All's Good in the Neighborhood

The last couple of days have been filled with reading about the nature of institutions and how they related to the establishment of economic development (specifically Botswana) and reviewing math - probability, standard deviation and the like. I'm trying to keep focused and remind myself I signed-up for this : ) But I have to say even though I have so much to do I'm excited about learning! 

Tomorrow is orientation so a group of us that live in West Village decided to meet-up. Now the majority of 1st years live at Alexan Place or Station 9 - basically they're "business school dorms." I'm actually glad I'm closer to downtown and where most of the social events occur - I love being able to come and go as I please. And I like I'm going to need a break from everyone. So there are only 9 of us living here, but I know I've made a great choice. Everyone comes from such great backgrounds. We had coffee and drinks at parker and otis (http://www.parkerandotis.com/). I have a feeling I'll be going there a lot. So if you come to visit I'll definitely take you there for brunch.

Think of us as Mayberry meets the Metropolis.

"All we try to be are good honest folks. Think of us as Mayberry meets the Metropolis."

Yesterday I finally got a chance to visit the famed Carrboro, NC (just outside of Chapel Hill). I was told by many in San Francisco that I would love this place and they were right. It's full of bikes, organic food, gardens and chickens in backyards. There's a dairy farm up the street from an ice cream shop. So I ask myself why I'm i going back to school again when there's so much to enjoy here?!

Last night I had a tasty meal with my wonderful friend Alisa who showed me around. I was instantly reminded of how much joy one can experience over good food and conversation. I know things are different here, but the more i reach out the more this feel like home. Alisa also showed me around UNC's beautiful campus and most importantly pointed out the music venues - cat's cradle and a hidden one - that i can't seem to remember now - where new music acts show-up. I'm going to definitely try to make time to become a part of that scene even if it's once a term. so now i have 2 possible venues for shows! That means Natalie, Mischa, Amit, Casey, Lilly, Katy, Pete, Kimra and Abby you have no excuse not to come visit me!

For more on Carrboro, NC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrboro,_North_Carolina

Who's getting excited?!

Who knew getting through business school meant praying with Arcade Fire!

This is my class schedule for the month of August, ie preterm:

• Strategy 330: Global Institutions and Environments (GIE)
• Management 320: Leadership, Ethics and Organizations (LEO)
  

In additions to these, I have a ton of accounting and math reviewing to do and I need to begin Decision 383: Business Computer Applications online! So, I thought I would pray with Arcade Fire on the Neon Bible for some help.

Enjoy! Architecture in Helsinki - Heart It Races

Let it begin!

So, as many of you know I've moved. I left San Francisco July 1st to begin grad school at Duke University the Fuqua School of Business (http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/mba/daytime/). I live in downtown Durham, an area that has been going through redevelopment for the last couple of years. My apartment is in a refurbished tobacco factory and full of dogs! So I get a little bit of Dolores Park with me!

I just finished Math Camp and let's just say I have a lot to review. Math in the world of finance and accounting is pretty different from mechanical engineering and product design. Everyone I've met so far is super nice and has amazing backgrounds - from NYC bike messengers to South African aid workers to Brittney Spears back-up dancers! I'm crossing my fingers that Duke has filtered out the jerks and this will be a MBA experience where I can focus more on my work and less on navigating people issues. I'm excited to begin this next phase of my life. Change is scary, but growth is beautiful!