A whirlwind crazy week. After finishing my exams on Thursday night, I packed a suitcase to Hong Kong, packed a suitcase for London/Ireland, and then cleaned up my apartment for the summer sublet. On Friday, I was off to London. Due to time difference, I arrived in London 6am and took a cab to make the 11am graduation ceremonies for my little brother. He's graduating from high school. Anyway, later Saturday afternoon, we were off to Dublin.
A week in Ireland. Dublin and The Burren. Per usual, my website will have more details once I develop my pictures (in Hong Kong, of course, I can't stand the US standards and prices for developing pictures) and organize my travel journal.
Flew back to London on Friday, had birthday dinner with my family and some old friends from Hong Kong. Saturday morning I was off to Chicago. Had to make some last minute housing arrangements. Get my suitcase from my apartment where the sublet has already started. Move everything to the emergency housing place. Then off to another dinner with GSB friends (thanks for dinner, guys!) on Saturday night. Sunday, today that is, I woke up and left for Boston. Bruce is hosting me here.
I'll post something better when time allows.
Count
6/19/2006
6/10/2006
OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
My reaction after the German's 4th goal... amazing shot. The keeper had absolutely no chance. What an entertaining first game. Too bad Americans don't give a crap. Some quick comments before I head off to London:
Mavs vs. Heat is a fun series. I hope the Mavs win... only because I want to see David Stearn and Mark Cuban shake hands at the podium.
If Germany keeps playing like this, they will have a hard time advancing in the elimination rounds. Great pressure defense in the midfield, very suspect in the backfield, which gives opposing teams many chances. Give it to Costa Rica might be okay, but how many can you give to elite teams?
I love watching football. So much better than watching American sports because of the flow and lack of timeouts.
Commentators are AWFUL. I miss 阿叔。 No color commentating. It's obvious that these guys don't really know what they are doing. For example, a defender who didn't have a chance to get possession in a forward pass slides over and kicks the ball out of bounds. Standard play. Commentator: WHAT A PLAY BY XYZ! He had NO chance at the ball and DID THE RIGHT THING! Uh... that's pretty standard, my friend. Since I'll be in Europe, I expect much more... especially the Irish commentator.
Have a great summer, readers! I'm off to London, Ireland, and Hong Kong.
Mavs vs. Heat is a fun series. I hope the Mavs win... only because I want to see David Stearn and Mark Cuban shake hands at the podium.
If Germany keeps playing like this, they will have a hard time advancing in the elimination rounds. Great pressure defense in the midfield, very suspect in the backfield, which gives opposing teams many chances. Give it to Costa Rica might be okay, but how many can you give to elite teams?
I love watching football. So much better than watching American sports because of the flow and lack of timeouts.
Commentators are AWFUL. I miss 阿叔。 No color commentating. It's obvious that these guys don't really know what they are doing. For example, a defender who didn't have a chance to get possession in a forward pass slides over and kicks the ball out of bounds. Standard play. Commentator: WHAT A PLAY BY XYZ! He had NO chance at the ball and DID THE RIGHT THING! Uh... that's pretty standard, my friend. Since I'll be in Europe, I expect much more... especially the Irish commentator.
Have a great summer, readers! I'm off to London, Ireland, and Hong Kong.
6/09/2006
$65000... well spent on a GSB MBA!?
Short Answer: Oh, Yes!
I thought this would a fitting picture for the conclusion of the school year:
1. Top left, Drinking Cum in Your Eye Shot in Belize - ah, life before MBA. I kept thinking to myself (and no doubt my fellow first year colleagues were thinking the same) that this MBA thing is going to be awesome. Drink, drink, drink, and the drink some more! And when I'm not drinking, I'm on the beach or on a sail boat! Sweet! I also met some of my (future) best friends on this trip.
2. Top middle, LOE - all I remember clearly from LOE is that we had to be at HPC at 6am to catch the damn bus to Wisconsin. That and Karaoke night and a lot of partying. Good times.
3. Top right, Chicago Marathon - this was in the start of the Fall quarter already. AG friends came to run the marathon and I showed up to cheer. Things are speeding up already. Although I came into business school knowing what I wanted to do for the summer, I was still learning a lot about the consulting field. This was also a few days after the Red Sox were eliminated by the White Sox.
4. Middle left, Golden Gargoyles - yes, we're at the end of the Fall quarter already. GG is a LEAD event that completely exceeded all my expectations. When someone asks me "who are you wearing," you bet it was a fun night. Got my mind off some serious workloads.
5. Middle middle, St Patty's Day at Howl at the Moon - alright, time flies. We passed exams in the Fall quarter, Beijing Trek where I met many companies to affirm my interest in Asia, a nice week in Hong Kong to visit friends and family, and recruiting season, a.k.a. the unnecessarily stressful period in business school that is a necessary evil. As you can see, my facial hair is that of one who is done with recruiting. Was a good night!
6. Middle right, Grand Canyon - Spring Break! The picture was at Grand Canton... uh... Grand Canyon. But the key was Vegas, which of course I am not free to discuss. But of course there are things I can talk about...
7. Low left, Greater China Conference - You can see the gradual loss of facial hair. The spring quarter is hard to predict. With only three classes, I still find myself busy with student group work. I didn't work on the Greater China Conference, but I'm working for another one. And I can only imagine how much work they have put into this.
8. Low middle, Michigan - always fun to be totally irresponsible and leave for a weekend. It's a pity that the second years didn't start doing this at an earlier time. I feel like I'm missing out on the opportunity to really know some of these fine folks. On the bright side, the school year is almost over and I was eagerly waiting for the summer internship to begin.
9. Low right, and ending appropriately with a drinking picture from Belize - I hope my summer is the same!
Now, I realized I didn't talk about any of my classes. Okay, quickly:
Micro, Accounting, and Regression - at least I got them out of the way
Operations - with the right professor, it could be really good, I still learned some new stuff in this class
Marketing - Once again, a good professor is EVERYTHING, I learned while having a lot of fun... also had one of the best study groups
Competitive Strategy - a whole new world to me. A quality introduction to what the MBA is all about. I'm surprised that this is not a core requirement.
Managing the Workplace - classic U of Chicago; even with issues such as HR, classes still place number and data behind everything. Everything has a reason, and that reason will not be something that cannot be quantified.
My spring quarter classes are here.
Okay, I'm tired.
I thought this would a fitting picture for the conclusion of the school year:
1. Top left, Drinking Cum in Your Eye Shot in Belize - ah, life before MBA. I kept thinking to myself (and no doubt my fellow first year colleagues were thinking the same) that this MBA thing is going to be awesome. Drink, drink, drink, and the drink some more! And when I'm not drinking, I'm on the beach or on a sail boat! Sweet! I also met some of my (future) best friends on this trip.
2. Top middle, LOE - all I remember clearly from LOE is that we had to be at HPC at 6am to catch the damn bus to Wisconsin. That and Karaoke night and a lot of partying. Good times.
3. Top right, Chicago Marathon - this was in the start of the Fall quarter already. AG friends came to run the marathon and I showed up to cheer. Things are speeding up already. Although I came into business school knowing what I wanted to do for the summer, I was still learning a lot about the consulting field. This was also a few days after the Red Sox were eliminated by the White Sox.
4. Middle left, Golden Gargoyles - yes, we're at the end of the Fall quarter already. GG is a LEAD event that completely exceeded all my expectations. When someone asks me "who are you wearing," you bet it was a fun night. Got my mind off some serious workloads.
5. Middle middle, St Patty's Day at Howl at the Moon - alright, time flies. We passed exams in the Fall quarter, Beijing Trek where I met many companies to affirm my interest in Asia, a nice week in Hong Kong to visit friends and family, and recruiting season, a.k.a. the unnecessarily stressful period in business school that is a necessary evil. As you can see, my facial hair is that of one who is done with recruiting. Was a good night!
6. Middle right, Grand Canyon - Spring Break! The picture was at Grand Canton... uh... Grand Canyon. But the key was Vegas, which of course I am not free to discuss. But of course there are things I can talk about...
7. Low left, Greater China Conference - You can see the gradual loss of facial hair. The spring quarter is hard to predict. With only three classes, I still find myself busy with student group work. I didn't work on the Greater China Conference, but I'm working for another one. And I can only imagine how much work they have put into this.
8. Low middle, Michigan - always fun to be totally irresponsible and leave for a weekend. It's a pity that the second years didn't start doing this at an earlier time. I feel like I'm missing out on the opportunity to really know some of these fine folks. On the bright side, the school year is almost over and I was eagerly waiting for the summer internship to begin.
9. Low right, and ending appropriately with a drinking picture from Belize - I hope my summer is the same!
Now, I realized I didn't talk about any of my classes. Okay, quickly:
Micro, Accounting, and Regression - at least I got them out of the way
Operations - with the right professor, it could be really good, I still learned some new stuff in this class
Marketing - Once again, a good professor is EVERYTHING, I learned while having a lot of fun... also had one of the best study groups
Competitive Strategy - a whole new world to me. A quality introduction to what the MBA is all about. I'm surprised that this is not a core requirement.
Managing the Workplace - classic U of Chicago; even with issues such as HR, classes still place number and data behind everything. Everything has a reason, and that reason will not be something that cannot be quantified.
My spring quarter classes are here.
Okay, I'm tired.
6/07/2006
24
"The following takes place between 12AM and 12AM on June 5, 2006"
I just realized that I should have said that before my describing my day...
I don't understand the big deal about 6-6-06... what about 6-9-69? Isn't that a more intriguing date? I understand that you'll need to go through 6-6-60 before you get there, but still... I hate the media. Look, if 6-9-69 doesn't become a big deal when I'm 90 years old, there is no justice. Hmmmmm...
I still haven't seen X-Men 3 and Da Vinci Code. Maybe before my investment exam on Thursday. I even have a meeting scheduled that morning.
I packed a little box and two pieces of luggage last night. I can't imagine those who have to move during exams before heading out for their internships.
I don't get fixed income. Equities and options all make sense; but fixed income doesn't. I was reading the notes on my couch and fell asleep last night.
I need to do a year-end review of the GSB. That will come soon. I'm already excited about it. If you're reading this, try and remind me if I'm missing anything: LEAD, my 10 classes, BSG, CAP, Beijing Trek, Belize, Spring Break... (that's right, I have no life outside of the GSB)
Hmmm... I can't believe how little is on my mind right now! SWEET!
I just realized that I should have said that before my describing my day...
I don't understand the big deal about 6-6-06... what about 6-9-69? Isn't that a more intriguing date? I understand that you'll need to go through 6-6-60 before you get there, but still... I hate the media. Look, if 6-9-69 doesn't become a big deal when I'm 90 years old, there is no justice. Hmmmmm...
I still haven't seen X-Men 3 and Da Vinci Code. Maybe before my investment exam on Thursday. I even have a meeting scheduled that morning.
I packed a little box and two pieces of luggage last night. I can't imagine those who have to move during exams before heading out for their internships.
I don't get fixed income. Equities and options all make sense; but fixed income doesn't. I was reading the notes on my couch and fell asleep last night.
I need to do a year-end review of the GSB. That will come soon. I'm already excited about it. If you're reading this, try and remind me if I'm missing anything: LEAD, my 10 classes, BSG, CAP, Beijing Trek, Belize, Spring Break... (that's right, I have no life outside of the GSB)
Hmmm... I can't believe how little is on my mind right now! SWEET!
6/06/2006
Allow me to help you procrastinate
Here's how my day went, Huckle Cat style:
12:00AM - okay, what am I doing here... studying? TV? Which one?
12:05AM - must study Corporate Governance and Privatization
12:10AM - 1 minute break for ESPN2 poker game
12:20AM - 1 minute break for ESPN2 poker game
12:30AM - 1 minute break for ESPN2 poker game... okay, I'm procrastinating
3:30AM - Finally done with studying
7:00AM - Alarm
7:09AM - Snooze
7:18AM - Snooze
7:27AM - Snooze
7:36AM - Snooze... I'm up
8:15AM - Now I'm up
8:43AM - At school. My last stand against International Comparative Organizations. I should have chose to do the final paper
8:44AM - What's new on CNN...? ESPN...? Oh, Bush is trying to ban gay marriage again
9:23AM - Okay, I have to start now... going through practice exam 1
9:51AM - Practice exam 2
9:52AM - Hmm, friend asks about investing... I'm obliged to answer
10:20AM - Done explaining alpha and r-square, back to my notes
11:10AM - Oh, it's too late now... heading into "I don't care" mode
11:30AM - Exams starts
12:12PM - Colleague in front of me groans... dude, I feel you man, I feel you
12:45PM - I'm developing arthritis in the exam
1:15PM - No point in continuing the struggle
1:16PM - Must... get... one... more... point...
1:30PM - Hoof, one down, two to go... I'm hungry.
1:41PM - Nothing is intriguing in the cafeteria... to the computer lab
1:45PM - Data driven marketing take home final... keep programming...
2:30PM - I am really hungry... meeting with CAP Conference Planning Team
2:47PM - mmmmm.... Chilli.
4:25PM - We're bored in the meeting. This will keep you hooked for at least one 10 minute span. Try not to do this at the library or a quiet study room.
5:03PM - Done with meeting. Back to computer lab for the DDM final
7:45PM - My summer sublet is calling for my keys, must head back home
8:08PM - Just in time... to be late. Here are the keys, let me show you the trash shute
8:40PM - Off I go, back to the lab. Gleacher one this time
8:50PM - Resisted urge to turn on laptop... nicely done
10:00PM - Almost done with DDM final... heading home now, lab is closing
10:24PM - Red Sox lost 5-13 to the Yankees!? WTF!?
11:00PM - Full fledge procrastination: MSN, GTalk, Email, ESPN, Youtube, etc etc
11:59PM - Feel need to recount the day so I can keep procrastinating
11:59PM - Start blog entry...
12:00AM - okay, what am I doing here... studying? TV? Which one?
12:05AM - must study Corporate Governance and Privatization
12:10AM - 1 minute break for ESPN2 poker game
12:20AM - 1 minute break for ESPN2 poker game
12:30AM - 1 minute break for ESPN2 poker game... okay, I'm procrastinating
3:30AM - Finally done with studying
7:00AM - Alarm
7:09AM - Snooze
7:18AM - Snooze
7:27AM - Snooze
7:36AM - Snooze... I'm up
8:15AM - Now I'm up
8:43AM - At school. My last stand against International Comparative Organizations. I should have chose to do the final paper
8:44AM - What's new on CNN...? ESPN...? Oh, Bush is trying to ban gay marriage again
9:23AM - Okay, I have to start now... going through practice exam 1
9:51AM - Practice exam 2
9:52AM - Hmm, friend asks about investing... I'm obliged to answer
10:20AM - Done explaining alpha and r-square, back to my notes
11:10AM - Oh, it's too late now... heading into "I don't care" mode
11:30AM - Exams starts
12:12PM - Colleague in front of me groans... dude, I feel you man, I feel you
12:45PM - I'm developing arthritis in the exam
1:15PM - No point in continuing the struggle
1:16PM - Must... get... one... more... point...
1:30PM - Hoof, one down, two to go... I'm hungry.
1:41PM - Nothing is intriguing in the cafeteria... to the computer lab
1:45PM - Data driven marketing take home final... keep programming...
2:30PM - I am really hungry... meeting with CAP Conference Planning Team
2:47PM - mmmmm.... Chilli.
4:25PM - We're bored in the meeting. This will keep you hooked for at least one 10 minute span. Try not to do this at the library or a quiet study room.
5:03PM - Done with meeting. Back to computer lab for the DDM final
7:45PM - My summer sublet is calling for my keys, must head back home
8:08PM - Just in time... to be late. Here are the keys, let me show you the trash shute
8:40PM - Off I go, back to the lab. Gleacher one this time
8:50PM - Resisted urge to turn on laptop... nicely done
10:00PM - Almost done with DDM final... heading home now, lab is closing
10:24PM - Red Sox lost 5-13 to the Yankees!? WTF!?
11:00PM - Full fledge procrastination: MSN, GTalk, Email, ESPN, Youtube, etc etc
11:59PM - Feel need to recount the day so I can keep procrastinating
11:59PM - Start blog entry...
6/05/2006
6/02/2006
$12,000 Well Spent
$12,000 well spent again. Let's see what I learned this quarter...
Chicago Asia Pacific Group: CAP takes up most of my free time outside of class. CAP and the NBA playoffs and the random Red Sox game that pops up. Anyway, we have a good group going. Meeting every week to make sure everybody is on the same page. Conference planning has been tough but very rewarding. We've actually succeeded in getting some really high profile people to commit to speak to our students. Funding is coming along. But most importantly, everybody seems to be having fun.
International Comparative Organizations: I'll admit it, I didn't learn much in this class. Some random facts are always useful, such as inequality isn't caused by China, US is land of opportunity only if you are an immigrant, Japan's employed for life schemes aren't really employed for life - just employed for three-quarter life, etc etc. Lots of fun facts, not many tools. The professor could have gone one step further.
Data-Driven Marketing: Although the lectures were sloooooooow to develop, the class was quite fun to be in. Given my background, I say slooooooow because the class spent a few classes on regressions. If we could learn more about model building, that would be awesome. I've never enjoyed doing homework, but this class was different. Each homework was like a consulting project. Here's a bunch of data, go figure out what to do. This is precisely why I came to business school: learn what to do with data and then make recommendations based on numbers.
Investments: Professor Akash (Can't spell his last name) is a handful and a hit or miss with the students. Some like him a lot, including yours truly; some don't, including my entire study group. Like him or not, my advice is that at least listen to him. He sounds like your grandma, very high strung, and is always very passionate with class. Anyway, I learnt a great deal in this class, including (His words, his emphasis):
1. University of Chicago discovered everything in modern financial economics.
2. Math is not your friend. (his words, not mine)
3. Fisher Black of Black Scholes option pricing lived a sad sad sad life.
4. Myron Scholes is the luckiest academic.
5. University of Chicago is the only school in the world that teaches this stuff.
6. You will not see this material (pointing at blackboard) in any textbook that I know of.
7. Goldman Sachs will ask you this question (pointing to homework) in your interview.
8. You are studying at the University of Chicago, not HBS or Stanford or Kellogg. You have to know this stuff (pointing at blackboard/slides violently)
9. I am the same as Gene Fama; we both get horrible student evaluations. I am the same as Fisher Black; he was also a physicist. But that is where all the similarities end.
10. This (pointing at blackboard) is child's play. This is nothing. (pointint at us) You will learn much much more in financial engineering. CHILD'S PLAY!
Chicago Asia Pacific Group: CAP takes up most of my free time outside of class. CAP and the NBA playoffs and the random Red Sox game that pops up. Anyway, we have a good group going. Meeting every week to make sure everybody is on the same page. Conference planning has been tough but very rewarding. We've actually succeeded in getting some really high profile people to commit to speak to our students. Funding is coming along. But most importantly, everybody seems to be having fun.
International Comparative Organizations: I'll admit it, I didn't learn much in this class. Some random facts are always useful, such as inequality isn't caused by China, US is land of opportunity only if you are an immigrant, Japan's employed for life schemes aren't really employed for life - just employed for three-quarter life, etc etc. Lots of fun facts, not many tools. The professor could have gone one step further.
Data-Driven Marketing: Although the lectures were sloooooooow to develop, the class was quite fun to be in. Given my background, I say slooooooow because the class spent a few classes on regressions. If we could learn more about model building, that would be awesome. I've never enjoyed doing homework, but this class was different. Each homework was like a consulting project. Here's a bunch of data, go figure out what to do. This is precisely why I came to business school: learn what to do with data and then make recommendations based on numbers.
Investments: Professor Akash (Can't spell his last name) is a handful and a hit or miss with the students. Some like him a lot, including yours truly; some don't, including my entire study group. Like him or not, my advice is that at least listen to him. He sounds like your grandma, very high strung, and is always very passionate with class. Anyway, I learnt a great deal in this class, including (His words, his emphasis):
1. University of Chicago discovered everything in modern financial economics.
2. Math is not your friend. (his words, not mine)
3. Fisher Black of Black Scholes option pricing lived a sad sad sad life.
4. Myron Scholes is the luckiest academic.
5. University of Chicago is the only school in the world that teaches this stuff.
6. You will not see this material (pointing at blackboard) in any textbook that I know of.
7. Goldman Sachs will ask you this question (pointing to homework) in your interview.
8. You are studying at the University of Chicago, not HBS or Stanford or Kellogg. You have to know this stuff (pointing at blackboard/slides violently)
9. I am the same as Gene Fama; we both get horrible student evaluations. I am the same as Fisher Black; he was also a physicist. But that is where all the similarities end.
10. This (pointing at blackboard) is child's play. This is nothing. (pointint at us) You will learn much much more in financial engineering. CHILD'S PLAY!
6/01/2006
Hilarious!
5/30/2006
Long Weekend. Summer. At Last.
Memorial Day long weekend. What should a GSB student do for the weekend?
a. Study hard for finals. Afterall, starting early will ease the pressure later on. Since finals usually count for a huge chunk of grades, studying early would serve the GSB student right.
b. Movie marathon. One can watch X-Men 3, Da Vinci Code, AND Mission Impossible 3 on the same movie ticket! This will propel the GSB student to unchartered territories: knowledgeable about contemporary entertainment.
c. Party. TNDC, the void left from yet another botched LPF, Saturday night, Sunday night, Monday all day. The possibilities are endless. While it might be detrimental to grades, the GSB student needs to consider GND as well. Plus there was a memo that everybody was going to get a B.
d. Do nothing. So, the GSB student has been doing "stuff" every week for the past... oh... year. It wouldn't hurt to take a weekend off right before finals, right? The GSB student can catch up on the baseball season, reply to dad and mom's emails, watch the playoffs, go shopping, hang out. You know, all the normal human activities.
Well, some of you may already know how my weekend turned out. Shmoo and I organized a BBQ party on Sunday. I spent Saturday learning about option strategies and then set out to buy and prepare food. The party was great as both food and people were plentiful. Summer has obviously arrived as it was really hot out. Hopefully this weather will persist.
I spent Monday updating my website. Since I can't do flash, I've decided to stick with html for now. My website will still start with a flash world map... but I will change that when I have a chance this summer.
And suddenly, it is Tuesday morning. I have chosen c and d. Way to be a student, way to be a student.
a. Study hard for finals. Afterall, starting early will ease the pressure later on. Since finals usually count for a huge chunk of grades, studying early would serve the GSB student right.
b. Movie marathon. One can watch X-Men 3, Da Vinci Code, AND Mission Impossible 3 on the same movie ticket! This will propel the GSB student to unchartered territories: knowledgeable about contemporary entertainment.
c. Party. TNDC, the void left from yet another botched LPF, Saturday night, Sunday night, Monday all day. The possibilities are endless. While it might be detrimental to grades, the GSB student needs to consider GND as well. Plus there was a memo that everybody was going to get a B.
d. Do nothing. So, the GSB student has been doing "stuff" every week for the past... oh... year. It wouldn't hurt to take a weekend off right before finals, right? The GSB student can catch up on the baseball season, reply to dad and mom's emails, watch the playoffs, go shopping, hang out. You know, all the normal human activities.
Well, some of you may already know how my weekend turned out. Shmoo and I organized a BBQ party on Sunday. I spent Saturday learning about option strategies and then set out to buy and prepare food. The party was great as both food and people were plentiful. Summer has obviously arrived as it was really hot out. Hopefully this weather will persist.
I spent Monday updating my website. Since I can't do flash, I've decided to stick with html for now. My website will still start with a flash world map... but I will change that when I have a chance this summer.
And suddenly, it is Tuesday morning. I have chosen c and d. Way to be a student, way to be a student.
5/29/2006
But how!?
I just noticed this on TV although it's been around for a long time. Cialas' commercial claims that its erectile dysfunction drug "has been clinically tested to be effective for up to 36 hours..."
So, my simple question is how was this test administered? Are you measuring hormones? Or is it a live subject? Now I'm beaming with questions... how would you conduct this experiment?
Apparently, weird thoughts venture around when you are watching TV while preparing for a BBQ party. I blame all the meat.
So, my simple question is how was this test administered? Are you measuring hormones? Or is it a live subject? Now I'm beaming with questions... how would you conduct this experiment?
Apparently, weird thoughts venture around when you are watching TV while preparing for a BBQ party. I blame all the meat.
5/25/2006
Evolution of Facial Hair
This was a picture from LOE. Good times. Clean shaven:
Picture from St Patrick's Day. Obviously, recruiting was over. Out of control facial hair:
Picture during Greater China Conference. Conforming to summer internship. Goatee only:
Picture from St Patrick's Day. Obviously, recruiting was over. Out of control facial hair:
Picture during Greater China Conference. Conforming to summer internship. Goatee only:
5/24/2006
5/23/2006
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts
That's what I meant in my previous post! Anyway, somehow, my marketing study groups all have similar attributes in that the team is better than the sum of individuals. Last quarter, our six member monster marketing team bounced back from a poor first assignemtn (poor results, good process, not sure that counts though!) to ace our second assignment. The current data-driven marketing team is demolishing problem set by problem set. Although I'm pretty sure our answer is not what the professor is looking for, I decided to keep my mouth shut because I thought we had a better answer. Will pay the price, perhaps... oh well.
The weekend was quite eventful, starting, unfortunately, with yet another sub-par Japanese restaurant. Only this time it cost me $50. Recommended by a Japanese classmate; that was the only reason that I even considered it. I will now boycott Japanese restaurants in Chicago unless it's recommended by Japanese and Yuri. Expensive and not-very-good food was followed by me being violated by a young lady looking for her wallet. And then followed by some quality Karaoke.
Saturday was meeting up with Vivian from Toronto. Long time no see! The night kicked off with CAP Korean BBQ Party, then a bar event at Jin Ju, and then some poker action.
Sunday was paying for all my sins. Study and writing papers. And then the weekend is finished. haha! Way too fast!
The weekend was quite eventful, starting, unfortunately, with yet another sub-par Japanese restaurant. Only this time it cost me $50. Recommended by a Japanese classmate; that was the only reason that I even considered it. I will now boycott Japanese restaurants in Chicago unless it's recommended by Japanese and Yuri. Expensive and not-very-good food was followed by me being violated by a young lady looking for her wallet. And then followed by some quality Karaoke.
Saturday was meeting up with Vivian from Toronto. Long time no see! The night kicked off with CAP Korean BBQ Party, then a bar event at Jin Ju, and then some poker action.
Sunday was paying for all my sins. Study and writing papers. And then the weekend is finished. haha! Way too fast!
5/19/2006
Picking a Job
General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, came to the GSB to speak. Basically he gave us some cliche advice in life and then took questions for the audience. I'll be honest, I went to listen to the Q&A to pick up something spicy. Turns out the cliche advice was a bit more profound (Q&A wasn't bad either, but it didn't stick in my mind). Others seems to have gotten much more? My first impression is that this man, one of the most powerful in the world, is articulate, reasonable, and very thoughtful. Quite the contrary to his superiors (which is ironic after you read the next paragraph) - i.e. Rumsfeld and Bush.
Anyway, the last piece of advice was on how to pick a job. Basically, General Pace told us something that I have been telling my friends for a long time, especially those who are struggling with their current jobs. Pick a company where your values resonate with your CEOs. If they don't, pick another organization. The reason is simple: one's success depends on one's immediate managers. They have more experience and, if correctly matched and teamed together, will be a tandem (you and them) where the parts exceed the sum. If you cannot agree with the leaderships and managements, you will not be happy with yourself.
I think that made sense. I've always told my friends that if you don't like the job, quit. It's that simple. We are fortunate that we will never find ourselves unemployed for too long since our skills are highly valued. We have choices. Use them.
Anyway, the last piece of advice was on how to pick a job. Basically, General Pace told us something that I have been telling my friends for a long time, especially those who are struggling with their current jobs. Pick a company where your values resonate with your CEOs. If they don't, pick another organization. The reason is simple: one's success depends on one's immediate managers. They have more experience and, if correctly matched and teamed together, will be a tandem (you and them) where the parts exceed the sum. If you cannot agree with the leaderships and managements, you will not be happy with yourself.
I think that made sense. I've always told my friends that if you don't like the job, quit. It's that simple. We are fortunate that we will never find ourselves unemployed for too long since our skills are highly valued. We have choices. Use them.
5/18/2006
Almost Summer...
Full speed ahead (Thanks to Dina for the picture)... I can't wait till my internship (and the paycheck).
Meanwhile, I'm making a "Evolution of the Facial Hair" blog for my first year at the GSB. Good times. Good times.
Meanwhile, I'm making a "Evolution of the Facial Hair" blog for my first year at the GSB. Good times. Good times.
5/16/2006
Reviews
Red Sox DVD: The curse of the womanly slap.
Now I Can Finally Die in Peace: Well... since I've read most of the book before in SG's columns, it's not a fair review. I did LOL a few times alone at home though.
Mission Impossible 3: Better than 2, worse than 1. Hollywood has gotten this franchise completely wrong. Big explosions are nice and all, but MI was about a team of professionals using gadgets and brains to beat the bad guys, not guns and jumping around buildings in Shanghai.
Lucky Number Slevin: One of the best turn around films I've seen in years. What's a turn around film? The first three quarters of the movie was rather confusing and at times boring. But the last quarter was well worth the ticket price. Good movie.
Waiting for Da Vinci Code and X-Men 3. Also on my list is Thank You for Smoking. A good start to the summer movie season. In other news, I caught the beginning of The Core, an absolutely ridiculous movie about the Earth's core stop spinning and scientists plant nuclear bombs to start it again. Anyway, by catching the beginning, I found out that the geologist (or whatever) teaches at the U of Chicago! Anyway, I have no point. Please shoot me.
Now I Can Finally Die in Peace: Well... since I've read most of the book before in SG's columns, it's not a fair review. I did LOL a few times alone at home though.
Mission Impossible 3: Better than 2, worse than 1. Hollywood has gotten this franchise completely wrong. Big explosions are nice and all, but MI was about a team of professionals using gadgets and brains to beat the bad guys, not guns and jumping around buildings in Shanghai.
Lucky Number Slevin: One of the best turn around films I've seen in years. What's a turn around film? The first three quarters of the movie was rather confusing and at times boring. But the last quarter was well worth the ticket price. Good movie.
Waiting for Da Vinci Code and X-Men 3. Also on my list is Thank You for Smoking. A good start to the summer movie season. In other news, I caught the beginning of The Core, an absolutely ridiculous movie about the Earth's core stop spinning and scientists plant nuclear bombs to start it again. Anyway, by catching the beginning, I found out that the geologist (or whatever) teaches at the U of Chicago! Anyway, I have no point. Please shoot me.
5/15/2006
Top 10 at HPC
Top 10 - GSB News
heh heh
In other news...:
Cast party on Saturday night was fun. I whooped out my Chinese accent English - maybe do a skit next year.
I played tennis for the first time in 5/6 years. Form is okay, timing is way off. Need a lot of practice. Blisters suck.
Watched the Cubs get two-hitted by the Padres from the rooftop seats. Odd experience since you don't really know what's going on in the stadium (scoreboard faces homeplate).
Sucked into watching Da Vinci pieces on the Discovery Channel. They had three: one on Da Vinci's Code (the book), one on the Holy Blood and Holy Grail (the book), and one on a piece of painting that is suspected to be Da Vinci's. Fascinating programming. I love conspiracy theory.
heh heh
In other news...:
Cast party on Saturday night was fun. I whooped out my Chinese accent English - maybe do a skit next year.
I played tennis for the first time in 5/6 years. Form is okay, timing is way off. Need a lot of practice. Blisters suck.
Watched the Cubs get two-hitted by the Padres from the rooftop seats. Odd experience since you don't really know what's going on in the stadium (scoreboard faces homeplate).
Sucked into watching Da Vinci pieces on the Discovery Channel. They had three: one on Da Vinci's Code (the book), one on the Holy Blood and Holy Grail (the book), and one on a piece of painting that is suspected to be Da Vinci's. Fascinating programming. I love conspiracy theory.
5/14/2006
Weekend
Picture (thanks to Davidson) from our Michigan fishing trip last week. So, midterms are over, and life is back to normal. Last night it was Follies for the GSB. Nice production. Loved the outsourced interview feedback. And the percussion of company names. Too much serious singing, though. We're there to have fun, man!
So far, it's been a rather boring weekend. Feeling a bit blue too.
Watching the Cubs game from a rooftop tomorrow. Should be interesting.
Oh, and I keep wondering who the GSB blogs belong too. Some I've been able to find out. Other's I'm completely in the dark.
So far, it's been a rather boring weekend. Feeling a bit blue too.
Watching the Cubs game from a rooftop tomorrow. Should be interesting.
Oh, and I keep wondering who the GSB blogs belong too. Some I've been able to find out. Other's I'm completely in the dark.
5/10/2006
Pick one already!
I was staring at my package (no, you sicko, the USPS packages I mentioned yesterday) and had a hard time deciding which one I should start with.
There's Freakenomics: Steve Levitt's masterpiece on putting economics behind all types of events. I've been meaning to buy this book for a long long time and just never got around to do it.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: Jared Diamond's book, which received rave reviews from my mom. It seems like a good book to read, so I picked it up...
Lonely Planet Ireland: Just need this to prepare myself for the trip to Ireland this summer right after exams.
Now I Can Die in Peace: Bill Simmon's (Boston Sports Guy, or Sports Guy, or SG) book on his journey with the Red Sox. While I've read most of SG's articles, even those from the very old times, I'm interested in the book. If only I can get it autographed.
Red Sox Collectors DVD: 38 hours of Red Sox action, baby! I get to experience the exhilarating victories all over again. I can even pretend that we're in October and we just came back from a 0-3 deficit against the Yankees. DAMN RIGHT.
So... naturally, I went with the DVD. There were 12 discs (7 vs. Yanks, 4 vs. Cards, and 1 Championship DVD which I already have). I spent about an hour watching games 4, 5, and 6. The moment I enjoyed the most? Not the Roberts steal or Ortiz walk-off homer in game 4; not the Roberts steal or Ortiz walk-off single in game 5; not the Shilling bloody sock in game 6. The winner is... A-Rod slapping the ball out of Arroyo's glove. It's awesome to watch (after the fact, of course, I was so pissed at the moment and scared shitless for the inevitable letdown umps have shown Red Sox fans for years) and even better to rewatch. Gay-Rod, I hope your slap makes top 10 on the "Cheating in Sports", together with Maradona's Hand of God. What a dispicable act.
I read some of "Now I Can Die in Peace" last night, and will start Freakonomics when I finish. Hopefully I will have time to read the Gun book before cramming in Ireland during finals!
There's Freakenomics: Steve Levitt's masterpiece on putting economics behind all types of events. I've been meaning to buy this book for a long long time and just never got around to do it.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: Jared Diamond's book, which received rave reviews from my mom. It seems like a good book to read, so I picked it up...
Lonely Planet Ireland: Just need this to prepare myself for the trip to Ireland this summer right after exams.
Now I Can Die in Peace: Bill Simmon's (Boston Sports Guy, or Sports Guy, or SG) book on his journey with the Red Sox. While I've read most of SG's articles, even those from the very old times, I'm interested in the book. If only I can get it autographed.
Red Sox Collectors DVD: 38 hours of Red Sox action, baby! I get to experience the exhilarating victories all over again. I can even pretend that we're in October and we just came back from a 0-3 deficit against the Yankees. DAMN RIGHT.
So... naturally, I went with the DVD. There were 12 discs (7 vs. Yanks, 4 vs. Cards, and 1 Championship DVD which I already have). I spent about an hour watching games 4, 5, and 6. The moment I enjoyed the most? Not the Roberts steal or Ortiz walk-off homer in game 4; not the Roberts steal or Ortiz walk-off single in game 5; not the Shilling bloody sock in game 6. The winner is... A-Rod slapping the ball out of Arroyo's glove. It's awesome to watch (after the fact, of course, I was so pissed at the moment and scared shitless for the inevitable letdown umps have shown Red Sox fans for years) and even better to rewatch. Gay-Rod, I hope your slap makes top 10 on the "Cheating in Sports", together with Maradona's Hand of God. What a dispicable act.
I read some of "Now I Can Die in Peace" last night, and will start Freakonomics when I finish. Hopefully I will have time to read the Gun book before cramming in Ireland during finals!
5/09/2006
Gone fishing
Yes, yes, the Bulls have gone fishing. Twas a good fight. Couple of very good 2nd round matchups, including the ridiculous Spurs-Mavs. I'm also looking forward to how the Pistons will completely shut down LeBron. In other relevant news:
Went fishing at Michigan (the State) with a bunch of GSBers. Good times. A nice and relaxing weekend far far away from school. Unfortunately, wireless internet was also available at the vacation home. Anyway, we caught a 14 pound King Salmon that tasted really good at night!
I got raped by my investment midterm. I suspect most people in the class got raped as well, so I should be okay.
I will have my first all-Chinese study group. I wonder what is going to happen...
I submitted a bottom ten for the Hyde Park Center building. Concluded with bathroom faucets not working.
The over-under on how many times I will watch Red Sox vs. Yankee 2004 ALCS Game 4 is 10.
My order from Barnes and Noble arrived: Freakenomics, Lonley Planet Ireland, Now I Can Die in Peace, and Guns, Germs, and Steel. Can't wait to read them all.
I spent the afternoon trying to figure out how I spent about $300 just cus I felt a strain in my hip. Apparently they charged me for hospital fee, x-ray fee, doctor's fee, and medicine fee. Why I bought $2000 worth of insurance if I'm charged all that crap is way beyond my comprehension. Even after speaking with Mary from the insurance (she's great), I still have no clue.
I really want the summer to come.
Went fishing at Michigan (the State) with a bunch of GSBers. Good times. A nice and relaxing weekend far far away from school. Unfortunately, wireless internet was also available at the vacation home. Anyway, we caught a 14 pound King Salmon that tasted really good at night!
I got raped by my investment midterm. I suspect most people in the class got raped as well, so I should be okay.
I will have my first all-Chinese study group. I wonder what is going to happen...
I submitted a bottom ten for the Hyde Park Center building. Concluded with bathroom faucets not working.
The over-under on how many times I will watch Red Sox vs. Yankee 2004 ALCS Game 4 is 10.
My order from Barnes and Noble arrived: Freakenomics, Lonley Planet Ireland, Now I Can Die in Peace, and Guns, Germs, and Steel. Can't wait to read them all.
I spent the afternoon trying to figure out how I spent about $300 just cus I felt a strain in my hip. Apparently they charged me for hospital fee, x-ray fee, doctor's fee, and medicine fee. Why I bought $2000 worth of insurance if I'm charged all that crap is way beyond my comprehension. Even after speaking with Mary from the insurance (she's great), I still have no clue.
I really want the summer to come.
5/04/2006
GSB - Results from Google Blog Search
http://ykgsb.exblog.jp/
I don't understand it at all. But the heading is funny.
I don't understand it at all. But the heading is funny.
Procrastination...
I'm studying for my investments midterm right now in the GSB quiet study room. There are quite a few oxymorons there, such as "I am studying," "studying... investments," "studying... right now," and, worst of all, "quiet study room." There's a reason they named this the quiet study room! Don't talk on your phone as if we don't exist!
Anyway, some random thoughts on the NBA playoffs (I hope Bill Simmons publishes my mail):
Go Bulls! They were down 2-0 and came back to tie it only to loose game 5. Good effort nonetheless. I was at game 3 and the game was awesome despite the blow out.
These ridiculous suspensions have got to go. Here's a solution: fine players the game check and let them play in the game. I'm interested in how much effort they put in if they aren't getting paid. Oh, and having all the players on the court, of course.
Spurs-Kings: The Spurs don't look like Champions. Shareef Abdul-Rahim is in the playoffs finally. Since then, he's showed up for one game and also managed to turn Mike Bibby into a non factor for the other games.
Suns-Lakers: I still don't like Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash is scary when he is angry. I can't tell the difference between Shawn Marion and Bin Laden - both have disappeared.
Nuggets-Clippers: I can't tell the difference between Camelo Anthony and Bin Laden either. Is he on the Nuggets? I don't care what Reggie Evan's excuse was. The Clippers have a chance to the CONFERENCE FINALS! Do I need to repeat that?
Mavs-Grizzlies: Don't mess with Dirk. Don't mess with Germans. Chucky Atkins singlehandedly destroyed Memphis' chance of winning 1 game. Trade him to the Knicks. Isiah will need some scoring point guards who can't pass.
Pistons-Bucks: Pistons are going to win it all. And they are going to do it in a very boring way. A white starting center in the low post! Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew Bogut.
Heat-Bulls: Gordon is no Jordon. Wade is damn good. You have to see it in person. Shaq needs to retire soon. Don't throw mouth pieces. Basketball is not hockey... but I can see how it can be more fun if it were.
Nets-Pacers: Please throw Vince down on the floor. He will never come to your neighborhood again. J Kidd, thy time has come, thy time has gone. Jermaine O'neal, thy time has come, thy time has gone. If your fate is in Anthony Johnson's hand, you have no chance.
Cavs-Wizards: Apparently Big Z, Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, and Drew Gooden have decided to see how much LeBron James can do on his own. So far, they are doing a pretty good job. Gilbert Arenas will never win a championship.
Back to investments.
Anyway, some random thoughts on the NBA playoffs (I hope Bill Simmons publishes my mail):
Go Bulls! They were down 2-0 and came back to tie it only to loose game 5. Good effort nonetheless. I was at game 3 and the game was awesome despite the blow out.
These ridiculous suspensions have got to go. Here's a solution: fine players the game check and let them play in the game. I'm interested in how much effort they put in if they aren't getting paid. Oh, and having all the players on the court, of course.
Spurs-Kings: The Spurs don't look like Champions. Shareef Abdul-Rahim is in the playoffs finally. Since then, he's showed up for one game and also managed to turn Mike Bibby into a non factor for the other games.
Suns-Lakers: I still don't like Kobe Bryant. Steve Nash is scary when he is angry. I can't tell the difference between Shawn Marion and Bin Laden - both have disappeared.
Nuggets-Clippers: I can't tell the difference between Camelo Anthony and Bin Laden either. Is he on the Nuggets? I don't care what Reggie Evan's excuse was. The Clippers have a chance to the CONFERENCE FINALS! Do I need to repeat that?
Mavs-Grizzlies: Don't mess with Dirk. Don't mess with Germans. Chucky Atkins singlehandedly destroyed Memphis' chance of winning 1 game. Trade him to the Knicks. Isiah will need some scoring point guards who can't pass.
Pistons-Bucks: Pistons are going to win it all. And they are going to do it in a very boring way. A white starting center in the low post! Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew Bogut.
Heat-Bulls: Gordon is no Jordon. Wade is damn good. You have to see it in person. Shaq needs to retire soon. Don't throw mouth pieces. Basketball is not hockey... but I can see how it can be more fun if it were.
Nets-Pacers: Please throw Vince down on the floor. He will never come to your neighborhood again. J Kidd, thy time has come, thy time has gone. Jermaine O'neal, thy time has come, thy time has gone. If your fate is in Anthony Johnson's hand, you have no chance.
Cavs-Wizards: Apparently Big Z, Larry Hughes, Damon Jones, and Drew Gooden have decided to see how much LeBron James can do on his own. So far, they are doing a pretty good job. Gilbert Arenas will never win a championship.
Back to investments.
5/01/2006
Vote for Professor X
It's award time! The GSB has asked us the students to vote our favorite professor. As such, I voted for Ann McGill, my marketing teacher, whose wit and humor made marketing an interesting subject. Anyway, this blog is not about who to vote for...
I received an email a while ago from a student group that urged me to vote for a certain professor. Since I did not take this particular professor's class, I had no such intent and promptly deleted the email. Then I got another. Same group, same email, same professor. And another. And another.
And then... same group, same email, different professor! This time, the writer of the email indicates that you can vote for two different professors for two different awards. So you can split your votes between the two awards.
Now I'm just annoyed. I have no doubt that these two professors are good. But the student group email is not a place for rallying votes or spliting votes. I signed up for that student group for specific purposes, not for junk mail. Especially not for junk mail that games the voting system.
But... you can do it on a blog. I'm not going to ask you to vote for Ann McGill... but do take her marketing class if you have a chance. It's a fun time and you do learn some useful tools.
I received an email a while ago from a student group that urged me to vote for a certain professor. Since I did not take this particular professor's class, I had no such intent and promptly deleted the email. Then I got another. Same group, same email, same professor. And another. And another.
And then... same group, same email, different professor! This time, the writer of the email indicates that you can vote for two different professors for two different awards. So you can split your votes between the two awards.
Now I'm just annoyed. I have no doubt that these two professors are good. But the student group email is not a place for rallying votes or spliting votes. I signed up for that student group for specific purposes, not for junk mail. Especially not for junk mail that games the voting system.
But... you can do it on a blog. I'm not going to ask you to vote for Ann McGill... but do take her marketing class if you have a chance. It's a fun time and you do learn some useful tools.
4/27/2006
Today in Class...
Woohoo, finally, something about my classes at the GSB. Speaking of which, how do I get my blog onto the admission website? If you are completely unaware, admitted students get a list of blogs that they can visit on the website for admitted students. There are blogs from first and second years and also faculty members (Gary Becker's blog is awesome).
Anyway, finally, something about class! This is what I learnt from my International Comparative Organization class (basically, the class substitudes policy for culture to explain business behavior in other countries):
1. Free agent athletes exert effort up to the contract day, and then sulk after a big contract. Bigger the contract, bigger the sulk. Empirically tested in the NBA! I love this game! It's faaaaantastic!
2. Majority of human beings overestimate his or her ability (i.e. everyone thinks they are above average). Only the clinical depressed demographic are right on with estimates of their own ability/expected life/etc.
3. Good employees are identified relatively early in their career. Those who are identified early as "good" are more likely to succeed later in their career. However, research show that a wrong identification will still result in more likelihood of success! This is called the Halo Effect, caused by people bandwagoning on the identified person even though true ability is bad. For more details, check me out.
I'm almost done with my investments study group (learning SO much in that class that I'm not looking forward to the midterm at all). Next up, I get to listen to the Czech president speak about economic reform - he's a Chicago-trained economist - with Gary Becker. Good times all around.
Anyway, finally, something about class! This is what I learnt from my International Comparative Organization class (basically, the class substitudes policy for culture to explain business behavior in other countries):
1. Free agent athletes exert effort up to the contract day, and then sulk after a big contract. Bigger the contract, bigger the sulk. Empirically tested in the NBA! I love this game! It's faaaaantastic!
2. Majority of human beings overestimate his or her ability (i.e. everyone thinks they are above average). Only the clinical depressed demographic are right on with estimates of their own ability/expected life/etc.
3. Good employees are identified relatively early in their career. Those who are identified early as "good" are more likely to succeed later in their career. However, research show that a wrong identification will still result in more likelihood of success! This is called the Halo Effect, caused by people bandwagoning on the identified person even though true ability is bad. For more details, check me out.
I'm almost done with my investments study group (learning SO much in that class that I'm not looking forward to the midterm at all). Next up, I get to listen to the Czech president speak about economic reform - he's a Chicago-trained economist - with Gary Becker. Good times all around.
4/24/2006
My Computer Exploded
Actually, I just wanted to see how that title looks in print. Pretty bad ass, I'd say.
Sunday night, I was sitting on the couch watching the NBA playoffs... ops, stopping the story: I really like watching the Bulls play. They play like a team at all times: constant moving with and without the ball, cuts, picks, movement, open looks. No true star player to take over down the stretch, but they play the right way. I've got tickets to their Thursday night game 3 and I'm skipping class (to be made up during a marathon Saturday class + review - damn you, Akash) to go see them. I have extra tickets if you'd like to go to!
I'm so easily distracted. Anyway, I was watching the game and typing up my homework that was due the next morning. Suddenly, I noticed that the power sign switched to battery mode. I looked down at the AC adaptor and the green light is on. Something is not right about this picture. I pick up the adaptor, and the green light starts fading. Noooooooooooo!
Um... no what? I don't even know. Since computers are like girls - warning signs are unpredictable and hard, if not impossible, to decipher - I have no idea what I should do but to leave it alone and hope all is well when I come back to it.
Alas, I couldn't wait for even five minutes. I plugged the stuff back into my computer. Green light comes on... battery not charging... green light goes off. Okay, so this is really frustrating; my batts are old, they don't last that long without the adaptor. Anyhow, I decided to keep the damn thing plugged in and hope it fixes itself.
Next thing I know, I smell something burning! Sparks are coming out of the wires of the adaptor. I'm not sure what happened, but I must be more amused than anything, cus I picked up the adaptor to see what's going on. That's when the thing exploded. Sort of. Fire and smoke and all. Unplug everything. Fire put out.
Okay... so if you remember, I'm supposed to be doing my homework assignment. I've got about 30 mintues on my computer, and this puts me in a really awkward situation. Do I speed up and finish everything in 30 minutes? Or do I use this 30 minutes to solve the battery problem? I did the latter (I'd wake up at 6am and head to school to finish the assignment - but that's another story). I went online and looked at Ebay and Dell websites - $70 for a new charger! Holy crap. I better call Dell. Jack - whose real name is probably Amit or Ashish - is very good over the phone and is worried that I might burn myself. He keeps telling me to unplug the adaptor and put it faaaar away from my computer. Yes, Jack, I'm doing that. Honestly. Thanks for the free adaptor, by the way!
Sunday night, I was sitting on the couch watching the NBA playoffs... ops, stopping the story: I really like watching the Bulls play. They play like a team at all times: constant moving with and without the ball, cuts, picks, movement, open looks. No true star player to take over down the stretch, but they play the right way. I've got tickets to their Thursday night game 3 and I'm skipping class (to be made up during a marathon Saturday class + review - damn you, Akash) to go see them. I have extra tickets if you'd like to go to!
I'm so easily distracted. Anyway, I was watching the game and typing up my homework that was due the next morning. Suddenly, I noticed that the power sign switched to battery mode. I looked down at the AC adaptor and the green light is on. Something is not right about this picture. I pick up the adaptor, and the green light starts fading. Noooooooooooo!
Um... no what? I don't even know. Since computers are like girls - warning signs are unpredictable and hard, if not impossible, to decipher - I have no idea what I should do but to leave it alone and hope all is well when I come back to it.
Alas, I couldn't wait for even five minutes. I plugged the stuff back into my computer. Green light comes on... battery not charging... green light goes off. Okay, so this is really frustrating; my batts are old, they don't last that long without the adaptor. Anyhow, I decided to keep the damn thing plugged in and hope it fixes itself.
Next thing I know, I smell something burning! Sparks are coming out of the wires of the adaptor. I'm not sure what happened, but I must be more amused than anything, cus I picked up the adaptor to see what's going on. That's when the thing exploded. Sort of. Fire and smoke and all. Unplug everything. Fire put out.
Okay... so if you remember, I'm supposed to be doing my homework assignment. I've got about 30 mintues on my computer, and this puts me in a really awkward situation. Do I speed up and finish everything in 30 minutes? Or do I use this 30 minutes to solve the battery problem? I did the latter (I'd wake up at 6am and head to school to finish the assignment - but that's another story). I went online and looked at Ebay and Dell websites - $70 for a new charger! Holy crap. I better call Dell. Jack - whose real name is probably Amit or Ashish - is very good over the phone and is worried that I might burn myself. He keeps telling me to unplug the adaptor and put it faaaar away from my computer. Yes, Jack, I'm doing that. Honestly. Thanks for the free adaptor, by the way!
4/23/2006
Tony Parker, you da man
Tony Parker and Eva Langoria interviewing on E! I'm such a sucker for this stuff. Anyway, just want to point out that Tony Parker is the man. He's only 24!!!!!
Admit weekend. Always fun to talk to eager admits - they absolutely remind me of me. One difference though: I see a huge improvement over last years admit weekend. Much better organized and not too boring. I remember last year they stored us in the dreaded 104 room and lectured about the GSB for a good three hours. Good first hour to get us pumped up, and then it was all down hill. We were so tired at the end of the first day. This year, they moved people around so they didn't have to sit for too long. They made things more outdoor to get some fresh air. In fact, at a later bar event, I was told by admits deciding between schools that GSB's admit weekend was the best - "much more organized than Kellogg's" and "tighter message than Columbia." Amen.
NBA playoffs start today with the Bulls taking on the Heat. I thought the picture of Kirk Hinrich scratching his crotch would be a good start to the playoffs. Okay, maybe I should stop drinking in the morning.
Go Bulls!
Admit weekend. Always fun to talk to eager admits - they absolutely remind me of me. One difference though: I see a huge improvement over last years admit weekend. Much better organized and not too boring. I remember last year they stored us in the dreaded 104 room and lectured about the GSB for a good three hours. Good first hour to get us pumped up, and then it was all down hill. We were so tired at the end of the first day. This year, they moved people around so they didn't have to sit for too long. They made things more outdoor to get some fresh air. In fact, at a later bar event, I was told by admits deciding between schools that GSB's admit weekend was the best - "much more organized than Kellogg's" and "tighter message than Columbia." Amen.
NBA playoffs start today with the Bulls taking on the Heat. I thought the picture of Kirk Hinrich scratching his crotch would be a good start to the playoffs. Okay, maybe I should stop drinking in the morning.
Go Bulls!
4/20/2006
Chicago Brand and Sex
It's Admit Weekend II and I start getting emails about the Chicago Brand. While others have real reasons for coming to the GSB, I have one too - just realized this morning at 9:52 am while watching CNN.
CNN just presented a study on who is more satisfied sexually. Turns out Austria was number one at 71% satisfied while a host of western countries came in the top cluster. Predictably, Asian countries came in at the bottom with Japan scoring a 29% satisfaction rate for the dubious honor of lowest scoring country. The study concludes that it seems that sexual satisfaction is connected to gender equality.
So you're wondering what does this have to do with the Chicago Brand. Well, naturally, the study was carried out by the University of Chicago (bottom of the screen - it stared at me)! What's the value of the Chicago Brand? If the study were conducted by University of ABC, I would have raised the following questions:
1. Have you controlled for frequency of sex?
2. Have you controlled for gender?
3-100. Have you controlled for(insert demographic)?
But because it is the U of C, I know I'm getting the real deal and that the research was rigorously tested. Most reasonable doubts and question marks MUST have been answered by the researchers and the conclusion (gender equality -> sexual satisfication) reached is likely very close to the real answer.
Of course, you the reader should be skeptical. I was last week (here starts Part II of this post) when Professor Hsee of the GSB spoke about what makes the Chinese in China happy. Turns out owning a house and relative income were key factors. A third key factor was frequency of sex. Naturally, the audience were surprised (honestly, audience, why are you surprised!? I'm not!) about this and asked questions regarding it. Prof Hsee had it coming. He said he's controlled for gender, for marriage (!!!!! Meaning statistically marriage didn't add weight to the effects of frequency of sex !!!!!), for income, for almost all the question marks we the audience had. Amazing display.
And that is the Chicago Brand. When research comes out of Chicago, you know you are getting the real deal.
Especially when it comes to sex. (Sex is more important than marriage)
CNN just presented a study on who is more satisfied sexually. Turns out Austria was number one at 71% satisfied while a host of western countries came in the top cluster. Predictably, Asian countries came in at the bottom with Japan scoring a 29% satisfaction rate for the dubious honor of lowest scoring country. The study concludes that it seems that sexual satisfaction is connected to gender equality.
So you're wondering what does this have to do with the Chicago Brand. Well, naturally, the study was carried out by the University of Chicago (bottom of the screen - it stared at me)! What's the value of the Chicago Brand? If the study were conducted by University of ABC, I would have raised the following questions:
1. Have you controlled for frequency of sex?
2. Have you controlled for gender?
3-100. Have you controlled for
But because it is the U of C, I know I'm getting the real deal and that the research was rigorously tested. Most reasonable doubts and question marks MUST have been answered by the researchers and the conclusion (gender equality -> sexual satisfication) reached is likely very close to the real answer.
Of course, you the reader should be skeptical. I was last week (here starts Part II of this post) when Professor Hsee of the GSB spoke about what makes the Chinese in China happy. Turns out owning a house and relative income were key factors. A third key factor was frequency of sex. Naturally, the audience were surprised (honestly, audience, why are you surprised!? I'm not!) about this and asked questions regarding it. Prof Hsee had it coming. He said he's controlled for gender, for marriage (!!!!! Meaning statistically marriage didn't add weight to the effects of frequency of sex !!!!!), for income, for almost all the question marks we the audience had. Amazing display.
And that is the Chicago Brand. When research comes out of Chicago, you know you are getting the real deal.
Especially when it comes to sex. (Sex is more important than marriage)
4/19/2006
43!
That's 43 people on MSN - yet another sign that work has finally slowed for many GSBers. I've always wondered what would happen in Spring quarter: no presentations and no recruiting, what do business school students do with (to) themselves!? Alas, this past weekend provided the perfect answer:
Friday - LPF, eat crawfish, poker game.
Saturday - Greater China Conference, karaoke party.
Sunday - brunch, basketball.
So what else can I blog about? Poker game was won by my (so-called) protege 2R. Unfortunately I didn't get very good hands to play with (a total of 10 hands maybe in 3 hours), so I couldn't face off with 2R, which would be a fun time.
The China Conference was pretty well done considering that they didn't have much time to plan. Speakers were good but somewhat irrelevant. Not enough big picture view, in my opinion. Otherwise, a well done event!
Oh yes, I played 2 full hours of real basketball. I couldn't walk on Monday morning. LOL. I'll be playing again this Thursday. Must make this regular.
Admit Weekend II is in-coming. Amazing that it's already been a year since I decided that the GSB would be the school.
Friday - LPF, eat crawfish, poker game.
Saturday - Greater China Conference, karaoke party.
Sunday - brunch, basketball.
So what else can I blog about? Poker game was won by my (so-called) protege 2R. Unfortunately I didn't get very good hands to play with (a total of 10 hands maybe in 3 hours), so I couldn't face off with 2R, which would be a fun time.
The China Conference was pretty well done considering that they didn't have much time to plan. Speakers were good but somewhat irrelevant. Not enough big picture view, in my opinion. Otherwise, a well done event!
Oh yes, I played 2 full hours of real basketball. I couldn't walk on Monday morning. LOL. I'll be playing again this Thursday. Must make this regular.
Admit Weekend II is in-coming. Amazing that it's already been a year since I decided that the GSB would be the school.
4/14/2006
Galendar!
Just wanted to share my new toy with everybody: www.google.com/calendar
I've been asking for this product forever (苯, my friend at Google, has been hearing my grief for a whole year now). Couple of things that Galendar could really do to enhance my experience (they don't allow feedbacks):
1. Birthdays - link them up with address book!
2. They allow invites and link them to Gmail address book. Yet groups (with multiple emails) on the address books are not automatic. So I have to re-type the 20 emails in.
Oh, and upon telling my mom about Galendar, she quipped, 'Gay Calendar?'
This is the picture that has everybody talking. Yes, it's me. Yes, it's me. Yes, it's me.
I've been asking for this product forever (苯, my friend at Google, has been hearing my grief for a whole year now). Couple of things that Galendar could really do to enhance my experience (they don't allow feedbacks):
1. Birthdays - link them up with address book!
2. They allow invites and link them to Gmail address book. Yet groups (with multiple emails) on the address books are not automatic. So I have to re-type the 20 emails in.
Oh, and upon telling my mom about Galendar, she quipped, 'Gay Calendar?'
This is the picture that has everybody talking. Yes, it's me. Yes, it's me. Yes, it's me.
The Switch is On
No, I'm not talking about how baseball teams play Big Papi.
I'm talking about my emotions. I had an uncontrollable moment in Toronto last weekend. Then I came back to Chicago and it lingered. I start noticing little things, like the belt I wear, which belonged to Alan. I wear it almost every day, yet I only started to pay attention to the fact this week.
I was walking back to my car along 58th at about 1:30 pm. Classes have ended for me and I need to get back to downtown for a study group meeting. Grade school was in recess and the kids were out. Running around the playground, playing some sort of baseball game, basketball, sharing toys on the steps, sharing new nature discoveries around the bushes... suddenly, the world slowed down so much. Across the street, a woman was walking her dog; she wasn't paying attention as the dog dragger her on. Another guy just jogged past me, iPods and all. A couple walked pass me, talking about their parents. I can hear the birds too.
The sun is out. Spring is here.
And then I realized I parked my car on Midway, not 58th! So I had to walk back to my car through the school. Funny when your mind is not right, even the trivial stuff goes wrong.
So much to write, so little time. This quarter is going to be interesting. Between Data-driven Marketing, International Comparative Organizations, Investments, and Chicago Asia Pacific Group (CAP) should keep my hands full. But it's definitely more relaxing and less pressure. All I'm really doing is looking forward to this summer's experience!
Oh, I switched my MSN picture and everybody started asking me who is in the picture. That's still me, okay? It was 10 years ago.
I'm talking about my emotions. I had an uncontrollable moment in Toronto last weekend. Then I came back to Chicago and it lingered. I start noticing little things, like the belt I wear, which belonged to Alan. I wear it almost every day, yet I only started to pay attention to the fact this week.
I was walking back to my car along 58th at about 1:30 pm. Classes have ended for me and I need to get back to downtown for a study group meeting. Grade school was in recess and the kids were out. Running around the playground, playing some sort of baseball game, basketball, sharing toys on the steps, sharing new nature discoveries around the bushes... suddenly, the world slowed down so much. Across the street, a woman was walking her dog; she wasn't paying attention as the dog dragger her on. Another guy just jogged past me, iPods and all. A couple walked pass me, talking about their parents. I can hear the birds too.
The sun is out. Spring is here.
And then I realized I parked my car on Midway, not 58th! So I had to walk back to my car through the school. Funny when your mind is not right, even the trivial stuff goes wrong.
So much to write, so little time. This quarter is going to be interesting. Between Data-driven Marketing, International Comparative Organizations, Investments, and Chicago Asia Pacific Group (CAP) should keep my hands full. But it's definitely more relaxing and less pressure. All I'm really doing is looking forward to this summer's experience!
Oh, I switched my MSN picture and everybody started asking me who is in the picture. That's still me, okay? It was 10 years ago.
4/13/2006
Dream Poker
Fell asleep on the couch for the 962,287th time this year.
I'm holding A-6 unsuited in the late position. The flop came A-Q-6, all diamonds. In the dream, I can see my opponent's hand (A-8 diamonds). Naturally, my opponent raises, and I went all in. for some reason, the cards remained face down as the turn and the river were dealt. On the river, I caught a full house with a 6! Since the cards were face down (though it was clear int he dream that my opponent has a flush), I hesitated and looked at my cards again. I won!
Dream over.
Meanwhile, on TV, a poker tournament is being aired. Amazing. I wonder if that exact hand happened too?
I'm holding A-6 unsuited in the late position. The flop came A-Q-6, all diamonds. In the dream, I can see my opponent's hand (A-8 diamonds). Naturally, my opponent raises, and I went all in. for some reason, the cards remained face down as the turn and the river were dealt. On the river, I caught a full house with a 6! Since the cards were face down (though it was clear int he dream that my opponent has a flush), I hesitated and looked at my cards again. I won!
Dream over.
Meanwhile, on TV, a poker tournament is being aired. Amazing. I wonder if that exact hand happened too?
4/12/2006
Update!
Thanks to Le Voyageur, I was able to copy and paste a bunch of other people's blogs onto the sidebar. Have fun. I will continue to add to this bar. Meanwhile, I should find out who they actually are.
A bit disappointed
If you are wondering where I've been for the last few days, I was in Toronto visitng my girl friend (she too understands business school classes...). Anyway, it's always nice to see Kal even if it's only for a few days. As usual, the Lam cousins had yet another dinner that is measured by pounds and not dollars. I miss Asian food.
Anyway, Kal brought my pictures from Hong Kong. I must admit that I am rather disappointed at the quality. Some of them I expected to be difficult because of the lack of sunlight (at Grand Canton... uh... Canyon); others was just my lack of understanding on how the camera handles lights. Especially on using long lens and not being able to control the shutter speed. Very disappointing. Here's one from Death Valley. With some help from photoshop (Picasa), there is more contrast for a better feel.
Anyway, Kal brought my pictures from Hong Kong. I must admit that I am rather disappointed at the quality. Some of them I expected to be difficult because of the lack of sunlight (at Grand Canton... uh... Canyon); others was just my lack of understanding on how the camera handles lights. Especially on using long lens and not being able to control the shutter speed. Very disappointing. Here's one from Death Valley. With some help from photoshop (Picasa), there is more contrast for a better feel.
4/07/2006
Epiphany
My feelings at GSB classes, 9:08 PM, while I was walking back home:
During soft classes - marketing, competitive strategy, HR: !!!
During hard core classes - finance, operations: ???
During soft classes - marketing, competitive strategy, HR: !!!
During hard core classes - finance, operations: ???
4/06/2006
Breaking news: B School Class Makes Sense to Mom!
Well well well... the conversation started innocent enough. A while ago, mom and I were discussing about our summer trip to Dublin (James will graduate from a London high school this summer), and I casually mentioned that my competitive strategy class used Ryanair, low cost carrier between London and Dublin, for a case study of tactics of Judo against incumbant giants BA and Air Linges.
That was a week ago. Today, mom tells me that she visited Ryanair's website and was shocked to find round trip tickets as low as $2! That's right, $2 between London and Dublin. For all four of us, it was going to be about $300 (um... $8 for the tickets, $292 for tax and other fees). And then it hit her: how do they do it? I explained the lost cost structure and Judo and so on... and it made perfect sense to her!
Mom being mom, she asks why I cannot buy a cheap ticket to Vancouver to attend my cousin's wedding during May. I tell her that there is an invetory problem with gates at Chicago. And mom says: it's like an entry to barrier.
Me: !!!!!
That was a week ago. Today, mom tells me that she visited Ryanair's website and was shocked to find round trip tickets as low as $2! That's right, $2 between London and Dublin. For all four of us, it was going to be about $300 (um... $8 for the tickets, $292 for tax and other fees). And then it hit her: how do they do it? I explained the lost cost structure and Judo and so on... and it made perfect sense to her!
Mom being mom, she asks why I cannot buy a cheap ticket to Vancouver to attend my cousin's wedding during May. I tell her that there is an invetory problem with gates at Chicago. And mom says: it's like an entry to barrier.
Me: !!!!!
4/04/2006
Make your own ad!
Hey, a new toy! Design your ad for Chevy... and waste about 0.5 hours at night! (Shmoo did it first)
http://www.chevyapprentice.com/apprentice.php?country=us
Here's mine:
http://www.chevyapprentice.com/view.php?country=us&uniqueid=94383ce0-14ce-1029-98eb-0013724ff5a7
Oh... also, I saw Munich a while ago. I thought the movie focused too much on the struggle of the individual assassin. I found myself dissatisdied with the discussion on the depth of the Israel Palestine issue. Is revenge the right solution? On one hand, you have the assassin who thinks it is not a solution at all because who he kills just gets replaced and, in turn, comes to threaten his life (at least he imagines so). On the other hand, there's the assassin's boss who thinks it is the only solution to deter (not enough, obviously) people from planning attacks. Right and wrong... so many options... but the director chose to focus on just the assassin. Perhaps to avoid the potential wrath of American viewers if he picked against Israel and the potential wrath of Arab viewers if he picked against Palestine.
One thing is for sure: since Munich, the two "countries" have repeated the cycle many many times. Has revenge worked...?
http://www.chevyapprentice.com
Here's mine:
http://www.chevyapprentice.com
Oh... also, I saw Munich a while ago. I thought the movie focused too much on the struggle of the individual assassin. I found myself dissatisdied with the discussion on the depth of the Israel Palestine issue. Is revenge the right solution? On one hand, you have the assassin who thinks it is not a solution at all because who he kills just gets replaced and, in turn, comes to threaten his life (at least he imagines so). On the other hand, there's the assassin's boss who thinks it is the only solution to deter (not enough, obviously) people from planning attacks. Right and wrong... so many options... but the director chose to focus on just the assassin. Perhaps to avoid the potential wrath of American viewers if he picked against Israel and the potential wrath of Arab viewers if he picked against Palestine.
One thing is for sure: since Munich, the two "countries" have repeated the cycle many many times. Has revenge worked...?
4/03/2006
You may call this procrastination
But hey, it's the freaking Animal Planet! You CANNOT say no to the Animal Planet. Yeah yeah, there's data-driven marketing homework and international comparative organization (huh!?) reading... but it's sardines being devoured by predators! Are you kidding me!? BAM, there's goes another sardine. BAM, another.
The dolphins spotted the sardines first. This particular group of sardines split up from the main pack. Anyway, the dolphins split into teams, one circling the sardines so they can't get away, another spearing in from the sides to snatch the fish. Sharks come join in from below, cutting off the last escape route. Then the birds come attacking from the top. The seals join the party last. The sharks don't pay attention to the seals anymore. The sardines have become such easy targets; all gone in a few hours. Every one eaten.
Lesson for MBA: Teamwork is key to getting the process started. Efficiency is at its max with good teamwork. Common prey is good even for enemies. And, most important of all, free riding (birds and seals) is the best.
Penguins are next. Rocked by seals hunting from the bottom of the sea. It's the little ones that are injured and wandered away from the bigger pack. The seal spots it from the sea floor, comes up slowly and strikes at the paddling young penguin. The seal then pulls it to open sea, throws it around like a rag dool (to seperate flesh from bone, the narrator tells us), and then eats the penguin.
Lesson for MBA: sticking with strong figures will save your life, especially when you are young and injured.
Then came the flamingos. In search for better water sources, some flew to a further away lake. They got jumped by baboons desperate for food. Again, the small ones get jumped. (I'm loosing steam here, can you tell?)
Lesson for MBA: don't take the short cuts, stick with the strong figures, and, most important of all, don't upset desperate baboons. NEVER upset desperate baboons. Did I just repeat myself?
Anyway... after an hour of procrasination, the Animal Planet narrator ends with this question: why did this flamingo avoid the wrath of the baboon (close up of baboon jumping from the top and famingo flying away - done Matrix style, very impressive)? Why indeed? Narrator: because it was able to follow the pack. When one flamingo flap their wings, YOU flap your wings. When one flamingo starts moving one direction, YOU move one direction. In that way, all you need is one alert flamingo and the entire herd is safe. Don't be an individual and move away from the crowd. If you follow the herd of one million, your odds of death are only one in a million. The safest place to be is to be in the middle of the crowd. Follow the herd. This is how generations of animals have survived.
And there I was, sitting in front of the TV, confused as to who the narrator was talking about.
The dolphins spotted the sardines first. This particular group of sardines split up from the main pack. Anyway, the dolphins split into teams, one circling the sardines so they can't get away, another spearing in from the sides to snatch the fish. Sharks come join in from below, cutting off the last escape route. Then the birds come attacking from the top. The seals join the party last. The sharks don't pay attention to the seals anymore. The sardines have become such easy targets; all gone in a few hours. Every one eaten.
Lesson for MBA: Teamwork is key to getting the process started. Efficiency is at its max with good teamwork. Common prey is good even for enemies. And, most important of all, free riding (birds and seals) is the best.
Penguins are next. Rocked by seals hunting from the bottom of the sea. It's the little ones that are injured and wandered away from the bigger pack. The seal spots it from the sea floor, comes up slowly and strikes at the paddling young penguin. The seal then pulls it to open sea, throws it around like a rag dool (to seperate flesh from bone, the narrator tells us), and then eats the penguin.
Lesson for MBA: sticking with strong figures will save your life, especially when you are young and injured.
Then came the flamingos. In search for better water sources, some flew to a further away lake. They got jumped by baboons desperate for food. Again, the small ones get jumped. (I'm loosing steam here, can you tell?)
Lesson for MBA: don't take the short cuts, stick with the strong figures, and, most important of all, don't upset desperate baboons. NEVER upset desperate baboons. Did I just repeat myself?
Anyway... after an hour of procrasination, the Animal Planet narrator ends with this question: why did this flamingo avoid the wrath of the baboon (close up of baboon jumping from the top and famingo flying away - done Matrix style, very impressive)? Why indeed? Narrator: because it was able to follow the pack. When one flamingo flap their wings, YOU flap your wings. When one flamingo starts moving one direction, YOU move one direction. In that way, all you need is one alert flamingo and the entire herd is safe. Don't be an individual and move away from the crowd. If you follow the herd of one million, your odds of death are only one in a million. The safest place to be is to be in the middle of the crowd. Follow the herd. This is how generations of animals have survived.
And there I was, sitting in front of the TV, confused as to who the narrator was talking about.
4/01/2006
Jacinta
Now this should be an interesting quarter. I have 3 classes. I have responsibilities with CAP. And I need to relax and have fun. That's it. Wow, even I am amazed.
I saw the name card "Jacinta" in class and I just couldn't take my eyes off it. Alan was Jacinto. I miss him. The feeling lingered around for the remainder of the class. Anyway, Jacinta is probably going to be in the same class the rest of the quarter. And I will continue to see her name. And... at some point, my mind will shut the name down. How sad.
Finished the book "Blink." It started strong, faded quickly.
Sprained my hip. Getting old. I swear I am going to get in shape this quarter.
I saw the name card "Jacinta" in class and I just couldn't take my eyes off it. Alan was Jacinto. I miss him. The feeling lingered around for the remainder of the class. Anyway, Jacinta is probably going to be in the same class the rest of the quarter. And I will continue to see her name. And... at some point, my mind will shut the name down. How sad.
Finished the book "Blink." It started strong, faded quickly.
Sprained my hip. Getting old. I swear I am going to get in shape this quarter.
3/30/2006
Green Hat!? No way.
Picture from St Patrick's Day. They tried to force me to wear a green hat. I compromised. To my Caucasian friends: wearing a green hat is a big no no in Chinese culture. Anyway, I found my brows looking like my goatee. Someone commented that I don't have pictures, so I'm adding this one!
3/28/2006
And that's that...
I've been sworn to secrecy, okay!? Here are some thoughts.
I should have my camera with me at all times.
Airport lines are entertaining.
Weather is key at Grand Canyon.
Cab lines are easier to estimate.
Gambling is fun.
Eating is out of control.
Vegas shows are the best.
Sleeping is overrated.
Driving in snow is a Bostonian specialty.
Sand dunes at Death Valley are vastly overrated.
Gluttony should be the number one sin.
It was a good Spring Break.
I should have my camera with me at all times.
Airport lines are entertaining.
Weather is key at Grand Canyon.
Cab lines are easier to estimate.
Gambling is fun.
Eating is out of control.
Vegas shows are the best.
Sleeping is overrated.
Driving in snow is a Bostonian specialty.
Sand dunes at Death Valley are vastly overrated.
Gluttony should be the number one sin.
It was a good Spring Break.
3/27/2006
V
I saw V for Vendetta tonight. Pretty good movie. Deep and interesting message. I don't think it is going to do well overall despite my witness of a full Sunday night screening.
Now, fear is an interesting element that the movie claims to dominate people's lives. I disagree. Fear has always had a very short term effect on our minds. WWI - oh the desvastation we ought to fear... it lasted 20 something years. SARS - the disease that made all HK residents wear a mask... well, while the city's overall hygiene improved, things are pretty much back to old times. 911 - so we've got more airport security, more lines, more self regulating media types... but hey, do you think we have more fear now than before?
The real enemy is ignorance. Because ignorance is long term, if not forever.
Now, fear is an interesting element that the movie claims to dominate people's lives. I disagree. Fear has always had a very short term effect on our minds. WWI - oh the desvastation we ought to fear... it lasted 20 something years. SARS - the disease that made all HK residents wear a mask... well, while the city's overall hygiene improved, things are pretty much back to old times. 911 - so we've got more airport security, more lines, more self regulating media types... but hey, do you think we have more fear now than before?
The real enemy is ignorance. Because ignorance is long term, if not forever.
3/26/2006
3/18/2006
Well spent...!
There goes another $12,000... what happened this quarter? Let's see: quarter started, interviews started, got an offer, accepted an offer, final marketing paper on frozen dog food, quarter ended. Sweet, I paid $12,000 to experience five things!
I'm so looking forward to Spring quarter! What happens then anyway? Do we have so much free time we don't know what to do? Would we study hard? Oh the mystery!
I'm so looking forward to Spring quarter! What happens then anyway? Do we have so much free time we don't know what to do? Would we study hard? Oh the mystery!
3/17/2006
Ultimate question
This is from a few weeks ago during Admit Weekend for GSB. I've been meaning to talk about this. An admit asked (I got this from my friend - an admit herself - who sat at the same table with this guy during lunch) "they say HBS trains great leaders, and GSB trains great people to work for them. What do you think about that comment?"
Hmmm... it really depends on who you ask.
Ted S: Chicago GSB is not for everyone
Julie M: Our students are doing great with recruiters
Rose M: I cannot comment on other schools
Eugene F: That's an efficient market
Dick T: That's not an efficient market
Roman W: Which accounting text book do they use?
Robert F: Does HBS have a Nobel Prize winner teaching business ethics? Do they teach ethics?
Facilitator: You need more LEAD training
IBG co-chairs: HBS graduates can't read accounting statements
MCG co-chairs: HBS graduates can't do a discounted cash flow analysis
Urban Enterprise co-chairs: Do they have a urban neighborhood to work with?
Bad Me: Did you get into HBS? Probably not because you're here having lunch with me. If that comment is true, then maybe that's an indication that they don't think you aren't going to be a good leader and that we think you are going to be a great follower. What was the comment again?
Good Me: The GSB cirriculum is all about flexibility. If you wanted to, you can always take classes that emphasize leadership. Leaders make themselves; they aren't made by this school or that school. I don't know anything about HBS classes, but GSB classes certainly include all areas of expertise. You can take the most sophisticated finance classes here, or you could take leadership classes that emphasize strategy and people. That's what's great about the GSB, it's all up to you.
A few days later (no joke), our marketing professor comments that "a great business person owns a BMW 7-series, a rolex, and a GSB analyst. Don't be that analyst."
Indeed.
Hmmm... it really depends on who you ask.
Ted S: Chicago GSB is not for everyone
Julie M: Our students are doing great with recruiters
Rose M: I cannot comment on other schools
Eugene F: That's an efficient market
Dick T: That's not an efficient market
Roman W: Which accounting text book do they use?
Robert F: Does HBS have a Nobel Prize winner teaching business ethics? Do they teach ethics?
Facilitator: You need more LEAD training
IBG co-chairs: HBS graduates can't read accounting statements
MCG co-chairs: HBS graduates can't do a discounted cash flow analysis
Urban Enterprise co-chairs: Do they have a urban neighborhood to work with?
Bad Me: Did you get into HBS? Probably not because you're here having lunch with me. If that comment is true, then maybe that's an indication that they don't think you aren't going to be a good leader and that we think you are going to be a great follower. What was the comment again?
Good Me: The GSB cirriculum is all about flexibility. If you wanted to, you can always take classes that emphasize leadership. Leaders make themselves; they aren't made by this school or that school. I don't know anything about HBS classes, but GSB classes certainly include all areas of expertise. You can take the most sophisticated finance classes here, or you could take leadership classes that emphasize strategy and people. That's what's great about the GSB, it's all up to you.
A few days later (no joke), our marketing professor comments that "a great business person owns a BMW 7-series, a rolex, and a GSB analyst. Don't be that analyst."
Indeed.
3/14/2006
Uh, yes, I think we should go, too
My trip back from SF. I knew I was going to be rocked because of the West Coast Midwest travel. My flight was scheduled to leave at 6:20pm, which would bring me back to Chicago at around 12:20am. Fair enough, considering that I'm using my miles to pay for the trip. Anyway, trouble was on its way when our flight was delayed coming into SF.
"We will now depart at 6:33pm"... "6:40pm" "6:45pm" "7:00pm". Do you wonder why all the small incriments? Maybe United thinks that we won't notice the smaller differences? Anyway, when we depart really doesn't concern me. When we ARRIVE, now that's a completely different animal. At 7:00pm, we were let into the plane. Per my experience, must get on fast so I have a place for my oversized carryon. And I found one right above my seat. Perfect. I sit down and start doing a Sudoku (I'm so addicted now).
And then came the panicky passengers and stewardess. It's always a bad sign when the plane is about 95% full, and people are refusing to move because they can't fit their carryons into the overhead bins. People started to raise their voices. And then came the steward: "can't you people sit down?" Gee, all that union training, and that's how you herd angry passengers? When it was all said and done, he took some luggage out to check in, and then proceeded to work on the overhead bin where my carryon was. I don't think this description does this justice: but he jumped up, grabed the top of the closing lid, and slammed it against my bag. Of course it wouldn't close, so he slams it again. I'm a bit speechless right now. Now's he's pressing. And pressing. And BANG. He BREAKS the lid! It's now hanging off a piece of metal.
10 minutes later, the pilot comes to inspect the damage, the destroyer disappeared (I'm really wondering what happened to him... back to the story) and a United maintenance guy shows up. With duct tape. Got to love the duct tape technology. He ended up taking the entire lid away (not before, naturally, really trying to break it while pieces of plastic and metal flew into horrified passengers). And my carryon? Sir, you have to check it in.
We're off at 7:45pm, finally! And scheduled for a 1:30am arrival! Yay! Me being me, this of course is not the end of things.
I was waiting for my bag when I noticed the taxi line growing exponentially. So I went out to give it a look, asked how long the line was and so on. And then I found myself locked out of the airport! Apparently some doors are locked from the inside to make sure security is okay. So I had to take this big 10 minute detour to get back inside the terminal. Meanwhile, the clock just hit 2:00am.
After a lot of yelling and screaming (people trying to cut lines at the taxi stand, so on and so forth), I finally get on a cab. "Sir, would you like to share a ride and save $15?" Certainly! Girl gets in after me. Big Fat guy gets in the front. And a forth guy loaded his stuff and squeezed into the back seat. The driver gets in and asks for the destination... and then the forth guy suddenly says "fuck this" and gets off the cab. He swears at the driver and says he will take his own cab. The driver takes the beating and helps to get his luggage out... and proceeds back into the mob to look for a person with similar destinations. 2:30 am.
Finally, he gives up and says "I think we should go." Amen, brother, amen.
"We will now depart at 6:33pm"... "6:40pm" "6:45pm" "7:00pm". Do you wonder why all the small incriments? Maybe United thinks that we won't notice the smaller differences? Anyway, when we depart really doesn't concern me. When we ARRIVE, now that's a completely different animal. At 7:00pm, we were let into the plane. Per my experience, must get on fast so I have a place for my oversized carryon. And I found one right above my seat. Perfect. I sit down and start doing a Sudoku (I'm so addicted now).
And then came the panicky passengers and stewardess. It's always a bad sign when the plane is about 95% full, and people are refusing to move because they can't fit their carryons into the overhead bins. People started to raise their voices. And then came the steward: "can't you people sit down?" Gee, all that union training, and that's how you herd angry passengers? When it was all said and done, he took some luggage out to check in, and then proceeded to work on the overhead bin where my carryon was. I don't think this description does this justice: but he jumped up, grabed the top of the closing lid, and slammed it against my bag. Of course it wouldn't close, so he slams it again. I'm a bit speechless right now. Now's he's pressing. And pressing. And BANG. He BREAKS the lid! It's now hanging off a piece of metal.
10 minutes later, the pilot comes to inspect the damage, the destroyer disappeared (I'm really wondering what happened to him... back to the story) and a United maintenance guy shows up. With duct tape. Got to love the duct tape technology. He ended up taking the entire lid away (not before, naturally, really trying to break it while pieces of plastic and metal flew into horrified passengers). And my carryon? Sir, you have to check it in.
We're off at 7:45pm, finally! And scheduled for a 1:30am arrival! Yay! Me being me, this of course is not the end of things.
I was waiting for my bag when I noticed the taxi line growing exponentially. So I went out to give it a look, asked how long the line was and so on. And then I found myself locked out of the airport! Apparently some doors are locked from the inside to make sure security is okay. So I had to take this big 10 minute detour to get back inside the terminal. Meanwhile, the clock just hit 2:00am.
After a lot of yelling and screaming (people trying to cut lines at the taxi stand, so on and so forth), I finally get on a cab. "Sir, would you like to share a ride and save $15?" Certainly! Girl gets in after me. Big Fat guy gets in the front. And a forth guy loaded his stuff and squeezed into the back seat. The driver gets in and asks for the destination... and then the forth guy suddenly says "fuck this" and gets off the cab. He swears at the driver and says he will take his own cab. The driver takes the beating and helps to get his luggage out... and proceeds back into the mob to look for a person with similar destinations. 2:30 am.
Finally, he gives up and says "I think we should go." Amen, brother, amen.
3/06/2006
Oscars!
Some of the highlights:
Nicole Kidman - always stunning; Ben Stiller - HILARIOUS!; Naomi Watts - wow; Its hard out here for a pimp - rappers "saying" thank you; Zhang Ziyi - she's so cute; Jennifer Gartner - this is evil, but I wish she did fall down... ; Uma Thurman - there's something about that smile; Dustin Hoffman - always liked his improvs; Jack Nicholson - time to take medicine, dude.
Undoubtedly, Brokeback Mountain and Crash were the talk of the Oscars. I find this years Oscars to be one of the best in the last few years. I mean, Gladiator as Best Picture!? Anyway, back to our stars this year.
Brokeback Mountain... I don't know if I discussed this on my blog, but I really liked the movie. Calling it a "Gay Cowboy" movie is such a shame. Dare I say that it transcends sexual orientation... the movie is about love and the obstacles that (cannot) prevent people from loving. Unfortunately, ignorance is always among us.
Speaking of ignorance, I have ro re-re-re-recommend Crash. I remember watching it with my girlfriend and I was so moved by the movie that I am still talking about it now - almost a year later! Anyway, regardless of the debate of "Brokeback vs. Crash," I think Crash is by far the more important film of the two.
A couple of comments: I agree with Best Director and Best Picture. Brokeback Mountain was done stunningly. Is that a word, by the way? I hope that Crash will be shown more often to generations to come. It deserves Best Picture. And the general theme of this years' Oscars seems to be the politically charged films that were nominated. Clearly, current world affairs have really led to production of these films. While the Vietnam Wars led to a bunch of war movies discussing the moral of wars and the men in it, the last fews years (post-911, post-Bush re-election, current-phobia) have finally let to some films that are more critical of what is happening in the world.
Nicole Kidman - always stunning; Ben Stiller - HILARIOUS!; Naomi Watts - wow; Its hard out here for a pimp - rappers "saying" thank you; Zhang Ziyi - she's so cute; Jennifer Gartner - this is evil, but I wish she did fall down... ; Uma Thurman - there's something about that smile; Dustin Hoffman - always liked his improvs; Jack Nicholson - time to take medicine, dude.
Undoubtedly, Brokeback Mountain and Crash were the talk of the Oscars. I find this years Oscars to be one of the best in the last few years. I mean, Gladiator as Best Picture!? Anyway, back to our stars this year.
Brokeback Mountain... I don't know if I discussed this on my blog, but I really liked the movie. Calling it a "Gay Cowboy" movie is such a shame. Dare I say that it transcends sexual orientation... the movie is about love and the obstacles that (cannot) prevent people from loving. Unfortunately, ignorance is always among us.
Speaking of ignorance, I have ro re-re-re-recommend Crash. I remember watching it with my girlfriend and I was so moved by the movie that I am still talking about it now - almost a year later! Anyway, regardless of the debate of "Brokeback vs. Crash," I think Crash is by far the more important film of the two.
A couple of comments: I agree with Best Director and Best Picture. Brokeback Mountain was done stunningly. Is that a word, by the way? I hope that Crash will be shown more often to generations to come. It deserves Best Picture. And the general theme of this years' Oscars seems to be the politically charged films that were nominated. Clearly, current world affairs have really led to production of these films. While the Vietnam Wars led to a bunch of war movies discussing the moral of wars and the men in it, the last fews years (post-911, post-Bush re-election, current-
Finally, a work out!
Man, I am really out of shape. This is my second workout in the last seven days. And my legs are still sore from my first time... I think I need two weeks to recover.
3/01/2006
"I'm feeling a bit gassy today"
Ah, the dilemma in life.
What should I, as the driver, do when one of my passengers says "I'm feeling a bit gassy today"?
Open the window in sub-zero Chicago weather?
Kick him or her off the car?
"Hold it in, damn it!"?
Somewhere, there is a business story to be told. (Thank you GSB.) Clearly my passenger knew before he or she enter my car that there was a problem by saying "today." Clearly the problem has already surfaced, or else he or she would not have stated his or her (ALRIGHT, it's a HE. HE. HE. HE. I'm sick of this he or she stuff) problem. Clearly this is something that probably can only be slightly contained. Not too clear is how bad the problem is...
What could have been done differently?
"Manage expectations" - tell the boss (me the driver) of the problem before it comes out (pardon the pun).
"Expect the worst" - don't say "a bit"... say "very" in case it comes out worse than you thought
"Refer to the problem" - including "I" may cause personal attacks.
"Offer solution" - even if its impossible, at least it seems genuine.
Solution: "Sorry, my isn't working well today. It is going to be a rough ride home today. I don't mind taking the train home by myself."
What should I, as the driver, do when one of my passengers says "I'm feeling a bit gassy today"?
Open the window in sub-zero Chicago weather?
Kick him or her off the car?
"Hold it in, damn it!"?
Somewhere, there is a business story to be told. (Thank you GSB.) Clearly my passenger knew before he or she enter my car that there was a problem by saying "today." Clearly the problem has already surfaced, or else he or she would not have stated his or her (ALRIGHT, it's a HE. HE. HE. HE. I'm sick of this he or she stuff) problem. Clearly this is something that probably can only be slightly contained. Not too clear is how bad the problem is...
What could have been done differently?
"Manage expectations" - tell the boss (me the driver) of the problem before it comes out (pardon the pun).
"Expect the worst" - don't say "a bit"... say "very" in case it comes out worse than you thought
"Refer to the problem" - including "I" may cause personal attacks.
"Offer solution" - even if its impossible, at least it seems genuine.
Solution: "Sorry, my
2/28/2006
I am AUSTIN!? WTF!?
Interesting... I have never been in Austin before, so maybe I shouldn't over-react. But something tells me being Austin is not really what I had in mind. A friend of mine got Boston...
I completely agree with the city description!!
I completely agree with the city description!!
| You Are Austin |
 A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick |
2/25/2006
Dream a little Dream
Lately, I have not had good sleeps. Keep having dreams that I vaguely remember. Judge for yourself:
Feedback finally: a very simple dream. It seemed to lapse a long time but I bet it didn't. I received, in the mail, a letter that detailed my interview with a certain consulting firm, the same firm that gave me one of the weirdest consulting case interviews I had. Anyway, in the dream, I'm reading the feedback form in disbelief. Cursing at every turn. I was furious that I was graded poorly in virtually all aspects of the interview. Then I woke up.
Ski trip: now this one clearly stemmed from my Wisconsin debacle. An old friend of mine (welcome to my blog, 阿仔) and I were heading to the ski slopes. The mountain was so big that we had to park our car a couple of miles from the slopes and then make our way there. Apparently, the only form of transportation was the supermarket trolleys. So my friend hopped on and I pushed, and then we switched spots when I got tired. Then there was a downward slope, my friend accidentally let go, and down I went. Then I woke up.
I sweat, I'm not even making this up!
Feedback finally: a very simple dream. It seemed to lapse a long time but I bet it didn't. I received, in the mail, a letter that detailed my interview with a certain consulting firm, the same firm that gave me one of the weirdest consulting case interviews I had. Anyway, in the dream, I'm reading the feedback form in disbelief. Cursing at every turn. I was furious that I was graded poorly in virtually all aspects of the interview. Then I woke up.
Ski trip: now this one clearly stemmed from my Wisconsin debacle. An old friend of mine (welcome to my blog, 阿仔) and I were heading to the ski slopes. The mountain was so big that we had to park our car a couple of miles from the slopes and then make our way there. Apparently, the only form of transportation was the supermarket trolleys. So my friend hopped on and I pushed, and then we switched spots when I got tired. Then there was a downward slope, my friend accidentally let go, and down I went. Then I woke up.
I sweat, I'm not even making this up!
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