Tag: Journal

A very into my personal life.

Windsor Castle in UK
Journal Entry – 10312018 – London Trip

Journal Entry – 10312018 – London Trip

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Stef and I went to the United Kingdom for vacation and we stayed for most of the time in London. For me, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in London and would consider going back again! I enjoyed using the public transportation system in the United Kingdom as it’s straightforward and reasonably priced. The weather was lovely at times, although it did rain here and there, it did not get too hot as I’m the type of person who does not like the heat so much. All so, enjoyed learning about the history of the United Kingdom and London.

@ Bread Ahead. Really good doughnuts
Buckingham Palace in London, UK
@ Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Hogwarts Express Train
Front of the Tower of London
@ The Ice Bar in London, UK
StoneHenge

The plane ride from SFO to LHR took about nine hours with Virgin Atlantic. I’ve been in a few economy class seats, but Virgin Atlantic was the most uncomfortable I’ve been in. There’s no real padding on the seat. much less, the seat makes me feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable(Virgin Atlantic, if you’re reading this, you need to invest in more comfortable seats! …. Just saying). The food on the plane is “Ok” at best, but it did fill me up. The flight offers WIFI service and considering that the plane has to use satellite service, the internet service is not too bad. Moreover, I notice that the airline WIFI partners are from other different carriers in the EU. All so, I saw EU versions of T-mobile like T-mobile Poland and T-mobile Germany? Is T-mobile global!?! Anyways, Under economy class seats, I notice that they have international power outlets, and I notice that it was pretty difficult for me to find it, much less see it due to the tight spacing. I had to feel around for the plugin with hands in order to find the correct position to plug in my laptop on. In addition, that outlet is pretty flimsy. The plug on my laptop kept falling out.

Ice room
Swords from different Royal members
London Tower
Buckingham Palace
@ Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Where the builders for Stonehenge stayed in.

I stayed in the Hilton London Bankside hotel. The hotel was nice, comforting, and the staff were quite nice and helpful. The room offers complimentary soda and water. The bed smells clean and fresh. Which I like because I do not want to sleep on a dirty mattress and sheets. The tables and bathroom were clean as well. In the bathroom, their have the little bar of soap, little bottles of conditioner and shampoo. Besides the normal set of towels they have for the guess, They even offer bathrobes as well. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar that is next to the main lobby. I’ve only does breakfast at the restaurant where I got a “Full English breakfast” and super good. Oh, in the restaurant they offer tea and milk for free! All so, at the hotel, they offer complementary blue cheese to us one day, white wine on another, and a small cake for their guest. I have not tried the cake, but the blue cheese was all right.

@ Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Hogwarts Express Train
Celtic display of Ireland and Britain artifacts
Map of The Tower of London
@ Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Model of Hogwarts
StoneHenge
Kensington Gardens
Roman Bath House.
Out side photo of Windsor Castle Chapel

Stef and I did a few tours together in and outside London. The Harry Potter tour we went on was super awesome! I got to see the behind the scenes of how Harry Potter the movie was made. Stef and I were amazed by how awesome the tour was. I got to see the great hall, the moving staircase, models of the town, and Hogwarts Castle. Oh, they even have the train that goes to Hogwarts and you’ll be able to go inside and see the passenger car that Harry, Hermione, and Ron would stay in for each movie. We did a food tour with a group of people in The Borough Market and it was well worth it. I got to try a lot of great food that London had to offer. I did like the blue cheese, although I discover on a food tour I like this blue cheese called “Stilton blue cheese” (soooo good!!) Stef and I went to Stonehenge and the city of Bath. It was pretty amazing! For Stonehenge as they offer an audio guide about the different spots, theories, and how people lived near Stonehenge. The city of Bath, we walked around and checked out the Roman bathhouse and Bath Abby. In the Roman bathhouse, it had a lot of signs and videos show what parts of the bathhouses were used for along the history of the bathhouse. Bath Abby is a church with gothic design and nice stain glass artwork.

Front of the Hotel
@ British Museum
An Ice cream machine in LHR
Really good fish and chips in London in the borough market.
@ Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
London LHR airport

During my stay in London Stef and I got to check out the Ice bar where there is a room mostly made of Ice. They serve you drinks in a large shot glass made of ice. The decor is made out of ice with neo lighting. Though we could not stay in the room too long as the bar only allows a person to be in there for 45 mins max. It seems that most of the shops and restaurants accept contactless payments which were super cool! The hotel gave us a bottom of white wine and I decided to take it home with me. Not sure what to do with it, besides save it if anything else, Christmas gift!?!?! Overall Stef and I enjoyed the trip together in London, and even though I touched on a few things briefly here, I will be more posts talking about more in detail about the different places that we visited.

Journal Entry – 10152018

Journal Entry – 10152018

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This month, I completed my psychical therapy for my neck and upper back. It feels sooo… much better and stronger than before. I was giving some exercises to help maintain it. In addition, they gave me a shirt that on the back it says “If broke, return to Apex Therapy.” I’m going to see Dr. Chien in December to follow-up.

Since I could remember, I’ve had Kaiser all of my life, but I decided to switch to Blue Shield. Since I’m using a different medical provider, I’m trying to migrate my old medical records from Kaiser to Blue Shield. I had to fill out the forum with my birth date, medical record number, and what information I want to Blue Shield to have. Which I find it interesting because the options provided were “Last two years” or “Specified” and I was thinking that if I choose “Last two years” that I might get only a year worth of records. Since I have not been with kaiser for a year now and the staff might look at the forum and think “hrmm… OK, I’m going to set the date from Nov 15th, 2017 to Nov 15th, 2018” and I would only get a year worth of records on a DVD.

Last, I’m going to be in London, UK this month with Stef, and really excited. I’m going to be there for a week and I’m going to do a lot of stuff! Like sightseeing, eating (Hello pubs), and not having to worry about work (pss… boss if you’re reading this sorry I deleted all of my emails. JK). A few things that I hope to see is the giant clock tower that looks a grandfather’s clock but bigger called Big Ben, Castles, and Harry Potter. Stef and I did our research on how to get around in London and we got an Oyster card where we can use it to pay for our bus and subway fare and All so, in London they have Uber (Though I’m not a fan of Uber, I like Lyft better) that we can use to get around as well if we can not use the bus nor subway system.

 

Journal 08152018 – My site

Journal 08152018 – My site

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Lately, I’ve gotten the notifications from my hosting provider and WordPress about my one anniversary of using their services. I never really talk about my site too much; nor I never really though too much about until now and realizing what it took for this site to become what is today. Initially it was a portfolio site so show case my work in Industrial Technology. It was until I got into writing and it changed the site a lot since then! From a small wiki site to a full-blown self hosted WordPress site, I’ll share my though of what were some of the challenges that I faced, what were the things I learned, and where do I see my site going forward.

When I first decided used WordPress I was not sure where it would take me much less what to do or write about. I decided that I would make it a place where I can journal and write about my life and my adventures. Where I would not only share the good, but the bad/challenges as well. My goal is be authentic as possible to those who come to my site and read my stories. I’ve learned that there is a fine line between privacy and what to share online. Like, having someone full name on my site, my house address, or talking about my adventure in New York. Those are the things I have to keep in mind when I’m writing and it’s challenging at times. Earlier this year, I’ve discovered the WordPress community, and it open my mind to read other bloggers stories and hearing there feed back and my post. It’s even helped me with some idea’s on what to write and feed back from the community which has encouraged me grow. Like when a blogger that goes by the named Rosie, explains to me how to resize the images, Or when another blogger helps me out by pointing out my spelling mistakes.

I first hosted my site at my apartment. It was great at first, but I faced many issues such as moving from place to place, power outages, power bills, and maintaining/replacing hardware. It was becoming too burdensome to manage. I find myself having to focus on trivial stuff instead of focusing on stuff that really matters. I looked at hosting providers and cloud services and after much research and though; I decided to move my site to Google Cloud! The process to upload the data and the website itself, took a long six months to a year and there were a lot of bump and hurdles that I had to learn. Like how google charges for storage, compute, or network bandwidth. Instead of using passwords to get into my servers, I needed to generate an keys to login with. When the move to Google Cloud had finished, I felt this huge weight off my shoulders. I can actually focus my goals that I want to achieved from my site.

Do see myself continuing to writing and making better content for people to enjoy. But all so, using my site to help develop my DevOps career path. To explore new tools in the background to keep the site up a running while trying get a 99.99% uptime, writing python code, and hopefully make a small income to help support the site better to help cover some of the cost of hosting the site.

Journal Entry – 07312018 – Back Pain

Journal Entry – 07312018 – Back Pain

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Last month, I’ve had really bad back pain. I remember waking up and feeling this intense feeling radiating on my upper right back between the spine and right shoulder. After awhile it grew very intense. I’ve called the doctor and advised to try a few things like to take a hot shower, try exercising it, and take 200mg of Ibuprofen. Yea, towards the end it felt like it was getting worse! I realized that I need to goto emergency care but there was a small problem once I grabbed my car keys. I can not really drive with a messed up back! Luckily there’s an emergency services in the downtown area were I live and it takes me 20 minutes for me to walk it. I finally got there, and I got admitted pretty quickly. The doctor haved me do some strength tests and she poked my back where it hurts. After she got finished diagnosing me, she concluded that I might haved a pinched nerve, muscle inflame and that I might haved some muscle injury too where the pain is on my back. So she tells me to take it easy, try to stretch it out, and take 600mg of Ibuprofen. In addition, she gives a few sheets of paper with instructions on what exercises that I need to do to help relieved my back pain. For the next few days. I had to try to stay off on my back, take the train(or bus) to work and stand most of the time while in at work.

A week gone by since the beginning of my back pain, and I notice that not only that my right arm still feels weak, but it tinges from time to time I would feel pain throughout my arm as well. So, I schedule a doctor’s appointment and I got to see the doctor see her on the same day. She did the same tests that the urgent care doctor but additionally she tested me to see if I can feel a sharp or dull object. Based on the tests, Not only I still have muscle weakness in my arm, but there might be loss of feeling as well. At this point, I’m thinking great my right is going to fall off my body.

So she refers me to a see a Spinal expert and to get an MRI. I’m all so thankful that my girlfriend helped me out by getting me a Chiropractor. The Chiropractor really helped me a lot! He helped re-aligned my back using various compression and decompression techniques and using some sort of ultra sonic machine as well. I manage to get an MRI done and looking at the report, It looks like one of my disk on my back got slightly out-of-place that might be causing some pressure on my nerve and there is some pressure on my nerve as well. I’m going to see the Spinal expert again soon and I’ll give an update on what happen.

Journal – 05172018 – Dr. Potato and Camping

Journal – 05172018 – Dr. Potato and Camping

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I’m proud my cat and how much she has grew. When Potato (my cat) first came to my house, she was shy, kept to her self, and try to hide everywhere. She would try to hide under  shoes, under the couch cushions, and various corners in my house. Over time, she grew in ways that makes her more confident in her surroundings. I wonder if it’s because I would challenger her or  she just trusts me. I remember when I first took her to the vet in her carry-on. She would make all sorts of racket and sounds when she was in her carry-on. Now she seems calm and relax. She seems to become more receptive towards people, before in the beginning she would run and hide under the bed or under the dinner room table. She still runs at first, but she eventually comes out to scope out what’s going on. When I left her at a kitty hotel, she was a sweetheart and I found out that she like to nap in the carnival room. When I pick here up, I got to seen how she reacts to the staff at her kitty hotel. She did not try bite, claw, nor scratch the staff when they try to pick her up.

Dr. Potato

I went camping for three days some time back with Stef. We went camping by the Russian River which was fantastic as you smell the clean air, fresh water, and at night you can see the stars shine bright in the night sky. The temperature at camp site by the Russian River did not get too hot, but it did got cold at night. It was perfect weather to hiking and exploring and forgetting about technology. Stef and I worked together as team in getting the tent setup, making food, and building a fire together to help keep us warm at night. In addition, we took the time to plan out our meals. For breakfast, we would make oat meal and tea/coffee. For lunch, we hand cold cuts sandwiches. With my Cast Iron Grill, for dinner we cooked, chicken with baked beans, bison burgers with corn, and turkey hotdogs. It so good! Stef and I got slow down a bit from our busy lives. Just sit around and write by the fire or just talking was very pleasant. I would like to do it again sometime in the near future and do more hiking.

Journal Entry – 10242017

Journal Entry – 10242017

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At work, My company is moving to a new building. I do not mind the company moving, but the fact that the company is moving to a location where it does not have easy access to public transportation. I’m not thrilled about it, as I’m trying to depend less on my car and more on the public transportation for me to get to work. I have thought of move to another company, like another startup that’s closer to home and where I can still take public transportation. But, I will hold off for the time being and see how I feel about the new location and how it works for me.

I met a new group of friends though meetup. I met them though the Grand Hot Pot Lounge in San Francisco. Where we kinda of hit off. I met Ah. She walked us though on what to do at the table, how long does each meat cook for, how long does each vegetable cook for, etc. Then There is Steph. Her and I talked a wide range of topics and towards the end of the night we started to be friends. I asked for her phone so that we can hangout together and talk some more! I all so met Will, Mar, Cat, and Mar. At the restaurant we sing karaoke and I got to sing Party like it’s 1999. I realized I’m a bit rusty and I do not think I did much justice for the song, but I had fun singing it.

I decided to try Irish dancing this month. In Downtown Sunnyvale at Lilly Mac’s Irish Pub. There was a four-day dance lesson into Irish dancing. The instructor walked us though the fundamentals of Irish set dance, from basic footwork to the essential group patterns, all the way through dancing a complete set with your classmates! It challenging at first as I do not do a lot of dancing in my life. Once I got the basics down, it became easier as time goes on. The class was structure so that the inexperienced can dance as well. The songs that were played for the dances, I think they were traditional Irish songs which some of the songs were really fast and hard to keep up. I really enjoyed it, and I notice that they offer a Tuesday night dance lessons as well, and I thinking that I will do that as well!

 

Journal Entry – 07232016

Journal Entry – 07232016

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So Potato, seems like she is starting to become more comfortable in her new home. She is now exploring more of the home and even gone into the bed room where Cassie and I sleep. Although she has tried to jump on the window ledge only to cause the vertical blinds to make noises which in turn woke me up. When she saw me awake, she ran back to her hiding space on the couch. She is warming up to me where she has come up to me and wanted attention from me.

I am still listening professional cellists play. In addition, and still working on my E Major Scale. It’s getting a little easier every time I play and expectantly trying to remember the figure placement. I have started learning the Hunter’s Chorus, C. Schroeder, Op 31, No. 5.

I finally got my car back from the repair shop and it looks good now! I have not drove it a lot lately as I have been using Caltrain, but I will report on it next week. Also, The rental that I got while my car is in the shop, has gotten into an accident on Sunday. It looks like my neighbor side swiped it with here car and cause some paint exchanged. I was not exactly mad at my neighbor as in more disappointed in the fact that she has not come forth about it and owned up to it. A few days later I did cross paths with her and we just exchange “Hello”. Yes, I wanted to talk to her about it, and in the process I would have gotten upside, but I just dropped it and let it be. Her actions alone (ie, not telling me she hit my car, not leaving a note, nor not notifying the insurance company) already told me everything. I return the rental, file the paper work, and notify my insurance company.

Next weekend, Cassie and I are going to Monterey for the weekend! I am hopping that weather is good on the weekend. I was thinking maybe we can go whale watching. Also, I want to take her to the Old Fisherman’s Grotto. They have great Clam Chowder and Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop in Monterrey as well! More info to come!

Journal Entry – 07022016

Journal Entry – 07022016

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This week quite busy and it even bleed into the weekend. A couple of weeks ago, I installed a Velcro script with a rubber band underneath and strips of paper to help me with my bow hold and finger positioning on my cello. I have gotten used to having those things. I think for the Velcro I will keep it on the bow, but the strips of paper, I am thinking of removing it in the next few weeks to make me depend on my ears as I have been noticing that I have being depend on touch. I have happy that my playing has improved and reading sheet music with out the numbers has been becoming easier for me. Although, since next week is the start of my vacation and really practice playing my cello!

Cassie and I have been busy though this week, but we are able to spend time at night together and even talk about work, me finding a new job, or events that are happening in our lives. This weekend, I was hopping that she would come with me to play Magic The Gathering with Jim and Adrian, but she was not able to as she had to work. Although it was great see Kert and Kristy again! Cassie and I went to a BBQ with my friends in San Jose. It seems like my friends and Cassie got along well and we had a lot of fun! We all talked, ate, and laugh together!

Roopa’s BBQ Party

My project for this site is really coming together now, expectantly with wordpress. Ansible automation for the base configuration is coming along, and services are moving to a much better place. The articles on wordpress are coming together as well, and I will replace dokuwiki with wordpress. I feel a lot better using wordpress than dokuwiki as it never really satisfied my needs as wordpress does. I guess to some extent I am abie to personize it and make it more of my own that what I did with dokuwiki.

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