Update - Week of 1/21/07-1/27/07...a day late

Wall Street Journal
Last week I said "Since I'm staying put this week I should be able to get through them." I didn't. I may have skimmed a few sections, but there is still a pile of this paper at the foot of my bed. Maybe this week...

Book - Undaunted Courage
Author - Stephen Ambrose
Rating - 4 stars
Review - I didn't finish it in a week, but last night I was able to remove the bookmark and place on my shelf. The journey they took is incredible. This story follows Merriweather Lewis more so than William Clark. I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters as it explained what became of the two. Lewis committed suicide. Never published the journals himself. Served as a governor of Louisiana (when it was the Purchase and not the present Hurricane Katrina torn state). Clark would be involved in establishg Native American policies. A lil FYI...the journey and journals took almost a century to become a popular study.

Book - The Game - Penetrating the Secret Socity of Pickup Artists
Author - Neil Strauss
Rating 3.5 stars
Review - The name says it all. You know the saying "Hate the game, not the player" This book takes a personal account of someone who entered into the PUA (Pick Up Artist) underground club. There are terms and acroynms throughout. So much so that the author includes a glossary at the end. This book describes how this underground club grew and spun off workshops, phyiscal homes through out the world where PUAs would live together, how to approach, etc. Some could read it to learn. I read it out of curiousity. In the end he realizes the Game is dangerous and not self fulfilling. That the lives of these indiviuals have truly been wrecked. On a marketing related note the book is created to look like the bible. Leather bound, built in red ribbon book mark, gold edged pages, etc. A very creative touch.

GMAT
This weekend went and saw some Aggie basketball and then headed to Austin. As a result I didn't study. To make up for it I will study on a couple of weeknights this week.

MBA, Scholarships, Research more into what degree/focus and where I would like to attend
No major update to report

Songs (just something for you to enjoy)
1. Pete Yorn "Dancing in the Dark"
2. Nelly Furtado "Say it Right"
3. Imogen Heap "Just for Now"

Update - Week of 1/14/07-1/20/07

Wall Street Journal
This last week I was on the road. Another week where I was able to pick up a copy of the Wall Street Journal daily. Again I was able to go through most of the "Marketplace" sections, but was not able to finish the "Money and Investing" sections. Since I'm staying put this week I should be able to get through them.

Book - Undaunted Courage
Author - Stephen Ambrose
Rating - TBD
Review - My goal was to allow myself two weeks to finish a book, well it appears I'll need to do that this time around. This book discusses the travels of Lewis & Clark in 1804-1806. It's truly a fascinating read and I enjoy reading excerpts from Lewis's personal journal. The men that accompanied him truly are explorers in the greatest sense. Their efforts are commendable, how America would later displace the Native Americans is not.

GMAT
Studied on both Saturday and Saturday over the various English/Reading Assessment sections. I have a ways to go until I feel perfectly comfortable to take the test. However already completing the major sections (not including the essay) of the test I feel I have an understanding of what the GMAT will cover. These next few months I will be able to focus on areas that I need the most assistance.

MBA, Scholarships, Research more into what degree/focus and where I would like to attend
After receiving several responses to my MBA/GMAT email I have received more guidance. There are several friends I will need to follow up with this week as they said it'd be easier to discuss over the phone.

Songs (just something for you to enjoy)
1. Damien Rice "9 Crimes"
2. City and Colour "Save Your Scissors
3. The Decemberists "The Crane Wife 1 & 2"

Update: Week of 1/7/07-1/13/07

Wall Street Journal

Since I'm back to traveling I was able to pick up a copy every day. I finished all the "Market Place" sections, but I do have a ways to go on the "Money and Investing." Nothing all that exciting to report. Airline Mergers, iPhone, GE selling plastics, etc.

Book - The World is Flat (version 2.0)

Author - Thomas Friedman

Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars

Review - This is the first book, column, article I've read by Thomas. I now can say I would like to read more of his work. He paints a very interesting picture on globalization and what it means to the world and more importantly the US. I agreed with his standpoint on a lot of issues. In the beginning he talks about what has made the world flat (meaning, how technology has rapidly changed societies and how doors have been opened as a result). Later in the book he shares his opinions on the state of education, the environment, terrorism, etc. My only gripe is that I believe he can get his word out in a shorter amount of pages. It becomes drawn out at times. Still, I think anyone that is interested in learning about the world and what that means for us and our careers should pick it up.

GMAT

- Studied several hours this weekend. Continued to review the Princeton Review book. Completed the rest of the math sections which was composed of algebra, geometry, and data sufficiency. I plan on studying more of everything, but those last two sections proved to be more difficult than others. I am still on track to finish this book some time in March

MBA, Scholarships, Research more into what degree/focus and where I would like to attend

- Sent out email to all of those that I'm aware of that have pursued a masters degree in the business world. Doesn't need to be an MBA per se. Looking for general guidance on taking the GMAT, applying, choosing a school, scholarships, etc. Hopefully I'll learn some good information as a result. Help from anyone is appreciated.

Songs (just something for you to enjoy)

1. Pete Yorn "For Us"

2. Rocky Votolato "Portland is Leaving"

3. Wax Tailor "How I Feel" ...awesome cover

Update: Week of 12/31/06-1/06/06

Wall Street Journal
- Did not travel this week, therefore did not have access to the articles I want to read.

Book
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Author - J.K. Rowling
- Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
- Review - It has been a number of years since I read the 5th book in the series. That being said it is understandable why it took me awhile to remember certain characters. Overall I enjoyed the book as it's nothing more than a fun read. I do think there are some problems in the wizard world. If you can make yourself invisible with a cloak, if a certain type of plant allows you to stay underwater, if a wave of a wand can fix wounds, then why would anyone need to wear glasses. Do some hocus pocus 4 eyes, I mean Harry.

GMAT
- Studied several hours this weekend. Reviewed book that talks about the test, how its broken down, ways to do better, etc. Then completed the 1st of 3 math sections. Most questions able to answer with relative ease. Do find it disheartening that calculators are not allowed.
- Created study plan. Finish entire book and all sections by late March. At that point if I still find myself struggling look into greater detail for classes offered through Princeton Review, SMU, etc. Also may consider a few private tutor lessons if I find a certain area challenging. There appear to be several listed through Craigslist. Will continue to study for GMAT till late May where I will then take the official test for the first and hopefully last time.

MBA, Scholarships, Research more into what degree/focus and where I would like to attend
- Did not do too much, but started to browse a few University websites.

HELP NEEDED
- If anyone has any recommendations on studying for GMAT, choosing a University, and choosing a MBA focus please let me know. I would ask for book recommendations, but I now have a list of approximately 12 or so that I'd like to read.