Back to Durham

I'm about to drive 10 hours up to Durham. After flying back from SF on Tuesday, I've been working nonstop for three days - mainly on Fuqua stuff. I can already tell that the school rush has begun, and it won't stop until I graduate. Last year I handled the stress of school for the first month, mostly because I was enjoying myself socially; everything was new, and we were certainly in a honeymoon phase. Then the reality of the internship search, academics, and all the things that b-school students volunteer for... they hit hard. Last year I didn't handle the stress very well, but this year I feel well equipped. Yes, it will be hard work, and it won't stop. But now I feel like I have a better perspective on how much to care about academics, job search, etc. It's my nature to work as hard as I can at these things - I admit this. But, I understand now that success at every little thing isn't required or realistic. So, I'm looking forward to my second year being about priorities, taking chances where I can, and having perspective on which things are important, and which are not.

Anyway, life in Birmingham is good - very good. It kind of reminds me of last summer after I came back from Spain and Italy. My life consisted of waking up at 7:30, swimming some laps, and then reading the Wall Street Journal for an hour down by the pool. The past few days have been work-filled, but I've managed to get in a few swims and read "Blink" - very cool book. Life is good.