What I'm Looking Forward To in the Next Week

1. Getting my nails done for the first time in MONTHS after Finance class (thanks Groupon!), Shellac is the ish. I will post pics when when they're all purtied up.
2. Bikram Yoga on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Sunday morning... so nice when there's no school to get in the way of working out.
3. Football game vs. USC this weekend. Not only will it be a great game and AWESOME if the Ducks win, but there are some big tailgates going on and let's face it that's really what college football is all about right? lol Hoping to do some work in the kitchen Friday night and have some tasty-ness to contribute.
4. Being done with our Marketing/Management paper for Ninkasi, and then enjoying some Ninkasi.
5. Being done with Accounting Rite-Aid case.
6. Getting my hair cut for the first time in almost a year (nothing crazy, just cleaning up the ends and layers)
7. Spending time in Portland with my family and DJ's family for Thanksgiving, eating lots of tasty food!

Home Stretch

Midterms went much better than expected. So glad that they did because I was stressing and I studied really hard! I actually got the highest score in my class on my management midterm, 51/50 woot! I got an almost perfect score on Accounting (yea, I was surprised too) I only missed 1 multiple choice question. Marketing got an A. And surprisingly in Finance I got an 83%, that was the hardest test and my worst subject.

Things are really ramping up for the end of the term, we are in week 8 of a 10 week term plus finals. Week 9 is pretty much non-existent because of Thanksgiving break, no class Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. I hope our professors give us practice problems or study guides before the break so that I can start gearing up for finals. We have a HUGE paper due for our Ninkasi project Monday and our group is no where near finished... then we have to be prepared to present on the 30th, yikes! Gonna be focused on that for a while.

I got the opportunity to cheer again at an Oregon game during homecoming week. I was surprised that I could still do all the stunts! Me and Amanda practiced the dances ahead of time and it was a great refresher. It was so fun to be back out there again and shakin it! Needless to say I went a little hard and couldn't walk the next day lol guess I'm not as young as I used to be. All the soreness and torn rib muscles were totally worth it, so great to see old friends and be back out on the field. Wouldn't trade it for the world :)

With my former rookie buddy Amanda Pflugrad. The only 2 stunters from tryouts 2006 that made it through tryouts 2007. So many good memories practicing dances and learning all the ins and outs of Oregon Cheerleading together.

My new biggest fan DJ. I think he was impressed!

With my dad, always supportive!

Former stunt partner Nick Brown, he saved my life many times. Lots of good memories traveling together.

Stunt partners for the day, we did very well for the first time meeting each other.

Action shot taken by one of my MBA classmates, love the big hair.

Ok and now back to the reality of the paper due in 6 days... ughhhh.

Warsaw-Thurston Awards Gala

I just got asked to help plan and execute the Warsaw-Thurston Awards Gala in March! I will be flying down to California with a small group of my classmates. Such an honor, I can't wait! Last year's winner was Stacey Allaster, the chairman and CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association. I was lucky enough to hear her speak at the Women in Sports Business Symposium and she was amazing. Looking forward to seeing who this years' winner will be.

Middle of Midterms

2 down, 2 to go. I absolutely annihilated my Accounting midterm, boo-yah! I spent 16 hours studying for that thing over the weekend. Sure did pay off when my balance sheet balanced and my statement of cash flows gave me the right number at the end!!!

Oh and if I haven't mentioned this yet, I am OBSESSED with the Tudors, specifically Anne Boelyn :) I had a dream last night that I met Natalie Dormer and I woke up smiling from ear to ear. Does this make me a nerd?

OBSESSED I tell you!

I literally bawled my eyes out while watching this...

Not Enough Hours in the Day!

October has absolutely flown by.  I have been really focused on my school work, getting back into the swing of things has been more difficult than I thought. I am studying and reading ALOT, trying to give myself the best advantage I can. More than anything I know I need to get a B in all my classes to maintain a 3.0 GPA to stay in good academic standing with my program and for my GTF position. Never hurts to over prepare when such big things are at risk.

Friday's we have seminar with the Warsaw Sports Business students only and it is my favorite time of the week. It reminds me why I am here and motivates and inspires me to keep working hard. And we don't talk about accounting/finance at all! I met with my academic adviser and because I was a business major as an undergrad he is going to move me from the 2-year program to the accelerated track. This means I have less total classes to take before I get my MBA and gives me greater flexibility to choose which classes I take and when I take them. I anticipate being done at the end of next winter term now and am going to take lighter loads of classes so that I have plenty of time for networking and job/internship search. I am very excited about this, not only do I not have to take as many classes but I also have the option of moving out of Eugene sooner! lol

I got some bad news this week about a close friend, she is having serious complications with her pregnancy and it does not look good for the baby. It has been weighing very heavily on me. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as they hope for a medically improbable miracle.

Stella & Dot

I went to a Stella & Dot jewelry party yesterday hosted by my best friend's mom. There was some great stuff there and I ordered a pair of earings, I can't wait til they arrive next week! They are definitely going to be a wardrobe staple.

Soiree Studs

 

I had dinner with the Warsaw girls last night, it was nice for us to all get together and hang out (not that I don't appreciate the Warsaw boys too but it just makes for a different dynamic). We then met up with the rest of the MBA students at a BBQ. It was great to see everyone outside of a classroom setting.

I dropped DJ off for his first day of work at Grand Slam USA earlier today so I am at the Jaqua doing homework, I have reading up to my ears! Hoping to get a chance to hop on an elliptical at the Rec at some point today. Also I cannot forget to get my student ticket! With Game Day coming next weekend and the Warsaw Alumni BBQ going on it's already shaping up to be a fun but busy weekend.

Starting of a New Adventure

OK so life has finally settled down somewhat and I am now back in a routine: granted that routine means that M-F I am on campus fro 730a to 930p but hey at least I have the weekends now to sit down and update my blog!
DJ and I moved down to Eugene in September, I started graduate school at the Warsaw Center for Sport Marketing and he is finishing up his Finance degree at Western Oregon University. He commutes over an hour each way twice a week! Such a commitment! He is also able to use the new rec center there to get workouts in AND he has a part time job here in Eugene working at Grand Slam USA = free time in the batting cages. I was lucky enough to get a GTF position (free tuition, monthly stipend, and health insurance!) as a Math and Business Tutor for Services for Student Athletes. I work at the Jaqua Center on campus which is AMAZING. Ridiculously over the top but since I work there, I'm ok with that :)

Let's Go Ducks!!

2 Weeks down in the term and I am already starting to get the feeling like thing aren't going to be slowing down anytime soon. I want to make the most of my 2 years in this program and take advantage of every opportunity, and there are a lot! I am really focused and even though it is hard work I am happy to put in the long hours and give it 150% because I know it will pay off.

First day of grad school!

We had a class field trip to the Ninkasi brewery today, we are going to be doing a project and presentation in our Marketing and Management class on them so it was completely research related... of course tasting is part of research ;) Most of their beers aren't really my style, but I must say that I drank a Bud Light with dinner when I got home tonight and it just tasted so inferior. I think I am going to go to the store and get something tastier for me and DJ to enjoy while we watch a Netflix movie. Now if only I can get DJ to sign off of Call of Duty and pick a movie...

Bittersweet Goodbyes

While I am excited to begin my new journey into grad school, and I know it is the right thing for me to do, I am also really sad about leaving the place that has been my second home for the lst 2 years. Today is my second to last day at work, I already said goodbye to some of my coworkers that are currently on vacation. I know tomorrow I am going to get emotional when saying goodbye to everyone. When you spend 40 hours a week at a job the people you work with become your family, you see them more than anyone else day in and day out. They're the people you can rely on to help you. I work with a group of GREAT people, everyone has a wonderful work ethic and is so helpful. I hope nothing for the best for all of my coworkers and my soon to be former employer. The excitement of vacation in California is shadowed by the sadness of knowing this will likely be the last time I see any of these people. Nevermore will I get to be bombarded and barked at by our mascot Chaucer, a 205lb English Mastiff.

I know once I am done saying my goodbyes I will feel happy and relieved to be moving forward towards my career goals. I am just dreading the goodbyes the way I was dreading telling my boss I am leaving, I hate to dissapoint people.

So farewell Latitudes, I will always think of you fondly and be greatful for the lessons I have learn and the confidence I have gained while working here. And thank you to all my fabulous co-workers for lifting me up when I have stumbled, your patience is a virtue. I wish the best of luck to you all.

Return to the Run

Running is NOT my favorite activity. Growing up with athsma I had always tried to avoid running so my relationship with the pavement has only been going on for about 5 years. I run about a 10 minute mile which I consider to be slow since my BFF and running partner is like a gazelle. I enjoy running with her because while she is faster than me she forces me to push the pace and challenge myself. At the same time it is very disheartening to always be behind and know that I will never catch up to her.

In April I trained for and ran my first half-marathon with her. I had told myself I wouldn't enter a half-marathon unless I knew I could run the entire length so it was quite a challenge. Below is a picture of us at the finish of 13.1 miles.

After the race I was completely burnt out on running and my body was starting to rebel with these stabbing pains in my knees everytime I tried to walk up or down the stairs for about a week after the race. I put my running shoes aside and started focusing on my Bikram Yoga practice, one of my favorite activities but that is for a later blog. This past weekend after a 2 month hiatus I decided to pull my running shoes out of the back of my closet, dig my ultra bounce proof sports bra out of the drawer (seriously, this thing holds the girls in place), and strap on my Nike+ to go for a brief run while the weather was still cooperating. I set my goal for 30 minutes and took off. Things were going well for the first 10 minutes when my knee started bothering me again. Not being one to give up on a goal I pushed through the pain and felt pretty good at the end, although I was disapointed in the decline of my stamina. I suppose I will have to keep an eye on my knee and slowly work back into it, one 30 minute jog at a time.

Pros and Cons of running:
Pros

• More or less it's free. All you need is a pair of sneakers (preferably Nike's but I'm biased being from the Northwest)
• You can do it anywhere. Rain or shine (although shine is preferred), in California or New York, morning or evening; you can always find a place to hit the pavement for a short amount of time. Even if you just end up running around the block several times.
• Great cardiovascular workout. Helps get your blood pumping and gives you a runners 'high' that leads to better choices throughout your day.
• I have a friend who swears that after trying everything the only way she could minimize her booty was by running, she says she literally ran her butt off.

Cons

• The constant pounding on the pavement is really hard on your joints, especially knees.
• It can be very repetitive. If you don't have something to distract yourself with you can burn out easily.
• Since it is usually an individual activity there is no one else to hold you accountable for your workout and it is easy to cheat; not go as fast/hard as you can, run for a shorter distance.
• Weather can be inclimental and often an excuse for not completing a planned workout

Cooking

I am going to attempt to be a better cook! I am challenged in the kitchen, not exactly a sought after quality in a woman. Baking I can do, following a recipie I can do, but when I have to wing it I meltdown. I once went grocery shopping planning to buy ingredients for a Jerk Chicken recipie and ended up having a breakdown in the spice aisle, literally, I began crying because I couldn't find the spice I needed and I had no idea what to use instead. Cooking = Stress

9 Dessert Recipes for Weight Loss this will be icing on the cake if you will (hardee har, pun intended).

Summer Plans

I have given notice at work that I am going to be going back to school in September to get my MBA in Sports Business from the University of Oregon (go ducks!). I kept feeling the pang of guilt when my boss was talking about all these future plans with me in them and I knew I had to come clean. Since I am taking an extended vacation at the end of June/early July to visit my man I figured it would be good to have someone trained to take over, so this is when I will be stepping down.

While I am not looking forward to being without a steady paycheck and paying for my health insurance for the next 2 months, I am looking forward to the fact that I will once again have a 'summer' if the weather ever decides to warm up here in PDX. I have saved up some $ and will be working part time as promotional spokesmodel to make ends meet, but for the most part I will have lots of free time to hit the trails, the pool, the beach and enjoy summer in all it's glory.Being the neurotic planner that I am I have once again put the cart before the horse and started making plans. Here are the exciting things I have planned so far.

Events

• Road trip to Cali with BFF for wedding, hanging out with my man, bacholrette party and wedding day for mi amiga, beach with the crew for 4th of July
• End of July BEER FEST http://www.oregonbrewfest.com/, planning on going for opening day, yes we will be drinking beer starting at noon on Thursday as part of our early retirment party, celebrating being unemployed by choice, Matisyahu is playing at the Zoo later that night so my guess is we will drag our drunk asses over there for the show
• One of my sorirty sistsers wedding at Ponzi Vineyards http://ponziwines.com/ on July 30th, bachelorette party the preceeding weekend
• August 20th another sorority sister getting hitched http://www.joelmertz.net/joellovesfallon/ at the Resort at the Mountain
• 2 week retreat at the end of August to Maui with my mans' sista, she has a friend who lives there so we are going to be beach bums

Stuff to Accomplish

• Complete my online MBA math program, yikes!
• Go through all my childhood stuff at my dad's house and donate a heap of stuff to Goodwill, I am more of a spring clean kind of gal than a pack rat
• Go to IKEA to buy stuff to decorate our new apt in Eugene, I have already picked out everything online I just need to go pick it up (read, neurotic planner lol)
• Buy a new laptop, so far MacBook Pro with my student discount looks like the best option but I am open to suggestions
• Enjoy lots of outdoor runs and hikes, maybe make friends with someone who has a boat :)
• BLOG MORE, and find some people who actualy want to read my blog

Zumba

So I have been slacking on my workouts lately. I have been super tired and am going to the Dr. on Monday to have my iron levels tested :( Last night I motivated myself to go to the Diva Den for Zumba. It was a nice suprise that the one and only original Zumba-er Gina Grant was teaching the class. I had taken my first class from her at 24hr in the Pearl and fell in LOVE with Zumba. I rave to all my friends about it but unless you've taken her class you won't understand what all the craze is about. She is a Zumba goddesss! I left exhausted and high on latino music.

To Blog Again?

Recently some of my friends and co-workers have started blogging and quite frankly I am jealous. I mean my life is just as exciting as thiers. As I poured through endless photos, literally L.O.L.-ed at my fellow bloggers wit, and marveled at thier enthusiasm for life the question remained; what should I blog about and who would want to read about it?

To be honest this is not my first experience blogging. In college I studied 'abroad' in Morelia, Mexico. Needless to say my family was beyond freaked out that I would end up being a victim of the endless war between the drug cartels and they would read about me in the news ("American College Student Slain while Sunbathing on the Beach" or something along those lines). I wasn't exactly involved in any high risk activities while I was there besides taking public transportation to and from our private school but I decided to indulge them by reporting my daily activities where thier inquiring minds could see there was nothing they needed to worry about. This was easier than sending out email blasts and I would even get a few comments here and there, although mostly from my Grandma reminding me not to drink the water. Having lost my blogging virginity I want to make sure that my second attempt is noteworthy.

Over the past 5 or so years I have learned a lot about myself and honed in on the things that are important to me. I have taken an honest look at my life, evaluated where I hope to see myself in the future, and started to make necessary improvements. Here goes nothing and everything at the same time!