Catching up on trip

A lot has happened (finally w/ stable internet connection), so I'll break my experiences into several posts.

LBS has an informal Information Session on Friday afternoon. So I had time to check out Buckingham Palace. The flag was raised full staff, indicating da queen is in da house!






Then off I went to LBS. Internationally diverse ppl attending the info session. Campus was quiet because the 1st years were taking their last sit in exam. Mr T (attending info session also) and I decided to get a few beers at Windsor Castle Pub. Good decision. As the 1st terms were finishing up their exams, Windsor was DA PLACE to go.

It quickly filled up and the crowd poured outside the pub!









I was traveling around the world just by merely meeting the LBS students.
Note; SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to Patxi. I meet up w/ him the night before (he was super busy but still made time) to meet up, answer my questions, show me to Sundowners, and intro me to some of his stream mates.

I also bumped into LBS blogger AngelAngie and Genie. Both super sweeties!




Spot light's on you.






They also sang a birthday song for their fellow 1st term class mate.




Drinking a few beers on an empty stomach, things started to get funny really quick.


Mr. T and I;
Quick friends after a few beers.










Dancing lights









Raving lights

A few quick pictures

I've been having a hard time weaseling some free WiFi, so I'll only post a few pictures.







Hard Core Art














Scarf & Overcoat;
In SoCal- fashion statement
In UK - life essential requirement

















Traditional Guards













Modern Guards















Goal

Follow up pictures from Manchester

I'm in London now. This Hostel (Piccadilly Hostel) has a Nazi rates and policy for their internet connection, so I was able to leeching off wifi connection somewhere.
As promised here are some photos from Manchester




Sign says it all












Historical









Exactly what I was thinking about









Cheerful lights














Seasonal Marketing











He needs to get on a diet









Open air market











Three symbols












Shout out to my German friends











Shout out to my Devine Dutch friends










I just had to try it. Yummie!









Season's Greetings











Tunnel of gifts

Manchester eye










Base of the eye

Modern Manchester













Lights











Excuse you! I'm busy here!











THE place for Jazz

Industrial New Urban vs Large Cosmopolitan Urban

Blogger is not allowing me to post pictures for now, so I will have to type.

While London is a vast cosmopolitan urban city, Manchester city is a mix of older industrial buildings and recently build (within 5 years) new styled sky rises, industrial new urban.

Smaller in size to London, but is undergoing massive civil reconstruction and it shows. It is attracting business and now has become the second largest city after London. The city has played second fiddle to London and has it eye on bringing itself to compete. Manchester has a lot of potential. Watch out London, you've got your little sister Manchester growing up.

Analogy;

London is the sexy elegant established girl you've had a crush on for the longest time. Then you meet the younger sister, Manchester. She is young, tough with a bit of attitude since she has been under your shadow all these years. Well she's hitting her second puberty now (industrial revolution was her first puberty). Although she's currently still petite in size compared to older sister London, younger sister Manchester is growing fast and she has a unique style of her own. Which is also sexy...in her own way.

London, don't be upset at me for having a crush on Manchester. I've had a crush you for soo long and I just finally was able to meet you. Your younger sister, Manchester is younger and has a lot of spunk. Sexy, just like you, but different in her own way. Your cosmopolitan elegance has the entire world crushing you also. Don't be upset. I'm just one of billions of admirers you already have. I shouldn't mention, my other crush on Paris. I met her first.

Tropical Tom in Cold Britian

I'm able to get internet connection at the Hilton Hostel in Manchester. Internet is included in the17 pounds/night price. Yeah!

Few points;

• British Customs - They couldn't understand why I'm flying all the way to visit the business schools. They held me in customs. After waiting 3 hours, going through my language, me showing them all my paper from the Business school brochures, my schedule for the information sessions/interviews for all B-schools, they let me enter the UK.
• This memorable conversation;
• Customs- "Why can't you research the schools on line and apply for them on line? Why do you have to come to the schools?"
  
• -tvu "Would you spend $80,000 on a car only through researching it on line? Wouldn't you want to at least test drive the car?"
  
• Customs- "OK. You can go. Have a nice trip."
• Temperature - I got into London afternoon, it was cold but manageable. Then it got dark, and got even colder. Now I'm in Manchester this afternoon, and it's even colder then London at night! Wonder how cold it's going to be tonight. It hasn't rained yet, but I'm not holding my breath! **Update** It's raining now.
  
• Food - Being ethnically Vietnamese, but culturally Vietnamese-Mexican-American, I'm use to eating food w/ lots of seasoning (i.e. soy sauce, fish sauce, salsa, herbs, onions, garlic). So far, I only had one traditional English meal (baked chicken w/ side dishes of boiled carrots, boiled cabbaged, and chips (steak fries). I tried lots of salt and pepper, but it didn't help. It's only one meal, so I'm keeping an open mind.
• English language - English is spoken in both Britain and the States, but the spoken language here is different. Every few sentences I have to ask them to repeat. It's cool because, I get double look and have to repeat myself to the British when they hear my SoCal American accent. Super Coolio Bra! hehe...
• City; London - WOW. Simply WOW. This city is fantastic, rich w/ history and full of life. Truly is one of top international cities of the world. Brochures, video guides can not do this city justice. It must be experienced! Plenty of diversity; the ubiquitous Indian restaurant, and pubs. I even "discovered" the china town here! It wouldn't be an international city without a china town. There was even a Vietnamese restaurant! No I didn't try it. I tried the British meal instead. hehe...
  
• Exploration - Going for a wandering walk through the streets at night (started at Piccadilly Circus), looking at the various shops and people, when the street opened up into this Gianormous plaza! It was the British National Gallery. WOW! It is the small unexpected discoveries that makes the biggest impact within the experiences of our lives.
  

Some pictures of the Hilton Hostel in Manchester;




View out my hostel window











A ten bunk bed room and only me. Score!







Self portrait

Friday Funnies

Today's the last full day before I fly tomorrow and it still has not registered with me yet. I'm too busy finishing up family errands before I get two weeks to myself.

Now onto Friday Funnies;
In order to appreciate each other, we need to be able to laugh at each other and ourselves.
Introducing - Russell Peters



You think he's joking about using scooter as a mini-van?

Wear smoking jackets when going down in flames

It's done. Finito. It's a good thing I wore a smoking jacket, as expected, I went down in flames. I'll look into redoing the test later, once I turn in R2 application (getting the application in for R2 is more important), and once mom's health improves (hopefully) after the holidays so I can focus on the GMAT.

This score does not define me
It does not mark my potential
It does not mark my determination
It only mark how I am forced to think within the box

For now, I'm back home and kicking it w/ mom watching Monday night football in her room. Finally able to watch sports once more. Go Lakers! Go Cowboys!! Mom was a bit tired when I left for the ~Dun Duh Dum~ test this morning. Got home and made her some rice porridge. OK...it was instant porridge, but its the though that counts! Making real rice porridge would have taken too long.

The priorities for this week before I head to London/Paris this coming Saturday (12/2 - 12/18) will be;

• Spend time with mom, god son, and family
• Gather cold weather clothing to minimize freezing -tvu's ass
• Gather travel papers, lodging papers, etc
• Focus on essays, all the way baby
• Try not to worry about mom, and try to sleep more
• Remembering to laugh
  

More laughing material - William! William!! William Hung!!

Surviving a crisis

This past week has tested my strength, endurance, hope and faith. My mother was checked into the hospital on Tuesday, because of tiredness and difficulty breathing. Conditions like that for a 86 year woman is very scary. Once more, our family did around the clock bed side attendance. I put in 4-6 hours per day. Compared to my other life priorities, the GMAT studies were pushed down the list. Thankfully she was released later in the weekend, but her energy level is still low. Since her admittance into the hospital through now, I have barely gotten in 2-3 hours of GMAT review and the test is tomorrow. ~dun-duh-dum~

The potential of good a GMAT score isn't looking too good. It's OK. I don't regret my decision. The care of my mother will never be a regretful decision. Her health has not improved much, but she is out of the hospital and with family. I'm spending time at home to be with her but can not focused towards the GMAT. I'll have pick up a smoking jacket for tomorrow's test, because I'm going down in flames.

Pointers on surviving a crisis;

• Keep breathing
• Spend time with children and get lots of hugs from them;
  
• A hugg from a child can mend anything
  
• Today was hard, but tomorrow can be better
  
• Alone, you are strong. Among family and friend, you are even stronger
• Success is not required for survival, but adaptability is mandatory
• Remember to laugh
• Whoever is happy will make others happy, too - Mark Twain

What is to become of my choices

What is to become of my choices
All the planning
All the work
All the hopes
All the dreams of my tomorrow

I am no longer a child
I am no longer a young adult
I am a man...with all that it entails

I delayed one year for father
Can I delay another for mother

Can I live with myself
because of my dreams
because of my future
because of my absence to mother

I pray that you will be aright
I pray that you can understand
Why I made my choices

THE PRAYER

A hug from me to you...(nonMBA)

Be Thankful
Be Thankful of all the love within your life
Be Thankful for all the love ones in your life
Be Thankful for all those that you have loved and have loved you back
Be Thankful...

Soo many things within my life
Soo many things...

So I am giving you a hug
So that I may receive one from you

Inspiring Story! Free Hugs Campaign (Music by Sick Puppies)


Description: Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man who’s sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives..... what we then witness can only be described as awe inspiring.


Free Hugs story on Ten News Australia

Are you that friend? ...(nonMBA)

I love comedy shows. I haven't seen a show in a while...a very, very long while. If given a choice between the top comedian and the top band. I'd pick the comedy show.

Here's one of the US's current top comedian, Dane Cook.





powered by ODEO

Apprecitation and using it effectively

So much of life responsibilities were in my thoughts, I was having a difficult time focusing on studies tonight at my usual Kaplan center. I felt how it sucked and unfair for me. As my self pity was bubbling, I noticed something interesting.

Nearby, a woman (still in her nurse uniform) was studying with her 10 (?) year son. She would study, but occasionally have to turn her attention towards her son. This happened many times.

This brought things into perspective. Regardless of my responsibilities, I have been able to get away and study. I realized how worthless my self pity was.

Self pity will not help to completing the task.
Appreciate what you have and learn to use it effectively
-tvu

For me now? The center is closed and I'm back home, kicking it with my mother in her room. Appreciating what I have and learning to use it effectively.

Life Lessons

Hope - Faith that things will become better

Prayer - The act/expression of hope

Helping to raise another man's (my brother) son - Do not take the role of the father. The son knows who the father is. Just show him the love and guidance he needs.

Spending time with a teenager - Ask a question on his/her favorite subject. Let them voice their knowledge. Make acknowledging comment ("I didn't realize that"), continue with another question on subject.

Dealing with a teenager - Give directions in calm even voice (i.e. do homework, bedtime, clean room) and repeat ("clean room") 60 minutes later. Few days later, repeat in calm even tone, "clean room", 60 minutes later repeat, 30 minutes later repeat...

Parents - It is not for them to understand you. They raised you, thus know who you are. It is for you to learn who they were, before they became parents.

Adaptbility to overcome adversity

Life loves me soo much, that it's dumping tons on me. Holiday season is fast approaching and my mother is starting to feel it. During the sliver of time I'm home, I see that she's getting more tired and I sense my fathers' passing is weighting heavily on her. She needs my presence and whatever strength I have left. With only two weeks left before my dun-duh-dum date coming, I will try to ask for half days at work, spend remainder of day w/ her until my family gets off work, and I'll head to study. This schedule will probably last to Thanksgiving, thereafter we'll re-evaluate her condition. I know my score will completely suffer and perhaps hurt my application. But my mother is more important then the stink'ng score and the B-school should hopefully not place too much emphasis on a simple, regulated number. If they do, then they were not the school of character I thought they were made of.

Now I will have to craft a nice letter to work, use some of my vacation time, to have half days off for my mother.

Life Lesson - You have to remain adaptive to overcome lifes' adversity

Duck, Weave and roll with life's punches -tvu

Visiting the B-schools...Good ROI

It's done. No turning back. I've bought the tickets and my credit card is hurting. I will fly to London on Dec 2 and fly back to SoCal on Dec 18 from Paris. All so I can visit the B-schools I am applying for. I can't imagine making a milestone decision without visiting the schools in person. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. So a face to face visit with the perspective institutions, I will hopefully spend the next two years, is in order. It is my first time in the England and my second time in France. This trip will definitely hurt my wallet, but the expense is worth the insight I will gain. Good ROI.

Coming for SoCal, I expect to freeze my ass off. I expect to be a lot poorer. I also expect to see the schools' brochures and the words of the MBA bloggers come to life. I also expect to see how the school will fit with me. Hey B-school, it's not just you making the acceptance. You have to get my acceptance too. Do try impress me.

I have some clue where I will stay the first few days and the last few days of my B-school excursion, but I don't like to preset my entire trip until I am in that region of the world. It is a tried and proven method for me. For now, there are only four dates I must be, the day I'm flying there, the two days of info sessions of my top choice schools, and the day of my flight back. Everything in between those days, is up in the air.

Since this trip is B-school first, expanding my comfort zone second, I've made a few contacts w/ some students. Thanks again with putting up w/ my questions. If any of you guys know Texas Hold'em, I'll wager a nice, fat dinner. Care to accept? Remember, I'll get the first round of beer/wine/poison.

Speaking of poison, I have to get back to the GMAT studies.

Fast Times to get transcripts

My GMAT study schehdule has been crazy for the last month and I'm still embarrashed by my Kaplan CAT scores. I will have to push the "dun-duh-dum date" back a week to Nov 24.

Regardless, R2 deadlines are coming up so I decided to get the easy items completed from the application requirements. Two official transcripts done, and one left from UCSB (to be mail requested tomorrow), I rewarded myself w/ a nice sit down lunch.

Low behold, I spotted "Jeff Spicolli" of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" eating lunch also. Gnarly~ Dude!






What was he eating? Chilli-Cheese-Fries...of course!

Words of wisedom from this past week

Kindness - The help you provide for strangers and acquaintances

Loyalty - The help you provide for people important in your life

Mistakes - Admittance to it is not a sign of weakness, rather it shows courage...Valuable life lessons, if you learn from it

Forgiveness - Forgive them of the hurt they caused you...forgive yourself of the pain you carry

Friendship - Most valuable commodity in the world...second only to love

Love - What you say, pales in comparison to what you do

Got Married...(nonMBA)

I forgotten what normal life is like.
Some photos of my nephew's wedding.
They're dropping like flies!

Pick up the Bride - Average October day

Bride's maid - Pre-wedding snack

My Grand Nephew - Japanese-Vietnamese-Mexican-American

Beautiful older sister and I

In-Laws - Nice family

Their cousins - small group photo

Mom - never say a woman is weak
Lifetime of accomplishments

Nephew and I - hvu and tvu in da house~

Rub the pregnant lady for good luck

OK...maybe a few too many drinks

Hmm...maybe one more