Tag: Grad School

Knowing When You Have The One Worth Fighting With

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Want to know a secret?  I’ll let you in to a little personal secret of mine pertaining to my past relationships.  You see, back in high school and undergrad of college most of my friends thought of me as this “2 week girl.”  No, not because my relationships would only last 2 weeks, but because I couldn’t stand having a disagreement with someone.  I just never saw the need to fight or not get along.  It wasn’t really important to me to fight.  I thought, why waste your time?

So, that’s where my “2 week girl” came into play.  You can bet that after an argument that I just didn’t see the importance of the guy and me would be over in about 2 weeks.

I promise that I am not this cold-hearted, stone-faced woman.  I really do have a heart and I would bend over backwards to help my partner out.  I would be there for them, whether if it was helping study, a family crisis, etc.  I was there.  I just did not see the need to fight.  Why?

Then it all changed.  One night, I met J and he changed my world.  We fell fast for one another.  We decided early on that it would be the two of us.  The two of us against the world and we would be together.

us J

It hit me one day – J was worth fighting with.  We may not always agree on every topic.  We frustrate each other.  Our personalities are not identical.  I am much more reserved and J is very outgoing.  I am a homebody and J is happy out with people.

We also make each other happy, laugh, and work harder at being a better person.  J pushes me to go after my dreams.  I do not think I would have been as passionate about MereLynneConcepts on Etsy without him.  We are there to listen to one another and help each other.

As women (well most women) we watch these romantic comedies, you know – the cliché ones.   The movies where at the very end, right before the credits roll the two characters embrace and say something like, “I’d rather fight with you then make love to anyone else.”  Then there is an extremely long and passionate kiss.

Super unrealistic.

J and I may get into it time from time, but he is worth every hard discussion, every time I have to admit I’m wrong – J is worth it all. We’ve had to learn how each other react to a fight or disagreement.  Not just learning but compromising our typical actions for the one we love.

I may not have the romantic comedy ending, but I do have the person that makes my soul instantly melt. I found the person that I will face the world with, as a team.  For that I am grateful.

Prioritizing

J-M-10082 photo by DColeman Photography.

Priorities.  I’ve given it a lot of thought.  I know what makes me happy in life from work-life to home-life.  I know what I need to succeed and go to bed each night knowing that I have accomplished something that day.  Whether my accomplishment is big or small.

For me, it’s pretty simple (at least I like to think so).  I need:
– the love of my fiance, J
– cuddles from two rowdy pups, Maggie and Tiny
– a job that not only pays the bills, but one that I feel I am truly helping someone else
– a roof over my head
– something to be working towards
– my friends
– my family
– being creative

A lot of these parts intermingle with each other.  For instance, being creative, having a job, and something to works towards can all be combined.  I believe that if I find a passion that combines all three then I will have found my dream job.

Having something to work towards is something that I’ve recently struggled with.  I graduated with my undergraduate degree.  One year later, I started pursuing my Masters.  Now, I’ve graduated and … now what?  It’s hard for someone who has always been working towards some sort of degree to know where to go to next.  I know that I need to find a career that I am passionate about; however, I am wanting to move out of Springfield within the next few years.  So, for me this time needs to be spent finding out what qualities of a job make me the happiest, what qualities I want to avoid at all costs, and where J and I want to end up.

It’s a process.  A deep process with quite a bit of thought and time.  I cannot rush and I have to go with the flow.

For someone who is as Type A as I am, this time can be challenging.  Here’s to hoping that I can take a deep breath.

Cheers!

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

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


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

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

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.”

PinterestTwitterTumblrFlickr – 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

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!

Friday Five

katespade

1) My new Kate Spade purse came in the mail. It makes my feet do a happy jig.

notes

2) Apparently, my stats class is going to require three different colored pens to keep my notes straight.  Geesh!

drink

3) Pretty drink to finish out the week

Lazy Sunday with the pup.

4) We had a lazy Sunday with movie marathons, dip and chips.

workout

5) I started CrossFit two weeks ago.  If you haven’t heard of it, YouTube some videos.  It’s pretty awesome and pretty brutal all at the same time.  Here’s me post workout.

Happy Weekend y’all!

The LAST first day of class

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.