Update

WOW! It's been a well over a year since I last posted on my blog. I'd like think it's because I've been busy, but it's mostly a combination of being busy, being lazy, and not finishing what I started.

Well, based on a suggestion from my former CTO, it would be good for my career to get back into blogging. However, I'll be changing what I'll be posting. Instead of concentrating about my life and personal stuff, I'll be blogging more about technology and programming problems in hopes of helping out other people who have run into the same problem and are looking for a solution. That's not to say I won't be blogging about my life completely, I'll just be blogging about the cool and interesting events.

Alot has happened in the past year-and-a-half, so here's a quick run down:

• Got a new job at Integrated Services, Inc. in October 2006 to take on a more senior role and work on some cool technologies like Eclipse RCP and SWT.
• Went on a bunch of hiking and camping trips (be sure to check out my gallery).
• Went on a Summer vacation to Guam after seven long years. Had some of the best times of my life while visiting some relatives and old childhood friends.
  
• Got a new job at ARRIS as a Software Application Engineer in April 2008. I felt like I've done and learned as much as I can at ISI. "If you find yourself the best person in the band, it's time to find a new band." - Pat Metheny

That's where I stand right now, starting the new job and getting ready for the Summer. Oh, I forgot to mention, I was able to partially tear my MCL while skiing this pass Winter. My knee still hurts and it will be another couple weeks until I'll be able to start doing anything intensive. During my recovery, I'll have alot more time on my hand, so be sure to check back for updates to my blog!

Snow Storm

The past week saw cold spells in the NW causing temperatures to drop at or below freezing. Where I live and work in the Beaverton/Tigard area, temperatures got as low as the teens (Fahrenheit) at night; the day didn't get much warmer. The one good thing about the cold spell was that it was pretty sunny during the day with very little wind.

That all changed today. Around 5:00 AM, the Portland-metro area woke up to a blanket of white snow. It snowed pretty heavily for most of the day and afternoon - some places saw around 3-5" of snow. It was the most snow I saw in the metro area since I moved here 6 years ago.

The roads were pretty bad, so I decided to skip work and stay home (I doubt my Z would have made it through all that snow). For the better part of the day, ODOT even required all vehicles to be equipped with chains or traction tires. All schools in Washington Co. were closed, along with other schools in the surrounding area. There were countless fender-benders across the area, many road closures, abandoned automobiles, and minor injuries caused by this snow storm. The worst part of all this will be when the snow starts to melt in the next day, but then refreeze at night, causing dangerous black ice.

You can take a look at the pictures I took around my apartment in my album.

It's Been a While...

Wow! So much has happened since my last post on Labor Day! I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to update my blog, I did manage to post new pictures in my album, though.

Like I mentioned before, a lot has happened in the past few months - a new job, new apartment, new friends, and of course, lots of partying! I'll be filling in the details of what has happened in the next few days.

I have lots of stuff planned in the upcoming weeks including a redesigned site for PuguaSoft.com, continuation of existing projects, and the creation new projects. It'll be real hectic, especially with the holidays coming up, but that's the way I live!

Be sure to check back soon.

Labor Day Week

Wow, and what a week it was!

It all started on Sunday, the 3rd, where I met up with an old college friend visiting from D.C. We then headed to Vancouver, WA. to celebreate Labor Day - Guam Fiesta style! It was held at a farm where people from all over the state (both Washington and Oregon) came together, brought in their favorite Island dish, socialzied, and of course, danced the cha-cha! It was great, the people were great, and the food was AWSOME! I haven't eaten such good Island food in years - I was stuffed!

After the Guam Fiesta, we headed East to the Columbia Gorge where we watched the sunset - it was beautiful site (and the company was great too =).

We headed back after sunset and met with another friend to play cosmic bowling. It was my first time going cosmic bowling - it was different, but really nothing special. We had a lot of fun, though, and that's what counts. It has been a while since I last bowled, but I think I did pretty well - I'm still working on my spinning/curving bowl. The other ladies did pretty good too.

Later that night, we met up with my other friends to karaoke! We all had a great time, but we didn't stay too long, because we had to wake up early for the next day's adventure.

For Labor Day, we went on a day hike at Silver Falls, located East of Salem. The falls were nice, but it wasn't as runny as it was during Spring (you can see it in my other pics from the last time I went to Silver Falls). What made the trip special, though, was the company - I had such a wonderful time there with some of my closest friends.

You can check out the pictures in my album.

Olallie Lake and Potato Butte

Over the weekend, my buddies and I went backpacking around the Olallie Lake area and camped for a night on top of Potato Butte.

Even though we didn't hike for many miles, it was tough because of the steep trails we had to take to get to the top of the Butte, which was 5200 ft. high. It got even tougher the next day when we went up another mountain (forgot the name), which was easily 6000 plus ft. high. It was a tough climb but was definitely worth it - the view was amazing!

I posted pics from our adventure in my album.

Mt. Bachelor

It was sometime in the middle of last December when I put a pair of skis and went down the slopes of Mt. Bachelor for the first time. I fell and tubmled down the trails for the better part of the day. Although I really sucked, I have to say I was way better at skiing the first time out than I was at snowboarding.

Now, four months later and several trips to Willamette Pass, I've come to be a well-seasoned and experienced skier. I've conquered Willamette Pass and most of it's trails, including the black diamonds. The only trail I pussed out on was RTS (Real Tough Stuff) - maybe next season.

Not only have I've drastically improved in skiing, but I've also got into the sport of snow-blading. Snow-blades are basically shorter, wider skis. They allow me to perform tricks easier and make sharper turns. With the blades, I can also go off jumps and pull off tricks easier. I can't do anything really amazing like 360s or backflips (yet), but I'm improving - maybe next season.

So last Saturday, on April Fool's Day, I returned to the mountain that kicked my ass the first time 'round. This time, I came prepared and ready to return the favor. I headed back to Mt. Bachelor with a few buddies, my snow-blades, and my determination. All I have to say was - we ROCKED!

We cruised throughout the mountain and most of the trails. It didn't matter if it was a blue or black diamond trail - Northwest Express, Outback, I-5 - we rocked 'em all! Even as a rookie skier, I have to say that I impressed even myself on how much I improved in the last few months. Not only did we fly through the trails, we also played around the terrain park going on some jumps, catching air, and even heading down the half-pipe! Of course, I didn't do anything crazy on the jumps or half-pipe - maybe next season.

It's Spring now - the sun is shining and the ice is melting. It was a season filled with falls, bruises, a badly sprained hand, and lots of soreness - but it was all worth it. I had so much fun carving, catching air, and going through the woods with my friends and co-workers. Now, with my rookie season under my belt, I'll have to wait until the snow falls again before I return to the slopes. Until then...it's back to the b-ball courts, turf fields, rivers, waterfalls, beaches, and mountains!

Been Busy...Enjoying the Snow

Nothing exciting happened in the last month since my last post except that I've been trying to enjoy the last part of the Winter season. I've gone skiing and snow-blading pretty much every weekend since the start of the new year. I have to say, since this is only my first season skiing and snow-blading, I'm doing quite well. In fact, I'm donig very well that I went on some "black-daimond" runs the last few times I was up at Willamette Pass.

It's Spring break now, but there's still alot of snow falling up at the Cascades. After I get back from the Eclipse Conference, I plan on heading up to Mt. Bachelor one more time before the end of the season. I started the season there, and I want to end it there, weather permitting.

A White Valentine

I woke up this morning, Valentines day, to find snow flakes falling outside my window. It has been years since the last time it snowed in Eugene, so I was excited, to say the least. As I drove to work, and for most of the morning, it started to snow more. It was beautiful to watch the snow flakes fall from my 4th floor corner office in downtown Eugene. Most of the morning wasn't very productive due to me just staring outside and day dreaming about the snow and my special Valentine (you know who you are).

Well, I just want to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. Whether or not you have someone to spend this day with - it's a perfect time to stuff down tons of chocalate and milk...yumm!