HOMAHA!

Have you ever taken a risk? One where people raise an eyebrow and tilt their head when they hear of what you are about to do? Well, my decision to move to a city I never visited, where I knew no one and attend Creighton University's Heider College of Business to obtain my MBA has done just that with everyone I tell (except my BFF Carey).

It all came about in the dark, depressing months of the unforgiving winter we experienced in Detroit where I realized I needed to "get out."  I needed to leave, spread my wings, fly and become my own person, on my own.

The reason I am able to leave home and take such a risk is because of the confidence my parents have instilled in me my whole life; the education, in and outside the classroom, I received from Aquinas College; the Dixie Chick's song "Wide Open Spaces" (I blast this song on repeat 24/7); knowing that if I fail I can always go back to Michigan and lastly because I need to challenge myself on a whole other level.

I've been in Omaha for a month already and I couldn't be happier. My classes are challenging (I've already had to put the PRO into procrastination for an assignment...), the companies and corporations are phenomenal, the men are beautiful, the city is vibrant and the bar scene is just my style.

#DowntownOmaha

One of these nights, I'll get up on stage and do a treble jig.

74 days until I return to Detroit...

Until then, peace and blessings from Mr. Buffett's town

xx

Finally, Vacation!

In college, we “studied” so hard for finals that they would grant us three to four weeks off of school! Where did the corporate world go wrong? Where did the United States go wrong? I look around at lunch and I see tired people. I look around at the gym and I see folks who are barely making it through a game of squash because they don’t have the time to stay in shape. I get upset when I hear my co-workers talk about how they can’t make their kid’s basketball game because they have to stay late at work. Hmm… maybe I was born in the wrong generation, or maybe I have always gone 100 mph and accomplished everything on my daily to-do lists that I’ve always been able to “do it all.” 

Pause.

Wait, have I ever been able to “do it all?” I’m always being pulled in 5,000 different directions. I look in the mirror and I see bags under my eyes. I see the intensity of my workouts slipping and I find myself turning my phone to airplane mode more often than ever before just to get some peace and quiet. Staying in on a Saturday night watching tear provoking romantic comedies? That has been happening way too often, especially for me, being the socialite-diva that I am. (Insert diva emoji here).

Although my personal Christmas break in college was on average 6 days, it was still 6 days away from “work,” away from the “grind.”

After working for 8 (almost 9!) months, I’ve realized I need a break. That is why my 6.5 day vacation beginning on Tuesday at 12:00 pm is fitting. I am headed to Boise, Idaho for my cousin Molly’s wedding and I am so tempted to keep my phone off the whole time… Okay, maybe just during the wedding celebrations…

Heading on a plane to Boise, to see family while being able to check out a new city and just live up the New Year is something I am SO excited to do. My vacation is coming at the perfect time, as I am a bit worn down from work. Why am I so worn down? I really think it’s because I haven’t had my 6 days away from work, away from the “grind.”

Rest is necessary, and I know now that utilizing my vacation time around the Christmas holiday from here on out is a must. 

Boise, Idaho… HERE I COME! Oh, and God Bless my cousin Molly with her soon to be husband Sean!

xx

"going to the chapel and we're gonna get married..."

6 Months

It has been six months since I started working in the real world. WOW. 

This week more than ever I really started to reevaluate my life, in large part because I was studying to take the GMAT exam to be used for my entrance into graduate school. I've always been extremely goal oriented (how could I not playing sports) and I've always had some sort of "life plan" written out. 

Studying at Starbucks...
Grande Non-Fat Vanilla Latte please

I'm not joking. When I was in 8th grade I wrote out a year by year plan for my life. It had details like when I was going to get married, how many kids I'd have, where I was going to work, where I was going to travel, when I was going to retire, and so on. When I last saw my grade school track coach, he asked me if I still wanted to be President of the WNBA. I could not help but smile because I remember writing a life plan and being so excited I finally figured out what I wanted to be, at the impressive age of 13. I had planned to go to Law School after playing basketball at a small college. I was going to work my way up through the Detroit Shock organization and into the WNBA's front office. I remember having a photo of not only Swin Cash hanging up in my room, but also Donna Orender, the President of the WNBA. 

Here I am almost 10 years later not working for the Detroit Shock (that would be impossible...) and not going to Law School. Rather, I am applying to graduate schools to further my education and receive a Masters in Business Administration. 

After six months of working in the real world I know that obtaining a masters degree is not something I should do, but something I need/want/must do. I cannot wait to head back to school. I want to continue to learn each and everyday at work and take everything I've learned, everything I am learning and all of the work experiences I am gaining off to my graduate classes with me in the fall. 

All afternoon I was browsing MBA programs and I am so excited. Not only will I be going for my masters degree, but I will be able to study concentrations of a topic (or maybe two!) that I am interested in, on top of business. These concentrations include accounting, information technology, leadership, healthcare, etc. I just hope somebody wants me to come study at their institution! 

So, what are my short term goals? What is my updated life plan? 

Six Month Short Term Goals:

Be admitted into graduate school

Enroll at graduate school

Continue to grow and learn at work

See Creighton & Doug McDermott play basketball

Spend a weekend unplugged

Get a passport

Finish my college scrapbook

Utilize my DAC membership 4x a week

Life Plan:

Travel

Smile more

Make a difference

Never stop learning

Pray everyday

Always own a pair of basketball shoes

... be President of the WNBA ;)

August Recap

The month of August was filled with high's and low's, lots of travel and "goodbyes" to my friends as they head back for their senior year of college. 

August kicked off with "HEDIS Week" at work, which is Health Effectiveness Data and Information Set Week. During this week at work the company's main focus is to educate the workers about HEDIS, the HEDIS measures and how to make our services that we provide to our members better and more innovative. HEDIS Week was so much fun because each day had a different theme to it and there were so many free goodies given away. 

From there, preseason football finally started. I went to the first Detroit Lions preseason game with two of my friends. We actually stayed for a fair amount of time, until we all looked at one another and didn't recognize any of the players out on the field in the 3rd quarter. It was at this game where I reconnected with a friend from St. Clare of Montefalco who I don't think I had actually hung out with since 8th grade. All of us went out and about after the Lions game in downtown Detroit. So, yes, this night was a huge high because I was  having fun in my city!! 

#OnePride 

Water is the hub of life. 

I went and visited my best guy friend's family (without him) in Brooklyn, Michigan. Wow. Their house is right on the water and it is oh so perfect. I loved spending time with my two sisters and Mr. & Mrs. Miller. I don't know where I would be without my friend's families because not only do my friends mean the world to me, but so do their families. 

When my main girl Carey left for school, I think I hit an all time low. It was a BIG wake-up  call because I didn't realize how much time I truly spent with her all summer, and how I would no longer have her to go golf with, or go shopping with, or go on a walk with. Literally, as soon as Carey left for school, I was tempted to put out an advertisement in the newspaper for "Friend Wanted." Rather, I just resorted to sending out a tweet - but no one took it seriously. "Calling any outgoing, single, athletic, funny, well-dressed, young professional females, ages 22-26 who are looking for friends. I'm it!!" OK, but seriously, with the month of September here, I'm focusing on making new friends. It's getting really old going out to eat with my parents, and out to drinks after dinner with them, and then coming home before I'd normally go out... 

I made a quick trip to Grand Rapids on my way to Chicago to see a few of my housemates from last year. It seriously doesn't even seem like I left Aquinas - until of course I meet new   freshman and they're way too uncomfortable and quiet around me. I loved being back though. Aquinas will always have a piece of my heart.

...But onto what I've been looking forward to for a few months now... CHICAGO.

The highest of the highs came on Saturday night- when I finally got to see my idol live and in person playing basketball. I was seriously on cloud 9, and I might still be, about being able to see her in play again! I went to see Swin Cash play and had a front row seat. The game was to clinch the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference and was a very good ball game until the Chicago Sky pulled away. Was it worth it going all the way to Chicago for a WNBA game? ABSOLUTELY. It's not crazy, it's sports. 

Front row. I was a little kid in a candy shop. Someone pinch me...

Oh, and while I was in Chicago, I spent some quality time with Carey, so that was the perfect ending to my first summer as a graduate. We went to this amazing place for breakfast on Sunday and I think I gained 4 lbs. just off of the cinnamon rolls they served there. So of course, I can't wait to go back. 

Well, football is back, the MLB is gearing up for playoffs and it's finally time I say goodbye to my Lilly dresses until the spring. 

Here's to another undefeated football season at Aquinas College!

xx

A Few State Championships Later

Always try and keep your promises, especially when they're to someone who means the world to you. 

My father missed the 2002 Little League State Championship game, coaching for Grosse Pointe Farms-City Little League, to take me to my first Detroit Shock game to see (and meet!!) my idol play against her former college roommate and teammate for the first time. 

I'm really not sure what other memory I have with my Dad that tops this one. My dad stayed true to his word no matter how conflicted he was. Thank goodness he was coaching with a great man, Mr. Getz, who told him to take me to the game. 

Getting to meet Swin Cash and Sue Bird, getting autographs and seeing them play each other in their rookie season, was better than anything I've ever received on Christmas morning. 

Everything seems to be coming full circle, because on Saturday, I'm seeing my idol play in person, eleven years later, for probably the last time. Chicago, here I come. Conway's seeing Cash one last time! 

Oh yeah, the Farms-City boys won that state tournament :)

xx #32

The last Detroit Shock game I ever attended!

(Another great memory I have of my Father was when he had his 2001 Little League State Runner-Up team come to a swim meet of mine to cheer me on. I was the 10-year old little sister who never missed a game of my brother's. Now, I swam like the 3rd event, the 17th event and the 37th event. My father just asked them to see me swim my first event, but the boys stayed for the WHOLE meet and cheered me on like I was racing for an Olympic Gold. Looking back, I probably should have lived up my popularity a bit more, but hey, I was just so excited they were there to support me. I'll never forget that.)

July Recap

The month of July could quite possibly be my favorite month of the year, even if it is when I somehow always get 3rd degree sunburns. Although it's so busy and just flies by, it is filled with so many perfect events, nights and weekends with my favorite people.

It all started with my company's summer work party which was held in downtown Detroit at the unbelievable and beautiful Campus Martius Park. I had a friend accompany me and I definitely met a lot of new co-workers, strengthened the relationships I had previously developed and took advantage of everything the party had to offer - especially the photo booth. Seriously, NEVER throw a big party without a photo booth...

Over the 4th of July, I had a "staycation," which was much needed after go-go-going since I started my position on May 13th. Finally finishing an overdue library book, doing loads and loads of laundry, hanging out with Granmo, organizing my room and watching season 1 of The Newsroom was how I spent 48 stress free hours. 

Then I spent two PERFECT weekends in a row up at Pointe Aux Barques with my best friend. Her cottage, #Cottage35, treated us to a much needed escape from our 8-5 jobs. 

I did not take this photo, but it is the best photo I've ever
seen that attempts to represent how beautiful PAB truly is.

My best friend and I on Thumbnail...
Literally, the very tip of the thumb of the Michigan mitten!
(I love when I get friends to represent Aquinas... Go Saints!)

My second weekend up at PAB was "The Best Weekend of the Year," which is also known as July Dance Weekend. This year, my best friend invited her college golf teammates up for the weekend, and most of them came (even her teammate from Indonesia...!!) I can't even begin to describe how perfect July Dance Weekend always is. Saturday night is my favorite part of the weekend because all the girls dress up in Lilly Pulitzer dresses, Jack Rogers and their grandmother's pearls. The guys sport different colored pants, their best Brooks Brothers bow ties/ties and sport coats. We take an absurd amount of photos before, during and after dinner, which is oh so annoying at the time, but oh so awesome come Sunday morning. The dance itself features a live band and dancers from the ages of 16 all the way up to 80+. From Sweet Caroline to Shout, it's always a night that will go down in the history books. 

The preppiest group you have ever seen, in front of #Cottage35

It's hard to follow a weekend at PAB, but fortunately the St. Clare Golf Outing gets that pleasure. The St. Clare Golf Outing Committee and Athletic Committee started working on this outing over Memorial day, and our recap meeting is tomorrow night (read: Finally, the golf outing is over! Wait, it's over??!) It truly is the only golf outing I've ever been apart of where I enjoy every second of it, regardless of the stress it brings. This year, everyone's hard work, planning, sales, marketing and donations made it the most successful outing yet! My best friend golfed with me, along with two of my friends from St. Clare (one just so happens to be my best guy friend). Although I arrived at the course at 9:45 am to set up, and did not get to bed until 2:30 am, the fact it was so much fun trumped my lack of sleep (and lack of coffee in my bloodstream). The golf outing was such a success that we ran out of open spots for golfers & golf carts at the course. At the after party, we even ran out of beer, food, utensils and plates!! Thank goodness they were quickly replenished by our awesome volunteers! :)

"Once a Falcon... Always a Falcon"

Even with all of the craziness the month of July brought, I was still able to volunteer a bit for the AAU Junior Olympics, coach basketball and give back to some young athletes, pass my 60 day evaluation at work (phewf) and do a bit of exploring in Detroit! 

"If you want to learn what someone fears losing,

watch what the photograph"

xx

Friends who become Family

It's amazing what people can mean to you, even when they're not "family." One of my little sisters is heading off to college tomorrow and it's so weird. This is the same girl who's basketball games I would attend when she was in 8th grade. (Side note, she was a premier basketball player, but she blew her knee out in an AAU tournament in 8th grade. During rehab, she began to row, and the rest is history... still in the making!) 

It seems like just yesterday I was losing my voice rooting for her 8th grade basketball team. Now, I'm trying to give her advice, courage and confidence as she heads to Charlottesville to experience the best four years of her life. Through tough work and perseverance, Janey has garnered a scholarship to college and will be on the Crew team. Knowing that Janey will be a part of a team is SO reassuring to me because I don't know what I would have done without my teammates during college. Teammates are your family at college.

This past week, Jane and I went out to dinner at Detroit's Green Dots Stable (which was delicious). Afterwards, we bought lotto tickets as it was on my 101 list to do in 1001 days. After I lost a whopping $4 on my lotto tickets, we went back to Janey's house. I did not leave Janey's house until 10:30 -  Janey left at 10:00. Seriously, it's amazing how friends turn into family, and how their families turn into friends, family, mentors, role models, etc. 

I come from a small family, but I've always gravitated towards friends with larger families, or at least families who have the same type of "doors always open" mantra. I guess I've always gravitated towards teams that have a lot of participants too! Every Sunday my mom cooks Sunday Night Dinner for our family and for my brother's God-Father, who has turned into our Uncle Bell. Every Sunday I extend the invite to friends, coaches from St. Clare, Bell's former students, etc. I want nothing more in life than to be happy, and I do this by surrounding myself with families and friends who are good people, great role models and full of love. 

The support Janey's family has given me is remarkable, but I just hope I can give their daughter (I mean my sister) a percentage of that same support in return. 

Here's to you, Jane, the world is your oyster. 

xx

P.S. Janey isn't my only "sister"... :)