Art of Negotiation

The past two days I've been in a negotiation training course called Art of Negotiation. Man I gotta admit, Benedict Negotiating Seminars does a very good job teaching you how to negotiate. I feel like I can handle those used car salesmen now. For the first time I walked away from a class and felt that I actually learned something very useful and applicable. All those years in college I never experienced such an intense course that made you feel so good in the end. The training course was two days long, 8 hours a day. We went over everything from reading a person's negotiation style, to ways on how to get leverage on the opponent. In the end we actually had to practice everything we learned in a case study while being filmed. Afterwards we all critiqued our negotiation sessions, it was nerve-wrecking. I think the fact that I was the youngest person in the class and most people had been in the field for at least a couple years just made me more nervous. I also felt a lot of pressure to do well because I was representing our marketing group. In the end it was a great experience, I learned so much and I'm so grateful that my boss had me take the course.

My new beast!

Alan and I have given birth to a beast of a computer. Over the past couple of weeks we've been working tirelessly to create a top-of-the-line gaming machine that will put others to shame. After overclocking and stress-testing this beast, it is finally ready to be brought to my room where I can spend countless hours playing Counter-Strike Source.

• CPU: 2.88 Ghz Athlon 64 evga 133 K8 NF1
• Memory: 2x1GB Mushkin XP PC4000
• Storage: 2x 80GB Hitachi Deskstar RAID 0
• Graphics Card: eVGA GeForce 7800 GT

If you don't know how to interpret that, all you need to know is that it kicks ass. I love Alan!

Celebrate with red meat

Finally, after being back from China for so long (almost 3 weeks) I get to eat some real steak! My quest for real juicy medium rare thick cuts in China have always ended in vain. I've been to many restaurants that claim to serve western meals with certified Angus beef and I've even tried ordering the most expensive steak ($24) I could get at those restaurants but in the end I am always always dissapointed. For some reason the cuts of beef in China just aren't the same as the ones we get in the United States. They seem to be thinner and a lot more tender, but tender in a bad way. When you bite into a Chinese steak you can't experience the joy of the bloody juices squirting out of the muscle fibers coming from a ribeye. I couldn't even find anything thicker than half an inch, now that is a shame. I'm grilling ribeye tonight and we're going to have a little celebration, just family. Drool...

倒数

明天要到广州，今晚我加班到11点，回到家12点，然后发现我忘了吃晚饭... 接着我洗澡，随即发现今天的洗发水特别干，我倒了平时的3倍，洗完后我发现我刚才用的是沐浴露...

Medieval dream

I just woke up from quite an incredible dream. I dreampt that I was back in China and was an army commander during one of the dynasties. I led an army to defend our castle and township from a massive invasion by the enemies to the north. My dad and I fought along side each other slicing off our enemies' heads and limbs and I even used one of those spiky balls a couples of times. It was intense and very graphic as you can imagine. A lot of my family and friends were in the dream too, many helped to fight the war and some were just completely useless ( I won't say whom). After we won the battle, we went to a lot of funerals and I was bored as hell, I couldn't believe so many people would be attending funerals when our enemies to the north could come back at any time. Just as I was about getting sick of the funerals I suddenly found myself at an airport. The airport security wouldn't let me on a flight and I was quite disappointed but then some friends showed up with a whole bucket of raw oysters sitting in ice. It was awesome, we started eating the oyesters at the airport, it made my day. But what happened to the invading hordes?

Who let the dog out?

I got a citation today, here's the story... Michelle left for work and asked me to put the dogs in their cage if I was to leave the house. I took note of her careful instructions and proceeded to work on my websites. A couple hours later the Edina Police called me and told me that our dog attacked another dog and is now growling at the paramedics. At this point I was like "what the shit?"... So I called Sugar in and caged her, no blood stains or anything. A while later the police came by to talk to me. Apparently the neighbor was walking her dog and Sugar charged through the invisible fence and attacked the smaller dog. And apparently this happened before about a year and half ago . Well the woman who was walking her dog got all worked up and had trouble breathing, and her dog was sent to the vet. That's how I got a citation. What the shit.

一个烧饼引发的感悟

今天拜五，回来的时候忍不住去买了一个最近红火得热闹的土家烧饼，记得小一走前，我们在师大后门疯狂大嚼，看见什么吃什么，我已产生错觉以为自己是超人无 所不吃，无所不撑。我对这个小吃印象很深，在冷冷的冬夜两人手捧着一个热乎乎火辣辣的饼，一口咬下去，五脏六腑都热乎了。 小一走后，这个 烧饼的加盟店雨后春笋一样在全国铺开，我经常被同事拉去这家买，那家买，可是吃来吃去，总觉得还是师大后门的那家最好，最正宗，烤得恰倒好处，辣中带咸， 一边吃，肉馍一边掉，带不走的是那股浓厚的香味。所以试多几家后我也就不再尝试了，今天特意走过师大，就为了去这家找这个土得掉渣的玩意，迫不及待地买 下，一口咬下去，突然觉得不对劲，味蕾象长了草，品尝不出美味，焦，硬，还是辣但是过咸。勉强吃了半个，最后还是扔掉。一路上百思不得其解，到最后终于想 通个中道理，不禁哑然失笑。 很多时候，人吃的，不是单单是一种食物，尝的不单单是一种味道，更多时候 ，吃得是一种感觉，一种对身边环境和身边人的一种感受，当环境变了，人不在了，这种感觉感受也就不再一样了。 我不会在去买它，因为我知道，当我独自去买它的时候，当初这种美味的感觉注定不再来

Lunch in the cafeteria, no thanks

Man it seems like the only people that look forward to cafeteria food at their workplace are those people at Google. I've had too many bad experiences with overpriced nasty tasting food at our cafeteria that I now try to avoid it at all costs. Actually it's not THAT bad, their breakfast is actually pretty good, but then again it's hard to screw up breakfast. Well I guess my coworkers will soon figure out my particular preference, but I still feel bad for declining to join them for lunch at the cafeteria.

元宵

今天竟然是元宵节，我竟然不知道，一个人在家里坐坐想想，于是发了狠， 煮了满满几大盘的菜，还有饺子，把减肥的事先放一边，埋头猛吃，在扫荡一空后接着煮了汤圆，吃到人不能动腿不能走现在整个人扒拉在椅子上起不来 >_< 窗外有人在放烟火，有家的人始终是幸福的，再灿烂的烟火只是瞬间，只有守侯你的家是永恒的。希望万家团圆，生活如意，百事安乐

完美世界

这阵子真不太平，Linda恋上了Michael，Elex原来是和小小马，原来有这么多office secret,我和Nico惊讶得两人干瞪眼，哑口无言。我想我有些失望，我是非常喜欢大家的，原本以为她也算是朋友... 最近压力很大，睡眠很差，其实我很紧张，但是这是好事，一定要去面对...水木年华的歌始终是种安慰， http://8bala.net/...oad/20051209040458104.mp3 完美世界 不知日落夜深多少个夏秋 不知我一直飚奔跑了多久 我冲出森林追一生的寻求 远方那完美世界的爱和自由 fly with me in the perfect world ]go with me just like a bird 没什么能阻挡自由的天地 这样沉默爱你不知有多久 我愿付出我的生命和所有 我要你不顾一切跟我走 去向那完美世界的爱和自由 fly with me in the perfect world go with me just like a bird 没什么能阻挡我们在一起 fly with me in the perfect world go with me just like a bird 没什么能阻挡自由的天地 fly with me in the perfect world go with me just like a bird 没什么能阻挡我们在一起

First day of work

Today is my first day at work, FINALLY. It's weird, even though I've been looking forward to starting work, I never really thought that this is the life that I will have for years to come until my boss told me to make an appointment with the ergonomics specialist because I will be sitting in this chair for "many years". Then he went on talking about the new badge color he will get soon, reminding himself of just how long he has been here (there was a voice inside my head saying "omg 15 years"). I can honestly say I love my job and have been enjoying it ever since I've been working with this marketing group. There's probably no where else I'd rather be in the company than where I am right now. It's like that same feeling I experienced when I finally met a group of engineering students at the U who like to "hang out". I've found people who share my interests and are like me, I am lucky.

国与民

开始注意体重了:( 回来后多出来的这十几斤我都拿它们没办法,愣是赖在我身上不肯走.这次我横下心了，我不减体重誓不成仁! 回来时和康熙在车上一顿好聊,他是真TMD爱上上海,也难怪,要在中国,洋人不爱上海爱哪?我是爱上整个国家,整个文化,不管精粹无论糟粕,这是一个属于自己的国家,将来无论你会在世界哪一个角落,也许你会嘲笑它的落后,轻视它的进步,但是还是请你好好爱爱它,世界上属于你的地方也许很多，但是这一个是永远不变,永远忠诚属于你.记得当初不在国内的时候,你说我想广东吗?未必,但是有一阵子梦里尽是大好河山,醒来时几乎没高歌万里长城永不倒. 中华民族是一个看似很坚强,其实很脆弱的民族,千年历史打造出的文化根基在西方的冲击夹击下已经开始摇摇欲坠.部分国人,谄媚的过于谄媚,敏感的过于敏感,把西方人当成外星宝物似的捧着爱着是很可笑的,但是这仍然有理由可以解释,由于接触外来事物的时间已经远远落后与西方，而且中国地区贫富发展严重失调,出于以上理由还有教育层次的限制,国人对于西方事物的新鲜感和崇拜感是可以理解的.既然打开国门,中国经济上获益良深,那么文化上的冲击在所难免,甚至代价也许相当高,但是当代精英也无意于改变这种状况，那么普通民众只有承受,忘记了祖宗姓什而不自知,但是经济上没有损失,那么只好微笑.... 和一种国人打交道也是很可怕,其自尊心提到前所未有的高度,动则就是美国人看不起中国人，欧洲人轻视亚洲人。当然会有这样的人存在,但是如果你时刻警惕别人的这种心态,其实你又何尝看得起你自己.况且很多时候,别人未必如你所想,美国人在笑你口音的同时焉知他们不也是在笑英国人的口音,不如放轻松,其实过半百的误会也许源于无伤大雅的玩笑. 在外的华人也许会不断地拿你的行为开涮,但是这不代表他们鄙视自己的血统,当你理解了他们的成长环境和所受的教育时,为什么一定要耿耿于怀于他/她不会说国语,他/她不了解中国?香港人,台湾人本来就是和中国分离许久,政治意义上的回归是另外一回事,但是这不能苛求在另一种政治和文化状态中成长的另一批中国人就一定要说"I Love China"当然,最好后面还要加上一句'mainland"也许更能让更多国人满意. 不管如何,想想如果你是香港人，台湾人,外籍华人,甚至纯粹的外国人，你做的未必比他们更好.有空抱怨,不如埋头努力,好好爱自己的国家

Delayed jet lag?

I usually don't get jet lag and I didn't when I got back to MN this time. However I just can't sleep tonight, I think jet lag has finally hit me. I was watching the Superbowl tonight and fell asleep, I actually fell asleep during a football game. Now I'm wide awake and just hoping that the sun will rise soon so I'll have something to do. Hmm... maybe I'll try hooking up my Pump It Up pad.

Sherry, Port, and Red Envelopes

Tonight I'm going to my great aunt's Chinese New Year party, and I'm bringing David and Andrea. One little catch, we're pre-partying by drinking sherry and port. I don't think I like either of these dessert wines but whatever, it'll make new years more exciting.

大年初六

今天公司还是没人，看来我要是把整个部门翻过来也是没人理：（ 我让小一今天打电话给大姑了，大姑你不要伤心，虽然我们这次离开了，但是爷爷不是说吗，这是好事情，我们都不要哭，上天会安排一家人尽快地在一起，你看我和小一这么远也是快要把分离的日子快乐地结束，所以你和姐姐还有我们，当然别忘了“传统” 再在一起的日子也是很快就到来：）

上海百态之《１》交通系统

热闹了一个月，那个家伙终于回去了，大姑说我们家的人送行不许哭，因为都是好事情，所以这次我没有... 这两天的上海很安静，我松一口气，这个城市太热闹，天天上演闹剧让人受不了 一.巴士风云。每天早上要坐９４路到漕阳路转乘公司的巴士，车一来到的５分钟是我每日必不可少的醒神剂。车还没进站，人就全发疯一样挤上去，头发散了，衣服扯了，拎包掉了，但是没有人在意，男的没有风度，女的不顾仪态，死命往上冲就为了抢一个位置，抢不到坐的那抢一个站的好位置也比让别人抢了先的强。　你绝不能怪这些人不懂得尊老爱幼，因为上海的老人小孩比哪的都强，老人颤悠悠地也在往上挤，小孩呼啦啦地往上钻。我看得心惊胆战的，永远比人慢半拍。有一个同事和我同一辆车，节前竟然问我是不是装斯文，怎么从来见我都是最后一个上车？　呜呼哉，天佑上海，我无言以对； 二.地铁风云.　我算了服了上海的地铁系统，人多这怨不得上海，可是如何整顿秩序应该是上海市政府当仁不让的责任。本人很荣幸地经历过２次在人民广场站在敬职敬责的地铁维护秩序大叔“大力协助“之下无奈上了车事件。就算当时我拼命解释我真的不赶时间，我真的可以等下一班车，可是大叔还是好心运用威力无穷铁砂掌助我上列车。最搞笑的一次我被挤在门口站立面积只有巴掌大的地方，隐约中旁边一位和我一样受苦受难的女孩子和我说：等下一站到的时候你要小心，我估计一开车门我们就会飞出去。“狂笑狂笑，苦中做乐焉。听uncle Tim说有一次他到了站都无法下，因为上车的人车门未开就已齐刷刷堵在门口，我可怜的uncle 只能眼睁睁看着车门关上，打开，关上，打开，然后把他载到不知名的某地... 三.的士风云。这个无需多说，小一在礼让了１０８次后悔悟相当快，据我看来已经具备专业上海人拦车水准：） 四。马路风云。这个也无需多说，套用一个上海朋友的话：在上海，你要是遵守交通秩序你就永远过不了马路！

My one afternoon in Shanghai

I think most people know I don't like Shanghai, today I was reminded of how much I dislike the feeling that this city gives me. When I come to Shanghai, I feel like I'm in neither China or America. I'm in some place where East meets West and mixes with the worst of characteristics. How bad can it be you say? Well other than the fact that everyone here goes straight to the front of the line instead of queuing and westerners are put on top a pedestal, there are some more things today that just made me want to leave. Amanda and I arrived to Shanghai from Xiamen today and we went to a sushi restaurant for lunch. After eating our salmon sashimi and various sushi items, we noticed that there was some action at the table next to us. I couldn't believe what I saw, a mother and grandmother were changing their baby's diaper. The scent of a baby's damp butt with the smell of the baby wipes mixed together with the flavor of wasabi completely killed my appetite. But it was too late because we put in another order for more food. After the diaper changing couple left and the table was briefly wiped by one of the servers, a group of teenagers sat down. I saw 3 guys and a girl, but I heard voices from 4 guys. Yes the girl was a guy, first time I saw a Chinese cross-dresser. Needless to say Amanda and I felt pretty full by the time our second round of sushi came. We strolled around the mall still in disbelief of what we just witnessed in one sitting. Finally Amanda and I decided to go for coffee because we were both getting sleepy. Everywhere was packed and we had no other place to go but Gino Cafe, a fancy little Italian cafe serving cappuccinos and tiramisu. Not long after placing our order, two young women decked out designer accessories sat down next to us, with only a low divider-wall separating our two tables. The first thing these women do is to light their cigarettes and since we were so close to them, it was basically us breathing in all their second-hand smoke. Not only was that unbearable, but they started speaking in English. One of the women is Asian American but the other one, who was basically talking right into my ear is Shanghainese. The only subjects these women talked about for the next 20 minutes are money, wealthy men, and bitches who hate because they're jealous. I couldn't stand the Shanghai girl's bitchy tone with a Chinese accent, it was horrible. Since she was so close to me, I couldn't even concentrate on my coffee, all I heard was how she looks down on all those people who are not as rich as she is. I never drank my coffee so damn fast. I'm going to say it plainly, I hate Shanghai, I hate how people here are so damn materialistic, I hate how people here have no sense of common courtesy, I can't wait to go bad to Minnesota nice.