posts from 2008/2009 IMBA students around the world

Recently Posted…

  1. I love hangin out in office... 21 Aug 2008 | 1:39am GMT
    [ Open article ] on Palmetto Boy



    It was really enlightening message to me when I really liked being myself working in office. I don't know I get an immense pleasure working, doing something creative on my own pace.... but i love to do in an office environment when no one around..

    I like to talk to people walk around help others out during the day but be more productive in the night.. I get so much pride and happiness working by myself.. hmmmmm crazy.. may be my consulting IT background made me one! Honestly I am like this in my MBA. I used to lot of night outs! what we call back home....Burning the midnight oil! listening to music Diet coke..WOW!! I love it!


    As rightly said by some saint.. "Work is workship of Lord! There is indescribbable joy in the practice of Karma yoga. Work always elevates when it is done in the right spirit, without attachment and egoism..."
    I dont know about the attachment and egoism part i think i still need to work on it!
  2. It’s Official 20 Aug 2008 | 8:18pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Scott Laronge

    I’m now just unemployed, and not a student. I got word that my classes processed at South Carolina and I’m now the proud owner of an International Masters of Business Administration degree.

  3. Ultrasound pictures 20 Aug 2008 | 3:30pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Kristen and Josh


    We got to see our precious little man this morning!! Everything looks perfect - he is actually measuring over a week ahead of where the doctor thought he would be (which means Josh might get his Halloween baby after all!) We are ecstatic that he's so healthy and can't wait to meet him in just a couple of months!!
  4. Technically We Are In One 20 Aug 2008 | 8:35am GMT
    [ Open article ] on Scott Laronge

    Part of the fun of buying a house is going through at the end of the process and signing about ten pounds of paperwork in legally transferring property and title. My three favorite documents were:

    • The document showing every legal name we have used to establish credit or open a bank account, including an example of the signature used. And of course, a final signature attesting this is the current and final signature.
    • The document granting permission to the loan company to verify our employment. For the record, I’m unemployed and Dad’s retired. Hopefully they can verify that.
    • The document asking if we were in a in a same-sex relationship (used to protect the domestic partner legally if one dies). The title officer had a bit of a weird look when I told her we are in one. See, I’m his son, and he’s my dad. Plus we’re the same sex. She still didn’t smile at that.
  5. Thanks Stephanie!! 19 Aug 2008 | 7:20pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Kristen and Josh

    Stephanie and Jacob (my cousin Jason's wife and one of their precious sons) came to visit me in Charlotte yesterday and brought TONS of goodies for Ben!! Steph - you are the best and we love you!! Here are some pics of Jacob playing in the couch cushions. He is too freakin cute!!!



  6. American reporter - My mom's first touch of independence 12 Aug 2008 | 4:45pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Palmetto Boy


    It was my dream to bring my mom to USA. It was summer of 2001 I was fortunate to get the glimpse of dream coming true in Orlando Disney.. Epcot! WoW!! what a marevellous place.. One mans dream...all the kids dream...elderly people dream.. gosh! this is what I lived all my life for to see my favourite disney characters.. I was 22 at that time still I felt like a 5 yr old jumping around enthusiastically.. All those rides.. ohh my god.. unbelievable..I called my mom from Diney.. I told Mom! you must be here someday..I miss you all.. I wish Dad was alive to listen to me talking about US and Disney! My mom said sure..son he is seeing your right now blessing you as a guardian angel..anyways.. I realized my dream of bringing my mom to USA this May of 2008.. She landed here in Columbia South carolina Airport visiting me for my graduation.. WoW!! I felt proud!...eventhough I am not supposed to...I felt proud not for me.. but for my Mom! I was thinking of her Journey.. life journey..

    Born in a village in a poor family in a state called Tamilnadu in souther india in a village closer to Chennai.. my mom has to fight all the odds as was our country at that time.. It was not a easy path especially if you are the first one in the family.
    She was a determined girl right from her childhood. My grandma gave all her strength...an Indian expat from Burma ( Myanamar) My grandma was a world war survivor..she has seen ups and downs in her life living a royal life in burma loosing all her wealth and siblings in the war.. She was a tough women.. she wanted to see a better world through the eyes of her daughter... Vandarkuzhali.. yes that hard to say name is very poetic tamil word.. It means.. the bees are tricked by the beauty and smell of long beautiful hair! that my mom had.. :-) hmmmm gosh! what a name...

    My mom told me when she landed in Columbia that all that she knows about America when she was doing her high school is America Reporter.. A free magazine that was delivered to her village through Indian Postal service! god bless them...in one of the questionaire that she was asked whether she listens to some program in BBC Radio! it looks like my mom replied by mail that her family could not afford a Radio as it is way too expensive.... for her...hmmmm I had my goose bumps! again now as I typing this... poverty ... suppression.. false belief...superstition.. caste system.. name any god damn thing. she has to fight her way out.. even now lot many children are fighting their way out... Mom! you are no doubt an inspiration to so many that you thought as professor in the last 36 years... an inspiration to all that are going to follow your way of fighting againgst all odds in India!!


    I welcomed my mom with a sigh of relief an hug! as a son I always wanted from my mom.. Mom Thank You! Thank you! for everything.. I am here because of you.. You are simply great!! Welcome to United States of America!!!
  7. Amma...(Mom) wonderful divinity 10 Aug 2008 | 11:55pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Palmetto Boy


    As they rightly say sometimes it is very hard to appreciate value of mother's love,care,affection resulting in infinite happiness. I was fortunate to get back to my childhood days.. My mom waking me up with cup of tea preparing delicious food and taking care of me for last 3 months. It was hard for me to wake up today this morning only to realize that my mom has already reached Delhi after a 16 hr straight flight from Newark!.. Oops... Mommy I miss you!! gosh.. I am old enough to be a parent myself ..why am I feeling like this..... I think age, experience, education, designation does not change ones love and longing for mother.. Amma.. is universal I love for mom.. she is my strength.. she my energy she give me so much confidence and courage to live in this selfish world. She showers her selfless love all the time.. Sometime it is very hard to understand but as time passes by I get this realization of my moms love....hmmmmm anyways..

    Thank god for my friends they were with me today we watched Olypics I was cheering for Netherlands and China against US.. always it is good to cheer for a team that is trying harder! I tried to get my thought and place more organized. I think only way to make myself better is to be active.. No wonder idle brain is Devil's workplace. I want to get rid of those devilish thoughts.. fill my heart and brain with positive energy planning my week... I am listening to famous Balamuralikrishna Kirtans...South Indian Carnatic Music... It feels so relaxing....
  8. Olympic Ceremony = 15,000 performers 9 Aug 2008 | 2:15am GMT
    [ Open article ] on New Perspectives...

    Many olympic writers are saying that this could very well be the most anticipated Olympics in the last 100 years. It's host country has gone absolutely all-out in preparations. It has one of the most unique designs for its central stadium, compared to only 3 or 4 other Olympic cities in the world in terms of best architecture and significance. Any person even remotely involved signed confidientiality agreements to keep it locked in sercrecy. For the opening ceremonies, this stadium + 32 other sites in the city absolutely lit up with fireworks. From where we were sitting, we could see two of the fireworks sites in the city.

    The ceremony definitely displayed some typical characteristics of China performance: A) Enormous numbers of people (around 15,000 this time) and B) All of them acting in perfect unison to create a larger image or picture. From the teams with fans to the drumming in the beginning to the people creating Chinese characters, it was all perfect harmonization that made you say: How did they do that?!

    Well, it took the 3 months of practice and all the performers were Chinese students. Some received a stipend of a couple dollars a day while others were purely volunteer. They received housing and transportation but mainly worked for their free ticket to China's most exciting ceremony. I'm sure if they didn't, there would be thousands more willing to take their place.

    The U.S. team came out with fanfare second only to the China team. They were dressed in sailor-like uniforms and had upwards of 600 in the delegation.

    It was a very impressive opening ceremony promoting the idea of peace and cooperation. Now come the events!
  9. Olympic kick-off in 12 hours 8 Aug 2008 | 1:04am GMT
    [ Open article ] on New Perspectives...

    Tonight's the big night. It feels like the most anticipated night in China's last 100 years of history. We obviously don't have tickets as they are selling in the second hand market for thousands of dollars, but we do have a pretty nifty plan. Besides the Olympic stadium, there are 32 points of fireworks in the city, one of the biggest in Tiananmen square. The solution: A rooftop bar overlooking the square and the forbidden city with a giant TV to watch the ceremony. That's right, we want it all and Adrian actually found a place to make it happen :) Yin Bar is on top of the Emperor Hotel, just a stone's throw away from the action!

    Here the press release for where about 12 of us will be tonight:

    >> Yin Bar Press Conference, Opening Ceremony
    Chen Dongliang, a representative from the Olympic design strategy team, and representatives from Emperor Hotel meet on the rooftop to discuss design strategy of the Olympics and boutique hotels. Free flow of sparkling wine, plus a big screen displaying the Opening Ceremony. Reservation recommended. Free.
    7pm. Yin Bar (6523 6877)
  10. I've never seen a city change so fast. 4 Aug 2008 | 3:21am GMT
    [ Open article ] on New Perspectives...

    I went out an around Beijing a little this weekend, being a tourist and exploring some of my old favorite spots that I'd heard had gotten face lifts. I just can't get over how this city has changed in just the 18 months I've been here, not to mention since I lived here in 2004!

    The infrastructure is very developed with new subway lines, roads, police forces, etc. The "Odd/Even Rule" is working out pretty well. If your license number is an odd number, you can drive on odd days of the month, and vise versa if its even...cutting the number of personal cars on the road in half for the next two months! And they are strictly enforcing it. Security checks are everywhere, English speaking volunteers are asking if you need help, and the general population has been trained to stand in line! (not a typical Chinese characteristic.) I have to swipe my electronic card 3 times to get into my apartment now. Once for the complex, once for the building and once for the elevator. No thieves getting in there, not that I ever felt it was unsafe to begin with.

    In public there are enormous Beijing 2008 banners everywhere, often strategically placed to cover up entire buildings or streets that may not be pleasing to the eye. This is in Wangfujing, the most popular and expensive shopping street in the city. Everything here is in a large scale, and I was surprised to see the whole street was plastered with the banners.

    And on every corner there is a place to buy official Olympic merchandise...not the knock-off stuff. And on a normal day before the Olympics are even here, you would be standing in line to purchase anything.

    One of the streets that I used to go to a lot is called DaZhaLan street, and is just south of Tiananmen Square. It has a lot of Beijing's "Oldest" or "Firsts" like the first movie theater, the most famous silk shop, the most famous shoe makers, etc. Just recently it and the entire area around it got a very expensive face lift with widened walkways, clean streets and new store fronts, opening just in time for the Olympics:

    As you can see in the photos, the skies have been clear for several days now. Perfect blue skies. The cab drivers are saying it's the odd/even rule, but who can explain it. It makes me think that maybe the government might actually be able to make good of their pollution promise. We'll see.

    But for the rest of the city, it seems as if a lot of deadlines were met. The Olympic stadiums are all ready and waiting, sparkling new buildings and streets are opening up all over the city, and security seems to double each week. For the opening ceremony we're going to have a party on a roof-top bar next to Tiananmen square so that we can simultaneously watch the TVs as well as the fireworks outside. I can't wait. As for the actual events, I'll just be going to artistic gymnastics on the 14th...so if you're watching TV...watch the stands for a blonde girl in the sea of black hair :)
  11. Everything is coming together nicely 26 Jul 2008 | 5:58pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Kristen and Josh

    Hello friends,

    Like a broken record, I will say to you again that I am very, deeply sorry for not having written a post in a long time. Since I graduated a lot has happened between:

    - Moving from our apartment in Columbia to our beautiful home in Charlotte
    - Visiting Kristen's OBGYN and seeing pictures of our new baby boy, finding out that everything is healthy & perfectly in place
    - Celebrating the marriage of Janie and Dad
    - Marking another year older- Kristen and me
    - Unpacking & getting settled in to our new home (a much longer process than moving)
    - Starting my new job, which is totally awesome, by the way
    - Hosting family as guests in our home, for the very first time
    - Watching the new Batman movie at IMAX (I recommend sitting in the back row)
    - etc.

    We are truly blessed. I never imagined that settling down could be so much fun...

    Much love,

    Josh
  12. So Much for Having a Good Time 26 Jul 2008 | 4:28am GMT
    [ Open article ] on Scott Laronge

    Home photos are up here. You may notice that the house itself is in pretty good condition, but the back yard needs some work.

    This is where the fun comes in. I plan on tilling the yard and digging in some trenches to lay down a sprinkler system and a french drain to keep the water from pooling against the house. Add in some fresh topsoil and 18-18-18, then just overseed the heck out of it to have a nice lawn in the back.

    Part of the “problem” with the house in almost turnkey status is that I don’t get to have any fun with it. On my first house, the previous owners laid down carpeting on top of beautiful hardwood floors. So I got to crawl around and tear up the carpet, tacking, wood paneling and baseboards. Then hunt for every little nail and staple and pull them out before I got the floor sander in there to restain it. Now that was a good time, destruction and mayhem all in the name of renovation.

  13. Traveling Home 17 Jul 2008 | 10:06pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Finding Japan

    HI390019.jpg

    I took a jet plane home this past Wednesday (first time on a 747 actually) and am now writing this post from the couch at my parents home in New Hampshire. It’s been nice to finally fly home and I am so tired-out I can barely stand it.

    HI390018.jpg

    I did manage to take a picture of my last meal in Japan though at the airport. I will send some updates along when I finish up the final episode, just as soon as my jet lag subsides. Talk to you all very soon.

  14. My Internhip Experience (part 2) 13 Jul 2008 | 9:32am GMT
    [ Open article ] on My life in a blog

    Journal Entry #2 - June 2008:


    Sometimes, it is difficult for me to imagine that I live and work in China. For someone who has never been here before, it could sound a little crazy to go through this experience: a Romanian that went to an American IMBA program and ended up in China. Being here for more than a year has made it so that it feels very natural to call Beijing my home and it’s great!     Rusu_004

    My workday normally starts around 7:30 in the morning when I repeatedly hit the buzzer a few times until I finally get up 15 minutes later. Living ten minutes away from the office gives me the comfort to extend my sleep and morning preparations and still make it to the office around nine.

    For most foreign companies in Beijing, an 8:30 or 9:00 AM to 5:30 or 6:00 PM work schedule is the most common. This includes a one-hour break that is generally from 12 to 1. This is when almost everyone goes out for lunch, generally in a group environment. Around the building I work in, one can find anything from typical Chinese dumplings or pancakes (a 5 yuan or 70 cents lunch) to hamburgers, steaks or pasta that run for at least 40 yuan or 6 bucks. And no, we don’t get a one hour nap time after lunch like other Chinese companies… bummer!!

    I work at Apple Inc., where the official written language is English and it is generally not difficult to keep up with emails or any other written materials. I work in the retail development department where most of the other workers are Chinese so I do my best to use a combination of Chinese and English to express what I would like. For example:

    “ 那个 performance 的分析，我觉得还要 update 用一些新的 data ” or "Na ge performance de fen xi, wo jue de hai yao update yong yi xie xin de data" Translates into:

    "I think that performance report needs some update using new data" ( I’m sure anyone could understand what the sentence was saying with no prior Chinese experience.)

    Generally, this is how typical office and meeting discussions sound like, so overall I can keep up with whatever is to be discussed because most of the time the key words are in English.

    Rusu_006The culture inside the company is just like one would expect for Apple office place. It is an open, flat, relaxed working environment with very approachable people and the organization itself is non-hierarchical, which is not typical of a Chinese work place. The office has a good mixture of both foreign and local employees, most of them with previous working experience within a multinational or international environment. My team mainly consists of three people: Dawei or David, in English, who is the Head Business Analyst, Alice, my supervisor, as Director of Retail Development and myself.

    My very first project was to try to adapt myself as quickly as possible to working on a Mac computer. As an experienced PC user, I thought that it would take me a little while to get used to making presentations on Keynote, use Mail or the Mac Excel. However, because of the intuitive functions and applications of my new computer friend, I was up and running in no time. All I could only think was “I should have tried the Macs earlier.“ After two or three weeks, I was already a “Mac guy,” foreseeing a future switch to a Mac as my personal computer as well.

    The first project where I started to learn more about Apple operations in the region involved a thoughtful analysis of the Asian high end retail sector in order to support the senior management making decisions about possible flagship store locations. For this, I first had to go through some of our existing APR locations and understand what makes those places an attractive retail environment. Afterwards, connecting with country representatives and real estate agencies, along with my own research, I managed to get a good feel of the retail sector in the region. My final report was a compilation of the top forty cities across Asia with retail, market and sales data information as well as recommended locations for the stores. Dr. Philipoom’s Decision Analysis was a real lifesaver for my first accomplishment during this internship.

    Rusu_005 In March, a group of eleven class of ‘09 IMBA global trackers came over to China for the first time in the history of our program. Accompanied by Dr. David Hudgens and Dr. Hong Yen, they visited several companies in both Beijing and Shanghai where they learned about the company operations in the Mainland. One afternoon was dedicated to visiting the Apple office and learning from our staff about the company’s operations is Asia. Every department in the company was represented at the meeting, including our Apple Asia’s General Manager, who is a Moore alumni. Therefore, everyone present got to understand the different lines of business the company is currently pursuing and enjoyed a whole afternoon spent with the Apple team.

    During their stay in Beijing, the Chinese trackers and other alumni got together on several occasions to show our Global classmates how the “locals” live, eat and party, turning them envious of not joining the Chinese track before. Hahahaha…

    This is it for now. In my next entry I will talk about sports and work activities as well as more details about my internship.

    再见！
  15. Episode 63 - Wrapping It Up 28 Jun 2008 | 7:14am GMT
    [ Open article ] on Finding Japan

    HI390053.jpg

    Photo taken at the Panasonic Center in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan. Cardboard dinosaurs rule!

    Ok, well not really wrapping it up quite yet. Just some thoughts on paying my last rent payment here in Tokyo, a small request to all listeners, answering a letter to my future self, and more. Che-ch-che-ch-checka-check it out!

    Show Notes:

    • Paying my last rent payment
    • Listeners - submit your thoughts on your favorite part of FJ
    • Watching an excavator for 2 mins (sorry for leaving that in there)
    • Interlude: “Memories of an Old Dog” by Fireproof Babies
    • Thoughts on video games in Japan
    • Answering future self letter from 1 year ago
    • My Japanese ability
    • Moving out sale
    • Outro: “Uno Two (Instrumental)” by KCentric
  16. Bonnaroo 2008 27 Jun 2008 | 1:07am GMT
    [ Open article ] on Welcome to Dave's Journeys

    Bonnaroo 2008 Album
    First off, Bonnaroo was amazing! This was my first music festival in a couple of years and I could not have gotten the opportunity to attend a better one. Seth, Matty, and I were fortunate enough to have VIP passes for the event, which created a very different experience for us. Having access to an air-conditioned tent, free booze, and side-stage seating was only a few of the perks. It certainly made camping out in southern TN in the month of June much easier. A quick list of some of the bands I got to see:

    1. Yonder Mountain String Band (YMSB)
    2. Widespread Panic
    3. Phil Lesh and Friends
    4. Robert Plant and Alison Kraus
    5. Israel Vibrations
    6. Pearl Jam
    7. Metallica
    8. Tiesto
    9. Robert Randolph
    10. Ozomatli
    11. Chris Rock (the comedian) and many more performers.

    I am looking forward to some more music now that I am in Asheville. However, I am resisting a little bit, while I am out looking for a job. As for the job front, I am making headway. Certainly, if you have any contacts or friends that I could hang out with in the Asheville area, please pass them along.
  17. Post Grad School 26 Jun 2008 | 11:48pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Welcome to Dave's Journeys

    Family, friends, & a tractor pull
    After Costa Rica, Natalie and I returned to Columbia to move our things to Asheville. We used a U-haul to get the job done in one long day. The rest of the week I helped a friend and classmate move to his new place a couple of hours from town. By the end of the week I took the last load of stuff in my car to Asheville and drove to Rolla, MO to see some friends.

    Barry, Tara, Katrina, and I got to catch up over the weekend. I met some of their friends in the area and just had a fun and relaxing time. Then it was off to Memphis for several days. Getting to spend time with my nephew has become a real highlight for me. He has so much energy it makes me jealous.

    Next on the agenda was heading down to Athens, AL to see my dad and Carol. I showed up in time to shave ice for a tractor pull. Even Natalie came down from Kentucky to join in the fun. After resting up from the long weekend, the rest of the week was nice and relaxing, as it always is when I am there. However, it is hard to keep me anywhere for more than a few days and soon it was time for me to head out again. Find out where I went in my next posting!
  18. Canopy Tour and the Beach 23 Jun 2008 | 12:53pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Welcome to Dave's Journeys

    Monteverde & Manuel Antonio
    This is the last installment of my Costa Rica trip.

    After the Arenal Volcano, we were supposed to meet up with a friend in Monteverde's cloud forest for a canopy tour. This meant that we had to leave our lodge before 6am to make it to the 11am tour. The roads leading to Monteverde are hardly roads. Instead, we spent over three hours off-roading through the mountains. This is the only way to get there, unless you have a boat. We bounced, laughed, and stayed in a general mood of disbelief as we winded our way to the city. We were later told that the people of the area do not want the roads paved, since it will mean more tourist would be coming. I am not sure how true this is...we saw several tour buses navigating the same roads as us which was a reassurance that we actually could make it through these roads and that we were going the right direction, since signs were lacking.

    Nevertheless, we made it to town and met up with our friend whom had arrived the night before. He is working for the Original Canopy Tour and provided us with a private tour for the three of us. The next two hours made all the driving worth it. We flew through the tree tops with big smiles as we glided across more than a dozen lines, rappelled down two platforms, and climbed inside a ficus tree.

    After the tour, we grabbed some lunch and said good-bye to our friend. We had spent enough time in the jungle and were ready for some sand and waves. From the southern end of town, we only had a couple of hours of off-roading to do before we reached pavement. Boy did it feel good! The rest of the drive was filled with an hour delay for construction, a crocodile bridge, rain that often slowed us to a crawl, and finally darkness that made it difficult to see where the road was.

    Luckily, we made it to Manuel Antonio. It was still drizzling, but people were out everywhere. This town was not filled with locals, but was filled with foreigners acting like they were on spring break. After checking out a few hotels, we checked into a spot and collapsed. The driving for the day had wiped us out.

    We spent the last two days laying on the beach, playing in the water, seeing lots of wildlife, and relaxing at the hotel with a few people we met. This was a great way to end our Costa Rica vacation. Make sure you check out the album of pictures at the top of the post.
  19. Episode 62 - Thoughts During Lunch 18 Jun 2008 | 12:49pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Finding Japan

    2577129713_6236d9c6d1.jpeg

    Hello everyone. Just a few thoughts I’m tossing out as a catch up episode. Join me for lunch on the bay as we sit, chat, and do a little catching up. Also, in this podcast, I was joined by a special feline guest. Tune in here.

    Show Notes

    • (none because I am lazy tonight)
  20. My Internhip Experience (part 1) 13 Jun 2008 | 8:26am GMT
    [ Open article ] on My life in a blog

    Journal Entry #1 - May 2008:

    Three years ago, I never would have imagined that someone would end up here reading about my internship experience at the Moore School of Business. When I was deciding what I should do for the future, I was looking at the Moore School application and thinking how interesting it would be to go to China, Rusu_002Japan, Germany or any other language track for a complete cultural immersion. For many days, I was thinking about what to choose for my future, about what's best for me.

    So, I decided to go for the most challenging of all choices, the Chinese Track, having no previous Asian experience, background or language knowledge.

    My name is Adrian Rusu. I'm originally from Romania and will guide you through my experience in China. I graduated with a telecomm engineering degree in Romania therefore I had no previous business school experience whatsoever. During my five years of college, I had the chance to be involved with different working or researching projects for companies in the consumer electronics industry, including one major research project in the mobile technology industry. From there, I went to Moore, began my IMBA and then studied Chinese for one year at UIBE in Beijing.

    Rusu_003No matter where you are in the world, finding a good internship is not an easy task. Searching for an internship in China is no exception, but it definitely had a good result. The Chinese track has one advantage over the other language tracks, as we have a local company that will help us find an internship, try to solve any legal problems that may come up, and help us to find social and networking events in the city. This is a great relief especially for someone coming here for the first time.

    On the one hand, this company helped me and my fellow trackers to find some internship opportunities both with Chinese and multinational companies. On the other hand, our school has excellent ties with some of the multinational companies in China and therefore was also very helpful in the internship search. This was the case with Apple. Even though this was the first time the company established a partnership with the Moore School, our Apple alumni have helped Moore students find internships in the past.

    The Apple office in Beijing houses both Apple Asia, which includes all Asian countries except for Japan, and also Apple China, which are some of their most important operations in Asia. The office is located just across the street from the Silk Market in Beijing. In my apartment search, I succeeded in leasing an apartment just a ten-minute walk away. This situation is not very common for a city like Beijing, where a 45-minute commute to work is considered normal nowadays. I was definitely lucky. Rusu_001

    The Apple APR (Apple Premium Reseller) Program is quite a new initiative (about two years old) within the company and helps bring the newest Mac and iPod products to customers in cities all over Asia by delivering on the promise of the Apple brand at the same time. The APR stores know everything about Mac and are the best places in town to test-drive all the Mac or iPod products. I am part of the Apple Asia APR Team, working as a Business Analyst, and this is the story of my internship.

    In my next entry, I will talk about my internship in its initial stages and life in Beijing before the Olympics.

  21. Chinese funnies 29 May 2008 | 3:34am GMT
    [ Open article ] on My life in a blog

    Last post and generally last few weeks were weeks of mourning for China. This truly sad event even put the before very famous Torch Relay in the very back pages of the newspapers and news agencies.

    Changing topics now... on a regular Sunday, while entering Dong Dan Sports Center 东单体育中心, I saw this Nike sponsored ad on the main door. How can that happen? Nike?! Enjoy it...

  22. Earthquake in Southwest China 13 May 2008 | 5:58am GMT
    [ Open article ] on CHINA IS CALLING

    As many of you have already heard and read, there was a devastating Earthquake in Southwest China Monday afternoon. The epicenter of the quake was in Sichuan province but a smaller tremor was felt all the way up here in Beijing. It was a very strange sensation as I felt myself subtly begin to sway. As we stood up to figure out what was going on, it was clear that the whole building was swaying. We quickly left the building and waited outside. Eventually, we were sent home. All in all it was a very minor disruption here in Beijing, but of course, down south in Sichuan, people are experiencing extreme devastation. Just one week earlier, I was traveling in that region with my dad and stepmom. And it is disheartening to be reminded how everything can change in an instant. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the quake.
  23. Bull 1 Horse 0.JPG 10 May 2008 | 12:14am GMT
    [ Open article ] on IMBA Photo Group Pool

    Laronge has added a photo to the pool:

    Bull 1 Horse 0.JPG

  24. Duel.JPG 10 May 2008 | 12:06am GMT
    [ Open article ] on IMBA Photo Group Pool

    Laronge has added a photo to the pool:

    Duel.JPG

  25. Languid Pose.JPG 10 May 2008 | 12:03am GMT
    [ Open article ] on IMBA Photo Group Pool

    Laronge has added a photo to the pool:

    Languid Pose.JPG

  26. Winding Down 30 Apr 2008 | 4:52pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on And...I'm Out.

    I find myself a week away from graduation wondering how everything went by so fast. I can't believe I'm done. I really can't believe all the things that I've accomplished. I realized my dream of working and living in France. I visited eight different countries, learned a new language, got my masters degree, made new friends and dozens of other accomplishments that I am probably forgetting. The best part is that I am gainfully employed. After numerous interviews and two job offers, I will be moving to Little Rock and taking a position as a marketing analyst at Alltel. I am really excited about the opportunity. I never in a million years would have pictured myself in arkansas, but I am surprisingly ok withit. I have already found an apartment. It's right on the river and near a park and downtown. Everyone I've met so far seems very laidback and nice, so that makes me feel even better. I'm looking forward to getting involved and meeting new people and actually living in the same place for more than 6 months.

    I will keep everyone updated on my return to the job world, the move and my trip to vegas with my sister and cousin amy. It will definitely be an interesting transition.
  27. Just Cuz... 28 Mar 2008 | 2:33am GMT
    [ Open article ] on CHINA IS CALLING

    Here are a couple of pictures from New Year's Day with Almost all of my best friends represented.
    (From left Ms. Heather Talley, Mrs. Ana Allen, Ms. Isabelle Guzman, myself, Ms. Sarah Almond, you can also see Rose the Hound Dog there on the left)

    It was an amazing day, as all my girls came out to my Dad and Anne's house and we proceeded to welcome in the New Year by chowing down on one of the best meals ever conceived and created: Pork Chops pan fried in butter, Collard Greens with Balsamic, Black Eyed Peas, Home-made Apple sauce along with Corn Bread and Biscuits. This meal will never be forgotten but hopefully repeated.



    Here's a little info just for fun.

    Four jobs I have had in my life:
    1. Receptionist at my mom's law practice (age 8-13)
    2. Cashier, Zell's Ace Hardware (age 18)
    3. Banquet Server, Grove Park Inn (age 20)
    4. YMCA Day Camp Counselor (age 20)

    Four movies I would watch over and over
    1) Lost in Translation
    2) Say Anything
    3) The Bourne Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum (I know, that's actually 3, sorry)
    4) Top Gun

    Four places I have lived:
    1) Paris, France
    2) New York, NY
    3) Asheville, NC
    4) Columbia, SC

    Four Places I have been:
    1) Marlborough, New Zealand
    2) Upolu, Western Samoa
    3) Budapest, Hungary
    4) Jupiter, NC

    Four people who e-mail me regularly :
    1) Mom (because now she has a BlackBerry and she oozes technology)
    2) Lynn
    3) Heather
    4) many others sporadically

    Four of my favorite foods:
    1) Spaghetti and Meatballs (with a glass of milk-it's a childhood thing)
    2) Gong Bao Ji Ding (which is the real chinese version of Kung Pao Chicken-I'm 'bout to go eat some right now)
    3) Chocolate Cake
    4) and basically anything made by my Mom, my Grandmother, my Dad, Sarah Almond, Lynn Andriani, Heather Talley, Isabelle Guzman, Traci Magnus, Jennifer Bryan...my Step-Mom and Step-Dad are also really amazing cooks, I hope I didn't leave anyone out!

    Four places I would rather be right now:
    Being here is pretty good for me right now, so I'll rename this one Four places I would also enjoy right now:
    1) In the woods
    2) On an island beach with blue skies and sunshine
    3) With my friends and family
    4) In Love

    Four friends I think will respond:
    1) Heather
    2) Ana
    3) Lynn
    4) Rory

    Four things I look forward to:
    1) This weekend
    2) Having children
    3) My next big trip
    4) A phat job offer

    If you interested send me your answers and add more fun questions.
  28. Peace, Love and Kung Fu 21 Mar 2008 | 2:01am GMT
    [ Open article ] on CHINA IS CALLING


    Pictured here with my good friend Rory Zimmerman of ATL! Holla!
  29. A "Taste" of Argentina... 31 Jan 2008 | 1:39pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on Shaun is So Flat

    Did you know that Santiago is only two hours from the Argentinian border? So with two days off, I figured why not head over to the other side and see what all the hype is about.
  30. New Years at the House 27 Jan 2008 | 3:46pm GMT
    [ Open article ] on YouTube :: Videos by sbrown3585

    New Years 2008, at my house in Beaufort.

    Author: sbrown3585
    Keywords: new years 2008
    Added: January 27, 2008