Things to Ponder

Over the past two weeks, I have had two questions posed to me that have caused me to stop and think, and think some more, and then some more. The first question that was asked of me was, "Do you have compassion for yourself?" This question took me by surprise. I am definitely not the type of person who fells sorry for myself. I understand that sometimes crappy things happen in our lives and I think that we just need to deal with it as best we can. My personal motto has been "suck it up princess" when life is bumpy and difficult. However, as this conversation progressed and I have thought more and more about this question, I have come to realize that feeling compassion is not just feeling sorry for others, but feelings of tenderness and mercy, of showing others and ourselves that it is okay to cry and be sad when hard, crappy things happen in life. Some times REALLY awful things happen over which we have no control and it is okay to be a little bit broken because of it, just don't wallow. When you are ready, gently pick yourself up and move forward as best as you can.

The second question was asked to today while I was sitting in church. The question was "How has Christ been the Savior of your world?" I think the better question is, when has He not been the Savior of my world. As I thought about this question today, I have thought of several instances when my world was crashing down around me, when life as I knew it was no longer. The one constant through out my whole life has been the Savior and his love. He is always there to pick me up and assure me that everything is going to be okay. When my oldest sister was in a very serious car accident and her life hung in balance, Christ was there instructing me,through the words of my wonderful mission president, to expect miracles. As a result I did expect miracles, and miracles, I saw. When I was stressed out wondering how my family would be okay after my dad lost his job, Christ was there reminding me to "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin....If God so clothe the grass of the field...even so will he clothe you, if you are not of little faith." Christ has been my Savior by providing me with shoulders to cry on and people to laugh and rejoice with in the form of friends and family. Christ is always there to pick me up when I stumble and catch me when I fall. He understands me and my weaknesses. He is there - most often in the form of a friend, a classmate or a family member to strengthen me and help me when I need it. Christ is indeed the Savior of my world.

I said I wanted to be busier....

You know the old saying that says, "Be careful what you wish for?" - well, it is right. Most of the time when you get it, it turns out not to be quite what you wanted. You see,the first part of this semester went by painfully slow and wasn't quite as rigorous as the first semester (or according to a classmate, my ability to handle strenuous work loads has increased, but the work load is the same so it doesn't seem as difficult.) In either case, I haven't been very motivated. I need LOTS of stuff going on in order to be on my 'A game'. I was always telling people how I needed more to do, but I was afraid that at any minute the semester was going to blow up on me and school would resume its craziness.

Enter Tedi. Tedi is my little sister who is expecting a baby in a couple of months. She decided since I was looking for something to do and I am "not afraid to take charge" (I think that was her nice was of saying I am bossy), that I should host her baby shower. She also knows that I am an excellent party planner. I said yes and then proceeded to add another class at the block (1/2 semester). The class I added isn't just any class, it is a Financial Statement analysis class taught by one of my favorite, but definitely most challenging, professors from 1st semester, Dr. Stice. Yes, folks that is right, I, Connie Clements, added a finance/accounting class of my own free will! All of that free time must really have gotten to me.

Now fast forward two weeks and things are really getting crazy. The semester has "blown up" just like I thought it would and I have added a class that requires @ least 4 hours of outside prep each day and I am trying to plan a baby shower. I have been meaning to
get the invitations put together and mailed out for the past two weeks but finally got around to it this weekend.

I made Tedi come over to help. I figured if she was going to assign me to host her baby shower she was going to help with the invites. It is a good thing she came too. Otherwise it would have taken me 6 hours on my own instead of just 3 with her help. I have to say that the invitations turned out really cute ( if I do say so myself.)

My plan to be busier has worked out. Now I have so much going on that I actually have to schedule time to do my homework as well as other engagements. It is nice to feel like I am once again learning and contributing to the world, even if it is such a small way as hosting a baby shower for one of my adorable sisters!

2 Legit 2 Quit/ Ice Ice Baby

Friday I went to the best. concert. ever! Vanilla Ice & MC Hammer - one night only and in Orem, UT of all places! From the moment I heard about this concert, I knew I HAD to go!!! In fact just minutes after I heard the concert announcement on the radio, I sent a text to Rebbecca & Teeno to make sure they were going with me. We do all kinds of random things together and this was definitely something they would be in on. I believe my text said something like this - " 7 words: Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer in concert, Orem. You in?" They were.

Yes, I understand that I was only 10 years old "back in the day" when MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were "big" but whenever I hear their music, which isn't often, but still, it makes me happy and takes me back to a happier place and time. For whatever reason the senior class of my high school had "Ice Ice Baby" as their "theme" during my Junior year of HS. It was played at every football game, basketball game and assembly we had that year. Everytime I hear "Ice Ice Baby" I flash back to HS and it makes me happy. Plus there is just something about billowing pants with tapered ankles that brings a smile to my face.
Anyway I had a great time at the concert, despite the crowds (personal space=not existent) and HORRIBLE event planning. (Who just has people crush in @ the "will call" window and only 3 security guards/ticket takers for the entrance? Seriously, my 11 year old sister could have done a better job organizing the event than the yahoos who were running it.) Too be honest Vanilla Ice kind of sucked. He kept playing "new material" but none of us where there for that. We wanted the old school stuff. He did finally pull out "Ninja Rap" "Funky Music" and last, but certainly not least, "Ice Ice Baby." Sadly "Ice Ice Baby" was a big letdown live. Sigh.

UnlikeVanilla, MC Hammer was AWESOME!!! That guys still has moves even though he did pop a button on his vest, (bless his heart!) and he had to take minute break after every song. All of that dancing apparently made him winded. He had a bunch of dancers with him and while he did do one "new" song (apparently he has an upcoming album - why don't they just give up?) he stuck to the old school stuff including "Pray" "Can't Touch This" and "Too Legit." I can't describe the nastalgia and entertainment this provided. Loved it!!

Opportunity of a Lifetime

About a month ago I got an email informing me of an upcoming opportunity to go and meet Mr. Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha", investor extraordinaire. Typically I try to steer clear of all things finance as I am more of a qualitative person, but this was simply an opportunity not to be missed. How many times in life do you get the chance to ask one of the most (arguably THE most)successful business men in the world any question you want? I quickly responded to the email for additional information, filled out the application and crossed my fingers that I would be selected as only 27 students from BYU were invited including both MBA and undergraduate students. Lucky for me I was chosen and so I forked out the money for a plane ticket to Omaha (never thought I would go to Omaha)for the opportunity of a lifetime. Seriously you don't pass on an opportunity like this!

Thursday afternoon I flew to Omaha. Unfortunately it seems that no one flies directly to Omaha from SLC, so I spent ~ 7 hours traveling. Can I just say that I don't love the Denver airport? I had a 3 hour layover where part of my time was spent trying, unsuccessfully, to ditch the creepy guy hitting on me... the joys of travel. Anyway...I finally got to my hotel at around 11:30pm and we were checked in and settled by midnight. Then Chloe, Julianne, Michelle and I all stayed up talking until 1:30 or so.

Friday morning came around and we were up by 6:30. We had supposedly had a pre-meeting meeting at 7:30. So after an awful night's sleep (I don't sleep well when sharing a room with people. I am always paranoid that I might make some noise that will disturb them. I don't even sleep walk or talk in my sleep. I am crazy and think that rolling over or shifting positions might wake someone who is in another bed up. Ridiculous, I know) we were ready to go. Apparently the pre-meeting meeting was canceled and we didn't to be anywhere until 9:15. I was somewhat annoyed.

We left our hotel and headed to the Berkshire Hathaway office building. Unfortunately the street signs were down due to construction and we ended up driving the wrong way down a one way street for several blocks. It was pretty hilarious. Our meeting with Mr. Buffett didn't start until 10am, but we went early to get the front seats, and get them we did. I was on the 3rd row, which was the furthest back any of the BYU students sat. A few of the guys were so close that Warren Buffett actually spit on them, which makes me glad I wasn't on the front row with them... I had a two row spit shield. :)

Mr. Buffett wasn't at all what I expected him to be. I expected him to be somewhat pretentious and overbearing; instead he was like an adorable grandpa giving great advice. I expected him to be very career and business oriented, but instead he talked a great deal on the importance of family, how being a parent is the most important job we will ever have and how important it is to marry someone who makes you want to be better. Instead of speaking about how awesome he is, he spoke of how blessed and lucky he has been and how bless we are and how we need to remember that we are in the luckiest 1% of the world population. He did not, however, disappoint on his famous one- liners.

Some of the gems included to following:
• "Wall Street had to cancel their Christmas pageant. They couldn't find three wise men. They also had a hard time finding a virgin, but they always have that problem."
• "Look for businesses that an idiot can run because eventually one will."
• "The key to a lasting marriage: marry someone with low expectations"
• "Everything that comes out of Washington is going to have problems."
And my favorite: A complete collapse of the banking industry is about a likely as "Ben Bernanke running off to South American with Paris Hilton."
After our 2.5 hour Q&A session, Mr. Buffett treated us all to lunch at Piccolo's a restaurant that reminded me of a place that my grandpa would go. It had a little bit of a diner feel and the world's biggest disco ball - seriously it was ginormous! Lunch was our choice of Chicken Parmesan, Cod Fillets, NY Strip Steak or a Veggie Burger. I was in Omaha and Omaha is famous for their steak, so I, along with pretty much everyone else, went with the steak. It was delicious! We finished lunch off with a root beer float, at Mr. Buffett's request. (Such a cute grandpa thing to do!!)

After pictures, we all went outside to have our picture taken with Warren. He was SO fun! He was such a great sport to take group and individual photos with everyone. He was also hilarious. He would go along with whatever you wanted him to do. He even got down on one knee like he was proposing for one of the girls from NYU, traded glasses and coats with people along with several GQ/sport coat over the shoulder posses. He stayed as late as was needed so that everyone got their photo with him.

I have to admit that for a guy who has a lot of money, he sure doesn't dress like it. His suit had a stain on the lapel and his tie was crooked for most of the photos. Chloe and I did our photo with him and then before I did my personal photo with him I asked if I could "help him out" and I straightened his tie. After I fixed his tie, he made some joke along the lines of, "You are kind of picky about who you take a photo with aren't you." To which those of you who know me know the only correct response is, "You have no idea!" All in all it was a great trip and truly an opportunity of a lifetime!

Why is it....

Yesterday I had my haircut and it looked really great. Today when I did my hair using the very same products and styling tools my hair does not look nearly so great. Why does my hair always looks fabulous when my stylist does it, but less so when I do it?

Also why is it that winter, particularly January and February, makes me so grumpy? Honestly, I typically am in a perpetually bad mood in January, which is typically winter blues. However this year I have been in a really bad mood, hating (or at least strongly disliking) everyone and everything. What is wrong with me!? I am trying to find things that make me happy, even if it is for 5 minutes, and it has been sort of successful. I have found good things each day, but I am seriously struggling this winter. Exercising makes me happy, because "exercising releases endorphins and endorphins make (me) happy." (name the movie...) I have also found that talking to family members also makes me happy. I love my family. They are great! Eating brownies made in skillets with my dear friend Kara also makes me happy. Friends are awesome. I even stumbled upon a great quote by Proust. It says “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Thanks to all of you who make my soul bloom when I am feeling down, sad or lonely. I really do have amazing friends! I have also found that a great haircut (see previous paragraph)make me happy as well as the movie "He's Just Not That Into You." I loved that movie. It made me laugh and it also made me think. I enjoyed it although some of my friends that I saw it with did not enjoy it.

Amongst my search for happiness, I have found that looking for internships does not equal good moods, and are very counter to my being in a good mood. The more time I spend on that the grumpier I get. But at the same time, I really need to find an internship. Such a vicious cycle! Maybe it would help if I actually knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. I need so much help it is ridiculous.

Photo Tag

My adorable friend Colleen tagged me....so below is my 4th picture from my 4th folder.



This picture is from my trip to San Diego last week with Rebbecca. I had a 5 day weekend so I took advantage of it and spent a little time out in the sun. This picture is of the "Brig" aboard the USS Midway (Retired Aircraft carrier). I love that I am wearing flip flops in January. I think I want to move to Southern California! More pictures and stories from last week coming soon.

I now tag Ann & Abe (they are new to blogging), Rebbecca (because she is in serious need of a new post) and Andrea.

Gimme a Break....

As is evident from my frequent comments about needing to be studying when I am distracting myself with blogging or other activities, I am pretty much always up for a diversion when it comes to school work. So as you might imagine I was SUPER excited last week when I got an email from a classmate about a Slinky competition. That is right, my classmate(s) decided that we should have a contest racing Slinkys down the stairs of the Tanner Building atrium. The idea was genius and the event turned out to be just what was needed to start our week out on a good note.

It was quite possibly THE best activity of the year!



For more event details including video, you can check out our blog @ http://mbawomen.blogspot.com