NY, ROC!

Phew!

I am finally done. From Jamaica to New York it took an entire day! Thanks to AA, I was given the flight of my life - stops in MIA and Philly and I can safely add those to my list of US landmarks I have been to. lol.

So, I had travelled for a full 15 hours...for a normally 4 hour flight!

And now I am in the City of Mad...

Stepping out of the JFK International Airport Terminal 15, a delicious lick of cold air hit me! Gosh, yall could have prepared me for this surprise.

But, at least it was worth it, standing out smiling is my very good friend Odaine. Who said being cold was bad? Especially, when you see a familiar face that you haven't seen in 5 years! And he had with him a nicely fashioned cashmere sweater just for me...

Somehow I feel as if I am typing too slowly for the pace that things go in this City!

Everything happens in a heartbeat and no no no, I am not exaggerating!

I am accustomed to things happening very quickly, after all I work in a very high pressure and fast industry - but that couldn't have prepared me well for what I've experienced in the last 7 days.

So, I must say the city has many jewels in its crown - I absolutely love the fashion, I adore Times Square and I am truly marvelled by the abundance of food available.

Did I mention Halal? Ah, yes...I am beginning to drool just thinking about it.

memories...memories...if only they lived like people do!

The journey to his home - was - erm --- hmmmm....well, let's say interesting. I took a bus, thankfully nothing like a Jamaican bus and three trains, a part from the fact that I had to stand with my travelling bag it was super!

I like his style, I dive into the system head on. I wanted to take a cab, but he insisted that I save my doe and hop on the bus - he even had a metro card! Finally, I crashed at his house....literally at minutes to 11 or was 12? Not sure, I fell right asleep...

Next morning I was up at 5...hurrying, unpacking and trying to get my stuff together for my long trip up to University of Rochester. I was 175% excited, 15% nervous and 10% late --- we had to hurry to Penn Station to board the only the only train that would take my up to Roc in time for my 3:15 appointment.

We literally ran from my friend's apartment to cash the 2 train at 6:30 am...

And we missed it!

I was out of shape more than I thought...that's 10 minutes down and we have 15 minutes to board the train. Luckily another came in 5 minutes and we were at our destination in less than 20 minutes.

God bless America. lol

At least all the stops were less than a minute. 5 minutes before train leaves and we don't know where the train docks...Good thing running around in Penn Station like ants seems to be the norm, cause everybody seems to be running from something. lol

A las! we found it and the doors are closed!

Toronto, sir? A lady asked in a sharp New York accent...one that I become accustomed.

No...Roch...Rochester...my slightly out of breath friend said.

Tickets?

Oops!

I didn't print the e-copy but luckily the iPad save our lives.

Yaaay, that's why I love technology!

So, long and short we boarded probably 30 seconds before the train rolled out and spent 8 glorious hours catching up (yep, 8 hours! On a bloody train that moved like a snail :))

We finally we are in Rochester and boi, I had to pinch myself like twice...the place is beautiful. It's like sitting and staring at a quaint European painting of some mystical city.

University of Rochester is even more beautiful....it gracefully sprawls a everlasting property surrounded by a beautiful lake I believe and some lovely trees in full bloom. Gosh, photo pls?

The admissions team was ready for me and I was given the most comprehensive tour ever...thanks to second -year MBA star Jean Ryan, she had me sold all over again to do my MBA! :P

Michele Badio was even more funnnn....gotta face up to that the reality...if I am gonna do this, then I need to start loving da numbaz.

And thanks to Bill Bonin for taking me to that Brand Management workshop....those figures were brutal that Prof Nelson went through, who knew that marketing could get so quantitative in just 3 hours. But, I loved it just the same.

I know it is the right decision I have made. It will be a tough 18 months when I do start, but at least I will be surrounded by beauty and magic.

In another post I will talk about exploring Rochester.

**yawns**

But honestly, I really need to sleep.

OMG, I am 2 hours away from Canada by bus! I am so gonna see Honeisha Richards every weekend.


Peace out!

YAAAAAAY, TAKE TWO!

So it is a moment to slow down and take loooong breath! You work hours on end and you dream, dream, and dream about things you've always wanted to do.

My happiest moment came three weeks ago. Sorry but Friday afternoons are the new Red  Velvet Cake for me! Yup, I got accepted into my dream University to do an MBA.

Never Give Up
I know that this may be lame because you've heard it so many times but it actually holds true. I sat GMAT in January and got disappointing results - yea doing a standardize test can be gruelling. I moped for a few weeks and of course, I saw my dreams careening away from me.

I know it wasn't the only thing that determine if I am accepted into a school or not but it pulls so much weight that you are easily dragged into thinking that it is the most important. Bottom line is I had a very long discussion with my Ugandan-Canadian friend and he made a very valid point about staying true to yourself and pulling through with what you want.

Do you mope every time you come across a stumbling block in life? Do you seriously limit your dream to one little setback or do you pick up the pieces and fight back? Is it seriously ever too late for anything?

The discussion opened my eyes to many things and yes, I may have landed a disappointing score in the GMAT but I could do it again - ALL over and MUCH better with that second shot. I took the risk, turned two weeks into a coffee marathon littered with endless drills and juggled with work and the mind-blowing sense of work.

All that changed was my strategy really and it WORKED! I jumped by a FULL 200 points and not only that but a spot into my dream school.


Is doing bad really so bad? 
A year ago I would have said NO, but I have come to learn that sometimes it is doing bad that actually brings out the best in you. You mess up big time and have to work like mad to make things right. That way you devise the most effective strategies to keep up and make things right.




Have a likkl fun while you work hard 
 Sometimes you work so hard and get caught up with the pressures around you and the tight deadlines that you have to meet that you really don't get to understand the joy in what you are doing. Have a laugh at yourself for the stupid mistakes that you, share a cup of coffee or a glass of tequila if you will with a colleague or friend and let them tell you about some of the old times at college or breaking some rules (**wink wink**).

Fun isn't necessarily going to a party and dancing your ass off or getting drunk for that matter...it can be about taking things slow and getting to know you and those around you. Treat yourself always - take that trip you've always wanted, buy those art, take that cruise, go skin dipping, try out the nude beach and do whatever the hell is your fantasy.

More challenges are ahead but of course, live life for what it is and savour every moment. After all, it is your life and you are the hard worker!

CREDIT JAM, ANYONE?

How often do you think that sometimes you are a lame old lemon? As humans, it is in our nature to be bitter and if you will, tangy of sorts - assuming that one can taste you....I won't be the judge of that...I will just merely comment.

We live life for different reasons - some for the wrong reasons - but again I won't comment on that. I have realized that as a black person you have to find your voice. One that exalts you from the darkness of this world and give you wings - almost as the Red Bull ads 'do'.

Sometimes the misfortunes that we have are another man's blessings....believe it or not! Imagine tearing your hair out or shouting at your little five year old daughter because of 'high stress'. Why? You have maxed your credit and the interest is SKY HIGH! What did you purchase?

Oh - just a lovely, sleek 42" flat screen TV that you saw being advertised on HGTV the other day and of course, you had to pay for that long overdue vacation to Europe. Afterall, you have been dying to go to Europe since you were a high school senior and suddenly, THE CREDIT CARD MADE ALL YOUR DREAMS COME THROUGH!

This discussion deserves a cigarette right or should I say a tequila shot?

Suddenly the euphoria has waned off from that obsessive spending and now you have to deal with the jarring hang over of a massive credit card bill. One that doesn't even compare to a fraction of what you have left to spend from your monthly salary. Now was that flat screen worth it? Did the trip turn out to be all that it was? How do you stop those compulsive bankers from calling?

Oh just shut it! I spent the money for a good cause - right? I really needed these items; I deserved them - to hell I have been working all my life and I needed a break geesh!

Now you are down to setting pen to paper....or fingers to keyboard...whatever the hell it is, you have to reign this bill in.

You take the religious swear and exorcise yourself of the guilt - I WILL NEVER GET MYSELF in this again. But do you?

Three months has passed...four months....five turn into six and maybe even a year...then you feel really happy. You have been doing good, your phone has stopped ringing and your finances are under tight control. After all, you have to manage them with an iron fist. But out of the blues comes that really great promotion you've been waiting for all year. Now I have to look the part - feh!

You are in the 'big boys' club now...a luxury car is needed....high end suits...a change of hangout scenes...well basically a perfect fit in to the 'big boys' club. Where does this save haven of cash come from? Your credit card of course.

Credit jam, anyone?