It's been a year and six month since my last post. Time passes by fast doesn't it? In my previous post, I wrote that I found the Instagram account of one Julie's friends. Two weeks after I wrote that, the Instagram account suddenly went private. Bizarre, the guy who owns the account barely updates it and the account was public for years, then it suddenly goes private in just two weeks after I wrote about it. Timing is suspicious, too much of a coincidence to be an accident. Initially I thought about investigating further, but after some deliberation I decided not to. I'll just take it as a sign from the universe that it's over. 2018 was my last chance to be with her, I've accepted it. No further investigation.
Live a good life Julie.
A Different Perspective
Early last year when I found Julie's friend's Instagram account and realizing that I basically screwed over myself back in 2018 by not reaching out to Julie back then, I was filled with regret. I asked my brother what he would have done in my position back then because I needed a different perspective. He said if he was in my position back then he would at least reached out and talked to her. Facepalm, he was right. Throughout my entire life, I constantly made unilateral decisions believing it was for the greater good only for it to backfire on me later on. I should have reached out to Julie back in 2018 when she kept clicking on my blog to get my attention. Even if it didn't worked out, I would have at least communicated with her. Guess it doesn't matter now, but I'll keep this lesson in mind.
Note to self: Communicate, don't just make decisions on your own.
Funeral
Around March 2025, my coworkers informed me that one of our former managers, Lu, passed away. She was a nice lady, passed away at 54 due to lung cancer. Left far too young. I attended her celebration of life in May 2025 where I met many of my current and former coworkers. Most were happy to see me, some were neutral. Not surprising, over the years I fumbled several times socially causing misunderstandings. After the memorial service, everyone began socializing and eating the food that was offered. I tried sneaking away to leave, but one of my coworkers saw me and waved goodbye and then my other coworkers noticed as well. Maybe I should have stayed longer to socialize. Guess it doesn't matter now does it? Rest in peace Lu.
People from the Past
Several years ago I connected with Julia Popova on Linkedin. She probably doesn't even remember me. Julia was a very attractive blonde Delta Gamma sorority girl who had a crush on me back at UCSD. She and I met during my second month at UCSD at the Village Market. She kept hoping I would ask her out, but I was too chicken to do so so nothing ever happened between us. The last time I saw her was at the UCSD Price Center in 2011. She accidentally found my previous blog back in 2013. Recently I checked my Linkedin profile and noticed that she changed her last name to Hooper so I'm guessing she's married now. Good for her. Live a good life Julia.
Earlier this year, 2026, I was at a Costco in the East Bay. When I was near the entrance, I noticed a girl who looked like Phoebe pushing a cart. When I was walking towards her, she stopped and simply looked up left. Phoebe was a girl I met at UCSD, but eventually we had a massive falling out because I began to suspect she was merely using me. By some bizarre coincidence, I bumped into her at a Costco food court in South San Francisco in 2012, several months after I graduated. Back then when she and I saw each other, she kept looking at me hoping that I would say hello, but I walked past her without saying anything. When I looked back, she was tilting her head up like she was crying. After possibly bumping into her earlier this year, I thought about reaching out to her. Maybe I should.
I Have Failed
