My mother and I just saw this very fascinating documentary (Journey of Man: An Genetic Odyssey) of genetics, Dr Spencer Wells, tracing the migration of man, the evolution of humanity and how all ethnicities evolved. I highly recommend this documentary.
By analyzing DNA from people in all regions of the world, geneticist Spencer Wells has concluded that all humans alive today are descended from a single man who lived in Africa around 60,000 years ago. Modern humans, he contends, didn't start their spread across the globe until after that time. Most archaeologists would say the exodus began 100,000 years ago—a 40,000-year discrepancy.
It is an additional perspective on how humanity came to be and how we all are brothers and sisters. Too bad our global leaders chose to see the differences instead of our similarities.
How did the human race populate the world? A group of geneticists have worked on the question for a decade, arriving at a startling conclusion: the "global family tree" can be traced to one African man who lived 60,000 years ago. Dr. Spencer Wells hosts this innovative series, featuring commentary by expert scientists, historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists.
...GMAT savant. I had dinner on Friday with my friend and we talked about vacation. He was low on vacation but wasn't sure how much he will have this coming fall for another vacation. This is where the GMAT studies kicked in. He used 5 days of vacation last year (assume he started w/ zero vacation at beginning of year 06') and the unused vacation accumulate to this year. My friend earns 7 hours of vacation per month. How many total weeks of vacation will he have by October? He's now ready to plan his vacation in October...thanks to me, the idiot GMAT savant.
...Chocoholic. I was playing Texas Hold'em w/ friends on Sunday evening . Their girlfriends/wives were out, so when the boss's away, the boys can play. After one round of Texas Hold'em and half bottle of merlot (only me drinking the wine) I grabbed the left over box of chocolate. I died and went to chocolate bliss. One word; Godiva dark chocolate ganache. hehe... Amazingly the pairing of Merlot and Godiva chocolate was surprisingly good. I owe my friend's girlfriend one box of Godiva.
I must comment on this on going American pop culture phenomenon; American Idol. I understand that this show originated in the UK and like all things popular, got copied, repackaged for the natives and took on it's own identity. It's season six and it doesn't show any signs of getting old. Mainly because of the countless people that think themselves as talented, but in reality have no clue of what their ability actually is. These people are the true reason for the success of *insert your country label* idol.
Enjoy; a compilation of talent-less people that allow us to laugh, so we can feel better about ourselves. Mainly because, we're smart enough to know our limitations.
-tvu note; The American Idol Rejection video got removed from youtube.com. Thanks to video.google.com (which owns youtube.com) I found the video again. Sweet~. American Idol Reject Audition - Don't Cha Compilation
What's sweeter? Finding this divine video of Dutch idol rejects singing (torturing?) to a stadium crowd. Song they sang? "You're Simply the best" Serious! The event coordinator has a wicked sense of humor. hehe...
It has been one month since I've been back on the GMAT study wagon. It's been tough juggling the holidays, family, work and study. Since the holidays are done and only Vietnamese New Year's (Feb 8, year of Pig) coming up next month, I have more time allocated towards study. I have slowly pushed my brain endurance (tough, working full time, w/ mother and god son responsibilities) back to two hours and hoping to push it to 4 hours.
Also rejoined the UCI gym after a two year absence. I was able to maintain my lost weight (10 lbs) but need the extra boost to lose the extra 15 lbs. Need to build up the endurance; Stronger body enables a stronger mind. For now my schedule is "action" packed. No worries, I prefer to remain busy. It helps me to be disciplined. If I have too much free time, I get into too much trouble.
My schedule for this new year; M-Ths; 8-6(?) Work Noontime workout 6-9pm GMAT 9-? Keep mom company in her room.
Fri; 8-5 work 5-> Gym or surf
Weekends; 8/9(?) Morning workout at Gym or Surfing 11-5(?) GMAT studies.
It's also great to have the weather back to normal. The past two weeks have been cold. In the 50F/10C - 60F/15C. Hey...that's cold for us SoCal! Yeah...I know we're spoiled and brats when it comes to the weather. A few pictures of my local surfing spot by the Huntington Beach pier.
HB Pier- 1
HB Pier-2
Surfer rushing towards surf
Surfing couple; Yes the girl surf. Some of are really really good
Check this web article on Mona Lisa - Who She Was. Her descendants still lives in Florence! That blows away the theories that it was a self portrait by Leonardo.
I researched further on Wikipedia and came across more details. Thanks to the web, it is soo much easier to be a geek. You can't imagine what I had to go through, researching back in the 70's and 80's. Consider us fortunate!
Whoever you may be, you have left a legacy and countless number of people have thought of you. I'm still curious to why no eyebrows. That remains the ultimate mystery...to me at least.
MBA programs are utilizing blogs as a method to shed light on the experience of their students, i.e. Wharton and LBS. Here is Manchester's MBA blog; MBA Life. HEC has a group of students blogging their experiences also. It is not linked through HEC's MBA website, but still provides insight into their experiences. Read to your European B-school research content.
It's Friday and today is my relax/no study day. After having dinner w/ a buddy and drinks afterwards, what self respecting bachelor would do next? Spend it with a very special lady. Yup, I'm home and kicking it with mom. hehe... Seriously. I'm home and keeping my mother company.
Tonight, I feel like a bit of old, a bit of reggae, a bit of cheesy, a bit of geeky, and a bit of cool:
The academics from all three programs are comparable and top ranked. There are differences from each, regardless you will get a high quality business education from these schools. All three MBA programs have collaborate and very internationally diverse students. In my opinion, the difference lay in the student body/culture of the B-Schools and the nearby city. Like all things in life, each B-Schools have benefits and drawbacks.
In alphabetical order:
HEC - Paris: 16 months program Not counting the train changes, receiving misdirections, missing connecting trains and getting lost (it happened to me), HEC is about one hour train ride outside of Paris. The MBA building is very nice with modern classrooms and facilities. The lobby has recently been remodeled. New MBA students live in dorms, a few minutes walk from the MBA building. Each students have a single room and en suite bathroom and internet. Yes, you don't have to share a bathroom down the hallway. There is a piano lobby in the dorm, for which the MBA students gather to mix and relax. The experienced students opts to live in Paris and commute to campus. HEC is a true campus, with large grounds for sports, gyms, and it's even got a small lake a few minutes walk towards the soccer/football field. I got my undergraduate from UCSB (yes right on the beach and yes I did surf in between classes) and I work at UCI, so I'm used to universities with large campus. Because of this fact, HEC feels like an actual university to me. English is spoke throughout the MBA building, but French is spoken everywhere else on campus. French language course is provided for MBA students that are French challenged.
LBS - London: 15 - 21 months program The building and facilities are very modern. The most modern of these three schools. I didn't get a detailed tour of the grounds so I can't comment much. I can comment that Sundowners/student relaxing area is only a few steps away. Standing in the lobby, I heard a multitude of different languages spoken by the passing students. I get the impression, they retain their individualism while still very much accepted of their internationality by the LBS program and students. With about 300+ student intake, LBS has the largest student body of these three schools. The LBS gym is a few minutes walk out the building and down the street. LBS just finished adding an additional floor to the building (if you can't build out, then build up) for faculty, staff, etc room. LBS benefits from being in central London (big business network and recruiting), but that also has disadvantages (high cost of living) also.
MBS - Manchester: 18 month program The MBA school is updating it's facilities, but still modern and excellent. The cafeteria, computer lab, cafeteria, library, lobby, pigeon hole (mailbox) etc all located in the multi-story building. Makes it very convenient for their students. Manchester and London are both the first MBA programs in England. I love the concept of Manchester Method (especially the international consulting project), practical application of your MBA education. Additionally, MBS is in the process of increasing their student intake from 80-100 to #(?). Manchester city (2nd largest city in UK) itself is growing, modernizing and building from it's industrial past. Many businesses are relocating (i.e. BBC) into the city (cheaper rent?), so expect for the B-school and your career to benefit from this trend.
Regardless of where I end up, I will have to bring with me a few items; fish sauce, soy sauce, and spicy salsa. Born and raised my early years in Vietnam, I have to note there is still a lot of French influence in the Vietnamese culture, thus a small bit in me. Yet living in America most of my life (aside from my annual semi-solo international trips), ethically I am Vietnamese while culturally I am Vietnamese American w/ a splash of Mexican (close proximity to Mexican border). I suppose that makes me Vietnamese, Mexican American?
Doh~...I just realized I didn't take pictures of the LBS and HEC facilities. Marde~
I can't wait for this movie to come out. The next great, "must see" movie of this year.
What you gon' do with all that junk? All that junk inside your trunk? I'ma get, get, get, get, you drunk, Get you love drunk off my hump. My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely little humps. Check it out.
GMAT note - A few weeks back on my study schedule, yet with only two months of lapse from last touching the GMAT, it is a upward hill climb again. I'm going to have to power through it to be ready for testing in Feb. Doesn't help that my god son is sick now and my mother needs more of my presence at night.
There were a couple of US pop culture items that perked my ears this morning.
1) We got Mr. Posh Spice - I'm not much of a football/soccer person, but I have to note that a person of Mr. Posh...excuse me...David Beckham's godly international media fame, he will fit in Hollywood. Just another celebrity in SoCal. ~Yawn~ Lets see how the US's soccer league (MLS) will improve. I know the number female fans has just risen.
2) War of words - Donald Trump vs Rosie. This feud started sometime back, when she said something regarding what he did, and he responded and then she responded and then he responded, etc etc. This brings to mind a similar situation regarding emails. When you get an email that you don't like and you want to reply back to defend yourself. The correct course of action is...DON'T. But in this case, it's a cat fight I'm amused to see. The comb over cat vs the non-straight cat.
No~...Not me! I'm single and don't have any biological offsprings. None that I know of at least. hehe... There's only my God Son and mother I'm responsible for.
I just found out this morning, that my friends' wife (of 5 months) is pregnant. That makes it three couples I know that recently announced they are pregnant. I'm gone for barely two weeks and they get busy. He was surprised but more nervous. I suspect because this is their first child and he is still getting used to the idea he's going to be a father. Poor guy. Better you then I!
Another coincidence, I know three couples that recently became rookie (1st time) parents within the same time period. Four words to them...Better you then I!
Are all these events coincidences or an omen for me? I hope not. Better them then I!
This song is dedicated to my friends wives and all the women that are going through or have gone through this miracle of life. Better you then I~.
I am happy that I am Vietnamese American. Having an asian body has its' benefits...specifically minimum body hair. Yes. A smooth chest and a smooth back.No a single strand of hair.
Version 3.x, able to handle more task, responsibilities, and more self aware then version 2.x Decisions are made easier once you know what your life priorities are. And trying to get myself into a B-school in Europe
