Flight Frustrations

I'm sitting in the Pittsburgh airport trying to get on my third flight. I'm also wondering where my carry-on bag ended up after they plane-side checked it on my first flight. The adventure started at 6am, when I arrived at the airport ready to board my first of two flights to LGA (connection through Philly). After USAir took my bag (full overhead) and packed us all into our seats, they informed us that our flight was indefinitely delayed due to a mechanical difficulty.

I managed to get on a flight into Newark on Continental, but was told that there's no way for me to get my carry-on bag back in hand now that it's gone wherever checked bags go. Now, that flight is indefinitely delayed due to mechanical difficulties. I'm supposedly on the next flight to Newark (at 11am), but am not holding my breath. With luck, my bag and I will both arrive in New York by tonight. This is not the best start to an otherwise exciting week.

Becoming an "expert"

I had a strange moment today when a manager told me I was a subject matter expert. There is something wrong if I can become a resident expert in six months. Hopefully she just meant that I sound like I know what I'm doing.

Oh, did I mention how excited I am to be starting my new project this Weds? I have a good feeling about this one!

New Beginnings

I'm making a daring move to restart my blog while maintaining a crazy consulting lifestyle. I hardly have time to do laundry, much less write but life is flying by and this is my best chance at keeping track.

There's no way I'll ever be able to make up the last two years of posts, but here's a quick recap:

In August, 2007 I started my MBA at University of Michigan. I met some amazing friends, learned to love the Midwest and college football, and learned a lot about myself and the business world. In May, I graduated and in July Deepak and I got engaged (he proposed in front of the Jefferson Memorial after fireworks). Soon thereafter we traveled to SE Asia for a few weeks to visit my dad in Thailand and cousins in Malaysia and Singapore. We also explored beautiful Angkor Wat, Thailand beaches, and Cameron Highlands. You can see our pics here: http://madala.smugmug.com/ (password: Madala)

In September, I moved to Pittsburgh and started work at Deloitte. I joined the Human Capital Consulting group, working to develop people-related solutions to business needs. I am exploring a range of services and industries that interest me and am trying to adjust to the constant travel. The work has been keeping me busy, but I'm learning a lot quickly. While I am still deciding if this is the career for me, I'm in a good place for now.

As I navigate my new career, I'm preparing for another big change: marriage. Stay tuned for more updates.

Home Sweet Home!

I'm home at last, though i'm still readjusting to be in the US. I went to the office yesterday and felt like a visitor -- I just know a few people, have no official office, and keep getting lost between he 20th and new 19th floor offices. It's really strange to know that I'm down to my last days at Ashoka after so many years and to try to fill my last few days before the Philippines trip with friends and errands, too. This summer is going to fly by!

Get Ready MD!

In less than five days, I will be back in my old stomping grounds of Potomac, MD. I'll be around until the end of June, so if you're in town, let me know and let's meet up!

Oaxaca

Thursday through Sunday I took my last trip in Mexico. It was a work trip, but I took advantage of a few days away to do some last-minute shopping, eating, drinking and relaxation with the girls (Sagrario and Lulu). We may have done a bit too much Mezcal-drinking, but we made up for it with a few long days of successful meetings. Here's a pic of the team (sans moi)

ps. T-14 days and counting.

Homeward Bound

For those of you in DC with busy social calendars, save some space for me!

I will be in the area June 18-30 working, then until July 4 relaxing. Although I will be in the Philippines and Thailand July 5-August 2, I'll be back August 3-6 preparing for the move to Ann Arbor, my new home for the next two years (except summers, i guess). Let me know when you want to meet up and as soon as I get a cell again I will let you know the number (probably not until August, though). Hope to see you soon!