I'm going back where it all started.

Chicago

It's almost been 2 years since I started working for JPMorgan Chase.

Now I feel old.  It'll be good to be back (even for a week).

Thought its rather awkward that I'm training again.  After much turmoil in the markets over the last 4 months, I still have my job (knock on wood).  I think I'm pretty set to stay for another year, and then gear up for grad school.  Time to change the pace of my life just a notch.  I'm thinking about getting into investment banking in Asia, which means I won't have a life.  I figure after 3 years of investment banking and 2 years of grad school, I'll be in my 30s, and I should be set to meet my career/life goals up to that point.

BTW - what's with the weather?! sunny and 80s in California, winter weather in Chicago.

I'm pretty sure the Galen Center at USC hasn't seen 9,000 Chinese/Taiwanese people all gathered together under one setting.  Well, its hard to fathom unless its for a special occasion, and it was a huge deal during Christmas Eve to see Jay Chou's World Tour Concert.

It was amazing to see him play all the different instruments.  He's a talented musician, though most people tend to hype him up a lot.  The concert was relatively good, though a bit short.

some reason, I'm pretty excited to see the new Will Smith movie, "I Am Legend".  Its the end-of-the world story plots that intrigues me.

So on Saturday, the men's golf league that I've recently joined, hosted a tournament out in Yucaipa, CA.  The forecast early morning was 37 degrees, freezing rain and a potential chance of snow.  Well I saw most or all of those elements.  I bought special Nike Dri-Fit and Storm-Fit golf clothes for the occasion.  Nice little $200 investment.

On the opening hole, I hit my second shot from 130 yds with a 9 iron, landing it 3 inches from the hole.  The ball bounced to the right and landed in the hole for an Eagle 2 on a Par-4.  That started my round as I continued the hot playing streak.  On the back 9, I had two birdies.  One, on a Par-3, 133 yd hole, as I stuck my 9-iron to an inch, nearly making my first hole-in-one of my career.  To cap off the round, I hit driver, 8-iron on the 18th hole, and sinking a 10-ft putt for birdie for a season best 79.  (I also had two double-bogeys, but recovered).  The best part on the miserable day, weather-wise, was that I won the tournament, with bragging rights and a cash prize in the end.

The weird part was driving home from the tournament.  About a mile from the course, I was driving through snow flakes, hail, freezing rain, and then bright sunshine in a matter of 20 minutes.  I guess winter has finally arrived in California.  I need the reasonably warm weather to come back.  It's always in the high 30s-low 40s by my house.  TOO COLD.

naveen just gave me a great excuse to buy a new nifty digital camera.  he dropped my old in his Guinness during Justin's surprise birthday party. 

Oh yeah, about that party.  Can we all thank Gina Sia?  $2k Open Bar in Laguna is no small task.  On top of that, it was full service buffet and a DJ rocking the house.

After the UCLA win, it's going to be pretty quiet during the holiday season.  Company Christmas party this Thursday with a White Elephant gift exchange.  The only thing that I'm happy about is the fact that I get to send off USC memorabilia to one of the VPs and Credit Execs in my division.   We made a bet regarding the ASU and UCLA games, and guess what? they lost.  As a nice prize, they get to display USC items in their offices for a year until the next game.  HAHA.  how cruel eh?

shitty week

they really shouldn't call it a "vacation"

upon returning to the United States, I was stopped at Customs, because I declared a little too much on my form.  Turns out I learned you can't declare over $800 otherwise you'll have to pay duties on those items.

Right after getting out of customs, I'm listening to the radio, hearing the play by play for the USC vs. Washington game.  I turn it on right when the Huskies block the punt and consequently score the TD, bringing them within 3 points.  Luckily SC recovered the ensuing on-side kick.

First day back from the job, I browse through 300 emails just to get me through lunchtime.  After reading all of them, I proceeded to almost cry, knowing how much work I had to complete during the week.

I stayed pretty late at work on most days.

Slight crisis at work, and dealing with certain people aka auditors

Boss told us we could leave early on Friday to start the weekend, so I was pretty stoked about that.

Came early on Saturday to start tailgating with AKPsi and enjoyed the food, company and the environment.  Went to the game, and well, you can read the rest on ESPN.  Being a 40 point favorite and losing to Stanford 24-23 didn't help my week.  Instead of enjoying the night out, I came back home and staying in.  I haven't felt this way since the Cal game 2003 and Oregon State and UCLA games during 2006.  I enjoyed 2004 without much pain, winning a national championship and rolling through school with flying colors during that semester.  I was 19 seconds away from having another perfect season in 2005.  And we were probably a few more completions and defensive stops in 2006 to win another.

but you know what. 

I am and will always be a Trojan.  Fight On!  Beat the Wildcats.  Next week is another game. (early kick off at 1230PM PST)