Given all the horrendous weather in Europe this end of year, I'm really glad that I'm not traveling anywhere near there and am quite happy here in sunny SGP. That being said, I hope that all my classmates are where they hoped to be by today despite all the many travel delays I'm sure they must have faced. It really seems like the winters just keep getting harsher each year. A result of global warming and changing weather systems? Very probably.
That being said, I'm always amazed at how unprepared some of these countries are in dealing with the averse weather conditions. I'm well aware of the economic argument in not investing in the snow removal equipment needed given that it's "such a rare occurrence" but surely the amount of economic activity lost as a result of just one full day of flight cancellations (and it's knock on effects) justify the investment? Surely leaving millions of people from all over the world frustrated and pissed off with your airport infrastructure should be enough to do something? I loved how the BBC had an article that recalled how Reykjavik airport was shut once due to heavy snows as well. For all of 30 minutes, 7 years ago! Now that's a country that knows how to deal with snow. Perhaps Iceland can teach the rest of Europe a thing or two about dealing with snow as a way to boost its own economy?
Anyway, I'm off to HCM for the next week till the New Year. Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy the holidays!
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Day 115: 40%
Now that P2 is over, guess this kinda means that I'm 40% done with the MBA. It is really surreal when I think about it. Attended the graduation party of the "senior" class last night. I'm sure they must be feeling like it's a lot more surreal that they're actually done. They're alumni now! Congratulations to the class of 10'D! Now go out there and make us all proud and convince employers to hire more INSEAD students. ;)
4 months in and I can tell you that pursuing an MBA feels very much like having a full-time job at times. The hours can be long, you may have last minute meetings that crop up and it can all be quite stressful at times trying to juggle everything and finding the right balance between school and life outside of school. Of course in this case it's a somewhat interesting dynamic as you are paying to participate in this rather than being paid to do all the work. That might explain why you can always decide to skip a class and take a nap if you want. You are the customer after all. Sometimes on particularly long days, it's not uncommon to see people sprawled out on the floor of the quiet room in the library "recharging". If anyone knows of a job that allows naps in the afternoon and yet still pays decently, please let me know. ;)
I've felt particularly stretched at times because I'm back home and there's not only so much going on in school but also so much going on outside of school for me. Oddly enough, working life overseas was much less complicated than student life is back home but the same organisation and management tools that I learnt while working still apply even as a student. I find myself constantly having to manage expectations of friends and family when it comes to the amount of time I have for them. People often think that just because you're a student, you naturally have more time which isn't always the case. When you're back home, you tend to have so many more things pulling you in different directions all at the same time that it's hard to prioritise the ones that you should/want to attend to. You really have to pick your battles as you can't win them all. If you choose to spread yourself too thin, you just end up losing them all.
I heard an interesting talk show on the radio today and they were discussing the idea that having less choice actually makes us happier as there is a lower opportunity cost of things you are forgoing as a result of your choice and there's a much lower search cost to find something that you want/like. Up to a certain point, choice is good. Beyond that point, it potentially generates negative emotions. They used the example of choosing sometime to eat off a really extensive restaurant menu but I can definitely see how it applies more generally towards life. Choosing just one thing to do among a wide range of options is often much harder than choosing one thing to do among a much more limited selection.
4 months in and I can tell you that pursuing an MBA feels very much like having a full-time job at times. The hours can be long, you may have last minute meetings that crop up and it can all be quite stressful at times trying to juggle everything and finding the right balance between school and life outside of school. Of course in this case it's a somewhat interesting dynamic as you are paying to participate in this rather than being paid to do all the work. That might explain why you can always decide to skip a class and take a nap if you want. You are the customer after all. Sometimes on particularly long days, it's not uncommon to see people sprawled out on the floor of the quiet room in the library "recharging". If anyone knows of a job that allows naps in the afternoon and yet still pays decently, please let me know. ;)
I've felt particularly stretched at times because I'm back home and there's not only so much going on in school but also so much going on outside of school for me. Oddly enough, working life overseas was much less complicated than student life is back home but the same organisation and management tools that I learnt while working still apply even as a student. I find myself constantly having to manage expectations of friends and family when it comes to the amount of time I have for them. People often think that just because you're a student, you naturally have more time which isn't always the case. When you're back home, you tend to have so many more things pulling you in different directions all at the same time that it's hard to prioritise the ones that you should/want to attend to. You really have to pick your battles as you can't win them all. If you choose to spread yourself too thin, you just end up losing them all.
I heard an interesting talk show on the radio today and they were discussing the idea that having less choice actually makes us happier as there is a lower opportunity cost of things you are forgoing as a result of your choice and there's a much lower search cost to find something that you want/like. Up to a certain point, choice is good. Beyond that point, it potentially generates negative emotions. They used the example of choosing sometime to eat off a really extensive restaurant menu but I can definitely see how it applies more generally towards life. Choosing just one thing to do among a wide range of options is often much harder than choosing one thing to do among a much more limited selection.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Day 114: The morning after the night before
There's an odd sense of quiet about this morning in sharp contrast with the activity of yesterday evening. That being said, I think a lot of my classmates learnt their lesson from the last champagne party and paced themselves a bit better this time round. ;)
It was a great evening to catch up with people and find out about all the exciting holiday plans lined up for the 2 week break before P3 starts. It was kinda like our first few days together again in terms of the mixing and mingling except this time round we were asking each other if our campus exchange schedules coincided with each other rather than our names and previous occupations. For some, it was their last night in SGP for a while and many hugs were shared as we promised to meet up again someday/somewhere. Deep inside I think we all knew that times like this are pretty rare and in fact may never come round again. It's always a mad dash to the finish line but then when you get there, you don't really want it all to end. We were all determined to make this a night to remember and I am pretty sure the memories will live on for a long while (especially with digital pictures =P)
Wishing all of you and yours the very best this holiday season. Safe travels wherever it may take you in the crazy world outside "the bubble" (there are MANY MANY different places that my classmates are traveling to).
Once Singy 11'J, Always Singy 11'J. =)
P.S. If you're in SGP over the holiday season and need ideas, drop me a note
It was a great evening to catch up with people and find out about all the exciting holiday plans lined up for the 2 week break before P3 starts. It was kinda like our first few days together again in terms of the mixing and mingling except this time round we were asking each other if our campus exchange schedules coincided with each other rather than our names and previous occupations. For some, it was their last night in SGP for a while and many hugs were shared as we promised to meet up again someday/somewhere. Deep inside I think we all knew that times like this are pretty rare and in fact may never come round again. It's always a mad dash to the finish line but then when you get there, you don't really want it all to end. We were all determined to make this a night to remember and I am pretty sure the memories will live on for a long while (especially with digital pictures =P)
Wishing all of you and yours the very best this holiday season. Safe travels wherever it may take you in the crazy world outside "the bubble" (there are MANY MANY different places that my classmates are traveling to).
Once Singy 11'J, Always Singy 11'J. =)
P.S. If you're in SGP over the holiday season and need ideas, drop me a note
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