Category: Graduate School

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Photo on 2012-12-13 at 14.52 #2

Life is a ride. Simple phrase that explains so much.

I graduated from college with my Masters. Celebrated Christmas with my family and J’s family. Traveled over 8 hours in a car in less than 36 hours. Rang in the New Year with J and some great friends. Started living on my own again. survived what felt like a plague that lasted way too long.

I plan on sharing my New Year’s Resolutions with you in the next few days and to blog a bit more consistently in 2013.

Here’s to hoping and trying to develop better habits, spend more time laughing and less time stressing this year.

Cheers!

10 Things I’m Thankful For

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

B&W #roadtrip

Happy Thanksgiving! I’ve decided that since it was Thanksgiving and all that it would be a good time to write down what I’m Thankful for this year.

1. My family. After this afternoon’s FaceTime session with them I realize that they are quite unlike any other family I know and for that I’m truly thankful.

2. J. It has been a wonderful year with him and I am grateful every day that we met sitting in Steak-N-Shake late one night.  It’s great having a guy that is so supportive of my ideas, my dreams, and everything going on in my life.

3. My friends. The first text I received this morning was from friends wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. It’s great to remember all the fun times we’ve shared in 2012: a cruise, a haunted house, road trips, weekends at the lake, ‘family’ dinners, and so many more.

4. Work. This year has been quite a departure for me from the past several.  I started an amazing journey as a Weight Watcher Leader and have met so many amazing, supportive people since that time.  I’ve also been blessed with a job at a local law firm that has supported me through my school with a flexible schedule and has always been a place to go when I need an extra quiet study room at midnight.  Finally, I recently started a job as a Sales Associate at a retail store and cannot wait for my future with such a bright company.

5. Maggie.  We all know how obsessed I am with that pup so it’s no surprise that I can’t even make it half-way through my list without mentioning her.  Maggie and I have had quite a life together these past years.   I am thankful that she picked me that cold, rainy day in a hospital parking lot.

6. Graduate School.  Though I complain about it.  I am grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to further my education.  In less than 25 days I will be walking across the stage at Missouri State receiving my Masters in Business Administration degree.  Alright, so I actually won’t be getting my diploma that day, but I will be receiving an empty leather holder that symbolizes all the hard work and late nights I have put in these past 2 years.

7. My parents.  I know that I mentioned family as number 1, but the more I thought about it I really think my folks deserve their own number.  My Mom and Dad are awesome.  Seriously, I have the best parents around.  They support one another as they support their two kids.  I cannot say thank you enough to the two people who brought me into this world, guided me, and taught me to be an independent, educated, young adult.

8. J’s family.  They have welcomed me into their lives this past year and I’m grateful.  J’s family is absolutely wonderful and knows how to have a good time.

9. My Grandmas.  I’m lucky to have two amazing Grandmothers that have taught me a lot as I’ve grown up.  Still to this day the sound of wind chimes puts a smile on my face thanks to my Grandma D. who always had them on her front porch.  Grandma W.’s sandtart cookies are my all-time favorite and each Christmas I look forward to them.

10. Creativity.  I like that I can think out of the box (most days) and have a passion for creating.  There are so many ways to reduce stress out there and I’m glad that the one that helps me calm down the most is just so simple.

Okay, I know this post was a bit long.  Sorry.  Happy Thanksgiving and may your day be filled with happiness!

2 weeks

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®


It’s been a long while since my last post.  I figured it was time for an update.

Life has been crazy and not in a sweep me off my feet, good crazy.  More of a I want to pull my hair out, I miss sleep crazy.

First change – I started a new full-time job at a major retail chain.  Training has been a great experience so far and I’ve met a lot of new people who are super nice.  The downside to training is that… well, I’m training.  I keep being moved from department to department and have absolutely no idea where I am going to land.  Another downside is that Thanksgiving is next week and this will be the first time in 5 years that I am working retail for the holidays.  It’s going to take some adjustment not being able to spend days with my family.  On a good note – I am so freakin’ excited about my new job!  Retail is a passion and I’m finally back in it.

Second – I’m still working my other 2 part-time jobs.  Honestly, the hours are meniscal each week and I enjoy what I’m doing so I can’t really complain.  They are just adding to what is keeping me uber busy.

Finally – 30 days until graduation! One month. I can do it. I can do it. I have no choice at this point! Projects. Projects. Projects. They are kind of taking over my life. Group projects, individual ones, tests to study for, papers to write. It’s ridiculous how much time I’m spending at the library each evening.  Honestly, I got done an hour earlier than expected tonight and that’s why I’m writing my post.

I can talk on and on about how tired I am or how I constantly seem to be sick; and perhaps that’s what this post will come off as, but I don’t want it to. I wouldn’t change one thing about my life right now. I really don’t know what I’ll do when I have graduated. It’s going to be a surreal, out of the body experience for a bit.

Grad school has been an amazing adventure and I’m pretty proud that I kicked its butt.  Maybe, the next time I have some free time, I’ll write about my favorite parts of grad school… ya, that’d be a good, exciting posts. Right? Right!

Until next time…

Days like these

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Sleeping beauty.
On days that start off like this one
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where Maggie and I spend most of morning in bed, watching rom-coms on Netflix and being lazy
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then I can guarantee you that my class notes for the day will look a little like this.

Here’s hoping today is better than yesterday for my attention span.

Breathe in, breathe out

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Red & Peace

red & peace.

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studying for an E-Marketing test. I know all about this chapter on Social Media… some would like to call me “addicted to all forms of social media.”

Pinterest – Twitter – Tumblr – Flickr – Bloglovin

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My Empire … My Rules by OPI

I have this tendency to do a DIY manicure at least once a week. Sometimes, though, if I have extra time or if I’m stressed (like I was this past week) I can fit in 2 manicures.  Then when the color dries on my nails and that topcoat goes on – all is right with the world.  Call me crazy, but it relieves the stress.  And since it only seems to relieve stress for just a minute I like to keep a bottle of polish near by.

Fall is here

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Morning cuddle buddy #dog
J and I are fighting off colds and have spent most of the weekend wrapped up in blankets watching football.

Headed to the park for a walk. Look who's excited!

We did get up and out yesterday. Took the pup for a walk at the park. She was in 7th heaven, struttin’ her stuff.

I will spend the rest of today in a nice comfy chair wrapped up in my oversized fleece blanket working on a 20-page paper that is due tomorrow. Sometimes I surprise myself on how easily I can knock out a 20-page paper…something I never thought was possible pre-grad school.

I guess that’s something I can put on my future resume:
fast-paced essay writer about topics that are not interesting to me.

yea… that’ll get me the job.

Happy first Sunday of Fall!

The LAST first day of class

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

me

Ok, here I go.  I’m about to embark on my first day of class for the last time.  That’s right, after this fall semester my graduate school career will be over.

Kind of nerve racking to think that school is almost done.

Also, it’s nerve racking to think about the projects, tests that are about to come my way all while holding down 2 jobs.

I can do it.  I can handle anything for a few months.  I can do it.

During grad school, I’ve learned a few things:

1) I actually did absorb some information during undergrad

2) It’s really important to come to every class period, unlike undergrad

3) The saying that you learn more while doing is true – I cannot explain all of the real-life concepts I understand now by having a job in management

4) Make friends.  And then more importantly – keep them.  They will come in handy during the classes that are more challenging.  For instance, finance.  That was a tough one.