Full Circle at the Root: A Journey of Loops in Time and Space

Unexpected Reunion, Life's Loops, and Connections Shaping 2024 Reflections

It started with a simple question: “Are you Kefei?”

I was enjoying a light dinner with my wife at the Hyatt Regency Club Shanghai, reflecting on the quiet yet profound rhythm of the holiday season, when a familiar voice interrupted my train of thought. I looked up and there she was - a face from 24 years ago that instantly transported me back to my first day in Silicon Valley. Standing before me was YC, my first coworker, the person who not only shared a cubicle with me, but the same uncharted path into the world of technology.

For a moment, time collapsed. It felt as if no years had passed, yet I was deeply aware of how much had changed. This chance meeting was like stepping into a time machine, one that reminded me of the courage, uncertainty, and humility I felt starting over in 2000. It wasn’t just a reunion; it was a symbol - a living link between my humble beginnings and the reflective stage I find myself in today.

The First Loop: A Humble Start in Silicon Valley

Fast forward to the year 2000. Fresh from a rewarding career as a seismic structural engineer - where I had made significant contributions, including the seismic base isolation design of the San Francisco International Terminal - I decided to take a leap into the unknown. The dot-com boom was in full swing, promising limitless opportunity, and I was drawn to the idea of immersing myself in the technology industry.

But it wasn’t an easy decision. I was trading the security and prestige of my established career for the uncertainty of a brand-new field. On my first day at Agile Software, which would later merge with Oracle, YC became my unexpected anchor. She was not just a coworker; she was a fellow Shanghainese navigating the same waters, making the transition feel less daunting and more collaborative.

Sharing a cubicle with her was more than a matter of space in day 1 - it was a shared beginning, one that reminded me of the power of human connection. Together, we overcame challenges, adapted to the frenetic pace of Silicon Valley, and took the first steps on a journey that would define my next chapter. Seeing her again 24 years later brought it all back: the humility of starting over, the thrill of reinvention, and the gratitude for the people who make it all possible.

The Second Loop: Life Comes Full Circle

This surprise encounter also had a deeper resonance, tying into the second major loop of my life: the journey from Shanghai to California and finally to New York, with a return to Shanghai with an extended family for the holidays.

Leaving Shanghai in 1990 to pursue a doctoral degree at Washington University in St. Louis was my first leap into the unknown. It marked the beginning of a transformative journey, one that took me from academia to the commercial building industry and then to the tech world in Silicon Valley. California became my home, where I raised a family, built a career, and discovered the balance between ambition and stability.

Then came retirement and a new chapter: moving to New York City. The energy of the city reignited my curiosity, pushing me to explore new interests and rediscover my creative side. And now, as I celebrate Christmas in Shanghai, I find myself back where I started - reconnecting with family, childhood friends, and the city that shaped my early years.

This return feels like more than just a geographical loop; it’s an emotional and spiritual one. It’s a reminder of where I come from and how far I’ve traveled - not just in miles, but in life.

The Third Loop: Relationships and Reflection

As 2024 draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the importance of relationships in this phase of my life. Retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about remixing life to focus on what truly matters. Moments like the surprise encounter with YC are koffeemocha moments - unexpected, deeply human experiences that elevate the everyday into something profound.

This third loop is about connection, both with others and with myself. It’s about acknowledging the threads that connect past and present, career and life, ambition and introspection. YC’s presence in my life - first as a colleague and now as a reminder of my journey - underscores the value of relationships in shaping who we are.

A Lesson in Loops

Reflecting on these three loops - the career loop that began in Silicon Valley, the life loop from Shanghai to California to New York and back, and the relationship loop that ties it all together - I am struck by the cyclical nature of life. It’s not a straight line, but a series of interwoven circles, each offering a chance to revisit, rethink, and renew.

Looking Ahead

This chance encounter with YC was more than just a reunion; it was a moment of clarity, a reminder that life’s loops are what give it meaning. The first loop marked my humble start in Silicon Valley, a leap of faith that reshaped my career. The second loop celebrates the journey across continents and cultures, highlighting the enduring importance of family, friends, and roots. The third loop is about connection and reflection, the elements that make retirement not an ending, but a remix.

As I prepare to close the chapter on 2024 and step into 2025, I carry these lessons with me. Life isn’t linear; it’s a tapestry of loops and overlaps that challenge us, ground us, and propel us forward.

Here’s to the loops, the connections, and the koffeemocha moments that make it all worthwhile.

Kefei
koffeemocha in Shanghai