In Depth
I'm known to most people, both online and off, as Cat. I'm currently a software developer that works on the user interface of a web-based software. I program with Ruby and Rails, create the look of the interface with XHTML and CSS, and also make graphics and mock-ups with Photoshop. Before entering the working world, I got a BS in Computer Science. I loved Art, specifically drawing and painting, but in the end, I found my calling in Computer Science. I also freelance in webdesigning on the side. I used to do it to make money for my domains but just continue to do it for fun now. A full list of my websites is located at shattered-wingsNET.
I come from a Chinese family, and my brother and I are the first generation born in the US. I've always had a close relationship with my family, especially with my dad's side of the family. He has a large family which means I have many cousins, and the ones that are close in age to me are like my best friends. My younger brother is also my closest friend. I grew up knowing Cantonese and a bit of Taishanese. I later learned Mandarin in college, which also taught me how to read and write Chinese.
I'm happily engaged as of February 2010. My fiance and I have been together since October 2005 and met in college through a computer/technology organization. We're both gamers, which has its ups and downs. The great thing is being able to play video games with your significant other. The down side is the competitiveness! When you put together two people who hate losing and get really competitive, things can get ugly. I suppose I should be grateful that most of our arguments are dumb gaming ones like, "ZOMG WTF YOU HAX, STOP EDGE GUARDING". At least we work well as a team when needed. We make a killer tank/healer duo in any MMO we play.
I'm a weird mix of tomboy and girl. I grew up playing sports with the boys yet I collected Barbies too. I now game a lot and am a programmer, but I can't resist cute things. The more useless and cute it is, the more I want it. My personality can vary depending on who I'm with. I do tend to be arrogant sometimes, but it's not that I don't notice it. It's on purpose. For the most part, I'd like to think that I'm really laid back, and I like to be helpful when I can. By the way, though I write in a formal sort of way on my websites, my grammar structure goes to complete crap when I type on any messaging program. I even use an excess of smilies ^^
My hobbies include gaming, art, cosplay, and webdesign. I've been a huge Nintendo fan ever since my parents got me a NES, and I currently buy games faster than I can go through them. They just release too fast now! I remember being able to finish a game before the next game on my list even came out. The consoles I currently play on are my sexy PC (that I custom built), Xbox 360, DS Lite, Wii, and PS2.
As for art, I still love drawing, but unfortunately don't do it as much as I would like. I've been through several different mediums, but pencil, Prismacolor, and oil paints are my current favorites. I also played violin for about 6 years before deciding to quit.
Cosplay is something associated with huge Anime nerds. I know. I like Anime, although I don't watch it as much as I used to, and thus my costumes end up being video game ones. I enjoy the creation of the costumes, and it's why I know how to sew actually. I guess I'm also an attention whore. I love the feeling of wearing the costumes to conventions and being photographed.
Lastly, there's webdesign. It's a hobby I've been passionate about ever since I made my first website in 1999. I can't keep myself from making more and more. I think I always have about 10 open at a time, and I've also been freelancing in it since 2004. It's probably webdesign that led me to my interest in User Interface and my current job. It's webdesign that makes this site possible! ;)
