My First Patent with IBM - for Interactive Visualizations

I've had the excellent fortune of working with some really talented people who are open to my "zany" ideas. This collaboration proved itself very well. I, along with two other team mates was awarded patent for innovation on a type of visualization - an interactive data diagram of sorts slated to be released in our electronic discovery software (eDiscovery Analyzer). I think it's great to get paid for thinking of ideas!

Honeymoon in New Zealand!

So, Aaron (my husband) and I got married and just got back from our honeymoon in New Zealand. Met up with my good friend Sarah who was my travel buddy back in college. I can say - hands down - New Zealand is my most favorite place. Yep, even better than...dare I say...Hawaii. (I'm sure my grandma just had a heart attack)...sorry cousins!

Comicon 2008!

This year Aaron and I went to Comicon 2008. Like most years, we had a great time. Spent time with our good friend Ernest in San Diego, ate a ton of Mexican food - mmm. The big highlight for next year is the movie "The Watchmen", written, in part by my good friend's husband Alex Tse. Man! Did they go ape-shit over the movie! Congrats Alex! I think you can retire now. :)

View my Comicon photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27614181@N08/sets/72157612092776600/

Long time no see

I know it's been a long while. In all honesty I haven't written for the shear fact that my older brother, Raymond Figueroa, who I was very close to, passed away shortly after my last posting.

It wasn't a surprise - he had been struggling since September of last year. I had gone to to be with him and knew the prospects weren't good. But managed to keep up hopes.

Two months have passed and in the coming postings, I'll be sharing some memories, photos and stories. But in the meantime, I'm back to say 'hi' and 'long time no see'.

sf

SAFARI WEST!

Not too long ago, Aaron and myself went to Safari West. Known for it's natural setting and wild animals, this place is the closest to Safari we've gotten...at least so far! We stayed in a tent cabin, with no TV, no cell phone...no alarm clock and woke up with the sun - just in time to spy the wild animals eating.

We were the only ones awake and had a curious (albeit menacing looking) Ostrich eye us before breakfast.

Oh so Hot!...Like a Curry!

Heeelarious Band!
Aaron surprised me with tix to Flight of the Conchords!

Brett, pulled off his Rhymenoceros Skillz while Gemaine got in touch with his feminine side. Holding true to their unconventional ways, they played at the symphony building in downtown SF.

Even the crowd got into it - as you can see "postapocalyptic apocalypse robot humans" came to see the show.


For those who don't know FOTC: check 'em out!

All we can afford

Aaron & I started house-hunting. Damn it's expensive to live in the Bay Area!