Some exciting things have happened since my last blog post. So, I thought I’d take some time today and update all my dedicated blog readers.
Last week I was at the Datatel Users Group (DUG) Conference in Washington D.C. Datatel is the company we bought our ERP system from about 3 years ago. I was sent to learn more about a module we recently purchased called Active Campus. Active Campus is a package of SharePoint web parts that connect to our ERP system. Currently, we don’t have a SharePoint Portal so there are lots and lots of stuff for me to learn about. We plan to be live with faculty and staff in January 2008. After the faculty and staff are live, the students will be next. I’m really excited about the single sign-on capabilities and the collaboration opportunities SharePoint has to offer. I’m also excited about all the stuff I’m going to learn while we go through this process.
At the conference, I went to several sessions that discussed the Active Campus module. I learned more about the product at a high level. I’m kind of techie so, sometimes I get bored with the high level descriptions. What I really like to know is how does it work and when can I start playing with it. Even though I learned more about the product in the sessions, the networking I did helped me more than I could have ever imagined. I talked to all the beta schools that have the Active Campus module up and running. I meant Randy, Joseph and Joey from a school in Michigan. They are interested in the customizations I made to the Datatel’s security screens and they are in the process of purchasing Active Campus. Randy even talked to me about presenting my customizations at next year’s DUG. I also talked with partner companies about some of the problems we are having and different ways their products could help us. I came back to Iowa with a large stack of business cards from people all over the United States and Canada. So even though the sessions weren’t techie enough for me, I did get into real detailed conversations with several DUG attendees and I had a blast doing it.
Saturday was my last regular MBA class. I can’t believe I’m almost done. My last class is a weeklong capstone in Florida. I have a 12 page paper and two books to read before I go.
Two of my MBA classmate’s scuba dive. We are chartering a boat while we are in Florida. I can’t wait to scuba dive down there. I’m working towards my Advanced Open Water Certificate. While I’m in Florida, I’ll complete my deep dive, boat dive and my night dive. The deep dive is a wreck dive about 80-90 feet deep. At that level some divers start to feel drunk it’s called nitrogen narcosis. It’s a feeling divers get from the absorption of nitrogen at a deep depth. Sometimes divers feel like they are superhuman and its very dangerous. There is an easy way to fix it just ascend until it goes away. It is similar in drinking because just like you don’t realize your drunk, narcosis can sneak up on you.
After scuba diving and a weeklong class in Florida, I am staying with my Aunt and Uncle for a few days in Kissimmee, FL. My dad and my older sister are flying in on Saturday after my class to meet me in Florida. When I go pick them up at the airport it will be time to celebrate because I’ll be all done with my MBA. Yippee!!! 
So there is my update…. I’ll write again in another six months. Ha-ha!
I made my goal weight for weight watchers. I’ve lost a total of 37.4lbs!! Yippieee!!!
We have hundreds of new employees in the office. They started flying around last week. At first, we didn’t know where they come from. This week we found the source. A co-worker two cubes away has been out of the office for about three weeks now. He had a plastic bag of rotten veggies on his desk. Now the veggies are gone and the flies have stayed.
So my plan is to be the office hero and get rid of our new friends. Today I built my first fruit fly trap. It was actually pretty easy.
FRUIT FLY TRAP DIRECTIONS
Supplies needed: Plastic Cup, Banana, Saran Wrap, Rubber Band & Pencil
Step 1: Place the banana in the plastic cup
Step 2: Cover the cup with saran wrap
Step 3: Secure the saran wrap with a rubber band
Step 4: Use the pencil to poke tiny holes in the saran wrap
Step 5: Hide the cup
Step 6: Wait one week
Step 7: Throw the cup away
Thanks James for telling me how to build a fruit fly trap.
It’s my birthday today and I should be very happy. Only I’m not. Earlier today I was happy but now I’m sad. It’s my first birthday I’ve had without my mom and my little sisters to celebrate with me. Every year since my little sister Jamie was born I’ve shared a birthday party with her. Her birthday is September 25th and she’ll be eight this year. I love sharing birthday parties with her because I’d get a little kids party with balloons, cake and ice cream. I love that!!! Now she lives in Arizona with her dad so I didn’t get to celebrate with her this year. I miss my little sisters so much. I’ve also always spent my birthday with my mom. She would have called me really early this morning and wished me a happy birthday. I loved talking with my mom. I could talk to her about anything.
Well that’s enough sad stuff. It’s my birthday I need to cheer up!
Hi everyone!!!
I know you have been patiently waiting to write comments on my blog. They work now so you can write as many comments as you’d like. This is how I fixed it: http://plugins.baptiste.us/wordpress/blank-pages-when-posting-comments-in-wordpress/
What a tricky issue!!
I had a silly dream last night. I had a broken leg and I was on the Conan O’Brien show. Conan was interviewing me and I can’t remember what I said but I made the entire audience laugh hysterically. I’m not sure if they were laughing at me or with me but… it doesn’t matter. I was a hit!!! I woke up laughing. What a GREAT way to start the day!!! I love the Conan O’Brien Show!! It kinda sucks that my leg was broken. I’ve never had a broken bone. Hopefully, if I’m ever on the Conan O’Brien Show I won’t have a broken leg.
This was a big hit at work today!
- Pre-heat the oven to 325 °
- Cut the zucchini in half and remove the seeds
- Shred the zucchini with the large holes on a cheese shredder
- In a big bowl mix the following:
4 Cups Coarsely Shredded Zucchini
3 Cups Flour
2 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 1/4 Cups Oil
4 Eggs
1 Tablespoon + 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder - Grease the bottom of the pan
- Bake for 50 - 60 minutes (Makes 2 loafs)
A BIG thanks to Alan Peterka for giving me the zucchini.
If you didn’t know what to get me for my birthday (Sept 23rd), I’ve updated my Amazon wishlist.
CHEERS!!
I’m finally giving up on Internet Explorer. I know what your thinking…. “Why did you wait so long?” I don’t have a good answer for you, but I’ve finally had it. I had high hopes for version 7.0 and they didn’t come true.
I had two midterms on Saturday Accounting and Economics. WOW!! I would have to say they may have been the toughest tests I have taken. I’m not sure how I did on the Accounting test, but I’ve talked to some of the other students and I think I did pretty well. In Economics, we went over the test in class. It was a 50 point multiple choice. I have NEVER failed a test before. I failed this one, luckily, the instructor going to curve it. WHEW!!! So, I’m hoping I end up with a “C”. The midterm is a third of my total grade.
If I get a “C” in Economics it will be my first “C” in my post high school education. I think my lowest grade is a “B-” in Art History. It was a tough class. I’m not very good remembering dates, names and stuff.
I studied tonight with my study group. I have to say, I have an awesome study group!!! We all get along really well. We have fun, but we also get things done. I’m VERY lucky to have such a great group.
I went to the dentist today and now I have new teeth. Well they aren’t new teeth but they look different. I had my gap filled between my two front teeth. I’m not use to it yet. It feels really strange.
A few years ago I wrote a PHP program to help the Workplace Learning Connection organize all the information they have. It keeps track of job shadows, Internships and events (ie: speakers & tours). A few months ago they sold it to Brainerd Minnesota. This week I’m setting it up on their server for them. Then next week I get to drive up to Brainerd to help train them how to use it. I’m actually pretty excited. I really hope they like the program. I might get some consulting work from them if they want to make any changes to it. I could use the extra cash, especially, if I don’t find a roommate.
I really didn’t want to come back to Iowa. I posted the photos from Oregon Click Here to see them.
Quote from the wedding: “This is my first barefoot wedding” ~ Grandma
I took these pictures aren’t they awesome?
It is absolutely beautiful here. I feeling very pampered. I’m sitting in my hotel room with a beautiful ocean view. We ordered room service this morning and we have the fireplace on. The wind from the beach is a little chilly but I don’t want to close the door because I love the ocean sounds.
I woke up early again and went running on the beach. I was thinking a lot about my mom. She always wanted to see the ocean. Now she sees it from heaven. I can feel her here with me. I’m going to start a new tradition. Every time I’m on the beach I’m going to write “mom” in the sand. I think she would like it.
Today, I’m in Portland Oregon. Right now, I’m sitting on my cousins’ patio with my sister, grandma and my dad. We just woke up. Getting ready to have some coffee, go for a jog and then we are off for the beach.
Yesterday, we went to the falls. They are beautiful. I’ll post my pictures when I get back. I love the weather here. I could live here. People here are very nice. The neighbors are very sweet. They just walk into the front door and come over to visit for hours. I love it. They live in a very nice neighborhood I’m not sure if all of Portland is this nice but what I’ve seen of it so far is that it is just a wonderful place.
Yesterday, we went to the nail shop and got our nails done. My nails look awesome but I’m not use to typing with them yet.
My cousins’ house is really nice and I love her finance’s kids they are awesome. They have a golden retriever named Rater. She is a good dog. Rater has been following my grandma around all morning. I think Rater really likes my grandma. I really miss my dog Daisy. I know she is okay though, Charlie is taking good care of her.
Everyone has been asking me about Charlie. I’m going to be glad when everyone knows that we are not a couple anymore because every time I have to explain it I get sad. I know Charlie is going to think everyone hates him, but that isn’t the case. My family will always love him. I’ll always love him too even if he’s just my friend.
Well, I think I ought to go inside and help my sister and dad make coffee, they sure are taking a long time.
Its true, after dating Charlie for approx. six years, I’m officially single. Charlie moved to his apartment today. He took his nice 60 inch HDTV and the big bed with him. So, tonight after class I’m going home to a big empty house. I’m sad. Three weeks ago if you would have asked I would have said “we are great, couldn’t be better.” Now today, we aren’t even a couple. He no longer lives with me. I’m still shocked about it and I’ve had a few weeks now to let it all set in.
The whole thing has made me feel worse about myself. I have a low self-esteem anyway so now it’s even worse. I’m working on myself image now. I’m going to focus on me from now on!! What do I really want?
Last week I got new hair. Okay well, it’s not new, but I got highlights and an awesome cut. I have to say getting an awesome hair cut really helps with the self image issues. I’m not even worried about how much I spent on it. I finally found a wonderful hair lady!! Her name is Trisha and she is awesome!!
This week I’ve been running in the morning. Well, I guess most people would call it a slow jog, but hey it’s my blog I can fib a bit. I was surprised on how much better I feel after a morning trot. I hope I keep it up. I’ve tried to stay on workout plans before, but never stayed with them. I get lazy and I like to sleep in. I also took my lunch to work 4 out of 5 days this week. That is really good for me usually I eat out with the “wow” boys and Gina.
Next week is the week I’ve been waiting for. I’m going to Oregon for my cousins wedding. I’m so excited!!! I have the whole week off and the wedding is on the beach. I haven’t seen my cousin Jeremy in several years, so I’m excited to see him and meet his wife. I’m also excited because my grandma and dad are going. I love my grandma. She is so nice. My dad is wonderful too. I have to say that he is one of the nicest guys I know. Charlie and my dad are the two nicest guys I know.
Right now I’m in economics class. I should be paying attention because next week is our midterm. All I can think of is my vacation next week and the big empty house I’m going home to. Well, I better stop writing and pay attention.