September 12, 2007

• the start of everything

   

  SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA | THE COLONADE HOUSE, 2F è

  

  how i survived six days in the wilderness without a single shower, proper toilet, or roof over my head i'll never know.  but with views like this it's no wonder i was willing to make concessions.

  the outward bound trip to cataract canyon to raft the white waters of the colorado river officially ended a few hours ago when i landed back at SJC--exhausted, disgusting, and thoroughly inspired.  for nearly a week i was completely removed from all forms of communication and had little more than the river's current and our group's manpower to traverse the 100 miles from potash (near moab) to hite junction, hitting about 30 class ii and iii rapids along the way.

  it was a trip of many, many firsts:, including:

  captaining a raft and yelling commands to my seven-person crew to avoid rocks and the threat of capsizing / sleeping on the raft through the night as we took rowing shifts to avoid obstacles in the dark / sleeping on sandy riverside beaches with nothing but the star-illuminated sky over our heads for five consecutive nights / cliff jumping into a side canyon river to cool off from a rocky hike / partaking in a native american inspired "river sauna" which involved setting up a sealed tent, pouring water over fire-heated stones, shedding water weight and extracting impurities, and immediately jumping into the cold waters of the coloardo right after / taking a crap in the wide open outdooors while on the "groover," essentially, a smelly ammo can with a toilet seat on top / peeing into the river since "dilution is the solution to avoid pollution" / learning how to tie girth and trucker's hitches / joining a "shampoo party" with the girls in the river to clean out our hair and clean off our faces / and, of course, meeting 20 of my future business school classmates amidst the canyon's incredible scenery, jaw-dropping backdrops, and immense quiet and peace

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  though it is nearing 3 ante, i post now as the next few days (and weeks) promise to be all-consuming.  outward bound has been a great introduction to an unbelievable two years, and already i've formed a network of diverse, accomplished friends.  my teammates hail from thailand, russia, saudi arabia, hong kong, brazil, italy, spain, and well across north america, with work experiences ranging from private equity and banking to high-end fashion retailing to nonprofit management to even the US navy.  for some reason our group (one of two, each with about 20 folks) was the more integrated, and we spent nearly every night chatting until late, just yesterday taking turns going through our personal stories and relationship pasts.  it was the perfect group.

  but now madness begins.  tomorrow (today), 9/12, i'll begin the move-in process with a trip to schwab, the business school's graduate housing complex.  i'll spend one more night with the 'rents before fully moving in on 9/13, when a few of us after our roughin'-and-toughin'-it excursion have planned a much-needed "spa day" complete with body scrubs, massages, and facials.  on 9/14 we've planned a trip to the city to dance and sing the night away.  and on 9/16, the academic year kicks off with a mandatory dinner on the eve of our first day of classes.  so much needs to happen before then.  so much it's not even funny.

  but however crammed the schedule is becoming, there's one thing that stands reassuringly true.  i am so happy i am doing this.  it was, after so much wavering, the right decision to go back to school.  i remain steadfast in not repeating the same mistakes i made when i first entered college.  this is about living up each moment, exploring every avenue, and taking plenty more risks--academically, socially, professionally.

  if business school is anything like the past week, it's going to be one heck of a nonstop party.  throw in some learnings, some international trips, and a handful of new friends, and we've got perfection.

  wish me luck moving in.  hope everyone's healthy and well.

   

  • 6:12 am
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