We are...

We are the collection of our experiences.
We are the collection of our memories.
We are the people we call friends.
We are the people we call family.
We are the legacy of our parents.
We are the sons and daughters of our parents.
We are...

Interesting MBA article...

Found this article, Prepare for an MBA, on the Wall Street Journal. Talk about being an A type, overachiever. Wow... I found the article interesting and will probably check out the subjects I am weak in Microeconomics, Accounting, and Statistics. But in reality, I will probably only glance over the material. Don't want to burn out from business studies before I actually am in a MBA program, when it actually matters.

We came, we sort of surfed, we drank and ate...

The truck was loaded (one set of poker chips, two board wax, three surfboards, four wetsuits, five surf trunks, and tons of sunblock)







Not enough room within the room to hold the boards. As with all surf trips, we made due. Note, the other boards were stashed in various other rooms.







Walking down the trail to check the surf. It didn't look promising. Earlier in the week, a massive swell was pumping over head conditions. That was earlier in the week. A quote from Endless Summer kept going through my head, "you should of been here yesterday."




Further up the coast, and still not looking good. Looks like it will be a great surf weekend for the rookies.

Man injuried, now it's officially a bachelor party! Herman dislocated his shoulder while surfing. He was more concerned w/ the pain he will get from his wife, instead of the pain from the injury.






The heated pool and jacuzzi definitely came in handy after a few hours of surfing. Pool side grilling (Andy; Grill-Master), consumption of wine/beers, and a heated game of Texas Hold'em for that night's dinner and bragging rights. Yea baby, I won a free dinner and more importantly...bragging rights. We're guys, our ego was on the line. hehe..







Man of the hour. Xavier, aka X, X-man, Javier, etc, etc.










Walking down Gas Lamp district in downtown San Diego, we found "his" restaurant!






And when you "own" a fabulous bar/restaurant in prime location in the Gas Lamp District in downtown San Diego, the ladies, like moths to the flame, are drawn to the pimp of the group.







Yes. The betties, they all come to have their photo w/ da pimp!

Quote of the night; "smooth like an Asian."

Note to self: Get bar/restaurant in prime location and name it after self.



The rest of the night was...private. hehe...

Surfing, here I come...

Almost packed and ready for a weekend of surfing, surfing, BBQ, some Texas Hold'em poker, surfing, drinking w/ BBQ, surfing and maybe some sleep. Considering I have not been in the water since last year (studies, work, caring for my father, and life) I hope I won't embarrass myself. Since most of the other guys are from northern cali and they're non-surfers, it might not be too embarrassing. Of course I'll be bringing some of my extra surfboards for those boys. Good thing I have been working out for the last month.

Note to self; 1) bring lots of wine 2) poker chips 3) sunblock 4) camera for pictures.

Socializing for your career...

As it turns out, all the times I have been out w/ my friends have been practicing for B-schools and my career. I suppose I'm still studying for my future B-school and careers. Go figure. Here's the article by Business week; The Art of the schmooze.

BTW, that's not me in the picture. Just one of my many episodes of practicing for my future B-school and Career.

Minor goal achieved....(non-MBA)

I continuously ran (no walking) one mile. This may read rather pathetic, but it is a small accomplishments for me.

Four years ago, I used to run three to four miles, then hit the free weights for a hour, Monday through Thursday. Then Friday through Sunday is surfing. Like clock work, that was my routine, my life. Since I took over partial responsibility of raising my god-son (his mother passed), my pilot license, surfing, working out was placed on the back burner. My fathers' fight with lung cancer and his eventual passing two months ago, did not help. So I was getting fatter and wider. And yes, getting older too.

Now I've moved back home with my mother, god-son, and two nieces. My life does not belong to me. My strength, my presence belongs to them. They need it more then I.

Giving up my bachelorhood, my freedom has its altruistic benefits and drawbacks. So running and working out (at home) is my time, my sanity. Surfing is next on the check list. I'll be down in San Diego for my good friends bachelor, surfing weekend party, this weekend. Yeah, that's what you get for surfers bachelor party. No strippers, just waves and surfing. Of course booze is included. Note to self; buy lots of wine for consumption. Beer has too much calories.

B-school Deans and Professors video interviews...

On Business Week's online site, video interviews of business school deans and some professors. The link is to the right, but for you lazy peoples out there, click here for your viewing pleasure; www.businessweek.com/mediacenter/video/bschools Most deans talk about their schools. What a surprise. Where as professors discuss their fields of expertise. Some interviews provide useful instight to what direction the school is leading to and what some professors will be like. Definitely benefitual to those readers who are under certain about which school to limit to in their applications. With most applications fees in the $100 to $200 range, that will save some $$.

Consulting is making a come back...

I received this article (Consulting is Back) from the MBA Tour. "What's the MBA Tour?" you ask. "Is is a MBA program that visits various cities and gives out MBA?" Not quiet. Check out the link and sign up. It is very very beneficial to us prospective MBA candidates. Group of international MBA recruiters go to various international cities and make their sales pitch. What their program is about. Why they are great. Why you should consider an international MBA and apply for them. All normal sales pitch. But the real beneficial aspect is that these MBA representatives are also on the acceptance committee and you can meet them in person and engage in person communication. In the words of the not soo smart philosopher, Paris Hilton, "That's Hot."

Since I'm considering Management and Strategy as my post MBA career, this article is good news to me. Here's the article;

The MBA Tour has surveyed our client schools about the 2006 consulting market and all are reporting increased hiring activity from consulting firms. Schools considered traditional avenues for consulting continue to experience strong consulting recruiting. Wharton is reporting that at least 26 percent of the class of 2006 will choose consulting over a low of 19 percent in 2002. London Business School (LBS) reported a 40 percent increase in 2005 over 2004 with hiring activity on par with 2005 in 2006. At some of the top schools, consultancies no longer have to be "pursued" by placement directors. All a good sign that next year's graduating class at the top schools could find consulting companies arriving earlier on campus if the economies remains strong in North America and Europe.

Also interesting is that consultancies are increasing their recruiting presence elsewhere. While McKinsey has recruited at schools like NYU and Cornell for example, they are elevating schools like Cornell to priority recruiting schools. The Judge Business School at Cambridge reported 35 percent of its MBA class going into consulting with twice the number of consulting firms recruiting on campus since 2004. Georgetown also saw a similar increase in firms recruiting on campus of 50 percent.

This is all good news for applicants looking to finance their MBAs with a career in consulting. While the traditional consulting schools are reporting heavier recruiting activity, consulting firms are looking elsewhere to attract top notch students. So long as the demand for consulting remains, schools will see the same or higher level of activity next Fall. If campus recruiting happens earlier, that is the first indication of another strong season.

.............Salaries are also increasing

Salaries are also on the rise especially for the top schools where recruiting for the best students is very competitive. While they have not reached the pre-2001 year-over-year increases during the Internet bubble, some schools have reported sign on bonuses and guaranteed year-end bonuses that can increase the base salary by as much as 50 percent.

Wharton reports a modest increase over 2005's median salary of $110,000. With sign on bonuses and guaranteed year-end bonuses, starting compensation in consulting can increase to nearly $150,000 at a top-notch firm. In reviewing salaries of graduating MBAs, most schools are reporting the same or slightly higher salaries as last year. However a slight increase may indicate a possible cooling of the market. In fact, first year class sentiment at one top school indicates fear of just that as many of them rushed to secure summer internships, the best strategy for securing a full time position upon graduation.

Trying to MBA blog...

Haven't blogged much because I'm trying to orienting it towards MBA related topics. Since I'm on holiday from any form of studying (i.e. GMAT), I can comment that I think about the aspects of an international MBA several times daily. It's the only thing that's giving me inspiration in my life. Even planning a trip to Asia this Nov. w/ my buddy Jeff, is not giving me as much drive. It's only an international MBA and nothing but an international MBA.

On a lighter side, I'm happy w/ the progress of my workout regime; walk/run (mostly running now) the first mile, jumped rope for five to ten minutes, core for 15-20 minutes and finally 5-10 minutes of jumping rope again. Feels great to produce lots of sweat. I don't feel it's a productive workout unless my T-shirt is dripping from sweat. The ultimate goal of running (continuous run) two - three miles is on track. Pun intended. My next issue is to lower my beer consumption when hanging out w/ friends. Maybe switch to wine instead of beer? Interesting idea. Aside from the gay-ness factor of drinking wine w/ guys instead of beer. I'll have to push the health benefits to justify and defend the guaranteed teasing I will get. Note to self; Look up the calories for wine vs. beer.

Note; Went to Men's Health Website to look up the damage of beer and wine consumption. Ouch... Water please and make it a cold one for me please.

Can't keep still...

When I was a kid, my dad used to always chide me for constantly fidgetting my legs. Picture sitting w/ foot pushing front protion of leg up and down, at a fast pace and constantly up and down, up and down. I've out grown this tic but I'm still fidgetting in my life.

Since all UCI extension courses are done and completed two certificates, I now have my precious free time back. I've started back into my work out regime (I biked ten miles last night and helped my friend move), but there's still free time. I don't have TV in my room and I'm starting to like it. I will now start to read. It's better and cheaper then going out drinking every night w/ the boys. I'll save going out w/ da boys for weekends. Proof; I turned down going to the local club these past two nights. I am having dinner w/ two femail friends tonight (it's Friday so its ok) and most likely will be dragged to Shark Club (Friday is Asian night, promoters pics) because it's new wave music night. These girls love new wave. Oh well...

Back to my fidgetting and free time. I will restart my work out regime (goal; run 4 miles and 1 hour weights), restart surfing (reason; it's surfing baby), and restart reading (reason; I like to learn stuff). After seeing the movie Da Vinci Code, (I give a B/B+) with my god son Henry, I was going to read the book. Yes reading the book after watching the subpar movie. I'm cool like that. But after seeing the movie trailer for The Namesake I will definitely read this book instead.

Kal Penn (Van Wilder, Harold n Kumar, Superman Returns) stars in it and has a blog during the filming. Coolio, another bloger. I'll definitely read the book before watching the movie this time. How weird is that?! Another immigration, coming home book I throughly recommend is Catfish and Mandala.

MBA Note: Found this blog on Oxford MBA; Vaniah's MBA Diaries I'm surprise there aren't many oxford, cambridge bloggers. Will have to search for more



I'm going to enjoy and be productive w/ my precious free time. I only have it till' end of July, afterwards, it's back to studying for GMAT and applications.

MBA related posting...

OK...This posting will be on MBA rather then my various life adventures (cuz my life is an adventure).

So the blogs I read are not updating, I did a search for HEC MBA on blogsearch. Included within the search was this interesting article "Going Global for an MBA" on a increased trend for MBA students applying for B-schools in Europe. It's a nice article and since I've already decided on an international MBA program, this article is preaching to the choir, but I think my single anonymous reader would be interested. Read up and satisfy your thirst for knowledge. Yeah...bad poetry, but at least I'm trying to be philosophical.