Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel

Google Friend Connect

I have just found out what Google Friend Connect (GFC) is. It's really interesting. The way I see it as it likes the blackboard that you could hang on your home-wall; then visitor can leave a message for you and they would be your friend later.

That idea's really wired. The physical shape of GFC's widget is just a segment javascript and html that you put on your site. Of course the widget acts as the blackboard. I'm trying to think about the world GFC's building : you can let everyone join to your site with nothing more except pasting a piece of javascript code and html, then your site members are able to give their thought, rate on your post in convenient way. I think that can raise a new trend to browsing Internet sites : joining and giving idea on any site with one account

Sounds good :-). Let see, at least I tried on my blog

What does job teach us - fresh developer?

When we were in school to learn a job (university, campus, ... ), we usually study only major knowledge for our coming career. It's just main concepts which will help us to obtain missing parts that are necessary in the job but school is unable to teach us. Obviously, the educational environment is always different from real office by many factors (time is most) and everybody agrees with that cause. In school, we could hardly to get the main points of a subject or technology until we are in trouble with real issue that we have to finish within a short time. Personally, I think that's the important thing that we can't experience them at school. Another thing could be that freshers (me, also) generally need to take some time to adapt first new job and train themself to be better - because the fresher's expectation may be getting good income within 1 year (just my thought) :-). But how long the time would be depends on variety of skills they have as well as how professional working environment might be. Sadly, I needed almost one and a half year to see myself in the career, but it's better late than never. The thing that we can't learn real knowledge for job out there is right and we have to accept it. If you want to change right the time in school by your own actions, you will be ahead.

In school, we could draw a perfect picture about up coming job such as : a good mentor to support all kind of question for newbie, a handsome timeframe for assigned tasks, not have to finish 10 items in 1 hour while helping colleagues in their tasks, working with outgoing clients who will let you know any breaking change before 10 days ... However, after several days at first company, we realized what real environment is. Yes, it isn't perfect at all. And next two months, we only focused on doing what we had learned all time in school. The new things didn't appear well as we expected. By this time, we might talk ourself "Hey, why do I hold off learning new stuffs and take a rest in some weeks". Then "some weeks" passed and new urgent task came; and we have to go to new cycle and keep doing things we learned in school. So for. Finally, after your first 1 year, we got nothing from work accept some stuffs we had known already. That could be sad for those who want to earn pretty money in short time ^^.

With our fresher, the point here is how to move skills to next level in a little while. Surely we don't want to use up 3 years to end being junior guy in career. But that doesn't count the case we are in particular situation that forces we have to. Is there any tips to make it ? Yes, a ton of tips are waiting for you to read out there. I just want to list some simple one I learned and used from others, nothing new here at all (you may read somewhere). First and mostly important, pay a lot of attention to foundation skills like time management, effective communication and English (used mainly for reading and asking question ^^). Although these skills won't give us any right away improvement but we eventually achieve great betterment with those. So we should start getting to know them soon. The second item is a bit harder if we were geeky ^^. It's making friend when having chance. The new friend doesn't have to be good as yours in present but it can be someone who has same hobby or goal as you do. The reason is simple : people can't do everything by their own, they need a small help from friends. I admit that may be difficult to do, not all people can talk openly with new friend. But why don't we give it a try ? It's worth doing, I think.

I would like to know reader's view about this, please leave comment if you have any.

Live to work or Live to learn

Last week, I had a small talk with a friend about the attitude to work. She's working at FPT around 2 years. Basically, I think she is good in term of desiring to learn skills/techniques, sharing knowledge. Currently she is in charge of a product for banking to manage exchanging gold. I'm sorry if you're FPTer :-) but I can see FPT style via her project : a product is considered a success if it's released ontime whatever its quality. I'm not going to argue about the quality of her project. That's a long story for managers. I just want to share some thoughts about her view on the job because it's different from me :-).

Her point is all-for-work. That's you should use all your resources (time, mainly) only for producing good software. And after that you will recieve a great reward which could be client's bonus, becoming a leader in another project or moving up :-). The term all-for-work means that your team have to build the product as quick as possible; there is no unit tests, test scripts, spec, .. They are things I had to do or be involved in my team. And as quick as possible could mean you need to work overtime frequently. However, if you have to develop something within a short time, I agree that you will do like this because it's no choice. But the main point in her all-for-work is that she prefers taking time only for product to learning something new that isn't related to work. That's why I call it all-for-work

Mine is opposite : work is only a part of life. Self-improvement is my style. Actually I have learnt a lot from Buu Nguyen. I have completely changed my mind since he interviewed me at FCG Vietnam (CSC Vietnam). I suppose the client is always hard to please so I usually give out the result that almost fits their expectation, no more no less. Then after the task is done, I do self-improvement to make myself better for future. Therefor, things I learn to improve myself aren't quite linked to the project. It can be something else like book reading, a new programming language, another platform for development, blog writing ...

We talked about 30 minutes to protect our oppions. She dislikes my attitude with 2 ideas:

1. Work can teach us new things and experience you learn from work is better than pure theory.
2. The pressure from client will let you get the right things to learn new technique instead of looking through it.
   

That are her points. Hmm, the way I see it that you're going to know ajax if the project requires fast response, you're getting to know unit if you have to use unit test ... That means if project doesn't require any of them, you wouldn't know those stuffs. Does it sound we are inactive to get new knowledge ? Once she asked me "how do you develop your 3-layers in application". It's 3, not 2 or 4 :-).

I'm a open mind guy. Of course I don't tell her off for her way. She has being followed it and she succeeds in her career. I prefer self-improvement in order I can be up for new chance (maybe). All things I wrote in this post just a question : why doesn't she accept my oppion as I did with her ?

Got a lesson. It's hard to change somebody's view :-)

What should yough people do

Being a human, we usually show the same manner when we process / receive / learn / handle things or people. That is having a great expectation on people more than ourself. We always say or think something like

• "Why does this javascript library only support those browsers" - Although that guy doesn't really know what other feature is
• "Can you explain this technique in simplest way in order we can get the basic ideas" - Although latter he may say "This stuff also has a lot cool features. Why don't you present them at the beginning"
• "Hey, that guy likes an idiot. How can he say that." -Although they don't realize the idea behind
•  ...
  

That's normal. I know because I'm too. But I would like to find out the reason, at least the one I can understand, not very fancy. After observing people in my office, I see why. When you have to get new thing / idea (usually bad, trouble or you don't really like it). There are two kind of response

1. You ask the author of thing / idea all questions come up from your mind even ones that people expect you to answer or do. We almost fall to this kind and I think if you aren't this type of person, it's a bit difficult to work with them.
2. You receive the basic info and then go on your own way. If you need some extra, you'll ask latter. This type of person usually don't show their opinion right way and they tend to see the issue in their own view. Maybe it isn't quite correct but they like to.
   

The manner having great expectation on other people is used usually by people in first type. I think the possible reason is that it is easy to criticize anything that you don't involve. Is it true ? At least it's the scenes I have seen. Therefore, if you want to be somebody that is different, a little bit special, why don't we jump to the second one? It isn't bad. Just behave in opposite manner. I know it sounds pure theory but the best way to get to know something new is "just do it" (I learned from my delivery director).

I think, when you are trying to do that, actually you are improving yourself (more technical, refactoring yourself. :-). Basically, people isn't perfect when they were born, so you are allocated a 30 years timeframe to be better enough for future.I have been refactoring myself a year ago. Maybe it's not long enough but better late than never.

To train myself, I always do following things:

• think first, don't give any opinion or conclusion
• understand other's view about the issue before resolve in my own way
• reading
• asking, even it's silly question
• guide people what thing I know, that is the best way to review and improve communication skills
• smile
• sense of humor
  

Do you know the message I want to say. hopefully you do :-)

c:\>clr

What's CLR ? It's just a DOS command to clear the screen :-).

So how it comes into this post ? Well, it means I will start using blog again as a real blogger. I want to write my thought, life and career in a professional way. Ok, let CLR the previous posts and start again now.

P/S: I write this post and push it to blog via email but how can I put tag into post ? Still searching ...

How to know what social network is

Hmm, I have heart about this term a lot but have no idea what it is ? 



So today I spent about 2 hours to browse and go though some service on Facebook, one of most popular social network that I know. In general, it's cool. But I currently have no friend  . Anyway. it's ok. I'll find some latter.

I'm using Flock for blogging, sharing image and getting news with RSS.  Specially RSS,  I don't know which application is the best,  Google Reader or Flock. The only RSS problem in Flock is it uses local store for rss subscription and I don't like it. I prefer storing online for easy synchronization.

it seems I talk too much. Come on, get back to discover Facebook, man

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Flock

How can I say about Flock? Is it really cool? 
It say Flock is a browser for web 2.0. So what is web 2.0? Does it like this picture ?



This post was written in Flock with Web Clipboard tool to help my insert image from web and my favourite image service (Google Picasa).

Man, it's time to work 

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Keep going

Once again, my battery is recharged and the goal becomes clear now.

Nothing is impossible

What are you doing at this moment in Brisbane? Will we meet again?

Tản mạn về Chè và "thức ăn đi ngược từ bao từ ra bên ngoài" (ói)

Có
những loại chè thanh tao, sang trọng của chốn cung đình xưa như chè hạt
sen, chè nhãn bọc hạt sen, chè hạt lựu... Cũng có cả những thứ chè rất
bình dân như chè bắp, chè đậu ván, chè môn, chè khoai mài... Nếu muốn
thưởng thức hết hương vị Cố đô thì chỉ nếm chè, chắc bạn cũng phải ở
Huế dài dài...



Ở Huế có tới mấy chục loại chè, sang trọng, đài
các có, bình dân có. Nói Huế - 36 thứ chè là cách nói để chỉ số nhiều,
mà đúng là nhiều thật, có khi nhiều hơn cũng nên! Mỗi loại chè có một
hương vị đặc biệt riêng, quyến rũ lắm.



Trong chốn cung vua, phủ
chúa xưa hay trong các nhà giàu có, nhiều loại chè thanh tao mà cầu kỳ
như chè hạt sen, chè nhãn bọc hạt sen, chè hạt lựu... Hạt sen phải là
hạt của giống sen hồ Tịnh Tâm, loại sen mà vua thường dùng ướp trà.



Hạt
sen tươi bỏ vỏ, xoi tim, rửa sạch, hấp chín, rim đường. Nhãn lồng bỏ
vỏ, xoi hạt, rửa sạch cho hạt sen đã rim đường vào thay thế cho hạt
nhãn. Nấu nước đường thật trong để nguội. Nhãn hạt sen cho vào bát,
nước đường đổ lên trên. Loại chè này ngọt thanh, vừa thơm vừa bùi.




Chè "thập cẩm" là tổng hợp của nhiều loại chè
như chè đậu xanh dừa, chè đậu huyết, chè bột lọc... Mỗi thứ múc một tí
cho vào ly, thêm đá, thêm tí nước cốt dừa.

Và có 1 loại chè mà khi ăn bạn sẽ nhớ mãi, đó là một loại chè của người Hoa: chè mè đen (không biết có chính xác không). Sau khi ăn bạn sẽ cảm nhận vị ngọt của đường, mùi thơm của mè đen và điều khó quên nhất là bạn siêng tập thể dục hơn bằng cách thường xuyên chạy xuống restroom.


Ảnh chỉ mang tính minh họa, thực tế còn thê thảm hơn


Con xin chừa, không dám ăn chè nữa

Show off

I like it, although it isn't special much. But it's the first hi-tech tools I have.

First, my baby, I meet you everyday



And from another shot :D




And second, my auto-machine teller :)








Finally, my English friend :))




That's all, new version will be available when I get new salary :p

no thinking note

It has been a long time that I didn't write any post. Frankly, I'm lazy and not a good writer. Anyway, writing blog in English is always a good practicing for English. So I must do :D (although i'm not really a blogger)

In following week, for me there are many changes. First, I finished my piece of work on PDF in FirstPoint. Oh, it was a tough task because my implementation was tied closely with an other component - Numbering service. When something wrong with that service like adding new feature and changing logic, my PDF got wrong. Anyway, it would be ok right now. There is a small problem now but it's ok for me to fix because all team need involving (not only me) :D. Second, I found my lost friend. We didn't talk together for a year due to some misunderstanding. Maybe we can get along from now but I'm sure that it won't be like before. I'm going to hang out with that guy at 7pm, it would be fun with launching and asking salary each other. I guess so :p. And third item, I find a new field to apply to my environment - Shell promgramming. I love Linux, and someday I really want Windows to have something like Bash shell. Now it's true and I really want to get to know new Windows shell. I hope I can know well it for 1 month researching and do a seminar for team and a writing to my firm newspaper.

Finally, I'm taking an TOEIC test again to check my English skill. Maybe it would have good improvement after 4 months using English. Maybe I can get 800 or 750 to earn 30$ from firm :D.

It's unbelievable, I can write this post and don't use any dictionary like before. Maybe it has some mistake, grammar or word using, but I know I'm getting better.

P/S: It will have two wedding parties next month. poor me :(

Entry on 16 June 2008

Today was normal, no good no bad. I refactored code in WCF services to improve function. It was the first time I use multithreading technique carefully.
Oh, my Win 2k3 got problem. The SP1 can't be installed because the key was invalid. Huhu, I need to fix it now.

Got new thing

Oh, it seems to be long since the last time I posted to blog. Maybe I usually keep telling myself that I haven't had enough of time. But everybody is always the same, no one can get 25 hours on a day.
Let see, what things I have done today. I dug into .NET threading technique to start in new feature of my project, got to know how to add a menu item in context menu in SharePoint and nothing else :p. Hmm, it was a little. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
P/S: how cool the Firefox add-on ScribeFire can be, its feature fit the bill.

Come and go

In February, I tried to boost my English writing and listening. And it had a little result :-). I can write English easier but that's all. My listening is still no change, maybe it needs more time.

Anyway, my home's got the new TV (JVC's) and used SCTV's cable TV service. That was so great for me; because I really need it for my English learning. There is a big event in my firm: Anual Review. This is a event that you will get a promote (and of course salary) if you deserve. Will I be promoted and get new salary? The answer will be in July 2008.

Hmm, maybe I need to use some emoticon to improve the feeling for post. Ok, it was time to learn English by watching film on TV, hehe

Happy Victory Day - 30 Apr 2008

Writing pratising on 27 Mar

Dear Head Master,

I am writing this letter for your scholarship. I have graduated from State University of New York, Binghamton, N.Y with a degree in Business on June 1985. Since June 1985, I have been working for Legal Services in Newark. My majoy job is to paralegal work with emphasis on tenant's rights and immigration law.

In addition, when a student, I had been volunteer at St. John's Church for 2 years. My objective is to attend Booklyn Law School as a part-time student and study for a degree in law.

I hope to receive your scholarship to help my study. I look for ward to hear from you soon.

Pratise for writing on 25 Mar 2008

Last weekend, I had a good trip to Vung Tau with our team. We have been waiting for it about 2 months ago. All things have been planed carefully for activities and famous sights.

Everybody had agreed to come to company in time at 7:00 AM; but we're Vietnamese :) so the trip started at 7:30. I intended to play some games with everybody on our way but it seemed they didn't think about it. They just got into the bus (we went to Vung Tau by bus) and enjoyed watching people through the window. I thus didn't say anything and do as they.

We got to Vung Tau at 12:00 and then fell asleep till 14:00. Actually, the team didn't want to waste 2 hours sleeping in Vung Tau but we were too tired to go around. At 14:30, everything have been ready for a long trip. We came around Vung Tau such as Nghinh Phong, Giesu and Bach Dinh.

I will continue latter; it's time to sleep now.

A stone and a statue

From TTO

In a museum, there is a stoned road led to a beauty statue casted with marble. The visitor from everywhere comes round to contemplate the museum. One night, the stone say hardly to statue:

"Hey, beauty, how is unfair! Why does everybody always walk on me to comtemplate you? It's unfair."

The statue calmly recall it:

"Do you remember we were made from a mine stone?"

The stone carry on with grumbling:

"We were made from the same mine stone, and now it has discrimination between you and me."

The beauty statue is still quite:

"But you remember one day the sculptor started modeling you and how much you resisted him."

The stone reply:

"Of course I do. I hate him. He climbed onto me, carved me. Oh, what a pain!"

And the statue go on:

"So he can't continue with you."

"And what's wrong with that?", the stone said

The statue keep saying:

"When he decided to leave you off and start on me. I knew I would become different thing rather that a normal stone. And I didn't act like you before, withstood all pain that he made."

Then the stone say nothing.

Lesson:

• Many difficulties you get, many things you learn to make ready for you future.
• Do not give up when coming up against failing and trial.
• Let the past go away, you can not change it anymore, don't let it upset you.
• The past was good, the present could be better and the future will be the best.
  

And add a dictionary.

Today, I buy a new dictionary of Longman which I suddenly found out in "Hội chợ sách" in Lê Văn Tám park. I was very excited when I saw it. I hope the dictionary would be up to the one I have wished. It's however only a small issue; my cd rom driver can't read the dictionary's CD so I can't use the its program.
Anyway, I asked Phu to create an image of cd and copy to usb so I can try it one day.

Now my gut feeling is that I can write an essay effectly than before, but grammar still is a challenge for me. Ok, it's time to go bed. Hope a better day.

Correct "Lemon story" essay

Lemon story - go to original topic

When I started on studying the first class grade at six year-olds years old, my father was admited to be a post-graduate program and must had to get to Czechoslovak Czechoslovakia for 4 years. I was very sad because it would take be a long time to meet him again before I saw him again.

Because I'm the first-born in my family, my father loves me so very much. And when my mother born bore my sister, she was at was busy taking care of a baby so my dad would put me to sleep by melodies which he made himself "Sleep well, my sweetie".

At the time he was off, I couldn't express how my feeling was my feelings. It was a sunny day in the summer; dad held me in his arms and took leave of me by a kiss before going up climbing up into the airplane. I gave him a fresh lemon and said "When being tired from working, you squeeze a lemon to feel better."

Day after day for 4 years, dad was writing to our us. In every night, when we (mum, my sister and I) had finished off taking a meal eating supper , mom would read dad's letter for our to us. In these letter, dad didn't said about the lemon that I had given to him.

After 4 years, dad has come back along with the withering and unchanged lemon. He said to me that he hadn't squeezed that lemon; what is more, he put it in the most solemn place in his room at in Czechoslovak. And when he was getting tired because of working or studying, he just come came/went back to the room, looked at my lemon and lost all tiredness. Once, a cleaner saw the lemon and indeliberately ???? throw it to trashcan. Luckily, when going back to the room, dad didn't see the lemon noticed the lemon was missing so he asked the cleaner and got it back at the time.

I really forget had forgetten about the lemon that I had given to dad when bidding farewell to him. I'm getting moved when I know moved knowing he brought the lemon along for all of 4 years and that is the most encouraging for the it encouraged him through working and studying in a long time at in a forgein country. Up to now, when Up until I got married and had kids, that was when I feel felt his love more than the most and that it was a lesson for me about family loving for me loving ones family.