Happy Diwali to you.
Tomorrow is the first time when I am away from my family on the Diwali day. Being away from family on such a day brings in all kind of emotions. It is the first big festival for my son and I am unable to spend my time with him. It is really tough to be away and try to celebrate a festival like Diwali. But that's where MBA class kicks in.
For tomorrow the Indians in the class have planned a cultural evening with traditional Indian food, dance, music and masti. I just came back some time back after a 15 hour long day. The entire day was spent discussing and brainstorming variety of cases and after that a dance practice was scheduled. Can you imagine, dance practice at 11 in the evening? Well, I realised that I am not a very good dancer but I am enjoying it and will still participate whole-heartedly.
It is amazing what a student life can do to you. To me, it is kind of transforming where time management is becoming critical and multi-tasking an art. In next two - three weeks I am planning another event on Barcamp lines but not really sure if that should be called a Barcamp. I would really be willing to organise one, time permitting. Right now I have to sell the idea to many in the class so that a good participation is ensured. Selling it in the class will be a test of my marketing skills ;) .
Right now, I want to talk to my family but distances do matter in this part of the world and it won't be before tomorrow. I intend to take part in the 'puja' and join them virtually.
In the meantime will keep you posted with the cultural party events taking place here.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Accounting..Operations..OB..NVC..Cases
If you are unable to understand anything from the title, don't worry, you have my company. The week and the classes fly off so fast that it becomes very difficult to cope. I think I am paying for this and it is my choice. I am happy about it and gradually becoming better at organising myself. I think this the first lesson from MBA. Getting organized is the key to ______ (it starts with S).
For past many days my routine sounds like a movie that is very predictable. From morning till evening (until I sleep) it is same. Quite a few classes are interesting and few not so. Accounting is quite interesting as the teacher introduces elements of wit and humor in his lecture. Organizational Behavior (OB) is thought provoking. It forces me to think. It is more of a mental challenge where you have to challenge your learning. Operations.. well.. it is mixed. I have to really get used to the terms and given my background it is really difficult to get around to the terms. Anyway let me see how I go about it.
A good news. I have allocated a project working in a team of four, a consultancy project to plan and prepare for a new venture (a real venture) locally. Sounds exciting, but will have to pull rabbits out of the hat to make that going. The bad news is the scope of the project is very small, but given the time that can be devoted for the project during the term I think it is reasonable.
Next week is BIG. Finance course starts on Monday and the outline requires to read through the chapters carefully. Now, reading is fine. Reading carefully is a problem. But that again goes in the To-Do List.
One thing is for sure, there is a never a dull moment in the life of a MBA grad. One year is even more rigourous.,
For past many days my routine sounds like a movie that is very predictable. From morning till evening (until I sleep) it is same. Quite a few classes are interesting and few not so. Accounting is quite interesting as the teacher introduces elements of wit and humor in his lecture. Organizational Behavior (OB) is thought provoking. It forces me to think. It is more of a mental challenge where you have to challenge your learning. Operations.. well.. it is mixed. I have to really get used to the terms and given my background it is really difficult to get around to the terms. Anyway let me see how I go about it.
A good news. I have allocated a project working in a team of four, a consultancy project to plan and prepare for a new venture (a real venture) locally. Sounds exciting, but will have to pull rabbits out of the hat to make that going. The bad news is the scope of the project is very small, but given the time that can be devoted for the project during the term I think it is reasonable.
Next week is BIG. Finance course starts on Monday and the outline requires to read through the chapters carefully. Now, reading is fine. Reading carefully is a problem. But that again goes in the To-Do List.
One thing is for sure, there is a never a dull moment in the life of a MBA grad. One year is even more rigourous.,
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Trail.
What a waste of time.!!
Seriously, I am joking. Don't consume that statement at its face value and Lancaster trail was time spent well.
The trail was a team event and the person behind the scene who created and planned did an excellent job and needs to be complemented. Seriously it was a trail that required good knowledge about the city and its historical importance, which I did.
The trail led us to many different parts of the city and get all answers correct, an excellent team coordination was required (it was evident in our scores). All of us spreaded out in different directions and I was myself in the museum and learnt quite a lot about the city and its historical importance. The thing that I noticed in the museum was that the army regiment from Lancaster was deployed in India, during 3 wars that Britishers fought in India among many, the most famous being the "Sepoy Mutiny" of 1857.
Here is a picture of what I did at the museum. I colored two sheets of pre-drawn sketches and I was coloring a picture for the first time after passing from the school.
The best part of the day was the creation of Scrap book. It was required to log our findings of the city during the day. It came out really well and the creativity was at its best.
The thing that remains is to maintain the momentum that this trail generated. I am sure we can maintain it.
Seriously, I am joking. Don't consume that statement at its face value and Lancaster trail was time spent well.
The trail was a team event and the person behind the scene who created and planned did an excellent job and needs to be complemented. Seriously it was a trail that required good knowledge about the city and its historical importance, which I did.
The trail led us to many different parts of the city and get all answers correct, an excellent team coordination was required (it was evident in our scores). All of us spreaded out in different directions and I was myself in the museum and learnt quite a lot about the city and its historical importance. The thing that I noticed in the museum was that the army regiment from Lancaster was deployed in India, during 3 wars that Britishers fought in India among many, the most famous being the "Sepoy Mutiny" of 1857.
Here is a picture of what I did at the museum. I colored two sheets of pre-drawn sketches and I was coloring a picture for the first time after passing from the school.
Another interesting artifact in the museum was the Roman Tombstone. It was a very large tombstone and was quite intriguing. There were many other items that may fascinate history buffs, but I was impressed.
The best part of the day was the creation of Scrap book. It was required to log our findings of the city during the day. It came out really well and the creativity was at its best.
The thing that remains is to maintain the momentum that this trail generated. I am sure we can maintain it.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Settled in ?
Everyone back home seems to be asking this. Friends, family, not so friendly and almost everyone whom I can think of.
Well yes. I have settled in. Got few new friends. Getting well in the class. Getting to know new people, new cultures everyday. I have started to greet new ideas with respect. Have got a genuine feedback (I hope it is genuine) and started to work on that. Eating Indian food and by the time I reach back home, I should have earned one more degree, qualified chef.
What else? The class schedule is tight and packed with events, lectures, guest lectures, cultural lectures, discussions about microfinance, global economic outlook and everything that I think can be discussed in the MBA class.
Apart from this, I have lots to write about the last week, when we were outward bound doing crazy stuff by hanging ourselves with safety gears in the air after climbing on the pole, creating a stack of crates, running blindly for clues.. gosh it was crazy but fun.
The last discussion is always about the INR-£ conversion. This country is so damn expensive that every money spent needs to be watched. God, I pray that I atleast earn twice the amount in 1 year after MBA that I would have spent on it (request my readers to please pray for me).
Right now, I have to read two chapters from Operations Management book for tomorrow's class.
Well yes. I have settled in. Got few new friends. Getting well in the class. Getting to know new people, new cultures everyday. I have started to greet new ideas with respect. Have got a genuine feedback (I hope it is genuine) and started to work on that. Eating Indian food and by the time I reach back home, I should have earned one more degree, qualified chef.
What else? The class schedule is tight and packed with events, lectures, guest lectures, cultural lectures, discussions about microfinance, global economic outlook and everything that I think can be discussed in the MBA class.
Apart from this, I have lots to write about the last week, when we were outward bound doing crazy stuff by hanging ourselves with safety gears in the air after climbing on the pole, creating a stack of crates, running blindly for clues.. gosh it was crazy but fun.
The last discussion is always about the INR-£ conversion. This country is so damn expensive that every money spent needs to be watched. God, I pray that I atleast earn twice the amount in 1 year after MBA that I would have spent on it (request my readers to please pray for me).
Right now, I have to read two chapters from Operations Management book for tomorrow's class.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Moral of Week 1
Work hard, party harder.
I mean it literally. That's what has happened in the first week. Even before Week 2 has started and mind you it is only induction (orientation) week where things are kept deliberately loosely coupled I get the feel that the year is going to be hectic.
We have got lot of assignments which wont be evaluated (for God's sake) but require lot of introspection to be done before we fill in. Mindful Manager module started on a very high note and I felt somewhat dis-oriented but got on track towards the later half. This is one module which is going to last for nearly 9 months.
Career development cell started its work, arranged workshops for the class by leading consultants and gave us two week timeline to fill in the details. Just 2 weeks, to introspect, to identify with oneself (I feel why I left India for this, could have joined a Buddhist medidation class there itself), and then the regular SWOT analysis. In the meantime, I hope to search for internships elsewhere in UK and if you have details you can help me with (my mail box is waiting to hear from you) do let me know.
Lastly the party. What a blast to end the week and begin the course. Had everything from skit to quiz, to dancing, to great food (though being a vegeterian, my options are limited) and a great bar and of course desserts from all parts of the world (Denmark, New Zealand, India, UK, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Africa). Everything went as it should. Let's see the rest of the year.
I mean it literally. That's what has happened in the first week. Even before Week 2 has started and mind you it is only induction (orientation) week where things are kept deliberately loosely coupled I get the feel that the year is going to be hectic.
We have got lot of assignments which wont be evaluated (for God's sake) but require lot of introspection to be done before we fill in. Mindful Manager module started on a very high note and I felt somewhat dis-oriented but got on track towards the later half. This is one module which is going to last for nearly 9 months.
Career development cell started its work, arranged workshops for the class by leading consultants and gave us two week timeline to fill in the details. Just 2 weeks, to introspect, to identify with oneself (I feel why I left India for this, could have joined a Buddhist medidation class there itself), and then the regular SWOT analysis. In the meantime, I hope to search for internships elsewhere in UK and if you have details you can help me with (my mail box is waiting to hear from you) do let me know.
Lastly the party. What a blast to end the week and begin the course. Had everything from skit to quiz, to dancing, to great food (though being a vegeterian, my options are limited) and a great bar and of course desserts from all parts of the world (Denmark, New Zealand, India, UK, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Africa). Everything went as it should. Let's see the rest of the year.
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