Goodbye Dr. Hughes!!!
Yesterday Adriane and I attended the retirement party Dr. Peter Hughes, definitely one of the most intelligent and charismatic persons I have ever known. He's quite an accomplished businessman, scientist, researcher and professor and to be quite honest, an extremely well spoken, kind hearted man whom I am honour to know even if it was for a short period of time.

It was once said, and I can't remember who said it or where I read it but true success in life comes from what others say about you. Nothing is more valuable than having your peers recognize your accomplishments. It doesn't matter on how much money you have, what position you are, or what car you drive, it is how you've had a positive effect on people's lives that you have come to know and touch. Dr. Peter Hughes is definitely one of those people who is rich in body, mind and soul and without him the Skoll program would not be where it is today.

Dr. Hughes, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, we at the Skoll program will always remember you. In whatever you do, please don't ever be a strange to the program and come back and visit every so often. Enjoy retirement....you deserve it!

???To Dress up or not to Dress up, that is the question???
So I had a discussion today at work about dress code and what is proper office attire. I don't know what it is, but I think I'm in the minority when I say I like to dress up for work. While it's not comfortable, dressing up gives you unspoken respect (or ridicule....depending on where you work). I definitely think girls have it way rougher than men. I mean I only have one suit (I should get another soon before I leave Hbc) but as long as I keep changing the shirt and tie combo it's all good =). For girls, they have to find a "unique" dress or skirt that no one else has...and those shoes...gods I would be unhappy wearing shoes that give me blisters all the time. This begs the question..."why do women subject themselves to that pain??". Most girls say that it's the entire gender of men's fault because we force them to dress up. You know what....I would respect a girl who wore FUNCTIONAL shoes far more than a girl who wore shoes that caused her endless amounts of grief....it just doesn't make sense...it's almost sick in a way. When given a choice, most girls would just wear sweats...but when they have to go out of the comfort of their own house, they have to dress up....heels, skirt, make up and all...I mean I think that most women look far more attractive without make up than with it...given that some people really do need makeup...most people don't. So to all the ladies reading this....don't wear too much make up...because us men don't actually care. Then there are those who argue that women dress for other women.....well that's silly...why would they do that??? I guess women are definitely a different species than men....Men never check out other men...wait let me clarify, straight men don't check out other men, but women....straight or otherwise always checkout what other girls are wearing, how the look etc. *sigh*...if someone can decipher this mystery, I'll give then a million dollars =)

This is what I do at work....ponder intriguing questions like this...gosh I've got to stop thinking =)

Skoll Here we come!!
Yesterday was quite an exciting day for me...I found out that I have been accepted to the Rotman School of Business at U of T for their joint MBA/Engineering program. Whoohoo =) I'm actually really excited about the program and can't wait to start it even though I don't technically start my MBA until Sept of 2005. Things are all falling into place and my life is actually quite perfect right now =). At least I know what I'll be doing until 2007 =)

On a side note, CONGRATS to Adriane for also getting into the program!

Now I need a thesis..
So Dr. Paradi released his thesis projects on Monday and after talking to Adriane, we have selected our topic. We're still waiting to see if we got the project because it's on a first come first serve basis, but if all things go well, we'll be doing our thesis with TD Financial Group!!! =) Adriane and I didn't have a difficult time deciding on a topic....it only took 30 minutes for us to narrow it down to 3 out of the 20 topics provided....now if that's not productive, I don't know what is =)


Things left to do..
Now that I know I'm in the MBA program here are a list of things I need to sort out before going back to school in September:
-Finalize Thesis topic and discuss timelines
-Talk to Engineering Academic Advisor as to what courses I need to maximize my engineering course load according to the CEAB
-Look into potential graduate scholarships and OSAP funding (apparently if you are 5 years out of high school, you're considered an independant and can get some OSAP money from the government irrespective of what income your parents make)
-Update Resume
-Buy thank you gifts for my referees (Julie, Kim, Greg, & Amy)

I know this is probably not interesting to most of you guys but I needed to write it down so that I don't forget to do it. You know how life is....way too busy =)

Baby is born!!
So on Monday, Chris (Selene's oldest sister) had her baby girl so congrats to Chris and Lou. Boy do they produce healthy, cute babies....did I mention that they are cute??? Elena's already sharp as a tack and cute as a button and she's only 3!!! I can't wait to go visit Chris and the baby...maybe this weekend.....

So I often wonder if I'd be a good father...parenting is such a difficult thing to do and comes so natural to some people. I absolutely adore kids but does that mean I would be a good father? I hope so. Kids are amazing this to watch as they grow up. Just looking at Selene's nieces and nephews, it's astonishing how they've changed and how much they know. Anyways, if you guys have a moment, I'd love to hear your perspective on having kids...as well as...do you think I'd be a good father?

That's it for now..have a great week!

I'm back from my interview!!
So I finished my MBA interview =)...it went pretty well...I just turned on the ol' Dennis charm =)...I think the interview went well but you're never really sure. I guess I'll know by the end of the month for sure. It was relatively short and only lasted 30 minutes. So now I'm sitting at work overly dressed in a suit and tie =). So strange, people usually wear just dress shirt and dress pants...but the minute you throw in a tie, you're super dressed up =). I've already been made fun of today several time =) I'm still a firm believer that companies should require their employees to wear suits or at least look formal. I mean too many people are just wear t-shirts and khakis all over the place. Because of the way my group operates, we tend to be more dressed up than most other departments. I just think it's a representation of a company when it's employees all dress appropriately, but that's just me. Growning up in a Semi-private school, I guess I'm used to wearing a shirt, tie and jacket everyday =).

Well back to work for me...and if you're reading this now in the afternoon....GET BACK TO WORK =)

Starting the week..
Good morning everyone. I just got into work today...why at 7:30 you ask?? well it's because I'm an eager beaver =)...just kidding. I actually have my MBA interview this morning at 9:30 downtown at the Rotman School of Business so I thought I'd put in some extra time at work. It looks like we're going to have awesome weather this week..so for those of you who never get out.....GO OUTSIDE and SMELL THE FRESH AIR!!!

Strawberries are in Season!
Yesterday, my family went strawberry picking up at Applewood farm in Stoufville, ON as we always do each year =)...it was an amazing day and the sun was just great! We ended picking 4 huge baskets of strawberries. If you want some super sweet strawberries just let me know and I'll come by and drop some off =) and if we don't have any left, I'll just bring you some of our homemade jam =) mmmmmmm.....

Still without my Computer
So I'm still without my computer! I gave it to my Uncle Peter to give to his computer guy to fix...my burner is, well, burnt and does work anymore. So I'm getting a new on installed. The problem is I'm still running on Windows 98 and my burning software is too old and so we have to install a new version of the software. Shouldn't take too long but I've now gone without a computer for 9 days now!! AHHH =)...well that's not true...I still have internet access through my old 386...but it's SO SLOW =).....well I guess it's teaching me the art of patience =)

Anyways I hope you all have a great week and hopefully I'll see some of you guys soon =)

Later!

I love shopping!!

I realized that ever since I started working for Hbc I've become a more avid shopper. I'm almost afraid to say it because my friends will mock me endlessly but I think....I...Love....shopping....On Saturday after going to the driving range with Selene, we decided to go out to First Markham Place for some shopping. To make a long story short, I ended up buying 3 polo shirts from Club Monaco. But get this, I only spent 33 bucks!!! =) yeah!!! what a deal =) anyways if you guys need polo shirts I definitely suggest you go pick some up at the Club Monaco Outlet =)

My First Golfing outing

So I finally went to an actual golf course...so you can cross that out on my things to do list =). Adriane, Henry, Darryn and I went to Unionville Golf Course on Sunday and it was my first time at a real golf course. I actually played a full 18 holes which were all par 3. I scored 90 overall...which I guess isn't bad overall for the first time but get this...I was the only person to get a birdie on one of the holes....(for those of you who don't golf I actually got the ball in the hole in 2 shots!!) Anyways now I'm a golf nut and can't wait to go again =)

MBA Application finally done

Cross that one out on my things to do. I handed in my Skoll MBA application on Monday. Hopefully I get in...now it's all about the waiting game....kinda scary that I'm applying for an MBA already...I mean I still feel like a kid at heart =)

House to myself

My parents left for Vancouver BC last week on Wednesday so I've been home alone for a while now. They'll be back on Thursday this week so I can't wait to see the pictures =). I wish them a safe flight back to Toronto.

Euro Cup Fever!!

I think in the summer, soccer is the winter's hockey!!....that game is awesome...and it's my second favorite sport to watch. I don't know who I'm going to cheer for...maybe portugal just because I know Tiago and Matt will be rooting for them =) For those of you who are worried just because they lost to Greece, don't...they'll be back in full force =)

Thoughts on life

Today at work we had our AGM and one of the speakers spoke about the Be-Do-Have culture. What it is is a way of thinking. Most people say "I HAVE to have this, and "I HAVE to HAVE that" to make things possible. This mentality switches it around and say, what do I want to be. Once you determine that you want to BE a good person or BE a good boss or BE the best at what you do in your job, then you look at leading through your actions by DOING. DOING enables what you want to BE and as a result you HAVE the results you want. I think this is a very powerful way of thinking and I just thought I'd share that will you all!

So I figured I'd just write a few words before I start working. This whole week has felt like a weekend. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the weather or maybe it's because I have relatively few worries. I don't know, but everyday that I woke up this week, I've been in an unusually good mood. I just can't stop smiling =)..Anyways I just thought I'd share that with you all =)

Life in General
So this past week has been a pretty good one for me. It just goes to show how if you're having a bad week one week, the next week can quickly flip around and be way better. Anyways, all of last week I was majorly stressed out about re-writing my GMAT again...well to add to my stress, my GMAT exam which was scheduled on Saturday for 9am-1pm was cancelled on Friday afternoon because their computer system was down. After jumping through many hoops and calling the States headquarters I got the exam rescheduled on Sunday. I suppose I wasn't really nice to the reciever on the phone but I was majorly pissed at they way they handled the whole situation. I mean if I'm paying 400 bucks for a freaking exam, aren't I allowed to demand service?? In any case I thought, since I was so "lucky", on the way home I bought a lotto super 7 ticket just because my luck was so bad. Well guess what, I ended up scoring int he 90th percentile for GMAT and I won 10 bucks on the lotto =)...all in all a pretty good weekend =)

With the GMAT out of the way, a major part of my stress is finally relieved. Now all I have to do is complete my application and get it sent in on time. I just finished watching the Calgary vs Tampa Bay game...boy was it close but I think Tampa deserved to win even though my heart was with Calgary like a true Canadian. In any case, it was a good run and there will always be next year......but first for the Leafs.

So if you've noticed or not, I changed my blog site to make it a little more "calming" and slightly fresher...I also placed an To Do list on the side just to keep me on track of certain things that I want to do in the next little while. If you have any suggestions for the list just let me know and they will be seriously considered =). Most of it's just dumb things that I should do...but are too lazy to do sometimes...I guess this will serve as a constant reminder of things to do.

My parents and sis are leaving for Vancouver on Wednesday for a week leaving me all alone at home....needless to say, I'm a working man now and can't afford to take time off all the time =). If you are bored as well, drop me a line and I'll make time to see you (depending on who you are hahahaha). Help me cross of one of my things to do "Spend more time with friends"

I was also thinking of getting a PS2, XBOX or GameCube....I mean I'll be going back to school in the fall and who knows how much time I'll have then. I might as well enjoy myself while I can....gosh I'm such a kid at heart...but is that such a crime?

Anyways that's it for now. I'm super tired and it's super hot in my house. Hopefully I can sleep..I've got work early tomorrow and it's going to be a busy day...so wish me luck!