Sorry about the downtime on this site, there was a CPU overload which caused our server having to upgrade from a VPS to dedicated. With that said, my recent post about Cyber Camp was deleted and I’m attempting to retype the whole thing. Please excuse this extremely lengthy post since I’m covering a lot of topics here. I will save you the trouble by having a header before each paragraph. Sounds fair?
I was at Cyber Camp for 6 days which took place at a university 30 minutes (1.25 hours with traffic) away from my house. From Monday to Thursday, we went through different topics on cyber security from 8:30am until 5:30pm. On a couple of those days, we had different sessions from 7pm until 8/9pm. This overall experience at camp was worth my time and it really encouraged me to pursue my interest in the cyber security division. This is one of the best and busiest week I have had this summer.
The College Life- I can conclude that I experienced partial of the college life. Every night, I have slept for 5 hours at the very most. On Wednesday night, I had only 3 hours of sleep. Every night, I was busy whether it was hanging out, meeting new people, or just doing our own things (like playing Words with Friends). Many of the other people who attended the camp slept way less than me, only because they’re used to it. There was also a group of people who played Counter Strike until 2am.
So What Brings You Here?- I got asked that question, “So what brought you here to camp?” several times by the others. My answer was basically, “Cyber Patriot brought me here”. Cyber Patriot is a competition where high schools compete in hardening their Windows and Linux systems.. Which cyber camp doesn’t cover at all since Cyber Patriot is the basics of everything.
Food- The food from the school is set up in a buffet style where you can choose what you eat. The food was pretty decent if you ask me. Though the food that I enjoyed more were the ones I paid for which includes a plate of steak from BJ’s and 3 boxes of sushi from the street across. Somehow, I lost my appetite for the past 2 weeks so my plate from BJ’s took me 4 meals to finish.
Breaking the Asian Stereotype- According to the many of the people from camp, I break the “Asian Stereotypes”. I’m usually a really outgoing person and I socialize easily with other people. It’s really rare that you see me come off as a shy person. My whole lifestyle strays away from many of the Asian Stereotypes, such as the music I listen to is pretty “obnoxious” (Electronic Dance Music), I am licensed to drive a car, and a few other things that is self explanatory. The only Asian stereotype that I fit into is the fact that I’m short and I’m pretty good at playing instruments.
Endless Days- Every day from Monday to Thursday, we had something new to learn. It cramming a week’s worth of notes into 10 hours each day, which was pretty exhausting. We covered topics that includes working with Scapy, Social Engineering, using SamuraiWTF, Hacking Techniques,what Social Ethics are. This whole experience is worth it because I pretty much survived the lectures and understood the topics pretty well for a beginner. I would attend Cyber Camp again next year if I have the opportunity to do so.
CTF- On the final day of cyber camp, we had a competition called “Capture the Flag”- which is basically something similar to a scavenger hunt. We’re supposed to find “keys” for what the score bot requests by using tools we acquired during the other 4 days of camp. My team (the “woman’s team”) placed 6th out of 9. I don’t like the general idea of splitting the genders because there was only 1 team of females while the other 8 teams are filled with men. I don’t care about this whole “girl power” thing because if we want a successful society, we have to work together without being split apart purposely.
I had a really memorable experience this week at the camp, whether it was inside of class time or outside of class time. A lot of things happened and it was all worth it.. Except for me not bringing an extra blanket, the air conditioner was on during all of the nights- which made my room really cold. I came home on Friday during the late afternoon thanks to the rush hour traffic.
The Wedding- On the day after coming home from camp, I had a wedding to attend. I had an amazing date who was there to enjoy the entire event with me. The whole ceremony was pretty peaceful considering how it took place at a residential house. I liked how time went by slowly and I got to take pleasure in the mini events that took place during the ceremony… Including dancing and making a toast to the newly married couple. The whole experience was amazing, words can’t literally describe what has happened. I suppose it’s something that the world doesn’t have to know. Looking back to it, I honestly feel really lucky.
This is the first wedding I have been to that involves my friends directly.. Along with the fact that it’s the first band alumni wedding for my generation in band. I am pleased that I attended unlike many of the people who said they will come (and didn’t). The whole wedding was remarkable and it’s something worth keeping memories for. There was a lot of significance within this event, which makes it really special. (I love how I am describing the feeling of the event rather than describing what has happened)
I can conclude that this is the best week of my summer. Was Cyber Camp and the wedding better than my trip to Las Vegas? As much as I had fun bonding with the girls on the last night at Vegas, I’d like to go back to make the whole experience a lot better. I suppose that is saved for next time. So yes, the experiences both at Cyber Camp and the wedding are memorable in my account; separately or joint. I’m not saying that Vegas sucked, I’m saying that both Cyber Camp and the wedding is better. Even after a thousand words within this post, I’m still speechless. (Yes, it’s that extraordinary)
I definitely have a lot more to say- but I suppose that can be saved for another post next time.
On Jul 24,2012 at 10:17 am, Christa wrote:
The internet has a whole has been acting weird – or it’s just my internet…which is possible since it has rained a bit. Rain isn’t my friend. But when I’m sitting at the shop – they have amazing internet that will at least let me tweet my little heart out. Ha ha!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the camp – hopefully you’ll have a chance to attend again. And I have to say I’m amazing (not in a good way) that they split genders up. It doesn’t make sense in any way to do that – in the real world genders are mixed and you have to learn to work with the other gender.
The only “wedding” I’ve been to was my brothers – it wasn’t a wedding though because NOTHING was ready! The wedding cake was still in the pan! And honestly, to me weddings don’t seem fun…but that may be because I know I have to dress “like a lady”. I clean up well, but don’t like doing it.
On Jul 24,2012 at 11:10 am, Chynna wrote:
Long blog post is long *_* Lots for me to comment on!
I don’t know why I’m extremely happy that you’ve experienced college sleeping patterns before you’ve even started college. It’s like a right of passage to stay up till at least 1 or 2AM just… because. Especially if you’re busy, so you kind of can’t help but stay up late.
At least you got your meal to last you a bit longer. Your money went a long way :D My university offers meals but I definitely prefer to either eat out or make my own meal.
That’s a lot of things to learn in a week. It’ll definitely come in handy, I bet.
Hmm, I agree with the idea of gender-splitting. That seems a little… hmm. I mean you don’t get that in real life situations. Everybody works together no matter what their gender.
Oh, hellooooo Nancy! Who was your date? Or is there nothing to be excited about? Let me just sit down. Ahem. I love weddings! I’ve been a bridesmaid at two and I’m going to my cousin’s in December. Can’t wait! There’s something so peaceful and beautiful about weddings. :D
I’m glad you had fun, though. I love when you make memorable experiences, so that when you look back it just makes you grin like a fool. Haha.
Do you love books?
I’m having a book giveaway @ http://theinvisiblechild.info
On Jul 25,2012 at 1:56 am, Chynna wrote:
Summer is never summer in England, to be honest. Ha. I swear this is the only country where it rains and/or is cold during the summer. Sigh. This country.
Thank you for entering! :D
Omg, another person who watches Suits! Yaaaaaaay. I love Suits! You should try and catch up with it because it actually so good! What’s Burn Notice? I’m always looking for more television shows to watch. I watch too much television. Haha.
I don’t know but you kind of get used to a messed up sleeping pattern after a while. You only did it for a week, so maybe you weren’t used to it. When you get to university, though… whew!
Ha, I already displayed my excitement on Twitter but again WOOOOOH! Totally something to get excited about.
On Jul 26,2012 at 7:25 pm, Thuyy wrote:
I was just going to ask why you had so little hours of sleep, but I guess it makes sense. lol My sister, now a second year in college, stayed up until like 2AM everyday. Actually, I don’t understand, nevermind. lol
Tell me more about breaking the Asian stereotype! Because I’m glad for ya, since I’m here just adding more fire to it. haha
Glad you had fun though. Camp, even though I’ve never been more than 3 days, is always fun, especially during summer, where you have nothing else to do. (:
Aww, still not dishing anything more about your amazing date? ]: ahaha jk, jk glad you had fun at the wedding. I know I NEVER have fun at weddings, since vietnamese weddings consist of ceremonial (mostly) Budddhist temple stuff and then a lousy reception at a Chinese restaurant. Ahh… ahha
On Jul 27,2012 at 9:46 am, Michelle wrote:
I was wondering what happened but I figured that you’d get the problem fixed up in no time. But wow, what a long post but you did have a lot going on.
I know about those college hours. I’ve watched my friends experience it. Lol
But that’s cool about cyber camp and I’m glad that you’re just yourself regardless of stereotypes, you know?
And the wedding sounds like it was fun. I recently went to a wedding reception and it was the bomb seriously. It was just great fun.
On Jul 27,2012 at 6:54 pm, Chansoriya wrote:
Welcome welcome welcome to the college life Nancy! I’m not being sarcastic either! If you look past the nights you don’t sleep enough… and bad days… I think college is awesome :)
Buffet style food, yum. I’m only speaking for my school when I say I got sick of the food after two semesters.. make that 3/4. I missed Asian food so much! The Asian food at my school was basically Chinese take-out which isn’t even Chinese as you may know… =.=
Your camp sounds fun and I wish I went to something like it. My interest for Comp Sci came to late.. about a month or two ago so I can only shove in enough classes to get a minor. D: 6/9 isn’t bad! I agree with your gender comment. It feels like years before people can grasp that concept.
Congrats to your alumni’s wedding! I’m hearing about weddings getting closer to my age everywhere lately. *hides under covers* I’m only 19, please let me stay young foreverrrr.
On Jul 28,2012 at 3:19 pm, Ashley wrote:
Seems like Cyber Camp was a great time! And the wedding was probably great! I’ve been to a couple weddings and they’re always fun.
Myself personally only have one best friend, doesn’t mean they can only have one, or can’t have more friends. I just use the term best friend very lightly.
Your experiences seem horrible!
On Jul 28,2012 at 7:09 pm, Kris wrote:
Aww it’s horrible to have to retype a whole blog! I would’ve just moved on haha because I wouldn’t be able to remember!
I didn’t dorm, so my sleeping 5 hours a night was because of my commute and time wasting! But thank god that’s gone now that I transfered schools! I like buffet style food. It’s not fair to limit it to something I can’t eat!
Asians listen to “obnoxious” electro dance music. That’s like the most Asian thing ever. Just that you listen to Lady Gaga and we listen to 2NE1. Lol did I just say we. Asians are outgoing and socialize too, but maybe not where you live? In my school all of the few Asians we had stuck together.
Your whole experience sounded so fun! It sounded like a lot to do especially on little sleep but good things happen that way a lot.
Haha yup weddings are great. It’s a nice feeling to see someone celebrate their love and commitment!
I wouldn’t be able to choose between Korea or China so you can say Cyber Camp and Vegas are equally great!
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I’m getting back to comments now, and it’s okay if you don’t retype your lost comment. I’ll try to remember the stuff you said or asked.
I had a lot A LOT of alcohol. I don’t do well with more than stuff that is low in alcohol content. I had soju and the Korean version of sake. My cousin actually doesn’t know Seoul that well since he’s from Busan which is in the other end of Korea, but it’s just that he is Korean he wouldn’t get lost. If I got lost I wouldn’t even be able to ask someone to help me find my way.
On Jul 28,2012 at 8:57 pm, Zan wrote:
I’ve always been really good at getting absorbed in books. Like, a really good movie can even have difficulty attracting my attention, but if it’s a good book, I just can’t put it down. I read my first one-day huge novel in fifth grade. It was about 400 words, and I cleared it in a night. -lol-
Thanks for the birthday wishes, again! And FAFSA is actually coming along. My parents have finally filed their 2011 tax return, so it’s just a matter of getting a hold of my school. And why don’t you have a university to go to? =/
I refuse to join Pinterest too, haha. I just . . . don’t understand. And it kinda seems like a ripoff of Tumblr, honestly.
I used to have reviews on my site, but I don’t really keep track of those. -shrugs- I added a new tutorial, and I’ve even considered doing a site tutorial, with a list of “dos” and “don’ts.” I just don’t want it to be too repetitive or similar to someone else’s similar article.
Meh, luckily my friend has an even shorter attention span, and quickly forgot “Zan.” My other real life friends don’t really care. I just tell them I do it for security, which is *kinda* true. I mean, with a fake name, I can be more honest about where I live or where I go to school, because no one will be able to find a “Zan” there. (Or, if they do, it certainly won’t be me.) But mostly I just do it because I’ve been called by it for so long, I’m too lazy to change.
Yeah, I think people only use IE because of ignorance. Not that I’m saying people who use it are dumb, they just don’t realize how inconvenient it is for us website coders. xP
That Cyber Camp sounds super cool, and I think pursuing something along those lines would be amazing. There has to be a buttload of career options for you, right? Anyway, it’s nice you have a place to get all that information. I haven’t heard of anything of its type being around here.
Yay for beating stereotypes! It’s always nice when you don’t conform to society’s expectations of you. ^^ But, I s’pose most Asian stereotypes aren’t quite as mean as others out there. =/ “You’re Asian, so you’re smart” is better than “You’re African American, so you’re a criminal.” -shrugs- Unfortunately, I think I fall into almost every white American stereotype out there. =P
That wedding sounds fun! I went to a wedding in late June with my good buddy. They’re so much fun, especially when you’re close to the bride and/or groom.
On Jul 29,2012 at 6:32 am, Joyce wrote:
I’m so glad to hear you had a great time at Cyber Camp and the wedding!! :) I feel like events like weddings, etc. are so much more fun when you have a date that is ‘fun’ too lol..nothing worse than hanging around someone for the majority of the time who can’t have a little fun dancing or socializing lol!
LOL about the asian stereotype. I also fit those same 2 asian stereotypes..i’m also short and i’m decent playing the piano :) But, I also break the stereotype too by being a go-getter type of person (like what you mentioned about yourself!) *high fives*
I never really understood the whole feminist mentality thing either..so I agree with what you said! Teamwork gets a lot more things done!
Joyce @ carouselstreet.com