Resolved in 2008: No More Drama

Resolved in 2008: No More Drama! No more waiting for blowback and any other bad emotions pent up inside of me allowing them to fester. It is imperative to immediately address any and all issues that I have either with someone of myself because life is too short to carry grudges. Furthermore, I will diffuse all erroneous and blatant libel and defamation swift and immediately so that they too will not linger. I will be total peace with myself physically, emotionally and spiritually this coming year!

Conversations with my mother and other enlightened discussions

Last night I have told my mother that I have earned a 3.25 grade point average in my initial semester at UDC and she was very pleased. Then I divulged that maybe I was a nerd for carrying three different kinds of calculators to which she said that I was not and recommended that I purchase a leather organizer to store all of them. Afterward, Mom notified me that one of my maternal cousins was expecting in the summer (Hopefully, it would be August because we need more Leos :)). Upon learning that she worked at a restaurant, immediately I cringed remembering the woman at the Wendy’s drive-in who returned to work one month after giving birth. I did not want her to end up like that. My mother then says that another cousin was stressed over her supervisory job at MBNA to which I responded she was probably working with seasonal people who would not return after January. Finally, I confessed that I bought a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes in addition to the laptop as personal Christmas presents. Her reply “Get out!” When I explained to her that how I miscalculated how I would walk in these shoes because they were four-inch heels instead of the one and one-half inch heels of my gold shoes, mommy asserted that I would not be working in them merely attending parties. Furthermore, I should buy a shoe travel bag (She’s very big on bags this Christmas season!). All in all it was great speaking to her because I can tell her anything!

This conversation also crystallizes my 2008 goals because now my math grade goal will be a B+ and I will focus more on my music which are very important to me. In the beginning of 2007, with precalculus being the most advanced math class I’ve ever taken, I could never have imagined that I would earn a B in calculus I and calculus II! This is big for me. However, during our talk, she’s also mentioned the need for balance; and with two USDA distance learning classes outstanding which must be finished, I should heed this clarion call. Taking out more time for me is one of my 2008 resolutions!

Sean Taylor Posthumously Selected to His Second Pro Bowl

Sean Taylor was posthumously selected to start in what would have been his second Pro Bowl. The fans admired his work and even in death recognized his contributions not just to the Washington Redskins but to the National Football League. Taylor will be sorely missed.

A Haute Couture Christmas

Christmas present to myself: I have bought the Jimmy Choo shoes that I have always wanted (the red ones fit better than the black ones plus it’s my favorite color). However, they are four inches (I thought that since my 1 1/2 inch heels have a thinner heel, that the four inches' thicker heel would cancel out any uncomfortable feelings). Though I am 5’ 11” never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought that I would have to transform into Giselle, Tyra or Naomi (Secretly, I wonder how they do it especially when they have to break in new pairs of five inch heels minutes before embarking on the runway). They are so high that my right foot ALMOST cramped and these shoes work my calf muscles (I am used to flats but the ones at the store fit too snug and I worry about them rubbing against my toes). Furthermore, the carpet in my room and apartment are harder than the store’s compounding the problem. Oh well, I have four weeks to break them in so I will be okay! At least I have stayed within my budget!

Opportunity Journal #17: Push, Persistence and Perseverance Pay Dividends

Yesterday my professor returned my take-home exam and on its front sheet had my score and overall course grade which astounded me because I did not think that I earned a B. This pleasantly surprised me and immediately I thought about taking calculus III and not fighting over finishing the lab assignment's last problem because there was enough cushion to sustain myself. Also I learned that I was the only student who completely solved all of the problems (because well, that was what was required of me so I did it!). During the beginning of the review session, another student talked about one who departed early. I told him that he resided far away and since it was an evening class, the trains and buses took longer. However, I secretly did not condone him leaving early because last year when I lived in Arlington, VA and had AU night classes (sometimes the class concluded at 10:40pm), I had to take two rail lines and bus to arrive home at midnight sometimes 1m and had to awake at 7am to take a bus then transfer to rail to get to work. Furthermore, (I know that I am a Type A but still) as an immigrant, he should had some grit in him because his family came to the US to seek better opportunity.

Oftentimes I am confounded by my drive to be the best that I can be. As soon as I received this job, I finished school transferred to AU, and continued my education even when I moved to Arlington. Now after improving my math skills at UDC, I am reapplying to AU to complete my MA in Economics degree. Sometimes, my type A personality puts me into overdrive but I still
manage to get at least six hours of sleep and reclaim my weekends. It's all about balance and striking that has enabled me to enhance both my personal and professional lives!

Today my boss informed me via email that the agency has approved my calculus III tuition request! Immediately I search for the training form on the Intranet but could not find it; so, I ask the secretary who then ask my boss to locate it. During this time, I find a paper version, complete and copy it then return it to the secretary to process. I want my form processed by Thursday (which with the antsy HR man that I have will happen!) because UDC's returning student registration deadline is December 21.

Calculus III is very important to me and upon learning that integration will not be mentioned, further motivates me to enroll. In addition, my first choice for doctoral school has told me that calculus III along with regression is its requirements; meaning, that this will be the first time since my undergraduate years at Hiram, that I have entered school with all of the required math courses. Furthermore, with my MBA I can finish the program within 4 1/2 years instead of the standard 5 years which makes me extremely happy! It is about push, persistence and perseverance!

Darren McFadden Got the Heisman Shaft

I totally disagree with awarding the Heisman trophy to Tim Tebow over Darren McFadden because his own conference, the SEC, gives Darren Offensive Player of the Year honors. If the Georgia Bulldogs cannot play for the BCS national championship because it hasn’t won the SEC conference championship, then why should Tim Tebow when his won conference hasn’t voted him the best offensive player? Furthermore, Tim hasn’t defeated the #1 team, the LSU Tigers, but the Razorbacks have. In addition, half of this decade’s winners are unemployed (Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke and Jason White). Everyone agrees that Darren is the better overall player meaning that Tim will the fourth winner not playing in the NFL while McFadden will garner Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl championships! What a shaft!

My Take On the BCS

Honestly, I feel that Ohio State should have played Hawaii since it is the sole undefeated team in the top 25 myself. That’s what I hate about the BCS. Ohio State deserves to be number 1 but should not Hawaii at least be number 2? Both teams win their respective conferences. Though many people proclaim that capitalism is the undercurrent for selecting LSU, remember Baton Rouge is 55 miles away from New Orleans so many of the hotels will go unfilled. If Hawaii is selected there will be virtually no vacancies since they will have to seek shelter on the mainland. Furthermore, how can the committee pick Kansas over Missouri when the Tigers not the Jayhawks make it to the Big XII championship? . The Jayhawks play only one top 25 opponent (Kansas State) so the BCS is bogus. Moreover, the Rose Bowl committee chooses traditional over reality by selecting Illinois over Georgia to play USC. I would prefer to see Georgia play USC However, the one decision I respect is to place LSU, the SEC conference champion, over Georgia who was ranked #4 in the BCS. If you cannot win your own division, you should not play in the championship period (Please take note Georgia football coach Mark Richt!)