About
Last update: 2019-07-31
Hey all, I am a full-stack web developer based in (Bay Ridge) Brooklyn, New York. I currently enjoy and specialize in frontend web technologies and mobile apps using React-native. I have a range of full-stack experience with corporate companies, startups, and agencies. My main language is JavaScript, and the libraries/frameworks that I currently use include ES6+ JS, Async JS, ReactJS, React-native and Redux.
My passion is to create and execute ideas at the whim of my thoughts or a well thought out endeavor. My skills lie in speed, the efficiency of execution, the understanding of software architecture combined with the ever-evolving technology stacks to make any idea possible. I create not only my mind but the body, manifested through Bboying and TSMMA.
I enjoy translating what I envision through developing a web app, a website, a function, a medium article, taking photos, or simply writing my thoughts on paper.
My code knowledge comes from a combination of just being curious from when I was in high school (visual basics, c++, HTML, and flash), and throughout college with C++, and Mat-lab. After getting my bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering and working in the industry (U.S. EPA) for two years, it became stagnant and zero challenge (might as well retired).
What I enjoyed most about Mechanical Engineering was the robotics courses, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and ProEngineer. All the rendering software you can think of, and honestly, I was very good at it. The fascination of being able to create digital renderings opened my mind and is what drove me towards code, in particular the web development.
This fascination has never left since, and starting as a self-taught developer was very challenging, but I persevered as it allowed me to create things from my mind's eye. Seeing the feedback come to life right in front of me (my screen at least) was terrific. Fast forward after a lot of freelance/contract work and attending tech meetups, I was also inspired by my brother, who immersed himself at a dev boot-camp called Generalassemb.ly (a startup at the time) about six years ago. I had sought out a job there, and slowly I worked my way into the tech scene located in the Flatiron district of NYC. I worked in various departments, the A/V team, student experience, event coordination (photography, video, professional headshots for LinkedIn). It led me to hone in on my web development knowledge by being plugged into the course curriculum and taking part-time courses and an enormous amount of tutorials online and online boot-camps (Udacity & CareerFoundry). G.A. is also where I met the love of my life at, Stephanie Del Rio, who was studying UXD (User Experience Design) there.
A brief aside, I was born and raised in Brooklyn (eldest of 3), 1/3 of my life was also in Jersey, by Chinese (Beijing / Shandong province) migrants who immigrated to New York in the late 70s. This story is not a new migrant story, but it is a story that echos with many ABC's (American born Chinese) and migrants in general. The struggle with identity, culture, learning English, learning Chinese, learning about racism, and dealing with racism, not being American enough, and not being Chinese enough, yep."Hip-Hop Saved My Life," by Lupe Fiasco describes growing up in the hood of prospect park (it's nice now, don't worry).
One of the four elements of Hip-Hop is Bboying, which had captured my very heart and soul, it is the very thing that saved me from all the adversity of growing up as being a type of outcast. Bboying, to me, is not just being able to perform "cool" moves or staying fit, but it's an identity. This art form has no restriction on you, no age limit, no judgment. You take your thoughts and everything you've bottled up from formlessness into a form of expression. This expression is re-birthed into art that can be recognized by others as your "style" as you progress. One can see your story through your expression, the true and unfiltered style you have created—a brief aside end.
Technology is the future, and the future is now. Coding to me is the medium between my mind, body, and what we consider reality. It allows me to work remotely, and to reach the ability to work remotely is to always be on your toes, learning new techniques, algorithms, efficiency, communication, ultimately being "a company of one." People don't believe the hype of schedule I have and the freedoms it allows, but you have to put in the work and sacrifice. I will tell you that you have a choice (obviously), a conscious choice to do the same, to let work revolve around you. Collectively we are pushing technology and engineering forward towards automation (as least I am, responsibility 'white hat') so that it can free us up to do the things that we love.
