You need to be able to read a map! If you can't read the map, then it's a good thing to hop on the sightseeing trolley to determine where everything is.
If you go sightseeing by yourself, you end of doing a lot of people watching. And people here are something to watch. Boston is a beautiful city and if you are an American history fanatic like me, it's a great city in which to be staying. Yesterday, after class I headed to the heart of the Freedom Trail to visit Boston Common, the Old State Meeting House, the North Church (one if by land, two if by sea), Paul Revere's house, and much, much more (see pics). It turned into a beautiful spring day and a nice respite from class and studies. I ended the day eating with some of my classmates at a very nice Italian restaurant in North End, an original settlement for Italians, and still today, an Italian neighborhood. The Italian restaurants, pizzarias, bakeries and markets line Hanover Street in North End. It was both delicious and a very fun atmosphere. One of my classmates, Alain, from Monaco, escorted me back to HBS while the rest of the group went to hit the bars. He is one of the nicest men here. He works for Credit Suisse and left behind a 9 month old little girl, who he misses very much. And Ashley, he has invited us for a visit to Monaco -- I think we should go!
Today, I headed over to the beautiful JFK Presidential Library. It sits on a hill overlooking the Boston Harbor. Afterwards, I enjoyed a cup of chowder in Cambridge at Legal Seafoods and perused the "Mayfair" festival in Cambridge. All streets were closed in Harvard Square and many people had tents selling their handcrafted arts, jewelry, etc. It is sort of like the Dogwood Festival at home except on asphalt and city wares instead of country goods. I found one tent that was selling handcrafted jewelry from women in Uganda similar to the jewelry some of the women made in Kenya the last time we were there. The proceeds were supporting a school in Uganda. I enjoyed talking to that group as it reminded me of my friends in Kenya. As I have told you before this is a very difficult place to find God. On my way back to HBS this afternoon, I saw the etching (see pic) on a church that said "God in the midst of the City." Now I have walked past this church 25 times and never noticed that etching until today, but everyday God seems to give me a sign of His promise of faithfulness and this was today's.
Now, not all is fun and games here, in fact, very little of it is. I had a very intense, but extremely enjoyable week in the classroom. Our cases have become increasingly more challenging and thought provoking. I continue to be amazed at how much can be learned in a few hours everyday. Of particular interest, were two cases on Nigeria - and I learned so much about all of Africa through those studies. I also made it through a 1.45 hour Finance Class! I finally got the cold call I was dreading in Sr. Leadership Decision Making class on Saturday. We were studying Simmons mattress company. The professor asked me a question about something that had happened and I gave the answer. Then she asked "why" and I opened my mouth, but nothing came out! So, I said, "May I use a lifeline?" It diffused her and she pointed to Ta in the back of the room and said, "there's your lifeline." When Ta finished answering, I said, "what he said." The professor said, "you don't get any credit for that." We all laughed and I made it through the moment I had been dreading for five weeks.
Here are a few random other things I read, heard or saw this week:
Bunnies at HBS travel in pairs, aren't afraid of people and I think cuter than the ones at home.
At Cheers, everyone does not know your name.
I dreamed one night that I failed AMP (not possible, unless you don't go to class -- then they send you home)
When deciding to use the "rat maze", i.e. the tunnel system at HBS, it's a good thing to have a decent sense of direction.
"The best way to be sure you have a lot to look forward to in life is to work to create a future you want to live in." Charlie Eitel, Simmons Mattress Company
"The most important element in human life is faith. If God were to take away all His blessings and leave me but one gift, I would ask for faith." Rose Kennedy
"O, God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small." Admiral Rickover
"the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God." John F. Kennedy
"Gentlemen, I think we are in perfect agreement, therefore, I suggest we take a break and see if we can create some disagreement." Alfred P. Sloan
"Nothing fails like success."
I must get back to the books. Monday's cases loom.
Blessings and love to all,
Dee Ann
