three more days till Final

Been studying all day today….. yesterday and day before yesterday. Exam is on Wednesday and Thursday morning…... (All throughout the weekend I studied and completely forgot to go the " Save Darfur" demonstration at Boston Commons!! sucks!!!!) on the other hand, Pras managed to go see the "Raag concert" at MIT. Lucky him....

I have closed all the blinds and been focusing on my corporate finance book. About forty minutes ago, I eased back the curtains and saw lights. What a beautiful day it is outside.

I need a break. I have been hooked with the facebook. I met my old high friend Natasha from Japan almost after 12 years. Kudos to Facebook! It is really is amazing and addictive.

I did not go to school today. Decided to stay home and study. Been productive day I must say. Another couple hours of Finance and then I will focus on my Operational Management.

I want to keep writing... I just can't think of anything else important right now. Another night

Studyy

It's barely 11:20 and i can hardly keep my eyes open. It’s going to be nice to be asleep by midnight or a little after. I have been studying all day.. FINANCE.. dividend payout, bonds, stock, capital gains...uughhh

Second semester is literally done( Alas!) My last day of class was on Friday. Thursday we had the law Presentation and we got A on the spot!!! Our group was happy. Since we had spend soooo much time on the case analysis and the rationale.. it really paid off. Our case was on “Sherman Act” and “Arbitration” on Mitsubishi Vs Chrysler Company. Also got a satisfying grade on our IT presentation. Hopefully, the final grade will be as good as this one. So far, it has been good. I have been working straight through this semester. I'm not sure where it went. Never really stopped to take a breath ( well maybe here and there :). All of a sudden it is the last week of school.

Next week at this time, I will be in Frankfurt. I am excited but scared as well, because by then, I will be done with my Finance exam.. Wonder how I will do it.... ?? I wish Pras was allowed to join the group. I really wanted to see “Germany” with him but they would not let him….Maybe next time...

It was a beautiful day today…. beautiful in a photograph. A blue sky, electric green trees, people walking about... blustery winds and noises everywhere. Pras went for a walk! Lucky him. He did not take me along as I had to study... and I could not argue with him because I really had to.

Friday evening was nice and relaxing. We had the Yadav brothers at our place. White wine/Newcastle beer, spinach and shrimp curry ... were a good combination.

I cannot study anymore. Both Pras and I, we are watching a program called “1000 places to see before you die" on Travel channel. They are showing city of Paris... what a beautiful city that was........City of love.. Pariisssss.. tres tres bon!

Amnesty Demonstration

It is that time of the semester when you have totally given up on everything…you are physically and mentally tired and you feel everyone in whole world has disbanded you…Unfortunately, even your loved ones. If I were to literally define myself at this moment, I would say I am about to explode. Both my head and neck hurts awfully.Too much inside me and my body feels very heavy. The work load is just driving me crazy. Today is my last day of class….. the last presentation, my law presentation and then I am officially done with my second year of MBA. I have two finals next week. The brutal Finance and the operational management!

Now the Amnesty International demonstrations recap:

I left the house at 5:00 in the morning, and the group left for NY at 6.00. We were already in St. Bart’s Place at 55 Lexington Avenue by 10:15. It was going to be a long day. Luckily, the weather was just perfect. Neither Scorching sun nor a chill wind.. Just perfect.

This year’s agenda was

-Human Right abuses in Darfur, Sudan, Guatemala, Bhopal, India and Ethiopia.

There were more than 15000 Amnesty International Activists, primarily students, from more than 10 states. Escorted by the NYPD, we marched in the heart of NY city chanting the Human Right slogan.

At the Chinese mission to the UN, we protested for China to pressure Sudan to protect civilians in Darfur. Sudan represents China's largest overseas investment, worth at least $3 billion, and is the third- largest supplier of oil to China. The demonstration highlighted the failure of the Chinese government to use its influence to pressure the Sudanese government to admit a viable peacekeeping operation into Darfur.

At the Guatemalan mission, we strongly urged authorities to bring General Efrain Rios Montt to justice for his actions during his tenure as dictator, considered genocide by a U.N. Truth Commission.

The best part was the demonstration at J.P Morgan. The rally at J.P. Morgan was to
pressure the investment company, one of Dow Chemical's largest institutional investors, to
demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility by supporting a shareholder resolution
filed by Amnesty International seeking disclosure about Dow's efforts to address the health,
environmental, and social concerns of survivors of a Union Carbide gas leak in Bhopal, India,
 22 years ago.All the savvy looking JP Morgan workers came down to look at the
demonstration.

Workers from the nearby offices looked outside the window out of curiosity.  Some asked to  explain us why we were demonstrations the company, some simply stood there with their
sour faces and some simply smiled and applauded our effort.Cab Riders honked at us, Tourist bus
waved at us and applauded us even more. To me, this is a satisfaction. 

To JP Morgan, this demonstration probably means nothing. But to me, this was a chance was get out and be part of something that makes a difference, with other 1,000 people who feel the same way.

I am also suppose to write the journal for my Germany trip. A pre-travel journal I suppose. I have written once... with so much going in your life, it really is very hard to keep up.

Noam Chomsky

Weekend has been busy. Week has been even busier.

I have four presentation lined up for this week. I would say I am 80% done. Still need to work on that latter 20%.

Lots of exciting this has happened to me last couple of days.

The first one.

Professor Noam Chomsky- Mr. Chomsky was at Suffolk Law school giving a talk on “ The US and Middle East relationship.” I was very ecstatic. Ecstatic about meeting the FAMOUS Noam Chomsky. :) I really consider myself lucky for being able to hear him. The policemen outside the audotorium made me feel especial for attending the event.

I have not had chance to read any of his books however, upon hearing him, I am convinced that I will find his views and perspectives very interesting. The talk was very interesting and thought provoking I must say. I learned lots of things I did not know or I was not aware of.

“ Us supports brutal regime and opposes Democracy”. According to research done by Wall street Journal, this is how most people in Middle East perceive United States.

Later during his talk he gave his analogy on why US would not withdraw troops from Iraq?

What consequences will there be if Iraq is permitted with sovereignty?

US thinks that if they give Iraqis sovereignty then the Shiites in Iraq will improve their relationship with Iran and Saudi and then try to get power … they want Autonomy… Who does not want Autonomy? Is that not a country's soverign immunity??

Another interesting point he raised was about the relationship between US and Saddam Hussein “Saddam attacked the US in gulf and just got away an apology." Professor Chomsky emphasized the fact that US and Britain continued to support "Sadam Hussein " until 1989. I was quite aghast by this statement.

Chomsky is widely known for his political activism, and for his criticism of the foreign policy of the United States and other governments. Having finally able to see the Great Noam Chomsky( and of course shake his hands) was indeed a GREAT experience. I really admire this man for standing up for his views despite all the controversies he is dealing with. You gotta stand up for your right!!!!!!

I am getting tired. I had a long day today. The weather was awesome, again!! However, to my dismay, I could not enjoy a lot.

Pras took me to the famous Ipswich Beach yesterday! Simply fabulous.

I have yet to share my NY experience on Friday. I was in NY for the Amnesty International Human Right demonstration.. The JP Morgan demonstration was the Best Part.

sad news

Worst Campus Massacre in the U.S History.

Instead of waking up to a cool morning breeze and a hot cup of coffee, students at Virginia Tech woke up to the rattling of gunshots this morning. The Virginia Tech’s ghastly incident shocked everyone. Many Virginia Tech students are expressing their absolute shock and disbelief in regards to this situation.

What is the motive behind the killing of innocent people?

I tried to watch the updated news this afternoon and could not bear the digest the detail. I remember watching the news about a professor who had survived the holocaust and died yesterday from the hand of his own student.

Why should anyone allowed to buy a gun?

The Virginia Tech murders confirm the value of empowering ordinary citizens to carry a concealed weapon. Really….. Event like this has been happening quite frequently for the past 5 years and yet, nothing has happened. The law has not changed. What civil right is this?

The situation is simply beyond anyone’s imagination.

My best wishes go out to the victims, their families, and VT community.

Hectic

I am writing after a week… No improvement whatsoever, it is simply getting worse.

Life wise, it is frustrating....from everywhere. Got back my Finance test. Not satisfied at all.. With all that studying, merely an improvement compare to the first one. Now, with only one remaining final, I really have no hope in that class.. I mean really.

Semester is almost over. 3 weeks to be exact before the finals. All the last minute cramming is currently taking place. 3 presentations lined up for next week. Information Management- we have chose the topic of Secondlife, then Marketing and Law presentation along with 25 paper pages.

Quickly encapsulating last weekend:

Went to Ishwar dai’s secret B’day Bash at Motu dai’s residence on Saturday. It was fun. Met everyone after a long time. Pras went to his Raag conference all day on Sunday and I was practically glued in front of my computer doing the Marketing project which is not even halfway done.

Now the exciting news:

Yesterday, I had the chance to hear Mr. Jack Welch’s speak at MIT. What an energetic person he is. For his age, he is simply Amazing person. “Energy” is one of the common traits I have noticed in all the leaders I have seen. I guess it is good to be an energetic person.

I liked Mr. Welch’s 20-70-10 % theory.

He said, to make a better organization, you have to Reward top 20%
Remove the bottom 10% and Improve the middle 70%.

He emphasized the point that business is like managing a “sports team.” The one with a best players win. You as a leader must know your team, care about them.

How do you Groom leaders?

Mr. Welsh answered with 3 points.

1. Rigorous appraisal system
2. Tons of Training
3. Enforcing “education” from educated people

He also favored “Intrinsic” values as oppose to monetary values.

In sum, I was very happy to see the Retired CEO of GE. Truthfully speaking, it is people like this who change the world. During his tenure, GE market value grew from 13 million to $ 400 billion.

I had a long day today as well. Friday, and my class ended at 8:00. We had a networking event, which I decided not to go.

I have a scratch .. BAD scratch in my hand and the "Hepatitis" Immunization does not make it any better… It hurts really badly.

You know what? I’m happy tonight. Maybe not actively happy. maybe content

I can't say how much I’d like to close my eyes and float away right now. I’ve always had this dream of flying. Independently flying, not like in a plane or with wings. Feels like too much effort. Just floating, you know? All alone, unattached. Out of reach.

How wonderful would that be?

brutal week

Well, it's been quite a week. A hectic and exhausting week. This is by far one of the craziest weeks ever. 4 tests along with an agonizing neck pain (which to my dismay is still lingering around) with an dissapointing outcomes.. The finance test did not go well..

I had my law test yesterday. Unlike last time, I did not study for 4 days, I studied all day yesterday….. from 9:00 am in the morning till 7:00 in the evening.. and I think it went pretty well.... I could answer all the Multiple choice Questions and since the bonus question was on the topic of "Corporate Social Responsibility"..and Bhopal case.. it went well.. I think.... The result will say it all.

It was quite cold this morning. It was another exhausting day for both Pras and I. Running around Boston doing errands was not fun.

It is already Easter this Sunday… Wow… and in about couple of weeks I will be done with my school…

Plans for the weekend.. I plan to take it easy… However, I do need to work on my presentations….. a sigh of relief for all the case write ups.. Thank God.. they are all done... I have the last one for my Information management class this week and the no more!!

So, while a great restructuring is taking place in the mind (as well as the body), I take comfort in the fact that the school will be ending soon .

I have started Inheritance of Loss this morning. Depending on my mood, I plan to do parallel reading between Lolita and Desai’s book.

Right now, at this time, I want to forget about everything.. I mean.. absolutely everything and just relax…Ah! Ignorance is a bliss…

I just finished Watching the movie "DOR"....WHAT a great movie it was.. Simply amazing. This movie was particulary recommended by my mum and I simply.. I mean SIMPLY loved it.. :) It is a compelling movie. IT is on the empowermnet of the weak and oppressed. IT is a beautiful tale of love, loss, freindship, courage and desire to follow your heart!! It is so beleivable and deeply touched. It touched my HEART!!

Unfair

I've gotten worse and worse and staying up to date here. The last blog was quite sometime ago…

I study and I still do badly on the test. I study only little and still do bad on the test--- What is the logic behind this, I still wonder? Should I not study or should I study. Argghhh..

I had studied about “Variances” in my Finance class, and like the variance, the weather in Boston varies a lot. It is simply unpredictable. For instance, who would have ever imagined that after having the high 60s over the weekend, it would be actually snowing this week? Since, it is snowing and I have no umbrella, I have no choice but to stay in the library and wait for the snow to stop. The snow has stymied my plan to go home…. I am stuck inside the library after taking a brutal operational management quiz. My neck hurts, I mean it seriously hurts. After taking the 3 long Finance exams, the neck situation has only gotten worse. Never have I experienced such agony in my neck.. It is disturbing. I am at the library.. I have to speak a whisper..

After reading Siddhartha, I have started pondering a bit about the philosophy of life. Life is hard. At this juncture of life, I don't know whether I am happy or sad, or maybe just fine.

Occasionally, I get tired of the usual morning's mundane matters. The days of my youth, as I look back on them, seem to fly away from me like a flurries of snow. Future still holds ambiguity…. well not so much one might think but to me, it still is a lot of confusion. I must not dwell too much, I know..

I finally finished Siddhartha; I have borrowed Damien and Lolita. I have already read Lolita--- almost 6 years ago… (This is what I mean of my youth flying by…) but I wanted to re- read it again. In the meantime, I would also like to start Inheritance of Loss. A Thousand Splendid Sun is out….. I cannot wait to read it.

Quick re- cap of my weekend.

This computer almost died….. but Pras thankfully revived back with the help of Sanjay.

I studied all day Saturday--- I usually like to take a rest on Saturday, however, with all those exams lined up, I had no choice but to study all day Saturday. Got a nice break at the Bista residence that night. Food and ambience were both great….. Got back home.. and it was another crazy night…

Sunday…. I studied all day … all night.. Was up till 1:00 in the morning doing last minute practice..

On the side note, I have opened an account in Facebook and I must add, it is quite an entertainment. I have already added 7 of my high school friends from Japan.

Somewhere in the dark tunnel, both Pras and I, saw a ray of hope this morning. Hopefully, this will be it!! Amid uncertainity, Amid, ambiguity.... there is still hopeee..... :)