My Adventurous Journey Home

Can I just tell you how much I LOVE vacation! I have enjoyed sitting around doing pretty much nothing for the last week (or so). I am also VERY grateful to be alive and to have actually made it to my parents house. I almost didn't make it here alive. Let me tell you of my adventures home.

Last Thursday morning at about 8:30 am, Asa, Claire (Asa's friend who had been visiting Asa and staying with me) and I all headed for Richland, WA. The drive home typically takes between 9 and 10 hours. We decided to leave fairly early so that we could make it through the one major mountain pass (Blue Mountain's Cabbage Hill) in the daylight hours. It was snowing when we left Provo, but we knew there were clear skies ahead (or at least that is what the weather stations were reporting). The roads weren't too bad, but traffic was crawling at a snail's pace. I had considered stopping by and visiting my friends at the Dirge, but had decided to just head home, trying to get ahead of the storm and make it home sooner. However plans changed when it took us 1.5 hours to get from Provo to Midvale (about 35 miles). It was ridiculous. Claire needed to use a bathroom so I decided to stop by the Dirge and say hi.

It was great to see everyone. I really miss all of my great co-workers there. They are such funny and fun people. I don't really miss the work at all, but I really miss my friends there. They are really a part of my family, after all I worked with them for over 4 years.

We finally got back on the road again about 11am. The roads continued to be a little snowing until about the Salt Lake county line. Then the skies cleared and the roads were dry. We took advantage of the dry roads and clear skies and made really good time to Boise, the 1/2 way point. I then turned the wheel over to Asa. I needed a break from driving. We kept on driving and the skies and roads were clear. I was talking to Abe on the phone and he was asking me how the roads where and I said great. I hung up with him and as we rounded the next bend, it was almost a complete whiteout. You could barely see the reflectors on the side of the road. I called home to get the weather forecast for the roads up ahead. We made it to Baker City then pulled over to clear the windows and decide if we were going to forge ahead in the crappy weather. We decided that we would continue on to Le Grande and then assess the situation there. We inched along on our way to Le Grande (I took over the driving once again.) I was a wreck with Asa driving in the snow. I had a Kung Fu Death Grip on the door and my seat. I know Asa is a good driver, but I was freaking out because I wasn't in control, but I was still responsible for getting Asa and Claire home safely. Plus, let's be honest, I am a control freak. We finally made it to Le Grande. It took forever!! We decided that if we were going to go for it (the Blue Mountains & Cabbage Hill were in front of us) we would need chains. We drove around Le Grande looking for the Walmart and got some chains. The special highway radio station said that the winter storm would pass through by 9 pm. Since it was about 6:30 I suggested that perhaps we find something to do in Le Grande (watch a movie, eat dinner, something) until 9 pm and then continue on our way. Asa and Claire both wanted to continue on. I hate driving Cabbage Hill in the summer, in the middle of the day with perfect weather conditions. I told Asa that if we were going to do it, he had to drive. We topped off the gas tank, said a prayer and away we went.

The weather was not great, but it wasn't awful. We drove about 30 mph and made our way safely down Cabbage Hill and into Pendleton. We were now in the "home stretch." The worst part of the drive was over. We were 70 miles from home and been driving for over 11 hours. Just as we were beginning to relax and I had relinquished my Kung Fu Death Grip on the tire chain case, a semi pulled out in front of Asa. Asa braked and the semi went back to his lane. As Asa braked we started sliding straight for the under belly of the semi. I was within inches of my face meeting the back corner of a semi, when Asa got us out of the slide, but over corrected, which sent us off in the median on the other side of the road. I am not sure that any of us knew what had happened. We were okay and the car was fine, but we were stuck in snow up to our knees.

We climbed out of the car and got busy trying to dig ourselves out of the snow bank. We keep at it for about 30 minutes, when decided we had better call mom and dad to have them come and pull us out. (I tried to take pictures, but unfortunately my camera battery had died :( ) As we were talking to my parents, a snow plow pulled over to see if we needed help. Unfortunately he didn't carry any chains to pull us out, but he called a tow truck for us. We waited and waited while he waited to see if someone could come and get us. After about 30 more minutes he had to go take another lap. He told us that someone should be coming, but no promises. We called a few towing companies on our own and were told that someone was on their way, but that if we didn't hear from them in 30 minutes to call them and they would come get us. Thankfully We had filled up the tank and so we had plenty of fuel to keep the car running and the 3 of us warm. Just as the 30 minutes were about to expire, a pair of Russian Semi-drivers ( we'll call them Vladimir & Lenny) pulled over to see if they could help. Bless their hearts, they had no clue how to pull a car out of a snow bank. They wanted to hook up to my wheel and try and pull me out sideways. Thankfully "Big Bubba" pulled up in his truck next. Big Bubba embodies WT. He was wearing a Coors coat and had two (or maybe even 4) front teeth missing. He had a tow rope. While they were all trying to figure out where the pop out where you screw the tow hook to my frame was, another guy, 'No-Name John" pulled up on his tractor (we are talking John Deere kind of action) with a plow on the front. Before I knew what was going on John had hooked up Big Bubba's rope and had us out of the snow bank. It took about 60 seconds. It was now 11 pm. We had left Salt Lake 12 hours earlier and we still had 70 miles to go. We continued to inch along thanks to the fog and black ice. We finally made it home at 1:30 am (MT). It took us 15 hours of drive time, averaging just 46 miles per hour. It was torture, however I am VERY glad that we made it here safe and sound, thanks to our new friends, Lenny, Vladimir, Big Bubba and John.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and safe holiday travels!

Merry Christmas!

I Survived....True Stories of a 1/4 MBA

Hi Friends!

Happiness abounds today cuz I finished my first semester as an MBA student, survived finals and am now one quarter of an MBA! Hooray! Adding to my joy is the fact that I ended finals on a high note. I think I probably did the very worst on my first final and did progressively better with each subsequent test. I think all in all I will probably pull out B's all around in my classes, which is actually great. There are SO many brilliant people in my class that I feel lucky to be even middle of the road, bottom half with them.

My stress level has also greatly diminished now that finals are over, RB-H is at the Mayo Clinic and HG is recovering from her brain surgery last week. I am no longer forgetting important meetings that I have responsibilities to attend. It really is amazing the weight that is lifted off of your shoulders when school is done!

I am off to pack. I am headed home tomorrow for 2 1/2 weeks of doing absolutely nothing! I can't wait!!

Everyone raise your glass to the end of finals! Cheers!

Laugh or Cry?

I am not really sure if I should laugh or cry. It has just been one of those weeks... you know the kind where you have a million things going on every day and it is somewhat difficult to keep track of everything going on. The kind of weeks where you are grateful for things like your BlackBerry, Google Calendars and Microsoft Outlook, because without them things would definitely fall through the cracks. Add to the end of the semester craziness one of your best friends having heart surgery and some family drama and it has been one AWESOME week! (insert loads of sarcasm here).

In typical fashion not only have I got school work and crazy personal things going on, but I have also (without thinking, obviously) been nominated and/or volunteered to head up a few school activities as well as host a potluck this week. I knew today was going to be super busy and my scheduling had to be just right or something was going to fall through the cracks. I had a group meeting scheduled until 6 pm, but I knew I would need to duck out a little early as I had a finance review session at 5pm and a club meeting where I was responsible for the treats at 6. I decided last night that I just couldn't swing the finance review session at 5 and get the treats on time so I decided that I would leave my team meeting at 5 and run to the store to get the treats and be back on campus around 5:45 to make sure I had enough time to set out the treats before the speaker arrived.

Thankfully me team got done a few minutes early so things were looking good. I headed off to the store to get treats and just as I was getting in my car with the last of the treats to head back to school I got an email on my phone. I checked the message and this is what it said,

Connie, Not sure if we missed you or you forgot, but we didn't see you in 264 tonight. Bryce

I quickly responded with:

"Please tell me it wasn't at 5! I thought it was at 6 and was just picking up the treats! I had it on my calendar for 6"

Apparently sometimes even with a BlackBerry, Google Calendar and Outlook, you can miss important events, especially when you put the time in wrong. I am sure that I will some day think this was funny, (I can see the humor in it now but it isn't funny yet) but right now I kind of just want to cry.

Lesson to be learned - you can't be everywhere and do everything....some day I will actually remember this.

I sure hope your day was better than mine!

Just for fun

My Friend Colleen had an iTunes tag posting on her blog and since it was highly entertaining and I needed a SERIOUS break from studying and school, I decided to play along. The instructions, etc are below. It turns out it is pretty entertaining....I may just do it all again to see what happens. Here are the result:

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song title down, no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Tag your friends who might enjoy doing the same!

If someone says, "Is this okay?", you say...
"it's not your fault..." Head Over Feet - Alanis Morisette
What would best describe your personality?
Somebody to love - Queen
What do you like most in a guy/girl?
All Summer Long - Beach boys (T-shirts, cut-offs & a pair of thongs)
How do you feel today?
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More "Touch Me" - Fall Out Boy
What is your life's purpose?
Crazy For You - Madonna
What is your motto?
Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Me First & the Gimme Gimmies
What do your friends think of you?
L-O-V-E Fisher
What do you think about very often?
Sam's Town - The Killers
What is 2 + 2?
Dance Inside - All-American Rejects
What do you think of your best friend?
Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued - Fall Out Boy
What do you think when you see the person you like/love?
Change your Mind - All-American Rejects
What is your life story?
This Time - 3 doors down
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Accidentally in Love - Smashmouth
What will you dance to at your wedding?
Fall Away - The Fray
What do your parents think of you?
I'm Still Here - Goo Goo Dolls
What is your interest/hobby?
Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice
What is your biggest secret?
Somebody Told Me - The Killers
How will you die?
Walk Away (Maybe) - Good Charlotte
What makes you cry?
Leaving on a Jet Plane
What makes you laugh?
The Boys of Summer - Ataris
What scares you the most?
Everybody Hurts - REM
If you could go back in time what would you change?
Fat Bottom Girls - Queen

Hope you all enjoyed this as much as me. If you want to play along, well then I tag you.

Blessings

This week I have much for which I am grateful and so in the spirit of the season I would like to share them with you all.

1. An amazing family - I really have one of the most amazing families ever. My parents have done a great job teaching all twelve of us to work hard, dream big and to love and support one another. While we definitely have our challenges they have brought us closer together as siblings. My siblings are my VERY best friends and I know that they will do anything for me, and I for them.

2. Great friends - I have been fortunate to be blessed with wonderful friends who are always there for me. They know how to cheer me up when I am sad or feeling lonely. They get why I think ginormous flower pins are funny. They know when to let me cry on their shoulder and they also know when to say, "Suck it up princess." My friends forgive me when my bluntness is offensive and they understand my true intentions. They withhold judgment and love me despite of my abundant flaws.

3. Fantastic roommates - both past and present - All of my life I have been blessed with great roommates, from my little sister to my present fellow MBA students. They have been my friends and my confidants. They have taught me about relationships and getting along with others. They have cried with me and laughed with me. They put up with my occasional moodiness ( I am a girl after all!) They have known when to push me and when to hold back. It seems that they all have known exactly what I needed of them whether it was a shopping buddy or a listening ear or something else.

4. Home teachers - Today my home teachers came over for their monthly visit and the message that they shared - a discussion of hope and the necessity of it in our lives - was just what I needed to hear. My home teachers have no idea what is going on in my life, but they are spiritually aware and followed the promptings of the Lord who does know what challenges I am facing and what I need to hear. I am extremely grateful for young men who are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit and who take their responsibilities as home teachers seriously.

5. Visiting Teachers - along with my home teachers, my visiting teacher also came over today. Like my home teachers, she does not know the problems and challenges I am currently facing, but her message was also what I needed to hear. She shared a message about standing close together and lifting where we stand. I had heard part of this message previously, but the part that is so profound to me was the "close together" portion. Many times in our lives we face challenges, have burdens that are too heavy for us to bear alone. Thankfully God has placed people in our lives to help ease these burdens. If we "stand" closely together(are united in our cause) and lift - each bearing the portion that we can - we are able to handle challenges and problems that are just too big for us to carry on our own.

6. Tender mercies of the Lord - In addition to the Lord providing me with a great family, amazing friends, fantastic roommates and home and visiting teachers, I have seen his hand in little things in my life. Friday was a particularly rough day, but thankfully the Lord knew it was going to be a bad day for me, so he made sure that I had plans Friday evening with my friends who had me laughing and having a good time. Additionally I called a friend to ask her a question and she offered a listening ear, taking time out of her VERY busy schedule to be there for me. Then today, after thinking that I needed to seek out individuals who faced similar challenges, I found such a person in a casual conversation at church. I am overwhelmed at the love God displays each and everyday. As long as we are looking for it and recognize that what may seem to some as a mere "coincidence" is actually the Lord manifesting his hand in our life.

Seriously?

At least once a day I find myself doing some online "window" shopping when class gets a little dull or when I need a break from studying. Today during class while looking at scarfs (the hot trend for fall) on The Limited's website I came across this gem.
Seriously?! Who is going to wear a flower pin that, to quote my friend Rebbecca, "is as big my head"? ( I am pretty sure that this pin is much bigger than my head.) To what kind of event would you were this item? Surely you would not where this fantastic accessory to the office. Perhaps you could where it when going out, but I don't think this pin is a clubbing kind of accessory - it would get smashed while dancing and you would hate to have a drink spilled on it. Likewise dinner is out of the question, although all of those folds might be helpful in storing some crumbs for later.

I just wanted to share my shopping gem with you all. This pin could be yours for just $16.50 plus tax and shipping and handling. I know you want one! My only wish is that this lovely gem came in colors other than black and white.

It has been a while since I really ranted....

And so today may be your lucky day. This may not be an actual rant but more of my personal musings over the past few weeks.

1 - Internship searches - Honestly if I would have know that Business school was essentially a two year job search, I most definitely would have reconsidered the whole gig. I HATE looking for a new job and so I hate the intern search. I am trying to have a better attitude about the whole thing, but it just isn't happening yet. I am blaming it on the rainy weather. Anyway, when you compound searching for a job with everyone asking me want my long-term goals are - I am in a fit. IF I KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO BE DOING WHEN I GREW UP I AM PRETTY SURE I WOULDN'T BE IN HERE!!! (Or maybe I would, but I would feel like I had more of a purpose... you know more of a purpose than - I had a thought one day that I needed to go to business school, start the fall of 2008 and attend BYU - so I did.) When recruiters ask me that question, I want to tell them, " I don't know. That is why I came back to school - to give myself 2 years to figure out what I want to be 'when I grow up'." I have had a couple of interviews that went okay - nothing great, but not bad either. I just am not that excited about the companies and I am pretty sure they could tell. The problem is I am not sure what kinds of companies I can get really excited about...I thought maybe some clothing companies or shoe companies or cosmetic companies, but I just can't get excited about it. Everyone who comes to campus and is giving "free career advice" always talks about finding something that you are passionate about. What if I am not passionate about anything? Am I destined to never be happy in my career? How do you figure out what you are passionate about? I think that a lot of things would be fun - for about 5 minutes or maybe 5 days. I think some career paths would be great if I knew I would be single forever, but they aren't necessarily career paths that easily transfer over to part-time options that would work if I ever got married and decided to have a family. I need to get excited about working somewhere cuz I have to have an internship lined up by April. I feel like I am completely behind in the game when my classmates are all flying all over the place for interviews and I have only had 2 interviews. Some of my classmates had 2 or more offers. What if I don't get any offers?

Next subject:

Wasted time & ugly design - Last week when I was updating my resume for the internship search (again!) I decided that I should check to see if all of the work that I had done getting things ready for our new website at DRG had been implemented. After being in the works for several years, had DRG finally updated their website? I went to their website and to my surpise and horror, they had finally updated their website, but it was NOTHING like what I had spent hours and hours working on. Even worse, it does not look good. I guess that is what happens when you let males, especially IT guys - make design decisions. I worked for 12 hours on my last day at work just to make sure that they had everything that they needed, so that they were presenting a cohesive image across all of their marketing, but alas they didn't use it. What I want to know is WHY in the heck did I spend 3 months working on a project that they weren't going to use? Obviously I am biased in thinking what I had designed looked better, but what they have doesn't look good. It is U-G-L-Y!!! (you can check it out at thedurge ) The only redeaming factor is the flash graphic. Part of me wants to confront the people I worked with to see what happened, but I should probably just let it go....

Other things that I find amusing:

On Thursday I was attending a meeting with executives on our Business-to-Business Marketing board as well as members of MBAMA. One of my classmates had seated himself in a seat that on the northside of the room while the rest of us were seated on the east side. My classmate decided that he felt awkward where he was sitting and came and sat by me. He told me he felt uncomfortable and decided to sit by me. He said, " I felt like "one of these things is not like the other." I laughed and then said, "One of these things," pointing to myself " is not like the other." I was the only female in a room with about 20 people in it. I said it just to be funny, cuz I mean really if we want to talk about feeling out of place, try being the only female in a room full of guys. I am getting used to it. I have a feeling that it will be the story of my future life.

I don't really know what else to write about.... All of my fire must be out of me for the moment...I could discuss politics and how strange I think it is that everyone is mad at the Mormons for the passing of Prop 8 in California or how far America has come when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the past 40 years, but I think I will leave all of that to others.

Busy, Busy. Busy

It has been a busy couple of weeks. When I think that Halloween was just last week, I can't believe it. I have FINALLY finished all of my midterms and I have decided that I just don't care about grades.... not really the best attitude to take, but whatever. I have had a great time hanging out with my family for the past 2 Saturdays and spending Sundays with my great friends in Salt Lake. I will post pictures of my adorable nephews and the fun times I have had lately. Unfortunately I have also been fight a cold and perhaps a touch of the flu ( I have felt nauseous for 3 days straight. Since I am definitely not pregnant it is either the flu or sympathy morning sickness for Tedi - much more probable that it is the flu).

I am off to a fireside with Salt Lake friends, but I will post more another day.

And the Winner Is.....

Last year when Halloween rolled around, I didn't have any great ideas about what to be for Halloween. I tried to come up with a last minute costume so I Googled costume ideas. One of my favorite suggestions that came up was to have a group of people be beauty pageant contestants ( me and my obsession with beauty pageants, it know), but instead of the typical Miss Texas, Miss New Jersey, etc. you use words that start with mis - Miss Informed, Miss Taken, Miss Fortune, etc. I couldn't use the idea last year, but it worked out perfectly this year. I told my roommates about it and we decided that we should invite all of the other single 1st year girls to be a part of the fun. In all we had 12 or 13 girls arrive at the party to join in.

To help with the festivities, we had a "Sash Making Party" on Friday night. It was a much needed social release after one of the WORST weeks on record as far as school goes. It was SO much fun. Probably my favorite day since I started the MBA program. It was nice to forget about homework for a weekend and just be social. It was FANTASTIC!!! I really like the girls in the MBA program. They are all pretty hilarious and so much fun to hang around. Apparently the overachiever in Elisa, Julina and I came out. We had hors d'oeuvrers (chips, salsa, dips & a veggie tray) followed by dinner (dinner in a pumpkin - you basically back a casserole inside a pumpkin - strange, but very tasty! and homemade rolls- some of the best rolls I have ever tasted) and topped off with dessert (chocolate caramel brownies & apple crisp).

After we ate, then we began making our sashes. Julina made sure that they were all the appropriate length while I sewed the front and the back together. Marissa then did the calligraphy (She used to work for a scrap booking company and taught all kinds of classes, "complete with the Brittney Spears' microphone.") We then sent the girls outside to add the glitter in an effort to keep it outside. There are a few glimmering specs throughout our house still, but it was kept to a minimum. I did have to sew while sitting on the floor (All the food had taken over the counter and table.) It is a lot harder than it looks is all I have to say.

Saturday night was a success - some of the girls were less dressed up than others and I wish I could have gotten some more closeups with most of the girls. Unfortunately most of the girls left after the costume judging. My roommates and I and a couple of others stayed to help with the carnival (I am SO glad that I am not a parent and didn't have to chase small children hopped up on TONS of sugar around the whole place. I even said so very loudly - much louder than I had anticipated - while sitting at a table eating with lots of parents around - WHOOPS!) Below are some pictures from the event.

(Again I thought I numbered these, but I am obviously challenged with that aspect of Picasa)

1. The beginnings of big pageant hair - Pageant hair takes a lot of work.

2. Julina (my roommate) learning to backcomb her hair - She was big hair illiterate, but I tried to impart my wisdom.

3. My roommates and me in the fall evening glow (l to r) Elisa, me & Julina

4. Elisa (aka Miss Chief)'s head shot. We are going to see if the MBA office will let us swap out the pictures they took of us on the 1st day of orientation with these.

5. Julina wanted a picture of my "fabulous eyelashes" so here is my tribute to "loose women" everywhere (if you don't get the reference ask my brother Abe - this one is for you!)

6. Jessica's head shot (Miss Fit).

7. My head shot (Miss Informed)

8. Julina(Miss Fortune)'s full body shot - doesn't she look fantastic?

9. The final product - My legs have never looked better - those shoes do great things for my ankles - Thanks Ted!

10. Julina's new MBA Class of 2010 directory photo.

11. Kate (Miss Interpreted) helping me fluff my hair - I am pretty sure I was saying "It takes a lot of work to look this good!"

12. Kate sitting pretty while she waits to help the next group of children into their gunnysacks.

13. All of the winners of the "Most Original Costume" (back row l to r) Jessica Sorenson (Miss Fit), Marissa Dorny ( Miss Construed), Thamina Christensen (Miss Cellaneous), Chloe Anderson (Miss Aligned), Me (Miss Informed), Julina Manning (Miss Fortune), Emily H's friend.I don't remember her name (Miss Directed), Emily Hart (Miss Match). Middle row (l to r) Michelle Blood (Miss Demeanor), Kate Lindsay (Miss Interpreted), Allison Clements (Miss Taken); front row (l to r): Emily Tanner (Miss Hap) and Elisa Clements ( Miss Chief)

Until next time....

Halloween FHE fun

Despite the craziness of last week and all of the tests, etc that we had I decided to actually attend FHE. Our FHE is held a few doors down and I figured I could spare 30 minutes for a lesson and a break from homework. I ended up staying for the activity as well. We made haunted graham cracker houses. Mine actually was a coffin, and a sad one at that, but I had a good time and it was a nice break from studying. I think I may try and make it a habit.

(I could have swore I numbered the pictures on Picasa, but apparently I forgot to save or something. Sorry!)

1. Julina's haunted house
2. One of my FHE brothers ( I sadly do not remember his name right now...)
3. Me and my graham cracker coffin
4. Kim (my neighbor 2 doors down) and Isacc (FHE dad).
5. (l to r) Isacc, Karen & Julina
6. (l to r) Isacc, Karen & Julina again
7. More FHE brother's, Bryan and the other guy :)
8. Me, Erin (FHE mom) and Kim. Please pay particular attention to what my hair "normally" looks like. It will be a great reference point needed for future pictures.
9. Erin, Kim and Issac - hard at work on their creations.

I have to go to bed now, but coming soon.... pictures of the MBASA Halloween extravaganza. They are awesome!

46% = B? The Curve Associated with Business School

I have just finished one of the MOST miserable weeks in recent years. It was the first week of midterms and finals (the block, aka 1/2 semester, just finished.) This week began with a mid-term in Finance on Monday and then our accounting final in the testing center (Don't EVEN get me started on the lameness that is testing centers - all kinds of germs and smells associated with 500 students taking tests at the same time, cramped quarters, UGH!)on Wednesday & Thursday. Add to the midterm madness all of the pressure associated with "the NAC" dinner and mentoring sessions and it was ONE stressful week.

I went into the mid-term on Monday really confident. I had a practice test on Saturday morning and it went really well. I had my 1 page help sheet ready and I was prepared (thanks in a large part to a 2nd year student who has been tutoring a few of us girls). I was going to ace this test. Unfortunately the one item I failed to write down on my study guide was of course the one thing that I totally blanked on Monday afternoon during the midterm and was worth 1/3 of the test - OUCH!!

I was pretty bitter, but mostly just MAD at myself. I know this material, yet somehow when it comes to taking the test I just blanked. I was made that it seems like no matter how much I study, I am still failing. It is not a feeling I am used to, but I am beginning to embrace it. I started to wonder what the point was in studying, etc as it seemed like those with 80% and 40% got the same grade - a B.

I didn't have time to take my accounting final on Thursday due to the NAC dinner (I am still not 100% sure what the NAC does - as far as I know they are a bunch of people who donate A LOT of money to the Marriott school , end of story.), so I had to take the test on Wednesday. I studied for several hours and then went to take the test which accounted for over 60% of my grade for the class.

Apparently I studied ALL of the wrong things. I spent hours studying the formulas that are used for various financial ratios (current ratios, # days purchases in inventory, etc). Turns out that was some SERIOUS wasted time. Our professor gave us the formulas on the test. LAME!!! The actual final was about 50 times harder than the practice final too. I was not happy. After 3 hours working on the test, I decided I had had enough. I felt like I did okay, but not great. Then I got my score.....46% - YIKES!! Our professor told us that the average was 70% historically. WHATEVER! I as not thrilled with my performance, but I was SO relieved the class that sucked up 50% of my studying time each week was finally over that I didn't even care.

After talking with my classmates, I wasn't anywhere near the class low, nor was I anywhere near the top (some people actually got 100% - LAME!), but I managed to pull out a B in the class and my motto is "B's get degrees!" and I was right - why have a miserable existence reaching for an 80% when a 40% will get you the same grade?

Everything I need to know about dating I learned in business school?

A second year MBA student (or maybe it is a couple of them) decided to start a blog on how business strategy and theory can be applied to the dating world. I got wind of said blog from the MBA weekly newsletter. It is highly entertaining (if you can look past all of the business mumbo-jumbo). I especially loved the article that explains the "Eligible Bachelor paradox: How economics and game theory explain the shortage of available, appealing men." The rest of the stuff is neither here nor there. I am guessing I may find it more entertaining in the weeks and months to come.

Anyway, just wanted to share my new find with you all...now is back to accounting and finance exam reviews.

More Adventures in Atlanta

After Friday, I had spoken with all of the companies exhibiting that I was interested in working for as well as several others that I am not interested in working for, so another day at the World Congress Center was not top on my list of things to do. I did switch to my flats (although I think they did as much damage to my feet as my heels) and spent a few hours at the conference Saturday morning. Fortunately many other students felt the same way I did. We decided to cut the conference short and spend Saturday afternoon exploring Atlanta and seeing the sights. After all most of us had booked our flights for late Saturday night as the conference was scheduled to go until 6 pm.

A group of us headed off to the Coca-Cola museum and the Georgia Aquarium (the largest in the US) for a day of sight-seeing. I really enjoyed the Coca-Cola museum and trying all of the different soft drinks they sell around the world. One soda sold in Latin America tasted like a green apple Jolly Rancher and the Pine Nut soda sold in Africa (Tanzinia, I think) was surprisingly tasty. Most of the beverages were at least palatable, in fact most were surprisingly tasty. However DO NOT drink "Beverly" when in Italy! It is SERIOUSLY disgusting. It is made with the "bitters of grapefruit rind" SO NASTY!!!!

In the Coke Museum they show a cartoon documentary of "The Happiness Factory" about what goes into the making of Coca-Cola. It is one of the weirdest things I have ever seen (and a little risque I might add.) They have these creepy creatures kissing the coke bottles. (We later found out that they are "Love Puppies" and we had our picture taken with it so you can see for yourselves). The bottling process was fun to watch (perhaps I can get extra credit for my operations class) and I loved watching all of the old Coke commercials (Marketing extra credit anyone? Coca Cola is the #1 brand in the world after all.)

After the Coke Museum and lunch at the CNN center food court, we headed over to the Aquarium. I have to say that I didn't really love the Aquarium. It may have had something to do with the massive crowds of people or the fact that I just am not that interested in fish and things that live in the water. I do have to admit that the whale sharks were pretty cool and otters are always my favorite (I didn't take any pictures of them however because there were just too many people in the way and I just wanted out of all of the crowds.)


Like I have said, it was great to get away and to not stress out about school or homework for 5 whole days. It was bliss (however sharing a double bed with my roommate Julina, was not.) I was happy to get home late Saturday/early Sunday to sleep in my queen size bed - alone.

Partying the Target Way in Hot-Lanta

Part of the whole NSHMBA experience included parties and functions hosted by the various companies sponsoring the conference. Each company has a different venue and they range from networking events (cocktails and hors doeurves while you stand around making idle chit-chat) al la Johnson & Johnson to full on parties (open bar, dance floor & DJ and lounge style seating.) Target's party was the place to be. It definitely fell into the later category and was SO much fun! (never mind that my feet were KILLING me! 12 plus hours walking around in 3 inch heels and then cutting loose on the dance floor definitely takes its toll on your feet, but you have to look good!) BYU took up at least a quarter of the dance floor and 95% of those dancing are marketing majors (We are so much more fun than everyone else)... I have to admit that it was a little awkward as it was us single girls with the married men. (You have to love graduate degree programs in Provo!) But don't worry, the guys made sure that the girls were all in the middle and they surrounded us, that way it didn't look like the guys were dancing with one another, but at the same time the married guys made sure they weren't dancing with us girls either. It really was a lot of fun and it was a much needed break from the stress of school. Midterms are next week and so it was nice to forget about school for a day or two and play with my friends, well my MBA friends anyway.

National Society for Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)

Yes, I know I am not Hispanic, but apparently you can be any ethnicity and still be a member of NSHMBA (NA-SHIM-BA). So I am a card carrying member of NSHMBA and I went to their annual conference and career fair this past week in Atlanta, GA. BYU gave us Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off of class in order to attend the conference, of course that meant that I had to miss out on Homecoming and yet another BYU football game, but I guess I will have to manage. I'll take the 78 degrees in Atlanta over the snow in UT any day! Apparently last year's students landed most of their internships as a result of NSHMBA so they thought we should go. Unfortunately this year it wasn't quite as successful (at least as far as I know, but the jury is still out.)

I did have a second interview with General Mills in their consumer insights group. It went okay, but it was definitely not by best performance. If nothing else, it was good practice. It never hurts to get practice interviewing and polishing skills that will hopefully land me an internship. I did have my picture taken with the Pillsbury Doughboy (Pillsbury is owned by General Mills). Too bad I look a lot like the Pillsbury Doughboy in the picture :( I guess I need to work on my modeling poses and need to hit the gym a little more regularly.

I did find out that BYU is now one of the 3 schools that L'Oreal recruits from for Marketing MBA students, which is super exciting. A cosmetics company would be awesome!!! Plus they own "The Body Shop" one of my favorite stores ever. It would be fantastic to work for them in London.

Nothing Says 'Welcome' Quite Like Giant Ants on the Ceiling?

I don't know about you, but should I ever be the person decorating an airport, I am not sure that I would decide to put jumbo ants on the ceiling. What kind of logic is involved in deciding to put ants on the ceiling of an airport? How did that conversation go?

Hey, do you know what I think would just really say "welcome" when tourists come to Atlanta, a bunch of gigantic ants on the ceilingg!

Brilliant idea! We will win all sorts of decorating awards for that design.

Ants are so homey and friendly, especially really big fire ants.
This is the best idea we have ever had.

Welcome to Atlanta!

Hot Air Balloon Ride - Sort of

A few weeks ago we went on a hot air balloon "ride" for FHE. Apparently a girl in our ward has an uncle who owns a hot air balloon business and he agreed to take us up in his balloon. I was going to pass on the whole experience, given my all consuming homework/class schedule and my paralyzing fear of heights. However I decided that I was going to suck up my fear of heights and give riding in a hot air balloon a whirl. The hot air balloon adventure turned out to be less of a ride and more of a vertical rise up to just above the treetops and back down. We were tethered to the ground the whole time so I was totally fine. I felt safe in the hot air balloon too. I would definitely do it again. Julina had the unfortunate position of being down wind from the controller's arm pit. The whole experience was a little less enjoyable for her.
Here are some pics of this adventure

1. Filling the balloon

2. Still more filling the balloon

3. Julina and I before we jumped in the hot air balloon

4. Sunset as we were in the balloon

5. Julina and I in the balloon - please excuse the double chin, I have yet to master the skill of taking self-portraits without it looking like I have a double chin... better luck next time I guess.
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Hooray for Vacation!

This is going to be a really quick post, but since I get really annoyed when other people don't update their blogs, I guess it is only fair that I update mine on occasion....

This past weekend Asa (my little brother) and I decided to skip school on Friday and make the 10 hour drive home to Richland, WA to watch Joe play some football. For the last 3 years I have gone home for the "Richland-Hanford" football game. Richland and Hanford are the two high schools in Richland are rivals, so it makes for a fun game. I wasn't going to go this year as I am once again a poor starving student and the MBA program takes up ALL of my life. But Asa convinced me to go. He really wanted to go, doesn't have a car, and frankly I needed a break. Especially since I had a mini breakdown this past week. (More on that another day...)

Anyway I had a great time watching Joe, although sitting in the pouring rain was not as much fun (Big thanks goes out to my roommate, Julina, for lending me her umbrella!) the 20-21 loss was kind of sad and the announcer was so annoying and biased that I honestly considered writing a letter to the editor about how annoying he was (As an aside you know you are old when you consider writing a letter to the editor. I am SO lame. :) ) It was great to relax and blow off homework for the entire weekend (I guess I did crack open my operations homework, and did my finance homework in the car.) It was definitely just what I needed.

Thanks Mom, Dad, Joe, Lauren & Arina for good times and for just letting me sit and chill for the weekend.

ASA you are the best for convincing me to go. It was great chatting with you for hours and hours in the car. Sorry I was really kind of grouchy toward the end. Also Rhonda, Kelsey, Sam and Jared it was great to see you too. I love hanging with you and your adorable kids.

I have to get some sleep now, but look forward to my posts on hot air balloon rides, my trip to Atlanta and the joys of a 2 day school week. Oh yeah, and hopefully I will remember to take pictures with my camera and not just take my camera with me. (I do have hot air balloon pictures though.)

Until next time...

A Smattering of Random Stories

I am too tired to have any creative juices flowing at the moment, but I wanted to tell a few stories that have happened recently/general observations about what is happening in my life.

1- All of my classes are held in the newly finished addition to the Tanner Building. The classrooms are really nice and the addition has lots of great study rooms for our study groups/teams to use. It is fantastic . The only down side is that because they were in such a rush to finish the addition before schools started, they were not able to iron out of the kinks with the heating and AC. This has resulted in the AC running full blast constantly, creating FREEZING COLD rooms. It is okay in the mornings, but 20 minutes into class I am freezing cold and it just keeps getting colder. I am pretty sure that the temperature runs somewhere around 60 degrees (maybe as low as 57. My assigned seat (yes we have assigned seats, I think it is a throw back to 5th grade, but whatever) is directly under one of the vents. So while everyone else on campus is wearing shorts and a t-shirt to class, I am in wool sweaters and boots. I have considered busting out Furry Goodness (my fur vest) and my down parkas. It has been so cold that one guy has brought a blanket to class and wraps himself up in it. All I am saying is that I will be one happy camper if the heat works as well as the AC in the winter.

2 - The great thing about having all of your classes with the same people is that you really start to get to know these people and their true personalities start to shine through. We have some real characters. One of my favorite characters is a guy by the name of Jeremy. He is from Chicago and sounds a LOT like Joe Jr. from the movie While You Were Sleeping. I love it when he talks cuz he sounds so ethnic, plus he has VERY strong opinions about EVERYTHING, which I find totally amusing. The comments he made during our discussion on employment law were awesome. (He hates that the government can tell him who he has to hire. He says, "I should be able to hire who I want, if I don't like you, too bad!" - He said this in the presence of our guest lecturer, an attorney who specializes in employment law. It was classic!)

3 - This week I had an appointment to met with a member of the bishopric. I had a message from the Executive Secretary whose name is Aaron to set up the appointment and I didn't think much of it. Fastforward to Wednesday... I go strolling into the bishopric's office and the executive secretary greets me in what is a more familiar manner than normal, but I figured this guy was just a little on the friendly side. He then says to me, "I saw Doug today." To which I respond, " How do you know Doug?" He said, "Well a while ago you, me, Doug and Tedi all went and played some really bad golf." I was mortified! I had been out on a blind date with this kid a year or so ago. I remember going on the date, but I didn't remember what he looked like, which is weird because I VERY rarely forget faces. All I have to say about that is AWKWARD!!! What are you suppose to say in a situation like that? I tried to recover as best as I could. Thankfully the bishopric member was ready for me and saved me from further embarassment.

A Visual Discription of the Past Month

A classmate of mine sent out this picture/short movie which perfectly describes how I have felt the past few weeks. It has been especially pertinent the later half of this weekend when no matter how long I stayed at school or how late I stayed up doing homework, I kept falling further and further behind.

I knew that the MBA program was going to be challenging and would take a lot of time. I just didn't realize that it would take over my entire life and that the only thing I would talk about would be MBA and MBA related things. I have turned into one of those people who just 4 short weeks ago I despised. My deepest apologies to all of you.

Wasting Time Wishing

Today I was sitting at church listening to people share their feelings and getting a little frustrated. It seemed like every person who got up to bear their testimonies was talking about the "desires of their heart" (BYU speak for wanting to be married) being unmet and how they "wished they were at a different stage in life." I wanted to throw a shoe at all of these girls. Why do they want a life different from the one that they have? Is their current situation REALLY that bad? Do they not recognize that the Lord is using the experiences they are having now to prepare them for their future and to bless the lives of people around them? Do they really think that they don't have value or worth because they are not married? Why do they feel like they their life is not meaningful or adding value unless they are married and have children?

Sometimes I think I am broken and that there is something seriously wrong with me because I don't feel that way. I never really have. I remember sitting in a Young Women's meeting and our YW president (or maybe she was the Laurel Advisor at the time), Shanna Shirley, telling us about her life prior to meeting her husband and getting married. Shanna went to college, worked in several places and wasn't married until she was 25. I distinctly remember thinking that that was what I wanted. I wanted to graduate from college and then work and experience life before settling down. I wasn't going to get married until I was at least 25. There is a lot of world to explore and things to do that are very easily done when you are single and a little more challenging to do when you are married and have a family.

I have been so lucky to be able to be more involved in my younger siblings lives than some of my siblings due to the fact that I am single. I have been able to go places and experience things that I would not have been able to do if I were married. If I were married I would not being going back to school to get an MBA. I would not have met many of my friends who have greatly blessed my life. I would not have learned the lessons that I have from being available to serve those around me. Being "older" and still single has been a blessing in my life and I know that the Lord is mindful of me and that I am where I need to be at this time in my life.

I think that in society as a whole, not just in Mormon culture, we waste an awful lot of our lives wanting them to be different. I had fallen into this trap several years ago and it took a good friend, Maribah, say to me, "Connie, this is your life now." and that I needed to deal with it. What a wake-up call that was! Whatever we are experiencing, this is our life, and we only get one. Why do we waste so much of it wishing things were different? Sure sometimes I wish that I didn't have so much homework or that I had more time to spend with my friends and family. But I don't. I need to live in the moment, find as much joy and satisfaction in what I am doing NOW as I can.

My roommate has a card that is posted in our kitchen that has a picture of a girl walking down a path. On the path there is a sign at a fork in the road, with 2 arrows. One reads "Your Life" going one direction and the other arrow going in the opposite direction reads "No longer an option." Each of us has made decision that have brought us to the point that we are now. We can't change the past, we can only control today. So my advice to those girls (or any of us who may find ourselves wishing things were different)...STOP WASTING YOUR LIFE WISHING!!! Live in the present! Enjoy what you are doing (even if it is finance and accounting homework -UGH!) and trust the the Lord has you right where you are needed.

MBAMA (M-BAM-A), Moab, & Bank Alarms

Prior to starting my MBA program last week, I went with a bunch of classmates (Members of MBAMA, the MBA Marketing Association) to Moab, UT over Labor Day weekend. Apparently all of the "fun" majors (Marketing & OB/HR (Organizational Behavior/Human Resources) have activities prior to school starting where we have the opportunity to get to know one another in a less formal setting. Along with students, professors and recruiters are also invited. (Finance majors lose out, but I guess that is probably okay as they tend to be kind of boring people, bless their hearts)I have to say that Moab was great fun. I was able to make more new friends and decide that Marketing is probably the best fit for me.

After 3 days with the group, I am pretty sure that I can answer the 3 major questions about each of them: Where they are from (hometown), Where they have lived prior to the MBA, and What they were doing prior to the MBA. For most of them I can also tell you random facts about them, including whose wife was hit on by John Mayer, who had a crochet needle shoved through their thumb, whose mission companion at 68 bananas in 6 days (NASTY!!) and who is addicted to "Rock Band." I also learned that married guys seem to be fascinated with the psyche of single women in the MBA program. I had all sorts of questions about what I want to do, my perspective on my single male peers and whether or not I plan on having a social life for the next 2 years. It was all very interesting.

As for our adventures, they started Friday morning with our drive to Moab in 12 passenger vans (I had flash backs to family vacation in "old yeller", evening getting my preferred seat - middle row, driver's side window)Upon our arrival at the Big Horn Lodge (apparently a few steps up from where they stayed last year, but definitely not the Hilton or even the Holiday Inn) we had free time for several hours. Myself and the Clements' sisters decided to hit the pool... little by little others joined us and pretty soon it was a happening spot. The guys decided to have a competition to see who could swim the furthers underwater without breathing. I believe Brandon won with 4 lengths.

After pool time we went to dinner and then listened to 2 recruiter presentations. We had presentations by Union Pacific Railroad and Wal-mart. After presentations we had the option of going to play laser tag, mini golf and race go karts. I was exhausted and opted to go to sleep instead. Unfortunately sleeping in a strange bed with a mostly (I met my bed mate, Michelle Quinn, that morning) complete stranger did not make for a restful night sleep. I was awake for at least 20 minutes each hour. I was relieved when 6am finally rolled around and it was time to get up!

Saturday morning we were picked up by our friendly tour guides and headed off on our Hummer safari. It was a lot of fun. It was a little windy as you will see from the pictures.After our morning of off-roading, we changed our clothes and headed up the Colorado River where we spent the afternoon rafting down the river. We don't have any pictures of that, but it was SO MUCH fun!!! I have all kinds of bruises from paddles and people trying to pull my out of the raft.

After another dinner, we had two more recruiter presentations (HP and Nestle). Once those were over, Elisa and I were ready to go, so we headed to what we thought was the door. We tried one and couldn't get out, so we pushed on what appeared to be an exit door. Once we did that, an alarm started to sound (did I mention our recruiter presentations were held in the basement of Zion's Bank). Apparently we tried to go out the emergency exit and in the process had all kinds of alarms going off. We had to evacuate the building and wait for the police. A little extra drama, just to keep things interesting.

1. The view outside the window as we climbed our first (and smallest) hill.

2. Elisa, Me & JJ as we are loading up in the morning.

3. The Clements Girls: Alison, Elisa & Me 4. Another fantastic vista from the Hummer windows. 5. Hell's Revenge - not much else to say 6. Elisa and Me - self portrait to show how tired we were. (Oliver, Union Pacific recruiter, Alison & Phil are in the background) 7. Alison, Nicole, Me & Elisa (Nicole is our neighbor and was part of our car pool group for orientation. She is also in my section) 8. Mike T: our fearless driver. This is exactly how he drove the Hummer, it didn't matter how steep the assent or decline.

Avoiding Homework

I have a 30 page case to read and an balance sheet and statement of cash flows to finish tonight, but I have NO motivation to do them.... It is REALLY hard to be motivated for school when you have already spent 4 or 5 hours on homework. I HATE homework, which is one of the reasons I put off grad school for so long (well, that and having NO clue what I want to be when I grow up).

There are definite perks to being in school (not having to be anywhere until noon is pretty awesome) and having the ability to decide when you are going to "work" and not work, but all of that homework is WAY less than fantastic. So I am currently avoiding my homework by checking out Facebook, chatting with friends and updating my blog. I really should go to bed before 2 am, but my insomnia is back. I should probably figure out what the root of all of that is.

Okay, I have to be motivated....wish me luck!

Farmer Tans and Elevator Speeches.

I am not sure how I am going to survive the next 4 months! I am SO tired all of the time and classes haven't even started!

Orientation has continued and after 2 days of leadership training last week (which included "team building" and "leadership" exercises at the National Guard/Army Ranger training camp and a pretty awesome sunburn/farmer tan. It is a perfect t-shirt tan. It looks ridiculous! I would post pictures, but they would not be appropriate) this week's focus is finding an internship or rather learning about elevator speeches, resume writing and interviewing skills. Honestly, I feel like I am having horrible flashbacks to Jr. Miss. I HATE looking for a new job and if I would have know that an MBA is just a 2 year job search, I am not sure I would have signed up for this gig. It is all very overwhelming. I hope it gets better over the next few months and weeks....

The Adventure Begins

I have survived my first day of MBA Orientation! I have to say that from what I had heard I fully expected orientation to be a little more intense. Instead I felt like I was at REALLY social professional conference all day, especially since today we had to wear our suits. When it didn't feel like a professional conference, it alternated between kindergarten and church (I think praying at school will always be a strange concept for me. Add to it "talks" and doctrinal conversations and I felt like it was Sunday school for 4 hours.) At one point we were told to "be nice and smile". I wanted to turn to my neighbor and say "Seriously!" but I behaved, mostly.

We spent the morning sitting on extremely uncomfortable chairs listening to the MBA Director speak, followed by the dean of the school of business and wrapped up by the Associate Director. My ADD kicked in about 1/3 of the way through the 2nd speaker, so I was fidgeting for what seemed like hours (oh yeah, that is because it was!) Thankfully the 3rd speaker was at least entertaining. He made some comment about the single guys in the program needing to change their dating habits (used the old "definition of insanity" line.) It was pretty funny.

We then met with our teams (the class is divided into 3 sections, and each section is divided into 10 teams). Apparently they will be our BFFs after this semester. We will be spending 8-10 hours a day with them so hopefully we all get along. My group seems like it will be fine. We have 2 marketing majors, 2 finance majors and 1 supply chain/distribution major (he is doing a combined Masters in Mechanical Engineering along with his MBA.) I felt like I did WAY too much talking during our group discussion, but whatever. Nobody else was talking. I am REALLY hoping that they warm up. You know it is bad if I am the most animated person in a group at 10:30 in the morning. (granted I had been up for like 4 hours at that point, but come on! ) Me, the most animated? - this could make for an extremely painful 4 months.

After sitting for ever, we went over to the Tanner building (the morning events were held in the Hinckley Alumni Center) for Logistics training, our personal photo shoot (made bareable only because I got a stand of pearls out of the deal. All of the women got a pearl necklace and the guys got a necktie. Hooray for being a girl!!) and finally lunch. (I was STARVING but this point and I had a migrane because I was so hungry! You can't eat lunch 7 1/2 hours after getting up without serious complications.)

We ended the day with a chat in the Maeser Building about blending/balancing the religious education with secular. It was good. There has already been a lot of discussion about how we a blessed to have the BYU experience and that the tithe payers of the church are our "invetors" and we have to give them a "rate of return" on their investment. I am already kind of sick of hearing about it and it is only day one. There were several items that we talked about that were really good. One guy made a comment to the effect that the leaders of the church had decided to provide us with an education instead of building more temples, meeting houses, etc. He then possed the question to the effect of "what did you (the MBA admissions council) see in those of use that were admitted to think we were worth that investment?" The question that I then asked myself and that I am sure will be part of my exploration of the next few years and longer, "What does Heavenly Father see in me that qualifies me for this experience, and what will be/is required of me because of this opportunity?"

We closed out the day with a class picture (can we say "Elementary School?") in front of the Maeser Building. It was 100 degress outside and we were in the full sun in full on suits. It was miserable. I can't wait to see the squinty-eyed picture. It is gonna be awesome. I am not sure who decided that 3:30pm was an ideal time to take a picture, but they should definitely rethink that.

All in all it was a pretty good day. It is kind of strange to be one of 20 women in a group of 150 or so students. Tomorrow is leadership coursework at Camp Williams....this should be fun!