Last 3 weeks were hectic. Had to plan for the trip, pack for the trip, meet up people, finish lat minute jobs before leaving for US.

Now, sitting here in my new apartment in Skokie, IL, I am re-starting the pending jobs. Sent a mail to my Indian PM for the recommendation. He still needs to send it. Also, asked my colleague, AU, to check out whether there is any mail for me from my Canadian PM (my 2nd recommendation). Once, I get both of these, I'll submit my application for the 2nd cycle @ ISB.

More later...

Overdrive...

Life's suddenly changed pace and has gathered momentum. It all began last Friday when I went to my SPM NR to request him to oblige me with a recommendation (Details in the earlier blog entry).

2 hours after I had the conversation with him, he calls me up and asks me to send my updated resume to him. I comply and today (Monday) morning, I get a mail from one of my PMs to report to another PM for onsite deputation. Met him, came to know that I need to reach Chicago by 1st Nov. latest. The project duration as of now is 1 year and might get extended.

Decided to go for it. Here's my game-plan. Complete my application to ISB and send it across to them before departure. Reach and work in Chicago. If get selected for ISB in January after the telephonic interview in Nov or Dec then, return offshore, quit the company by mid-March and join ISB for the 2006 session, else, continue there in Chicago and give another attempt from there itself.

The Next Step...

Took the next step in the direction to ISB. Spoke to my onsite PM, my group PM, my current PM, my previous PM for recommendations. My GPM said that since he had had no direct interaction with me for the past 1 year, it would be better if I took recos from others.

1 down. My current PM (RB), my onsite PM (RR), and my previous PM (MG) agreed on it.

Yipee!!

Thanks to them sincerely for providing me the recos. Will be grateful, if they turn out to be interview calling material. (Being a bit selfish here, but I guess it's OK)...

Sent them the templates and also requested them to send it back by 20th, so that I have ample time to send it to ISB on time.

What the... let's go...

Well, the scores are here and they are not going anywhere... So better make use of them once they reach ISB - meaning need to prepare my application ... write the essays and get the recos in shape by the 3rd weekend of October.

Starting the search for some samples to get to know exactly what to put in writing. Have asked a friend of mine in the current batch of ISB and also a 3rd person in the same batch for help and guidance (yea, me asking for help - strange !!)

Anyways, gotta get busy with this now and just pray (another surprise for me !!) that all goes well.

Tragic G-Day

Doomsday arrived, plundered and left me drenched...

Scored a drastic 640 (Q:47 ; V:31) - way below the expected 700.

Learnings from the event. Need to improve my RC, SC and DS... Thinking of another attempt in December.

Drill Tests

GMAT Prep 1 : 690 (V 34 M 49)

Kaplan PT 1 : 550()

GMAT PowerPrep 1 : 640 (V 30 M 48)

GMAT PowerPrep 2 : 650 (V 36 M 43)

Life's expected to be better...

Last 7 days...

The countdown has begun... last 7 days before I have to appear for the test.

Preparations are on in full swing to the extent the time-lines allow. Doing OG-CR today. Plan to finish the OG-SC too in this weekend.

Also, plan to give a full-length test each day from now...

Try, try and try & you shall succeed ...

As the G-Day nears, the anxiety increases... Need to concentrate and practice with dedication.

Come on buddy, you can do it.
Keep up the effort.
Don't loose sight of your goal.
Practice makes a man perfect.

Bought the bell

Registered for the GMAT today. The D-Day is 30th Sep 2005. The countdown begins...

Dialogue - "Ya to ab woh rahega ya main" -> "Either I bell the cat or the cat bells me !"

Bell the GMAT

The gamble's underway...

Started preparing for the GMAT as sincerely as possible. Time management is one thing I'll be learning as a pre-cursor.

For the past month, have tried to block-out the distractions to a certain level and tried allocating time for indulging in such activities. Yea, I have a time of the day when I allow distractions to distract me ;)

After months of deliberation and efforts to find a contact who could get me a laptop from the US of A, I am purchasing a laptop for myself from the home-country itself ... should have it in my lap by tomorrow (12-Aug-2005) night.

Would be applying for a GMAT date this weekend too ... Would finally try to bell the foreign cat.

Wish me luck / guide me / support my endeavour ... my well-wishers / fellow GMAT takers / friends.