Worked for Cisco all summer (though it still is pretty much Latitude) and had fun while there/here. I'm in the lucky position of being able to switch back and forth between the coporate/"real" world and the academic/"fake" world and what a wonderful thing it is. I take refuge from one in the other and I get the best of both: monetary incentives of the real world and the intellectual stimulation of the academic world. It's fun to work with customers (ok, I don't really, I'm just the lowly intern, but every once in a while I do) and deadlines in a completely different sense. Deadlines affect revenue and money and customers have demands. Whereas in academia, deadlines really only affect yourself and your customers (readers) have expectations, but not really predefined demands.

So the main courses for this summer were rock climbing, exploring new literary paths (as in I am reading stuff), learning about but more just pampering and driving my new M Roadster, and planting myself firmly in a cubicle farm working as an engineer. Side dishes include reinvigorated hobbies such as chocolate, wine, and a being a photographer wannabe (how repetitively redundant). Desserts in the form of inspiration include serious photography, biking, and continue rock climbing (as well an introduction to asian pop and the desire to learn Japanese). Sadly, music and piano was left behind but I'm all the more ready to jump back into the academic and musical fray because of my brief hiatus.

Leaving for Shanghai on September 1st (next Wednesday!!!). Then it's back to SFO on the morning of the 14th and to good old Rhode Island by the night of the 14th. Then a flight back to the bay area on the 18th, and drive down to Santa Babara on the 19th. School starts on the 20th. Phew!

PS Anybody else amused at the union of Beethoven's First (I think) and Papara funi funi papara hoe hoe papara funi funi tamago? That's just bizarre...but fittingly amusing in a nipponish kinda way. Thanks S!
PPS Paperformers!!! COOLEST THING EVER!