What: a FREE 2.5 mile fun run and walk-a-thon to benefit the Asian Counseling and Referral Service Food Bank.

The goal is to raise $105,000 in order to purchase 350,000 pounds of rice!

When: Sat., June 3, 2006, 8am-12:30pm

Where: Seward Park, Seattle

Why: The ACRS Food Bank supplies culturally appropriate foods to over 6,000 low-income APA households every month.

Who: All ages are welcome – and so are friendly, leashed dogs. Costumes are encouraged!

My Personal Experience:  

This is the first time I joined the Walk For Rice event. Getting up early on a Saturday morning was not easy for a night person like me. But I enjoyed every moment of my experience there. 

A Strong Force

In the beautiful Seaward Park, there were Asian faces everywhere. I feel so at home. Later on, I learned the Asians represent 15% of King county population and 7% of WA state population. There is no question about our ability to make a difference. Walk for Rice is definitely on such an effort to help the low income families. I am proud to be part of this community effort.

A Big Brother

This was the first time that Microsoft organized a team to participate. We were invited by our big neighbor, the Boeing Company. They surely came prepared: setting up a tent, everyone wearing a Boeing T-shirt, giving out souvenirs and having a picnic after the walk. They made us feel very welcome: taking pictures together, giving us T-shirts, and inviting us to the picnic. This is the bridge that I have always hoped that Microsoft could build with other local companies. Now I know that we do not have to start from scratch. Do I feel bad that we are not that well prepared? Not at all.  The Boeing Company has established itself in this community for over 100 years. Microsoft, on the other hand, has just passed its 30^th birthday. They are our teacher and we come as learners. Richard Min, our MS team coordinator, said the following during the short speech at the Picnic: “You guys have much more experience in community event. We hope to learn from you and work on common goals together.”  I like this humble attitude.

An Xbox Hat

I was the only one in our MS team who wore something representing Microsoft: an Xbox hat.  I hope, next year, everyone will wear something about Microsoft. We have so many different products and groups. Let’s show the colorful diverse culture we have within Microsoft and show our confidence.

Ran Out of Cards

I was one of the few members who brought business cards. And I ran out of it during the picnic with Boeing. At that point, I stopped making new contacts because I knew even if I talked with someone we would not remember each other and the networking effort will not be there. I am not good at remembering names so I definitely rely on business cards or emails to sort all my contacts. I will remember to bring more cards next time.

Chinese Community Girls Drill Team

The performance by the Chinese Girls Drill Team was fantastic. They surely have done a lot of practice. The costume reminds me of the Peking Opera that I am so familiar with. I encourage everyone to watch the movie I created to experience it. My first daughter is 10 months old now. I will send her to the drill team when she gets older. Hope my wife will agree with me.

Dog Costume Contest

I did not realize that we could bring dogs for this walk. For a dog lover like me, I really missed a golden opportunity to show off my dog.  Wouldn’t it be nice if I brought my whole family out to participate in this event? After having families, a lot of us choose not to participate in networking event anymore because we do not have enough time.  I think the best way to solve the dilemma is to find community events like Walk for Rice that can help us take care of both family needs and our career development related networking needs. 

Cheerful Conversations

The 2.5 mile walk went by so quickly and I hated it when we reached the destination. Why? I had so much fun talking with different people during the walk. I found walking is such a good way of carrying out conversation. The weather is nice, not so hot and not so cold. The scenery is enjoyable: Mount Rainer, Lake Washington, I-90 Bridge and downtown Seattle. I talked with my Korean colleagues, Indian colleagues, Philippines colleague, and Chinese colleagues. Everyone came from different background and is working in a different work environment. It is so refreshing to learn about their life and be recharged by their passions and smiles.  Look at the pictures I have taken. Everyone was smiling and was enjoying the moment.  I evangelized the first Microsoft Asian Pacific Leadership and Development Conference. I was able to recruit some new volunteers.  It is a great feeling when you found other people who share your ideas and are willing to participate.  Now I am going to evangelize again. Please watch the 22 minutes movie I created and join us to build a strong Asian community at Microsoft.

Additional Resources:

Project Ignite Home Page (Internal MS only)

Walk For Rice Home Page

Autogroup for Asian Community building within MS: apldccom (Internal MS Only)

Rile

1. get somebody angry: to irritate somebody enough that it provokes anger ( informal ) ( often passive )

2. make waves in water: to stir up water or other liquid violently

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/rile.html>

Microsoft made a statement on Thursday that is sure to rile its detractors

Pasted from <http://www.betanews.com/article/MS_Windows_More_Reliable_Than_Linux/1143125592>

Moat

1. ditch around castle: a wide water-filled ditch around a castle or fort, dug to give protection from attack

2. ditch acting as barrier: a water-filled ditch dug to prevent access or escape, e.g. to confine animals in a zoo

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Moat.html>

While corporations are crafting elaborate "moats" around their in-house computer networks

Pasted from <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114312257582406293.html?mod=DCO>

Meticulous

precise and painstaking: extremely careful and precise

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Meticulous.html>

Adept

skillful: highly proficient or expert at something

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Adept.html>

has a reputation as a meticulous manager who is adept at controlling large software projects\

Pasted from <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114304385369805253.html?mod=DCS>

Tap

7. transitive verb U.S. give position to somebody: to select and appoint somebody for a particular role or office ( usually passive )

tapped her as the publicity chair

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Tap.html>

Mr. Johnson was tapped for his management skills

Pasted from <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114304385369805253.html?mod=DCS>

rank-and-file

1. ordinary members: the majority of a group or organization, often a labor union, especially all of the members who have no power or influence

the union's rank and file

2. enlisted troops: the enlisted troops in a military organization, excluding officers

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/rank-and-file.html>

the rank-and-file were more in tune with the state of Vista than top management

Pasted from <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114304385369805253.html?mod=DCS>

Avert

1. prevent something from happening: to prevent something from occurring, especially something harmful

2. look away: to turn your eyes away from something

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Avert.html>

Mr. Sinofsky will be charged with averting similar problems in the future

Pasted from <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114304385369805253.html?mod=DCS>

Rap

1. transitive and intransitive verb hit somebody or something sharply: to strike somebody or something with a quick sharp blow

The teacher rapped on the desk to get the students' attention.

2. transitive verb rebuke somebody: to criticize or rebuke somebody harshly

3. transitive verb say something quickly: to say something in a quick sharp way

The sergeant rapped out an order.

4. intransitive verb perform music with spoken rhythmic vocals: to speak in verse using rhythm and rhyme over music with a strong beat, usually hip hop

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Rap.html>

rapped Apple for the way it handles security guidance to customers.

Pasted from <http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1941316,00.asp>

Steep

1. transitive and intransitive verb immerse in liquid: to soak something in a liquid, or be soaked in a liquid, especially for cleaning or softening or in order to extract something

2. transitive verb permeate somebody or something: to permeate somebody or something with a substance or quality, usually over a long period ( usually passive )

steeped in tradition

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861714824/steep.html>

He said Apple needs a person "steeped in security issues,

Pasted from <http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1941316,00.asp>

Brim

1. transitive and intransitive verb be full to top: to fill something, or be full, to the top edge

The cup was brimming with hot coffee.

2. intransitive verb burst: to have an unusually plentiful supply of something

He was brimming with ideas.

3. intransitive verb overflow: to be so full as to be overflowing

eyes brimming with tears

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Brim.html>

But it points to the trouble the company has had designing and debugging the new operating system, brimming with features, complexity and an estimated 50 million lines of code.

Pasted from <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/22/technology/22soft.html?ei=5040&en=ba440b58436abf39&ex=1143694800&adxnnl=1&partner=MOREOVERNEWS&adxnnlx=1143049470-GNjwCp2oM8RoaI7GVeGQzQ>

To Wit

know something: to know or become aware of something ( archaic )

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/To%2520wit.html>

Hopper

1. funnel-shaped dispenser: a large funnel-shaped container for storing and dispensing grain, fuel, or other materials

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861618693/hopper.html>

To wit, the company already has the next two versions of IE beyond 7.0 in the hopper

Pasted from <http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,1940567,00.asp>

Adamant

set in opinion: very determined and not influenced by appeals to reconsider a position or decision

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Adamant.html>

At Microsoft's Mix '06 developer/designer conference here, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was quite adamant

Pasted from <http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,1940567,00.asp>

Double-Dip

ice-cream cone: an ice-cream cone containing two scoops of ice cream

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/double-dip%2520.html>

Will corporate buyers double-dip when Vista and the next version of Office ships later this year? Microsoft hopes so.

Pasted from <http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3593246>

Whammy

1. jinx: a jinx or hex on somebody or something

2. severe setback: something with unpleasant or damaging consequences

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/whammy.html>

He added that Vista and the new Office represent a "double whammy"

Pasted from <http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3593246>

Ferment

1. commotion: a state or situation of extreme agitation or commotion about something

2. substance causing fermentation: an agent, enzyme, or cell that causes fermentation

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/ferment.html>

The ferment, the creativity, is incredible to see.

Pasted from <http://news.com.com/Gates+sizes+up+the+Webs+next+generation/2008-7345_3-6051890.html?tag=nefd.lede>

Demarcation

1. setting of borders: the process of deciding on and setting the boundaries of a piece of land

2. identifiable separation of things: the division of something so that its divided parts are separate and identifiable

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Demarcation.html>

There was a major demarcation

Pasted from <http://news.com.com/Gates+sizes+up+the+Webs+next+generation/2008-7345_3-6051890.html?tag=nefd.lede>

Epitaph

1. inscription on a tombstone: an inscription on a tombstone or monument commemorating the person buried there

2. speech or writing commemorating a dead person: a short speech or piece of writing celebrating the life of a recently deceased person

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Epitaph.html>

throughout our history, our epitaph has been written 10 times

Pasted from <http://news.com.com/Gates+sizes+up+the+Webs+next+generation+-+page+2/2008-7345_3-6051890-2.html?tag=st.num>

Boon

1. great benefit: something that functions as a blessing or benefit to somebody

2. gift or favor: a gift or favor from somebody ( archaic or literary )

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/boon.html>

However, the shortage became a boon to some entrepreneurs

Pasted from <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11944285/>

Mea Culpa

formal apology: a formal apology or acknowledgment of responsibility or guilt

His grudging mea culpa failed to soothe feelings.

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Mea%2520Culpa.html>

Gates also offered a mea culpa for the long gap between major releases of Microsoft's widely used Internet Explorer browser

Pasted from <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/263695_msftmix21.html>

Lull

period of calm: a brief interval of calm or decreased activity

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/Lull.html>

The lull in Internet Explorer development came after the competition from Netscape went away

Pasted from <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/263695_msftmix21.html>

Wherewithal

necessary means: the money or resources required for a purpose

Pasted from <http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/wherewithal.html>

as long as we have the wherewithal to adopt, implement and apply them

Pasted from <http://news.com.com/Is+a+global+high-tech+work+force+bad+for+U.S./2100-1022_3-6051686.html?tag=nefd.top>