My 2004
2004 was my third year in software. It was full of change and passion — a turning point in technology, life, and many perspectives.
January: Continued my internship at Microsoft Global Technical Support Center. Work stabilized, mainly handling China newsgroups.
February: Feb 20, ended my 8-month Microsoft internship and returned to school. Feb 23, received an email from Professor Zhou Wenjun and became a C++ TA.
March: Watched classmates job-hunting. TA work consumed most of my time — answering questions, grading homework. Got to know many 2003 cohort students. Mid-March gave a presentation on C++ and Microsoft tech. Someone quietly entered my life this month.
April: April 5 was unforgettable. My life changed. Made a decision that could affect my whole life. Technologically — first接觸 (contact) with Windows CE and embedded systems. A completely new world, different from enterprise development.
May: Focused on Windows CE research and development. Used May Day break to finish my graduation thesis — later became an award-winning thesis.
June: June 22, Tongji Software Institute’s first graduating class ceremony at Huxi. Wearing a not-so-good-looking gown, I graduated. Received Shanghai Outstanding Graduate award. That night, the 2+2 cohort and Professor Wan had our farewell dinner at a hotel. Lots of photos. Later发现 (discovered) from photos: when I was about to fall, the “pole” I grabbed for support was a female classmate’s waist…
July: “Stoppage time.” No dorm. Lived in the computer lab, meeting rooms, a crappy living room in Zhangjiang. Two-front war: interning at KoreTide and continuing Windows CE projects at Huxi. Shuttled between Zhangjiang and Huxi regularly. First all-nighter. Fond memories: coding and gaming with Zhang Ming and Zhang Liyong in the lab, forced late-night coding, several moves, eating at small restaurants with refunded dorm money…
August: Stoppage time ended. Lost my place and went home. Cried involuntarily that day — still can’t figure out why. Visited the beach a few times but didn’t learn to swim. Signed up for driving school.
September: Sep 15, passed the road test and got my driver’s license. Next day, rushed back to Shanghai. Sep 17, met Professor Wan and agreed to teach “Windows CE Embedded Systems” at the Software Institute. Sep 20, graduate student registration began — my 2.5-year master’s program started.
October: National Day trip to Suzhou. Graduate life started — initially boring. But adjusted gradually. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Oct 19, had the honor of meeting Hou Jie (JJHou). Unforgettable.
November-December: Besides my 23rd birthday, nothing memorable. Maybe I’ve gotten used to this life: teach, be taught, wake naturally… Before I knew it, the year was ending.
Looking to 2005: March or April will be unforgettable. Hope to do my best and not embarrass the institute. My grad courses end in July — the chance of interning at Microsoft Asia Engineering Institute in Beijing is slim, but I still hope for another微软 (Microsoft) encounter. And she graduates next year — hope everything goes well for her.