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If someone asks me what stands in my life more than anything else, it is magic. Why magic? Because it is the one who introduced me a new way of living. It's more than a hobby, it's not just a talent. It is a way of living, it is the way I identify myself. Through Magic, I've found myself. I'm Andost
2005. Competed in IBM, one of the biggest magic convention in the US. Of course, I didn't win anything. But again, I learned a lot, a new vision came up. I have the feeling that I'm more close to success now. At least now I know what it takes to be the best, what it takes to make a legend. I have one more year to go. Once I graduated from my master program, it would be hard to compete in magic conventions. A full time job at corporate is not going to let me take a week of practicing and competing. So this year will be my last chance. Of course, I'm still aiming for the highest award.
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 Chinese new year 2004. Did a total of 3 shows for ACC, IUCSSA, and TWSA. The ACC show was just out of random. Got the notice that morning and decided to show up and give a 20 min show at the black culture center. Did mostly old stuff from years before.
IUCSSA performance was one of the best performances I have done so far. The stage was great, IU auditorium, can't expect anything more than that. Also the audience response is great. Spend a lot of time and money preparing for this performance, Although didn't get paid, but I was a lot of fun already performing there. Started up with 8 min stage routine, then some party magic, and end up with card manipulation and super walking knot.
TWSA performance was... weird. Didn't prepare at all, so performed most of the stuff from IUCSSA. Music was quite messed up, but it was still okay.
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 Summer of 2003. I think this is one of my turning point in my magic career. In the summer of 2003, I decided not to take any summer school and rented a apartment by myself in Bloomington and start practicing magic. During the summer, I joing IBM magic convention in Kansas for 4 days, and join SAM magic convention in LasVegas for 4 more days. These two convention are the 2 biggest in the states. In August that summer, I flew to Yokihoma and Joing SAM Japan magic convention for 3 days and compete against 30 other contestants. My purpose of staying in Bloomington and practicing in the summer is for this competition. Although this convention is one of the lower level competition, I still didn't get any prize. It was sad that I didn't win anything, but the experience helped me a lot later in time. After joining 3 conventions watching more than 60 professional and non-professional magicians performing on stage, I learn awfully a lot. Also made a lot of friend in these trips. Looking back at my competition routine, it was terrible. And I'm quite confident now that if I join for the competition again, I will have a much better performance.
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 Spring of 2003, performed at TWSA chinese new year event and also bloomington cup by Premias. Did most of the same stuff for both shows, but for someone like me who haven't done much stage magic for a long period of time, it was tough. Really good response from both shows and enjoyed a lot. This is also the point when people start recognizing me as a magician.
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 2002. Didn't do much magic since highschool. Freshman in college, really lost myself in this "new" world. I thought I might quit magic for a long period of time, but couldn't do so. Performed twice at the Teter talent show. The first show was quite okay, the second one was terrible. Even though I though of quitting magic, I still joined Toastmaster in my freshman year. The whole point of joining is to sharpen my speaking skill in order to talk in front of large group of audience.
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