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.

A visit down memory lane

This morning (1/31) i stopped by Saratoga High School for the first time in over 8 years. (Not counting my sister's graduation 4.5 years ago and a few times playing basketball/tennis when classes weren't in session.) I went to drop in on the SHS meeting for Key Club—which was started there 10 years ago. I had been meaning to visit a KC meeting for a while now, but during college i was only home during school breaks, when there were no meetings. After college, i moved off to the east coast. Now, finally, because of MIT's IAP (Independent Activities Period) which delays the second semester until February 5, i was able to be home this week and finally stop by a meeting.

It was great to see that the club is still doing well after all these years. After the meeting, i spoke with two seniors who are both KC officers. One was the club president and the other the division LTG. It was interesting that despite nearly a decade's separation, the common bond of KC leadership helped us connect easily. They asked some questions about how the club got started and what things were like back then, and also showed me a box (that i recognized) of the club's belongings. A pleasant surprise was a scrap book i had forgotten about from the club's very first year. It was a surreal feeling flipping through the pages of the scrap book and having memories slowly piece themselves together.

Revisiting memories of my Key Club days also reminded me that it was actually KC that first exposed me to organizational leadership. Furthermore, quite relevant to my life now—it was what first inspired me to plan to get an MBA "someday."