Blog: One-Year Bay Area Anniversary
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One-Year Bay Area Anniversary - Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Today marks my one-year anniversary of starting work at Applied Signal. I can't believe it was one year ago that I left home, moved up to the Bay Area, and became, more or less, independent. Time really flies. Is this what it's like to get old? Pretty soon I'll be in my mid-30's with a mortgage and 2.5 kids, wondering where all that time went.
So what have I done in the past year?
So what have I done in the past year?
- Moved three times (was in corporate housing for a month, then in an apartment by myself for six months, and now a townhouse with two roommmates).
- Interviewed several software engineering applicants either on the phone or on-site. Became familiar with general interview format and hiring criteria, from the employer's standpoint. Recruited students at two UCLA technical career fairs. It's great to be on the other side of the table now.
- Improved my understanding of software engineering, C++, Linux, shell scripting, and various software development tools.
- Got my security clearance so that I can take on more types of work, yet still not really know the significance of what I'm working on.
- Gained about 15 pounds from lifting weights (I'm not as scrawny as before). Got into biking and recently running.
- Got to know some really great guys through my smallgroup Crossover, and I meet with them roughly bi-weekly. We usually meet over dinner at Google. Saying that I love the food there is an understatement.
- Accumulated in savings this year 5% of the cost of a down-payment on a house. Yeah, it's gonna be a while.
- Had a fair share of ups and downs with the girlfriend, but am cultivating what is mostly a positive relationship. Need to work harder on being God-centered, though.
- Gotten moderately better at cooking. Still a long way to go.
- Met some really cool people through work, church, and then some.
- A bunch of other stuff that I can't recall at the moment (told you I'm getting old).