La mierda hits the fan: Part II

When I was an innocent MBA hopeful, I feel upon a rather well-written blog about life at IESE. One post in particular where the author was rambling about her issues sticked to me. Now, a year later, I am possessed with the same sentiment. Sure, I did say that I loved my fellow students, school, classes,etc. But frankly, I would like to leave everything and go on this very evening and go to a place where numbers don't matter, where internships are not the main topic of conversation. I know to go back to real life! Sure, I was enjoying the experience up till now but I think I've reached a threshold where I am just pissed! I am sick and tired (mostly tired). I would ramble for longer but I have a dinner now which I hope will put me in a much better mood! Alcohol seems to cure this type of problems!

2007 To-Do List

Here are a few things I need to do this year

1.Go for the first time to Madrid
2. Attend a FC Barca game in Camp Nou
3. Go to Amsterdam for Queen's Day
4. Find a summer job
5. Sleep

A New Dawn

The 2nd term is starting soon. Banking and consulting interviews are nearly over. While I was very keen on interning in London at a bulge-bracket firm this summer, the reality is that I will not as I was unable to secure an offer. While I am understandly somewhat salty as I know I had a great product to sell, I do understand the inherent issues with recruiting and the luck of the draw factor. I did enjoy meeting everyone from all the banks I was courting so most likely I will see them next year again when it is time to dust myself up and try again.

Return from the Dead

These past three months have been quite intense, a move across the world, the start of my MBA at IESE,etc. Many have asked me to keep on chronicling my journey. Well, while I would love to, it is much more difficult than anticipated. I salute all those who still do but with the countless cases we have to read, corporate events, Spanish classes, and most importantly social activities , it is just not that easy.
One thing I must say to prospective IESE students, the quality of the people there goes beyond their GMAT scores or previous employment records. I am not kidding when I say that more than 80% of the students of my class are "nice"people. Most are kind-hearted and generous. They are also very dedicated as exemplified by the results on the midterms. Since we get graded on a bell curve, this can have disastrous results for the ego!;-)

Until another lull, nos vemos!


un abrazo,


Azaka

First Day

It's been a while but I am finally in España. I am completely jetlagged and way too tired. Hopefully, I'll manage to be in better shape tomorrow for my first official day at IESE.

Os Campeaos Tanbem Chorran

The Champions Cry Too- There's this Brazilian telenovela with the title The Rich Cry Too.
I felt that such a title needed to be used for the tragedy that happened last Saturday. The Seleçao lost against Les Bleus, France's team-my personal nemesis. It's funny because i like everything French but I would never root for their football team-ever!
Oh well, that's life! I need to find a new team to support, Germany? I like beer and I always had fun everytime I visited the country.
I've done zero MBA-wise except learning more about a field that seems quite interesting.
In truth, I've been narrowing down where I would like to live in Barcelona. Les Corts, Sarría, and Gracía seem like good areas to settle down for the first year.
I am still debating whether to get a scooter or not.
Interestingly, many people have expressed their desire to come visit me when I am settled in Barcelona. I think the city is the main draw;-)
Let me get back to my sobbing because frankly, I still cannot stomach that it's over!
No more wearing Brasil jerseys and sporting Havaianas on my feet while rooting for Adriano, Kaká,Ronaldo,etc. I blame Ronaldinho and Ronaldo's chef! Brazil is still lucky I love this country because I am almost ready to tear my honorary Brazilian passport! :-(

World Cup Frenzy

Like most Haitians, I am a big fan of the Brazilian team ( the rest usually roots for Argentina). I've managed to watch all the Selecao games without having cable by watching them at my college bar. It's surreal to go back there 5 years later. $9 pitchers never sounded better!

In truth, I haven't been overly impressed by Ronaldhino &. co. However, I've been very happy for Ghana and T&T. I also have a soft spot for Ecuador. Basically, I am all about 3rd world teams ;-)

Speaking of 3rd world, once again, I was given bad news. An acquaintance, a young man of 26 years old was shot dead in front of his home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Seems like another wave of crimes has restarted in the Caribbean Black Pearl. With a new government, I was expecting changes. Yet, those changes are very slow to appear. I cannot imagine how many more whom I don't know are dying. I am really wondering if I will be able to spend Xmas back home after all.
I do miss my home country very much even though much has changed since I last lived there.

Where I live now, Montreal, is just going crazy this weekend. Madonna is performing twice this week ( only shows in Canada), the F1 race is this weekend as well and Quebec's National holiday is this week too. On top of the World Cup frenzy, it's just an insane weekend where people will spend and drink their hearts content.

For hip hop fans, I definitely recommend catching A-Trak's world tour in a city near you. A-Trak is a Mtl boy whose done well for himself by winning the DJ DMC Championship and joining Kanye West on tour recently. A-Trak performed in Barcelona last week with Dj Diplo (from M.I.A fame) and just killed it.

Preparation to move to Barcelona is just slow. I just blame the weather. It's too nice to go to the Spanish Consulate and wait hours for my student visa. I need to find roommates and a flat as well. Funny how time flies!

The Paradox of Choice

I have started reading a book by Barry Schwartz; "The Paradox of Choice, Why More is Less".
It is about how the culture of abundance is robbing us of satisfaction. I've only read a few pages but I know exactly the phenomenom described by the author.
People who seek and accept only the best are maximizers. They can be also be quite miserable.
Searching for only the best can be very unsatisfying as the quest is never ending.
It's interesting to see how this applies to so many things in life, from choosing the right MBA program, the right profession, the right mate, the right car to the right t-shirt.
Left to our own devices, we get paralyzed by all the choices we have, always wondering if we have made the right choice. We just have to realize that "good enough" can be satisfying as well.
This can be hard to accept for maximizers even though it will make them happier in the end.