February 2012
6 posts
The Rest of My Time Here at UCSC
Current Units: 125
End of this quarter (hopefully): +17 = 142
End of 2012 (Spring) + 17 = 159
2013 - need 180 - 159 = 21 units / 3 = 7 units a quarter
Currently Taking:
TS - HAVC 81
CS 146, CS 140
Still Need:
[num of classes] - Requirement - Class Name
[1] - Ethics - CE 80E, Philosophy 22, Philosophy 24, Philosophy 28
[1] - IS - Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology
[1] - Physics -...
Not Studying =|
Instead of studying, I just learned how to play part of the Harry Potter: Sorcerer’s Stone intro on my ocarina app =|
HAVC 81 - Midterm Review Notes -
* editing in progress *
I’m out for tonight @ 11:17 pm. I’ll finish the notes tomorrow.
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Theory
...
What I Have and Haven't Been Doing Lately
I realize it’s been a while since I’ve written here and I miss it. My creative spirit is hungry and I’ve been accidentally neglecting it by focusing on many other domains of my life. This is a list of what I’ve been doing, what I should be doing. (And there are probably a bunch of things missing from both sides)
What I have been doing -
Writing in my daily life blog:...
=]
Late night homework, a Miyazaki Orchestra playlist, and an Arizona ice tea.
If tomorrow is anything like how I feel right now, it’s going to be a great day =]
January 2012
5 posts
Sticking To My Plan
After a long homework session last night (ending around 1:15 am), I sat in my bed and decided to wake up today at 6:30 am no matter what (even though my first class is at 11:00 am). My plan of action was to listen to a morning relaxation podcast (helping to wake my mind up), then do some push ups/sit ups to wake up my body.
Upon waking up, I heard the sound of my alarm and felt super groggy, but...
Sir Paul
Looks like I arrived at the Lower Lawn bench too late. I was looking forward to having a chat with you, just a heart to heart emotion chat, letting all our thoughts flow free.
Rain check another time? (not literally with this stormy weather)
Stay strong sir~
Lack of Trust and Communication - Professional...
* an emotionally driven post *
I feel like a war-veteran turned war-slave.
At one point in this discussion, I was an able member, someone who others looked to with a sense of appreciation and leadership. So why have those people turned on us and planned an event which makes our event harder to put on?
Did they think of the consequences it would have on our planning and our hardwork?
Did they...
Symbiotically Inspired
Today I woke up and got up with no excuses.
I ate breakfast.
I prototyped two hours of the game we chatted about last night.
I am about to shower, then write my Christmas thank you cards.
Lunch, then a drive with my mom.
A jog in the late afternoon.
A check in with the CREs about coming back to school.
A few emails.
And the night to be creative.
I have been inspired =]
Books
This break has reminded me that I enjoy reading. I finished one book I got for Christmas in 5 days, and am currently juggling 3 other self-improvement/informational books + 1 novel. Next step - utilizing the library =]
December 2011
5 posts
Winter Break ~1
I can’t wait to jog to the beach and write in my journal.
I feel like the delivery guy from the Zelda series. I’m on a mission I deliver my friend’s essay with 1 hour remaining.
Thinking 0-027 ~ Gamification Introduction ~
Gamification - the process of incorporating game elements of engagement into real world tasks. Gamification is turning mundane work into engaging play, turning tedious chores into heroic adventures, and turning our greatest fears into our most rewarding quests.
To begin for those who aren’t too familiar with games and their underlying systems, here are a few common elements found in games...
Thinking 0-026 ~ A Second Chance ~
Everyone deserves at least two chances.
People have off days, off weeks, off months and off years. Sometimes the people we meet are as far from their normal selves as they have ever been. It’s then only fair that people can have an extra life, one more chance to redeem themselves.
My first impressions of people have been off lately, but in a good way. I’ve been wrong 3 times now in...
November 2011
27 posts
Thinking 0-025
Thanks brethren =] I didn’t know I needed to let some emotions out, but it definitely helped clear my mind a bit. Sleep well and best wishes conquering the dragons guarding the final lair.
Thinking 0-024
Thanks for the talk mom!
I know the conversation went all over the place, but I wanted to get a chance to update you on how I view the world. Our conversation wasn’t at all long enough to discuss everything, but we’ll have plenty of time over Winter break to catch up.
I know I might not be the same Kevin you knew growing up, but I respect you in the same way as I always have....
Thinking 0-023
Good talk! We can officially say we are mature individuals and lifelong friends =]
Stay dry, stay strong, and don’t forget to keep on following your dreams~
Thinking 0-022 ~ Honesty and Trust ~
Before my emotions blind me from learning a lesson, I need to be honest with my feelings. I can no longer be afraid of what another thinks of my truth. My honesty can only open doors, even if those doors begin with temper, resistance, and awkwardness.
To believe in what I wrote the other day, I must accept that any decision I make will ultimately create an opportunity or lesson to be learned. I...
Thinking 0-021
The Song of Storms keeps popping up in my mind. I keep whistling it subconsciously.
Guess it’s time to make it rain~
Thinking 0-020
I’m listening Kim. Thank you =]
Thinking 0-019
My body is falling apart.
With every piece of me that heals, two more pieces seems to break in its place.
My injured wrist is a constant reminder that I need to be careful, and yet I can’t go a day without overusing it. My eyes are strained from 10 hour programming sessions and 20+ hour programming weekends. I’ve even hit the point where they were so strained that I couldn’t...
2 tags
Dear Future Wife: Calming My Anxiety
Dear Future Wife,
It may not seem like it to people who know me, but I get very anxious when it comes to starting a project or task. I get this fear that for some reason I won’t be able to do it, and I land up not trying it at all. It also affects how I am able to enjoy myself with my interests, and everything suddenly revolves around this task that I can’t muster enough courage to face.
...
Thinking 0-018
Optimism and Open Acceptance
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Randy Pausch, a professor who showed optimism in the face of imminent death, once said:
“We cannot change the...
Thinking 0-017
I’m back to my normal (and now upgraded) self - motivated and ready to change the world. This is the way I described my transformation to a friend -
Today I realized there is so much I want and need to do in this world. I lost my motivation on Tuesday, but found an even greater drive today - almost like molting out of a shell, then growing an even stronger one where I was temporarily in a...
Thinking 0-016
Biorhythms
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011, is not a great day in my biorhythm cycle.
I feel lost, confused, and disoriented. I feel pressure all around my shoulders and in my neck. I feel like I am someone else - a stranger in my own body.
Tuesdays are normally happy days for me. Tuesdays are when I talk to my best friend on the phone before work. Tuesdays are the days where I am reminded by my...
A Blissful Dream
Dear best friend and soulmate,
I haven’t seen you in 2 years and counting, but last night I had a dream about you that made my heart smile. We were at a mall and I happened to see you passing by. I called your name and you turned around, beautiful and kind-hearted as always. Our eyes made contact and we smiled. A rush of bliss hit me and I quickly walked up to you, hugging you with all the...
Thinking 0-015
New idea in the kitchen: ramen + curry cube = ramen curry = actually pretty good (needs some balancing, but it’ll be amazing in a few more tries)
I shall perfect it =]
I hope you had a good run, Kim! =]
Thinking 0-014
I was looking through my tumblr drafts and came across these interpretations from when I was in 7th grade. When you think about it, both are very valid points (just in the mindset of a 13-14 year old).
Statement #1: He fiddled while Rome burned. (Said of Emperor Nero)
My Translation: Don’t party when things are on fire.
Statement #2: Carpe diem — “Seize the day.” (Written by Horace, poet)
My...
Thinking 0-013
For my friends who read my tumblr, but aren’t actually following my tumblr, please do if you feel comfortable! I’m patiently waiting for you to give me permission to read your tumblr, so whenever you’re ready, please follow =]
Thinking 0-012
I programmed for 8-9 hours on Friday, 14 hours on Saturday, and 6-7 hours on Sunday, for a grand total of 28-30 hours. That’s over a day (including day light savings time), of programming this weekend. I feel like my weekend never began, but I hope it’ll all be worth it in the long run.
Now I can finally start on some of my own stuff =]
Thinking 0-011
I signed up for NaNoWriMo!, but I have no time to write [creatively]. I’ve been spending all my time writing hundreds of lines of codes.
Thinking 0-010
Between the hours of 1:00 am and 1:30 am on November 6th, I arrived back to my apartment. I pulled out a slice of onion and garlic pizza from my Domino’s box, poured myself a glass of orange juice, and quietly walked to my room. I entered my warm and cozy bed, snacks in hand, and enjoyed a comfortable meal after a long day.
Between the hours of 1:00 am and 1:30 am on November 6th, I arrived...
Thinking 0-009
My mind says go, go, go, but my eyes say no, no no.
After such a long day, maybe I need to rest a bit to calm my mind - thank you, mind, for doing such a great job today =]
Thinking 0-008
I miss my friend Coccolare. If you see this, I hope you are doing well this year =]
Thinking 0-007
It’s time to get back into my academics (including game studies). My good buddy and co-worker gave me a talk the other day to remind me why I am here. She was right as she always is and I went to class this morning feeling accomplished and motivated. I’m ready to learn, so let the academics fill me with wisdom and intellect~
Thinking 0-006
An excerpt from my EA Internship post on my gaming blog.
________________________________
So overall, what did I learn?
1. Design now and design in the past have differences. Be sure to understand both and understand how to take good design ideas from the past and implement them into the future.
2. Study more games and analyze their systems a little bit deeper than I have been previously....
Thinking 0-005
On Halloween I got a new perspective on the world. A few of my co-workers decided to blow up some water balloons for fun and I somehow landed up with balloon boobs. I never realized how much boobs can get in the way of everyday activities, and my balloon boobs made me feel really self conscious.
Overall, it was a strange experience that I probably will not do again, but I did learn something new.
Thinking 0-004
I’ve been forgetting to follow my beliefs and my mentalities. There are only four for now, but as my time passes and my mind grows older, I’m sure there will be more.
1. Appreciate the privilege of education you possess.
I’ve been having a hard time with #1 lately. I definitely appreciate the knowledge I have in front of me, but there are other things I’d rather be doing...
Thinking 0-003
I’ve been very productive today, but my mind feels lost.
Maybe it’s finally time to let the games take over and immerse me in another realm of fantasy-filled comfort.
I do also need to get ready for my EA interview tomorrow, so maybe games on a busy day might actually help.
We’ll see where my fate leads me.
October 2011
10 posts
Thinking 0-002
I’ve been looking for someone, but maybe looking is leading me in all the wrong directions. This week, I’m going to close my eyes and see where my fate will take me.
Thinking 0-001
I was just about to close my eyes when suddenly an arial assault of arrowing thoughts dove down on me. I opened my eyes wider, then lay in thought about how fate really made this all happen.
I know I just wrote a post about what happened, but it wasn’t really your fault, it was mine. The fate line gave me many opportunities to make my move and checkmate her as my queen, but I...
Honest Friendship
Thanks for being honest my friend, I’m sure it must have been tough to tell me that. I appreciate you telling me so soon and in person.
Strangely enough, that was the first thing I thought of when you called and asked me what I was doing. I had this strange mental vibe that you were coming over to tell me exactly that.
I don’t know if you noticed, but that awkward laugh we shared...
Pizza and Ice Cream
All I’ve eaten is pizza and ice cream,
Doing school work on such a lovely day,
I yearn to run and laugh and play,
But I’m stuck here wondering what to say,
On my web development project to help my team.
My Super Close Friend's Birthday
Today I called my friend Karen to wish her a happy birthday, and it was the first time I talked to her in three years.
Our chat was amazing and her voice felt so friendly over the phone. I am so lucky to have someone like her in my life and I know she is going to do something extraordinary in her lifetime.
Her modesty and gentleness with her words made me smile every time she spoke and she is...
3 tags
Trust
Trust.
A simple concept that so many understand, but so few understand how to give.
Three days and three talks later, I thank my friends for placing their trust in me. I promise our talks will be treasured and safely guarded, and I will do my best to make your lives into better ones.
To me, going through life is like sailing a ship. We are the captains of our own journeys and our maps are the...