Top 10 things we learned in 2020*
Before the pandemic, I enjoyed a trip to exotic Pasadena, CA, where I met up with my jetsetting daughter Vanessa Pan (in LA for work). As an experiment, I took Megabus (cheap and fast) with no regrets. A trip to Los Angeles without a car? Yep. We used the subway and when needed took Lyft or Uber. Our favorite activity was visiting the Huntington Gardens and Museums.
Post pandemic, my former 4-day at home job became a 5-day at home job. My team was global so Zoom was already our best friend and now we commiserated over the restrictions and swapped stories on who got COVID and how. Many of my colleagues suffered with it as well as neighbors. Peter’s still sanitizing our groceries though I tend to think that’s overkill. When in public, we mask up and sometimes goggle up to protect the eyes. I’ve shared this blog on Facebook on how to avoid the risks of getting COVID.
You may have noticed I write about work in the past tense. On Feb. 5, 2021, I retired from Oracle as a senior manager of information development (tech pubs) with 4 different Zoom goodbyes. My generous coworkers sent a big chocolate cake to my home as well as party decorations and a large gift certificate to my favorite bookstore, reachandteach.com.
It was hard saying bye to all my warm, funny and gifted coworkers, but not too hard to give up 7 am PST meetings! I also got to leave with a bang as I lead a hackathon team (the Blind Moles) during my last few months. Our project won the People’s Choice award within Oracle. I must say it was a brilliant idea (blind or non-biased recruiting), which I hope Oracle will implement internally and which it’s offering as a feature of its Oracle Recruiting Cloud product. See the video we created with advice from resident video expert, Joshua.
My children’s book, Women and the Right to Vote, part of Scholastic’s True Book series came out in Sept 2020, right in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. If you have any ideas on groups I could speak to, let me know.
Joshua graduated from high school last year and is studying online at Foothill College as a first year student in computer science. Peter doesn’t miss driving him to the campus, but Josh misses the in-person interaction. In his spare time, Josh flies drones, does animation, and posts his original videos to YouTube. If you want his channel, text him at 650.815.8793. He’s even making a steady income from it. He’s also coding his own video game and has regular Virtual Reality (VR) chats with friends in Japan.These gen Zs!
Vanessa has been busy fixing up her new flat in Guadalajara, MX and working for maxablespace.com. She’s even installed a climbing wall in her home! She’s thinking of becoming a business or life coach, but in the meantime she manages Maxable’s partners as well as some staff members. And she still enjoys composing and singing.
Pre-pandemic, Peter was driving Josh to school and taking PE classes. At home now, he’s developed a keen eye on the stock market, and his abilities have helped us grow our investments and help me retire early. It’s hard to believe I can retire after 39 years (but hey, who’s counting?).Doing those catch up investments in the 401K, IRA, and Roth IRA helped as well as the market’s banner year in 2020.
We finally got our solar panels up and running as well as a backup battery. I’m almost wishing for a blackout so we can test the battery. We had a short blackout during the infamous California wildfires in August. The CZU lightning blaze came within 18 miles of our house, enough to get us packing our bags (though we never had to evacuate). We're sorry that so many suffered.
We're saddened by the sudden death of my brother-in-law Alan More (husband of Diane Ching), who passed away last year from cancer. And we're thankful for his being in our lives.
We look forward to getting our COVID vaccines and hearing from you.
Cyndi and family
Wow! You are a retired woman! Good for you. Now a days it is a luxury to be able to retire early. I see so many fox that will not have that luxury (including myself)! So fun what Vanessa created. I love her.
ReplyDeletethank you. Could you let me know who this is?
DeleteCongratulations, Cyndi! After 39 years, you definitely deserve to sleep past 7AM! One day I have to find out how Vanessa created that climbing wall. Now that's a real masterpiece.
ReplyDeletethanks. Could you let me know who this is?
DeleteI really truly enjoyed your annual letter. Thank you so much for your insights. Hugs, Susan Burwen
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. Hope you and David are well. Say hi to everyone at MVCC.
DeleteI always feel privileged to get a message from you. Always so-o-o interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat will you be concentrating on in your retirement? I'll bet it will be on things that
will make the world a better place for all of us. Please visit next time you're in DC.
Love to you and your family.
Jan Anderson
Welcome to the wonderful world of retirement! I hope you and Peter will get your vaccinations soon (unless you already have). I also hope you will find time for your hobbies and interests! I know I have and can't seem to fit it all into just 24 hours a day LOL. Here's what I've been up to recently (after a long hiatus) http://scribingplastic.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. So cool to see your blog on how you are making models. That's a lot of dedication!
DeleteThanks for your Spring update. Enjoy retirement Finally warmer here near DC.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be staying safe.
I am to receive a second dose of Moderna in 2 days. Aware of side effects but small price to pay.
Ken Yee
thanks, Ken. I get a Moderna shot tomorrow (my first).
DeleteThank you for filling us in on your and your family's activities and thoughts for the past year. Almost as good as hearing from you in person. Which I hope will happen soon after we're past-pandemic. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elisabeth. Hope you're well and say hi to everyone at MVCC. I notice that there is a unit for sale.
DeleteCongratulations on retirement Cyndi. And thanks for all the news of family developments. Nice to see that Joshua, Vanessa and Peter are all thriving. Stop by sometime for a cup of tea and we can fill you in on all the Ivy Lane gossip......Steve
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve. I look forward to seeing you some time. I get my first vaccine tomorrow (April 3)! I miss seeing the shaded streets on Ivy and Wildwood.
DeleteHi Cyndi, thanks for your family's Annual Report! Happy to know everyone is safe and well. Sending you hugs and well-wishes for continued good health.
ReplyDelete