Professional
I am currently an Accelerated Masters student at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute, expecting to receive my degree in December of 2008. I received my B.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Computer Graphics from Carnegie Mellon University in May of 2008. I enjoy doing research, and have been involved in a number of research projects concerning productivity, browser usability, social networks, virtual worlds, and smart homes.
I'm easily entertained by shiny/colorful/moving objects, no matter how small or ordinary. This also describes my areas of interest very well. I like to think about tasks that ordinary computer users encounter, and how to design a system that is efficient, usable, and enjoyable. I would love to point at systems that my friends and family use and be able to say that I took part in building that.
I am currently looking for employment with an innovative and fast-growing company. I'm mainly interested in designing and prototyping software products, though as long as I'm surrounded by inspiring and motivated people, and am given the freedom and trust to take initiatives, I'll be happy anywhere.
Personal
I was born in northeastern China, right in the middle of the area commonly referred to as Manchuria. I spent most of my childhood in this winter wonderland, through some would call it a freezer instead. Temperatures during the winter would frequently drop below -20oC (that's below -4oF), which allowed for majestic sculptures, mazes, slides, and houses (yes, houses!) to be constructed out of ice and snow and exhibited during the coldest months. And only during the winter months, vendors would cart around skewers of cranberry covered in a frozen candy coating. Yum!
I moved to the States at the end of elementary school, timely avoiding the entrance exams that all Chinese students toil their lives around. I was involved in many extracurricular activities in China: drawing, dancing, piano, ice skating, radio shows/public speaking, but they were hard to continue in the States since both my parents and I had a very thick language barrier to break. Luckily I've been able to pick most of them back up throughout high school and college.
I am an only child. So at best I am ambitious and daring, and at worst I am selfish and stubborn. I am comfortable in environments where I am respected for my skills and loved for my quirks. But I thrive in environments where I'm not expected to be able to achieve; I like to swim against the current =). My goal in life is simply to be happy, which, for now, means striving to achieve the highest professionally while still leaving time for myself, my friends, and my family.