Phew!

The last one week has been such a very busy one that has kept me from updating this blog. We wrapped up ASW1 today with a test in Financial Accounting. I enjoyed the professor’s teaching technique so much that I wish I’ll get the chance to be his student again in another class.

He starts every class by listing the topics and textbook questions that’ll be covered for the day. He also adds a few codes representing a movie or album title. After introducing the topics for the day, he starts quoting a movie line or dialogue and goes on until someone gets the title. He’ll then move on to the lyrics of a song. Whoever gets it right gets a candy. He once went on reciting the lines from a movie non-stop for about 3 minutes before anyone could get it. I must say some guys were very excellent at getting this. He did the “You can’t handle the truth” line from A Few Good Men so well today that we all had to applaud him. As a parting word, he advised that we go for whatever career we have a passion for. He also recited the poem below as a wrap up.

Live each day to the fullest. Get the most from each hour, each day, and each age of your life.Then you can look forward with confidence, and back without regrets.Be yourself... but be your best self.Dare to be different and follow your own star.Don't be afraid to be happy...enjoy what is beautiful.Love with all your heart and soul.Believe that those you love, love you.When you are faced with decision,make that decision as wisely as possible,then forget it.The moment of absolute certainty never arrives.And above all, remember that God helps thosewho help themselves. Act as if everything depended on youAnd pray as if everything depended on God.

I hope those coming for ASW2 next week will have the pleasure of being taught by this professor. I’ll remember him for all the above but most especially, his sense of style.

All work and play

This last week was by far the most intense since the ASW started. For the first time in a really long time, I had more than 20 unread email messages in my private email account. We had Accounting and Statistics test. We also had individual presentations to access our presentation skills. I got good feedback but was told that I talk with my hands. I need to cut it out.
With the little sleep and tight schedule during the week, I decided not to even touch any book over the weekend. I attended a cookout organized by a second year student interning in the area. Today, I went to see the World Cup games at a classmate’s place along with some other friends. It was a lot of fun. Another full week ahead. I may not even get the chance to post again until next weekend.

World Cup and Academics

I spent most of the weekend studying and watching the World Cup matches. I had to see the group of death’s Argentina-Cote D'ivoire game on the big screen at Buffalo Wild Wings on Franklin Street. Surprisingly everyone there appeared to be rooting for Cote D'ivoire. So far I think the England match was the lamest. The team just isn’t the same without Rooney. Hopefully, I can catch the US game before class today. I like the Jose +10 adidas commercial featuring the younger Beckenbauer and Platini.

On the academic front, I had prepared myself for those long hand pen, paper and calculator computations that go with statistics. You can imagine the smile on my face when the professor said that at this level, we can use any tool we want. What is important is the accuracy of the result and its interpretation. Needless to say I’ve been all over Excel.

And so it begins

The week was a very busy one giving me a glimpse of what life will be like in the Fall. All of us in ASW1 registered for Analytical Tools (Statistics) and Financial Accounting but in addition to this, we’ve also been taking classes in Business Communications, Case Analysis and next week there’ll also be classes in Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. So far, I have four assignments due next week. In between, I’ve attended some social functions (Finally met Buckyhoo) and attended to several of those administrative things one needs to take care of.

I’m glad I came for this Analytical Skills Workshop. I would have had to play catch up in the Financial Accounting Class. Besides, I’m quickly coming to terms with the fact that I now make zero income. The professors are also doing a great job especially the Statistics professor. He finds a good way to make what may otherwise be a boring class an interesting one. There are about 60 of us in the class from so many different countries and parts of the US. I’ve even heard some interesting US accents I’ve never heard before. A couple of the students have Tablet PCs but I’m yet to see anyone actually use it to take notes in class. So far I’ve only seen one student with a Mac.

I’ll miss a lot of the world cup matches but I’ll be heading to Franklin Street today for the Argentina-Cote d'Ivoire game.

Live from Chapel Hill

Mapquest had estimated my 625 miles trip from Florida to North Carolina at about 9 Hours. I made it in 8.5 hours stopping only once for gas in South Carolina. I’ve been settling in and getting familiar with Chapel Hill. Today, I got my computer hooked on to the school’s network; got one of my immunization shots and also put in application at one the apartment complexes close to the school. Got a decent deal on the apartment too.

Tomorrow is the first day of class but it’ll mostly be introduction and orientation. There should also be a social event later in the evening.