Dear Friends:

2020 is probably not off to the start anyone could have predicted given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  Millions have been impacted, and Connie and I's wedding this March was no exception.  We are postponing to 2021, but feel fortunate to be healthy, able to care for ourselves and work from home.

Even though time has really lost it's rhythm, the end of 2019 welcomed Brielle Grace, my brother Pete and Rica's second child.

In December, nearly 20 years later, I made it back to Taiwan where my dad now resides, an equally good excuse to introduce Connie to my relatives, the country's amazing food culture, bustling shopping districts, and tranquil landscape.  We extended the trip to Thailand, where we hiked the mystic trail to Wat Pha Lat, learned to assemble fresh ingredients to cook pad thai, slept lakeside in the limestone jungle of Khao Sok, and enjoyed massages beach side in Karon.

No wedding prep would be complete without a bachelor weekend in Palm Springs in January, especially when all the boys (and Connie) know about it but you, and you get kidnapped from your house.  

After an 18 month marathon of renovation, moving, and wedding planning, California's stay-at-home order has been a welcome time to relax and spoil the dog.  I've also taken the opportunity to knock off house projects like storage shelving, patio lights, landscape gravel - but more importantly, be grateful to have such a compatible quarantine partner, which gives me confidence in a lifetime of marriage. 

I'm curious to see how we evolve on the other side of this pandemic as individuals and a greater society.  Until then, please take care of one another and stay healthy.

Be safe,

-Mike

Dear Friends:

After a tumultuous start to the year, I have consciously made an effort to slow down, take a moment to reflect on all the recent life shifts, and embrace this new chapter. 

Although there is no shortage of work finishing the home renovation - nurturing the landscape, mounting window coverings, assembling furniture - it's been a much more comfortable routine for the wife, pup, and I after a pretty debilitating process that started over a year ago.  Looking around, it feels good to finally be in the house when it's not dark, cold, or dusty!

I've been able to refocus on my career at Disney Animation, where the past two years are finally beginning to culminate into a new space partnering technology and production in innovating our future workflow.  With a growing audience in the upcoming launch of the Disney+ streaming platform, the need to evolve animation production techniques for content creation is where I plan to focus my future efforts.

I played a small role in this holiday's film "Frozen 2" (November 22), but am now pursuing a job that has never existed before.  The process of defining my role has been slow given the studio's continuing leadership overhaul, but am optimistic despite how hard it has been to maintain career advocates among the turnover.

Nonetheless, Connie and I's freshly established Sherman Oaks nest will host her family for Thanksgiving, followed by a December trip overseas to visit my family in Taiwan.  We look forward to welcoming my brother Peter & Rica's daughter (my fourth nibling) later this month, and are wedding planning for Spring 2020.

Warms Hugs,
-Mike

Dear Friends:

I could not have predicted how consuming the home renovation would be - spending nearly all my free time, weekends, holidays over the past 25 weeks wiring low voltage in the attic, mapping out electrical switches, shopping for backsplash... becoming friends with the people at Home Depot.

Despite the excitement of witnessing our vision materialize from last July, it has been an exhaustive process moving into a new neighborhood and selling my condo in Burbank after 10+ years.  Among a period in which I felt very stretched, it was obvious to me that an unmeasurable degree of strength, support, and comfort came from having Connie by my side, and in November, she agreed to be my partner for life.

During a beautiful sunset at a secluded Malibu beach, I set up a tripod to take some portraits but instead surprised Connie with documented film confessing my love, a proposal, ring, and intimate dinner and toast with friends.  My family came to LA the next day to celebrate with my future in-laws.

After buying a home, getting engaged, moving, and transitioning jobs (Connie starting with Facebook, myself still in flux at Disney Animation), our capacity to host a proper wedding celebration is looking more likely for 2020.  However, on May 3 we will officially join in marriage in San Diego with our immediate family, followed by a much needed mini-moon in Mexico for 3 nights.

Not sure what other physical, emotional, or financial life maneuvers I can fit into this compact period of time, so I will be looking forward to letting all this settle in and learning to be a husband.

To top it off, my rec basketball team took home a city championship this winter - allowing me to leave Burbank on top!  Please note my new mailing address at the footer of your email, and "say hi" if you are ever in the area.

Mazel tov!
-Mr. Huang

Dear Friends:

Future uncertainties at work mixed with ongoing family obligations made it difficult for me to make, if not have to cancel, most recreational plans.  I did endure a final trip to Pennsylvania this summer to migrate the remaining Huang family to California (for the time being). 

It's been over 15 years, but now all that remains of Philly origins are my area code, Eagles pride, and cheesesteak cravings.

The future is being reimagined at Disney Animation, primarily in response to industry competition and significant changes in senior leadership, including my mentor.  I want to believe I am on the cusp of understanding how I may play a role in this new era, meanwhile, patiently lending a hand to a small movie called "Frozen 2" (Holiday 2019).

At home, Connie and I contemplated more room for Levi's toys, so naturally, found ourselves beating out several cash offers for a 1,500 sq. ft single family home in Sherman Oaks (in LA's "valley").  While the home's finishes were somewhat dated, the desirable neighborhood and investment opportunity were alluring.  With a solid foundation, we decided to pursue an extensive and permitted remodel gutting nearly the entire thing down to the studs.  After 12 weeks of designing, planning, and budgeting contractors, we finally started demo earlier this month for an early 2019 move in.

With personal and professional change on the horizon, I imagine staying relatively grounded for a while preparing to move 10 miles west to Sherman Oaks.  I never would have imagined myself getting so excited for a new episode of HGTV's Property Brothers, but am fully immersed in shear wall engineering, code requirements for a bathroom, and home equity financing.  Levi better love his new lawn!

Even though adulting feels like it has reached another level for me this year, I am hoping 2019 will bring some clarity with how this transitional chapter in life bridges the next act.

To be continued,
-Mike

Dear Friends:

After my project "Gigantic" was shelved last fall, Disney Animation now faces leadership accusations, corporate mergers, and departures from all levels. It's been hard to stay positive, but I've found myself temporarily on a development project (unannounced 2020) as the dust continues to swirl and I evaluate the landscape.

At the same time, family obligations linger in the path forward, but that has made Levi's companionship an even more welcomed addition to my routine. The pup has happily accepted my self imposed challenge to be the best dog dad possible - researching nutrition, training, grooming, and the cute model poses for social media.

On the home front, I've made adjustments to allow for cohabitating with the lady friend, Connie. While space remains tight, we found a way to accommodate all of Levi's toys and still make some of our own upgrades, like a 65" OLED 4k HDR TV.

Levi happily joins family visits to San Diego, San Francisco, and while Philly may be a stretch, will make his second camping trip this summer.  While in NorCal, I also did some work at the Walt Disney Family Museum and sat court side at my first Warriors game.

Although the future uncertainty makes it hard to plan travel, we took a much needed 12-night expedition to New Zealand in February - skydiving over the snowcapped mountains in Queenstown, heli-hiking on the Franz Josef glacier, trekking up Roy's Peak for sunrise, and soaking in the warm sanctuary of the Onsen Hot Pools.

The year is moving fast, so I am anxious to find my cadence, but prepared for these life hurdles to continue outside my control. If anything, the Super Bowl LII champion Eagles have taught me that despite the odds, being the underdog makes victory that much sweeter.

Fly eagles fly!
-Mike

Dear Friends:

The past 6 months have proven to be unfamiliar territory for me.  After celebrating 14 years in California and 10 years at Disney, I find myself emotionally drained from unexpected family obligations and professionally unsatisfied losing traction in my current role at work.

I have admittedly been fortunate to experience a consistent period of time which has allowed me to enjoy my independence and orient my career, so the sudden division of focus and energy has been very humbling.

Given the relatively uncertain times, I am eager to announce that I adopted a dog.  Levi is a one-year-old miniature poodle mix from the Burbank Animal Shelter.  Although I have never been a 4-legged pet owner or had the best impression of how they could benefit the household, I am so glad to have learned they can make excellent family members and adapt to your personal lifestyle.

In only 3 months, Levi has immediately become a loyal and affectionate companion - providing routine and regiment that I haven't found personally or professionally this year.  I may have rescued him, but he has certainly rewarded me with an immeasurable degree of support and engagement I never could have predicted.

Wedding celebrations in Temecula, Huntington Beach, Utah, Hillcrest, and Hollywood were all refreshing moments with loved ones, along with family visits to San Diego and San Francisco.  When small pockets of time did allow for personal indulgence, I camped in Sequoia National Park, Point Mugu State Park, and booed the Chargers at my first ever Philadelphia Eagles game in LA.

While I may have found a difficult patch, I do know that sharing this blog for the past 10 years has been a gratifying outlet.  I really appreciate the comments, updates, responses, and simple notion knowing these 300 words find a place in your day.

Woof,
-Mike

Dear Friends:

Disney Animation Studios started 2017 as the recipient of three Academy Award nominations, and winner of best animated feature for "Zootopia" (2016).  Following Oscars for "Big Hero 6" (2014), "Feast" (2014), "Frozen" (2013), and "Paperman" (2012) one may guess the studio is a well oiled machine, but such critical and box office success is an elusive formula to sustain.

In fact, Disney's release slate just shuffled for the next 3 years, which is the backbone I use to navigate my career.  Since I enjoy forecasting my life around these release dates, I am now struggling with this new uncertainty having been deeply engaged in the story development on "Gigantic" (2020).

Earlier, when I was anticipating a busy year, I spontaneously booked a last minute deal for 5 nights in Maui over Christmas just 40 hours in advance.  The naturally scenic waterfalls, beaches, and mountains were a photographer's paradise and kept me busy through all 550 miles on the windy roads and hiking trails (the island is 48 miles long).  

Similarly in March, I soaked up 13 nights in Latin America, weaving through Costa Rica's rain forest in a harness, celebrating nuptials on the secluded beaches of the Dominican Republic, and witnessing a unique transitional period of time in Cuba.  I've developed an addiction to chasing sunsets, so being surrounded by warm sand and clear water (plus Zika), was truly a delight.

In California, I made an overdue trip to Pixar Animation Studios, LACMA's rain room, and the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.  On March 6, the world welcomed Lillian Noa, my sister Jennifer and Josh's second child and my first niece.  Uncle Mike now frequents San Francisco and San Diego regularly with toys to keep up with all three niblings (that's a word, right?) and their rapid growth.

New toys, of the selfish adult variety, include an Apple Watch Series 2, custom 2009/Nehalem MacPro tower, and Sony RX100III compact camera.  Otherwise, aiming to clarify my professional, personal, and travel cadence soon - but hope it brings me closer to each of you!

Best,
-Mike

Dear Friends:

Immediately following the premiere of Disney's "Inner Workings" in France this summer, I didn't come home without first soaking in the magic of Italy's Amalfi Coast, cruising the blue waters of the Adriatic's Croatia/Montenegro/Greece, and savoring the flavors of the South of France.

Stateside, I hiked and camped in Joshua Tree, Cabrillo, and Yosemite to celebrate the centennial anniversary of our National Park System, taking advantage of my annual pass from the photo contest you all helped me win last spring.  Traveling fueled my appetite for photography, investing in my Sony A7RII with upgraded glass, filter system, carbon fiber tripod, and dedicated pack.  Same joker behind the lens, but hopefully you'll see a difference!

On the family front, we welcomed my second nephew, Tobias Finn, on September 18 which quickly followed with a visit to San Diego to congratulate first time/sleep deprived parents Pete and Rica.  Not to be overlooked, I made additional visits to San Francisco for my older nephew and Philadelphia for the granddaddy of them all.  The Huang dynasty is growing!

Professionally, this year has allowed for a tremendous variety of experience not only with my elevated role on the short, but also through the mentorship workshops with Ed Catmull and my peers.  This earned me the opportunity to assist with Disney Animation's workforce planning process for the past 4 months, in which we gather production resources to inform talent management and guide studio strategy.  While business operations and analytics is something I hope to revisit in my career, I am still driven by production and the art of storytelling at this time.

As a result, I am transitioning to a new senior supervisor role on the forefront of the creative story process for Disney's feature film "Gigantic" (Holiday 2018) - from the director of "Tangled", co-writer of "Inside Out", and songwriters of "Frozen".

Meanwhile, "Inner Workings" continues to run the circuit of film festivals and screenings, but will finally be in theaters worldwide this Thanksgiving playing in front of Disney's epic adventure "Moana" - so be sure not to leave your seats.

Onward,
-Mike