Happy holidays, everyone!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and great new year!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Free iPod Touch 16 GB!
You can get a FREE 16 GB iPod Touch and help me get one in the process! All you need to do is click the link below and sign up (choose referrals) and complete one of the offers shown. Then, get some of your friends to do the same.
It's not a scam. This company really does send free products as long as the offers are completed.
Get your free iPod Touch!
http://www.YouriPodTouch4free.com/index.php?ref=4159826
It's not a scam. This company really does send free products as long as the offers are completed.
Get your free iPod Touch!
http://www.YouriPodTouch4free.com/index.php?ref=4159826
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
WEMBA Graduation
In a little more than 2 days, I'll officially be a Duke MBA grad!!!
I looked back at my previous blog posts and noticed that I haven't posted anything related to the WEMBA program since Term 4!
Well, the simple reason is that Term 5 was action packed and didn't include the usual break. Along with several trips (including 2 weeks in Asia), my ability to blog was severely impaired... :)
With that being said, Saturday is THE day! I'm so excited to be finally graduating and moving on to the next stage of life, whatever that may bring!
I looked back at my previous blog posts and noticed that I haven't posted anything related to the WEMBA program since Term 4!
Well, the simple reason is that Term 5 was action packed and didn't include the usual break. Along with several trips (including 2 weeks in Asia), my ability to blog was severely impaired... :)
With that being said, Saturday is THE day! I'm so excited to be finally graduating and moving on to the next stage of life, whatever that may bring!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I'm Back!
The subject line pretty much says it all...I've returned from a long "blog vacation"!
What can I say? I've just been completely swamped with the end of the Duke MBA program, an exciting trip to China and East Asia, and last (but certainly not least) an awesome cruise to the Bahamas to celebrate the end of classes!
I have much to share and will try my best to catch everyone up in the days ahead with my newfound free time!
I hope you're all doing great!
What can I say? I've just been completely swamped with the end of the Duke MBA program, an exciting trip to China and East Asia, and last (but certainly not least) an awesome cruise to the Bahamas to celebrate the end of classes!
I have much to share and will try my best to catch everyone up in the days ahead with my newfound free time!
I hope you're all doing great!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Members Project
American Express is giving cardmembers the opportunity to decide how to spend its money on a worthy cause (up to $5 million).
$1 will be donated by AMEX on behalf of each cardmember simply by registering at the Members Project site (free).
You then can vote for your project choice from the top 5 finalists (all ideas have been submitted by other cardmembers). My choice is shown below.
$1 will be donated by AMEX on behalf of each cardmember simply by registering at the Members Project site (free).
You then can vote for your project choice from the top 5 finalists (all ideas have been submitted by other cardmembers). My choice is shown below.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Raleigh Named "Fast City"!
Raleigh was just named by Fast Company as a Fast City...one of "30 urban centers that are shaping our future".
FC says:
"This region wrote the original recipe for high-tech clusters: Start with careful planning, add a warm business climate, and top with a high quality of life. But don't forget the brains. Three big universities fuel innovation in biotech, pharma, and computer science."
FC says:
"This region wrote the original recipe for high-tech clusters: Start with careful planning, add a warm business climate, and top with a high quality of life. But don't forget the brains. Three big universities fuel innovation in biotech, pharma, and computer science."
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Stop I-40 Crossover Accidents in Wake County
As many of you know, my friend and colleague George Smith was killed on June 4 when a vehicle crossed over the unprotected median of I-40 in Wake County.
Last week, a similar crossover accident occurred - less than 5 miles from the original scene, also on the westbound lanes of I-40.
Please sign the petition below urging the North Carolina Department of Transportation to take immediate action and install a median barrier!
Sign Petition
Last week, a similar crossover accident occurred - less than 5 miles from the original scene, also on the westbound lanes of I-40.
Please sign the petition below urging the North Carolina Department of Transportation to take immediate action and install a median barrier!
Sign Petition
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Raleigh: Third Hottest Job Market in USA
Raleigh was recently designated as the third hottest job market in the USA by Business 2.0...Charlotte was fourth.
From Business 2.0's Raleigh Ranking:
Business 2.0 - America's Hottest Jobs
From Business 2.0's Raleigh Ranking:
"Raleigh-Durham remains America's top region for tech workers--and is expected to keep expanding faster than other tech hubs like Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. Last year the metro matched the job-creation record it set in 2000 by adding 38,000 new positions. "This year is going to come in almost as high," predicts Wachovia senior economist Mark Vitner. Like Washington, Raleigh-Durham has a large public-sector base that helps protect it from economic slumps. But its economy is more diverse than Washington's, with expansion in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech, and financial services. Raleigh's cost advantages keep drawing more top employers. This fall Fidelity Investments will open a $100 million tech center that will add 2,000 jobs, and Silicon Valley-based Network Appliance is expanding its operations division here. "Raleigh is cheaper," Vitner says, "and has one of the most highly educated workforces in the country."
Business 2.0 - America's Hottest Jobs
Thursday, June 28, 2007
George Smith - Dedication at Duke Gardens
This morning, the Duke community dedicated a planting bed in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens to my colleague and friend, George Smith.
We lost George on June 4, a little over 3 weeks ago (see related entry below).
George loved the Duke Gardens and it was a fitting tribute to honor him permanently in this special place.
We lost George on June 4, a little over 3 weeks ago (see related entry below).
George loved the Duke Gardens and it was a fitting tribute to honor him permanently in this special place.
 |
| Garden for George |
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sharper Image - Free $20
From today's USA TODAY, here's a link to save $20 off any $60 purchase at the Sharper Image (can be used online, in-store, or by phone)!
Enjoy
Free $20 Coupon
Enjoy
Free $20 Coupon
Monday, June 11, 2007
George Smith - We Will Not Forget You
One week ago today, an unthinkable chain of events occurred.
I left for work, as usual, out of our subdivision and onto I-40 West. Before leaving, I ran back into the house looking for my gym clothes and the XM Radio that arrived the Friday before. As a result, I was running about 5 minutes later than I had wanted to.
Anyway, I eventually proceeded onto the I-40 West ramp. Strangely, I noticed that other cars were reversing up the ramp. I was upset that because I was a few minutes late, I now had to deal with a traffic backup. I almost hit the cars who were in reverse. Bizarre.
Of course, traffic was at a standstill at the bottom of the ramp - unusual for this early in the morning. It was 7:17 AM and emergency vehicles were rushing by me on the right shoulder.
Inching my way along, at 7:37 I had traveled 3/4 of a mile in 20 minutes and had reached the accident site. It looked *very* bad and I tried to snap a picture of the scene (while still stopped) on my Treo 700p. I also looked at the site closely as I finally passed it to the left. I saw a silver car with serious front end damage and remember thinking that someone was seriously hurt - I felt really bad for those involved.
Of course, once I got beyond the scene, I managed to get to work about 20 minutes later (though it took about an hour in total). Stacey called me when I arrived at work to see if I was OK, since she had heard about the accident.
When I got to my office, I immediately began to scour online news sources to find out what had happened. Little did I know what would ultimately end up being revealed.
Details slowly emerged...and a couple of hours later a vehicle and age description of my friend and coworker down the hall, George Smith, were published. My heart sank. I felt sick. I could not believe what was happening. If I had not taken the extra few minutes to go back into the house, it could have been me. The tragic accident had happened at 7:15 AM, only 2 minutes before I entered I-40.
More than anything, though, the realization hit me that Goerge was gone. I cannot describe it as anything other than surreal.
As I drove past the scene today (I went around it the rest of last week), I imagined being George and trying to anticipate the moves of the driver in the opposing lanes across the median. Bottom line? It's impossible. With the traffic volume and speed combination at that hour (very busy but still moving fast), you really can't focus on a specific car that far away without risking hitting the car in front of you. Poor George...he never would have seen the car coming at him.
Over the course of the past week, I served in George's funeral and have had a first-hand experience of the void left behind from his death. Lesson? Life is short, (too short) and I think that most people (myself included) tend to forget that reality. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Story (Raleigh News & Observer)
I left for work, as usual, out of our subdivision and onto I-40 West. Before leaving, I ran back into the house looking for my gym clothes and the XM Radio that arrived the Friday before. As a result, I was running about 5 minutes later than I had wanted to.
Anyway, I eventually proceeded onto the I-40 West ramp. Strangely, I noticed that other cars were reversing up the ramp. I was upset that because I was a few minutes late, I now had to deal with a traffic backup. I almost hit the cars who were in reverse. Bizarre.
Of course, traffic was at a standstill at the bottom of the ramp - unusual for this early in the morning. It was 7:17 AM and emergency vehicles were rushing by me on the right shoulder.
Inching my way along, at 7:37 I had traveled 3/4 of a mile in 20 minutes and had reached the accident site. It looked *very* bad and I tried to snap a picture of the scene (while still stopped) on my Treo 700p. I also looked at the site closely as I finally passed it to the left. I saw a silver car with serious front end damage and remember thinking that someone was seriously hurt - I felt really bad for those involved.
Of course, once I got beyond the scene, I managed to get to work about 20 minutes later (though it took about an hour in total). Stacey called me when I arrived at work to see if I was OK, since she had heard about the accident.
When I got to my office, I immediately began to scour online news sources to find out what had happened. Little did I know what would ultimately end up being revealed.
Details slowly emerged...and a couple of hours later a vehicle and age description of my friend and coworker down the hall, George Smith, were published. My heart sank. I felt sick. I could not believe what was happening. If I had not taken the extra few minutes to go back into the house, it could have been me. The tragic accident had happened at 7:15 AM, only 2 minutes before I entered I-40.
More than anything, though, the realization hit me that Goerge was gone. I cannot describe it as anything other than surreal.
As I drove past the scene today (I went around it the rest of last week), I imagined being George and trying to anticipate the moves of the driver in the opposing lanes across the median. Bottom line? It's impossible. With the traffic volume and speed combination at that hour (very busy but still moving fast), you really can't focus on a specific car that far away without risking hitting the car in front of you. Poor George...he never would have seen the car coming at him.
Over the course of the past week, I served in George's funeral and have had a first-hand experience of the void left behind from his death. Lesson? Life is short, (too short) and I think that most people (myself included) tend to forget that reality. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Story (Raleigh News & Observer)
Irish Funeral Blessing - Dedicated to George
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other
That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes
We enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me,
Let my name be ever the household word that
It always was.
Let it be spoken without effort,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am
Out of sight? I am but waiting for you
For an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Friday, May 11, 2007
100 Mile Club
I know...the mile high club has a better ring to it! But, I logged my 100th running mile with my Nike + iPod this morning!
Since I've only been tracking miles this way for a few months, I would guess that I've probably tallied up close to 1000 miles since moving to NC (of course, I was *much* more active and had a faster pace before going to Grad school)!
My 100 Mile Certificate
Since I've only been tracking miles this way for a few months, I would guess that I've probably tallied up close to 1000 miles since moving to NC (of course, I was *much* more active and had a faster pace before going to Grad school)!
My 100 Mile Certificate
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Northern Ireland Deal Becomes Reality
A historic power sharing agreement between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein took effect today in Northern Ireland.
I hope this will mark the beginning of a new era for Ireland, only to be improved upon by generations to come.
CBS News - Historic N. Ireland Deal Becomes Reality
I hope this will mark the beginning of a new era for Ireland, only to be improved upon by generations to come.
CBS News - Historic N. Ireland Deal Becomes Reality
Thursday, May 3, 2007
American Airlines Rolls Out Portable Entertainment System
USA TODAY reports that AA is rolling out portable entertainment devices as an alternative to traditional seatback units.
If only this could also receive and display the flight path, position, and outside temperature like the regular systems...I would be happy!
The unreleased movie content is a great idea to win over those who already have movies on another device (or those with dead batteries)!
If only this could also receive and display the flight path, position, and outside temperature like the regular systems...I would be happy!
The unreleased movie content is a great idea to win over those who already have movies on another device (or those with dead batteries)!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Too Much Good Food!
The unlimited culinary delights of the R. David Thomas Center buffet during MBA class weekends at Duke finally took its toll on my waistline.
I gained somewhere between 10 and 15 pounds since the start of the program a little over a year ago!
Needless to say, I need to shed these pounds to avoid replacing last summer's clothes. It's already getting *hot* in NC (yesterday was our first 90+ degree day of 2007)!
So, I've been following the South Beach Diet for a little over two weeks now. It helps that my chicky is also following the diet to keep me in line. So far, I've lost 8.2 pounds overall!
Of course, since I'm an MBA student, I *must* include a graph of my progress. Funny...it looks a little like Enron's stock price before its total collapse!
I gained somewhere between 10 and 15 pounds since the start of the program a little over a year ago!
Needless to say, I need to shed these pounds to avoid replacing last summer's clothes. It's already getting *hot* in NC (yesterday was our first 90+ degree day of 2007)!
So, I've been following the South Beach Diet for a little over two weeks now. It helps that my chicky is also following the diet to keep me in line. So far, I've lost 8.2 pounds overall!
Of course, since I'm an MBA student, I *must* include a graph of my progress. Funny...it looks a little like Enron's stock price before its total collapse!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tasha & Ripley - YouTube Stars!
You have to check out our two cats, Tasha and Ripley, in their YouTube premier!
Of course, they are instant stars!
Special thanks to Stacia for filming the video (her first masterpiece)!
Of course, they are instant stars!
Special thanks to Stacia for filming the video (her first masterpiece)!
Monday, April 23, 2007
WEMBA Term 4 : Weekends 1-5
What happened? My plan to blog each class weekend seriously fell apart this term. I think there just wasn't enough time....or I didn't *make* time.
At any rate, here's the scoop...
Term 4 Courses:
It's hard to believe that the end of core courses is now in sight. In one more month, 6 electives will be the only thing standing between me and and a Duke MBA!
At any rate, here's the scoop...
Term 4 Courses:
- Corporate Strategy
- Organizational Design (Leadership)
- Operations Management
It's hard to believe that the end of core courses is now in sight. In one more month, 6 electives will be the only thing standing between me and and a Duke MBA!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
In Memoriam - Virginia Tech
Being so active on a college campus in proximity to Virginia Tech, I cannot begin to imagine the grief and atmosphere currently being experienced by the VT community.
Please take a moment to visit the online memorial set up at www.vt.edu and remember those that needlessly lost their lives in this unspeakable tragedy.
One of my classmates at Duke sent this image that I thought I would share.
It speaks for itself...
"Today we are all Hokies."
Please take a moment to visit the online memorial set up at www.vt.edu and remember those that needlessly lost their lives in this unspeakable tragedy.
One of my classmates at Duke sent this image that I thought I would share.
It speaks for itself...
"Today we are all Hokies."
Monday, February 12, 2007
WEMBA Term 3 : Complete!
In case you're wondering...yes, I'm still alive (barely)!
I survived the most difficult term of the MBA program for me personally and have definitely taken full advantage of the break following Term 3 final exams.
At this point, all I'd like to say about the term is that it's over. I learned a lot and am ready to move on to the greener pastures of Term 4!
I survived the most difficult term of the MBA program for me personally and have definitely taken full advantage of the break following Term 3 final exams.
At this point, all I'd like to say about the term is that it's over. I learned a lot and am ready to move on to the greener pastures of Term 4!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
LASIK Success!
It's been just over 36 hours since my CustomVue LASIK surgery at Duke and I've been very happy with the results so far!
The procedure itself was very fast and painless. After I arrived, I had the same tests and measurements that I previously had a few months ago to ensure there was stability in my eyes. After that, I met with the nurse and doctor to verify the details of the procedure and begin preparation (and...of course, pay)! I was given a Valium to relax and went over post-op instructions for eye drops, do's and dont's, etc. while I slipped on a surgical hat and slippers.
Then it was time to wait. I had my eyes marked with a pen and was then led into surgery. Each laser is housed in its own room.
The first creates the corneal flap and is called the IntraLase laser. Before being positioned under the machine, I was given numbing eye drops in each eye while the other was taped shut. I had to stare into a light for about 30 seconds per eye. Once the flaps were created, I was taken to a second laser in the room next door (VISX) that actually performs the correction. Each flap is lifted up while the precise correction (reshaping of corneal bed) is preformed (based on computer program sepcifically for each eye). This only took about 15-20 seconds per eye. Afterwards, the flap is closed and irrigated and it seals itself within minutes. Oh, and the eyelid holders are removed that were placed before the correction process began. That was it! I just needed to keep my eyes closed for 6 hours following the procedure and be sure to use a series of eye drops for 4 days.
Want to watch the procedure I had? Duke has a video of LASIK being performed on Duke basketball star Chris Carrawell here. Everything is identical to my procedure, even some of the staff!
The procedure itself was very fast and painless. After I arrived, I had the same tests and measurements that I previously had a few months ago to ensure there was stability in my eyes. After that, I met with the nurse and doctor to verify the details of the procedure and begin preparation (and...of course, pay)! I was given a Valium to relax and went over post-op instructions for eye drops, do's and dont's, etc. while I slipped on a surgical hat and slippers.
Then it was time to wait. I had my eyes marked with a pen and was then led into surgery. Each laser is housed in its own room.
The first creates the corneal flap and is called the IntraLase laser. Before being positioned under the machine, I was given numbing eye drops in each eye while the other was taped shut. I had to stare into a light for about 30 seconds per eye. Once the flaps were created, I was taken to a second laser in the room next door (VISX) that actually performs the correction. Each flap is lifted up while the precise correction (reshaping of corneal bed) is preformed (based on computer program sepcifically for each eye). This only took about 15-20 seconds per eye. Afterwards, the flap is closed and irrigated and it seals itself within minutes. Oh, and the eyelid holders are removed that were placed before the correction process began. That was it! I just needed to keep my eyes closed for 6 hours following the procedure and be sure to use a series of eye drops for 4 days.
Want to watch the procedure I had? Duke has a video of LASIK being performed on Duke basketball star Chris Carrawell here. Everything is identical to my procedure, even some of the staff!
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