Looking Forward

The first three weeks of the term have passed. The first assignments have been handed out, and I've made fairly substantial progress on my yearlong project. I'm back into the swing of things. Still, when I stop thinking of all the work I have to do, I find myself wondering what the future holds for me. The idea of graduating is scary, but things are looking bright.

I mentioned a couple posts ago about applying to Microsoft. About a week after I made that post, I got an email from them inviting me for a phone (Skype) interview the following week! I had the interview two days ago. I think it went well, I answered most of the questions as completely as I could, only stumbling with a couple of them. I'll hear back in the next 2-3 weeks, and then hopefully be offered a second, more technical interview--in person! I don't know if this means they'll fly me all the way to Redmond or just somewhere in Europe. It sounds intense, though... something like 2-3 solid hours of coding, plus maybe meeting people who I might end up working with.

All of this is cementing the idea in my head that I will have a well-paying job shortly after I graduate. I'll get to worry about all those adult things like renting an apartment, buying a car, paying taxes, and paying off my student loans... I'm actually very ready for it. Some of my classmates aren't ready to graduate and go out into the big world, but I definitely am. Alas, four more months of university and hard work. It'll probably go by faster than I think.

Book Review #1: A Fantasy Epic

I just finished my second book of the year. A good start, since I'll be quite busy in the next few months. I figured it's time to write a bit about the first book, which I finished over the holidays. Also, since it's a new year, I'm starting the numbering over for my book reviews. This year's goal is 25 again... let's see if I can do it this time!

~

Book 1: The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

I thought I had written a review of the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles, called The Name of the Wind, but it turns out I read it a year and a half ago, in June 2010. Thank you, Goodreads, for helping me keep track...

For those of you who don't know the series, it's a fantasy fiction tale about a young man named Kvothe and how he became a legend in his own world. It starts with his family, a group of travelling troupers, being killed by a myserious evil. The recurring goal in Kvothe's life is to track down this evil, but he meets people along the way, goes to university and learns about magic and other subjects, and has various adventures. The story is essentially about his life, growing up. I enjoyed the first book quite a lot, and read it quickly despite its size.

I did enjoy the second book, but I often got tired of the slow pace. Kvothe would spend months at one place, and months at another. Each place seemed like a completely different story, so different that they almost need to be separate books. Occasionally it dragged on, with nothing much happening. Maybe it's because this book is meant to be in the middle of the series without a serious beginning or end, not meant to just be picked up and read without reading The Name of the Wind. However, I think it could be seriously trimmed down, and it would make for a better book.

That said, I'll probably end up reading the third and final book when it comes out. The characters are enjoyable, and I care enough about them that I want to know what happens. Just be forewarned: the books are incredibly long. Not for the faint of heart!

A New Vision Of The Future

I'm back in Glasgow, and it's only a few hours before my first class of the term. We had quite an adventure flying back, including having to stay overnight at a hotel near the airport in Schipol. But it all worked out in the end, with no additional costs for us, and no luggage was lost. Now that I'm back, it feels strange.

After spending that time back in Seattle, I realized more than ever before how homesick I am. I thought Glasgow might be the start of a life in the UK, but I'm not as taken with it as I thought I might be. The people are amazing, and I don't regret coming here for a moment. But I don't see myself here long-term. I've started looking into opportunities back in Seattle for work after I graduate this year, including Microsoft and Google. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll have so many other opportunities as well, in the Seattle area, if both of those fall through. I think moving back, at least for a while, will help me decide if it's where I want to live long-term. Maybe I'll come back to Europe. For now, though, my sights are set on the Emerald City.

In the meantime, I'll be doing my best to defeat the stress and enjoy the heavy workload of this next -- and last -- term at the University of Glasgow. If this is actually my last term of school for good, I want to give it my all.