Gonzo Blog

On July 4th 2009 weekend visited San Juan, Puerto Rico for 4 nights and 4 days. On July 1st left Houston (IAH) by Continental flight departing at 11:59 PM (yes midnight!) and reached San Juan (SJU) non-stop at 5:30 local time (EST).

Flight time was approximately 4 Hours 20 minutes. Booked flight 30 days in advance and paid $422.00.

We stayed at the Hilton Caribe (Type Hilton Caribe San Juan in Google) which is 7 miles from the Airport and more or less the same distance to Old San Juan as well. read more »

I had been thinking of giving the PMP exam (based on the 3rd edition) for quite some time now. For some reason (read excuses) I had been postponing it (read procrastination). I even started preparing for a week or so and then something lead to the other and I stopped for few weeks and started all over again. So I finally decided to give myself a 6 weeks time to give the exam. If I couldn’t do it in 6 weeks, I would consider myself not fit to certify and forget about it!

Note: It’s important that you not stop if you start. In my case, I started preparing for the PMP test with quite a lot of preconceived notion on Project Management that I had drawn from my experience managing and leading projects. I was just chaning my mind set and I stopped and then when I started after a lag I had to start all over again. read more »

One will have to complete 35 contact hours before they can buy/book the PMP test from PMI. Do not confuse contact hours with Professional Development Units (PDU’s). read more »

Travel Period: June 21-30, 2008 (10 Days)

Day 1: We flew the non-stop IAH-ANC flight. I was able to snag the bulkhead section making it very comfortable with my little one. He slept through most of the flight, giving my wife and I the opportunity to rest and sleep. About 30-45 mins from Anchorage, we got our first glimpses of the snow-covered Alaskan peaks. This really got our adrenaline pumping. We flew over the Chugach Mountains (East to Southeast of ANC). read more »

I am not an avid wine drinker. I could care the least whether the wine is 2 years old or 200. Since I drink wine ocassionally, all I care is that it suits my taste and the aromas are of liking to me — so that said, do not bother reading my wine review/suggestion thinking i am the oracle or sage from Napa! read more »

If you are new to Houston we suggest two great things to do at Lake Conroe, approximately 55 miles north of Houston on Route 45 North towards Dallas, TX

- Go Boating and/or Jet Skiing on Lake Conroe
- Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF)

Note: The festival only takes place for 8 weekends — from Oct till Nov / Sat-Sun only. read more »

Well, the first question I am asked when I tell people that I am preparing for my PMP is – what are the pre-requisites for a PMP? or I want to get the PMP too, but apart from passing the exam what else is required? read more »

After spending three nights in vegas, we left early in the afternoon to visit Grand Canyon (South Rim) and Monumental Valley. The valley is a must see if you are driving on your own to GC. read more »

Las Vegas: been there, done that, …. from 12/4/07 till 12/9/07.
Not a bad ‘first’ trip but may come back for the shows. read more »

Visited on 2007 Thanks Giving Weekend (11/22 – 11/25). Highlights: In SFO, drive a Segway around Fishermen’s Wharf, Rent a small skippered yatch/boat on the bay, and take the Fire Engine tour. Drive away from SFO for few hours for the majestic 17 mile drive on Pebble Beach! read more »