Category Archives: MBA

January 29, 2013 · 10:11 pm

Pushing Limits

I am officially an MBA student! I successfully completed my first weekend of the program without any permanent damage. I’m really excited about the program but nervous about the workload ahead. The classes seem like they’ll be challenging but rewarding as well.

Going into the program, I knew that managing the workload and balancing the rest of my priorities would be tough. In addition to the studies, I also had to face some mental fears this past weekend. I’m pretty introverted, so making an effort to get to know the other 38 people in my cohort was a great exercise in stepping out of my comfort zone.

We were also asked to push our mental limits through a team building day, which sounded really cheesy but ended up being scary and exhilarating. The first challenge we encountered was to climb a telephone pole then walk across a high wire.

Photo

(Photos taken by classmates.)

I didn’t think I was afraid of heights, but when you’re high enough and feeling unstable enough, the fear takes over. I actually went first on the high rope, and I was so nervous but felt really energized to have my fellow classmates cheering me on. Everyone was really supportive, and it felt great to be a part of the team. I felt like I was on The Amazing Race!

Photo2

Our other scary challenge of the day involved climbing up a rope ladder then zip lining off the platform. My arms were so tired by the top of the rope ladder. I thought I had built up some arm muscle, but I was really physically challenged and barely made it to the platform. Allowing myself to jump off the platform and free fall for a little while before the zip line caught was also quite a mental achievement. I did not want to allow myself to fall.

I was surprised by how much I was tested mentally this past weekend, but I hope to reflect on those moments and be able to find strength within myself. I can learn all the materials. I can maintain balance. I can rely on my classmates for support.

In the end, I felt like I met some fun, intelligent people and made myself proud by overcoming both my shyness and pushing physical boundaries.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

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Filed under MBA

January 19, 2013 · 5:46 pm

Final preparations

I’m less than one week away from my first weekend in Gainesville for my MBA program. I’ve been diligently going through my accounting book that I need completed by the start date and tying up all the loose ends that need to be taken care of (i.e. paying a lot of money). One final thing I’ve been procrastinating on is getting something to carry all my class stuff around in. I have no clue what the kids are wearing today. Are shoulder bags in still style? Are backpacks the rage? What about messenger bags?

Last night, Kevin and I hit up the mall to figure out what would make sense for me to carry all my books and my laptop around campus in. Finally, we landed on Lululemon’s Take Me With You Tote in black and mint. It’s actually a gym bag with laptop and tablet compartments. It can carry up to 50 pounds and has two strap types.

Lululemon Take Me With You Tote

Source

It’s huge…almost too big, but I think it will be perfect for throwing everything I need into it. It comes with an inner bag for dirty gym clothes or shoes, plenty of compartments and I love the color I settled on. I’m excited to wear it around campus!

Burger 21

While on our mall journey, we ventured to Burger 21, one of Orlando’s newest quick-service burger joints. They have a huge menu of different types of burgers and toppings combinations, and they have a dipping sauce bar, featuring many unique condiments.  Some of their unique sauces included toasted marshmallow, apple cider, ragin’ Cajun and Thai ketchup. They also have a black bean burger, chicken burgers and seafood burgers.

Burger 21-Sauces

I ordered The ‘Shroom, a burger topped with crimini mushrooms, fontina cheese and veggies on a brioche bun.

Burger 21-The Shroom

To accompany, I ordered sweet potato fries. The burger was perfectly cooked and tasted like high-quality beef. I loved the sweet buttery bread and all the flavorful mushrooms. My favorite types of fries are shoestring cut, so it was so nice to get sweet potato fries in that format. I actually preferred them without all the exotic sauces. The sauces were very unique, but a little too out there for me. I preferred the flavor of the sweet potato fries on their own. Overall, I was really pleased with my meal.

Kevin ordered chicken fingers and normal fries. His fries were really delicious too.

Burger 21-Chicken Fingers and Fries

I was eying some of the ice cream and milk shakes others ordered. I was too full for dessert, but they looked really elaborate and tasty. I would definitely return to Burger 21 for a good burger and exceptional fries.

What did you use for your books when you were in school? In high school, I was  a big fan of the messenger bag, and then in college, like every other girl in the south, I had my Vera Bradley tote.

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Filed under American, Burgers, MBA, Millenia

November 12, 2012 · 10:43 am

First comes love then comes marriage then comes…

It’s big announcement day on the blog! There’s been something I’ve been wanting to share for a few weeks now but wanted to make sure my friends and family knew first. I know that both Kevin’s family and my family are excited about the prospect of babies after our wedding…but I think that’s going to have to wait a little while. I’m going back to school!

Remember these friends of mine?

books

I hadn’t really provided an update since I took the GMAT back in March, but I ended up scoring higher than I had anticipated and started thinking about what path for MBA programs I wanted to take. Did I want to go full time or part time? Do I want to stay in Florida or go out of state? Kevin and I spent months figuring out what would work best for us, and I consulted many MBA graduates at work and in my personal life for advice. I got great advice from many mentors who took a lot of their own time to help me reach my decision.

A few weeks ago I was accepted into the only MBA program I decided to apply for: the University of Florida’s part-time MBA program. I will continue to work full time and go up to Gainesville (about two hours away) once a month for  two full days of exams and classes for  the next two and a half years.  In between those trips, I’ll study, have online assignments and virtual team projects.

UF MBA 

That’s right, I’m a Gator again! I have to admit that I’m excited to be able to go back to my alma mater once a month; although I’m sure conditions will be a little different than just a typical visit.

I’ll be done in 2015, which is when Kevin and I will start thinking about starting a family. Right now I’m focused on our wedding in less than three weeks then classes start up in January. Life will be hectic, but Kevin has been the best possible support system, and I’m excited for another new chapter in my life. It’s a lot, but life continues to be a great adventure.

Everyday I feel more and more blessed. Yesterday my step mom and sister hosted my bridal shower. I was surrounded by so many wonderful women in my life: family, soon-to-be-family, friends. I am just overwhelmed by gratitude for the support and love I’ve experienced through this whole wedding planning process. I had a wonderful shower, and now our home is overfilling with fun new toys for our new life together. 19 more days!

Any tips for balancing work and school?

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Filed under Life, MBA, Wedding

March 2, 2012 · 1:08 pm

Done

Good bye, study materials that I have been using for the past 13 weeks.

study materials

Good bye, worrying.

Good bye, late nights studying.

Good bye, excessive caffeine intake (maybe…).

Hello, comfy bed.

bed

Hello, running shoes.

shoes

Hello, celebratory flowers from my wonderful sister.

flowers

Hello, freedom.

Hello, wedding planning.

Hello, social life.

The GMAT is done. Time to move on with my life and apply to grad schools!

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Filed under MBA

February 11, 2012 · 10:46 am

Arrivals and departures

Some people wake up at 6 a.m. on the weekend to get in their morning run. I wake up that early to take GMAT practice tests. Oh, the joys of studying. I was happy to get it out of the way because it seems like we have had such busy weekends lately. I’m less than three weeks away from the big test day!

Guess what I (finally) got this week…

congratulations

gold card

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the bulk of the purchases leading up to my Starbucks gold card came after I started studying.

I’m a sucker for reward programs.

Ironically, my first purchase with my new gold status wasn’t caffeinated.

oatmeal

I had an 8 a.m. meeting in downtown Orlando and needed a good on-the-go breakfast, but I didn’t want to be stuck carrying my overnight oats container all day. Starbucks oatmeal is so delicious.

mix-ins

I added in all the available nuts and fruit and omitted using any brown sugar. The oatmeal was delicious unsweetened. Overnight oats has given me a new appreciation for how good the simplest form of oatmeal can taste without any sweeteners.

brown sugar

Guess what else arrived this week…

girl scout cookies

Gotta love Girl Scout Cookies season!

After waffling for about two years, Kevin and I finally decided to cancel our membership to LA Fitness. We only continued going there out of convenience, and I haven’t been going as regularly due to studying. Most of my workouts have been at home or outside. Kevin started taking TRX classes and playing in different sport leagues, so neither of us were using our gym memberships enough to justify the costs. Plus, it felt like everyone around us was paying cheaper membership rates, and I just haven’t been thrilled with the quality of equipment, staff or crowds. We’re going to see what gym suits us the best after I’ve taken the GMAT. Please send any Orlando gym recommendations my way!

Do you have a gym membership? What is your gym like?

What’s your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

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Filed under Breakfast, Fitness, MBA