I'm a little behind on blogging this week, so bear with me :)
Last Thursday, I met my boss for the first time, and needless to say, she is probably one of the most driven, passionate, and talented individuals you will ever meet. Her list of credentials range from Goldman to Huntsman to Stanford to Doctors Without Borders.
We decided to touch base briefly on Thursday between her meetings in the area. We agreed to meet at 11:45 at the Regent Hotel. Upon arriving, I received a text from her:
"Meeting places have been switched. Sorry about the inconvenience. Could we meet at the Hyatt?"
Knowing how crazy a packed schedule can be, I was perfectly fine with taking a cab to the Hyatt Hotel. So I text messaged back:
"Sure thing. What's the address?"
I probably shouldn't have asked, because I simply just got in a cab and told the cab driver to take me to the Hyatt. I arrive at the Hyatt, wait around for a few minutes, and just as I was about to let her know I arrived, I receive another text message:
"Don't worry about it then. I came back to the Regent Hotel. Meet me in 5."
GAH. !@#$@#$#$&*#$#$&#*$&#*$)#(&@($.
I finally dial her number and we talk in real time. Being the nice intern that I am, I offer to go back to the Regent Hotel.
Oi. Why must these things always happen to me?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Minor Lifestyle Changes
Now that I've spent a couple of days here, I've discovered some minor lifestyle changes I've made.
1) I take multiple showers per day. One in the morning. One after I work out. One at night if I happen to go out. I guess I could limit it to two showers, but alas, I am simply too lazy to get up and work out in the morning.
2) I now look right left right instead of left right left when crossing the street, since Singaporeans are old school and drive on the other side of the street.
3) I eat at Hawker centers (great massive outdoors food courts). They exist on every corner. I'll post some pics soon.
4) I live for samosas. They are delicious.
Tootles for now!
1) I take multiple showers per day. One in the morning. One after I work out. One at night if I happen to go out. I guess I could limit it to two showers, but alas, I am simply too lazy to get up and work out in the morning.
2) I now look right left right instead of left right left when crossing the street, since Singaporeans are old school and drive on the other side of the street.
3) I eat at Hawker centers (great massive outdoors food courts). They exist on every corner. I'll post some pics soon.
4) I live for samosas. They are delicious.
Tootles for now!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Measuring Social Impact
I've been working on a report this past week about how to measure impact in the social sector. Here's my intro:
At the most fundamental level, charities or non-profit organizations exist to better society in some form or another. Despite the good intentions, non-profits often face a variety of different obstacles and problems. These issues involve funding disparities to an inefficient use of resources. With hundreds of thousands of charities around the world vying for limited funding and resources, maximizing a nonprofit’s impact to society is absolutely essential. Having an effective tool to quantify societal impact results in more effective planning by the non-profit, an increased understanding of the charity’s work, and a greater understanding of the social value created by the charity.
If you're interested in reading the full report, e-mail me. (Later because I haven't quite finished it yet :P)
Also, check out the book The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder of the Acumen Fund (www.acumenfund.org). No one explains more eloquently than Jackie N. how powerful the intersection of business and philanthropy can be.
At the most fundamental level, charities or non-profit organizations exist to better society in some form or another. Despite the good intentions, non-profits often face a variety of different obstacles and problems. These issues involve funding disparities to an inefficient use of resources. With hundreds of thousands of charities around the world vying for limited funding and resources, maximizing a nonprofit’s impact to society is absolutely essential. Having an effective tool to quantify societal impact results in more effective planning by the non-profit, an increased understanding of the charity’s work, and a greater understanding of the social value created by the charity.
If you're interested in reading the full report, e-mail me. (Later because I haven't quite finished it yet :P)
Also, check out the book The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder of the Acumen Fund (www.acumenfund.org). No one explains more eloquently than Jackie N. how powerful the intersection of business and philanthropy can be.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Customs Fun
I arrived in Singapore at 3:20 am this morning. The 24 + hours of traveling definitely took its toll. My dad picked me up at the airport, and I finally saw our Singapore home for the first time. It's nice. My first impressions here -- 1) this city-state is so tiny and awesome 2) people are really strict.
Well at least my customs official was. Leave it up to me to be lectured by a customs official. In all my years of traveling, putting a general area or street name on the immigration form has been enough. But not this time. The official insisted I write my exact address and detailed contact information, and when I told her I only knew my street name, she launched into a full scale lecture.
Customs Official: How will we find you in an emergency if you have no address? How can you travel without knowing your contact information?
Me: I don't know.
Customs Official: Write down a phone number.
Me: I don't have one.
Customs Official: This is a serious matter. We take things very seriously here. We need to know how we can find you.
Me: Uh... ok...Will e-mail do?
Customs Official: Piercing glare and hands back my form so I can write down my e-mail.
Thank god it was 3 am. She probably didn't want to deal with me. Mental note for future: Don't forget to write down exact address. Or just get in a different line at the airport and avoid the mean looking customs officials.
Anywho, I start work next next week. I'll take this week to explore and make some exciting plans for the summer. Stay tuned!
Well at least my customs official was. Leave it up to me to be lectured by a customs official. In all my years of traveling, putting a general area or street name on the immigration form has been enough. But not this time. The official insisted I write my exact address and detailed contact information, and when I told her I only knew my street name, she launched into a full scale lecture.
Customs Official: How will we find you in an emergency if you have no address? How can you travel without knowing your contact information?
Me: I don't know.
Customs Official: Write down a phone number.
Me: I don't have one.
Customs Official: This is a serious matter. We take things very seriously here. We need to know how we can find you.
Me: Uh... ok...Will e-mail do?
Customs Official: Piercing glare and hands back my form so I can write down my e-mail.
Thank god it was 3 am. She probably didn't want to deal with me. Mental note for future: Don't forget to write down exact address. Or just get in a different line at the airport and avoid the mean looking customs officials.
Anywho, I start work next next week. I'll take this week to explore and make some exciting plans for the summer. Stay tuned!
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