Bittersweet Goodbyes

Goodbyes are never easy. Especially not when you're doing it over multiple days. And now, on my last night in Cambridge, MA, I'm sitting here reflecting on it all. Definitively sad, but not remorseful of the decision I've made.

After a lot of thought, reflection, and discussions, I've decided to take a leave of absence from MIT Sloan. Making this decision definitely ranks up there in terms of difficult decisions I've had to make. While it was a tough dilemma, I was fortunate that the two paths I had to choose from were both excellent options.

I feel blessed to have had the chance these past few days to spend time with friends new and old. To have gotten a glimpse of what life as a second year Sloanie would've been like. And especially to be reminded of how amazing a group of people my classmates are.

What I'll miss most are the 25-50 pick-up basketball games I would've played at the Z-center, the dozen or more c-functions, mingling in e51's lobby, burgers at Miracle of Science, nights at the BHP, and random meals and outings. What I'll miss most are the people.

On being the FriendFeed intern

I'm not one to be very star-struck by celebrities, but when I first started interning at FriendFeed I definitely felt in awe of the people I was around. For a bit of context, back when Google Search first came out, I was certainly impressed—search that really works! But it wasn't until I started using Gmail in 2004 that I really became a fan of Google. It was the most innovative piece of consumer software that I had ever encountered. The release of Google Maps in '05 reinforced my love for Google products.

And there I was, as a FriendFeed intern, sitting amongst the people that made these products happen:

• Paul Buchheit created Gmail, Sanjeev Singh joined him in developing it, and Kevin Fox designed the UI. Ana Yang did marketing for Gmail (which I later realized was the reason speaking with her seemed so familiar, as I had read all the Gmail marketing material thoroughly...).


• Bret Taylor and Jim Norris launched Google Maps, where Bret was the product manager (and also did development work), and Jim a software engineer.

Needless to say, it was very inspiring to work with such a high-caliber team. I learned so much simply from observing and discussing approaches to product improvements and features with the team. With my interests in product management and user experience, I was particularly thankful to have a chance to learn from Bret and Kevin.

I naturally expected the team to be comprised of very smart individuals, but was pleasantly surprised to find that they were also incredibly well-rounded and fun individuals. On top of it all, they were very down-to-earth and friendly. It felt like being a part of a second family.

I missed them so much that a week after returning to school I flew back to California and joined them in Lake Tahoe for the first annual FriendFeed ski trip.

As impressive as what they've done in a few short months may be, I'm sure the best is yet to come. And, they're officially launching! So go check out FriendFeed before all the good user nicknames are taken. ;)

How I spent the rest of my winter vacation

Having been very busy with an unimaginably wide-range of things the past few weeks, I haven't yet written about how I spent a large chunk of my first real winter break in four years (taking vacation days while working isn't really a "winter break").

One of the great things about being a student at MIT is IAP (Independent Activities Period) during January, which"has provided members of the MIT community with a unique opportunity to organize, sponsor and participate in a wide variety of activities, including how-to sessions, forums, athletic endeavors, lecture series, films, tours, recitals and contests." Alternatively, it offers students an opportunity to take an extended winter break to travel, prepare and interview for summer internships, or partake in a month-long intern/externship.

With my interest in either starting or joining a high tech startup in the near future, I thought IAP would be a great time to spend a few weeks and get experience working at a startup. In thinking about what kind of startup to choose, I followed my belief that the most important thing about a startup is a great team (yes there are successful entrepreneurial efforts from great product ideas or just great luck, but if I had to place bets, I'd go with a great team).

I asked my good friend Jini for any recommendations she may have for startups with great teams and she responded by telling me about a startup whose four co-founders are the ex-Googlers who were responsible for creating Gmail and Google Maps—which are, in my opinion, hands down the most innovative and useful products to have been home-grown at Google, aside from Search. Jini made an introduction for me to one of the co-founders, Paul. Paul was employee #23 at Google and was responsible for Gmail, Google's famous "Don't be evil" motto, and the first AdSense prototype. Fortunately he and the rest of the co-founders agreed to let me in their doors, and in my next post I'll talk about the extremely good fortune I had of interning at a young startup called FriendFeed.

Aside from the internship, I also was in Vegas for a weekend with classmates, flew on five consecutive weekends, with the past four weekends being trips between Boston and San Francisco (both ways the past two weekends, so six coast-to-coast flights in total) for interviews. The last of which is this Monday (and finally a non-redeye from SF to Boston!). All in all, this has resulted in me being quite confused as to which coast and time-zone I'm on.

A crazy (good) start to 2008

One week into 2008 already! 1/52nd of the way through!

It started off on New Years Day when I checked into the Stanford Park Hotel to start the MIT Sloan Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program's Silicon Valley Study Tour. For four days we had the chance to visit and speak with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in the Bay Area. It was a great experience hearing real stories and perspectives on high tech startups, even despite the ridiculously un-California-like weather we endured.

Following that, 40 of us ventured into San Francisco, where Freddy had arranged for us to party on the Mexican Party Bus. Our bus, Lola (see right) took us around a few choice bars in SF. It was nice to dress down and just chill with my fellow E&I'ers.

The next morn, 17 of us journeyed further north up to Napa Valley for some wine tasting, courtesy of Jared and his friend Justin's planning. We visited three wineries and enjoyed some clear skies. The ride back was not surprising, with nearly everyone in deep sleep after a tiring but enjoyable week.