Before I forget
For late night emergency work crisis miracle remedies
That take 20 minutes rather than 6 hours.
Whew...
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
What does it matter?
That's the common theme in my thoughts lately. Not in a solely cynical or depressed or hopeless way, but in a (what I hope is) genuinely pleading, solemnly considerate way. Perhaps because I've never entered the work force before, I feel especially daunted by the sheer magnitude (and felt constraints) of it. Also, perhaps because my studies and work so far haven't all focused on one specific field, I feel unbound in a sense, with seemingly too many possible directions and not enough guidance. I like structure.
A few weeks ago I was talking to some PDAS kids about what they wanted to be when they grew up. What a question... I don't know what I want to "be", still, and while I can't say I'm necessarily "grown up" (where does that begin and end? Psychology will tell you I guess. HAH), I definitely am already "grown up" in their eyes (because anybody above 20 is "really old"). We talked about what they like to do, what they want to do, what they are doing now, and our childhood dreams... For me, I wanted to be a singer, actor, teacher, writer, artist, architect, archaeologist, doctor, designer (ALL AT THE SAME TIME - I guess I haven't changed much in that sense). Some of those were because I thought they were fun. Others because I thought it would be nice to help people. Those reasons, while lovely, also seem so superficial right now.
I think that's how we often approach career and work. We're told time and time again and even tell others (I know I have) that we should pursue work that we love and enjoy. While I think that's wonderful and good and that God's calling can be precisely that, I also think that the way that we (Christians) sometimes view it places the work above the calling, even if we phrase it in a way that places calling above work. Example, in Christianese, "Your passion is often a God-given calling". It's beautiful and true! But often at the heart of the matter this is actually played out as "God calls me to work that I love and enjoy; therefore anything else simply can't be my calling." It may not be said exactly that way, but I feel that it's the undercurrent.
I think this almost implies that God does not ever call us to things we don't like. That we can always look at this formula to mean "If you don't feel affinity toward this or a passion for it then clearly God's not leading you here." It makes a lot of sense, and I think that it's definitely a good and even right way to test a leading. BUT I think too often we make it the only way. I'm not talking just long-term-career-type-of-calling either, but really just about any type of call to obedience - whether it lasts for a day, a week, a month, a year, or a lifetime. Because how do you know how long it will last??? God's plans for you are not always so clearly laid out at those crossroads.
I think that where and when God calls, He also equips - and that means in skill, knowledge, and passion. God does not call the equipped so much as He equips those He calls (where did this come from? I can't remember and I'm attributing it to like 5 sources right now) - a simple and perhaps subtle change that means so much. What am I saying!?
"Career (or whatever we're called to do) is just another talent given to us, and we should be good stewards of it." (from Cat! I used that without permission :X But I cited you now puhahahh) It's just another piece of God's plans for us to live for HIS glory. And this is something reiterated again and again, through the young adult retreat last Fall and also the college retreat last year. Pastor Steve said in sermon this past Sunday, Discipleship is costly. "Those who do not renounce all he has cannot be Jesus's disciple." Cannot. Is not able to. Will fail at. For some time, I thought that meant that God was preventing them from becoming Jesus's disciple because they were not worthy or something... But through other sermons recently and this one as well, I think it crystallized for me that for those people who said, "Lord, let me first go bury my father", or "Lord, let me first say goodbye to my family", and even "Lord, wherever you go I will follow" -- it was out of God's grace that the answer was No. (And who knows if it was a resounding and final No or if it was a Not yet? Does that matter for our purposes? I don't think so anyway.)
That means putting Christ ahead of all our personal possessions, personal relationships, personal desires (also from P.Steve's sermon). The question then is, are you, am I, willing to accept that and let go of my own dreams and desires? To trust and obey God, wherever that takes me, wherever that leads, and even if it doesn't include dreams and desires of a nice cushy life and all that it entails? It's hard for me to do that. I daresay it's impossible for anyone to do that. But by His grace and power, the impossible becomes possible.
A few weeks ago I was talking to some PDAS kids about what they wanted to be when they grew up. What a question... I don't know what I want to "be", still, and while I can't say I'm necessarily "grown up" (where does that begin and end? Psychology will tell you I guess. HAH), I definitely am already "grown up" in their eyes (because anybody above 20 is "really old"). We talked about what they like to do, what they want to do, what they are doing now, and our childhood dreams... For me, I wanted to be a singer, actor, teacher, writer, artist, architect, archaeologist, doctor, designer (ALL AT THE SAME TIME - I guess I haven't changed much in that sense). Some of those were because I thought they were fun. Others because I thought it would be nice to help people. Those reasons, while lovely, also seem so superficial right now.
I think that's how we often approach career and work. We're told time and time again and even tell others (I know I have) that we should pursue work that we love and enjoy. While I think that's wonderful and good and that God's calling can be precisely that, I also think that the way that we (Christians) sometimes view it places the work above the calling, even if we phrase it in a way that places calling above work. Example, in Christianese, "Your passion is often a God-given calling". It's beautiful and true! But often at the heart of the matter this is actually played out as "God calls me to work that I love and enjoy; therefore anything else simply can't be my calling." It may not be said exactly that way, but I feel that it's the undercurrent.
I think this almost implies that God does not ever call us to things we don't like. That we can always look at this formula to mean "If you don't feel affinity toward this or a passion for it then clearly God's not leading you here." It makes a lot of sense, and I think that it's definitely a good and even right way to test a leading. BUT I think too often we make it the only way. I'm not talking just long-term-career-type-of-calling either, but really just about any type of call to obedience - whether it lasts for a day, a week, a month, a year, or a lifetime. Because how do you know how long it will last??? God's plans for you are not always so clearly laid out at those crossroads.
I think that where and when God calls, He also equips - and that means in skill, knowledge, and passion. God does not call the equipped so much as He equips those He calls (where did this come from? I can't remember and I'm attributing it to like 5 sources right now) - a simple and perhaps subtle change that means so much. What am I saying!?
"Career (or whatever we're called to do) is just another talent given to us, and we should be good stewards of it." (from Cat! I used that without permission :X But I cited you now puhahahh) It's just another piece of God's plans for us to live for HIS glory. And this is something reiterated again and again, through the young adult retreat last Fall and also the college retreat last year. Pastor Steve said in sermon this past Sunday, Discipleship is costly. "Those who do not renounce all he has cannot be Jesus's disciple." Cannot. Is not able to. Will fail at. For some time, I thought that meant that God was preventing them from becoming Jesus's disciple because they were not worthy or something... But through other sermons recently and this one as well, I think it crystallized for me that for those people who said, "Lord, let me first go bury my father", or "Lord, let me first say goodbye to my family", and even "Lord, wherever you go I will follow" -- it was out of God's grace that the answer was No. (And who knows if it was a resounding and final No or if it was a Not yet? Does that matter for our purposes? I don't think so anyway.)
That means putting Christ ahead of all our personal possessions, personal relationships, personal desires (also from P.Steve's sermon). The question then is, are you, am I, willing to accept that and let go of my own dreams and desires? To trust and obey God, wherever that takes me, wherever that leads, and even if it doesn't include dreams and desires of a nice cushy life and all that it entails? It's hard for me to do that. I daresay it's impossible for anyone to do that. But by His grace and power, the impossible becomes possible.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wireframing tools
List of places to look for Wireframing Tools:
One day I will write my own reviews.
Top 2 (free and paid): http://uxmovement.com/wireframes/top-two-wireframing-tools/
10 free tools: http://mashable.com/2010/07/15/wireframing-tools/
All about Flairbuilder: http://boagworld.com/reviews/flairbuilder/
One day I will write my own reviews.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Slow morning
We're having a slow morning today. No regular meeting, and there are technicians coming around to check our building and facilities.
The news that's been going around about Steve Jobs - it's quite surprising to me how strongly people are affected by his death - myself included. This man really did change the world. It's amazing what one person can do.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A quick lesson in resume/cover letter/portfolio preparation
Spell check and grammar check like a fiend.
My supervisor: "When I go through these piles of applications, after the 5th spelling or grammar mistake I just stop reading."
Don't be that guy. (Or girl) And actually, 5 mistakes is really generous already.
And hey! I'm back at my old desk, where there is now a little basket with my name on it. Nice.
My supervisor: "When I go through these piles of applications, after the 5th spelling or grammar mistake I just stop reading."
Don't be that guy. (Or girl) And actually, 5 mistakes is really generous already.
And hey! I'm back at my old desk, where there is now a little basket with my name on it. Nice.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Granny Clothes
I think I need a lint roller.
I had this grande (whoa I just typed an "e" at the end on accident. But I'll keep it there, b/c that's reflective of the way I normally write anyway.. I always write an extra e :/ boo) idea for a post, but I've since forgotten it. Just like I forgot my dream that I wanted to write down. That was a pretty cool dream.
I love hearing the people here banter back and forth... :D The interactions here are so interesting. I wonder if they're like that in other offices... Sometimes it's deathly silent (except for typing and clicking sounds) but most of the time there's a meeting going on, there's somebody talking to a client or two over phone or conference call, there are jokes and random things, pens being thrown around at each other (sometimes larger objects too), very occasionally a birthday party (haha), sometimes with the wii. Sometimes I can't imagine not working here. But of course I can too... Mmm
I have about 25 minutes left. What shall I do... I could eat my other pbj.
I had this grande (whoa I just typed an "e" at the end on accident. But I'll keep it there, b/c that's reflective of the way I normally write anyway.. I always write an extra e :/ boo) idea for a post, but I've since forgotten it. Just like I forgot my dream that I wanted to write down. That was a pretty cool dream.
I love hearing the people here banter back and forth... :D The interactions here are so interesting. I wonder if they're like that in other offices... Sometimes it's deathly silent (except for typing and clicking sounds) but most of the time there's a meeting going on, there's somebody talking to a client or two over phone or conference call, there are jokes and random things, pens being thrown around at each other (sometimes larger objects too), very occasionally a birthday party (haha), sometimes with the wii. Sometimes I can't imagine not working here. But of course I can too... Mmm
I have about 25 minutes left. What shall I do... I could eat my other pbj.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Quotes from the office
Referring to Jenn's flowers from Adam on Valentine's
Moses: "Dave would get a box of dead flowers. I would get a box of body parts."
Moses: "Dave would get a box of dead flowers. I would get a box of body parts."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wow :O
I am actually quite impressed...
http://www.mitxawards.org/Finalists.aspx
Yaaaay Magic Hour! Though I admit I like some of the other designs a bit better, I am happy to say that I'm a part of the Berkshire team :)
http://www.mitxawards.org/Finalists.aspx
Yaaaay Magic Hour! Though I admit I like some of the other designs a bit better, I am happy to say that I'm a part of the Berkshire team :)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Edumacation - a tangent of thought.
http://www.theamericanscholar.org/su08/elite-deresiewicz.html
Link courtesy of Steph Chan.
Looking at and working with the private school websites that Magic Hour pumps out each year has given me a sense of... something. I feel as if I'm a smaller and dustier speck of I-don't-really-know-what-ness as I go on, although I am also currently at one of these prissy schools - something that I only recently realized I have been taking waaay too much for granted. Part of me can't believe the upscaleness of these... things. Rudell would throw a fit at my improper use of pronouns. Wayzata, you think you're all that. Johnson was right; you're wrong.
It's a vortex of superiority. Plah on it all!
Link courtesy of Steph Chan.
Looking at and working with the private school websites that Magic Hour pumps out each year has given me a sense of... something. I feel as if I'm a smaller and dustier speck of I-don't-really-know-what-ness as I go on, although I am also currently at one of these prissy schools - something that I only recently realized I have been taking waaay too much for granted. Part of me can't believe the upscaleness of these... things. Rudell would throw a fit at my improper use of pronouns. Wayzata, you think you're all that. Johnson was right; you're wrong.
It's a vortex of superiority. Plah on it all!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"Hahhh"
^the word that echoes in my head following an awkward and/or embarrassing situation.
Wellesley's famous (or not so) Lake Day - where students historically skipped class and hung around Lake Waban. It's now been made into an official holiday (or not, since classes are not canceled for thisi event). According to the description on the college website,
Today, festivities included a small petting zoo, a carnival ride (but ghetto - straight up peeling wood and rusted metal. and huge blinky lights), a trackless train (complete with an appropriate conductor, plus about 20/30 years, with max capacity of roughly 40 college students), plenty of cotton candy and cupcakes and fried dough, and about 2300 sadly deprived college students. It was quite a blast :)
In other news, my boss's boss introduced me to a new guy on the team, and it had to be the most awkward meeting I've had in a while. Hahhh...
Wellesley's famous (or not so) Lake Day - where students historically skipped class and hung around Lake Waban. It's now been made into an official holiday (or not, since classes are not canceled for thisi event). According to the description on the college website,
Lake Day is one of Wellesley’s most closely guarded student secrets. Planned by student government leaders, Lake Day grew out of the desire for students to take a break from the rigors of their academic pursuits and have fun. From a historical perspective, the word would be spread among students that on a certain date they would take off from their classes to enjoy a day filled with music, dancing, food, fun, and games. Lake Day today is still kept as a secret and is a day filled with fun and festivities.It's not really a secret though. Meaning, it is widely publicized and unless one is blind or deaf or has no connections period, one will know about it.
Today, festivities included a small petting zoo, a carnival ride (but ghetto - straight up peeling wood and rusted metal. and huge blinky lights), a trackless train (complete with an appropriate conductor, plus about 20/30 years, with max capacity of roughly 40 college students), plenty of cotton candy and cupcakes and fried dough, and about 2300 sadly deprived college students. It was quite a blast :)
In other news, my boss's boss introduced me to a new guy on the team, and it had to be the most awkward meeting I've had in a while. Hahhh...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
It's official.
I quit my job at the Davis.
:) :( :/ :\ :| 8| X| :{ :{( E|(:{D
| /
(| )-Ox
| \
< ; )
( ~~ )>
(| |)
( '-' )
(^ ^)o
/\ /\
(OvO)
(| ,, |)
O( ._.)0
/( )\
~ || ||.
/\_/\
(o__o)
(_____)~
/\_/\
(o w o)
(_____)~
/\_/\
(o u o)
(_____)~
:) :( :/ :\ :| 8| X| :{ :{( E|(:{D
| /
(| )-Ox
| \
< ; )
( ~~ )>
(| |)
( '-' )
(^ ^)o
/\ /\
(OvO)
(| ,, |)
O( ._.)0
/( )\
~ || ||.
/\_/\
(o__o)
(_____)~
/\_/\
(o w o)
(_____)~
/\_/\
(o u o)
(_____)~
Friday, August 1, 2008
A day in the office
The internet was down today for about an hour...
So we cranked out the Wii and feasted on artichoke/shrimp/chicken/3 cheese pizzas. Mmmm...
It'sinteresting weird to see grown men, some of them well into their 60s, playing pop-the-bubbles (or whatever it's called) on that machine.
What kind of pass should I get? By the time anybody gives me a response I'll probably have boughten it already.. (is that even a word?) 59.00 for the one that gives me local bus and subway access, or 89 for the one including ferry access and express bus? I calculated it all out - all of my expected transportation costs for every day of August (ahh so OCD) So if I were to take the subway instead of the bus, I'd save about $20... but what about that opportunity cost of "just in case something happens"? Marhhhhh D: D: D:
Oh money... I've started an official tablet fund. Would anybody like to donate? :D
So we cranked out the Wii and feasted on artichoke/shrimp/chicken/3 cheese pizzas. Mmmm...
It's
What kind of pass should I get? By the time anybody gives me a response I'll probably have boughten it already.. (is that even a word?) 59.00 for the one that gives me local bus and subway access, or 89 for the one including ferry access and express bus? I calculated it all out - all of my expected transportation costs for every day of August (ahh so OCD) So if I were to take the subway instead of the bus, I'd save about $20... but what about that opportunity cost of "just in case something happens"? Marhhhhh D: D: D:
Oh money... I've started an official tablet fund. Would anybody like to donate? :D
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I'm more productive after lunch
Therefore, because it's still before lunch, I am here. O deer.
Nostalgia - thinking about the past makes you feel that way. Or about the idealistic experiences that we've never had.
I'm not so sure whether I like random people reading my thoughts. I do hold that what one thinks one shouldn't be ashamed of - but there is a line. And it's awkward when people are like "hey I read this on your post" and I'm like "....."
Some people look much older than their age, while others look much younger... I've always looked younger than my age, but recently I've been asked if I'm 2 or 3 years older than I am. It's strange - is that because of how I act or because of how I look? Either way, it's totally unexpected - I thought that both would point to younger. Age is just a number I guess.
I miss a lot of things - from my long past, from my recent past, even from yesterday. Nostalgia - it's kind of robbing in a way. There's goodness to it - it's always good to remember the past. But the danger lies in dwelling on what's no longer here. Enjoy it, appreciate it, make use of it, love it, but look to the future and what lies ahead.
Nostalgia - thinking about the past makes you feel that way. Or about the idealistic experiences that we've never had.
I'm not so sure whether I like random people reading my thoughts. I do hold that what one thinks one shouldn't be ashamed of - but there is a line. And it's awkward when people are like "hey I read this on your post" and I'm like "....."
Some people look much older than their age, while others look much younger... I've always looked younger than my age, but recently I've been asked if I'm 2 or 3 years older than I am. It's strange - is that because of how I act or because of how I look? Either way, it's totally unexpected - I thought that both would point to younger. Age is just a number I guess.
I miss a lot of things - from my long past, from my recent past, even from yesterday. Nostalgia - it's kind of robbing in a way. There's goodness to it - it's always good to remember the past. But the danger lies in dwelling on what's no longer here. Enjoy it, appreciate it, make use of it, love it, but look to the future and what lies ahead.
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