2025

Job change

I have spent years in the automotive industry and remain deeply passionate about it. I always want to work for companies that make products I would buy and use myself, and Apple is at the top of that list. However, I initially found it hard to envision how my specific experience would translate to Apple, even though I have been a loyal customer and follower of the brand since elementary school.

Then, a recruiter's cold message changed everything, highlighting an opportunity for someone with experience at the intersection of software, hardware, and controls systems to contribute to Apple's camera team. Upon reflection, I realized there are a lot of parallels between a camera and a car:

• Both rely on electromechanical systems (sensors, actuators, control algorithms).

• Both require tight integration of software and hardware.

• Both are manufactured at massive scale with high standards for quality.

• Both are customer-facing and compete in fiercely innovative global markets.

• Both require diverse, talented, creative teams working together to solve complex problems.

I took the interview, and as the conversations progressed, the dots started to connect. By the end of the process, I was convinced that this was the right next step and accepted the offer without hesitation.

I strongly believe that every job is a window to an industry. The opportunity to learn extends far beyond the tasks we are assigned; it is a chance to observe how a company's culture shapes its products, how leadership decisions reflect its values, how stakeholders work together, and how we draw inspiration from the talents around us.

Beyond the job itself, this role sparked a personal leap: relocating to a new city and country, adding a dimension of adventure to this chapter.

Apple Park

Although my office is not based in the ring building, I’m close enough to turn Apple Park into my regular running track before or after work. Here are some snapshots.

Lifestyle

I know there is so much to see, but I also know my energy is limited each day. I have to be disciplined about where I spend it. I tried to simplify my life so I can focus on my new job, my training routine, while still having space to recharge

To make this work, I came up with a few simple principles:

• Strategic Proximity: Live close to work and essentials to save time

• Weekday Focus: Focus only on work and running during the week

• Weekend Renewal: If I'm not traveling, weekends are for long runs and friends

• Integrated Exploration: Treat my runs as sightseeing tours to explore nearby cities

As a result, I found an apartment (studio) that costed a little more than I expected but has perfect location - it is right next to the Caltrain station, so I can get to the airport easily. I also prepared a stackable bed: if I have friends coming over to visit they have a place to stay.

As for running, here are some places that I ended up going:

Oh, I got my 4th Subaru, and this time it's a hybrid :)

Although I have enjoyed long-distance running for years, I never felt a strong urge to compete, nor did I realize just how slim the lottery odds were for the Majors. I entered the lottery with zero expectations, and woke up to a complete surprise.

The timing was tricky: the race happens on Mar. 2, just two weeks into my new role. I had to communicate to my manager upfront and took unpaid leave for this event. I had to integrate marathon training into a full schedule with relocation logistics and onboarding tasks.

I booked my hotel near the finish line, which also happened to be close to the Imperial Palace. This allowed me to do some shakeout runs in early mornings before the race day on this iconic 5k loop.

The expo is similar to many other expos I have been to before, but there are many interesting and unique health and fitness products.

I spent the day before the race with my childhood friend Victor. We visited the DAWN avatar cafe, a unique space where the service robots are not AI-driven, but tele-operated by human pilots. These operators are individuals who have difficulty leaving their home due to limited mobility. It was a powerful experience to see how technology is being used to bridge the physical gap and enable meaningful social engagement.

According to the official website, there were 37,480 total participants. This is the biggest race I have ever been to, and I can imagine how much work needs to be done from an organizational perspective to make sure things go smoothly. This cannot be achieved without countless volunteers. I have never volunteered for a marathon event, but I definitely want to find a chance to do it!

The course is very flat and is considered one of the easiest of the World Majors. From the beginning, I knew my intention was to enjoy the race, not to aim for a personal best. Therefore, I took a conservative attitude and managed to keep my heart rate relatively low in the first half, so I did not feel tired in the second half. Indeed this ended up becaming my PB at the time.

Overall, it was a fun race. Yamanaka-san and Sanshiro-san, my friend's host family whom I met back in 2016, and Victor came to see me near the finish line. It was great to reunite with them, and I can't believe how fast time has flown.

It was raining the next day after the race, and it's a perfect oppoorutnity to relax. I took an hour train to an Onsen in Hachioji.

On my last day, I jogged around the Imperial Palace again. Leaving is bittersweet - I wanted to stay and explore, but a pile of work awaits. Since full-time jobs make long trips difficult, I always encourage people in school to find opportunities such as exchange and international internships to explore different countries and cities while young. That said, I believe we can still find creative ways to fit travel into our lives.

I traveled to Australia during the Christmas/New Year's break earlier this year, spending almost two weeks visiting Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. I had lots of fun, but needed to decide if I should make a commitment to fly there again in August for the Marathon - a rare opportunity I was lucky to secure last year.

Knowing the Sydney Marathon has become the 7th World Major, I realized it will only get harder to win the lottery in the future. Coincidentally, I had a business trip to China on the horizon. Navigating the exact timing for the business trip was tricky, but I was able to route my travel through Sydney on the way there. I am so glad everything worked out!

On the first day arriving in Sydney, my high school friend Jeremy and I checked out Long Reef, 20 minutes ferry ride from Circular Quay.

Vancouver BMO Marathon

San Francisco 5k and Half Marathon

Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon

I have never worked in China in a full-time engineering capacity, so this trip gave me a taste of what that environment feels like. It was my first business trip, and contrary to my expectations, there was little downtime. My focus was entirely on the objectives of the trip. While I cannot disclose specific details due to the confidential nature of my work, the experience reconnected me to my roots and helped me appreciate the pivotal role this country plays in the world's economy.

Shenzhen

Shanghai

Suzhou

Not feeling homesick until going home

The art of being adaptable, be present, and let go

Should make time for family

Know the concept since young, but did not commit to studying it until grad school

Amazed by how much work can get done with it

Mindset, strategy, and skillset shift ("Most Advanced Yet Acceptable" (MAYA))?

Should go deeper on design

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

It's (somewhat) normal that things are not working in the first pass - solve problems? Focus on the problem and learn from it. Anything learned from failure can be universally applicable to anything ahead.

Expect things not in the shape I want it to be -> turn it around?

A lot of these experiences are made happening because of luck

I was not always the top x% (school, race, and work - there is a lot I don't know - show patience)

But from time to time, there's a quiet voice in myself telling me that I can and should do great things - ultimately to meet my own standards (Apple sets the bar high) Why I came up with the theme for this year anyways?

How to balance decicivenss, risk-taking, being proactive, bold?

Focus on uniqueness, authenticity, taste, sustainability

The vision statement:

1. begins with people

2. has a purpose

3. is a journey not a destination

4. shifts from I to we

Beyond 9-5 job (selling place, traveling, personal projects)

A lot of things I have written this year started with I -> look for more "we" next year? How can someone like me to find ways to do things together? Hidden gem?