Run Kokang, run

The grind of schoolwork is starting to kick in. I constantly worry that I'm not spending enough time on school stuff, especially now, with the looming econ midterm. So this week I started early and managed to get some studying done Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday. My inability to retain information is startling me, though. I've always kind of thought I could learn things quickly, but these days, I have to read and reread and really digest the info for it to stick in my brain (signs of aging?). Seriously though, I'm a little worried about that too (not being able to retain info, in addition to not spending enough time on studying in the first place *sigh*). Maybe my brain just needs a little exercise to get back in shape.

On another front, I've started my exercise regimen of running around the block. For two weeks I contemplated re-joining the gym. I desperately need to get back in shape, and I don't like to run on the street. I hate stopping at the junctions, lights, etc. - should I jog while I wait, which kind of look silly, or should I just stop cold, which kind of sucks? - those kind of dilemmas. But since running on the street is free, I decided to give it a shot. If I absolutely hate it, then I'll join a gym. After doing it for 2 days, I find that it's really not that bad. Three blocks west of my apartment, there is no traffic lights for a good stretch of the way, so I can run through the stop signs. And if I run early enough, there are really no cars on the road. To my dismay, I could only run for 4 blocks before having to stop and pant like a dog. My plan is to run 4 days a week, even if only for half an hour at a time. At the end of the day, even if I end up walking the better part of the mile home, I'm still burning more calories than if I were to laze around stuck on my couch. So a pat in the back for me for sticking with it for the past two days. Yeay!

I wonder if it's too far to walk 1.8 mi to Union Square on weekends...

Oh, I saw Before Sunrise yesterday. I can see why Iddy likes it. The info blurb said "a talkfest between blablabla". Haha, talkfest. Yup, perfect description. Good movie, made me wonder what's out there for me.

Just a reminder

If you look middle eastern, don't go around buying too many phones, ok?

And if you really want to buy phones, if the store says you can only buy 3, don't go and buy 80.

And don't take too many pictures of bridges.

It's all about looks these days.

Lots of zzzzzzz....

The first week of school came and went. All in all it wasn't that bad. Of course, things haven't gone into full swing yet, which is a good thing, considering I'm still adjusting to my new schedule. Leaving work early twice a week to go to class is the easy part, but finding time and forcing myself to work on the homeworks and readings is proving to be much much more difficult. I sat on the couch to read, and as a result, today alone I have watched The Pallbearer (only because I caught a glimpse of Michael Vartan while flipping the channels), Chasing Liberty, Must Love Dogs, and Pleasantville. Then this evening, I finally settled down, and was in the middle of my Econ reading assignments when it occurred to me that I need to recharge my laptop, update my bookmarks, fix the tiny font, etc. Even Paris Hilton's music video called out to me. You tell me whether I'm having trouble focusing. But, I will be better at it. I know it. I have to be.

The good thing is, I'm caught up with my sleep. So no more "I'm tired, I didn't have a weekend last week" excuse. My new budget is all worked out too. Tomorrow I have to go to the accounting office to change paycheck stuff. It's been a productive weekend.

My new t-shirt came in on Saturday. Just in time for me to wear it to lunch with K. CT. It's cute, ok. Here, look:

(Click on it to see a bigger picture. Hehehe...)

Just looking at the shirt lifts up my spirit. Ok, I'm going back to my reading. I hope you had a good weekend too.

First day of school

Sometimes I still have a hard time believing I got in. But it's feeling more real after yesterday's orientation. After listening to the speeches during the orientation, I realized that my essays were right on the money. Unbelievable. Innovative and risk-taker, that's what Haas is looking for. Of course, if I had done my homework for my application, I would've known that months ago, before I write the essays.

I sincerely have to thank Adam Gordon (he's the author of MBA Admissions Strategy), I couldn't have done it without him. Especially since we got it all done in 8 days. (I didn't decide to apply until the very last minute. Itu pun Nils yang paksa. If I remember correctly, I emailed Adam on Tuesday, took the GMAT on Friday, and submitted the application on the following Tuesday. That was how last minute it was.) Anyway, Adam's help was worth every penny. Very personal and tailored to what I needed. I found his website completely by accident too. I was looking online for consultants, and stumbled upon his website. And then noticed that the book highlighted on that site looked awfully familiar. Turned out I just bought his book a couple of days before. He had a free trial, so I emailed him what I had of my essay (it wasn't much of an essay, trust me), and waited for him to answer my SOS email. Long story short, 8 days later we submitted my Haas application. Money well spent. (If you're looking for more than essay edits, then you should definitely check out his webpage.) Idlan helped me with one of the essays. Even Adam said that one was good. I submitted it as is after Iddy modified it. Hehehe. I still owe her the gift I said I was gonna send. Yes, shame on me. I haven't caught Jack Johnson yet, beb. Sabar eh?

Tomorrow is the first day of school, and I do have butterflies in my stomach. I've met most of my classmates, so there really is not much left to be nervous about. I hope I get a cool study group, and I hope I'll make some friends.

I'm kind of glad the first year is structured more like a quarter system. The last time I was in a semester school, it didn't go so well. Ahem. Anyway, this time the first two semesters are broken into two, and we take 2 courses at a time. At least I know I won't be bored with the course materials in 9 weeks. I'll be scrambling to catch up. I'm sure of that. They gave our backpack + textbooks + readers during the orientation. I might dive into some of that tonight. I've always hated feeling like I'm already behind during the first class.

Wish me luck ok? And I'm sure some of your will hear me complaining about school soon.

:-S

SMS conversation I had with Nils yesterday:

Me: Baby, I have bad news :-S

Nils: What?

Me: I found Ferragamo laptop bag.

Nils: It’s silly to spend as much on laptop bag as you did on computer. :-S You should buy the bed and have more storage. (the bed has drawers underneath)

Me: Yea, but this will be my briefcase. I’ll only have one briefcase.

Nils: Until you see one next season?

Me: But it’s really nice. It’ll last me forever.

Nils: Think you should reach down really carefully and pull out the burr. Hehehe

Cisss…

Hellooooo....

Sunday when I was in class, it occurred to me that this might be one of the rare moments where I sincerely feel that life is good. Life is good. The last time I felt this way, I was a sophomore, one of my best friends just got himself a convertible, and the three of us were driving down University Avenue on a pleasant summer afternoon, heading for the marina. I remember marking that day in my mind - the best day of my life.

Despite all my whining, I have to admit, life is going pretty good for me right now. After 5 years, I finally made friends at work. Friends friends. Not just people I occasionally hang out with after work. A good friend used to tell me, when I was complaining about not having anyone around, just be myself and I will find myself among "my people". I guess for me, those are the ones who can join me my lawak bangang, find humor in just about anything, and find significance in things like bowel movements, protruding tummies, and worldwide hair removal habits. I am having fun, and when I'm not, I don't feel like I'm all alone.

Orientation is this weekend, and class officially starts next Thursday. I can't believe the shit I have to wade through to finally get to learn the things I want to learn. (I wonder how long I'll feel this way about school.) Which reminds me, I still need to finish the online Accounting intro thingy.

Between my new-found friends, living in the city, and starting my MBA, I have to say, life if pretty darn good right now. Despite how things may be in a couple of months, today I'm living my dreams. (Thank you, God :* )