Did I mention the weather?

I can't tell you how nice the weather is here!

Today was the day I got my ducks in a row. I drove all around Silicon Valley to find a Barnes and Noble so that I could buy a map. I did some reading, got my map and then decided to drive to my office. It was a nice drive, but I imagine the morning commute may get intense.

To my surprise I found the parking lot nearly empty! I'm thinking, "Okay this could be good or bad...good if no one works on Saturdays...bad if there is no more office. (yikes!)" I chose to believe the former. There were probably 4 cars all together--I imagine that they are owned by analysts just waiting for us interns to take the more tedious assignments.

After doing a drive-by of my office. I went grocery shopping. On my way to my car after shopping I was approached by a woman who needed some money because her car was out of gas and she needed to see her kids in a half hour.

I am fairly generous, and I have been known to give people money in the past. However, I don't give unless it's earned and I don't give without doing my homework first.

I said, "I will fill your tank if you can figure out a way to get it to the gas station."

She said, "I think I have enough to putter it there."

I said, "Why don't we take a look at it." So we started walking to her car and I asked her a little about her life and why she was asking for money. A minute into her story I realized she doesn't need money. She needs advice. "Looks like you have enough to me...(the gauge says 1/4 tank)"

"The gauge is actually broken-"

"Look. I have no problem giving money to people who NEED money. I also have no problem giving advice to people who need advice. Can I give you some advice?"

Reluctantly she rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah."

"Sell your horse, use the money to get your life in order and quit doing drugs. My advice is worth more than any money, and so are your choices."

It's one thing to make good choices--it's another to make choices to sacrifice. I didn't get to where I am today because I begged for gas money. I had to make sacrifices and they will pay off.

There is another student from my university who has an internship at the same office doing the same thing in the same group as I. He is originally from this area so this afternoon I went to his place for a barbecue. It was nice to just relax. Later we met up with some singles he knows in the area. We went to a park and played games. I love meeting new people, there are no expectations.

It hit me at the park. I will be starting tomorrow. I am a little nervous. I am weak in accounting and weak with excel. I am hoping I can draw on my strengths of hard work and a positive attitude to get me started. However I know after so long, if you don't "get it" you're out.