Two more months to graduation, and I will step foot into the working world for the next 40 years of life. How exciting does that sound! Honestly, after spending the last 20 years in schools, I somehow feel a tinge of excitement thinking that I’m going to start working finally. It’s like finally I’m able to see what I can do with what I have gotten from the school so far. It’s not so much I’m sick of learning, but rather, I’m sick of studying, preparing for exams and all. This will be one refreshing point in my life I’m sure.

As a usual routine, DSTA (the organization to which I’m immensely grateful for sponsoring my education) needs the returning scholars to update them regarding our interests so that they know where to deploy us. They sent me a document (aptly named ‘ADRIAN.doc’) and asked me to update that CV. There I go, updating the little nuggets of details. Thank god they let us update my photo as well. For the ’short description of your interest area/areas’ section, here’s what I wrote:

My primary interest is in the field of network and info-comm security. Being trained in the methodologies of Human-Computer Interaction, I also believe that human factors and the way people interact with the security systems play a significant role in the successful deployment of security. I hope to be able to research, design and develop systems, both secure and usable to users. An ideal workplace for me is one that provides a good mix of research and deployment opportunities.

In short, I want to do security and HCI. I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into…

In her latest Songs For Lover album, 顺子 did her own refreshing rendition of Billy Joel’s Just the Way You Are. Really love the lyrics and the chord progressions on this. I need to learn this on the guitar.
—

Don’t go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don’t imagine you’re too familiar
And I don’t see you anymore

I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times
I’ll take you just the way you are

Don’t go trying some new fashion
Don’t change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care

* I don’t want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are *

I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you

I said I love you and that’s forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are
Repeat *