Transformation?

It’s been a long time since I last blogged.

In the meantime, I went to Beijing for Windows Embedded training at Microsoft Research Asia. The training was called TTT — “Train The Teacher.” After the training, I’m theoretically one of the few Windows CE 5.0 and Windows XP Embedded instructors in the country, qualified to train Microsoft certified instructors. Microsoft called this training “Whampoa Military Academy” — they plan to train a few people nationwide, who will then train Microsoft certified instructors, who will then train Microsoft certified students.

After the training, I took two Windows CE certification exams and easily got the Red Belt certification (couldn’t find the Black Belt “master” link).

Then began a nightmare week:

• Monday: Morning rush to Jiading, evening classes at the Software Institute. Stayed in Jiading.
• Tuesday: 7 AM headed to main campus, 10 AM arrived at Telecom Institute for the Challenge Cup next-round meeting. Afternoon, headed to Hudong for class. Passed the Windows CE Green Belt exam after class, then immediately headed to Jiading. Evening reviewed student project defenses and passed the Red Belt exam. Stayed in Jiading.
• Wednesday: Emailed Huanheng people about BSP issues (Professor Wan said the email criticized Huanheng mercilessly). Afternoon, went to Shanghai Jiao Tong University for the Windows CE Global Challenge preliminary judging. Met Xu Fengxiong and Zhang Yizhao — two idol-level masters from Microsoft Research Asia. Then headed to Hudong.
• Thursday: Morning oral communication class. Then headed to main campus to say goodbye to a classmate (who went to Microsoft Research Asia Engineering Institute). Afternoon, listened to Dr. Xu Fengxiong’s lecture at main campus, then accompanied him to Jiading. Evening, had dinner with the “father of Deep Blue,” Dr. Xu. Then hosted Dr. Xu’s lecture (first time — a bit nervous…). Then sent Dr. Xu back to the hotel. Took the light rail back to Hudong with Professor Wan.
• Friday: 6:30 AM took the bus to Jiading. Met with Microsoft’s Liu Xiangwen to discuss course collaboration, training, etc. Had lunch with her, then went to main campus, took the bus back to Hudong. Evening was a classmate’s birthday — hotpot dinner.

Looking at this week’s life, it’s so different from my fellow grad students. Come to think of it, I haven’t stepped into a classroom or done any coding this semester. I don’t know where my path will lead.