First Time in Latin America

Central Bank of Chile in Santiago

The McCombs MBA global trip to Argentina and Chile was my first trip to Latin America.  From discussing current economic conditions with executives at Citibank and the Central Bank to historic tours of La Plaza de Mayo where Eva Peron addressed her people to late nights eating our way through Puerto Madero, this trip was in one word, a blast.  And of course, I got this posh picture out of it as well.

First Time Driving Across Continents

By the Bosphorus River after lunch at Lokma

Making friends with exchange students is always fun, but being able to visit them at their homes during a two week spring break is amazing (big ups to Gizem & Arda).  We did drive from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side.  There’s also the trip to Ephesus and seeing the Roman ruins, getting scrubbed down by gypsies at a traditional Turkish bath (hamam), getting addicted to Turkish coffee, bargaining at the Grand Bazaar twice (!), days at home watching Turkish soap opera, and making fun of me for wanting to go to the Archeology Museum (for the record, we got too busy having fun to actually go).

First Time Planning a Giant Surprise Party

Surprise Birthday at Polvo’s

Usually, when call a restaurant for a surprise party, you numbers may fluctuate a bit.  But we have many special people in the MBA, and when there’s a party, everyone’s invited.  This is the first time a restaurant set aside a whole area for us, and I had to call back 3 times to triple the number of guests.  Oh, did I mention this photo was taken at hour 36 of my 60 hour stay awake and grade 95 seven page essays session?  Work hard, party hard?  Done and done.

First Time at Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits

When Andres busts out his traditional Colombian hat, you know it’s going to be a great time.  All day listening to concerts, eating and drinking our way through the booths, and a celebratory “yay, I got a full time job” pink hairdo?  Can’t wait to do it again this year. (Reminder to self: buy tickets!!)

First Time Paint Balling

We’re some tough ladies!!

You may think that MBAs are all about partying… err I mean ‘networking.’  You’re wrong.  Besides studying as a full time job and trying to find a job, we also get opportunities (if you’re in Austin) to paint ball, bicycle the 45 minute drive to Lockhart to eat some of Texas’ best BBQ, chill on a boat in one of Austin’s many lakes, and chow down at some of Austin’s best restaurants and food trailers.  You know it’s good when the international students pick the restaurants and when your fellow non-Chinese classmates tells you about some of the best Chinese eats around.  And you definitely know Austin’s the bomb when Takoyaki, lamb rice, and your fellows classmates food trailers have all opened during the last six months.  (FYI more info on Austin’s amazing trailers here.)

But back to the topic.  Hot chicks with guns: NAILED IT!

First Time Being the Janitor at My Own Prom

Hard at Work

Lovely ladies are busting out cleaning supplies at the W during the annual MBA prom?  Crazy great times to follow.  Looking hot and cleaning at the same time: we got it down.

First Time at a UT Football Game

HOOK’EM!!!!

HOOK’EM!!!!

The honorable mentions:

• First time going to Hooters: no, I didn’t get to try the hot wings
• First time looking forward to going to statistics because the professor DJ Maestro makes class so incredibly interesting
• First time doing a shot with my management professor
• First time consulting with a consulting company, Deloitte
• First time shotgunning a beer
• First time organizing the Women in Business Leadership Conference for the Graduate Women in Business
• First time documenting my MBA experience on YouTube (Christin Chen | Moth to Flames | Boom!)
• … and the list goes on

One of the best two years of my life, and I’m so thankful for being able to share it with 268 of the smartest, most diverse, friendliest, most accomplished, rockstar, drink me under the table, and most ambitious people I’ve ever met.

CONGRATULATIONS MCCOMBS MBA CLASS OF 2012!!!

Right about now, newspapers and blogs and commencement speakers around the US and probably the world are preparing their words of wisdom to the newly graduating class of 2012.  They’ll likely talk about following your dreams, working hard; some will include humor or demonstrate a new perspective, and some will even leave their mark forever.

If you’re looking for paradigms for life after college, this isn’t the entry for you.  But, I am graduating from my MBA, have reflected back on my time in undergrad, and now am a TA with the opportunity to observe students.   Here is my advice on small things that can make a big impact.

1. Learn How to Tell a Story – In Person, In Writing, & Through PowerPoint

People usually assume that if the idea is good enough, then others will naturally adopt it.  That isn’t true.  In fact, it often isn’t.  (I’m taking Advocacy with Professor John Daly and highly recommend his book to go into details about how to champion your ideas and win influence.)

So next time you’re preparing for an important presentation:

• Think about the storyline: does the flow make sense?  Are there parts where the audience will get lost or worse, bored?  Do you need to include an agenda?  Practice with friends and not-friends.  See at what points they start texting instead of paying attention, and figure out why.
• Who’s your audience: are there industry specific words that you need to edit out or are you fine with using an acronym?  If you’re presenting to a VP, do you need to go more big pictures instead of more tactics and execution with a direct supervisor?
• Reading deck vs. presentation deck: Are you talking in person, sending the PowerPoint deck to someone, or presenting virtually?  How much information are you going to include in the slides, knowing the answer to the previous question?  Does it make sense to make a beautiful deck for in-person and another for passing around the office?  If you’re going to work for a large office, your deck will likely be passed on, so manage how it’ll look when you’re not around to explain each slide.
• Simpler = better: Grammar and spelling aside, learn how to phrase sentences.  Use simple words… if some erudite phrase in your paper or presentation is fungible (exchangeable/replaceable), then replace it with a 5th grade phrase. You got the job because you’re smart.  Don’t be intimidated into using some arcane language- I’m much more likely to blow off/disregard your point because it takes too long to decipher.  If your noun and your verb is more than about 5 words apart, it’s a shitty sentence.  If you have more than 1 dependent phrase, it’s a shitty sentence.  If there are more than 3 prepositional phrases, it’s a shitty sentence.  If your sentence is more than 3 lines in MSWord, it’s a shitty sentence.  Period.

2. Stop It With the Fillers!!

I had a conversation with an undergrad recently, where I started to count the number of “ums,” “likes,” and “actuallys” she said.  There were many. I stopped listening to her message because the fillers started to give me a tick.  Record yourself and practice not saying them this summer.  They’re distracting and automatically make you look less competent.  You may think, “everyone my age does it.”  Well, everyone your age who doesn’t already has a leg up.  Want to compete with them?

3. Dress Appropriately

This isn’t about business casual versus business formal.  Nor am I saying you should never wear flip flops (one of the best perks of a start up).  What I am saying is that you should understand your body.  Mine is certainly nowhere near perfect (fat), but I do know what looks good on me.  I know I can’t wear things that are at the hip because it makes my waist look gigantic and emphasizes that I have no hip.  If you’re shorter, don’t wear long suit jackets with wide legs pants.  You’ll look like you’re wearing your parent’s clothes.  If you’re tall, a ultra tiny cardigan may make you look like a giant.  There are a lot of image consultants.  Better yet, just ask your friends.  Figure out what types of clothing looks good on you.  Then, whether it’s casual or i-banking formal, you’ll always look your best.

4. Understand the Business

This is specific to business majors, for the most part.  I’ve seen so many presentations lately where the immediate urge is to  recommend the company does whatever their competitors do.  If our competitors are doing something, we should too!  That may not be right.

No, IKEA shouldn’t be in the Four Seasons.  There is a major difference between spending $2,000 for an office and spending $2,000 on a chair for my office.  If Walmart is offering deep discount, Target should not compete head to head.  What are Target’s major strengths (yes, major strengths not “core competencies” or “sustainable competitive advantages”)?  How will they compete directly with Walmart on price?  No, online dating sites should NOT offer wedding planning services. Would you want your fiance to work on invitations, while still browsing the single hotties?

Before you pitch some outlandish idea, really consider if it makes sense for that business.

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Congratulations to everyone graduating this year and the best of your luck with your future life, career, love, and experiences.  But more than luck, I wish you always consider your strengths (and weaknesses) and figure out the best way to exploit them.  I wish you always zoom out to see the big picture effects of your actions.  I wish you always choose your morals, values, and the well-being of others over any short term monetary or status gains.

WARNING: Sappy Post to Follow

It’s not a euphemism.  I literally lost this very pearl tonight.   It didn’t cost very much, but it has special meaning to me.  For once, I paid for something of my very own that I can be proud of and cherish.  The trip to Hawaii is probably one of the last trips I’ll have with my parents for a while.  After all, there’s the whole world of work (the real world) that lies after my glorious two years in MBA.

But as I’m listening to Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas (no. 8 and 9 to be specific, and yes, I’m a nerd), the truth hits me.  It doesn’t matter that I lost the necklace with this pearl.  The memories will still live on (I mean, granted I don’t have Alzheimer’s or anything).  ** Side note. It’s a real issue.  See awesome advert here. End side note**

And it’s not about the watch my parents gave me for graduation or the dilapidated straw tote I still keep around because my dad lined it for me (yeah, my dad’s hella talented).  I will always have my parents and all the adventures we’ve been on with me.  It’s great to contemplate.  Living in Austin, just a few hours drive from home, these two years has really spoiled me.  I’m really going to miss this closeness when I move to New York.  Yet, it’s comforting to know that I’m moving for me and for my career and my passion.  During this, I still get to keep my parents just as close in my thoughts as they are by me now.

BTW this apartment exists. Click on the pic for the article. The apartment is a ridiculous 78 sq ft.

It’s the very last semester of MBA, and I’m attempting to squeeze out every last darn drop of my time in Austin before venturing to New York for a full time position.  I’m extremely excited, especially since (outside of this summer) I’ve never lived in Manhattan before.

I’ve already started perusing design blogs to think of ways to decorate my yet non-existent New York apartment.  In my mind, I will turn sidewalk junk into the beautifully reupholstered chairs (that at like $600 retail), add a piece of glass to an old trunk the size of an ottoman for a coffee table, and spend my days staring at pasley wallpaper as I have Bauhaus’ pork belly bao dripping fat down my cheek.

But before I turn this entry into a hispter fantasy, let’s be realistic for a second.  My apartment in Manhattan will be teensy, and as lucky as I was in Oakland to find an apartment with a linen closet that could fit *most* of my 120 pairs of shoes, I’m going to have to get a new technique for the City.  So without further hipster design-pr0n or foodgasms, here’s a list of my New York essentials.  (The likelihood that I’ll actually change this list entirely once I’ve lived there is extremely high. Also, this is probably more of a reminder list to myself than anything.)

1. Space Saver Vacuum Bags: (linkie)

Firstly, I’ve been wanting to get these since my friend told me that she used it for her trip back to China and sneaked homemade Chinese sausage in one of these (the dogs can’t smell it).   Secondly, this is a great way to get all my bedding/clothes to New York AND I can use it to store my seasonal clothing and save space in my closet.

2. Shelves (linkie)

I LOVE grid shelves.  If they fit in my future apartment, my shoes will have a home and my home with have some nice decoration.  After all, I hate shoving my shoes in the corner.  The one thing I need to remember though is to stock up on some nice lavender diffusers.

3. New Tide Pods (Linkie)

Unless I add about 3-4 zeros to my salary, the likelihood that my apartment will have a washer/dryer is nil. That being said, I have a similar problem now where my apartment is a third floor walk up and the laundry machines are on the opposite side of the complex.  Last week, I forgot to bring detergent, so that was four trips alone (to the laundry, back to get detergent, put laundry in dryer, and bring home laundry).  So this little pods will be great.  No longer will I have to lug the giant bottle around, and I’m definitely willing to pay up to a 100% price difference.

4. Amazon Prime

Seriously, how do people in New York buy essentials like toilet paper?  I don’t remember ever seeing anyone dragging a 36 roll bundle down the street, but I am assuming that people in New York poop on a regular basis (apologies for the imagery).  So yes to $80 a year for second day shipping and no more buying… wait… $35 for 10-16 rolls of toilet paper? Are you out of your $&%^$ mind?  So maybe I will be having my mommy and daddy ship me a monthly supply.  Friends, bring your own, damn it.

I wonder if I can start a toilet paper trade amongst my friends.  Every month I’ll rent a car and drive down to Wilmington, Delaware to buy out their entire supply of tax-free toilet paper.  Then, my friends and I will split all the fees and after my 20% margin, cheap toilet paper for everyone!!

Okay back on topic.

5. Bed

Since my place will be awfully tiny, I want to either have a bed that makes me fall asleep the instant I curl up in its fluffy warmth.  OR I want a bed that is multi-functional.  The above option seems like a great use of space (as long as the piece stay together and I don’t wake up with my butt touching the floor), and it’ll force me to actually make my bed every day.

On the other hand, I could spring for the most comfortable bed in the world.  We’ll just have to see if my bank account agrees, once I move to New York.

What I would like to say is: you suck. Either by chance or by maliciousness, you went into an AT&T store and added yourself as an authorized user to my account. You are not. Thankfully, the AT&T alert system informed me of this change, and I was able to remove you from the account. Please know that I will be increasingly vigilant and will be recording all data, in case any formal investigation (either criminal, legal, or otherwise) needs to be filed.

I would also like to thank you. You were the tipping point for me in terms of phone spam. For whatever reason, I have been getting ads on my call phone, both calls and texts, and it’s quite bothersome. Therefore, I’ve decided to start blogging about people (names, numbers, etc.) who are soliciting me and/or breaching my privacy. It’s only fair that those who bother me will get a dose of my small, but fervent “online justice.” Maybe my blog will even appear on the first page of Google results. And you are the person who inspired me to stop lying down and taking it, and to start taking action. So thanks.

I’ll be updating this entry with further information of people/companies who suck. Hopefully, there won’t be any more.

Update:

Number- 407-492-8021
Message- Your entry last month has WON! Go to http://www.bestbuy.com.zbit.biz and enter your Winning Code: “9776″ to claim your FREE $1,000 Bestbuy Giftcard
Note- lame. Thanks but no thanks. Do not spam me.

I’m at the ripe age of 27 and everyone around me seems to be getting engaged and married.  Especially for my friends, I’m genuinely happy for them- including the fact that I get to put on a fancy party dress and attend all these fabulous weddings.

That being said, I’m wondering what’s exactly is the point of marriage?

During my MBA, I’ve been taking a rather interesting class called Opportunity Identification by John Doggett (he recently kicked butt on a CNN interview).  In class, Doggett compares entrepreneurship and starting a business to relationships.  In both cases, you dedicate your soul and emotions into making the start up a success or the relationship work.  Trust is paramount in both a business partnership and a marriage.  You end up spending an incredible amount of time together.  But businesses and marriages alike fail.  More often than not, in fact.

It’s one thing to fall in love and want to share your life and create life with someone.  It’s another thing all together to merge assets, figure out what you want out of life (career, relationships, families) versus what the other person wants, and spend 50+ years with the same person day in and day out.  Sure, just because there’s a huge risk doesn’t mean the risk isn’t worth taking.  But thinking you’ll spend the rest of your life with someone doesn’t mean that it’ll happen.

Professionals switch jobs and more importantly locations and ambitions more and more.  Relationships that work for one year or one decade may not work in another.  Babies get made whether there’s a marriage license in the picture or not.

As we continue to be more connected and transitory, people can afford to support themselves, and the western world is becoming more individualistic than ever, will we still need the institute of marriage?

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Okay, maybe this is my cynicism and spinsterhood coming out.  Maybe when I do fall in love, I’ll dream of having the Cinderella wedding with a big puffy dress and all that crap.  But I don’t think my line of questioning is wrong.  Relationships and marriages with just love doesn’t work.  There’s has to be companionship, similar goals in life, and a willingness to make adjustments and sacrifices. That doesn’t happen very often, and even if something works in one moment, time increases the chances that all of those things between two people won’t stay aligned.  While there is a lot of amazing experiences to be derived from a relationship, marriage is a formality.  The merger of families and assets will need to get redivided in a divorce.  A ring on a finger doesn’t prevent cheating, for males or females. Children live more and more in non-nuclear, complicated family constructs.

So let’s forget about the marriage.  Have a “wedding” to celebrate your love but not a marriage.  Let’s not say “to death to us part” when we mean “for the time being.”

This is a story about how great customer service and trust in your consumers can get you a long way.

I went to the Chelsea Market for the first time a few weeks ago.  My roommate at the time is a huge foodie, and we decided to explore together.

While wandering around the market, a guy (Jon) had a table near the basket shop and asked us to sample his hot sauce.  For those of you who don’t know me, I’m obsessed with spicy food and am always looking for new hot sauce.  So I said yes.  The sauce was pretty good; beyond just spice, it also had flavor. I casually asked if this was his spiciest variety.  He said no, I don’t have any on hand.

More importantly, Jon said, “If you give me your address, I’ll mail you a bottle of our habenero sauce and you can pay me back later.”

“Sure.” I’m only living in NYU dorms for the summer, so giving him my address was a fairly small risk.  Besides, he’s a nice guy, and even if he turned out to be a bit nuts, we have security guards for a reason. If he didn’t send it to me, no big deal.

I gave him my mailing address and completely forgot about the whole incident.

A few weeks later, I checked my mailbox and was completely surprised that this random guy had trusted me and sent me a bottle of his habenero sauce.  It would have been easy of me to ignore his invoice, enjoy the hot sauce, and forget about it.  I mean, I’m moving in a few weeks.  What was he going to do?

I didn’t.  I emailed him back and asked how to best pay for it.  A quick transaction later, and I was happily enjoying my bottle, guilt-free.

But this is an unbelievable story.  Of course, I told my friends (and am telling you now).  What are the chances in the one of the most jaded cities in the world that one stranger would trust another and really put himself & his product out there?

So here’s some free publicity for you.  Thanks for the hot sauce and for the story.  Best of luck in your endeavors!

Jon, thank you so much for the hot sauce. If you would like me to remove your contact information from this blog, please let me know, and I'd be happy to do so.

Best thing about wandering around the City: street art

Best thing about New York summers: street fairs + the fresh watermelon they sell there

Best lazy moment: even the grocery store 2 blocks down will deliver to you at 4 in the morning

Best surprise: friends are always dropping by to visit… in a tie with getting hot sauce in the mail

Best outdoor activity: boating in Central Park

Best out of Manhattan activity: walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO & hanging out for the day

Best view of the City: @Deutsch ad agency near Chelsea Market

Best way to get out of the City: Bolt bus

Best $12 I ever spent: Alexandar McQueen exhibit @the Met

Best way to get to the beach: in a BMW convertible after my intern presentation with one of my best friends from Texas driving.

Best nightly activity: hanging out on a stoop with friends watching trendy people walk their dogs

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The Food Section!!

Best ramen: Ippudo (10th and 4th Ave. Be ready to wait 30 min to an hour)

Best Caribbean: Boca Chica (1st and 1st. The ropa vieja is the shiznit + the caipirinhas= amazing)

Best roast corn: The green something or other in Chelsea Market

Best ice cream: Magnum (Ok, so it’s a Unilever product & I worked there this summer but I spent my own money buying the addiction-inducing double caramel piece of heaven, and I’d honestly do so even if I didn’t work there.)

Best overall bao: Baohaus (Norfolk + Rivington or 14th and 2nd Ave)

Best pork bao: Momofuku Noodle Bar (10th and 1st Ave but don’t order the ramen. Just get the bao & go to Ippudo for the ramen)

Best Lasagna/pasta: Eataly (23rd and 5th Ave)

Best dessert: Chikalicious (10th and 2nd Ave)

Best soup dumpling (tang bao): Joe Shanghai (Pell by Bowery)

Best brunch place: Gemma (3rd and Bowery)

Best homemade ice cream: Sundaes & Cones (10th & 3rd Ave. Try their strawberry cheesecake + taro scoops. Perfect combo.  Also, there’s corn, wasabi, & black sesame. Hmmmm.)

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Out of New York

Best molecular gastronomy place: Marigold BYOB (45th & Larchwood)

Best drive ‘in the country’: Atlantic City Express way

Best random trip: rediscovering Old City Philadelphia with my cousin from Beijing + friend

via Flickr, photo attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloshbennett/619307160/

There’s this pressure, maybe mostly self-induced, that says I have to have everything.  Everything being the cliche of great career, great friends, amazing boyfriend/girlfriend, a wonderful family, etc.  But do I need to ‘have it all’ in order to be successful?  Do I even want it all?

A little background.  I just finished my first year of MBA at McCombs at University of Texas (hook’em horns!).  My internship is going fabulously: I love where I work, with whom I’m working, and what projects I’m accomplishing. There’s still one more MBA year to go, and although a year seems long, recruiting is already starting.  Already, friends and family are asking where I’m going next in life.

Career-wise, I think I have a great grasp.

• Marketing: I just spent 5 minutes starring past a fruit cart to analyze the ad behind it.  Oh, wow, the perfect splash of cider behind the product bottle must have taken hours to set up an shoot.  I wonder if the brand manager was on the photo shoot.  They’re making a really bold statement; this isn’t how we normally think of cider.  How are they trying to position themselves? What’s their reach?  Only urban channel strategy or nationwide?
• Technology: About half hour ago, I completely lost my train of thought and couldn’t keep my attention on a really important meeting because I got an invite to Photovine.  ‘Nough said.
• Consumer Packaged Goods: I’m spending half my summer nerding out over plastic varieties and couldn’t be happier.  I spent a good chuck of lunch with my intern buddy talking about the taste spectrum of a Magnum ice cream bar and how we should do consumer testing on the process of lavishing over a Magnum.  (Definitely got the “girl, you crazy” look.)  I mean seriously, was I made for this or what?

Answer: working in CPG in a marketing capacity with a fair mix of digital.  Got it.

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Family and kids and stuff?… Looking put together and feminine?… Um, I have boobs; does that count?  That’s where I’m completely lost.

There are too many people on the earth already.  Do I really need give birth to feel like I’m success (I left out the article on purpose) or have experienced life to the fullest?  Aren’t some people just not meant to have kids?  I can think of so many ways I’m going to fuck up my imaginary child.  If I don’t have a child when I’m still young, will I regret it when I can’t anymore?  Are children really about love and joy, or is there a tinge of “OMG, someone has to take care of me when I’m old and senile”?

No idea.  Maybe I’ll find someone and immediately develop an urge to procreate. Maybe.

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I wonder.  What does success mean to other women?

Not including work.  Not including school.  Not including spam.  What do you get emails about?

I get about 50 emails a day from Groupon, Yipit, PLNDR, Borders Rewards, Ralph Lauren, Barneys New York, Heartsy.me (it’s like Groupon for Etsy), and so many more.  It became a morning ritual to delete all these crazy emails.  Then, an after lunch ritual as well.  It’s too much.

The irony is that I already look up the content that I care about.  Even though I rarely buy anything on Gilt, Ruelala, or Hautelook, I check their mobile app weekly.  I’ve bought more via Groupon mobile than on their website, and never have I seen a Groupon email and jumped at the opportunity.  In short, everything I can get via email, I can get via my smartphone.  So please stop sending me discount/OMG, it’s a SALE!/group buying emails.  And for heaven’s sake, please stop auto-subscribing me.

[I just unsubscribed to Yipit and immediately got another email; apparently, there's another level of unsubscribe I needed to go through to never hear from them again.  Sorry, that makes me less likely to buy from you compared to the other 300 "me too!s" out there.]

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Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely instances for email.  Emails from all my accounts, i.e. credit cards, etc. to ensure I’m still running smoothly and haven’t turned my credit into a single digit number… they’re a great thing.  Emails from certain online groups, i.e. community managers or MeetUps or Ivy+, with updates are fine.  Even Hubspot emails (before they started emailing me multiple times a week- thanks, but if I really wanted your content, I’d subscribe to your blog; stop it already) were marginally interesting and informative.

But daily sales emails… please for the love of all that is un-evil, stop sending them and just make an app.  In fact, please make a universal shopping app, so I don’t have to log into the 20 different apps per day in order to check my deals.  Just one place.  Giving me information when I want.  On my phone.  Allows me to purchase.  Does not bother me with silly emails that are for all practical purposes useless.

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Counter-argument: I’m assuming that lots of people aged 35-55, who love sending ‘funny’ images via email, playing Farmville, and posting a thousand status updates a day are the same people who will actually click-through on those emails.  And for the 5% or 7% or 9% click-through rates, the entire email campaign becomes worthwhile.  But consider this, will the other 90+% of your audience become sick of your antics and indifferent to your brand?  Just because the other 90% doesn’t report you as spam or doesn’t do anything but delete your email doesn’t mean the users themselves are not secretly resenting the annoyance of your presence.