Juggle This
Those who have known me for any length of time know that one of my favorite scenes from any film comes at the end of Say Anything. John Cusack’s character, Lloyd Dobler, leans over the armrest of his airplane seat to his “out of his league” girlfriend played by Ione Skye. She’s filled with apprehension, not only because she’s afraid to fly, but because she’s about to step into the next chapter of her life pursuing a prestigious scholarship at a university in England with her kickboxing boyfriend.
“Everybody thinks we’re crazy,” she whispers. “No one thinks this is going to work.”
Lloyd, being the awesome boyfriend who always knows the right thing to say, explains, “You just described every great success story.”
That idea, the idea of being called out for being “crazy,” has been my mini-litmus test for most of the major decisions I make in my life. If enough people call me crazy, ask me how I’m ever going to make it work, or express some other concern about my relative sanity, I’m am bolstered with the notion that I must be onto something. I must be making the best choice.
That same litmus test is true for my latest “big choice.”
I’ve begun studies at Washington State University to pursue an Executive MBA program.
Classes for the summer online course began yesterday and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t entertaining the occasional panic attack.
How the heck am I going to do this?!
It’s a lot of work. Full time student, full time work, full-time mom, full-time wife. Plus all the other random responsibilities one has in community and other areas.
And I’m still attempting to become a marginal surfer who spends less time in the washing machine than not.
All that being said, I’m pretty stoked about this adventure. It’s been a long time since I’ve taken any kind of university course. And the entire process has changed dramatically. Last night, we had our first “introductory” class with our professor. Students hopped online and we conferenced via the online classroom which included a combination of slideshow presentation, chat rooms, video chat, audio chat, and various forms of “virtual” hand raising.
That discussion then moves to the online forum, where discussion boards begin to be populated with analysis of our assignments and various management theories. In many ways, online studies provide more contact with classmates than traditional classroom studies. You are always just a few clicks away.
I’ve only just begun this process. But I think it’s going to be one that I will be glad I’ve started. If all goes according to plan, in 18 months I should have my EMBA. And my allegiance to the Cougs will extend beyond just the fact that I owe my very existence to that powerhouse in Pullman (my parents met there). And my preference for WSU over UW will have a deeper meaning than simply the fact that they have FAR superior school colors.
So I’m adding a new category to the blog to trace this specific journey because perhaps above all else, I am expecting to learn more about time management than anything else. Juggling is always a way of life for the modern mom. Now I’m just juggling with a few extra balls and the feeling that from time to time, one hand might be tied behind my back.
Go Cougs.
