I made it through “boot camp”!  It was a ton of work.  In one month we managed to complete 1 full credit course (Human Side of Technology Management) 2 half courses (Probability and Statistics, Intro to Systems Architecture), 3 design challenges and not much sleep.  Despite the sleep deprivation,  I really like the program and the people. 

Justyna and Vadim have been very gracious in sharing their home with me.  I haven’t seen them very much because they are usually asleep by the time I’ve been getting back.  Their dog Milky Way makes sure I feel loved.  Sometimes a bit too loved

This coming weekend I am moving into a dorm on campus – Sidney Pacific.  It’s a newer dorm, opened in 2002.  It has many common areas, and is the location of many community activities and social events. Tonight there is a “welcome back” chocolate feast for all MIT grad students.  My kind of place.  My roommate is in the Health Science and Technology program.  We’ve both been busy, so I haven’t met her yet.  

Tomorrow I start classes again.  I have a very full schedule.  Two reasons – there are some classes only offered in the spring, and I’m only here for one spring semester.  (That’s the plan, at least.)  Also,  if I get more classes done in the spring,  I can leave myself more time later for working on my thesis.  So I’m going to try it. 

In case you want to know exactly how crazy I am, here is my course list: 
Engineering Risk Benefit Analysis
Systems Optimization
Technology Strategy
Disruptive Technologies:  Predator or Prey?
Special Seminar in Management: User-Centered Innovation in the Internet Age
Product Design and Development
Thesis Seminar (to meet potential thesis advisors)

This is why they compare MIT to a firehose.  Speaking of which:

Compliments of the gallery of hacks at the MIT Stata Center.