Byron is…
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For my NUvention project, we’re developing an Android application. To assist with the development, we were given a Google Nexus One, which I got to take home this past week for personal use.
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Basically, the Nexus One is probably the best phone I have ever used (though the HTC HD2 comes in close second – I only played with the hardware). Apps marketplace is pretty robust, though it might not be as big as the App Store. Managed to kill the battery once by forgetting to turn off a GPS app (phone was dead by dinner) and also managed to get hit by a $200 data fee (luckily diverted by a last minute $15 unlimited data addition). But really, that just highlights how Google Apps connectivity is just baked into the phone so you’re always connected. Love it!
I went to the Chicago Auto Show the first night i got the phone, and took some pics of new cars! Since I am pretty car illiterate, i just call them “shiny” and “faster than my van”. Photos were taken on the Nexus One’s 5MP camera. Apologies for pieces being cut off.
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Cars are fun, and it was a good night out with Chenfei, John, Matt, and David. We went to Lao Sichuan in New Chinatown afterward. It was spicy and good.
Following was a week of class, and lots of busy work.
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Programming in Tech for 10+ hour shifts is always fun! But is OK because the night it was due, I was able to go to a David Choi concert! He is an amazing singer and a funny guy. For the NU-ites out there, look for him at KASA show this Spring!
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What a good singer. Apologies for the fuzziness in any pics – I am still getting the hang of taking dark photos (as in, I have no idea). I also notice that this was the first “this is what I did” blogs in a while. Enjoyable?
Today, I watched a YouTube video and smiled
Sometimes you just see stuff that makes you really happy.
In other news, I created an account at Formspring.me, where anyone can ask questions (anonymously) and I can answer them. (truthfully or not, i suppose). It seems to be an interesting product where people ask some good, some weird questions, and people give some interesting answers. My URL is http://www.formspring.me/byroncheng , send me a question or two.
It snowed a ton today, and my shoes and pants got kind of wet. While getting a ride back home, I commented that I still hadn’t bought boots (in the almost four years I’ve been here). But it’s time for me to buy some boots. Chicago is no longer just a temporary location – I’m in it for the long haul.
I spoke to my to-be supervisor last week. It’s just crazy to see how quickly I am moving towards the next stage of my life. During the benefits call, we discussed things like 401k and its vesting, and the various pension plans. For the first time, it really hit me that this new change in my life would really be a new step. Some people work at their jobs for years before changing – some never do. My mom has been working at the same company for at least 15 years now, and my dad just switched after about 8. Now it’s my turn to start working and building a career for myself. I realized on new years eve that it would probably be one of my last days living in my California life. Since I start right after school ends, I really won’t have much time at home.
Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
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What does one do with out of season Christmas lights?
Well, if you really have not much do, you can hack together decorations for your room. I decided that i felt like doing some mood lighting (or background lighting? I don’t really know what it is called). I figured that my bed would be a good place to start. Therefore, I have applied Christmas lights to the headboard and under the bed to make it look like my bed is going to fly away.
A good project for a 3 day weekend. Fun stuff!