Go Canada Go!

Wow, Canada did so well at Torino 2006. 24 medals? that's crazy. w00t!

Pretty much all of Reading Week, I sat and watched the Olympic games. I was definitely not disappointed, and the entertainment value was extremely high. My family just completely stopped everything we were doing when the figure skating finals were on. Of course, a little disappointment from the men's hockey side, but wayyy overshadowed by everything else that was accomplished.

Proud of the Canadian athletes and proud to be a Canadian. Go Canada Go!

Spoke too soon

I guess my celebration was premature. It turns out I did not get offered to the Actel position after all. After talking to the manager and his team twice on the phone, an interview, and an informal breakfast later, along with the verbal confirmation, in person, that I would be offered the job, it still wasn't official...

I called the manager immediately after the rankings were released and his explanation was that after much debate amongst the team, they decided to switch their decision last minute to someone else. Of course, I was totally devastated. What hurts most is, he told me so early on that I was guaranteed the position, that I practically failed the other interviews I had lined up on purpose. And I totally stopped looking for other jobs altogether. I mean, if he wasn't so positive about it, then I would have been more cautious and gave a damn about the remaining interviews. It would have definitely turned out differently. I suppose it's my fault also for letting my guards down.

Another disappointment is the fact that the rankings were due by the company a full week ahead of time before they were released to the students. So the manager changed my status on the position and didn't even inform me about it. Hence, I was lead to believe a lie for an entire week between the time he submitted the decision to the time it was released. I guess California really is the home of shattered dreams.

Now that I've had a week to digest this, I'm over it and holding a more positive attitude. The next round of job postings and interviews is starting and I hear there are a LOT more coming out this round, around 300 - 400. With that big of a number, there's gotta be some high quality positions I can set sights on.

California, here I come!

*cue in The OC song*

We've been on the run
Driving in the sun,
Looking out for #1.
California here we come
Right back where we started from

Back at the beginning of the year (last September), I thought to myself "Man, wouldn't it be sooo awesome to live in California?". I kept dreaming of it since then, but never really gave a thought that it would actually happen, so soon.

Well, PEY has given the me chance to do exactly that. I've been doing interviews all this month, for 12-16 months internships for next year. I had 3 with ATI, and another 3 so far with Actel. Actel is a FPGA company located in Mountain View, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. To my honest surprise, Actel really likes me, and wants to hire me. The Sr. Manager of Technology Development likes my interest and enthusiasm and sees it as a great fit in their department. We spoke in three different occasions so far, and yesterday he gave me an offer. And I love the position! Of all the ones I applied for, this is the one that's perfect for me. It's in the Flash Technology Development, in which I would help in the design of their Flash device, which is the main product out of Actel.

More details will surely come, but right now, I'm extremely happy and thankful for this opportunity. Think about all the experience I'll gain at Actel and the fun I'll have in California. I'm super excited! Can't wait.