Business School #12: I Graduated

I have officially graduated summa cum laude with my bachelors in business administration! It is such a surreal feeling to know that I am finally done with undergrad, and is something that I am still processing. I am happy to be the first person in my family with a bachelors degree, and look forward to continuing my education. Here are the classes I took this Spring semester, and the grades in which I received:

Interpersonal Communication A

Intercultural Communication A

Social Media Marketing A

Intro to Risk Management/Insurance A

Overall GPA: 3.86

Business School #11: I WAS ACCEPTED!

As you know, I am currently finishing up my senior year at SUNY Oswego with a major in business administration, and a minor in entrepreneurship. On 3/7/23, I received my acceptance letter informing me that I was accepted into graduate studies for the advanced certificate in nursing home administration! For the advanced certificate, I have to take the following 5 courses:

• Introduction to Gerontology
• Human Resource Management
• Issues in Health Law
• Financial Management for Healthcare Organizations
• Nursing Home Administration

I am genuinely so excited to graduate with my bachelors this May, as I will be the first person in my family with a bachelors degree!

Business School #10: Fall 2022 at SUNY Oswego

A few weeks ago, I ended my third semester at SUNY Oswego. I am happy that the semester is finally over with, so I can start focusing on my Winter class and applying for graduate studies! While I enjoyed a couple of the classes I took this semester, I did have a difficult professor for two of them. From not responding to emails to grading with no rhyme or reason, I am glad I ended the semester with the GPA that I did, but I am surprised I finished one class with a B when I had an 89.3 in the class. However, it is in the past now and I can only focus on the present! Any who, here are the classes I took this Fall semester, and the grades in which I received:

Global Business and Society A

Entrepreneurship Capstone Project A

Life and Health Insurance A

Management Policy and Simulation B

Overall GPA: 3.82

Grieving.

I never thought about what life was going to be like without my dog, but I now know what it is like without her.

In October, Cha Cha was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her appointment to get it removed was set to happen on 11/21, but she passed away on 11/18. Leading up to her death, I knew I did not have that much time with her. She was losing lots of weight because she was no longer eating, she formed open wounds on her abdomen due to the cancer, and I saw the life draining out of her eyes. When I came home from work on Thursday, I noticed she was not able to make it outside to use the bathroom, and she had no desire to even eat small amounts of food anymore, and whatever she did manage to eat, she happened to throw up later. I held her in my arms that night, and asked her to make it to the morning. When the vet opened for the day, I immediately called them and was able to be seen at 9am for an emergency evaluation. Upon completion of an x-ray and ultrasound, it was confirmed that her cancer had spread and her uterus was filled with fluid. Surgery could no longer be performed on her, so she had to be euthanized.

When the vet tech came to sedate her, she stuck her with the needle and Cha Cha yelped in pain and jumped into my arms. I was supposed to keep her safe, and I failed her. I held Cha Cha in my arms like my baby I always said she was. I rocked her back and forth, while singing her my childhood lullaby- “Hush little baby don’t say a word, mama’s gonna buy you the whole wide world”. I felt her go limp in my arms. During this time, I cried, I shared memories, and I said sorry a thousand times. When the vet and vet tech came back into the room, I placed her on the table and put my hand on her to pet her. After the second needle, she was gone within seconds. I spent more time with her after she passed, and I told her how sorry I was that this had to happen to her. I gave her two kisses, and saw her lifeless on the table when I went to shut the door.

I do not think I will ever stop grieving over the loss of Cha Cha.

Business School #9: Summer Term

As I shared in a previous blog post, I decided to take a few Summer classes so I would have enough credits to graduate Spring of 2023. Here are the classes I took and the grades in which I received:

Intro to Labor Economics A

Management of Nonprofit Organizations A

Survey of Health Communication A

Overall GPA: 3.85

Business School #8: President’s List

When I started attending SUNY Oswego, my goal was to make it on the President’s List for both Fall and Spring semester. Unfortunately, I fell short by less than a point my Fall semester and was on the Deans’ List instead. However, I reached my goal and made it on the President’s List for Spring semester! In order to be on the President’s List, a student must attain a semester grade-point average of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. I am incredibly proud of myself, and look forward to completing my bachelors in Spring of 2023!

Weight Loss Update #7: Gaining Weight

In my last weight loss update, I discussed how I was rarely having depressive episodes, going to the gym regularly and losing weight. From January-May, I reached 211 pounds. However, I have started to gain weight again and currently weigh 216 pounds. My weight gain has been from a combination of eating unhealthy, emotional eating, and not working out consistently. However, I am ready to put in the time and effort needed to lose weight again, so here are my fitness goals for the month of August:

• Walk 5 miles per week
• Workout 3x a week
• No emotional eating
• Reach 212 pounds

Business School #7: My 2nd Semester at Oswego

A few weeks ago, I ended my second semester at SUNY Oswego. I am happy that the semester is finally over with, and will be starting my senior year! This summer, I also decided to take a few classes, which include intro to labor economics, management of nonprofit organizations, and survey of health communication. Once I finish the Summer term, I will only need 27 more credits in order to graduate! Any who, here are the classes I took this Spring semester, and the grades in which I received:

Corporate Finance A-

Creativity and Innovation A-

Cultural Environment International Business A

Entrepreneurial Marketing and Sales A

Overall GPA: 3.79

Business School #6: My 1st Semester at Oswego

A few weeks ago, I ended my first semester at Oswego. If you did not know, I transferred to Oswego this Fall semester in order to complete my bachelors in business administration, and my minor in entrepreneurship. I have one more school year left, and then I start my advanced certificate in healthcare administration so I can take the NYS licensed nursing home administrator exam. These were the classes I took this Fall semester, and the grades in which I received:

Strategic Communication A-

Entrepreneurship A

Organizational Behavior A-

Operations Management A-

Overall GPA: 3.75

Weight Loss Update #6: Losing Weight Again

It has been an incredibly long time since the last time I have posted a weight loss update. April 2019-April 2021 was a very rough period in my life. I developed PCOS and was dealing with a hormonal imbalance, depression, and weight gain. I gained roughly 30-35 pounds even when I was trying so hard to lose it by watching my calories and working out. The summer of 2020, I reached such a low point, and was in such extreme pain due to my PCOS (undiagnosed at that time) that I decided it was time to see my primary provider. My primary provider decided to order some labs and have me go in for an ultrasound, and that is when I was diagnosed with PCOS. She then put in a referral for an OBGYN, who I only saw once because we did not click whatsoever, and then the OBGYN put in a referral for an endocrinologist. The endocrinologist was so lovely, and he explained into detail what PCOS was, and the things I could do to try to lessen the symptoms. He stressed the importance of eating healthy and working out since it really is the only way someone can help their PCOS. He also told me that I could not compare myself to others since I am dealing with a disease that makes it so incredibly difficult to lose weight.

After visiting with my endocrinologist, I spoke to my primary provider and asked her to put in a referral so I could see the weight loss doctor, and she also prescribed an antidepressant. My weight loss doctor has helped me so much with understanding exactly what I need to do in order to lose the weight that I have gained. She explained that my body has an insulin resistance due to the PCOS, so if I want to lose weight, reducing my carbs is more important that reducing my calories. She also told me that weight training is more important than me focusing on cardio.

When I first saw her in August 2020, I weighed 228.0 pounds and was depressed. As of 11/5/2021, I weigh 216.0 pounds and rarely deal with depressive episodes anymore. I try to go to the gym 3-4x a week and focus on both cardio and strength training. Since April of 2021, my fitness has improved tremendously, the weight is starting to melt off, and I no longer deal with extreme sadness. I am looking forward to January 1st, and seeing how much better shape I will be in. I am excited for life now, and looking forward to the future instead of dwelling on it.