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Saturday, 23 January 2010

A Very Busy 2009

I just realized that my last post was right after we got engaged!

I do miss posting, but am considering whether I might make the switch to another blogging site... still considering this.

In the meantime, I'll post our first annual email that we sent out (sorry if it didn't make it to all of you - it is difficult to keep an up-to-date list of everyone's email, and I think I need to start a "group" in my email so that I don't have to select each person every time I want to send out a "mass" email).

Enjoy and belated happy 2010!

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been an exciting year for our newly formed household, and we wanted to share a few highlights of the last year:

March - Engagement
Calvin asked, Allison said "Yes," and wedding planning officially commenced on March 21st!

May - Educational Achievement
Allison finished her Master's degree in Gerontology at San Francisco State University, and even got a front-row seat at her graduation ceremony. In true San Francisco fashion, we were all bundled in fall/winter gear for the ceremony.

June - Employment
Allison began working at a foundation in San Francisco at the end of June. She likes taking lunchtime walks around the Presidio and her job in the grants team. Calvin is now in his third year working as a Middle School Educational Advisor in Daly City, where he continues to keep students in line and prepare them for college, too.

September - End of Single Life
The big day finally came on September 5th, and even the Bay Bridge closure couldn't keep guests away. We can hardly believe how quickly the first few months of marriage have passed, and look forward to many more months and years together.

We give praise to God for bringing us together, and thank Him for all the blessings from the past year - both in the joyous occasions as well as the difficult times when He saw us through them.

If you haven't already done so, please share a few highlights of your last year with us.

We hope that you had a blessed Christmas and wish you all the best in the next year!

Love,
Calvin & Allison

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Lots of Good News

Lots of good news this past week...

1) Turned in my paper and received prompt feedback. So much for getting a break! However, after listening to my cousin's story of having to wait over a month for feedback on her thesis, I decided it was better to get it back within a few days. Mostly positive, just have to work on clarifying a few concepts and it should be ready to go off to my second reader in a few weeks!

2) It's spring break this week!

3) And last, but definitely not least...

...Calvin and I are engaged!

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Still Alive...

The first draft of my final "thesis" is due next Thursday... just wanted to say a quick hello and that I'm still alive...actually, I would say that I'm actually thriving in this situation, it's looking very good (well, at least until I get my initial comments on my first draft in a few weeks!).

Seriously, even though I am the one writing the paper, I really couldn't do it alone... not just the researchers who have gathered the data and written the articles, but all the people encouraging me as I write and praying for me, I believe that it has made the difference. Sometimes I look back at some of my papers and think, did I write that???

And then I thank the Lord that He has given me a mind, and the ability to formulate ideas, and am just amazed.

Okay, back to my paper (on page 16!)... (I am really smiling!)

Currently
Acculturation, Theory, Models, and Some New Findings (AAAS selected symposium ; 39)
By Padilla
see related

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

The Countdown Begins...

I planned to be MIA on Xanga this semester, but then I would be a hypocrite for advocating "blogging" or other forms of online disclosure as "therapeutic." Truly, it is, and hence, I am here.

What's going on this semester:

-Final "thesis" (it's called a "culminating experience" and is about 20-30 pages, so shorter than a normal thesis): my topic is "The Effects of Acculturation on Chinese American Elders." I hope by the time that I become an elder, there will be more studies on Chinese American elders who are more like me.

-Presentations galore: four mandatory, one voluntary

-Internship at Institute on Aging: I'll be in the Research department, and to make a long story short, it's actually a better fit than my original internship. Added bonus: my supervisor is German! Our initial meeting went well, and I'm excited about all the things I'm going to learn and do.

-Graduation in May: can't wait!

-Looking for a full-time job: actually need to start now/soon...

-My "other" class, or what my friend, Vivian, affectionately calls my 5.0 unit class: Calvin

Hope to be in touch during the semester... if not, you know where I am and what I'm doing...

Thursday, 22 January 2009

First NBA Game

I went to my first NBA game yesterday. Unfortunately, the two teams playing weren't the greatest (Golden State Warriors v. Oklahoma City Thunder) and our home team, the Warriors, didn't win. Still, it was fun and exciting, especially the end (where the Warriors almost won, just 1.6 seconds short!).

Our view of the teams warming up from 12 rows back!
It was interesting to observe everything that goes on, from the playing to the scoreboard to the people who are in charge of mopping up the players' sweat .

Thanks to Cal's friend, De, who scored us the tickets!