A Life Less Ordinary

By Irene

Back in Berkeley I had favorite spots I liked to go to for all sorts of things - from coffee shops to art supplies and a favorite sushi place. They were mostly all within walking distance or easily accessible via bike/public transportation.

Back in the valley, I'm getting used to driving a lot and walking less. I can see how gyms came into existence. There's really no opportunity to walk around here, so you have to do SOMETHING to keep fit. Everything is far and it's really hot (I'm getting used to the different temperature too). I'm currently sitting at Coral Tree Cafe. There are lots of tables and free internet and big cupcakes (there's also lunch, looks good). There are business people and moms with kids and younger folks like me doing who knows what on computers. I'm drinking a vanilla latte. I know I'm getting unbearably old when I can't finish an ice cream and when a vanilla latte is too sweet (I can't finish this thing....).

I'm finishing up CACS work by sending all the contacts/information/summit/random stuff I've gathered throughout the year that should help the co-chairs next year. It's incredibly boring to organize what you've already done. But, it must be done!! I wish the co-chair before me did it for me, so I persevere.

I signed up to take my LEED exam to become an Accredited Professional in Existing Buildings. I'm speaking at a conference on June 21st about the custodial outreach project I dreamt up and is actually happening (of course, now that I'm leaving!) Also, you would get a kick out of this: I'll be writing on another blog about my summer Fellowship experience (i.e. the Energy Dashboard and other sustainability-related items in England) with another UC Berkeley student who will be writing from Tokyo. Suggestions for a blog spot welcome. I think we're looking into wordpress (I feel like I'm cheating on typepad by writing this here..........)

Lastly, the oil spill in the Gulf is intense, I should follow it more closely, really. I feel environmentalists are often really smug about something, I don't know what or why, but like they/we (I guess I'm one too though I like to think not the annoying type) walk around with some sort of holier-than-thou-I-know-something-you-don't air about them. I swear, if some huge man-caused disaster happens that causes a bunch of damage, I can just see environmentalists crossing their arms and saying "I told you so" in that extremely useless sort of way. Anyhow,  I started saying this because there are some striking pictures of the oil spill's affect on wild life. Check it out: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/assignment-35/?hp

Leaving climate change (and its unwieldy baggage) out of the picture for a moment here, our dependence on oil should really sorta erm.....start to diminish. Not because there are pelicans that can't fly because their feathers are stuck together by oil clumps (although I'm sure it will be used as a  visual for years to come), but because there is something scary about having only ONE source of energy on which our entire economy relies on. Oil is like water -- imagine someone were to turn either of those resources "OFF." Where would you get your food? Ok, you'll be able to walk/drive to a grocery store, but where will Trader Joe's get its food from? It's unfortunate that decreasing dependence on oil is so closely tied to the Democratic party. It'd be really cool for there to be a Republican president who wants to address this issue and bridge the divide. More public transportation, fewer cars, energy efficient and smaller cars, new infrastructure. First we need to make it possible for people to move around without driving a car by themselves through new infrastructure and technology. Then we need to create incentives for people to use it, and then we need to tax or create other disincentives from driving. It IS a national security issue. And it's just not smart. It's risky to put all your eggs in one basket. I'm not saying we need to be fueled solely by nuclear or wind or solar..........but having a healthy mix of energy sources and thinking differently about how we use energy in the first place just AREN'T SUCH CRAZY IDEAS. I'm not saying our quality of life needs to diminish (hah! that'd be an impossible political message to sell), BUT we SHOULD make it a no-brainer to make what I think are the "right" decisions. Like..............it should be cheaper and more convenient to NOT drive by yourself to work everyday (again: you have to have alternative ways to do everything just as conveniently). It should be cheaper to buy normal food (a loaf of bread, meat, milk, vegetables) and NOT go to McDonald's everyday. Water should be cheaper than Coca Cola (I mean.....right?). It should be easier to recycle your aluminum can than to throw it away. We really shouldn't need gyms.............a "building" where you can walk.......

I'm not saying every person needs to think about protecting the environment (though that would be nice) -- there are people who get paid to do that over at the EPA. But it should just make more economic sense to do that sort of stuff........and only then will things change. Super markets got it right: start charging for paper/plastic bags. And MAGICALLY people start bringing their own bags. Guilt-tripping or making people make "moral" decisions isn't the right way to go. It should just be the easy, convenient, more economic thing to do. 

This concludes my out-of-the-blue rant.

Taking a Moment to Catch Up on Life

by Helen

As it turns out, this coming week is going to be a little nutty.  I have a Statistics midterm on Tuesday, a huge Marketing deliverable on Wednesday (where my group gets to market a toothbrush, apparently it's harder then it sounds) and then there is the regular workload like finance homework and quiz, finance case study, 2 accounting cases and more statistics homework...

So while this is all very overwhelming, this morning I was supposed to go to a volunteer project which got cancelled due to heavy rain (apparently it rains in Seattle).  So I took these 2 hours that I got back to catch up on life and it felt good! 

Here are all the things that made me way too happy (all considering):

Reading the Seattle Times (apparently Wal-Mart and Amazon are now competing for online business against each other

Cleaning the kitchen and the bathrooms

Reading the Election Pamphlet 

Adding 5 new food blogs (thanks Kristina) to my RSS feed, because I need more distractions 

Catching up on my RSS feeds 

So yes - my unexciting Saturday morning surprisingly made me feel more whole and put together then I've been in a long time. 

Seriously!

by Helen

I so rarely blog about politics because...well...I work in it.  But I got quite frustrated and angry today. It was bad enough that an esteemed Nevada US Senator admitted to an affair last week, but now a Governor??? First he decided to disappear then it turns out he's been crying in Argentina for 6 days over cheating on his wife? Seriously? 

Everyone is human, I have no issue with people messing up. But when you hold an elected office, you don't get the same pass and it's not a private matter. More so, when you come from the party of "family values" whatever that means, and you consider yourself a conservative, you don't get to run off to Argentina with a dear, dear friend who became more! 

I feel like the world is having such serious issues right now - Iran, North Korea, the economy - this is a great time to show leadership and lay out a plan. But how can the Republican Party do that if we can't get out of the headlines about affairs?  

It's not that I think that having an affair makes you less of a policy leader or less of a thinker - it's just distracting and it prevents an elected official from doing his job. 

Should we have a pledge? "If elected I will not cheat on my spouse?"

Miles

By Irene

Today was San Francisco Day. It started with a coffee meeting at Ritual Roasters in the Mission. I had a good drip coffee, which I didn't see the name of, and a currant and orange scone. I also bought a dulce de leche cookie because I needed to reach a $5 minimum to use my credit card. After the meeting I decided that I wanted to take a walk, and walk I did. I walked about 6 miles from the Mission to the Russian part of town, on the North side of Golden Gate Park, to 25th and Geary. 16th-25th streets along Geary are considered a Russian neighborhood. I've never been there, but heard that the stores/restaurants are good. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more russian stores, I was expecting russian writing and storefronts everywhere, but actually the Russian was thoroughly mixed in with Korea Town. I did see a Russian Orthodox Church, and a priest with a blue tooth in his ear, which was awesome. I knew I officially entered Russian Town when I saw women wearing animal printed clothing.

In "Russian Town" I took a double take at a window store front with a poster saying Alla Pugacheva will be singing at Zellerbach. I went in to talk to the owner of the store, the man has be in SF for 30 years, he has two sons both working jobs they're not particulary fond of, and he used to be in the show-biz in Russia. When he came to SF he first worked as a taxi driver for 15 years, then got this Russian video/DVD store and organizes Russian performances here in America. He name dropped names of some people  he's worked with, but I didn't know any of them --- I think as an older semi-famous person it would be frustrating when a younger person doesn't know you. But I couldn't really fake knowing that stuff. I called dad, mom and you before going back into the store. Dad didn't pick up, which always makes me feel bad for the person in surgery, who obviously isn't doing well at all if dad doesn't take a call from us. He texted me later asking if everything was alright. Anyhow, I ended up, as you know, not buying the tickets to the concert, waiting to hear if I can volunteer usher. Instead, I bought pelmenyi (which I already tried, they are really good) and a bylachka c makom. It was DELICIOUS. SO GOOD. Oh man. I ate it at the bus stop, because there was no way I was walking anymore.

So after that I took the bus to the Civic Center, where I snagged a $15 ticket to a completely sold out performance of La Traviata with Anna Netrebko. The seat is ridiculously in a bad spot, and I only got one, BUT I'm so excited to go. I called mom as soon as I stepped out of the opera house, and mom was like....I can see that you are very excited, please be careful and concentrate as to where you are going. Oh mom. So then I caught the BART back to Downtwon Berkeley: the pelmenyi almost didn't make it (which, to be fair, mom warned me about).

All in all, today would not have been possible without the trusty iPhone's Google Maps. A map is a lot easier to follow when there's a little blue dot showing exaclty where you are. AND it gives fantastic public transportation directions, which I used to get to the Civic Center from Geary. My epic excursion was mainly through neighborhoods: I walked along Castro for a long time: saw a huge half-raised gay flag, saw the city from the very top (21st street), looking down east towards the Bay and the huge radio tower half covered in thick white clouds in frotn of me. Saw so many houses and walked up a lot of really steep hills. At some point the wind blew my sunglasses off my face. I ate my banana along the way, and my cookie. I didn't have an iPod and I didn't talk on the phone. I just sorta....walked, it reminded me a lot of last summer in Europe. I don't even remember what I thought about for those two hours I spent today just roaming through endless city streets.

Parties

By Irene

I've gone to three parties in the past two days. Two were regular undergrad parties - alcohol from plastic bottles, a huge bag of chips, loud music, yelling - etc. The third was a graduate/post-graduate/young professionals Birthday dessert-themed party.

It's nice to be able to attend both- the dancing on tables and the delicious cheese plate and gourmet cookies. I don't know which I feel more comfortable at. I think actually, the former: you don't really have to be a real person - after all it's too dark, and everyone is too drunk - and you don't have to be a good dancer - mainly for the same reasons. Pretty soon I too will have to be a normal person all the time - the stuff we undergrads get away with will eventually not be okay anymore. And what a sad day that will be.

Looking back, Looking Ahead

By Irene

As I have yet to graduate (thank goodness), a "year" is still defined by summer vacation. I always like your years in review, so I thought I'd give it a try myself.

End of May-mid July 2008: Finished 2nd year of college and then traveled in Europe for about 3 weeks with Megha and Maria. Then off to the East Coast for 4th of July. Met Ben for our usual rendez-vous in Manhattan. Ate sushi.

July-August: In Berkeley; went to a Sustainability Conference, slept in a Westy (Westaphalia) and swam at night in the ocean. Spent a lot of time working on BS@C with Laura. Slept on friends' couches while trying to find a place to live. Oh yea! Bought a-mazing bras.

September-December: Fall 2008 Semester came and went. Highlights ...or at least most memorable moments include: Halloween Night, sleeping in a tent on campus for Laura's birthday [with a bottle of wine], a environmental education retreat in Mendocino, having crazy study parties for a difficult bio class, pulling an almost all-nigher in the Campus Recycling Office with Laura. Parents come to visit and we eat a lot of ice cream.

December-January: We go to Israel! We celebrate New Year! You go back to Seattle, I go back to Berkeley, where I spend 2 weeks by myself in my apartment working on BS@C.

January-now: Spring Semester 2009. Going by in a whirl, too. Seeing Brindha a lot. Found miracle hair product. Lead coordinator of BS@C = a lot of work, but it's gratifying. We win the Chancellor's Sustainability Award for student sustainability group. You come to visit right before my spring break - we eat Thai food because Cheeseboard was closed. I host some epic dinner parties in the apartment. Mim and I go through adventures in my car. Parents come to visit again and we eat at a fancy restaurant and take a taxi to the ballet in the city. I speak at the Sustainability Summit. Go to a lot of meetings. We go to Victoria with fam fam. Adam brought his A+ game - we're getting our cars fixed.

Things I'm looking forward to: my 21st birthday at home with family - the first time in two years, sustainability conference in mid June. Maybe getting the student CACS co-chair position. Going to the East Coast to see family- will see Ben again for our third annual meet up. See the babies growing up so fast. Working on BS@C to make it better for next semester. Maybe Laura - from Germany - will come to California for two weeks and stay with me in August. I think Tiffany will visit me up here, and maybe Niv too. Charlotte and I living together next year. I also look forward to finding my floor and chair in my room. Haven't seen those in a while. Brindha will be up here during the summer, too, so we'll see each other. Seeing Laura in the city.

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but alas! Just have to survive these next couple of weeks!!

Good Perspective

by Helen

On Thursday, 30 minutes before I got my Stanford results, I got rear ended on 405 South in the rain going to the airport for work.

The incident definitely shocked me (and has already caused many headaches since now I have to deal with insurance agents) and did not make for a good day, but it reminded me that there are things a lot more important than going to Stanford or Harvard for grad school. 

Then a day later, I read about the awful shooting in NY which shook me up because throughout my life I have known many people who have attended immigration classes and it hit a little too close to home. Again - in the grand scheme of things, the livelihood of those around me is more important than a degree.

I have gotten so caught up in the minutia of grad school lately that these events, however unpleasant, have given me a chance to stop and appreciate my life and circumstances.

Whether I go to Georgetown, Stanford or Foster, it doesn't matter in the big picture. So as I enter the game of limbo, I will try to remember that.

Harvard vs. Stanford in California Politics

by Helen

As the 2010 Gubernatorial Primary in California is hitting full swing, the main two contenders for the Republican nomination are Steve Poizner, California Insurance Commissioner and Meg Whitman, Former Chairman of EBAY.

As it turns out, Poizner graduated Stanford's GSB program in 1980 and Whitman finished HBS in 1979. There definitely seems to be a healthy amount of competition between the two schools and even more of it between these two well qualified candidates. 

The question is - how does graduating from a smaller school in California compare to a larger school in Massachussets in terms of alumni network support?

Here is a look at where California's past winning Governors came from:

Governor Gray Davis, one of the most unpopular Governor's of California, graduated from Stanford undergrad and Columbia law. 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of the most popular elected officials in California (according to the public anyway) received his B.A. via correspondence from University of Wisconsin-Superior. 

Governor Pete Wilson attended Yale for undergrad and Berkeley for his law degree.

Governor George Deukmejian got his BA in Sociology from Siena College and his law degree from St. John's University.

Lastly, Governor Jerry Brown went to Berkeley and Yale for his education (with a quick stint at University of Santa Clara).

So, Stanford vs. Harvard - bring it on, California is ready for it. 

(Hopefully, tomorrow, I will figure out where the opponents of these Governor's came from so we can establish a pattern of whether or not higher education even matters in winning Governorship of California).

Torrential Rain Forecast for Duration of the Week

by Irene

Dear Helen,

I’m sorry I’ve been incognito for some time, though I did call several times over the weekend on your cell and home number. It’s that odd time in the semester when it goes up hill in order to reach the mid-point, and then everything goes super fast and somehow crashes into the last day of class. To say the least, I’m in a lull, a rut, I’m completely bored and would like to jump into the ocean. The other day I watched “Last Tango in Paris.” I didn’t quite understand how Marlon Brando’s character all of a sudden insists on marrying Jeanne. I think it would have made more sense if he had just left her, and after bawling, etc, she gets up, brushes herself off and gets married…I just…it was strange. The next movie I want to watch is Sophie’s Choice with Meryl Streep. Did you know grandma is going to Brazil? Next weekend I’m doing “Dance Marathon” Friday night to Saturday morning and then thinking about visiting Brindha because a friend of mine has a triathlon competition up there and he’s going to hang out with her….yea. And THEN I think my roomie and I are gonna go shopping in SF because she and I desperately need some clothes. I’m thinking I will actually hit up H&M and get something cute and trendy. My wardrobe is extraordinarily boring, especially for a 20 year old. I’m tired of jeans. I will try to stop wearing them and stick to skirts and dresses. Problem: backpack. Solution: drop out of college. And then I’m going to have friends over for a dinner party, the folks I lived with last year. Most of them are graduating this semester, so I want to force them into spending time with me. Also, I got three tickets to three SF ballet shows - $10/each ticket. I’m really stoked! I ALSO have a physics midterm this Thursday and am ready to shoot myself in the foot. Which would probably cause a current to induce a magnetic field somewhere in the universe. I’m sure you can just take the integral of that or something to figure it out. Other than occasional gnawing pangs of loneliness and emptiness, everything’s going according to plan. Cheers.

Motivation

by Helen

I'm a total group person/joiner.  My boss is very into fitness and talks about it a lot which is great because it makes me think about it and reminds me to work out.  I have been meaning to get back into morning work outs because I feel that they make me more productive.  So lately, my boss has been doing spinning classes, and the joiner that I am, I decided to take that up too.  Luckily for me, my gym has those classes three times a week at 5:30am.  So today I went to my first one. 

It wasn't so bad. My instructor was awesome.  She showed me how to adjust my seat and adjusted it for me and kept checking in on me throughout the class.  There were five of us total.  I definitely worked hard, but I think I could have worked harder.

So in order to keep motivated, here is the list of reasons why I am going to work out at 5:30am three times a week:

-Free up my evenings to work on b-school apps
-Get more energy throughout the day (this is more of a long term plan i think)
-Look good for Hawaii in November
-Give myself more time in the morning to get ready
-I will feel like I am more organized and together if I work out in the mornings

Here is to hoping that I can sustain this!