Grad School

So I've been thinking hard about it and I think my best choice for graduate school is going to be an MBA. I've thought further about and after talking with a friend who is an Actuary, and doing some further research Im going to concentrate on Accounting and be a CPA and/or an Actuary. Being a CPA is a perfect business for me because I can be involved in multiple businesses at the same time. Or if I work for a bigger corporation I can deal with all the various departments. Someone also once said its the CFO that really controls the corporation, not the CEO. Not sure if thats always true, but I imagine it can be in many situations.
So those are my thoughts for now. Im hoping to get this job working as an insurance agent. It would be the perfect way to make enough money to go to grad school. As always, we shall see....

p.s. Ill leave you with this quote I read from a comment on a business week article:

This is a truism.

Undergraduate: drinking, screwing, sleeping late, missing half my classes, cramming like hell and still getting a B-

Graduate: working my a$$ off, missing most nights and weekends, poor (because it's my own money), and learning more in one year than all my undergrad, high school, etc. combined.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yes, today is my birthday. And I am glad to be alive! I don't know why, but birthdays have always been my funnest times. A time to gather all my friends to me in one bunch. Anything is an excuse for a party is my motto. Right now, my parents are here. We need to go get a rental car because we are headed up to Estes Park tomorrow. I cant wait. Its been a bit rainy, but hopefully that won't damper our plans.
So my thoughts on entering the second half of my 20's? Nothing much really. Still my biggest concern is my career and whether or not I should go get an advanced degree. As always, we shall see.
I would say the most important thing that I have discovered is that I can do nothing better then continue to improve my relationship with God my Father. Then all other things fall into place. I'll leave you with a devotional for you to ponder. Enjoy!

Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

To think of the biblical term harvest is to think of people helping people, touching people, loving people, serving people and winning people into the love of God. On the other hand, to misplace or lose our perspective on the harvest-----------on serving people with life-----is the surest way to short-circuit the promised possibilities of our own lives.

I’ve found a common element in every individual who grows bitter, misses fulfillment, becomes sour, complains about God, falls into self-pity, or wonders “why nothing ever happens to me.” That common denominator is a lost sense of ministry…..of serving, loving, helping, and reaching others in the Savior’s name.

Ideas Flow Again! Im so excited.

I dont know what has happened but I think Ive gotten back to being in an environment or a state of mind that allows my ideas to flow freely again. Like I had a big blockage going or something. Im so happy.
Sad thing is I havent been writing them all down so now I begin.
entreprenuer stories.
I want to write a book on the stories of entreprenuer's by interviewing them, their families, and associates, and put it all together to form an inspiring book of people who took the leap into starting their own business. I sat down with the owner of this school photography business Im going to get into and he told me most of his story over lunch about being fired, and taking what he knew, and making it into a business, when everyone else in his company started looking for another job. He emphasized the need to keep your eyes focused on the long term goal while making sure short term goals get met, but not allowing the short term losses affect the long term win. Oh, how I love entreprenuer's. Hey, you gotta love what you do, right?
Another idea of ming is sparked by reading this article of Nemko's. http://www.martynemko.com/pub/articles/Nemko'srules.shtm
In it he talks about Career Contentment and how it can be found by going against what the crowd does and getting into an industry that isnt so "glamourous" or competitive. Its a good read. But the main part that stirred my imagination is the part where he suggests people move out of the Bay Area. huh? Move away from San Fran? You got to be kidding right? Its the best city around. Well, its also highly competitive and if you are willing to look around you will find a career where you are treated better, both personally and financially, because, though it may not have tons of people waiting for a job opening, it will be able to meet your requirements and the 8 specific attributes of job satisfaction Nemko lays out in his article. Happy reading.
But to my idea. Pittsburgh. Diamond in the rough is how I like to think of it. Because of its healthcare system it is poised for some serious growth in the next decade as boomers continue to need advanced healthcare and end up flocking to the area to retire. Yes, more old people in Pittsburgh, just what Pittsburgh needs right? Well actually yes. It will pump billions of dollars into the local industry allowing them to relieve debt, keep taxes continually low on average, and help to create an infrastructure that will continue to create new jobs. It really is just a matter of time and anyone that invests in the city now will reap rewards in the future. At least, that how I see it. ;-)
So those are my ideas for now. Ill continue to write more down, hopefully. Until then, May God be with you.

Why don't I listen>?

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth. Psalm 86:11

Constancy to God’s Word brings success in life------the success born of obedience. Faith is not so much the power to acquire or to bring something into my life, as it is the power to obey God’s plan for my life. To walk by faith is to stay on God’s ordered paths, which naturally lead to the things He has planned -----things that will fulfill us and make us fruitful servants.

Faith isn’t an effort to acquire things by bursts of spiritual energy. It is simply staying on track in the pathway God’s Word has ordained. Faith isn’t a ritual of speech as much as a response in obedience. God’s promises are already there in the path of His will for your life. Faith simply walks forward, moving in His way.

So goes the devotional my mom sent me in today's email. I seriously think she should just start her own newsletter. lol. Anyhow, I can't believe how much I feel like I need to keep myself occupied so that I don't take that quiet time to really listen to God and read His Word. So now I go to do it. Thats all!

Backpacking & Other Things

Ahhhh, a week in the great outdoors. Wonders upon wonders. I love it! A chance to be in Gods glorious creation. Hardly anything takes my breath away but there was one moment on my trip that simply took my breath away. And many other moments where I just realized how great it is to be alive. I didnt want to come back. But here I am, back and ready to get back to work. Or at least trying to be ready to be back to work.
hmmm, work. I dont even know where to begin. its the most confusing area of my life right now. i want to get into the whole school photography thing but it still doesnt allow me to be fulltime. but, i have the offer in hand to be a photographer for this next school year at a pretty decent hourly pay. its just that I need to continue painting for at least another year. Hang in there, is what I keep telling myself. and I continue to think about getting into something more oriented to what I really love doing which is working with teens. I dont know. Its frustrating me to no end right now.
Things have been going great with kelli and I recently. We have been dating for almost 4 months. Thats pretty significant for me, but oh how the time flies. Im trying to savor each moment as much as I can, yet they slip into memories ever so quickly. I just thank God that I have her in my life each and every day.
Last but not least, my parents are coming to visit next weekend. Im so excited to have them coming out. They came out last year too and we had a great time together. We are going up to Estes Park again this year which should be fun.
Im in such a weird mood right now. Like simultaneously happy and sad. its very hard to explain. As always, we shall see.

~jeremy