Enjoy:
Also, check out this for an interesting CNBC Video about Tulane's trading classes. Classes start on Monday, and I'll be updating with some exciting snippets about what my classes and graduate business school at Tulane are like. If you still have some time, check out one of my favorite websites: Tulane MBA Blog for interesting posts from the official blog.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Arrived in New Orleans
It's good to be back. Sara arrives later today and I'm thrilled we're finally going to be in the same city for a while and can be together whenever we want. Our two year anniversary is right around the corner in April, but before that are the birthdays of Jeffrey, Katie, Grandpa, and me. Grandpa's is his 85th, so there's a good chance I'll find myself in New York to soak up some wisdom and celebrate with the family.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Last Night in NYC
Quite a memorable and blurry fast winter break it's been. I was in New York for a few days spending time with family and NY friends, WPB Florida for pre Maccabi Games golf, Argentina for 12 days, and back in NY for a few days.
I can honestly say this 26 day stretch was just about the most memorable monthish of my life and I really should thank everyone individually for the great time, but this group thanky will have to be- Billy, Raffi, Mark x2, Dan, Mike, Aidan, Dave x2, Josh, Eric, and Todd (oh yeah and the juniors Steve, Adam, Noah and everyone else) especially and I'm leaving plenty of people out- I took something positive from every one of you, and while we'll stay in touch, please come to New York or New Orleans so we can play some golf, have a few drinks, and reminisce about Buenos Aires 2007.
Tomorrow, I fly to New Orleans in the late evening. Upon landing, I'll pick up my car at airport long term parking, head towards the city, cross my fingers, and hope that my house/room were not broken into. In New Orleans, (edit: almost) nothing surprises me anymore.
I can honestly say this 26 day stretch was just about the most memorable monthish of my life and I really should thank everyone individually for the great time, but this group thanky will have to be- Billy, Raffi, Mark x2, Dan, Mike, Aidan, Dave x2, Josh, Eric, and Todd (oh yeah and the juniors Steve, Adam, Noah and everyone else) especially and I'm leaving plenty of people out- I took something positive from every one of you, and while we'll stay in touch, please come to New York or New Orleans so we can play some golf, have a few drinks, and reminisce about Buenos Aires 2007.
Tomorrow, I fly to New Orleans in the late evening. Upon landing, I'll pick up my car at airport long term parking, head towards the city, cross my fingers, and hope that my house/room were not broken into. In New Orleans, (edit: almost) nothing surprises me anymore.
Friday, January 4, 2008
More Videos to Come
Now that I have some time, I'll be posting more videos and probably some more pics. I took a look at the official Maccabi blog- I guess having an unofficial blog gives you way more freeway and leedom (hmm) to say exactly what it is that I want with many more details and personal experiences about dinners, competitions, touring etc...with class of course (rancor or not). Keep checking the site for picture and video updates, as I find the time to post them. Thanks for your comments so far, and your loyalty to the official unofficial blog of the 2007 PanAm Maccabi Games.
DS
DS
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Your turn: Feedback
Setting: Miami Airport Gate E11
Weather: 51 and sunny
Mood: tired, pissed at futility of TSA, sad to leave Argentina, excited to get home
Purpose: comments. leave comments. tell me what you like, what you didnt like, if you like or hate my writing style, if you laughed, rolled your eyes, or was into it, your favorite picture/video, and what you'd like to see out of the future of this blog.
Thanks in advance to everyone who takes a minute to give a bit of feedback. If you'd like to leave one, click on comments just below, and leave one. And also- if you are an habitual visitor to this site (and I know who you are...) I'm looking at YOU for comments. Thanks. Oh, and also most thanks and appreciation to Sara who kept a blog from Prague, CZ during the second half of 2007, and who has taught me so much- including the art of the blog. Without you, I would be so much less of a person. I love you.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Closing Ceremony + Trip Wrapup
It is with mixed feelings that I write the final blog of this trip, clearly not my final blog, but the last one in Argentina, and the last one around this great group of people that I've come to know over the last ten days.
After one of the most low key New Years celebrations ever, I passed out at 1 and slept for twelve hours, and it felt fantastic. My first interaction of 2008 was to make amends with my friend that I had an issue or two with a few days earlier, and it felt alright to put the past behind and move forward.
The only plans of the day were to head to Hacoaj for dinner, followed by the closing ceremonies at Parque de la Costa (amusement park in Tigre). The dinner was kind of gnarly with some sort of country fried steak/veal/goat possible, spaghetti, different salads, and fruit.
Then we took the bus a few km down the road to the park and hung out for a while with team members, and chatted with some Argentines and their children. By far the most memorable part of the trip was the countless conversations I had with spanish speaking Maccabi players, residents, taxi drivers, waiters, my caddy Alejandro etc. I always knew I could speak, but to listen and comprehend really is pretty exciting. I realize that to be able to make a foreign speaker laugh using your words means that you have made a real connection, and well, means you are functional in the language.
The closing ceremony was another very special experience. There was a speech or two and several very impressive performances- I'll try to post video in the near future. Just like in the opening ceremonies I got the unique feeling of a combination of joy, togetherness, and community that is just a fantastic feeling that I hope to get again many times in the future. Thousands of athletes from 19 different countries, American, European, and African, bound together by a common culture, representing 0.2% of the total world population, are all part of very special communiity- a example of this in a minute.
The bus drivers went on strike after the ceremony ended, so we waited another 90 minutes on the bus before we could leave. We got back to the hotel at around 1:30, and Dave, Mark, Mike and I headed to El Establo (from the first night) to see if we could get a meal. The huge bags of trash outside and tables, well yeah it was closed. We walked back, lost half the group, and it was just Mark and I who asked the concierge for a 24 hour restaurant. We found it and ordered a pizza and two steaks and enjoyed the meh food and some good conversation. Mark and I agreed that we both love love love golf, specifically the quest for betterment, and that one day we may move to warm climates where we can practice our passion even in January and February. We also had a laugh that a huge drop of water from the air conditioner on the ceiling hit right in the middle of Mark's piece of pizza.
Sitting at a table next to us was a family from Peru whose son was still wearing his silver medal from soccer. I chatted them in Spanish for a second, but then English to include Mark. We chatted about golf for a minute or two and before they left said if we ever visit Peru to look them up- Kirschbaum, plastic surgeon, the only one in Peru. So indicative of our community and this trip as a whole. About 20 other memories just like this pop into my mind, and I'd like to post them all, but they'd get a bit repetitive. I get chills when I think of how lucky I am to have had this experience, and to have met all of these people. Chazak Amenu! Israel 2009!
After one of the most low key New Years celebrations ever, I passed out at 1 and slept for twelve hours, and it felt fantastic. My first interaction of 2008 was to make amends with my friend that I had an issue or two with a few days earlier, and it felt alright to put the past behind and move forward.
The only plans of the day were to head to Hacoaj for dinner, followed by the closing ceremonies at Parque de la Costa (amusement park in Tigre). The dinner was kind of gnarly with some sort of country fried steak/veal/goat possible, spaghetti, different salads, and fruit.
Then we took the bus a few km down the road to the park and hung out for a while with team members, and chatted with some Argentines and their children. By far the most memorable part of the trip was the countless conversations I had with spanish speaking Maccabi players, residents, taxi drivers, waiters, my caddy Alejandro etc. I always knew I could speak, but to listen and comprehend really is pretty exciting. I realize that to be able to make a foreign speaker laugh using your words means that you have made a real connection, and well, means you are functional in the language.
The closing ceremony was another very special experience. There was a speech or two and several very impressive performances- I'll try to post video in the near future. Just like in the opening ceremonies I got the unique feeling of a combination of joy, togetherness, and community that is just a fantastic feeling that I hope to get again many times in the future. Thousands of athletes from 19 different countries, American, European, and African, bound together by a common culture, representing 0.2% of the total world population, are all part of very special communiity- a example of this in a minute.
The bus drivers went on strike after the ceremony ended, so we waited another 90 minutes on the bus before we could leave. We got back to the hotel at around 1:30, and Dave, Mark, Mike and I headed to El Establo (from the first night) to see if we could get a meal. The huge bags of trash outside and tables, well yeah it was closed. We walked back, lost half the group, and it was just Mark and I who asked the concierge for a 24 hour restaurant. We found it and ordered a pizza and two steaks and enjoyed the meh food and some good conversation. Mark and I agreed that we both love love love golf, specifically the quest for betterment, and that one day we may move to warm climates where we can practice our passion even in January and February. We also had a laugh that a huge drop of water from the air conditioner on the ceiling hit right in the middle of Mark's piece of pizza.
Sitting at a table next to us was a family from Peru whose son was still wearing his silver medal from soccer. I chatted them in Spanish for a second, but then English to include Mark. We chatted about golf for a minute or two and before they left said if we ever visit Peru to look them up- Kirschbaum, plastic surgeon, the only one in Peru. So indicative of our community and this trip as a whole. About 20 other memories just like this pop into my mind, and I'd like to post them all, but they'd get a bit repetitive. I get chills when I think of how lucky I am to have had this experience, and to have met all of these people. Chazak Amenu! Israel 2009!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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