Nuno Sanches e Silva' s Journal

Looking back into 2009

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:03:19 +0000

We are almost entering in 2010 and now is time to do some retrospection as well as some introspection. I wouldn’t say that NYE is the most exciting time for me because I would be lying. Why should one have to pretend to be insanely happy just because one more year has passed?

That said, I consider New Year’s Eve a very important time for each of one us. This is the time when we look back and think about how much we developed during the year, how we have contributed to our family, friends, colleagues as well as to the rest of this world of ours.

There are clearly two key moments during this year for me:

1. Leaving Amsterdam

2. Joining MIT Sloan

Amsterdam… Until next time

After spending six years in Amsterdam it was time to say goodbye and embrace a new challenge. Behind I leave an amazing country, which I hope one day go back to. I also leave for now a bunch of great friends which I will never forget. And when I mention friends, I would say this also include colleagues.

Ernst & Young: At the same time that I left Amsterdam, I also had to say goodbye to the organization that had developed me as a professional since I left college. Great group of people, great group of friends. I am proud to say that I am an E&Y guy. That will never change.

Diving and UW Photography: Curiously enough, it was while in Amsterdam that I became serious about diving and about photography. This was the place where I would dive three times a week, no matter if it was raining, snowing or if it was sunny (the latter happening very rarely).

Biking: Being able to bike to work was simply amazing. After complaining so many times about the weather and the fact that I had to bike with bad weather, I now realize how cool it was to do so. MAybe will adopt this lifestyle pretty soon (Boston, be prepared!!!)

Drugs: Ahahah, I knew this would draw your attention. No, no drugs for me, you know that!!!

Boston… Hello MIT Sloan!!!

You’re in!!!

When I look back I still can’t believe I actually made it!!! After a long time of stress, doubts and lots and lots of hard work I got the magic call: “congrats, you’re in!!!”

The second question was “will I fit? After all MIT is all nerds, right?”. Well.. not really. Not that there is anything wrong with being nerd

The moment I flew to Boston to attent AdMIT weekend, I was certain this was the right place for me. I was gonna spend the next two years with people that are not only extremely smart but also extremely friendly, cooperative, fun and very much down-to-earth. For all of you know me well, you know how important that is for me.

Orientation

Orientation was the beginning of the year. There are in theory no real classes (well one, communication) but still taken very seriously with full days with several seminars, outdoors activities and many other activities. Of course at night, not much time to sleep as everyone is going out and getting to know each other better.

Surviving the Core

After the orientation week, the world just seemed to be turned upside down. It was time to start the Core. Until that I thought to myself - can’t be that bad…. Well, until the first hour of class. After that it’s all downhill LOL. Dozens of emails, assignments, prepare cases for classes, read the chapters in the books before classes.

If that seems enough, we were just starting and already the career development office is telling us we need to start preparing…. wait a minute…. I am only gonna finish the course in two years, so I have time right? WRONG… it starts right away!!!

Company presentations literally all lunch breaks means that we actually don’t have to worry about where to go eat… or what to eat… I guess Core means pizza, chinese food, Cosi or burritos… and when there is no company presentation there is always a club presentation or other career presentations.

My calendar went from virtually empty to a full array of colors that normally started at 8am and finished pretty late.

There is never a dull moment over Core, that is for sure!!! One of the most difficult tasks is to actually filter all the information that is being thrown at us. As they say, we have to learn how to “drink from the firehose”.

In summary, Core has been great, with lots of challenges, all of them surpassed thanks to the great friends we make over there. It was great but I am glad it’s over!!! LOL

Can’t forget the moment we left our DMD exam, the last of our finals, and were welcome by our amazing Student advisor, Dawn. The room was full with balloons, food, drinks. Huge party!!! It is great to be a Sloanie!!!!

Core over - IAP: Now it is almost time to start again, this time with IAP (Independent Activities Period). There are no mandatory classes during this period. Some people will go and travel for a month, others will do externships, others will stay in Boston preparing for the internship interviews (my case). But before that will go to the Bay Area for two treks (trips where go visit companies from a specific industry). The first being the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Trek, the second the Mediatech Trek.

Until then, let’s hope the bad weather here in Portugal will allow me to take the plane tomorrow back to the US!!!

Discovering Asia

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:48:54 +0000

No doubt it has been an amazing year so far, full with emotions and new experiences. After being accepted to join MIT and after wrapping up my work at E&Y, time for the well-deserved vacation throughout Asia.

This trip had several objectives, one of them trying to rediscover myself after a very turbulent period in my life. And a rediscovery that I had the privilege to share with someone very special…

Enough about that, let’s get to details (for full slideshow, click on each of the headings):

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jun 6 - Jun 7

Kuala Lumpur became the hub for our traveling in Asia. Meeting up in Amsterdam, we traveled together to Kuala Lumpur with high expectations and uncertainty in terms of what to expect from a region we’ve never been before. How nice would be the people? How hot? How humid? How poor?

“We” had decided that we would like to make this experience more or less a “backpacking experience”, so we started with staying in Hotel Istana, a 5-star hotel in the Golden Triangle (by the way, highly recommended). To top the backpacking experience, first night we went to have dinner at Frangipanni, also a not “too bad restaurant” LOL. It happens to be one of the best restaurants in town!!!

The next days were spent visiting the city which we loved!!! Food was awesome, very nice people, some nice shopping malls and…. CHEAP cameras… Couldn’t help but get the new Nikon D700 plus the awesome lens Nikon 14-24 at Photo Selangor after some tough negotiations!!!

Siem Reap, Cambodja

Jun 8 - Jun 10

4 o’clock in the morning and off we go from KL to Cambodja. Travel by taxi was pretty long to get to KLLT, the terminal from where all AirAsia flights depart, so we had to leave without breakfast

After arriving, we are welcomed by Mr. Thou, who picked us up in his TukTuk from the airport to the place where we were staying, a very cosy place called Shadow of Angkor. We actually stayed in their second guest house - Shadow of Angkor II. After leaving our stuff in the room, we have a quick breakfast and before we notice Mr. Thou is already waiting to take us to visit the Temples of Angkor. For those of you who don’t know, these are where Tomb Raider was filmed. And guess what? I got to see Lara Croft in my trip!!! Am I lucky or what?

I must say this was one of the most impressive places I have ever been. The architecture is fenomenal, as well as the strength of the people who live there.

Also it was the first time I had a real (paying) massage in my life. Mental note: when the lady pushes your arms, you should let it go… Can’t forget her smiling and saying: “hey, too strong…” LOL

After some amazing food and breathtaking views over the temples, it was time to go back to the airport, this time to go to Bangkok.

Bangkok, Thailand

Jun 11 - Jun 13

The moment we arrive in the airport in Bangkok and before even leaving the luggage hall we were already being offered “transportation services” for which everytime we said not they would reduce it to half. Luckily we did not accept it. The moment we got out we realize that even with a 1/4 of the price initially asked, just using the taxi outside would cost us much much less.

The dynamics of this city was a big contrast to the calm environment lived just before in Siem Reap. Bangkok is no doubt an amazingly active city in all senses. But make no mistake, it is also full with history.

Highlights were no doubt the constant bargaining with taxi drivers, great food, the Great Palace and trying to figure out how to use the river ferry

Pulau Redang, Malaysia

Jun 14 - Jun 17

Time to enjoy some beach!!! At this time, after visiting some cities, we were ready to enjoy the sun and… more importantly… DIVE !!! It had been a long time since I dived so I was very much looking forward.

Traveling once more from KL, this time we drove to Selangor airport to catch Berjaya airplane directly to Redang Island. From there we were greeted and transported in a small boat to Redang Kalong Resort.

I can only say… WOW… being in Redang Kalong is like being in a desert island where you have the sea and the fishes all for yourself. And did I mention the 30ºC water???
[TO BE CONTINUED]

Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Jun 18 - Jun 22

Taman Negara, Malaysia

Jun 23 - Jun 26

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jun 27 - Jun 28

Kapalai Sipadan, Malaysia

Jun 29 - Jul 3

Tawau and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jul 3 - Jul 6

Goodbye Amsterdam…

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:30:31 +0000

One day it had to happen… After almost 6 years, I ended up leaving Amsterdam. For good? Not sure… Those who knew me when I arrived in the Netherlands for the first time, certainly were surprised I stayed for so long. Truth is, after some difficult moments I got to live the most amazing years (so far) in my life in this amazing place.

In Amsterdam I leave a ton of awesome friends and the coolest group of colleagues (which are also my friends!!!) ever, that I will (am already) miss enormously. Who knows maybe I come back after my adventure in the US?

As expected, we had to have a farewell party in the same old style. Thank you all who could make it and came to say good-bye - or better - until next time…

For complete Slideshow click here

Queen’s Day (better later than never!!)

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:18:54 +0000

Some shots from Queen’s Day. This was by far my best Queen’s Day while in the Netherlands. Great people, great weather, great boat (KISS) party!!!

For full Slideshow click here

Update coming soon….

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:48:46 +0000

It has been a long time since I updated the journal. Apologies but too much going on. Update will come soon, including a trip report of my month in Asia, I promise!!!

Scotland

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:09:21 +0000

I had the most amazing time on my visit to Scotland with my friend Karna.

Full Slideshow with best Pictures click here

Edinburgh

We spent the first two days in Edinburgh where we walked non-stop from morning till pretty late at night. A must-do are the free walk-tours. Really worthwhile. We also did the Ghost tour at night but was not so impressed.

On our way to Pitlochry

End of second day in Edinbrough and we get a nasty surprise at Hertz. Although we paid for the car in advance, they could not give us any car. Apparently they did that to a lot of people during this weekend. Heads down to Hertz and the nasty manager who runs that joint. Took a taxi and there we go.

Loch Lommond and Surroundings

No car so we had to take a tour bus to show us the Lochs. Although not what we wanted, it was pretty nice and very insightful.

Glasgow

Back to Glasgow, I experienced the most crazy nightlife ever. It was simply amazing. Our stay in Glasgow was 100x better because of the amazing hospitality of our Scottish friends, namely Annaka, Louis and the rest of the crew over there. To finish up the best way, what better than go to the Arches dance to the sound of Carl Cox !!! Hawl Yeah!!!

Hot Pink Party

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:46:18 +0000

Photos to be included

Google calendar does not cease to amaze me

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Just figured out another feat of Google Calendars. They have system which automatically feeds any website I want with any calendar I would like to share (check at Where Am I section here in my journal).

Well done Google Calendar !!

The Credit Crisis Visualized

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:17:34 +0000

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Diary of Jane

Nuno Sanches e Silva — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:45:03 +0000

If I had to
I would put myself right beside you
So let me ask
Would you like that?
Would you like that?

And I don’t mind
If you say this love is the last time
So now I’ll ask
Do you like that?
Do you like that?

NO!!

Something’s getting in the way
Something’s just about to break
I will try to find my place in the diary of Jane
So tell me how it should be

Try to find out what makes you tick
As I lie down
Sore and sick
Do you like that?
Do you like that?

There’s a fine line
Between love and hate
And I don’t mind
Just let me say that I like that
I like that

Something’s getting in the way
Something’s just about to break
I will try to find my place in the diary of Jane
As I burn another page
As I look the other way
I still try to find my place in the diary of Jane
So tell me how it should be

Desperate, I will crawl
Waiting for so long
No love, there is no love
Die for anyone
What have I become

Something’s getting in the way
Something’s just about to break
I will try to find my place in the diary of Jane
As I burn another page
As I look the other way
I still try to find my place
In the diary of Jane

(Breaking Benjamin)