Innovating Common Knowledge

Pictures From 2011

2012-02-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

I take another break writing blogs because I’ve been spending my time on other activities. I start with January and February 2011. My daily life and observation pictures are from my old cell phone. Enjoy.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Stay Focus

2012-01-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

I have been losing focus since Jan 1. I’m slightly concern. My focus lost is minor. I forget little things here and there. I drop things. I make a mistake. My concentration has been off at least once a day for most of a week. Moreover, there were a few days I felt tired. I hope my losing focus is not a serious medical condition.

It Has Happened In 2010 and 2011

I remember losing focus when I attended De Anza College in Winter ’10 and Winter ’11 quarters. I remember the campus dreaded Winter ’10 after the 2009 Christmas break. On the other hand, the campus welcomed Winter ’11 after the 2010 Christmas break. Weeks went by in both quarters. Students experienced typical stress from their classes and life outside school. I lost focus. There were days I stressed out.

I have the same feeling currently. I admit I experience some stress from job searching instead of studying for mid-terms. I experience anxiety when I send a resume and cover letter. Is the company going to call me for an interview? The job search is tough.

Optimistically, everything seems to come together and my focus comes back as the year approaches the spring season. I handle my stress very well. My senses are razor sharp. I have full control over my life. My question is why do I lose focus in the early months of the new year?

Consistency Is A Must

My daily life has been inconsistent. The gym workouts, cooking and eating meals, completing errands, and my online activity such as checking emails, social networking, and sending resumes are completed at different hours per day. I admit it is hard living with my aging parents since I help around the house. I’m doing my best to establish a consistent daily routine.

More People Are Like Me

It seems I’m not the only person losing focus. My observation skills tell me some people have difficulty focusing. I see people making mistakes, especially driving. I’ve seen people drive erratically and dangerously such as unsafe lane changes and cutting in. I see people behaving badly in supermarkets. Some people start arguments because they’re impatient. 2012 is the worse beginning of a new year since I don’t know when.

Off The 2011 And New Year’s Eve 2012 High

Let’s not get depressed. Most people had a good 2011 year. I was in San Francisco on New Year’s Eve 2012. There were huge crowds around the bay. Everyone was having a blast and partying. There were people talking, celebrating, and being loud. The happy parties and celebrations are over. 2011 is history. Let’s get back to the present moment. Focus on 2012. Make 2012 a better year than 2011. If 2011 was a bad year, then make 2012 a good year.

Relax And Take It Easy

Do everything one at a time. Relax. Take a deep breath. Concentrate on your present task. There is no need to rush. There are days when a plan is delayed or trashed. Don’t take your frustrations and stress out on other people and on the road. They’re ineffective. Just go with the flow. No matter how bad a day went, remember the world didn’t come to an end.

Side note: Winter ’11 was the worse quarter because I missed an entire week of classes due to sickness and the instructors for my classes were boring.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

SOMT: Kodak Declares Bankruptcy

2012-01-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

Blogger’s Note: SOMT stands for Sign Of My Times, an occasional blog sharing my thoughts how time changes life from when I was young to today.

CNBC reported the 131 year old company Eastman Kodak declared bankruptcy. The company has no cash to continue operations, and bankruptcy provides the company with protection to survive. Kodak is shifting their business plan to printers for home and commercial use.

My dad was a good amateur photographer. He took family pictures when my siblings and I were young. He developed and printed black & white pictures from college to his young parenting years. I remember shopping at LZ Premiums, a local ma & pa discount photo store that sells photography equipment, film, development services, and photo developing equipment. LZ Premiums expanded their store selling televisions and renting VHS movies in the mid 1980s. I’m guessing the store expanded because of competition from bigger stores selling photography equipment and services such as Circuit City and a small chain of camera and video stores known today as Wolf Camera. LZ Premiums went out of business.

I took black & white photography in 1991 while I in 11th grade. I used one of my dad’s Nikon cameras to take pictures for my assignments. I purchased my first film camera in Dec 2002. Digital cameras were too expensive for me. The first time I held a digital camera was on July 2000. A friend owned a Casio digital camera that used 3.5 inch floppy disks.

I purchased my first digital camera in July 2003. The first pics I took with my Olympus were our family vacation in Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. I purchased my second digital camera in May 2004. It was the Canon Powershot A75. The A75 was a rock I dropped it so many times. I took many pictures at anime conventions and my vacations in 2004-2005.

Digital cameras and photography are everywhere. Cell phones can take pictures. People can take as many pictures as they want—even an ant on the sidewalk. There is no need to be picky taking pictures with film. I started my digital photography with point & shoot cameras. I use a SLR today. I consider myself an amateur below my dad’s skills. Regardless, anyone can take good pictures with today’s digital cameras.

Stubborn Is Another Bad S Word

Going back to Kodak, the company was stubborn to enter the digital market. It stayed in the film business years after digital photography started becoming mainstream. Kodak lost money staying in the film photography. They were too late entering the digital market.

George Eastman founded Kodak from his photography hobby. He found ways to make photography easy for common people including the photography paper and easily transporting camera film. Eastman debuted Kodachrome film in 1935.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

A Brief Talk On Communicating

2012-01-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Good communicating or conversation skills are important to meet new people and make new friends. Socializing is simply a conversation with people. Sometimes, there is an activity before or after the conversation. Listening and talking with people are good as long as you’re not boring and have something to say. It can be current events you follow, an article worth sharing, a place you recently visited, a fun activity, or a personal story. A joke is good as long as the timing and audience are appropriate.

Here are my personal tips on communicating and conversation:

*Avoid talking and talking all the time.
*Avoid Q&A conversation as if you’re asking questions and the other person is answering your questions. It’s not an interview.
*Listening is good, too.
*You have no problems being with people and being an interesting person with stories. Observation skills are a plus.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

You’re Not Alone Feeling Lonely

2012-01-13T13:47:00.000-08:00

Everyone experience feeling lonely living a life with people. Never deny feeling lonely. We experience it. I experience it. You’re never alone when you spend time with family and friends. Never take your family and friends for granted.

What is my solution when I experience the lonely feeling? I do something, anything to take my mind away from the negative, depressing, and time wasting feeling. I read a book, hike, shop or run errands, catch up with my emails, write a blog, go to the gym, watch an episode from my TV DVDs, visit a new place . . . I do something, anything.

The secondary affect doing something, anything is I’m not bored. I hate being bored. Boring is a pet peeve. It wastes my time. There is always something to do. I’m being active.

I create a story and gain new experience doing something, anything. I want a life. I must earn it. I do it. I want to be a person with a life telling stories to people. I don’t want to be a boring person. I want to be a person who done this and done that. You meet new people living your life.

In my next blog, I share a little bit about communication is important to meet new people and make new friends. You may master the art of communication and conversation; however, if you’re a boring person, communication means nothing because you have nothing to say.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Don’t Blink 2013 Is Coming Fast

2012-01-08T22:04:00.000-08:00

2011 was a fast year. It was the fastest year for me, and the years have been getting faster and faster since 2008. One common thought on my first week of the new year is reset. The beginning of the new year means we do it again. Everything comes faster than last year as if the event, moment, incident, activity happened yesterday. My best example is the Super Bowl is coming soon, and it feels like it’s coming fast.

My annual activities are coming up, and it feels like they’re coming fast. I have the Nor Cal Spring Cosplay picnic in March, the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Parade in April and Fanime in May for my anime activities. I have my car maintenance including oil changes, alignment check, and tire rotation two times a year. I also check the first aid kit, smoke alarms, and flashlight batteries two times a year when we change clocks an hour forward and backward. I have my dentist and orthodontist routine appointments. I have my birthday celebration. Finally, the 2012 holidays with my family’s Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions. It was like yesterday I had family from SoCal visiting.

There are more books to read, new hiking trails to hike, new restaurants to eat, more games to play, new movies to watch, new anime to watch, new people to meet, new places to visit, and my favorite sports to watch including March Madness and the World Series.

Two of the most important events taking place are the United States elect a new President and the Summer Olympics in Great Britain. Didn’t we just elect President Obama?

My unknown of 2012 is what and where am I going to work? I continue to find a job since I finished my accounting at De Anza. The question excludes if. The question includes when.

2012 is going to be another fast year. Keep your eyes open, ears listening, hands feeling, nose smelling for good food, and mouth speaking your thoughts. Go with the flow.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

No More Complaining, No More Wining

2012-01-05T01:09:00.000-08:00

Don’t sweat the small stuff or just forget it is another way of living a positive life. I used to be a person who complained, whined, and made a big deal out of everything. I used to be a person who criticized, condemn, and compared myself with others, especially weaker people to feel stronger and smarter. I used to be a person who was an expert at everything, and I expected people to appreciate and respect me. I criticized and condemn people who were an expert at everything they do when they made a mistake.

The person above no longer exists in me. I imagine if I’m the same person today, then I have no friends. I could have been fired from my last jobs for wining and creating misery. The person above shows signs of insecurity, unconfident, being naive, and lacking life experience. The person is afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

Let me take the person above and add another thought. This is experience talking. The person who complains and wines daily is alone. The person complains and wines just to get attention--negative attention. I had a very small amount of friends. I took that small amount of friends for granted such that I didn’t need to make new friends. I complained and wined daily a long time ago. Anyone who met me for the first time didn’t want to be my friend thereafter.

Avoid being a miserable person. Chances are the miserable person stresses himself or herself unnecessarily. Chances are nobody else caused the stress. Avoid complaining and wining chronically. These are the people nobody wants to associate with. We are human. We make mistakes. A miserable person is making a mistake being miserable, complaining, and wining. Stop those. Learn from those mistakes. Be confident. Life is really not that bad. I believe the more friends a person has, the less likely the person becomes miserable.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

2004 Was A Good Year

2011-12-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

I wrote about how wisdom can change what we thing about our past in my last blog. I continue the blog topic to talk about my 2004 and the specific moment. I talk about the specific moment first.

Fanime Con 2004 Was Actually A Good Anime Convention

I have thought about Fanime Con 2004 being a bad con for me. The reasons were, um, were--I can’t think of any legitimate bad reasons. Thinking now, there were either illegitimate or stupid. The following were the good moments: There were no lines in the dealer’s room. I watched many anime in the video rooms. I caught up a friend’s brother I hadn’t seen in four years. I stayed awake for 26 hours including watching 17 episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist (FMA) during the midnight marathon. The best moment was after episode eight in FMA, I said to myself, “I’m going to cosplay (the main character) Edward Elric.”

I don’t know what I had been thinking. There were a few bad moments here and there. Those bad moments were small compared to the many good moments at Fanime Con 2004. I shouldn’t let those small moments ruin the convention. I shouldn’t make a big deal over those small moments that bothered me. Wisdom changed my thoughts on a past moment. I’m happy to change my thoughts that Fanime Con 2004 was a good convention.

2004 Was Actually A Good Year

Here are the good moments:

*Las Vegas. Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, played $4/$2 low-limit Texas Hold ‘Em at Binion’s Casino, rode a bus on Las Vegas Blvd. from Fremont St. to the strip, and won $80 playing craps and the camel races game both at Luxor.

*My website Innovate Infinitely went online on May 1.

*My first anime costume was Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist. Thank you FMA midnight marathon at Fanime Con 2004. Thank you mom for making the costume.

*As a result of wearing a costume, I didn’t quit anime. I thought about quitting after Fanime Con 2004.

*Played online poker for fun at PartyPoker.net.

*Purchased the Nintendo GameCube.

*Curses are meant to be broken. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series. The last time the team won was in 1918.

*New look. I started to buzz cut my hair.

*I marathon the anime series Rurouni Kenshin TV series a few nights in Dec. Thank you fireflywishes for lending me the DVDs.

What were the bad moments? Was it work? Kinda. Thinking back, it actually got better in the second half of 2004. I created new reports and learned Photoshop in the Graphics Department. Then what happened that was bad? It must be something small, childish, stupid, and/or being immature I can’t remember now. Wisdom changed my thoughts. I’m happy to change my thoughts that 2004 was a good year.

Side note 1: I update my Top 30 Most Memorable Moments stating Fanime Con 2004 is my number one moment on my webpage. The Top 30 consists of top moments during my first 30 years in my life.

Side note 2: Three of the top ten most memorable moments 10 years after I graduated San Jose State took place in 2004. There were Las Vegas, my webpage, and JapanTown Anime Faire. Click here to view.

Side note 3: I wrote a blog changing 2007 from a good year to a bad year. Read the blog clicking here.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Life Includes A Collection Of Wisdom

2011-12-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

We can’t change the past good or bad. We can change our thoughts on our past. We can learn the mistakes and not repeat them. We can learn the successes and make them better in the future. My explanation on wisdom is the clearest and most precise. Life includes a collection of wisdom. The older I become, the more wisdom I experience.

I have been thinking about my past since Oct. 4, 2008, the day I realized I must grow up. I was a jerk, an ass, naive, and took life for granted before Oct 4, 2008. I was lucky life could have been worse such as no friends or fired from my jobs. I had opportunities before Oct 4, 2008 that could have changed my life for the better. I took life for granted and said to myself, “nothing bad ever happens to me.” Bad events and moments happened to me. Today, I have the wisdom to pursue future opportunities. Today, I have the wisdom to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them.

I share an important wisdom I gained in my next blog. There was a past moment I considered bad. I realized the past moment was actually positive. There were mistakes I corrected in future similar moments. The new wisdom affected the 2004 year when the moment happened.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Steve Jobs Said

2011-12-27T03:29:00.000-08:00

When you grow up, you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life--and your life is just to live inside your world. Try not to bash into the walls too much, try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That’s a very limited life.

Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you, and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Um, once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.

Steve Jobs also gave a commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005. Click here to read his speech.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

The Best Christmas Since 2008

2011-12-26T02:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2011 is the best Christmas since 2008. 2008 was great because on October 4, 2008, I realized I must grow up. I made immediate changes in my life that took place through Christmas. I brought back the family movie tradition National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I built my gaming PC buying my hardware during the holiday sales. I attended the first Nor Cal Winter Cosplay gathering. I lost my job in Nov. 2008 that turned out to be a blessing in disguise; the timing was perfect to take a time out in my life. And the family was the happiest in a long time.

2011 was another great Christmas. The picture above is the new family Christmas tree. I can’t tell you the last time my family put up a Christmas tree. The tree had been missing. Another reason is I have optimism I find a job and move out of the house in 2012. And the gifts I received are good enough for me. They’re not too big and they’re something I can use; in other words, no junk.

This year my brother’s family and one of my uncle’s family are visiting. We have plenty of activities and lots to talk about in our lives. There is no boring moment.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

I Have No Title For This Confused Blog

2011-12-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

The economy sucks. The economy is slow. The economy is bad. The economy is recovering slowly. The economy is still in a recession. No matter how people describe the economy, times are tough. This blog confuses me, and may confuse the reader. I do my best to write for the reader to understand.

There is no shortage of beggars on the roads, in front of retail stores, and at the exits of shopping parking lots regardless of holiday season or a typical spring day. Some of the beggars are families. Focusing on the families, my question is how did these families become beggars and panhandlers? I don’t understand. Do you think about future financial income when you prepare to start a family? It’s expensive to raise a family, especially in Northern California.

The immediate moment a child is born, the parent’s life as single people with freedom going out and having fun are over. Babies and children need consistent contact from parents. Nurture, kindness, love, human physical contact, guidance, and care are round the clock. It’s hard. I’m not a parent. I know it’s hard and requires dedication and discipline. Forget concert tickets, smart phones, sports cars, and cosmetic make-up. Babies need diapers and baby food. Children need clothes and school supplies.

There is a possibility an uncontrollable and unfortunate event happened to a family that caused great financial burden that lead to begging. It is sad bad luck happened. I acknowledge nobody can predict tragedy. I believe families should prepare for it. I believe a family shouldn’t live paycheck to paycheck. I acknowledge and recognize some do because of events leading to living paycheck to paycheck. I’m confident these families never wanted to live paycheck to paycheck. Times are rough today.

Side note 1: I choose to post the blog as-is. There is no editing for grammar and content.

Side note 2: Bill Gates’ rule #1 in real life: Life is not fair - get used to it.

Side note 3: To the customer at Safeway who failed to steal a case of Diet Coke, nice try. The cashier who scanned the case from the bottom of your cart followed by you saying, “That’s not mine.” Don’t lie. You put the case at the bottom. You were prepared to say your denial if you were caught.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

I Know It Lifestyle

2011-12-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

My parents live a usual, predictable, know what to do, and don’t deviate the routine, knowing it’s there lifestyle. It’s the same as a worker going to work. The worker wakes up, gets ready, commutes, works, goes home, relaxes and/or spends time with the kids, and sleeps. That is a routine life knowing what’s happening next step by step. My dad follows that routine Mon. to Fri. My mom is a homemaker who sleeps late and wakes up in the late mornings. 95% of the time she eats Cheerios for breakfast or lunch. Her daily activities are shopping, watching TV, or talking on the phone. I never saw her doing anything else.

I avoid living a predictable, routine lifestyle. It’s boring. Yesterday, I realized I have a better understanding how these people choose to live a predictable, routine lifestyle. These people are comfortable, happy, and enjoy life knowing their routine daily life is set. They are scared of unknowns and uncertainty. These people know the next morning they eat a bowl of Cheerios, and they don’t waste time choosing what cereal to eat the next morning.

This blog is another example everyone is different. Some people live planning ahead, some people live the same daily routine, some people live “going with the flow”, some people live finding new experiences, and some people live “on the fly.” The important attribute for all these lifestyles is living honestly.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

358 Days To Black Friday 2012

2011-12-02T00:33:00.000-08:00

Black Friday 2011 reminded me a common saying “patience is a virtue.” I’m cheap when it comes to buying wants and desires such as DVDs, electronics, board games, snacks, and Japanese music. I’m cheaper than a person tipping a waiter less than 15%.

This year before Black Friday I purchased one CD at Border’s going out of business sale, one BD+DVD which was The Lion King, and one out of print board game. Those three recreational entertainment goods were very good considering I could have purchased more CDs, DVDs, and board games easily. I have good control when it comes to discretionary spending. The Lion King was a must purchase for any household. The board game was purchased at a great price compared to other online stores. I purchased no DVD TV box sets. That changed on Black Friday.

My Black Friday purchases were Family Guy Volume 5, Glee Season 1, and Firefly. The prices were the cheapest I ever paid for a DVD TV box set. It was worth the wait. I didn’t want to buy DVD TV box sets for at least $20. I was cheap. I was in no hurry to watch the episodes.

I’m looking forward to the 2011 holiday season looking for good deals. I continue to be cheap and I continue to be patient. I have wants that are satisfied when the price satisfies me.

If I can wait for the Black Friday and the upcoming holiday season to purchase wants, desires, and durable goods, then I wait. My best purchases were in 2008 when I built my gaming PC. I purchased almost all of my hardware on Black Friday and the holiday season at good prices. I also purchased my new mattress the day after Christmas. I was patient and I waited for the best price.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

The Human’s Most Precious Possession

2011-11-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

What is a human being’s most important thing? My answer is memories. Who am I without my memories? I feel paralyze, helpless, and dependent on others forgetting who I am. In addition, I’m a nobody without my experiences, my adventures, my emotions, my feelings, my family, my friends, my interests, my hobbies, my knowledge, my mistakes, my lessons, my pains, my victories, my defeats . . . my life is gone for better and for worse.

It’s a nightmare if I live one day with no memory of all my people in my life, my favorite anime, my trips to Las Vegas, my webpage, recognizing police cars from which city, and where I was when the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series. It’s a nightmare forgetting what I learned at San Jose State and De Anza, forgetting my jobs from Blockbuster Video to Cisco, forgetting my favorite moments, and forgetting my biggest lessons in life. These are nightmares that belong when I sleep.

Live life and make memories everyday. Make good memories. Make life changing memories. Keep your brain active absorbing life: see it, smell it, feel it, taste it, and hear it. The more active you are, the less likely you have Alzheimer’s Disease. Do something, anything new for a new memory tomorrow.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

2011-11-23T11:11:00.000-08:00

I felt fatigued last week. I was just tired. I was at the edge of being ill. I’m okay physically such that I went to the gym yesterday and on Mon.

I realized my fatigue was more than just being tired and needing more sleep. My life was boring and routine. The very few in the world who reads my blogs consistently know I never get bored. I always have activities every day. I needed to do something different. I needed to add variety, even if it’s temporary as if I was on vacation. Here are some of what I did differently last week:

*I slept more hours a night. I needed more sleep. I feel better today.

*I played Team Fortress 2. It was nice playing a video game once in a few months. My cousin and I played on the same team. We chatted afterwards.

*Browsed the web. Discover and learn something new. Have a little fun on the internet.

*Took a break from the gym. It’s okay to skip a workout. Just get back next week.

*Took a break from job searching. There are always job openings.

*Took a break relearning SQL and Crystal Reports. I’m relearning those skills for my next job.

* Took a break watching anime. It’s okay to skip. Just get back next week. There is no rush finishing a series.

*Edited my friends cosplay pics. It’s second priority. It’s good working with Photoshop again.

*Watched movies. I watched Serenity on DVD and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington in the movie theater.

*Painted inside a house. I hate painting; however, I admit it was something different.

I called time out last week. The timing was perfect I needed a variety in my reality. The next time I lose focus on my life, lose interest in my daily activities, and feel boring, I take a time out and find something to distract myself. There is always something to do primarily, secondary, or way back in my mind.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

I Must Declare Bankruptcy If I Was 15 Trillion Dollars In Debt

2011-11-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

The United States of America is $15.04 trillion in debt according to multiple sources on the web. The special congressional panel supercommittee failed to reach a deal to balance the government’s budget. By law, automatic spending cuts are enabled including military, education, and health care starting in Fall 2012.

I’m thinking simple. If I was in debt, say, $25,000, then I must declare bankruptcy. My life is a daily nightmare receiving calls from collectors. I can’t live in debt forever. I wonder how some people live life in debt?

In time, the US debt is going to affect the world in negative ways. The inevitable economic global disaster is coming, and the US leads the way. If a person or family loses their home because of debt, then how can the US government survive in debt indefinitely? The government can’t. There is no magic solving the debt crisis. I don’t think it’s complicated. It is common sense for a person or family to avoid bad debt: don’t spend more than earning income or avoid expenses exceeding revenues. Can the government do the same?

I hear economic headlines daily. I remember the US debt when I hear positive economic news such as unemployment going down, GDP increasing last quarter, or a blue chip company reporting profits. It’s good to hear happy economic news. My happiness turns to fear when I remember the US debt.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

SOMT: My Job Search

2011-11-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Blogger’s Note: SOMT stands for Sign Of My Times, an occasional blog sharing my thoughts how time changes life from when I was young to today.

I remember searching for my first job after graduating San Jose State. I searched for open job positions at job websites. Two of the websites I browsed were San Jose State’s online career center and I believe careerbuilder.com. I printed my resume and cover letter hardcopy and mail them to positions I’m interested. I wrote the addresses on the envelope by hand.

I received three interviews between Feb and June 1998. The first interview was in Foster City. I forgot the name of the company. I didn’t get the job because I was overqualified. The second interview was in San Jose near the San Jose Airport. I don’t know why I didn’t get the job because they never contacted me. The third interview was also near the San Jose Airport. I got the job working as a Research Analyst at Grubb & Ellis.

Today, after graduating with an AA degree in Accounting from De Anza College, I search online at Monster, Careerbuilder, and San Jose State’s career center. I create job profiles in big companies throughout Silicon Valley to search for their open jobs. I email my resume and cover letter or complete their online application instead of mailing my resume and cover letter.

Sometimes I receive a call for an opening and sometimes I receive an email for an opening. If a company seriously wants to interview you, they call you instead of emailing you from my experience. However, my friends say an email requesting you to reply back with your resume is considered a legitimate job opening.

Timing and luck have not changed since 1998. My jobs at Colliers and Cisco involved timing, and Cisco involved luck. My Colliers job was an example of networking. The manager who hired me at Grubb also hired me at Colliers. We kept in touch during the months we separated.

The economy remains weak. Finding jobs is the hardest for me ever. I continue to find open jobs and email my resume and cover letter for positions I’m qualified. I’m confident I find a job. I succeeded in the past and I succeed again. I need favorable timing and good luck.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Two Blogs In One

2011-11-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

There were two events yesterday I want to share. The two blogs are short and simple. It’s nothing complicated, yet it’s important for me. Here we go.

I Just Remembered

I search for jobs daily. The job market is tough. When I’m not online finding employment, I’m reading Access SQL and Crystal Reports books to relearn and refresh.

The past two weeks I have been stressing myself to finish reading the books as soon as possible. I’m a person who likes to do it and finish it now. I was reminded yesterday to take it easy, be patient, don’t rush, take your time, and relax. Breath. Relax and learn slowly. I’m unemployed. Take advantage of the free time and enjoy life. Take life one day at a time.

Yummy Yogurt

I have been eating yogurt two or three times a week since Oct. I was reminded yesterday yogurt has health benefits including calcium, protein, pro-biotic cultures build immunity, and good bacteria.

There are many yogurt places in the San Francisco Bay Area. There should be a yogurt place in your neighborhood. I know Baskin Robbins serves yogurt. Eat a cup for dessert.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

My Best Investment For Happy Days

2011-11-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

Every morning I feel good. I don’t need coffee to start my day on a positive note. I don’t even need coffee to wake me up. I don’t take medications for depression and to make me feel good. My attitude is life is good. Life is worth smiling. There is always optimism. Control what you can control and don’t control what you can’t control.

How do I consistently maintain a positive outlook without coffee, drugs, and even alcohol, binge eating, and smoking? My answer is a good mattress. I believe having a good night sleep is one of the best ways to have a good day. Some of us pop pills to have a good mood, drink alcohol, eat lots of food, and/or complain and whine to people making the complainer a person to avoid.

Invest in a good mattress. You feel strong, fresh, energized, in a good mood, and in a positive mood ready to handle to struggles and daily life moments. A good sleep lowers the chances of needing drugs to feel good. A good sleep saves money from drinking. A good sleep saves money from a person needing possessions to escape from daily living. Life, in my opinion, is not really bad.

Ask yourself the question, “When was the last time I purchased a new mattress?” My knowledge is if the answer is eight years or greater, then it’s time to purchase a new mattress. Shop around and do research. Buying a mattress is like buying a car. Feel free to negotiate. The mattress market is competitive. Sweet dreams.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Meet Jonathan Goldsmith

2011-10-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

Men’s Health Blog Andrew Del-Colle Interviewed Jonathan Goldsmith who plays “The Most Interesting Man in the World” commercials for Dos Equis beer campaign. Click link below for the interview posted Fri Nov 19, 2010:

Jonathan Goldsmith | The Most Interesting Interview

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

A Childhood Lowlight

2011-10-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

One of my parent’s failures when they raised me as a child happened during the summer. They failed to encourage me to continue learning outside school, growing, exploring, and finding new adventures. My mom believed summer vacations is the time for children to relax. That’s true to an extent. I shouldn’t relax, stay at home, and have little to do. I should be having fun . . . fun learning outside school, growing, exploring, and finding new adventures.

My mom forced my brother and I to learn swimming and playing the piano. Ironically, my brother and I hated those activities. We showed mom our anger and disapproval. My mom had the idea of doing something in the summer. She failed to be open and to help us explore other choices.

In particular, my kindergarten through eighth grade summers were watching television, playing toys, playing video games, and sitting around doing nothing. I rarely hung out with my friends. I didn’t participate in sports, clubs, camps, or even an activity or summer kids program in a community center. I didn’t read any books at home. On the other hand, I did attend summer schools; unfortunately, thinking back, most of the classes were a joke and the teachers didn’t care. I don’t remember learning anything that helped me in the upcoming school year.

I can’t change my past. I wonder what if I had an active summer. I might be a better person today: better social skills, more knowledge of everyday life, more friends, a better career, and more childhood experiences. Moreover, I might have been a better high school and college student. I’m lucky today I have been catching up what I missed when I was young such as reading books, visiting new places, meeting new people, and trying new hobbies. Also, I’m lucky I realized I must grow up on that day I remember forever.

I encourage parents to keep their children active during the summer. Have your children do something, anything. There are more choices of summer activities and programs than when I was a child. Even reading books at home is better than watching television all day. Have them get out and do something, anything, as long as they’re keeping their brains and bodies active and growing.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Go To Sleep With A Smile

2011-10-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

I was called for jury duty on Wed Oct 19 and Thur Oct 20. My panel was assigned a criminal case involving multiple felonies. I listened to potential jurors answering questions to determine if any were accepted to be a sworn juror. Some of the questions were personal. Some of the answers were sad and depressing. Most of the excused jurors had a traumatized past. The most common answer was they experienced or knew a close family member involving domestic violence. A few of them cried. This was the first time I realized how broad domestic violence around the county. The domestic violence stories I heard included boyfriend and girlfriend living in the same household. One juror said two of his friends filed restraining orders. I’m fortunate nobody in my family and none of my friends experienced domestic violence. I sleep tonight with a smile.

Another juror was convicted of fraud. Think about being convicted of fraud. If I was convicted of fraud, then it’s difficult for me to be trusted. Banks, insurance, and accounting companies don’t want to hire me. My ability to conduct business is very difficult because nobody trusts me with a fraud conviction. I’m fortunate I can be trusted. I sleep tonight with a smile.

The most depressing juror has a family experience of felonies. She was the victim of domestic violence. Her boyfriend attacked her. Her oldest son is incarcerated because he was convicted of grand theft auto. And her husband was murdered. The murderer was caught and is in prison. I’m fortunate I’m not a victim of felony crimes. I sleep tonight with a smile.

However, my family and I had close calls with felony crimes. My dad’s subwoofer speaker was stolen from his car during the late night hours. The speaker had a small value at the time it was stolen. My dad’s truck was vandalized, burglarized, and stolen. The vandalism damage and lost property from the theft had little value. Regarding the truck being stolen, fortunately, the truck was found one month later in good condition. All of the property was missing. I sleep tonight with a smile.

The closest call being a victim of a felony crime was an attempted burglary that took place in February 2011. If I didn’t investigate the noises downstairs and scared the two burglars, then they invaded our house and stolen portable and valuable possessions such as a laptop, jewelry, and blank checks. Police arrived minutes after I called 911. My family and I made changes to safeguard our house immediately. I sleep tonight with a smile.

The most frightening moment involved one of my cousins who lived in Los Angeles. She was walking to her car in the parking lot after work. A man attempted to kidnap her. Fortunately and with the best timing of the world, her co-workers were walking to the parking lot, saw them, and the kidnapper ran away. Everything is okay.

Some of the potential jurors I heard in the courtroom were victims of crimes that affected their lives. My life is good I can’t complain about the small little imperfections. The next time I walk in a mall, especially during the upcoming holiday season, I think for a moment all the people I pass. Some of them are victims of crimes; in particular, domestic violence. Some of them are domestic violence victims they don’t report to the police. Moreover, some of them have restraining orders against their boyfriends or girlfriends or significant other for any abuse.

I sleep tonight with a smile, and perhaps you should, too.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Read Books For Your Life

2011-10-16T23:14:00.000-07:00

One of my childhood regrets is I didn’t read outside school. I watched too much television. I’m happy and lucky I started reading books in 2002. I started to read business and investment books. In 2008, I started to read fiction books. I currently read fiction books including classic and juvenile with an occasional business book.

Most of us are busy and have little or no time to read. I have some understanding for the busy people. I have a suggestion for those who want to get back reading books. I have a suggestion for those who have no interest reading books and have the thought in the back of their minds they should read. I have a suggestion for those who have poor reading skills. My suggestion is read juvenile books. Start easy and start simple. There is no shame for adults reading books for 5th graders. I read juvenile books. If you feel comfortable reading an adult book later on, do it. Ernest Hemingway books are an easy adult level.

Reading is one of the best ways to keep your brain active. Reading newspapers and Where’s Waldo books don’t count. Go to a library and start reading. If you have to start reading Disney books, then do it. There are online stores and many bookstore selling used books at lower prices. Pick up a book, activate your brain, and read.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Connecting My Dots Backwards

2011-10-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

The late Steve Jobs (1955-2011), CEO of Apple Computer, spoke at the 2005 Stanford Graduation. He shared three stories of his life. One of his stories inspired me to connect my dots backwards. Let’s see how the dots connected to who I am today and where it connects me tomorrow.

I start the dot on Sat Oct 4, 2008. I realized I must grow up on that day. Don’t take life for granted, wise up, take your head out of your butt, stop acting naive, and earn it. I started making changes in my life. I knew growing up and becoming a man take time. The following events and activities impacted my changing life immediately after Sat Oct 4:

*Fiction books. I avoided reading fiction books. I thought reading business, leadership, and self-help books were the best way to be a better person. My first fiction book since The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger a long time ago was The Choice by Nichols Sparks. I followed that book with The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Forever by Judy Blume. I learned more about life reading a few fiction books than many non-fiction books I already read. I read 80% fiction and 20% non-fiction today.

*New clothes. I wore polo shirts and plain white t-shirts for 10 years. They’re gone. I purchased buttoned down sports shirts, new casual shoes, new pajamas, and a new jacket.

*A legitimate workout plan. Thank you punkbuster for recommending Bodybuilding.com to download gym workout plans.

*Movies. I watched The Godfather trilogy, Mad Max, The Graduate, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and The Dark Knight. Those movies calmed me down and cheered me up when I needed it. I also watched The Place Promised In Our Early Days and Voices Of A Distance Star in the anime genre.

I visited my Washington friend Thundercloud for my Washington Canada ’08 trip from Sat Nov 15 to Thur Nov 20. The timing was perfect because I was experiencing changes and struggling to find who I really am. The vacation was one of my all time best. Vacations can refresh a person, act as a time-out to daily life, and help refocus a person’s life. The vacation successfully accomplished all three. Highlights of the trip were winning $180 at craps, visiting Seattle, visiting Hurricane Ridge, climbing the REI indoor wall, walking around downtown Victoria, visiting the Rock ‘n Roll museum, and buying books.

My last day at Cisco was on Sat Nov 22. My contracted was terminated. Cisco was cutting expenses throughout the company. I remembered the one-on-one meeting when my manager told me I was being laid off. I remembered my last day I was escorted by an administrative assistant in another department for security reasons. My job was too easy, unchallenging, and I had lots of free time I chatted online. All departments were fighting for funding from the executives. There were lots of politics which was not a surprise.

Christmas 2008 was the best Christmas my family celebrated in years. I couldn’t explain why. Everyone was happy. Maybe my happiness and my smile spread to everyone else. I brought back the traditional family movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. We didn’t watch the movie for the last 3-4 years. And one of my uncle’s family from SoCal visited my family and we took a day trip to Stanford and U.C. Berkeley.

The last week of 2008 my dad and I built my new Gaming PC. The hardware was purchased in Nov and Dec. I want to thank my dad, Appu, and gmontem for their assistance. My Gaming PC made life easier for myself.

I started taking classes at De Anza for Spring ‘09 quarter. I took Strength Development which is a weight lifting class, Social Dancing which is ballroom dancing, and Beginning Japanese. I dropped Beginning Japanese on the third week because the instructor was terrible. I consulted the guys who took Japanese classes; in particular, Chun and Dev. Most of them recommended I drop. Dropping Japanese was the best decision I made in 2009. I found free time to help my mom make a new costume for Fanime ’09 and continue improving my gym workouts. Fanime ’09 took place on Memorial Day weekend and it was the best anime convention I attended.

I choose to take an accounting class for Fall ’09. If I liked the class, I earn an AA degree in Accounting. I liked it and I continued taking accounting classes. I was lucky most of my accounting classes were taught by good instructors. If I had terrible instructors, especially for my fundamental accounting classes, I might have switched majors or dropped out.

Fast forward to the end of Fall ’10, I was one class away from earning an AA degree. The class was offered in Winter ’11. During Fall ’10, I rented one movie a week in the library. Most of the movies I rented were from the American Film Institute Top 100 1997 version. I met the most new people out of all the quarters. And I started dating alien_cat.

On March 25, 2011, I earned my AA degree in Accounting. Today, I’m finding a job and living life one day at a time.

The following are a selected events, moments, and activities that influenced and impacted me from 2008 to today:

*Classic jazz. I developed an interest in classic jazz on Oct 2008. I have about 12 classic jazz CDs.

*Ballroom dancing. I want to thank my sister for starting me to learn ballroom dancing on Jan 2009. Alien_cat and I met at a ballroom dance class in De Anza.

*Accutane. I started the treatment to stop acne on Feb 2009. I completed my treatment on April 2010.

*Hiking. An easy hobby everyone should do. There are many easy hiking trails including urban hikes. I started hiking on March 2009.

*Social Networking. I can be found on my blogs, Yelp, Facebook, and Twitter. I created my Yelp on Feb 2009, Facebook on March 2009, and Twitter on Nov 2009.

*Mahjong. I tried and quit playing Mahjong in 2007. mDuo13 challenged Spiritsnare and I to learn Mahjong in 10 days on Oct 6, 2009. I’m happy I accepted the challenge. Mahjong is a great game. I read Mahjong is good for old people because it helps keep the mind thinking.

*Paul McCartney concert. I watched a Beatles legend in concert on July 10, 2010.

*The 2010 San Francisco Giants. World Series champions. I remember where I was when Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz.

*Visiting new places and seeking new adventures. I visited the Golden Gate Bridge, rode the San Francisco Cable Car, hiked new trails, visited Pinnacles National Park, and more.

What Is The Connection?

I believe the connection is my second chance. I was given a second chance to go back to college as a student and live life as a student—live life what I should have done when I was a student at San Jose State. Being laid off at Cisco was a blessing in disguise. I took accounting classes with the goal of earning an AA degree. I met new people and made new friends on campus and off campus. I found new hobbies, visited new places, and experienced new experiences. I made mistakes just like a young student must to learn life. I continue to improve expressing myself and let it all out. I have done everything with a mature attitude throughout my second chance.

What Is The Next Dot?

Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward . . . trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” I don’t know what kind job I work for and where I work for. I may find an interest in another subject and go back to school for more education. The future is unknown. I know I continue to grow up, learn something new, and find new adventures.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Here Are Some More Pictures

2011-10-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

I finish the year 2010 picture blogs. I comment on my daily life. The pics are taken from my old cell phone. Enjoy!

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

A Consistent Reminder My Daily Life Rules

2011-10-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

I want to remind myself my daily life rules. I follow these rules daily to be a good person. We’re human and we can forget. It’s time to review. Here we go:

1. Don't criticize, condemn, and complain, and don't compare with others.
2. Don't act like a jerk or bitch.
3. Always speak calmly and be calm.
4. Don't daydream when driving.
5. Keep your head up high . . . look at the cute face when talking.
6. Breath with your nose and stand up straight.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Me Versus My Sinus Infection II

2011-09-25T23:14:00.000-07:00

I was sick for the third time this year. The first two times were in March and the Fourth Of July weekend. I suspect I got sick with RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus again. Fortunately, this sickness lasted one week. The key factors were I remained calm, I was focused, I learned my mistakes in March, and I let my body recovered my sickness without medications. I didn’t take vitamin C and drank green tea. Here’s the timeline:

Mon Sep 19. I woke up in the early morning with a sore throat. I took a sore throat lozenge and went back to sleep.

Tue Sep 20. I still had a sore throat. I felt fatigued. The night time was colder than I thought—unseasonably cold that surprised me. The days were hot and the nights were cold that continued throughout the week.

I failed to realize the colder nights. I believed if I kept warm at night, my sickness could have been a sore throat. I actually had a sore throat only sickness two weeks ago that lasted two days.

I drank Coke for lunch and dinner all this week.

Wed Sep 21. Runny nose. I went to sleep needing two pillows to raise my head. I wore a long sleeve and pants pajamas instead of a t-shirt and shorts.

Thur Sep 22. Congestion and plugged up nose. I lost my voice. I had trouble sleeping last night I woke up at 1pm. Sore throat completely gone. I drank a cup of Trader Joe’s Hot Cocoa before bed tonight.

Fri Sep 23. Morning coughing. I felt cold in the morning. Today was the last day temperatures remained hot. The house was too warm even at night time because the air condition was off the entire day and the house wasn’t getting enough nighttime cold air; moreover, the daytime temperatures remained in the high 80s for a long time. I got a bloody nose when I went to sleep.

I had trouble sleeping as the night continued. Post nasal dripping caused me to cough; fortunately the coughing was minimal. I feared the coughing intensified in the days ahead. I browsed the web on my smartphone Googling RSV. One website suggested I use a humidifier. I went to the bathroom and turned on the humidifier. I immediately fell asleep in minutes.

Sat Sep 24. Best sleep ever the night before. Felt much better. Temperatures were the coolest of the week. Congestion and stuffy nose improved. I felt more energized.

Currently. Stopped drinking coke. I still have mucus dripping down my throat and I still need to blow my stuffy nose. Recovery continues at a faster pace compared to past sicknesses.

A Body Weakness

One of my body weaknesses is a large difference in daily temperature range. My body responds poorly to a temperature range, say, between 60 and 90 degrees. A temperature range between 50 and 70 degrees is good.

A Preventable RSV

My latest RSV sickness was preventable. I thought about the moments and circumstances I could have done to lower my chances of getting RSP. Here we go:

Expired cranberry juice. I believe food and drinks must be consumed before the due date. The cranberry juice I drank Fri Sep 16-Sun Sep 18 expired two weeks ago. Probability I got sick from this is 1%.

What the hell is this hot weather?!? I went to Gilroy on Sat Sep 17. The weather was hotter than we expected, and it was dry and muggy. The sun was burning my skin I needed sunscreen on my arms immediately. Probability is 20%.

I was hungry about 15 minutes in Gilroy. I didn’t eat a candy bar in the cooler inside the trunk. Probability is 5%.

Always say yes to a drink with my meal. I ate a quick lunch and didn’t drink water while eating before leaving to Gilroy. I drank water afterwards. I should have drank something with my quick lunch. Probability is 5%.

I repeat. Always say yes to a drink with my meal. I ate a sandwich at Erik’s Deli Cafe without ordering a drink in Gilroy. I drank alien cat’s ice tea that was over-steeped. Probability is 5%.

Moreover, I should have ordered a meal deal, a full lunch. I should not have cheap out.

Too little, too late? There was an extended time period we didn’t drink water; although we were indoors most of the time shopping. We finally got bottle water at a Starbucks. Probability is 5%.

The draft inside the stores. I remember studying at Clark Library at SJSU at the third floor under a draft in Fall Semester 1994. I got sick the next day I had to skip classes.

I was under a draft inside a store. I might have caught a virus or something airborne. Probability is 25%.

For the third time, a drink with your meal. I always drink soda when I eat pizza because I got sick eating a pizza without soda in February 1998. We ate at Fresh Choice for dinner. I didn’t order a soda. I ate four pieces of pizza. Probability is 10%.

I could have purchased a can of soda in a gas station leaving Gilroy.

It’s simply in the air. I read a few friends on their Facebook updates they were sick. Probability is 15%.

Bacterial. I could have gotten a bacterial infection somewhere and somehow. Probability is 20%.

I hate Montreal Steak seasoning. Questionable seasonings my mom used to cook steaks on Sun Sep 18. Probability is 1%.

Cookies. I purchased Japanese cookies that were individually wrapped. Probability is 5%.

Going Forward

Avoid sitting under drafts, eat and drink when I’m hungry, and don’t cheap out my meals.

Side note: I was in Los Angeles when I got sick during Fourth Of July weekend. On the night before we went home, we ate dinner at a Korean BBQ. We ate yogurt afterwards. On the day we drove home, I felt much better. Was it the yogurt that helped me feel better? I was told yogurt after a big meal helps digestion. Maybe the yogurt helped me more than digestion. On the other hand, in the hotel room, I slept on a bed, I adjusted the vents blowing air away from everyone, and there were less people in the room. In the end, I really don’t know the answer.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

The Unemployed Like Me Has Expenses

2011-09-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

Adults have expenses whether employed or unemployed. It’s very difficult to live without expenses. Take me for example. I live at home with my parents. There is nothing to be ashamed. I do my share around the house. I cook, clean, do laundry, wash dishes, and take care of myself to minimize my parents dependency. I have some money from my past jobs to spend for my family including buying groceries and paying for an occasional going out to eat at a restaurant.

I also have some money to spend for myself. I pay for my bare necessities, cell phone, gas, and entertainment. I do a good job controlling my spending. I’m very selective when it comes to spending for fun activities. I shop around for the best deals and cheapest prices.

The unemployed people living in today’s tough economy still has to live life: eat, wear clothing, drive to places, stay clean, staying in touch with people via cell phone and/or internet, mail letters, and more. The expenses are higher for those with children. Some money is spent when being with friends such as going out to a restaurant. An unemployed person can’t avoid friends just because money is tight. Friends are important during tough times.

The unemployed most likely has more time than money. Use the extra time wisely to prepare for your next job and be a better person. Try something new. Visit a new place. Continue searching for a job. A job doesn’t come to you on a silver platter. Spend your savings wisely. Good luck and continue living.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

My 9/11 Day

2011-09-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Today is the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I share my 9/11.

I woke up late because my alarm clock broke. I jumped up from bed immediately and called my coworker telling him I arrive late and I’m not sick. Here was the phone conversation:

Me: Hey, Larry. I’m sorry I’m going to be late to work. My alarm clock broke.
Larry: Did you hear what happened?
Me: Ummm, the CEO resigned?
(My company experienced internal executive problems.)
Larry: The Twin Towers exploded.
Me: Uh, okay. I’m leaving now.

Honestly, it took me time to digest what happened. I went to the family room and turned on the TV. Holy shit! I saw smoke coming out of the Twin Towers. Each television station broadcasted the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I was in denial. I said to myself, “No way terrorists on USA soil.” Terrorists were on USA soil, and they carried out their attacks.

The commute to Downtown San Jose was the fastest ever. The traffic was as light as Super Bowl Sunday. It took me ten minutes to arrive at work. The office was dead silent. There were no more than ten brokers out of 50+ in the office. Most of the staff were at the workstations. I completed little work in the database.

The managing partner emailed the entire office to inform everyone the office closes early. All the staff were released at 3pm. The commute home was the fastest ever, too. 10 minutes to arrive home. I remembered the afternoon DJ for 106.5 FM said “God Bless America” and played Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp.

The rest of the day I watched television and worked on my next update for my webpage. The update was a page devoted to September 11, 2001.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Much More Pictures

2011-09-04T01:43:00.001-07:00

My break writing blogs continues by posting more picture blogs. I comment on my daily life. Enjoy!

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

More Picture Time

2011-08-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Here are more pictures from my old cell phone. I continue to take a break writing blogs by posting picture blogs. Enjoy!

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Picture Time

2011-08-03T01:28:00.001-07:00

I forgot the last time I posted a picture blog. I have many pictures I took with my old cell phone. Posting pictures on my blog has been on the back of my mind. I take a break writing blogs by posting picture blogs. Enjoy!

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

SOMT: From Land Lines Phones To Smart Phones

2011-07-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

Blogger’s Note: SOMT stands for Sign Of My Times, an occasional blog sharing my thoughts how time changes life from when I was young to today. It’s been a long time I wrote a SOMT.

I remember July 1, 1998, the day I got my first cell phone. I just started my first job after graduating college. My first big purchase was a Nokia cell phone in Pacific Bell store. The black cell phone was almost the size of a brick. The weight was as heavy as a paperweight. The screen was about 40% of the phone size.

I had a smaller Nokia in 2001 and two LG cell phones from 2006-2011 thereafter. My last LG phone I texted, took pictures, listened to music, and wrote notes on my notepad. My older cell phones were ordinary phones that included call waiting and voice mail. On July 6, 2011, I purchased my first smart phone on the last day Verizon offered unlimited data. I found out days before Verizon announced an end to their unlimited data plan. I quickly researched and choose the Droid X2. I wanted to purchase a solid, reasonably priced smart phone to lock in the unlimited data plan for future contracts.

I remember students in my high school had pagers. In college, some students had pagers and a few students had cell phones. I remember one student’s phone rang three times in a Calculus II class in 1993. Many students either couldn’t afford a cell phone or believed cell phones were a bothersome when somebody calls.

Times have changed. Cell phones are affordable and a necessity. The reason I purchased a cell phone was for convenience: communicate with my family and friends and for emergencies. I have a smart phone today. Smart phones, used properly, make life easier. I find nearby restaurants, use maps for directions, take better pictures, and connect to the internet to find information. And I keep in touch with family and friends more effectively because my smart phone has Facebook and Twitter apps.

I believe everyone should have a cell phone or smart phones for at least communicating and for emergencies. Twenty years ago, almost everyone was on a land line talking on the phone. A person must find a phone when there is an emergency. Today, almost everyone is talking on a cell phone indoors and outdoors, in a restaurant or at the park, and in a car or bus. Most people can call on their cell phones for emergencies. Smart phones provide additional convenience including paying bills, watching videos, writing notes, listening to music, and doing something to occupy time a person is waiting.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

I Live To Reach The 90 Club

2011-07-21T02:01:00.000-07:00

The San Jose Mercury News Wednesday July 20, 2011 edition reported a study on Alzheimer’s disease. The San Francisco VA Medical Center released a study stating lifestyle changes can reduce the chances a person is infected with Alzheimer’s. Physical activity, staying optimistic, non-smoker, and not diabetic are some of the factors lowering the chances.

My grandfather on my dad’s side had Alzheimer’s. The disease slowly killed his brain cells to the point where he forgot how to tie his shoe laces. Very sad. He spent his final days in a convalescent home. On the other hand, my grandmother on my dad’s side didn’t have Alzheimer’s. She experienced typical dementia; however, she communicated well and her brain remembered names, birthdays, and her limited English. She past away at 90 years old.

My lifestyle is summarized as lowering my chances of getting Alzheimer’s. I have been consistent sharing my daily lifestyle in my blog. I write the importance of exercise for physical activity, cooking (healthy) to live healthier, reading to keep your mind focus, visiting new places to satisfy adventures, listening to music to relieve stress, and more. I also write the importance of meeting new people and making new friends. Family and friends are important for a happy, active, and exciting life. And I write the importance of doing better, changing to improve, and never stop innovating life.

Knowing I want to do something, anything reminds me to get my head out of my ass and keep my eyes open, ears listening, mouth talking, nose smelling, and hands feeling. I don’t want to live life inactive. I don’t want a routine life. I want to live life to my best I can, and do better continuously.

Finally, I want to remind myself my six rules for daily living. Here they are,

1. Don't criticize, condemn, and complain, and don't compare with others.
2. Don't act like a jerk or bitch.
3. Always speak calmly and be calm.
4. Don't daydream when driving.
5. Keep your head up high . . . look at the cute face when talking.
6. Breath with your nose and stand up straight.

Writer note: I like this blog I’m going to double post in Finding Raymond Mar as a Q&A soon.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

It Took Place On Summer 2011

2011-07-18T23:08:00.000-07:00

I want to encourage everyone to make summer 2011 memorable. I want everyone to take at least 14 summer days to create memories. Seek new adventures, experience new experiences, meet new people and make new friends, try something new, have courage to get out and do something, anything. If the 14 days were accomplished, then do another 14 days.

The reason I encourage 2011 and not 2012 and beyond is because I feel 2011 is the last good year to make something happen. Summer 2011 so far is stable for the most part in terms of world events, political events, the economy, and peace of mind. My gut feeling says 2012 is less stable. Go with the flow.

Some of my Summer 2011 highlights include graduating college, attending Anime Expo for my vacation, purchasing a new smart phone, and watching a classic movie at the Stanford Theater. I hope to find a job soon.

Make Summer 2011 a time to remember. There is half of July and August remaining. Good luck!

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Get Back

2011-07-13T00:54:00.000-07:00

“Get back to where you once belonged.” --Get Back, The Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney

On Saturday October 4, 2008, I realized I must grow up. My life needed changes. I was lost, I took life for granted, and I either took life not seriously or took life too seriously. I initiated changes to begin growing up weeks after October 4. One way I made changes was similar to The Beatles’ song “Get Back.”

The first change was my clothes. I wore polo shirts, plain white-t shirts, dress shirts, and slacks outside work. I went back to when I was in high school, and I now wear buttoned sports shirts without tucking in and blue jeans. I wore hiking shoes and SWAT police boots inside and outside work. I went back to when I was in high school, and I now wear casual dress shoes outside work. If I wear shorts, I wear casual sneakers. I wear hiking shoes when I hike or when I’m outdoors requiring long distance walking such as spending a day in San Francisco or Santa Cruz.

Another change was old school sit-ups. I did new school sit-ups since I started going to the local gym regularly in 2000. I went back to when I graduated college, and I now do old school sit-ups. My gym workouts include 100 old school sit-ups.

And another change was reading fiction books. I read nonfiction books such as business, leadership, investment, and self improvement books after college. I went back to fiction books when I attended college. My first fiction books after Oct 4, 2008 were “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks and “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy.

I have a better understanding why some successful people who experience a slump or setback revisit their roots. The roots, the core values, the early successes are what made successful people the best they are. It can be people forgot something and they needed to go back and remember the past.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Accutane Day 883

2011-07-08T13:52:00.001-07:00

Who you see is who I am. I forgot the last time I applied Atralin on my nose and cheeks and Topicort to treat eczema. It seemed I apply Atralin resulting in eczema most of the time especially under low humid conditions, and I apply Topicort to treat eczema. In other words, one cream almost guaranteed I needed the second cream. That made no sense.

There has been neither no improvement nor worsening on my face. I had maybe one or two. Accutane worked to stop acne outbreaks. I apply Vanicream when my face is dry. I pop blackheads on my nose once a month. I may apply Atralin again on my nose only in the future.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Board Games Bring People Together

2011-06-27T00:03:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite hobbies is playing board games. I mean board games in a very general sense including gambling games such as poker and craps and card games such as old maid and gin rummy. I don’t have a personal definition of board games in general. Here is Wikipedia’s definition.

Being with people is the number one reason I like board games. I spend time with my friends and I have opportunities to meet new people. Having fun and winning are not as important as being with family, friends, and acquaintances. Board games bring people together. We play, talk, laugh, and keep up with each other. Food and drinks are a must. Players concentrate better and there are more laughs. If someone brings food and drink another person never ate and drank before, then it’s an opportunity to try something new.

I don’t have a particular board game genre. My collection consists of child games such as Candy Land; party games such as Apples to Apples; trivia; casino; Eurogames such as The Settlers of Catan and Pandemic; mainstream such as Monopoly; card games such as Fluxx; non mainstream or gamer enthusiasms games such as Betrayal House On The Hill and Family Business; classic games such as chess; family games such as Sorry and Life; strategy games such as Axis & Allies; and foreign games such as Mah Jong (Riichi). My wish list is Ticket To Ride, Dixit, and cribbage. I play any board game especially new games I play for the first time.

Be social and play board games. I rarely win board games. That’s okay because the more I play, the more I learn. And I’m spending time with people.

Side note: I recommend Board Game Geek as the number one source for game board enthusiasts.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Mixed Foods

2011-06-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

I want to share my favorite mixed foods. I’m confident these mixed foods are rare and very few people eat together in contrast to the common peanut butter & jelly and BLT sandwiches. We should experiment and mix foods together once in a while. They may bring a unique taste for your personal enjoyment. Some of the mixed foods were discovered unconsciously. I never thought saying beforehand, “Let’s try eating these two foods together.” Here are my favorites:

Orange juice or the orange fruit and bread. I eat for breakfast sometimes or an afternoon snack. The orange adds sweetness to the bread.

Cashews and white rice. I remembered eating plain and no taste chicken. I wanted to add something for flavor. I looked in the kitchen and thought of the Chinese dish cashew chicken. I intended to eat the chicken and cashews together. I ate cashews and rice together accidentally. Good combination.

Vanilla ice cream and Cheerios. I was a kid who ate lots of ice cream. I saw commercials kids adding decorations. I wanted to add something. There was a box of Cheerios. Vanilla ice cream plus Cheerios equals a bowl of Cheerios with ice cream instead of milk.

Vanilla ice cream and 7-Up. I disliked root beer when I was a kid. I wanted ice cream and soda. I looked around for another soda. I saw 7-Up. Lemon, lime, and vanilla combined tastes awesome.

Grapes and saltine crackers or Ritz. I forgot how I discovered intentionally or by accident.

Hot dogs and white sandwich bread. A good substitute to eat hot dogs with a slice of bread.

Bonus: Make helicopters with Cheerios. I did lots of that when I was a child because I loved helicopters.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week June 20, 2011

2011-06-23T23:46:00.001-07:00

Mon June 20

More changes and announcements regarding the final. The professor had emergency surgery to remove his cyst last Thursday after his routine checkup last Wednesday. However, the substitute instructor proctors the final. The professor’s second daughter has a routine checkup and he’s driving her to the doctor. The professor uploads the essay questions tonight. I study the essay questions tomorrow.

The professor told the class his cyst has been giving him pain for the last five weeks. He took Tylenol to combat the pain. He was prescribed Vicodin which he never took. The pain from the cyst might explain why his lectures have been boring and significantly off the mark after Memorial Day weekend. I blogged his lectures were the worse ever, and I factored his Intermediate Accounting classes.

I’m looking forward to studying the essay questions because essay questions are easier to earn high scores. I believe essay questions a student is rewarded with points for what they know. The professor grades essays for what a student knows. On the other hand, multiple choice exams are graded on what the student missed and don’t know.

Final is on Thursday. Lots of luck.

Thur June 23

The final was easier than the mid-term. There were less theoretical questions and there were two essay questions. The professor must have changed the final from three essay questions to two. I completed the essay portion first because if I ran out of time, I read and answer unanswered multiple choice questions quickly. I finished the final with 30 minutes remaining. My brain was fatigued and I lost my train of thought. I submitted my final without double checking my answers.

That’s it. I’m done with De Anza. I wait for my diploma with an AA degree in Accounting.

I choose to use my end of quarter review I have been doing in past quarters to review my entire experiences at De Anza. The all De Anza review blog is coming soon. In the meantime, I write blogs about other topics. I want to take a break writing De Anza blogs.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week June 13, 2011

2011-06-19T02:21:00.001-07:00

Mon June 13

The shortest class lecture throughout my time at De Anza. I arrived ten minutes late. The students were in front of the door. I guessed the professor was late. A classmate told me the professor was finding the keys to the classroom. The class before Auditing was cancelled and the room was locked.

We entered the classroom after waiting a total of 20 minutes from the time lecture begins. The professor informed the students the lecture is short because he needed to tend to her daughter who has chronic sickness. In addition, there were major announcements for the final. One, there is a substitute proctor because the professor has surgery the day after the final. Two, there are essay questions on the final. The professor emails the questions to the students. Three, all extra credit assignments can be submitted on final’s day.

Wed June 15

The professor announced the essay questions are going to be revised. We receive the updated essay questions on Monday. The professor lectured chapter 11. The final is chapters 5, 6, 7 and 11. The professor skipped chapter 12. I have eight days to study for the final. I need lots of luck because I start studying chapter 5 tonight.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week June 6, 2011

2011-06-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Mon June 6

Today’s lecture was worse than Wed June 1 when everyone got back from the Memorial Day weekend. The positive side was I didn’t fall asleep. The negative side was the lecture was boring, boring, and boring.

The professor finished lecturing chapter 6 and began chapter 7. Some students asked for a delay on the chapter 7 homework due Friday. I looked at the homework. There are so many questions. The concepts are getting drier and I’m having trouble comprehending. Also, I can use the delay because I have to catch up on my personal life.

I’m going to be honest. I’m losing interest in the class.

Wed June 8

It’s survival mode. I just care about passing the class. My grade can be A, B, or C. I can’t take for granted being lazy and the professor handing out passing grades on a silver platter. Maybe I apply to transfer to a four year college in the future. If I get a bad grade in Auditing, then it may affect my chances I'm accepted. On the other hand, knowing the professor, attending all classes, submitting all homework, submitting most extra credit, I should pass as long as I don’t bomb the final.

I remember taking Computer Science 46A at San Jose State University in Fall Semester ’93. I failed the final, but the professor gave me a C- grade. I was saved because the professor knew my name, attended all classes, and submitted al homework. Another reason was my classmate knew C++ and was a programmer in the US Marines. To repeat, I’m not taking for granted I pass the class.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week May 30, 2011

2011-06-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

Mon May 30

Memorial Day weekend. No school.

Wed June 1

Today was the last day I arrive late. I was fatigued from Memorial Day weekend. The professor reviewed auditing from chapters 1-4. Next, the professor told everyone final’s day which is Thur June 23. Time’s flying fast. We have three weeks of classes. I must devote time daily studying.

My fatigue got the best of me as I fell asleep during the lecture. I can’t help it, and the professor’s lecture was boring. The classmate who sits on my right said today’s lecture felt like it was the longest class session.

My priority is finishing chapter 6 reading and homework. Then I read chapter 7.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week May 23, 2011

2011-05-25T16:44:00.001-07:00

Mon May 23

The drive to De Anza was the shortest ever. I had one red light which was the first left turn that was a short wait. I still was 10 minutes late. The time could have doubled if I had more red lights.

The professor surprised the entire class. He handed out an additional chapter 5 homework assignment due Wed. 24 multiple choice questions. That’s not good for those who wanted to finish the initial homework assignments before Memorial Day weekend. My goal is to finish all homework assignments before Fri.

Tue May 24

I arrived at Mission College at 7:20pm. The instructor said the official start time for the final is 7:30pm. Students can come at 7:00pm. I was running behind in everything. I ate a Snickers candy bar at the parking lot.

I turned in the take home final and received the final. My usual seats at the back of the class were occupied. I moved to the front. The final was doable. I didn’t study. I recognized some questions from the take home final and lectures. I completed around 20 minutes. I received the take home final solutions after I submitted the final. It seems I did well because the debit and credit numbers matched what I calculated.

In a small way, I’m going to miss driving to Mission College every Tue night. It was a set activity for the beginning of 2011. I can use the two and a half hours to study for auditing and work out at the gym.

Wed May 25

The professor immediately checked the students completing the additional chapter 5 homework assignment as soon as he walked in the classroom. Then he began lecturing chapter 6. Finally, we reviewed the additional chapter 5 homework. The professor made me read all the questions.

I did poorly on the assignment. I got most of the questions wrong. Most students were surprised at some of the answers to the questions. The classmate who sat on my right was absent on Mon. She got most of the questions correct when she answered the questions before the professor announced the solution.

The classmate and I went to the library after class to photocopy the assignment for her. We talked about accounting degrees and economics degrees. She corrected my knowledge on accounting degrees at the California State University (CSU) systems. An accounting degree is actually a business administration degree. The account part is the business administration’s emphases. I incorrectly thought an accounting degree is a stand alone degree with more accounting classes took compared to a junior college. The correction is the number of accounting classes is almost the same between a CSU and junior college. In particular, my classmate noted there are key classes taught at CSU junior college don’t teach, and that’s a key factor when it comes to companies hiring a person with a four year degree and a two year degree in accounting. The accounting classes I have taken at De Anza are the same as any CSU school. If I transfer to a CSU school, then some of my accounting classes count towards the transfer and I must retake some classes I already took at De Anza.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week May 16, 2011

2011-05-23T22:32:00.001-07:00

Mon May 16

I earned a 74% on the mid-term. I can say either my intuition was good that I didn’t fail or my intuition was bad that I didn’t get a 90%+. The professor said scores were good overall. This is the first time I got a score in the 70s attending De Anza. The final score is probably going to be a C+ when the professor curves the grades or adds “benefits of doubt” points he refers his curve.

I realized most of the questions were theoretical questions. There was too much theory to remember. My mind was overloaded. However, in all honestly, my mind was not focused on studying. My brain is tired from schoolwork. I’m eager to move forward in my life, yet I’m patient such that my opportunity is coming soon.

On the positive side, I’m actually learning. I’m retaining information and knowledge from the lectures and the reading. One of my uncles has a structural engineering degree and a few friends at San Jose State earned poor scores in mid-terms yet they learned in their classes. I didn’t learn anything in my professor’s Intermediate Accounting classes, and my lowest exam score was an 82%. Auditing is my first class I score lower than average grades yet I learn something. It’s a new feeling.

I talked to a classmate about the Advanced Accounting class. She said more students dropped.

Tue May 17

I forgot my textbook when I rushed out of the house to Quickbooks class. Fortunately, the lecture was bonus chapters 8-9 not part of the final. I completed the take-home final. I need to worry about the final which I’m really not worried. I was tired I slept during the first hour of the lecture.

Wed May 18

Today was lazy and moody. The professor ended the lecture 30 minutes early. Many classmates were unfocused and wanted to leave. I was focused because the professor asked me to read the sample CPA questions from the projector.

No homework was due this week. He wanted to give us a break. I finished reading Chapter 5 in three days. I want to finish Chapter 5 homework before Memorial Day weekend.

I learned the classmate who sits on my right went to De Anza part time when she worked full time. She was laid off in 2009. She transferred to Cal State East Bay to attend school full time. She received her business degree in accounting in Winter ’11.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week May 9, 2011

2011-05-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

Mon May 9

The professor passed out evaluation questionnaire to the students. The quarter is not over. Some students were surprised we completed evaluation questionnaires. One student joked the professor is committing fraud such that the envelope must be signed by the student in charge and dated. The professor said not to date it.

The mid-term review was different. The professor reviewed possible short answer questions and then read off the multiple choice questions. He didn’t read the entire questions. He gave hints. He teased us by giving us the four choices to a few questions as if we were playing jeopardy.

The mid-term is a personal test for me. How good is my gut feeling, my intuition, and my osmosis. Most of the review was straight from the lectures. There is too much to know. I feel information overload after reading chapter 2. The concepts are dry and boring.

Some students wanted to delay the mid-term one week later. I wanted the mid-term as scheduled on Wednesday. The consensus is the students are worried and don’t fully comprehend all the material. We shall see what happens on Wednesday. The professor is correct. Auditing is harder than Intermediate Accounting.

Tue May 10

We finished Chapter 7. The instructor finished all of the chapters covered in the green sheet. Next week is the last regular class meeting. He discusses Chapters 8 and 9 as bonus chapters. The students and I started the take home final that requires many hours.

The room was stuffy. The front door was open before the instructor started the lecture.

Wed May 11

The Auditing mid-term was a test of my intuition and gut feeling instead of my understanding of the concepts. Completing the mid-term was like completing the final. I experienced a big sigh of relief. There were 32 multiple choice questions and short answers. The short answers were not writing sentences and paragraphs. They were matching. One section of the matching the answers were given. The section had ten choices and ten statements numbered one to ten. The numbers next to one to ten were the answers. Hilarious!

To the student who sat next to my seat, who are you? You must be an online student.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

A Second Look At 2010

2011-05-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

I’m taking a second look at my 2010 blogs to provide comments and feedback. Was I correct? Was I wrong? OMG, I wrote that—-what was I thinking? Was it true? Did it happen? For the record, this blog is not a 2010 review. I don’t believe in year end reviews and new years resolutions. I believe a person should evaluate and critique their lives daily and make changes immediately.

My goal is to learn from my mistakes, reinforce my lessons, remind myself my moments, and rethink again. I gathered all my 2010 blogs including my weekly De Anza blogs, read them, and posted my self-evaluation. I included the title, date, blog summary, and feedback. The link is provided to read the original blog entry.

Blog title: The State Of My Life
Date: Feb 25
Summary: I wrote there was a moment I felt depressed and out of control. Regardless, life continues day by day. There is no time to sulk. Do anything to regain control of your life and get out of being depressed.
Feedback: OMG, I wrote that! I must have been depressed to blog something depressing and sad in Feb. I remember from 2000-2004, March had always been my depressing month. I hope my Feb 2011 is not depressing. Given it’s May 2011, March 2011 was a bad month. Hence, I continue to experience depressing days. We’re human.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/state-of-my-life.html

Blog title: De Anza Week Mar 22 2010
Date: Mar 26
Summary: I wrote my highlights for Winter ’10 quarter at De Anza. I blogged my mistakes which were I didn’t drop singing class and I should have stopped attending free salsa lessons.
Feedback: Continuing singing class was the worse choice I made in De Anza to date. The class failed to meet my expectations. The instructor lost her voice for three weeks. We had classes the instructor didn’t feel like teaching.

I attended free salsa lessons too many times. It took too much time away for other important activities. There were times when one must stop his/her obligations. I had to stop attending the salsa lessons. Too much to do and, yes, gym was important to stay in shape.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/de-anza-week-mar-22-2010.html

Blog title: How to Build a Lasting Relationship
Date: Apr 15
Summary: Zig Ziglar wrote an article how to build long term relationships. The point was, “Compromise is not denying right and wrong; it's admitting that both sides can have some right and both sides can have some wrong.”
Feedback: Reading the article made me think about my guilty conscious indirectly related to the article. I fear that one mistake jeopardizes my relationship with my family and friends. The little mistakes are not a problem. I should know that we’re human and we make mistakes big and small. I should also know that almost all mistakes don’t lead to an immediate break up. I never experienced any breakup from a mistake I made.

On second thought, yes, I experienced a breakup. I was in 8th grade. It was the summer before I started my freshmen year in high school. I went on a date with my friend’s ex-girlfriend. My friend and I started high school. He never spoke to me throughout our four years. I was in 8th grade and I was immature for a 13 year kid.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-build-lasting-relationship.html

Blog title: The Year Was 2007
Date: May 17
Summary: I blogged how 2007 is the worse year in my life. I wrote it Q&A as if I was interviewed by 60 minutes.
Feedback: Lol, I wrote a similar blog titled “2007 Was Actually A Bad Year” on Mon Oct 13, 2008. Click to read it: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/2007-was-actually-bad-year.html.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/year-was-2007.html

Blog title: Bruce Lee Is The Man
Date: Oct 8
Summary: I paralleled Bruce Lee’s philosophy with some of my top 30 blogs.
Feedback: I posted this blog to review Bruce Lee’s famous quotes and how they match my top 30 blogs. Lee quoted he never reach achievement and “learning is boundless.” I posted blogs reiterating that quote.

Side note: To view my top 30 blogs, click to read it: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/300.html.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/bruce-lee-is-man.html

Blog title: De Anza Week Oct 25, 2010
Date: Oct 28
Summary: I mentioned many students eat out instead of eating at home to save time and save money (arguable, eating out is cheaper).
Feedback: I looked at the nutrition information for a McDonald’s Big Mac. That burger is fattening a frozen pizza is healthier. I promised myself I never eat a Big Mac for the rest of my life.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/de-anza-week-oct-25-2010.html

Blog title: Why I Think The San Francisco Giants Won The World Series
Date: Nov 5
Summary: I shared my thoughts why the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series. It was all action.
Feedback: Manager Bud Black from the San Diego Padres won manager of the year which he deserved. Bruce Bochy outmanaged Texas Rangers’ Ron Washington. Good luck to the 2011 San Francisco Giants defending their world championship. The team must seek better actions to win the World Series.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-i-think-san-francisco-giants-won.html

Blog title: De Anza Week Dec 6, 2010
Date: Dec 15
Summary: I wrote Fall ’10 quarter was a bad quarter.
Feedback: Fall ’10 really wasn’t a bad quarter. Winter ’10 was worse than Fall ’10. Winter ’11 is now the worse quarter.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/de-anza-week-dec-6-2010.html

Blog title: Happy Life
Date: Dec 21
Summary: Happy people earn their happiness working hard, doing better, innovating and improving indefinitely, and living life. The happiness becomes real. Innovate infinitely for a happy life.
Feedback: If there are awards for best blogs, Happy Life blog is a final nominee. The blog reminds me never take life for granted. Happy life is not for people who sit on the sofa watching TV. Happy life is not for people who play video games 24/7 and given shelter, food, and clothing from someone else.
Link: http://ininblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-life.html

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week May 2, 2011

2011-05-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Mon May 2

Spring ’11 quarter has reinforced the importance of showing up on time. Today I struggled arriving in class on time. I was ten minutes late. Fortunately, I missed nothing because there were technical problems. The professor wanted to show a video on Barry Minkow, a convicted fraudster in the 1980s. The plan was to watch the video and he let the class out early because he had a meeting. He lectured Chapter 4 instead and the class was released around 2:15pm.

The first mid-term is Wed May 11. I’m behind in my studying.

Tue May 3

Tonight was another long class session. The instructor finished Chapter 6 and started Chapter 7. The instructor passed out the take home final instructions. The students who went home early should have stayed; however, I’m sure the instructor posted the instructions online. I looked at the take home final in the textbook. It’s long. I do a little each day like I did for the take home mid-term.

Wed May 4

There is a section in Chapter 4 that discussed analytical procedures. I read it and I realized what I did at Cisco was analytical procedures. Wow. I must have done something correct because my analysis was accepted by my manager and her managers. I never took accounting classes at San Jose State. I must be a natural who needed more education and experience. In all honestly, I find analysis boring.

One of the students created a DVD copy of the Barry Minkow fraudster documentary video. We watched the documentary in class. Then the professor finished lecturing Chapter 4. Oh, I showed up to class on time. Yay! Monday May 9 is the mid-term review. I’m still behind. There is too much to know.

I went back to Admissions & Records after Auditing to check my AA degree application. I talked to a different worker who actually did something. She asked for my student ID card and went to the back to confirm with another staff. She confirmed my application is being process. That was a relief. She said I can check my application status online. I didn’t know that.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Meet Fraudster Barry Minkow

2011-05-05T18:12:00.001-07:00

My auditing professor passed out an article from the Wall Street Journal discussing two men convicted of fraud. One of the men is Barry Minkow, a famous fraudster in the 1980s. Minkow took his carpet cleaning company ZZZZ Best public. The IPO stock reached an all time high of $18. Minkow has no education in accounting and business. Here’s the article:

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Apr 25, 2011

2011-05-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Mon Apr 25

I drove to school running late. I choose to spend an additional five minutes at home to pay a bill. The five minutes turned into arriving at class 10 minutes late. I blamed the red signal lights.

Fortunately, I missed nothing. There was a speaker for Rogers, another CPA exam prep company. She spoke for ten minutes handing out information. I went up to the front of the class to look at the handouts.

The professor started today’s lecture after a five minute delay. I talked to a classmate about Rogers. The professor came back and lectured Chapter 3. He told us Chapter 3 is hard such that the authors combined two chapters into one. I started the homework. It’s not really hard. There’s too much to learn. I do a little bit everyday. The first mid-term is two weeks from today. I study a little bit everyday.

Tue Apr 26

Today was a long day that included today’s Quickbooks lecture. The instructor covered most of Chapter 6. We learned purchase orders and bills. We finish next week. The instructor also tells us about the take home final.

Wed Apr 26

This week I experienced mental fatigue. If there is no such thing as metal fatigue, I create the new term today. I press the snooze button every morning the alarm clock woke me up. I’m physically okay such that I raised myself from my bed instantly. However, my brain said to me, “I’m tired, more sleep.”

I admit I have a snooze habit. The good news is I have been pressing the snooze button less frequently the past two weeks. I’m considering getting a new alarm clock without a snooze button.

I went to Admission & Records after Auditing to verify the department has my AA application. I was told the supervisor is the only person who confirms applications. He was in a meeting. I was given his business card to contact him by email. I email him tomorrow.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

My Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing

2011-04-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

I finished reading Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. I choose to read it because I didn’t read the book in grade school. I believe it is okay for adults to read young adult books. These books “turn back the clock” to when they were a child. I turned back my clock to my fourth grade.

The story centered on fourth grader Peter Hatcher and his two year old younger brother Fudge. Fudge caused many problems for Peter and his family including breaking his teeth, playing with his food, harassing his father’s clients, and ruining Peter’s homework. Peter felt unappreciated, angry, and frustrated. There were times he felt unrecognized because his parents focused their time on Fudge.

My tales of a fourth grade was nothing. Peter was my favorite character because he showed maturity and wisdom of a fourth grader. I didn’t have his maturity and wisdom. On the positive side, I had a mature and smart younger brother we played toys and watched television. We had many common interests. On the negative side, I watched too much television. I didn’t read books. I didn’t have friends visit my house and I didn’t have friends to visit their house. There were no moments that made me grow up, tested my maturity, and gained wisdom. I worried too much. I feared asking people anything including water in a sit down restaurant and ordering a Big Mac. My home life was easy going, free for all, and avoiding conflicts.

I didn’t go to the park with friends and hung around the secret rock. I didn’t have any birthday parties with friends. I didn’t go to the movies (I’m 99% sure I didn’t go to a movie theater in fourth grade.) I didn’t have a pet. I didn’t have a group project with classmates. I knew nothing about drugs and dope. My grades were terrible. I didn’t play after school recreational sports.

I was a fourth grader who depended on family, classmates, and the teacher to think for me and tell me what to do. I never was angry at my parents such that I ran to my room and locked the door. I never made jokes. I had trouble concentrating. I was a quiet person in social situations.

I’m reading Superfudge, the sequel to Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing. I’m looking forward to see how Peter handles Fudge who is now four years old.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Apr 18, 2011

2011-04-24T13:47:00.001-07:00

Mon Apr 18

I officially dropped Advanced Accounting. I felt relieved. I have more free time. I submitted my application last quarter for an Accounting AA degree. Advanced Accounting was unnecessary. One may think more students take Advanced Accounting to take the CPA exam. The class was small. I wonder if students who took more accounting classes lost interest in earning a CPA. Time will tell if I made the correct choice.

The professor finished Chapter 2 lecture. I write lecture notes on the textbook just like his Intermediate Accounting class lectures. The number of students has been decreasing. This week is the last week to drop classes with no record of withdrawal.

Tue Apr 19

I was busy having fun last weekend I’m behind in Auditing homework. I wanted to finish my Chapter 2 reading on Sunday night. I was too tired. I wanted to finish my reading on Monday night. I was too tired. I finished the reading after Quickbooks. I emailed the pre-lecture homework that was due on Sun Apr 17. I started on the homework due Friday April 22 I finish tomorrow morning.

I arrived at Mission College running a few minutes late. A student gave me her day parking pass. Thank you! She walked away as I was about to give her $2.

Tonight’s class started with instructor evaluation surveys. This was the first time I completed a survey in a junior college and first time in the middle of a semester. I gave my instructor an above average review. There are no surveys at De Anza. That’s terrible. The rest of the class we finished Chapter 5. No homework is due next week.

Wed Apr 20

I completed the Chapter 2 homework before I drove to De Anza. I need to leave the house earlier because I allowed myself 25 minutes of drive time and walk time. I still arrived late.

A representative from Becker, a subsidiary of Kaplan, spoke to the class about CPA preparation courses. He talked about the CPA exams and how Becker helps students pass the CPA exams. I submitted a form to receive more information. I didn’t win the $10 Starbucks card raffle.

The professor spoke to the class about the CPA and shared a few of his experiences after the Becker presentation. Then he told the class he extended the due dates for all Chapter 3 homework. Finally, he gave us an introduction to the Chapter 3. Next week’s lectures are all Chapter 3. He said that chapter is difficult.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Auditing Life Objectively

2011-04-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

I got this blog idea on the first week of auditing classes. Auditors must work objectively when auditing financial statements—free from bias with professional skepticism. The very few people who read my blogs know some blogs I promote living better, always finding ways to be better, change, never stop innovating life, and continue learning something new. I also promote exercising, cooking, meeting new people and making new friends, seeking new interests and hobbies, and visiting new places for the first time. And there is learning from your mistakes, taking something negative and making it positive, and much more.

Today’s blog I promote nothing. I’m not blogging a man must learn how to change oil, parents should encourage their children to learn sports, or fiction books are better than self-help books to learn how to be a better person. (Wait a minutes, I just did, lol.) Instead, I’m going to audit life—just life. I blog my objective view on life.

My lifestyle is not the best: seeking new adventures, being with friends, eating new foods, listening to classical music, not sitting on the couch watching television for extended periods of a day, wearing costumes at anime conventions. Neither are my classmates, my neighbors, my extended family, my friends, and strangers. I believe if a person is happy with the way he or she is living, then the world is happy. The person can agree, disagree, or partially agree with my lifestyle. The person may adapt part of my lifestyle to be happier. I may adapt part of the person’s lifestyle to be happier. It goes both ways.

Any lifestyle you choose including drinking six beers a day, living alone, watching television for the entire day, standing in one place watching people for a long time, playing video games day and night, attending college classes throughout an adult life, basket weaving, staying at home and chatting with online friends, working in retail at age 65, picky eater, eat fast food daily, sleep 12 hours a day, play with Barbie dolls, your residence decorated all in gothic, collect bottle caps, take showers every three days, and so on . . . as long as you’re happy, nobody is harmed, I’m happy for you. My audit on life is complete. The world is happy because people’s lives are happy.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Apr 11, 2011

2011-04-15T02:04:00.000-07:00

Mon Apr 11

My Auditing professor hinted there’s going to be negative changes for the Fall ’11 quarter at De Anza in terms of classes, staff, instructors, and student support. Timing has been in my favor since I started taking accounting classes in Fall ’09. I submitted my application for my AA degree last quarter. The classes I’m taking in Spring ’11 are for personal learning.

I talked to one of my classmates. He has a masters degree in civil engineering and works part time. I asked him why he’s taking accounting classes. He said he wants to earn a CPA.

I went home after class to eat lunch and rest. I arrived at De Anza in time for Advanced Accounting. I missed last Wed’s class because I had the stomach flu. I missed the extra credit opportunities and the first in class assignment. I experience those on Wed’s class.

Tonight’s lecture was my worse lecture I sat. It wasn’t the most boring which went to Intro to Business in Winter ’11. My Advanced Accounting professor couldn’t teach to save his life. I considered dropping the class and go back to my original plan. My original plan was taking Intermediate Accounting and Introduction to Business at De Anza and Quickbooks at Mission in Winter ’11. In Spring ’11, I take Auditing and continue Quickbooks. The month of June I have Auditing only.

I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice with Advanced Accounting. The mistake was continuing taking Beginning Singing in Winter ’10 which didn’t meet my expectations and I should have dropped. Moreover, I dropped Japanese because the instructor went too fast. I wanted to attend Wednesday’s class because I want to experience the extra credit opportunities. Sat Apr 16 is the last day to drop and receive a refund.

Tue Apr 12

The signal lights were in my favor as I drove to Mission College late. The instructor was writing the homework assignment as I entered the classroom. I received my take home mid-term. I received a 97%. Tonight’s lecture was another kickback standard lecture such that I followed the instructor and completed next week’s homework assignment.

The instructor passed out the solution to the take home mid-term that included the trial balance and journal entries.

Wed Apr 13

The Auditing professor was slow and unfocused during the lecture. He came to the classroom and took a long time settling in. He went into many tangents most of his lecture. We reviewed auditing CPA questions.

I talked to another classmate who graduated with California State University-East Bay last quarter. She earned a bachelors degree in accounting-finance. She wanted to take additional accounting classes. Obviously she takes the classes at De Anza instead of CSU-East Bay because De Anza is cheaper. She chose Auditing and considered Advanced Accounting. I told her I thought about dropping Advanced Accounting. She replied saying she’s not going to add Advanced Accounting. She said CSU-East Bay teaches Auditing for one quarter. The Auditing professor said De Anza is one of the very few colleges teaching Auditing for one quarter. My classmate says CSU-East Bay teaches Auditing for one quarter only.

I attended Advanced Accounting to experience the extra credit movie and clicker questions. The lecture was terrible. The professor can’t teach. The professor showed the extra credit movie after the break. The extra credit movies were related to accounting and business. We completed the in class assignment after the movie.

Finally, we played the clicker game. The professor has hardware from www.iclicker.com. The students were divided into teams of three. Each team had a clicker connected to his laptop. Each clicker has buttons A-D and power on/off. The professor displayed a question on the projector and the team answered the question pressing A, B, C, or D. The team with the most corrected answers receives extra credit points. Each student who participates receives extra credit points. My team placed first. They did all the work and I thank them for covering me.

The extra credit points are micropoints. Students received a small piece of paper. The students must write his or her name and tonight’s date on the back to claim the extra credit micropoint ticket. I don’t know the micropoint conversion into extra credit. My guess is the top students with the most micropoints receive extra credit towards their final grade.

The probability was high I drop Advanced Accounting after tonight’s class meeting.

I walked to the Visual and Performance Arts building to visit my social dance class. I talked to a few classmates and friends after class was over. The Wednesday’s night intermediate class dance demonstration is the Hustle. I danced with one of my friends after class while learning quickly the routine.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Me Versus My Stomach Flu

2011-04-14T01:26:00.001-07:00

I have been recovering from my sinus infection. I got a minor stomach flu last week. I was fortunate I missed one class and it took place during the first week of classes. I want to document what happened and how I recovered like I documented my sinus infection.

Wed Apr 6. I woke up with a stomach ache very early in the morning. I ignored it and went back to sleep. My stomach ache woke me up two hours later. I went to the bathroom with diarrhea. I threw up minutes later in the toilet. I felt lightheaded and weak. I skipped breakfast and went to school.

I purchased saltine crackers and Tums at the De Anza convenience store. It was the first time I took Tums. Saltine crackers definitely helped me avoid throwing up again and Tums probably helped me survive Auditing class. Regardless, I felt lightheaded and fatigued. I coughed a few times because I didn’t drink water as I continued recovering from my sinus infection.

I went home and skipped Advanced Accounting. I slept the entire afternoon. I ate a light dinner consisting of rice, a piece of chicken, and two pieces of cauliflower and drank a small class of 7-UP. I made jello afterwards.

Thur Apr 7. I woke up in the middle of the night because I was hungry. That was a good sign. I ate jello and crackers. I went back to sleep. My health was good as long as I slept. All of my dreams were my body recovering. My dreams were I was awake and I consciously felt my body recovering as I lied down in bed. It was like my body putting together pieces of a puzzle to find the best way to recover, and there was more than one way.

I drank water in sips. There was a pot next to my bed in case I threw up again. My meals were jello, plain toast, saltine crackers, and drinking ginger ale.

Fri Apr 8. My breakfast and lunch were jello, plain toast, and saltine crackers. I ate a small dinner consisting of steak, rice, and zucchini. My stomach felt good. There were no aches and sensitivity. My hunger felt like normal hunger.

Sat Apr 9-Sun Apr 10. I ate lunch and dinner in small portions. For instance, I went out for lunch on Sat Apr 9. I ate half of the lunch in the restaurant and finished at home. My meals at home were smaller than normal. I continued to drink more water gradually. I ate bread and cereal for breakfast. I skipped eating nuts and fruit.

Currently. I believe last week’s stomach ache was a minor stomach flu. It was not an upset stomach. I can’t think of a definite cause. The food I ate days before were home cooked except for the roast pork my mom purchased on Sunday. My mom heated up the roast pork well. Having said that, my guess is the roast pork.

I feel better now and I eat three meals a day. My sinus infection continues to improve as well. The key is drinking water.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Apr 4, 2011

2011-04-07T17:26:00.001-07:00

Mon Apr 4

I enrolled in two classes for Spring ’11 quarter which are Auditing and Advanced Accounting. Auditing is the hardest accounting class De Anza offers in the Accounting Department. Advanced Accounting is easier than Intermediate Accounting.

I arrived at De Anza around 11:40am. I parked at Flint Center parking garage. I was lucky to find a space on the third floor. I found a seat outside the campus center to read Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. I wanted to finish the book at the end of the week. A DJ started to play music that forced me to find another spot near the math and science buildings. I read Hogfather before Auditing and between Auditing and Advanced Accounting.

Auditing was held in the same room I took Payroll Taxes. I hated that room. We received information before 12:30pm classes began Auditing switched rooms with another class. Auditing’s new classroom is where I took Intermediate Accounting. Excellent! I recognized faces from my past accounting classes taking Auditing. The professor is the same professor who taught Intermediate Accounting. I got my same seat from Intermediate Accounting classes.

I went to the campus center to eat lunch. This week was the only time I stay on campus all day because of the first week rush and parking concerns. I went to the library to read Hogfather.

Advanced Accounting is in the same room I took Accounting 1A, 1B, and 1C. That is still my favorite classroom. I got my same seat. The professor taught at University of California-Santa Cruz and works for the city of Santa Cruz. His initial major was bio-chemistry. I liked his powerpoint slides that included a comic between lectures. We have a ten minute break at the half way point I really liked. The class is a night class and the break is good to keep us awake.

Tue Apr 5

I scored a 42 out of 50 for the Quickbooks mid-term. That was not too bad considering I didn’t study. I also submitted the take home mid-term. Tonight’s lecture was typical. I followed the instructor lecture on my laptop and I finished the homework assignment.

I went to a coffee shop inside campus to buy a Snickers candy bar because I ate a light lunch. I paid $1.25 for the candy bar. Damn.

Wed Apr 6

I had a bad morning. I had a stomach ache and I threw up. Another sickness. Timing is everything. It was better to have a stomach flu on the first week of classes instead of the last week of classes.

I skipped breakfast and went to school. I purchased saltine crackers and Tums. I ate some crackers and took two Tums before Auditing. It helped little. I was lightheaded, nauseous, I coughed because I didn’t drink water and I’m still recovering from my sinus infection, and my stomach felt uneasy. I choose to drive home after Auditing, take a nap, and then choose whether to attend Advanced Accounting.

I choose to skip Advanced Accounting. I email a classmate to check if I missed anything. It appeared I have the stomach flu. Almost all of my sicknesses are either a sinus infection or the stomach flu.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Me Versus My Sinus Infection

2011-04-03T16:27:00.000-07:00

The month of March I battled a sinus infection. I want to document the days I got infected and how I treated myself. I continue to fight my sinus infection as of the time I posted the blog. This sinus infection is one of the worse I can remember. I document the events by date:

February 2011. I experienced many days of fatigue. I took many naps in the afternoon. There were days I fought fatigue by avoiding afternoon naps or sleeping early and skipping homework.

Mon Feb 28 to Sat March 5.Sickness developed. I felt really tired on Sat Mar 5. I should have went home after an event in the afternoon. I took NyQuil and drank Whole Foods orange juice in the evening.

Fri Mar 4. Purchased Trader Joe’s orange juice and milk chocolate.

Sun Mar 6. Cough developed.

Mon Mar 7 to Fri Mar 11. Full sickness. I had trouble sleeping most of the week. I skipped my De Anza classes.

Mon Mar 7. Stopped taking NyQuill and DayQuill.

Tue Mar 8. Sickness got worse. I forgot to drink water. I applied Visine because I had red watery eyes.

Wed Mar 9. Took 1,000mg vitamin C, drank more coke, drank green tea, and drank 100% ocean spray cranberry/pomegranate juice once. I resumed drinking water. I applied Visine again because I had red watery eyes. I coughed mucus that included blood. The mucus cough went away at night time.

Thur Mar 10. Stopped drinking green tea. Drank more coke. Best night sleep of the week.

Fri Mar 11. Got worse. I got a bump below my right ear and above my jaw line. I researched online. Some websites stated my lymph node was swollen because it fought a foreign substance. My guess was I ate a piece of sausage partially cooked. The sausage looked cooked from the outside. I took a few bites and my bump appeared immediately. I made the choice to visit my doctor on Saturday. He has office hours in the morning all Saturdays except the last Saturday of the month.

Sat Mar 12. My doctor was closed on Saturday. I went to the San Jose Medical Center Urgent Care. The doctor diagnosed me I had a sinus infection. He prescribed me an anti-biotic. He also told me to take Mucinix D and use a saline solution.

I went to Costco to purchase my anti-biotic and a three pack of saline solution in aerosol cans.

Sat Mar 12 to Fri Mar 18. Significant improvement. I slept well all days. My cough was in control. I attended classes. I returned the saline solution to Costco because my second can failed to spray the solution up my nose. I used a squeeze bottle solution my dad had for a total of 5-7 times throughout the week. The last two times I used plain warm water.

Mon Mar 21. Post nasal drip acted up again. My guess was the cold temperatures when I was out of the house on Fri Mar 18 and Sun Mar 20 affected me. I was sensitive to the cold. I’m sensitive to hot weather when I’m healthy.

Tue Mar 22. I visited my primary care physician. He prescribed me five extra days of anti-biotic, codeine, and Nasonex. My doctor said the doctor at the urgent care center prescribed me a “powerful” anti-biotic. My doctor said sinus infection takes a long time to recover. I don’t have bronchitis.

I went to Costco to get codeine and Nasonex. I took codeine and Nasonex before I went to sleep. I went to sleep hours later.

Wed Mar 23. I chewed gum to help control my cough in the afternoon. The gum failed to control my cough when I went to bed. I started to drink warm water. I took codeine and Nasonex before I went to sleep. The cough was the worse when I was lying in bed trying to sleep.

Thur Mar 24. I stopped taking codeine. I continued Nasonex and drank warm water.

Fri Mar 25. I turned on the heater in the house to 62 degrees in the morning. I never turn on the heat in the mornings. I wore a heavier jacket and a scarf to keep warm when I’m outdoors.

Sat Mar 26. I stopped taking all medications. I started to drink Trader Joe’s hot cocoa. I continued drinking green tea and took 1,000mg of vitamin C.

Mon Mar 28. I went back to the gym for a light workout. I was still cold sensitive.

Tue Mar 29. I started my stretches before I workout at the gym. No gym, just stretches. I did 75 sit-ups.

Wed Mar 30. I slept late because I drank tea late. I coughed a lot; however, the coughing stopped immediately when I slept with blankets. I continued drinking warm water and Coke when I ate lunch and dinner.

Thur Mar 31. I stopped drinking Coke. Today was unseasonably warm. I was still cold sensitive such that the morning and the evening I wore long sleeve shirt and pants. I coughed when I wore short sleeve shirt and shorts. I went to the gym for a light workout. I coughed a little. I felt mucus dripping down my throat causing mild irritation. I was able to sleep regardless.

Fri Apr 1. I took 500mg of vitamin C instead of 1,000mg. Coughing and mucus dripping down my throat continued infrequently. Weather was unseasonably warm I brought warmer clothes in case I get cold when I’m out of the house.

Currently. Mild cough and mucus dripping down my throat continues infrequently. I have two or three major coughs lasting at least five seconds. The mucus drippings are good because mucus is moving the foreign substances away from my body. It’s treating me from my sinus infection. I can still sleep. I drink plenty of water. I maintain my thinking I’m cold sensitive.

Q&A

I ask myself questions to understand and to prepare myself the next time I have a sinus infection.

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV? I blogged RSV in March 2008. March 2008 was the last time I had to visit the doctor for a sinus infection. I heard about RSV in the news. Now that I think about it, I have RSV which is my sinus infection. My recovery took me weeks three years ago. The same is happening now. There is no cure. I had to battle and tough it out gradually going back to my normal routine just like what I’m doing now.

What was your treatment if you didn’t need anti-biotics from a doctor? I took 1,000mg of vitamin C, drank green tea, ate Trader Joe’s chocolate because it controlled my cough, drank Simply Orange, ate lots of fruit, took Ricola to control my cough or Chloraseptic throat lozenges to relief itchy throat when I slept, and drank Coke.

Ricola stopped working after the next sickness. I suspected store bought orange juice I drank this time contributed to making my sickness worse. I avoid drinking store bought orange juice for the rest of my life.

My personal treatment worked in 2009 and 2010.

What sickness do you usually get? Stomach flu or coughing with post nasal drip sinus infection or not.

Why do you blog your sinus infection? I want to reference how I recovered my sinus infection or RSV and share to everyone how I recovered.

There were days you showed improvement. Then you got worse. What do you think happened? I ate partially cooked sausage on Fri Mar 11 which I think gave me an infection that lead to a sinus infection. I failed to keep warm that happened on Fri Mar 18 and Sun Mar 20 which I think gave me the RSV. It was a double whammy.

Could you have prevented the sickness? Take naps when I was tired. Eat when I’m hungry. I remember my family and I visited Monterey. I ate little during the one day trip and I got sick days later. The symptoms were the same as my sinus infection; fortunately, my personal treatment was enough for a full recovery.

My eat when I’m hungry attitude saved my Fall ’10 quarter. I ate lots of Pop Tarts and candy bars. I believed I managed to avoid getting sick despite eating all that junk food.

Sleep off the fatigue instead of fight it.

I believe another contributing factor was my personal haircut lady at my salon. She was sneezing and had a stuffy nose when she cut my hair.

What could you have done differently? The sleepless nights coughing should have told me my sickness was serious and I needed a doctor to examine me. The doctor might need to prescribed me prescription drugs.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

The Bad March Was Back

2011-04-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

The month of March has been bad months in my life. I don’t know why. Anything unfortunate beyond my control and bad luck have taken place in March. I can’t remember any specific incidents or moments. March has been depressing months.

I thought I broke bad month March in 2009 and 2010. Those years were good March months. March 2009 should not count to be honest because I neither worked nor went to school. I lost my job in November 2008. March 2010 actually broke the long streak. The last week of March 2010 reassured a good March because it was my spring vacation when I hiked at Pinnacles National Park and Point Lobos State Park for the first time.

Bad month March came back in 2011. On February 27, I took a monthly calendar and wrote my tests, finals, and appointments. There was too much going on it was stressful. Further, I got sick on Sunday March 6. I had trouble sleeping from Tuesday March 8 to Friday March 11. I went to an urgent care clinic on Saturday March 12. My primary care physician closed his office on Saturday. He used to be open on Saturdays. I was diagnosed with a sinus infection. I had to see him again on Tuesday March 22 because my infection got worse on Sunday March 20. The last week of March my health improved. The last time I got a sinus infection was in March 2008, the last time I saw my primary care physician.

There were positive moments. I ate lunch or dinner at new restaurants. I watched classic movies such as A Streetcar Named Desire, King Kong, and Singin’ In The Rain. And I purchased a new San Francisco Giants baseball cap.

I’m looking forward to April and the rest of 2011. I want to make 2011 another good year with new experiences, new adventures, meeting new friends, and learning new things.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Gas Analysis 2010

2011-03-31T23:20:00.000-07:00

I did a chart how much I spent for gas for 2010. The chart above shows the average price per gallon of gas I paid per month. The average price per gallon of gas I paid was $3.13. The highest average was Dec at $3.36 and the lowest was Feb at $2.96. The highest price per gallon was $3.35 on Dec 14 and 24. The lowest price per gallon was $2.95 on Jan 8 and Feb 6. I filled up my car 32 times. The total cost I spent on gas was $1,040.

In 2009, I spent $1,053, a 1.23% decrease. The average price per gallon in 2009 was $2.77, a 13% increase. I continue to drive less. I filled up 321.50 gallons in 2010 and 377.62 gallons in 2009, a 14.86% decrease. The Fourth of July weekend I was in Los Angeles. I filled up gas three times. Attending classes four days a week in Fall ’10 quarter had no effect to the total gallons purchased in 2010. The highest gas prices of the year were in Dec. The increase in gas prices continues today.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Parents, Get Out And Do Something

2011-03-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

Parents, don’t raise your children to be boring people. Set the example and do something, anything fun, exciting, something that involves action, communication, physical moment, mental challenge. Don’t give your children the false idea life is good boring. It’s not.

My parents lived the simple life when I was young. I realized last year my parents lived a boring life and my childhood was boring. I stopped living a boring life. I’m catching up what I missed years ago by meeting new people and making new friends, finding new adventures, learning anything new, and experiencing new experiences.

My parents could have not been boring. They met somehow. One had to initiate attraction toward the other and the other responded positively. They got married. Were they actually boring people who met with good luck and timing?

If somebody says you’re boring, chances are they’re correct. Take your head out of your ass, look at the mirror, top being stubborn, and do something, anything.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Life One At A Time

2011-03-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

I remember a day in my intermediate accounting class in Fall ’10 quarter. There was too much in my mind. I thought about my mid-terms, group project, next day’s homework, what to cook for dinner, my gym workout, thinking do I need to buy milk, what anime to watch, etc. My professor had lots in his mind too including his classes for the quarter, department meetings, mid-terms to write, and his sick daughter he sometimes cancels classes to care for her.

One day, the professor had an emergency call. He cancelled the rest of the class. He continued the lecture on the next class meeting. That moment reminded me to take life one a time. Take everything one at a time. Focus on the present moment and fulfill it. Concentrate on one activity, one commitment, one task. Don’t go crazy. Don’t stress out. There is always tomorrow to continue working on your responsibilities.

I’m a do it, complete it person. I like accomplishing what needs to be completed. Sometimes I forget to take everything one at a time because I rush myself to finish everything I want to do. I get everything what I need to done in time by slowing down and pacing myself.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Smile

2011-03-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

Smile, everyone. It’s common sense to smile. Smiling people says we’re open. It’s like we have a welcome sign. Please come to meet us and let’s talk. Smiling people attracts people to come to them. Smiling people are beautiful. Think of people who look mean start smiling. Mean people don’t look mean anymore.

Think about the successful people on the news from sports, politics, business, and entertainment. Almost all of them smile. What if President Barack Obama never smiled? Former Presidents Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy always smiled. The actors and actresses who walk on the red carpet better smile to the cameras.

More people need to smile. The world doesn’t care about angry people, people in a pissed off mood. I don’t want to be near them. Smiling people can cheer up other people. Greet and smile you friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers, and meeting new people.

If you have teeth problems preventing you from giving your best smile, then visit an orthodontist. I believe investing in braces to correct your teeth is one of the best investments. I wore braces for 2.5 years. My smile is better and attractive.

We all have bad days. We all have crabby days. Smile. Cheer yourself up. Life is really not that bad.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Mar 21, 2011

2011-03-27T23:36:00.001-07:00

Mon Mar 21

Today was the last day of instruction. Finals started tomorrow. My Intermediate Acct professor was on-call for jury duty. The probability was rare to be called in on the first day and the probability was rare to serve. My professor was called in and he served.

The professor arrived late. He showed his juror badge. The students received the practice final from a student at the beginning of class. We received extra credit by completing the practice final by Friday, the day of our final. The professor lectured and reviewed a few of the questions. The final was Chapters 16, 18, and 19.

Intro to Business was my first final. There were conflicts with some students if we took the final on Wed. Everyone choose to have the final today. The final was 100 questions consisted of 40% new material after the third mid-term and 60% old material. I didn’t study. My feeling was I passed the class. I answered all the accounting, stocks, and investment questions correctly. I better answered them correctly because I’m an accounting major and I followed the stock market during the dot-com era. I submitted more extra credit when I submitted my final. The extra credit was 20 points for selling a stock with at least $1,000 profit and 2 points for buying and selling an exchanged traded fund involving currency.

I went home one hour earlier. It took me one hour to complete the Intro to Business final.

Tue Mar 22

My sinus infection got worse Monday night. I scheduled an appointment in the afternoon with my primary care physician. He extended my antibiotics for five more days and said I continue to take Mucinix D. He also gave me a prescription for codeine and Nasonex.

Quickbooks class was short. We took our mid-term. The mid-term was 25 true and false and 15 multiple choice. 50% of the questions were from the textbook. I didn’t study. I answered the accounting concepts questions correctly. I better answered them correctly because I’m an accounting major. There was no lecture afterwards. I start working on the take home mid-term during spring break.

Wed Mar 23

I took two teaspoons of codeine and sprayed Nasonex inside my nose. It took me a long time to sleep. The codeine didn’t work.

I went to De Anza at 12:30pm because there was a study group for Intermediate Acct. Two students including myself showed up. I studied the textbook and my classmate worked on the practice mid-term. He looked at my practice mid-term I completed Tue afternoon as a guide. I spent Monday night and Tuesday afternoon on the practice mid-term.

I went back home to eat a late lunch and read Chapter 16. I drove back to De Anza at 7:10pm for the dance class final. The turnout was small. I recognized a few students who didn’t attend. They might not know we had a final. We reviewed the Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Salsa, Nite Club Two-Step, and our dance demo West Coast Swing. The instructor ended the class as if tonight was a regular class meeting since finals we danced longer than a regular class meeting.

Fri Mar 25

This was it. I studied Chapters 16, 18, and 19 and reviewed the practice final twice for Intermediate Acct. I did my best. My goal was to pass the class. An A, B, or C grade doesn’t matter. I just wanted to pass. My sinus infection improved such that I cough less. I thought to myself I keep warm, I cough less. I drank lots of hot water. I stopped taking codeine on Wed night and continued spraying Nasonex. I continued the antibiotics and Mucinix D. My sleep was better Wed and Thur.

The Intermediate Acct final match the practice final mostly. The professor tweaked some of the questions such that students must know their basic Accounting 1B. I forgot most of my Accounting 1B. There were no CPA questions from Chapter 16. There were three questions exactly from the practice final. The final wasn’t hard in my opinion. I thought the final was written such that to earn an A on the final you must know basic 1B.

I returned my Intro to Business rented textbook to the bookstore. If students failed to return the textbook, the bookstore charged the full price on the textbook and the student owned it. Damn!

Highlights

There were few highlights in Winter ’11 quarter. Fall ’10 was the worse quarter. Winter ’11 is my worse quarter, and no other quarter comes as worse as this quarter. I choose to review the Winter ’11 highlights using a Q&A format.

What went wrong?

Laziness, boring classes, lost interest, lack of focus, no connection between the instructor and the students. There was no challenge. There was a fatigue bug throughout the quarter. It seemed everyone at De Anza including the teachers and staff were tired—lacked energy. There was also a sickness bug. My classmate in Intermediate Acct had the flu and missed one week. I had a sinus infection and I missed one week. My counselor said there was a sickness bug in her building.

The late lunch and study break between Intro to Business failed. I believed the break between the classes contributed to my quarter long fatigue. My late lunch didn’t give me enough energy to focus in dance class. I stopped attending Mon night dance class in March.

I should have taken more naps when I felt fatigue instead of fighting the fatigue. My fatigue contributed a significant part to my sinus infection.

Winter ’11 worse than San Jose State’s Fall Semester 1993?

Definitely no. I was naive, took my professors for granted such that they gave me a good grade anyways since I get along with them well, and making little efforts in my homework. I was immature back in 1993.

There were lots of incidents, events, and moments beyond your control.

There were too many. They were all in a negative way. Add them up and I felt frustrated, angry, and stressed. The small incidents included lots of red lights at intersections and long delays in the supermarket lines. The large incidents included my home almost robbed.

What was the Winter ’11 lesson learned?

I learned a life lesson in past quarters. There was no lesson learned.

What are your changes for Spring ‘11?

One, consistency in my life. My daily schedule was inconsistent throughout the quarter. Sometimes I sleep early, sometimes I sleep late. Sometimes I have a good week working out three days a week, sometimes I have a bad week not working out at all.

Two, I want to control more of my life. If something bad happens, I want to take control to turn the bad to good.

Three, I have a break between my classes in Spring ’11. I’m going home instead of staying on campus.

Fourth, if I feel tired, I take a nap. Don’t fight it, sleep it.

January started great for everyone.

Yeah, January started great. I remember the first day of classes in Winter ’10. Nobody wanted to show up. The students, instructors, and staff wanted to go home and stay on vacation.

Everyone looked forward to Winter ’11 because many people had a bad 2010 year. They hoped for a good start to 2011. It seemed, at least in my classes and the staff I talked to, Winter ’11 was not a good start.

What saved Winter ’11 from a disaster?

First, seeing a doctor for my sinus infection. Initially I thought my sickness was something I recover myself like in 2009 and 2010. I needed a doctor to examine me and to prescribe antibiotics.

Second, changing my studying in Intermediate Acct. I was able to complete the pre-lecture homework without reading the chapter. The material and concepts became harder. I read the chapter first and then completed the pre-lecture homework. The change saved time, eased my frustration, and I understood the material faster.

Third, took it slow and did a little each time. For example, most of the quarter I completed my Intermediate Acct homework all in one day. The last month I completed the homework a little each day up to the due date.

Fourth, stopped attending Monday night dance class. I got more free time eating and studying at home on Mondays instead of staying on campus.

How fast was Winter ’11?

It was the fastest quarter and the fastest three months ever in my life. One advantage to the quarter system was if the class stinks, it ends faster than semester.

You received information in Fall ’10 there was a highly recommended Intro to Business instructor. He taught Tuesday and Thursday. You didn’t want to attend classes four days a week. You registered for a Monday and Wednesday Intro to Business class after Intermediate Acct. It turned out the Monday and Wednesday instructor was boring. Should you have taken the guarantee Tuesday and Thursday class?

Hindsight is 20/20. I thought nobody can screw up an introduction class. I was wrong. My Monday and Wednesday instructor was boring, unchallenging, and the homework assignments were either too easy or too confusing. If somebody can screw up a cooking a hamburger, somebody can screw up anything.

What was something you’re not going to miss?

The Intro to Business lesson videos.

What were the highlights?

I watched classic movies I checked out at the library, I submitted graduation forms, and I ate out less often.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Mar 14, 2011

2011-03-17T00:40:00.001-07:00

Mon Mar 14

I went to an urgent care clinic last Saturday. The doctor said I have a sinus infection. He prescribed an antibiotic and told me to take Mucinix D and saline solution for my nasal passageways. I went back to school today feeling much better because I actually went to sleep. My coughing and post nasal drip were under control.

My classmates in Intermediate Acct said I missed little. The professor didn’t pass out the student attendance checklist last week. Lucky! The professor takes into account attendance when he determines final grades. He lectured chapter 19 which is the last chapter. He didn’t have time to talk about chapter 17. I noticed there were lots of empty seats today. I wonder if students were sick or they dropped out.

I was curious what was behind the second exit door in the small lecture room for Intro to Business. I open the door on Wed. The instructor said the final is on Mon, the last day of class. I liked it. My priority is Intermediate Acct. I don’t care what grade I get in Intro to Business. The class is a lost cause to get an A. I prepare for the final just enough to pass. Missing last Wed’s class didn’t hurt me because I satisfied two mid-term grades. The instructor drops the lowest of the three mid-terms. My homework grades are in the mid 80% range. I missed two classes which affects my attendance grade. The extra credit I earned is not enough to raise my grade to an A.

I skipped Mon’s dance class that I have been skipping for weeks. I was sleepy I immediately went to bed when I arrived home.

Tue Mar 15

The Quickbooks mid-term is next week. The instructor told us what to study. And the instructor assigned the take home mid-term. I start working on the take home during spring vacation. Everything is going well in class. My numbers match the textbook.

Wed Mar 16

I wanted more sleep. I was half awake throughout the day. I had a quick breakfast and I shaved quickly. I rushed out of the house making sure I brought my dance shoes and a dress shirt for tonight’s Dance Demo and my De Anza and San Jose State transcripts to be reviewed with my counselor.

Intermediate Acct was a half day. The professor finished Chapter 19. Then he discussed the final. The final is Chapters 16, 18, and 19 only. It’s not cumulative. What a relief. The professor gives us a sample final on Mon. I talked to two of my classmates after class. We talked about accounting and jobs. We may get together during finals week for a study group. Intermediate Acct is my priority class for finals.

I opened the second exit door in the lecture room where I take Intro to Business. It looks like a service entrance like a shopping mall. I almost went to sleep during today’s lecture. I’m happy today is the last day he lectures. He’s boring! We reviewed the final which is cumulative. 40% new material and 60% old material. I think I can manage a C grade. I know most of the new material since they’re investments and accounting. Tomorrow I complete the last homework assignment and check my extra credit. I email the instructor for missing extra credit.

I scheduled an appointment with my counselor after my classes. I met her in a past dance class. She reviewed my transcripts and helped me complete the forms for my AA degree. I must go back to school tomorrow to drop off a sealed San Jose State transcript for Admissions & Records to review. My counselor said even some of the staff have been sick this quarter when we small talk how many people around campus seemed fatigue.

I ate a burger, fries, and soda in the cafeteria for my late lunch. I continued to stay awake. I was happy there was a soccer game on the flat screen.

Finally, the Dance Demo. I switched shirts from my purple shirt to a dress green shirt. My class did our West Coast Swing. Most of the students were afraid because only three couples including myself were the front row. I was brave. To be honest, I didn’t want to dance tonight. I just couldn’t concentrate. I did it, and I was at the first row. The instructor did a West Coast Swing dance with her partner after our class danced.

I took it easy tonight. I watch A Streetcar Named Desire Thursday morning and then I drive to De Anza to drop off the movie in the library and the transcripts in the counseling center.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Mar 7, 2011

2011-03-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

Mon Mar 7

I skipped classes because I got the flu yesterday. Today’s blog I share my treatments and my past experiences being sick and attending college.

The fatigue got the best of me resulting in flu sickness. The last time I got the flu was in April 1999. Most of my adult life sickness started with a sore throat and then a cough with mucus or phlegm running down my throat. I took different medications including Sudafed, Tylenol Cold & Allergy, and Actifed. I took NyQuil for the first time Saturday night and all day Sunday. I realized my recovery is faster after I stop taking medications. It was better to “tough it out” by taking Vitamin C, drinking green tea, eat chocolate, drink orange juice, and eat fruits. The last time I got a sore throat and cough with mucus in January 2009, I took Tylenol for a few days. I stopped taking Tylenol and continued Vitamin C, green tea, chocolate, orange juice, and fruits. My recovery went faster.

Moreover, mucus or phlegm is good. The mucus is the body’s way to move the bad stuff away from your body. I considered taking Mucinex. I did research that mucus helps a body recover from sickness. I didn’t take Mucinex and I tough it out.

The last time I skipped classes due to illness was Fall Semester 1996 at San Jose State. I went home after attending Macroeconomic Analysis. Today was the first time I skipped classes at De Anza due to illness. Technically, it was the second time. The first time happened in Spring ’09 taking Beginning Weight Lifting. It was a PE class and I don’t count it.

The fatigue bug, fatigue sickness, stress, crabby and down days, resulted in the flu. My feeling was I could have gotten sick anytime since the beginning of February. I was able to delay getting the flu. Perhaps, the timing was perfect this is the time to get the flu. Finals are three weeks away. I have an Intro to Bus mid-term on Wed I don’t need to pass because I already earned my two good scores out of three. I can’t wait to fully recover.

Tue Mar 8

I had trouble sleeping last night, yet I felt much better than Sunday. I felt more focused today since the beginning of February. No sickness, no stress, no crabby, not feeling down. I felt some fatigue obviously because I didn’t sleep well last night. The timing was in my favor getting the flu now instead of during finals.

Getting sick was inevitable. The weeks of survival delayed getting the flu, and the rest of the quarter is survival. All I care is passing my classes.

My classmate emailed me earlier today telling me I missed nothing in Intermediate Acct. I don’t care about Intro to Bus class. I just want to pass my classes and start fresh for Spring ’11. A, B, or C doesn’t matter.

It was another relaxing day in Quickbooks. We finished most of Chap 4 and the homework assignment was easy.

Wed Mar 9

From worse to getting better now, today was a real experience of turning 180 degrees. I woke up in the worse condition possible. I felt this week’s sickness was the worse sickness in my life. My eyes were red and watery, my mucus or phlegm had some blood, and my throat felt rough like sandpaper when I swallow. Unrelated to my sickness, I’m having minor gum problems. I rinse my mouth with hydrogen peroxide. I couldn’t sleep because my coughing kept me awake.

Then I realized I forgot the most important fluid one drinks when a person is sick. It was water. I forgot to drink water yesterday. I started drinking water in the morning. Hours later, my eyes and throat improved. I coughed less. I was able to take short periods of sleeps. There was no more blood in my mucus.

I thought about making an appointment to see my doctor at 10am. The last time I saw my doctor was March 2008. I emailed my classmate in Intermediate Acct and the instructor in Intro To Business I’m staying home. The rest of the day I drank water and stayed in bed. I also took 1,000mg of vitamin C and I drink a cup of green tea. I stopped eating chocolate, drinking coke, and orange juice.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Feb 28, 2011

2011-03-05T23:22:00.001-08:00

Mon Feb 28

I experienced fatigue for the past four weeks. Perhaps the fatigue is not stress related and not being overwhelmed. Stress may be health related. I know people who had the flu, been sick, or felt tired. It’s better to be fatigued than being sick and bedridden.

I could blame my classes. My Intermediate Acct and Intro to Business reached the most boring peak in the quarter. Boringness equals tiredness, not fatigue. The professor in Intermediate Acct confirmed he removed Chap 17 for the final. The instructor skipped some slides because he felt the class was bored. We were. The class was dismissed 15 minutes early.

I arrived in Intermediate Acct five minutes late. I missed nothing. I rushed getting to school. Rushing a wet shave was not worth it. I cut myself twice. I planned to skip Mon night’s dance class. I parked at Sterling parking garage instead of Flint. The drive inside campus took more time than I thought. One car blocked me making a left turn to Sterling garage. It could have been longer because there was one way traffic due to paramedics blocking one lane.

Tue Mar 1

It is March already. This quarter is faster than Fall ’10. In a blink of an eye it’s finals which is the third full week of March.

I ate an early dinner at the Mission College cafeteria. The price was reasonable $6 for a burger, fries, and Pepsi. The burger tasted plain. I saw three students talking about accounting. I looked at their textbook. It was intermediate accounting.

Tonight’s Quickbooks lecture was easygoing. I listened and followed the lecture. I completed next week’s homework assignment. The instructor posted solutions to Chap 1-3 to help us prepare for the in-class mid term.

Wed Mar 2

I got the fatigued sickness. I felt weak and fatigue throughout the day. Today was the day for the lectures to go by fast. It went by fast or at least faster than my past boring lecture. In Intermediate Accounting, we reviewed the Chap 16 CPA questions and started learning Chap 18. My instructor for Computer Acct. Systems walked in the classroom to get calculators from the storage. The students who knew her gave her cheers.

I submitted the extra credit time value of money exercises for Intro To Business. The instructor emails me a code to complete the extra credit. I can use the extra points because it looks like I’m not going to be ready for the third mid-term if my fatigue sickness gets worse. I found out Grubb & Ellis, a commercial real estate company I worked for, issued a REIT mutual fund. Interesting.

I went home to eat lunch instead of staying on campus. There were no leftovers. I cooked lunch and took a nap. Then I went to dance class. We reviewed the West Coast Swing. I need to practice at home. Then we learned the Salsa. The Salsa substitute teacher appeared. The instructor actually ran the class. I had trouble concentrating because I was really tired. I needed to get strength and energy fast because the Intermediate Acct Chap 16 homework was due tonight a midnight.

The weekend movie is Singin’ In The Rain.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Streaks Of Imperfection

2011-03-04T19:35:00.000-08:00

2011 started off good. My feeling was many people looked forward to 2011 because their 2010 was a bad year. People were upbeat. 2011 started upbeat and positive. Today, it seems the feeling died down. I see and experienced people with an attitude problem such that they’re taking out their problems on others or they live life without care. That’s just me.

My 2011 remains upbeat and positive; however, I have experienced streaks of bad luck, bad timing, bad circumstances . . . being at the wrong place at the wrong time. One example of bad timing is the many green lights that turn red before I pass the intersection and I have to stop. One example of bad timing is I’m next in line to pay at the cashier and the customer in front of me has a conflict with something. That happened multiple times. The bad circumstance is my house was almost robbed. And I’m experiencing fatigue sickness. I feel sick tired, yet I’m not sick and bedridden. The fatigue sickness is an accumulation of the streaks of imperfection.

I feel great when life is good, life is perfect, life flows with me. Everyone feels great when life is good. Life is perfect. Nothing holds you back. Life is never perfect. Life continues on whether a person has good times and bad times. My current streak of imperfection is just a streak. There is a moment in time the streak ends and a consistent good times come back to me. Moreover, the streak of imperfection reminds me everyone in life goes through slumps, off days, and frustrations. If we use strength, patience, persistence, and an open mind seeking ways to get out of the streak of imperfection, then life is really not that bad. The next time we experience a streak, we have the wisdom and knowledge to deal with the streak and hope the streak is shorter than that last.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Feb 21, 2011

2011-02-23T23:10:00.000-08:00

Mon Feb 21

President’s Day holiday. Campus closed. I needed the break after three weeks of fatigue and stress. The three day weekend gave me time to refocus as the Winter ’11 quarter enters March next week.

Tue Feb 22

It was another easy day in Quickbooks. The instructor continued his detailed lectures and tells us what to read and what not to read. The homework assignments have been easy. Today’s lesson I completed the homework assignment due next week.

Parking was easier because I have plenty of $1 bills to pay for parking.

Wed Feb 23

I scored an 82% on the Intermediate Acct mid-term. I take it. The professor said the overall scores were better than his past classes. He didn’t comment on the class average and he didn’t announce the curve. I talked to a few classmates. We agreed the mid-term was not hard. There was too much to know.

The professor explained the written portion. Most of the students ignored his explanation as we conversed with each other and compared our answers. Sorry, professor. We were worried and most of us were relieved we passed.

My changes reading, doing homework, and studying a little each day has worked. I followed the professor lecture for Chapter 16. There has been no stress for Intermediate Acct and Intro to Business.

We discussed the Libya unrest and oil stocks in Intro to Business. The class was focused and attentive. The second part of the lecture we talked about Chapter 14. The class was unfocused and inattentive, lol.

I ate out for the second time in a row. There were no leftovers from home. I ordered a crispy chicken bento box at Tapioca Express. The bento was delicious.

There was a substitute teacher for dance class. The instructor had a performance. The substitute taught Salsa. I didn’t like him because he taught patterns too difficult for beginners in past classes. I was surprised tonight’s lesson was easier; however, he still failed to engage the students like our dance instructor. I gave him kudos he improved.

The weekend movie is King Kong (1933).

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Feb 14, 2011

2011-02-17T02:44:00.000-08:00

Mon Feb 14

The past three weeks feeling fatigued, unfocused, and frustrated are summed up by the little things. I believe in the little things add up to big things. The little stress out instances and moments, the small uncontrollable events, and bad timing add up to bad luck, bad feelings, bad attitude, and my face frowning. For example, too many red signal lights, rude customers in front of me at the checkout line, slow thinking people, product out of stock, and bad dinners. Time moves on and my life turns around in time.

The professor passed out the practice mid-term in Intermediate Acct. In 40 minutes, I managed to answer 50% of the mid-term. The class anticipated Wed’s mid-term is very similar. There were lots of CPA questions. The professor mentioned some students asked for the mid-term to be delayed again. I disagreed.

In Intro to Business, we took the second mid-term. Almost all of the questions were from the lecture
Powerpoint notes. I wasted my time if I read the book. The flash cards memorizing the researches on motivating employees helped.

The practice mid-term gave me the impression Wed’s mid-term is harder than I thought. I went home after Intro to Business and skipped Mon night’s dance class. I spent tonight and tomorrow studying.

Tue Feb 15

Tomorrow’s Intermediate Acct mid-term is like real life working in a company. I have a better understanding working as a staff in a commercial real estate company. The brokers experienced last minute changes, a final push to prepare for their presentation, cramming research information and facts, and focusing on closing the deal thereby the client signs the contract. It was hard to hate the brokers when I worked in commercial real estate. I focused all day on the mid-term as if I’m making a presentation involving millions of commission revenue for my company. Nothing else bothered me.

It was another kickback day in Quickbooks class. The instructor assigned another homework assignment in Chapter 2 we completed in class. I followed the lecture on my laptop. I printed the homework in .pdf ready to submit next week.

I must make changes how I study Intermediate Acct and Intro to Business after the mid-term. I don’t want to overstudy like I have been doing the last week. Intermediate Acct is getting harder. The last two homework assignments I scored 70s and 80s in Intro to Business class. Changes and new priorities are going to be done starting on Thur. One idea is spread the reading and homework assignments in Intermediate Acct over two days instead of cramming reading and homework in one day. Three days is acceptable. I read the chapter a second time, write notes, and analyze the illustrations and examples to better comprehend the concepts.

Wed Feb 16

I felt relieve. Studying for the Intermediate Acct mid-term was like studying for a final. The mid-term is over. The mid-term was the hardest I ever took at De Anza. The mid-term was harder than many of my Economic mid-term at San Jose State. I’m free. I’m relaxed. It’s time to catch up on other activities and commitments. First, get lots of sleep.

I scored a 90% on my Intro to Business mid-term #2. My two 90% scores satisfy the mid-term criteria. We take three mid-terms, and the instructor drops the lowest score. Two 90% scores are not too shabby. I felt the second mid-term was harder than the first. The instructor said more people did better on mid-term #2 compared to mid-term #1. I start reviewing the Powerpoint lecture notes before completing the homework assignment and study at least 10 days before the mid-term.

I ate at McDonalds because there was no left over dinner at home. It was the first time I ate out in Winter ’11. The two mid-terms are completed. I have free time to cook again instead of eating the same lunch and dinner three days straight.

It was another small turnout in dance class. We reviewed the West Coast Swing and then we danced the Waltz. I chatted with two classmates and the assistant. One topic was the GRE. All of us had bachelors degrees and we talked about going back to school and people having jobs are lucky.

Another activity I catch up is watching another classic movie. The next movie is Jaws.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Feb 7, 2011

2011-02-10T02:28:00.000-08:00

Mon Feb 7

Intermediate Acct and Intro to Business are almost guarantees I fall asleep regardless how much I sleep the night before. Today’s lectures were boring and I almost feel to sleep in both classes. The instructor for Intro to Business let class out early because it was really getting boring. He’s a good lecturer and communicator. He needs to make his content more interesting.

Going back to Intermediate Acct, the professor lectured Chap 15 which is the last chapter for the mid-term on Mon Feb 14. The class mood seemed concerned the professor Chap 15 lecture is incomplete and there is no time for questions on the mid-term for Wed’s class. My classmates and I agreed Chap 14 is easier than Chap 13 even though Chap 13 talked about liabilities and contingencies which are easy to understand.

I reviewed Chap 13 and Chap 14 in the library after my late lunch. I made the choice to skip studying the CPA questions. I feel CPA questions are not asked on the mid-term, and if CPA questions are included, it’s a small percentage of the points. The CPA questions are not worth my studying time. Studying Chap 13 and 14 was boring. It must be I’m ready for the mid-term for those two chapters.

We were terrible reviewing the Nite-Club Two Step. I was off timing myself. We need more practice. I hope we improve significantly before the Dance Demonstration. We learned more Rumba afterwards. I reviewed the Fall ’10 Rumba by looking at my notes when I got home.

Side note: My Intermediate Acct is also used in San Jose State.

Tue Feb 8

Another terrible Tuesday. Today and last Tuesday I was fatigued I took a nap after 12:30pm. The positive were I started studying Bus 10 mid-term #2 and started the Chap 15 homework. There were stress and rush towards Quickbooks. Installing Quickbooks and downloading the classroom files took longer than I thought. I had no clean socks. Lucky I found a pair near my bed, lol. I didn’t have time to eat lunch at home or at the cafeteria. I purchased Pop Tarts and Twix. Lots of cars rushed into the parking lot. If I arrived ten minutes earlier, then there were fewer cars entering the parking lot, smaller line paying for parking, and less stress felt along my back.

The lecture discussed Chap 1 and Chap 2. The instructor went through the homework assignment due next week. I followed his lecture on my laptop. The end of the class we completed the homework assignment. I printed the required assignments in .pdf I print next Tue.

Wed Feb 9

One of Murphy’s Law states anything that can go wrong will. Today was an example of that Murphy’s Law. From the little things such as shaving, the middle such as rushing broiling chicken, and to the big things such as misreading my homework assignment, it was a stressful day. Today was a day there was nothing positive to cheer me up. It was a crabby, down day. The college workload begins this week. I need to find time getting information to complete my AA degree requirements papers.

There was one positive. The Intermediate Acct mid-term is delayed to next Wed. The class felt a little relief. My feeling was the class overall is still worried despite an extra two days.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Jan 31, 2011

2011-02-03T00:48:00.000-08:00

Mon Jan 31

Yesterday one of my friends and I talked about grades and classes. He approaches his semester by concentrating on learning the concepts instead of worrying about mid-terms and grades. I’m going to try his approach. I was raised to study hard and get A’s. I worry about failing on my mid-terms. Starting today, I focus on just learning and understanding the concepts. Whatever grade I earn on my mid-term, I earn it.

That approach came at good timing. Intermediate Acct is getting boring. The material is not hard. It takes time to understand. I concentrate on learning and understanding. Worrying about the mid-term is secondary. I hope focusing on the learning objectives make Intermediate Acct less boring and more exciting.

Today’s Intro to Bus lecture was long and boring. The instructor finished his lecture ten minutes early. Thank goodness. One concept he lecture was the SWOT analysis or Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. I learned SWOT when I took a business plan class in Winter ’06.

We spent half of the class reviewing the Nite Club Two Step. The review was needed badly. Many students including me forgot the final routine. The last 45 minutes we started to learn the Rumba. The basic was review. Then we learned a new move that was difficult for me.

Tomorrow is my first day at Mission College. I’m taking Quickbooks. I include my Tuesdays at Mission College in the De Anza blog.

Tue Feb 1

My first day at Mission College. I arrived 40 minutes before class started. I walked around the small campus. First, I found my lecture room. Second, I got my student ID card. Third, I walked inside the cafeteria. The food prices are cheaper than De Anza. Pepsi is the fountain soda; however, there is Coke in a can next to the deli sandwiches. My favorite was the grill serves breakfast all day. Great! I try their grill food one of these days. I purchased a bag of Lays BBQ chips. The campus center has a modern look.

There is a grace period for parking. Parking enforcement allows students to park free of charge. I did the math. It’s cheaper for me to pay the daily rate instead of purchasing a semester parking permit.

I walked inside the classroom 10 minutes before class started. The classroom is a lecture room. There are no computers. The teacher was calling tech support because Quickbooks was not installed in the classroom PC. The tech staff arrived with Quickbooks 10 minutes after class started to install Quickbooks. In the meantime, the teacher explained the green sheet including the classroom hours. The class is actually two hours lecture and one hour homework time where students can ask the teacher for help. Initially, I thought the class was three hours lecture. The teacher explained because of budget cuts, he was able to add an extra hour for each class meeting to help students.

Next week, I bring my laptop installed with Quickbooks. There are outlets along the right side and back of the room. I follow his lecture on my laptop. I purchased the textbook at Amazon.

Side note: Winter ’10 is the second time I attended two colleges. The first time was in Fall 1994 where I attended San Jose State Mon, Wed, and Fri and West Valley College Tue and Thur.

Wed Feb 2

The fatigue bug must be spreading this week. I took a long nap Tue afternoon after I ate lunch. Today, I was half fatigued. I almost went to sleep in Intro to Bus class. I kept awake because I walked around campus for ten minutes to get fresh air. I was half focused reading Chapter 15 in accounting in the library. I noticed some students were fatigued.

I was tired of eating the same breakfast I wanted something different. I went to Safeway and purchased English muffins and sausage. I went home and ate them plus apples for breakfast. I drove to school at 12:15pm. I arrived in Intermediate Acct at 12:45pm. The signal lights were against me. I managed to sign the attendance sheet after class. The professor announced the mid-term Mon Feb 14 which is also the same day as my second Intro to Bus mid-term.

I had a small reunion with four classmates from Integrated Computer Acct. I talked to two of them before Intro to Bus and the other two when I ate lunch inside the campus center.

Today’s dance class attendance was the smallest since the first day. I recognize a few missing students. It must have been the fatigue bug. We continued practicing the West Coast Swing and then we learned the Cha Cha Cha. The teacher and the assistant corrected me on my West Coast Swing mistakes.

No weekend movie because of Super Bowl.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

23 Is Too Short

2011-01-28T13:46:00.000-08:00

I received sad news an acquaintance I met in 2006 past away. Fructose, her nickname, passed away on Tue Jan 25 at the age of 23. We met in Santa Cruz at a mini gathering. We hung out at a few more gatherings and at a couple of anime conventions. She was an anime fan and a cosplayer. She worked at a medical clinic in central California.

My first reaction was 23 is too young to die. Then I thought back what I did when I was 23. I graduated from San Jose State. My gaming group had the best Robotech role playing game adventures and I was introduced to Advanced Dungeon & Dragons. I continued working at Blockbuster. The Florida Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS. My family went to Reno for a summer weekend vacation. I worked at my first job after college.

Then I thought about my life today. I continue to catch up what I missed in my 20s. I continue to seek new adventures, experience new experiences, and learn new things I could have and should have done in my 20s. Live life today. This is the present. Live it. I'm sure Fructose lived her young life the best she could.

The information I received how she died is she failed to recover after being sick for 11 days. I believed she was admitted in a hospital. I don’t know the specifics.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Get Rid Of That Monkey Off My Back

2011-01-27T02:11:00.000-08:00

I feel there is something making me grumpy, gloomy, crabby, and angry. I briefly mentioned the problem in my De Anza blogs. Those feelings have lasted since Martin Luther King, Jr. I’m not myself. My mood is sour.

I’m not depressed because I continue to live life. I attend school, I workout at the gym, I read, I watch anime, I cook, I spend time with friends, I complete my homework, etc. I scored a 90% on my first mid-term. A depressed person is someone who stopped caring and stopped living life. There is something, like a monkey or spirit on my back absorbing my happiness, my accomplishment, my desire to live life. As a result, my life feels boring.

There have been a few moments I feel happy and upbeat. There have been a few moments I feel angry and insulted. Rest assure. I keep my cool, and I act and behave casually. Nobody is at fault.

Moments and events beyond my control contributed to my negative feelings. The ones I remember include: the long lines at Safeway, late for accounting class, skipped gym Tue night because I ate dinner late, a driver cut me off merging in front of me, and the bland tasted dinners my mom cooked recently. Bad timing and bad luck in bunches are terrible.

I write this blog in the late hours perhaps killing whatever it is on my back. Maybe it’s my sleep pattern. I go to bed at 1am. I fall asleep around 2am. I try to wake up at 8am. I end up waking up 9:30am or 10am. I have been trying to sleep earlier and waking up earlier—a normal sleep pattern is my goal.

Ultimately, whatever is the reason I’m not myself time moves forward I’m going to be back to being myself. I have experienced these negative feelings in the past. I know these negative feelings are temporarily. I stay positive, optimistic, and live life. Those are the best I do now to be joyful again.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Jan 24, 2011

2011-01-27T02:10:00.001-08:00

Mon Jan 24

I arrived five minutes late in Intermediate Acct class. The reason was I shopped at Safeway to buy bananas for my snack between classes. I was surprised the checkout lines were long just after 12pm. All I wanted was to buy bananas. The end of the class my classmate showed me how to calculate bonuses and the instructor collected the two take-home quizzes.

I took my first mid-term in Intro to Business. The instructor said the mid-term is easy. It was easy. The mid-term was a joke. My impression was most students earn at least a B because most of them took other business, accounting, and/or economic classes. The first 5 chapters were basic accounting and economics. We reviewed some of the mid-term during the second half of the class. I missed two questions. If I just reviewed the powerpoint slides before the mid-term, then I answered one of the missed questions correctly. I studied the powerpoint slides two times.

The weather continued to be unseasonable warm. I ate outside the campus center for the first time. I believed it was the first time I ate outdoors when I stayed at De Anza for the entire day. There were plenty of open tables and I didn’t have to walk around searching for a clean table inside.

We continued learning the Nite Club Two Step in dance class. The mood was happy the instructor continued teaching us past the end time. I learned new moves.

Wed Jan 26

Today I felt crabby and gloomy like last week. The last ten days starting on Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday I wasn’t myself. There was no “Hey Jude” to cheer me up. The long line in Safeway was bad timing. I went back to Safeway to buy granola bars for my snack between classes. The long line, bad timing with the signal lights, and forgetting to make a right turn before the Flint Center parking garage to avoid the exiting traffic resulted in arriving 10 minutes late for Intermediate Acct. I was lucky I signed the attendance sheet.

The professor told the class the textbook we use is the same textbook a local private university uses. The textbook sucks. I joked with two of my classmates such that if we do better than the accounting students at the local private university, we should get scholarships and take accounting classes there. The professor continued with the chapter lecture. We’re behind in the course schedule. The concepts are not easy. I do my best and I finish before the deadline.

The average score was a 36 out of 50 for the first Intro to Business mid-term. I scored a 45 which was not too bad for studying the powerpoint slides twice and not reading the textbook. My intuition was strong. We watched another video. The video talked about entrepreneurs. The instructor shared his all-time favorite books. Two of his all-time favorites are also my all-time favorites: Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson and The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. The instructor told the class he reads the books more than once to remind and remember the key concepts useful for his businesses and partnerships. The last 30 minutes we completed an entrepreneur questionnaire to see if we have what it takes to be an entrepreneur and he opened the class to questions about starting a business. My questionnaire score barely made “the transitional range. With some serious work you can probably develop the outlook you need for running your own business.”

Turnout was the smallest in dance class. We refined the West Coast Swing. Then we started to learn the Cha Cha Cha. I made a few notes on my mistakes I correct next week.

The movie for the week is On The Waterfront. Last week’s movie was A Philadelphia Story.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Jan 17, 2011

2011-01-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

Mon Jan 17

No classes today. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Wed Jan 19

I woke up with the fear today was going to be a crabby day. My three day weekend was productive; unfortunately, I felt gloomy. It must have been the lack of daily sun. Monday’s weather was the worse. The unseasonably warm weather was a factor. I wasn’t the only person feeling gloomy. It seemed many people felt gloomy including my parents and some people who posted on Facebook.

The first song I heard driving to school was “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. I said, “Okay, maybe it’s not going to be that bad after all.” The day was okay. No complaints. All three of my classes went all right. I experienced fatigue in Social Dance. I ate my snack after my late lunch. One of my classmates in Intermediate Acct. showed me how to solve a problem that took additional time after class.

My first mid-term is on Mon. The class is Intro to Business chapters 1-5. Accounting and economics highlight the concepts. I didn’t read the textbook. I study the powerpoint slides and online handouts.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

The Five Year High School

2011-01-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

Most of us attended a four year high school that started in September and ended in June. There are various high school formats. For example, two of my cousins attended a year-around high school that included six weeks of summer, two weeks of winter, and two weeks of spring vacations. In Japan, I believe the start of the new year is in April. Students get one month vacation in July, November, and March.

Times have changed. Life has changed. There is more to learn and know. Expectations and requirements are more challenging. Life today is more complex 20 years ago.

It’s time to change the high school format. I suggest we have a five year high school. Let’s spread out the graduation requirements. The five year high school format allows students the option to work part time and take fewer classes per semester. Working part time is great experience. College bound students have experienced more stress than their parents’ generation because of higher college expectations. There is no ironclad rule a students must attend college immediately after high school. Students need an extra year to prepare themselves to live on their own. School districts can revise the curriculum adding more updated classes and removing outdated classes.

Part of high school life is just being a young teen exploring and making mistakes. There are important life lessons outside the classroom that can’t be taught from a textbook. Sports are important, too. Give students extra time outside classes for sports. Give students time outside classes to have a social life. Give students time outside classes to pursue new hobbies and interests. There is no need to rush success. It’s ironic a common life lesson is be patient . . . haste makes waste. Yet, high school students still have only four years to graduate.

And colleges, you should allow five year high school students to apply. I’m confident they’re more prepared to handle college than four year students.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Jan 10, 2011

2011-01-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

Mon Jan 10

The second week of classes started today. My Intermediate Acct and Intro to Business classes are boring. I have to concentrate staying awake sometimes instead of concentrating on the lecture. I adjust and take necessary steps to make the best out of the boring class meetings. The only positive so far is I earn attendance credit for both classes.

The Intermediate Acct professor passed out a blank sheet of paper to write our names. I looked inside my notebook to find my name sheet from Fall ’10. He wanted all of us to display our names to assist him in engaging the class. How about improve your lectures first?

I went to the library after eating my late lunch to finish reading Chapter 13 in Intermediate Acct. I had extra time before dance class. I went to the computer lab to check my email. I saw a classmate from a past class. We talked about jobs, Christmas vacation, and Fall ’10 quarter.

There were a few students who dropped dance class. That was expected. There were more students who added. That was unexpected. The bottom line was we had more students tonight than last Mon. We continued learning the Nite Club Two Step. Personally for me, I learned key postures, hand and arm positions, and footwork in the dance I didn’t learn the first time. There are many female students’ names that begin with the letter “M.” It’s going to be rough remembering their names.

Wed Jan 12

All of Fall ’10 and Winter ’11 so far has been hard to focus because my classes are boring. My Intermediate Acct instructor knows accounting. The problem is he can’t teach. His lectures are boring and hard to comprehend. My Intro to Business instructor is boring because he teaches the concepts too simple; although, part of the reason is my fault because I know some of the material from my Economics degree and accounting classes. Also, the homework is too easy. Really, it’s too easy. I know I continue to mention all of this in future blogs.

The Intermediate Acct professor stopped in the middle of a lecture asking the students where was our name sheets? Only two or three placed their name sheets in front of them. The professor called out students from the roster to read sample CPA questions on the projector.

We continued learning the West Coast Swing dance. There were a few students who dropped. We still had a good turnout. I expected more students to drop next week. The class was slowly learning the basic sugar push. There were a few students who either learned quickly or had prior experience. All of the students cooperated in rotating partners. That’s the best way to learn dancing with different students. One pair of students never rotated. Its better they don’t because one of my friends almost got into a fight with him.

The movie for the week is Rear Window. Last week’s movie was Chinatown.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Accutane Day 705

2011-01-11T01:22:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I purchased cheap store-brand bread. The bread was on sale and it was a way to save money. Unfortunately, I got three pimples. I stopped eating the bread. Days later, the pimples disappeared. This was another example food is a factor regarding acne. The pimples told me I was allergic to the bread.

The cold and dry weather still affects my sensitive face. I continue to apply Topicort when eczema appears on my face. I also continue to apply Atralin on my nose nightly and on my face every three-four days depending if my face can handle Atralin and no eczema for the night.

My next check up is early February. As of now, there are no significant problems to mention. There has been no dermatitis breakout. I apply Vanicream nightly.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Jan 3, 2011

2011-01-09T09:03:00.000-08:00

Mon Jan 3

Today is a good day back to school. One, my winter quarter is Mon and Wed only. No more going to school Mon-Thur. Second, it seemed the mood was better than the first day of Winter ’10. I walked around campus and many people were in high spirits. I think the reason was they had a bad 2010 year and looked forward to 2011. Third, timing continued to be in my favor. All of the classes I have taken benefited me for Winter ’11; for example, the instructor who teaches this quarter’s Intermediate Accounting Part I is terrible, and the class is at night.

There were few parking spaces at Flint Center Parking Garage around 12:10pm. I park at Flint Center for one month and then I park at Stelling. I arrived at Intermediate Acct at 12:20pm at my usual seat. The professor arrived on time; however, he had to walk to his office to get the roster. Last quarter, the instructor arrived late almost every class meeting. We were assigned our first homework assignment. The green sheet stated two mid-term exams covering three chapters each. We see if he actually gives two mid-terms. He gave one last quarter and many students were unhappy because they did poorly on the first mid-term.

My next class is Introduction to Business immediately after Intermediate Acct. My classmates told me Intro to Bus is easy. I made a note even though I never take anything for granted. It is easy—so far. I looked at the first homework assignment. I knew all the answers from my accounting classes and my economics degree. Timing is everything. Objectively speaking, it’s an introduction class, a broad class for students new to business. I expect economic concepts to be explained in lament terms.

My Intro to Bus instructor owns a business in Palo Alto. He has taught financial planning classes and teaches at De Anza part time. He past jobs includes running two banks and being an executive at Charles Schwab. He has degrees in University of California, Berkeley and Minnesota.

I have a break between Intro to Bus and Social Dance. I use the break to study or run errands and eat my late lunch. Today’s break I ran errands and ate before dance class.

I plan to attend both Mon and Wed’s Social Dance. Mon’s class was full. There were three regulars or return students in the class. The feature dance is the Nite Club Two Step. Tonight’s lesson was typical. There were the usual mistakes just like I made when I learned for the first time. Next week the attendance is lower as there are always students who drop.

Wed Jan 5

It’s nice going to school two days a week instead of four days. I met one of my classmates from Intermediate Acct and Integrated Computer Acct in Fall ’10. We small talked our winter vacation and Winter ’11 classes. One of these days, I eat at his restaurant Sushi Maru where he works.

The professor finished Chapter 11 in Intermediate Acct. The green sheet stated Chapter 11 is not on the first mid-term. Chap 11 is Acct 1B concepts. I anticipated the homework is not difficult.

The instructor finished Chapter 2 in Intro to Bus. I rented the textbook instead of buying the textbook. I use the downloadable PowerPoint slides in .pdf to write notes when I read the textbook. Students can’t write and highlight on rented textbooks.

Wed’s Social Dance class was a good turnout. I could have saved my six and final dance enrollment for Spring ’11 just in case there was a threat the class is cancelled. There were many familiar returning faces. The feature dance is the West Coast Swing. West Coast is my second least favorite dance. It’s a hard dance I still have problems.

I want to review the lessons I learned at De Anza to end the week:

Winter ’11: ?
Fall ’10: Use it or lose it. Take it or leave it.
Spring ’10: Timing is everything.
Winter ’10: Go with the flow.
Fall ’09: Everyone is human.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

SOMT: No More Television

2011-01-06T12:07:00.001-08:00

Blogger’s Note: SOMT stands for Sign Of My Times, an occasional blog sharing my thoughts how time changes life from when I was a kid to today. It’s been a long time I wrote a SOMT.

ESPN broadcasted the college Bowl Championship Series (BCS) for the 2011 season. My family watches TV from the air waves. ESPN is a cable channel. I watched the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl on ESPN’s website.

Watching the two bowl games on Jan 1 was the first time I watched sports on the internet. I had always watched sports on television. If it wasn’t for the internet, people with cable or satellite only could watch the BCS games. People with the digital converter box were out of luck.

Times have changed. I have the opportunity to watch sports on the internet. At the same time, I can do computer work. I have a 25.5 inch monitor. Half of the screen is the game and the other half is something else such as writing a blog or checking email. ESPN broadcasts most of their games on the internet. Moreover, other TV and cable stations broadcast their shows and/or news on their websites. And Hulu is a website to watch shows that aired earlier in the day. I don’t need cable or satellite; I really watch little TV.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Established Today And Tomorrow

2011-01-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

I ask myself, “How do I know I established myself?” I look at my personally, my soul, my finances, my possessions, my beliefs, and my lifestyle. I observe many people and many families when I’m out of the house. There are lots of people, couples, and families that look established; however, I think most of them are not established. They are partially established such as a couple preparing to have kids, a family moving to a new house, or a person earning a promotion. On the other hand, a couple broke up, a family experiencing financial problems, or a person losing a job.

My answer to my question is I think I’m established, but I’m not. I look back and remember the last ten years. There were days I said, “Okay, this is who I am.” Weeks or months later, I’m someone else. Sometimes, I’m someone better. For example, from 2002-2008, I started reading non-fiction books including business and financial. In 2008, I started reading fiction books and read less non-fiction. Another example happened in 2001. I followed a workout plan I made up from 2001-2008. I followed a new and better workout plan in 2008. In 2004, I started wearing costumes in anime conventions. I had no interest in wearing costumes when I started attending anime conventions in 1997. And before 2006, I had few friends. I didn’t need lots of friends. I enjoyed life most of the time by myself. Today, I have lots of friends, and many more to make.

I believe we never achieve 100% establishment. I believed I establish myself reading non-fiction books (I hated fiction at the time), working out my workout plan, attending anime conventions in street clothes, and living alone for the reset of my life. I changed. Life changes daily for better or for worse and in good and bad times. We may be established financial and consumption wise such as cars, a place to live, and retirement. I don’t think we establish our souls, our daily lifestyles, and our beliefs. Everyday life is different, life innovates, and life flows anywhere. We learn, discover, and wonder. Our thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge change. There is always something to improve, to change, and to innovate ourselves.

If we live life the same daily, then we’re established. Most of us don’t live life the same. Thus, we’re never fully established.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

2010-12-30T23:23:00.001-08:00

Get back to where I once belong. I'm bringing back drinking more water, eating bananas, sit-ups, and modified workouts from years ago.

Review My Five, No, Six Daily Life Rules

2010-12-25T14:04:00.000-08:00

I review my five daily rules occasionally in my head. I forgot I have six rules. The last time I reviewed my rules in my blog was in May 2010. It’s time to review. Here we go:

1. Don't criticize, condemn, and complain, and don't compare with others.
2. Don't act like a jerk or bitch.
3. Always speak calmly and be calm.
4. Don't daydream when driving.
5. Keep your head up high . . . look at the cute face when talking.
6. Breath with your nose and stand up straight.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Happy Life

2010-12-21T00:48:00.000-08:00

I imaged my adult life working as a design engineer or architect when I was in junior high. I drove a Ford Escort hatchback. I lived in an apartment along a major street. I spent $5 everyday at the arcade after work. My lunch and dinner were Swanson Hungary Man frozen meals. I had no friends. I was a loner. What a pathetic life?

Today, I have no interest in being an engineer. Ford Escort cars don’t exist. The apartment complex is still there (and I may be living there soon). Arcades are hard to find because of console and PC games. I know how to cook so no need to eat frozen food. I have friends I spend time with. I’m not a loner because I continue to make new friends.

I ask the question again: Is the life I pictured myself in junior high pathetic? Some say yes and some say no. There is no one correct way of living. The typical life getting married and having kids is not for everyone. There are many people happy with the way they live. Some people are happy living alone. I recognize that.

I continue to learn how I live a happy life. I’m finding out how to live my life happy. I observe and note other people’s way of living and what, why, and how they live a happy life. What do they do? How do they do it? Why? Who helps them? Loners, married people, partnerships, a household full of guys, and families are examples I want to know how they live a happy life. I keep my mind open when I interact with people. Once I find my happy life, I continue to observe and note. I always change, innovate, and improve my happy life.

Happy life is for everyone. Happy life must be earned and worked on. Happy life never comes to you and me on a sliver platter. Go out and get happy—a happy life.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Dec 6, 2010

2010-12-15T19:42:00.001-08:00

Mon Dec 6

Excel and Integrated Computer Acct classes were completed last week. I had one more class which was Intermediate Acct. One more final. I devoted all my studying time. No worries. I was wrong. I had trouble concentrating since Wed Dec 1. I studied one chapter from Thur Dec 2 to Sat Dec 4. I didn’t study on Sun Dec 5. My mind was exhausted studying and comprehending. The worst was completing missing homework assignments I failed to complete after the first mid-term. I choose to wait for Mon’s lecture and final review to narrow down what I need to study and what I need to avoid.

Mon’s lecture class everybody showed up. All the seats were full. The instructor passed out the practice final. He said, “The final is very similar.” Everyone was worried about the final. Everyone was wide awake during the review. This final was the first time I was scared. I was never scared of any finals before Intermediate Acct and throughout my years at San Jose State. The final is multiple choice and short answer.

My only break between now and the final on Wed Dec 8 was dance class. We reviewed all the dances we learned and danced our dance demonstration Rumba. The class was not full. And some students walked out about 30 minutes into our dances. Those people are not coming back next quarter.

Wed Dec 8

I reviewed everything I needed to know using the practice final as a guide and I studied additional concepts at least three times. I did everything I could. My mind was a sponge full of water ready to be squeezed afterwards. The final was passed out. Multiple choice only. No short answer. You got to be kidding. The final was actually very similar to the practice final. I never had a class where the instructor passed out the sample final that was very similar to the instructor’s practice final. Those classes the practice final and the actual final were different.

Most of the questions in the actual final were from the practice final. The professor changed the numbers and/or changed what was asked on some questions. The concepts were the same. There were some questions from the first mid-term which was expected. I know I passed the final. The question now is what is my final grade.

I promised a few students from the dance demonstration I attend the Wed’s class. I attended and quickly learned their dance routines and their dance demonstration Cha Cha Cha. It was great seeing some people from past dance classes taking the Wed’s class.

Highlights

Fall ’10 quarter was a bad quarter that was the fastest ever—faster than Spring ‘10. The main reason was I had trouble concentrating. I ask myself why. Perhaps I had too much fun. Perhaps I took the quarter for granted such that I got excellent grades in past classes especially my fundamental acct classes my attitude I pass Intermediate Acct easily was false. Perhaps I attended school four days a week instead of two days. Perhaps it was all my classes failing to stimulate my mind; for instance, the Intermediate and Integrated instructors always arrived late and the Excel instructor was lazy. Perhaps it was the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series. It was all of the above.

The De Anza lessons I learned (outside class) saved me from complete unfocus:

*Fall ’09 lesson was everyone is human: Knowing people and making new friends helps lower the stress and the burden of homework, projects, and exams. We’re human. We want to be with people. We don’t want to be alone. And we make mistakes and we learn from them.

*Winter’10 lesson was go with the flow: I think back and Fall ’10 really wasn’t stressful. I went with the present moment. I completed assignments when needed. I adjusted my schedule when needed. I delayed non important errands and assignments when needed. For instance, I delayed my Intermediate Acct homework and studying for the final to prepare for the Integrated Computer Acct. group project. Do whatever I needed to do now. Do everything one at a time.

*Spring ’10 lesson was timing is everything: The past classes I took helped me this quarter. Acct 1B and 1C helped me in Excel. Payroll Acct. helped me in Integrated Computer Acct. Integrated Computer Acct. first 3 weeks of financial acct review helped me review the basics for Intermediate Acct.

Luck was also in my favor. The group presentation in Integrated Computer Acct is the best example. Our group was considered the best because everyone did their part and our oral presentation was considered among the classmates as the best. We were the first picked so we relaxed the rest of the other group presentations.

The classes I completed set me up for Winter ’11 and Spring ’11. If everything goes well, I earn my AA degree after Spring ’11.

*Fall ’10 lesson was use it or lose it: I took Intermediate Acct. even though I have to attend classes four days a week fearing there is no Intermediate Acct. in Winter ’11. The choice was correct. There is an Intermediate Acct. class in Winter ’11. The bad part is the instructor is terrible. Also Intermediate Computer Acct. is a night class in Winter ’11.

I met the most new people and made new friends compared to past quarters. I also checked out classic movies from the library. The movies I watched were The Midnight Cowboy, The French Connection, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Vertigo, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Some Like It Hot, The Manchurian Candidate, and Rosemary’s Baby. The only boring moments were the lectures.

I attend classes two days a week for Winter ’11. It’s great not going to school four days a week. On days I don’t attend classes, I focus on five activities: ice skating, cooking, working out at the gym, making another costume with my mom, and reading books. Going back to De Anza is a second chance for me going to college. I failed to learn skills and experience new experiences outside the classroom when I attended San Jose State. I’m not making the same mistake twice.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Backup Your Files

2010-12-14T00:49:00.000-08:00

On Thur Dec 9, my laptop froze and crashed. I want to stress it’s important to backup your files. Very important! I use USB sticks, external hard drives, SD cards, and DVDs to backup. Never take your computer for granted. My Gaming PC crashed in July. All my files were backed up. It was worth the extra minute to backup. Image what if your computer crashed and you have no backups. You spend much more time recreating files than taking a minute or two to backup before you shut down.

Blogger’s note: My final Fall ’10 De Anza blog is coming soon. I have much to say for the epilogue and highlights.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 29, 2010

2010-12-03T02:29:00.001-08:00

Mon Nov 29

My Thanksgiving was productive. There was something to do from schoolwork to homework (that is, home working and chores) and just having fun. This week is the last full week of classes. Crunch time begins one week early before finals.

The effects of the Thanksgiving weekend affected me today. I worked on the formal paper for my group project in Integrated Computer Acct. I was so close finishing it was worth attending Intermediate Acct. class. The instructor was always late so I know I miss a few concepts. His lectures are terrible anyways.

Crunch time week so far in my favor. I arrived 30 minutes late. There was a guest speaker from Becker, a company that prepares students taking the CPA exam. Lucky! The instructor didn’t pass out the attendance checklist. Lucky!

I stayed in campus after Intermediate because my group practiced our oral presentation. We met in front of the library at 4pm. I brought my laptop to simulate the Powerpoint slide presentation. We checked out a room inside the library. The practice session was successful. We’re ready to go. We want to be the first group to present.

Dance class was the lowest attendance. The class was tired. We had enough strength to practice the Rumba, our Dance Demonstration dance on Wed Dec 1. We learned the Hustle afterwards.

Tue Nov 30

I experienced fatigue during early crunch time week. I cut my Excel class and skipped breakfast at home. I purchased donuts and shopped at Staples to purchase a cover folder for the Integrated Computer Acct. formal paper. I arrived at the computer lab to print out the last homework assignment for Integrated Computer Acct. I talked to the Excel instructor regarding the household project and final. I have the option to present the project one-on-one on Wed and take the final on the last class meeting on Thurs.

Lucky! My group drew the short end of the straw to present first in Integrated Computer Acct. The presentation went well. There were no problems. What a relief. Our group is officially finished with Integrated Computer Acct. There is no final in the class. Crunch time continues tomorrow.

Wed Dec 1

Crunch time continued today while fatigue continued last night. I didn’t read chapter 10 for Intermediate Acct. I dozed off last night. Today’s lecture started with the professor announcing part of Chap 10 is on the final. He finishes Chapter 10 in Intermediate Acct Part II in Winter ’11.

Moreover, I should be eating donuts on days of mid-terms and finals instead of oatmeal. My Excel project must be presented one-on-one to the instructor. I earned a 100% score. I ate donuts between presenting my Excel project and Intermediate Acct. I didn’t eat breakfast at home.

Tonight was the Dance Demonstration. The social dance portion of the demo event Rumba and Cha Cha Cha were great. There was a minor problem in the Rumba as 25% of the class failed to attend. We managed. I helped out the Cha Cha Cha routine by being a substitute leader because fewer leaders showed up. In class meetings, there were more leaders than followers. It seemed some leaders chickened out performing the demo. I was asked to come to Wed’s class, the Cha Cha Cha class, on finals week. I plan to attend.

Thur Dec 2

Crap! I realized I forgot to complete the multiple choice CPA sample questions in the weekly homework assignments in Integrated Acct. The rest of the night I complete them and turn them in. It’s better late and not being turned in.

Excel and Integrated Computer Acct. are officially finished. I took the final in Excel. It was simple true/false and multiple choice. All the groups finished their presentations in Integrated. We got our extra credit exams back. I scored a 29 out of 35 extra credit points. Not too bad. Both classes look good earning an A grade.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 22, 2010

2010-11-26T12:47:00.001-08:00

Mon Nov 22

Thanksgiving hurt today's lecture in Intermediate Acct. It was boring and I almost fell asleep a few times. Fortunately, I focused on the highlights and wrote down the notes in my textbook. The class ended early because the professor had an appointment. Thanks goodness it did.

In dance class, it was an good turnout given its Thanksgiving week. We reviewed the Rumba which was needed. Great review and some questions were answered. Then we danced the Nite Club Two Step. The class was fun.

Tue Nov 23

I went to Excel class just to get my questions answered for the last homework assignment. I finished the homework assignment in the lab. The final assignment is the second project. I complete the project on Thanksgiving Day. The project is not difficult. It takes some time requiring no stress.

We're almost finalized for our Integrated Computer Acct. computer project. Our group leader prepared a PowerPoint draft. We looked at it and gave feedback. I need to modify my conclusion. I'm also responsible for combining the group written project. Everyone emails me their Word written portion and I put them together. We meet Mon at 4pm for a dry run.

Wed Nov 24

Today was the day before Thanksgiving. I anticipated a low attendance. It was actually a big attendance. There were just a few empty seats here and there. The lecture was not boring. We reviewed Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 material from a CPA sample test. I actually learned a few things. The class ended early. There is homework in Intermediate Acct during the holiday. I have lots of homework.

I checked out Rosemary's Baby and Bolt movies at the library for the holiday. I watched The Manchurian Candidate last week.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 15, 2010

2010-11-18T17:26:00.001-08:00

Mon Nov 15

I had lots of thoughts in my mind last weekend. It was like my brain never rested. There was something in my mind all day and all night. I could have taken many naps from mind fatigue. The many thoughts continued today.

It seemed many students had lots in their minds today. My Intermediate Acct. instructor had lots in his mind, too. He was interrupted two times from his cell phone. One of his daughters has a chronic illness, and he gets phone calls in case of emergency. Fortunately, there was nothing serious. There are three more weeks of regular class meetings. Finals begin four weeks from today. There are lots in many people’s minds today.

We practiced entering and exiting for the dance demonstration. We learned the Nite Club Two Step. I corrected a few mistakes learning the Nite Club Two Step again.

Tue Nov 16

I completed the homework assignment for this week’s Excel class. I needed help from a few students. Thanks very much. There is one more homework assignment, a second project, and the final.

The Integrated Computer Acct. instructor seemed to have a stick up her ass. She came into the class demanding completed green sheets for each group’s project. Nobody finished the green sheet. We were confused. It seemed there was a misunderstanding. The instructor gave us ten minutes to complete. My group completed our green sheets just in time.

Throughout the day I had trouble concentrating. The factors were fatigue and too much in my mind. There was a little worry what I want to do in the future. It was like I’m making a mistake and I want to correct it. The problem was I don’t know what the mistake is. It’s okay. I must free my mind or I overthink everything.

Wed Nov 17

I wrote I had too much in my mind on Monday’s journal entry. Today I remembered to live to moment, live the present. I must do everything one at a time. Wednesday’s journal entry is a reminder to take everything one at a time. Focus on the present, focus on the moment. Even professionals need reminders. We’re human. We forget. We celebrate and appreciate the moment we remember.

Thur Nov 18

Fatigue continued today as I choose to skip Excel class. I asked a classmate if I missed anything. It seems I didn’t. I worked on the last homework assignment last night. I’m almost finished. I have one part I ask the instructor on Tuesday. Otherwise, the assignment looks good.

I also explored and played around with DacEasy, the accounting software my group is doing for the Integrated Computer Acct. group project. The group and I planned what we’re going to talk about and the order of our presentations. This weekend we research our topic and create draft powerpoint slides.

Today was the extra credit exam for Integrated Computer Acct. The instructor was strict and we must follow her procedures. Think about it. This is an extra credit exam. For example, the exam was completed on a computer. We could print one page only. If we make a mistake, we can’t print again. I fail to understand why she made it hard just for an extra credit exam? On the other hand, the student shouldn’t make a big deal because it’s an extra credit exam. We can’t lose points. The student should just follow the rules and earn as many points possible.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 8, 2010

2010-11-15T00:59:00.001-08:00

Mon Nov 8

We got our scores for the Intermediate Acct. mid-term. The professor said there’s no time for mid-term #2. It looks like we’re preparing for another final. (I mentioned the mid-term was like a final on Mon Nov 1’s blog entry.) The mid-term was graded on a curve. The students added 5% to their grade. My raw score was 86% resulting in a final score of 91%. The mid-term was hard and some students were disappointed.

The professor added the 5% curve because he wanted to compensate the students experiencing unfair and confusing questions. The curve was another example everyone is human. Teachers are human. They make mistakes. They’re not perfect. Students want good and perfect teachers. Good teachers exist. Perfect teachers don’t exist. I understand how some students were confused on some questions as I looked at the mid-term again. The hard mid-term was not perfect in terms of asking 100% fair questions.

In dance class, we spent more time practicing the Rumba for the Dance Demonstration. More dancers are getting the dance routine. We need more practice. I like the instructor’s way of free for all when we trade partners. Most students do trade partners. We are also learning the East Coast Swing and Fox Trot.

Tue Nov 9

It’s important to eat three meals a day. I had to eat breakfast at De Anza because I was running behind. The food tasted like cafeteria food. Yummy!

In Excel, we continued the M1 project. I finished my project last week. I don’t have to attend class on Thur. I worked on the second project which is the household budget.

Today’s Integrated Computer Acct was one of the better classes. We reviewed the homework most of the class. The last 15 minutes we separated into assigned groups for the group final project.

Wed Nov 10

One of the keys to success is to adjust. Throughout the quarter I have been adjusting how I learn from my Intermediate Acct professor’s lectures. Sometimes his lectures have nothing to do with the current chapter. Sometimes his lectures are confusing. Sometimes his lectures are hard to understand. There was a period I ignored his lectures and read the book. Ignoring his lectures was hard because they were so bad I couldn’t concentrate. Today, I adjusted again how I spend my time in class. I followed his lectures by listening to him and have my book open on the pages he lectured. I write anything important on the book. I don’t write anything on my notebook because his lectures are confusing and hard to understand I don’t know what to write. I didn’t review my lecture notes when I studied for the mid-term.

Thur Nov 11

I skipped Excel class because I completed the first project. Students who completed the first project were excused from class today.

We turned in the Hilton project in Excel. The Hilton project was doing accounting 100% by hand written on pencil. The Hilton project in Excel transfers the trial balance and the financial statements in Excel. We continued with the group project during the last 15 minutes.

The movie for the week is Some Like It Hot. Last week’s movie was Yankee Doodle Dandy.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Taking Care Of Yourself Is A Part Time Job

2010-11-12T14:35:00.000-08:00

I went to my dentist for a routine checkup a month ago. My hygienist and dentist always tell me ways to keep my teeth clean. They always remind me to brush and floss correctly. There is a correct way and an incorrect way to floss. They tell me to use a proxy brush and a tongue cleaner. I approve proxy brushes and tongue cleaners.

The dentist visit inspired me to write a blog on how I take care of myself. I realized I spend a good amount of time daily taking care of myself. Taking care of myself includes keeping me clean, eating healthy, exercise, and doing the bare necessities. One may think there is so much to do to maintain a good body. It’s true. There is much to do. Here’s mine:

*I shave three or four days a week. I use a razor, shaving cream, and after shave. It takes me 15 min. I heard that shaving can be done in 10 min. My quickest is around 12 min.

*I brush my teeth and clean my tongue before I sleep. I admit I don’t brush my teeth after breakfast. I actually use a proxy brush. I dental floss two times a week.

*I workout three days a week. Two days of weights and small cardio and one day of full cardio. I stretch before workouts.

*Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. Expect healthy meals from me. I continue to improvement my cooking.

*I prefer showering before I sleep. I sleep much better feeling clean. My face is prone to eczema. I apply a topical cream after I shower. I apply a different cream to control my blackheads and whiteheads when there are no signs of eczema.

*I apply a moisturizing cream on my hands during the day and before I sleep.

*I wear a retainer during my sleep permanently. I clean the retainer every three days.

*Laundry is done once a week.

*Nose hairs, finger nails, and toe nails are cut when needed.

*Deodorant is applied when I’m outdoors and sunscreen is applied on sunny days. I avoid applying sunscreen most of the time because I wear a hat.

That’s a lot of work and effort. I continue to find better ways and to find new ways to take care of myself. Stay clean everyone.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Nov 1, 2010

2010-11-07T12:03:00.001-08:00

Mon Nov 1

We took the first mid-term for Intermediate Acct. I approached the mid-term like a final, similar to the San Francisco Giants defeating the Philadelphia Phillies on Game 6. Manager Bruce Bochy wanted to end the National League Championship Series on Game 6 and avoid playing Game 7. The mid-term could be thought of as a final plus a mid-term. The final portion was a review of Financial Acct 1A and a little of 1B including journal entries, closing entries, inventories, and financial statements. The mid-term portion was new concepts how to recognize revenue using the percentage completion and the complete contract method.

The entire class was surprised when the professor said the mid-term was all multiple choice. There was no short answer.

Tue Nov 2

Control what you can control. Don’t control what you can’t control. There are some instructors who intentionally write difficult mid-terms. The Integrated Computer Acct. mid-term consisted of 55 multiple choice questions and short answers. The class had 45 minutes to complete the mid-term. Almost impossible. We completed the mid-term 10-15 minutes after class was supposed to be over. Many students were unhappy with their performance. Don’t worry about it. The instructor intentionally gave us little time to finish a full mid-term. I fail to understand why the instructor gave us 45 minutes?

Wed Nov 3

One sign of immature people is they taking frustrations out on others. Don’t blame it on me. It wasn’t my fault, and sometimes it wasn’t your fault so why take it out on me. I used to be that person a long time ago. I hated myself for that. I take responsibility for my actions. I have no reason to express my anger and frustrations towards other people. It’s rude, I act like a jerk, and I feel no better letting it out towards others.

Today was another example of a person taking their frustrations out on others. The professor told the class he kicked a student out of his other class for cheating. He wasn’t himself. The lecture disengaged from him and the students. It was a bad day for the professor.

Thur Nov 4

The smartest and best successful people want support teams who think. They don’t want people who follow. They want thinkers. There is always a better way.

My Integrated Computer Acct. teacher continuously say to follow directions. She believes people are fired from their jobs by failing to follow directions. I disagree. People are fired because they’re not a team worker. Companies want thinkers who innovate continuously. If I followed her advice how to be a good worker, I’m going to be fired. When I worked at Cisco, Cisco wanted thinkers, not followers.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Why I Think The San Francisco Giants Won The World Series

2010-11-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

The San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series for the first time in franchise history. We waited 52 years since the Giants moved to San Francisco from New York. The Giants went to the World Series in 1962, 1989, and 2002 resulting in losses. There are many reasons why the Giants won the 2010 World Series. I share some reasons and my number one reason.

Is it management?

Manager Bruce Bochy and General Manager Brian Sabean were masterful managing the team and bringing in the winning players. Bochy earned the manager of the year award and, if there was a general manager of the year award, Sabean earned it. Management is part of my number one reason.

Is it the players?

We have rookies, veterans, young, old, big, small, thin, and thick players. We have players other teams wanted. We have players no other team wanted. We have players who joined our team after their last team didn’t want them. We have players who came from the minors ready to play in the big league. There was no single dominate player. They were a bunch of carefree, loose, relaxed players. The management brought these players together. The players are part of my number one reason.

Is it chemistry?

Aubrey Huff’s wearing a rally thong, Brian Wilson’s fear the beard, the “panda” Pablo Sandoval, broadcaster Duane Kuiper’s saying Giants baseball playing style “(is) torture,” and Cody Ross’s new nickname “smiles.” The Giants were a bunch of guys here, there, and everywhere: the rookies called up from the minors, players from last season, new players for this season, and players claimed others teams didn’t want anymore. They clicked together like pieces from a jigsaw puzzle all fit together to make a championship team. They played selfishly. There was a different hero everyday.

The team came together on Sept 23 in Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Edgar Renteria wanted to win the World Series badly no matter what. Renteria was on the disabled list three times and he’s nearing retirement. He wanted to do anything, even be a bench player. He started to cry. Then everyone else cried. They came together. Chemistry is part of my number one reason.

My number one is . . .

My number one reason is action. The Giants took action to win the World Series. The organization corrected mistakes. The organization improved what was good to make it better. The organization made trades. The organization was patient. The organization made moves and choices in good timing. They made choices and adjustments throughout the season making sure the team was on the winning track.

Bochy’s daily lineup and game time decisions the best players are on the field and the lineup maximizes the best success against the opposing pitchers. Sabean making the trades and bringing players from wavers during the season.

How about those players: Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa and Juan Uribe signed in the off season, Todd Wellemeyer released because he was ineffective, rookies Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner started in the minors to refine their skills, Mike Fontenot, Pat Burrell and Jose Guillen and Cody Ross from wavers, Javier Lopez and Chris Ray and Ramon Ramirez to improve the bullpen. Also Andres Torres started the season as the fifth outfield. He worked his way up to the leadoff hitter. Freddie Sanchez bounced back from his slump. Bench players Travis Ishikawa and Nate Schierholtz knew their roles. It takes a team to win a championship. The 2010 Giants are one of the best examples playing as a team.

Huff wore his red, rhinestone rally thong at a time the Giants were slumping. The Giants won 20 games. Wilson applied black shoe polish on his beard for his “fear the beard.” Some fans came to the park wearing black beards. The Giants fans faithful support for Sandoval despite having an off year offensively and defensively. Kuiper’s “torture” quote defines Giants’ style of playing close and low scoring games. They were all smiles against the San Diego Padres in game #162, the Atlanta Braves, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Texas Rangers.

It was action. The organization didn’t hope for winning games, didn’t repeat the same thing over and over hoping for success, didn’t talk and do nothing. They took action. Something needed to get done and it was done.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Curses Are Meant To Be Broken

2010-11-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

The last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series was in 1908, a span of 102 years which is the longest time a team hasn’t won. The second longest is the Cleveland Indians at 62 years. The third longest was the San Francisco Giants at 56 years. The key word is was.

The Giants won the 2010 World Series defeating the Texas Rangers four games to one. The win is the first time in San Francisco franchise history. The torture is over, and that includes torture Giants fans experienced during the last six weeks of the season. Edgar Renteria’s three run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the 7th inning is the Giants most memorable homerun in San Francisco Giants history. The championship is for the Willie Mays, Will Clark, and Barry Bonds eras. The win erases all the Giants curses. Here are some of curses I lived through:

*1987 NLCS. Candy Maldonado’s misplayed fly ball in Game 6 and Jose Oquendo hitting a homerun in Game 7 off Atlee Hammaker against the St. Louis Cardinals. Oquendo hit one homerun in the regular season.

*1989 World Series. Loma Prieta earthquake and the Oakland A’s swept.

*2002 World Series. Anaheim Angels’ Scott Spiezo’s three run go-ahead homerun against Felix Rodriguez in Game 6.

*2003 NLDS. J.T. Snow thrown out at the plate on the last play of the series against the Florida Marlins in Game 5.

Curses are meant to be broken. If you’re in a bad streak of sales, dates, homework and tests scores, interviews for a job, burning cooked dinners, or buying bad goods, don’t worry about it. Don’t give up! Curses are meant to be broken.

Side note: The Boston Red Sox’s broke their curse in 2004.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 25, 2010

2010-10-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Mon Oct 25

I have a better understanding why most students eat out more than they want. The reasons are saving time from cooking and saving money (arguably, eating out is cheaper than eating at home). I ate out for lunch and ate lots of candy bars more often than I want in Spring ’10. The food at home was boring. I was in survival mode especially after Memorial Day weekend. I was one step closer to survival mode today because I have a mid-term on Thur and two mid-terms next week.

Fall ’10 quarter sets how I handle Winter ’11 and Spring ’11. If everything goes well, I earn my AA degree in Accounting at the end of Spring ‘11. I plan to take two classes in Winter and Spring ’11 quarters. I shouldn’t take three classes because I need time for family. I’m more involved in daily routines at home than I should be including cooking and washing dishes. The more time I spend with family, the less time I have for school work. I’m spoiled because I don’t have to take GE classes since I have a bachelors; on the other hand, I can’t attend San Jose State because I already have a bachelors. San Jose State prohibits students who want a second bachelors because of the bad economy and overcrowding. I have no rush graduating De Anza with a AA given my current family situation, no job, and the prolonged recession.

Tue Oct 26

Intermediate Acct and Integrated Computer Acct. classes are behind schedule. What else is new in life? I believe everyone is behind on something. The irony is students who submit their homework and projects late are penalized. Teachers grading homework and mid-terms late and are behind schedule in the syllabus are not penalized. Similarly, sons and daughters who are late doing something are penalized by their parents—at least strict parents; however, if parents are late with something, sons and daughters don’t penalized their parents.

In the real world, sometimes work, projects, and commitments are completed late. There are no repercussions most of the time. I received late commitments at Grubb & Ellis, Colliers, and even Cisco. We do our best to meet our deadlines and commitments. Sometimes we can’t. Fall’10 is the quarter I submitted homework late. I do my best meeting homework deadlines. I have other activities and responsibilities outside school I must complete.

I thought students were lazy submitting assignments late while I was at San Jose State. Now that I think about it, many of those students submitting assignments late were not lazy. They have other commitments such as working and taking care of their family. There is so much we do in today’s information age way of living. The honest people complete their responsibilities and commitments the best and the earliest we can.

Wed Oct 27

Read the textbook, do the homework, and study hard are keys to earn high grades. Another key to earn high grades teachers and counselors fail to advise their students is eat well. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are meals unavoidable. No junk food. No cookies and chips while doing your math. If you need to skip a meal, skip lunch. Breakfast is the most important meal.

I concentrate better when I eat three meals a day. I concentrate in classes when I eat breakfast. I’m in a good mood when I’m not hungry. I have energy throughout the day in classes and when I study at home.

Eating good meals are important for me. I make efforts I eat well. I perform better in the long run taking time to grocery shop, cook, and eating healthy instead of eating unhealthy fast food and getting my food much quicker.

Thur Oct 28

Timing and luck are part of success. If you’re at the right place at the right time, life is good. My first accounting class in Fall ’09 obviously was Financial Acct I. I never knew the basic accounting classes are three quarters. Timing and luck were in my favor. I took Financial Acct I in Fall ’09, Financial Acct II in Winter ’10, and Managerial Acct in Spring ’10. I completed the basic courses in one year while retaining what I learned carrying forward to the next class without worrying about summer vacation forgetting the concepts.

Cost Acct was another class timing and luck were somewhat in my favor. The timing was in my favor because I learned similar concepts in Managerial Acct and Cost Acct. Luck was not in my favor because the instructor was terrible. Fall ’10 is the best example timing and luck. The three classes interconnect. I learn a concept in one class I apply in another class. I review another concept in one class helps me complete an assignment in another class. For example, I took a mid-term in Excel. The worksheet was completing a trial balance and creating an income statement and balance sheet under a periodic inventory system. I learned periodic inventory system in Integrated Computer Acct. Timing and luck were in my favor.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 18, 2010

2010-10-25T09:40:00.001-07:00

Mon Oct 18

The harsh days of college life spread throughout campus. I overheard many students saying they’re getting less sleep. Many students were doing homework and studying whenever they have free time. I saw students studying everywhere including the campus center and outside the library.

There was a get-together for Integrated Computer Acct at 10:30am inside the campus center. Everyone was late. I arrived at 10:45am without eating breakfast. I had trouble waking up. We looked at our Hilton project. Everything looked good. Some of us have minor mistakes easily correctable. One of us didn’t show up. We agreed the project was not difficult. The problem was the project took too long to complete and we had to learn the periodic inventory system. Most of us are taking Intermediate Acct. We agreed priority goes to Intermediate Acct.

I walked together with my Intermediate Acct classmates. We talked about the Chapter 4 being long and difficult. We sat down in our seats. A representative from a CPA test preparation company talked about their services. After the presentation, I talked to another classmate about the CPA test. Then our conversation went to our last jobs. I found out he has an aerospace engineering degree from San Jose State. His contract was terminated when his company didn’t get a government renewal. I told him about my Cisco job. He wants to be a CPA.

Today’s lecture was long and difficult to understand. I barely understood the key points. Reading Chapter 5 during the lectured helped me barely understood. The professor said Chapter 5 is the hardest so far. I agree. Tonight I start reading Chapter 5.

The dancing assistant taught tonight’s dance class. The instructor rehearsed her performance in Downtown San Jose taking place on Thur and Fri night. The assistant tried her best reviewing the Rumba and the East Coast Swing. There was no connection between her and the students. Most of the students were frustrated. I was in and out myself. Tonight’s class was a class to forget. We pick it up next week.

Tue Oct 19

The fatigue continued in the morning. I forced myself up at 8am and I successfully ate breakfast. I was five minutes late to Excel that was an improvement from last week. I wanted to attend class to hear special announcements for future assignments and the mid-term. I finished the homework due Thur.

Integrated Computer Acct class was cancelled. Almost everyone was prepared to submit the Hilton project. One student went to her office after 20 minutes. She was not there. Another student went to her office after 25 minutes. She was still not there. A third student went to the business department office. He came back and told everyone another faculty tells us with information. At the 45th minute, my Intermediate Acct professor told everyone the worrisome news: nobody knows where she is. The professor called her cell phone twice. He left two voice messages. The students were concerned because she’s very detailed and it’s strange she failed to inform anyone if she was sick. We see what happens on Thur. Fortunately the students who didn’t finish the Hilton project have two more days.

Wed Oct 20

Speaking of cancelled classes, my Intermediate Acct class was let out early. The instructor had a family emergency. The timing was bad because Chapter 5 is challenging. I don’t understand the chapter. Today’s partial lecture helped a little. I talked to two students after class. We talked about the Integrated Computer Acct instructor. We learned she didn’t come to campus today. And we learned about her personal life including a divorce two years ago.

Thur Oct 21

The instructor discussed the mid-term Thur Oct 28. There were a few students worrying about the mid-term. The instructor assured us if we did well on the homework, we do well on the mid-term. The rest of the class we reviewed the homework due today. My last homework score I misunderstood two questions and I got a lower score.

I worked on next week’s homework assignment in the computer lab after class. The assignment looked tough because it involved depreciation. I learned depreciation in Acct 1B. I brought my Acct 1A textbook. I said to myself, “Let’s do as much as I can.” I almost finished it to my surprise. I used the internet to review my depreciation concepts. I finish the homework assignment next Tue.

I received information the Integrated Computer instructor is holding class today. We turned in our Hilton project and Chap 4 homework. The instructor delayed Comprehensive Problem I to Tue. She admitted she made a mistake on the course assignment sheet. Some of us think that was her only mistake in the quarter. Tuesday’s homework due is Chap 5 and Comprehensive Problem I.

My studying plans this weekend is Intermediate Chap 5. I finish Integrated Chap 5 Mon night and the Excel homework Tues morning. I have one class to worry about this weekend; however, I have other activities I do outside school.

The DVD movie for the weekend is Vertigo starring James Stewart and Kim Novak.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Life Is Different

2010-10-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

We know many short sentences talking about life: Life is good, life is short, life is hard, life is all about timing, life is living the moment, and I have no life so get a life. There are many more short life quotes and beliefs.

I never heard anyone saying, “Life is different.” I’m the first person to say it to myself. I believe variety is the spice of life—life is different. I want to live life differently every day. I remember working at Cisco my life was the same for most working days and many weekends. I failed to add differences, add varieties, add something new. I started working at Cisco in March 2007 that was good. Ironically, 2007 was the worse year in my life. Life remained the same for most of 2008. I continued failing to add differences, add varieties, add something new. On Oct 4, 2008, I made significant changes in my life. It was time for a change. It was time for differences.

Life is good when it’s different. I create small differences such as driving home different streets from school, eating new foods, eating left handed, and listening to different music when I study. I seek new hobbies to spend my time; for example, I started to hike in 2009 and I’m taking ice skating lessons. I eat different foods for breakfast. I used to eat the same cereal everyday. Boring. Meet new people and make new friends. Spend time with different groups of friends.

Every day I find something different. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don’t succeed. Keep thinking and doing different activities, tasks, and routines. You have a life full of variety.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

De Anza Week Oct 11, 2010

2010-10-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Mon Oct 11

Today’s Intermediate Acct lecture was the best lecture. I planned to read Chap 4 while the professor lectured. He said many good concepts and a few stories I had to listen. I read ten pages. I looked ahead at Chap 4. It’s very long.

The professor passed back Chap 1 and Chap 2 quizzes. He checked off everyone’s work. Everyone got credit. I set myself where I have ten pages remaining in Chap 4 to finish reading on Wed’s class meeting.

We learned the East Coast Swing in dance class. There was no Rumba lesson. I was surprised. We learned the basic with double hand hold instead of the traditional basic frame and the cuddle. I chatted with a few students after class.

Tue Oct 12

I slept for five hours last night continuing the Hilton project in Integrated Acct. I got a matching trial balance. That’s good news. I ate a bowl of cereal only and rush out of the house.

I arrived late in Excel class. I missed nothing. I already completed the homework due Thur. I went to the computer lab after Excel to continue working on the Hilton project. I started adding the adjusting entries.

Most of the time in Integrated Acct. was spent asking questions on the Hilton project. There were lots of good questions I realized I made errors. I compared my trial balance with another student. I noted the student’s trial balance number. I attempted to match the number when I continued working at home.

I remembered that we’re all human minutes before class ended. Almost everyone in the class struggled with the Hilton project. Nobody’s perfect. Nobody’s has God like intelligence. Everyone has priorities outside college. Many of us truly do the best we can. We don’t want to fail. There were students who didn’t start on the project yet. The reasons are legitimate: work, other classes, family to take care of, etc. We do our best in what we do. Missing a homework assignment or getting a B on a mid-term is not the end of the world. This was a lesson I failed to learn at San Jose State.

I re-journalized my mistakes in the Hilton project at home. My trial balance was $1,500 below the other student’s trial balance. I stopped there because I have my Intermediate Acct class and I needed to cook dinner. A few students and I meet Thur after class to compare our Hilton project numbers.

Wed Oct 13

The Flint Center parking garage has been beneficial for me. There is more parking spaces, easier to exit the campus, and closer to the computer lab. I parked at Flint because I needed to print my Integrated Acct. homework after Intermediate Acct.

Today was another good day in Intermediate such that I didn’t finish reading Chap 4. We had a short quiz that was actually like a mid-term. The questions were long. A student and I talked about the quiz saying the quiz gave us an idea what the first mid-term is going to be. All of the students who didn’t finish Chapter 3 and 4 couldn’t finish the quiz which was almost all the students. The professor reviewed the entire quiz. He said the quiz was a “wake up call.” It was a wake up call. I’m behind in the reading and the homework. There is lots of material.

I printed my Integrated Acct. homework after Intermediate Acct. I also emailed my Excel homework and downloaded the latest PowerPoint files from Intermediate Acct. The PowerPoint slides have been useless for me.

Dance class was another surprise. We reviewed the Cha Cha Cha. I corrected a technique mistake. I improved my leading techniques using my right hand on the follower’s shoulder blade and my left hand to push forward to signal my partner to move. After Cha Cha Cha, we learned Salsa. Salsa?!? Salsa is my worse dance. The reason we learned Salsa is Mikey the Salsa instructor is guest teaching next week. I have no concern because today was the last Wed I attend. I may attend a future Wed if I have time.

Thur Oct 14

There was a smaller turnout in Excel class. That was a mistake for those who missed. The instructor discussed the first project and the mid-term. We reviewed the homework from last week and previewed next week’s homework.

The instructor lectured in periodic inventory system in Integrated Computer Acct. I believed the lecture helped most of the students. It helped me big time for the Hilton project.

I worked with three classmates on the Hilton project after class. We checked the journal entries and adjusting entries. The key was 100% accuracy on the journal entries and adjusting entries. The rest is arithmetic and writing financial statements. We worked in the library; unfortunately, we got kicked out because we were talking softly. Talking softly was okay. The library didn’t want continuous talking softly. We walked out and choose to work in the Campus Center.

It took us one hour to check our journal entries. One of us had to leave to work. The three of us stayed for another hour. I needed to eat lunch. I wanted to eat Chinese because I hated the cafeteria. The Chinese stand was closed. I had no choice. I walked to the grill to order burger and fries. I was impressed. De Anza cafeteria improved their burgers. It was a big burger, not a slim patty. I got less fries and paid more compared to last quarter. That was okay. The burger tasted better and filled me up. My two classmates checked their adjusted entries while I ate.

We walked to the computer lab to check the unadjusted trial balance. I corrected my journal entries and recalculated the unadjusted trial balance and adjustments in Excel. We compared both numbers to another student. Our numbers matched. Excellent! Today was the first time I met that student. I never had an accounting class with her in the past. I was told she is a very smart person.

BTW, the Hilton project is all handwritten work. There is no Excel. I’m cheating. I calculate on Excel and write the journals, ledgers, trial balances, and financial statements in hand afterwards.

My weekend movie is One Few Over the Cuckkoo’s Nest starring Jack Nicholson.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar

Another Lesson I Learned From My Grandparents

2010-10-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

My grandparents on both parent’s side lived a simple life. There were no complications. They gardened, cooked, made sure their homes were cleaned and tight, and watched television. They rarely traveled. They took good care of themselves up to the point where health problems took a toll.

My grandfathers and grandmothers are deceased. I realized recently there was another commonality. They had very few friends. Almost all of the time they spent with other people was with family. I don’t recall seeing my grandparents having friends visit their homes. I don’t remember pictures of my grandparents with their friends in their photo albums. I’m sure they had a few people outside family. I don’t recall them socializing outside family events.

I want to live my old years with friends. I don’t want to be 100% dependent on family. People with friends live longer. I can’t imagine my old years living alone. I want to spend that time with friends. I want to one of those old people who travel in groups to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, or to movie theaters.

Those who read my blogs continuously, and they’re very few out there, one of my themes is always meet new people and make new friends. My grandparents failed to meet new people and make new friends even in their old age. People come and go in our lives. It’s important to be surrounded with people.

The Personal Side Of Me Finding Raymond Mar