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The Notes of My Life

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Over and over I say to myself, I remind myself, I write myself. Into curves and straights, corners and turns without coming to an end because the past is never in sight and the present lingers for only a second. The future demands to be known with each stroke of the pen, it becomes present and is written into the past. The eternal struggle. Memories selected for harvest until a later date confirmed only when they are opened once again. That is not all, that is not all. There are those that remain in your mind but blanked out, slowly again by time.

I feel the need to explore the depths of the lost chambers that echo within dreams. I feel the need of a flashlight into the wells of dark water long bathed in the moonlight. A moonlight that shone since the morning I opened my eyes. 7:45 AM the clock once read and will read again. This is a cycle, unending till you realize you have gone away from something at the same time towards something. Can you open doors, can you close doors; Do you have that courage? I know not because I fear I know.

What you forget is what remains in plain sight. What you remember is what you hide. Perhaps. I leave through words and phrases, floating through long indecipherable because I no longer possession the dictionary to me, myself, and I. Until I stop and reach into my pocket and find a compass and some letters in disguise. I am surprised at their insignificance and the significance all at once, of what I kept or discarded. Those choices remain as a relic, etched in the fabric of a soul hidden in plain sight. Have you realized the folly of the world as you grasp its sands that slips through your fingers because you do not have water?

We all belong or un-belong to a kindness that only we can supply. We are all stars within our moonlight or another’s. Then again, what can I know for sure because I am not you or anyone. “We all belong to the same remainder” – how have I forgotten a gift. Words beautifully written, not by you, me, or anyone but inspired by the Mother of us. Move beyond the restrictions, oh I find this language so inadequate to convey or to capture the colors that I see.

I hear your cry, your tears, your smile, your laughter. I hear them all echoing in sync but I was unable to act. Paralysis by a malaise only I could have concocted with spells of unknowing. Unknowing because I have hidden. Unknowing because I left it in the open. Who is to say, what is granted now. A sudden thought, I again remember that night in a faraway land or was it nearby?

Short Post: New Project

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I recently undertook a new project – taking my career forward in the direction I have been aiming for.

Care to guess what kind of a project I am doing?

Keeping it under wraps for now, but today I made a great deal of progress! Can’t wait to get to the final product.

Here’s a sneak preview:

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Short Post: Biology and Life

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I have been looking for a steady job now for almost a year now and one of the questions I get asked the most is why? Why am I pursuing or want to pursue a career in such and such? People really want to know where you are coming from and what your vision of the future is.

Honestly, even though I know my answers, sometimes I have to look back to the beginning and ask myself why? Why am I now fascinated by the use of space in cities and urban environments? Why am I pursuing a career in understanding the urban?

Like most stories, there is a beginning. As a young child, I was always chasing after butterflies, digging up earthworms, and collecting fish. Their movements and their features fascinated me. Metamorphosis, the transformation from an ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly, captivated my imagination and in many ways it is a metaphor for life.

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Butterfly in the Amazon

I never though much of it until high school, where I met a wonderful biology teacher by the name of Mr. Adrian Price. Though we got off to a rocky start (I got thrown out of class on the first day), I ended up loving his class. His lectures were pinpoint and clear. His knowledge was extensive and his class notes were meticulous. I have yet to encounter another teacher with his degree of preparation. His biology classes rekindled my love for wildlife and its myriad forms. It was in this class where I learned just how much variety there is to life on Earth. This led to my Biology degree from Washington University in St. Louis and eventually a research assistant position in the Amazon Rainforest.

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Just another day at the research station

Even though it was a short two months, it was a life-changing experience for me. Being able to see the sheer amount of diversity, the incredible forms of life changed me. Like most millennials, I always cared about the environment, but I don’t think people really understand what life on Earth means. Most of us never had the chance to experience the wonders of life besides in zoos. Yet, zoos are incredibly sterile and are such poor representations. Life, true life, is not clean or tidy. Life is extremely dirty and extremely messy. That’s what gives rise to its diversity and its beauty.

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My encounter with a wild Jaguar

It was also there, in the Amazon Rainforest, that I realized this: in order to preserve the environment, urban life as we know it needs to somehow change fundamentally. How we build, how we consume, how we live in cities have far reaching consequences. It is our supposed material needs, created by the economy, by society, and by the urban environments we live in that drives environmental change on Earth.

From the field research experience, I know that I do not have the personality or the character to be a field biologist but I still want to contribute to the many efforts in trying to preserve our planet and our wonderful wildlife. This is why I am pursuing a career in urban planning and development.

What are you pursuing and why?

 

 

Short Post: Mindfulness

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Mindfulness, it is a quality that is hardly seen in people today.

We are all consumed by instant gratification, the so-called freedom as we are liberated to chase whatever our short attention spans dictate. We are influenced by the idea of “personal brands”; we are dominated by a desire to foster a certain type of “public image”. We become more concerned about what others think of us instead of just being who we are. We lost that ability to be happy for ourselves and to bring happiness to others.

Mindfulness runs against all of that. It is a compassionate and empathetic act that comes through self-less giving. When we are mindful, we are not taking from others. We are making the world around us the subject matter. It is when we are able to see the world from another person’s eyes. It is when we try to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. We too often judge others quickly without truly understanding who they are and where they come from. We forget that everyone has a story. It would be too much for anyone to try to know that whole story and that is not what being mindful is about. Being mindful is about acknowledging that existence.

I have worked with orphans and done community service with children from disadvantaged families. A lot of times, we see the ugly side of humanity in children, yet it is often in children that we see the innocence and the beauty of humanity. They are the ones most willing to help animals. They are the ones trusting enough to help a stranger in need. They are the ones who empathize with others the easiest. Do we forget that as children, we often lend a helping hand to those in need? Do we forget that as children we play together and band together with no intentions other than just to be with another human being?

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I think it is because as children, we do not have these social shackles of “image”. We are not concerned so much about our own selves, but rather others in our bid to play. I remember the strongest desire I had as a child was the need to be with other children, to play with them and to share in silly little adventures.

Being mindful is about putting yourself away. As children, we are quick to do so because we do not have egos. We love easy, we hate easy but the most important thing for us was others – to be able to be with and share with others. You don’t see that until you go to an orphanage. To the children, we are all part of a big story that we weave together.

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As an adult, it is much harder to be mindful. The source of mindfulness is actually different. To be able to love someone else, to put yourself in someone else’s position requires you to be sure of who you are. It requires you to be confident in who you are. Once we are able to love and to be ourselves, our love can then overflow to others. We become mindful through our own positive energies – energies that overcome the baggage that we all carry but should let go of.

Let’s all be a little more mindful this year. Let’s all find a little bit more of our true selves this year. Let’s all listen to the soul of others, just a little bit more.

Though the world face overwhelming odds (climate change, political polarization, terrorism, poverty, etc.), I believe in hope and the innocence that remain in each of our hearts. I believe in the power of love, which in turn births and gives power to mindfulness.

Courtyard by Marriott – Arc Atlantic Regional Center

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As Arc Atlantic Regional Center’s Project Coordinator, I work on various aspects of their Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Monterey Park development. My responsibilities are split between project coordination, marketing data analysis, and marketing.

I took initiative to create the company’s online presence. In collaboration with Suen Labs, I re-developed Arc Atlantic Regional Center’s website which launched on Feb 26. I created both the Chinese and English content for the website and provided design directions for the appearance of the website.

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My other work in marketing includes creating various media items such as monthly newsletters and press releases and I coordinate with local media such as TV Stations and newspapers in creating advertisements. I also provide Chinese-English translations for our marketing materials as needed, such as adding Chinese subtitles in the introduction video for investors.

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Our January Advertisement in World Journal LA, A local Chinese newspaper

In terms of project coordination, I help the Project Manager in contacting various utilities and contractors relevant to the construction and development of the project. For example, I reached out to Southern California Edison and AT&T for their underground cables and pipeline information for our shoring plans. I review zoning policies and provided research for various design guidelines for the hotel. I also draft correspondences and create contact and client information worksheets.

Lastly, I provide data analysis on Arc Atlantic Regional Center’s marketing campaigns. I created the template for client information database. From the information in the database, I create monthly reports on the quantity of calls and appointments that result. These reports include insights on the source of information in order to identify the most effective marketing platforms and insights on the type of callers – whether they are looking to invest for themselves, for a friend, or for family.

Short Post: The Issues – Educate and Compromise

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Recently, I have had several conversations with my friends back in Taiwan. A common thread of discussion is how hopeless they feel about social conditions getting better.

Since the recent presidential election that resulted in the first female president in the country’s history, there have been a wave of euphoria. A large majority of the population, especially millennials, felt that the fall of the KMT was key to social change in Taiwan.

Yet the problems that face Taiwan, especially those of my generation, are complex and difficult to untangle and dissect. One thing that we all agreed on is the fact that many people are unable to think for themselves. Many young people comment and criticize based on misinformation or a lack of independent thought. Part of the issue is how the media presents information and part of the issue is how people consume media in Taiwan. Though media consumption is not a unique problem to Taiwan, the culture of Taiwan tend to cause people to disregard and dismiss opposing opinions and voices.

I feel like education is the best way to tackle these problems, but not through formal education. The current education system in Taiwan has been broken for awhile now, having gone through several reforms in the last five to ten years. Young people need to be able to calmly and rationally discuss problems without clouded by bias and judgement. Young people need to be able to independently find information and assess the quality of that information. These skills are typically acquired during college, but not every college and university provide that quality of thought.

Instead of complaining about how change is impossible, why don’t we start reaching out and starting conversations with one another. We should start conversations with people who have different worldviews and perspectives. We should start conversations with people who have different political ideologies. Of course, we need to start by educating ourselves on how to communicate, how to think, and how to evaluate. Is it possible to completely eliminate bias? Probably not, but we need to try. There are always going to be people who will never be able to communicate. There are always going to be people who are unwilling or unable to compromise or see the other side. Yet, enough of us can do it, I believe we can make a difference.

Social change can only occur when we communicate and compromise.

Perhaps we have forgotten how as a society, but it’s never too late to learn again.

WLM Financial Marketing and Branding

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During September 2015 to January 2016, I worked as a Marketing Coordinator/Analyst for the real-estate broker WLM Financial. Based in Inglewood, CA, the company focused on providing first-time home buyers with financial advice and loans needed to purchase their home.

Using my knowledge of GIS and demographics, I identified the locations of their target markets. I proposed ten cities in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area that they can look to expand marketing operations into. On the broker side of business operations, I looked at home sales data, mortgage data, and property prices to locate other states that WLM Financial can look to apply for broker licenses.

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After getting to know their operations, targets and goals better, I created a marketing and a branding plan for the company.

In terms of brand building, I used their current website and Facebook page as points of interest and set goals to be reached by July 2016 and July 2017. I created a social media schedule for them to post select content and to generate more reach and views to reach a greater local audience. The original goal for July 2016, which is 700 likes on their Facebook page has already been reached as of today. During my time there, I also helped triple their unique daily reach from 1000 to 3000.

In terms of marketing, I identified a need for the company to start creating a reliable database and to start collecting appropriate information from their clients in order to understand the effectiveness of their marketing and the types of clients that tend to be successful in their loan applications. I created a plan for their database and a clear list of information to be collected. Database logs and templates were created from that plan. I also created a disclaimer template to be used in contracts to inform clients that their information is collected but the privacy of such information is maintained. Lastly, I understand the need for a system of checks and balances to ensure the security of the database so I created a plan detailing database authorizations.

With the implementation of these plans, WLM Financial has been more effective in reaching their clients and creating a professional and friendly company image for the local community. As of February 2016, the targets for July 2016, detailed in the branding plan, has been reached.

Compassion is Light

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After being reminded of some personal philosophies earlier this morning, I want to take the time to explain it.

I wrote this poem 7 years ago after a conversation at dinner with my buddies about relationships with people:

A Conversation at Dinner

An act in progress
is the star within you.

Simplified to four stages:
Red dwarf
Blue giant
Supernova
Black hole

Bring out the light in those around you
or engulf them with your own.
What is it that you want –
a harmony
or an overwhelming shell.

Self-confidence comes with the brightness
you emit
and cause others to emit.

Centered on yourself
you drain all around you as a black hole
pulls in even light.

Drowning in the ever amassing matter
accumulated throughout years of darkness.

None can save you but yourself.

So you, I am talking to
pick yourself up
and act in the manner you believe to be best.

I will expand on what I wrote in poetry form.

If we imagine each of us as a star (which I believe is appropriate, since we are basically made of stardust), we all have different types of shine. So as stars, we are always giving off a shine in our social relations – the impression you make to others, the actions you take that affect how others feel, the compassion or empathy you demonstrate, and such.

Now, just as there are different intensities of stars, there are different intensities of how we present ourselves. Some people, like supernovas, outshine and drown out everything and everyone around them in an explosion of their person.

Others, whose gravity about themselves are so intense, are like black holes. They suck in all the light of those around them, ever darkening their world.

There are also those that we all enjoy being around. They are stars that don’t outshine. They are stars that don’t have super gravity collapsing on themselves. Their shine is just warm and bright enough that they bring out the light in others. They complement the light in others without taking too much or giving too much. They are stars who are sure of what they are, just confident enough in their kind of light.

Obviously, this is a somewhat simplified view of relationships, but I think stars are good metaphors because we are all stars in our own right. We are all good in our own ways but as social creatures, it’s about what we give off to others and we can choose and decide that! Some of us need to retrain our light, some of us need to brighten, yet others like supernovas and black holes need to become whole (no pun intended).

Now, why did I title this “Compassion is Light”? Well, the light you see in yourself and the light you can give off, ultimately comes from the love and confidence you have in yourself and in the world. Once we find our own light, we can shine them on the less fortunate and bring their light out. Our self-confidence and love allows us to truly care about those around us. With that warm and bright light, we can brighten those around us as they start to brighten themselves.

If our hearts can be light (in all meanings of that word) we can be compassionate and empathetic to the world. Our world needs more of that.

So, what kind of a star are you?

[Image via NASA]

Half-Year Goals – 2016

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As I write this, almost one-sixth of the year has already passed. This also means…as fast as time flies, my birthday is right around the corner.

In the spirit of summer babies and half years, I have set out a list of goals I want to achieve by the time I turn 27. A man/woman without goals is not living but merely surviving.

Since I moved to Los Angeles last summer, much of my time has been consumed by job hunting. I have been stressed out because of a lack of productivity, a lack of stability in terms of my visa, and a lack of direction. I stopped being who I was: cheerful, fun, adventurous, enterprising, passionate, curious, to name a few generic/unique traits…

In order to rectify that, I am going to set some goals. I want to learn new skills and continue to become a better person.

I know that every year I am gaining more experience. Every year, I have grown and become a better man. This year, I am writing this down and posting it up so I can hold myself even more accountable; I have always been a man of my word.

If I need external motivators and motivation, so be it until I can become internal. In life, we all struggle with ourselves and our own demons. Some people can deal with it alone, some people need some hands along the way.

So this is my list, what’s yours?

  1. Learn Spanish and be at least 50% Fluent on Duolingo  (currently 19%) – I want to become trilingual eventually
  2. Learn to write Chinese (500 words) – I can type, read, and speak fluently but I probably only know how to write around 50 words right now
  3. Complete Data Analysis and Interpretation Specialization with Coursera
  4. Complete half of the GIS Specialization with Coursera
  5. Complete a site suitability study – Bakersfield project
  6. Write and submit poetry to http://www.poetryfoundation.org – Feb 25th
  7. Work-out regularly
  8. Practice the violin everyday for at least 15 mins
  9. Start volunteering – Orientation is on April 5th
  10. Talk to my parents, sisters, and family more
  11. Play more chess
  12. Find a new job – definitely the hardest goal to achieve

You might wonder how that list has anything to do with becoming a better person. It’s all about being anchored, in order to bring love to those around you.

“The only thing we have to fear…is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

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I Forgot Hope, Is What Makes the World Beautiful

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*very very rough hahaha kind of rusty.

I believe that we are born pure
Clean without evil
But why do these things happen

So I descended into the darkness
In my search for the meaning
Of why

Fog and mist crept in
Covered every path
Colored everything gray

Trapped within the shadows
Trapped within my cave
Within my own head

So I saw nothing
Save for darkness
And I accepted it as fact

 

I came out tainted
Forgotten my belief
With no reminders of what came first

But back into the light
The sun shines
Cleared away the shades

Then I remembered
Hope is what makes the world beautiful
Because without hope there is no love.