Pursuit of the Balanced Life

Bass Pro Shop Marathon Springfield, MO

2008-07-19T20:13:00.004-05:00

Well, today I registered for the Bass Pro Shop Marathon in Springfield, MO 2 Nov 2008. I made this decision based on a need to increase my intensity to decrease my body fat percentage and the amount of pounds I am carrying around on a daily basis. Due to my being what is considered a typical female I have lost weight over the years in an unhealthy way so, now in my early 40's dropping those last few 10 to 15 lbs is a very difficult thing to do. Even though I have add two new sports to my training I'm still such a novice in both the bike and swim I'm not making a dent in my body composition. So, I decided I needed to go back a put heavier focus on running from now until after the marathon and during the training for my 26.2 I will continue to swim and bike to increase my comfort level so I can reach the fitness I need in those to make a dent.

All while completing my last phase of my military schooling, and this fall taking two doctoral classes.

Balance, what is a Balanced Life. I trying to figure that out.

Withdrawal from an Accounting class

2008-07-12T19:53:00.004-05:00

This week I did something I had a hard time deciding to and that was withdrawing from the one and only accounting doctoral class I had scheduled for this summer. My reasoning is as follows:
1. The web based classroom was not turned on until week 1 of a 7 1/2 week class.
2. I was notified of the book for the class until middle of week 1 and did not get the book from the school book store until the beginning of week 2.
3. Had to complete week 1 and week 2 requirements in week 2.
4. Professor required a 20 page mid-term research paper submitted by the beginning of week 4.
5. Professor required a 40 page final research paper submitted by the beginning of week 6 when most of the courses at Argosy have had the final paper submitted on the last day of class.
6. Professor was unwilling to adjust due dates even though the start of the class was delayed due to no fault of the student.
7. On top of the papers listed above the weekly requirements were to summarize three academic journal articles based on the two chapters of required reading from the book. Summaries were required to no less than three to five pages even though this limit was not stated in the requirements.
8. The final straw was the vague instructions on requirements and vague guidance on papers submitted. I was told to be more formal in my writing and not use colloquial language, and when I asked for clarification I never received a response.

Triathlon's scheduled

2008-07-12T19:38:00.003-05:00

Well, I realized based on a comment from a dear friend I failed to list the Triathlon's I'm scheduled for this year.

1. Tour de Kirkwood on 27 July 08
2. Wood River Tri on 9 Aug 08
3. Tiger Tri on 23 Aug 08

As of right now I am not planning on actually competing in the Tour de Kirkwood because my swimming is not where it needs to be. I started taking swimming lessons to learn to swim and overcome my fear of water. Well, I have over come the fear of water but just started progressing to taking a few strokes and do not have the stamina to complete the swim distance of 400 yards, but I'm not giving up.

Wood River Tri I can walk if I want because the pool is only 4 1/2 feet deep, 450 meters.

Tiger Tri is 300 yard swim.

Title change

2008-07-08T14:02:00.003-05:00

Based on a recommendation from a dear friend I have changed the title of my blog. After posting on training for a triathlon this friend who is a missionary in Peru recommended the change and I have to agree with her.

PR for 1 mile on a down hill course

2008-07-04T18:07:00.002-05:00

Hubby 2.0 and ran a 1 mile race which was down hill today. I had a PR of 8:43. It was really nice to have a comfortable fast run I don't know if I ever remember running this fast since I graduated basic training in 1990 and then my 2 mile time was a 16:36.

I'm finding the running and training for a triathlon is helping develop a since of balance in my life.

I've found I need a challenge outside of work these days and I'm enjoying stretching my mind and seeing how far I can push my body. As for pushing my body I'm learning to swim which I am enjoying and learning to ride on a triathlon bike which is really different from a hybrid bike. The tri-bike is faster and lighter.

second ride on my Felt Triathlon Bicycle

2008-06-21T20:47:00.003-05:00

Today we attended the June St. Louis Tri Club meeting, which was a picnic and a ride of the route for the July Tour de Kirkwood Triathlon. Hubby 2.0 went on the ride and I rode around the park for about 10 to 20 minutes and covered approximately .8 of a mile before I was unable to clip out of my bike clips. So, I fell over to the right and ripped the tape on my tri bars and pushed in my break pad on the front wheel, which prevented me from finishing my ride. I have a lot to learn and practice on when clipping in and out of the clips on the pedals but, I did enjoy myself.

Training for a Tri

2008-06-16T21:31:00.002-05:00

Well, today I had my first ride on my new Felt Triathlon bike, which was a different experience being clipped in the whole time. I truly enjoyed the ride, we determined the need to get new bike helmets prior to the next ride on Thursday. Hubby 2.0 and I were out for 31 minutes and rode approximately 5.13 miles much easier than I expected it to be.

Back to posting

2008-06-01T16:58:00.003-05:00

It has been a long while since I posted no real excuse other than I've not really had a desire to do so. I have come to realize I narrowed the blog unintentionally my original intent was to discuss the events which go on around me and their impact on pursuing the "Terminal" degree. I allowed myself to focus just on the degree rather than the broad scope of things. I'm contemplating starting another blog to focus on other stuff I'm interested in and allow this blog to continue to be just information related to the DBA in Accounting. When and if I start another blog I'll post a link here.

Central Command Newsletter

2007-10-29T17:56:00.000-05:00

One of the ways I keep myself up to date on the happenings in Iraq & Afghanistan is subscribing to the Central Command Newsletter. Central Command is one of the higher Army organizations, it's purpose is to manage the operations in a number of different countries view this link CENTCOM to find out more.

The newsletter this week has a great article on three Marines receiving the Bronze Star Medal (the third highest medal for war time service; not including the Medal of Honor); a Navy SEAL posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan. Along with a number of other great stories of the happenings in this Global War on Terriorism.

New neighborhood

2007-10-29T17:49:00.000-05:00

"Hubby 2.0" and I were pleased yesterday when we stopped by the house we are renting and on our way out the neighbor across the street introduced himself to us. He told us the area is nice and quite not a lot excitement and on Halloween night if we are at the house we might get 10 to 15 kids to trick or treat the house not bad. It was nice to see the neighbors taking a interest in who is moving into the empty house.

He forwarded us about his chestnut tree, large black, they could damage and stain the car if parked underneath. That was awful nice of him.

Furniture arrives tomorrow

2007-10-29T17:45:00.000-05:00

I received a phone call from the driver of the moving company paid for by the Army to pack, load and deliver our furniture at about 1700 (5 pm for our non-military friends). We will have our furniture delivered tomorrow and then begins the real fun, unpacking and establishing a new house in a new neighborhood.

Posting again

2007-10-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in almost two months, but I am back now. I spent the last month diligently working on my phase I of my current military education class and have 6 classes left to complete. I was hoping to be completed by now but the past two weeks has been more hectic than I expected.

In preparation for our move to St. Louis "hubby 2.0" and I took Columbus day weekend and made a quick trip to St. Louis to look for a house. I have to praise God and give him thanks because we did find a place to live. So, the movers will pick up our furniture on Wednesday and be able to deliver it directly to the house in St. Peters, just west of St. Louis. I will have about a 20 to 30 minute drive into work but, we are paying less rent in St. Peters than we are here in Moon Township.

I worked my last weekend for the Army Reserve this past weekend. The best part about my new job is I am not required to work a weekend unless by exception.

This past week has been having lunches and saying see you later to friends. Friday was my last day a work.

Both 'hubby 2.0' and I have been sick, he earlier in the week and I today which makes getting ready to move so much fun (NOT).

Semester off from DBA course work

2007-09-01T18:50:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to say the school has granted me permission to take a semester off, I don't start course work for the DBA again until Jan 08. I will use this semester to complete most if not all of my Intermediate Level Education (ILE) for the Army, the first half of the required course work for this round of military education. I will also move from Pittsburgh, PA to St. Louis, MO and start a new job all at the same time.

Yeah, a the next few months are going to be a whirl wind of activity to say the least.

Frustrations of setting up new computers

2007-09-01T18:36:00.000-05:00

Most of our friends by now are aware 'hubby 2.0' and I had both of our 17" laptops stolen (or borrowed for an extended period, hubby's way of dealing with the issue) out of our hotel room this week. We fortunately have the savings to replace the laptops and our insurance company paid our claim within 4 days of us calling in the the loss.

Yesterday we spent most of the day trying to decide whether or not to replace the laptops with desktops or laptops again. We decided to get both desktops and laptops, the desktops we will use at home and keep all of our personal information on the desktops and the laptops for travel. I have at least two more years of traveling to Sarasota to complete the course work for the DBA.

Once we purchased the laptops late yesterday we have spent most of the evening yesterday and the day today trying to establish some since of normalcy to our lives by installing the necessary software and setting up the software to the way we like. It is hard to believe it can take so much time to re-establish your life with the convenience of items and systems you are use to. I have actually felt a sense of loss, I guess that is a bad thing but I'm not sure.

We get the pleasure of setting up computers again when the desktops arrive sometime next week, oh yeah.

Enough complaining, bye.

Steelers pre-season game

2007-08-12T15:43:00.001-05:00

Last time I took "hubby 2.0" to the first pre-season game of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since, I'm not a sports fan I was not really interested in the game but, was fascinated with the fans. I was truly surprised by the number of fans at a pre-season game. The price of food was amazing as well $3.00 for a pretzel and $1.50 for a small tub of cheese to dip the pretzel.

I'm really glad "hubby 2.0" enjoyed himself.

Approaching the end of another class

2007-08-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm currently in the middle of week 7 of my Global Challenges class, which will be my last class in the Argosy University Online DBA program. I have decided and transferred back to the Sarasota Campus of Argosy University. I now have to travel to Sarasota once a class for either three days or five days for a residency requirement. I realized I need to face to face contact with an instructor you get with in class set time.

I am also going try and take the first 7 1/2 weeks of the fall semester off so I can focus on my next level of military education. I have 12 months left to complete a series of papers and short answer questions in three phases, which if I had organized and been diligent I could have been finished with my first phase.

Run after work instead of morning

2007-07-25T18:49:00.000-05:00

Today "hubby 2.0" and I ran after I got home from work instead of this morning before work. Boy, was it a tough run for the both of us, I really do prefer the morning workout over an evening workout.

Feeling Burn out

2007-07-23T19:29:00.000-05:00

It has been almost a month since my last post and I no good reason to justify the lack of posting other than feeling burn out. Right around the time of my last post I entered the Army Weight Control Program because I was at 38% body fat when I'm allowed only 36% body fat, so I spent the last month utilizing a diet by the name of the Extreme Fat Smash Diet by Dr. Ian Smith. I removed 10lbs of excess body weight and dropped 4% on body fat. On Saturday I was officially removed from the Weight Control Program I am now at 34% body fat 2% below my max, the next goal is to remove an additional 20 to 25 pounds of excess weight to where I no longer have to be tapped my max allowable weight is 146 pounds, right now I weight 158 pounds. I was exercising twice a day for two to three days and did not have a day off from exercise.

Another reason for feeling burn out is the doctoral class I'm taking titled Global Challenges, which is a class I looked forward to. When "hubby 2.0" took the class the focus was on the economic challenges of a corporation taking the business but my class is nothing near that focus I am still trying to figure out the focus of the class.

Also, why I am working on this "terminal degree thing" I have been trying to complete the required classes for my next level of military education which is essentially working on a masters at the same time. I have had a busy month and it is not going to slow down because I have wasted 6 months of the 18 months I have to complete my next level of military education.

"A" in my first Doctoral Accounting class

2007-06-29T09:52:00.001-05:00

Well, the first summer session ended on Wednesday 28 June 07 and I earned an "A" in my first Doctoral Accounting class. My GPA is a 3.55 up from a 3.46, yeah. I have found my niche for my doctoral program. The class was tough and demanding but I learned a lot and actually enjoyed learning accounting at the theory level.

Hubby is 3lbs away from loosing 200lbs Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-22T08:45:00.001-05:00

For our friends who are aware of hubby having had gastric bypass surgery in Sep 06, he is as of today 22 June 07 3lbs away from loosing 200lbs. When he started the liquid diet in prep for surgery hubby weighed in at 435lbs and today he is 238lbs. I'm so proud of my great, handsome husband.

Leases

2007-06-06T20:01:00.000-05:00

This weeks assignment is on Leases and the criteria for determining what is a operating lease and what is a capital lease. Right now I'm so confused over the topic, I'm praying the information I have read will bounce around in my head tomorrow enough to where when I write my answer the the assignment it makes sense.

The assignments are getting tough towards the end of the class. which is how it should be.

Update on running - hubby and I ran/walked 2.20 miles today. I slowed my pace a bit and my heel is not hurting as bad today as it had the past few days. I realized I had been sprinting during our run portion which is something I'm not ready to do just yet.

4 June 07 start of week 5

2007-06-04T19:38:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm starting week 5 of this 7 1/2 week course and am keeping me head above water. Today is also the start of week 3 of a running program James (the hubby) started in an effort to get back in shape. I'm so proud of my dear husband and happy that he is running with me, it has been a long time. He is now at 241lbs to 245lbs down from 435lbs (weight at the end of July 06). Our bodies are trying to adjust to working out so we are both tired but it feels good. Because of this tiredness I'm updating my blog instead of reading two chapters, one on Accounting for Income Taxes and the other on Leases but I'm sure I'll find some way to read the chapters, the three Statements of Financial Accounting Standards and the articles I need to research and read for the two assignments due Thursday and Friday of this week; I always seem to find the time even if it is not when I would like for it to be.

Start of Week 4 in Contemporary Accounting Theory

2007-05-29T20:48:00.000-05:00

It is at times hard for me to believe I currently have 98.12% average in my first doctoral level accounting class. I find my getting a "A" in accounting hard to believe because I started out as a accounting major in my under grad and switch to straight business because I failed three accounting classes in one semester.

When I finish this 7 1/2 week class with an A my GPA will increase from a 3.45 to a 3.55. Yeah.

Finished week 2 assignments

2007-05-19T20:11:00.001-05:00

I just submitted part one of my final paper for initial review by the professor and my classmates. I kind of rushed the submission since I have to read 100 pages for week 3 and wanted to finish week 2 before I started. I have only lost one point in my overall grade so far and if I lost a few more I would still have an A in the class. I will put more effort into next weeks portion of the final paper, I should probably write at least two to three pages per part to ensure a decent final paper.

I was so exhausted from trying to answer the second part for my first assignment this week I could not focus on the portion for the final paper. I did finally figure out what extraordinary items are though. Extraordinary items are those items which unusual nature and have a infrequency of occurrence.

Middle of week 2

2007-05-16T20:46:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been very frustrated for the past two days. I have been trying to answer the second part of my assignment this week and could not understand why I was not understanding the question being asked, until about 830pm tonight. I finally looked up the term/concept extraordinary items in the index and found out the concept was not discussed in the readings for this week. Extraordinary items is part of what I am to read for next week. So, I have asked the professor if he wants us to answer the second part of the assignment.