25 random things about me

My first meal when I was adopted to here from Korea was a happy meal from McDonald.

I’m not much of a talker myself, so if you find me pretty quiet, don’t feel offended. You can be assured that my thoughts are almost always running at 100 mph per hour. If anything, I’d rather coding, writing, reading, or actually be doing something.

I’ve come to realize that emotional intelligence (or street smart) is as important as being smart in school. That said, my dad has a way better EI than I do, unfortunately.

My dad has many great stories when he was younger like he rode motorcycle across America and into Mexico. I think his life sounds better than mine already.

I try not to be judgmental but I’m capable of asking questions that would reveal who/what you are in a matter of minutes.

My 3rd grade teacher made me sit outside in the hallway because I made fun of her signing skill. It wasn’t very good at all, in fact. I hate it when teachers think their ASL is wonderful just like these girls who think their voice is great but is completely off-key. Know what I’m saying?

There are four men that I’d very much want to meet: Tiger Woods, Rick Reilly, Steve Jobs, and President Obama. (not necessarily in order)

I found out what I was made of after I spent ten weeks summer internship in Miami, FL. I knew nobody there, woke up at 6:30 am every day, did not miss a single day despite 1 ¹⁄₂ hour of commuting, worked out a lot (they had a workout room on the third floor) and at the end, they held a farewell party for me and gave me appreciation award, which was unexpecting.

I’m a huge Honda fan. Huge. My dream is to own a ’01 Prelude SSH, then S2000, and lastly, an NSX. I currently drive an Element and used to own ’04 Civic Si hb till I totaled it.

Sometimes, I can’t believe I work at Google and help push doodles onto homepages. I consider it a privilege and will never take it for granted. I’m lucky to have a great team, also.

I used to work in Google datacenters. Great experience. Hardware they have there is both innovative and brilliant. I project-managed 5 people and moved all racks out of an old datacenter. It was a hell of work. One cool fact: a script to install a thin Linux OS to machines after they were repaired was written by an engineer who is deaf.

I coded a web app that served as a lunch menu interface to collect orders and votes for restaurants. Still in use after two years. Awesome.

On Google’s main campus, I like to stroll thru different buildings and see different office cubicles. I like to read notes and papers posted.

I read Calvin and Hobbes comic daily.

I plan to attend Deaflympics in Taiwan. Hope to see you there!

I think it is an interesting fact that some of technologies were invented by people with hearing loss. Thomas Edison, of course, invented a better longer-lasting light bulb, worked on carbon transmitter, which gave a way to the invention of telephone by Alexander Graham Bell whose mother was deaf and his wife deaf. Vint Cerf invented TCP/IP protocol that made the Internet possible. I don’t think it’s a mere coincidence and I’d consider them to be Outliers too.

I’m good at making or giving gifts. I have a way of making it more than it is. Thoughts are priceless.

I like to write in composition books. I have one at my desk, in my backpack and at home. A habit that’s started recently last year. Google stocks them as office supplies.

I love Chipotle burritos.

I’m starting to like to drink coffees and teas. Signs of maturity, I suppose.

I want to buy a new lens for my camera.

If I ever get married, I will not even think about a divorce. Not an option, which means I’m selective about women. I do not want to become a statistic with 50% of marriages ending in a divorce unless infidelity is committed (it won’t be me).

I want to move to Korea and live there for 2 years or till I become fluent in the language and can read newspapers with ease. I was born there. It’s time to develop my mother tongue.

I think I’d like to live in Chicago. A bricked townhouse in downtown. Don’t have to be huge but comfortable. Use alternate transportation more such as biking and getting on trains. Bike to parks, go on trains to see museums, play golf, and fly on last-minute weekend fares out of O’Hare airport.

My lifelong goal is to help move my sister and her family to the United States and live close to each other. We’ve been apart long enough and for my niece to have a good education/life. Both my sister and brother-in-law are deaf.