I guess I should get off my lazy ass and update you guys on my San Diego trip. Here goes.

Saturday May 20

I got to the airport at 5am and started the check-in process. I got to try the automated check-in machine and it's pretty cool. But it took me a long time to learn since I was a first timer. It asks you where you'r going to stay and the zip code. How da hell would I know the zip code of the hotel? Well, I got through and there was a huge line-up for the security check. I got stopped cuz I had a pair of scissors. Oh well, they took it and that was that. Flew down to LA in a small plane and I was sleeping all the way. When I arrived at LA, I was totally lost. After much hassle, I learn that I have to get to terminal 7. Took me long enough and I barely made the flight. Here comes the scary part. My plane was powered by propellors. GOD, I was so scared that they would just stop spinning. When I landed in San Diego, I learned that my luggage was coming in the next plane. I was like WTH?!?!?!?. Geez, scared me to death. The hotel was really close to the airport and there was FREE shuttle service. You can't turn that down. After I check into the hotel, it's time to head to the Convention Center. I had no idea where it is and how to get there. The reception gave me a map but I'm still lost. I took the safest way there: walk. Sure enough, after 1.5 hours, I was there.

I uploaded my presentation and head out for lunch. At night, there was this party thing for everybody who were attending the conference. FREE FOOD. There was raw oysters, lambchops, tartar, crab cakes...etc. After the reception, the ppl there decided to go out for drinks but I went home instead. Yeah, I'm a loner.

Sunday May 21

This was my big day. I got up at 6am and had breakfast at the hotel. You guessed it, it was free. We arrived at the Convention Center at 8am. My supervisor was the feature speaker in that session. Talk about pressure. Finally at 10:05am, it was my turn. Surprisingly, I wasn't even a bit scared when I was up on the stage. The talk went smoothly and people actually laughed at my jokes. After that was done, I was SO relieved. My lab-mates and I had lunch at the Minority Conference, which talked about how to make yourself heard even if you'r a minority. Again, the 3-course lunch was free. Afterwards, we went for another session in the Convention Center but I was pretty tired and kind of dozed off. Ok, dinner that was wasn't free. We went to an authentic Mexican restaurant and I didn't really know what I ordered. It tasted good nonetheless. It was the first time we had casual dinner so I was a fun experience and I learned a lot about my lab-mates.

Monday May 22

We woke up again at 6am and had breakfast in the hotel before heading to the conference. The presentations there were quite interesting and I learned a lot about the pathways of smooth muscle activation. We had lunch in a hotel right across from the Convention Center. It was a lunch held by the iCapture Center, where I work. Guess what, that's FREE. After lunch, we finally had some free time and we decided to go to the outlet to do some shopping. We took the trolley there.

The outlet is right at the US/Mexico border so we can actually see Mexico, which is pretty cool.

Everybody bought a lot of stuff except. I just have too much self-control when it comes to shopping. When we headed back, we decided to cheap out and had yet another free dinner in one of the seminars. I was filled up to the top and then we decided to go back to the hotel. We were suppose to get a movie but it fell through and we ended up watch some CNN show.

Tuesday May 23

Last day in San Diego so i gotta do some site-seeing. We headed out to the Marine Museum at ~9ish. The museum is actually a carrier and all 3 of us kinda decided to go our own way.

It took me 3+ hours to tour the entire ship. I got myself some souvenirs and that's about it for the day. Next stop was the conference since my 2 lab-mates were having their presentation at 1:30pm. This session is really interested because it related to what we'r currently doing. Now that's done, we managed to head out with our supervisor for a drink. For dinner, we headed to Old Town, which is kinda like Gastown in 604. We had Mexican food again but this time I chose someting less heavy. When we got home, I wasn't really planning on sleeping cuz my flight is in another couple of hours.

Wednesday May 24

Finally back in Vancouver and I took the next two days off just because I felt lazy.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!

It kinda sucks that Angela isnt here this year. It was so much fun last year. We did so much and it still brings back good memories whenever I look at all the pictures we've taken. Well, even though she isnt here this year, I get to hang out w/ my frds, which I missed last year, so fair enough. You can't get everything at the same time I guess.

Now that Angela is gone, I get a chance to think about what I'm gonna do with my life. For the very first time, I've come to the realization that medical research is definitely not the path I want to take. First and foremost, MONEY. I've looked at the paychecks of the people in my lab and with that money, I can't even maintain 1/4 of the quality of life I have now.  This really scares me. I really don't want to live my life like that. I agree I'm spoiled, I can't accept going downhill. I want more. I try to imagine myself discovering the drug that cures cancer but I don't feel any satisfaction from it. What satisfies me is the fact that I can rake in large amount of $$. I have been telling myself that life is not only about money and I shouldn't worry so much about it. Yet, it only makes me even more sad because those what think this way are people who can't make that much money or those who already have a lot of money. I'm no saint, I just want a decent life, there's nothing wrong with that, so why should I feel guilty everytime I want more money? I know I should be content with the things I have because I already have way more than a lot of people. But what's wrong with making a few more bucks? Sigh, I'm making a big issue out of a small thing. Guess that's why I should keep myself busy instead of sitting around. But on a serious note, I truly regret not listening to Angela about getting into med school. She has been right all along. The life we seek is NOT the one a medical researcher will lead. Well, but without going into Grad school, I would not have realized that. So I guess in the end, I would not be wasting these two years but instead, I'll be more determined in changing the life around. It's all good. Thanks Angela, you really helped me choose my path.

Now onto something less serious. Tomorrow is the big Boxing Day sale and I've set my eyes on a full set of detailing kit, which I think is gonna cost me close to 200 bucks. Anyone who wants to be my guinea-pig can get his/her car detailed for free. Give me some touch up paint and I can help you touch up the scratches too. There's only one catch, I'm a novice and I've never done it before, so if you couldnt care less or you have so much faith in my work, then you'r welcome to call me.