Duke... WOW!

[Imogen Heap - Speeding Cars]

*Chime*
たたいま、晴子がVSから買ったプレゼントは到着(とうちゃく)しました。
繰り返します。
たたいま、晴子がVSから買ったプレゼントは到着しました。
*Chime*

How's my Japanese announcement?


Today marks the my first visit to Duke University, also known as the Blue Devils but most importantly, UNC's arch nemesis. I heard from fellow Singaporean friends here that Duke is sorta like Hogwarts and having been to Cambridge University (on a trip of course!) I thought nothing of it. It was only when the shuttle bus entered the school grounds then I realised the true extent of the description.




The HUGE cathedral greeted me as I alighted simply took my breath away. One quick glance around the quadrangle and I said to myself, "Shit. Just as I thought UNC was beautiful compared to ANU..." Class comes first so I made my way (slowly so as to admire the architecture) to attending my first ever UNC-Duke class. That, however is not the highlight of this class. The highlight was that my prof, Dr Schanzer had invited his college-mate and ex-colleague, Stuart Levey, the incumbent and first Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence within the United States Department of the Treasury. I tell you, that man is a BIG SHOT. So yes, Mr Levey gave a very insightful lecture on two issues - one, the anti-terror program that the US collaborated with SWIFT (which generated much controversy surrounding privacy issues); two, the new financial measures in sanctions against rouge states like North Korea and Iran. The relevant articles on the issues are here and here respectively.

After the class, I wondered around Duke's campus for a bit, mainly the "student store", union and of course, the cathedral. While I'm very awestruck my the architecture and the ambience of the campus, I'm at the same time very thankful to have "found" the cathedral. Somehow, the beauty and, the tranquil and enchanting atmosphere in the cathedral seem to calm my soul. After a few shots and a short prayer, I left. The visit to Duke has been rejuvenating.

Also, late last week (Friday to be exact), I attended a lecture given by the former Secretary of Defense, William Perry titled, "Global Security: Challenges now and in the future".



Though the lecture did not address the issue of global security as I thought it would, Secretary Perry did gave a very good insight on the need to end the proliferation of WMDs, especially nuclear weapons and the true importance of peace for not just the United States but also for the rest of the world. In the lecture, Secretary Perry had shown how he had dedicated his efforts in pursuing that goal through official as well as "track 2" means. It was almost like how Al Gore strived towards global education on global warming. It was truly inspiring.

Well, what can I say? I love studying in America! (Besides the heavy work load, that is.)