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. In fact, there was a small incident when I arrived in Sydney - I did a shakeout run near the hotel, and I did not watch the pavement carefully and I tripped and skinned my knee on my way back (thankfully the joint’s okay). During the hike in Long Reef, I kept examnining my injury situation and telling myself it shouldn't affect my race.

My running friend Alex was also on a trip in Australia and it was great that he made it to Sydney to hang out. The day before the race we went to the Marathon expo, then had some pizza and pasta for carb-loading.

Perhaps it's because of the nice scenery and the initial excitement, I had a relatively faster pace in the beginning than I would normally run a full marathon, and I have to admit I did not intentionally manage my heart rate and energy level as well as I did in Tokyo.

The race turns more difficult at the 30k mark, reminding me of the bonk I had before in Vancouver in 2023 and Toronto in 2024. The elevation profile of this course was also less friendly than Tokyo. I cramped again and had to slow down the last bit of the race.

However, I was incredibly grateful for the amazing energy from the crowd along the way. Near the finish line, a woman even slowed down to cheer me on, telling me she wouldn’t leave me behind and pushing me to match her pace.

Nevertheless, I made it to the finish line, and even it's not sub-4, I am still happy with the results because I knew I did my best. There was a long walk from the finish line to the exit finishing area. Unlike previous marathons, where excitement outweighed fatigue, I felt completely drained and didn’t even want to talk.

Alex and I got dim sum, followed by a (very average) spa visit and some decent sushi. The next day, we set off for our next destinations. It was a brief trip but was still filled with lots of fun!

Vancouver BMO Marathon

It has become a tradition for me to sign up for the Vancouver Marathon every year. Having spent so much time in this city, I have a deep connection to it. The race is close to my birthday, it’s always a special celebration. It also gives me a reason to fly back to meet up with some friends.

Initially, I considered switching to the half marathon due to slight pain in my right knee. However, I decided to stick with the full distance. Having run this race many times, I trusted my experience and believed I could make it to the finish, and surprisingly I got my PB.

San Francisco 5k and Half Marathon

I signed up for the SF half marathon as a practice and warm-up for my Sydney marathon the month after, and also signed up for the 5K race on Saturday just for fun.

The bridge half is relatively harder compared to the city half, and there was a segment on the north side of the bridge with around 50m of elevation gain (garmin-golden-gate-challenge/). Probably it's because I have practiced on this hill before and had some energy reserved, I managed to finished that segement in 4:30 mins and ranked 63 out of 7101.

Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon

It’s amazing to have two coworkers on my team who are also avid runners. They even run 100k ultra-marathons! I signed up for this half marathon in October with them just for fun. Since the race was right after my business trip to China, I didn't have much time to train, but fortunately, the course was very flat and I am happy with my time.

Throughout the year, I did not intentionally expand my social circle beyond the friends I already knew or new people I met through work, running, or mentorship programs. As an introvert, I admit it takes time and energy to establish meaningful connections. However, I have realized that the Bay Area is a magnet for visitors, drawing people for tourism, conferences, internships, or new jobs.

When I lived in Toronto, friends from other cities rarely visited. Since moving here, I get the chance to meet up with friends from Canada, China, and Australia almost every month. I love showing them around my neighborhood, taking them to Apple's cafeteria at Infinite Loop, and checking out local events.

I also made it back to Toronto three times (for two weddings and US Thanksgiving) and Vancouver twice (for the Marathon and Christmas). I made time to catch up with friends, or simply going for a run together.

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 about the work itself, the experience reconnected me to my roots and helped me appreciate the pivotal role this country plays in the world's economy.

Beyond the amazing food, I was deeply impressed by the country's efficiency and productivity, and how they have driven such rapid changes over the past decade or so. I will definitely find another chance to go again soon!

Shenzhen

Shanghai

Suzhou

Having relocated frequently since university, I adapt quickly to new environments. Usually, I am so consumed by the logistics and onboarding process that I have little time to dwell on the past or the people I left behind.

However, counterintuitive as it may sound, homesickness actually hits me whenever I fly back to Canada, which I consider my second home. I realized I used to take so many things for granted: the authentic Chinese food, close friends, and hiking trails, and it’s bittersweet knowing I only have a short time to enjoy them.

I think everyone has their own definition of "home". I have met people who prefer to settle down early or even stay in their hometown for their entire lives, while others prefer to move around every once in a while and consider anywhere their home. Although I seem to fall into the latter category, I am starting to understand the hidden tradeoffs of moving too frequently. Deep relationships take time to cultivate, and maintaining them from a distance is challenging.

It is inevitable to feel nostalgic sometimes. "Home" inherently represents a comfort zone - an essential sanctuary when we feel exhausted or lost. On the other hand, we are constantly encouraged to step out of our comfort zone in order to grow. I have yet to figure out my own definition of home, but knowing my stay at any place is temporary and there might be another change on the horizon, I tend to feel more present. I am grateful for the people and things right in front of me, and I try to treasure what they have to offer.

I first came across the term 人工智能 (AI) almost 20 years ago on the control panel of a washing machine, although I did not know what it really meant until university. Because my interests have always leaned more toward the hardware side of things, I haven't spent much time diving deep into AI or staying on the cutting edge of the field.

I tend to take a reserved attitude toward paradigm shifts in technology. After spending time in the automotive industry, I witnessed countless edge cases and road conditions that existing ADAS technologies simply cannot handle. For this reason, I remain reluctant to fully hand over control to an automated system without keeping a human-in-the-loop, and I remain skeptical of the HMI design choices made by certain OEMs in their latest vehicles.

However, skepticism should not lead to avoidance. At work, I have embraced AI tools extensively for research, organizing thoughts, and programming. While it is frustrating when agents rely on bad assumptions, the benefits are undeniable. AI has freed me from repetitive tasks, allowing me to focus on identifying the right problems to solve.

For a long time, I struggled to reconcile these two sides of me: the cautious engineer and the curious adopter. I found the inspiration from the concept of MAYA (Most Advanced Yet Acceptable).

MAYA explains how to introduce innovation by balancing novelty with familiarity. A classic example is the original Toyota hybrid. It had a powertrain capable of sitting silently at a stoplight, yet engineers intentionally programmed the car to "creep" forward when the brake was lifted, mimicking the familiar feel of a traditional automatic transmission to make drivers feel safe.

If MAYA bridges the gap between the "New" and the "Familiar", then "Trust but Verify" bridges the gap between AI's power (Advanced) and human accountability (Acceptable). Going forward, I plan to maintain this balanced mindset: cautious enough to verify, but open-minded enough to leverage the full potential of AI.

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer." - Randy Pausch

Growing up, I used to associate pride with success. Now, I associate it with resilience. I have come to realize that not everything goes as planned, especially in the world of engineering. Looking back on this year, I faced countless challenges at work and discomfort while running marathons. I admit that I still have a tendency to avoid facing these difficulties at first, but I've learned that if I do, they eventually come back.

I feel lucky to be inspired by many people at Apple who embody a "find-a-way, can-do" attitude. This encourages me to view challenges and failures as opportunities, pushing me to seek truth at a deeper level and resolve problems at their root. Even when a situation isn't in the shape I want it to be, nothing is more satisfying than the process of turning it around.

It is a humbling reality that luck played a major role in my year. Whether it was the luck of the draw in marathon lotteries or a recruiter reaching out to me, many of this year's defining moments happened to me rather than by me. Recognizing this fact keeps me grounded and ensures I treat every opportunity with the gratitude it deserves.

I have never been the person at the very top of the pack, be it in academics, athletics, or my professional career. On some occasions, I have to admit that "being the top x%" was not my top priority. Other times, even when I did try my hardest, I simply wasn't the most naturally gifted person in the room. Over time, I have come to accept the fact that I am an ordinary person with my own limitations.

But from time to time, there is a quiet voice inside me telling me that I can and should do things, regardless of their significance, to ultimately meet my own standards. Naturally, these standards have risen after being exposed to such world-class opportunities this year. After all, since "continuous improvement" is one of my core values, aiming for excellence feels like a natural progression, and that is exactly what inspired my theme for this year.

Therefore, I remind my future self to remain ambitious: not for status, but for integrity, growth, uniqueness, and ultimately, peace of mind.

In the past 2 years I have been trying to internalize Alan Mulally's Working Together leadership and management system and incorporate it into my own life. As I learn more, the more I find the structure of his "Compelling Vision" very profound. Here are some examples:

People working together as a lean, global enterprise for automotive leadership. (Ford)

People working together to produce the preferred Boeing 777 airplane family. (Boeing)

These vision statements have the following characteristics:

1. They begin with people

2. They have a meaningful and ambitious purpose

3. They represent a journey not a destination

4. They shift the focus of the leadership from I to we

When I reflect on my past year with Apple, I cannot stress enough the power and importance of people working together. During my business trip, I met many experts in various domains like optics, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and program management. One important characteristic they shared was their openness to learn things outside their specializations and work on solutions together. I asked many fundamental questions in their subject areas, and in turn, I learned to have empathy when others asked basic questions in mine.

Another revelation is that "Working Together" goes far beyond my 9-to-5 job. It applies to everything from collaborating with my mentees at school and coordinating my relocation with advisors, to planning trips and meetups with friends. The principle is universal.

One observation from my highlights this year is that many of my stories started with "I". Next year, I wish to prioritize activities that involve more people, shifting the narrative from individual achievements to shared experiences, and from "I" to "we".