FoleyFunctional

I’ve started a vegetable garden in pots at my apartment. I had two tomato plants, in 5 gallon containers behind my patio. I came out today to do some work on them, and they were gone. I walked around to see maybe the apartment moved them because they were doing maintenance, but they were on where to be seen.

I can only conclude that someone stole my precious plants. I grew them from seeds and they were getting big (almost 3 feet tall). I was hesitant to place them outside, because there are lots of kids around here that run around. I thought maybe they would mess with or knock them over by accident. Never would I think that someone would outright steal them.

I have 4 green pepper plants and 1 tomato plant I had kept inside. I think I need 2 tomato plants so they can pollinate…so I may just go out and buy another.

There are plenty of grills around here that people place outside. I don’t believe people steal those. So, why would someone steal my plants? Because they are inexpensive? They are the fruits of my labor. I hope they go to hell, bastards.  

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I was at work today, browsing the web (what else) and I went to CNN.com. On the front page were two headlines. One was describing the the photo shoot of Air Force One over New York City. The other, of the semi-nude pictures of Miss California. Each time they used the word pictures, they substituted with pix.

I don’t have the exact wording, since it’s not on CNN.com anymore, but it was something like "$328,835 pix…." or "Miss California pix….".

Who’s the editor? Some pimple faced 14 year old? Or are you trying to insult your audience? Or maybe their target audience is between the age of 13 – 18. I can not respect a major news organization that will use the word pix.

I have plenty of other news sources to go to, where I don’t feel dumber when I leave the site.

I’ve bitched about their online articles in the past, and I’m finally so fed up I’m going to stop going there.

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I have been debating the past month or so whether I should get a house. All things point to me buying a house, except that I don’t know how long I’d be here. I actually put in an offer for a house. It’s in a good neighborhood the house is 4 years old. The owners originally placed the house on the market last October, and it went unsold until January. They took it off in January because the husband discovered he had cancer and did not want to go through all the stress. The put it back on the market last week, at the same price as what they wanted in October, $153k.

I did a little bit of research, and found out that they paid $140k for it 4 years ago. A similar sized house down the street, all brick, sold for $136k. I put in an offer of $135k. The realtor pressured me a bit to put a higher price, I actually wanted to put $133k. I told her my logic. The house down the street is all brick. This one isn’t. Why am I going to put much more for it?

The owners countered. $143k. I told the realtor, no, I’m sticking with my offer of $135k. They came back, $132k. I told her, I’m going to move on and look at other houses. I personally think they overpaid for the house at $140k 4 years ago, because 4 years ago, the all brick house was bought for $126k. I’m not going to repeat their mistake.

If I can’t find a house for a good deal, I’m not going to buy a house. Even though I would have two roommates to offset the increased cost, and I would get Obama’s $8k, if I sold within 3 years, I would just break even (assuming the house is the same price). I’m factoring in that Obama’s $8k would just cover the realtor commission when I sell.

The money I’m putting in on down payment, and the extra money I’m putting in towards property tax, insurance, mortgage interest, etc..I can invest somewhere else and make a return on it. Of coourse, buying a house would give me us more space and privacy, which is why we may rent a house.

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It is difficult not to think about death when a family member of yours passes away. I will try not to dwell on the negative aspects of what has happened.

I remember a saying, that the point in life is not to live the longest, but to live the most.

My aunt was a mathematics teacher. When my brother skipped from the 6th grade, to the 8th grade he needed help with his math. My parents asked my aunt to tutor him. Eventually, my brother scored a perfect on his SATs in mathematics. My aunt leaves behind her husband, two daughters, and four grandchildren. After she retired several years ago, her life was dedicated to her grand children.

Several years ago, my dad told me he enjoyed talking to my aunt, and asked if I knew why. I replied, because she’s always smiling. I was young at the time, and found that my aunt was truly indeed always smiling. But no, my dad told me, my aunt is a smart, logical and well read person and everything she says has meaning and makes sense.

I learned from the eulogy, that my aunt initially never completed middle school. After finishing elementary school she was needed to help in the family business in tailoring. After several years of business growth, plus money from my 1st uncle from America, she pleaded to go back to school to finish her education. At this point she was suppose to enter high school, but has fallen behind. She received tutoring and passed all the exams to get into high school. Eventually, she chose the career as a teacher and first taught in the villages. After teaching in elementary school in the villages she came back to Guangzhou, and taught high school mathematics, at, I believe the 34th High School in Guangzhou. I learned from a former student of hers (from the class of 1979) that my aunt had taught at the school for 24 years.

My aunt still kept in touch with several of her students. One of them is now a doctor in San Francisco and actually visited a few times, once, right before my aunt passed away. I was moved by the fact that they still kept in touch, and how much respected her students had for her.

The average life expectancy after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis is 3-6 months. She gave the pancreatic cancer its run for its money, battling it for about 1 year and 4 months. R.I.P.

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It’s funny…I guess when you help people they remember you. Or people just remember me easily?

I just an an IM from a friend who now lives in Seattle. It turns out, he met Frank, a former CASA president, and a guy who knew me my freshman year at UF. I had helped him through Chinese Literature. I think he had a case of senioritis, but I kinda pulled him through.

Hard to imagine that someone I knew for one semester would remember me 7 years later.

And while I’m at it, I think I’ve helped a butt load of people graduate UF…

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I’ve been on fire the past two times I played ping pong. I played an hour and a half last Wednesday…the day of my birthday…and didn’t lose a single game! I beat Bruce and Emil about 5x. I’ve beaten Bruce a few times here and there…but never 5x in a row!

Then today, I was on fire…and beat everyone…I beat Bruce about 5x too, along with Jeffrey, Jarod…But towards the end I was getting tired. I had almost lost to a guy who shouldn’t have come close (He had matched point for 2 points). Then bruce beat me 4x in a row, fairly badly too. But Bruce said he’s not going to count any of those, because he said I was tired. He wants to get me fresh. Well, thanks Bruce! I’ll take all the bragging rights I can.

A couple of us plan to have a tournament in the first week of August. It was inspired by the tournament I had won. I rubbed it in recently, saying I’ve been champion for too long. I plan to take that tournament too!

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I turned a quarter of a century old 3 days ago. It was a nice birthday even though  I didn’t have many of my close friends around. I never want to make a big deal out of my birthday – unless I’m old and deprecated and want the attention. I tried to keep it on the down low, but I had told Emil very early on when my birthday was, and when the day came…he had told a majority of the people in the office.

My mom had baked me a cake when I was in Ft. Lauderdale a few weeks ago. It was very thoughtful of her and I was pleasantly surprised. My project manager said, that’s what mothers do (she herself is a mother of a son slightly older than me, and takes care of myself and my coworkers as if we were her sons).

I received a bunch of messages from well-wishers on Facebook. Some, I haven’t spoken to in a long time, except when they post on my wall and I reply back. In the past, I’ve posted a reply to everyone’s wall. However, since I was busy for several days I didn’t feel a late reply was appropriate so I just changed my status. I thanked everyone, and made a joking remark to those who didn’t write a message. Afterwards, I got about 3 more messages

Chris had called me to wish me happy birthday. It was nice of him. He used VOIP at first, which then he got disconnected. Then, he used his cell, which I know costed him a lot of money. He got disconnected again. The next day, he had sent me a text message.

I received phone calls from my cousin, uncle, grandma, and parents. Kane e-mailed me. Han came up and visited me, and bought me some gifts. I had been tempted to buy a watch since I’ve started working. I depend on my cellphone as my time keeper, but, those aren’t allowed where I work.

I wanted a nice looking, Foley functional watch, probably digital. But I couldn’t find anything I liked – I even looked while at the Swap Shop, which carries a lot of different watches! Walmart watches were ok, but I didn’t think the $15 was worth it. I’m use to paying…$8 for a good watch (I’m frugal if you can’t tell). Han bought me a watch…a Tommy Hilfiger with a very high MSRP (high for me at least, definitely more than $8, and $15). I think she got it at TJ-Maxx, so it was probably 1/3rd of the price (I hope at least).

She got me a pair of racquetball goggles. I don’t play that often, probably once every 2 weeks. I usually rent stuff from the gym. However, having your own pair certainly reduces any possible contamination . Also, the ones I rent fog up kinda of easily, and it’s annoying. Hopefully these will work well.

And oddly, she also got me a pair of Gator flipflops…she thought I needed them, and knew I’m trying to get my hands on Gator gear (even though at one point I vouched to never support UF…oh BTW my diploma arrived).

Lastly, Han painted me a nice looking picture of a X-15 on the brink of space.

Emil, as an inside joke, got me a $25 gift card from Papa Johns. I’ve taken advantage of Papa John’s B1G1 twice so far…and I basically eat pizza for a whole week straight, for lunch and dinner. I have an additional $10 coupon I scammed from Entertainment Weekly by getting a free trial (which I’ve already canceled), as well as a free Papa Johns pizza coupon. With all that combined, I can get about 6 pizzas. I also expect a free Dominos Pizza coupon and movie from Office Depot fairly soon too…So…7 pizzas, that’s about a month worth of food!

So, unlike all my other birthdays where there was alcohol involved, this one had none. Andre did send me a Facebook gift of a typical plastic beer cup…you know, the red Dixie cups. Well, my 24th had no alcohol. It was a nice dinner at Morton’s (Han took me out on their 2 meals for $100 deal).

My 23rd birthday was in Melbourne, I believe…and yes, there was alcohol at that one. It was a dinner with fellow interns at a Mexican restaurant – tequilla for all! Followed by a spontaneous stop at a place of gentlemanly entertainment.

My 22nd birthday was in Boston. It was a nice time spent with fellow campers and staff at Computer Camp…don’t think any alcohol was involved.

21st birthday, I think the answer is obvious.

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According to the American Heart Association:

“If a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1.”

HDL should be > 60 mg/dL

LDL should be < 70 mg / dL

Triglyceride Levels:
Less than 150 mg/dL = Normal

My results:

HDL: 109

LDL: 82

My triglycerides is 55

My ratio is .57:1

AND! My total cholesterol is less than 200

DAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

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I don’t know why I look up to this man so much…We never really directly spoke…we corresponded by e-mail a few times. I can’t imagine what the students that were *directly* influenced by him in his mentoring programs and such. Just reading and hearing about what he’s done makes me look up to him. Whenever the world treats me like shit, I want to treat the world like shit back. But then I think of Dean Earle and all the positive things he’s done…yes, I know, it’s odd.

He’s retiring after 20 years at UF, I wrote him a nice little letter.

Hi Dean Earle,
I was reading the recent Florida Engineer magazine online, and read about your retirement. I am not clear if you are retiring at the end of 2008, or end of 2007, but either way, I am happy for you.

I’m sure it was a difficult decision to make. You have touched the lives of students in many ways. What you’ve done has neither a temporal, or spatial boundary and your work will still be felt by students all over.

Also, congratulations on your NSF award, it is a nice way to wrap up your career.

Best of luck on your future,
Foley Ma

P.S. We’ve never personally met before – and our only direct correspondence was through e-mail about my late degree application (but like I said, your influence has no spatial boundary!). Thankfully, my employer does not have an issue with it and I should be starting January 22nd without a hitch.

P.P.S. If you did retire at the end of 2007, you shouldn’t be checking your e-mail so often. Just kidding!

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I know I’ve been MIA for a while. I’m updating because I’m waiting on WinRAR to finish archiving some files…and I need WinRAR to archive some other files I’ve just finished for a new feature update for the site. I don’t want to run two version of it, though I’m sure I could. It gives me a good excuse to write an entry.

Lets see…some life updates. I will be starting work, most likely on January 22nd at Warner Robins Air Force base. I still need to get some paperwork for final processing, but that is the most likely start date. It’s an exciting and unrealistic time. My first, paying, full time job. I will be working with the Oracle Database on C5 cargo planes. It’s rather odd that as a Masters of Electrical Engineering, I start my first job in software. I’ve always enjoyed software slightly more, so this is fine.

The reason I even got put in this position is probably more because of my extracurricular activities than with school work. I’ve never taken a database class at UF. My only exposure was in software engineering, but I wouldn’t say that the database portion was that intensive. Most of my knowledge comes from writing websites. I have MySQL & MSSQL under my belt, and now it’s time to learn the last of the major 3 database standard!

I’ve gotten in contact with Chris somewhat. He seems to be doing fine in Bolivia. I’ve had some IM, Facebook and e-mail correspondence with him. I tried calling him through Yahoo Messenger VOIP, but for some reason he couldn’t hear me though I can hear him. Then I sent him some text messages explaining what’s going on, as I’m sure he was in a confused state wondering who is prank calling him!

I had dinner with Gabe the other night. It was me, him and his girlfriend at Bahn Thai. I’m happy for him…Andrea seems to be a nice girl. It’s funny how people change. I was debating whether or not take my furniture up to Georgia with me, or just take what I can in my car. I offered all my furniture to Gabe…the bed, desk, couch, bookshelf, coffee table, TV… I figured since I got all those free from Chris, Gabe would naturally get next dibs. Well, the funny thing was that he was asking all these questions about the furniture even though he lived with us for a year and used some of the furniture himself!

Gabe is/was one of the most frugal guys I’ve known. Admittedly, I’m frugal…but Gabe has me beat. His bookbag is from highschool…and I really think it’s from Middle School. And here he is, asking about the TV, couch, bookshelf…In the end he was going to take the bed, bookshelf and TV, but then one day he told me he doesn’t want the bed anymore. He wants to get Queen size bed! The bed right now is a full. I’m glad he didn’t take the bed, as when I looked up prices for beds, it would cost $300+. Renting a truck to Warner Robins would cost only $200. Thanks Gabe Since I’m taking the bed, I’m going to take the couch and coffee table as well. I want to leave the desk with Han so she can have a nice big working area. I want to get a bigger working area also A nice L shaped desk.

I’m thinking of going to Jacksonville for Christmas this year again. I’ll only spend 2 days there…not like the 1-2 weeks like last year. Then I was thinking of going to Warner Robins and finding apartment afterwards. Since my start date is on the 22nd, and the 21st is Martin Luther King Day, Van may be able to help me move. That would be nice of him. I can’t carry that damn couch myself…that couch is a monstrosity.

I’m not the only person starting a new life. As a matter of fact, I know three people that are. Scott, Tony, and George. Scott left Gainesville several nights ago. His parents didn’t even spend the night. The living room won’t be the same without him . I will be filling his place temporarily. I’ve subleased my apartment to Roth, and may be in the living room for some time. Currently, Tony is in the living room. He’s just chilling right now, as he doesn’t have many people in Orlando. But, Tony will be working in Dallas on January 7th…oh Tony. Then George…he’s graduated, will be working for Accenture down in S. Fla.

I don’t know too many people in Gainesville…the ones I’d be willing to call up and hang out with are in less than 2 hands. I don’t even feel like counting. I’ve started to do the ritual, of the last supper with your friends in the town you’re leaving. I’ve called up Katya the other night to see when she wants to get together. She’s currently in Jacksonville on rotation…then she’s going to Ft.Lauderdale, North Carolina for the holidays. My dinner the other night with Gabe was the last supper I guesss…He’s so busy with salsa/capoeira/his girlfriend that even though he works remotely and kinda on his own schedule, he’s hard to reach. Then there’s Wei…who’s called me up several times to make sure I haven’t left Gainesville yet. There’s also Calvin…who still owes me $50 and a towel. There’s a few other people that I wouldn’t mind saying goodbye to. Jason is pretty cool, Philip, Amy, Tammy…I’m not close with many CASA people anymore.

I would love to drive through the state of florida and say goodbyes…I guess mainly Orlando, Melbourne, S. Fla. But, time is usually constrained because of CS. Oh well, those are the sacrifices. The Internet keeps people fairly close, and a distant and cold way.

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