3 ... 4 ... 2!!!

Last night was my first company holiday party ... ever. And I had a blast of a time, tearing up the dance floor, meeting new people, and spending time with friends. I went to the party with Lisa Ly, who was the perfect date. Social enough to stand her own, as well as providing excellent conversation when it was the two of us. The night started with me picking up Lisa at 6pm and heading off to SF. During the ride, Lisa and I talked about a variety of topics from starting some form of retirement fund to what we want in life and who we want in life. That is the thing I enjoy about Lisa, it is our discussions about a variety of topics.

We get to the Asian Art Museum, where the party is being held, where we are greeted by the tax friends I met during orientation. We do the introduction part, and talk about how are first two weeks have gone. They seem to be having a fun time, and enjoying themselves. Just finishing up training in Irvine for half a week, I don't see how one could complain. We do our good-byes and Lisa and I are off inside. We sign in, where the front desk offers us two envelopes. One contains our name tags and our name stands so the waiter knows what we ordered. The second envelope is a red chinese envelope, inside were two gift cards, one from Borders and the other for Blockbuster, each with a retail value of 25 bucks. Along with the two gift cards is a 50 dollar bill. I was floored at the gift. At this point I am really starting to like working for GT.

After receiving our envelopes and doing coat check, I did my proper meet and greet with my higher officials. After all I am at a company party, still have to do some politics. I see my Senior Manager and the Partner for BAS. I introduce them to Lisa, and I just put on the charm. Basically saying hello, sorry I couldn't go to the pre-party, and wish them a fun time. From there, we head off inside the dining area, where I meet up with my fellow BAS new hires/friends, Tony and Alberto (Carb Zero). I do the introduction thing again, and ask them how they've been doing, since I haven't seen them since training. We grab a table, and are instructed to seats ourselves because dinner is being served soon.

Dinner was not very good, so it was a good thing I filled up during my lunch with Jack, Jennifer and Tham. But the treat of dinner came during the raffle. There were three prizes to give away during the raffle;

3rd place was a $200 American Express Gift card,
2nd place was an IPOD,
and 1st place was a Sony 5 megapixel camera.

The 3rd and 2nd place prizes go to an associate and a partner, respectively. Then comes the moment of truth where they inform the winning number for 1st place, my raffle ticket is 342. They shout out 3 ... 4 ... 2!!! It takes a second or two to process that I had won, at which point I look at Lisa and shout out "HOLY SHIT!!!" It's heard throughout the auditorium. I walk up to the front to pick up my prize and gladly smile for a picture and my winnings.

Dinner is over but the high of winning is still lingers. We get out of our seats (because they have to move our table and seats to make room for a dance area), where I met several people throughout the company (winning the digital camera makes a great conversation piece/opener), from the Assurance side to the Tax side. I finally see my Patrick, and we start catching up on how our first week of work has been. Patrick has been in training most of the week, and was surprised to hear that I had already been to client sites. It was nice to see Patrick again, it's too bad he is on the Assurance side and I am on the BAS side, making it harder for us to work together. Majority of the time after dinner was spent at first looking at the galleries, then spending the rest of the night tearing up the dance floor. The DJ played a nice assortment of music from old school to some new school. Lisa, Patrick and myself got down and dirty on the dance floor, at some points getting down and dirty with the head honcho of BAS.

Overall it was an awesome night, how could it not be, I won a freaggin' digital camera.

Here's the camera I won for those curious.

GT Explorer

It's 10:21pm and I am alone in my hotel room. My roommate has gone home to see his wife and son, and I just don't think I would fit along with the BYU kids. So what better time to update my blog then now. A run down of my first two days with GT.

Check In:

After arriving to my hotel (thanks Jack), I receive my room key, where I am greeted by a darken room. I assumed my roommate had gone to bed uber early, but as I turned on the light, came to realized no one was in. I made myself comfortable, watched TV, set up my laptop, and arranged my bathroom supplies. About an hour later, my roommate arrives and we share our experiences, where we come from, how we got the job, what department we will be in. It's now around 11-12 and it's time to sleep and prepare for my first day of work.

Day 1: Orientation

Orientation started at 9am, and my roommate and I get to the office at 8:50am. Orientation was like any other orientation, filled with the discussion of HR policies, the explanation of benefits and the signing of protocol forms. Of the 10-12 new associates, 4 of us are Business Advisory Associates (BAS). Orientation lasts the whole work day, with a provided lunch at 12. It was a catered lunch from some Italian restaurant. On my first night in town I walked the Embarcadero Plaza and decided to eat at Fuzio and thought it was excellent food just too small of a portion. Dinner is provided via Per Diem, I get $15 a day (barely enough to cover my taste buds).

Day 2: Training Part 1

Today we were scheduled with our first day of "training." I put training in quotes because the training we attended today really has nothing to do with our department services, but the partners felt it be best for us to sit in. The training are for the Assurance hires so not that much of a beneficiary to me. No real high lights for today, other than I had to show half the Assurance class how to use a program (GT Explorer)that they would be using daily and I would not. At the end of the day, we were all invited to an ice cream social, provided by Ben & Jerry's and GT. It's weird, but I actually feel part of a team now and its has only been two days of work. But today I wondered, am I as social as I think I am? Sure I find myself easily talking to complete strangers and getting to know them, but in this work environment I feel I need to be more social. Is that possible?

Two days down, three more to go. This is becoming quite an experience. Nam working on his career, I never thought I get to this point in life. Never.

Silent As Snowfall, I Whisper Good-bye

It has been a week of good-byes and worthy of mention.

Lincoln:

Wednesday night was spent having dinner with Lincoln, wishing him farewell. The evening went on nicely, but it was the end that was the most poignant. Never have I experienced an occasion designed to wish someone off and by the end of the occasion it hit me that I would never see this person again. Sure we may exchange words here and there but never will be have another face to face meeting. It was sad to know such knowledge, that after this night Lincoln was gone. Good-bye Lincoln, have a nice life.

The PD:

After years of expressing my need to leave the PD, and my annoyance with several of my co-worker, it all came down to today, my last day. It started off like any other day only that I would never have "another" day at the PD again. Lunch was spent at Gordon Biersch with co-workers I normally wouldn't have lunch with but they wanted to take me out and wish me off. It was a nice gesture. Back from lunch, I started packing my things and cleaning my office. Another poignant moment occurred and here I thought "3 1/2 years and it all comes down to today." A cake was shared, a gift basket was given, a speech was made. After all was said and done, I personally went to each person's office and had my little one on one good-bye chat (some longer than others, some just a quick "I haven't known you long but it was nice meeting you, good-bye and good luck in life"). I was scheduled to leave work at 1:30pm, I didn't get to my car till close to 3pm. As I drove away from the City parking lot, I realized I will miss the PD, how could I not. I spent 3 1/2 years of my life there. Good-bye San Jose Police Department, continue to serve us well.

Pung:

A long time friend left the San Jose crew on Sunday, my dear friend Pung/John. His departure to LA was like his presence here in SJ, you knew he was here but just wondered where. In this case, you knew he was leaving just wondered when. His good-bye had no big send off or no real "last hooray" but that is Pung. I called him the day he left and wished him the best and to have a safe trip. I am glad in his last couple of days in SJ, I got to spend time with Pung. Our Vegas trip and our Midnight New Year Denny's dinner. Pung's departure differs from Lincoln because I know I will see Pung again, but never had I had a close friend leave the vicinity of SJ. I won't say "good-bye" just bye Pung, best of luck and see you in two weeks.

Put A Fork In Me .... I Am Done

Instead of saying another year gone ... I will say 2004 was another year gained in the life record books. I survived another year, here's to lasting many more, and may 2005 be more educational than the last.

New Years Eve:

I'm beginning to be a "tradition" guy. New Years Eve has always been a lazy and relaxing day. I normally spend it at home, watching the countdown shows. This year was no exception. Watched the MTV New Year Eve show, nothing special. Missed Lindsey Lohan perform, saw Kelly Clarkson perform, thought the MTV Secret Midnight performance as nothing special. Midnight struck and it was off for my midnight dinner at Denny's with Jack and Pung. Jack questioned my "tradition" of going to Denny's at midnight but it will be one. Each year I will go to Denny's at midnight with Jack, plus one. Dinner was dinner, talking about random stuff, looking back at high school, and realizing Pung is leaving the San Jose crew. So much like each New Years, I don't start it off with a "bang" but with a small quite meal with my best friends.

2004 as a whole:

Wow trying to remember what happened in one year and evaluating those events. Well first off, I graduated from San Jose State University, I am now a Graduate. I never really looked past this part of life but here I am and I feel I'm an accomplish man. Though it took me a little over 6 months, I finally acquired a job within my career field. I start January 10th, I'm excited. In 2004 I finished my educational career and have felt both relieved and sad that it is gone. I am relieved of the stress of due dates and midterms and finals, sad that I will no longer go to class and look for the hot guy in class, meet new friends, or work with my friends on projects.

Me being gay. You know that had to be mention in this year end review. What can I say, it was another year of progression. Slowly I see myself "turning" more gay ... which I don't really know how to evaluate that. But oh well. Done am I trying desperately to find a boy friend as well as a circle of gay friends. This year brought several minute relationships, each one teaching me something about who I want or who I don't want. I guess I should mention David ... there I did it. This year I became prouder to be gay (I went to my first gay pride weekend), but on the same token I come out of the year thinking, "I'm gay ... so what?" Homosexuality isn't the whole Nam, but it is a part of me I take great pride in.

Some little year end tid bits. Parents retired, came out to sister and cousin, went on two vacations, drank twice (puking once), had a blast of a bday dinner, had a blast of a graduation dinner, and strengthing my friendships (especially my college buddies.)

Just like last years ... So to 2005 may you bring more happiness than 2004. Here's to a new year, and starting a new chapter in my life... a career. But what else lies within this year, here is to hoping more good than bad.

Good-bye 2004, Hello 2005!!!