BIG things...

Every month I receive an email from NaBloPoMo with ideas to blog about for the month. This month, April, I am suppose to talk about BIG things.
My BIG things right now are:
1. Finishing school (mid-August, unless I take a much needed break).
2. Buying a house (this is complete HELL).
3. Understanding the life of the busiest man I know.
4. Balancing all these BIG things so they do not effect my job.
5. Finding time for me.
6. Forgiveness

For some reason, I get to deal with all of this at once. I think I've come to that breaking point that I just cannot handle it all on my own. Unfortunately, no one else can help me with these BIG decisions and goals that I must and will complete.

I watches the movie Amish Grace this morning. I started to cry (cuz how can you not if you've seen that movie) and cried for the next 5 or 6 hours. I needed to cry and destress. The basis of the movie was forgiveness. This is BIG too. So now, over the month of April, I have a few things to talk about. I don't want to info dump on you now so we'll take it one step at a time.

Step 1: School

I have finally given up on straight A's. I know I can do it but at this time, I probably will not turn in my last paper. It will drop me to a B and honestly, is that so bad? No, it's not. (I am sure tomorrow I'll change my mind and write the paper but if I don't, I will be ok with it). After tomorrow, I will have 3 classes left. I am seriously thinking of taking a two week break but I know it will prolong my final end date and I really just want this program to be over. A bit of advice for those who want to complete their MBA, HAVE A BUSINESS BACKGROUND! Well that and don't stress over A's. No one is going to ask what your GPA was so why is it so hard for me to be ok with that? Yes, we've had this conversation many times but now, I think I really don't care. I just want it to be over.

Stay tuned for the house hunting... I will post on that a different day because tonight, it would probably have too many 'sailor' words in the post.... not a good thing.

Peace friends~

2009, comes to an end

{Photo of the house I am TRYING to buy}

I cannot believe that we are entering 2010. Where does the time go? My goal this coming year is to survive my MBA and blog more. Oh, I have many more goals and this year, I will obtain a few that I have set out for myself for the last, oh 10 years or so.
One goal is to own my own home. I am in the process of trying to purchase one; however, it is taking FOREVER. It's a short sale (why they call it short, I have NO clue). You will all know as soon as the deal is sealed!
Another goal is to travel again at the end of next year, once I finish this degree. I would really like to go back to Italy (Rome and southern Italy to be exact), so we'll see how that goes. I will go somewhere though, it's my graduation gift to myself!
Next, run a half marathon. I've wanted to do this for some time and I have started training, then something comes up. Work is finally allowing me to take extra time at lunch to go to the gym. I have to make up the time but I've been trying to do this for... oh so long now. With work and school, this will be the best schedule for me and I am excited. Jan. 4... here I come!
By 2011, I will be a home owner, MBA grad, and a runner! Not to mention, I'll have a new stamp on my passport! So, stay tuned and hopefully I'll post more than every 2 months!

Happy New Year!

A = Accounting

Accounting = Hell

however

Accounting = A

I passed, with an A!

Advanced accounting with never having a basic/introductory accounting course. I will have to say this class really took a lot out of me and the last two weeks have been brutal.

Thanks to:

my cousin Orson and my cousin Ronni's man... Steve.

They both helped me through the last two weeks and without them, I do not know how I would have passed the class!

Those who listened to me complain
{over and over and over}.

My learning team mate: Wayne

and mostly...

Ryk, who continuously told me I would do fine. That I always do well because I "ROCK". For always believing that I can get through every class when I doubt my capabilities. Without him, I am not sure I would be where I am today with this degree program!

{plus he deals with my freaking, psycho moods}

Let me say, this class, has made me doubt if I will survive the rest of my program. I have never had any intro courses in economics, corporate finance, marketing, operational management, and strategic planning & implementation. Oh, and to top it off, these classes are international courses...

uhmm.. I don't even know the American ones!

So... wish me luck over the next 15 weeks because it is the economics and corporate finance courses that I have some anxiety over. If I can make it through those, the rest should be smooth sailing {I hope}.

~Peace

I am done... with accounting. What did I learn? NOTHING except that one should NEVER take an upper level aka... ADVANCED accounting course unless he or she has taken lower level courses. Oh... also, lack of sleep, this horrible class, and confusing personal life = a psychotic break down and a ton of tears.

I now see a brighter side.... tomorrow will be a good day!

Learning

This past weekend I went to see the movie Julie & Julia. I was not sure what to expect and thought it was interesting how this woman started a blog on cooking and intended to write a book about her experience {via the blog}, which she did. The movie made me realize that I miss blogging! I just never feel as though I have something to write about. So my thought was, as boring as it may seem to some, I should write about my experience with school because it is 'my life', right?
What is interesting is 3 years ago, I had an idea to go back to school. My bio {which I post in every class} states "I was waiting for the rich doctor to come along but finally realized that what we expect to happen, does not always happen. So I decided to take my life into my own hands and do something about it". I went back to school. I was scared to death because I didn't think I could 'do it'. Funny thing is, I could and I have. Who would have thought back in October of 2006 that I would now be in school for my MBA {with a concentration in global management, because that sounds so much smarter!}. Let me tell you all something.... I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT I AM DOING! I learn as I go.
Education has made such a difference in my life. It's amazing what this thing called 'school' can do for a person. It has given me a sense of self worth, taught me I can do anything I set my mind to, and gave me the ability to advance both professionally and personally. Did I mention I can use the word cohesion and know exactly what the importance of that word means in a business sense?
Going back to school gave me the courage to apply for a job, one in which I love. Don't get me wrong, I miss the days of S.B. ETC but I have learned so many different things in my position with UOP and I love the fact that I have made an impact in the lives of others. There are times I want to pull my hair out of my head because I talk with someone who may doubt him or herself and I know he or she can do this because if I can... ANYONE can. It just takes determination and someone supporting you, telling you can do it. Trust me, I have had many nights were I have doubted myself over and over. I have the greatest mentor who always tells me that I can do it though. Without him, I'm not sure I could have made it as far as I have.
So if you are out there wondering... should I go back to school or not? Think about this... what do you really have to lose? Will getting an education only bring you negativity? Will it bring out a side of you that proves nothing can stop you? Will it give you a sense of value knowing that you have accomplised something so many others are 'afraid' to do? Will it teach you things that maybe you do not know about and open opportunities that lay waiting ahead? Will it show your children the importance of an education because isn't that what we all want? Something more for our kids?
Do what you think you cannot accomplish and prove to the world that you are a better person for it!

Life

I feel like I need to post since it's been a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, nothing too exciting is happening in my life.

Work is good-

School is... well school.

I feel like my life consist of work and school. I try really hard to get to the gym but that always seems like such an obstacle. Maybe it is because I have decided to get up at 4:30 am to be to the gym at 5 am to swim for 60 mins to get back home no later than 6:15 so I can shower and leave for work by 7:15 at the latest. Seriously??? There are a few mornings I hit snooze for 90 mins!

Exciting eh?

That's all for now.... Peace~

Italian Alphabet

So.... not only do I want to complete this degree but I want to be able to have some sort of a conversation when I go back to Italy after I finish my MBA. The only way this will happen is to self teach myself Italian because seriously, when would I have time to take Italian??? On my little drive home I turned on my IPOD to the Italian alphabet. Deciding that it is probably best to learn the alphabet first before I tackle the language. I actually think I got it! As long as I keep repeating the letters, I will remember it. Not saying I completely understand every letter (h = acca, z = zeta, seriously???). I'm working on it!

a a
b bi
c ci
d di
e e
f effe
g gi
h acca
i i
l elle
m emme
n enne
o o
p pi
q cu
r erre
s esse
t ti
u u
v vu
z zeta

To leave you with a photo from Rome of Villa Medici

Happy Thursday!!!

Peace~

Free

I am officially finished with my first MBA class... and I got an A. Go ME!!! {whew}

Started the second class and I now have a 2 week break from school. For some, you might think that is nice. In reality, this is the only 2 weeks I will have off of school until next year this time{unless I schedule a break which I might need to do}.

Happy freedom from writing papers!

ESFJ = Me

{Me when I was little with my cousin, Davey}

What is ESFJ?
Well, I took the Jungian 16-Type Personality test
I am ESFJ, aka: The Caregiver.

As an ESFJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.

ESFJs are people person's. They love people. They take their responsibilites very seriously and are very dependable. They value security and stability, and have a strong focus on deatils of life.

ESFJs are warm and energetic. They need approval from others to feel good about themselves (could be why I always ask for advice on an outfit, make up, hair, ect). They are hurt by indifference and don't understand unkindness. They are very giving people, who get a lot of their personal satisfaction from the happiness of others. They want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give. They're very sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. ESFJs are such caring individuals, that they sometimes have a hard time seeing or accepting a difficult truth about someone they care about. (is that me or what!?)

We respect and believe in the laws and rules of authority (however I HATE those stupid photo radar's and I do NOT believe in them!).

ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic. They enjoy tradition and security, and will seek stable lives that are rich in contact with friends and family.

Ok, so this MBA thing... it is kind of interesting so far!

Christmas gift ideas

So I have this cute friend whom I call Elizabeth... but I believe only I call her that, maybe I am wrong. Anyways... she is so dang creative it is UNBELIEVABLE! She created the charm I wore for over a year that said FREEDOM. Tonight I attended her jewelry party where you could see face to face her adorable stuff. Of course I got a necklace and because I love her stuff so much I decided I would share her website with you!

Check Liz's stuff out here

Check out her adorable rustic signs too! I'm going to be looking into that once I get my humble home a bit more organized and livable. Anyways... on a side note. I am smarter than I thought! I did well my first week of school and have an assignment due tonight. Uhmm... I have not startedd but never fear, I have 3 hours left to get it done.
So I am off to do homework.

Peace~

Back to school

So today I started my class for my MBA. WOW! It is not hard yet but I am feeling a little intimidated. I know I can do this but let's face it, I do not have a lot of experience in the business world. Sure, I did purchasing for Scrapbooks, Etc. but is that enough to get me through this program? Reading the autobiography's of other students... these people have some experience! So yes, I feel a bit intimidated but you know, I am going to get through this. Did I mention this is only the first class and it is suppose to be easy! We will see. I will tell you this much though, I am really liking this online thing. I had decided to take one online class and then transfer to UOP's ground campus (like I did for my bachelor's degree) but this online thing, I am doing homework and interacting with other students (for points obviously) on my lunch break and as soon as I get home. I might stick this out with the whole online thing. Anyone else want to join me???

On a side note, did you vote? I did! I am not getting political but I like how I feel when I vote. Voting makes me feel smarter. I haven't followed the entire campaign but I definitely knew who I was voting for... now just to see if he wins! {Yes, Beck... No to O}

So that is my blog for today. I have some reading to do on managerial work so I should probably get that done.

Happy Voting Day!
Peace~

Heck-

I thought if I prepared a post the day before it would post on the day I posted it! Make sense? Well, I prepared the Rome photos to post today but... it now looks like I made 2 posts on Nov. 2! So much for planning ahead!
Ok- so let's discuss my day... READY?
Do you ever have one of those days were you just seem completely exhausted and you just want to go home, climb back into bed, and go to sleep? That was my day. The part I don't understand is why? I got almost 8 hours of sleep. I worked out today (which I have not done in over a week). Then I got to the point that people just started to irritate me. Not so much all people but people who have absolutely NO drive/motivation!
Ok- here is the thing. I start my MBA tomorrow, I'm freaking some. I know how much time it will take away from anything in this world I enjoy doing BUT I am making the sacrafice. Then I get a call from one of my students who after 2 classes decides she is going to quit because it is just too hard. Now, going back to school is hard but come on! Why do people have to give up on their dreams? Why do people have absolutely NO ambition? I spend a lot of time working with people to help them and encourage them to get back into school and work on a degree. A degree that will ONLY benefit them and then they call to say "I'M TOO LAZY". Seriously, do you think I want to give up some of my time to write a 10 friggin page paper? NO- but I know in the end the benefits it will only provide for me. Do I enjoy making more money now? YES! Do I want to travel more? YES! Do I want to be an example to Morgan and Faith? YES! Do I want to better myself? YES! So of course I am going to go back and get my degree because everything I want, I can obtain!
Seriously... I sound a bit negative tonight but it is out of frustration. Do not let people hold you back. Do not let your own fears hold you back. Set goals and obtain them. What is it you really want to do? Where do you want to go? What makes you happy? Where do you want to be in 10 years? And I think most importantly, something I always think about: What do you want people to say at your funeral? That sounds a bit morbid but it is the truth.
Ok, thanks for listening and trust me, you will soon hear me complain about those 10 page papers!
Happy Monday-
Peace!

Master's program..... I think I decided

on my MBA with a concentration in Global Management. So if I decide to put the program to use, I'll have international business knowledge. Guess what that means? I might have to find myself a career that allows me to travel internationally. Yeah, I do not think I would complain about that one! Anyways, just wanted to let you all know my decision. I am planning to start Nov. 4. {deep breath}