Seven to Twelve?

You have GOT to be kidding me. I know, I know, it was just a spring training game, and the Padres don’t have the best of teams (again) this year, but to lose to my most reviled team in MLB, the Arizona Diamondbacks, with a score of 7-12 in Peoria was heartbreaking. Especially, since I lost a small bet too – just to add some salt to the wound. Oh well… I still had fun at the game, showing one of my friends from India a taste of American sports culture.

Earlier in the morning, I had spent two hours calling alumni from London letting them know about the largest student-led initiative on campus to save and restore the historic Tower building on campus – check it out here…

On Saturday, some friends and I decided to leave Glendale in the dust, and head East into Scottsdale for a night on the town with drinks and sushi. It was good to get off campus for an evening and enjoy a great evening with good friends. Although, service was a little horrible at the sushi place, but the food was good, so that’s alright. And, of course, after dinner, my friends wanted to check out the “Sugar Bowl” which is his AMAZING dessert place in Old town Scottsdale. So, I had to sit there and watch 8 friends eating deliciously decadent brownies and ice cream sundaes – ugh, I HATE lent!!!!!!!! Haha. 2 more weeks!

On Friday, I got to see an old friend of mine for a couple hours for tea at this cute little place in downtown Phoenix. One of my most favorite people ever, and one that I look up to and admire, he’s been such a rock for me over the past 4 years I’ve known him! Amazing guy! Friday was also the night for the "Chili-Cook off" at a friends house, where we crammed 30 Tbirds, from 15 countries, and 8 different chilies in one small apartment. It was the scene for a fabulous time, with amazing food (well, most of the Chilies were good)...

Ok, so sorry for the complete randomness that makes up this blog entry – but my weekend was pretty random – but fun! Everything from two sessions of kickboxing (from which I have bloody and bruised knuckles as battle wounds), to Indian and sushi dinners off campus, to drinks at the pub and in Scottsdale, to a fun baseball game to even some homework thrown in the mix too - well, minimal homework this weekend, to which I’m going to pay for dearly this week…

The Home Stretch...

I hesitate to even write a blog entry on the subject, but, alas, I will...

After an amazing year and half at Thunderbird, my time here is rapidly coming to an end. With just six weeks left before commencement, I can see the finish line approaching, and my days as a student will soon be replaced with "corporate life." Instead of dwelling on how much I will miss my friends, my school, (some) of the professors, and just student life in general - including the pub, I will focus on the short time we have left, and make the most of my time here at school. The memories I have made will indeed last a lifetime, and I will cherish them forever!


So... cheers to the last 6 weeks of my grad school career!!! It's gonna be insanely busy with class projects piling up, finals around the corner, and of course the fun social engagements inherent in all student life... BUT, it will be fabulous...

(the below pic, is of course - at the pub (and courtesy of Meike), and is of two of some of my favorite people at Tbird - Nick and Meike) - She wouldnt let me post the other pics she took that night! haha!!

Do you CARE?

Yesterday, I saw the "live" event broadcasted into movie theaters across the country from New York City, of the documentary and panel discussion of "A Powerful Noise." The event was sponsored by the organizaiton, CARE, which seeks to combat global poverty. CARE places a special emphasis on helping poor women across the globe based on the premise that when given the resources, women can help their families and ultimately communities in the fight against poverty.

This is the type of stuff that really DOES make a difference in the world, one person at a time. It is truly amazing what happens when you give someone the resources to succeed. This is EXACTLY what I want to eventually do with my Thunderbird education! I haven't quite nailed down what I want to do exactly, and in what region, but I do know that I need a few more years of "corporate America" under my belt to gain more real-world experience (and to pay down my school loans), but someday... someday I want to use my degree to make a positive difference ... to give someone, a family, a community the chance to succeed...

It's pretty funny actually, because this is something that separates Tbird grads from other MBA schools. Most MBA's want to accumulate enough wealth to own houses in 5 countries and a private Island where they can scuba dive and travel, and buy designer clothes across the globe... I just aspire to accumulate enough wealth (although, now that might be hard with Obama's new policies, but I won't get in to that here), to be able to travel to developing countries and use my degree to do some good in the world. Call me crazy, I don't know, but I am a Thunderbird afterall :)

And another thing, I can't believe that more people don't volunteer. Seriously people! I understand that people don't have the money to donate large sums to humanitarian organizations locally or across the globe (because I certainly don't) ... but what about time?! Everyone has a couple hours a month to donate?! Right?! This goes back to earlier blog entry I wrote last year in February about the orphanage in Mexico that we volunteered at... they literally struggle day-to-day to have enough food to feed the kids, and volunteers to help watch them. And it's not just Mexico, stuff like this happens everywhere. Why can't more people get off their butts and do something about it?! Think about that the next time you're on your way to mall for the fifth time in one week.

I care... do you??

This weekend is going to SUCK!

This entry is similar to my friend Meike, who was trying to show her friends and family that grad school (especially here at Thunderbird) isn't just about travelling the globe and going to wildly fantastic globally-themed parties...

I know some of my friends and family had some doubts as to what I was doing, when my last Thursday evening involved a BBQ, wine-tasting, and pub.. but, my friends, check out this weekend schedule here... this is going to SUCK!!!! Right about now, I'd love a giant cookie at the commons as comfort food - but, I'm staying strong to my Lent commitment (for now). And, today in Spanish class our professor brought home-made cinnamon rolls for everyone... lent sucks!

Thursday:
5:00 - Wakeup
5:30 - 6:45: Krav Maga
7:00 - 7:45: Shower & breakfast
8:00 - 9:30: Strategic Services Marketing Class
9:40 - 11:10: Spanish Class (exam today)
11:20 – 12:00: REST (write blog entry)
12:00 – 1:00: read corporate strategy and stuff face with turkey wrap
1:00- 2:30: Analysis for Strategic Marketing group meeting
2:40 – 4:10: Analysis for Strategic Marketing Class (presentation today)
4:10 – 5:00: read more corporate strategy
5:00 – 8:00: MOVIE! (a powerful noise) – and somehow grab dinner
8:00 – 10:30 – read more corporate strategy, analyze financial statements
10:30 – Midnight – PUB!
Midnight: CRASH!

Friday:
7:00: Wakeup
7:00 – 9:30: Read more corporate strategy (preparing for a negotiation)
10:00 – 11:00: Kickboxing/Krav Maga (but have to leave 10 minutes early)
11:00 – 12:00: Meeting with professor about our Business Intelligence Project
12:00 – 3:00: Meeting with my Business Intelligence team
1:00-2:00: Have to take a break from my BI meeting to meet with the Strategic Services Marketing Team about our group project
3:00-6:30: Meeting with my corporate strategy team
6:30-10:00: I have no idea, but I doubt I’ll be able to keep my eyes open at this point
10:00pm: SLEEP

Saturday:
9:00: Wakeup
9:30-10:30: Kickboxing/Krav Maga
11:00 – 1:00: Preparation for Corporate Strategy negotiation
1:00- 3:30: Corporate Strategy Simulated negotiation
3:30-6:30: Finish Import/Export Group Project
7:00 – 9:00: Jordanian BBQ at the “Fish” on campus
9:00 – Midnight: Work on Marketing project
Midnight: CRASH

Sunday
To do:
Finalize Import/Export Project
Study for Import/Export Final
Finalize SSM project
Work on team Corporate Strategy Paper
Research for BI project
Meeting with ASM group from 7:00 – 9:00 pm :(

One week down...

This year, I decided to test my will power....

It's almost been one week since the start of Lent, and I have not had a single drop of soda, or a single bite of any junk food or chocolate! Can you believe it?! Historically, Lent has not been too kind to me, as I've given up on such endeavors days (or even sometimes hours) into the process. But... this time, with the support of other friends who have given up similar vices, I plan to go the whole distance... all 40 days! Can I do it??!! Stay tuned.

In other news, so begins another round of finals and midterms! Yikes! I just completed the first final this morning for my Strategic Services Marketing final - so that went well, followed by a presentation about Spain (mi amor) in my Spanish class, followed by meeting after meeting after meeting (after meeting)... Ugh! Did I mention another meeting still yet to come tonight?! Seriously.... the next two weeks are going to be a bit insane with finals, projects and meetings. Wish me luck!

But.. I will make time for the Krav Maga classes! Those are AMAZING!!!!! Nothing like getting to take your aggression out on the bags for a little kickboxing, or basically getting your butt kicked by the instructors. It's tough, but a killer workout, and an amazing stress reliever.

Ok, back to the books before another meeting...

Pub time!

So school is not all about group meetings, exams, and pulling all-nighters to complete the endless array of projects, assignments and test preps.. it's also about "networking" and building the friendships that will last a life time. What better place to do that, then the ThunderbPub! The last few weeks have been a little insane for one reason or another, so this weekend, I decided to dedicate a few nights to the pub to catch back up with friends and just have a good time. It's so much fun going to the pub to just kick back, dance, chat and drink with friends. You never know what sort of conversation you'll be engaged in - and often times it seems to always revolve around a few key topics ;) But, you can be rest assured that it will be a fabulous time!