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Posted on : Friday, July 22, 2016 @ 12:40 PM

22 July 2016 Friday

Day 66 in the US

In the blink of an eye, it has already been sixty six days in the US! It has indeed been a journey of discovery, self-reflection, learning in another country.

Indeed, I have been very fortunate to be given this chance to experience what it is to be like interning at a US company, having lessons at a local University here. Before coming here, I was clueless how it would turn out and prepped myself with the mentality of just experience and learn as much here! Definitely, I was excited to be going to the States because it has by far been the furthest country I have travelled to and its a country where people speak perfect english hahaha. Their open culture was something I would like to see for myself too. Amidst all these, was also their friendly way of greeting.

True enough, Americans are indeed very friendly. Any stranger would never fail to ask you how was your day! Initially I wasn't used to this form of over-friendliness because back in Singapore, we would at most say "Hi!" Though I was skeptical about the friendly way of greeting here, I have learnt that it was just part of how they greet and acknowledge one another. They are always open to starting conversations, or rather small talks with anyone, share with you their day etc. Its indeed nice to experience this! :)

My thoughts are rather incoherent haha so I will just be penning down whatever that comes to my mind. Every time I achieve a milestone I would have the feels to actually pen it down here though I know the web isn't the most most private space. This is just a space I give myself to share and reflect on thoughts hahaha so it might just be random rambles and perspective.

Atlanta, its a great city, though I would say not extremely impressive haha. Partially because the weather is similar to that of Singapore, it gets really hot in the evenings. But I was most amazed by how Uber and Lyft is one of the main form of transportation here, their marta and trains aint there really comprehensive. I only started using Uber at start of this year once in a while back in sg because it was really the fastest mean of getting a "Taxi" haha. I have always admired how Apps changed the way we live, in this amazing amazing world of technology, it has made life simpler to a certain extent. But here in Atlanta, using Uber or Lyft is just so so convenient!! And the best part is that its even cheaper then taking the bus. OHH just thought of it, I love the Disney app! Its really well-built I would say, it saves the hassle of having a paper map and wondering what is the queuing time for each ride. On top of it, it allows you to book rides in advance, reserve seats at the restaurants, and its tied to the PhotoPass! So yeah I'm just amazed my how applications play a part in my life here haha and thankfully my Oppo phone has a large storage space so I download apps whenever I want to! Other than the above 3 apps, there are apps like RetailMeNot etc etc that triggered bf and I to have our Eureka moment hahahaha :)

Looking at successful businesses here, watching Shark Tank as our favourite night time activity, (Other than bf learning his Ruby courses haha) has spurred the entrepreneurial spirit in us. The startup ecosystem has been growing big these days, everyone wants to have their own business, thinking that being labelled as an entrepreneur is cool. Personally, yes i think that it is cool to have a business of your own, but it definitely takes sweat and time to grow a business. Of course, who doesn't want their business to be profitable immediately? Everyone wants a business that is making money, that everyone knows of it and thinks that it is really a good idea. That doesn't happen immediately, it takes time and much much effort to grow it. Working on an idea now made me realise that building a business is full of uncertainties and doubts. You aren't sure what exactly is the right path you should take, there are so many aspects to consider too. Your brand image, your brand message, how does the idea works, how to even sell the idea to merchants?, what kind of website to create? The endless routes that are plausible, and there are many questions you ask yourself.

But, if you don't even try working on it, you wouldn't even get an outcome. Only when you have been through the thought process, the execution process then you will learn and it would be etched in your mind for eternity. The future maybe blurred but I guess as what many say, you can afford to fail as a student. As least you learn at a young age and pick yourself up along the way before graduation.

Graduation. It's indeed a scary thought. Looking at commencement photos, watching commencement speeches from prestigious school, its scary to think of the day when I actually wear a graduation robe. Often, I think of myself what I would want to achieve before I graduate. Is it good grades, or a sense of accomplishment from all the experiences I have been through. There are varying thoughts about how results ain't everything in this society now. I guess the society is slowly trying to not place much emphasis on results and all and look at experiences instead. Personally, I feel that soft skills are really bonuses in my life. Learning photoshop wasn't something part of the school curriculum, website development too, but its these soft skills that I have picked up myself along the way that make myself more "valuable". I'm really thankful for those chances that I got to self learn such skills! Learning never stops!!! I hope that in the future ahead, I would pick up more and more skills :)

Friends. Growing up, people relationship gets tougher, people ain't as simple-minded as you think. Afterall, everyone wants to be an accomplished person. The rat race is never ending...
But, connections play a significant part in a business too. Connections brings about sales, its an indirect way of seeking help. People are made up of different personalities, different people have their own thinking and own way of doing things. In different situations, people act differently too. On the social media world, one may appear to be all outgoing, sociable, and all so great. But when you actually meet the person in reality, its so different that what he/she appears to be on social media. Being superfical? Or having a spilt personality? I'm not sure what that person thinks, but to me, I cannot stand fake people. But ultimately, is up to one to filter the good and bad influences in one's life. But, sometimes, people might take kindness for granted. Being kind, you might be easily stepped over. haha those dilemmas in life. BUT, ITS IMPORTANT TO STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF! everyone has their own ethics and beliefs but its important to remember what defines yourself!

I shall continue this post when I have the feels too haha back to work now :D