To add to my list of visits -- Petrus, St. Emillion.
Heading over this afternoon and I'll be sure to report back on this infamous cru.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
A Rainy Thursday
Not that this day differs from any during the past 10 week -- this weather might beat last year's summer in Boston in terms of rain! (At least my car is not at risk of rusting in its current parking space -- anyone who doesn't know the rust story, I'll be happy to fill you in.)
For the last two weeks I've been working at Coutet since the office was closed. No time for the weary -- per my earlier blog, I was wearing our green outfits and in charge of several important tasks, including: car cleaning services, courtyard upkeep, adminstrative support -- yes, these tasks do require an MBA!
Seriously, it was lots of fun. I even spent an entire afternoon in my rubber boots following the technical director during his rounds of each parcel -- that's 38.5 hectares of checking for viruses, mildew and drought effects. Post-dinner activities involved continuing my summer project -- once everyone was out of the way...or rather covering for all those truck drivers on vacation, sick leave, etc. (remember this is France.)
Apart from learning technical wine stuff, I did get a close look at the work culture here. Move slower -- you are in the agricultural industry. Then again, France is the only country that has managed to make grapes stop growing Friday afternoon and begin again on Monday morning. As a result, this place is heaven for all micromanagers -- they can keep busy all day supervising! I am totally serious -- might be one of the very few experiences where micromanagement is called for.
Another 6 days of work before I head to Paris, onto Boston and finally back to Chicago. I am keeping myself busy typing up a summary of my discoveries and recommendations for the chateau. But the energy level is somewhat low...First off, half the office is still on vacation -- it's really quiet here. Second, a whole bunch of emails from people back in Evanston are going around. Third, and this is stupid, I still don't have a group for any of my classes!! Anyone looking for a group member for ENTR 462, FINC 446, INTL 474 and OPNS 454 -- please send me an email.
Anyways -- John and Nicole were here this weekend. We had a fabulous time eating and drinking (duh)! Now the house has been taken over by a whole bunch of Dad's colleagues. We kicked off their seminar with a tour of Coutet and dinner.
For the last two weeks I've been working at Coutet since the office was closed. No time for the weary -- per my earlier blog, I was wearing our green outfits and in charge of several important tasks, including: car cleaning services, courtyard upkeep, adminstrative support -- yes, these tasks do require an MBA!
Seriously, it was lots of fun. I even spent an entire afternoon in my rubber boots following the technical director during his rounds of each parcel -- that's 38.5 hectares of checking for viruses, mildew and drought effects. Post-dinner activities involved continuing my summer project -- once everyone was out of the way...or rather covering for all those truck drivers on vacation, sick leave, etc. (remember this is France.)
Apart from learning technical wine stuff, I did get a close look at the work culture here. Move slower -- you are in the agricultural industry. Then again, France is the only country that has managed to make grapes stop growing Friday afternoon and begin again on Monday morning. As a result, this place is heaven for all micromanagers -- they can keep busy all day supervising! I am totally serious -- might be one of the very few experiences where micromanagement is called for.
Another 6 days of work before I head to Paris, onto Boston and finally back to Chicago. I am keeping myself busy typing up a summary of my discoveries and recommendations for the chateau. But the energy level is somewhat low...First off, half the office is still on vacation -- it's really quiet here. Second, a whole bunch of emails from people back in Evanston are going around. Third, and this is stupid, I still don't have a group for any of my classes!! Anyone looking for a group member for ENTR 462, FINC 446, INTL 474 and OPNS 454 -- please send me an email.
Anyways -- John and Nicole were here this weekend. We had a fabulous time eating and drinking (duh)! Now the house has been taken over by a whole bunch of Dad's colleagues. We kicked off their seminar with a tour of Coutet and dinner.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Update
So here is bried recap of life in Bordeaux:
- Last week I went on a tour of Lynch-Bages, located in Pauillac. Fabulous. We tasted their 2001 vintage (if my memory serves me right)
- The office is closed since Monday for 2 weeks. As a result, I am working from Coutet. A less than a minute commute to the office is fabulous. To blend in with the rest of the team, I get to wear these green overalls -- I look very authentic. Will have to bring pictures back. As unstylish as this uniform might be, imagine the time I save every morning picking out my wardrobe!
- Although the week started out rainy and overcast -- we've are now on the second consecutive day of sun. Amen. It is important that August is sunny as there is a major impact on the grapes, the month prior to the harvest.
- I am giving a tour to some of the Toyota F1 team members on Saturday morning. I know nothing about F1 racing. Its one of these dudes: http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/en/team/index.html --- not sure which one. Will provided an update post visit.
- I finished Harry Potter last night after a marathon reading session. Sad that the story wouldn't continue -- but nice to finally have an ending -- not sure that I could wait another 2 years for a new installment.
- This afternoon I am off to explore Bordeaux, specific rue St. Catherine -- the longest pedestrian street in France (according to the office of tourism). This street is full of stores of course.
Hope everyone is doing well,
Aline
- Last week I went on a tour of Lynch-Bages, located in Pauillac. Fabulous. We tasted their 2001 vintage (if my memory serves me right)
- The office is closed since Monday for 2 weeks. As a result, I am working from Coutet. A less than a minute commute to the office is fabulous. To blend in with the rest of the team, I get to wear these green overalls -- I look very authentic. Will have to bring pictures back. As unstylish as this uniform might be, imagine the time I save every morning picking out my wardrobe!
- Although the week started out rainy and overcast -- we've are now on the second consecutive day of sun. Amen. It is important that August is sunny as there is a major impact on the grapes, the month prior to the harvest.
- I am giving a tour to some of the Toyota F1 team members on Saturday morning. I know nothing about F1 racing. Its one of these dudes: http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/en/team/index.html --- not sure which one. Will provided an update post visit.
- I finished Harry Potter last night after a marathon reading session. Sad that the story wouldn't continue -- but nice to finally have an ending -- not sure that I could wait another 2 years for a new installment.
- This afternoon I am off to explore Bordeaux, specific rue St. Catherine -- the longest pedestrian street in France (according to the office of tourism). This street is full of stores of course.
Hope everyone is doing well,
Aline
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Frog Pond by Bzz Agents
You guys have all heard about my obsession with this Boston-based company BzzAgents! I've been a BzzAgent for over a year. I just received an email announcing this cool new feature called Frog Pond -- this is where we find out about cool websites. Today' website is PaperBackSwap.com -- online book swapping communit. If you are a big reader and looking to clean out your bookshelf to make room for new titles on a small budget (=postage), check it out!
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