"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We're young enough to say”
Good Life by One Republic accurately describes my current life. It’s totally my widows down, shades on, stereo blasting song as I drive.
As a consultant In my line of work, I have found myself all over the world, unsure of the time or my purpose. Yes, my current job sounds glamorous on paper, and yes, I have acquired a lot of points, miles, and status from traveling, but the true gauge of any life is happiness. I feel as though happiness is indefinite – you know it when you feel it/are feeling it. As metaphorical as it sounds, traveling has been the only time that I find myself able to reflect on life. As I write, I’m traveling from Los Angeles to Houston on my way to London for the week. Having just attended the wedding of a cousin who I haven’t really know, I find myself taking part of the flight not working, but rather, reflecting on life. Though some days I don’t feel like I’m living happiness; all things equal, I must admit that I am feeling it.
My favourite quote so far is “It’s good to have an end to journey to, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Life has been a whirlwind of working and traveling as of recent – India, Houston, London, Paris, San Francisco, Des Moines, Los Angeles. 70+ hours of work, 6 hours of sleep on a good weeknight, drop in 10 pounds due to the lack of time to work out, the switch to vegetarianism. All these are data points to capture the last few months from a checklist standpoint, but life is more than just a checklist. My collection of experiences, feelings, emotions (or lack thereof) so far causes me to evaluate and reflect. The journey has been wonderful so far. I tell friends what I do and have experienced and I cannot believe what comes out of my mouth. Here I am, an almost-23 year old, one year out of college, working with large Fortune 100 clients doing valuable work and progressing thought to change the business. In the grand scheme of things, there are a few things of my journey to complain about – a few long hours, frustrating clients, annoying coworkers, lack of a consistent personal life – however, the journey, overall, has been splendid.
“Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We are God of stories, but please tell me
What there is to complain about?”
Above, I intentionally scratched through what I originally wrote. “As a consultant”… I have a newly realized issue with defining myself as a consultant. I am not a consultant. I am a young professional who is consulting with a major consultancy. Despite the stresses and wrenches my job can throw into my life, I have decided to take an existential view my life; rather than defining myself by how I’ve had to react to the consulting job, I need to define myself by my journey. The journey is good so far and I have little fear that it will worsen.
“It’s good to have an end to journey to, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
####
Edit: I wrote this post on the plane from LAX to IAH and intended to post it during my layover. That layover turned out to be 20 minutes so I'm now in London at the client site, and I finally have had time to post this.. so literally, I woke up in London yesterday (since it really is yesterday in the US but it's today in the UK).
Mood: Enjoying the nice 60-70s in San Fran!
Music: King of Anything - Sara Bareilles (cover by Sam Tsui)
This week has been a great week. I truly feel like I’m owning a workstream for the first time: managing upwards, setting a timeline, engaging the clients, and creating value.
My motivation this week has come from within like I haven’t ever experienced before. In the past, I have just been responsible for executing on an assignment that has been dictated down to me by my superior. This week (and last week), I was assigned a topic and told an end-goal that they wanted to see. Based on that, I had to plan and prioritize my time accordingly to get the job done.
After 2 status updates today, I got positive feedback from partners and managers within my firm and excitement about where this project is headed. I even heard repeatedly that this work has been extremely valuable and that the work I’m doing will really make a difference with our client. That’s something awesome that I didn’t expect to experience and own on this case.
So as I write this, I’m flying west to Bay-Area to visit my brother for the weekend. This case, I’ve been keen on alternative traveling. I’m going to San Fran this weekend. In mid-September, I’m going to London on business and taking a weekend trip to Paris the week before for Bain World Cup (a global Bain intramural futbol event). Then at the end of September, I’m flying to Iowa to visit Ishanee and attend at UT vs Iowa State game in Des Moines. After that, in late October, I’m going to LA for a cousin’s wedding. WHOA DANG! That’s a lot of travel. When am I ever going to be in Dallas? My life is truly “Up in the Air(plane)”
Working remotely at my brother's office on Friday in San Fran
~~~~~
On an unrelated note, here are a few jokes I heard on NPR on Thursday from a story they were covering for the "best jokes of the year" as voted on by some joke conference in Europe.
I had to create a password with 8 characters, I ended up using "Snow White and the 7 dwarfs" [#1 for 2011]
Two people were playing a game of chess. One said, "Let's make this more interesting," and they stopped playing. [# 5 for 2011]
And as a kicker, here's a joke at the client site I saw in the bathroom: "My aim is to keep this bathroom clean, your aim will help!" [#1 at a client site]
Mood: How to Love is STUCK IN MY HEAD AND I CANNOT STOP PLAYING IT (~20+ times today alone!)
Music: How to Love by Lil Wayne (Cover by Sam Tsui)
Just another week in Houston. This past weekend, Dave (who was in Dallas on holiday for the week) and Ravi (who drove up from Austin) came to stay at the apartment. We had a bunch of fun catching up, drinking, and being goofy. I, in typical Indian style, started getting sleepy at the bar. =\
Saturday, we went to Clay Pit with a bunch of people and then went to REI and Costco. We also booked our cruise on the Norwegian Epic... Something we've talked about doing since our last cruise during senior year spring break. I am too excited about this cruise, and I hope it will be #epic!
On the work front, I'm learning a lot about manging my own work and being responsible for an entire aspect of the project, including the actual information, creating presentation materials, and engaging with the clients to help them out. It's daunting but I'm enjoying it. One complaint I have is that my right wrist is KILLING me from all this typing. I have a fear that it's an early sign of carpal tunnel.. IDK what I can do.. I'm so young, and I bet the rest of my career will be in front of a computer screen (or hopefully less and less will be).
Oh, and I'm going to San Fran this weekend instead of back to Dallas to visit my brother, Dave, and other friends in the Bay Area!
Here's a morning view of the Williams Tower in Houston from my hotel room
Room service! Lobster bisque, a salmon burger, and pinot noir from Sonoma
Mood: Lower Back Problems- I probably need to see a chiropractor Music: New Lady Gaga video (You and I)
(and don't ask me to explain the video.. i have NO idea, but I like the song!)
This week has been good so far. I'm back at the St. Regis this week in Houston, and b/c the hotel sold out of our corporate rate, I'm paying a higher rate and my room comes with "Butler Service." This butler is supposed to help me unpack/repack/bring night-time beverages for me/do my dry cleaning/shine my shoes.
I took her up on the last offer and here we are (see the photo below)
On a side note, I hate the "royal we" that is used on my team all the time. It's like, I'm clearly the one doing this assignment, when you're giving me feedback, don't say "can WE change this" when I'm the one who's going to be changing it. Lol.
Random other notes today: I got the 1.5L of SmartWater today for lunch and felt obnoxiously yuppie and not very green.
I'm also starting up P90X again! I did arms and shoulders this AM in the hotel room, and it felt good.
Random comment: I just pulled a feather out of the pillow I'm using in the chair of my hotel room that was poking me while I typed. I should have the butler re-upholster this pillow for me.. and PS. where did the world upholster come from?
Lastly, I'm alt traveling to San Fran 2 weekends for now, so hooray for visiting my brother and seeing friends in SF!
To answer your Qs, Chaya: I've never really made a list b/c it always seems obvious what to bring, but I guess I pack so absent-mindedly that I forget the basics. And SPG stands for Starwood Preferred Guest (company of the chains like Westin, Sheraton, The W, St. Regis, Four Points, Aloft, and Le Meridien)
This week was pretty good. Despite the long hours this week, I think I really made a difference at the client this week and was challenged with roles that I had never done before. I also realized that I need to start thinking more long term. A Stanford Graduate School of Business admissions rep came to the office on Friday just to chat with us. After his presentation where he talked all about the structure of the program (which reaffirmed my desire to attend the GSB), I asked him a question about what he recommends me, as a consultant, do to distinguish myself from other consultants in the application. He provided some really pointed advice-- don't see yourself as just a consultant and try to distinguish yourself. My path to getting where I am today has been extremely different from others and my future is different as well. He used the analogy of genotypes versus phenotypes, saying sure, people's phenotypes might be similar in the way they are expressed, but the admissions is trying to find out what you're genotype is. This put it into perspective to me, and really reminded me of my freshman world literature course with Bump, where Bump urged us to really ask "Who are you."
Anyways, the thought about business school also made me act on a few volunteer/charity ideas I've always thought consultants could do, so I finally sent out a few emails this weekend. I'm hoping to launch a toiletries drive for local shelters here by collecting toiletries from all the consultants that travel each week.
To end, I jotted down a few points during the week, but finally got around to post them now, so apologies for the laundry list.
Hot damn, I make good slides
Finally got to use the infamous Iceberg slide!
A black and white stock photo can really class-up a slide
Being Pescatarian isn’t too hard…
except when the Westin puts bacon in your seemingly healthy (and vegetarian) egg white omelet with asparagus and grilled tomatoes
I tweeted a complaint to SPG and they immediate apologized and gave me 2,000 SPG points (I was disgusted and refused another breakfast, opting for yogurt instead)--
I have a strange desire to buy Abercrombie jeans and/or underwear with the hope that it’ll make me look like one of their models…. Oh advertising…
Consulting words I hate to use but find myself using, esp on an re-org case
Align- "I think we're aligned with where this project is going." or "We need to align on what we're going to be covering in tomorrow's meeting"
Word normal people would use: Agree
Reach out- "I'll reach out to you next week when I have a question."
Word normal people would use: Contact
Touch bases/Sync up- "Let's touch bases/sync up before close of business."
Word normal people use: Talk
Ping- "Great! I'll ping you when I'm ready"
Word normal people use: Email, Instant Message, Call, or whatever the actual method of communication is
Volatile market this week--- I managed to get some great deals on a few companies I’ve had my eye on on Tuesday! Hopefully, that works out for me in the long run. If you are thinking of investing and haven’t opened an account, signup with Scottrade and use code: UMOY8793 so we both get 3 free trades.
Music: Next To You by Chris Brown Mood: Consulting
Wow. It's been about a year and a month since my last blog. I feel the need to return to my blog just to I can capture my life and the interesting nuances that occur. I tried doing a photo-365 inspired by Vicki Chang (where you take a photo a day to commemorate each day but that failed after I kept forget to take a photo).
There's a lot that's happened in the last year. Last summer, I traveled Europe with my family seeing The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Paris, and London. I then went to South America with Adriane where we explored the Amazon jungles of Ecuador and hiked the ancient Machu Picchu for four beautiful days. Then, I ended up booking at last minute flight to Hong Kong because a death in the family.
After all that traveling, I moved to Dallas in August where I took a two week, expensive class to become a certified bartender. Then I started work at Bain and Company in September and was staffed immediately on a technology case in Austin for 6.5 months and then a telecommunications case in Dallas for 2 months. During that time, I spend 2 weeks doing in-office training followed by 10 days in Cape Cod at Global Training during Halloween weekend. I also went to San Francisco for a work conference in June.
Shyam, Ravi, and I decided to go to India in July, so I booked a 2.5 wk vacation in January. Having just gotten back from that (see Shyam's blog for those juicy details-- http://workprayplay.wordpress.com/: The entries titled Mughal Majesty, Holy Cow, and Play are the 3 related to our trip) The day I got back from India, I was staffed on an oil and gas client in Houston, and I have been traveling to Houston weekly for the last 3 weeks. Now I find myself here, today, blogging instead of working on a document I need to get done tomorrow by 10am, and I've got a 7am meeting tomorrow morning.
Also, if you tweet, I've created a new hashtag: #ConsultingProblems
I've had two #ConsultingProblems in the last two weeks.. Last week, I forgot my belt. That was annoying, but I was able to borrow one from a co-worker.. This week, I realized I forgot to pack underwear in my suitcase... Needless to say, I had to make a trip to purchase clean underwear. Opps! I really need to create a packing list so I remember to pack everything!
So, in short, I'm back and excited to be blogging!
Music: Stay or Leave by Dave Matthews Band
Mood: Loving Life
Wake up naked drinking coffee, Making plans to change the world While the world is changing us
I haven't blogged in a while, so here's a quick blog. I choose this song and started this blog post while I was packing up in Austin after I was done with finals but before graduation. I had about 1.5 to 2 weeks after finals but before graduation, which I spent hanging out with friends and making memories before everyone scatters. I did the final things on my bucket list, including new restaurants, tower tour, Peter Pan PutPut, and other Austin gems. What I didn't do, which will create an excuse for me to come back to Austin is bats at Town Lake, Volleyball at Aussies, and Sake Bombs at SunHing.
Overall, my review on graduation was a fun time that reaffirmed why I love the friends I have and made me thankful for the four years I have had to develop such strong bonds with people. My parents and my brother came up for graduation, and it was nice to celebrate my graduation with them. I went to the Business School graduation at 9am on Friday followed by Plan II graduation at 9am on Saturday and then the school-wide commencement at 8pm. The day after, Sunday, I drove from Austin to Houston and then caught a flight to Amsterdam with my family for our 3 week vacation in Europe. Here's a photo summary of graduation and of Europe. Enjoy!
(Note: Some photos stolen from Facebook (which were originally stolen from me))
Last Bump Ranch Party Ever (2006-2007 class)
UBC Senior Banquet
Drinks, Snacks, and The Sunset at The Oasis
A Fun Night Downtown!
Plan II Formal
Kinsolving Fun! (Wink Wink)
Senior Photos With Shyam and Vicki by Ishanee
Tour Tour-- a shot of the Quad, where we lived for 2 years
Visit to Shiner, Texas to visit Spoetzl Brewery (and sample 4 6oz beers)
Graduation Festivities Begin
(In front of the tower after my business graduation)
Right before Plan II Graduation- BFFs!
UT Commencement 2010, on a hot, humid evening
(Ravi, Shyam, and I decide to keep it breezy)
As new graduates, 6535/2911 celebrates downtown for the last time together.
The end of an era, the beginning of new memories.
The next day, I fly to Amsterdam for 3 weeks in Europe. I'll try my best to sum up a 3-week trip in a few pictures. I'm warning you, this is extremely brief. We took over 1300 pictures on this trip.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Heineken Experience
(that is called Extra Cold, and the draft shaft is completely covered in ice!)
Amsterdam is nice and quite pretty. I recommend 2 days in the city and that's all. The architecture and canal system are very pretty, and the people are EXTREMELY nice! And no, I did not try any substances that are illegal in the US but legal there.
Brussels, Belgium
A completely touristy indulgences: a Belgian waffle!
(Locals usually just have waffles and sugar. I, of course, get a Nutella-covered waffle!)
Brussels has beautiful architecture but terrible weather, and yes, more chocolate than you can bear because it's so expensive/gourmet (and I love chocolate).
St. Goar, Germany
With "Today was a Fairytale" by Taylor Swift stuck in my head, we explore castles in the Rhine River Valley in Germany
Bacharach, Germany
Dale and I bike along the Rhine River from Bacharach to Bline and explore more castles
We also do Riesling Wine tasting (6 Rieslings from the local vineyards)
We also stop through Koblez, Germany and see where the Maine and Rhine River merge. I love Germany. It's not too expensive and the people are relatively friendly. The food, however, is not the best. I don't want any more schnitzel or fries after this.
Zurich, Switzerland
Fancy shopping and the headquarters of UBS and Credit Suisse (yea, as a business major, of course this would be the picture I post.)
Lucerne, Switzerland
We stay in Lucerne for 2 days and explore the city, cruise the lake, and then summit Mount Rigi
Gimmelwald, Switzerland
On Rick Steve's recommendation, we stay in Gimmelwald, which is only accessible by cable car. This is the view from the hostel. We see the swiss cows and goats graze the mountain side and hear the melodies of their bells and baaa's all day. I feel like I'm in the swiss-version of the sound of music.
Interlaken, Switzerland
After time in Gimmelwald, Interlaken is quite boring and ordinary, but nonethless, still gorgeous.
We spend one more day in Switzerland in Bern, the capital city and explore the old town and see the pretty, sandstone architecture.
Overall, Switzerland is soooo pretty but sooo expensive.
Paris, France
I've already been here before, so I take my family around to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Muse d'Orsay, and Versailles. I try escargot finally. It's chewy like squid and somewhat slimly like an oyster... not bad though. I also end up with an extremely raw piece of lamb one night that I don't eat.
London, England
Fish & Chips and pear cider at my favourite pub in London, Queen's Head in Hammersmith. Aside from all the touristy things and museums, I see Wicked with my family (AMAZING!!!) and Avenue Q with my brother (very funny!). I also continually drink Strongbow on draught and get very sick of pub food.
Well, that's a quick picture summary! I'm going to Ecuador and Peru on Thursday for three weeks with my friend, Adriane. We're hoping to do Amazon exploration in Ecuador and get a feel for the culture, and we intend on doing Machu Picchu in Peru! Another fun trip ahead, and I'll be sure to post with pictures.
As for my plans, I'm moving into my apartment in Dallas on August 7th and then starting work a month later on September 13. During my down time, I plan to make a college photo album (with about 110 pictures from each year) as well as a college senior recital (similar to the one we did in high school). I also hope to learn the Rosetta stone in Spanish or Mandarin and also take bartending school! We'll see what happens!
Music: John Mayer- Comfortable Mood: Strange, Empty Sensation
"our love was comfortable and so broken in she's perfect so flawless or so they say"
Comfortable is a good way to describe how I feel about college. Four years here at UT, I've become comfortable. My college experience was anything but perfect or flawless, but it has been comfortable.
After an extremely rough week, I can officially say that I am not yet ready to graduate because I am so comfortable. For me, high school was not the most exciting even though I throughly enjoyed my high school years. College was a place for me to start over, to explore my identity, discover my passions, start and cultivate new and old friendships, and develop my place in the world.
With graduation only a month away, I'm scared and nervous. The future is so uncertain, and I am not ready for the change. I'm comfortable where I am, with the friends I've made, the college routine I've established, and the carefree lifestyle I currently live. Moving to Dallas and starting work signifies the start of a new life, full of responsibilities, obligations, long hours, less holidays and personal time, and commitments. It also means the start of new relationships and more independence.
Attending the wake and funeral of a high school friend this past weekend was emotionally and spiritually draining for me. While I didn't know him too well, I left feeling tired and sad. Life is extremely short and valuable. I am thankful for my loving parents and my amazing friends. Without them, my life would not be what it is and I would not be who I am today. I know I take for granted my friendships and the people I know, and I am truly grateful to be part of their lives. Even with acquaintances, I've found myself making a genuine effort to say hello and find out how they are doing. There is no point in holding grudges or complaining about small things. There's no reason to think you're better than or cooler than someone else, and I know for a fact that this weekend has change my view on life. While I've always been an advocate of living in the present and welcoming the future, I know that after this week, I want to be remembered as someone who was caring, selfless, and enjoyable to be around.
I'm pleased with who I've become over the last four years in college. I think I've grown mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I will be sad to say good bye in a month. I'm making an effort to say hello to people I don't really talk to and to be bold. Unhindered by social norms, I am trying to reach out, go out on whims, be the one to initiate, and say "yes" more than "no." I'm trying to live up my last month here in Austin, relish the present, and embrace what is in store for the future.
I love this song! I hadn't heard it in a while but I heard it on the cruise during a Broadway show, and it reminded me how beautiful it is! Enjoy!
It's been way to long since I've posted in this thing. Since I haven't been blogging for the business career services, I've slowly found less and less time to post. Let's see what's happened since I last posted.
Spring Break was a blast! I went on a cruise with three of my best friends and left out of New Orleans, going to Costa Maya, Guatemala, Belize, Cozumel before returning to New Orleans. It was the first time I had done anything significant for Spring Break, and it was my first time on a cruise. It would be an understatement to say I had a blast and would love to do another cruise again. For a week, we called the Norwegian Spirit our home. I didn't have a computer, internet access, a cell phone, or any obligations. We really didn't have to care about what time it was unless we were trying to make dinner plans, a specific show, or ensure we wouldn't miss our boat when we were on the shore. The drinks kept flowing, the sun shined brightly, and the excursions were fun at each of our stops. I'm glad the four of us were able to take a week break from school, and I am definitely looking forward to reunions after graduation. Our goal is to go on the Norwegian Epic! =)
Memorable events:
- Trivia with Joleen
- Befriending Monica, the manager at the restaurant (who helped us get food the last night after all the restaurants and room service closed)
- Meeting Nicki Q
- Hanging out with 2nd City Cast and the Dancers (Tia, Tamara, Kellie Picker, and Twitch)
- Rum Runners
- The Greyhound (drunk guy on the way there, getting lost on the way back)
- $10 for 6 beers and 4 tequila shots and delicious margs in Costa Maya
- Unmarked Taxi in Guatemala
- Zip-lining and Cave Tubing in Belize
- Yummy Belize food from Amigos Bar
- Snorkeling in Cozumel (Paradise Reef, etc.)
- White Hot Party
- Color-changing cups
- Room service 24/7
- Hoagie, Little Spoon, Sunburn, and Red Zipper
- 6535
- Reading and relaxing (I finished Born to Run!)
- Basmati rice at Raffles
Here's a photo recap of spring break:
Starting Spring Break in New Orleans
and of course, hand grenades at Tropical Isle
Dinner the first night at Windows
Us and the Boat in Costa Maya
Us and Candi, our cruise director, at the White Hot Party
In Guatemala during our unmarked Taxi ride
Ziplining in Belize
A fuzzy picture of the Piscataway Periscopes and Joleen during trivia
Pirates and the cast of 2nd City
Snorkeling in Cozumel!
Overall, it was a great spring break, and I was very sad to return back to school. Now that a week has gone by since spring break, I've fallen into the rhythm of things once again, but it's taken a while to adjust. I really just don't feel like doing any work at all. (What's new).
I'm almost done with my thesis. I just need to revise and add an intro and a conclusion. I do need to add a little bit more after I read/flip through one last book I just picked up. This weekend was not that successful in terms of getting work done. (Is it ever?)
On Friday, I did thesis and then my roommates and I hosted our first house party of the year, which I would say, was a success. Coming back from our cruise high, we choose the theme to be White Hot and asked people to wear white. With black lights and glow sticks, we had great drinks, great people, great music, and great fun!
On Saturday, I worked at DiscoverBHP, the last discoverBHP I'll ever be at as a student. I lead ice breakers and I also spoke on the study abroad panel for 3 hours before ending with a lunch. Coming back to my house around 2pm, I was planning on going to Holi, the festival of colors, going on at the main mall, but I was too tired. Instead, I bummed a bit, and then went to go wash my car with Ishanee. (While car washing was a success, I parked under a tree right afterwards and there's fresh bird poop. That's why I hate parking at my house.. there's no covered parking! UGH!). Afterwards, we pulled the futon out onto our porch and had beers, listened to music, and enjoyed the great weather. We then grabbed dinner with the rest of the roommates at Frank and Angie's before going to Whole Foods where we ended the night with dessert and a bottle of chianti wine.
Sunday, I slept in, went to HEB, ate a Changos with Shyam, and then bummed at home and avoided doing work. The only thing productive today was that I tried out barefoot running. After reading Born to Run and doing research online, I've been tempted to buy Vibram Five Finger shoes, which stimulate barefoot running. I went to the store on Thursday to try them on but they're backordered for about a month. So today, I just went to Clark Field and tried running barefoot. I ran 2 miles, and it felt great! It was also the first time I'd gone running since the marathon back in February, so it was an amazing feeling. I really enjoyed running barefoot and could have gone for longer but I had to go to Bowling for Engineering vs. Business week. I bowled 3 games, bowling a 90, 83, and 86. Not too bad but not too good. I did bowl a few strikes and spares! =)
Well, I need to see what work I have for the rest of week. Hope you enjoyed the post!
Music: Air Force Ones- Nelly Mood: Searching for Motivation
This weekend has been nothing but work and more work. I've written more than 34 single-spaced pages for my thesis (which is about 68 pages double-spaced), but I've still got more work to do for it before I'm finished. I'm hoping to be done writing by spring break so I can edit my paper on the way to New Orleans.
Besides the thesis, I've got a finance test on Tuesday and a MAN 374H paper due on Wednesday. The FIN test won't be too hard, but I'm worried about how much work the MAN 374 case will take. Also, I'm going to Taylor Swift on Wednesday at the Frank Erwin Center!!! Somehow, Shyam and I were able to buy tickets online on Saturday morning, after they've been sold on since January, so YAYA for that.
I cannot wait for spring break, and it cannot come fast enough. We're cruising out of New Orleans to Costa Maya, Guatemala, Belize City, and Cozumel before returning to New Orleans. I'm really excited, even though I don't have a new bathing suit, but I've given up looking for a new one that I'm willing to spend that much money on. But we'll see. I might need retail therapy after Wednesday and buy some in the end.
Ok.. Enough procrastination. I need to start studying for finance so I can do management all day tomorrow!
Music: The World's Greatest- R. Kelly Mood: Runners High, but Sore
"I saw the light
At the end of a tunnel
Believe in the pot of gold
At the end of the rainbow
And faith was right there
To pull me through, yeah
Used to be locked doors
Now I can just walk on through
Hey, uh, hey, hey, hey
It's the greatest
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that star up in the sky
I'm that mountain peak up high
Hey, I made it
I'm the world's greatest
And I'm that little bit of hope
When my back's against the ropes
I can feel it
I'm the world's greatest"
I DID IT! 26.2 miles. Done. Finished. Behind Me. I ran the 2010 Austin Marathon on Sunday, February 14th. This was the most emotional race I've done and the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, both physically, mentally, and psychologically. No test, college admissions, interview, job search, anything has been has hard as the marathon I ran yesterday.
The reason behind the marathon is extremely personal for me. For those who know me well, I set goals and do everything to achieve them. Usually, my goals are academic or career oriented, that is, getting good grades, doing well on standardized tests, getting my dream job, etc. Four years ago, I set a very different goal, a goal that I didn't think I'd ever try to accomplish. I volunteered at the Houston Marathon in January of my senior year, passing out water near mile 22 at the top of a pretty steep hill. I was extremely inspired that I said I wanted to run a marathon. I remember going out for runs my senior year and not being able to go past 1 or 2 miles. In college, I forgot about my desire to run a marathon as I focused on my grades and figuring out my career options. Sophomore year, I roomed with Trevor, who did the Austin Distance Challenge and ran in both the Austin and the Boston marathon. While inspired, I didn't have the chance to start training for the marathon because I went abroad in the fall and focused on finding a summer internship in the spring of Junior year. Then I went to Seattle for the summer and had the idea of doing the Austin Distance Challenge my senior year. The training began over the summer and I got up to 6-7 miles over the summer, running around Lake Union after work and also taking a learn-to-row class.
In August, the dates of the 6 races for the Austin Distance Challenge were announced, and two of the races did not work out for me-- one was the Sunday after OU Weekend and the other was the first week of January and I was not going to be able to make those races! Instead, I decided to run the 10 Miler in early November and then see how I felt before registering for the 3M Half Marathon and then then Austin Full Marathon. I ran the 10Miler and the 3M Half very well and I was content with my time and how I felt afterwards.
Right now, however, after running 26.2 miles, I'm am completely sore and cannot move once I sit down for more than about 20 minutes. Hence, I'm currently just loafing on the couch typing when I should be studying for my accounting test on Wednesday!
Anyways, to sum up the marathon, it was exhilarating, challenging, defeating, and moving. I set the goal to finish at least 4 hours and 30 minutes or better. Throughout the entire race, I was going at a 4:10 to 4:15 pace and stayed with the 4:15 pacer for the majority of the race until about Mile 19 to 20. After that, I could feel my calve muscles start to cramp up and I had to start stopping to stretch it out. Around Mile 22 or 23, the 4:30 pacer caught up with me, and he slowly faded into the distance as I had to continually stop to stretch out my cramping calves and stop to walk so that my calves wouldn't go crazy. It was the most defeating and most emotional part of the race, to literally see my goal slip away from me. I had to hopelessly watch as my goal changed from running in 4:30 or less to running as much as could and at least have a running finish. I ended up finishing in 4:36:22, or a 10 minute and 37 minute per mile pace. In my opinion, that's a terrible pace, but I know I lost my goal because of my calves and having to stop to walk and stretch it out sometimes, and there's nothing I could have done about it.
Mile 22 to the end at mile 26.2 was the roughest part of the race, and I thank the supporters for cheering me on. I was pleasantly surprised and motivated when Ravi, Shyam, and Vicki were on the sidelines cheering around mile 24 to 25. They saw me and ran with me for about 100 yards or so just telling me to keep running and that the end was near. Somehow, I hobbled myself across the finish line and completed my first marathon.
There are two random people I'd like to thank during the marathon. One was a lady around mile 15 or 16 who was holding a Staples Easy Button. As I ran by, I smacked it, and it shouted back to me "Now THAT was EASY!" It totally pumped me up and was very cute. The other was an elderly man who was passing out cookies and tissues around mile 19. He was just opening the box and I really need a tissue as I ran by, so he ripped open the box as fast as he could to hand me a tissue so I could blow my nose while running. The supporters are the people who really do make the marathon what it is. From the neighbors who were passing out orange slices, cookies, gatorade, water, or even beer or champagne, they do it because they enjoy it, and their kindness really do make a big difference.
Now, looking forward, I'm not sure what my next athletic goal is. I really do love running, but it's so bad on my knees what I told myself before the marathon that I'd stop running and move into biking. The problem is, running is not the same as biking. Having finished my first marathon but missed my goal by 6 minutes, I'm tempted to run another marathon just to blow this time out of the water, ie. at 4 hours flat, but we'll see what's in store. Right now, I'm just resting, recovering, and avoiding the school work I really need to start. (ie. I have an intermediate accounting test on Wednesday evening that I'm probably not ready for.)
Carb-ing Up at Milto's the night before
Dying around Mile 24!
But even Ravi, Shyam, and Vicki had strength to run with me and even take pictures while running!
Music: The Script- Live Like You Were Dying Mood: Bored
Most of y'all would know this song from the radio. Kris Allen, last year's American Idol winner, released this song, Live Like We're Dying, as a single not knowing The Script wrote and preformed this song already. It's found on the B side of The Script album, and the two artists basically sound the same doing it, but I feel The Script's version is better stylistically.
I must comment that the lyrics of this song are beautiful, and I am trying to live this semester to the fullest.
We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to
turn it all around or throw it all away
we gotta tell 'em that we love 'em
while we got the chance to say
gotta live like we're dying
While this semester stinks in terms of the course load and the work in the classes, I am thankful that I am a second semester senior with a JOB, and I don't really give a rat's butt about the classes any more. One class in particular really annoys me. This professor is know to be a good, engaging professor, but now that I don't care anymore, all his comments and anecdotes seem so trivial and almost annoying. Rather than saying something simply, he has to act like he's so witty and give an extended version of what could have been a quick answer. I've also checked out of school because I'm totally not doing any of the reading that I would have been doing freshman or sophomore year, and I hope I can get away with it.
Beyond school, I've been exploring Austin more and starting to cross things off on my bucket list. Happy hours all over Austin, going to drink specials during the week days, trivia night at the various pubs, hanging out with friends. It's been relaxing, but I want to do more of the fun things. I haven't gone to a concert in a while and I'm wanting to go to Howie Day (with Serena Ryder)-- both of whom I've seen, Matt Hires (with Jason Castro)-- I've already seen Matt Hires before, and I really want to see Citizen Cope (Mar 12) and Taylor Swift. Citizen Cope tickets are $30 and Taylor tix are sold out but I could buy them online for $120 a pop, and I don't know anyone else who would want to go to either concert.
Other than school and hang out and avoiding school, I've been training for the Austin Marathon on February 14th! In fact, I ran the 3M Half-Marathon on January 24th. I had only ran like 12 miles before then, so 13.1 was exciting and exhilarating. My goal was to run it under 2 hours and I ended up finishing with a chip time of 2 hours and 2 seconds. I tried sprinting at the end and wish I had gone 2 seconds faster, but I'm still very happy with my time. It averages into 9 minutes and 9.6 seconds per mile! That's really good, considering I ran the Run for the Water 10miler in 9 minutes per mile! My goal for the marathon is about 4.5 hours! Hopefully I can do it. The Half-Marathon was great! I ran well the entire time, having to stop and massage my numb foot around mile 4, 5, 6 until I stopped happening. I also took Clif Shot Bloks that gave me energy and stamina throughout the race. I'm hoping I'd be able to do double that. In fact, at 13.1 miles, when I reached the finish, I really could have gone for more!
Vicki also ran the half-marathon, and she did really well as well! She's running the Austin Half Marathon and so are many of my other friends. I hope when they finish their half, they'll go and cheer for me for the full. That would mean a lot and help inspire me as I'm struggling through mile 20ish. For training, I'm hoping to run at least 20-22 miles before the full marathon.
In my goals that I set in the last post, I'm hoping for 6-packs by spring break but I'm making slow progress. I mean, I'm running and eating healthy, but I don't know if I'm visiting the gym as well as I should. Also, I've definitely said yes more, as well! Well, I'm done eating my ice cream bar, so I guess I'll head out now. Enjoy the photos below of the 3M Half-Marathon!
The last semester of my undergraduate college career started today, and I'm anxiously anticipating my last class, last test, last group project, and last word to my thesis already. With class on Tuesday from 12:30 to 2 and then again from 5 to 8pm on top of waking up early to go for a run, I'm spent and about to go to bed.
I'm running the 3M Half-Marathon on Sunday (that's 13.1 miles) and I'm so unprepared for it. During break, I didn't really train because of my travels to California as well as getting my wisdom teeth extracted. In retrospect, I should have trained more, despite the cold and the distractions, but what can I do? I went running today for about 6miles and it was a struggle. I had to stop to catch my breath multiple times, which I never have had to stop in the past. Before, my foot started to go numb before I was ever out of breath. I'm extremely worried but what can I do? It's in less than a week and I've screwed up my training. I'm more scared about the full-marathon on Feb 14th!
This semester as a whole is not looking that good, given that it's my last semester of my senior year. With classes that require homework, groupwork, etc., this is one the hardest semesters ever, yet I'm determined to enjoy it. While I'm not one to make new years resolutions, I tend to set goals when life marks a change of pace or a start of something new. Here's what I've contemplated with the start of this new semester:
Abs- As shallow as it sounds, I'd like to have defined abs by my spring break trip. While I know I'm not fat or out of shape, I would like to have defined abs. This revelation came when I was at the Galleria Houston this past Sunday. Well, Abercrombie models are know for their ridiculously good looks and rock hard bodies. Well, outside of Gilly Hicks, the women's lounge line of Abercrombie, there was a model standing in the store front with his shirt off and just wearing jeans, showing off his defined 6-pack. I thought to myself, that would be nice to have! So there we go, I love doing ab/core work, the problem is that I have a smaller layer of fat slightly covering up my abs if I don't flex. I'd like to get rid of that. The joke around my house is 6-pack in 6-weeks for spring break.
Eat better- This is probably along the same likes of the abs. I don't eat that terribly but I do go on eating binges sometime of ice cream or dry cereal. I'm trying to eat smaller meals, snack more, and snack healthier.
Say YES more- instead of saying no to opportunities to have fun, I'm going to say YES and consent to more things. I've made a senior year bucket list that I'm hoping to accomplish before graduation. Along the same lines, I would like to say YES more. This is sort of along the same premise of YES MAN, which was a terrible movie. lol.
Be early- If you know me, I'm usually either late or just on time to things. Instead of keep people waiting on me, it's my goal to be early to things. This means leaving the house earlier or not starting something at the last minute right before I need to be somewhere.
Dress better- While I have nice clothes and plenty of shoes, I've started dressing pretty sloppily. I've moved more into wearing athletic clothes, which is pretty bad. Now granted I do ride my bike to school, but I still think I could try a little bit more than I am right now.
All right, I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed. Good night!
Music: The Man Who Can't Be Moved- The Script
Mood: Content and Satisfied
Happy New Year and welcome Two Thousand and Ten.
Of course Ellen would have the best New Years Glasses of everyone!
I apologize for being missing in action for the last few weeks. I got busy with studying for finals, preparing for winter break, and enjoying the 2nd to last semester of my college career. I do have some good and bad news to announce. Some of you might know that I started this blog because I became a BBA Blogger for the Reality Bytes section of McCombs Career Services. Due to several reasons, Reality Bytes is put on a hold for the spring semester. Thus, as I graduate this May, Fall 2009 was my last semester blogging as a BBA Blogger. The good news is that I will still be updating this blog occasionally. Thus, everything I say represents my own ideas and thoughts, won't be censored or edited, and will thus, probably be more raw.
As a quick recap of what's happened in my life since I last updated, I did extremely well on my finals and in my classes, given that I didn't really study that hard for any of them. Due to the silly plus-minus grading system that should have been grandfathered in, I got one A-minus in Statistics in a semester that should have been a 4.0. Making things worse, statistics was probably one of the simplest classes I've taken during my college career. It's interesting that I got an A in business law and cost accounting but an A- in Statistics. Oh well. My GPA has wiggle room, but I wanted to save some wiggle room for this semester, where I truly won't want to do any work. The only thing I feel like doing this semester is working on my Thesis, everything else (intermediate accounting, finance for lg corporations, capstone management, and capstone finance) I could care less about. Lol.
Beyond school, I got a lucky and was picked in the draw for a BCS National Championship Ticket for $220. Having gone to almost every UT home game this season (except for 1 because of a retreat) and even having attended the BIG 12 Championship game in Dallas where we had a close-call against Nebraska. I really wanted to go to the game in Pasadena but getting hotel and airfare there wasn't reasonable. I ended up selling the ticket and using some of the money to pay for spring break. My roommates and I booked a 7-day cruise leaving out of New Orleans stopping in Cozumel, Belize City, Guatemala, and Costa de Maya!
For the first part of break, I stuck around in Austin to celebrate my good friend's 21st birthday. It was really fun because I was the DD so I stayed pretty coherent for the whole night and got to watch people make fools off themselves! Lol. Happy 21st Little Creamer! After returning home, I enjoyed myself and caught up with friends in Sugar Land! Sugar Land has changed a lot. There are places to drink, hang out with friends, and enjoy yourself! On the 24th, I flew to San Francisco to visit cousins and family! I spent from the 24th to the 31st in Sacramento, playing board games, watching movies, and catching with my cousins. Then on the 31st, my family and I went back to San Francisco where I rang in the New Year watching Ryan Secrest and the ball drop. I really want to go see the ball drop one year. We also explored the Fisherman's wharf as we do every year and also walked around Golden Gate Park. Now, finally because I'm old enough, we went to Nappa Valley to go wine tasting! We went to 4 vinyards, and I tasted (and swallowed) at every single one! I discovered how to taste wine correctly, and I found a liking for Petite Sirah's, reaffirmed my love for Cabernet Sauvigon, and I also discovered a liking for Ports and Moscat's! I really enjoyed the wine tasting, despite how expensive the bottles are. The problem is, I know what tastes good, but I don't know what a good price is. I definitely want to go wine tasting in the Texas Hill Country, where I hear it's cheaper and pretty good.
After getting back to Houston on the 4th, I went to the dentist to get x-rays for my wisdom teeth. I'm having my extraction on the 11th, but between now and then, I'm in Austin watching the game with my roommates and friends. I'm hoping to see the tower light up orange tonight, so Hook 'em Horns!
