Author Archive
By the way
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I’M DONE! I’M DONE!
It doesn’t feel real, but I am done with school. This is the problem with finishing early and moving. I did the same in my undergrad — I moved out and left before the celebrations because I was so excited to be a reporter. I regretted that and I regretting finishing my undergrad in three years (no one ever told me that you don’t ever get summer or winter break EVER AGAIN), and part of that fueled my desire for graduate school. But then I finished early and left early again. I even tried quitting my job, and take time off, but that lasted about a month.
We’ll take this as a realization that some things never change.
I need to document what I’ve learned and how I’ve changed. It’s both intrinsic and external. Things like being more assertive. Trusting myself. I think more strategically — I ended up taking every strategy class offered. I am better at math than I ever have been. I feel like I should have talked more about it, but every time I tried I didn’t know how to write “hey, I’m getting smarter!” without sounding like a total dork. I also felt like this blog was “the fun place” when I was reading business books all day long. Fun fact: one of the first books I bought post-school was another business book. What am I turning into?
Part of it will feel more real when I don a cap and gown in May.
I think I need to get myself something special, just so that when I look at it, I will remember how good it felt. Be it a picture, a purse, something sparkly, or quite possibly a little tech item that is engraved. I know I’ve said before — it’s not that I’m materialistic, it’s that I am sentimental. And this? This is something I am going to remember.
P.S. This is a cool infographicabout the evolution of the MBA.
Ensuring great moments
Posted by: | CommentsWe are in Utah. We are almost unpacked. The puppy and Cricket are in a power struggle for Alpha dog that is slightly hilarious.
But now, a story.
Friday night was the designated timeslot for the annual Christmas Extravaganza — the husband’s get together with his college friends. We ate at a steakhouse that was selected more for its inbetween locale than deliciousness. At least, I hope, otherwise I will have to have a serious talk to someone about the state of their tastebuds.
We were an hour late. I’m starting at the office — and at just the time I needed to leave to be on time, I got some valuable tech support. Plus, I got totally lost in the parking garage. Maze, I tell you.
Post dinner, we went up to the street to engage in some bowling. Upon getting the choice, I turned on the bumpers. I’m a horrible bowler, let’s be honest here. And while I try my hardest to not be competitive, getting gutter balls all night after a long day at work — and a long week of finishing grad school, moving three states and starting at the office — I just didn’t want a night of gutter balls.
Sure, I was the only person who did it. It seems I am always doing things differently — I also suggested we take advantage of only having four people in our lane and everyone sign up for two games, but the computer caught us.
It caused me thought. I realized that I do this often. If I can guarantee that I’m going to have a better time by paying slightly extra for better seats, or changing an activity to Saturday when I know I will be more rested, I do it. When we went to Disneyland a few weeks ago, we scheduled three days there — ensuring that we didn’t have to wake up early or stay there late if we didn’t want to. We were still able to see everything without stressing out.
It might cost more sometimes. It might mean that I do things after all the cool people are doing it. But you know? I think it contributes to happiness. Do you ever do weird things like that?
By the way, this whole realization contributes to a project I’m working on for 2012. I’m excited to share it!
Boxes are packed, ready to go
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It’s a calm before a storm. My homework is all but complete, just a presentation and paper and I will be graduated. The apartment that we de-wallpapered, painted and lived in for three years is mostly empty. Just memories, many good, some I’d rather forget. We successfully loaded our POD with all that we won’t need for six months. Well, we are using some stuff until Tuesday, like the mattress, then it will be PODded. (I just made our storage unit into a verb. Yes it needs an extra “d” because POD is one syllable.)
The rest will come to my parents house in the car and truck. Ah yes, we are moving in with the parents. To be fair, they planned for this when they built their house. We’ll have our own “wing,” which sounds so fancy when it really is just a portion of the house that is sectioned off for guests. California people, remember homes are bigger in Utah and contain things like basements.
It does mean that we will have access to a washing machine and bathroom of our own. What they thought was genius planning might just be poor planning on my parents part. My own washing machine I can use any time of day, no quarters needed? My mom’s cooking with no curfew? I may never move out.
The idea is that hopefully when we do move out, it is after being in escrow. Whenever I hear the word “escrow,” I want to pronounce it ESK-ER-OH, like Luke’s brother-in-law does in Gilmore Girls. This prospect has me pinning images of homes like crazy.
My last blog post was such a downer, so I wanted to put something up that was happier. Truly, I am giddy happy. But I’m also full of goodbyes right now and honoring that. It is as if I just finished a book trilogy, and while I’m excited to start the next series waiting on the shelf, the words from the previous are still fresh.
Full of thoughts
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How is it already the weekend? I don’t know how this happens? How are we leaving San Diego in 10 days?
I was driving up College Avenue on Thursday after presenting in class (we rocked it!) and thought about the very first time I encountered that road. I followed printed off Google Map directions for five hours, driving straight from Las Vegas. I was excited and about an hour ahead of the husband, who was in his truck with the U-haul.
I took the exit and was shocked we lived so close to San Diego State. No, the street name of College Avenue didn’t give it away, thanks to Provo and having University Avenue run the length of the city. I kept going and found a grocery store. I had no idea how many times I would end up in that parking lot for froyo.
I drove past what was to be our apartment twice before I figured out that the super-small building was ours. Saying it wasn’t luxury would be an understatement. We were paying three times what I had in Provo for a smaller space. The first night we spent there I was pretty sure we were going to get robbed.
I got over it. It became life. We moved after nine months, which helped. Now, I love this place. I love that we’re 20 minutes away from the beach. I love that we’re 20 minutes away from everything. I have never had a commute longer than 15 minutes. And after putting up with one-too-many winters, I’ve enjoyed my 4-year reprieve from the snow.
It’s bittersweet. Maybe it’s because I feel a bit like I grew here. From working as a reporter to transitioning to public relations to grad school, this will always be the place where I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. For now anyway, no promises that it won’t change. And have the most amazing friends I’ve ever had. I have leaned on them a lot this year — something I’m not used to doing. And they’ve leaned back an I’ve loved feeling the strength of adopted sisterhood.
So poof, 10 days and I’ll say goodbye?
The new chapter has its perks though. The first time in our marriage that one of us isn’t in school? Beautiful. Buying a house a likelihood instead of a dream. Actually seeing family for the holidays, instead of via Skype. Not having to pack all the Cafe Rio into one trip. Connecting with my roots and heritage — and finding strength in that, versus forging ahead on my own.
The good news is that I’ve been working remotely and I absolutely cannot wait to get to Utah to really be able to work. It is a motivator to get the house packed for sure! Though if anyone wants to help, I won’t turn you down.
Holiday party wearability
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One of the best parts about the holiday season is family and tradition. But a close second is dressing up for the parties and events. My friend Beka asked me what some good looks would be for a dress that was both office party appropriate, and work ready.
For this quest, I say you cannot go wrong investing in a nice sheath. Worn with a statement necklace and fabulous shoes, you are good for nighttime. Worn with a cardigan and pearls, you are good for daytime.
I scoured, and these are my unique faves. Nordstrom and Ann Taylor are staples too. But I liked these two for their uniqueness.
Grey waist tie dress, $49 from Dorothy Perkins. Though, I have to say that this dress might be a little short for the office, depending on how tall you are. Another alternative might be this one from Stop Staring.
It is the City Grey at $142. Though some of Stop Staring stuff seems too hoochie for my taste — it’s very “hello, look at my cleavage” — this dress seems like it might be OK. I like the length and the fact that the fabric looks comfortable for a long day at the office.
Though the best part of going with a sheath is that it is a staple you must have in your closet. And so you hopefully already do. If that is the case, then a holiday party is a great excuse to invest in accessories!
I am loving t&j designs right now. I think all of their designs are amaze — they have a lot of great everyday jewelry. This one is dressy — and at $58, not something that you are going to buy and forget about it, but not over-the-top for jewelry, you know? Confession: most of my jewelry is uber-cheap, and I am feeling like I’m ready to start investing in pieces that I can fall in love with and that don’t tarnish.
There’s always this steal at Nordstrom too. Stein & Blye Short Torsade Necklace for $33.90. It’s unavailable online, but this makes me want to go to my local store.
As for shoes — I love going for a pop of color when wearing grey or a neutral. It’s easy to do.
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