December 12, 2006 @ 11:08 pm | Filed under: School Stuff

Semesters, that is.

After fourteen papers, two research papers, and three major exams, my first semester is behind me! As I walked out of my history exam today, I experienced the most amazing feeling - sort of a strange combo of wrung-out sponge and high-flying kite.

Tonight was Mike’s Baylor EMBA Christmas dinner so it was a perfect opportunity to dress up, go out, and relax after so many hours of studying and working.

The annual event was held at the Hilton Lincoln Center and was lovely on every conceivable level. Festive holiday decorations, a chamber orchestra, and food like you would not believe.

It was a real treat for me to watch Mike interact with other MBAers. Some were from prior classes, like Mike, and still others are immersed in the program right now. I ‘bluffed’ my way through a few conversations and was able to hold my own in conversations on theories of constraint (thankfully I’ve read the Eli Goldratt book The Goal!). But when our table started to discuss ‘brokering great deals’, I just sat back, listened politely, and enjoyed my cheesecake. For me, brokering a great deal is shopping the clearance aisles at Target and finding an arm full of stuff that I just can’t go home without. Somehow I had a feeling these guys weren’t talking retail therapy deals. On the drive home, Mike seemed genuinely surprised when I asked if I had managed to fake my way through. He’d had no clue that I was feigning intelligence I didn’t really feel.

It’s going to be great fun in a few years to watch him at my Master’s program in Literature Studies (see? I didn’t let the semester get to me - I still have lofty goals!). Knowing his keen sense of humor and his way with conversation and with people, I have no doubt that he’ll ‘bluff’ his way through a conversation on the critical analysis of Ernest Hemingway’s "Hills Like White Elephants" with ease!