10 Years

This month is exactly my 10th years working as an engineer. The first three years I worked in a downsizing company, from 200 people to 30. I have served nine different boss. Work as three different positions from software to hardware to service. Beside technical stuff, the most important thing I learn is a dynamic working style and surviving mentality.

The next seven years is opposite. I work in an up sizing company. I serve the same boss and work at the same position. Beside technical stuff, the most important thing I learn is pleasing my boss and avoiding mistake.

That's what 10 years can do to an employee ... ... :P

Sometimes I wonder what have I really learnt all these years. Seriously I don't feel I've learnt much. Everyday just need to work this and that. Never really have time to learn certain thing specifically. Until recently, I get some answer.

Last month, my team hired a summer intern who is a master student. He is actually pretty smart. But still, he often comes to ask me all kind of question from software usage, programming trick, circuit design, semiconductor theory, even email writing style. Surprisingly, most of time I answer him with ease. Those things seem to be basic facts to me that I don't need to think much.

I look back. Probably I don't know most of these things when I was in college. But somehow during 10 years of working, we just learn them without notice. Perhaps, that is what people call experience.

So this blog concludes a full year of Sammy Cafe. Now it goes to a break. Cheers!

Second to the Last

This blog was started last June. Initially I just want to be "In" and catch up with the Internet trend. Later on I find some interest on writing, so I keep it going. I like to post a new blog in a regular schedule, especially on Saturday. It is in honor with my favorite HK comic "Dragon Tiger Gate", which used to release on every Saturday. The comic usually hit the street on Friday, so as my blog.

Recently I ran out of new blog topic. I don't want to write my daily stuff as it is quite routine: family->work->child care->school->family. There are many interesting tech development in my industry that I want to share. But they are too specific (chip design stuff) and there are some confidential concern. So I don't think it is good material for general public.

My point, this will be the second last blog of Sammy Cafe. Then I will stop writing this blog for a while.

Invincible vs. Invincible

There are 3 great sport events this weekend. First, World Cup, but only 1st round. Then NBA Final, but just 2nd game. And French Open, this is a tournament final. I will definitely watch this one.

Two great players reaches final, Roger Federer and Rafeal Nadel. I especially like Federer. In fact he bought back my interest to watch tennis again. Federer is the best player in the world. Many argue he has potential to be the greatest tennis player ever. He has skill, strength, precision, and most importantly, style! He plays calm and smooth. His signature one-arm back hand stroke makes his game so elegant. He tied all-time record 83 win last year and reaches every tournament final this year. He is almost invincible. Everyone plays against him is expected to lose, except Rafeal Nadel.

Nadel is the No.1 player on clay (French Open surface). He sets all-time record, 58 consecutive win on clay, and still counting. Federer had lost only 3 times this year but all against Nadal. However, Nadal tennis record on other surface is no match to Federer.

Federer has skill and style. Nadel has energy and quickness. This year's French Open final will be a high quality and exciting tennis match.

Wikipedia: Federer
Wikipedia: Nadal

B.S. Scare

Sometimes I need to B.S. at work. I define B.S. like this: something I don't know exactly, but I still talk like I know it very well. This is not too easy when discussing technical stuff. Because people may ask question or even challenge. Why I need to B.S. anyway!? Can I just say "I don't know"? Sometimes it is the pride issue. Sometimes I have no choice, like this one:

Last month, a co-worker invited me to listen his project presentation, because some part of this project was related to my work. This co-worker is a high-level engineer, so his presentation included audiences in VP and director level. I think he was just polite to invite a typical engineer like me. But when he presented the agenda, he introduced that I would talk one section, which related to my work. I didn't knowthis earlier. Even worst, from the presentation hand-out, he added some information on my part that I had no idea what it was!!

This was obviously a communication mistake. I should know this earlier, so I can prepare. But no time to complain. While my co-worker was still talking his part, I start to plan what to present. When it came to my turn, I use all my B.S. skill to sound like I knew the stuff. I used a lot positive word, praised other people's help, emphasize good things. Try to minimize negative statement as this often draw question. For those parts I don't understand I just skip quietly. Man, this was the most scary presentation I had in recent years.