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!

My week via Instagram + I just might have to buy these

Whew! Is anyone else happy this week is coming to a close? Don't get me wrong, it's been a great week. I had some awesome colleagues in town and got the chance to work out of our corporate office, but we were slammed with big projects and transitions all week and I think the ol' brain is a little fried. This weekend, I'm looking forward to sleeping in, running some errands, catching up on my TV shows, and just relaxing. Here's a little look at what's gone on over the last 7ish days...

1. A triple grande, non-fat no whip white mocha. My go-to 'I need to get shit done' drink. BAM.

2. Point Pleasant Beach last Saturday.

3. Crab legs at the shore. The best I've ever had. They didn't stand a chance.

4. Luke and I have been cleaning and packing. I married a clean freak, PTL. Isn't he adorable cleaning in his shorty shorts! :)

5. Dinner at Arthur's Tavern in Morris Plains, NJ on Tuesday night. Love the lights!

6. Why is lemon cayenne juice so popular in the clean eating/cleanse world right now? I almost died drinking this thing couldn't finish it.

7. Luke surprised me on Monday and came home early + brought flowers. So glad I get to keep him forever.

8. I was so tired after all my meetings this week.

9. Work hard, play hard. Drinks with the girls Wednesday night at Caitlin's Ten. 

And on a random side note, did anyone else get the new Michael Kors catalog in the mail the week? I'm OBSESSED with all the MK fall shoes!! Pumps, booties, flats...they are all so cute!! Looks like it's time for my to start saving my pennies. :)

Have a great weekend y'all!! 

The perks of moving to Houston...

1) These people live in Houston...

{From top to bottom and left to right: Emily (sister), Claire (sister), Cat (friend), Amy (aunt/big sister}

2) These two visit Houston ALL the time...

{Becca (sister) and Mom}

3) Houston means I live close enough to Waco to justify buying season tickets for...

4) Luke and I don't have to give up the "city" life...

5) I get to do research on this website and dream of buying/building a home in the somewhat near future...

And of course, there are many other reasons (being just a couple of hours from family and friends, amazing shopping, some of the best shows/concerts/sporting events, etc.), but these are just a few off the top of my head and especially on my heart right now. 

Houston, I'm getting excited to call you home soon. :)

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.