General Update: Life is good!!

It has been ages since I’ve had an opportunity to update Life in Energy.

Where do I start? Hmmm….

The year has been tremendous: Lots of ups and a few downs, but with lots of life’s lessons in between. I had an opportunity to learn a lot- and learn I did. I also met some incredible people along the way that have inspired and encouraged me to seek greater heights and to continue on with my passion for energy. Having lived in a cocoon for most of my life the experiences I went through this year have brought me out in to the world and made me take a hard look at myself and ask deeply personal questions like 'who am I?', 'who am I not?' and 'whom do I want to be more like'. Cheers to 2010!

At the end of this year, I leave for the United Kingdom to further my studies in energy. It’s been awhile since I’ve been back to the U.K. I can’t wait to meet up with some old and dear friends and make some new ones. Oh how I miss Knightsbridge: Holland Park? YES! The program that I’ll be undertaking will be a 1-year-intensive course. After which I’ll be returning back to the States with a Masters and well on my way towards realizing my dreams within the energy field. I’m excited and looking  forward to the unfolding of my next chapter.

I haven’t had very much time to read many books over the year with work and all, but here is what I’ve gotten through so far:

Just Finished Reading:

1. Confessions of an Adverting Man by David Ogilvy. I’ve long admired the advertising firm Ogilvy and Mathers and when I found this book lying on a bookself at home I pounced on it. Written by Mr. Ogilvy himself, it provides a candid tale of what made (makes?) his advertising firm tick. Not in the least related to energy, but with lots of lesson on client service, relations and success that can be applied to the energy industry.
2. International Project Finance & Analysis by Gerald Pollio. Interesting look at international project finance. Mr. Pollio takes the reader through a critical assessment of CAPM, traditional project assessment tools (NPV, IRR) and the benefits of real-options theory as a tool that can be used for project financing for energy and other infrastructure projects.

Currently Reading:

1. Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers by William Droms. This one is a bit dry, but it’s what I need to get me back up to speed with accounting and finance before I leave for further studies.
2. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by HH Dalai Lama. In two words: Absolutely Brilliant! Every chapter teaches me more and more about myself; I only wish I had read this book earlier in my life. I’m nearly finished with it and highly recommend it to everyone.
3. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath. The title says it all. I wish I had started this book at the beginning of the year! Again, not energy related but with lots of lessons that can be used to frame concepts in the renewables world.