Tag Archives: school

Another Year Begins

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On one hand, I can’t believe it’s already started. Tempus fugit! On the other…it’s mid October and the year just began. What the hell is that?

This Thursday, yes that’s right…Thursday, the second academic year started with a bang – otherwise known as a the business game. And this year’s game came complete with early mornings, work on Saturday and midnight deadlines. At least this year it’s in English.

The overall enrollment in the Wine and the new Spirits program is a lot higher. Which means that we will once again be split into two cohorts. I’m excited by the possibility that I will get to build a bigger network – that includes other Americans this year – and make new friends. On the other hand I am sad that some of my friends have transferred to Spirits or are moving on to new adventures and yet more will be in the other cohort. I don’t know the exact division yet but I’ll have lost some of my partners in crime. Oh well, a new year and a new adventure.

On a great note, for me the year begins with two weeks of travel and adventures in new places. Before classes even get a chance to work up to the full swing of things, the Wine program is off to explore la Rioja. And the week after, I’m off to Switzerland for the Digital Wine Communications Conference. Then the real work begins.

But on that note, I’m off for a cup of coffee and then I’m back to the game. Wish me luck!

Bring it M2!

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It’s offiical: I passed! Today, I received my ‘provisional’ grades for the year. Provisional in that I still have to write an internship report and my current boss still has to evaluate my work. But I expect that is more a matter of formality at this point.

I have to confess, I am hugely relieved. Not that I expected to fail, but nothing was exactly as I expected this year and I wasn’t sure what the end of the year would bring. I also have to confess I don’t completely understand the grading system/scale, but overall I did well (I think).

Now I can turn my attention to my summer internship and to my second year. I’m looking forward to the challenge, my friends being back in Bordeaux, and truthfully, school being over. So I repeat, bring it, M2!

Revisions! AKA 10 Days of Studying…Maybe

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Classes are over. The first round of exams has passed. I get to skip the exam next week! (yay being a native English speaker!) And my next exam is a week from Monday. I was planning to go to Bruxelles to visit my cousins but I am staying in Bordeaux to handle a few administrative details. Being a responsible adult sucks.

I’ve been to the post office, the bank. I’ve had a walk and a coffee with a few friends. I purchased and then had a prolonged and unsuccessful battle with a wireless range extender. (Have I mentioned yet that I find the wifi situation in France to be dismally depressing. And yes I know my spoiled California side is showing.) I cleaned up the apartment. I enjoyed a box sent from home. And yes I even got started on the studying…. ok I did some strategic organization for future studying sessions.

It’s only day 1.

What the hell am I going to do with myself for the next 8+ days?

The obvious answer is study. But lets be honest, I work and think best under pressure. 8 days doesn’t create a lot of pressure. Don’t get me wrong I will study and I will prep for the one exam from the instructor kind enough to walk us through the step by step requirements. Administrative duties will take a little time – particularly as I have to go stand in line at a government office – but still that leaves a lot of time in the middle.

On that note, enjoy this little gem from Wine Folly:

http://winefolly.com/tutorial/esoteric-wines-add-notches-belt/

Clearly I need to get working on my tastings. I’ve only had one on this list. So, I’m off to go wine shopping. 😉