I just got back from my International Excursion to Puerto Rico (San Juan, Fajardo, & Palomino Island)! My Mom & I celebrated our birthdays a little early with this trip. It was super fun & very much just in time for a well needed vacation. I left my laptop, gre books, bschool application stuff all at home! I was so very proud of myself. I have been working on this stuff since March...and let me just say, i'm a little burnt out on essays, recommendations, gre studying, and listening to Podcast on the HBS, Tuck, NYU, Yale, etc...websites.
Geez, talk about burning yourself out. Needless to say, June & the 1st part of July was a much needed break from the wonderful discussions & fantasizing how our lives will be with me as an MBA Student. I got back in the office this week & it was back to business as usual. I got a whole lot done at work. And, then, with the free moments I did have, I looked over my timeline to gauge where I was in the process.
Well, I am: 1) 75% done with the free/prewriting phase of my essays for HBS & The Consortium Schools (Wharton will be 2nd Round) 2) Enrolled in my Princeton GRE classes (studying off & on) I need to buckle down & stick to a schedule. I have done some drills. I will take a CAT tomorrow. 3) List of recommenders compiled. Preparing to send them my resume & do a lunch if possible (geographic location is a challenge there) 4) Resume is done. 5) Transcripts Scanned & need to be shrinked in file size. 6) Finally, I have about 4/5 people standing by to look over my essays who are Current MBA Students, Newly Graduated MBA's, and 2 PhD's...possibly three if I need a third eye, all from very highly ranked schools (FYI: God has blessed me with some amazing friends:). So that's taken care of. Now, it just a point of me putting together the final essays b/c I am going to need time to a decent turn around time to consider the comments & make corrections. Overall, I believe, I am making progress. I am just burnt out at the moment.
Today, I was walking my regular 1 Mile...and I got to thinking about a comment my friend said to me, while I was on vacation. We stopped through B'ham, on the way home, to visit & congratulate him for graduating from HBS back in May. He was asking me about the work I do, being single mother, & just life in general. And, then he said, "You live a pretty Fabulous Life, Rashida." I said, "huh"??? He said, "you have to admit, now......you have a pretty good life. I mean I know it was hard when you first started out b/c you didn't plan on being a Single Mom, but you have a really good life." And, I thought about it.... then said, "you know what, you are right. I guess I do." And, at that moment, I realized that I never give myself enough credit for doing a great job...as a woman, mother, daughter, sister, friend, professional. I always feel like there is more to be done & I am barely scrapping the surface. But, he's right. I have worked really hard to rebuild our lives in a brand new city (with no family), a got a new job with a good company, my son is happy & healthy. And, I can honestly say that even without his other parent being constant in his life.
We are one of those families that not only survived after being abandoned, but we have thrived! And, I Praise God for that b/c it is no way in my own strength that I could do this on m y own! My son's father has seen him a total of 6x's since he was born.....6. Yes. It is very sad. But, I would rather him have positive male role models in his life until I get married, than an inconsistent unhealthy figure who pops up and goes whenever he wants to. Nevertheless, I digress. And, I Praise God again for him placing so many wonderful men in my life, who like my HBS Friend, inspires me to do better regardless of past circumstances. I love him so much for always challenging me to be more, do more, so I can give more. He is what I call a lifelong friend:).. With that being said, I am thankful for this reflective journey this process has brought into my life. It is definitely contributing towards my journey of self-transcendence.
As Always...Be Luv!
Rashida
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