Thunderbird Experience

I feel like starting out this, my last blog entry from my time at Thunderbird with a quote. Not only do I like Thoreau (one of his quote adorns the side of this blog), but I feel in so many ways, that this quote encapsulates what is to come…

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”

And living – I mean really living is precisely what I have been doing these past couple years. How many people can say that? Sure people live – they get up and they fall into the same monotonous routine everyday – not really breaking away to experience something new, to meet someone new, or to learn something new.

When I got accepted into the MBA program at Thunderbird, a colleague of mine from San Diego said, “congratulations and enjoy your experience – it will change your life.” Never have words been so true – as this place has changed my life forever. The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met, the places I’ve traveled, and the memories I’ve made will be forever emblazoned into my mind. These will be the memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I will ALWAYS look back at my time at Thunderbird and smile.

It’s hard to convey into words exactly how much I will miss this place. It even brings tears to my eyes as I think of the friends I have already said goodbye to – and even the goodbyes still to come. I will miss everything about this place – from the “global” curriculum to some of the crazy professors, from the boyfriend to the best friends, from the insane birds chirping at 3am to the scary bugs crawling around campus (well, maybe not miss that), from the turkey wraps to the stir fry guy, from double fisting vodka cranberries at the pub to taking shots of god knows what at the random Indian parties, from Indian dancing to German dancing, from rugby games to our tennis games, from krav maga with the ninjas to running with the boys, from all nighters with starbucks at the commons to group meetings at the IBIC, from Jordan to Costa Rica to Mexico to Prague and a lot of counties in between. Basically I will miss everything.

I am so sad to close this chapter in my life. But, it is time to move on… And so I will march forward into the future, armed with the knowledge, experience and amazing memories Thunderbird has given me. But, I will ALWAYS, ALWAYS remember the good times at Thunderbird, and I will forever hold these memories near to my heart. And so I will close with this…

To my friends and family – many thanks for your support during my time at Thunderbird – your encouraging words pulled me through many a difficult times. I love you.

To my Thunderbird friends – You have no idea how much our friendship means to me. I sincerely hope that we always stay in touch. You guys are amazing – and I have no doubt will change the world for the better as you were trained to do ;) I will never forget you, or the fun times we’ve shared. You are what have made this experience all the better. And, I love you too!