Catching up on life!

Dear friends,

Apologies for not having updated the blog in half a year! Things have been going 100 MPH and I've been flying by the seat of my pants. In the past six months I've been through six countries and have now ended up in India. Many of you probably know the story but maybe not all the details, so I'll do my best here to summarize the past six months of my life:

In May, I was finishing up my first year of MBA and looking toward summer internships. I had an offer for a marketing internship based in Beijing which I was really happy about. This would've gone right along with my plan to take a summer job and then, having overloaded on credits, take some time off in the subsequent fall to take Chinese language courses. But then, I got a full-time job offer that completely changed that plan.

In June, I finished up my MBA at HKUST and accepted a full-time offer to join an Asian MNC (will keep the company name off to be safe). The company is involved in consumer goods from sourcing to retail and the program I'm a part of is built to help us learn the different parts of the industry by taking projects at their different offices around the world. Fun stuff right?

After spending June at home in the states to visit family and friends, I set off for a month of training in Hong Kong. After four weeks of learning, I was sent on my first project which would bring me to Korea, Taiwan and China to learn about Asian retail. Being so mobile meant I'd have to travel light so I only packed one large suitcase. Living out of a suitcase is liberating! I really only have a choice of five shirts to pick from every morning. Korea was great fun - I had a lot of good food and made some new friends at work. And of course I'm in Shanghai and Taipei all the time so those parts were a blast.

We didn't have a common language but we had no problems getting along haha

That project was over way too fast. Two weeks ago I went home for a one week vacation and saw my sister get married + have annual thanksgiving dinner at our family friend's house.

This isn't a wedding picture of course. I posted those on facebook. But I was uploading pics from when we were young and came across this one. I consider myself one super lucky guy for having such a great and supportive older sister. And I can't be happier for her to be married to a really great guy. Go Will and Irene!

And of course I had boiling crab, Ike's Lair, In-n-out, Peet's Coffee, and some home-bbq'ed ribeye steaks =)

Then I took off for my next assignment: India! So the area I'm in is a district outside of Delhi called Gurgaon. This place is still developing. The environment is really different than anything I've experienced before. The infrastructure is still being developed so there are frequent power outages and spotty internet coverage. Also, I think I may be the only one living at my service apartment building.

Breakfast is lonely here...

I'm getting used to the constant power outages too. So much so that yesterday when the power went out while I was in an elevator, I didn't freak out!

Yes this is actually a picture taken inside the elevator during the outage. 

After running around doing anything and everything for the past year and a half, I think it'll be really nice to have some alone time (outside of work I mean). I'll have time to catch up on things I've been neglecting such as going to the gym and reading.

One thing I've reflected on, especially after being home last week, is the decision I made almost two years ago to pick up and leave for Asia. On the whole, even though things didn't go according to "the plan", it's been great for me. I think grad school and the new experiences really gave me a good jolt to start working on self-improvement again. I've learned a lot about a lot of things, including myself. Being away from comfortable environments and away from the friends I always rely on made me get back out there, explore and meet new people. The lone regret I have is missing some major events of family and friends such as weddings, births, birthdays, and other celebrations. Those are memories and stories I didn't get to share with a lot of people I care about.

After this India project, I'll be placed somewhere more permanently (I may up my stuff to... TWO suitcases!). I've promised myself to not miss the important stuff anymore no matter how far and out of the way it may be. I've got 6 weddings to attend in the next twelve months and I've already booked the tickets for three of them. So far so good.

More updates soon.

Until then...

Just gangnam style

Homecoming

Got some great news earlier this week. Won't reveal the details until it's finalized in ink, though. As a result of the good news, I've got even better news: I'll be coming home for the month of June! It's been almost a year out here in Hong Kong.

Planning to spend two weeks in Saratoga, then I'll drive down to LA and San Diego toward the end of the month to make some visits. Any takers for Vegas on June 29th weekend? Then I'll be heading back to norcal for the fourth of July weekend and finally back over to Hong Kong the second week of July.

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone (plus in-n-out, boiling crab, carne asada fries, noodle world, crustacean, redondo crab, etc etc).

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Random thoughts:

I still can't tell the difference between an Australian accent and a British accent. Brits don't appreciate it.

Saw Qihai and Lydia in HK last week. Great to see them - glad they're doing well.

When my hair gets long, I still don't look fobby - I just look homeless.

When I get home, I need to buy clothes and shoes because I can't find anything big enough to fit me out here. Costco run!

Been doing a health-conscious month of May. McDonald's has been taunting me.

Is it strange that I like Ron Artest more after the elbow? Metta World ELBOWWW - it's kind of awesome.

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See all you Americans soon!

Two of my faves, Rhea and Tulip

PicsOfAznsTakingPicsOfFood

Home stretch

8 weeks left until the year is out!

With that said, I still haven't finalized summer (and beyond) plans. Should have a solid picture by the end of April, so I apologize to those who've been waiting on responses from me for trips/events. I'm not purposely trying to be noncommittal - I hope to have good news for everyone soon.

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Was chatting with a friend recently about old times in college and reflected on how funny and immature we were. It's fun to think back about how our priorities were so different back then. With that said, it's all part of growing up. And we sure enjoyed ourselves.

When people ask what I miss about being in the states, they usually ask about food or places. Honestly, I don't miss any of that. I do miss the people though. I'd like nothing more than to have some of my favorite people over for bbq to catch up on life.

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My parents just had their 32nd wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. It's amazing.

When preparing for interviews, I know one of the questions companies want to ask me is why I've come to Asia: it's interesting that once upon a time my parents came to America for grad school and to find opportunity - how parallel it is that I've left the states for Asia to do the same thing some 35 years later. Cheers to them for the love and success!

They sent me a picture from their anniversary dinner and my mom was wearing Ugg boots haha. Always the stylish one in the Lee household.

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And cheers to everyone else. Spring has officially arrived.

Recent trip to Shanghai  

BBQ pic at home from a year ago

Expectations

“Excellence is the Result of Caring more than others think is Wise, Risking more than others think is Safe, Dreaming more than others think is Practical, and Expecting more than others think is Possible.”
― Ronnie Oldham

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Have been asked a lot lately whether the MBA experience is worth it, especially from people who are considering going back to school themselves. I'm not sure there's a right answer to that question because it really depends what you're trying to get out of going back to school. For me, I was leaving a company that really treated me well, but I knew it wasn't the job path I wanted in the long run: the job I want is in a completely different industry. So going back to school gave me the opportunity to learn as a full-time student again and to pursue what I really want to do. You could even say it's a mandate for me not to settle, since I left a pretty solid job to come here. Of course, the nature of studying abroad means I get some international experience, which I think is going to be more valuable as time goes on.

Anyway, my advice to those of you who ask is to assess your current situation and decide if a year or two to learn and explore will do you well. If so, then you should go for it.

Worst case you get to meet some awesome people and learn about the world a bit!

For me, because of some ill-advised statements, I'm not allowed to come home until I've made it out here (inside joke).

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Lastly, a shout out to mom and dad: I'm lucky to say that I've had an extremely supportive family that has pushed me and allowed me to have a comfortable childhood with more opportunities than most. It shouldn't take certain designated calendar days for me to appreciate them, but here's to being a year older. There's nothing I can do to repay them.

Picture from TPE in December

Before this year, all of the weddings I've attended were for people older than I am. This year is the first that friends my age will be getting married - received two invitations already. I guess we're getting to that age. For those of you in long relationships, you know the shot clock's on right? Boys, once the first girl shows off her ring to your gf, you're in trouble.

Speaking of which, my sister's engaged. WOOHOO!

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I admit that I'm a huge follower of Linsanity. Truth is that I'm proud of the guy. I started reading about him when he helped Palo Alto win state over 5 years ago. I kept tabs on him when he was playing at Harvard. I remember when he was picked up by the Lakers for summer league after getting undrafted and then signing with the Warriors as a rookie. He made it to the show!

Of course, now he's a phenom. Even if he doesn't play another game, he's important. I know the race issue is delicate, but he does give Asian-Americans a sense of empowerment and validation. Especially to my Raptors kids - you still have to work your tail off for it, but you can do it!

With that said, in case things don't all work out, make sure you have an education to fall back on haha

My favorite quote: luck is where opportunity meets preparation

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Random thoughts:

Wore my Yankee-fitted today; someone came up to me and automatically assumed I'm from America. When I asked why he thought I was American, he said that only Americans wear ball caps inside.

I still don't speak Cantonese, but if I'm trying to bargain for a price in Hong Kong, I speak Mandarin. On the other hand if I'm trying to get good service here I speak English.

Some red canvas paint got onto my jeans a couple months ago from art jamming. Realized today that I'm pretty fond of the stain because every time I look at it, it's a reminder of good times with friends.

Have a beer. Spring is coming.

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Obligatory picture to bring color to my post:

HKUST MBA ranked top 10 in the world again by Financial Times

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But the present is a gift. That is why they call it the present." - Master Oogway (I know it's someone else but I'm giving it to Panda)

Folks, I've officially been in Hong Kong for six months now. Also realized that in 4 months, I'll be done with my first year and won't see many classmates again for a long time - students will be traveling away for summer jobs and going to exchange schools in the fall. Time flies! Let's make the most of it.

...speaking of which, I need to stop being a hermit and start being social again.

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Woke up early on a Monday morning to watch the Superbowl (we're 16 hours ahead of PST). Sorry to my international friends, but this is football. Yours is called soccer. Here's my favorite commercial:



I've been working out and trying to eat healthy lately too but this dog is cray!

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We have a new class of exchange students at HKUST and they're from the world over. I realized that when people ask me where I'm from, I answer differently dependent on the person who's asking. If you're natively Asian, I'm American. If you're Asian-American, I'm Taiwanese. If you're Caucasian/European, I'm Chinese-American. It's just easier that way.

Small chance I may be back to visit over Spring break, which is the first week of April. It depends if I find a summer job by then (or if flights are too expensive by the time I find a job!). If I don't come back, you know it's probably not a good thing because I'm jobless (or broke!). If I do go back, it means a possible visit to both homes; you know where home #2 is.

For those of you who tell me how much you wish you could get away from work and go back to school, I have news: life is different without income! Savings have to carry me for possibly another 16 months. Until then, canned tuna and shin ramen is my friend.

Cheers.

Apologies to my friends at home - I haven't been good at posting updates. But here's the first post of 2012!

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"People insist on calling it luck. Listen, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

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There's a lot that's happened to catch up on, but I'll just make this brief:

After 16 nonstop weeks of class, I've finished 11 courses in everything from statistics to accounting to operations management. To get away from it all, I spent my winter vacation in Taiwan. The biggest highlight? Sleeping in a queen bed! Of course, seeing family and friends, eating and going out are fun too. Overall, it was great to get away and to regain some perspective on life.

I'm applying to just a couple select full-time positions that have really gotten my attention. If those don't come through, it'll be a summer internship somewhere in Asia to make a contribution and get some experience. Then, I plan to take 3-6 months off from the MBA in the fall to take Mandarin courses in Taiwan (maybe Beijing). When else do I get to take time off to do something like that? This is it! And I'll come back to finish off the MBA in the spring and find a full time job.

To reflect on 2011, I did a lot of research, I did a lot of self-reflection, and I made some pretty big decisions. I don't regret the decision to come abroad. Whether it all "works out" in the long run, I won't regret having taken the chance. And, of course, I met some pretty incredible people (the substance of life)!

my study group. <3 you all!

International night, where we wear our native garb. American Football jersey works, right?

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All the best in 2012!