Wednesday, May 28, 2008

And I'm Back!

Home sweet home! There is nothing like returning to the humble abode after 5 days somewhere else. It truly makes you appreciate the comfort of home...and the kitchen! :) As much as I enjoy eating out, I love a home cooked meal at the end of the day. (It's cheaper too)

Colorado was a true whirlwind and I enjoyed every minute. Do you ever look at your friends and think, wow, I'm lucky? Because after this past trip, that's exactly how I feel. One of my best friends from middle school moved to CO my senior year to attend Boulder. She graduated a year later and has been in CO ever since. Though I was not the only factor, I was definitely a contributing one. So when she tells me it's the best decision she ever made, I not only feel partly responsible, but also feel truly happy that she is doing so well.

Additionally, I saw my best guy friend, with whom I don't talk much these days as we always seem to play phone tag, and my old roommate, who is always a riot to be around. I finally spent some time with my friend B's BF, which is good as they will likely get married in the upcoming years. Between going out with friends, partying in Washington Park and relaxing on the couch, the trip was successful.

I also ran the BolderBoulder which is (apparently) the largest timed race in the country. It was only a 10K, but given my ankle problems over the last month and thus lack of exercise, it definitely wasn't easy. I was definitely happy with my time of 56 min for 6.2 mi at altitude (over a mile high). It felt good to be back in Boulder. My memories there are some of the best of my life.

Next up... St Thomas on June 7th - 15th.

Looks like I will be shipping my car given the new travel plans for my friend's wedding. The family is also pushing for me to join them in Germany on the 26th of June for 2 weeks. It sounds fabulous, but I'm hesitant. I do want to attend the Forte Conference and I do want to spend time in Boston. I know these seem like silly decisions, but for whatever reason, they're hard for me.

PS. I love my orange pen from Darden. It makes me smile.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Officially Unemployed...and Other MISC Adventures

Friday was officially my last day at work after almost 4 years. It felt weird to walk out the office door and know I was not going to return anytime soon. Yesterday, I received a gift from a client that should help me in business school. It's Nuance Communications Dragon Naturally Speaking 9. Pretty cool gift though I don't have my new laptop yet and thus it will sit in the box for another month. Immediately after I left the office, I picked up my bag at home and headed to the airport to catch a flight to Vegas.

Yes, Vegas, AGAIN! But this time was different, I went for a soccer tournament. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy all that is Sin City, however, I definitely got my workout in the 95 degree heat. We had a team of 14 and one "mascot". During our first 2 games, we were still getting used to each other and the way we play as individuals. By the 3rd game, we were pushing through and taking names. We made it to the semi-finals and gave that team its first goal against. Ironically, it was another California team and we all had friends on the team. I guess it fuels the fire a bit. We had a disappointing loss, but I wasn't quite upset. My legs were done and after 3-4 hours of sleep a night, dancing until 2 am or later and playing 2-4 games in the heat, it was time to go home.

Since I've been home, I don't feel I've accomplished much. I relaxed with the boy on Monday, which was quite pleasant and ran errands yesterday. Today I'm attending a fashion show, then I have to pack for Colorado. Tonight I'm catching dinner with a friend with whom I haven't spent much time. Somehow it feels like there's not enough time even though I've removed the daily 8 hours of "work" from my life.

As for logistics -
I still can't decide if I want the Lenovo Thinkpad T61 or Dell D630 laptop. (Any thoughts?)
I THINK I've decided to move my stuff across the country starting June 13th-ish... (now to plan it, and find a sucker to drive with me)
Health Insurance - what to do until school starts and then when school starts?
Costa Rica - the pre-MBA trip that happens to partially coincide with a bachelorette party (for a wedding I'm IN)
Europe - is it going to happen?
Forte Foundation Conference - I'm attending, now to plan it.
Going away party - currently planned for July 19th - should it still happen? (Will likely already be on the East Coast)

That's the short list, but you get the point. Leaving for Colorado tomorrow as well... busy busy.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

2 More Days

I thought I'd be excited - 2 more days and then I get my first summer vacation in 4 years. But as I sit here, my trainee gone before me for the first time since he started, I'm saddened. It's been a great run at this company. I may complain at times that I'm not as challenged as I'd like to be and some of my tasks lack my admiration, but truth is, I do enjoy my job and the people with whom I work. I suppose I wouldn't be here otherwise.

Tonight, we are having a going away/welcome to the company party. I'm excited as it's fun to get out of work with your co-workers, but I guess this also signifies the end. I had a client call today asking whether I will use a PC or Mac in business school because he wants to send me something to help me in business school. I'm not sure what it is, but the gesture is nice. Another client called 20 minutes ago just updating me on something with her account, asked when my last day is and then proceeded to say the company won't be able to replace me. It feels good, but it doesn't feel like reality. This is the first job I have left and of course, on the best terms possible, but on some level, I feel I should still awake Monday morning for a 7 am workday. Vegas is on the horizon, which is quite exicting, but over the last 4 years, I've taken many weekend trips to Vegas, so it doesn't feel different.

My plans aren't as solid as I'd like them to be for the summer, but I am slowly coming up with a plan that suits me. Looks like I'll pack up and move to C'ville 2 weeks into June. Oh my, I have a lot to go through in my room. However, I don't plan on staying put in C'ville. Just simply setting up my stuff and moving my car before the next adventure. I'll try to write more often as I should have more computer time than I've had over the last few weeks. Looks like the 2011 applicant pool is revving up as well. I'm excited to see so many go-getters. :)

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Stepping Out of the Driver's Seat

I've figured it out, I have problems being a passenger, both figuratively and literally. Let's start with literally. When I go places with friends, which is quite often, I ALWAYS drive. Perhaps this is why I don't mind being the DD. I like the control of being able to say when we leave and where we go. Now, don't get the wrong impression, I'm not bossy and more often than not, I'm open to suggestions. Additionally, most of my friends look towards me for the planning anyhow, so it isn't as if I force this upon them. You could say, it's my role in the 'group'. Yes, I'm a bit of a leader, be it intentional or not, however, I do know when I need to listen more and act less.

Now to figuratively. I've been training my replacement and as excited as I am to quit my job, I suppose I'm a bit scared. What the heck am I going to do for 3 months? I had glorious plans to travel the globe and though I have not written them off, the plans are on hold until I figure out my personal life. A whole other convo I'm not about to start right now. Yesterday, my trainee was at a conference all day, which I was quite happy about considering I played a little too hard on Tuesday night. I didn't do anything productive yesterday - read - I chatted online, surfed the web, caught up on personal email and the like. There again, we've been working so hard that it wasn't as if there was anything to do. Needless to say, my trainee returned from the conference and said that my boss would like him to start answering the phone more (one of the admin duties I must complete in a small office) and sit in the driver's seat starting tomorrow (as in today).

And so, I let him. He ran all the morning reports and then produced the monthly statements and updated batch intervals. He had questions here and there, but for the most part I leaned back in my chair, feet up on the desk and let him drive. WHAT A WEIRD FEELING?!? I've been here for just under 4 years and know all the inner workings of the company and all of our accounts. It's definitely going to take him some time to get to my level of knowledge and so, as I watch him struggle, I do my best not to barge in. I suppose he's gotta learn it on his own. All the same, I don't know if I can handle this for TWO MORE WEEKS! Perhaps I need to bring in a book or read the rest of my pre-matriculation modules.