Synergy!

Things are moving fast. Today while working on applying for jobs and enjoying my snow day, I receive an email congratulating me on becoming a Small Business Book Awards judge.  I am honored because there will probably a whole lot of applicants. It just feels good to be acknowledged. I’ve submitted my two topics (economics and technology). Possessing economics work experience, I am well-versed in the topics. Furthermore, I have over 10 years’ data mining experience and am a Trekker so technology is right up my alley. Most importantly, I love reading books because I can always learn something from them. With the Small Business Book Awards, I intend to read all of the cutting edge business topics to stay on top of my game.

                This announcement comes on the heels of receiving Chaz’s Careeranista book and being mentioned in the acknowledgements. I will build upon this momentum by considering freelance writing. I might even restart my fiverr.com page to earn more income. $5 is better than nothing. I think it’s even my 1% cost of living adjustment (COLA) from the federal government.  And it doesn’t just stop with this new book judge announcement. It gets better.

                While reading my graduate school’s alumni newsletter, the university says that it is looking for bloggers. Since the alumni department follows me on Twitter, I know that I am a frontrunner. Furthermore, I have stayed in the alumni notes page with my promotions and project management certification accomplishments. I will use my writing as my ticket to get out of this predicament.

Paying It Forward

                Today I receive my Cleveland State University Perkins student loan payoff letter. In it the university says that since I’ve paid off my loan, my money will be used to make loans to other students. That’s an unknown added bonus for me because I know the struggle.  Although I graduated 12 years ago, I know what it’s like to be struggling for money. I worked at the Upward Bound and took out Perkins loan to afford the tuition. Luckily, I was an Ohioan so I received the in-state rate.  My Cleveland State University education has helped me land a GS-9 Economist position in my first government job.  Currently I am a GS-14. I want my money to go to current students so that they can have the same if not greater opportunities than I do.  Below is my payoff letter.

Paying it forward just doesn’t stop with new students. It continues with me because now I am more motivated to payoff my American University tuition debt.  I will use my tax refund to pay it off because it has been 3 years since I last matriculated. It should be over by now!

Cleveland State University Perkins Student Loan Payoff Letter

Completing Statistics 1

            I have submitted my final assignment for my online statistics 1 class this evening.  It is a big step in the right direction.  Having been on the job for 7+ months, I’ve been spinning my reels trying to discover what my job duties were.  Once they were finalized, I saved my money enrolling in this class. The new fiscal year dried up education funds but I had enough money from my new promotion to pay for it.  Taking this statistics course was the best decision I made that November because then I got hit with a whammy: they wanted me to perform quality engineer duties!  Hello!  My job title was statistician not quality engineer; however, reading the American Society for Quality and the quality engineer description aligned with what they wanted. 

I thanked God that I had the math and one operations management class that I took at Cleveland State to give me a background about this newfound territory else I’d be lost and gave up.  I learned about acceptance sampling and creating sample plans.  I downloaded some sample chapters and discovered that the online statistics school offered an acceptable sampling course next spring.  I wasn’t waiting for April when my boss wanted it now!  Therefore, I purchased the quality engineering statistics book and saved my money for statistics 2.  The school had a three-course beginning statistics schedule.  By the time I finish, it’ll be February allowing me to enroll in statistical process control.   When I finish SPC, I’ll take acceptance sampling.  I possess great timing because come New Year’s Day, I’ll be done with statistics 1 and 2.  I’m halfway done by the time the ball drops welcoming in 2013.  I will look back at all of this thinking what a journey.  I’ve started from 0 to this and still managed to be standing.

All in A Day's Work

            I awake early on my final day of vacation because I have to give my Mommy the final First Lady Michelle Obama Cuyahoga Community College visit.  I would’ve given it to her yesterday but my father said that he would get back to me.  Since I have to pack and request a late check-in, getting up early isn’t the worst thing in the world.    

I scheduled my downtown Cleveland Obama volunteering gig before leaving DC.  I arrived in Cleveland on Thursday and entered data promptly at Friday noon.  Though I was too sick to volunteer Saturday, the field organizer reserved two Michelle Obama tickets for me for Sunday pick-up.  I went to the office and met a man returning from Cleveland after living in DC.  We bonded immediately.  Speaking to him motivated me to return even part-time regardless of what the haters might say about my hometown! Since I missed the Public Square and knowing that it would be another 15 minutes I walked back to the hotel giddy with excitement!  My Mommy was the first person I called.  She said that she would pick up her ticket this evening.  Afterward I called my father who told me that he’d respond in 30 minutes, the same time that my mother was supposed to arrive.  She got her ticket in the middle of the monsoon returning home.  I called my father who told me that my brother had his car.  I was done because deep down inside I thought about giving both tickets to my mother and avoiding all of this.  When he asked me how I managed to obtain the tickets, I told him that I was a part of Vote Corps, received data entry training in Virginia and signed up for the Cleveland volunteering myself.  Dad said that he was impressed with me.  I beamed with pride!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my Cleveland trip even though I was sick the first three days forcing me to miss most of my alumni events.  I did attend the Homecoming tailgate obtaining a Viking towel and two t-shirts (My headache slowed me down.  I missed the last size large t-shirt).

I met up with Stacey, one of my Western Reserve Historical Society former coworkers.  It had been 10 years. I was happy that we made it so far. She worked at the hotel since 2007.  The hospitality industry required a lot of special skills and the hotel I stayed at was a Hilton so it wasn’t bottom of the barrel.  I’ve been here in DC since 2006.  For the first six years I worked as an Economist.  Now I’m a Program Analyst.  It was very good to see that Stacey was doing okay.  Later I ate breakfast at the Ritz Carlton Cleveland.  This was the first time that I dined at Muse, I had the breakfast quesadilla containing turkey sausage.  It was so good that I didn’t need the salsa or sour cream!   

Sunday’s highlight was the Browns recorded their first win a 34-24 defeat of the much-hated Cincy Bengals.  In week 2 when they lost to them in Cincinnati, I knew Cleveland would win at home.  What I didn’t know was that I had to wait until week 5 for a win!  In tribute of the Brownies win, I wear my orange cashmere sweater on board the plane back to DC.

As soon as I exited the plane, I waited eons for my luggage.  It shouldn’t had taken that long especially since it was only an hour flight.  National airport knew we were coming.  I hailed a cab home scheduling a PJ Clarke’s lunch reservation.  I scarfed down a burger with sautéed mushrooms and Vermont cheddar cheese.  I truly needed that meal after all of the travel.  

Upon getting situated, I started emailing DC and VA offices for volunteering positions.  I contacted the VA state Vote Corps office contact.  I told her that I just returned today from volunteering in Cleveland, Ohio. After completing the survey (which she said was mandatory. The Ohio Vote Corps said no such thing!), I received another email.  Luckily, the Arlington field organizer called me.  We chatted and agreed to start tomorrow evening before the second debate.  After finalizing my VA slot, the DC field organizer replied.  I am in heavy demand! And that’s just the way I like it!

My Cleveland State University Alumni/Homecoming Haul

I missed most of the alumni events due to my illness.  Even with a headache I wore my green cashmere sweater and walked to the Wolstein Center to celebrate Homecoming. Below is the picture of my haul containing a lau, two t-shirts, towel and button!

Celebrating my Birthday in Cleveland

            I returned to my hometown Cleveland for my birthday.  I truly needed a break from DC’s breakneck pace and dangerously hot weather.  Off of Lake Erie, the temperature was 75 degrees.  When I returned to Baltimore Washington Airport it was 93 degrees! In between the Wednesday when I landed and this Monday when I returned, I managed to reconnect with family, visit Cleveland State University, my alma mater, celebrate my birthday and 10^th year Master of Business Administration anniversary at Mortons Cleveland Steakhouse (after telling the waiter my story, he told another couple who paid for my chocolate mousse dessert!), relax at the Doubletree Cleveland hotel and eat at Mallorca and John Q. Steakhouse.  Enjoy my photos!

Lake Erie and Cleveland coastline 

Celebrating my birthday at Mortons Cleveland Steakhouse

Filet of Salmon with Crabmeat, Asparagus, 2 Shrimps Topped with Crabmeat and 3 Baked Shrimp

Chocolate Mousse with Whipped Cream, Raspberry, Mint Leaf and Birthday Candle

Happy Birthday Greeting on the Menu

Waterfront Line, Great lakes Science Center (Dome) and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame (right)

Cleveland skyscrapers

Cleveland State University Student Center

Cleveland State University Student Center

Cleveland State Campus District

Euclid Commons

Shubbery

Cleveland State University banner

Cleveland State University Art Campus off of East 13th Street

Mallorca Lobster Ravioli and Vegetables and Potato Chips

John Q. Steakhouse Sirloin Steak with Bleu Cheese and Broccoli Au Gratin