The best philosophers come in small packages!

   I don't consider myself a selfish person, (isn't that the first sign that you are??) but some days I really just wish that I had no responsibilities and was free of all commitments. I always try to remember the saying "if you love what you have, you will never want for anything." Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my life and everyone and everything that is a part of it. I just don't want to do anything. I want a day or two to myself when no one needs me, nothing needs to be cleaned, cooked, worked on, etc.
  Sundays are my favorite day of the week because I get the opportunity to remember that the world does not revolve around me (and Sunday Naps of course). The reason I love Sundays is church. I get to spend 40 minutes with some funny 6 and 7 year olds. I get to laugh with them, play with them, give them candy, and then send them home to their mothers.
I always grumble on my way to church, 9 am church is crummy, I whine I don't want to go and (gasp!) that I hate primary, Wa, wa, wah! I give myself quite the pity party. I have come to realize that I am not a morning person.
But when I enter my classroom, and see those smiling, shiny, little faces of those kiddos, I completely change my attitude.
  I learn so much from these kids. They display their faith so simply and easily with no embarrassment  doubt, or fears and they are always so Happy. I am not saying we aren't without our little struggles, they are 7 year olds after all. I love teaching these kids the simple truths of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, they remind me to keep a humble heart and open mind. These kids remind me that no matter how much education I have, the kind of career I build, that none of it matters unless you can take time to laugh at yourself, love the Lord, and love myself.

  I wouldn't give up or trade my life for anyone else's life. I adore my husband, I have loving parents, and a little sister who calls me her hero. I love Sundays.

A Bittersweet Moment

Tonight was the last night of my MBA program and it was a bittersweet experience. I am truly happy to be done and grateful for the experience. I also have a profound feeling of accomplishment with myself and my choices. However, I was still sad to see my student days come to an end.

I wrote the following for my in class recap of my learning experience, writing it really made me reflect on my life and the new paths that are to come.

          The past 18 months has brought numerous changes in my life, both personal, and professional, which have one constant common thread running through them, my masters program. I understood that by pursuing a higher education I would gain many benefits and the probability of increasing my annual salary; however, I never expected for the changes to take the shape they have become. These new learning experiences have taught me that I am the only one that can limit me.
            My parents have a grade school and high school education between them, the idea of college was just a dream for them hard work was their reality. Higher education was not within reach for them but advocated for it strongly with their children. The ethic of hard work and honesty has been taught so well to me that it is ingrained into my genetic code. I was the first of my family to pursue a college education, quite the achievement for my family. This was not enough. I pushed myself harder and I finished with the reward being a bachelor’s degree.  For many it would have been enough. For me it wasn’t.

 I was fortunate to find employment with a Fortune 100 company that encourages employees to take advantage of the many benefits they offered. I decided to pursue my master’s in business administration. The decision was not easy for me to make because I was struggling between pursuing a master’s in Latin American history or economics. I had never considered a business degree of any type. The deciding factor was my natural aptitude and appreciation for the business field, and its varied possibilities. I credit my father for that; he embodies the American dream, an immigrant with nothing to successful business and homeowner. I always rebelled against the idea of working in commerce or business; I dismissed it as too plebeian.  I enjoy the business realm and now I wish I had done my undergraduate in business management or accounting. 

            University of Phoenix was an interesting learning experience considering I had only a one year break in my studies from undergraduate to graduate. As well coming from a traditional university to a school with a pedagogy built around working adults was quite the adjustment.  I have learned many things from the program; however the most beneficial thing I learned was people management. UOPX has built their classroom curriculum around learning teams and teamwork. I was not exposed to this much during my undergraduate so had no real experience with this setup. Then my natural talent for leadership emerged. I learned a lot on how to work with others, lead without authority and eventually project lead within each team and class.

            My formal education has come to a halt for the foreseeable future. I will continue learning
and developing, I believe that learning should be a lifetime pursuit not just a small fraction of my life.