It's a Small World Afterall

One of the perks of being a bum, or the very definition of "bumdom/bumhood" is all the free time in the world. TheLadiesChoice decided to make better use of this precious commodity by creating a yahoogroup for fellow MBA students (from my country) about to leave abroad. After all the introductions were made, it turned out that a lot of us were all fairly connected somehow. A disproportionate number of us were former eagles who used to nest UpOnTheHill with nary a representative from those green bowmen bastards, haha!

As is customary in the PearloftheOrient, we all agreed to meet and greet one another at a local watering hole. I couldn't seem to explain it, but there was really a very strong ( a bit nervous) vibe in the group. I haven't been to a livelier soiree in years. Then it hit me (along with that 5th glass of long island iced tea...but more on that later). These people got along so well together, and were so willing, no desperate, to reach out to each other because finally we've found other human beings in the same boat. These other MBA students felt the same excitement, nervousness, hope and anxiety of leaving the mother land as I did. We could talk. We could connect. We could understand.

My only regret was that I got plastered a bit too soon. For some reason, I got from tipsy to drunk in record time. TheLadiesChoice was hammered enough to sincerely insist the HBS guys pay for the bill! I was telling the MIT guys that we'll all get lonely together or some crap like that. I'm sure my "party" school in Chicago would have been proud of me. Good times all around.

What's Been Going On

Admittedly, TheLadiesChoice has been to lazy to blog. The summer heat has been killing me. It seems to get hotter by the day. No doubt a freezing Chicago winter will quickly change my mind. Nevertheless, because I promised that this blog will capture this endless summer (which is fast approaching it's end!), I've listed the things which I've been up to, and what they really mean.

1. The housing lottery just came out and (un)fortunately I've been assigned a twin-studio along with a fellow MBA from my own country.
What this really means: Although I'm glad that I got lucky in the lottery thus saving me a pretty penny and all the hassles of looking for off-campus housing, I'm quite terrified of sharing a bathroom with another human being.

2. I've started a Yahoogroups for all the MBA students leaving my country. This starry-eyed group of hopefuls is set to meet tomorrow at a local bar.
What this really means: As a naturally introverted person (though some might disagree), I've started to realize the value networking (oh, horror of horrors). And while a part of me will always consider networking as "selling out", I'm realistic enough to know that it's part of the game. And TheLadiesChoice always plays to win.

3. Been working on a slideshow for my highschool class's Ten Years After reunion.
What this really means: The nostalgia trip has officially begun. This is part of my own personal way of saying goodbye to the closest people in my life. What struck me the most was how exceptionally close we all were back in the day. We literally did anything and everything together. But now, we've all grown up and are leading separate lives. Nonetheless, it's always good to look back once in a while.

4. Just signed up for an optional pre-MBA field trip for incoming first years.
What this really means: Amongst a list of dozens of international destinations, I only sorted out and chose the trips with high-comfort and high-nightlife rankings. TheLadiesChoice isn't shelling out almost $2,000 for a glorified hiking trip to leave me battered and bruised. Give me tequila shots, and margaritas anytime!

5. Just narrowly evaded a blind date.
What this really means: In my half-hearted attempts to find an IntheMeantimeGirl, I almost managed to secure myself a disastrous date. I know I always say that I look for good conversation first and foremost, but this presupposes that the aforementioned date passes a certain threshold for physical attractiveness. Let's just say that this prospective date did not pass this threshold to say the least. Thank the Lord for Friendster stalking. So thanks to a certain KPie for rescuing me from a harrowing experience!

Why I Like Chris Webber

Chris Webber is probably one of the most intriguing characters in the history of professional basketball. All experts agree that he has all the genetic traits and qualities, all the skill sets that make up a basketball player for the AGES. But there's always something not quite right about C-Webb. He's a big power forward but is more known for his passing. Here's a guy who could score 30pts a night, but instead favors a behind the back pass. A legitimate franchise player who defers to other players during crunch time. An obvious dunk machine who decides on a medium range jumper more often than not. A legendary high school phenom who revolutionized college basketball (along with the Fab 5) yet failed to win the NCAA championship. And of course, a go-to player who infamously called time-out (when his team didn't have any left) in the closing seconds of the championship game thus awarding possession to the opposing team. A multi-millionaire with a billion dollar smile who got dumped by supermodel Tyra Banks.

In the end, C-Webb is all about potential. About expectations. About chips on the shoulder. He is about inner demons.

In some ways, I've always identified with him. I've always had to deal with expectations (real or imagined). I have always been very good, but not quite the very best. I've always had doubters and I've always had doubts. People have said that there's always something not quite right about me. Some inexplainable character flaw. Some sort of block to true potential.

But maybe that's just me. Maybe that's just who I really am. Maybe that's why I'll always have that chip on my shoulder. Why the demons will always be there.

Maybe I like it that way.

Family Encounter

Just came home from a three-day family retreat. TheLadiesChoice is in no way a willing and enthusiastic participant in tearjerker activities such as these. But, this was something that my mother wanted for the family as a means of tying loose-ends and mending relationships just before I go on my way to Chicago.

This is only the second time in my life that I have ever seen my father cry. Enough said.

VISA in the Bag

TheLadiesChoice woke up at 5am to join the throng of my countrymen hoping against all hope of securing their license for their shot at the American dream. My own student visa application proceeded without a hitch. I aced the finger-scanning portion quite easily (no sweaty hands for me!). The consul just asked which school I was attending, how long the program was and how I expected to pay for the tuition. As a certified Mama's boy, my mom had already prepared all the necessary supporting documents and even colored-coded all the files. Everything was a breeze, and by 930 I was already paying Delbros to have my passport and new student visa delivered to my house.

Again, as Third Eye Blind once said, "I remember the stupid things." I was a bit saddened to see my countrymen wheedle, plead, beg and almost prostrate themselves in front of the almighty consuls. Even as they were applying for non-immigrant visas, I could hear through their heavily accented English that raw desire to just get to the land of milk and honey. I'm sure the consuls could also feel the desperation in their voices. Applying for non-immigrant visas are a shame and a sham. I'm sure close to 80% of those applying have 100% intention of finding work in the States and snagging the elusive greencard.

They aren't coming back. As a matter of fact, I can't blame them either.