MBA

psychology.uwo.ca

As a matter of great rejoicing throughout the land (okay, just me, myself, and I)... I passed Statistics II. No, it was not the best grade I have ever received in a class. Yes, it was a tougher class. No, I did not like the course one bit. But... I PASSED. I never have to take statistics again in this round of college studies. I just find it kind of funny that I can get A's and B's in my MBA courses yet I struggle with and undergraduate Statistics course. Just sayin'.

Trip Update (Sorry, no pictures)

Okay, so it's not even really an update. I just want to let you all know that I am having an absolutely incredible time and I am not really wanting to go home. This vacation is exactly what I needed right now. I promise a full posting with pictures, etc. sometime shortly after I return home. Until then, Ja mata ne!

Leavin' On a Jet Plane...

In case any of you didn't already know, in about 8 hours I will be boarding a plane headed West to the "Land of the Rising Sun." I will be spending 15 GLORIOUS days in the beautiful country of Japan. Visiting the incredible people I met when I served my full-time mission there 5 years ago. This trip has been a long time coming and I can't believe that departure day is already here. So for now I bid you all sayonara! See you in a few weeks :)

Love, Rachel

Utah Weather: AKA Snowing on May 24th

Warning, this is a bit of a venting session...

Dear Utahns,
You live in Utah, most of you have lived here for many years, and yet you act shocked, surprised, and startled by the drastic swings in Utah's weather. Yes, today is the latest day that recordable amounts of snow have been recorded at the airport, but come on... we live in UTAH, wait five minutes, it'll change.
As for me, I don't mind the rain and snow up until the last day of school. The cooler weather keeps my students a little less antsy, and more willing to focus on school. If I had it my way it would rain/snow every day until the end of the school year! Hate me for it, but it makes teaching so much better.
Plus, I really enjoy having plenty of drinking water, bathing water, and even water to keep our lawns green in August and September. We have to get our water somewhere, and last I checked this is how Utah gets most of it's water.
Finally, history has proven that the cooler and wetter our Spring is the cooler our Summer is. I personally am not a huge fan of 100+ degree days all Summer long, so I am more than willing to deal with Snow/Rain when I am cooped up at work.
Most of those complaining about the snow and rain now are likely the ones that will complain that it is too hot come summer, anyway!
So, for now, Bring on the Rain!

Spring Break-Better Late than Never!

As a teacher in the district I work in I was very, very, very grateful for the week-long Spring Break this year. It couldn't have come at a better time and with my Grandmother struggling with Alzheimer's it was a good chance to go back East and visit some family. I hadn't been back East since 2002, so it was about time I took a trip.

Monday night of Spring Break I had a college class. When I went in the wind was blowing and it was still somewhat warm, when I came out of class it was a white-out, blizzard-like storm. I was driving home, on the freeway, going 20 miles an hour, IN APRIL! I left the following morning and it was 30 degrees at home, with 8-10 inches of snow on the ground.

I landed in Atlanta and could immediately tell the difference in temperature. It was 90 degrees and I was in jeans and a sweatshirt! I went straight to the bathroom to put on a pair of shorts.

Haley, Emma, and Me at the Braves Game

I decided to spend the first part of my trip in Atlanta visiting my cousin and her family. She has a 4 year old daughter and twin 2 year old boys. It had been a while since I had seen her, at least 2 years because I had never met her boys. We just stayed around the house, ran errands, and did a lot of visiting. The second evening we took a girl's trip to the Braves Game. For those of you that know me you know that I have been an Atlanta Braves fan for 20 years. (For those of you that are lost, the Braves are a professional baseball team.:)) It was fun to get out to the ballpark, eat my once a year hotdog, and just enjoy an evening watching a game.

The next day I left for Tennessee to visit my mom's parents and her siblings. All of her siblings and her parents live within 1 hour of each other, except for us a few thousand miles away. My grandparents live on a 55 acre wooded lot with trails throughout the property. One of the things I wanted to do while I was there was get on the tractor and just drive around their farm. This city girl sure does enjoy trips out to the farm! My grandfather built their house and my grandmother has always loved her flower bed out front!

While there we also took a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It is always fun to spend time with my grandparents.

My Uncle Ken (we always called him Uncle Buh)

My Grandparents (my mom's parents)

My Uncle John and Aunt Ruth (She is a police officer)

On Saturday my Aunt Ruth asked me if I wanted to go out on patrol with her for the day. I had never been out on patrol, so I of course took her up on the offer. It was a pretty slow day, but it was good to spend the day with her. I always love getting to spend time with Ruth.

Saturday night I drove back to Atlanta to stay at Haley's house and go to Church with her family Sunday morning. It was a wonderful day and I am so grateful for her hospitality. I definitely need to get back to visit sooner rather than later.

Now the countdown is on to the end of the school year!!!

Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Some days I wonder if and when the light will be visible at the end of the tunnel. Life has been crazy for me lately (some of the craziness is my fault and some of it isn't.) Nonetheless, I took a moment to sit down yesterday and go over what classes I will be taking in Graduate school this Summer and Fall (yes, you read that correctly, Summer semester here I come,) and I came to the realization that if the Stars are aligned and everything falls into place I can graduate with my Master's of Business Administration in August 2011. Finally some glimmer of hope is visible! Here's to a busy 18 months or so, wish me luck.

Keep Dreaming

This Post is inspired by a posting one of my dear friends made yesterday. Most of this was my comment in regards to her original posting.

Dreams are just about all I have to hang onto at times. Once upon a time I thought I had my life planned out, then life actually happened.

I was sure that by now I would be married and raising kids, obviously that opportunity hasn't reached me yet. In the meantime I hold fast to my dreams, goals, wishes, and greatest desires.

I have had 3 Big dreams in my life: 1. Serve a full-time mission. 2. Graduate from college. 3. Be sealed in the Temple and raise a family in the Gospel.

None of those happened when I expected them or in the order I thought they would occur. I was always sure that I would serve a mission right around when I turned 21. I received my call 2 months after my 23rd birthday. I was sure I would have 3 years of undergraduate work done, serve a mission, complete school, marry Prince Charming, start my family, etc.

I am still waiting for the 3rd, hoping, praying, and trying to be patient.

So, what are my hopes and dreams? Pretty simple...
1. Be sealed in the temple and raise a family in the Gospel.
2. Continue to enjoy my job as a Teacher.
3. Complete my Master's.
4. Buy a House.
5. Find Joy in the Journey, wherever it takes me.
6. Travel.
7. Endure to the End in Faithfulness.

I know that some of them are a lot more specific than others, but these goals are what continue to motivate me to continue moving forward and to become a better person. I know that the Lord has a hand in all things and that in His timing and as He sees fit. On my end I need to continue in faith and patience and allow Him to direct my path.

"Dream Big"

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes
'Cause better days are sure to come
And when you smile be sure to smile wide
Don't let them know that they have won
And when you walk, walk with pride
Don't show the hurt inside
Because the pain will soon be gone

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

"Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible."