in an interview. "Political reform is now off-limits. Though people enjoy far more personal freedom – it is freedom to make money, not political freedom. Politically, China is still a cage – but the cage is so big that people don't feel its limits." Perhaps that should be the subject of her next book.

April already

It is April, but the weather just like January, cold and rainny. When I left Iowa, I would say one of reasons for the move was that I had a hard time in winter. My right leg arthiritis killing me through the entire winter, though I dressed myself with every possible clothes I found, just imagine a panda, which was me vividly then. Living in Northwest, I tried to live with the rain, most time fine, since there are mountain, seafood, water etc. But, I know, now, I am ready to wrap up my chapter and start the next one.

Patience, is never a good visual charater inside of me. But so far, life has truely tested me on this. I tried very hard to keep myself busy, sometimes even in sane. oh, do not get me wrong, no compalining here, I'd rather to be busy than boringly wonder and wait. The new quarter class is Strategic Management, taught by a Oxford graduate Prof. Her English accent totally reminds me of Melissa Albeck, one of my fun nice international friends, currently move back to London. My last quarter Advanced Financial Accounting, I was not happy with my final grade. The prof. challenged me to retake another final, if good grade, replace, if not, I will stuck with new grade. aha, what a heck(is this a cursing word, hope not)! The more people challenge me what I can complish, the more I will take in and tell them that they are wong. so, I made a "deal" on this. In May, I will retake a final. This quarter's readings are fun and A LOT. Talking about killing my printer, enn, I think I need not only buy more papers, but a new printer. I found myself that my fast-reading skills get improved.

Today, PMI told me that I got my membership. So, I am going to proceed to take PMP test. www.pmi.org This is the best Project Management credencial ever in the world. It is not just like a test you need to prepare. You need to have years experience and required training(and continuing trainings). I want to challenge myself to this test to give me a level that where I am in PM. I am sure these study and busy schedule will occupy me during this waiting time.

Am I making this blog like a laundry list? Here are some fun reading I did. Lately just read many good books.
Buffett biography
Bring your whole self to work from Harvard Business Review
Beyond Olympics

Keep a cheerful up-lifting spirit!

waiting, waiting......

The first week of Feb. I was in PA, meeting with all the people who could potentially give me an opportunity to get close to my next step of career. I fully prepared for several months. I would say that was a successful trip, plus, I tried my best. The result should come out on March 17th, and, the status is on-hold. With so much expectation, I have put hold many things and waiting, now, more waiting...

It appears that to make things happen, that could be more unexpected and hurtles. Well, cheer up and be proactive. I am waiting, positively.

Take initiatives!

Cold weather, reminds me of old days in Iowa. I caught a bad cold and still fight for getting back to a normal me.

I am more and more assure that this is what I want to pursue. I do not like to choose "safe life" but go for adventuresome. This is my life, that I am responsible to take initiatives and make happen.

I found myself reach the peak of my language skills that I definitely need to improve it. So, guess what I did --- adding more agenda to my schedule :) I add one hour one-on-one meeting with UW language center to working my speaking on Monday before my 4 hours length class, as well as two hours speaking on Thursday. Well, so far manageable!

While I am working on my statement, I should get ready for the trip. Tell you the truth, I am little bit nervous. I pray that I will do well and present the true me. It is an opportunity, an great opportunity!! I want it very much.

Current reading: "How we compete" by Suzanne Berger, a cool book.

Busy schedule, but, Love it!!

I always know that I do not like the plain day in and day out routine, but fond of a little bit "Chaos" to lighten up the day. If you just take a glance of my week, not bad, right?!

Besides the full-day crazy working on the CFD project(check out http://www.cfd.wa.gov new project I am developing now).
Jan. 7th 6:30-10:00p.m. Class: Accounting for Business Decision, it went till 10:30p.m. A great class, not the boring theoretical one but practical to every day thing. It reminds me the book I ready couple years ago
Jan. 8th 6:00-7:30p.m. New Year first time ToastMaster session, interesting, but not decide if I will join in right away or wait a little bit. I want to improve my public speaking skills. After that, I went to Tuesday small group. Due to too many commitment and schedule(plus these couple month class), I seriously consider to drop out Tuesday group since I have Sunday group. I think I will need to make the decision soon.
Jan. 9th got a break, dinning out with Arash
Jan. 10th Big Brother Big Sister hosting a thank you mentor gathering and invited me to attend; catch my study and reading
(interesting moment: probably only happen for me :) I sat next to two guys who talked with me about their volunteer experience. As we chat long, I asked if they are school councilors since they did look like one. One looked at smiling, sorting of weird grin, responsed "I am lutenent Governor." eeeeeee
Jan. 11th plan to be like a kid, spending couple hours in downtown "wind up here" toy store to play for a while before heading back to my study
Jan. 12th going to Portland visiting my ELIC friend Saltzman family

If you ask me, wow, too many things, but I really enjoy it.

Current listing: The Age of Turbulence by Greenspan

Current reading: This is your brain on music by Levitin



Waiting is the biggest test on me for the news. It really challenges me now.

Happy New Year to you and may you realize your dream this year!!

This is the year of 2008. Ten years ago I came to this country, never planning to stay in US this long. I guess that you could never live on your exact plan.

Last night, I sat living room trying to keep myself awake to enter the new year not in sleeping style. I looked at back what happening in 2007, and listed 5 things that I hope to happen in 2008. It is I that should take initiatives and go for it.

Talking to mom is always special, who has been patiently listening to me over two hours on the phone. In the end, she said "...., you deserve a great year in 2008. Do not let other things stop your dream!" I will remember that.


Today, I am working on the documents. I pray that this week I could get some news from MIT. The interview invites have started to send out. I am very anxious now.

Do not stop your steps!

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.