Want to make yourself happy (or happier)? Make others happy first.
Earlier this week (the day before my final) I got so bored studying so I started planning for my Korea trip. Then at some point I realized I won’t be able to see a lot of people until 2013. When I went through my facebook friend list and albums, I was surprised by how many people I have met and how much fun I had in these two years – and more importantly, how much help and love I have received from those people. So, an idea just came to my mind, and I started planning for The Special Project #1: People I am thankful for.
Last night I was planning to wake up at 7am to call the bakery so that they can make extra cupcakes. But after staying up for 41 hours straight I missed the alarm clock… When I called them they only had whatever they have so I asked them to keep all of those for me. And at 3pm, the cupcake run started…
Even though I have planned out a rough route for the cupcake delivery, it was not as easy and smooth as I have planned. I got so nervous when people didn’t pick up my phone, or asked why we are meeting. I am not someone who is very good at expressing myself with words. So in order to express my thanks, action is the best way for me to say thank you. When I saw people’s happy faces after getting the cupcakes, I couldn’t help but kept that big smile on my face the whole day. Now that all 30 cupcakes has been delivered, and I understand something: I may not be the best person in the world, but I have met the best people who gave me the best college experience. And because of that, I am even more thankful for all the people whose lives have once intersected with mine.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” —Flavia Weedn
2012 Big Ideas@Berkeley winners
This semester I am really bad at updating my blog because there are several projects going on at the same time. Anyways, this semester has been great but this good news made my semester even better… Our project Footstep Energy got selected as the winners for the 2012 Big Ideas Improving Student Life Competition! Here I would like to thank you Professor Fan and Professor Komvopoulos for their enormous support!
James, Art, Katherine (thank you so much teammates!)
Selected as Finalist for The Big Ideas Competition
Today I was working on my EE problem set with my study buddy. And while I was sending an email to my former Math GSI regarding a differential equations question, I received an email titled “Congratulations!! Big Ideas Finalist“. I am very excited to be selected as one of the 43 finalists from over 125 submissions for the competition! Starting from February I will be working with a mentor to develop my full proposal. It looks like it is going to be an interesting (but insanely busy) semester!
Mar 05, 2012: Full Proposal Entry Deadline
Apr 13, 2012: Grand Prize Pitch Day
May 01, 2012: Announcement of Awards
About the competition
UC Berkeley’s annual “Big Ideas” prize competition inspires innovative and high-impact student projects aimed at solving the world’s most pressing problems. By seeking out novel proposals and then supporting efforts to help them succeed, Big Ideas has produced remarkable results.
To learn more about The Big Idea Competition, please visit http://bigideas.berkeley.edu/
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System
For people who are interested, a company in Israel actually uses piezoelectric energy harvesting system on freeway and railroads. Isn’t it cool?
Here comes 2012
2012 Resolution: Get more sleep
