:Nintendo Widow

I could barely stay awake during my 3:30 class today. I had to speedwalk from the health center to the business school building right before class and my body went limp after I settled into my seat. A little tea woke me up after the break but I still had a lot to do. I’m taking 18 hours this quarter. Four hours of that is optional and it’s for electives that really interest me: BCN (Business Consulting Network) and my study tour to China. My BCN project is getting busier even though I don’t feel like I’m devoting nearly enough time to it. Basically, a team of four to five students provides consulting services to a local business of our choice. We have a great project but we’re finally getting our goals and schedule together. In addition to this project, I’m getting two hours of credit for taking the international business class associated with my trip to China. The class is optional but the trip is so interesting and will require so much planning I might as well get some class credit for it. It meets five times before our trip and I’m required to do a short presentation and a short paper as well as attend every session. The classes are from 5:30 - 7:30pm every other week. It is pretty easy but it’s hard to remain engaged at the end of a long day. I used to do it for work but it’s different with school. I feel like I’m missing out if I don’t participate, but I’m so tired by the end of the day that I just want to go home and recharge.

Speaking of recharging it’s time to go to bed.

On another note, it snowed another 1-2 inches this morning. It was beautiful but annoying for commuters. I got on the bus right before it completely filled up. At least I didn’t have to wait in the snow for the next one. A lot of the snow melted today and it’s supposed to be in the mid-30’s tomorrow.

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…I’ve started winter quarter. Tuesday was fun. Yesterday was a little boring but at least it was only for half of a day. Don’t get me wrong; I think the classes will be cool. It’s just hard to come back from vacation and sit in a classroom for four consecutive hours.

Today, we start our mini-case competition. I have no idea what this entails except a lot of brainstorming and some powerpoint. I’m optimistic but then again I don’t know what I’m getting myself into.

More to come…

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I got my finaid yesterday and I’ve put it to good use by buying my course packets online. I got my first batch today - 4 for $228 including shipping. I still have two more to buy plus some books. Even though that is a bit for pretty photocopies, I think I’ll end up spending considerably less this quarter than last. For starters, I’ve secured at least one discounted textbook from a second-year student. Second of all, I bought one of my books last summer thinking I’d need it for the fall when I really didn’t need it until now. This is horribly fascinating, I know.

I don’t miss the stress but I do miss my classmates. Maybe it’s because I’ve been home now for about a week and I’ve spent my day watching TV and packing for our move (tomorrow). I’ll get to see some of my ‘mates at a New Year’s Eve party on Sunday.

That’s all of the excitement for now. Oh yeah, this quarter I’m taking marketing, strategy, macroeconomics, finance, plus an international business class which is related to my study tour to China in March. That makes up my sixteen credits plus my group consulting project that will take place between now and spring break.

I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

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I’m back at school again. Because of the extremely high winds last night, over a million Seattleites (sp?) are without power. Danny and I are two of them. Anyway, we needed to find somewhere to connect this morning and the coffee shops are overloaded. So instead we’re back at school. Danny’s getting some work done and I’m apartment hunting online. It’s strange being in the library and not having to study for anything. I just hope the power comes back on sometime today. Right now, it’s doubtful.

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The level of schoolwork required didn’t break me. I thought it might, but it didn’t. Go me.

My classmates are really smart. They’re also really nice. It was hard to find anyone with an arrogant bone in their body.

I need to loosen up a bit more. I felt like I was incredibly serious and I’m not really that hard-core.

My classmates are cool. I should try to get to know them better.

My teachers are real people. Even after a killer exam, I don’t resent them (much).

There is more to school than schoolwork. I should go out with classmates more despite homework and projects.

I love presenting. If I could present in every class I would.

I need some new clothes and a haircut. I don’t want to look like the grungy grad student anymore.

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…until accounting Armageddon.

Danny: So, how’s studying going?
Me: Really well! I’m kicking ass on my accounting practice test.
Danny: Really? That’s cool!
Me: Yeah, I’m getting about 80% of the questions right. I would have been happy with 50%!
Danny: Always aim high baby.

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I took a break before supper and now I’m lounging. I got a lot done today but there is still so much left to do. I think I’ll write up my accounting study sheet and then use it to take a practice test. At least my final today wasn’t too draining; one down, four to go.

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This weekend, I did some anti-shopping. I’m sure someone has already coined the phrase, but I think of it as mentally bookmarking things I will never buy for someone I love. I’ve been lucky. I haven’t received many awful Christmas gifts. Still, I wonder what people are thinking when they walk out of the mall with a dancing Christmas tree toy or a singing trout. Seriously, who wants this crap?

To save you the trouble of figuring out what NOT to buy this Christmas, I have compiled a short list:

1. 365-day calendars: Dilbert is funny. He is so funny that I will read the entire calendar in two hours and never look at it again.
2. Candles: Unless you know of a particular scent or brand that someone likes, do not buy candles for someone else. These are the first things I throw out when I move. I used to regift them, but that goes against my whole “candle giving” belief system.
3. Soaps: see candles.
4. Figurines: This is generally a no-no. If it is an Hummel or a Lladro, then it might be okay.
5. Christmas ornaments: Why would I want to open an ornament on Christmas day?
6. Sweaters: A bad idea. Exception: You knitted it yourself.
7. Clothing with cartoon characters on it: You don’t like to look at it. Why make someone wear it?
8. Random books on the 75% off rack at Barnes and Noble: Come on. Why on earth would you buy me A History of Plymouth Rock in paperback? Because it was such a good deal!
9. Discount DVDs: see Random books
10. Weird gadgets: Some are fun, like handheld devices. However, the combo hot-plate/bread slicer might not be as handy as one imagined.
11. Tickets for a band or performing act that the recipient has never heard of: Tickets, meet craigslist.
12. Jewelry: Not all women want to show their love to you by wearing the red-and-green elf earrings you gave her to the company holiday party. For the record, my mother and mother-in-law pick out fabulous jewelry, and they know better than to ever THINK about giving me elfin earrings.

Since it looks like I’m just making a list of things not to give, here is my personal list of things that is okay to give.

1. Booze: Who doesn’t want a bottle of wine, good liquor, or beer? Not me!
2. Food: Even if the recipient doesn’t eat it, they can give it to someone who will. Plus, it won’t take up shelf space in years to come.
3. A framed photo of you and the recipient. If it’s not too cheesy, it can be a very thoughtful gift.
4. Handmade something: small items such as socks, hats, scarves, and pottery are okay. Poster-sized photo collages of the giver are not okay.
5. Gift cards: Easy and small. Everyone wins!
6. A book that you read and enjoyed: (optional) Include a thoughtful note on the title page.

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My neck is killing me. I should probably get a massage but yoga works just as well. I just have to do it everyday.

This week was pretty rough considering it only lasted for two days. I had a management paper due at 8:30 this morning and I just now finished knocking out some statistics homework that was due by midnight. I’m off school tomorrow but it will be busy as well. I need to clean, do laundry, grocery shop, and knock out as much homework as possible before my mom and brother arrive tomorrow night. They’re cool and won’t care if my house is perfect, but I at least want to tidy up a bit before they arrive.

Today, someone asked me how I was doing. I said that I’m relieved now that midterms are over but I’m kind of unmotivated. We only have three weeks left and I’m counting the hours. I do like my classes but the work has beaten me down. I don’t want to give up now, but every homework assignment just gets that much more annoying. I’m tired. So tired. Maybe some yoga would help.

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I’m back from the retreat. I was there for less than 24 hours so it was more of a short trip than an actual retreat. Details aside, I had a fun time. The house was gorgeous and it was fully loaded. I’m talking about food. I can’t think of anything we didn’t have to eat. I’m still stuffed.

I arrived around 11am and decided to stay in and do some studying while the other people went shopping. I didn’t want to be a downer but I really really needed to study for my Stats midterm. I really enjoyed the quiet time. We had a view of the shore from the house. Even though it rained all day, I was nice and cozy with my homework and my coffee.

Everyone started returning around 4 and we chatted, watched movies, and continued to eat. We played some board games, drank, and had a good time in general. It was more relaxing than I thought it would be.

I got home around 10:30 this morning and went back to sleep. I was not ready to finish my homework yet. Today has been pretty easy. I cooked lunch and dinner for the next few days, sent some email, studied, and cleaned a little bit. Right now, I’m listening to the combined sounds of rain on the window and “Revenge of the Sith” which Danny is watching downstairs.

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