B-School Ramblings

Upon returning from our Easter holiday the MBA program entered a new phase of week long intensive classes. Until now we spent our time juggling multiple courses per week and their requisite projects, reading and case studies. The great thing about the intensive classes is the opportunity to really dig deep on a specific topic. In the earlier semesters it was not uncommon to become spread really thin as you try to handle all the material and demands of the course.

Since starting the MBA, I've discovered that I really enjoy the strategy aspect of managing a company so I chose both corporate and global strategy as two of my intensive courses (mergers & acquisitions next week). Both classes relied heavily on case studies of industry leaders that required us to analyze the strategic issues facing a firm and leverage our understanding of strategic frameworks, financial analysis, etc. I may sound a bit nerdy trumpeting these case studies but it's interesting to see how a couple of stilt walkers from Canada redefined the circus (disruptive strategy) and now sit on a multi-million dollar empire known a Cirque du Soleil. Or why was the Daimler-Chrysler merger akin to Britney and K-Fed's relationship while Peugot-Nissan appear to be living happily ever after?

Stacie can probably give you an ear full about how intensive these week long courses are since I didn't really see her last week but I've only got one more to go so we just have through. I don't want to even think about the grown 'honey-do' debt I'm accumulating as I shirk all domestic responsibility while studying!

-Kyle

Spring Break, Part 2

This is by far my favorite photo of our trip to Egypt. The trip had its ups and downs, but riding a camel at the pyramids is one of those things you'll never forget.

After our fun time in London, we boarded a flight for our 5 hour journey to Cairo, Egypt. Cairo, also known as Al-Qahirah, is the largest Arab city in the world and the largest city in Africa. We didn't really know what we were getting ourselves into when we arrived. The culture in Egypt, is one of bartering and it is a "mad" city like nothing we had ever experienced. The streets are crowded and very poor. There are no grocery stores or restaurants- all we saw were run down buildings and shops.

A street in busy Cairo

A vacation in Cairo is not like a vacation in a European or American city. You cannot just walk out of the hotel and stroll the streets if you have free time. Except for our trips to the Pyramids, Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum, we stayed in the safe confines of our hotel. It was definitely an eye-opening experience and Kyle & I both feel like we came away from the trip with a different perspective of the world and our charmed lives.

We arrived in Cairo late Wednesday night. On Thursday we had given ourselves a free day to explore the city, but just ended up hanging out in our hotel, lounging by the pool and watching movies. Not too shabby really! On Friday we had a guided tour to the Pyramids and it was amazing! Our guide took us to both the pyramids and the Sphinx and gave us an in-depth lecture on the history of the Pyramids. And of course, we got to ride a camel! Kyle wasn't too keen on this, but I was very excited!

Tourists at the Pyramids

The Great Giza Pyramids

Proof we were actually there!

The Sphinx

Kyle couldn't resist trying to pick the Sphinx's nose (or lack of nose)

After our trip to the Pyramids, we also made a trip to the famous Egyptian Museum. The Egyptian Museum is the most extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world with 120,000 items on display. It was quite different from the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.. Most of the items were in enclosed cases, however most of the descriptions were written by hand on torn off pieces of notebook paper! Quite a different experience from what we were used to. But the artifacts on display spoke for themselves. We got to see mummified animals (crocodiles, dogs, monkeys and cats), the tombs of the Pharaohs, golden chariots, ancient jewelery and even the items they found inside of King Tut's tomb. It was an impressive collection! Perhaps my favorite part was the mummy rooms. As you may know, I hold a special place in my heart for all things Halloween and what could be more Halloween than actual mummies?! The level of preservation was stunning. The mummies had toenails, hair and teeth! It was like a real live Tales from the Crypt episode.

All in all, our trip to Eygpt was great. Now we're back in the good-ole UK appreciating our safe streets and clean water! Kyle is back in class and I'm back at work. We don't have anymore traveling adventures planned until July, but that is good because we're both a bit worn out as it is!

-Stacie

Spring Break, Park 1

It has been a little while since our last post. Spring break has come and gone and we have been enjoying the time off from school and work. Our spring break officially started on Wednesday, 1st April when Kyle finished his last exam! The next day, my good friend Katie, from Virginia, and her husband Taylor came to visit us. We hadn't seen them since July and were stoked to have visitors!

The four of us!

We spent Friday and Saturday exploring Edinburgh. We went to the Palace, walked around the city, ate Haggis and tatties and even went to a football game.

Kyle & Me outside of Holyrood Palace

Katie & Taylor listening to their audio tours in the Palace gardens

On Sunday, we hopped on a train and went up to St. Andrews for the day. On Sundays you can walk the course. I am not a big golf buff, but I understand the history and beauty of the St. Andrews course, it was really cool to actually get to walk on the course and see where it all started. As if that wasn't enough, there is also a castle (there always is in Scotland) and an amazing Chapel. You can also walk around the cute town and there are plenty of little shops and restaurants.

Here's Taylor at the St. Andrews sign

On Monday, after our trip to St. Andrews, we got on the train again and headed down to London. Kyle & I haven't been there since we moved to the UK so we were really excited for another chance to see London. On our first day there we went to the famous Harrods department store. It was quite an experience. The store takes up multiple city blocks and carries everything from Krispy Kreme, fruits, vegetables, designer clothes, shoes- you name it they have it. Not at a price that the average Joe can afford, but they do have it.

Here is Kyle & Me getting ready to enjoy some Krispy Kreme

After our Harrods adventure, we bought tickets for the Big Bus tour and rode the bus around London to see all the sights. My favorite part of the tour was the Tower of London. The tower was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078 was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison for high status or royal prisoners. One of it's famous prisoners was the Queen Anne Boelyn. All of the prisoners are buried within the Tower and they even showed us where Anne Boelyn was executed.

Where Anne Boelyn was executed

The Tower of London also contains the crown jewels. The crown jewels includes the royal crowns, royal sceptres and royal jewelry. One of the royal sceptors, 'Sceptre with the Cross' contains a 530 carat diamond, which is the second largest cut diamond in the world (the largest being the 'Golden Jubilee' which is 755 carats and is housed in the crown jewel collection of Thailand). Katie & I really enjoyed this part of the tour. I can't speak for the men though...

In front of the Tower Bridge

Westminster Abbey

Our tour took us to all the major spots of London- Westminster Abbey, the Eye of London, the Globe Theatre, St. Paul's cathedral, Big Ben, Parliament Buildings, etc etc. It is such a huge city compared to Edinburgh or Seattle for that matter! After our long day of sight-seeing we stopped off for dinner at a local Italian Restaurant. On our way, we came across this fun marketing ploy by McDonald's. They have positioned their billboard in Picadilly Circus such that you can pose with the different photos they display. We had fun playing with all the different photo options.

Kyle & Taylor at the McDonald's ad

We had quite a lively waiter at dinner. He managed to spill Taylor's beer and then his solution was to drink the beer off the table with a straw. At least he was willing to help!

Taylor & the waiter...

Kyle & Katie being silly

Wednesday was our last day in London so we decided to go to the changing of the guard. It happens at 11:30 but you have to arrive early to get your place in line. We got their around 10 am and waited for the festivities to begin. It is quite a procession down the mall with soldiers and a band and horses marching.

Changing of the Guard

Changing of the Guard

We all had flights out of London on Wednesday afternoon- Katie & Taylor to Virginia and Kyle & I to Egypt. I'll post part-2 of our trip later this week.

-Stacie