EPTI finally got a taste of some freedom outside of work when we launched virtually bug free! It was a great accomplishment for MTV International. I was so happy that I could leave before 8pm today. I know it won't last long though since tomorrow, we will immediately start working on Phase 3 launch.
The EMAs is the biggest project my team produces every year and work continues until the show goes live November 5, 2009. The cool part of the job is that we do get to go to the event location to do live updates on the website. My team should be going to Berlin, Germany the week of the event. It's always fun to throw myself into completely unfamiliar territory once in a while and soaking in the experience. The unfortunate part is that I will be busy for a while.
On July 15 2009 12:35 Manifesto7 wrote:
Wow awesome! Happy Birthday
Update us on your amazing adventures some time soon please
Wow awesome! Happy Birthday
Update us on your amazing adventures some time soon please Not exactly amazing adventures but here's a recap of how the year 2009 has been for me so far...
I ended 2008 with a trip to London for work (EMA 2008) and a trip to Germany for World Cyber Games 2008. After four years of serving the StarCraft community, I decided to take a break from it all and just be a regular gamer.
I thought I was done by 2007 but during my family vacation in Denmark, MYM ended up snatching me up and sending me to BlizzCon. How could I say no? And after I realized I was going to be in Europe already when WCG was going to be there, I decided to hop on over and go for the sake of going, this time representing nobody else but myself. I realized it might be my last hurrah so instead of just documenting the event from an outside perspective, I wanted to be part of the event, taking pictures among people and talking to people more so I could at least say that I was there and I met some good people.
Taking a break from the community meant being able to take a step back and looking at the bigger picture, having more time to focus on other goals and progressing in other aspects of life. According to Stephen R. Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," it's called "taking time to sharpen the saw". That is exactly what I did:
<ul> <li>Physical - Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management
<ul> <li>I went snowboarding in Colorado.</li>
<li>I was part of a group dance/skit performance that took four months to prepare for.</li>
<li>I took Breakdancing Classes from Ms. Vee and Lyrical Classes from Derek Mitchell at Broadway Dance Center. This is where I get most of my flexibility training.</li>
<li>I've been going to the gym before work three times a week. This is where I get my strength training.</li>
<li>I've been playing Ultimate as part of an organized group once or twice every week. This is where I get my cardio.</li>
<li>I've managed to stay pretty consistent with my physical training. Because of my regular routine, I would say I am in the best shape I've ever been in my life.</li></ul>
</li> <li>Spiritual - Value Clarification & Commitment, Study & Meditation
<ul> <li>I've been learning from Tim Keller's sermons at Redeemer every Sunday morning.</li>
<li>I discuss the messages with Henry and note applications of what we learn.</li></ul>
</li> <li>Mental - Reading, Visualizing, Planning, Writing
<ul> <li>I've opened up recently to opportunities to learn how to be more successful in life through reading books/magazines and going to work sponsored workshops.</li>
<li>I took a month long Advanced Flash Programming class at work.</li>
<li>I've been learning web development techniques and enterprise solutions through self-teaching and exposure to the tech team and I've been getting a lot of practice programming.</li>
<li>I've also been writing a lot more blog entries. I'm trying to expand outside of just writing about the daily grind to writing more thought provoked entries.</li>
<li>Planning is just something I do on an almost daily basis. It's a part of me. I can't help but plan and organize or else I will feel overwhelmed by chaos.</li>
<li>Taking Chinese classes not only helps me communicate and understand Henry and his family more but it also trains my memory.</li></ul>
</li> <li>Social/Emotional - Service, Empathy, Synergy, Intrinsic Security.
<ul> <li>Back in 2005, I struggled to break out of the <a href="http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=34134">shy/quiet shell</a> I had built around myself. I have since learned so much about interacting with others. I open myself up to opportunities to meet people once in a while through work, through sports, through friends. I see people as interesting beings that have a lot to share about their lives, their interests and their knowledge now. Although I am still introverted by nature, I am no longer bound by that nature.</li>
<li>Even though I am half a world away from my family, they are still a big part of my life. I went back to Asia at the beginning of the year and intend to go back early next year.</li>
<li>I have expanded way beyond my team at work. I work very closely with other teams, so much so that they can consider me to be part of their groups as well. I put a lot more effort in talking to people and to be quite honest, it has become something I enjoy now rather than dread.</li>
<li>Watching TV and Movies isn't exactly a social activity but just this very act gives me a lot to choose from in terms of topics to talk about with others. I've gotten sucked into Battle Star Galactica, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Dancing With The Stars, America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent, Deadliest Warrior, Two and a Half Men and WSOP. I also got hooked on a few games on the Xbox 360 - Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Call of Duty 4/5, Guitar Hero World Tour - but this is less of a topic to discuss among people I encounter.</li></ul></li>
</ul>StarCraft doesn't exactly fit into the above categories but I do still play. I did take a break for a few months (unfortunately, this also deleted my account and my record and my friends list on USWest) but I'm back to my old 3v3 BGHing ways. I do miss playing 1v1 though. I don't have enough time to dedicate myself to training my 1v1 game. I wonder if I would be able to find anyone my level anymore out there. That may just be a goal for another time.
For now, my sights are set upon pushing myself further in life, going to the next level at work while keeping everything else in life balanced. I want to improve. I want to achieve. I want to succeed. As I mentioned in my blog before, I just want to <a href="http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=79119">level up</a>.
PS. Let me know if you are an awesome GM 3v3 player and you're up for BGH anytime.
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