Category: San Francisco Life (2002-2005)

Recruiting at the University of Tennessee

So Monday night, I had an information session that I presented some stuff on our Management Trainee Program, the program I came on board with when I started work out of school. As the students shuffled in, I couldn’t help but flash back to when I was doing the same thing just 3 years ago. The thing I didn’t imagine would be so real in this flashback is that there would actually still be some of my peers at school after 3 years. I recognized two guys in the information session from previous classwork, and one of them we both said, how do we know each other? I couldn’t remember exactly, but in any case, I wondered what could he be doing here 3 years later.

The next morning, we had 13 back to back interviews with a break for lunch. After I met up with my good buddy Rich for lunch, we parted and I went back to the next set of interviews. It was such a cool experience to be on the other side listening to how the students would answer the questions, and then discussing their answers coming to an agreement whether or not to push them to the next round.

Then in came the guy that I had recognized. He did ok on his answers but then, as he got up to leave and put his jacket on, he said, I remembered how we know each other! I said, oh really? How? I didn’t know if I should say anything or not, but I was in your Statistics 201 class and you booted me out your group project. Ohhhhh right, Now I remember! I looked over to my colleague to see his expression and he seemed confused. The student then proceeded in saying, yah, after that class I got a D, and had to retake it as a senior but then I got an A, and I ended up doing the project alone cause everyone else was a sophomore. I said, well glad you did well, and thanks for your time.

Right when the door shut, my colleague looked over and said, Did he say what I think he said? You booted him out??

“Yes, I’ve only kicked one person out of my group in my entire college career.”

“What did he do?”

“He did nothing–and that was it. He expected to be put on the title page after he emailed us his part which was incomplete and bad work–so I ended up having to do his work.”

“Well that sure wasn’t a smart thing to bring up, now was it?”

“Ha–that’s an understatement!”

After the consideration of this candidate, I think we wanted to pursue some other candidates instead.. :D

Back to Tennessee

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So this weekend I set off for a surprise visit back to Tennessee. I left San Francisco in the morning and arrived in Atlanta in the evening, to then board another flight to Knoxville. Once in Knoxville, my good Japanese friend Eri was outside waiting. We went into her apartment and there were so many friends there to surprise me in my visit. I couldn’t believe how many people I hadn’t seen in so long that they’re still in Knoxville! We had a huge sushi platter for dinner and played darts and such. It was really fun to see everyone.

The next morning, I headed for Chattanooga to surprise Mom and Dad. I had a valentine chocolate for them saying: To Mom & Dad, From Benjamin. PS> I’m in the garage. You can imagine how excited they were for this surprise! It’s so nice to be home to see really where I grew up. I’ve had a lot of time to think and reflect about how far I’ve come and I can definitely say I’m happy to know where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed.

Tomorrow I’ll return to Knoxville to help my company with their recruiting activities. It should be yet another cool experience to be on campus again and see how everything’s changed.

Where are you from?

Today was such a beautiful day in San Francisco. The air was crisp, the sun was warm, so I set out for a nice long walk. Winding through Nob Hill, on into Chinatown, ending up in North Beach and Little Italy, I found something I’ve been looking for since I moved here. A great deli that prepares sandwiches how EVER you like them, with freshly imported meats from Italy! After grabbing a sandwich (Turkey Italian Bologna and cheese). I then started back up through Pacific Heights up to a point on Taylor and Broadway where there’s 3 benches, on a tiered area overlooking the entire downtown financial district, all across the bay with Oakland and Berkeley almost visible. As I sat there eating lunch, I thought about the direction of my life and started thinking of my time in Australia. The first question you’re asked is, where are you from–and I noticed I had some trouble of which I would say first–Oh, I’m from Tennessee – or – I’m from San Francisco, well, actually from Tennessee, but I live in San Francisco now. Now in hindsight, I wonder what is more an appropriate answer. I mean, I really think I’m from Tennessee, and even though I don’t see myself living there ever again, I feel the childhood happenings and family shaped the way I think about things now. Which then lead me to my second thought on the matter, my valedictory speech in High School. The title of my speech was, Citizen of the World. I spoke about how we start from families, move to being part of an elementary school, then junior high, then high school, but then maybe move to another state for college, and continue to become citizens of much bigger groups. I, however, added an international flair from my experience abroad, and after visiting 25 countries, I feel each place and people have added to my personality and thought process, that I feel even moreso like my answer should be Tennessee-for that is the root of my being :) Just thought I’d write down this thought as I’m sure I’ll enjoy reading it again someday.

In Good Company

Tonight I went to see In Good Company, in company of my friend Lucky. The movie was really good, not only because it was interesting to see a story about someone my age entering a corporation dealing with reorgs and such, but also for the fact that it didn’t have the typical Hollywood ending. It was nice to see a movie that you couldn’t completely predict.

La Mala Educacion

Yesterday, Mike and I went to se La Mala Educacion. What a great film. The way it was layered between the actual story, the movie, and the memories was really very interesting. After seeing it, there was this excitement of my life that everything is going so well. Afterwards, it’s this little thing that happened that made me so happy about the direction my life is going. Mike and I went to get gelato, and I didn’t have any cash on me. He only had $2. I found $.20 in my pockets, and he found $.55 in coins. Together we came up with $2.75 — the cost of the gelato–luckily, tax is included, and we were able to empty all our cash on our treasured gelato. 2005 is starting very good..and I can only think it’ll be one of the best years of my life.

Japanese Language Group

So, a few months back, I stumbled across a website called MeetUp. I searched for a Japanese Language Social group, and of course, being in San Francisco, not only did one exist, but a few more around the Bay Area too. So, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go or not, cause you never know what types of people would go, but I decided I’d give it a try. I’m so glad that I did, because I met so many nice Americans and Japanese people, and most everyone’s skill was at a level where we could switch back and forth between English and Japanese. I also met a girl that studied at the University of Sydney, so lots of new contacts! Check it out in your area for social clubs for just about anything!