Lessons Learned in May....

I know this post will probably sound a little sappy...but here goes....

You know, I have learned alot about myself and life in general during the month of May. I have learned what it is to have true friends and not just acquaintenances. A true friend is someone you can talk to at anytime and not feel as though you are bothering the person. A true friend is someone who will listen and give advice when needed. A true friend is someone you can bounce ideas off of and get their opinion on them. These are some only some of the qualities of a true friend. I think one of the more important qualities of a true friend is that a true friend will find ways to keep in touch/visit/call you. I consider myself very lucky to have the friends that I do have and only wish that I could have more time to hang out with my true friends. You don't realize how short the good times are, and how much time goes by before you see your true friends again.

I have also learned what it is like to be on vacation. (and it's a good feeling!) Vacations are way too short and it's always hard to come back from vacation (no matter how short it is)

I have learned what its like to have so little time at home. I don't go home very often anymore (even though its only 4 hours away). It seems I got to spend very little time with my family. When people found out I was in town, they of course wanted to see me. This is a good and a bad thing I guess because I do like catching up with people from back home and letting them know how things are. At the same time, I like seeing my family. There needs to be a better balance. If/When I move out of the midwest, this will make my time even more important with my family.

I am going to catch up with another friend this week in Milwaukee and see how everything is going. I hope time permits meeting up with this friend.

I think the events that triggered my lessons learned were 1) my first "real" vacation to the east coast and 2) the wedding I was in this past weekend. These two events have probably changed me more than all the other events of the past six months. It made me realize everything that I have going for me and evaluate what I want to do in the future.

A new update....since I haven't done one in awhile

Basically I haven't given an update in a long time. I do apologize for this but am glad to be getting around to this. (Not like anyone reads this or anything). I guess I should summarize what I've been doing oh for about the past 2 months.

To start out I went out to San Diego in April to visit my 3 cousins, uncle, and aunt who are out there. Man was I impressed by California. I will admit that I had a hard time leaving. Then it was back to the grind of working, traveling , etc. for a few weeks till the month of May began.

During the first part of May, I started to get my file ready for work. This is a file that you put together that details your performance for that year. It is going to be an interesting process to go through, because this is my first time and because this is how raises and bonuses are determined is through this annual review committee process (ARC). As of today, I just finished my file, so it now goes to the file reviewer who will represent me in front of the ARC committee.

From May 14-18, I took a well deserved vacation to visit my friend and roommate,Adam, who I lived with in Rochester,MN (Jan 2004 - Aug 2004). Adam showed me a great time out in NJ. We went whitewater rafting, to Atlantic City to a casino (which I won at 100$ at poker), to Six Flags (Great Adventure), and to club in Philladelphia where one of his friends knew the owner. (Open bar rocks!). I also got a chance to go see a few movies, which I had not done in long time. I also got to see Sharon, another friend from the IBM Rochester days, and she hung out with us at Six Flags. I definitely had a good time, and to top things off, Adam let me know that he is for sure going to grad school at UCSD (yes, in San Diego).

I think I have learned alot from this short trip out to the east coast. I will begin as follows:

1) I definitely miss, and I mean miss hanging out with my friends. Right now, I do not know that many people in Minneapolis outside of my co-workers. I am going to have to change this fact very soon.

2) I have decided that I need to move out of the Midwest within 2-4 years. I have simply been out here too long (24 years) and need a change of pace/scenary/life. I do want to stay in Minneapolis for the next couple of years mostly in part to help my professional development and even if/when I do move I do want to stay with PwC. But I will be moving within 2-4 years. I have not decided whether it will be east or west. Although I do have family out west.

3) To co-inside with my desire to move out of the midwest, I have decided that I should not move until a majority of my student loans are paid off. (What better way to celebrate the end of my student loans than to try and move)

4) I am also thinking about moving to a different place in the cities. Not because I dislike where I am now, but because myself and my roommate just dont share many interests. I need to find some folks who have more similar interests.

On a short note about the student loans, I am going to try and make a huge dent in them by the end of the year. Alot of my savings will be used to reduce or pay down this debt. I feel that I can pay off alot of the loans within 3 years. (alot will depend on my raise and bonus) It will take alot of discipline, effort, and hard work, but it will be done.

Speaking of hard work, I have also decided to join a gym. I am tired of being over weight and want to lose weight this year, and hopefully keep it off. More to come soon.