Scribbles

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

The week and a half spent here in California blew past, just like that.  After my short visit to see the family in LA, I spent the remaining time here in good ole Silicon Valley.  Being at INSEAD, you don't have time to miss your old life.  But being here with all my friends and loved ones, eating at familiar hangouts, seeing my old colleagues, made me realize how much I miss it here and how much I enjoy being in the company of these people.

INSEAD's Building Business in Silicon Valley course took place this week, and while I did not attend, I met with my classmates on a Yahoo campus visit.  One classmate, upon seeing the foosball tables, free sodas, and all around hectic SV atmosphere commented that she's so glad to be away from it, especially the long hours and non-stop work in the labs.  Personally, after being exposed to all the investment banks and consulting firms the past months at school, I'm not convinced they are any better.  As a matter of fact, I would argue they're much worse.  After all, being in SV still affords you a relatively accessible healthy life-style compared to the Shanghai's, New York's, and London's of the world.  When you compare the weather, air quality, fresh produce, and general life-style of the people, the Bay Area wins hands down.

Alas, I am slated for a very early flight tomorrow leaving for Paris, which I hear is just beautiful right now.  I look forward to the forest life in P5.  Hard to believe the MBA journey is almost over; it feels like just yesterday since I was last here.