Thank you Darren

Today, we had the final presentations in our creativity class which I already mentioned in my previous post. We had to prepare a creative project chosen by our own. Only prerequisite: it should be out of our comfort zone. The result was amazing! It is incredible how much creative potential MBA students have - Nice speeches, poems, music, handcraft, pictures. I actually did my first real video. Something I had planned for years but actually never committed the time for. Finally, I am bit proud of the result (see below). Darren our prof is probably the most uncommon business prof you can imagine. But he did a really good job and made me think. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRwVFFHEoO8

The last weekend was devoted to my two favourite sports: sailing and mountaineering. Saturday, we started the Dinghy season in a fairly cold ocean (results are documented in the video). Sunday, I went with Ben on my first backcountry trip in the Whistler mountains. It was pretty awesome. He was complaining about the bad snow while I was thinking the opposite. These canadians are blessed with good snow.

And finally: I confirmed my exchange to Shanghai today. I am looking forward to study the last three month of my MBA at CEIBS, the best Business School of China. That will be exciting.

Spring in Vancouver

Temperatures are rising, the cherry trees are flourish, Spring is arriving. Even if the Winter was by far not as rainy as expected it is nice that it is getting warmer again. At the moment, my thoughts are with all the people in Japan. In particular, I hope they manage the cooling of the nuclear plant and are able to avoid the worst scenario.

Nevertheless, School is going well. We are still doing funny things in Creativity such as building towers with spaghettis. Half of period 2 is already done. In two weeks is already exam week again. And then it is time to go to Asia. Four days in Hong Kong and six days in Shanghai to network with local companies. I am already very excited about this trip. It will be my first impression of China and a good preparation for  the upcoming exchange in September.

Skiing, Sailing, playing Lego

I am just sitting in the new Sauder Library after one of this unique Creativity classes, procrastinating learning - listing to good tunes and writing my blog instead. When I watch out of the window, I see the Canadian flag flying in the wind and the ocean moving. Ask me if I am happy in Vancouver and you will receive a pretty straight forward answer right now : Yeap.

The above mentioned Creativity class is actually very worth mentioning here. This class is all about getting some of the creativity back that we all had in our childhood and most people lose on their way to maturity. Last week, we had a two hour session playing with Lego. Everyone who knows me a bit longer knows about my passion for Lego. Consequently, I enjoyed the session quite a bit. I won't say, it has been the best class yet - but its close. Teamed up in group of four we build a story with Lego and told it to the class afterwards. Guess what our story was about?!

Last weekend wasn't so bad either. Saturday, I went night skiing on Grouse Mountain - you go skiing in fresh costal mountain powder and watch down to the city at night - pretty cool. Where else in the is that possible? Sunday, I was on another sailing trip over to Bowen Island. Skiing and Sailing within 24 hours - not bad I would say?!

The last highlight for today: my exchange application is approved now. From September to December 2012 you will find me somewhere on the Campus of CEIBS in Shanghai. So, hurry up to visit me here or book your flight directly to China.