MBA Boot Camp Day Two

I am 2 days deep into my MBA program and loving it. The preparation I did before school began has really put me into a comfortable space. Don't get me wrong, there is a TON of work to do, but having read those 1000 pages ahead of time, I feel good about it, and I'm really having fun... all but the exception of my butt in a hard chair for 8 hours/day. Both professors are great about giving us breaks every hour or two, in which I walk up and down the steps of the business building.

I am by far learning in the most beautiful building on campus, and with an amazing group of students. The group is diverse, with people from every walk of life. I love it.

My group members for this 3 week session are a mid twenties woman who studied Avian Sciences (yes, birds-mostly poultry) from Sacramento, and a guy who grew up on the East Side in Manhattan, who speaks 4 languages and lived in Rome for a few years, among other places. It's a trip hearing everyone's stories about how any why they got to this point. I stick out like a sore thumb, needless to say. My Technology and Commercialization professor smiles at me as I talk about health technology... they've found if removing one of the essential amino acids from the diet, it results in rapid weight loss. Hello obesity epidemic! It wasn't published which one, but I think I'll email the researcher.

I'm being proactive, except for the 1/2 hour I'm typing this blog, I've spent all my time 100% focussed in order to get things done quickly and efficiently. I am a different student then I once was, I'm eager to be there and to learn and holy smokes is this great stuff! It also provides that structure I was so badly lacking in my life... one place to put energy into.

I've stepped down from my roles in supporting others; my oh my does that feel good for once. I love to spread wellness and happiness, but I don't think I was happy in my situation. I need to take care of myself first before I can touch others and not be a bitter betty.

So, I'm a happy girl... a busy but happy student. Maybe I'll just keep going to school after this... a PhD?! Mind you, this is day two... I must keep the momentum up :) 10 months I've committed to, and 10 months I'll kick butt at.

Anxiety Central

Nerves nerves and more nerves.

The start of my school year consists of a 3 week intensive session, two classes that regularly run 11 weeks, shoved into 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. That's 40 hours in class, and the professors advise planning on 2 hours of homework per hour spent in class. That adds up to 24 hours per day.

I'm waiting on my 6 books in the mail, of which I have to complete one entire book and many reading assignments before my first day.

I quit my job at the city, and quit teaching yoga. I have 5 more work days at the city before departure and a lot of work to do. I'm still waiting to hear back from financial aid about how much money they will loan and grant me. Their first offer just wasn't enough, and was based off of my last tax year, in which I made almost 4X what I did this past year. Hopefully with more information they'll be able to grant me some free money. What a thought!

I'm glad I worked the city job for a year, but it was devastating financially. The employees are bummed I'm leaving to say the least, but I'm setting the next person up for ultimate success, I think. She'll have all her contacts, procedures, all the information I've used and created the last year at her fingertips. I feel like the last year I really made a sacrifice, and that now is coming to an end. I'm entirely focussing on myself and my studies, for the first time in a very long time.

But I'm so nervous, my voice has been shaking, spontaneously crying, and I'm just not well put together. I can do it. I've made it this far, no use in turning back. That was my philosophy running up Madonna last night, only that story ended with me running downhill in pitch black with adrenaline pumping and fear of mountain lions.

Take a breath, ready go!

I made the cut. By next June I will have an MBA from Cal Poly! Until then, it's canned food student loans and no play money.

BUT FIRST, it's 9 nights at Pinecrest Lake, the best place on earth with all those on the planet I love the most!!

Wahooie!

A small breather and then school starts on the 25th of August! What did I get myself into?!