My Mini Vacation

So, where the heck have I been? and why haven't I written in awhile (again)? Well, I was technically not busy this time around, I was actually on a little vaction, taking some of my comp time that I have been given after I finished my last project. I took off on a Wednesday November 17th and took it all the way til next Wednesday off, leading into Thanksgivin' weekend, which I also had off. So, I got to take a whole week and a half off, using just a week of my own vacation / comp time! So, what did I do? Here are the long entry of a blog highlights:

Denny's Surprise Hawaiian Birthday Party in SF

How odd was it that I took off on a Wednesday? Well, I couldn't talk about it sooner but I actually flew down to SF on that Wednesday to help celebrate Denny's birthday and to stay for the weekend and hang out with Jon and his broken-ass foot. A surprise party was setup for Denny by Songco that night and I was one of his many "surprises" (not what you think!).

The party took place at this awesome Hawaiian restaurant and all his friends showed up, including some I haven't seen in awhile. While I still think that Denny suspected something was going to happen on his birthday, he definately did not expect to see me there :)

Anyways, instead of telling you what happen, you can check out Denny's pictures and my pictures as well here:

http://public.fotki.com/namofni/dennys_surprise/

Enjoy!

Google Lunch

One of my other highlights of visitng SF that weekend was Songco took me on a tour / free lunch at her workplace, Google. Let me just say, I was absolutely blown away by the work environment here. It is truely a place that is catered towards the employees, where I can see it as a joy to come to work everyday (or at least for the first couple of years, before the stockholders "change" things).

And they were not kidding when they say there's a "free lunch". Not only do they have an incredible cafeteria where they have multiple kitchens serving all types of foods, they have snacks and drinks ALL over the place. And not the cheap stuff either, nor just junk food, but tons of variety of just about everything, all free for employees (and lucky guests). And just about at every corner, there was also a lot of onsite "recreational" places. I saw a fitness center, pool tables, ping pong tables (with a fold out bleacher for spectators), a beached volleyball court and they were even building an outdoor swimming pool when we got there!

And then I was told about the 20% rule, where 20% of your work week must be spent on your own project...wow...just awe-inspiring...

I guess I can go on and on about this place but...hmmm, ya know, Google just openned an office here in Kirkland...hmmm...

Anyways, pictures of that can also be found in Denny's Bday pics as well...

Turkey Days

So, I got back to Seattle on Sunday where I spent the rest of the week basically doing nothing but staying home. I say, doing in nothing because I "tried" to clean my house. In fact, it took me one whole week to just finish cleaning my LIVING ROOM ONLY! What can I say...I caught up on my sleep.

The actual US Turkey Day, I spent it at my friend's Sylvia's and her family. Last year I went to about 3 Thanksgivin' dinner but this year, since everyone was out of town, I only went to one. Oh well, I made Jon Ward's cobbler recipe with a nice asian twist. I made it with Mango and Lychees. And it turned out quite good too.

Black Friday

Being the internet geek that I am, I already knew ahead of time what was going to be on sale this post Turkey Day (aka Black Friday, the biggest shopping day in the US) and already decided there wasn't anything worth fighting traffic and crowds of ppl to get to. And plus I am broke from spending way too much money these past months. So I wisely decided to skip the shopping and go see a movie instead. Went to see Alexander (it sucked ass, btw) with Alvin who too didn't care to buy anything that day. Oddly enough, after the movie was done and we had dinner, it was about 8pm at night when decided to go head to Fry's and Best Buy, "just to see" what was on sale.

Anyways, long story short...ended up buying $200 worth of computer stuff (with about $125 worth of rebates)...damn you Black Friday!!

"Here, you are either meeting new people or Cock-blocking others"

So, this past Saturday, it was Albert Shen's traditional Holiday Single's party that he throws for charity. Albert is very well known Seattle socialite who is actually one of the first persons I have met here in Seattle. Very nice guy who throws great parties with this one not being an exception. This party was held on the 75th floor of the Columbia Tower overlooking Downtown Seattle.

This year around, though I met a couple of new peoples, I mostly got to know better some other people I have met briefly before. To tell you the truth, I wasn't too interested in meeting "new" people but getting together with my old friends who I haven't seen for awhile because of my "crunch" time. Regardless, I had a good time...highlights being our attempt to get our friend Sylvia hooked up with this "guy" and trying to sneak into the women's bathroom, which is an incredible bathroom in which each stall had awesome view of the city. No joke!

Pictures coming soon (though I didn't take much).

Speaking of pictures...

I also posted that Scholarship gala I went to last week. Go Here:

http://public.fotki.com/namofni/naaap_scholarship/

Back in Work

Back at work. Meetings. New projects. Tireness setting back in...