Orientation to MSC 2012

I have often believed that the best moments in our lives are just a heartbeat away, moments after the lowest points of our existence. I was seriously recanting this thought as I erratically carved through the throng of world-wide steel and plastic that dramatically adorns the nightmare that is Routes I-290E and I-294N between 7:00am and 9:00am on a Tuesday morning en-route to orientation at the Orrington hotel.

I-290E/294N on Friday morning(!)
 website for this image

Forget driving school, I was literally the 'Fifth Element'  right out of the Bruce Willis’s movie, driving for my life. Suffice to say that by the time I made my way to the hotel valet drop-off, I was in awe of my driving/survival skills. I had been honked at, sworn at, cut off, flipped off...you name it, I’d endured it in one trip and was in desperate need of some ‘feel good’ infusion upon arrival.

The MSC staff didn’t disappoint: right from the moment I exited my car and handed my keys to the valet service, it was warmth, welcome and courtesy- all the way to my seat.  Orientation was a dream, the class talent pool unbelievable, the combined experiences and backgrounds remarkable. For the first time in my life, I encountered a room full of students that were all excited to be there…no long, bored and disinterested faces just dying to get through the day….this class was clearly an informed decision.

My day may have sucked at the beginning but it sure did end on a high note: this was going to be an awesome educational and personal experience, leading up to one phenomenal year in my life. We are in for a great ride and can only hope that it doesn’t go by in the blink of an eye.  My fellow 2012 MSCeers (coined!), here’s to health, wealth and our owning this program.