On my Kindle

I have been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember.

As a child, I fulfilled all the stereotypical characteristics of a bookworm: I was an introverted kid who was more comfortable hiding behind a book than interacting with people; I was severely short-sighted and started wearing (extremely unstylish – thanks Umi) thick glasses at the age of 8 years old (an affliction that was somewhat alleviated when I started wearing contact lenses at 11 years old but only recently rectified by life-changing implantable collamer lens eye surgery at 28). One of my earliest childhood memories is “reading” Ladybird picture books out loud to a coterie of stuffed animals (in all likelihood, was less “reading” than “making shit up”). I still remember how jubilant I was on the day I raced through a Famous Five omnibus of four books in one day, setting a new personal record for myself. (This seemed like a big deal at the time because it had never before occurred to me to set reading records for myself. Having tasted how good it felt to set and break meaningless records, I promptly broke my own record the very next day and finished a Secret Seven omnibus of five books in one day, proving that I am completely capable of being unnecessarily competitive with myself.)

Actually found the exact versions of the two omnibuses online, in case anyone was wondering how serious I am when I say this is one of my clearest childhood memories.

I used to read EVERYWHERE: on the toilet (TMI?), while brushing my teeth, in the shower (is possible but inconvenient: have made all kinds of shower contraptions to try to prop my books up), while walking (also possible… if you don’t mind wiping out spectacularly now and then), in various positions in bed (on stomach, on back, on side, pillow under book, pillow under chin: the possibilities are endless), and while eating (large hardcover books are ideal for if you must eat with cutlery; if you’re reading a soft cover book, just eat with one hand and use the other to hold up your book). I have read books in the garden, under the bed, while upside down on couches (for reasons inexplicable to my adult self, I actually remember reading a lot of books in this position while I was a child – legs on the couch back or armrest and head on the floor), sprawled on the carpet in front of the TV, in the car. Pretty much any place that it’s possible to read, I have read.

Now that I’m an adult, not only do I still read in all the above places, but I’ve also added more locations: in the cab on the way to work, in the LRT on the way back from work, in my walk-in wardrobe when I’m getting dressed and putting on my make-up. I select what handbag to carry based on the thickness of whatever book I’m reading at that point in time, because I try to never be without a book to read (so for a good few months, while I was reading George R.R. Martin’s insanely thick A Song of Ice and Fire novels, I was limited to choosing from my largest and lightest handbags).

Given my propensity to read and need to constantly carry around a book like a security blanket, it is actually pretty shameful that I took so long to get on board with the Kindle. I resisted for the longest time because I really do love the tactile sensation of reading physical books: I like turning pages, I like the rustle of paper, I like inscribing my name into a book (which I do religiously every time I finish one, along with the month I finished reading it and the cities or countries I read it in). I like buying books and adding to my library, and I like colour-coding my library, even though Alman says it is ridiculously inefficient. But then… I got the Kindle for my 30^th birthday, AND I HAVE BEEN CONVERTED.

Every single book I’m reading has instantly become tiny and light – literally a page large and weighing less than 500 grams. I can buy any book I want! Instantly! Without having to go to Kinokuniya and putting my name down on a waiting list if the book isn’t in stock! I can read in the dark, because I can adjust the light settings! I can (and do!)  have a whole library of books in my Kindle so I’m not limited to only reading whatever book I’m carrying with me that day! (I’m currently veering between reading The Emperor of All Maladies, a surprisingly interesting non-fiction history of cancer, and re-reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy when I want something a little lighter.) The battery life lasts for weeks (can confirm this – I read from my Kindle every day). I can highlight the words I don’t know, and have the dictionary look up definitions for me! I can highlight particularly beautiful or relevant passages for future reference! I don’t have to deal with pesky bookmarks (which I always end up losing) or doggy-ear-ing my pages, because my Kindle automatically remembers where I stopped reading! And best of all – I can fit my Kindle into almost ALL my favourite handbags! I almost fainted when I found out my Kindle fits into my small Chanel flap. SMALL FLAP. KINDLE. Even typing out those words makes me feel giddy.

One of the first books I read when I got my Kindle was the 900+ page Middlemarch, which I have been trying and failing to read, for the past 14 years, since I was 16 years old. I’m not even exaggerating – I’ve been trying to read this ever since my favourite teacher, who taught IGCSE English Literature, recommended it to me. But no matter what edition you try to buy, the Middlemarch book is like a brick. I couldn’t carry it around with me constantly, and so I never made it past the first few chapters. And then I got my Kindle and finished it in 3 weeks. It’s been on my To Read list for the past FOURTEEN YEARS…. And I finished it in 3 weeks on my Kindle. TECHNOLOGY. AMAZING. The only thing I’m really missing now is having a real, physical book added to my library every time I finish a book on my Kindle, but even this is surmountable – I will be purchasing the physical copies of the books that I like and want to keep after I read it on my Kindle.

Reading while eating has become a total breeze – I’m now free to use cutlery with all my meals, like a civilized person. And I have finally, FINALLY achieved my life-long dream of being able to read while in the shower (may or may not be achievable for you as well depending on your bathroom configuration: I can do this with my Kindle propped up on the sink, having glass shower panels, and sufficient distance to reach out and touch the screen when I want to turn the pages). (I feel that Kindle is missing out by not advertising this more as a key selling point.)

TECHNOLOGY 1 PAPER 0.

On Terry Pratchett

Intensely, profoundly and immensely saddened by the death of Sir Terry Pratchett. I have written about him before in this blog, and have even lamented the impending void in my life that would (inevitably) come when I finished the Discworld books and Sir Terry passed away.

That day was yesterday, and my world feels a little dimmer today.

I am intensely, profoundly and immensely grateful for Pratchett’s 40 Discworld books. I am grateful for some of my favourite characters in literature (Death, the Librarian, Sam Vimes, Lord Vetinari, Susan Sto Helit, Carrot Ironfoundersson). I am intensely, profoundly and immensely grateful for the humor and warmth and humanity that is infused in all of Pratchett’s work, because Pratchett knew situations can be silly, people can be foolish and humour can be hilarious, but that doesn’t mean that the story can't also be sharp, intelligent, nuanced and moving. 

I started reading the Discworld books because they were funny, but I kept reading them because they touched me.

My favourite Discworld quotes:

 “I meant,” said Ipslore bitterly, “What is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?" 
Death thought about it. 
CATS, he said eventually. CATS ARE NICE.

- Sourcery (1988)

Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.

- Jingo (1997)

“And what would humans be without love?”

RARE, said Death.

- Sourcery (1988)

Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.

- Eric (1990)

Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind.

- Reaper Man (1991)

Time is like a drug. Too much of it kills you.

- Small Gods (1992)

 It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.

- The Last Continent (1998)

“No it's not!” said Constable Visit. “Atheism is a denial of a god.”

“Therefore It Is A Religious Position,' said Dorfl. 'Indeed, A True Atheist Thinks Of The Gods Constantly, Albeit In Terms of Denial. Therefore, Atheism Is A Form Of Belief. If The Atheist Truly Did Not Believe, He Or She Would Not Bother To Deny.'

- Feet of Clay (1996)

WORDS IN THE HEART CANNOT BE TAKEN

- Feet of Clay (1996)

Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.

- Hogfather (1996)

Don't put your trust in revolutions. They always come around again. That's why they're called revolutions. People die, and nothing changes.

– Nightwatch (2000)

If you trust in yourself ... and believe in your dreams... and follow your star... you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.

– The Wee Free Men (2003)

“Mistress Weatherwax is the head witch, then, is she?”

“Oh no!” said Miss Level, looking shocked. “Witches are all equal. We don't have head witches. That's quite against the spirit of witchcraft.”

“Oh, I see,” said Tiffany.

“Besides,” Miss Level added, “Mistress Weatherwax would never allow that sort of thing.”

– A Hat Full of Sky (2004)

He was determined to discover the underlying logic behind the universe... which was going to be hard, because there wasn't one.

- Mort (1987)

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.

– A Hat Full of Sky (2004)

"All right," said Susan, "I'm not stupid. You're saying humans need ... fantasies to make life bearable."

REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.

"Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little-"

YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.

"So we can believe the big ones?"

YES. JUSTICE. DUTY. MERCY. THAT SORT OF THING.

"They're not the same at all!"

YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME...SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.

"Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what's the point—"

MY POINT EXACTLY.

- Hogfather (1996)

You will be very missed.

On MBA applications

So after months of preparing, researching and obsessing like only a truly Type A Person With An Obsessive Personality is able to, I am happy to report that (a) I’m officially done with my MBA applications, and (b) I’m going to Cambridge.

I feel the need to make some record of this process since it took up such a large chunk of my life over the past few months. From researching different MBA programs to preparing for the GMAT to actually taking the GMAT to writing, ripping up and re-writing essays to shooting video essays to refining CVs to preparing for interviews: the application is a real marathon, and the sheer amount of effort involved in the process itself weeds out anyone who isn’t serious about doing an MBA. After much blood (figurative), sweat (metaphorical) and tears (very occasional – I blame PMS and stress), I can narrow the key milestones down to:

1. Research

As someone who naturally relies on data (and lots of it) to make decisions, I researched the shit of the programs I was applying to: school websites, YouTube channels, GMAT forums (beattheGMAT and GMATclub in particular), official business school blogs, unofficial MBA student blogs (from current students to fellow applicants documenting their journey), business school rankings (there are many, and each uses different metrics to calculate rankings) to advisor blogs and talking to alumni. I may have totally gotten away carried away with this, and more information is not necessarily better (after a certain point). But essentially, what you need to know is what deadlines to adhere to, what GMAT scores are required, and how the program is structured. 

Also, I am totally weird and at this point gave my project a name (Cronos: leader of the titans… cause you know, because an MBA is supposed to create future leaders – cheese alert) and created excel sheets setting out the timeline and deadlines for each application. 

2. The GMAT

This was, for me, the most nerve-wracking aspect of their entire application process. Not an aptitude test like the SAT (which I didn’t study for anyway because I was too busy with my A-Levels); not completely dependent on knowledge - requires much more strategy because you’re penalized for missing questions; and sneakily computer adaptive, so it adjusts the difficulty of questions depending on what kinds of questions you’re getting right, which means it really doesn't matter how many questions you answer correctly - it matters how difficult those questions are. The GMAT tests your quantitative skills (oh hey again integers, powers and roots, linear and quadratic equations, geometry, algebra, statistics, triangle and circle formulae, speed/distance/time problems and the bane of my existence, probabilities), without a calculator (!!), as well as verbal skills (sentence correction, reading comprehension and critical reasoning). Throw in an essay, analytical interpretation of graphs and data, add strict time limits. Result? A lot of stress. 

For Quant, I followed a strict schedule, systematically revising all the GMAT's math topics (some of which I hadn’t thought about since high school) using video lessons from Magoosh. (Different online prep programs teach the same GMAT topics in different ways, and it really depends on your personal preference. I signed up with Magoosh after trying out The Economist’s GMAT Tutor on a trial basis. The Economist's Tutor wasn’t video-based and I realized I really needed to have someone talk me through math problems in video forms to visualize what the hell was going on.) I mapped out my entire study schedule on my calendar, going through a few topics a day, and set aside the last month for straight-up live-and-breathe-quant problem solving (from Kaplan pdf study guides with problem sets that I downloaded) and practice test taking (a GMAT session is 4 hours, so the test is also an exercise in mental stamina; there are tons of free tests online though the most accurate are the official mba.com tests). I revised a set number of quant topics every evening for a few months, and pretty much all my spare time was used for quant problems (I carried around a notebook and questions, and solved questions on the way to work, in the plane on business trips, before going to bed).

In contrast, the Verbal section came very easily to me, and I actually enjoyed preparing for it. I didn’t have to revise anything, which made sense - unlike Quant’s high school math topics, people actually use their verbal skills on a daily basis. My focus was just to familiarize myself with the questions and the GMAT's way of thinking - the test definitely has a preference for a certain kind of language. I solved Magoosh’s practice problems during all the spare time I had when I wasn’t able to whip out a pen and paper to do quant problems, and solved problems on my phone (Magoosh’s questions are accessible on phones which was one of the main reasons I chose to study with them).

I did practice tests every week for the last month, paid attention to what I got wrong and why, took a day off work to take the test and came close enough to 700 to satisfy myself. I emailed my score to each school and asked if I should still apply, and got the green light from all.

3. The Application

I submitted 3 applications to 3 different schools, all of which asked differently-slanted essay questions, all of which used different CV templates, one of which asked for a 3 minute elevator pitch video essay, and all of which required application fees (very ouch - the application process is not cheap).

CV: brush up, refine, send to colleagues for their opinion, and proof-read a bajillion times, because there will be typos in there.

Essays: were different for each school, even when the questions were similar. Each school has an angle and a type of culture/candidate they’re gunning for – having done the research (see #1), you should at this point know what that is. All my essays were specifically tailored for each school – it’s really not just a matter of changing the school name. I used an LBS alumna admissions counsellor to help give me a perspective on my strengths and weaknesses, and to advise me on the essays. We went through about 5 very extensive edits of each essay (and in total, there were more than 10 essays), and I think it was totally worth it. She’s not paid to be nice, and sometimes she ripped my sentences to shreds, but with less than 500 words to sell yourself, you can’t afford to be sensitive about it. I shot a video essay in front of the Petronas Twin Towers (looking back, was not the wisest decision to spend lunch hour in a suit jacket in the blistering hot sun) and was extremely fortunate to have my very patient husband shoot and edit it for me.

Referees: were given the heads up months beforehand, and references were submitted well ahead of deadlines without any problems. I don’t think people generally have a problem being referees, but I do think they have a problem with last minute deadlines. All applications are now submitted online, so if you know your referee isn’t the most tech-savvy person in the world (one of mine really isn’t), encourage them to submit early. I also don't think it matters how important/high-ranking your referee is. I didn't see my reference letters, but I'd imagine there's more sincerity and enthusiasm that will come through when your referee has worked closely with you and is really rooting for you to be successful. I'd take that over a reference from a Group CEO or MD anyday.   

Also, online applications in general are extremely annoying, because they count characters, not words, and because Murphy’s Law says the internet will fuck up just when you pray it that it doesn’t. I submitted one application using extremely sketchy internet in Cappadocia in Turkey; and another while sitting in a car outside Sid’s on a Friday night. I do not recommend either of these methods, unless you enjoy near-heart attacks.

The remaining questions on the application: are not insignificant. I treated all the other random questions with as much care as the essay questions, because your CV, essays and question responses are going to be read together, and you can’t sound inconsistent.

4. The Interview(s)

There are online resources for the different kinds of questions and interviews each business school has (one of the best databases is at Clearadmit). All my interviews were similar, but one was on Skype, one was on the phone, and one was in person and on campus. I prepared responses to every conceivable question I could be asked, had different stories on hand around different central strengths and weaknesses that I wanted to highlight, and tailored each answer to each specific school’s ethos. I didn’t have time to practice with other people or in front of a mirror because work (the thing I was doing in addition to all this!) was piling up, but if I had to do it again, I’d factor in more time for that.

And after all that... I put it out of my mind, and stopped worrying about it. The waiting was made easier because I’m naturally discreet and don’t count my chickens before they hatch, so no one (other than my bosses, a few select colleagues, close friends and family) really knew I was applying. I got my offer from Imperial early on, in December, so was lucky to have that as a back-up. I got my offer email from Cambridge when I was half-asleep, and read it in a haze of grogginess. I got a congratulatory call from Oxford a day later, on a weekday evening. I'm not an overly emotionally expressive person, so each offer just made me feel a very quiet sense of happiness that all my work had paid off. I think I'm still at that stage where it's all still sinking in, because it is definitely surreal to have spent close to a year working towards a goal, and finally achieving it.

So Cambridge: see you in September! In the meantime, I’ll be chilling out and not doing any sort of GMAT or any business school application-related work ever.