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Ciao Tutti!!!
I'm in a GREAT mood. I woke up this morning completley refreshed, and I have just been constantly thinking about my parents coming tomorrow. I honestly can't wait! This week has been so busy and hard and I am just SO EXCITED to relax and visit with my parents and spend Easter with them in Rome!!!! Yay!!!
I'm also in a great mood because when one door closes, another one opens. Of course I'm talking about jobs..haha. Right now I have these 2 great opportunities that I'm exploring. One in category management with Safeway, and the other with PepsiAmericas. Who knows what's going to happen with them, but it's been great just communicating with the companies and trying to figure it out. I love talking with businesses that speak English...hahahha.
On tuesday I have a really cool experience. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but for my strategic management class we are doing a real live strategic engagement with a local Italian design company. This is the class that only has 7 people in it, and our professor is the guy that basically owns this program. We've had our ups and downs, and he is by far the hardest professor I have ever had. I don't think I have ever really been this challenged.
Well anyways, I had to sign a confidentiality contract so I'm not allowed to tell you anything about this company, so I'm gonna have to watch my words. But basically, it's extremely difficult. On tuesday, however, after spending 8 hours on monday working on this project, we got to visit the company. We toured around the companny during class time, and had a meeting with the 2 owners who we are conversing with. It was really neat.
Then, after we were done with that, Dr. Ringleb (our professor) invited us back to his home for wine and dinner. The two guys, Mario and Peter, came with us for a glass of wine. We stood in Dr. Ringleb's wine cellar drinking amazing wine and appetizers. We had these tortilla chips with homemade salsa (YUM!), and local cheese with jalapenos. Who would have known cheese and jalapenos are delicious together?? Not this girl, I can tell you that much.
ANYWAYS, long story short, we really got to know Mario and Peter on a different level. It was great. We talked about business in general, personal life, Italy, U.S, etc. There were tons of laughs, and it was just great. I feel so comfortable around these guys, and optimistic that the next 4 weeks are going to be just great.
Mario and Peter left after wine, and the rest of the class stayed for dinner. It was so funny because the 7 of us had a bet going, where 3 of us believed Dr. Ringleb would cook for us, and the rest thought he would have someone cook for us. All of a sudden he comes down and says "I found the cook"...and he appears wearing jeans, mocassins, and a long sleeved shirt. Now, I know this may sound normal, but you have to understand noone has EVER seen him without a suit and tie on. So this was a big deal to us. It was awesome.
He went upstairs and cooked us the most amazing mexican food ever. We had what resembled enchiladas, but 20 times better. We sat around the table and had some more wine and enjoyed each others company. It was the first home cooked meal I had gotten since I've been here, and I loved it. Everytime I feel like I don't like Dr. Ringleb, he always does something to make me like him again. I think I've decided that I do really like hm, and I'm learning a lot from him. I think what makes his class so difficult is that he doesnt give us any direction. He leaves it up to us and makes us create what it is we are going to do. I've never been taught like that. It's always the teacher telling you what it is you need to learn, having you memorize it, and then regurgatate it on exams. But what good is that? I cant even remember half the stuff I've learned like that.
So yeah, it was so great. I think tuesday was one of the highlights of my experience here so far. I got to truly enjoy some good food, some good wine, and GREAT company.
Jealous yet? haha
Well I'm off to my last day of classes before I go to Rome this weekend!!!!! CANT WAIT!! I'll tell the Pope you all said hi!
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