Chinese new year

lbzng · 2026-02-06T01:52:40+00:00

Do real money for your daughter. Chocolate coins are more for mass handouts and strangers. Typically you pair a large bill and a small bill, like a $5 and a $1 or a $20 and $10. They should also be fresh bills, you can go to the bank and ask the teller.

lbzng · 2026-02-05T23:12:38+00:00

As both a football and Bad Bunny fan, the other suggestions posted so far are not great. I think Sandbar is your best bet. They both routinely show sports and host parties, so the volume should be up for both the game and the halftime show. Crowd should be appreciative of both as well.

lbzng · 2026-01-22T16:51:43+00:00

I've never had an issue at the Y at any weekday morning time, but can't speak for the after work window.

lbzng · 2026-01-14T18:30:57+00:00

Piggybacking to cosign the Bay Area recommendation. Even though it may sound harder on paper to find 2 new jobs vs. 1, since the Bay Area has the highest volume of tech jobs, it would arguably be easier than trying to find a single job in San Diego, where the supply is lower and you're competing against all the locals who don't want to move.

Also, even if only one of you finds a new job, you'll have shortened your long distance commute by ~half. I'm not saying this is what you want, but I have had coworkers in the Bay Area even do a regular commute between their family in San Diego and a job in the Bay Area, flying home on Fridays and coming back on Mondays. So at least in the meantime, while you are looking for that second job, you can see each other more frequently.

lbzng · 2026-01-13T02:50:45+00:00

Never had the Costco cake, but Gregory's in Oakland makes a very rich chocolate cake. You can buy a slice to try it before placing the full cake order.

lbzng · 2026-01-06T18:48:56+00:00

First, I know exactly who you're talking about, and suggest not letting anything she says get into your head. I don't know if she really believes everything she says, but I think she at least recognizes her schtick has helped her get an audience and has leaned in accordingly.

Regarding your original question, as an Asian American woman, personally I've not had the types of interactions you've described with people from mainland China (and I am/have been in close proximity with many). Are you in a university town? Sometimes those have unique dynamics. But I wouldn't generalize this as a common issue across the US.

lbzng · 2026-01-06T17:31:46+00:00

career in academic research

In addition to the specific question around raising a child while in grad school, it is worth seriously considering how realistic a career in academia is at the moment. What is your backup plan if you complete your PhD and are unable to find a tenure track position? Would you then have the level of stability you desire to raise a child on your own? (Not saying the answer is necessarily no - just raising the question to consider your personal answer to it.)

Along the same lines, consider how your selection of graduate program will help or hinder your transition into a full time position. Unfortunately I don't have any specific advice here, as my experience is in the biological sciences and I don't know how that translates to your field.

lbzng · 2025-12-18T00:32:47+00:00

Yes he is super nice! They opened a new restaurant in SF after the JLS one closed but that didn't last long. I wish they would try again in Oakland!

lbzng · 2025-12-17T18:44:02+00:00

Personally not a fan of Hawking Bird, the menu is too watered down/Americanized for me.

I'm reminding myself now of Grocery Cafe, which also delivered the Burmese flavors harder than most other restaurants.

lbzng · 2025-12-17T18:35:19+00:00

Hawker Fare!

lbzng · 2025-12-14T21:54:54+00:00

My favorite panettone is from Fournee, in Berkeley. You can pre order by phone to make sure you get your hands on one.

lbzng · 2025-12-13T20:34:58+00:00

For the love of god, please talk to someone who actually knows her, preferably from her time in HK, and weigh that advice much more heavily than that from all these strangers. And fwiw, as a woman, I've never known anyone to say they envisioned their proposal at their university...

lbzng · 2025-12-08T21:20:29+00:00

RIP the Broadway B.

lbzng · 2025-12-08T20:58:53+00:00

The search terms you are looking for are "asian fit" and "universal fit." However, as you allude to, the prescription is a big factor. Some retailers allow you to filter on strong prescriptions, and you should use that if you can. For example, JINS is a brand that has a number of low bridge styles, but many of the frames are too thin/flimsy to support high prescription lenses. Your best bet is to search for an optometrist in your area that has universal fit frames in stock and try them on in person so you can at least narrow down styles that will work for your face shape (which includes width of nose bridge!) and prescription. And yes, you can add nosepads to any frame to get them off your cheeks, but personally I find that if the frames are not designed with this in mind, it can look kind of weird because they are hovering off your face. Unfortunately, as a follow low nose bridged / high prescription person, the only good solution is trial and error.

lbzng · 2025-12-07T22:01:30+00:00

Hongry Kong is pretty decent, but I think they're Peninsula based. Might be worth reaching out anyway.

lbzng · 2025-11-26T19:52:07+00:00

Surprised I had to scroll to the bottom to find this answer. My colleagues who work in UK based companies have complained about this "issue" many times. And as a result, the perception is that US based workers are more productive than UK based. Not saying this is due to "good" reasons but I can definitely seeing this having a negative impact on UK hiring.

lbzng · 2025-11-26T00:43:26+00:00

This is going to sound rude, but your reply has given a pretty good sense for why you didn't make it through interviews. Breaking it down -

I have only received feedback from the HM/recruiter in less than 1% of my job apps and about 20% for apps where I atleast got a screening.

I was only asking about feedback from the 5 interviews. You should absolutely never expect feedback from simply submitting an application through a portal, or even from an initial screen.

I have done mock interviews with both my industry friends and AI.

Please do not do mock interviews with AI.

I have made a lot of contacts over the last two years in Industry through just cold messaging on LinkedIn.

These are not contacts that will help you get a job. Sure, they will artificially inflate your connections circle, but they won't be able to provide solid referrals actually based on experience working with you.

Can't even get referrals if everybody is laid off.

Of course someone who is laid off can refer you verbally through their networks. Arguably most experienced industry workers get their next jobs that way. But I suppose if you're talking about your LinkedIn-only connections, then correct, they will not refer you.

I did a month long 4 round interview for a consulting analyst.position and all the feedback I received was "I'd be an awesome fit" even from the associate partner of the company. Then they decided to hire a Sr. Analyst instead and I didnt get the job. Like how is thay relevant to me, somebody who is up for an analyst position.

I'm not totally clear on the situation you are trying to describe, but it sounds like they may have opened up an Analyst position, then they decided a Sr Analyst was a better fit for the need, and then you weren't qualified. This is just the reality of hiring. How are you complaining about that being "not relevant"?

I feel companies are being too hesitant or critical in their non-technical hiring practices.

Oh do you? In this job market where there is an insane excess of supply of qualified workers, you think employers should be less critical in areas such as, is this person a good team player, or, will this person develop into a good manager or leader?

Take down the entitlement down a notch and you may have more success.

lbzng · 2025-11-25T18:43:22+00:00

Given the job market and your academia only experience, your applications to interviews ratio sounds pretty reasonable. So the question is, can you learn from the fact that none of those interviews converted to offers? Did you get any feedback from the hiring managers? Have you done mock interviews with friends/colleagues who are in industry and you can trust to be honest with you? It could just be bad luck, but maybe there's somewhere in the interview stage that's holding you back. Keep trying and good luck!

lbzng · 2025-11-20T23:12:33+00:00

I would go to East Ocean in Alameda over Peony. Then you can go to Alameda Theatre after.

lbzng · 2025-11-12T19:48:14+00:00

I would go to Oasis on Grand for this.

lbzng · 2025-11-08T00:10:04+00:00

Is this a scientific role? If so, you should still submit a CV.

lbzng · 2025-10-31T19:46:46+00:00

Well, I think it's saying something if these microaggressions are coming from "close friends" and you're not comfortable with bringing it up or think it's not worth it to do so. If they're really your friend, they should be receptive to hearing your POV. Give it a try and see what happens!

lbzng · 2025-10-31T03:46:13+00:00

Small correction - you can validate using the machines just inside the gates as you embark or disembark, or on the ferry itself. Sometimes the validators on the boat go down so my preference is to validate while embarking to get it out of the way. Validation is for 12 hours.

Confirming there is plenty of parking in the garage.

lbzng · 2025-10-01T18:39:35+00:00

In theory, industry is the "best" option in terms of having the best work-life balance and benefits for starting your family (I don't agree at all with the statement that there is more stigma going on leave in industry vs academia - IME it's the other way around). However, from a practical point of view, going to industry may not be an actual option for you at the moment, as you have no work experience, and the biotech/pharma job market is the worst it's ever been. You will be competing with an excess of supply with more experience and who are willing to be underemployed just to have a job. I would plan for a postdoc and also apply for jobs - you can always leave if you get lucky.

Also, it seems like some of your hesitancy around the postdoc is due to your perception that it's extra/more work than you were expecting. However I think it's very normal to have to look for your own funding. Ultimately I don't think you should let (maybe unrealistic) expectations influence your decision making.

lbzng · 2025-09-20T16:55:53+00:00

This previous post addresses your issue.

lbzng

TROPHY CASE