Friday in Flight to the City by the Bay

Today I'll be flying cross country to where I left my heart, back home in San Francisco. This will be the trip back home before I move to Spain so I'm going to try to see as many friends and family as I can. However, that also means I have to have my SF classic fix (as I think of this list, notice how it's mostly food...) -

• Marnee Thai - THE BEST thai food in the city, very authentic and has the best Thai chef in the US
• In N Out - maybe if I was living in California I probably wouldn't eat it, but because there's not one in New York I have a "you miss it when it's gone" relationship
• Boba anywhere on Irving St. - even though there are a ton of boba places in chinatown ny, it's much more convenient from my grandparent's house and they're everywhere in SF
• Salsa dancing on2 (New York style) - it's been a few weeks since I've gone and a friend knows a spot that does it New York. Check here for the difference between dancing on1 (LA style) and on2
• Stroll around downtown SF to the Embarcadero, Union Square and Powell St.
• Napa Valley wine tour

Happy Holidays!

San Francisco streets and underground MUNI subway

Exchange Rate Robbers

It's official! I'm enrolled as an International MBA student. I just submitted my enrollment contract and deposit for IE Business School. The deposit was actually a BIG deal. Shopping around for exchange rates from my banks from US dollars to Euros was not fun. Citibank and Chase had an exchange rate of $1.38-$1.44: 1 euro. On top of that, they charged a $15-$30 transaction fee. I'm sure there's a charge on nursing my first born in there somewhere.

So, thanks to some helpful friends at work, the best solution and rate was actually Western Union through its online Business Solutions. Yes, this bodega-facade establishment has helped me wire money in an instant to family in the Phillipines, but now has alleviated my transaction woes with a reasonable rate of $1.33: 1 euro with no fee. "You save $300-$500." Cha-ching! Why didn't I think of that?

Entertainment Marketing Maven Remembered

This Friday, Dec. 17th is a special day. A true mentor, confidante, and friend was laid to rest. I had an insightful experience working with Karen Sortito, as my direct boss, over the past year and have had the pleasure of knowing her for three. She fought brain cancer with as much gusto and balls as a 10,000 troop army. Her charisma and boldness has always inspired me and I hope I can emulate even half as much energy as her in my lifetime. I've been so fortunate to have had the chance to work closely with someone who's had such an influence in the field of entertainment marketing and partnerships.

Here's the beautiful obituary that was written about her spirited life and accomplished career:

Karen Sortito dies at 49; marketing exec negotiated product tie-ins to Bond movies

Photo above: Our team spending time at the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy with Karen (2nd to right). Summer 2010

Vitamin D Fix - Cabo San Jose, Mexico

The week during and after Thanksgiving I was fortunate enough to visit friends and fam in Southern California and attend a long-awaited wedding in Cabo San Jose. LA, San Diego and Orange County was great - had fun with everyone, fed the In & Out craving, of course and even spent a few hours at South Coast Plaza for Black Friday.

The first week of December I stayed at Cabo Azul to attend the wedding of close college friends and was actually a part of the wedding party. The resort was amazing, the pool and villas were the best part! The wedding chapel in the resort was such a sight! Almost made me want to get married all over again. (ok, maybe not) The best part was partying with old friends, making new ones and having filipino food for breakfast almost every day. If you don't know what a filipino breakfast consists of, it includes: longaniza (sweet sausage), canned corned beef with potato and eggs, over easy eggs, tropical fruits and the staple white rice. And if you stay at Cabo Azul, you have to try their shrimp tempura tacos. I know, I know, shrimp tempura tacos? Not the signature dish that you'll find at a Mexican tacqueria on Mission St., but definitely worth a taste, especially if you order from the stools at the bar while literally sitting in the pool. Needless to say, there were plenty mojitos and basking in the 80 degree sun for a couple days.

Upon begrudgingly arriving back to 30 degree NYC, armed with scarf, gloves, thermal, knit hat and down jacket, I checked my voicemail after 5 days and had a very alarming call from my doctor's office. During my physical my doctor had done a series of blood tests, including my vitamin D levels. Apparently, I was very deficient and need supplements to get it back to an acceptable level. Sunshine is apparently the #1 source for Vitamin D. Now, if only there's a way I can make my way down to Mexico again for a natural supplement fix. I could use the chance again to get a wicked tan.

The Scholarship Wait Lingers...

It's December 12th and my IE enrollment contract* has not been submitted yet, as I've been waiting on scholarship reward information before I apply for my financial aid need for the remainder of tuition costs. Typically the admissions office holds your reservation spot for 30 days and if you decide to enroll after that, it's on an available space basis. Given that there are other upcoming students that start at IE in Jan and Feb, according to the scholarship rep, my scholarship application STILL won't be reviewed until at least January. In speaking with a financial aid rep (notice italicization to make distinction), she recommended applying for financial aid sooner rather than later. First thing Monday, I'll have to track down the student office in Spain, to see what advice they have with this situation.

Enrollment contract submission is of the essence for the Visa. I'll have to apply for my student visa by mid-January since the Spain Embassy in NYC takes at least 6 weeks to process. Target date to Madrid is early March and I need to officially enroll at IE and provide enrollment proof for the Visa application.

*The enrollment contract includes the deposit of the program as well as the schedule to pay the balance of tuition.