During the first week of winter break, I mostly stayed home at coded a lot in Python. It's way easier to understand and write than Java, and I did a lot of data science stuff with it on DataCamp, and am about two-thirds done with obtaining a career track certificate for a Python Programmer! (and about one-third from Data Scientist with Python).

I also began participating in a few CodeForces contests, but realized how trash I am at this (handle: shiningsunnyday). A lot to improve on here (after a few rounds now I always get As and B's for Div 2 quickly, and occasionally C's, so my goal is to get A-D every contest). I know C++ is the preferred language, but for some reason Java-C++ syntax just throws me off every time, so I'm going to stick with Python (I don't think it matters until a certain point when it gets too slow, but I think CF is decent enough to make sure none of the problems get TLE in each of the languages offered, though I may be wrong).

I also built my first neural network in Python! It classifies images as either cat or non-cat, up to 70% accuracy (actually it's just logistic regression without a single hidden layer). I've been doing this Deep Learning series on Coursera by deeplearning.ai and Andrew Ng, and I'm almost done with the first course (it's really awesome). Once I introduce hidden layers to built deeper neural nets the accuracy should go up to 80-90% (and I can probably build way cooler stuff than image classifiers), but we'll see.

I also did a lot of reading on the MBTI Personality Test. When I took it last year I got INTP (though my four cognitive functions are all pretty borderline), then got INTJ, and INFP each once this time around. By my understanding INTP are engineers who're good with details, whereas INTJ can understand complex theories and turn them into practical uses (this actually sounds more like me). I would think most AoPSers are INT_'s, though I may be wrong.

Finally, I spent a lot of time just laying around, rapping Kpop, and getting fat. Every person goes through this some time of the year, you know.

Day 0 consisted of me arriving to see an over-enthusiastic mom giving me a PlayStation 4. Well you see, I haven't touched a single video game since 8th grade as part of my self-contract so I kind of forgot what it feels like lol. I did some analysis on costs and benefits and decided I won't open it until I get back to Shanghai. Next came the 12 books I ordered on things ranging from competitive programming, AI, technology industries, evolutionary biology, behavioral psychology and how to pick up girls.

The next day I went to watch a Warriors game against the Grizzlies which made me realize how un-fun it is to watch modern NBA, compared to just 5 years ago when there was actually defense. Then yesterday we went outlet shopping and I got bought a bunch of clothes, after which we went to a Korean BBQ place and I rage ate 2 kg of beef and pork. I went home, crashed, and slept past when the clock struck 12:00:00 (for all years in recent memory I've made a wish at the right time, and for the most part the wishes have come true; actually, I think I was dreaming of something grandiose, does that count as a wish?). So... here I am at 3 AM in the morning.

Pursue hobbies solely for the fun of it
Become knowledgeable
Become good with people

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