Derpie the Duckling
Whew, what a whirlwind of a month it has been! I haven't had much of an opportunity to sit down and draw for myself. Here's a quick speedpaint/sketch.
Farewell, Zynga East
As of the March 1st, 2013, I am no longer an employee of Zynga. My studio in Baltimore shut down last week. It was not an easy decision to make, as I was truly looking forward to joining my colleagues in San Francisco. Coworkers past and present touched me on some level (usually in ways that were appropriate), and, frankly, spoiled the hell out of me whether I deserved it or not. I wish everyone from Zynga East and Zynga HQ the best of luck.
I've finally found the courage to seek out what truly makes me happy, and the confidence in my ability to find it.
I'm not totally sure what's next, but I'm not going to die leaving behind a trail of regrets. I'm going to live every day engaged, enthused, and thankful for the time I have here.
Thank you for shaping me into the kind of person I can respect today.
The top five regrets of the dying is an eye-opening read, and I suggest everyone take it to heart.
Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying
Top Five Regrets of the Dying
1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
"This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it."
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
"Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying."
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again."
Some Facebook Status Updates.
"Working with the fine folks at Zynga East was the best way I could have possibly spent the last 3.5 years of my life. Thank you for being a part of some very formidable years for me - I got some cool skills, made some sick games with excellent people who I respect and admire, and discovered a lot about establishing the kind of career that makes me want to leap out of bed with a huge smile on my face. I look forward to the opportunity of working with you again. Not every decision I make is going to be the right one, but I've grown as an individual who can take ownership of those outcomes and roll with any punches that come my way. Good luck to everyone, past and present, from my beloved studio-- you are some of the most talented, sharp, and unique people I've had the pleasure of meeting, and you've shaped me to be who I am today. You are loved." - H Zhang, February 25, 2013
"Sometimes you need tough things to happen for you to reevaluate what's the most important thing in your life, right now, and many years down the line. I'm going to work on cultivating as much happiness as I can." - H Zhang, February 28, 2013
