Updated Sweden Blog

No, I haven't been back, but Peter sent me a great picture:

www.wendyinsweden.blogspot.com

I love this color

Cacti Obsession

Maybe it's because one doesn't see them in Seattle or Sweden but nothing says "I'm in Arizona" to me like cacti (besides maybe the melted lipstick in my purse). All of these pictures were taken in my neighborhood.

Update

I finished the microeconomics paper I complained about in an earlier post. So now MBA stands for My Big Accomplishment.

Is that better Mom?

My Job

I am working as an academic counselor for Axia College, the online associates degree division of the University of Phoenix. I spend most of my day on the phone with students of all ages, from all over the country. My job is to do administrative tasks such as scheduling their classes, but the main responsibility for which I was hired is to retain students. A million things can make them want to drop out - family problems, juggling work and school, difficulty with the school work, etc. Being good at my job means being able to listen patiently and empathically (not a problem), empower students (not a problem), come up with creative solutions to their problems(not a problem), help them understand assignments (not a problem) and be able to survive nine hour days surrounded by cubicles as far as the eye can see (a bit of a problem- but getting outside and walking during my breaks keeps me sane).
Overall, I really like my job. I love getting to know the students and helping to foster and celebrate their success.

The University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and growing exponentially. The building I work in is huge, and one of twelve within a three mile radius. Three more such buildings are underway.



This is Jacque, the finance manager on my 'graduation team' (the graduation team also consists of several enrollment counselors). Jacque and I get along great, which is fortunate since we sit next to each other and have to confer about students throughout the day. My desk is on the other side of the partition (and is not being shown to you because it is, of course, messy). The reason the builiding is so empty is because this picture was taken Saturday afternoon. Jacque and I had both come in to get caught up on work.

Renaissance Festival

The Ren. Festival was in Gold Canyon, about an hour east of Phoenix. It was a brisk 138 degrees outside. Ok, it was about 82 but the sun was relentless. I hate hats, but I think a flirty little straw number is in my near future.

When's the last time you saw cacti in a parking lot?