Everyone knows that Singapore is famous for caning people. Most countries probably do it, but they don't make "lashes" general sentences for crimes. In Singapore they cane openly.
Yesterday in the newspaper, there was a story about a woman who is jailed because she knew about and watched her husband cane their son to an inhumane degree (he was punished as well, but at another time).
There was a follow up article on caning your children. The following points were included (mostly quotes by an expert), and it HORRIFIED me and Matt was totally okay with it. He said he will never hit or cane our kids, but he also said that he doesn't necessarily think it's wrong. This is a conversation for another posting.
"If you hit your child in a fit of anger, you are teaching him that violence is acceptable." (doesn't caning teach them that violence is acceptable?)
"If you must use the cane, calm down, and explain your actions before carrying out the punishment." (MUST?)
"It is generally accepted that abuse occurs if the child's skin is broken or bleeds during caning. Some parts of the body, such as the face and private parts, are also considered no-go zones...Caning a child too often can also be considered abuse."
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Apple Moments
I have had two Apple Moments recently. These are moments when I appreciate the company, Apple. I usually have very strong moments like these about Google, NPR, certain activities (tennis, Settlers), and definitely with people and relationships.
Apple Moment 1:
Flyer, Eli and I were walking in NYC after a lovely dinner. I had to go up and get my bags to head to the airport, but I remembered a great gelato place in the west village. We started walking. I remember that it was near the cheese shop and the bread shop (and maybe a fish shop?) on Bleecker. We walked. It didn't look right. Flyer remembered that another time I was in NYC, maybe a year ago, we walked, in the same area, looking for the same gelato place that I "knew" about. We didn't find it then. Ah memories...but WAIT! Flyer has the new iPhone. Flyer looked up the cheese shop, which we knew the name to (I had thought the Gelato place was Scoopz, but it's Cones, or something similar), and we realized it was between 6th and 7th, and not west of 7th. We found it! Apple saved the day!!
Apple Moment 2:
In all of my previous jobs there was a key five minute period in the morning that was wasted due to the time it takes to turn on a computer. Usually, because I'm incredibly anal (and therefore efficient?) I worked it into a routine such that I would turn it on immediately when I got into the office, and then I could get settled - put my lunch away, get some water, etc. Currently I am working using my MacBook. It takes 11 seconds to start up. That time is no longer wasted! Apple saved the day!! (But I forgot to put away my lunch, and water had to wait for a real break...)
Apple Moment 1:
Flyer, Eli and I were walking in NYC after a lovely dinner. I had to go up and get my bags to head to the airport, but I remembered a great gelato place in the west village. We started walking. I remember that it was near the cheese shop and the bread shop (and maybe a fish shop?) on Bleecker. We walked. It didn't look right. Flyer remembered that another time I was in NYC, maybe a year ago, we walked, in the same area, looking for the same gelato place that I "knew" about. We didn't find it then. Ah memories...but WAIT! Flyer has the new iPhone. Flyer looked up the cheese shop, which we knew the name to (I had thought the Gelato place was Scoopz, but it's Cones, or something similar), and we realized it was between 6th and 7th, and not west of 7th. We found it! Apple saved the day!!
Apple Moment 2:
In all of my previous jobs there was a key five minute period in the morning that was wasted due to the time it takes to turn on a computer. Usually, because I'm incredibly anal (and therefore efficient?) I worked it into a routine such that I would turn it on immediately when I got into the office, and then I could get settled - put my lunch away, get some water, etc. Currently I am working using my MacBook. It takes 11 seconds to start up. That time is no longer wasted! Apple saved the day!! (But I forgot to put away my lunch, and water had to wait for a real break...)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Healthy Foods
Matt went to get a physical a few weeks ago, and they gave him a list of foods and how much energy (or calories) as well as cholesterol they contain. The list of foods included:
Kind of different than what a list in the states might include...
By the way - the pork brain is the most cholesterol filled. By far. About 30 times that of pigeon.
- Curry Laksa and Murtabak with no measurements of amounts
- Quail Egg White
- Cuttlefish
- Canned Abalone
- Pomfret
- Sea Jelly
- Pork Brain
- Beef Brain
- Pork Kidney
- Lamb Fat
- Pigeon
Kind of different than what a list in the states might include...
By the way - the pork brain is the most cholesterol filled. By far. About 30 times that of pigeon.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
New York, Seoul and the Return back to the 'Pore
Michigan brought me shopping and visits. I got to lunch with some Hildebrandt parents, I got a breakfast with a Wachter, a short visit with Aunt Belle, and some trail mix, shoes, and other finds unavailable to me in Singapore.
After a thrilling day in the suburbs of Detroit (okay, nothing is really thrilling in the suburbs of Detroit), I headed to New York. When planning my return trip to Singapore, a free stop-over in New York sounded excellent. Negotiating the stairs in the subway with a train switch and two heavy bags (at least six hair mousses, at least six bottles of contact solution, at least six books, and six other heavy things) plus my backpack made me want to fall over, however, and I had not thought of this in my planning. When I finally got to Ruthie's apartment I was hungry, smelly, and my muscles hurt. At the bottom of the 96th Street subway stop I simply stood there until someone offered to take my 50 pound suitcase up the stairs. The "someone" did finally come along, and I was really thankful.
My 27 hours in New York were wonderful. I got to spend time with Liba and Yona (Liba's 7.5 month old), Leslie and Andy and their new Asher, a small bit of time with Terese, Jeremy and their little Max, a quick walk with Ellen, a rainy afternoon including CP Shades with Eli, and a great dinner with Eli and Flyer. I got my favorite cookies, I ate great shakshuka, I confirmed that New Yorkers do indeed walk better than Singaporeans, and all in all, I had a great day.
My trip home included a 12 hour layover in Seoul. This was my first time in Korea, and my friend Jinah, from INSEAD, met me downtown at 8 am. She's a superstar, but she claims that her mom makes her get out of bed each morning at 7, so apparently the hour wasn't a problem for her. After the required breakfast and coffee at Korean Starbucks, she took me to the beautiful palace and to a great area with beautiful crafts and shops. We had five tastes Korean tea, and finally she treated me to a fifty course (not really, but it felt like it) Korean lunch (see photo).
A highlight was when two Korean university students stopped me on the street 
and asked me questions from their sheet in English (see photo). What is your name? Where are you from? When did you get to Seoul? When are you leaving? Do you like it here? I think my answers of "I just got here a few hours ago," and "I'm leaving in a few hours" were confusing, but they were cute. They took a picture with me, so I took a picture with them as well.
Click here for the "best of" pictures from my whole trip.
After a thrilling day in the suburbs of Detroit (okay, nothing is really thrilling in the suburbs of Detroit), I headed to New York. When planning my return trip to Singapore, a free stop-over in New York sounded excellent. Negotiating the stairs in the subway with a train switch and two heavy bags (at least six hair mousses, at least six bottles of contact solution, at least six books, and six other heavy things) plus my backpack made me want to fall over, however, and I had not thought of this in my planning. When I finally got to Ruthie's apartment I was hungry, smelly, and my muscles hurt. At the bottom of the 96th Street subway stop I simply stood there until someone offered to take my 50 pound suitcase up the stairs. The "someone" did finally come along, and I was really thankful.
My 27 hours in New York were wonderful. I got to spend time with Liba and Yona (Liba's 7.5 month old), Leslie and Andy and their new Asher, a small bit of time with Terese, Jeremy and their little Max, a quick walk with Ellen, a rainy afternoon including CP Shades with Eli, and a great dinner with Eli and Flyer. I got my favorite cookies, I ate great shakshuka, I confirmed that New Yorkers do indeed walk better than Singaporeans, and all in all, I had a great day.
My trip home included a 12 hour layover in Seoul. This was my first time in Korea, and my friend Jinah, from INSEAD, met me downtown at 8 am. She's a superstar, but she claims that her mom makes her get out of bed each morning at 7, so apparently the hour wasn't a problem for her. After the required breakfast and coffee at Korean Starbucks, she took me to the beautiful palace and to a great area with beautiful crafts and shops. We had five tastes Korean tea, and finally she treated me to a fifty course (not really, but it felt like it) Korean lunch (see photo).
A highlight was when two Korean university students stopped me on the street 
and asked me questions from their sheet in English (see photo). What is your name? Where are you from? When did you get to Seoul? When are you leaving? Do you like it here? I think my answers of "I just got here a few hours ago," and "I'm leaving in a few hours" were confusing, but they were cute. They took a picture with me, so I took a picture with them as well.Click here for the "best of" pictures from my whole trip.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Stranger in a Sort-of-Strange-Land
Chicago was superb. I have never really gone to Chicago to visit the city. I always go to visit friends in the city. After college, it seemed like everyone lived there at one point. I even had about eight of my best friends from various parts of my life in one room in Chicago while I was food-poisoning in the "other" room. That was a memory...from 2003.
This time had the same intentions, but it had a different outcome. Possibly because I have fewer great friends in Chicago, or possibly because I simply didn't tell everyone I was coming, I had a lot more free time on this trip, and Jill and Ben took me Chicago-exploring more than usual.
Sunday, Kirsten, Jill and I had our usual Sex and the City type brunch where we talk about boys and gross stuff like that. Pretty funny that when we did that four years ago none of us was married, and now we're all married...and even one with a baby (but she wasn't there this time...since she JUST had a baby...). This was the high school reunion part of my trip.
Then Jill, Ben, and I took the train downtown, and we walked all around near Millennium Park and the downtown area. It was thoroughly enjoyable. There is a great deal of beautiful art and architecture down there. Loved it.
We had an enjoyable dinner with Ron and Morgan, and we headed back to pass out for the second night in a row.
This morning I got to meet Marla's beautiful baby, Dana (pictures to follow when I get back to Singapore). Marla looked so put together and wonderful. I was impressed. I'm not sure I would look that put together with a two week old baby. Then Jill and I got to have lunch with and walk with Laura and Elyssa. It was all very nice and great to see everyone.
A funny part of my day was when I stopped at Pizza Bob's in Ann Arbor for a chipati on the way home. There were three members of the Michigan volleyball team in there. Within minutes the entire team was in there, and the two guys who worked there were flirting up a storm. It was difficult for me to get served. Rather than fight for the attention of two 22 year old boys - with 15 tall, hot blonds, I went to my car and got some New Yorkers to read while I waited. The chipati was well worth the wait.
All in all my Chicago experience was wonderful and relaxing, and today I even got to see Daniel for a few minutes before he headed off to work. I'm pretty sure that the thing that makes me happiest in life is just being with friends and people I love, and I have gotten a lot of that lately - and I'm usually suffering from a serious deficit.
This time had the same intentions, but it had a different outcome. Possibly because I have fewer great friends in Chicago, or possibly because I simply didn't tell everyone I was coming, I had a lot more free time on this trip, and Jill and Ben took me Chicago-exploring more than usual.
Sunday, Kirsten, Jill and I had our usual Sex and the City type brunch where we talk about boys and gross stuff like that. Pretty funny that when we did that four years ago none of us was married, and now we're all married...and even one with a baby (but she wasn't there this time...since she JUST had a baby...). This was the high school reunion part of my trip.
Then Jill, Ben, and I took the train downtown, and we walked all around near Millennium Park and the downtown area. It was thoroughly enjoyable. There is a great deal of beautiful art and architecture down there. Loved it.
We had an enjoyable dinner with Ron and Morgan, and we headed back to pass out for the second night in a row.
This morning I got to meet Marla's beautiful baby, Dana (pictures to follow when I get back to Singapore). Marla looked so put together and wonderful. I was impressed. I'm not sure I would look that put together with a two week old baby. Then Jill and I got to have lunch with and walk with Laura and Elyssa. It was all very nice and great to see everyone.
A funny part of my day was when I stopped at Pizza Bob's in Ann Arbor for a chipati on the way home. There were three members of the Michigan volleyball team in there. Within minutes the entire team was in there, and the two guys who worked there were flirting up a storm. It was difficult for me to get served. Rather than fight for the attention of two 22 year old boys - with 15 tall, hot blonds, I went to my car and got some New Yorkers to read while I waited. The chipati was well worth the wait.
All in all my Chicago experience was wonderful and relaxing, and today I even got to see Daniel for a few minutes before he headed off to work. I'm pretty sure that the thing that makes me happiest in life is just being with friends and people I love, and I have gotten a lot of that lately - and I'm usually suffering from a serious deficit.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Michigania
This was probably one of my favorite weeks ever at Michigania. After the initial surprise, all went normally, which was just so fun.
I went biking nearly daily with various groups made of the following people: my dad, my brother, Mark, Ron, Danny, and Jeff. Two rides on the hilly roads outside of camp, and all the rest on the crazy hard horse trails. Jer made it up some hills I could barely walk up.
I played tennis with my mom and Diana almost daily - my tennis improved a lot, and I think I can challenge Matt properly in the next Hildebrandt Open. My serve even had some power (sometimes).
In addition to the regular activities, I went sailing two or three times, I got in one game of ultimate frisbee, and Mark took me tubing one afternoon. I could not handle how fun tubing was. I laughed literally the entire time. I thought I pulled a muscle smiling and laughing so hard. We also played volleyball nearly every night, a few Boggles, even a few on the beach in the afternoon, and generally just such a fun week.
We had weather in the 70s and sunny - which was freezing for me, but it was outstanding. It was amazing to have so much time to visit with Londons, Cunninghams, Grosses, Millers, Birnholtzs, and everyone else. Since I moved to Singapore I basically have an hour or a little more to visit with people, and it's always so rushed. It was amazing to have "chill time" with such wonderful people.
My biggest accomplishment is the large muscle protruding from my right arm. I think it's from tennis, but it feels really strong.
Yesterday I hitched a ride in a 92 VW van with Diana, two of her kids and two of her nephews. It was a long long ride, but Diana is super interesting, and it was quite enjoyable (even after only sleeping about three hours...). We even stopped for the best apple pie I have ever had. I got one for Jill and Ben. Finally, we ended up in Chicago.
Last night I got to eat superb Persian food with Jill and Ben and play two games of Settlers. They asked what I was craving...I was craving Settlers. I don't really care about dinner.
I went biking nearly daily with various groups made of the following people: my dad, my brother, Mark, Ron, Danny, and Jeff. Two rides on the hilly roads outside of camp, and all the rest on the crazy hard horse trails. Jer made it up some hills I could barely walk up.
I played tennis with my mom and Diana almost daily - my tennis improved a lot, and I think I can challenge Matt properly in the next Hildebrandt Open. My serve even had some power (sometimes).
In addition to the regular activities, I went sailing two or three times, I got in one game of ultimate frisbee, and Mark took me tubing one afternoon. I could not handle how fun tubing was. I laughed literally the entire time. I thought I pulled a muscle smiling and laughing so hard. We also played volleyball nearly every night, a few Boggles, even a few on the beach in the afternoon, and generally just such a fun week.
We had weather in the 70s and sunny - which was freezing for me, but it was outstanding. It was amazing to have so much time to visit with Londons, Cunninghams, Grosses, Millers, Birnholtzs, and everyone else. Since I moved to Singapore I basically have an hour or a little more to visit with people, and it's always so rushed. It was amazing to have "chill time" with such wonderful people.
My biggest accomplishment is the large muscle protruding from my right arm. I think it's from tennis, but it feels really strong.
Yesterday I hitched a ride in a 92 VW van with Diana, two of her kids and two of her nephews. It was a long long ride, but Diana is super interesting, and it was quite enjoyable (even after only sleeping about three hours...). We even stopped for the best apple pie I have ever had. I got one for Jill and Ben. Finally, we ended up in Chicago.
Last night I got to eat superb Persian food with Jill and Ben and play two games of Settlers. They asked what I was craving...I was craving Settlers. I don't really care about dinner.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Surprise!!!
It's kind of old news now, but I surprised my family this week, and I came to North America to go to Michigania!!!
I had planned on arriving on Tuesday evening - Lonnie was going to pick me up and take me to surprise my parents...it was all perfect. Would have been 31 hours of traveling. Manageable. But...my flight out of New York (supposed to be at 4:15 on Tuesday...) was delayed until 8:30 AM THE NEXT MORNING (after making us think we would still leave on Tuesday morning until about 8:30pm. BOOOO!!! I met a wonderful girl, Rachel, and we got a hotel room together for all of four hours, and we flew out the next morning. Unfortunately that meant that I had to TELL my parents I was coming rather than just show up, AND because I was so delayed I didn't even get to go home before I left on Wednesday afternoon on a train to Toronto. But...FINALLY...after 55 hours of traveling, I arrived at Shana and Daniel's, and it was a GREAT few days. I'm so glad I went, and they were so good to me. Taking care of a one year old and taking care of a severely jet lagged 31 year old.
Jer and I drove from Toronto to camp yesterday, and it has been so wonderful to see everyone. I can't believe I'm here. It has been very painful for me to miss the past two years, and this year, with Greg and Cristine's baby, Sam, and Terese and Jeremy's baby, Max, plus the amount of Birnholtz family available - it was just too much. Also, this is the first time since about 1990 that I'm here for the whole week.
Quite a treat.
I had planned on arriving on Tuesday evening - Lonnie was going to pick me up and take me to surprise my parents...it was all perfect. Would have been 31 hours of traveling. Manageable. But...my flight out of New York (supposed to be at 4:15 on Tuesday...) was delayed until 8:30 AM THE NEXT MORNING (after making us think we would still leave on Tuesday morning until about 8:30pm. BOOOO!!! I met a wonderful girl, Rachel, and we got a hotel room together for all of four hours, and we flew out the next morning. Unfortunately that meant that I had to TELL my parents I was coming rather than just show up, AND because I was so delayed I didn't even get to go home before I left on Wednesday afternoon on a train to Toronto. But...FINALLY...after 55 hours of traveling, I arrived at Shana and Daniel's, and it was a GREAT few days. I'm so glad I went, and they were so good to me. Taking care of a one year old and taking care of a severely jet lagged 31 year old.
Jer and I drove from Toronto to camp yesterday, and it has been so wonderful to see everyone. I can't believe I'm here. It has been very painful for me to miss the past two years, and this year, with Greg and Cristine's baby, Sam, and Terese and Jeremy's baby, Max, plus the amount of Birnholtz family available - it was just too much. Also, this is the first time since about 1990 that I'm here for the whole week.
Quite a treat.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
4th of July
Matt and I had an excellent American Independence Day. After visiting the market, having some yummy fishball noodles and getting Matt a haircut, we met some friends in Sembawang, at the Terror Club (Terrible name!) where we went with Tenley and Jeff last year. We ate all-American hamburgers, hot dogs, drank diet coke, and we drank a lot of beer. We chilled there for a while and we tried to leave to go watch the Williams sisters' war. Though we left the place around 9pm (the match started at 9), we didn't make it to the bar until 10:10. I also thought we were going to die on the way there. Our taxi driver kept twitching and leaning down to do stuff, and at o
ne point he leaned his head back on the head rest, and something in the car started beeping. I was sure that was the end. We swerved in and out of lanes, we went fast and slowly - it was nuts.
Ultimately we got there in time to watch a bit of the match, and it was really nice.
Please enjoy the random picture of Strawberry Shortcake as well as a few pictures from yesterday.
ne point he leaned his head back on the head rest, and something in the car started beeping. I was sure that was the end. We swerved in and out of lanes, we went fast and slowly - it was nuts.Ultimately we got there in time to watch a bit of the match, and it was really nice.
Please enjoy the random picture of Strawberry Shortcake as well as a few pictures from yesterday.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Bestest Chicken Rice
Last night Ben and Jen had a goodbye party. I had an hour before I went, and I was hungry, and it was close, so I went to my favorite claypot chicken rice place. Okay - I have only had a few claypot chicken rices, but this one is really good. It's right near our dive shop, so a few times before we went diving, I would go pick up some dinner. The last time I went is when Tenley and I went diving - a LONG time ago. That time, they had run out of chicken rice at about 8pm. I was really disappointed.
This time, I ordered my dinner, and I sat to wait (it takes about 20 or 25 minutes). When she brought it, she said, "I put in extra vegetables, because I remember you came to us one time, and we had run out." WOW! Impressive memory! There are lots of white people floating around these parts!
Then...since I did an entire project on the pricing of beer in Singapore, and I like to maximize the value I get for my dollar (read: cheap), I decided to start off my beered night with a big bottle of Tiger. I knew that at the bar it would be about $10-$13 for a small bottle of Tiger, and at the hawker stall you can get a BIG bottle for $5.60. I did. I went to pay, and I gave the guy $10.70 thinking he could give me a five dollar bill and a ten cent coin. He gave me back the cents. I tried to show him that I didn't want a bunch of coins along with two more bills, and this was easier, but he didn't understand. I think then he thought the 70 cents was a tip, so he called his friend over to take it. Finally I just put it back in my wallet. And then he gave me $5.10, so I had to get it out again. It was not an easy transaction.
Another interesting thing as of late is that someone, I assume it's a cat of some sort, has brought us a piece of coal from the bbqs by the pool. They left it right outside our patio door. Remember when someone left us a lambchop? I think it's a similar thing.
This time, I ordered my dinner, and I sat to wait (it takes about 20 or 25 minutes). When she brought it, she said, "I put in extra vegetables, because I remember you came to us one time, and we had run out." WOW! Impressive memory! There are lots of white people floating around these parts!
Then...since I did an entire project on the pricing of beer in Singapore, and I like to maximize the value I get for my dollar (read: cheap), I decided to start off my beered night with a big bottle of Tiger. I knew that at the bar it would be about $10-$13 for a small bottle of Tiger, and at the hawker stall you can get a BIG bottle for $5.60. I did. I went to pay, and I gave the guy $10.70 thinking he could give me a five dollar bill and a ten cent coin. He gave me back the cents. I tried to show him that I didn't want a bunch of coins along with two more bills, and this was easier, but he didn't understand. I think then he thought the 70 cents was a tip, so he called his friend over to take it. Finally I just put it back in my wallet. And then he gave me $5.10, so I had to get it out again. It was not an easy transaction.
Another interesting thing as of late is that someone, I assume it's a cat of some sort, has brought us a piece of coal from the bbqs by the pool. They left it right outside our patio door. Remember when someone left us a lambchop? I think it's a similar thing.
Recent Videos - Hang's Daughter and the Kitties
This is my friend, Hang's daughter watching the Brazilian drummers. She was so cute. This went on for about ten minutes or more! It looks like I didn't get good sound, though...
This is Mimi dancing behind the Desi dancers - also at the INSEAD graduation. I didn't realize I had the camera on its side, and apparently I don't know how to rotate videos, so you just have to turn your monitor 90 degrees. :)
This is Cyrus - he is throwing a bee. These two cats just have so much more muscle than ours - ours can throw a little ball or something, but these guys throw their bodies against their door, they threw a beanie baby across the room this morning. They're hilarious.
This is a Kitty attack. Kitty is so silly to think that you can't see her entire tail and rear end, but she really thinks that. Just like the rays we see diving.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Like Ants
You know how ants all walk with each other...all in a row...going to the same place? I always wonder who was first, and do the rest of them think about it, or they just follow? In a book I read (I think it was the autobiography of a physicist who helped develop the A Bomb) the guy would mess up the route of the ants, but they always found their way back.
Matt and I see them hiking, and we like to watch them. It's just crazy how many there are sometimes.
Today I participated in an ant march. I had my first partial day at work. My office is between two different MRT stops. The one that's farther from our house has a road that goes directly to my office, so I have taken that one so far. The other one looks more confusing on google maps. I just ignored it, but I was a bit curious...
I left work at about 6:15 or so, and I saw a whole bunch - like a stream - of people walking through an HDB (public housing) complex, and all in the general same direction. I was texting, listening to my ipod...talking on the phone...not paying any attention. I followed the ant in front of me, and ultimately, though I wasn't sure I would originally, I ended up at the MRT. It was a lot closer.
I hope there is an ant line going there tomorrow.
In other news, the poop is gone and the pool has reopened.
Matt and I see them hiking, and we like to watch them. It's just crazy how many there are sometimes.
Today I participated in an ant march. I had my first partial day at work. My office is between two different MRT stops. The one that's farther from our house has a road that goes directly to my office, so I have taken that one so far. The other one looks more confusing on google maps. I just ignored it, but I was a bit curious...
I left work at about 6:15 or so, and I saw a whole bunch - like a stream - of people walking through an HDB (public housing) complex, and all in the general same direction. I was texting, listening to my ipod...talking on the phone...not paying any attention. I followed the ant in front of me, and ultimately, though I wasn't sure I would originally, I ended up at the MRT. It was a lot closer.
I hope there is an ant line going there tomorrow.
In other news, the poop is gone and the pool has reopened.
Graduation
After weeks of "my last class," "my last paper," "my last presentation," etc...it's FINALLY over. Graduation was yesterday. The ceremony itself was nothing to be excited about, but I guess it was closure.
We had the dean of the MBA program, Jake, and the dean of INSEAD speak to welcome us. Then an Indonesian business woman spoke. She told her life story, which I suppose was interesting, but I'm not sure what the message was for a graduation. At first I heard, "it's not about the family you come from, you have to make it for yourself and learn to build your own assets, etc." And at the end I swear her last message was that family is the most important thing. Hmmm. 30 minutes was a big long, but I thought we behaved ourselves politely.
Our student speakers, Christophe and Wolfgang were pretty funny. They're just about as opposite as it gets, and they seemed to have covered all of the INSEAD experiences.
Usually in a graduation, when everyone's name gets called, and they all go up to get their diplomas I think it's boring and silly, but for us, there were so few of us, and I have some sort of relationship with nearly every one of us that I loved it. I felt proud of each person who went up, got their diploma and stood in between the deans for a picture.
The grad committee - headed by Richard (who is just awesome) - organized a lion dance to send us on our way out of the room. That was really neat. In the courtyard after we had Brazilian drummers, Indian dancers, and I think some other sort of dancer, but I can't remember right now. There was food from around the world - hummus, gado gado, burgers...and after we went to Oosh, which is where we had our "end of P2" and "end of P3" (and possibly "end of P4" but I wasn't here) parties. There were significantly fewer of us than usual. There was a special guest appearance of the Zero Coupon Band - or at least what is left of them, as most people are in Fontainebleau. A highlight for me was watching my marketing and pricing professor take a shot of vodka from the INSEAD J2009 ice sculpture luge. I won't post any incriminating pictures, though. :)
All in all, I'm still not ready to be done, but I'm ready to be done with being done - it's been a long ending.
INSEAD was an amazing experience. It was definitely the most intense time of my life - at least the first four months were - and I still can't believe it's done.
I suppose that when I don't see all of these super international, cool, smart, motivated people surrounding me everyday for the next few weeks it will hit me.
We had the dean of the MBA program, Jake, and the dean of INSEAD speak to welcome us. Then an Indonesian business woman spoke. She told her life story, which I suppose was interesting, but I'm not sure what the message was for a graduation. At first I heard, "it's not about the family you come from, you have to make it for yourself and learn to build your own assets, etc." And at the end I swear her last message was that family is the most important thing. Hmmm. 30 minutes was a big long, but I thought we behaved ourselves politely.
Our student speakers, Christophe and Wolfgang were pretty funny. They're just about as opposite as it gets, and they seemed to have covered all of the INSEAD experiences.
Usually in a graduation, when everyone's name gets called, and they all go up to get their diplomas I think it's boring and silly, but for us, there were so few of us, and I have some sort of relationship with nearly every one of us that I loved it. I felt proud of each person who went up, got their diploma and stood in between the deans for a picture.
The grad committee - headed by Richard (who is just awesome) - organized a lion dance to send us on our way out of the room. That was really neat. In the courtyard after we had Brazilian drummers, Indian dancers, and I think some other sort of dancer, but I can't remember right now. There was food from around the world - hummus, gado gado, burgers...and after we went to Oosh, which is where we had our "end of P2" and "end of P3" (and possibly "end of P4" but I wasn't here) parties. There were significantly fewer of us than usual. There was a special guest appearance of the Zero Coupon Band - or at least what is left of them, as most people are in Fontainebleau. A highlight for me was watching my marketing and pricing professor take a shot of vodka from the INSEAD J2009 ice sculpture luge. I won't post any incriminating pictures, though. :)
All in all, I'm still not ready to be done, but I'm ready to be done with being done - it's been a long ending.
INSEAD was an amazing experience. It was definitely the most intense time of my life - at least the first four months were - and I still can't believe it's done.
I suppose that when I don't see all of these super international, cool, smart, motivated people surrounding me everyday for the next few weeks it will hit me.
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