MBA

I just spent a whole day reading up on MBAs and GMATs. I found some really good blogs with perspective students talking about their experience getting into MBA programs. It's all dated back in 2005-2006ish, but it's helpful to see what they go through and prep myself for it.

But to be honest, I don't even know if I can face up the challenge. My Kaplan GMAT prep class is starting in 3 weeks and I haven't even started thinking about which school I want to apply to. My dad had a talk with me last night, he's never been to college, so he's a self-made man. But he's concerned with my career/future. He's very proud of me, since I'm the only daughter and made my folks proud by graduating college and have a "good" job in Manhattan. But he knows I'm not happy with my job, not that there is anything MAJORLY wrong with it (I've talked about this subject extensively before), it's just not my cup of tea.

So last night, he told me if I get into NYU Stern, he'd pay for all my tuition (100K) and my mortgage, since I won't have any major income if I go to school full time (I can take part-time, but it won't pay for nothing but my transportation and books). So I asked, why NYU Stern? He said, he knew I've always wanted to go there and it's in the heart of NYC, where all the actions are, plus he's very well-known (aka bragging right to friends). I understand all that and I don't disagree, but I am so scared to take on that challenge, because... I've been dinged by NYU twice before. I applied for undergrad when I was in HS, then again when I wanted to trasfer after my freshman year. Both time.. rejected...

My coworker mentioned to me that if I apply to the NYU part-time program (Langone), I can get reimbursed through my current company (I think y'all know where I work, but I don't want to mention it again for fear of writing about work and get fired). I'd love that idea, except what's the point of me working here full time while going to school, if the whole idea of going to school to get out of this position? Plus, her group is more relaxed with the whole expense thing, so she doesn't have to worry about getting push backs. AND she's working for 2 VP's who's NYU alumni. and me? No one on my side, at least I don't think so...

The thing is.. I am scared of applying because I don't want to get rejected again. And because I really don't think I have a good chance. GMAT, I be lucky if get over 650, NYU's average is 700. Essay, I was never a good writer, I'm sure y'all can testify this one. Recommandation letters, I don't know anyone in high ranks, and I don't think my manager/seniors are happy with me.

My coworker's suggesting I go on and be a chatter box like her, and told me all her success stories with finding jobs by talking to people. "it's who you know not what you know" type of deal. But really? Talk to these people? I've been here for half a year and I've made 1 friend. I still get by with that fake smile and pretencious small talks with people in my TEAM (9 of us). So you can see... I'm going no where with that NYU Stern MBA...

I know I am so much more, but I just can't get that motivation and confidence back. On my New Year's resolution, I said I'd go to a school for its program, for what I like, and not what anybody else thinks. But here it is again, with the stupid NYU, am I destined to be this way? To have this life-long struggle with going to NYU? Will I be happier if I went to NYU? Honestly speaking, I don't think I will be happier, but my parents will. I am almost scared of NYU, I heard of all those horror stories about how cut throat that place is... but I just want have a good experience, travel abroad to study and meet smart and cool people. Why does everything have to be so... NYU????

Must read for couples..

Difference Between Women And Men
1. NAMES If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Laurie,Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara. If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.
2. EATING OUT When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in a $20, even though it's only for$32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the women get their bill, out come the pocket calculators. 3. MONEY A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn'tneed, but it's on sale.
4. BATHROOMS A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream,razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Marriott. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
5. ARGUMENTS A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that... is the beginning of a new argument.
6. CATS Women love cats. Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.
7. FUTURE A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
8. SUCCESS A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
9. MARRIAGE A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
10. DRESSING UP A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
11. NATURAL Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
12. OFFSPRING Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances,best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
13. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

AND FINALLY.... A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, jack asses, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

Beauty Review - Chanel's Blue Satin

I missed out on the Black Satin tain when it first came out, so when I saw it on the shelf last spring in HK, I quickly picked up a bottle and soon realized that OPI's Galaxy is the same color. Oh wells, but I have to say that Chanel's nail polish have this incredible high high and glossiness, and the staying power is much better with just one coat of topcoat and not much touch up needed. This is especially important when choosing dark nail polishes. Knowing me, typing away at work and doing all the chores around the apt (not that much really), I need a touch up almost every night. So since then, I have been a Chanel's nail polish fan.

Thought I don't buy every color they have and waitted patiently for the next "Black Satin", Blue Satin disoppinted me greatly. I had it on over the weekend and on NYE. I don't blame Chanel for the quality of how the color came out, it's because I went to a nail salon in Boston that I have never been to before. I don't mess around with random nail salons. I have one that I go to in the mall around where I live and that's it. They know how to do my nails and how I like them shaped. But this placed F*ed it up big time, because it came out matted looking. Now, when you have blue polish on and it's not glossy, you know it's gonna look dirty and nasty in a matter of 2 days.

Pro: same great Chanel formula, a deep deep blue, if you glance at it, it looks like a inky black.

Con: not enough shimmer in it for me, i love how you can see all the blue shimmers under the sun, but it looks just a plain blackish blue under indirect light. doesn't excite me.

Anyways, I'd say you can skip on it if you have OPI's Russian Navy. But I'll keep my bottle for a second try at my nail salon, hopefully it'll turn out better. Othehwise, it'll end up on my swap list.

p.s. I'm wearing Chanel's Noir Ceramic. However, I am missing Lincoln Park after Midnight terribly...

p.p.s. I HATE BLOGSPOT! I'm going back to Xanga

2008

T'is the first post of 2008, I will do a little mixing of recaps of 2007 and a resolution for 2008. I will be 24 this year, which for me is such an important year. I feel like this is the year where I really need to know what I want to do with my life and finally stepping away from being a 20-something person (though I'm still 20-something, but it's closer to the scary 25!!)

2007 - Goals achieved
1) Got a better job with an internaitonal investment bank. Great career move on my part, not because I like my career, but because this company can get me further than my last.
2) Bought my dream condo and finally moved out. My condo's very close to NYC and right next to the Hudson River, also comes with a nice view of the city. Great neighborhood and love the river front walk way.
3) I got Daisy! She's such a good dog and I'm so happy I picked a happy and easy going puppy. Though she might not know this, but she means the world to me, and got me through some really rough times. I love her to death and can't imagine life without her.
4) I've learned so much about makeup through beauty blogs! I've always thought I'm the only crazy one who's obsessed with makeup, who knew?? there's a whole network for crazy people like us! I love you all and I'm so glad I met you!
5) My relationship with H grew stronger and he's so much closer to my family now. It is our 2nd year together, which is a critical year concerning that I've never gotten over a 2 year mark with any of my exes. But he's still here, stronger than ever. He is my rock and I can't live without him.

2008 - Resolution/Goals
1) Score over 600 on GMAT. I need to. I have to. I will do anything. I must!
2) Apply to MBA programs that truly interests me in what I want to do, and not is going to impress people. So what if no one has ever heard of Bentley College? I am a proud graduate and have never been happier with my degree. I'm glad I didn't listen to my mom about going to BU. Look at me now, I still made it to the investment bank in the middle of Manhattan.
3) Take better care of my condo and decorate it more. I am planning on having a cleaning session twice a month and buy more painting to hang on the walls. I need to get over the fact that there will be holes and scratches but nobody sees it but me.
4) Learn more on my job. This will be hard to do, because I don't like the nature of my job. There really isn't anything wrong with my job, it pays well, hours are good and it's a very respectful job (corporate world and all), but I just don't enjoy doing it. But I will learn more about it, because there is no harm in learning anything.
5) Take better care of my body. I'm not going to say I will be hitting the gym everyday, I know and everyone else knows that won't be happening, but I will definitely try to go 3 times a week and eat more healthier. That means cooking more and bringing lunch to work.
6) Read more books. I like reading, I just don't like reading in my house, cus the lighting is not good. Ok Ok, fine, no more excuses. I will read more.
7) USE UP MORE MAKEUP! I need to use up SOMETHING this year, I promise. Makeup is hard to use up, but skin care is easier. I need to stop buying makeup if they are just going to sit there. Seriously now, I spend $500 a month on makeup/skin care/body care, do you really think I need another bottle of primer? or another highlighter?
8) Take Daisy to the dog park. She's never been to one and I feel bad. maybe I should take her to another puppy class.
9) Spend more "couple" time with H. We barely go on dates now. I don't want to loose spark with him and I need to take more initaltive to go out with him.
10) Last but not least, to balance my mind and body, so that I can finally combat panic disorder completely. I haven't had a relapse for 4 months now. Even when I do get a little nervous, I was able to calm myself down quickly without taking any medication. I believe I can battle it with my mind only, but I promise if it gets worse, I will go to therapy and won't cancel the appointments anymore. I see all these "I will eat right and exercise" resolutions on everyone's list, while we want to take care of our body, I don't know why people don't think they should take care of their mental health as well. The earth will be a happier place with happier people, don't you think?

Ok. that's all the blabs I have for now. I'm heading back to NJ tomorrow with H. Sigh, back to the grind. Happy New Year!

Mexico Cruise Picss.. better late than never!

H and I before our last formal dinner aka the most makeup I wore during the entire trip.

a close up of the crappy eye makeup.. i only had 1 hr to get ready

after the dinner, aaahhh.. taking all that uncomfortable clothes off.. yea baby


At Cabos, a little Mexican rest. by the harbor

this is what i'm talking about! real mexican food!!

and this too.. seafood combo, holly shit!~ lobster shrimp, oyster, frog legs, crabs, fish, and clams, all grilled with spice and stewed for extra flavor.. so damn good!

the real shrimp cocktail.. its a huge glass filled with shrimps drawning in cocktail soup, adding cillantra, scallion and limes..

the view of Calstate, a private island in Puerto Vallerta



the sun set at sea...

i'm off to boston for the new year's with my hubby.. can't wait to just spend another week lounging around.. i wonder what i got for xmas from him.. is it a little blue boxxxxx???? aaaahhhh!!! so excited!

Happy Holidays!!!! hope y'all enjoyed the time off and chilling with ur families and friends. Be thankful that you've complished another year and grateful for all those who are still around you to support you. Much love. I'm out~

Smittened..

H smittens me to death and spoils me rotten, but this time, these two little guys just send me to the high heavens above. No need to bust out your shot gun, H, I'm talking about the MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study and La Mer Eye Balm.

Though the MAC Paint Pot is nothing new to any makeup junkie, but I've just recently been bitten by the MAC bug, so I'm on this ridiculous MAC-itis right now. I like UDPP, but sometimes, I wish I could do the shimmer higlight and base at the same time. Many people suggested Painterly, but when I tried it in person, it looks too pink and opaque for me. I like to have some kind of shimmer on my lid and not completely matt. Bare study is a sort of beige goldish color, which is perfect for highlighting. And the staying power is amazing! I've been putting this stuff on my eyes everyday, and that says a lot about anything I use.

I got a packet of La Mer Eye Balm tester from a swapper on MUA. I've always thought La Mer is over rated and "oh my god, if I hear another person saying Creme de La Mer is their favorite face cream - I will shoot myself". I'd love to say their $300 cream is my favorite too, but I just simply can't afford it and honestly, what 23-year-old need a $300 face cream? I don't want to train my skin to think it's too good for anything else when it gets old. Like when I'm 30, what? I'd have to use $1000 face cream? But anyways, since it's the winter and my eye area is dryer, I said why not give it a try? At first I thought it might be too thick and give me those little white dots under my eyes (usually happens when I use something too rich for my skin). But surprisingly, it sank in quite quickly, no oily feelings afterward, it just feel like butter going on toasted bread. Wowwwww... I likey..... H's in trouble. This is going on my xmas wishlist.

I'm going to buy H's 4th xmas gift today. And dad's xmas gift too. (I can't tell, cus H might be reading this blog, like when his smart ass was trying to find out what I want for xmas). Might get Mom the Shiseido Future Solution. $225!!! God damn! I guess I can't complain, cus my mom doesn't wear any makeup and used Shiseido Excelisor(sp?) line for as long as I can remember, and she looks incredibly radiant. Only if I got her genes!

Half day Monday! Yay~

back in the days

These pictures are circa 2003. Oh good lord, I should never keep old pictures of myself with horrible makeups. But it's interesting how I've moved on from mile high brows, thicks ass liquid liners and clownish eyeshadows.

I have these 4 palettes of Hard Card e/s that I just loved using, I still do, but just in a different way. I remember my favoriate was Maybelline eye liners and mascaras. Never wore any blushes. Never used a brush, fingers only. Had no idea how to put on foundation, I used a wedge and smudged it on, not patting, just smearing it all over my face. Had no idea what under eye concealers are.

Oh those were the days. Bad makeup, blonde highlights and even worse skin. But here I is, girls, exposed. Aside from maturing with better application skills and learning more about makeup, and of course, these wonderful blogs, I had got a few more helping hands.. I will mention that in another blog. Good night y'all.