DIA at Atlanta

Before I leave for DIA Annual meeting(http://www.diahome.org/DIAHome/) - I really didn't feel prepared for it... I was so tired from lack of sleep, so behind at work, etc. etc. But now nearing the end of the conference, I am glad I came.

It's not so much the sessions--I mean, after a while, they all seemed so similar. They have >3-4 sessions on the same topic (even though the title *looked* different)... I still find myself enjoying the project management track more--truly feel blessed that I somehow came to this field. Supposedly this conference is great for networking, but both my coworker and I mostly just stuck together. We occasionally talked to some people; not too many conversations that are very interesting though. Considering that I need to be more serious about looking for jobs soon, I should really get into the mode of being more proactive! :-(

So, Atlanta, the city. Both my friend and I had so many plans about doing a lot of sightseeing and exploring the city, but in the end we didn't do *that* much. We went to the networking event at Georgia Aquarium --it was pretty good. I felt a bit bad for the Beluga whale, but it was really really really cute!!

The two of us kinda walked all over the place (sometimes to places we shouldn't be on foot in apprently)... went to Underground Atlanta, New World Coca Cola (OK I was impressed at this one), Atlanta station... today after the conference we tried to go to the Martin Luther King Centre/home, but my friend sort of led us to the opposite direction. So we ended up walking and walking and walking and walking... through the scary ghetto places... and arrived at a restuarant (http://www.silkrestaurant.com/). ABSOLUTELY wonderful. I mean, I have always thought that you can't really find better restaurants than in Vancouver (esp fusion food)... but both my friend and I were very very impressed. Slightly on the pricey side, but still. Awesome food. It kinda made my day :-)

Tomorrow after the last 2 sessions, I'll be heading off to San Francisco. I get to see a few friends and fulfill my promise of visiting the city! Can't wait!!!!

Future hobby after retirement

I just thought of a perfect hobby after I retire (besides my beach-side coffee shop!), wheever that is: TUTORING HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY!

Ever since I finished grad school, I pretty much stopped tutoring. It's one of those things that is difficult to do when you're working a full-time job--just 'cuz it's quite draining and it eats up your personal time (which I already don't have a lot). Anyways, just a couple of weeks ago a church friend who's taking chem 12 now asked me if I could help her with chemistry. I was hesitating a bit at first --I wasn't sure if I remembered anything at all!! But then I figured--if I am given a textbook, it shouldn't be that hard for me to remember the theories??

Anyways, I got so excited once I got my hands on the material. I almost couldn't stop talking--wanted to go on and on and on... until she said... errr... could we stop here today? Hmmm... the memory of how much I loved that class back in Grade 12 flooded back... I just was happy to be seeing those questions! I don't know why--but I like explaining to people, and really get immense satisfaction when it looks like they understand what I am talking about!

Well, my friend txt-messaged me yesterday. She got over 90% in her chapter test. I was SOOO ecstatic!!! I was sooo proud of her (and so relieved for myself--it seemed like I did a good thing hehe)