three more 99's in RuneScape

It's been another productive double XP week in RuneScape as I just got level 99 in three more skills. :-)

I reached 99 Strength this morning and Defense and Ranged in the afternoon. The elite combat training dummies are certainly quite nice. Now I only need three more 99's before I get my max cape. :-)

Currently watching: Green Lantern: The Animated Series

the year the earth stood still

As you're probably aware, this was an awful year for so many obvious reasons. I'm relieved 2020 is finally over. Here's to what is hopefully a brighter future.

For the past five years, my family has celebrated the New Year by ourselves. This was especially the case due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the nice thing is that Dad made us a nice dinner. You read that right — he's just as good of a cook as my mother. On the whole, New Year's Eve wasn't too bad despite ongoing events.

2020 in review

I don't think anyone is going to disagree that 2020 was a terrible year. For one, the pandemic has affected so many of our lives. Although I don't know anyone who caught the virus, there has been other awful things. You may remember that my classmate Corinne from LAHS passed away last summer. Losing beloved celebrities – such as Kobe Bryant and Chadwick Boseman – was also tragic.

Besides the deaths, there has been other challenges. Being laid off from Intel really sucked even though it had nothing to do with my performance. Of course, that's not even going into the missed social opportunities. Our last time eating at a restaurant was well over 11 months ago.

However, the year also had its highlights. Working from home means I don't have to commute. It certainly gives me a lot more free time. Another great thing that happened is that I got a job at Silicon Labs as a senior software QA engineer. It's no doubt a major milestone in my life.

A new year comes with new hope. I'm extremely confident that things have already started to get better. Let's hope things will be back to normal in the near future. As for New Year's resolutions, my biggest goal for 2021 is to do well at my new job. I'm also hoping to max my RuneScape account this year. :-)

Currently listening to: "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond

level 99 Constitution and 138 combat in RuneScape

I just got level 99 Constitution and 138 combat in RuneScape after putting it off for a while. Here is a picture of me leveling up. Only three more skills to go until I max all combat skills!

Although thing have been tough due to the pandemic, the nice thing about staying home is that it gives me more time for games. I'm definitely hoping to get level 99 in all skills this year. :-)

Currently listening to: New Super Mario Bros. U – overworld theme

a very different Thanksgiving

As you could imagine, Thanksgiving was very different this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was our first time in six years without any gatherings. I've also been pretty busy for the past four days. Because I just started a new job in November, this was a good time to study our documentation and catch up.

Even though we're all in this together, things have been tough at times. But one nice thing is that I received a care package from Silicon Labs. It contains some coffee, a mug and all sorts of snacks. I definitely appreciate this gesture.

Of course, there are many other things to be thankful for. Although life has been tough for us, the support from my parents has been invaluable. I'm also grateful for my current job. Silicon Labs is really one of the best companies out there. Let's hope things start getting better soon!

Currently listening to: "Heroes Tonight" by Janji

first day at Silicon Labs

I'm excited to announce that I've started a new position at Silicon Labs as a senior software QA engineer. It also counts as a promotion because this is my first senior role. :-)

Silicon Labs is a leading manufacturer of semiconductors and IoT devices. For those curious, my job is to expand test automation for their wireless products. I definitely hope to put the knowledge I gained from previous jobs to good use. Also worth mentioning is that everyone is very friendly and helpful. I work from home at the moment but certainly hope to meet them in person soon enough.

But there's also a challenge: as mentioned earlier, the team is based in Boston. Although they're letting me work remotely during the pandemic, the company expects me to move to the East Coast in the future. This is going to be a huge change in my life for sure. I guess I'll worry about that when the time comes.

Currently listening to: New Super Mario Bros. overworld theme

last day at Intel + future plans

It's a bittersweet day as I was laid off from Intel due to the pandemic. However, things are OK otherwise as I already have a job offer.

End of a chapter

As mentioned earlier, our group took a major hit due to coronavirus-related cancellations. For example, the 2020 Summer Olympics have been postponed for at least a year. To cut costs, upper management had to let people go. It's quite unfortunate because I've been an Intel fan a long time.

Despite recent events, my experience at Intel has been overwhelmingly positive. One memorable moment was going to Oregon last year. It was my first time flying on a private jet and also my first business trip. Oregon is also a beautiful state. Even though I wasn't there for leisure and didn't have time to visit any attractions, the trip certainly felt like a vacation to me.

We also had a Diversity Day event last April. It was cool to meet people from different cultures. I also enjoyed trying different foods and watching the performances. Imagine my disappointment when this year's event got canceled due to the pandemic.

I'm definitely a bit sad to leave this job. But what really sucks is not being able to properly say goodbye to my co-workers. Sending a farewell email or message on Slack just isn't the same. However, my manager said she'd love to put together a team reunion once the pandemic is over. It's certainly something I'm looking forward to.

A cross-country move?

The good news is that I already have a verbal offer from Silicon Labs. I'm still in the interview process, but the formal offer should come very soon. Everything certainly looks good so far.

But there are also challenges: the team is based all the way in Boston. Although this position is currently remote, the company has hinted that I may have to relocate when the pandemic ends. On the bright side, Boston is a pretty nice place. At least that was the case when we went there 15 year ago. I'm excited to see what the future has to offer.

October 16 update: Silicon Labs has sent me a formal offer. I accepted it as this is a company I want to work for. Here's to looking forward to the next chapter.

Currently listening to: Final Fantasy VII soundtrack - "Cid's Theme" by Uematsu Nobuo

a somewhat normal 35th birthday

I just turned 35 and had a pretty good birthday despite the recent craziness.

For starters, my parents took me to Nob Hill Foods to buy snacks. I didn't see too many things I wanted but did get some chocolates. Although I prefer to avoid public places for obvious reasons, birthdays only happen once a year. :-)

Dad later took us to Half Moon Bay after lunch. Our plan was to go shopping at a discount store called Twice as Nice, but we all needed to use the restroom after a long drive. Before there were no public restrooms in this store, my family decided to first go to Safeway and use the restrooms there. I took the opportunity to buy some snacks that weren't available at Nob Hill Foods. Having bought so much groceries, the three of us decided that we didn't really need to go to Twice as Nice after all.

So we then went for a stroll along Pillar Point Harbor. One thing that surprised me is that there were so many people — the waterfront was even more crowded than before the pandemic. However, the good news is that most people were wearing masks. Although it would have been fun to eat at one of the restaurants, this would have been pretty risky even though we don't have as many COVID-19 cases here.

All things considered, my 35th birthday rocked. I definitely hope things will be back to normal by next year. :-)

Currently listening to: Epic Battle Fantasy 5 soundtrack - "Blade & Switch" by Phyrnna