The story of “Three Moves by Mencius’ Mother” (孟母三迁) is a timeless tale from ancient China, illustrating the profound impact of a good environment on personal growth and learning. Recorded in texts like the Biographies of Exemplary Women, it tells of Mencius’ widowed mother, who relocated their home not once, but three times, to ensure her son had the best surroundings for his development.
Chinese Hangman Game
My First Web Game: Chinese Hangman🎮 Sharing my very first web game application, built using Python and Flask and deployed to Azure Web Services. Inspired by the classic English Hangman game, this app challenges players to guess Chinese sentences, blending fun and learning into one interactive experience. See how many sentences you can crack! 🀄
Self-awareness by Bai Juyi
The Last Dance 破·地獄 (2024) is a recent Hong Kong movie that delves into the themes of life and death offers a meaningful and thought-provoking experience. The movie features a poignant reference to Bai Juyi’s poem “Self-awareness”: “置心为止水，视身如浮云。斗擞垢秽衣，度脱生死轮。Steady the mind like still water and view the body as fleeting clouds. Let go of impure desires and transcend the cycle of life and death.”
Aug 2024 – Cloud Computing Bootcamp
From August to November 2024, I embarked on an incredible 16-week Cloud Computing bootcamp that not only sharpened my technical skills but also transformed my confidence. The intensive program covered essential topics like Microsoft Azure, Python, Git, and Agile project management, and included hands-on projects where we worked as a team to tackle real-world challenges. Despite initial doubts about my abilities, I emerged from the experience with a deep sense of pride and readiness to step into the tech industry. This journey taught me the power of pushing past my comfort zone, and I’m excited to bring my new skills and confidence to the next chapter of my career.
Apr 2024 – Early Tech Exploration
At the start of 2024, I took a step back to reflect on my professional goals and began exploring the tech industry to find the perfect fit. By diving into introductory courses at TAFE NSW and self-education platforms like Udemy and DataCamp, I explored fields such as cloud computing, data analytics, and generative AI. These experiences have sparked a deep interest in the scalability of cloud computing and the creative possibilities of AI. As I continue to challenge myself and develop my skills, I’m inspired by the vast potential of technology to drive meaningful change.
Jan 2024 – Career Reflection
January 2024 marked the start of my career transformation. After taking time off to care for my son, I found myself ready for a new challenge. While my experience as an educator was fulfilling, I sought a field where I could grow and see the immediate impact of my work. Technology stood out as the perfect fit—its potential to create tangible, innovative solutions and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate professionals excited me. As I began planning my career move, I felt confident that this dynamic industry would allow me to contribute meaningfully and continue to evolve.
Who I Am
G’day! 😃 I’m Donglan, a language educator turned tech enthusiast. After years in the classroom, I decided to dive into the tech world. My career shift began with an intensive bootcamp, where I discovered a passion for cloud computing, programming, and DevOps engineering — trading chalkboards for code! 💻❤️ With my background in communication, creativity, and problem-solving, I’m excited to bring these skills to tech, tackling challenges and building solutions that make a real impact. This journey is about blending my past experiences with my future ambitions, and I’m ready to make a difference! 💪