A real Christmas story...

A boy who died in a traffic accident donated his organs to seven recepients in Hong Kong...how 'bout that? Just thought it was a great thing to do when the lights go out.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/hongkong_life_donor_dc

UPtown Cycles: Egg nog and Blondes

Hello life. How's it goin? Good? Great. Well, this was a pic from last nite at Uptown Cycles (Donovan aka Cycle Pimp's new pad). It was quite a good time with excellent egg nog, bikes up for drawing, and that mello bike crowd that I've grown to love. (i.e. flower couple, malaysia gal, dude named stuart)...but where was my swell italian pal damiano?? hmm.....well, anyways, go to http://www.uptowncycles.com if you want to hop in on some rides, always a terrific way to spend an evening

JFK Speech at Yale University, 1962

Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. Mythology distracts us everywhere. For the great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived, and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.

Some Wedding Fotos

http://josephmarkblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/arti-andrew.html

they are just gorgeous..really, check them out!

My First Real Purchase!

Well, it has been a two year search and, finally, the result is in: my new car is a...duh da duh daaaaaaa 2007 Lexus IS250! I get it in a week. I still can't believe I bought a car. It's an exciting feeling and one that puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders. Sort of a feeling of growing up, coming of age, etc etc.

Sadly, this requires the giving up of my current baby, Carolina (said with a Argentine accent). Seven years, the longest relationship I've ever had, is coming to an end soon. I plan on selling her with only 48k on the odometer. She's never given me much trouble and has been faithful. If anyone wants to gently take her from me...please let me know.

Ahh...the bittersweet moments of life. I guess that's just the way the ball bounces eh?

Diamonds in the Rough -The Bataka Revolution

Interesting Ugandian Rappers speaking for the struggles of their country

Trip around the world (teaser)

Funny and shifted movie of two young french sphere trotter around the world!!!!! Countries: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, New Zealand, Burma, Singapore, Indonesia, India

Arti's Big Wedding Weekend!

Wow, it was a great weekend. All of the cousins came into town, we ate a lot of food, and now my sister is somewhere in Mexico with my new brother-in-law. Nice.

Week in Review (Nov. 6th - 10th)

Here's a summary of the week...
-Monday I worked late preparing for a budget meeting that included Sabre's CTO and CIO
-Tuesday I stayed until 7:30pm, when the meeting concluded
-Wednesday I worked until 10:30pm helping my co-worker with her budget
-Thursday I got a good run in during lunch and worked until 8pm
-Friday..well, that's today, we'll see...manager is out, worked late yesterday, so maybe early?

Other news...
-Democrats took both the Senate and the House (woohooo!)
-My sister's fiance, Andrew, is having his bachelor party this Saturday and I will be rockin' hard with him
-My sister's bridal shower and bachelorette party is this weekend on Saturday
-I am 4000 miles over the recommended oil change mileage which means it's time!

Ambitions...
-To set up an online Second Life real estate business
-Run a half marathon in the next 6 months
-Make tennis a weekly event
-Create a new website for NPAK Hospitality Inc., my Dad's business
-Come up with a business plan with Sid

Tired and Wired to VOTE!

Yep, I got up this morning at 5:15 am. My boss, let's just call him "S", had told me that the polls opened up at 6. Since I haven't voted before (yes yes, very sad, but never again) I didn't know any different. Well, I get there at 6:08am to see older men and women just starting to set up the booths; definitely not ready! So here I am..mildly exhausted, big day at work ahead, no breakfast (besides milk w/ Carnation), still ready to vote. It's 6:53am now and I am heading out the door. 7 am is when they let the voting begin. I'm not giving away who I'm vote for, but I'm feeling pretty K i n k y. Cheers.

GO VOTE! www.vote-smart.org

Sufjan Steven...... &*1

Sufjan Stevens - Come on! Feel the Illinoise!
http://www.youtube.com/v/IOanm6mbMYE

"Saints are Coming"

Check this out.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seGhTWE98DU

:) my halloween costume

That's right, I was a squirrel last nite! whooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaa.

Lou Dobbs is an idiot

The guy parades around on CNN (a respectable news channel) everyday pushing for protectionism and subsidies with the aim of retaining inefficient US manufacturing jobs. As a consumer, why would you want to pay more for a lower quality product? Just does not make sense. Free trade agreements form the groundwork that has created such a competitive advantage for the United States. Countries that continue to shun free trade (i.e. North Korea, Venezuela, sometimes France) grow at a slower rate than countries that embrace free trade; these rate differences are reflected in the living conditions within the countries. A policy is not bad just because people lose their jobs. America is moving forward towards service sector and information technology jobs that pay more. The key is for the government to provide subsidies for the retraining of structurally displaced workers. With this safety net, workers will be shifted into these higher paying jobs, increase their living standards, and receive cheaper goods from low-cost manufacturers abroad. That is the message Lou Dobbs should be spreading.

Prem Panchal

Tasers are Fun!

My friends watched as my roommate, Justin, fried Casey! "Its like a constant spasm that you can't get away from!"

Tell us something we don't know --

"I think there is great room for strong criticism, because without doubt, there was arrogance and stupidity by the United States in Iraq"

Alberto Fernandez, US state department official

This is just another confirmation and a long series of confirmations (besides the mounting deaths, currently at 2,792 and 20,468 wounded) that tells us how badly we, the US and the Bush Administration, handled the war. Lack of ground troops, lack of an exit strategy (what is victory anyway?) and no real threat doomed us from the beginning. How long will it take for us to understand the affect this is having on potential terrorists around the region (remember the NIE earlier this year?)? Iraq was not our problem, terrorism was (and consequently still is).

Let's just hope that the mid-term elections bring change in congressional leadership and change in our foreign policy.

ac360 Blog

Check out http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/. That's CNN Reporter Anderson Cooper's blog; deep blogs/articles, lots of substance..presents a clear view of what is actually going on, whether in Iraq, Africa, North Korea, the US.... Pnp

Texas-OU Weekend

This weekend, my good friend Lev is having a party at his new casa with quesadillas, burgers, and drinks for the big game..also a hot tub! So it'll be good times...I'll have a nice recap posted after Saturday. Cheers...Pnp

Peru -- Travel Plans for 2007

As of today, I am making it known that I have been stiching together plans to vist Peru for two weeks in April. The trip will cover the Amazon Basin, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lima; hopefully, I will get to see a lot of the Andes mountains as well. The funds for the trip will come from the money I make at work (good motivation!). From now until then, I will start to practice my Spanish more often; hopefully, get a good grip before I takeoff. Anyways, that's all from here ----------> pnp '06

Saturday, Septmeber 30th -- Stoneworks

As I've said before, 'life is good'. Today, I went climbing with Alex, Christina, and Marek @ Stone Works in Carrolton, Tx. They have the highest indoor climb in the world (121 ft!). Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I never got to attempt it, but plans are in the works :) . no worries... Christina has all the pics at the moment, so no pics that we took..those above are from the 'net. Great gym though and plenty of good times------------->
remember, less is more, cheers pnp

Update

This weekend I toured the central part of our great state of Texas. First, I made the journey to Austin then to Marble Falls then to San Antonio and back to Austin -- in the end I made it back Sunday night, 700 miles more on the odometer and many more good times had. On this excursion, I visited my long, lost cousin that goes to UT...got to take in the beautiful city of San Antonio with an equally beautiful Brazilian girl..and, finally, got to take in both Lake Travis (@ the Hula Hut restaurant) and Austin's Persian culture through Alborz Persian Cuisine.

All in all a great time that has me wanting more :)

Office Pics

I like rain.

This last weekend we went through the Hindu rituals for bringing a new house to the family. It was exciting, but, also, quite sad as we are to move out of our "penthouse/apt./condo" area at the hotel. It's been quite the experience living in a hotel. Meeting so many people. Always being around people...I feel that I am going to miss that a lot. BUT there are the many benefits of having one's own casa...mainly the backyard parties, big screen games, and serene setting that allows one to sip tea and enjoy a large porch, full moon, and the woods. Here's to many more good times at the new "Panchal Residence". Cheers.

"Tea better than Water"

This is why I drink so much tea! I encourage you, my friends and family, to do the same!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5281046.stm?ls

Cheers :)

Prem, a Workin' Man!

Yes yes my friends..I get up at 6:30am everyday, shower, pack my lunch, make some breakfast and head off to work..maybe workout beforehand if I can. Try to catch some talk radio on the way to work (about 20 min away in Southlake) and then swipe my card to enter and begin the life of a new guy ;) It's the stuff of dreams: the introductions, the handshakes, the meetings, team talks, town halls, cafeteria lunches, cubicle decorations (my cubicle is A5-236 if you wanna come by!), coffee addicts, tea sippers, hot cocoa crammers, football tossers, printer conversations, office cookies, sly email writing, and flat office hierarchy (the paradox!). It's work at Sabre Holdings, with our pretty colors and wild architecture and roaming nomes everywhere! Everyone is happy..firing on all cylinders..and "hunkydorrie"! haha... I love describing work..it's good times. =)

Cheers, PnP

I look so well rested!

Haha...sooooo far from the truth. I've had just the worst time getting my sleeping schedule in order...i wake up at night..sleep during the day. i read at the oddest hours..exercise at the oddest hours..

my internal clock is pooped! it's funny because i'll sleep for like 3 hrs and then get up and wonder what is happening on the other side of the world. it's so fascinating that this world of ours never retires or rests..it just exchanges hands and keeps the cycle going. sounds like common sense, but seeing it all first hand hit it home! pnp

Pics from Travel...

*You can check the rest of them out at www.flickr.com/photos/prempanchal/

Bak hom in the US of A!

Well, I'm back in Big D and full of what they call jet lag. That means it is 6am and I've been up for 2 hrs already eating and surfin' the net! Had some good cereal and milk..yum..and a big scoop of crunchy peanut butter. I am very positive that my diet here in the US will be somewhat different than it was in asia. haha...only a joke..it's going to be a complete 180 degrees..no more roti and curry for breakfast each day with a glass of chai tea or noodles, tom yam, dum briyani, etc for lunch and dinner...my little stomach is just going to have to adapt to the big foods we have here in the states. for my first meal home, I had pasta and chicken...a hearty meal that left me hurting, BUT I came back for more in the form of my mom's indian food..not sure what the food was called, but it was rotli and some sort of saag.

On another note, I really want to pat myself on the back for the souvenirs I purchased..although not too many, I finally got a chance to look at them all and may I say..I did a tremendous job in what I got..mugs, a saki set, t-shirts...replica Petronas towers, magnets..etc etc...they all look high quality and top notch..that is impressive for the lack of space I had (no I didn't buy an extra bag like some of you out there) and the woozy state I was always in due to a lack of adequate sleep.

For my next rave, I'd like to thank the british, the dutch, and the canadians for being so damn great! I loved meeting all of the travelers from england, ireland, and scotland..they were just the best of fun...the dutch were everywhere and were a blast..the canadians showed the rest of the world that, yes, north americans travel and, no, they are not americans! haha...you with your CA flags everywhere..funny...

ok, well, I'd better get some sleep or organize something for my move into my new place in Las Colinas...or get another snack or find that friggin' cord to my camera so I can send some pictures off!

Hope it's good...

"DO IT!"
p r e m

Here in Tokyo

Actually just in the airport for endless hours, but it:s quite japanese and quite nice. Being here at the end of my 1 month journey leaves me with happy thoughts...relief of surviving, joy of new friends, joy of new adventures and heights acheived, joy of life..connecting. Whether with others or flights, its about connecting when you are traveling and especially when you are alone. You]ve gotta be outgoing, open to　えヴぇｒｙてぃんｇ, and learn to read random shlitzl! (It:s fun using keyboards with characters just thrown all over the place! ああｌきじいえｆｊふぃｆｊひ）. Well, I think its time for some last sushi, a hot shower if I can find one, and maybe a trashcan for my clothes (I think they are stinky from no wash and lots of travel!)..

Cheers Mates (as the brits say four hundred times a day)..hah
Prem Panchal
Explorer Supreme
*Do it!*

My New Residence -- Canal Side Lofts

Hey friends, I have found a place for the coming year starting in August. Located in Las Colinas, the Canal Side Lofts are brand new, offer many cool facilities (boxing ring, movie room, clubhouse w/ plasma screens, etc.), and are close to work. I move in August the 1st which is when I get back from Asia. The website is Canal Side Lofts. Check 'em out! The idea is to remain close to my friends in Dallas, but also move towards work; this move accomplishes both. Hope you can stop by sometime....or help me move??? heh.

Southeast Asia 2006

Hello my friends. I finally booked my ticket to Asia a couple of days ago. After wish-washing for months on where in the world I would travel this summer, I came to my senses and realized what I'd be missing without the journey to the Far Southeast. Leaving the 2nd of July and returning the 31st of July, I'll cover the countries of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia (Bali) during my stay. Also, a big note here is that I am traveling alone! I am really excited for this opportunity; quite a blessing actually. I hope this trip enlightens me even more to the realities of the world and, also, its possibilities. To keep my ideas floating around and my voice heard during the trip, I have come up with a website to document my travels (PTP). Please follow my journey and stay in touch. Cheers, Prem.

2006 Specialized Allez Triple

My new road bike! I got it two days ago and have logged about 30 miles on it so far. I am trying to get to about 20 miles a day within the month. Just thought you guys would like to know...

-P

Dr. Jeffrey Sachs -- Columbia Earth Institute

I just wanted to note that right before Baccalaureate Service on the 19th of May, I met with the famed economist, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs. He has contributed to the field of economic development in more ways than any individual can fathom. It goes without saying that I was completely starstruck (in an academic sort of way) and also inspired.

*On the left is Stefan, a graduate economics tutor who attended the symposium @ SMU with me.

SMU Graduation 2006 - Done and Done Baby!

Well friends and family, its ALL over! I finished with two degrees in four years, woohoo! It was a long day with commencement in the morning (missed that...oops), the finance diploma presentation in the afternoon, and then the econ diploma presentation right after that...lovely.

Lately, I have been playing sand volleyball, sleeping in, working on the ol' body ;), and enjoying the joys of a Great Mavs Team in the Playoffs! Life is good.

Explore. Learn. Grow. Push. Achieve.

Note: Plans for summer so far -- Taking one class in June for economics, need to find a job in the meantime, staying in Dallas during that time. In July, I am traveling to either India, Southeast Asia, or Italy..sort of a toss up!

Summer Plans...dilemma

Well, it's time to talk about summer plans friends. This summer of 2006, unfortunately, will start off by taking class from June 1st to June 31st. Within that time period, I will attend the wedding of Stephen Branch on the 10th and the wedding of another good friend, Andrew Fuller on the 31st - July 1st.

After that whole period, I will be DONE forever with undergraduate college work (graduate still to come..WOOHOO!). Where things get a little foggy is in July...what to do..hmmm

-India
-China
-Southeast Asia

The key here is that I start work the 7th of August @ Sabre Holdings in Southlake, so I need to be back pretty quick. That gives me one month.

This morning I was contemplating working for that month doing something really obscure, but instead, I realized that traveling in itself will be a challenge and push me to my limits...so NO work in July.

I'll keep thinking about this EVERY single night and morning and come back with something substantive soon...

I guess we'll just see what happens!

Italian Dinner at Buca di Beppo

Ciao! Come stai? Sto bene. Ho avete un esame italiano stamattina. La classe ed io abbiamo cenato a Buca di Beppo alle sei e mezzo di sera. Io ho divertito!

Nelle photo ci sono Prem (me), Prof.ssa. Brandy Alvarez, Christian, Andrea, Antonio, Elizabeth, and Tim. Ci sono piu personi nella classe ma non ho le photo. Arrivederci!

Siebert's House Party: Or the Final Day of Classes

*Note: Lots of crazyiness above, 80's prom baby!

Uptown Cycling

<--80 people...80 bikes...4 1/2 hours...the entire city of Dallas...oh and plenty of drinks, food, and fun.-->
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Yes, my friends, that is how I spent this past Sunday. Riding a bike (!! oh my god, isn't he crazy!) through the city of Dallas with, for the most part, strangers..haha.
(except for my Italian prof. Damiano, Italian compagna Audra, and la mia buona amica Emily).

These pictures are only a snippit of the time we had. Geez...probably one of the best time I have ever had...people were sooo chill.
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Happens every Sunday @ 6pm, usually @ West Village
www.uptowncycles.com

Dollar Days at Lone Star Park

When I arrived I was like.."Geez, those hot dogs are freakin' amazin'!" haha...and yes, they were...$1. woohoo..college kid's dream has arrived. Ok, slight overstatement, but all-in-all a terrific way to spend a Saturday.
Pictures: Lone Star Park, Prem and good friend Emily...ecc. ecc.