HBS AMP Week 3

Praying that you all had a beautiful Easter.  Mine was a little different, in that I had to fly back to Boston on Easter afternoon and did not get to spend Easter with my entire family.  Compared to my international classmates, however, I am glad that I was able to go home this weekend.  Dodging the hailstorms and tornadoes, I came home on Friday and went to the G-Day game at UGA on Saturday.  Much to our surprise, Trenton played the entire game Saturday at Defensive End for the Red Team, contributing to a few tackles and even deflecting an Aaron Murray pass in the waning seconds of the game.  We all had a great time and enjoyed a great family day between the hedges.  Before the game, they have a family luncheon for the team and their families.  Trey took that as an opportunity to get autographs from all his favorite Bulldogs, proudly telling them all he was Trenton's little brother :).  They seem to like little brothers there.  Go Dawgs!

On Sunday, after a wonderful worship service, led by Christian music artist, Al Denson, we had a family dinner at home, and I was able to witness Trevor driving for the first time.  Please pray for Ashley while I am gone!!

So, on my flight out of Atlanta, for the second time in two weeks I set the metal detector off.  This is quite strange since I am always certain not to wear anything that would do that.  I thought last time was a fluke, but now I knew there was definitely a problem.  So, as I am getting wanded and patted down, the TSA agent tells me that it must be part of my , er, uh, the engineering of my undergarments.  (How was that for delicate?)  I said, well, I really haven't changed my habits in that area lately.  She said they have new equipment and it is more sensitive.  You all can send in comments as to how you think I should handle that when I go through again in a few weeks, because I certainly don't want to have the full inspection for the third time.  Just a warning to women, everywhere -- your bra is being scanned for explosive material!

Nevertheless, I made it back late last night, going from the beautiful 73 degrees in Atlanta to 35 degrees in Boston, with a windchill factor of 22 degrees.  The school does not allow taxis to come to the building, so it is about a half mile walk from the taxi stand to my building.  Not so bad if it is 1:00 p.m., sunny and 70 degrees, but I don't think those conditions exist very often in Boston.  

Class started at 8 today and went to 5, followed by an hour long study group, followed by two hours of negotiation group and in 15 mins, I go to another two hours of study group!  Fun day, eh?  I enjoyed the negotiation professor very much today.  His name was Guhran Subramanian.  He is the first professor to receive tenure at Harvard Law and Harvard Business School at the same time.  Very smart guy, but very understandable.  I should be able to negotiate my way through that TSA checkpoint next time!  

Another professor today was a tree hugger that referred to people in our business as "bird murderers."  We had to have a conversation about that after class, and he assured me that before he became a vegetarian, he loved eating Chick-fil-A.  I encouraged him to order wraps and salads minus chicken, but please don't call us bird murderers, after all, we are saving Cows!

Still experiencing lots of interesting folks, but everyday is an adventure!

Thanks for all the prayers -- I really do feel lifted -- God is good, all the time, in every way --

Until next time,

Blessings, Peace and Love,

Dee Ann

Walking on Sunshine . . . And Don't It Feel Good!

The good thing about cold, rainy weather is that it makes you want to stay inside and study.  Sunny, cool weather makes you want to go out and play.  As the sun finally came out today, I think we all had a bit of spring fever.  I had to put the studying away and go for a walk this afternoon.  Of course, I will pay for it tonight eating dinner out of styrofoam!

Some of you have asked if I have any time off.  The answer to that is no.  We get a a break in the afternoon before dinner.  Sometimes it is two hours and sometimes 3.  That time is used to prepare numerous case studies for that evening's study group and class the next day.  The only day we don't have class is Sunday and usually the reading is so much that it takes all day to do it and prepare for Sunday night's study group.  I am going home this weekend for the G-Day game and when I return on Sunday, I am going to work harder on balance - not sure how, but I am going to work on it!

I had my first class in Negotiation today.  In the role play I was the buyer in a commercial real estate deal.  I did very well - I bought a piece of property worth $66 million for $42 million.  Obviously, the person in the seller role did not fare as well. I may have a new career in my future!  Of course, I haven't been telling you about all the things I mess up!

Today, I had lunch with Professor Tom Piper, who is 71 and has been teaching at HBS for 40 years.  He is retiring this year.  Professor Piper teaches Finance.  Can you imagine me having lunch with a Finance professor? Actually, he is a delightful man, a Christian and does work with schools in Ghana and South Africa.  Now that he is at the end of his career, one of the things he talks about most, is personal values.  He said something today that really resonated with me.  He was talking to a young sociology professor recently, who said to him, "I wonder in 100 years, what they will think of how we handled the current situation."  Tom said to him, "that is not what is important.  What is important is in 20 years, what will you think of how you handled the situation."

And lastly today, a Canadian woman approached me about how I was doing.  I have a had a living group situation that has been less than optimal, but have not told anybody about it.  Bev said to me that she didn't see the light in my eye that she did when I first arrived (could be because I feel like going to sleep).  She said, "you are a Christian, aren't you?"  Thank goodness she could still see it in me!  I told her that I am and she told me that this is all part of God's path for me-- it's in His plan for me to be here. I thought that very affirming since that is what I keep telling myself.  Bev prayed for me and gave me something I haven't had in two weeks -- a big hug! I forgot how much you need those everyday!  That was my God moment for the day that I didn't have to tell anyone what was going on but someone approached me to let me know that we are kindred Spirits.

 I am so grateful for your continued encouragement.

Signing off for a weekend at home~ Attached is a picture of Harvard Stadium at Soldiers Field.  It is really old!

Have a blessed Easter~

Love, Peace and Joy to all,

Dee Ann

Have a Coke and a Smile!

Today, in my five minute visit outside I noticed the most amazing thing -- nothing is blooming here, except, today, in 35 degree weather, guess what I saw?  The dogwoods are blooming in Boston.  It was great assurance of God's unfailing presence and faithfulness to all of us, regardless of where we are.

I think I turned the corner today and look a little less like a deer in headlights.  Our first case of the day was The Cola Wars: Coke vs. Pepsi 2006.  I had prepared the case yesterday and presented for 2 hours to our living/study group last night.  We have had a lot of challenges and difficulties in our living group, and last night I received harsh criticism for my presentation.  However, when I went to class today, I learned I had nailed it!  The professor was very engaging with me in considering my insights.  We had a blind taste test in the class and I was one of three chosen since I am from Atlanta.  The others were wrong and missed it, but I knew Coke was Coke.  It was a fascinating case, and my advice is to buy more Coke stock!

You would think that with all the lawyers I know (and love), that I would know a lot more about Corporate accountability.  Today, I had my introductory class in law and corporate accountability and the problem was they talked like . . . well, lawyers.  I will keep plugging and soon wow you with all my new found knowledge.

Unfortunately, I learned some things about Kenya today too.  I knew that they have a corrupt government, but did not know it is one of the most corrupt in the world, moreso than Iran, and just a little less than Somalia.  Their economic outlook is a little better than the US over the next year or two -- I don't know what that says about the US, since Kenya is a third world (or as Lynn says developing) nation, where most of its population is without food.

Thank you for the cards, notes, gifts and goodies.  I cannot tell you how much that has raised my spirits.  This has been a fabulous opportunity, but honestly one of the hardest things I have ever done.  The load itself is pretty unbelievable, but when you add being away from home for 9 weeks, living with 7 other people, who are all from a different country and keeping a schedule that sleep is a rarity and eating out of take Styrofoam containers is now common, it presents some difficult challenges.

The good news is that it makes me appreciate my God, my family, my friends, my job and my country so much more as every day passes.  And that's a good thing!!  And it stopped raining(!), but it's as cold as . . . well you know the rest of that saying . . . 

Off to living group study time -- and that is always a good time to pray for me~ :)

Praying God's richest blessings on you all and I love you,

Dee Ann

Dee Ann's Gone Techno

Hello All,

Heavy workload prohibits me from a long catch-up message, but I hope to before the week is out.  In the meantime, attached is a picture of all the gadgets I am using simultaneously and the various chargers needed for them. With all the gadgets and chargers being used by this class alone, it's amazing Cambridge has not had a black-out!

Yes, it is still raining :)!

Please keep praying,

Love you all,

Dee Ann

Tipping Point

Good Evening~

It has been a long day here at HBS, but then again everyday is! We finished up the intentsive finance and accounting work today, and have moved on to Corporate Governance, Decision making, Strategy, Innovation, etc. BUT the case studies always have a spread sheet attached. Every Monday they change our seats in the room. I went from the back row to the front, which is directly in the line of fire. However, I looked directly across the room and saw two men I had not seen before. The first man's name was "Joy" -- I promise! The second man I saw was named "Evangelious." It reminded that God wants me to evangelize JOY while I am here.

I also received joy when I received the very pretty plant from the HR team -- thank you so much!

Today, I finally met a man that I could make a faith connection with. He is from Chicago and has attended the Willowcreek Leadership Summit. His wife teaches the "Hearts for Home" program.

Without a lot of detail in a public forum, please pray for our Living Group -- we are at the point where we are not functioning together very well. I think we are all tired, studying hard, skipping meals, it is raining again and the work has become both stressful and very overwhelming. If we are not in class, we are studying all day and night. Things have become quite tense.

The gate to Harvard University says "Open ye the gates that the righteous nation who keepeth the truth may enter in." Today, I wonder what Truth people thinks that refers to?

That's all for tonight and maybe for a few days. The work is really piled on this week!

Keep the truth! Love and blessings~

Dee Ann

Living in a Brave New World

So, the Harvard police officer, says to me, in a very thick Boston accent, "You are not from around here, are you?" Oh, I wonder how he figured that out? By the way, I had not found myself in any trouble, I was only enjoying a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts. Not surprising, there were three officers enjoying coffee, donuts and the Boston Globe.

As my finance textbook author says, "A nearby penny is worth a distant dollar." It's a good thing, because I seem to be finding a lot of pennies and dimes! I found the Bostonians to be much less careful with their change. If I walk past a popular taxi stand, I can find a lot of spare change, as passengers are quick to enter and exit cabs here. If only they would drop a Benjamin or too!

Went to CVS this morning - between Staples, CVS and the Harvard Coop, I am able to work out my retail therapy needs. Would you believe they sell sunscreen here? In April? For what?? It has turned out to be a beautiful day here and having finished my first round of studying, I do believe, (imagine that phrase with a British accent) that I might take in another walk before the temperature drops. A very busy week of work and rain is in front of me, so I wish to take advantage of both the time and the pleasant weather.

During my two hour walk around Harvard Square and Harvard yard this morning, I found, again, the local people to be most unpleasant. So, I decided that I would bring joy and began finding random acts of kindness. You should have seen the look on the man's face thatI allowed to go ahead me in the check-out line. I don't think people do that here. When he said, "thank you," I quickly replied, "my pleasure" Both he and the clerk looked at me very strangely.

I promised you a comment or two about my Indian dinner. The food turned out to be quite good, but the atmosphere was . . . interesting (my favorite word here). Imagine me at a table with 25 men from all over the world, with a huge (I mean worthy of the Taj Mahal big) Hindu statue poised next to me. The highlight of the evening was the ladies restroom. Now, I will try to tell this delicately, but I cannot miss this story. The doors on the ladies toilet rooms were two way mirrors. I could see out, but they could not see in. The ladies who had not been in the toilet rooms had no idea of this fact. So, as I am in the toilet room doing what one does in such a place, a woman comes to the door and begins primping, straightening and applying lipstick right in front of me in the mirror. Imagine the surprise, when from behind the mirror, I said, "you missed a spot." Ha -- I have to find some humor in this journey.

I am both an oddity and misplaced soul in this present environment. I commented to my friend, Lynn, by e-mail last night that it remains to be a strange place for me. Not to be fully a part (if any a part) of this place, and yet also to be absent from that place which is familiar, but drifting somewhere in between swept in the arms of my Lord. That is really all I have here and I am quickly learning, that is enough~

Attached are some scenes from my daily life ~

Much love, peace, and blessings to you all,

Dee Ann

Weekend in New England (with apologies to Barry Manilow)

"Not everything that can be counted, counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." Albert Einstein

Einstein was, of course, a brilliant man. This was the most important sentence I heard the entire week, and I have thought about it a lot in context of where I am. After a week of being amid very smart people from all over the world, my most daunting conclusion was that there are people who believe they are so intelligent that they would never put faith in something that is beyond what can be calculated in a formula. Based on the confusion here about who God is, or if He even exist, or if He can be found in a statue, or worshipped as a cow, I have concluded that the mission field here is greater than in Africa. My prayer is that God will reveal to me why He has brought me here, what role and purpose I play. I am patiently waiting on the revelation.

It's scary how much I am beginning to enjoy finance. I made a correct application of the case study to a business principle in accounting today. That was a big victory for me! I don't know how to compute all the ratios yet, but I certainly know what questions to ask. And I learned the most important concept: "Don't run out of cash." :) Went all the way to Harvard for that one. There was an interesting story the Finance Professor told today. He was talking about choosing the right ratios to determine the health of a business. He explained that you can look at a number of them and they will all point to the same thing, so once you find the key, (which he believes is Return on Capital (vs. ROE, or ROI and now I know why), then you don't have to keep working it again and again. He said it is like when a truck runs over a squirrel in the road and it dies. It's already dead, and no matter how many more cars run over it, it cannot be anymore dead! I thought that was pretty good for an accountant (with tenure I might add!).

To my "Raving Fans at Chick-fil-A", thank you so much for the cookies. I think they may help me to redeem myself with my team. You see, I refused to purchase or participate in the c0nsumption of the Grey Goose, Heiniken and tequila (just to name a few), but I am sure they will feel better about me when I share my cookies in study group tomorrow. As I keep saying, this has been an interesting week and there is certainly emphasis on the word, interesting. Last night in study group, my colleagues from India, South Africa and Trinidad got into a shouting match over the best way to explain a balance sheet. It was really very heated -- over how to read a balance sheet!!

The clouds have still not parted and I could stand it no longer, so I had to go for a good walk after getting out of class at 3 today. I walked across the river (well, I didn't actually walk on water -- it was a bridge), and through Cambridge. I ended up at Staples purchasing items to make my little cell more comfortable and organized. The less you have, the easier it is to organize! Anyway, it is still raining, 40 degrees and very windy! Our whole group has our day planned around the expected sunshine tomorrow. It is a really big deal here, apparently, for it not to be raining in April. I really enjoyed being out and about this afternoon and getting a chance to take a good, deep breath. It is such a relief to have the first week behind me.

Well, tonight my learning and living group is going to eat Indian Fusion food with my Hindu friends. I guess, those who know me, know I probably won't like that too much, but I am trying to be a good team player and aid in team bonding. After last night, we certainly need it. I will try to get some pictures of the experience and share tomorrow. I am sure I will have a story to tell!

Don't be surprised when you see me, that I now have an accent -- and I don't mean a Boston one. You cannot live with people who speak English as a second language and expect me not to pick something up. Well, I better hurry, dinner is at 1900 hours and it is about 5 kilometers away and it is -2 degrees, Celsius that is. If I have learned anything, it's not that everyone else is so different -- it's we Americans who have chosen to be different. Yes, I have to convert time, distance and temperature in every discussion.

And just think, I am still in America! Funny, I keep forgetting that~

Love, peace and blessings to you all~

Dee Ann