Finished

My team successfully submitted our ULI competition submission. We had to redevelop the northeastern most quadrant of the East Village of San Diego. The challenges in the redevelopment were its location next to I-5, a large highway, its history and reputation as a homeless and social service center and position on top of a major geologic fault. I think many of the teams from Cornell submitted solid panels and had interesting financial concepts. Fingers crossed that one of us makes it into the finalists.

Now I need to start my semester. I'm taking pretty standard classes: urban theory, research methods, GIS, and urban economics. Three of them are required, and GIS completes an advanced method requirement, so in a sense, none of these classes are electives. I think I'm going to audit a class called Non Profit Management and Finance. I feel like I can learn some quick and easy professional skills just by attending the class.

It's been pretty cold and dreary here. I wouldn't mind a little bit of sunshine and slightly warmer weather. I guess that means I'll have to bust out my board and take advantage of the snow while its here.

ULI Design Competition

One day left before the ULI-Hines design competition is due. I can't wait. I think my team has a pretty solid design concept, but you never know what the judges will be looking for. All I can say at this point is we tried our best.

Finger crossed!!

xx

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
–Mark Twain

あけましておめでとう！

Happy New Years Everyone!

My New Years Resolution, you ask? To get back to Hawaii this summer with a planning related internship.

These past few weeks have only reaffirmed my love for this place. I spend my mornings surfing in Waikiki, my afternoons lazing around, taking trips, meeting friends, or working, and my evenings out wining and dining with friends.

My uncle told me that according to my fortune I'll have to watch myself over the next three years and not take too many crazy risks. I guess that depends on how you define risk. Luckily, Ill be spending two of those three years as a student, which is far from a dangerous lifestyle.

Tonight, out with the girls. Tomorrow, surfing and then lunch with friends and co-workers and a job interview at 3. Tomorrow evening, dinner and drinks with friends. Repeat.

Russ and Daughters

1st and Houston

Food pilgrimage

Our work

We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of depravation, and still strive for dignity. Clear-eyed, we can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do that -- for that is the story of human progress; that's the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on Earth.

-President Obama

Half Miyuki- Half Michelle

So very proud to say I'm half Japanese half American.