Monday, November 29, 2010

Zoom Zoom!

One of the toughest things about leaving any place is the distance you inevitably create between the people you have grown to love in the life you've built in whichever city you're currently in.

Throughout my life, however, I've constantly been away from my closest family and friends to the point that physical distance is just a fact of my life so much so that it no longer overwhelms me. Instead, I welcome it as a chance to visit yet another new city! (and if you know me even remotely well, you'll know that I love to travel :)

INSEAD's 1 year program in France, Singapore, USA, Abu Dhabi... leaves very little room for people like myself to retain ties in our current city of residence. I was born in India but I grew up in Bangkok, Thailand where I attended Ruamrudee International School. I left Bangkok when I was 18 to move to New York where I attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Upon graduation I moved to Chicago where I've been living and working for the past 5 years... so as I pack my bags, I have to come to terms with the possibility that - depending on my job prospects - I may only return to the USA as a tourist from here on out!

My brother, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, cousins, god-daughter, nephews, nieces, grand uncle, and aunt (to name just a few close relatives) live here. My girlfriend and her family as well. Then there's obviously the extremely close friends (some of whom are like family) and the list goes on and on...

Of course, this post wouldn't be complete without my mentioning some of the THINGS that I've had to "leave" behind - i.e. sell, donate, recycle: the top 5 being:
1. ZoomZoom (Mazda3),
2. Schecter Electric bass
3. Ibanez Electric guitar
4. My first guitar - a Fender DG acoustic
5. My first TV ever - Samsung 42 in Flatscreen w/ DVR (that some might argue slowly deteriorated my ability to eat a meal w/o TV)

Mind you, these are not in chronological order of importance - just what I typed as I typed and reflected, fondly. Point being that, yes I was/am/have been attached to certain things. It is natural to become attached, but sometimes I think it is odd for me to feel that attachment since I've been leading this "peripatetic" life for as far as I can remember. Every few years I pack a few suitcases and I board a flight to some new place to settle down.

It is interesting because last year, when I moved into my apartment in Lakeview (the Briar residence you probably recognize), I thought: This is it. I'm in a serious relationship. I will apply to b-school here in Chicago (two of the best being in the city itself). I will setup my life here, in Chicago.

Approximately 12 months later, and not entirely shockingly either since I actually applied to a school halfway across the world, all that came to a grinding halt - and Chicago turned out to be yet another stop on my city & country hopping journey!
Chicago - A view from the North Sie

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

INSEAD on top!

A year ago today I walked out of an INSEAD information session at the W Hotel. I was impressed by the style in which the session was held - both because it was the W and their appetizers and drinks were exceptional, and because of the format of the session (see post from Nov 13 2009).

As I was reminiscing and cleaning out my gmailbox, I came across this: http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/nov2010/bs2010119_517831.htm

Promises to be a great year ahead!