Where I've been the last two months

If any apology is due for being absent from this blog for so long, sorry. I've been very, very busy.

What has consumed me for the last two months (and will for the next week or so)? Prepping myself and applying to internships. So far, I've applied to around 70 firms (no joke - I just counted the 50 cover letters I've written so far, and there have been around 20 or so postings that didn't ask for a cover letter). Then on top of that, I've sent "inquiries" to around 20 or so more firms, so I guess I'm looking at a number closer to 90 or so. Jeesh.

Where am I applying? Management consulting firms, of all shapes and sizes (and specialties).

Now, I know that nearly everyone I've spoken to about my career aspirations gives me that face like "Yeah, I know what you're talking about... kinda.... I know what management is, and I've heard that retired people like the President consult sometimes... But you? What do you know?"

So here's the skinny: Management consultants are essentially hired brains. When a business has a problem (whether the health care laws change, or there's a new competitor coming into their market), a lot of times they don't have the time or resources to do the analytics or research to know what to do next. So they hire consultants. That doesn't mean I or my colleagues know their business as well as they do, but we do have the time and resources to do the research and analytics and find out what they should do - that's why they hire a management consulting firm. Not many firms are large enough to warrant their own strategy department, so you can think of them hiring a management consulting firm as outsourcing their business strategy analytics.

Here's a great example of management consulting at work that you might recognize: Target used to be a standard "big box" store, like K-Mart or Walmart - but before Walmart was a threat. As Target saw Walmart coming into their market, they hired a management consulting firm to figure out what they should do. The result? The firm told Target to basically get out of they way - that Target could not fight Walmart head-on successfully. Working together, Target and its management consulting firm (I don't know which one, that's usually kept quiet from the public) decided to move Target "upstream" - re-branding itself as a high-class, high-quality big-box retailer. Target was able to make that transition successfully, and they're still a strong player in the retail market - unlike K-Mart who tried, and failed, to fight Walmart head-on.

Isn't that cool? That's what I want to do. Hence to 90 applications... Part of the reason of why I've applied to so many is I have one big black mark on my application: my GPA is only a 3.72. These firms usually only look at 3.8's and above, so I'm hedging my bets by applying to as many firms as possible. A lot of the more specialized firms aren't so picky. Hopefully my minor in Business Strategy should help, too.

{Little Green Man}

Anyone else find this awkward/weird/interesting/[insert other vague adjectives]?

It starts like this: Everyone is walking at their own pace...... spaced out...... and then everyone gets clogged up at the cross walk waiting for the little green man to show up:

That lovely little man means that you can continue on your merry way. But until he shows up you have to stand next to all these people that you don't know. You all stand around, avoid eye contact, and space yourselves out so that you're not standing too close. It's weird. Maybe it's just me.

And is it possible for someone to "cut" in "line" while waiting for the crosswalk? I mean, they just arrived to the waiting herd of people and then weasel their way to the front of the crowd. Is that considered cutting? I have no idea!

And then there are those 2 people who, when walking, were about 5 feet behind and you could hear their whole conversation [how could I not?] but as soon as they approach the cluster of people the conversation dies and one of them says, "Oh, I'll tell you in a minute" and then as soon as everyone starts walking their conversation picks back up and you can still hear what Jamie did last weekend.

There's also that person with their music that's way too loud. If I can hear all of the lyrics clearly standing 3 feet away from you on the sidewalk next to a busy street then it's wayyyy too loud. Why aren't your ears bleeding??!!!? I can feel my maternal instincts building up and I feel I'll explode into "Turn down that music! The whole state of Utah can hear it!!! Do you want your hearing to be gone by the time your 30? Music that loud will melt your brain!!!!" Luckily, that hasn't happened yet lol.

Then there's that person who tries to strike up a conversation. Sometimes, this is enjoyable and can make the wait much more bearable. But once the little green man shows up do you continue your conversation? do you cut it short? What if they want to continue but they don't? What if they walk a lot slower than you have time for? Awkward.

Next is that guy who walks across the street even if the little green man hasn't given permission yet. Everyone exchanges glances and there's that "Well, he did it, are you? does that make it ok?" Usually everyone just stays where they are, but sometimes there's a snowball effect. Yes, there is a clearing, but... but.... the little green man isn't there!! Well, I'm not angel and I have jaywalked multiple times [example] but I just can't bring myself to do it if there's a crosswalk and a half a dozen people watching.

Finally after all this waiting the little green man shows up. And everyone starts walking. There's that weird first minute or so when everyone is still clumped up but eventually everyone's individual pace spreads them out.

For that minute or two everyone is together waiting for the same thing - the little green man. And then as soon as he shows up everyone goes back to being individuals heading their own direction. It's interesting.

{Married life is awesome}

Well, there are many reasons why I love being married - too many to even count. But today there are just a few that I would like to mention.

I love wearing my husband's coats. LOVE it. His fleece is my favorite. It is by no means flattering, or cute on me, but it's way comfy, warm, and it smells like him. I would wear it everyday if I could (I am currently wearing it while writing this blog). I have also commandeered a hoodie of his for the same reasons.

I also love wearing my husband's sweat pants. Yes, I have 3 dozen pairs of my own so why wear his? Because they're WAY too big and super comfy and I love them.

I also love stealing my husbands slippers. Yes, he bought me new slippers of my own last Christmas, but if those are all the way in the bedroom and his are in the front room I'm going to wear his.

I was a little sad about losing a roommate and being able to share clothes (Lisa, you're the best!!) all the time, but what I did not realize that was that my comfy clothes selection would double. It's been awesome. There's something great about wearing your bf/fiance/husband's clothes - it's like a giant hug all the time. Yup.

{Slip-up}

This morning I slipped on the ice on my way to work. I pretty much looked like this old man:



It happens at least once every year.

I was talking to the husband last week about how I hadn't slipped once yet this year. I was so nervous because I was sure it was going to happen any day. I was thinking about slipping on purpose when no one would be around just to get it over with and save myself the humiliation. Well..... I didn't slip on purpose. I slipped on accident on the sidewalk near my work building. It totally took me by surprise because I did not see any ice - it was invisible.
Luckily I didn't fall into the bushes right next to me......

My first year up here in the frigid snow I slipped probably a dozen times. Thank goodness that number has decreased through the years. Maybe I should just wear extra padding ALWAYS.
Like Randy from A Christmas Story:

I think it could be a good look for me.

{Broken-Hearted}

Thank you, January Snow, for obliterating my dreams of an early spring. I'm going to go cry in a corner now.

{Pet Peeve}

Ok people, please tell me I'm not the only one. This bothers me a lot:



It's worse during these winter months because you also get their huge winter coat draped across your desk as well. This is not fair. If you are wearing a coat, take it off before you sit down and put it on the floor, on your lap, hanging off the back of your chair making sure that it's not touching the other desk....Think about it, people!!

I do not want half of my desk consumed by hair and winter hoods...thanks!

{A little bit late....}

Happy New Year's!!!!