So many things have happened since I last wrote an update that I don't know where to begin. That's the problem with intermittent blogging. If you wait long enough, everything starts to feel passe. But that might imply it's all been uneventful -- which is so *incredibly* wrong!
Let's break down major recent happenings in my life into a list. As I've just started work, I'm trying to improve my organization. Which brings me to:
1)
Started Work. A big step! Although I'm really just returning to the place I interned at last summer, this
is why I am out here in California in the first place. My fellow new hires are as excited and motivated as I am. We're all working on different projects, but we try to meet up for meals. Everyone's busy here --- even with the massive hiring sprees --- there's always more to do and time is at a premium. That's why I value coming in early. It gives me an extra half hour to sit down, read my email and prepare for the day without worrying about distractions or meetings. What still strikes me is that although everyone is super-busy, nearly no one seems frantic or about to freak out. It makes me smile when I think what would happen if I snuck a few IB hires in here ;) On another note: everyone assumes the culture is relatively homogeneous throughout the company, but it does in fact vary. For example, I am in a group that works closely with other businesses, and as a necessity, the group behaves more like what you would expect from a standard "professional" organization. But I can see how, from the outside, the differences are so minute as to be irrelevant. I am not entirely set up on my project yet, but I know I will love working here again. The amount of freedom and responsibility is unparalleled and the environment indulges my inquisitive (and passionate) nature. Looking at all the older employees walking around, I wonder which archetype I will eventually resemble (if at all).
2)
Korea. Had the time of my life! I've never been to Asia at all before, and this experience was a great introduction. I visited Joowon for a week in Seoul and we galavanted around to different restaurants and some of her favorite hot spots. The city was crowded and just as "connected" as I had been expecting. Man, cell phone reception and TV in the subways just rocks. hard. One thing I noticed there was that the culture seemed to emphasize or support same-sex friendships pretty well --- even among older people. It was not uncommon to see groups of older men or women out late at night. I like that. Plan for next time: see the cultural sites. And here's a picture of Seoul from Joowon's apartment.
3)
Car. I just bought a Honda Civic LX 2007 Sedan! It's a great car and I love driving it. It came down to a choice between the Civic and the Mazda 3, and I went with the Civic for its reputed reliability and hassle-free driving. Both cars are eerily similar on paper and in price, so I really could have been driving either car right now. The only thing I dislike about the Civic is that its hood slopes down so quickly that you can't see the front of your car from the driver's seat --- you just have to
know. Luckily, it's pretty stubby so I haven't had many problems, lol.
Although I don't plan to drive it to work every day, I live in the Suburbs and it's necessary for errands, shopping and hauling stuff around. If I could fully support myself by walking and biking, I probably would. Cars are fun to drive, but I don't lust to drive anything I can currently afford :-P
Anyways, see you soon reader. Oh, and I read Stranger in a Strange Land, in case you were wondering about the post title. Sorry for the anti-climactic ending, work tomorrow.
