Notebook
Reflections on life, growth, technology, and leadership.
What Slay the Spire 2 Taught Me About Shipping Software
A roguelike card game in Early Access is running one of the best feedback loops in software. I took notes.
Your Git History Is a Better Design Portfolio Than Figma
When designers move to code-based workflows, the fear is that craft gets lost. But a commit history captures more design intent than any static mockup ever could.
AI Anxiety and What You Can Do About It
AI anxiety is showing up everywhere. At work, at dinner, in every conversation. The first step to coping is naming what you're actually afraid of.
What I'm Telling My Nephew About AI and Our Future Economies
I'm using agentic AI to build software at work while having worried conversations at home about what to tell graduating seniors. Living in two realities at once.
How I Brought a Side Project to Life in 60 Minutes With VoltAgent Subagents
It's 11 PM, my coffee is cold and I'm currently watching my terminal window build a project I conceptualized like an hour ago.
How to Give Advice (Without Being Annoying): The GROW Model
Read the room and spend more time asking questions than making statements.
My Mom's Passing: A Lesson in Acceptance
This morning, my mom passed away. It was after her long fight with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
From Developer to Engineering Manager: Lessons Learned
What does it really mean to be an engineering manager? After my first year, I've narrowed it to three C's of leadership: Clarity, Connection, and Catalyst.
How Learning Vietnamese Deepened My Family Connections
Growing up, I always had a language barrier with my parents. After months of focused study, I surprised my mom with my progress.
How a Mid-Career Break Reshaped My Perspective
In 2021, I hit burnout and took a "retirement for now". Stepping away gave me the perspective and the energy to return to my career stronger than ever.
How I Discovered My Passion for Photography
From saving digital art on our family computer to snapping my first blurry shots on a Nokia flip phone, I slowly built a lifelong love for capturing moments.
What Almost Dying Taught Me About Living
After a serious bike accident left me scraped, concussed, and humbled, I was forced to confront life's fragility.