When Taiwan’s McDonald’s Bumped into Seattle: A Fast Food Chat Story!

Setting the Scene

It was just another coding morning at McDonald’s, or so I thought. The familiar aroma of coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of freshly fried potatoes. I settled into my usual spot, laptop open, ready to dive into the world of Python programming. My mission for the day: work on my AI copilot project with Claude.AI.

As I sipped my coffee, my fingers danced across the keyboard, lost in the intricate maze of code. The bustling atmosphere of the fast-food restaurant faded into the background, replaced by the quiet hum of my thoughts and the occasional tap of my coffee mug on the table.

Vaguely, I registered a young lady seated about five meters away, engrossed in a phone conversation. Her voice was a distant murmur, barely penetrating my bubble of concentration. University-related topics, perhaps? I couldn’t be sure, nor did I care much at that moment. My world had narrowed down to the lines of code scrolling across my screen.

But then, a single word cut through my focus like a knife: “Seattle.” Sponsor

Memories of Seattle

Suddenly, I was transported from the realm of Python to the misty shores of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle – a city that held so many memories, both bitter and sweet.

My mind wandered to my old friend, Kevin Supinger, now living in the greater Seattle area. A Harley enthusiast, Kevin and I had shared countless adventures in Silicon Valley. Though we hadn’t spoken in over two decades, our friendship remained a cherished memory, a testament to the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of innovation and creativity.

Seattle also held darker memories. My heart ached as I remembered my young sister, taken too soon by cancer in 2018. The following year, I had visited her home in Sequim, a small town of breathtaking beauty across the strait from Victoria, Canada. The visit had been bittersweet, filled with regret that I hadn’t made the journey sooner.

But Seattle wasn’t all sorrow. It was a city of milestones and new beginnings. I smiled, recalling my son’s graduation from the University of Washington in 2013, his subsequent work at Allrecipes.com and Amazon, and finally, his joyous wedding day. We had walked the streets of Seattle together, marveling at the city’s vibrant energy.

An Unexpected Conversation

As these memories flooded back, I found myself standing up, drawn by an inexplicable urge to connect. I approached the young lady, my curiosity piqued. “Excuse me,” I said, “I couldn’t help but overhear. Were you talking about Seattle?”

Her surprise quickly gave way to a warm smile. “Yes, I was! I’m actually trying to help a friend who’s interested in attending the University of Washington.”

As we began to chat, I learned that she was a senior at UCLA, impressively juggling a double major in MBA and Computer Science. Her eyes lit up as she spoke about her internship at Meta, her love for Silicon Valley’s innovative spirit, and her aspirations to work in venture capital or as a product manager in a high-tech company.

Drawing from my 12 years as a software engineer in Silicon Valley and 15 years in sales and marketing for a Taiwan IC design company, I offered her some advice. “A computer science background will definitely give you an edge in landing those positions,” I said. “But the key is to be unique and creative enough to capture a company’s attention in just three minutes.”

We delved into the importance of embracing AI, practicing with it daily to create a vibrant future in the tech industry. As we talked, I couldn’t help but marvel at the serendipity of our meeting. Here was a young woman who had graduated from the same high school as my children, now sitting across from me in a McDonald’s in Taiwan, discussing her dreams of conquering Silicon Valley.

Our conversation flowed easily, touching on topics from career strategies to life philosophies. I shared with her a little secret from my own journey: “After 14 years as a software engineer, I discovered that my true passion lay in sales and marketing!”

Reflections and Advice

As our impromptu chat drew to a close, I felt a sense of fulfillment. This chance encounter had not only brightened my day but had also allowed me to pass on some hard-earned wisdom to the next generation of tech innovators.

Reflecting on our conversation, I realized the beauty of such unexpected connections. Life has a way of surprising us, even in the most mundane of settings. Who would have thought that a coding session in McDonald’s would lead to a cross-generational exchange of ideas and experiences?

So, dear reader, here’s my advice to you: If you want to inject a little excitement into your day, whether you’re in the prime of your career or enjoying retirement, just walk into your nearest McDonald’s and strike up a conversation. You never know where it might lead. Embrace the uncertainty, welcome the unexpected, and above all, have fun!

Oh, and one last thing – a little linguistic humor for you. The phrase “台灣麥當勞巧遇西雅圖” can be humorously translated as “When Taiwan’s McDonald’s Bumped into Seattle: A Fast Food Love Story!” This playful translation, courtesy of our Taiwan uncle’s AI (which we’ve affectionately nicknamed “Hanji AI”), never fails to make me chuckle.

So here’s to unexpected encounters, to bridges built over cups of fast-food coffee, and to the stories waiting to unfold in the most unlikely of places. May your days be filled with surprise connections and your hearts open to the wisdom they bring. After all, life’s greatest adventures often begin with a simple “hello” in a place as ordinary as McDonald’s.

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