Oh, I Forgot!!

I forgot to tell you two important things:

1. On Sunday morning (Mother's Day), I went to Dunkin' Donuts to get my coffee (they are really big up here), and as I was ordering the woman, hopefully not too much younger than me said she wanted to by me coffee as a random act of kindness. She said she did not have any children, but she could see I was a mother (?) and she wanted to honor me. Faith in humanity in Boston is restored!

2. Secondly, some of you know about my "Pennies from Heaven" and how I connect the coins I find to affirmation from God that I am on the right path. Today, I found a $10 bill in the street! He is with me!!

More blessings,

Dee Ann

400 Pages Later

Today, I took my 400th page of notes!  I have calculated by next week that I will have read 180 or so case studies and read 14 books and I think I have been to about 12 optional lectures that have been offered.

I know I have been out of touch.  This has been our heaviest work load week, and I have been busy!  We also had 4 extra optional lectures.  Speaking of which, Bill George spoke today.  Some of you heard him at Willowcreek and may be familiar with his books, Authentic Leadership, True North and Finding Your True North.  I have heard Bill speak before and I have read his books, but compared to the focus of so many other courses here, Bill was a breath of fresh air today as he talked about the selection of leaders.  He said, "We have begun to select leaders for their charisma, instead of their character; for their style over their substance; and for their image over integrity."  Most importantly, he talked about resiliency, and it finally dawned on me that resiliency is the most enduring quality I have worked on and been challenge to achieve while at HBS.  This has been a diabolical situation:  the best academic experience of my life, while at the same time, the worst living situation of my life.  But without the challenge, what would I have learned (well, probably a lot, but my character might not have grown so much!)?  Never have I been put in a situation that so challenged the core of who I am, my values and my principles.  I never thought I would be placed in a situation that I would say, "you are drunk and I will not remain here and listen to your vulgarity."  (A member of my Living Group)  But at the same time, I have learned so much about how to stand up for myself and my beliefs-not wear them on my sleeve, by any means, but being prepared to live them out when challenged by unethical or immoral behavior.  And more than anything, it has given me appreciation for all the blessings in my life -- for the kind of family I have; for the kind of friends I have; for the community in which I live; and for a job in an organization with vision and mission of impacting  people (and I work with great people).  Tonight, I realized, that when this is over next week, some of these people will have none of these things to return to, but I will and I am grateful.

This past Sunday, I circled back to Boston to see Paul Revere's house.  (See pics)  It was built in the late 1600's and was originally restored in 1908.  I also went to the cemetery where he and a number of revolutionary heroes are buried -- (why do we visit cemeteries and look at grave sites?).  Funny thing here is that when I tell the international's (except for the Aussie who runs the girl's school) that I went to Paul Revere's house, they say, "who is he?"  Oh, except for the Brits -- they remember perfectly.  I visited other famous buildings of the revolution and it was awe inspiring.  

Saturday, I went with 7 guys to the Red Sox game.  Another American and I were the only ones who had ever seen a baseball game.  It was nearly a four hour game and I had to explain everything that happened -- and 19 runs were scored.  Unfortunately, the Sox got whipped by the Rays, but with all those runs, we saw some great hitting, including three homers over the famous "Green Monster" at Fenway.  The ballpark and its atmosphere felt like a throwback from the 1940's.  Our international guests surely got to see a real slice of Americana.

Friday night, I went to the Boston Pops and they were really awesome.  Trevor, you would have loved it!

And that's about all the fun I have had, except, of course, the fun of learning.

I am on the home stretch with a few challenges around me, so please keep praying~

A few more lessons to ponder:

"Leadership is an intense journey into your own soul."

"Fail often in order to succeed sooner."

CEO Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase about buying Bear Stearns:  "Buying a house and buying a house on fire is two different things."

I am sure there is more -- but the best I could come up with tonight~

Lots of love~

Dee Ann

A Few Learnings for the Day . . .

I am supposed to be studying, but I wanted to share of few of my deeper moments with you from the last couple of days. Maybe they will speak to you as well.

"If you tell the truth, it's part of your past. If you tell a lie, it is part of your future."

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is the right time."

"Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat."

"It is pardonable to be defeated, but not to be surprised."

Love and Blessings,

Dee Ann

Enron, Iceland, Italy, Gucci and More Indian Food

Dear Friends,
There is so much I just wish that I could tell you, but I dare not on a public blog. We will have a great time swapping stories when I return.

It's been an outstanding academic week. Among our case studies were, as mentioned above, Enron, Iceland, Italy, Gucci, FBI, Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and Microsoft, just to name a few. Our Columbia case was a video role playing simulation. It made me glad that I don't have to make life and death decisions everyday (although some of our candidates probably feel like they are). The Deputy Director of the FBI and Director of Intelligence for M15 in the UK spoke as part of the FBI case. That's one of the things I can't put on the blog, but it was fascinating!

As you can guess by the title, we had more Indian food tonight -- the whole Indian population of AMP came to our Living Group for dinner tonight. They are really a bunch of nice guys and they still talk about eating CFA. They love the cows! I had to pretend I was eating the food, but I really couldn't stand it -- it was authentic spicy Indian food. You should smell our hallway! I have my windows open and the fan going. It was a very kind gesture, and one of our living group is a very hospitable Indian man that enjoys sharing the culture of his country, and I have great appreciation for that, even if I don't like the food.

Tomorrow night, I am headed to hear the Boston Pops. If you happened to see Movin' Out on Broadway (I did), the guy who was the lead and sang all the Billy Joel songs is performing Billy Joel with the Pops. I am sure it will be delightful. I am really stretching here, as I really want to pour out all the juicy stuff to you!

Ok, I had a couple of revelations today, and I especially want Michael L. to pay attention, since he is moving here in August.

First of all, I think I know why no one to speaks to anyone passing on the street:

1. In the winter time, if you pull down your scarf to speak, your spit will freeze on your lips.

2. In the spring time, as windy as it is here, if you open your mouth, you risk a bug flying into your mouth and lodging itself between your middle teeth. (Don't you wonder how I know that?)

The other important thing is to plan to walk everywhere -- whatever you do -- don't drive. The closest thing I have seen to violence here has involved road rage, and it happens everyday. These people can communicate more with their horns and fingers than anywhere I have ever been! Besides, if you walk, you get there faster anyway. I outwalk the traffic all the time.

As of tomorrow, I will be 3/4 of my way through this course. If you are saying, "that went by fast," you should have been here. If only days at the beach would last so long. They have a special time system here and each day is 96 hours or so. There are beautiful clocks on buildings all over HBS and Harvard and I try to watch to see them move, and I am sure they only move one numeral every true eight hours.

It's been a ride and I am thankful to God for giving me an opportunity to learn so much about me and about this crazy world we live in (people from 45 countries in my class!), globally and right here in Boston. I wouldn't have missed it, but as my friend Mark says, I am looking forward to it "being in my rear view mirror."

Thanks for your love and support~ I am lifted by angels everyday,

Love,

Dee Ann

Mother's Day Away

The journey has been one of firsts and it will be the very first Mother's Day not to spend with my boys.  I remember my first Mother's Day.  Trenton was but a few days old and I was the "Newest Mother" at church.  Thank you Ashley and boys for the cards, gifts and flowers.  They made being away a little more tolerable.  And Trenton -- thank you for the sweet card you picked out and sent, too.

I think being a Mom is really the best part of life.  It's such a gift from God to have a child and watch that child learn and grow, dream and believe their way right into adulthood.  And as each one came along, I felt even much more of a Mom! :)  Being Trenton, Trevor and Trey's Mom has been the greatest blessing and joy of my life, along with being married to their Dad~

So, on Sunday, boys, when you are thinking about me, also honor your grandmothers -- for without them, you wouldn't be here.  Mom, I will miss you, too.  Thank you for being my Mom.

Click on the video below to see a most special card I received (Be sure you have the sound on)~

I will miss you all~

Love and blessings,

Dee Ann (Mom)

HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY, TRENTON!

It's hard to believe it's been 19 years. It has also been 57 inches and 232 lbs. ago! Trenton, I would rather be with you today ~

With love,

Mom

If You are Going Sightseeing . . .

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