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. :)

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.

BoB Award!

My trainee is diligently reading the How To on billing, so I thought I might sneak back into the blogosphere. WOW, I wasn't exactly expecting such an honor today! It seems I was voted number one for Best of Blogging for MBA applicants this year by Clear Admit, the honorary judges and my fellow bloggers, check out the results post here.

THANK YOU TO ALL!!! I can't explain what a great community this has been to not only lend me a hand when I'm overwhelmed, but also to share our experiences, our lives and a bit of ourselves. I constantly send Hella's List to every applicant I meet. Not because I want them to read my blog, but because all the blogs listed, both aspirants and current students, help give insight about what it is to tackle an MBA from the cradle.

CONGRATS to all those who made the list and even those that didn't - we're all in this together. Thanks to my active and passive readers, though I write more as an outlet, I do appreciate the encouragement and hope that I lend support to others in this community. My my, I'm getting sappy...

Thanks again! I post this with pride:

The Circus, I Now Call Work

Wow... it's been almost a week and I don't think I've read one blogpost. I actually had to type in the full URL of my blog to get to the blogger's list today. I don't think I've actually worked this hard since I started my job a couple months short of 4 years ago. Last week the new employee started, but not before he called in sick 3 days in a row! Yep, you read that right and I almost thought he wasn't going to start at all. I was surprised to see him there on Thursday morning, but also a bit relieved, as I don't need to push my end date out anymore than I already have.

I've never trained anyone before, so it's been quite an adventure. Everything I do builds on something else and it seems every something else stems from another process. How do you explain it all logically without confusing the bejesus out of someone? It seems I'm doing an ok job because he is SLOWLY getting it. What's also strange is that I've stopped messing around on the internet - cold turkey. I'm trying to set a good example and though my bosses don't care, there's a lot to teach this poor fellow. On top of which, he should develop bad habits on his own and not because I taught him.

The other new guy starts tomorrow... the 3 men, 1 woman firm is about to become a frat house of sorts.. when I leave, it's 5 guys! I still think someone messed up on the math. Not that I believe it truly matters, as I tend to be mom tomboy than girlie-girl, but I still believe the female balances the group. Guess we'll see.

I'm a Wee Bit Late

Just wanted to say THANKS to ClearAdmit and the gang for nominating me for Best of Blogging 2008! I had seen the images on some current student posts, but never thought I'd be in for the running! THANKS! :)

Also, if you haven't used ClearAdmit's blog or Wiki, you're missing out as both have incredibly valuable information.

The Numbers Are In

Even before the event on Saturday night, R.O.C.K. had raised $19,998, which is a couple dollars shy of their $20,000 goal. This does not include money from raffle tickets and the silent auction. Additionally on Saturday night, they crowned the "Master of the Funk" - the person who raised the most money in combined ticket sales and donations. Needless to say, with the help of friends and family, I won, bringing in just over $4,500. I wish I could say I enjoyed the crown and cloak more, but after 90 min of play in the sun and my grandmother's birthday dinner, I was beat. I took the goodies graciously and headed home to bed.

SF Darden Happy Hour

Last night we had a SF Darden Happy Hour that was quite successful even though we definitely chose the wrong place for the happy hour given the Giants' game. However, we did find real estate in the back of District where we could all sit and talk, so I suppose it could have been worse on a Thursday. There are a handful of applicants in the Bay Area and we didn't give enough notice to all of them. An original email was sent and when I did the follow up email I checked the DardenPortal for ANYONE who lives in the Bay Area. Needless to say, we missed a couple who would have been interested in joining us. Maybe we'll have to plan another event.

I felt like the lone duck as a Bay Area native. Two people from the UK, two from India and me. Though one of the Indians did grow up in Ohio. It amazes me what sort of diversity there is in business school and specifically, at Darden. As I keep telling people, I'm collecting couches. All and all the future classmates are quite nice. I think SV was a bit scared in the beginning when it was just him and 3 girls. We briefly discussed jobs, but quickly moved on to the little things in life - cats, moving, relationships etc... A great time, but I'm not feeling under the weather. No bueno as this weekend is slammed with stuff to do. And I'm hoping to be crowned Master of the Funk! I find out Saturday night.