Memorabilia from Cranfield MBA Class of 2004/05

It is out! 60 superb pages of photo's, write-up's, fun and full of memories from the year that comes to an end in a couple of days.
Over the last many months now, 7 MBA students and 2 partners had been working hard on this year book, ably led by Joanna. The creative execution was in the reins of Maqui, who is a graphics designer and the partner of Alexis. Amongst ourselves, we had divided the work on various parts of the yearbook. I was actively playing the role of a "snooping" photographer, a writer and a crossword creator. Other members too played their share of some very valuable and creative role. The best part was to have the MBA partners on our team. Emma and Maqui were the voices of the partners and ensured that we go beyond the MBA perspective to capture moments / events of partners as well.
It was difficult for most of us to schedule this add-on work and the fortnightly meetings weren't an easy affair, especially if you have a go-getter woman leader of the team. Joanna ensured that each of us remain on our toes to do our best while providing all possible support. So none of us had to worry on the liaison with the printers, legal / copyright issues, costing, etc. Joanna had taken care of it all.
It was an interesting and a valuable learning experience. We were giving shape to a new thing; we had to decide what it would look like, what it would contain and who will do what. This yearbook is possibly the most loved assignment that I have worked on during the MBA. The quality of the work is seen to be believed but the praises we have received from the fellow MBA's is just phenomenal.
As we pack our bags and prepare ourselves to leave this place called Cranfield, almost all of us would be happy to confess - "I did what I came here for! I have learnt many lessons of life; I have stretched myself beyond my capacity and I leave this place as a better manager and above all, an even better human being!"
For our team, the satisfaction is of having created a memorabilia that many of us would love to show to our grand children, when we sit their rocking on the rocking chair and remembering these sweet days at Cranfield.

Nostalgia hits me!!

What? The year is almost over? But why? Why so soon?
So many questions….so much discomfort…..but all inevitable. I must admit today was a sad day for me. Or rather I should say sad yet happy in a way.
This evening we had an informal get together with the Pre MBA students for the next MBA batch of 2005/06. While talking to them, I had difficulty remembering those days when I had arrived at Cranfield. The year just whizzed away, I guess. And here they are - a new set of to-be-MBA's who would start their MBA journey as we are about to end.
They had so much to ask, we had so much to share and two hours flew away. I felt sad, as time and again, I was hit by the feeling, "….I don't want to leave Cranfield!" But I guess time stops for no one. It didn't stop for those students who had welcomed us into Cranfield last year and it won't stop for us either.
The happy feeling was from the fact that I was meeting so may new people, a few even recognizing me because of my musings on this portal as well as for the other documents that some of us had prepared for them.
I remember the quote by George Eliot - "It is never too late to be what you might have been". So soon enough, we would be handing over the mantle to the incoming batch and all 126 of us would be embarking on our respective journeys, making a success of what we want to achieve and of course, remember the days at Cranfield with nostalgia and fun as well.

The dream of MBA's

26 MBA students have come together on a project….possibly the biggest project in the history of Cranfield MBA…..a project that started almost a month ago and will culminate in the lasts day of the MBA.
It is a project which is very unique. All of us have been divided into teams with a few students directing these small teams. Every member has been assigned a role and these directors are now working together with these numerous teams to ensure that the output is quality and surpasses all expectations. It is a project that will have to be presented before the entire MBA batch, their partners and families as well as faculty. Lastly, it is a project that will be assessed, but not in marks.
Have I gained your full attention now?? Ok….I now let the cat out of the bag.
The project is the production of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to be staged on 1st September 2005 in the school. The costume's have been tried and are now final. Every evening, the various scenes of the play are being rehearsed. I too have a small and comic role - that of Flute, who plays the female character Thisbe as well.
To orient ourselves with the play, the movie on this play was screened for the benefit of all before the practice began.
Besides the most famous question doing the rounds in Cranfield - "Have you found a job?", the next most famous questions are - "Howz your play practice coming up? Which character are you playing?" It is turning out to be a great experience, especially for me who has to practice speaking in a female voice as well.