Argentina out of World Cup…NO!
You won’t believe the air of disappointment hanging from the atmosphere here in Argentina, where the people are still struck by disbelief at the Argentine team’s exit from the World Cup. Conferences and news broadcasts are busy analizing the reasons behind our losing to Germany, and there is an usual quiet in the streets that shouldn’t be especially after such a big match.
I can’t believe it. 4 more years to another chance.
Recollections of an EX-nerd
It’s been an incredibly looooong time since I last studied; or at least something that was heavier than just languages such as Spanish. I’m talking about corporate finance – something that I almost haven’t touched since year 2 of University.
Nowadays, I am picking up those Finance texts and googling corporate finance word definitions to retune my somewhat rusty memory and try to regain my understanding of these Modigliani and Miller and other conceptual theories. This is largely due in part to having to prepare for interviews and to recuperate some of the technical knowledge that I used to have; I’m sure they are somewhere within the cobwebs of my brain, and will soon resurface with a little bit of studying help. I just need to be hardworking and patient to read the hundreds of articles available out there; and to work smart by sifting out the more relevant articles. As all economists know, resources are limited; and since time is short, I need to filter out what is necessary and important to have a rough but large coverage of the corporate finance world.
Thankfully, there are websites dedicated to feed the hunger of those crazy and dying for such knowledge. Since my SMU days, I have faithfully referred to the Investopedia.com site for my finance knowledge reference. Written by both Investopedia staff as well as readers and experts in the finance field, it is a database of definitions, articles and tutorials that gives a simple but surprisingly comprehensive view of the basics and even more, depending on how much you can absord. It links articles related to your word definition search such that within easy reach you can click on the articles to delve into the wider context of the word you weren’t so sure about. Yes, Investopedia is extremely useful and life-saving, especially when preparing for an upcoming interview.
However, it’s still all about being hardworking and having a firm grasp of the topics and issues at hand. It’s difficult to bluff your way through corporate finance, especially when it gets technical and formulae is demanded. Not always will you be able to blow smoke at your interviewer’s face and expect him to agree that you idea is correct. Yes, I know I need to read alot this weekend; and remember what I read.
But well…! I have been a nerd before! There are some things you never forget; and this is one of them! Time to be a nerd again!
P/S: By the way, Argentina versus Germany tomorrow! HUGE HUGE match. Getting goosebumps wondering how the match will play out! So far this world cup has been pretty unorthodox. Most of the big European teams did not even get past the group stage; and Brazil just got knocked out by Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Who knows what interesting results tomorrow’s quarters will bring? Will it be red,black and yellow? or white and blue? Stay tuned..
Argentina wins Nigeria! 1:0
A rainy saturday morning spent indoors on the edge of our seats as the Argentine team played against Nigeria, a rush of emotions as the first goal was scored within the first 6 minutes of the first half, but then, Nigeria’s goalkeeper stood his ground and Messi, who played really well, had to watch as his great aims were shielded off by the yellow goalkeeper.
Darn! Well, at least Argentina won! Not fantastically but at least the guys aren’t mad.
Next up, South Korea this Thursday and then Greece the following Tuesday. We’ll see how the team fares.
World Cup fever in Argentina!
This post is slightly late, although rightly the World Cup only commences in 2 days.
You have to understand that more than a month ago, the World Cup fever had already gripped the whole Argentine nation, from the commercials to the street stalls to the flags that hang from everywhere, pushing the country into a great adrenaline rush. Everywhere the colours blue and white dominate your senses; on television, on the back of a football jersey, on the cups used, even on the little flags they sell on the street corner for decoration!
Promotions and special offers for televisions have been going on for at least the last 2 months; J’s family succumbed to their advertisement and bought a 46-inch LED Samsung television just in time for the World Cup to watch the matches in HD (high-definition quality). Every single TV commercial is about the World Cup, and mention the word “Mundial” and you get a reaction immediately, whether good or bad.
All this buzz had made me quite excited for the world cup to start – I guess this time Argentines have their hopes pinned tightly on Lionel Messi, whose ball-kicking prodigy mirrors that of Maradona, whose “Hand of God” in the 1986 World Cup made this south american nation famous. I was even contemplating this afternoon if I should get a 30 peso blue and white striped jersey, just to get into the mood this June. Apparently alot of upgrades have been made at restaurants, cafes and bars – menus have been revised, screens updated, work shifts extended, all in honour of the World Cup and the rolling ball.
This time, Argentina plays Nigeria, Greece and South Korea. I’m not an expert at football nor I am certain of how Argentina compares to its competitors. But I’m sure they’re going to go pretty far. (At least I eat Argentine meat so I have to pretend to be a fan.) Guess for the next one month J, his father and brother, his friends and all the other Argentine guys (and their girlfriends) will be sitting the month out. Sitting, in front of their large screen televisions, betting on the winners and losers, getting drunk on beer and jumping up and down.
Looking forward to it actually……….. the countdown begins!
