I have decided to return to Microsoft following graduation to work with the same group that I interned with this past summer. I'm excited to return, although my last couple quarters will be thoroughly enjoyed while I have the time yet. :)
Some good coverage of Microsoft in the FT recently around a PWC survey of most respected companies. Especially interesting is the small note on the role of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
It was nice to have a two-day break from the regular scheduled classes and meetings and to get away. We went to northern Indiana to my parents place for most of the break along with a brief trip out to central Ohio to see my grandparents and the side of the extended family that was gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. Great seeing many of them for the first time in over a year. We were also fortunate to see some Rose-Hulman friends that I haven't seen in a number of years.
It was also nice to just get away before 10th week when everything is coming due and many projects and classes are wrapping up for the final time. This time of the quarter is both an exciting one and also a time of closure as new classes are lined up for next quarter and all the 'last times' begin to occur - last Fall quarter, last LEAD gathering, last class with some classmates, etc. In general, it's amazing how fast the time here seems to go. It's really two 9 month sections split with a 3 month internship/break.
You've probably already seen this, but if not it's a nice break from case write-ups... :) Thanks to Dan for the link.
Only two weeks remain and just a handful of assignments to complete before the end of the quarter. One final project and one take-home final this quarter. And a number of final assignments for LEAD for me to wrap up.
Also bidding on classes for next quarter was due last Friday and I'll know results by Wednesday.
Finally, major kudos to all the other LEAD facilitators with the completion of Golden Gargs and congrats to Walker for a great film and All-Stars competition this year. :)
LEAD All-Stars is on Thursday so that is a very full day this week. Should be a good time for the All-Stars to meet each other and have some friendly competition with their LEAD skills. :)
Went shopping at Costco on Saturday morning. Such a crazy huge place. Fun, but I usually buy more than I need.
Bidding for classes (Winter Quarter) ends on Friday so I'll know next quarter's schedule before too long.
It was awesome to see the man again. It's often far to long between visits and it was great to meet the fam and friends again.
Also the Field Museum was a fun time. Especially the Native American exhibits that I used to pour over for hours and hours as a kid. Still love the stuff; we did check out the Pacific Northwest section a bit more than I had in the past as I had usually favored the Plains and Eastern Woodland tribes.
Also checked out the Pompeii exhibit, which brought back many memories from National Geographic magazines from years ago. And as always mourned the fact that museums actually cost money in Chicago...we miss the free-ness of all the DC museums. :(