I got a dog on 11/20/2010, and she's the cutest thing on the planet! She's really becoming my companion.


Camille Li An (安小立), hiding her food

I've learned so much about dogs. To be honest, Camille isn't ever a handful. She doesn't bite, chew, bark, slobber, or any of that other stuff people dread about dogs. The only setback is that she growls at certain dogs, and she gets into fights sometimes.

I'm not sure what happens when dogs start growling and fighting. I'm not sure if it's the dogs having fun or if it's for real. I used to take her to the dog park every day (where dogs are let loose and can do whatever they want), but now I'm afraid she'll eat the other dogs. I'm not sure what to do! Apparently, you're supposed to socialize dogs in order for them to behave well around other dogs--obviously, that's not going very well :)


Chillin' on her bed at the foot of mine

It's so funny, though--she sleeps in so many different positions... Check this out:












She reminds me of a deer sometimes



She's such a good dog! I feel like she was such a good investment... I already feel much more responsible and able to actually take care of something/someone. She keeps me company in lonely Arizona, and she takes me out to exercise around the clock.

I have to admit, though, when I first got her, life was so stressful. She would cry when I wasn't home, people would complain about her crying, and I would have to go home all of the time to see her. Now, I can stay at work for lunch, not worry about her, and come home knowing she didn't pee/poo everywhere.

She's great at holding her elimination, she's an excellent couch potato, and she's the right level of excitement. Needless to say, I made the right choice :)

Arizona's treating me well.. Forward ho!

I guess I should update everyone on what's going on, right?

I've moved to Arizona, I've started a new life here, I'm making new friends, I'm rediscovering hobbies, I'm losing old ones, and I've gained much more experience with work in a few weeks than I ever had.

Let's start with the "I've moved to Arizona":



After working for a few weeks, my company moved me to Arizona. Living in a hotel for a few weeks, I soon learned of my predestined fate--going to China and Taiwan for a few months. When I signed up for the job, I was set to be there for six months to a year. I ended up having to stay for two months. Granted the experience was worthwhile, the opportunity was on the verge of being too long; luckily, my coworker planned out the trip perfectly.

Nonetheless, I knew a simple signing of a corporate contract meant having to suck it up and be flexible; I didn't know this flexibility meant having be pushed around like this. I'm not bitter--I just didn't know that change would come so abruptly and that it would affect my lifestyle this much.

Arizona's been a pleasant surprise. By the time I got back from Asia, the heat died down to a simmering 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, it's about a 70 during the day and 50 at night. I'm slowly getting to know some people, the streets around the area, the hangouts, and the culture around here. People tend to themselves as a first priority here, more so than in California. There are supposed to be tons of Mexicans, but I haven't seen many. The few Asians that I've seen, I've very much stared them down in an effort to remember the color of my skin. White people are very good looking here.. I'm saying the Caucasian girls are beautiful, basically. I haven't factored in the massive amount of obese people, though!


I started a new life.

I left the US for Asia knowing I would start a new life; I returned to the US knowing I would start a newer life. That new life started when my coworker and I visited some Taiwanese Student Association friends here at Arizona State University. Suddenly immersed in this converging Taiwanese and American lifestyle, I found myself at a potluck--a mix of Taiwanese food they made and the Mexican takeout we brought. To think of this event as a bridging action would be incongruous, but there's really other way to describe it. It made living here feel more comfortable, knowing that other people just came from Taiwan as well.


Looking out from my apartment


Outside my apartment

At least my apartment's nice right? Not to mention my brand new car! :)

I'm rediscovering new hobbies and losing old ones.

I played volleyball on Sunday, only to find myself mixed in with Mexicans and Samoans. The Samoans were huge! Tattooed up and everything! To say the least, I didn't mix in at all. I can't believe the little volleyball I've played here, I've had a terrible experience. Volleyball? Dropped for now. Volleyball here will never compare to that of California, especially beach volleyball (no need to mention the lack of beaches here).

I have continued to go to the gym everyday. I picked up cycling, as well. I cycled around the lake a few times already. Overall, my apartment location is perfect for exercising. The lake is a perfect place to exercise!

I've gained much more experience with work in a few weeks than I ever had.

In the middle of work, I had an epiphany. Days pass like weeks, and weeks pass like months. I'm sitting in my office, growing old! This epiphany hit me once and has stuck with me. I can't believe time is passing by so quickly, and I'm getting old!

Aside from that ridiculous realization, I have filed one patent, been handed over 100% of the work I'll be concentrating on from now until forever, and gotten used to the mundane, repetitive lifestyle they call "the working life." I don't dread going to work, but I definitely look forward to weekends. When weekends are here, I am so bored that I try keeping myself busy with exercising or meeting up with friends.

Bars have never been so fun. Meeting people has never been a priority, but going to bars with friends opens up a new world to me, especially since I see the same people every day. Meeting anybody is an addition to my newborn infant-of-a-life, no matter what kind of person they are.

So that's that. Arizona's treating me okay. It could be better (ie, if I could move my friends over, if I could get a motorcycle, etc.). That's all for now!