May 2012
6 posts
5 tags
Baby cousin graduates from Cal - 5/12/2012
I went to Cal for my baby cousin’s graduation. I can’t believe I graduated 3-years ago! Made me SUPER nostalgic and sad… He’s the last one in the family to graduate, so everyone was super excited! For someone who appears to be lazy on the outside (like all guys, obviously), he’s made me so proud <3 Out of his several offers, he decided to join Deloitte (which...
4 tags
Weekend of drinkinggggg (a lot): Ng's Birthday +...
I’m glad I survived this past weekend. Between celebrating my roommate’s birthday back to back Friday & Saturday, followed by bright and early B2B celebration on Sunday, I wasn’t sure if I would make it! But figured this would be a good “pre-trial” to surviving EDC weekend in just TWO weeks.
Friday - @ Grand
Friday night, we went to the Grand (again) for...
5 tags
Pampering Weekend
This past weekend was absolutely WONDERFUL. GORGEOUS weather in SF which we know doesn’t come around very often. It’s funny how weather alone can put me in a better mood…
Friday night - the Deltasig happy hour @ Cigar Bar. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to one.. but it was so good to see / re-connect with everyone! Makes me realize how “old” I feel.....
3 tags
Missing my parents - 3 more months!
I booked my trip to go to Korea on 8/25 with my sister to visit our parents and grandma <3 I’m very excited!
I can’t believe it’s been almost 6 years since my parents left. I still remember driving them to SFO, and crying profusely by myself on my drive back to Berkeley.
… how time flies! Why is it that I feel like I’M the only one who refuses to grow up? :(
2 tags
Girls Night In...
So simple, yet so fun <3
6 tags
Week / Weekend in LA & OC
Last Tuesday (before I left for the conference), I got a nice surprise in the office from the bf - white peonies <3 I’ve never gotten peonies before, and it was for no occasion - so I was very very excited :) Unfortunately, it was my last day in the office for the week which was a bummer… because when I came back, it wasn’t so lively anymore :(
I definitely appreciate the...
April 2012
3 posts
2 tags
Thankful for... girlfriends
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a night out in SF with the girls. With Jen & Jen both being in serious relationships, and with me traveling all the time and out of town, and with conflicting schedules with the girls, it’s been hard to set up a girls day post Vegas for Steph’s birthday in early March.
Friday - with the weather FINALLY being somewhat decent without...
5 tags
Thankful for... boyfriend who spoils me like no...
Just got back from my long-waited Hong Kong / Taiwan trip. This trip (like others) was filled with SO MUCH food.. non-stop! I know I say this every time, but I really had the best time this weekend… and it’s crazy how each trip always seems to get a little better than last ;)
Friday 4/6 - Happy birthday to my booski
I landed in HK local time around 6:30AM.. Andy picked me up from...
2 tags
Thankful for... Travels
In an effort to keep my tumblr alive (mostly for my sake), I’m going to try to post about things that I’m thankful for.. (no matter how small or big). Today, I’m thankful for all my travels - specifically my travels with my loved ones: including family / friends & bf who really make it all worthwhile.
I’m FINALLY leaving for Hong Kong / Taiwan tonight! T-12 hours!!!!!...
March 2012
7 posts
1 tag
May the odds.. ever be in your favor
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/mega-millions-strategies-chance-leading-jackpot/story?id=16020106
The Mega Millions jackpot, the biggest lottery award in the game’s history at an estimated $500 million, has millions of people dreaming, however ridiculous the odds may be.
The odds of getting struck by lightning are about one in 280,000, according to the National Lightning Safety Institute....
1 tag
Internet access > Cars... SAD!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/business/media/to-draw-reluctant-young-buyers-gm-turns-to-mtv.html?ref=business
Forty-six percent of drivers aged 18 to 24 said they would choose Internet access over owning a car, according to the research firm Gartner.
Automakers are realizing that if they do not adjust to changing youth tastes, they “risk becoming the dad at the middle school dance,” said...
5 tags
Relaxing weekend away from home - LA!
I went to LA this past weekend to visit my sister & her fiance :) I got in around 10:30PM Friday night, and we called it a night relatively early since we had a FULL day scheduled for Saturday - SHOPPING!
We drove about 45 minutes out to Camarillo Outlets. Surprisingly, the deals were PRETTY decent - although not at every single store. We hit up most of the “good” stores - saks...
3 tags
Napa!
Very excited - there was a great travelzoo deal going on for Napa Spa at the Marriott. $179 for 50 minute massage, 50 minute facial, 45 minute pedicure, and use of spa amenities & pool!! WHAT A STEAL!
Danni, Tran & I booked - and we’ll be on our way to get pampered on 5/5 Saturday! We’re planning to go to Ad Hoc for dinner… and maybe pick up some Bouchon macaroons on...
3 tags
Life of an analyst... in graphs →
4 tags
Passion and Ambition
I had a very interesting conversation with a co-worker about career, ambition, passion and happiness.
We’re both in similar situations - where we feel like we’re torn by 2 sides of our personality:
(1) one side is that as young professionals in their 20s, we should be UNCOMFORTABLE with being comfortable - what I mean by that is, we should be constantly be challenged at work, want...
4 tags
First Vegas trip of 2012
I know I’ve been saying this, but man, my body does not feel like it used to (even two years ago!). I feel like I used to (i) be able to party / drink hard-core… REPEATEDLY (including weekdays, followed by work the next morning), (ii) not get hangovers and (iii) do this on a weekly basis.
Now? By midnight, I’m pooped! I went to Vegas this weekend with the girls for Steph’s...
February 2012
19 posts
Harvard’s Liberal-Arts Failure Is Wall Street’s...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-16/harvard-liberal-arts-failure-is-wall-street-gain-commentary-by-ezra-klein.html
“In 2008, Drew Gilpin Faust, the president of Harvard University, went so far as to give a speech to graduating seniors asking them to stand fast against Wall Street’s “all but irresistible recruiting juggernaut. Tufts University is paying the student loans of graduates...
"Live your life"
Instead of worrying about what’s next, what could be, what should be…
- My dear friend Kyle Reykalin. HAHA.
2 tags
Another lazy weekend
Friday
Nothing like spending Friday night vchatting with your boyfriend to watch movie and play words-with-friends on your iPhone til 1AM. We watched Tower Heist with Ben Stiller, because we were looking for a light / comedy movie. It was better than expected (although definitely at-home movie versus theater)! Since I’m going to be gone the next two weekends, wanted to spend some time :)
...
(Un)satisfied?
This week has been such an odd week - for me personally. Work-wise, it was fantastically chill; social life-wise, it was also good. I went to happy hour both yesterday and today (Wed & Thur) to hang out with friends, had dinner with Jen yesterday to finally catch up about our respective lives… was scheduled to have dinner with Katie today to catch up - but had to postpone due to her work...
Nothing more awesome than a chill work-week :)
I love 4-day work weeks! The week just flies! I love planning trips!
3/2 weekend - I’m going to Vegas with the girls for Steph’s birthday. First Vegas trip of 2012 :) Next one already booked for EDC weekend - first weekend in June.
You’ll be missed Julia ;)
3/9 weekend - LA to visit my sister :) Also just found out coincidentally that Jen and Candy are also going to be there...
Happy 222!
Not official anniversary by any means, but exactly one year ago marks the date that Andy and I met :) I don’t count anniversary until June-ish… but still thought 222 was a cool / memorable date!
3 tags
Lazy 3-day weekend... life of a bum.
Can’t believe that I wasted an entire day doing nothing today - but so nice once awhile :) silly how much 1 day can make such a big difference. Absolutely love 3 day weekends! Too bad we don’t have another holiday until Memorial day… but thankfully I’m planning on taking 3-days off in April to go visit Andy in Hong Kong.
Saturday - had lunch with old high school friend...
2 tags
Smartest puppy ever
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=P9Fyey4D5hg
I love him! so smart!
4 tags
Random (but funny) V-day related graphs (courtesy...
5 tags
Bestest weekend :)
This weekend started out a bit hectic, but ended up being one of the most “normal” and relaxing weekends ever!
Friday night, I went to Helen’s birthday dinner at Mas Sake in the Marina. I’ve never been - but such a fun atmosphere! It reminds me of a Japanese Hooters place - the restaurant is totally dark, waitresses are wearing club outfits, and they play club-music all...
“Quarter-life Crisis” It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start...”
– http://coolquotescollection.com/6775/quarter-life-crisis-it-is-when-you-stop-going-along-with-the-crowd-and-start (via hariwon)
Is it because I’m 25? Or is it because the statement below is true? As I was reading this, I had so many of those “ah-ha” moments….! Not sure if...
Hazard of the Trade: Bankers' Health
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204062704577223623824944472.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLETopStories#articleTabs%3Darticle
“Add investment banking to the list of things that could be dangerous to your health.
A University of Southern California researcher found insomnia, alcoholism, heart palpitations, eating disorders and an explosive temper in some of the roughly two dozen...
2 tags
"Just Because"
… Not sure what kind of flowers these are, but very pretty nonetheless! :)
2 tags
Must.Be.Healthy.
I just bought a new scale, and it finally came! My work pants have been feeling… extra snug lately.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KXZ808/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
I’m totally loving my free trial of Amazon Prime, and 2-day shipping :) Going to weigh myself tomorrow morning, and goal is to lose 10 pounds… slowly - 1 pound/week for 10 weeks? Think that is do-able! For...
2 tags
The future
Today, someone asked me - “Where do you want to be in 10 years?”
My answer - “I’m not sure”
At what point are you supposed to know what you want to do / where you want to be in 10 years? I feel like college never teaches you that after graduation, you have to have your life figured out!
Am I supposed to know where I want to be, and work backwards? Or is it that...
3 tags
Hilarious link - flip side →
Here’s what happens when female / male roles are reversed at a bar ;)
I wonder if this is how guys feel :)
Marriage is for rich people
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/marriage-is-for-rich-people/?ref=business
A new report, by Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney of the Hamilton Project, looked at the decline in marriage rates over the last 50 years and found a strong connection to income. Dwindling marriage rates are concentrated among the poor — the very people whose living standards would be most improved by having...
Boyfriend comes in exactly one week from today! Can’t wait! xoxo
January 2012
10 posts
Pregnant and Fired
As a fellow woman, who plans to one-day (in the far-future) be pregnant with my own child(ren), this “opinion page” article in the NY times made me quite sad. Essentially, this article talks about how the current law doesn’t necessarily require employers to provide special accommodations for pregnant women, and as a result, these women are often fired and / or pushed out.
I...
Top 5 Regrets of the Dying
warning: I swear I’m not depressed! I just love articles that talk about regrets, give advice to the younger generation, etc… so that I can learn and hope to live a very fulfilling life :) For me, the worst thing I can do to myself is wonder “What if?”
I need to know that I tried my best, whether it’s academics, relationships, career… if I gave it my all and I...
3 tags
Here's to a quarter century~
What do Christmas and women have in common?
…that no one wants them after the 25th… LOL.
I celebrated my 25th birthday this past weekend.
Friday
Friday started out wonderful, with my surprise present (camera) from the boyfriend… just in time to take photos of weekend festivities! Unfortunately, weather was TERRIBLE in SF, but my girlfriends and I already bought pre-sale...
Catching up with old friends
Yesterday, I drove down to Redwood City to have dinner with Michelle, Jonjon, Peter and Mark at Lobster Shack. I wish I took a photo of my lobster roll, but I inhaled it way too quickly (as expected).
I literally haven’t seen Michelle in years… so it was so good to see them! Michelle & Jonjon recently just bought a house in Redwood City, so I also got to check that out as well. I...
2 tags
Nothing like a surprise in the office (on a...
I lost my camera two weeks ago (only a year-old!), so I was pretty bummed out… especially because it was me being careless :( As a result, during my past weekend trip to NYC, we had to resort to my (not so wonderful) blackberry and Julia’s camera. To my surprise, I received a package this morning at work (nicely wrapped!) that got me smiling~
Thanks to the bestest boyfriend <3
3 tags
MLK weekend in NYC
I took a quick weekend trip to NYC to visit Julia and Pouya for the weekend. Unfortunately, the only full-day I had in NYC happened to be one of the COLDEST day ~20 degrees and Julia was slightly feeling under the weather.
With that said, we still made the most of it… and what I mean by that is, we still ate a ton!
I arrived there Friday night, got settled into Julia’s apt, and...
2 tags
Life lessons - words from the wise
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/health/elderly-experts-share-life-advice-in-cornell-project.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
I thought this was a really good article on life lessons… some of my favorite excerpts below to keep me motivated:
Eventually, most of us learn valuable lessons about how to conduct a successful and satisfying life. But for far too many people, the learning comes too...
Continuing my 2011 reflection...
Inspired by Julia, I’ve decided to add one more component to my 2011 reflection to capture new things I did in 2011 (in no particular order):
Left GS and started a new job :) much happier with life…
Bought my first classic Chanel <3 my beauty
Took a 12-hour spontaneous trip to SoCal and pulled an all-nighter partying it up ;)
EDC 2011 - started listening to EDM… (I’m...
It's a scary world out there
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19648387
May 2011 - Michelle Le went missing… and just two months after, they found her body (fortunately and unfortunately). For the sake of her family / friends, I think it’s better to have closure (although this type of closure is never good obviously), but I can’t imagine what it must be like to wonder every single day about her...
7 tags
Beginning of a new year - 2012
Let’s recap 2011 - overall, 2011 was very good to me :) Lots of traveling, quitting GS and starting a new job, and meeting Andy.
January:
I co-celebrated my 24th birthday at Roe with Emily for her 25th birthday. Nice small dinner with friends beforehand.. nothing too crazy or fancy. Another year older, hopefully another year wiser :)
Birthday girls <3 my biggie
With my roomies...
December 2011
2 posts
If there is ONE thing that I really want, it’s to have a job where there is a clear “vacation” timeline that is MY (alone) time. I hate that nothing (ie. vacation) is ever certain in my industry, and always pending on SOMETHING. It drives me absolutely crazy that it’s so hard to make plans (especially with someone else).
T-3 days til Korea… but I’m still...
Life is about the choices we make... each day.
Almost a year into my new job, I’m already faced with a new challenge.. why is it that I’m only “completely” calm/stable when I secure my next job, but as soon as I start my next gig, I’m already thinking about the NEXT thing… what am I trying to achieve? … that is the million dollar question!
Do I go to business school? Do I move to Asia?
… so...
November 2011
4 posts
When everything was simple..
What I really miss is waking up on Christmas morning, going over to my aunt’s house, and taking millions of family photos. I totally took it for granted back then, because now with my parents in Korea, it’s almost impossible for all of us to spend a single holiday together. Since my cousin Monique is married and my sister is engaged, upcoming holidays will be split too! Sigh* I know...
3 tags
Thankful...
I really do have a lot to be thankful for.
My parents - yes, most Asian parents (like mine) really did give up everything to come to the US for the “American Dream.” In all honesty, I really would attribute all my success (current and future) to my parents. I definitely would not be where I am today without them. Instead of buying anything for themselves, they sacrificed everything...
Sometimes I think about how wonderful it would be to be a bum/nomad (not literally), travel around the world, be free-spirited, no strings attached.