The GMAT Walk

The other day my father called me out of the blue to "have a talk". Apparently, I have been very vocal in my doubts about the GMAT. He let me know "you know what you need to do you have done it before." I spoke with my sister earlier and she told me "nothing you really want has ever come easy. " The GMAT is the perfect example. I have worked my but off before to get what want whether it was losing weight or moving to Italy. Once I truly made up my mind to do it, it got done. I made up my mind about and MBA a while ago, and took many steps to get where I want to go, but my path seems constantly blocked by the GMAT. Today I read GoneGuru's blog entry "The Wall" and realized the GMAT is my wall. I can't take a shortcut to get though the GMAT. I have to walk around it to get to the same destination. So, I will continue my walk. Thanks Guru for a very well written and inspiring piece.

Did you hear about Vogue Italia? It went BLACK!

Take note Anna Wintour, Italian Vogue's July issue features only black models, including Toccara Jones, a plus size model. I am excited to see Vogue take such a huge step. When I lived in Italy Naomi Campbell was the only black model you could find in an Italian magazine. In a country that is "monochromatic" (remember the European Cup, the only people on the team had Italian last names. There wasn't any other ethnicities on the team.) it is good to see such a bold statement being made. According to The Independent:

Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, told The Independent on Sunday: "We are using a lot of black models, like Iman, not only the models of today – a lot of different girls." Asked why she had decided to do this, she said: "Because nobody is using black girls. I see so many beautiful girls and they were complaining that they are not used enough."

Ms Sozzani admitted the issue could yet prove to be unpopular among some in Italy, where the xenophobic Northern League is part of the new coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi: "Maybe in our country it is not the best idea. But I don't care. I think it is not my problem if they don't like it – it's their problem."

When I lived in Italy I did encounter racism. I was called a N*g**r just walking down the street one night. I was mistaken to be a prostitute several times. I never dressed provocatively, but men still yelled out to me in my college sweatshirt and baggy Calvin Klein pants. (After I told my parents what was happening they sent me an alarm that I could touch a button and a sound louder than a car alarm would come roaring out. The only time it was used was when I accidentally set it off in a metro station in Paris. It took me and my friend 5 minutes before we realized I was the cause of the horrendous sound.) I should note I never felt in danger of my life. I knew I could walk through downtown alone at 2am and I would make it home safely. The racism I experienced was not as hurtful as when I lived in Texas and kids would tell me they could not play with me anymore because I was black and their dad did not like black people.

Bravo Vogue Italia

To check out the photos from the July issue go to fashionista.com

Photo courtesy Fabsugar

Fashion and the MBA

Sometimes I wonder what I will wear for all those important meet and greets during school. I think this outfit by L'Wren Scott is great. Can I just send this picture in for my Why MBA essay?


Photo from style.com

New York or online shopping

The post by Starwalker reminded me of my own love affair with New York City. I actually wanted to go to college in NYC but it was too much money. Plus I had a great experience at my underground, and the bonus is the campus is right next to the ocean. I use to wake up at 6am and go for a 3 mile run along the beach. My family always referred to it as a Cadillac school (which is good).I also got to study abroad in Italy for one year. All my courses were in Italian, and I had great a Italian roommate. Too many stories.

After college I worked in the film industry in public relations. I worked with many A-list names and some of them were nice and some of them weren't, but I learned a lot along the way. After that I jumped around in California for love and for money. The whole time I always knew eventually I would be in NYC. I thought I would be living there at this point in my life but I am not. It seems I always had an excuse. Not enough money, what career options, I am in love and want to stay with my boyfriend, California is so nice. One excuse after another while one year after another has passed. I am no longer in Cali, and I am not in NYC.

The last time I was in NYC was in Fall 2006. I checked out both Columbia and NYU. I liked them both, although NYU's MBA Stern building was nicer. I had a good time with my friends. even got to go to the Art History Grad Students Halloween Party. Too many stories. I have included some photos below.

Well I have given myself a deadline. 2009. Yep 2009. If I don't do well on the GMAT this time than it is time for me to pursue my dreams another way. So, if I don't do well I am looking to move after the New Years, and if I do well on the GMAT than I will stay here and apply to schools.

Either way I am out of excuses to live, shop, and breath in NYC. (Unless I get accepted into a school not in NYC. )

Time for New Habits: GMAT, Gym, Blog, Alcohol. 30 day challenge

I have been told it takes 21 days to develop a habit. So in the spirit of examining my life I realize there are many good habits I need to form. I have decided to give myself a 30 day challenge. I know 30 days is a cliché time period, but truly it will continue for a longer time. What will I be doing for 30 days straight? Four things actually.

1. Study for the GMAT everyday for 2 hours
2. Go to the gym everyday and workout no less than 30 mins.
3. Write on this blog
4. No alcohol

I have been told this is possible too extreme, and I might be in for a big let down or i am not allowing myself any leeway. My response is these are habits I use to have in the past that I no longer connect with. I might go to the gym for 5 straight days but if I take one day off I won't return to the gym for 2 weeks. I may study on Tuesday but I won't open a GMAT book until the following Friday. I chose alcohol just because I find it slows me down the rest of the night or the next day. The discipline is gone and I need to get it back. So for my 1st month I am going a little extreme. Next month I will develop 1 more habit while hopefully keeping these 4 habits.
When will my thirty days begin? On July 8, 2008, and it ends on August 7, 2008.

GlamourGirls I want to hear from you. What habits do you want to develop or change? Maybe we can form a support group to help each other. Send me an email or a comment letting me know what you will be doing for the next thirty days.

Designer Moment: Naeem Khan

Hey GlamourGirls. I was researching the resort collections this past Spring and discovered the great Naeem Khan. These dresses are all by designed by him. I admit I am late to the Naeem train. He launched his first show in 2005. His designs have recently been seen on Carrie Underwood and Eva Langoria. I just love all the colorful detail on these dresses. Plus these dresses make picking shoes a lot more fun because many different colors and styles can be worn. If you can't afford Naeem during this wonderful recession it is ok. Just remember color color color on your next shopping trip.. Check out more on Naeem Khan in his website NaeemKhan.com and about the designer himself in this article from Rising Star Designer Naaem Khan.

GMAT studying over the weekend. Not Really. Oh yeah that Scoretop scandal.

So this weekend I had planned on doing some serious studying. I wanted to concentrate on sentence correction because that is what I am the weakest in. Instead, I became easily distracted, again. You would think after all this time I would know how to study, but I just couldn't get my act together. So, while I was updating this blog, I decided I wanted more for myself so I purchased my own domain and started a website Glamourgirlnow.com. (Only because Glamourgirlguide.com was purchased by someone else last month.) The website is still in the beginning stages, but I like the fact I have something all my own that I can do whatever I want with it. Nothing has to be in a box, and I can practice more creative writing styles and develop more of my voice. Who knew learning HTML language would take up a lot of my time. Just to change a font took me 45 minutes because I am an idiot, but I am learning.

Tomorrow is a new day and it is time to settle with the OG Guide again and make it my best friend. Summer time and studying is seriously difficult. This is why people have internships and not school. It is too difficult to concentrate on the academic, but it must happen.

I have been catching up on MBA news. The Scoretop scandal Scoretop scandal is interesting. The BW Forums have been ablaze with "GMAT Cheaters busted." I will be honest I have been on the site and saw all the post for people showing 700+ GMAT scores, but I have never used or paid for the VIP service. I heard a statistic that only 10-20% of GMAT test takers get above a 700, but it seemed everyone on Scoretop did. I am not speculating people used live GMAT questions or even knew they were live questions. From what I read, I understand all those questions were removed in 2006 anyway. I don't know what the solution or punishment should be for the VIP members but cancelling scores and denying members from taking the GMAT test just seems cruel. It is an expensive test with courses costing up to $3000. It just seems like rich mans game to have GMAT prep. $30 may not seem a lot for many people but it is all they can give to study.

Question: What should GMAC do to the Scoretop VIP members?