EP09: Productive Days, Gym, Food in Seattle | Days in the Life of a Meta Software Engineer

I know it's been a while but I'm back with another episode of my day in the life (of a Meta/Facebook software engineer) vlogs.
This vlog has a bit more of my daily life (like working out at the gym, exploring the Seattle food scene, etc) as opposed to mostly work like most of my other vlogs.
I hope you guys enjoy and let me know in the comments what you thought of the vlog!
[socials, gear, and more]
calvinxli.com
[music]
Free Music for Videos 👉 Music by Drew Richmond - I Play Zelda While You Watch True Crime - thmatc.co/?l=4090D7A4
Free Music for Videos 👉 Music by Drew Richmond - Fruity Pebbles & Adventure Time - thmatc.co/?l=5DB81EEC
Free Music for Videos 👉 Music by Drew Richmond - Jessie's Waltz - thmatc.co/?l=E72CDD4B
[chapters]
00:17 Work Day
02:05 Talk (career updates)
04:30 Gym
06:00 Sushi (Aburiya) & Boba (comebuytea)
07:24 Home improvement
08:38 Work
08:53 Anime & Workout
09:53 Phnom Penh Noodle House & Che Dessert (my first halo halo)
[about me]
I'm Calvin and I'm a Seattle-based software engineer working at Meta/Facebook (at the time of posting this video) . I share content related to my life in tech (as a software engineer) and my hobbies/lifestyle.
#softwareengineer #dayinthelife #vlog #bts

[@calvinxli]

What do you think about the video? Let me know in the comments! And as always, you can find more of me through my website @ www.calvinxli.com/

[@wazjoony]

Love the day in the life videos, they're very chill to watch :) Thanks for the great content!

[@Gsubagyo]

Young n succesful very inspiring, Help me please bro ,i dont know where i must go to find my THR (indo muslim)

[@shahrizalarif9307]

Great one! Cannot wait for the desk/office tour. Keep it up mate ;) and thanks for the fitness routine as well 👍

[@EduardoHenrique-nd1ro]

Another lovely video, Calvin! Thanks for sharing with us! Cheers from Brazil, mate!

[@glennjammin]

i've been hooked on your content lately. as someone with no previous experience trying to break into tech, your videos are oddly therapeutic and inspiring. keep up the videos!

[@calvinxli]

I'm so glad you like them. Good luck on your journey!

[@kellymabel3576]

Love this video and your editing style. Can’t wait to see what else you create!

[@calvinxli]

Thank you so much!

[@shadowtman27]

The exercises you're doing really help to counter the bad posture we find ourselves in sitting at a desk all day. I'm still progressing towards a pull up so I'd say you're doing well in getting them in!

[@calvinxli]

Yeah it's super important to strengthen the core and back. Good luck on your pull up progression, I'm sure you'll get there in no time! 💪

[@sheriberrix]

Great video and editing! Would love an office tour. Also nice to see bits of your workout routine.

[@calvinxli]

Thank you! There's kind of an office tour in EP08 :)

[@amozamustafa]

Love your Vlog, very inspiring ❤

[@ProgramadorSagaz]

I'm also a SWE at Meta Seattle, happy to see other metamates here :D

[@quoctoantran1418]

The music and style more interesting than before, keep going!!

[@babymonster206]

Great video, new desk setup is really nice. 👍🏿

[@calvinxli]

Thank you thank you

[@Marcus_Ute]

Great video (as always). Keep it up!

[@calvinxli]

Thank you!

[@wahid_nlogn]

Your videos are inspiring. I love it. In this summer I will do a internship at META, bellevue office. Part of reason I choose Bellevue, WA because I watched your videos. Thank you so much for the amazing content.

[@calvinxli]

Congrats and good luck with your internship!

[@ghravel]

Just found your channel! I live and work close to your office so it’s funny seeing all these places that I walk by every day. Love tea king 😋

[@calvinxli]

Lmao maybe we'll run into each other some day

[@jeetcollection]

Happy to see you after a long gap!

[@calvinxli]

I appreciate you for coming back 😊

[@jeetcollection]

@@calvinxli I never left, Calvin!

[@sudhanshujoshi8025]

Really love your videos!! ❤❤❤❤

[@chumaobi5193]

solo leveling in the background 🔥

[@AngelHernandez-jp1ye]

Love any setup of yours like the whole place is fire as quack.

[@calvinxli]

😆 thank you!

[@eyko_]

Work blog back, let's gooooo 🔥

[@Miguel_Watt]

So inspiring

[@mahmoudahmed1299]

I'm trying to make it into the tech industry , your content really helps me keep working hard it's impressive.

[@phanithsary8526]

I m ur fan as always..a few minutes ago, by KZbin , you went out to Phnom Penh noodle house for lunch .I am so proud that you support our Cambodia food ...how was the taste ? Pls more videos , I can't stand to watch you more ...Calvin. Anyways ..just sat hi and good night from Cambodia...sending love ❤❤❤❤❤

[@calvinxli]

Thank you! The food was good. Cambodian restaurants are rare but I'm eyeing another one that recently opened 😋

[@vishaltambi1400]

it is nice to see you again.

[@calvinxli]

Thank you 😁

[@sparrow3kk]

You 'bookshelf' with anime/funko figures looks so awesome!

[@calvinxli]

Thank you! It's mostly board games lol

[@debdarudasgupta7301]

also , Love your content , its really soothing , less noise and more focused content with the perfect touch of music in the background . #Love_From_India

[@princeofheaven19]

Nice HM aero chairs , i love them

[@lel7531]

Great video !

[@pisey6506]

So glad to see u enjoying Khmer food, Phnom Penh noodle

[@its_jei]

YOOOO shoutout do the ffxiv boxed collection in the background! Are you excited for Dawntrail? Also, on Monday did ya'll have Laos food for lunch? I noticed the papaya salad, looks delicious :3 and can't go wrong with anything ube. Love to see your content!

[@its_jei]

Also love that ya'll tried out Phnom Penh noodle house. The first time I had it was in Long Beach, CA so I'm glad they're expanding. Glad to see your first halo halo experience, usually I just sip it then after use the spoon. It is messy for sure, and not for the weak(I'm lactose lolol)

[@calvinxli]

Ooo good catches. I've never played FFXIV lol that's actually a meister quality Odin statue. I got it because it looked sick and Odin was one of my favorite summons in FF8. And yes we did have Laos food! It was great 😋

[@calvinxli]

I think Halo Halo is too much for me haha I think I'd prefer just a cup of ube ice cream. Like you said, can't go wrong with ube anything 😌

[@its_jei]

@@calvinxli You have good taste! FF8 is my favorite out of the series besides 9! I think my favorite summon would have to be Ifrit and Eden. 🥰 if you ever play FFXIV, you’ll see eventually they put a lot of FF8 Easter eggs in there I’m glad you got to enjoy delicious Laos food and happy to see that Meta provides a variety of diverse foods.

[@osiris828]

i aint a SW and dont rlly even aspire to live a corporate life but these type vids r calmin 4some reason

[@jpenglish2542]

Great video bro!!! 🔥

[@calvinxli]

Thank you!

[@otavioalexandre7575]

amazing content bro, thanks for sharing, please keeping posting, its helps a lot to stay motivated xD

[@calvinxli]

Thanks man I'll try my best 😌

[@itsjustme684]

I have not taken the chance to properly comment as I usually do. I downloaded the video few days ago, and watched it mid training at my working place. But I was sleepy due to fasting for ramadhan so I cant recall. But one thing is, my guys is serious when it comes to food/drinks/snacks review. He is someone I'd look forward to listen to when it comes to "complaining" hehehe. Great content as always love!

[@calvinxli]

Haha thank you. It would be a dream come true for me to get on a food show 😂

[@itsjustme684]

@@calvinxli Wow, thats something. Maybe add another slot in your channel too. You got this. And also, congrats on your recent rating. "Just like last year". Boy be flexin huh? Hehehe

[@calvinxli]

Haha I have my office snacks review videos which don't have many views. Maybe that's too niche. I might try something else 😌

[@itsjustme684]

@@calvinxli Awww. I noticed that. I enjoyed it so much. I thought that that is wayyyy too many snacks from a company but yeah i forgot. Meta. Haha. I dont know. I found some styles like, when you travel or when you work, just take more shots when you eat and what you eat. So that when you post day in the life videos, you could make a separate one only for food. Like the one from your trips in Singapore. There should be a special slot, where you do in-depth talk only for lets say, Chicken Rice, or Nasi lemak. Your little Calvinge Eating (calvin + binge eating, but not really, i know, lame). So when you post, there is the day in the life (includes travel), and there is the "food review" slot. Ah who am i to suggest?

[@calvinxli]

Those are good suggestions for sure. My main struggle is time lol the videos take a long time to edit and I do it all myself. Priorities 🥲

[@KamilleN16]

oh that halo halo came out of nowhere! XD

[@dendybsulistyo6074]

herman miller chairs 🤩

[@chrisclevinger2912]

Good job for trying Halo Halo! That is something you should really try! Halo Halo btw means Mix Mix in Tagalog.

[@Lukas-zr6zc]

Love your vlogs

[@calvinxli]

Thank you!

[@pacharapolboonrut]

So good video

[@tnfilmsanddesigns9518]

I agree with you. Halo halo is good except for the beans haha

[@fiverider]

I Love this major. 😘😘😘

[@itsmemigi]

Halohalo is best eaten with just a spoon. Remove the lid. And eat what you want. I like to eat a little bit of the ube ice cream first before mixing it with everything.

[@calvinxli]

I want a cup of just ube ice cream 😆

[@itsmemigi]

@@calvinxli If you happen upon a Filipino mart, get the Selecta brand. Ube Royale for the pure ube ice cream. Comes in two other flavors too, Ube Keso and Ube Macapuno 😋

[@calvinxli]

@@itsmemigi I'll be on the lookout

[@beatrizkj]

Good quality video!!!

[@calvinxli]

Thank you!

[@lloydify6883]

Halo halo got me subscribed

[@miiziimaprang]

hey!! thanks for sharing your days! Actually, I'd like to know which brand of keyboard you're using (the white/blue one!), I love the haptics/sound!! thank you in advance for your answer^^

[@calvinxli]

Hi! The brand of the keyboard is Keydous. I have the links to the keyboard and keycaps on my website 😁: www.calvinxli.com/

[@henriquegomescervantes2750]

Hey Calvin, I really liked your video, could you tell me what model keyboard you are using at work?

[@calvinxli]

Thank you so much! I have all my keyboards linked on my website. The one in this video is the NJ80.

[@SimoneMalakay]

The part with the installation of the purifier has a very good tracking, was it recorded with an Osmo or which editing software? Good drilling! :D

[@calvinxli]

It was recorded on my now broken osmo pocket 3 🥲

[@sakett]

Phnom Penh Noodle House? nice. What's up from Cambodia.

[@invictuz4803]

Daym, two story apartment? Living it up!

[@calvinxli]

I have a roommate lol

[@MrVictomina]

great video bro..but i got curious..tell us more about this keyboard ..wow so lovely this thock sound

[@calvinxli]

Thanks man! I have all of my keyboards listed on my website!

[@santoshgrg779]

which camera and lens were used in this footage. looks super crisp and detailed man. Tks.

[@calvinxli]

I used three different cameras in this video! They're all listed on my website at www.calvinxli.com/

[@Ninja-wc4un]

Woah great video, do you have links to your desk setup? It looks great

[@calvinxli]

Thank you! I should have most if not all of the relevant stuff linked on my website 😁

[@lahloumohammed7122]

Nice food :)

[@Poro_Neko]

What picture do you use for your desktop's background? Looks nice!

[@calvinxli]

I use Wallpaper Engine with a playlist but the one you saw is called Tokyo Rain Drops 💧

[@JasonBak]

where’d you get your beige jacket shirt + brown puffer jacket from for the monday party of the video!

[@calvinxli]

Uniqlo parka and SPAO corduroy shirt :)

[@ExpansiveReviews]

Did Meta approve you for this? I'm genuinely curious as someone who has wanted to film a little but been worried about repercussions.

[@calvinxli]

I didn't seek explicit approval but my manager is aware of it

[@ExpansiveReviews]

@@calvinxli just be careful because TechLead lost his job doing Meta KZbin videos.

[@Tubsi4238]

Yeah there was another KZbinr who lost his job even though his manager and his colleagues loved his video.

[@Tubsi4238]

And the youtuber spoke very positively about fb, still got kicked out

[@calvinxli]

😮 would you mind telling me which channel that is?

[@andreacipriani3190]

Great video and I love the keyboard you have in the meta office . Can you share the name? Thanks ❤

[@calvinxli]

Thank you! This keyboard is the nj80. I have it listed on my website at www.calvinxli.com/

[@andreacipriani3190]

@@calvinxli thanks 🙏

[@L1es.12]

I’m a ComputerSciene student , will you give me a suggestion ? Or what should I do or learn

[@dimjon11]

Is that the mouse with 6 buttons, I have it for MMOs but don’t use it for work, I am curious what you bind to the keys

[@calvinxli]

On the side top row I have: mission control, next desktop, previous desktop On the side bottom row I have: play/pause, next track, previous track The two small buttons in the top left are for volume. It's the most productive layout ever 👨‍💻

[@dimjon11]

@@calvinxli awesome, thanks. trackpad commands are a great idea. I also had copy / paste, but couldnt find a use for the other buttons so stopped using it. But I will add those

[@supermax23]

You've summoned a flock of Pinoys with that halo halo. 😆

[@calvinxli]

😂

[@thevinsea]

Great vlog broski 😌.. also .. since you work at Meta .. why does meta (Facebook) recommend us to use music to use for Reels .. and moments later gets copyrighted 😑😂

[@calvinxli]

Thank you! The copyright thing shouldn't happen if you're selecting the music on Reels 👀 But I don't work on that stuff 🤷‍♂️

[@thevinsea]

@calvinxli it's mainly all the artists under UMG ☠️ also apprently I'm not following metas policy because of it hence why I got an "x" on that criteria .. when it's literally fb that recommended me to use those songs 🙄.. lol

[@SFasakapa]

bruh , seeing bro try halo halo for the first time. sheeshhh

[@vctorroferz]

nice video :) which keyboard are you actually using?

[@calvinxli]

It's the nj80 I have linked on my website www.calvinxli.com/

[@felipemoldenhauer2105]

Is not expansive haver a dinner's lunchs outside home?

[@officialkaizhen-8235]

Kuyteav is pretty good in Phnom penh my birth place 😬

[@apurbokarmokar7752]

You should upload More videos like this... Day's in Life meta.. i really enjoy this.. I am Also a computer science engineering student ❤

[@blackstaar1828]

Gojo!

[@debdarudasgupta7301]

#Just_A_Random_Question : On productive days , what is your highest push ? in hours ? And also How to have a mentally strong mind to keep up for these days ?

[@calvinxli]

I might make a video on the topic eventually but at a high level I'd say it comes down to - time management - managing/setting expectations And also know that more hours doesn't always lead to more productivity.

[@jibitalabi1200]

what do you prefer menlo park , seattle or nyc office?

[@calvinxli]

Menlo Park because of the food options

[@kensaody2561]

i saw the cambodia food restaurant

[@arnoldwolfstein]

what are this keyboard and switches (on the office, first day)? - and wristwach? :)

[@calvinxli]

I have my keyboard configuration listed here (nj80): www.calvinxli.com/gear The watch is the junghans max bill mega solar!

[@arnoldwolfstein]

​@@calvinxli yeah, I saw the list but thought it supposed to be LoFree. Now I recognized the correct one. Thanks for these videos btw. Keep going mate.

[@brandonnguyenlam]

What watch is that it looks super clean

[@calvinxli]

It's a junghans max bill mega solar. It came with a leather strap. There's a titanium strap version but it has a gray tinted face. So I got the leather one and swapped the strap myself.

[@user-go9vs3vm5d]

can u give wallpaper or screensaver... link in ur desk setup

[@calvinxli]

I use the Tokyo Rain Drops wallpaper on Wallpaper Engine. You can find my desk setup on my website at www.calvinxli.com/

[@user-cs1dv2nj8y]

can you give names of the books visible at 8:54 if it is not a problem

[@tranthinhqnam]

Hi Calvin, Can you share the information of your laptop? Is that Mac ?

[@calvinxli]

Yes it is an M2 Max

[@RL-ys7kd]

Where'd you get that white shirt in the first part of the video?

[@calvinxli]

SPAO, got it on my South Korea trip

[@johntempler7953]

How much do you make a month working for meta

[@MultiMaymaymay]

I like your keyboard. Brown switch?

[@calvinxli]

I think they're yellow actually

[@mr.blackpanther6409]

Is meta hiring now and how can I get referrals

[@k10158]

Do you find the cafe food pretty greasy at the office?

[@calvinxli]

It's usually not but I'm often concerned about the sodium levels 😬

[@k10158]

I used to be at Meta too, left my plate of lunch aside during a meeting and the loads of oil just solidified into grease haha it made me look at the hot food options differently 🥲

[@calvinxli]

Oof yeah I can picture it in my head already 🫠

[@erajoymalavega2265]

HALO-HALO

[@XxZaeeMx]

What mouse are you using at your office?

[@calvinxli]

I believe it's the Logitech g604. I have it listed on my website!

[@user-pw5nr7vs2p]

Mind if I ask , when did u started learning scripts , cuz I wanna learn script too :-)

[@calvinxli]

My scripts do you mean code? I had a little bit of exposure in high school but I didn't really code until college.

[@zacharypizzo]

What keyboard is that? Sounds great

[@calvinxli]

It's the nj80-ap. I have all of my keyboards listed on my website!

[@zacharypizzo]

in your office keyboard, did you swap the switches?@@calvinxli

[@calvinxli]

Nope, it sounds really good right out of the box but I did do a tape mod and fill some of the empty space with PE foam.

[@zacharypizzo]

@@calvinxli awesome, thanks!

[@anuyorker]

Hi! What keyboard do you have?

[@calvinxli]

That's the nj80. I have a link to it here: www.calvinxli.com/gear

[@romeoleon1118]

The desk update looks sick 😍 And big +1 to the boba happy hour 🧋

[@calvinxli]

Best part about the happy hour was the free sushi actually 😋

[@RK-js6iz]

What brand is that brown jacket?

[@calvinxli]

Uniqlo

[@vesperttv7476]

What keyboard do you have ?

[@calvinxli]

I have it listed on mywebsite 😊 www.calvinxli.com/

[@mrnoble3896]

What do you think about devin the first ai developer

[@calvinxli]

I wasn't aware of it but it's probably too early to form an educated opinion

[@Raj_bits3]

is it gojo sticker?

[@calvinxli]

Yes

[@piyushdhorey3295]

Can I get the link for keyboard, I am new to your channel😅

[@calvinxli]

I have all of my keyboards listed on my website! It's the Keydous www.calvinxli.com/

[@user-ln7bi2mi3j]

Is that NJ80?

[@calvinxli]

Yes 😊

[@yaelwolf]

5:11

[@FifthArima]

10:36 do you drive this mercedes ?

[@calvinxli]

Nope

[@tito-ace]

That Halo Halo very pinoy thing.

[@calvinxli]

My friend is Filipino

[@user-lg1oe8fo1j]

Hi I want your keyboard name and switch name

[@calvinxli]

It's the nj80 you can find the link and configuration here: www.calvinxli.com/gear

[@user-lg1oe8fo1j]

@@calvinxli Is the keyboard switch still the same?

[@calvinxli]

@@user-lg1oe8fo1j yup

[@user-lg1oe8fo1j]

@@calvinxli Thank you. I'm enjoying the video in Korea. Thank you for making this video

[@arifaliofficial78692]

You are employed meta Sir please reply i need help 😭🙏

[@hemza.285]

11:40 idk if you are a dumb or genius

[@calvinxli]

Neither do I

[@zywng00]

Eating pork doesn't seem hygienic to me. It's a strange animal, it makes me nauseous. Why do people eat it? 😢

[@mohammadashrafuddinferdous9347]

Whatever we are watching is more than good. But lets share how much pressure and deadline you need to meet and how do you manage those including project failure. I'm just curious if it's not too personal.

[@calvinxli]

Fortunately I have yet to fail to deliver on a project. Deadline pressure is real sometimes but it's something that should be minimized. That's something I have to work out with leadership as I adapt to this new team.

[@JacobSucksAtCode]

Let's goooooo nice vid bro

[@calvinxli]

Thanks man!