Rest stops

As an addendum to my previous post regarding rest stops. This is a picture of my favorite one. It is on 90 between Cleveland and Toledo and has a TCBY, Panera and a Starbucks. Everything a weary driver needs to refuel. Plus, it is in the shape of a circle and for some reason that makes me happy.

Cleveland Rocks!

In my old age I am finding it harder to drive for long distances. I used to be able to make it all the way from West Lafayette to Boston in one go but now I find it difficult to make the shorter trip from Ann Arbor without stopping. On my way back this weekend I had to stop for the night in Cleveland. I have driven through Cleveland many times but I've never stopped so it was fun to see what the city had to offer. I took a little extra time getting going in the morning so that I could go over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of the highlights were the incredible beadazzling on one of Elvis' jump suits, Jim Morrison's cub scout uniform and John Lennon's yellow jacket from the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Unfortunately they don't let you take pictures inside. I also went past the Brown's stadium and saw some interesting public art installations. The "free" stamp was my favorite though I don't really get it. There's probably a social commentary I missing. Apparently it is "controversial".

Palmyra, NY

On my way back to A2 I stopped in Palmyra to check out the sights and grab some lunch. I haven't been there for about 7 years and was surprised at how much of the town's layout I remembered. I really shouldn't have been surprised, I have a gift for internalizing maps and for some reason they stick with me. The one possible exception being the town my parents live in. I don't usually get lost but I know where very few things are. I think that is because my family takes "back roads" to get everywhere and I haven't been able to figure out how everything links up. Anyway. Back to Palmyra. I stopped briefly at the Hill Cumorah visitors center and then went to Grandin Print Shop where the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were printed. The sister missionaries there took me on very informative tour that was made only slightly awkward by the fact that there was only one of me and three of them. 

After the print shop I headed over to Nima's for lunch. I got a philly cheese steak which was delicious. The bread was amazing and the beef was nice and peppery. If you find yourself in Palmyra I highly recommend a visit.

My Parents' Dogs

These are my parents' dogs. Shadow is the Gray one and Pippen is the white one. Nearly a week of my winter break was spent hanging out in my parents' house alone taking care of these dogs. 

They are cute and can provide hours of entertainment but by the end of the week I was tired of having them follow me around constantly. They are rescue dogs and therefore have some interesting personality quirks. Shadow seems to be unsure that he will ever eat again and therefore takes advantage of every opportunity to steal food. While I was there he managed to eat an entire container of dried apricots, 1/3 of the Christmas ham, and nearly got a pan full of s'mores cookie bars off the counter. Shadow is also the ultimate cuddler. He's not happy unless he is in contact with someone. Pippen really likes his squeaky toys. He also likes to play catch. So much so that sometimes he plays catch with himself by grabbing a toy, throwing it across the room and then running after it to grab it, shake it, and throw it back to the other side of the room. He also likes to pose for pictures. The moment he heard my camera turn on he would sit very still and look straight at me. I love his ears and his hair. So adorably scruffy. I've uploaded some videos of them playing for your enjoyment. 

Death and Dying in Canada

Last weekend I took a little road trip to visit my family in Boston and because google maps says it takes less time if you go through Canada that is exactly what I did. Aside from a very confusing border crossing in Detroit it was a very pleasant drive. I quickly got used to having the speed limit be in kilometers (can I just say that having the speed limit be '100' felt great even if I really was only going about 60). That part of Canada is very flat and the sunrise was very pretty. Apparently they enforce the speed limit from the air. I guessing that it is more efficient than using the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Canadians are also very preoccupied with the dangers of driving. They have several very helpful roadsigns to help you avoid dying. These are my favorites.

See what I mean. Very helpful. 

Before crossing back over into the US I stopped at Niagara Falls for a couple of hours to take in the sights and buy a patch for my backpack. The falls were great. I hadn't been in about eight years and I had only ever been in the summer. In the winter the spray from the falls freezes and coats everything in ice. The day I was there is was very cold so I didn't get to do as much walking around as I would have liked.

I took a look at the falls.

Wandered around a bit.

Took a ride in the big enclosed Ferris wheel.

And got some nice aerial shots of the falls. 

After that I crossed back into the US, got asked several awkward questions by the border patrol guy and continued on my way to Boston. As a side note, I stopped at a rest stop somewhere in NY that has a Fuddruckers. It was pretty much amazing though not amazing enough to replace that special rest stop in OH at the top of my list of favorite rest stops. Yes people, there's a list.

A few weeks ago I went to a workshop on centered leadership put on by McKinsey. The Centered Leadership training is something that McKinsey has created to develop female leaders. It evolved from the desire to understand what drives success for women and is designed to help women better cultivate the skills and mindsets needed on their journeys to become leaders.  There are five themes that are covered in the training. We focused on energizing (knowing where your energy comes from, how it is drained, and what you can do to manage it). 

This workshop has helped me to crystallize several things I've been thinking about over the last couple of weeks. I have been developing this mental list of what activities make me happy irregardless of whatever else is going on. Here's my (abbreviated) list:

1. Ironing - this is one of my zen moments, I especially like shirts

2. Making apple pie - I can't decide if this is because I know I'm good at it or if it reminds me of fun times with my dad

3. Improving processes - I love finding ways to do things better and faster... it makes me happy

4. Crafts in general - I'm never too concerned with doing something "right" so this is really low stress because the outcome doesn't matter

5. Sharing knowledge or understanding - maybe this comes from being an oldest child but I really like developing other people and sharing my knowledge and experiences

6. Talking about other people - not in a gossipy way... I'm just always interested in what is going on in other people's lives more so than talking about what's happening in my life

I've also learned a lot about what saps my energy here at b-school. First and foremost, I hate being put in a position where I have to get other people excited about an activity, idea or project. I am firmly of the opinion that people should excite themselves and get on with it. I also don't think that it is a big deal if people aren't excited. There are some things that just aren't exciting and this expectation that whatever generation I have been lumped into (is is X, Y, why not ... I can never remember) has that every moment of every day should be fulfilling and exciting is ridiculous. Just sayin'.

In conclusion, mix it up. Do things that energize you but recognize that there are times when you will have to tap into your energy reserves and that's just the way it is. 

Burn baby burn

This is my apartment building. While I was out today exploring my new home state (btw - Orchard Lake and the surrounding area is beautiful) I got a call from my apartment office manager letting me know that my building was on fire and requesting that I return home right away. I turned the car around a mere hour from the destination I had in mind and headed back to Ann Arbor. When I got there I was greeted by the Red Cross, some very good looking firefighters and this lovely sight. I waited around for two hours so that I could be escorted into my apartment to collect valuables, gather a change of clothes and take an initial look at the damage. For those of you who know me and my possessions ... the couch is safe. There is quite a bit of water damage and they mentioned that they would probably have to make a hole in my ceiling to drain out the rest of the water. I'm guessing that there will be new carpet and paint and some patching that goes on in the next few weeks. Luckily there didn't seem to be much smoke damage which I think would be harder to remedy than the water. Tonight finds me in the ever welcoming apartment of some of my friends in Ann Arbor, grateful that I and the majority of my possessions are fine and that I have a few more days without classes to take care of whatever comes next.

What a week

This has been an incredible week. On Monday I had the opportunity to have lunch with one of my thought idols, C.K. Prahalad. As we went around the table and introduced ourselves, our backgrounds and our interests in emerging markets there were a lot of people that talked about non-profit work, eradicating poverty, BOP and micro finance and I have to say that when it was my turn I was feeling a little out of place. My interests lie more in working with large multinational corporations to find efficient ways to deliver goods and services to the emerging markets of the world. But when I introduced myself C.K.'s face lit up and throughout the lunch conversation he kept going back to my interests and mentioned that some of the most exciting research being done in emerging markets is happening in my area of interest. I felt such a rush of validation and a renewed sense of purpose. This has long been something I an interested in and it is exciting to know that someone that I have a lot of respect for is excited about it too. Beyond the lunch on Monday, I worked organize next week's penny wars, learned about McKinsey's Middle East office, watched the season premier of The Office, went to a section BBQ, and spent some time getting cozy with t distributions and the effects of trade barriers. All in all, a pretty great week.

I make about as much sense as a ferret.

I have a problem. I have all these ideas and experiences I want to share but they are completely unrelated to each other and none of them is really long enough for a blog post. So, if you want some insight into what I find interesting or at least noteworthy when it comes to chronicling my existence, read on.

If any of you have lived in or been to Boston you have probably noticed a sign that looks like this. Ever since my family moved there I have found these signs intriguing and have often wondered who coined the phrase. On my last trip to Boston over Labor Day weekend I

promised myself that I would take a picture of one of these signs because every time I see one it makes me smile ... ah, the little things. Unfortunately I did not keep that promise (I nearly asked my mom to turn around and find me a thickly settled sign when we were half way to the airport but I decided that the picture was not worth a missed flight). This is why when I saw this sign at the end of someones driveway mere blocks from my apartment in Ann Arbor I slammed on the breaks, got out and took a picture. Ok, you're right, I didn't. I went back a few days later and got the shot but the other way makes for a better story. I don't think that this is a sign that is maintained by the city of Ann Arbor mostly because it isn't the right height and it is right next to someones mailbox which means that this family probably stole it from somewhere in Boston presumably because they enjoy the phrasing as much as I do. I've thought about taking one too but when it comes right down to it I don't think I'd be able to get it past the watchful eye of the TSA.

Fall in Ann Arbor comes early. Or maybe I haven't come to grips with the fact that it is mid-September. My bet's on the latter and yours should be too. Anyway. While walking to class bright and early Monday morning I noticed that the sidewalk I was walking on was covered in fallen fall foliage. And I thought, "what kind of tree drops its leaves in the summer?". I know ... the kind that knows its FALL. 

Yesterday while I was waiting at the bus stop an old Buick drove by at about five mph with its windows down and some sweet jazz music blasting from its stereo. The 85 year old man inside gave me a full face wink. It made me feel pretty good about myself.

Last week I went to hear Vicente Fox speak. He spoke on globalization, immigration and NAFTA but didn't express any of his more "radical" views. To be quite honest it was a bit on the boring side. The most interesting part of the night was when he opened it up for questions and someone asked if he had an RFID tag inserted in his arm so that the government could keep track of him at all times. The audience laughed at the man asking the question (he sounded like a crazy big brother is out to get you and aliens may abduct you at anytime kind of guy) but then Presidente Fox took the question and turned it into a commentary on the kidnappings and the war Presidente Calderon is waging against the cartels and what Americans could do to help. I was impressed with his kindness and care for this man and the skill with which he turned an awkward moment into an opportunity to teach. I hope that I am able to develop that skill as I grow as a leader.

Boo Yeah!

Today I broke down and did something about some general maintenance that I had been putting off on my beloved Doug-Doug. After all the trips back and forth between Chicago and Ann Arbor last month he was in serious need of an oil change. I located a Jiffy Lube which I have found to be generally reliable and started them on babying my baby. I went for the full flush out because, frankly, he needed it. In the process the friendly guys working on my car noticed that one of my headlights was out. Unfortunately they didn't have one to replace it. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I stopped at an auto supply store on my way home and got a new bulb and then I started tearing up the inside of my car. I came out a little dirty but successful and feeling super good about myself. Yay for conquering a new basic auto repair all on my own!

The First Week

I survived the first week and I liked it! And yes, it really was a matter of survival. There were classes, lots of reading and problem sets, several late nights and some fierce section competition. On Thursday I wasn't sure it was going to be possible but now having made it through Monday classes after not having spent as much time on preparing over the weekend as I felt I should have I am feeling optimistic about my abilities to find balance in my current patch of crazy. Part of that balance comes from me wrapping this up well before I have said everything I could about my professors, classes and section mates so that I can prepare to talk about one of my passions, Wal-Mart, during Strategy on Wednesday. I also need to go eat lunch.

Ponderings

How did I get from there to here? Just three weeks ago I was on my way to BC. I had plans. Now as my life is starting to settle down I am sitting on the floor in my new apartment in Michigan wondering what happened and how I feel about whatever it was that did happen. I've started orientation and have been meeting lots of people. I think I like it here but I don't think I'll know for sure until classes start. For now I'll just have to keep going hoping that I made the right decision.

Change of Plans

I am a planner. It is the very essence of my being and so I am constantly amazed at how good I am at changing all of my carefully laid plans at a moment's notice. I suppose the root cause of that lovely character trait is that I am also a really big fan of change. In fact, I love it so much I find it very difficult to stay in one place for very long (unless that place is my big, beautiful, gray, velvet sofa ... or is it a couch? and what is the difference between a sofa and a couch anyway?). It is for this reason that my having stayed in one city let alone one apartment for nearly three years is a real shocker. To be quite honest, I've been feeling a little unbalanced about it. But this week all that balance was returned in a flurry of plan changing.

Right up until Monday afternoon my grand plan for the next two years was to move to Boston and get an MBA. I had an apartment, was registered for classes, had joined online communities and virtually befriended many people I have never met before. Today, four days later, I am sitting in a computer lab at the University of Michigan blogging about change. I have undone all my Boston plans, found a new place to live, registered for classes, joined online communities and am seriously considering virtually befriending about 400 people I have never met.

This week has been crazy and I am being stretched to the limits of my ability to plan on the fly and I am sure that things will get crazier during the next week and a half. I only hope to handle it with poise and grace or at least with a healthy dose of humor.

Look Ma, No Hands!

Today was an amazing day. I woke up to the song of some very persistent birds in time to see the sunrise from a peaceful meadow overlooking a beautiful valley.

I brought some comfort food to help me prepare for what was next.

Yep, that's right, what was next was jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet with Chad strapped to my back. Or was I strapped to his front? Either way, we were really close. Surprisingly enough as I was kneeling at the door of the plane I was completely calm. As I was falling all I could think was that I was 100% present in the moment and I was loving every second of it. The freefall was fantastic! I had so much fun spinning around and watching the ground race up to catch me. I even managed to deploy my own chute at the correct altitude! We then glided for the final 5,500 feet, pulled some tight spirals, flew threw a cloud and touched down gracefully. Enjoy the pictures!

I honestly think that this may become my new favorite hobby. It is beautiful, peaceful and a heck of a lot of fun. I would love to spend an entire summer at a dive site and jump 5-7 times a day or maybe I'll try to do a jump in every country I travel to from now on. What a life.

Ba-Ba-Reeba Birthday

Today for my birthday Stephen & Angela took me out to a tapas restaurant called Ba-Ba Reebas. It was DELICIOUS!! I got to have this egg-potato-onion concoction that I fell in love with when I went to Spain in 8th grade ... it's called a tortilla española. But the best part of the dinner, the icing on the proverbial birthday cake if you will, was this butterscotch pudding.

A-MA-ZING. I just about died. Seriously.

On a side note, I whipped out some of my new eyeshadow tonight and went for the somewhat smoky blue look. Definitely not an everyday thing but when you're feeling special why the heck not?!

Anniversary Sale

This weekend is the best weekend at one of my favorite stores. Nordstrom. It is their anniversary sale where they put all the new fall clothes on sale before they are picked over and the only things left aren't your size. My girls, Jamie and Sarah, at the Trish counter did my make up. I look fabulous! I have some fun new shades of eye shadow that I am excited to play with and some new basics ... foundation with all kinds of super additives like spf 15, green tea and antioxidants, black eye liner, my favorite fragrance ... and something called a luminizer pen that make it looks like your face is lit from within. And then there were these ...

... they are quite possibly the best pair of black heels I have ever owned. Shiny, peep toe, buckle around the ankle. Can you ask for anything more?



I decided to take my new Obama shirt out into the open during my little shopping trip. I loved all the reactions! There was this cute old lady who asked me where she could get one, someone that walked up to me and said "we can only hope" and then walked away and one of my friends who told me that she knows him. It was interesting to so publicly declare my desires for the future to a mall full of strangers. I felt like I was exposing my most intimate self without knowing how I would be received.

Entering the Arena, Sort Of

For the first time ever I have contributed to a presidential campaign. Granted I made a contribution of about $30 and in return I got a magnetic bumper sticker and a t-shirt but part of Senator Obama's 52M in June was all me.

Concerts in the Park

Tonight my friends Kate and Whitney met me in Millennium Park to hear the Grant Park Orchestra perform Beethoven's Symphony No.7. It is tradition to bring a picnic to the concert and dine on the lawn while listening to some really excellent orchestral performances. My grand plan was to hop on a Purple Express train and get downtown in record time, grab some Chipotle on the way over and have a fabulous time. No muss, no fuss, no stress. Unfortunately in my rush to change out of my work clothes and run to the train I must have left my "I am a local - ask me anything" sign tied around my neck. Not only was I questioned about the nature of the express train, I also helped several people get off at the right stop and explained the menu and ordering procedure at Potbelly's not having been able to find anyone with a sign similar to mine when I went one El stop too far while trying to explain where to go to a very confused passenger and couldn't remember which street Chipotle is on. In the end I was pleased to have been so helpful to so many people and did make it to the concert in time for the Beethoven. It was definitely a night to remember in my beloved Chicago.

Memories

Five years ago today I left Paraguay to return home after serving a year and a half long mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have spent much of the day thinking about my friends there, the people I taught, the lives I helped change and the impact the experience has had on my life. As I sit here I am listening to my favorite Polka Paraguaya and dreaming of chipa and cocido. Even now my heart is full of an indescribable love for the people of Paraguay.

Coronation

That’s right, I’ve been crowned. Or I’ve had my first crown “seated” in its elevated position in my mouth. I am no stranger to dental / orthodontic work having had nearly everything you can throw at a person’s mouth lobbed in my direction. One notable exception to that is headgear. Thank goodness!! The remarkable thing is that, in spite of all my experience, I really don’t mind the dentist. I even kind of like my dentist even though he does that thing where he goes to shake your hand with his palm facing the floor. I once read that this indicates a subconscious feeling that one is superior to the person toward which they are extending their hand. In the arena of oral hygiene I’m sure his subconscious is right about that.

What endeared me to this dentist is that midway through my hour long appointment during which he seated my crown and did six fillings he stops, hands me a mirror and says “I want to show you what I’m doing because I think it makes it more fun for you”. Why on earth would seeing six of my teeth with holes drilled in them make the experience more fun?? Gross, yes, but fun? What can I say? The man likes his work.

On a peculiar side note, this go around my sensitivity to Novocain reached an even stranger level. My nostrils went numb. Not the outside of my nose. Just the nostrils.

Independence Eve

As many of you know, in a few short weeks I will be leaving the ever fabulous city of Chicago for a new adventure in Boston. Due to my impending departure I have decided to relish everything I love most about summer in this amazing city and yesterday was packed with some serious highlights.

Walker Brother's Pancake House

I love this place. I remember coming here as a kid and in the three years that I have been living in Evanston I have taken full advantage of having some of the best pancakes in the world right up the street. This is one of my favorites ... the Dutch Baby. Yum Yum!















Wandering around the loop

After pancakes I went downtown and went to some of my favorite places.


This is my all time favorite local news station, ABC 7 Chicago. I'm a bit of a news junkie. In fact, it borders on obsession. I happen to go to the same gym as one of the anchors and whenever I see her on the treadmill I get on the one next to her but I have yet to talk to her because there is a tiny part of me that thinks that might be creepy. Seriously though, seeing the set where the magic happens sends tingles down my spine.






















Next up was a trip to the old Marshall Fields State Street store with it's famous clock and amazing interior. What other department store has a ceiling like this? I love the sheer size of this store! It is a full city block and who knows how many floors high. I have literally gotten lost inside.

Under the category of amazing ceilings, the restoration of the Tiffany dome in the Chicago Cultural Center is finished! For those of you living in Chicago this is a must see. Truly awe inspiring.

The Taste of Chicago

In a city that loves it's food as much a Chicago does it only makes sense that there would be a ten day festival dedicated to food. Where else can you eat Italian beef, hot dogs, Chicago style pizza, pad thai, watermelon, empanadas, steak tacos, turkey legs as big as your head and so much more all in one day.



These are some of the tastiest tastes. Steak tacos and the most flavorful watermelon I've had this season.

Concert and Fireworks

After the Taste I made my way over to the Petrillo Music Shell to pick out a good spot for the evening concert and fireworks display. Some friends joined me and we settled in for the show.



The fireworks were amazing. These are my favorites.


There is something about sharing something so impressive with 1.5 million people that immediately brings people closer together.


Then again, maybe that closeness is spawned during the rush to the El after the event.