Updates and a tough decision to make

I got several updates on the applications, but let me start with TOEFL. The first iBT TOEFL in China was a disaster! Lots of problems coming up. It appears that those staffs weren't even ready for throwing the test yet... about 1/3 of the test takers didn't manage to take the test in the end, and they will schedule another free test for those poor ppl. I was lucky I got in early, but then there was some problem with my headset. I waited there for half an hour for them to solve the problem, but that was already 2 hrs later than the scheduled start time of the test coz we waited outside for quite some time. There was a moment when I thought if I couldn't take the test tonight, i would have to reschedule a test in Sydney during my the vacation there... But luckily, they fixed my headset problem, and i started the test at around 6pm. So when i got out of the test center, it was already 10! And didn't have dinner yet... Anyway, the test is finally done, and I can focus on my essay writing~

Also, I went to the MBA tour in Shanghai one day before the test. It was so much better organized than the last World MBA tour! I get to talk to an admission staff from NYU, and some alumni from UCLA and Berkeley. It's interesting to see that eyes of everybody light up when they hear about my entrepreneurship idea. It's definitely an interesting idea, I can tell from their reaction, but I just need to find a best way to put it on the paper and make it convincing.

Talking about putting things on the paper, I've done so badly in that this week... Almost no progress! I haven't imagined I'd be so busy this week, with my Aus holiday coming near, but tons of work also came to me. My boss even called asking if I can postpone my holiday:( Of coz I can't, coz the air ticket has already been issued, boss~ So the bottom line is I'll need to work till the last minute I board the plane. Things also piled up at my parents' company, but luckily I had a very efficient morning today and sort everything out. I think I'm digging into my potential now, see how multitasking I can be :P

But after all, I guess I can't perform too many tasks at one time, so here comes the tough decision: I think I'll postpone Stanford and UCLA to R2 :( So far, I haven't even got down the first draft of Stanford essays, not to mention UCLA. Besides, although I have decided all the recommenders, I haven't fully prepared the neccessary information for them to write the recommendation. I figure that I should not rush, coz I want my essays come out with good quality and natural tone. It's a tough decision, but I guess I took GMAT too late which is part of the reasons why I couldn't make R1. Other things you just can't predict. Now I so agree with Rungee that you need to START EARLY!

Why I made the decision of ...

studying Computer Science 6 years ago?

While i was thinking about that, I remembered some funny thoughts i had at that time. Of coz i didn't think they're funny by then, i actually believed them for once... But comparing them to what i am now make them funny.

1) I thought Programmers can work from home. On the contrary, now I have to commute for 2 hrs in the crowded traffic between office and home everyday... i never get to work at home, but i get a lot of chance to travel and work away from home...

2) I thought I could write some programs and sell them for big money. While in reality, I haven't written more than 10 lines of code after graduation, nor have i made any big money so far... So i still couldn't prove this thought wrong...

3) I thought Programmers don't have to deal with other people, and working just with computer is a lot easier. I might be quite right in the first point, coz working with people ain't an easy thing... But one bad experience with XXX (one software product of my company) made me think that working with computer ain't an easy thing either. It got its own temper u know...

Now I'm clear why I made that decision, huh...

parents left...

This past week is pretty messy... My parents finally decided to move to Sydney, and thru the whole week they're packing stuffs... So I had to help them with laptop setup, find them an apt, and something else. And finally, they really took off last night.

I thought I'm gonna be okay alone, but it's not until they really left that I realize how lucky I have been thru all the time. I always have them to watch my back, now I just feel insecure... Couldn't stand the quietness at home, so I headed out to have a drink w/ a friend. I guess part of me is worried about them, and the problems they're gonna face trying to settle down in Syd. But I also admire their courage to make that decision as they're moving to a country without even knowing the language. Another part of me is afraid that I might not be able to handle the business they left here. There are so many things I need to take care now:(

But anyway, good luck to Ma and Ba. I'll try to be a tough gal here.

come clean with my boss?

Just when I'm struggling over if I should come clean with my boss now or till later I got the admission, I recieved this mail yesterday morn: He's leaving to join a startup! Though I haven't worked for him for a very long period of time, I do think he's a nice guy. And after the torturing from the former lady boss, he just seems to be so much better~ But now, I don't know what to expect next... But this kinda solves my problem: I don't have to worry about any feelings he might have after hearing the news.