Up close - Stan Lim

Here are some highlights from my life:

1968 I was born in the small town of Kluang, in Malaysia. "Kluang" in the Malaysian language means "bats" or "flying foxes". Even for a "small" town, Kluang has at least 2 web sites: http://www.kluang-online.com and http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8554/

1973 I went to Jin-Ai Kindergarthen and got my only formal Chinese schooling. Don't ask me how much I remember. I DO remember making friends who were with me until we finished high school.

1975 First grade (Or "Standard One" as we called it) in Tengku Mahmood 1. I remember the multiplication tables drills that my Dad put me through.

1980 Standard Six (Sixth grade). We were the "seniors" in the school. I was the Troop Leader for the Cub Scouts, a member of the school choir and a member of the Science and Math Quiz Team. We lost the town championship to the all-girl team from Canossian Convent, where my Mom was an English and fine arts teacher. I also started taking music lessons on the organ.

1981 Junior High! Form One at Kluang High School. I hated those olive-green pants we had to wear for uniform. This was also the year I completed a 10Km swim, and started competitive swimming.

1983 This was an important year because I took my S. R. P. exams to determine if I qualified for Form Four. I had sore eyes for half the examinations, but did okay. I also joined the school's Tae Kwon Do club.

1984 This was an interesting year. I was on the school debating team, which became state champions for the first time. I was on the swim team, and on the track team. Saying my studies suffered was an understatement. It took me months to catch up.

1985 Last year in High School for me. Big exams at the end of the year (Cambridge "O" Levels), and the threat of losing long-time friends as some of us parted ways the next year.

1986 I moved to Petaling Jaya to attend Damansara College, a junior college which prepared students for colleges in America, Australia and England. In my first semester, I was voted the "Most Sporting Freshie," probably because during "Orientation Week," I dared walk up to a senior and tell him "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits."

1987 USA, here I come! I spent July 4^th at Disneyland, Anaheim. Started Engineering school at Fresno State University, California in Fall. I was awarded the "Most Outgoing Freshman" award during orientation. In my first semester, I got my first (and unfortunately, only) 4.0 GPA.

1990 Created MicroMUSH, later known as MicroMUSE, the world's first text based virtual reality with an educational charter in the summer. In December, I graduated Magna Cum Laude and armed with my B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering, I set out to find a job.

1991 Got a job, yay! I moved to Silicon Valley in May to work at Cisco Systems, which was in Menlo Park at that time. I was a Manufacturing Test Engineer.

1994 I didn't think I'd go back to school so soon, but I completed the Certificate in Telecommunications Engineering program (with Distinction) from the University of California, Berkeley Extension in April. In June, I started on my MBA program at Santa Clara University.

1996 Still working at the same company, in the same department, although the job responsibilities changed. My then new manager made me an offer I didn't refuse. He made me a manager.

1997 I bought my first house in January. Now I live in San Jose. I graduated in the top 20% in the MBA program in the summer. I celebrated by buying myself a nice mountain bike and going for rides every weekend.

Created: 95/09/05.
Updated:97/12/27.

1968	I was born in the small town of Kluang, in Malaysia. "Kluang" in the Malaysian language means "bats" or "flying foxes". Even for a "small" town, Kluang has at least 2 web sites: http://www.kluang-online.com and http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8554/
1973	I went to Jin-Ai Kindergarthen and got my only formal Chinese schooling. Don't ask me how much I remember. I DO remember making friends who were with me until we finished high school.
1975	First grade (Or "Standard One" as we called it) in Tengku Mahmood 1. I remember the multiplication tables drills that my Dad put me through.
1980	Standard Six (Sixth grade). We were the "seniors" in the school. I was the Troop Leader for the Cub Scouts, a member of the school choir and a member of the Science and Math Quiz Team. We lost the town championship to the all-girl team from Canossian Convent, where my Mom was an English and fine arts teacher. I also started taking music lessons on the organ.
1981	Junior High! Form One at Kluang High School. I hated those olive-green pants we had to wear for uniform. This was also the year I completed a 10Km swim, and started competitive swimming.
1983	This was an important year because I took my S. R. P. exams to determine if I qualified for Form Four. I had sore eyes for half the examinations, but did okay. I also joined the school's Tae Kwon Do club.
1984	This was an interesting year. I was on the school debating team, which became state champions for the first time. I was on the swim team, and on the track team. Saying my studies suffered was an understatement. It took me months to catch up.
1985	Last year in High School for me. Big exams at the end of the year (Cambridge "O" Levels), and the threat of losing long-time friends as some of us parted ways the next year.
1986	I moved to Petaling Jaya to attend Damansara College, a junior college which prepared students for colleges in America, Australia and England. In my first semester, I was voted the "Most Sporting Freshie," probably because during "Orientation Week," I dared walk up to a senior and tell him "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits."
1987	USA, here I come! I spent July 4^th at Disneyland, Anaheim. Started Engineering school at Fresno State University, California in Fall. I was awarded the "Most Outgoing Freshman" award during orientation. In my first semester, I got my first (and unfortunately, only) 4.0 GPA.
1990	Created MicroMUSH, later known as MicroMUSE, the world's first text based virtual reality with an educational charter in the summer. In December, I graduated Magna Cum Laude and armed with my B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering, I set out to find a job.
1991	Got a job, yay! I moved to Silicon Valley in May to work at Cisco Systems, which was in Menlo Park at that time. I was a Manufacturing Test Engineer.
1994	I didn't think I'd go back to school so soon, but I completed the Certificate in Telecommunications Engineering program (with Distinction) from the University of California, Berkeley Extension in April. In June, I started on my MBA program at Santa Clara University.
1996	Still working at the same company, in the same department, although the job responsibilities changed. My then new manager made me an offer I didn't refuse. He made me a manager.
1997	I bought my first house in January. Now I live in San Jose. I graduated in the top 20% in the MBA program in the summer. I celebrated by buying myself a nice mountain bike and going for rides every weekend.