Summer and what comes with it

So again, finals is coming up and I have always correlated that once finals is over, that is when the summer officially starts. I've always been a fit guy, but notice that it is always this time of year when gyms everywhere get packed. Everyone wants that summertime beach body. Unfortuantely for me, my diet doesn't exactly help out that factor of "beach body". I simply enjoy working out, and what has been gaining increasing popularity over the last year is cross fit. Simple weight lifting and cardio is the past. What is interesting about cross fit is it has been around for a long time. Athletic programs have had these types of excercises for many years. I participated in a program offered by Parisi speed school which implents cross fit ideas. For those that may still wonder about crossfit, here is an idea of what it is all about.

Finals Week

We have just finished dead week and are going into finals. After a week of just about 80 degrees everyday. It is snowing this morning and freezing. Normally I would be upset from this as we are not supposed to have this weather this time of year, however with this weather maybe I can stay focused getting ready for finals. I'm sure businesses around Bozeman however are dissapaointed as potential sales will be limited as consumers will be bundled up under a blanket today. Although our weather is not the greatest today, it could always be worse.

Dilemma?

Alright, so I'm in a rather interesting dilemma in which I would like some feedback. I'm graduating soon, and my folks feel bad that they haven't contributed financially to my education. I've never been worried about it or asked, but they would like to treat me to a nice graduation gift of either a cruise or a down payment on a Harley Davidson. Either way, lucky me! I have never been on a cruise but have always talked about wanting to do one before my time ends. Definitely a bucket list item, however I started riding motorcycles about 7 years ago and absolutely love it. I have a crotch rocket but am ready to put the kiddy bike away and get a man bike like a Hog or a V-Rod. What do you think?

MF Global Funds Traced? How were they lost?

So MF Global has finally traced the $1.6 Billion dollars they lost. I won't go into detail about the article. I just have one question and if you are a company, how do you lose track of $1,600,000,000? That's right, I did not want to write billion, I want to elaborate on the 0's. Furthermore, how does a company such as JPMorgan not pick up on the fact that they have some of that missing money? What is going on with these investment firms?

Finals

Today was the last day of classes for the spring semester, and finals start next week. It has been an extremely busy week, but not totally bad either. After all, today was the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft (Go TEXANS!!!!). The weather has been phenomenal as well, which isn't always the case this time of year in Montana. I won't be taking summer classes this year for the first time in 2 years, so I should actually have the opportunity to take advantage of things I've been missing out on such as fishing, camping, mountain biking and of course softball!

What is going to be your activities this Summer?

More Culture

We have been discussing culture excessively this semester. So much I'm surprised that Consumer Behavior does not fall in the criteria of International Business Marketing prerequisites. Of the many discussions we have had there is one aspect that I feel was missing and that is music. Music plays not only a significant role in culture, but background, identity and lifestyle. I am a military brat so I grew up everywhere and have had the unique opportunity to experience diverse culture and music. Currently I'm living in Bozeman Montana where pop, rock, hip-hop, god awful metal and primarily country rule the area. However my music is missing and no one is familiar with it. R&B, and not new school R&B but old school like Keith Sweat and Gerald Levert. Where has all of this music gone? Have you ever even heard of it? If not, let me show you the world I come from :) Enjoy!

Stereotypes and Culture

Lately in class we have discussed the impact that cultural influence and stereotypes have on society, but our society is what I would like to talk about. I consider myself very blessed living in all parts of the world experiencing new culture and always taking a piece with me that has been imprinted. However, I often forget that here in Montana many people have been born and raised here and have never experienced life outside of the continental U.S or even Montana for that matter. I once had a friend tell me that he was asked if he can sunburn. We both laughed and joked about it when he told me, but it is shocking to me that people can be this naive. Then again, I have to remember that many have not experienced culture outside of their own living area, and here in Montana as diverse as you get may be meeting a couple Hutterites, but for the most part that is it. I am half Mexican and one thing I get a chuckle from is hearing that mexican food is spicy, because it is untrue. Mexican food is typically bland that is made hot after the fact.