Winter Wonderland...

So, my buddy Tremayne and Chun Hua, spent their Christmas in Worcester, MA. It's all fun. Good food and great company, nothing says Christmas more than that right? Over the long Christmas weekend (Thur - Sunday), we had quite the eating journey. We had dinner Thursday night at Blue Ginger, the restaurant owned by the famous TV chef Ming Tsai (his tv show 'Simply Ming'). Overall, our experience here is OK. Below my expectation to be frank. I'll elaborate more on my review on Yelp! I don't think I'll come here for a 2nd time. It's not that bad, but given the steep price tag, I think it's not worth it.

On Christmas eve, for lunch, initially, we wanted to dine at a seafood market - cafe place, Captain Marden's, but the kitchen was closed. So, we went to Legal Seafood in Framingham instead. The meal was good. The lobstas and chowda and the onion string and... were all good.

For dinner, we went to Cheesecake Factory for cheesecake as main course and entree as sides. As usual, the cheesecake was great.

On Christmas, we roasted turkey, some vegetables, and prepared some stuffing... It was way too much food for the 3 of us and we didn't get to the Boston Creme torte cake. And, for unknown reasons, I got an irritating headache (again) after having turkey and wine. Called it an early night.

On Boxing Day, because of the forthcoming storm, we decided to go into Boston earlier, with the intention of have dimsum as brunch and then Tremayne and Chun Hua catching an earlier bus to NYC. When we got to the bus station, it was like a war zone. Fortunately, they have online ticket and was able to get on the 12 noon bus. Their original bus at 3pm was canceled. Anyway, because of this time change, we weren't able to grab a dimsum brunch, and they left for NYC soon.

Anyway, I think NYC + weather hates me. It seems like whenever I made plans to travel to or through NYC during winter months, a winter storm/blizzard coincides. Because of this blizzard, I had to cancel my initial plan of spending Boxing day and the day after (today) in NYC.

So, the heavy snow and strong wind knocked out the power for about an hour yesterday night. With heavy snow outside and nothing much going on the tv, after a few brewskis, I called it an early night.

This morning, I woke up to more than a foot of snow. At this time, even though most of the snow has stopped, the wind gust is still really strong, 40+mph, tossing loose snow around. To put into perspective how much snow, pictures are much better than words.

I was trying to get out of the house through the side door, but I can't get it to open. Snow must be blocking it. (Yes, my door opens outward.)

When I open my garage door, voila:

No wonder I couldn't open my side door:
It's a whiteout...
A serious whiteout:
The pile of snow I shoveled from the front of my door and the front of my garage:
After some hard shoveling work (and yes, it was still snowing...)
A different view:
My neighbor and I contracted a guy to plow the main driveway -
I was wishing that I'll get some snow for a White Christmas, guess I wished too hard, and too late...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

xkcd...

Came across this comic... It's hilarious and ingenious...

Checkout www.xkcd.com...

All credits to xkcd.

Might be a little 'adult'... but the best part of the comic is, if you mouse over the picture on the original link http://xkcd.com/492/

It reads - A veteran Scrabble player will spot the 'OSTRICH' option...

*Speechless...*

Off the ground...!!!

Finally, I got a desk for my desktop... This means that my computer is off the ground and I don't need to sit on the floor while using the computer... This translates into not as painful for me to spend time in front of my computer at home. So, it's only logical to spend more time updating my blog.

I got the desk from Walmart.com, taking full advantage of their new free shipping to home for certain items. It's surprising to me that it only took them 3 business days to ship the desk and chair, instead of their first estimated 1-2 weeks.

Anyway, the putting together of the desk took me a good 1.5 hours, with a minor snafu, I got the sliders for the drawer upside down, but other than that, it was rather smooth. The chair, though it's height is more suitable for my kitchen island, by having it at the lowest position, I was able to sit comfortably in front of the desk.

So, 2 more items added to the house. What's next? I still need to get a few nightstands and dresser for my bedrooms. Maybe a bigger tv for the living room so that I can shift the current tv to my bedroom. But, the tv will only come next year.

For Black Friday, the only purchase I made was a new cellphone. After 6 years, I decided to switch away from T-Mobile to Virgin Mobile. This is because the plan is more suitable for my use. Instead of paying $40 bucks for 300 mins and 1000 texts, I've decided to switch to Virgin Mobile for $25/month for 300 mins and unlimited data. Though I have to pay more for the Samsung Intercept phone, ($250), by saving on the plan monthly, over time, it gives me a bigger bang for my bucks. I'm still waiting for the line to be ported and my phone to be activated. Once that's done, I'll be able to check my email and access the web and do all the good stuff with my phone. Android... Able to sync my phone to my Google account is HUGE. Guess I finally caught up with the smartphone phenomenon.

What else? My satellite tv's been acting since last week, often times, it loses signal. So, for the last week, I've been relying more on the internet to get my tv shows and sports fix. I also got more done last weekend (house work and reading). So, if ESPN and all were to offer more online live sport streaming, I might be able survive without cable/satellite tv subscription.

Sorry guys, it's been a very long while since I last updated my blog. Guess my laziness, work and studying for CAS 9 exam had the better of me.

So, what's new since my last updated?

It's been 6 long months since I moved into my new place and I'm still loving it. Things are still being added to the house piece by piece... Finally, 2 weeks ago after my exam, I was able to find time and energy to put together the shelf I got from Ikea back in August, and also, to put up the sliding shade I got in June.

Things at work seem to be going well. I find myself maturing, in terms of setting expectations for myself and working with others. And finally, I'll be rotating to a new position tomorrow, after a long wait. I'm really excited about this change. It was getting to a point where I'm feeling that I'm carrying too much weight for my own good and for the good of the team.

Also, last week, I went back to University of Michigan on a recruiting trip. It was a short but fun-filled trip. I met up with few of my professors and friends. It was good to step back and drive around the campus again. It's fun to reminisce on those fond memories in my college days. That, and also, taking a break from work, and to watch a historic Michigan football game is just plain fun.

What else is new? I started playing table tennis again. It's kinda funny how I decided to pick up my paddle again after such a long break from the sport which I consider to be my first love. Well, it started with my Course on Professionalism trip to Chicago, where one of my ex-coworker challenged me to play him. So, we took a cab to outskirt of Chicago and played there, where I found myself to be enjoying the game a lot. So, after I came back from the trip, I decided to look for a club 'nearby' and started playing there every Thursday, and even Monday now after the exam. It's really fun to play with different levels of players. I'm thinking about going serious with table tennis - getting a table and a ball-robot to help me improve my game.

What's next... I'm also planning to organize more after-work get together with colleagues as we seem to lose a lot of those fun nights because of work and exam. Since it's after exam now, I should kick-start those activities (movie night, bar night...) again.

Things/dates to look forward to next... Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year.

At Sichuan Gourmet - chinese zodiac on the table reads:
Ox- Bright and patient, you are a good listener but disdainful or failure. You are attracted to the snake, rooster and rat, and should avoid the ram.

Lol. A failure...

Uphill battle...

As Tremayne noted, I missed June as well....

Well well well... It's getting harder and harder to update my blog even at a monthly basis... Guess I'm just getting lazier, and having to update my blog Japanese style is definitely not helping either (my computer is still set up on the floor in my living room, hence, having to use the computer sitting on the floor). Well, at least it's nice hardwood floor.

So, I missed June and now, it's almost the end of July.

I'll do a quick recap of what happened in late May, June and July...

Late May...
After coming back from the long short trip home, long in the sense of the journey, short in the sense of it being less than a week, I got busy with the whole house thing - signing the closing contract on the house, the 30-year loan, and planning the move, and actually packing and moving. It was a lot of work over the 2 weekends - the packing and the moving, a trip to Ikea, a couple of trips to Home Depot & Lowes, the unpacking, the cleaning of my old apartment before returning the keys.

June...
Long days at work. Long nights spent watching tv. Started rock climbing again. Also, there's a movie theater near my new house, about a mile away. So, every Tuesday ($6 a movie), a bunch of us from work will catch a movie after work. I think that June 2010 was the month which I've watched the most movies. Also, started running a little after a long hiatus... Also, I am finally able to work on the grill. At the end of the month, I found out what I was sorta expecting, failing exam 7. It was no doubt humbling, and I only have myself to blame - time management...

July...
Work's still busy. Started studying for exam 9. It's been 2 months since moving into the house and I'm loving it -minus the cleaning, and the flies problem I was experiencing, and the larger utility bills. Went on a trip, walking around Boston, and a day trip to Newport, Rhode Island over the long 4th of July weekend when May Ying and Mel came visit. The following weekend, met up with Hui Ying in Boston for a dimsum brunch, and then, last weekend, had an official housewarming party at my house. Last Thursday, did a 5-miler race and finished at a time of 43:40 min, ~8.45 min pace... Given the lack of actual running lately, I'm happy with the time. If only the weather was cooler, I coulda shave 15 secs per min off my pace... Maybe I'll get more serious into running again and aim for a half marathon in the Fall...

Cool... Now i can annoy the hell out of my blog followers with tweet-like updates... 140 characters... Lol... :-)

Testing... Blogging via texting...

Wow, I totally missed April?

Looking at the when the last post was dated, I realized that I totally missed posting in the month of April!

Well, all of that because of work and studying. Now, the exam is over and work is getting better, life's getting better. All this got me thinking, what the hell am I doing with my life? For the last 2 months leading up to the exam, I woke up early, heading into the office to study from 5-6am til 8/9/10am, and work til 5-6pm, sometimes later, and then, head back to my apartment and dinner and some tv, sometimes, some more studying, and then, REPEAT.
What's willing me on was the thought of getting to the end of the road of actuarial exams and not having to study the same darn material again if I were to fail (which is very likely, as based on the past exams, misled about the type of questions and the level of understanding and the speed that I need crank through those problems).

But, I guess my approach towards the exam, this exam I should say, was wrong. Instead of trying to read the actual paper, I spent time reading the summary of the papers and trying to memorize the lists of lists (well, this exam is all about Accounting, Regulations & Laws, and Government Programs). So, when the questions were posted in a lengthier/indirect/unsuspecting ways, I was schooled. It was a humbling experience and I think all I can do is to suck up all my pride and prepare for the battle again next November (that's 2011) better. In the remote chance that I do pass this exam, (as much as I think I don't deserve so, I will still take it if someone were to give me a pass), the bonus for passing the exempt on the first attempt which I will get will be all used for a party at my new house. (New house - see more below...)

Anyway, I'm getting back to my more desireable lifestyle of reading for leisure, watching garbage on tv and eating out and cooking more. Life's good.

So, I'm typing this half jetlagged, just spent a good 24+ hours in planes and airports and 12 timezones ahead of 36 hours ago. And will be leaving home for my new house (see more below) in less than 96 hours. I'm a sucked when it comes to sleeping on a plane. On my BOS-JFK-HKG-KUL series of flights yesterday, I didn't sleep from BOS - JFK (it was a 1-hour flight), slept at most 4 hours (in 3 naps) on the JFK - HKG 16 hours monster, and another hour for the 3.5 hours HKG - KUL flight. I'm really jealous of people who can just sleep on a plane as is if it's as easy as flipping a switch.

Anyway, the reason I'm home, for less than a week, is to attend my brother's wedding dinner, and all the pre-shows prior to that. So, there's a buffet dinner at home tonight, there's the going to the bride's house tomorrow morning, tea ceremony in the early afternoon, some kinda gathering after, and then the big wedding dinner on Saturday. With all the drinking and merrymaking, will need Sunday to recover, Monday, might be able to meet up with some friends? or just spend time with family... Tuesday morning, KUL-HKG-SFO-BOS... reaching Boston Logan International Airport at around 11.30pm, by the time I get back to my apartment, will be the May 19th...

May 19th, which is the day I'll be closing on my first house! It's been crazy buying a house. The whole searching, walking through houses, deciding, and committing. Now, there's the furnishing and all that. Later, will be the maintaining. Ahhhh! The joy of homeownership. And, damn, 1 thing I learned, it's freaking expensive.

Will get some pictures up here... Hmm, will try to get more pictures this time, from the wedding and the of the house...

Another month...another year...

I'll try not to express and describe how time passes by. I turned 25 earlier this month. That's when it hits me that, wow, can't believe, I'm 25 already. Been 2 years out of college, working for 2 years, and settling down at a new place, in my job, and what's next?
(By the way, thanks for the birthday cards! And gifts! Thank you! Some of them remind me of my past while some remind me of my far future...)

The trip home was great. It's true that it's not easy to come back after being home for 2 weeks. Even though I get back to the usual drill quick, but deep down inside, I still feel a hint of 'homesickness'. Guess that's the magic of family and love.

Anyway, the trip back wasn't all smooth sailing either. Our flight from JFK to BOS was canceled, again!!! And with the inclement weather forecasted for the next day, we decided to wing it and rented a car and drove up. Because of the heavy snow in NY and part of CT, the drive took us 6 hours, instead of 3.5 hours. By the time I got back to my apartment, it was 5am. Took a shower, unpacked a little and I went straight to work at 6.45am. By 3pm that day, I was more dead than a zombie. Even after 3 coffees and a redbull, my eyelids were barely open.

I'm not sure if it's my aging, or because of the drive, but it took me a good week to totally overcome the jet-lag. I'll be heading home again for my brother's wedding in May. This was somewhat brought forward. So, I'll be home for a shorter stint, traveling back on May 12th, reaching May 13th, leaving for the States again on May 18th. 7 days vacation, spending 2 days on the plane.

Other news, in preparing for my upcoming exam (CAS 7) on May 4th, I'm now waking up at 4, studying from 5 - 9ish 10am on weekdays, and a few more hours here and there on weekends. So, May will be a big month for me. First, the exam, then, the trip home, and finally, closing on my house and moving! Can't pack anymore into a month than that...

Also, something happened few weeks back that surprised myself. It's just interesting that I did what I did. Not to reveal too much, I did what I believe is right. I did something out of the ordinary. I let myself heard. Not sure how that well sit with others, but, I think I've done myself proud. I wasn't even sure why I actually did it. You know that feeling, where you think you're gonna say something, but ended up keeping it to yourself because you're too afraid. Well, I didn't keep it to myself over that. I did it in a professional way, requested, inquired and responded with what I had in mind. If someone is gonna preach about something, I'll make sure that I'll hold them to their preaching. And NO, this has nothing to do with religion. It's about values, more about principals. (Thanks for my 'life' coach, and my email buddies. You know who you are...)

So, upon turning 25. I thought, what will I be in 5 years? Other than being 30, will I be a guy with attachment? Will I be in a different city, with a different job? A different country? Do I want to be at a different place? Do I want to give up the bachelor life and turn to a new chapter in life? Do I want to chase my dreams - if I know what they are, or be slightly contented and let opportunities seek me?

All the waking up at 4am in the morning and studying for 4-5 hours every morning, sometimes got me thinking, why am I doing this? What's keeping me going? Every now and then, I'll be able to think that I'm doing this because I want to get it over with. I'm close to getting this done. Just 3 more exams, best case scenario, that's 15 months away. I won't be able to deny that's not a tempting reason. Part of it because I do like the stuff I'm learning. Call me a dork, call me a nerd, but hey, some of them are rather interesting. I believe the main reason I'm willing myself on is I think there's much more in life. Hence, by doing my best the fastest, I can do more. What will I be doing? I don't know, but, it's definitely than not doing anything. Just keep throwing them at me, and I'll let you know when I can't handle it.

Sometimes, I couldn't help but to think back to all the what ifs... what if I didn't do that, what if I did it in a different way... But, well, what if I didn't think about all the what ifs?

I think why I'm doing what I'm doing is so that I won't regret what I didn't try the hardest at whatever I did when I'm looking back at a later point in life, and then I think, what if I had tried harder...

Funny how and what I think about upon reaching 25... I mean, can't believe that I'm 25 already. People tell me how much I've achieved... Well, not bad at all.
But, well, come to think about it, life's short, there's no guarantee for how many 25 years ahead is ahead of me...