Just 1 more exams!

The results for CSR were out yesterday, another B+. Now I have just 1 more exams and a Capstone Project submission on the 3rd week of Jan and I am done with my MBA studies. Hooray! Can't wait for the time to come! At the meantime, I am really stressed out with the discussion board submission obligations and the final team assignment for Service Management.

N and D have started school this week as well and D seems particularly happy with being a Secondary School boy now. It's still orientation week for him and he's deciding which CCA to take. Will be going to the CCA recruitment fair with him this Saturday and hopefully he can decide by then... N is feeling the stress as this is her GCE 'O' levels year and she has a lot to catch up on her studies, especially Maths.

Anyway, I will be travelling one last time next week and hopefully will be able to rest well until my due date in March. There's so much to organise at home too! Still fretting about the place to put the baby cot...our room is really too small...all other bedrooms are occupied...where will he sleep when he grows up? Oh well, will fret about that later.

13 down, still 5 more to go!

I have been feeling good since last Thursday. No more headaches but tummy still bloated and very sensitive to smells. I realised I cannot take the smell of onions and fish and any kind of strong smells!

Was especially sleepy on Saturday, slept until around 11am! Didn't want to wake up but had to wake up to eat...after that, I fell asleep again. The next thing I know, it was almost 4pm when I woke up again! Then I cooked myself noodles to eat and started downloading the final exams paper for my 13th subject on HRM. It was about the HR issues at British Airways...quite a lot of issues, I must say. I really don't understand the power of unions! I guess it's because there isn't a really strong union here in HK and Singapore? Anyway, the BA cabin-crew is already the highest paid crew in the airline industry, what are they still complaining about? The company has been making losses for the past 2 years and they are still staging strikes, disrupting thousands of travellers and asking for more. I think they are ridiculous with their demands...that's the problem with the system in the UK. Hubby has been reading up alot on the UK policies and have been showing me ridiculous examples of the welfare system in the UK. People on welfare are having better housing and receiving more money than those who earn a honest living in the UK! So, why should anybody work? I still think that Singapore has the best policy in the world. Everybody has to work and has to take care of oneself and one's parents. Can't depend on the government and that's why everyone in Singapore has to work hard and upgrade oneself all the time to get a better life. That's fair and that's how an economy can grow. We don't have any natural resources in Singapore but our most precious resource is our people, human resource! And we have a good HRM called the PAP.

Anyway, I have finished 13 subjects for my MBA with U21Global and have 5 more subjects to do. At this rate, I should be able to finish 16 by December this year, leaving 2 more for next year. Complete in 3 years...just nice. :)

Weekend Update - Completed 6 Subjects! \\^-^//

I have completed 6 subjects for my MBA this weekend with the final exams on the Data Analysis and Decision Making module. Yippee! And I have 12 more subjects to do...

On Friday evening, hubby and I went for a photo-taking session at CoverGirl because hubby was interested to make a magazine-looking album out of our photos. There was a booth at MK's station offering the photo-taking session at an attractive promotional rate, so we went for it. The package included 3 costumes and image designs for me but hubby had to wear his own clothes. I couldn't find anything I liked for the casual look, so I wore my own. But for the gowns portion, I chose a wedding gown and a Victorian style gown. We had fun! Maybe next time I should bring mum. Can't wait to view the photos!

After the photo-taking session, we went bowling again at MFBW. Played around 8 games and my average scores were still around 130...no improvement yet with my new ball. I have to work harder, the league will start mid- September. I hope I can average 150 by then. Hubby has been making very good progress with his new ball though and he is very serious about the game now. M has also bought a new ball and is making good progress. Mrs M is also maintaining at the 140 range. Looks like I am the only one still lacking behind now...gotta work harder!

On Saturday, accompanied hubby to HKUST for his post-graduate program registration. The campus was really far away from the city and the view of Clear Water Bay was really good, but it took us more than an hour to reach there by bus and MTR. The registration took less than half an hour though and after that we went to Diamond Hill's Hollywood Plaza for a late lunch. We would have gone bowling again if I didn't have exams....but we are going again tonight after work! :)

Nice long weekend...

This has been a long weekend for me as I have sick leaves for both last Friday and this Monday. I am not feeling sick but I have a terrible skin infection on a piece of scratched skin on my left foot. It all started last weekend at the wet market of Mongkok where I had an itch on my foot and I started scratching it until it was red and tender. I didn't think much of it until it became so painful and the skin was practically rotting that I went to see the family doctor. She told me that it was serious and gave me an injection plus anti-biotics to take for 3 days before going back to see her again on Monday. Then on Monday, she gave me 4 more days of medicine...really didn't think that it could be so serious.

Is it because Hong Kong is really dirty that I get all kinds of strange infections or is it because I am getting old? "Getting old"...I really hate to admit this. Will I be much healthier if I am living in Singapore instead? I guess I will never know as I have been living here for the past 4 years and I will be staying here for another year at least. The secondment contract is signed today.

I went shopping with mum on Friday afternoon at the fashion wholesaler, had dinner with the family including grandpa at the Thai restaurant in Elements and bought the sexy Nespresso coffee machine as my anniversary present. Hubby was happy that I have chosen the coffee machine over bags or shoes or diamonds. To him, it's a new toy where the whole family can use.

I started to download my final exams for Finance on Saturday afternoon, while D and hubby went to Mongkok to buy games and collect D's 11th birthday cake. It was crazy, I had absolutely no idea how I was going to answer the questions! The paper was really difficult! I needed my textbook but it has been left in the office...Hubby went back to fetch it for me while I continued to scratch my head. After 18 long hours of head scratching, hair pulling and eyeball rolling, I finally submitted the paper.

We celebrated D's birthday on Saturday night, after having California pizza for supper. D had chosen the cake himself at Maxim's and I think it was nicely done but somehow, they had spelled out his name funny with a capital L in the middle.

D's "Soccer Boy" birthday cake.

Father's Day Special Tea Set @ Elements

Sunday dinner @ Yamada.

Diamonds again

image source : www.debeersgroup.com

I have completed my 4th subject (Managing International Business) yesterday after working 15+ hours for the final exams. 4 down, 14 more to go...The task was to write up a report for De Beers' global business with recommendations on how the company should move forward from now. Last quarter results for De Beers had been badly hit by the on-going economic crisis, the demand for diamond roughs had dropped, pushing the prices down. De Beers had closed the Botswana mine for 50 days and laid off more than half of its staff in UK...So how should De Beers move forward from here? De Beers is involve with the whole value chain of the diamond business from exploration, mining, sorting, cutting, manufacturing to retailing. Each process add value to the diamonds with the mining and retailing being most lucrative for the company.

It was interesting reading up on diamonds, so much to learn about diamonds. It was my 2nd case relating to diamonds, the 1st was Gem Diamonds, a diamond mining company for the Marketing Management's final exams. Did you know that diamonds are at least 990 million years old? And some are even 4 billion years old! So they exist on earth even before life began? And most of the diamonds can be found in South Africa. Before polishing and cutting, a diamond is just a piece of rock but with remarkable craftsmanship, diamonds can become so brilliant! I know most guys will think that diamonds are over-rated but most girls love diamonds. Why? I think it's the famous slogan by De Beers, "A Diamond is Forever" and their concept of the diamond engagement ring that have made diamonds a symbol of love and fidelity. That was great marketing. But anyway, precious gems including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds have been used to adorn jewellery and all sorts of accessories by royalties and the wealthy for centuries. So, in times like this current economic crisis we are facing, how do you market a luxury item like diamonds?

HKUST

I was at the campus of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) last Saturday with hubby for his masters admission inteview. I was amazed with the beautiful view of the sea from the campus. It was a rainy day but if it was bright and sunny, I think the view would have been even better. I could see some people wind-surfing despite the weather. Oh~How I miss campus life!

Hubby's interview went well and he will be starting his studies from September this year. I wonder if I can go to the campus with him on Saturdays and do my own studies there at the canteen or the library. I love the view and the fresh air!

On a clear day...

View from my living room window on a clear day.

It was a clear day yesterday when I was doing my Marketing Management exams, so I took a photo with my BB. It is rare for Hong Kong to have a clear day like this and I could see all the way to The Peak from my living room window. It was a nice and cool day. It would have been nicer if I could go drving in an open-top car or something but I had the exams... *sigh*

The exams was not too bad, it was a clear day and I had a clear mind. I was asked to do a marketing plan for a diamond mining company amist the economic crisis now. It was interesting reading up about the diamond mining business, conflict diamonds issues and also about the 4Cs of diamonds. I spent about 13 hours on the plan and I am expecting myself to get a good grade for it. :)

Anyway, yesterday's exams marked the end of the 3rd subject for me in this quest for a MBA. I have 15 more subjects to go... I am hoping that I can finish 9 subjects by the end of the year. Hubby has applied to HKUST finally after considering for more than a year. It will be a part-time MBA and the lessons will be held at the Clear Water Bay campus on Saturdays from 9am till 6pm. So when he starts in September, he will officially have no Saturdays for 2 years. I think it's a worthy sacrifice for the best MBA program in Asia Pacific, so I am praying hard that he gets admitted.

Is it a good time to go for a MBA? Is a MBA degree a worthy investment?

Decision-Making

My 1st discussion topic for my 1st subject of my MBA program was : " Assuming you are the CEO faced with a prospect to lay off 600 workers, which decision-making model will you use and why." *Yucks!*

I don't believe anyone would like to make a decision like that and I definitely hope that I will not have to make such a decision in real life, especially not when I am the CEO! Anyway, after reading 2 related chapters of the textbook, I realised that there are many models of decision-making and approaches which I actually have been applying at work all the time but had no idea that they have names. For example there is a model called The Garbage Can Model of Decision-Making whereby I must have been using all the time in this company. I have to make decisions under highly ambiguous conditions whereby the goals are not clear, the participants change fast and I also do not have a set of rules to guide me along! So I am actually a Garbage Can decision-maker all along! And the Japanese bosses in my company will always use the Political Model of Decision-Making whereby they use their powers (titles) to affect the decisions...

Most of friends who have done the MBA are telling me that I will have a freshing and enjoyable time doing my MBA. I was at doubts about myself going back to studies after so many years but I am beginning to believe them now. I feel that my time is spent more fulfilling now that I have things to read about and the theories I learnt are actually applicable to my work! It is really a revitalising experience. I am looking forward to starting my next subject next month and then the next

My study routine

I am suppose to introduce myself to my course professor and my course-mates so that they will be able to get to know me better in the form of a post. I am suppose to give a little background on what I am doing and how I have come to this point of my career. My course-mates will do the same, of course. Base on these introductions, we will choose our course-mates to work as a team for team assignments and projects. So, I need to make an impression!

Also, I have just downloaded some reading materials for the 1st segment topics on Problem Solving and found out that I have 2 chapters, total of 50 A4-size pages of reading to do. On top of that I have a case study from Harvard Business School on "Taran Swan at Nickelodeon Latin America" to read and analyse. There will be 7 segment topics in Organisational Behaviour and they all have plenty of reading up to do! Looks like I will be quite occupied with reading this weekend and many more weekends after...I have calculated, at the rate that I am planning for my studies, I may need 2 years or more to complete my studies. The intensity of this new commitment I have gone into is dawning on me now. I really will not have leisure time to bum around over the weekends anymore!

For the past few days, my daily after work routine went like this:

Dinner with hubby as usual => Go home, watch TV for an hour or 2 => Do exercises with my Wii Fit Instructor => Shower => Skincare routine => Read my textbooks/notes in bed while I use the OSIM uZap on my tummy for an hour => Sleep

I wonder how will my routine be when my study program go into full-swing?

Organisational Behaviour

I am so excited and fired up for my studies! It's finally happening! Although the official start date is next Monday, I can access to all the materials and the assignment questions today. So exciting. I read a short and sweet introduction of my subject professor and also the introduction notes to my 1st subject, MBA601-Organisational Behaviour.

According to the introductory notes, this subject is suppose to help me understand how different people behave in an organisation differently and also how I will learn to solve problems caused by people. Learn how I can work with people more effectively...solve problems systematically...manage change successfully... Sounds like every working individual will need this skill, huh? I am full of anticipation to see how can this help me deal with the issues I have on hand at the moment. :D

My learning style - Enthusiastic

I did a Learning Style Questionnaire at the Students Orientation Program of U21Global and got the below results:

• Logical 8 pts
• Imaginative 7 pts
• Practical 10 pts
• Enthusiastic 11 pts

Which means that my dominant learning style is Enthusiastic followed closely by Practical. Hmm... This is so true...especially some of the disadvantages part of it.

Disadvantages of Enthusiastic learner such as:

• Tend to neglect subjects you are not interested in
• Try too many things at once
• Leave things until the last minute
• You don't plan work in advance

Disadvantages of Practical learner such as:

• You are impatient with others' viewpoints
• Think there is only one way of doing something - your way!
• Lack imagination
• Get pre-occupied with details

So, now that I know my learning style, I am suppose to reflect on it and see if I can come out with a strategy or some strategies to help me make this online study successful.

On this program, we are urged to connect and discuss with our online classmates and professors extensively. We will be graded based on our daily involvement throughout the whole 12 weeks of each subject which will be 75% and the final exams is only 25%. I am already trying out the discussion boards and also the chats. Quite user-friendly. Lucky me!

New Challenge

Today I had a good start because the taxis were waiting downstairs and for once, finally in 2 weeks, it wasn't raining in the morning! Nice~ And the best part was I didn't have to walk a mile from my apartment before I could get a taxi! :D

I take it as a good omen to the start of a new challenge for me. Today, I will begin the 1-week orientation program to my MBA studies with U21Global. And officially, my 1st subject, Organisational Behaviour, will start on 21st July. I have started my "pre-study reading" last night with a book named The Ten Day MBA by Steven A. Silbiger which is suppose to be a step-by-step guide to help me understand and master the skills taught in some of America's top Business Schools. The 1st chapter was on Marketing. It put me to sleep right away! And I slept quite well too! I should be worrying but somehow, I feel weirdly energised today. ??? Hopefully, it can last me through the week! No, it has to last me throughout my studies!

Networking

I was out last night to a networking dinner with some of the U21 Global's graduates and the CEO who was here visiting. They shared with me many of their experiences on why and how they had done the MBA program. One of them was a paediatrician and he shared with us that he had done the MBA program because he was really bored with his job. *Didn't know doctors will actually be bored with their jobs too!* He said 96% of his patients visited him only for the common flu and the rest of the 4% who might have more serious problems were usually referred out to government hospitals because of the medical costs. Another guy took 5 years to complete his MBA program, confessing that he had really taken it easy until his wife took her MBA program too. He then had competition to not lose out to her. Then there was a golf professional who is still doing his program and he came with his wife who was very supportive of his studies. He confessed that he will not study anymore after this though. Everybody told me that it was a challenging experience for them and although it was tough, it was fulfilling and they all thought that it was all worth it. *I am inspired!*

Why MBA?

I have been offered admission to the U21 Global MBA program and I have to reply by next Thursday. I am quite excited about going back to studying and finally realizing my goal of getting a MBA. However, the reason for getting a MBA is quite different now from many years ago. I do not need the MBA to get me a better paying job and I definitely am not thinking about changing jobs right now. So why MBA? I have been asking myself this question these past few days and I have been reading other people's reasons on the net.
I have consolidated my own reasons for WANTING to get a MBA in descending importance below:
1. Personal achievement, which is quite an egoistic want; my profile will look better with a MBA on top of my NUS degree.
2. Acquire more skills and knowledge in business management and administration.
3. Networking for more professional contacts.
4. Enhance my negotiating power with my boss with regards to my career.
5. Maintain the intellectual level with hubby.
6. Resolve the boredom I am facing now.
I hope nobody is getting angry with me by reading this because I know many people out there are trying to get a MBA because it is more of a need than a want...