Jamie's Blog

Lisa and I are on Spring Break this week. What does that mean?

Well, firstly, we have a break from classes which means five fewer hours spent at Temple’s Fort Washington campus. Secondly, we have five more hours to spend as we choose. Lisa chose to spend the larger part of those hours with our nephew. I only committed a part of my time to him. I also decided to catch up on some work whose deadlines are fast approaching.

I sometimes find myself questioning the amount which I work. I ask myself what it is my employer wants from me, as an employee. Is it my time? Is it my experience? Is it my skill? These are separate things I think, and yet most employers demand all these things. Since that is the case, I hesitate to work much more than the standard work week, and yet there is a part of me that desires the work. There is a part of me that yearns to produce and create something valuable. Still, my energies need not be directed at job. There are so many endeavors I wish to pursue, and yet I worry about deadlines and expectations. On some level, I don’t care at all about work–not in the way that you’d expect. I don’t care about being fired. After all, Lisa and I lack responsibilities and dependents. On yet another level, my job, which takes up a majority of my time, is an integral part of my spirit. That ineffable quality about me some might call a soul is all tied into the things I do and the people I interact with every day.

This line of thought soon gets tangled in its own tendrils, and I realize I missed half an hour of productive time, and I table further introspection for the next time.

This month, I started a new job that will hopefully be better for our
future than the previous. Firstly, I will get to be home more than I
have been in the past few months–I’ve been in NYC a lot. Secondly,
I’ll make more money. The job is going well so far, and I can only
hope that it keeps on the same track. Meanwhile, Lisa and I have
picked our wedding favors, taken studio pictures, and chosen a wedding photographer. We’re making great progress with the planning and I’m confident that everything will be ready on time.

Our decision making process is as follows. She asks me what I think,
and I tell her that I’m happy with whatever she decides (sometimes I do give more insightful comments). I try to defer to her decisions
because we are sometimes at odds about my decision making process. I like to make snap decisions because I don’t like to dwell on an issue
once I have enough information to decide upon an option. Still, I
appreciate being able to make decisions with her, and the chance that
we have to start a new life together.

Here are some final updates on my life before this blog is closed, for those few who are interested and don’t feel like asking personally

I graduated Drexel University on June 11, 2005. The commencement began at around 9:00 AM and was nothing special. I now have a BS in Computer Science and minor in Mathematics, finishing with a GPA of 3.61, graduating cum laude.

I will be starting work on June 27, 2005 for a small financial consulting firm whose headquarters is in Devon, PA, called Smart and Associates. Pinky has already started work there.

I will be waiting to see my work schedule and discuss it with my supervisors before attempting further education. If time (and the school) permits, I will be attempting either an MBA or a MS in Information Systems at Penn State, Great Valley Campus. I may have to take introductory courses elsewhere to meet the prerequsites for these degrees.

I have moved back home to live with my parents in the attempt to save money to buy a house. We live in Glen Mills, PA, near Media. If you care to visit, feel free to drop by. My father loves for people to come over so he can show off the house.

Lisa and I will most likely not be getting married until 2007, due to familial obligations. Still, we are as happy as ever. She has started a job at J&J in its FLDP program. Yes, she makes more money than I will.

As we all grow older, may we all work towards success–a personal success that each individual must define for himself.

Please continue to vote and help me think about my future!

In other job-related news, someone called me from a consulting company today, asking if I had the skills necessary to complete some sort of 3-d Modelling software. I replied by asking how he got my cell number!

Haha…. well, after he told me, I said that although I did meet the reqs almost (honestly, only 1% of CS undergrads would meet the reqs necessary), I was too busy to sign up for the project. He then asked, “Do you know anyone who has the background necessary to complete this project” It made me laugh that the would ask someone he didn’t even know for a recommendation.

Unfortunately, practically no one I know (even the CS majors), knows enough about graphics and mathematics to do the project. Otherwise, someone could’ve had a job right then and there…. oh well!

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After talking with my dad tonight, I realized that most of my aunts may have Master degrees or an equivalent (such as a Pharmacist degree, whatever they are called). These fabulous aunts, my mother’s sisters, are immigrants who put themselves through school. In order to prevent shaming my parents, I’ll have to surpass not only them, but all of their children (one of which is a 14yr old girl who got a 1370 on her SATs last year–I’m runnin’ scared). So, if you’ve got a moment, help me decide my plans for Graduate education! It would be helpful to know that I’ll be receiving a BS in CS.

edit: of course it isn’t good to compare yourself to family members, but try telling that to your parents or relatives!!

edit: I should add that I do really enjoy learning, and I would also be completing these degrees for myself!

edit: From what Lisa tells me, Wharton is not #1 for MBAs–not that it sucks either…

edit: I don’t really think of myself as an overachiever…Rather, I think of others as underachievers…muahaha…

edit: By the time I finished 5+ Masters, 2+ PhDs (without going full time), I’d be ready to die … literally … I would be quite old.

M – Master of Engineering
PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
EE – Electrical Engineering
CS – Computer Science
CE – Computer Engineering
MBA – Master of Business Administration
MEng – Master of Engineering

Accenture just called me to tell me I suck and I messed up a technical phone interview for a different company!

No worries though.

On Campus Recruiting

I received a few interviews through the OCR process, luckilly. Unforunately, I also discovered that I was not even considered for a few positions because I failed to send a cover letter or follow other special instructions! I feel like such a failure. Anyway, congratulations to the people who received the J&J interview!! I really wanted to get the chance to show my stuff in person, but it wasn’t meant to be.

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Anime Rap

My HiME 03: Mai of the Fire / Oath of the Star [Static-Subs]

In order to protect Kukichi, Mai must accept the service of Kagutsuchi, who launches a devastating attack that changes the very face of the surrounding countryside. Luckilly, Kukichi recovers from the ordeal, albeit with a bit of amnesia about the night’s events. Mai meets the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Fuuka Gakuen, who describes why Mai received a scholarship to the school, and what role she plays against the Oufens. It is an incredible cause to be pressed with so early in life, will she take up the challenge