Journal

South Lake Tahoe, United States

We found ourselves a sports car, circled Lake Tahoe, and took the long way home over two mountain passes.

Aguas Calientes, Peru

A difficult hotel made the outdoors an easy choice for the final day: two waterfalls, a butterfly sanctuary, and the foot of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu, Peru

After flights, mountain roads, a train, and one final bus climb, I reached the centerpiece of the journey: Machu Picchu.

Cusco, Peru

Days around Cusco revealed layers of ruins, ingenious agricultural terraces, working salt pans, and a multilingual corner of the Andes.

Lima, Peru

From ceviche and chifa to museums, old bars, and city streets, several days in Lima revealed the capital from many angles.

Shanghai, China

My first cosplay experience in Shanghai, from makeup and photography to AI effects and professional retouching.

Auckland, New Zealand

We used a long Auckland connection to visit Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, bringing our journey through Oceania to a close.

Christchurch, New Zealand

From Christchurch, we crossed the South Island through pastoral country, a glacial lake, and fields of lupins before reaching Queenstown.

Melbourne, Australia

From the fly-infested Great Ocean Road to Puffing Billy, koalas, and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.

Cairns, Australia

A helicopter flight over the reef and rainforest, followed by snorkeling and an introductory dive at the Great Barrier Reef.

Sydney, Australia

Crossing the International Date Line, we began our Oceania journey at Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Opera House.

Baku, Azerbaijan

Several days of sightseeing around the World Finals in Baku.

Osaka, Japan

Three packed days based in Osaka, roaming through Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe for temples, cherry blossoms, city landmarks, and plenty of food.

Tokyo, Japan

A spring visit to Tokyo that began with a missed tour and ended with cherry blossoms, city streets, and a clear view of Mount Fuji.

Puerto Natales, Chile

After a nearly 40-hour delay to our flight out of Antarctica, we rebooked our journey from the ship, entered Chile at Puerto Natales, and finally began the long trip home.

King George Island, Antarctica

We crossed the punishing Drake Passage, then landed in Antarctica to see seals, penguins, and whales, climb through deep snow, kayak among ice, take a polar plunge, and finally meet a blizzard.

Ushuaia, Argentina

After choosing a ship, planning the route, and weighing the prospect of the Drake Passage, we finally boarded our expedition vessel in Ushuaia.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

After a long and anxious visa process, we finally spent three days discovering Buenos Aires before continuing south to Antarctica.

Astana, Kazakhstan

Back for the annual World Finals—for the third time this year.

Luxor, Egypt

My first World Finals on site as a judge.

Fairbanks, United States

Dog sledding by day, waiting for the northern lights by night—and finally seeing the sky light up.

Anchorage, United States

A disappointing return to the zoo, followed by a helicopter landing on Knik Glacier.

Atlanta, United States

Attending the inaugural ICPC North America Championship.

Ann Arbor, United States

I passed my dissertation defense, and it was time to say goodbye to Ann Arbor.

London, United Kingdom

A week in London during my Facebook internship, preceded by a visa application and a passport-delivery mystery.

Beijing, China

My second World Finals as a coach.

Orlando, United States

Paper presented, with time afterward to try the newly opened Volcano Bay.

Rapid City, United States

My first World Finals as a coach.

Xi'an, China

The Terracotta Army, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, and bronze swords from the Qin dynasty.

Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic Area, China

Clear lakes, forested mountains, waterfalls, and a last trace of spring snow.

Huanglong Scenic Area, China

The beautiful display photos delivered one last blow.

Chengdu, China

Chengdu hot pot brought me to my knees before sesame oil came to the rescue.

Fairbanks, United States

Not much aurora, but plenty of soaking in remote hot springs with the air around −40°C.

Anchorage, United States

A casual visit to the Alaska Zoo became a memorable one, thanks to the wolves, tigers, and polar bear.

Chicago, United States

Presenting a paper in Chicago, with a front-row view of the Trump frenzy in 2016.

San Diego, United States

A day trip from Los Angeles, with a cruise on San Diego Bay followed by an afternoon of animal shows and repeat rides at SeaWorld.

Los Angeles, United States

Three packed days in Los Angeles, from Hollywood and Universal Studios to Beverly Hills and the Getty Center.

Las Vegas, United States

A Las Vegas stop filled with casino resorts, a David Copperfield show, a deeply limited unlimited-drinks package, and a motion-sickness-inducing helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon.

New York City, United States

Three fast-paced days across New York City, from the United Nations and Empire State Building to Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Met.

Washington, D.C., United States

The first stop on a five-city trip across the United States, taking in the White House, the cherry blossom parade, and Washington's political landmarks.

Marrakesh, Morocco

At my second World Finals, we solved every easy problem and left with a few regrets.

Yekaterinburg, Russia

My first World Finals ended with two solved problems and a thoroughly humbling result.

Fairbanks, USA

A spring-break trip to Fairbanks for the northern lights, with a rental car and one winter-driving mishap after another.

Mexico City, Mexico

I did not go back to China that winter break, but somehow it felt as though I had.

Cancún, Mexico

Visiting Chichén Itzá on the day of the supposed Maya apocalypse.

Verona, USA

My first solo flight and hotel stay in the United States, for an onsite interview at Epic.

Allendale, United States

Where the dream began.