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While living overseas, it's been difficult to obtain Canadian new papers. Of course I check Globeandmail.com daily, but I've been forced to rely on other dailies for a physical paper experience.

In the MBA office, we have two papers available- Financial Times (a very good newspaper) and Wall Street Journal - Europe Edition (An exceptional newspaper).

At first- I just really liked the fact the FT has an MBA section every Monday, and it's pink! PINK I tell you! But then it struck me a few months ago- I prefer The Wall Street Journal.

So I did a little research on this paper that has captured my interest- apparently- when a study was done of top Dailies, WSJ was found to score as the most Liberal of them.

I did a little more research- it's got the highest salaried readership (big surprise there) in the US.

I did a little more research- The Globe and Mail offers the WSJ to be delivered daily with your G&M paper... Now-when I get back- if I can only get the WSJ and not the G&M - or will that just sound to the poor drone taking the order "One Chicken Tikka sandwich, hold the Chicken, please."

Moving Day

I've been living in a cramped Hovel for my grad school. It's super nice, but it's small and the common area is filthy.

Now that I'm done grad school, I'm getting kicked out, so I'm moving. I looked at one bedroom apartments downtown and I selected one that suits me. I'll probably grow to love it- I'm still a little unsure... I AM excited about it though and very confident!

I'm also getting Internet put in, but it'll, take a few weeks, according to the Internet company so I'll blog more then.

It's in the old Jewish neighborhood of Dublin called Portobello. I bought book called "Dublin's Little Jerusalem" that's about the area in 1910-1950 (I haven't read it yet, though), but no- my decision to move there wasn't solely based on the Jewish factor. It's a very cool neighborhood, centrally located, safe and quiet. It should be interesting.

Oh- and by the way- Helloshen, Nikki.

Is it really over????

I distinctly remember how this entire journey started.

In 2002, I started dating a lovely woman who I absolutely adored, and while she adored me, she also had the ear of her mother who was unsure of my future career prospects, so said girlfriend started putting pressure on to go back to school and get my MBA.

When we broke up after a very close 9 months- I was heartbroken and yet, despite my depression and grief- relieved that I wouldn't have to do my MBA. I actually remember being giddy about it while walking down the path from her house to my car that cold night in March 2003.

Fast forward about 4 months- I was dating again (after a brief month or two period of just healing) and I started seeing a wonderfully energetic and enthusiastic brilliant woman with an MBA from Kellogg- a top US University. We didn't date for long, but she gave me more insight into the MBA world, and I was more than intrigued by the real story of it.

I was scared to death of the GMAT- the standardized test which included multiple choice questions on Math and English, and soon put down some coin for a popular 8 week course in GMAT success. (It helped- but it did take me 3 tries over the next 7 months to get a score I was happy with).

After a round of hurriedly applying to schools and getting dinged for several, and accepted to a few, I decided to keep working and get more management experience and apply the following year.

During that year- I got some excellent management experience- but I certainly felt the need to get more business skills. Accounting, Finance, Strategy, OB!!!! I also started dating a great girl with whom I fell head over heals... She admits she never gave the relationship a chance because I was planning on going away for my MBA the following year. Go Fig.

The next October I had my short list and this time- I didn't rush the applications. I took my time and it paid off- they were better schools, harder to get into, and I got into all that I applied to.

The following September I left my cozy American existence (Since moving to Europe I started referring to Canada as America) to live overseas for the first time ever.

It was a rigorous process! 100 hour work weeks! Threats of 40% attrition in some classes (I passed them all) and stress levels beyond anything I or my classmates were familiar with...

In the end though... I learned so much. I've had a blast, made life long friends, and have accomplished something that no one can take away from me.

I sit now with the second draft of my final project open. Inside 60 seconds I can email it off to the Professor and my MBA will all be behind me except the cap and gown ceremony.

It's been the most difficult year of my life for a couple of reasons. I had to part with a woman I really cared about and move on, I had to move to a continent where I didn't know anyone, and because of cultural differences they didn't get my jokes, and I lost my father and my grand mother (and the follow up from that is one big mess, but that's another story). Putting it all in context- the loss of my father and Bubby was of course the hardest.

I feel so much stronger. I feel capable, confident and well equipped to do serious damage. I feel like I can take on anything. I don't get intimidated by the prospect of failure anymore, and have felt like I (I appologize about the trite sentiments) have found myself.

Wow. It's been 3 years in the making- is this really how it finishes? Not with fanfare and cartwheels but with Phillip Glass softly playing in the background and a subdued "Click"



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