:Nintendo Widow

Everyday a 2nd year asks me, “so, how is this quarter going?” I think they expect me to say “easier” or “much better.” In a lot of ways it is better. I think they can tell by the frequent smiles and empty MBA lounge that my fellow first-year’s are relaxing a little more and spending more time off-campus. Unlike many of them, I’m still very busy. I’m not complaining. It is self-inflicted busy-ness. I’m involved in a lot of clubs and extracurricular activities. I’m happiest when I’m busy, but not overwhelmed. I’m really active but I’m doing well.

This quarter is challenging for me academically. I’m not a quant jock so the spreadsheet modeling and theoretical operations activities are tough for me. I enjoy them because solving them is like solving a puzzle. I just wish I weren’t so lost in some of my team discussions. One of my teammates feels as lost as I do, so we’re pairing up to review the basics this Friday. I know that this quarter is cake for some of my classmates, but I’m still up late reviewing formulas and sample problems. I’m not the best student sometimes, but I seriously need to get my butt in gear if I want to get decent grades on my midterms.

On another note, C4C (MBA challenge for charity) weekend is coming up. I considered going but I just can’t bring myself to pay to “visit” where I used to live. I looked at the map and the hotel where everyone is staying is a 20 minute walk from my old apartment. I realize that the experience of going there with my classmates is different than when I lived there, but it would just be kind of strange. In a way, I’m done with Palo Alto. I really enjoyed my time there and I have some friends and lots of good memories there. It’s just that I’m done. I don’t want to hang out at Stanford for four days. I’ve been there so many times. Plus I have my favorites: favorite restaurant, favorite bike ride, favorite drive, favorite shopping, favorite bar. I’d just want to visit my favorites and not do anything else! I’d probably just end up renting a car, getting some really good fish ‘n chips, and driving out to Montara beach for the sunset. But that’s not my reason for going to Palo Alto. I don’t know. It’s just a blending of worlds, the pre-MBA Sarah and the current MBA Sarah, that I’m just not ready to face.