Orientation pt 2!

My goodness gracious me... I have SOOO much to write. But first, like any good student, I shall create a list... so as not to confuse.

1. Orientation
2. MBA reception... and my follies associated there with.
3. Flagship weekend
4. The dreaded QM

First, Orientation... well, how can I put orientation. As I (think?) I said before, Orientation was kind of a mishy-mosh of all the classes we'll be taking over the life of this thing called the MBA. We worked in our mentor groups on a creative project for Oxfam-- a leading British charity-- which involved us coming up with amazing "Experiences" that could then be auctioned off during Oxfam's big online auction this fall. One team is putting together a package to allow the winning bidder to run with the Olympic torch next year-- very cool! Ours weren't quite as cool, but that's fine! We came up with some great ideas but we had to seem them through to fruition... a lot of them were stopped in early planning.

In the middle of orientation we had a reception with last year's MBA students... I was really excited about this because it meant I finally had the opportunity to meet Kimberly, Shaun and Lottie-- my MBA 2007 peeps who I met online via Kimberly's website... if I was a cooler person I would have it linked HERE... but I'm not so that will have to be done later :-) Kimberly and Shaun are from the US-- Virginia (Woo hoo) and Las Vegas, respectively. Lottie is from the Netherlands. They are AWESOME. We hit it off immediately as we are all kindred spirits. They introduced me to their friends, many of whom are student mentors this year, and we were all having a whale of a time. Now for my faux pas...

In the states we have this delightful little expression for anyone who has an alcoholic drink in both hands. We call it double fisting. Makes sense, right? Yeah, well over here they say double parked because the other has a far more, shall we say, fetishist definition? Exactly. Well, as it happens, Kimberly made this same mistake last year though good on her it took her a month... only took me a week.

I know, shocking that I would a)put my foot in my mouth and b)say something dirty after only 1 week! But, I did! Since it takes quite a lot for me to get embarrassed, I was actually highly amused and managed to meet a ton more people out of my faux pas as they all wanted to recount Kimberly's experience the year before! So, in the grand scheme of things... I guess you could say I was networking! Needless to say, I had a FANTASTIC time with everyone and when the evening was winding down we made our way to the local pub...where we stayed... until we closed it. Again, a shock.

I see that next on my itemized blog to do list is to discuss the Flagship weekend. First and foremost I need to say this was FANTASTIC and the best, most wonderful, leadership opportunity I have ever encountered. Let me explain.

We all loaded on the buses on Friday around 1 having filled our bellies with a big ole lunch before departing. Of course, the trip down was in two buses divided by groups so I was sitting and chatting to Katherine, Ping Ping, Tom and Rupert (aka Giles) for most of the trip. Again the dirty comments flew... primarily from Giles who seemed entranced with the idea of 27 girls all sleeping in dormitories. Despite my best efforts to make the guys believe that girls really don't have scantily clad pillow fights they merely look at me like I've just told them the sun was teal so needless to say this myth lives on, at least at Cass.

When we arrived at the Royal Navy Base in Portsmouth we were given a few basic intros and rules and then walked over to the HMS Bristol where we were all staying. Sparse is a nice way of putting it... so is cozy. Three bunk beds stacked up in groups of about 14, 2 showers, 2 toilets, 27 girls... as I understand it the boys had better. As a credit to them, several did offer to let us shower with them (did I mention there weren't any curtains?) and one even offered to personally soap me up. I respectfully declined and instead waited in the line for my 5 minutes.

Friday night we went to the on-base pub. We did a few ice breakers and team builders- one of which was bingo... we had a grid with interesting little items i.e. person has climbed a mountain, person has been to an exotic island lately, person can dance the tango and we had 5 minutes to run around and fill out as many as possible. It was great. After a few more drinks we staggered back to the ship for a night's sleep.

Saturday morning we mustered (yes, I used that word) at 7:30 for breakfast and more team building. As a method by which to provoke immediate trust within your new group (they didn't do student mentor groups) we each had to tell a touching/scary/emotional story about our lives and talk about a person who really helped us out. One member of my group talked about health problems and overcoming them. He was so strong in admitting them that we each felt immediately comfortable. One girl spoke about her mother passing away and began to cry... of course, we all joined in. Ultimately, it made us grow really close and the trust was apparent as we were able to accomplish ALL the tasks for the day (some groups did none or only some). From each task we learned something different about the way we communicate, work, react to people and as a group we were stronger and stronger as the day progressed.

Saturday night, and 3 minute showers, we all dressed up and had a great dinner and drinks at Southsea Castle (I think that's the name) overlooking the ocean. It was amazing. Of course, here is where things get really interesting! After dinner someone decided to turn up the boombox in the corner so we could dance. My friend Nicolas and I were dancing and encouraging others to come out when Marcello, a friend of ours from the course, decided to seriously "get down get down." Of course, this didn't work out so well for Katherine who, despite wearing a dress, was picked up and twirled around in full view of everyone. Smart girl that she was, she took immediate measures to cover up things that might be exposed!

It would seem that Marcello had not had enough so I was next... well let's just say that a picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth a million. I'll have to get Askar or Atta to give me theirs so I can upload them! He was seriously getting down, including doing a dance that kind of made him look like a Chippendale who was humping my leg... oh well, bygones!

That really completed the night, but we did get to climb the castle and look out over the Portsmouth lights. Of course, we had all had a "bit" to drink-- I think this course is going to turn me into an alcoholic, either by practice or by necessity- and were in high spirits! Some too high... as many girls can attest to later when someone... Marcello!... came running into our dorm covering a few of us in shaving cream!

Moving along... the next morning my team and I awoke a little nervous (and probably quite hungover) with the knowledge that we had to do the simulated sinking ship expedition that day. Half the group had gone the day before and could only say good things but wouldn't really give us the dirt. Oh, and Ronnie, our group's trainer, had told me I was appointed the team leader for the simulation and that he was going to be on the team as he had never done it before. So I was a little more nervous! I was really afraid that my slight fear of ocean swimming (even though it was more like a pool) was going to make me a bad leader.

Well we prepared... including over an hour of health and safety as well as instruction on how to plug holes and then do secondary fixes. But let me explain exactly what the simulation is. Picture the middle part of a battleship-- about the size of a medium 2 level house. Now, if you are standing outside during a simulation you would see this "house" swinging 15 degrees from side to side... did I mention it's HUGE? Yes, well now imagine you are inside in heavy white canvas overalls, steel toe boots and are wading in chest deep rocking water with fire hose pressure coming out of about 6 holes around the room... no lights and lots of loud sounds. It's scary!!!!

As team leader I wasn't allowed to help fix the holes but I had to allocate the human resources-- that is, I had to tell people where to go and what to do, coordinate with the simulator staff who were in there with us and keep people together.

We had a few near misses- we had one girl on our team who was deathly afraid of small spaces but she did GREAT! She nearly freaked out but ultimately found her center and got it together for the team! We were all really proud of her. We didn't manage to do all the holes in the time allotted but we were so proud of ourselves and each other it didn't matter-- it was ENTIRELY exhilarating! We wanted to do it again the minute we got out!

Later that day, during the briefing with the whole group-- about 90+ people- the head Flagship guy asked who group 1 was (that was us) so we cheered. He told us, in front of everyone, that the Navy guys said we had one of the greatest team leaders they had ever seen. Ok, that's my bragging since it was me but honestly (and I think this is entirely a result of the weekend and the group I had) it was a team win-- we ALL did it. We worked so hard and so well together that WE did great!

After that we pretty much wound down... we took a few pictures as a group and boarded the buses. Unlike the trip to Portsmouth, which was full of rollicking and fun, we were all so exhausted on the way back we passed out! We hadn't slept much during the two prior days and we were ready to go home.

The weekend was a huge success and I loved every minute of it! I felt so good about myself because I was working with a team that made me confident... in us and in myself. I learned how to do new things, how to talk to people in new ways and I made more friends on my course.

I can't imagine a better weekend that I have ever had.

Let it begin! Monday Day 1

Well, it's been three months since I have updated this blog and I have a lot to add... went to Africa, could barely breathe but managed to get to the top of Kilimanjaro (check out my Africa blog). Managed to wrap up (most) things at work, moved from Virginia back up to CT (that was a NIGHTMARE in a half... painting, throwing out, a Uhaul that was too small- you name it!) and after a few days there and in Buffalo visiting the Grandparents I departed for the UK.

So here I am. Spent a week in Suffolk with the family and moved into my dorm- Francis Rowley Court- on September 9th. I call it my shoebox but truth be told it's not so small. The set up is like an apartment, or flat as they call them in England, with 5 bedrooms down a long hallway flanked with 2 bathrooms. One door on the hallway goes to a small sitting area that leads into a kitchen so I can cook all my own food if I am so inclined. Of course, I have learned to live on a single bed (lumpy and icky but a part of the experience!) and the alley outside my dorm seems to magnify all sounds but again... all part of the experience!

Orientation started last week... on Monday. Before I go into the details I want to add a little side story... well I guess it's not a side story, more like a beginning. I hate revolving doors... always have since I was stuck in one when I was visiting DC when I was 6. As a result, I avoid them like the plague and do my best never to go through them (although sometimes that is inevitable). So day 1, as I am striding up to the front of Cass Business School, for the first time, after getting hopelessly lost on my way from the dorm- I even had to ask a taxi cab driver for directions!, I was a little nervous as I eyed up the revolving door. Of course, as crazy as this sounds, I kind of smiled and saw it all as a metaphor. I was going along, thinking I knew what I wanted until I found myself a bit lost but ultimately in the right neighborhood. So, after some direction from outside, I found my way there and had to face my fear... needless to say, I used the revolving door. The upside to this story is that later in the day they opened the side doors so I didn't need to use it again! :-)

The day was great. I met a ton of people from all over the world including my team which is comprised of people from the UK, Slovenia, China, Kazakstan, and Saudia Arabia. I also met people from Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Australia, Iran, Lebanon, etc etc. I was amazed! I really wanted to get out a map and put little flags in the places from where my classmates hailed.

Part of our first day included learning all about our Flagship team building experience-- essentially we will be working as teams on a simulated boat sinking exercise on a Royal Navy base in Portsmouth. We'll even be sleeping on a warship and going to a reception at a castle by the sea. Sounds amazing, even if we do all end up wet and cold!

I wish I had written this earlier- like Monday night-- I might have remembered more! But a week later the days are kind of molding together.

At the end of the first day I made my way back to the dorm with a few other MBA students who I found out live there too. We all decided to meet up and walk to the main campus to hook up our ResNet internet links... 100 GBP later (nickeling and diming us to death!) I emerged with internet in my dorm room. I did a few hours of work at campus for NLUS and went home to make some dinner and go to bed.

Cass here I come! pt 2

So I was waiting to hear if Cambridge, in their infinite wisdom, would take me off the waitlist and accept me- they did not.

But since I believe everything happens for a reason and Cass was my first choice to begin with- that's were I'm heading!

Classes start September 10, hard to believe!!! It's so exciting.

Post- Cambridge Interview

The interview went very well. I am TOTALLY excited and I have a feeling I am going to get accepted. Of course, I have been waitlisted, but I remain hopeful.

The day started with all the MBA hopeful's in a lecture hall where Arnoud de Mayer, the Dean of the Judge Business School, introduced himself and several members of the administration. Each gave a very insightful presentation about Judge, Cambridge and the programme at large. I have to say, I am VERY VERY excited about the possibility of joining some of the greatest business minds of our time at arguably greatest school in the world.

Throughout the day we meant and talked at length with several faculty members and also sat in on a seminar by Sir Adrian Cadbury-- yes THAT Cadbury. It was very interesting, unfortunately I had to leave early for my actual one-on-one interview. Well, more like two-on-one as I had two interviewers. I will grossly misspell their last names but Chandar and Stelios (first names) were very interesting and kind and put me at ease (the nerves were really starting to take over at that point!) I think I rambled a little! :-)

After that we had lunch with current MBA students. I chatted with Terry and David about the programme, what they are hoping to do following graduation and my chances of getting accepted. They both lifted my spirits and said they really thought I'd make it. David was also telling me about this great job opportunity he will start when he finishes his MBA. He will be working with Barclay's bank in some sort of international 3-year program. Sounds fantastic! I told him he would have to come back and recruit me in the fall!

Overall the day was great. I met some very nice people and made quick friends with two other women who were there for interviews. Natalie and Lillian had travelled farther than I had-- China and California respectively. Natalie is French and I think Lillian is Lebanese, but I'm not sure. They were both great to chat with and I hope I see them in September!

As I was leaving for the day I had the song "See you in September" stuck in my head! Let's hope it comes true.

They had told us we would hear back either that night or the next morning so I must have checked email about 30 times before I finally realized no one was left at the admissions office! I did send a thank you to the people who invited me-- like to remind them who I am.

The next morning I had a mad dash to the airport that started with a drive to Cambridge train station- a train to Kings Cross, the tube to Paddington and the Heathrow Express to Heathrow. At Heathrow I couldn't resist the urge to check my email-- even though it was possible I would be late for my plane! I checked and with my stomach in my throat I found out I have been waitlisted. A little dissapointed, but still, it's not a rejection so I still feel like I'm in the running! I'm crossing fingers, praying, chanting, begging and basically doing whatever it takes to appeal to a higher power for acceptance! It just feels RIGHT to be going to Cambridge. Let's hope my intuition isn't off!

Yesterday, first day back at work, I made sure to email the Deputy Director of the MBA (whom I had met during the interview day) and thanked him for the opportunity to meet with him and his team. On Monday he had mentioned wanting to talk to me but was then pulled in the opposite direction. I suggested in my email that if he had any further questions to feel free to contact me. When he replied today he said he was in China and would get back to me next week-- here's hoping!

My parents, who are arguable the most supportive people I know (occupational hazzard I guess!) are trying to prepare me in case I don't get in-- they totally believe in me but they don't want me to be upset, which I understand. But I have this feeling that I WILL be accepted. I really want it- of course that doesn't make everything happen but I have a good feeling about this. Again, I hope my intuition isn't wrong!

Cambridge's Judge School of Business wants to interview me!

I can't believe it!!!!

I have just been invited to interview at the Judge school of business at Cambridge University!!!!

May 14th is the day-- CROSS FINGERS....TOES....EYES....ANYTHING!!!!

I have already accepted Cass but if I get into Cambridge I just cannot say no!

It's Official!

Well it was nearly a week ago (I've had a few other things to do!) but I sent in my deposit for Cass! How excited am I? Classes start September 10 and so I'll probably be off at the end of August.

I can hardly believe I'm going. It's going to be so different and exciting.

The funny thing is, now I am starting to worry about the minutiae. For instance, I will need a hairdryer with a British plug... and a stereo. I also have to find a way to ship all my clothes, etc over. I can't even think about student loans yet!

London calling!

Well, I've pretty much made my decision-- I am going to CASS!!!! I am really excited- moving back to London, being in one of the greatest cities in the world, seeing my family whenever I want to- it's great!

I have until April 27th to let Cass know, so my tune might change if, say, Cambridge begs me to come join them and gives me a scholarship- but it would have to be a good one! :-)

UK here I come!!!