Where do you even begin an "update" post when you haven't blogged in 6 weeks??

Are you wondering if I'm still alive? Maybe not, since I'm sure there are all of about two people that even keep up with my blog anymore. I've been a terrible blogger the last few weeks (six and a half, to be exact!) and I feel terrible about this. Mostly, I feel like I've neglected myself. SO much life has happened since I last posted on my blog and I love the way writing allows me to sort through my thoughts and write about life experiences that I always want to remember. I've missed my blog!

Ok, it's time to catch you all up! Where to begin...

Well, the last time you heard from me, Luke and I were still in New Jersey. This is no longer the case! Over Labor Day weekend, Luke, I, and the pups packed up our apartment and car and drove 1700 miles from New Jersey back to Texas. It was crazy y'all, but waaay better of a trip than either of us expected. The pups did great and we were even able to stay the first night with friends in North Carolina, which was a HUGE blessing. We made it to Texas just in time for a Labor Day BBQ with my parents on Monday evening and it was the best welcome home possible!

After our first night in Texas, we got back in the car and headed down to Corpus Christi for a few days to catch up with family and friends. We had many lunch, dinner, and coffee dates with friends and family over those four days and it felt so good to be back in South Texas! I don't think I had realized how much I'd really missed my old stomping grounds until we were back. Luke, on the other hand, kept saying, "I love it here. I'm never leaving again. Why did we leave Texas in the first place?" Ha! Saying this Texas boy is happy to be home would be an understatement. :)

As if life hadn't been enough of a whirlwind up to this point, that next Saturday I hopped on a plane to Vegas for my company's annual convention. I spent almost an entire week in Vegas attending general sessions, meetings, break out sessions, and a trade show, although the pictures below don't quite depict this, ha! Lucky for me, I work with an amazing group of people that know how to both work and play hard. We had a great convention and I just know this next year of work is going to be the best yet!

 

(P.S. Luke stayed in Texas while I was in Vegas and helped my dad get a few things done around the house and ranch. He's the best son-in-law!)

Since I've gotten home from Vegas (about two weeks ago), work and school have both picked up like crazy! Between my job and taking two courses this semester, I feel like I'm talking marketing and information systems 24/7. Over the next six weeks, I'll travel to Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Austin, West Texas, and New Jersey (twice!). Throw a couple of quizzes and mid-terms in there and this girl has a full plate! But I must confess that I'm loving it and I'm so glad that I decided to go back to school for my MBA when I did.  As stressful as some days can be, I know that I'm right where I'm supposed to be. 

 

{Left to right: homework, working from my parents' house while the baby sister studies, my 1 year appreciation gift from my company}

 

So, I think that's about the best recap/update I can give you guys at this time. There are quite a few questions I haven't answered, such as, "Where are you and Luke living?" and "What's Luke up to these days?" But answers to these questions will have to wait for a later date. Let's just say both are a work in progress and that God is good. Once I have more updates, I'll share, I promise. :)

 

Hope you had a great weekend!

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

When I decided this past spring that it was time to take the GRE and apply for grad school, I had no idea the headache that this process (at times) would be. Although it had been a few years since I'd last applied to college, I knew enough to expect a bit of studying for the GRE, requesting recommendations letters from employers and colleagues, and writing application essays. What I wasn't expecting was to have conversations that included,"I sent you my official transcripts WEEKS ago! What do you mean you can't FIND them?!"and "What do you mean I have to pay out of state tuition? I'm a TEXAS resident!!" And so, the first stresses of earning my MBA began.

A couple weeks ago, I called my mom and explained to her that my account balance for this upcoming semester was about $2k more than it should be because I was being charged out-of-state tuition [long story, but my NJ address ended up on my application and made my Texas college think I was a permanent resident of NJ even though I've never forfeited my Texas residency], which of course freaked me out. MBA programs are expensive enough without being hit with out-of-state tuition! I complained to told my mom that I was going to have to petition for Texas residency after all of the work I'd already put in to being accepted to grad school. At this point, I was just so tired of the paperwork! And in true Julie fashion, she said, "Sara, remember, if it was easy, everyone would do it. You've already come this far, what's a little more paperwork to fill out?" Got to love moms. Always telling you exactly what you need to hear.

So, back to the paperwork I went. Petition documents? Check. A letter from my boss confirming my employment? Check. Bank statements from the past six months? Check. Although, they only asked for one month, but hey--two can play this game. Have fun sifting through with six months of bank statements registar's office. Muahahah! Pay back. :)

And then on Wednesday, I got this saweeet email...

I can't even begin to tell you how pumped I was to receive this email!! First of all, I didn't think I'd hear back so fast. Second of all, my tuition payment deadline is quickly approaching and I was nervous my request wouldn't be processed in time. And lastly, I was considering deferring a semester if all of this hadn't worked out because I'm definitely not paying an additional $2k just because people do not believe me when I say I hold a permanent Texas residence, was born and raised in Texas, went to high school and college in Texas, and I own cattle (that makes me Texan, right? Jk!).

All in all, mom's reminder was spot on. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. And I'm so glad that I've made the decision to go for it; GRE, applications, and residency petition forms included. With women still being significantly out-numbered in the world of MBA candidates and a desire to always be learning and challenging myself, I know that the day I walk across that stage with my MBA will be one of the proudest days of my life (and I probably won't even remember these early stresses!). 

{I love this movie! via}

Now, if only I can keep this quote in mind while I train for my half marathon and take Business Calculus, bleh!

Linking up over here.

One day at a time.

Moving...As you could possibly expect, life has been a little crazy around here lately. If you didn't read my previous post, I was offered the opportunity to relocate back to Texas and Luke and I are moving back in a little over 5 weeks. It took a few days for the dust to settle (we jumped straight into budgeting moving expenses, figuring out where we're going to live, etc.), but I'm feeling really great as everything is falling into place for the big move!

{Ha! This made me laugh. via}

Work...Everything is going great, but soon I'll be shoulder-deep in transitioning from my current territory in the northeast down to my new territory in the southwest. This will include me helping train someone new to take over my old position AND me being somewhat trained for my new position (although the latter should take less time). I've got a work trip to Vegas in September, one in New Jersey in October, and another in Florida in November. This girl is going to be on the MOVE! And this doesn't include my many shorter distance trips to Houston, Austin, San Antonio, West Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley throughout the fall. Summer is almost over y'all and this means work is about to kick into a whole new gear of busy! 

{via}

School...One thing I haven't talked about on the blog just yet is school. Back before we had any idea about being relocated, I decided that it was time for me to go back to school for my MBA. This is something I've always wanted to do, but the timing just hadn't been right until now. Back in June, I was accepted into UT Dallas' Naveen Jindal School of Management Professional MBA program. This program feels like it was created for my unique work and travel schedule. It might take me three years to finish it, but I can't wait to get started and to someday have my MBA!

{My sweet friend sent me this after she found out I got into grad school. Love her!}

Luke...This guy is amazing, y'all. I've been so grateful to have him by my side as we've decided to relocate back to Texas and make another huge life transition. He's wrapping up work in NJ and has already started the process job hunting in Texas. Please say a prayer for us as he goes through this process! God is already opening doors and we just want to be prayerful and faithful as we seek His will for this next step in Luke's career. Also, Luke is the mastermind behind all things moving (renting the truck, planning the route, budgeting the cost, etc.) and I'm so thankful for this! As you can see, this girl has A LOT on her plate as is. And at the end of the day, this guy lets me cry, scream, laugh, and just talk it all out as I self-induce panic attacks when thinking too much about all of these big changes.

I'm just taking it all one day at a time. But I must say, these temps in the mid-60s sure are helping make this week a lot less stressful. It's like a tease for fall, pumpkin spice lattes, and baked apple pie candles (I can't wait!).

Hope your Thursday is blessed. :)