I am now graduated.

Phew! That was a long 2 years. I am finally done with my MBA. Highlight was the Revitalization class taught by Vijay Sathe. The insight into organizations was amazing. He also is an excellent teacher. The lowlight was the 'Modularity' class taught by Sanchez. I don't remember much other than he sure liked talking about himself.

So where to now? Keep my job at Cedars? Well, I would like to earn a little more money. To do this, I will have to get a different job. I have two primary options.

The first is to work for GST. That would be a good transition. GST is a great company and the outside sales position I would have would give me great earnings potential in an area that I am familiar- IT Procurement.

The second is a long shot; but not undoable. Its earnings potential is huge! That would be commercial real estate. I have found a good company that is small and would offer me the mentoring that I would need. There would be a longer ramp up time. But I have already started putting myself into a position to take advantage of it by scheduling my R/E salesperson exam for 7-9.

Family is doing really well. Mi suegra is going on vacation for a month. So Silvia is going to find childcare for Meghan. That is going to be a hard month. Then we are going on vacation to Sweden for 2 weeks with both kids. That is going to be really hard on Wilson.

So that is that.

Got it done.

Ok. I just got it done. I am graduating from CGU Drucker School of Mgt with my MBA. I did it in the prescribed 24 month period while holding down a real job, changing jobs and companies, having a new daughter, having my car stolen, and having my Voom Satellite Cable TV service cancelled.

So what does that mean to me? Well, here is the top 10 things that will change in my life now that I have finished my MBA:
10) I can play computer games and watch TV with relatively no guilt.
9) I get to help out around the house more.
8) No more group projects.
7) My son won't say 'good-nite' to an empty desk chair anymore.
6) Sleep more
5) Home Improvement projects.
4) I don't feel any different.
3) My boss expects me to work harder.
2) My fixed costs increase $300/mo.
1) I get to add a TLA (three letter acronym) to my business cards!

Have car, will travel....

At the dinner Sean recounts his favorite topic. He looks at Silvia and says,"Dad's car was stolen, Mom." Then he looks at me and asks,"Did they steal your car, Dad?"

I reply,"Yes, Sean. They stole my car."
Sean reinterates,"Yeah, dad. They stoled it." Then he takes a bite of food and asks,"Who stole it, Dad?"

I tell him that somepeople do bad things and steal.

So it has been a month and my insurance company is going to cut me a check for fair market value. Which is probably better than if I had tried to sell it myself.

So I am in the market for a new car as soon as I get a check.

Just let it go.....

Ok. One last post b-day thing. The Onion in history on my birthday. Ok, I am over it.

Last Week:
No car.
No School.
Work is kickin' my a$$.
1 Kid is sick.

This Week:
No Car
Midterm exam on Wed.
Work still kickin' my a$$.
Other kid sick.

It all evens out. (Seinfeld)

Post B-day tidbits

So it has been brought to my attention that I share birthdays with Quincy Jones, Billy Crystal, J. Fred Muggs, Megan Follows (TV's own Anne of Green Gables!!) and someone named Grit Haid. They all sound rich and famous... except maybe for the last guy.
I did get a card from my mom the day after my birthday. So I have that going for me,,,which is good.
The reality of the situation is that I can't remember anyones else's birthday (except my wife and kids) which reduces the reciprocity (thanks to Tom Clancy for the vocab) on my end.

Done.

Dude, where's your tail?

It's my birthday. One call, one email, and a check for $75(para mi suegra). Better than last year....75 bucks better. But it's still early. I celebrated by eating 6 tacos from Taco Bell and washing it down with water from the company water fountain.

My car has yet to be recovered. I think that I will send it the claim info tomorrow. I just couldn't do it on my birthday... which is TODAY!

Someone name Fifi (aka the Red-Monkey) actually read and commented on last month's post.... that was the best present ever...on my birthday... which is TODAY!

...which is almost FUNNY.

Dude, where's your car?

My car was stolen on Sunday night. I went out to go to work on Monday morning and it wasn't there. I just stood there in the rain in disbelief.....

Here is a picture of Silvia and Meghan chillin' on the couch. 

Here is Meghan and Momita Betty taking a nap.... 

Wednesday = Hump day (but don't get all excited)

So I am now officially a full time Van-Pooler doing my bit for the environment. There is more ethnic diversity on the van-pool than.... well, than dubya's Cabinet. So there! I graduate in 11 weeks. Not soon enough for my taste....

Oh, and while listening to the man's State of the Union address tonight, remember that saying something (even by the most powerful man on the planet to the most power nation in the known universe) still doesn't make it so...

Friday... and they can't take that from you!

Ho, hum. And another week down. I am working my final for my Jan. intensive class. Not only that but I have my health... or total consciousness... or something- which is good. La Gorda is able to turn over now, both ways. She is a sweetie, just like her mom. Ok... coffee break is over. Back on your heads!.... Late.

Sean has gone wild stacking blocks! 

Here is the brood on X-mas morning. Kids make Christmas special.  

Van Pool....

So Van-Pool cost $84/mo and parking costs $34/mo. I have school 2 days/week and can van-pool 3 days a week. If there are an avg of 21 work days/mo, how much would it cost to commute to work?

($84/21) x (21 x 3/5) + $34 = $84.40

...and the wheels come off.

I am starting my last semester at CGU Drucker. I have two instensive classes next week in addition to working full time. In a word: BRUTAL!

Here is a recent picture (Sept '04) of Sean, Meghan, and myself. 

My baby picture...

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