Pumpkin - the Spice of fall!

Am loving the fall weather, and today was mid 70's in southern Indiana. Hubby and I took Mom (who is visiting from Michigan) to Bridgefest today, which is a celebration of autumn in and around the covered bridges area (southern Indiana boasts several covered bridges in close proximity in one region), and vendors and people congregate to eat, drink, and buy lots of inexpensive stuff.

This festival is ten days long, today being the second day, and we went to the largest festival area. It was bumper to bumper traffic as we neared Raccoon Lake area and took about twenty minutes or so to go the last few miles and park. We parked across from the opening of the festival and it was $7. The good news is that everything is so CHEAPLY priced that the $7 is probably the most we spent on anything.

My favorite "bargains" were crystals for beading and deals on scarves. And picked up signs that say, "Premises protected by Chihuahua Safety Co" for the girls and "Japanese Chin" for us.

Most of the vendors are from the "Shipshewanna" fame, and many Amish were selling craft items and foods. We sampled the supposedly "homemade" fried pies, and although the marketing stated the filling was "homemade," it was obvious that the filling of the pies came from a can. Maybe the can states "homemade?" Not sure, but not enticed to buy a fry pie!

We did enjoy lunch, and Mom and I split some fried catfish with spicy sauce (sans the bun)and Scott enjoyed a Gyro, though he said it was okay but not as tasty as the ones at George's in Chesterton. We split some pumpkin ice cream and it was really good! Pumpkin is the taste of fall! Apples and cinnamon, too.

It was great being outside all day especially in the nice weather, and the leaves are on fire this week; fall color at its peak! Autumn leaves and carny food wafted in the fresh air, and we walked and walked through crowds of people, but so crowded that we didn't even make it through half the fest. I took some pictures and will post one soon. We passed three darling Amish kids with plain little brown outfits like pilgrims, wearing sporty little hats holding hands and running, all smiles. The Amish adults smiled  too as we commented how darling their children were.

Amish sure enjoy festivals, we see them at every festival around here. They even closed up their store in Freedom to celebrate Apple Butter Fest a few weeks back. Party, party, and bake a pie; that's the Amish!

By the time we got to the bridge, there were so many people trying to cross that we just decided it was time to leave the festival. They say "three's a crowd," but try hundreds; scads of people with carts of goods, packed baby strollers (some even with babies!), and some people on rascals, too, phew!  Just let me outa' there! 

So, we went, we saw, we tasted pumpkin, bought some crafts and stuff, and left around 230pm. Next year we'll try going during the week.

Love is Never About Money

Just a quick note to say thanks so much for your support and for holding my daughter and her chihuahua in the light during these past few weeks.

As you might be aware, Krystal's chihuahua was savagely mauled by a stray pitbull the weekend of August 17th. My daughter made a police report but the police haven't really done anything and don't seem to think the pitbull can be located. So, my daughter must incur several thousand dollars of medical bills for her little 4 pound dog. The attack was completely unprovoked. In hindsight, we are fortunate that my daughter was unharmed. Had Blondie not been targeted, the pitbull could have attacked Krystal.

Instead, the putbull snatched Blondie, and the little dog screamed in agony as the pitbull clamped down on her entire body, resulting in all ribs on her right side being broken, and a deep gash ripping her open from chest all the way around her right side, up to the middle of her back; if you saw her, she appeared to be nearly chewed in two! Luckily, a flap of skin remained over her lungs to allow them to function.

Krystal's friends wrestled the little dog away from the pitbull, Krystal grabbed her beach towel and wrapped it around the dog, jumping in the car and she and her friend sped away to the Purdue ER in Westville, Indiana, a good 40 minutes or so away from Stark County where the incident happened. Krystal called her sister, Ashlee, asking for guidance, and Ashlee said, "Head for Purdue ER full speed! That's all you can do, keep going!" 

When Krystal got Blondie to the vet emergency, the ER vet thought the chihuahua would arrest at any time, and didn't give much hope.

I am so thankful my husband I were traveling from Michigan, and just an hour away when I got the frantic call from Krystal. She was at the Purdue ER vet hospital in Westville, Indiana (had Scott and I been home in southern Indiana, we would have been 4 hours or more away). My daughter said she didn't know what to do since she didn't have any money with her and I told her we would be right there.

Upon arrival, Scott sat in the car with our dogs, Jake and Lucy, and we didn't know at that time it would be about a 2-hour wait in the car. I went in and sat with Krystal in a small examination office. Krystal collapsed on me in tears, and I held my daughter and prayed aloud for God to please save Blondie. The vet came in and the look on her face was dismal. She said "It's very bad,"  and that Blondie "could arrest at any time." In addition, from the shaking that the pitbull did to the chihuahua, there was concern over possible injuries to the dog's spinal cord and brain. The vet said that the surgery would be in the $3,500 range. Krystal is not one to ask for money. She understands how hard it is to work for it, and how difficult it can be to pay bills for rent, food, gas, and other living expenses. I'm certain that when she called me she probably figured around $500 since we have taken pets to the Purdue ER before. But I'm sure she didn't realize it could be thousands. She continued to softly cry but said nothing.

 

Even though it was a lot of money, Krystal was so grief stricken and I asked the vet to please save the dog. At that point, I had no idea that the bill would triple in the next two weeks. Krystal's friend, Jaclyn, who works for Krystal's regular vet stated that she has seen dogs with fewer injuries pass away from their trauma and injuries. And another friend, Carol, whose husband has been a vet for more than three decades, and who has worked side-by-side with her husband in his office and has seen many injuries over the years, told me that if the dog makes it through surgery, we shouldn't get too hopeful for another week since anything can happen in the first week.

The ER team stabilized Blondie (who even though severely injured, tried to stand on the examining table when brought in). Further complications included that Blondie was covered in mud, since Krystal and the dog were with friends at a lake, and they wrestled the tiny dog from the pitbull in the muddy area of the lake.

The surgery began at 3am Sunday morning and took two hours. The surgical team said Blondie did remarkable well, tolerating the anesthesia and surgery. Krystal and our family held our breath waiting to hear any news. Krystal went up to see her dog Sunday afternoon, and as Blondie lay there, eyes closed and with tubes sticking out of her, Krystal continued to be emotional, and because of the trauma of what had occurred the evening before, continued to relive the horror of the pitbull grabbing and clamping its jaws around Blondie, and Blondie's high pitched screams in agony as Krystal tried to retrieve the little chihuahua.

But Blondie is a survivor. She is a miracle. She has the heart of a lion in that tiny little body, and determined to go the distance!

My daughter Ashlee has three chihuahuas, and is active in the NW Indiana Chihuahua Rescue organization.Krystal just has Blondie. And while Ashlee's little dogs are sweet and fun, they are not very active. But Blondie is different; she has always had energy! And no joint problems that little dogs can be prone to. She can leap from floor to bed, and loves her walks! She has been in amazingly "fit" condition for a little dog! This might be one thing that helped her endure the tragedy that occurred.

After surgery, the vet team was concerned that Blondie lost use of her right leg, since trauma was so close to the muscle. And during the first week, Blondie's red blood cell count fell so low that she nearly needed a blood transfusion. By Thursday evening, the Purdue team in Westville had Krystal transport Blondie to the Purdue campus in West Lafayette, Indiana (also Krystal's Alma mater, and home of the best veterinarian school and hospital in the United States).

 

An additional surgery was done on Friday, August 24, to remove dead skin and have a more skilled and board certified veterinarian correct issues and infection in Blondie's chest cavity, and get close to the leg muscle. Again, Blondie did incredibly well. I drove to Purdue that Saturday to meet Krystal in West Lafayette, which is nearly 2 hours north for me, and 90 minutes south for her; both of us traveling many miles for the promise of a 20-minute visit with the dog, since this particular vet hospital is unable to accommodate longer visits. They brought Blondie to us wrapped in a pretty decorated lavender "body cast," and Blondie as always was happy to Krystal; her eyes lit up! Also that day, the vet put Blondie down and we saw Blondie limping on her right leg and trying to use it. On Sunday, Krystal drove the long commute back and forth to the vet hospital to visit with her little dog again, wanting to keep Blondie motivated to keep going and get well!

 

 

Pictured above is Blondie on Krystal's lap in her lavender "body cast" on August 24.

 

 

We were pleasantly surprised when Blondie was released to go home on Monday evening already, and was scheduled to return that Thursday for more blood tests to investigate the anemia issue that was not getting worse but still a serious concern.

Later that week, vets did more blood tests. Blondie's anemia continued and the vets narrowed it down to either a transmission of a disease that some pitbulls carry that causes it, or perhaps a reaction from Blondie's meds and steroids. Either way, it's a serious and life-threatening condition. The tests revealed it was not the illness carried by pitbulls. So now, Blondie continues to recover, and is on special medicine to attempt to correct the anemia.

Today, Blondie is so HAPPY to be home! Krystal spent the Labor Day weekend caring for her little dog, and although Blondie is not allowed yet to walk too much or run around, Krystal reports that Blondie wants to get active again, and that Krystal has to contain her in a little pen so she can continue to rest and recover gradually. Oh, and Blondie is using that right leg really well now!

This is truly a little dog who loves her master more than life! And we continue to pray for her blood issues to resolve, but it could be weeks! Please help us pray for this little "Wonder" Dog, also known as the Miracle Chihuahua. I am so grateful to my kind and loving friends who have sent me emails and text messages; one that made me especially smile was my friend Madalene, who is of Mexican descent and who said, 'We Mexicans are tough!" I love that! Thanks Madalene.

Special thanks to family and friends who gave from the heart by way of support and donations: Thanks to Aunt Patty in Florida for her very generous donation! Thanks also to my friends Marilyn and Mike from Georgia who are extreme dog lovers for their donation! Thanks to my good friend Margaret and her hubby Jeff who gave a generous donation! (Margaret is my best friend in the greater Bloomington area). Thanks to my great friend, Donna (and her poodle, Ginger who I think is half human most of the time), in Grand Rapids who not only made a generous donation but who posted the weblink on her FB site to her dog lover friends. Thanks to my mom, Kathryn, who is so dedicated to her grandchildren and often puts the needs of others before her own, and who made a very generous donation, and mom's special friend, Joe, who is a very caring and generous person, and who gave a hefty donation, too. Thanks to our friends, the Daly's for their donation. And thanks to friends Cheryl, Laura, Carol, Madalene, and Peter who sent uplifting text messages and emails expressing support! I'm also thankful for two courageous daughters, Ashlee, who continues to be a role model of strength to Krystal, and for taking her lunch hours during the week to hold Blondie in the critical care unit of the Purdue animal hospital, and for Krystal, who continues to show unconditional love for her little dog.

 

And, so grateful to live in the state of Indiana, where we are fortunate to have the finest veterinarians in the United States, especially in the Purdue network, where many gifted veterinarians are educated and trained.

 

I must say, I could not imagine the extent of Blondie's injuries since I did not see her mauled body. The first glimpse I got of Blondie's injuries were in the week after surgery, when I received a photo of her stitched up body via cell phone from Krystal's friend, Jaclyn. Jaclyn took photos of the "damage" just in the rare chance that we do find the pitbull and its owners, to document what the pitbull did to Blondie. The photo I received of Blondie's right side was horrifying. I cannot even imagine what my daughter went through. Krystal witnessed it all; the trauma of the attack, Blondie's agonizing high pitched screaming, the feeling of urgency and helplessness as she and friends tried wrestling the chihuahua from the pitbull's jaws, and the bloody, muddy, and damaged body of her little dog that she wrapped up in the beach towel. And Blondie's eyes quietly searching her own as her friend drove the long trip to the Purdue emergency hospital that evening.

 

I have had a few people chastise me for trying to save the dog because it has been so costly. I even had one coworker tell me that she made the "mistake" of trying to save her dog once and the dog died anyway, even though her story didn't even sound remotely like this situation. But -- to those people --  I say, please know that there are things that rise above money -- one involves principle -- and the greatest of all involve love.

Yes, I am so glad that Blondie is recovery well because we all love the dog.  But in addition, the thought of my daughter having to endure the grief and pain of thinking that she was responsible for her beloved dog's suffering (and potential demise), then this is too much for my child to have to bear. No mother wants her child to suffer; life is hard enough without adding guilt. Guilt brings depression and that ruins lives. For this, we continue to try to bring Blondie back to 100%, so that even though the memories of the mauling are painful for Krystal, those bad memories will fade over time, and that we do what we can to bring Blondie back to being her old self again, and ease the grief that Krystal has experienced over the tragedy. Love is never about money.

 

Krystal is one of the finest people I have ever met, and is kind, honest, and fair to everyone she meets. Krystal is happy even with few material things and rarely ever asks me for anything. Krystal works hard and is self-sufficient. For quite a while, she held down her FT job during the week and a PT one on the weekends. Currently, she is pursuing her master's degree at her own expense. I am so proud of my daughter, Krystal. She deserves all good things, especially a clear conscience.

Below is the donation weblink for those who would like to contribute or pass it along, and also, a picture of Blondie recouping at home on the couch, her favorite place to hang with her fellow chihuahuas, from left to right, Mouse, Bebe, Blondie (in protective pen, center), and Armani.

 

http://www.giveforward.com/helpsavemyblondie

 

 

Spring Ahead!

Here we are, on the cusp of spring, and today marks one of the most baffling rituals of spring -- the spring ahead weekend.
In the wee hours of Sunday at 2am, we'll have to set our clocks ahead an hour for daylight savings time. Never mind that history has shown that this routine leaves many of us groggy; our physiological clocks disturbed, tired, and confused by the sound of a seemingly early alarm clock, not to mention the challenges it creates for medical devices, travel plans, meetings, heavy equipment, and those states that do not have such an archaic system in place, such as Arizona.

And living in Indiana presents its own challenges, since parts of the state are on Eastern standard time while other parts are on Central Standard time. This was especially grueling to me when my children were going to school at Purdue in West Lafayette (where they do not change the clocks) while I was living in NW Indiana, where clocks were set ahead. "What time can I call you?" I would ask to which one of my daughter's might reply, "I get out of class at 3," and 'What time is it there now?" I might add. Purdue was on the same time as NW Indiana for 6 months out of the year, but if you wanted to interact with anyone there, you had to really do some figuring to make sure you called at the right time!

According to Wikipedia, daylight savings time was implemented during the First World War to allow outdoor activities later in the evening, and to save on incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of lighting. This isn't the case today. So why do we continue to put ourselves through this?

But without arguing for or against daylight savings time and the "spring ahead" and "fall back" that irritates many and throws us off our natural schedules, wouldn't it be easier and compromising just to split the difference and call it a day? How would we do that? Simple. Why don't we just spring ahead 30 minutes and leave the clock alone -- permanently? Would 30 minutes either way really be an inconvenience for anyone?

Well, I can say one thing about daylight savings time; if nothing else, it gives us something to blog about. (:

Nighty night, sleep tight. And don't be surprised if you wake up and feel out of sorts with your clock.  You'll be fine after a week or so . . . Peace.

Leap Year

Happy February 29!

But do we really need an extra day in February? Wouldn't an extra summer or fall day be more appealing to everyone; say June 31 or September 31?

Let's please remember this when we're updating the Gregorian calendar.

Apparently, according to Wikipedia, a year that doesn't contain this extra day is referred to as a "common year," and if Hallmark gets wind of this information, I'll bet we'll start having Leap Year cards to celebrate the uncommon year, and maybe even Leap Year dinners, dances, and other festivities.

Let's see, we could do a Leap Year dance, and decorate with frogs a leaping, green cakes, and green punch for the green frog color. But would that be too much green so close to St. Paddy's Day? What other color could Leap Year Day be?

Maybe we have Look Before You Leap Activities, and for some odd reason, a Court Jester comes to mind as a Leap Year Mascot: So we could blindfold the Leap Year fool (each game participant would take a turn at this), and let them stumble through an obstacle course. Or just leave the blindfold off, and let them throw the dice to see how many paces they have to take before they "leap," and this could be off a box into jello or maybe into a swimming pool; you know, something "safe." Okay, too goofy.

One fun and safe activity would be to calculate how many Leap Year days you've actually lived through; just divide your age this year by four.

And doesn't it seem ironic that the year we have the extra day is called the Leap Year, when we actually don't jump over a day, but add one? Shouldn't we call it Extra Day Year?

Well, it's just an extra day; don't blink or you'll miss it. Happy Birthday to all those Leap Year babies who rarely get a birthday. And if you don't have a Leap Year birthday, be grateful, and happy day to you, too.

Chinese cuisine cooking class

Yesterday evening Scott and I headed south to Orleans to the lovely farmhouse where we have taken cooking classes in the past, and had a lesson in Chinese cuisine scheduled.

Orleans is about an hour and a half south of Spencer, and although the weather threatened snow and gloomy skies in the morning, by noon it had cleared to a sunny, yet chilly day. So we headed to the farmhouse for what hoped to be a pleasant experience.

We really enjoy Chinese cuisine, and have attempted to cook it at home on several occasions. My quick stir fry, using bottled sauces, canned vegetables, and cooked chicken is good in a pinch. Although a decent fast dish for a career woman to make when on the run, it's not worthy of being called cuisine, and Scott turned his note up at it when I first made it for him. And after living with him for a while and finding out what a good chef he is, I can see why. He has given me an appreciation for delicious home cooked food. And although his attempts at Chinese cooking are fair, they lack the richness of the flavor that we have enjoyed in restaurants.

One of my Asian students gave me a recipe for Mapo Tofu (the student said it was his favorite dish), and we've made it at home, but since we didn't have access to the "real" ingredients, for example, we substituted chili sauce for chili paste because it wasn't available at our local grocer, the dish turned out lackluster. There are Asian grocery stores in Bloomington, and I plan on seeking out that chili paste one of these days.

We arrived at the farmhouse early for our 4:30pm lesson. The farmhouse is scenic no matter what the season, and we brought our camera to photograph the patchwork barn (there's actually a sign on it with this name), and the lovely old oak tree with the antique bicycle leaning against it. (On one of our autumn visits, we were delighted to see two Amish children playing near the barn. We were later told that there were neighbor children paid to do some barn chores.)

The porch of the house is filled with signs with cute sayings and lots of antiques that are always fun to see. There are so many things around the farmhouse inside and out, that no matter how many times we go, we are bound to notice something new.

Once inside, we found out that our hostess, Judy, who owns the home was going to stay upstairs since she was recovering from the flu. Our class instructor, Jackie, introduced herself and her assistant, her daughter, Tara.

Once the other three people arrived (this was a very small class), Jackie got started. We all took a chair at the oak dining table, and watched as Jackie prepared chicken pepper stir fry, sesame garlic flank steak, Hong Kong fried rice cakes, and stir fried spinach with garlic.

As soon as Jackie cut into the fresh ginger root, we realized what ingredient has been missing from our own home prepared recipes; the smell was tantalizing and made our mouths water in anticipation. Jackie showed us how to cut up a variety of vegetables for the peppered chicken dish, cutting cucumbers on an angle and carrots "rolled and diagonal" cuts. I had always just grabbed a veggie and cut it. I didn't know there were so many different ways to cut vegetables. And cucumbers in stir fry? Who would imagine! And she said to get the "long English cucumbers, since there are less seeds." And I'm thinking to myself, "You mean there are different kinds of cucumbers?" So yes, there are more things to to learn at these classes besides new recipes.

And when the food was done and ready, the best part was the EATING! We enjoyed our Chinese buffet, and meeting the instructors, and the local residents, Kelly, Gina, and Lee who had showed up for the class, too. Gina and I were the novices, proclaiming that we are not worthy to be called cooks. But Kelly, Lee, and of course my husband Scott, all have done quite well with cooking.

Kelly made comments that the evening was so much fun that we should all get together again in the summer for a "pitch-in." I laughed when I realized that by "pitch-in," she meant a potluck! Oh the things you learn at a cooking class! 

We swapped emails and ate the peppered chicken, and talked about what we'd through in it at home since the basic recipe is so versatile; Lee and I mentioned baby corn and mushrooms, and Gina and Kelly thought that sounded good and mentioned peapods. Scott liked the thought of peapods. The steak was Scott's and my favorite of the night. Kelly especially enjoyed the spinach, and said what a healthy way to enjoy fresh spinach this was.

The Hong Kong fried rice cakes were disappointing though, and after finding out you start with a pre-packaged mix like Rica-Roni to make them, we knew we wouldn't be making that one at home.

We weren't expecting dessert, but Tara brought us a tray of vanilla "bisquits" which were cookies with chocolate cream in the center. Then, when we figured that was dessert, she brought us each a bowl of Mango Sherbert. I've never had this treat but will certainly enjoy it again sometime. Everyone at the table agreed it was REALLY TASTY! And Jackie mentioned it was Kroger brand; who would have figured?

After a nice afternoon of "learning" and EATING, it was time to say good night. Full and happy and with recipes in tow, Scott and I bid farewell to everyone and headed back home.

New Friends: Dixie and Sammy

So I invited a couple over for dinner last night because the husband is retired Army, like Scott, and I figured the guys would have lots in common.

Well, the husband is MSgt. Sammy Davis, congressional medal of honor recipient whose heroics in Vietnam were depicted in movie, "Forrest Gump," as he single-handedly saved many in his platoon during battle while he was wounded.

Sammy said, "Remember the scene where Forrest brings them to the river bank and leaves them, as he goes back for yet another soldier?"

And I said, "yes," and Sammy said, "I swam each of them across the river to safety." This was a goosebumps moment for me, speaking to this courageous gentleman. Sammy told us about meeting LBJ, and how they used footage of him in the movie receiving his congressional medal of honor, but superimposed Tom Hanks' photo over him. I asked if he really showed the president his battle scars, as Forrest did when he pulled down his uniform pants in the movie. Sammy said, "No, but I would've if the president has asked to see it."

Sammy told us about his stint in Vietnam, and how it rained and rained for days, and his platoon of 40 was in the wetlands, and he was in a foxhole. It was November 1967, and he turned 21 holed up in that foxhole. He said, "You know how you look forward to your 21st birthday, and dream of all the things you're going to do on that special day," and there Sammy was, wet, cold, and smack dab in a hole in Vietnam.

And when enemy forces, 1500 strong forged towards Sammy's platoon, the men did not cower. The platoon held as best they could, and one man -- Sammy -- ended up saving several of his comrades, just as depicted in the film.

Sammy brought over his congressional medal of honor to show us. Also in the little worn blue box were several other mementos, precious to the sweet war hero; one I'll especially remember was an amulet given to him by Mother Teresa, which I held in my hand, and felt I was holding something once touched by an angel.

Sammy's wife, Dixie, was no shrinking violet. Lovely and animated, Dixie spoke of the many celebrity friends they had made over the years, including favorites of mine, Gary Sinise and Ann Margret. I couldn't get over the Ann Margret mention, and told of how I saw the movie, "Bye Bye Birdie" as a five year old, and have always loved Ann. Dixie mentioned they would probably be seeing her this week at the Ronald Reagan library. Dixie says the celebrities they meet are all very nice, and most become friends.

We talked about the 1960's, and what a time it was. We discussed how the music was so poignant, and how you can't explain any of this to the younger generations; how you had to "be there," to understand it all. Even though I remember it as a child, and Scott barely remembers much, since he was born in the early 60's. We talked about how the music then was about peace, love, and understanding, all in the midst of the Vietnam war time. And how many today are concerned with putting healthy food in their bodies, yet the music of today is generally not so healthy. Music is food for the mind. We pondered what the effect will be over time . . . to be continued.

We ate and made merry. We all enjoyed a delicious beef bourguignon that took Scott hours to prepare, along with Asiago cheese bread, and a Marie Callender berry pie for dessert. Dixie and I were equally excited that we were serving Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream with the pie, so that made up for the fact that the pie was store-bought.

"Next time, we'll make one of our special homemade apple pies," I said, apologizing for the store-made one. Dixie said next time we're going to their house. and Scott and I look forward to it.

We felt like we had known these people for years. So nice to make new friends. And always nice to meet a hero; even I know this is something you just don't find around the corner (yes, I'm quoting Forrest Gump here). Sammy and Dixie brought us a jar of their homemade salsa. And we swapped recipes, too. Sammy and Dixie are really nice, and Scott and I enjoyed having them over, along with two of my colleagues from IU. It was a great night; it's always nice to make new friends.

It's Therapeutic

Last Friday evening I gave a presentation to a group of Asian students on tips for the interview, and as I demonstrated how to "watch your posture and sit up straight," and swung my arms around and up to chest level to emphasize to "bring your energy level up!" they wiggled in their chairs and sat straight up in unison and when I discussed hand placement, to my delight, they mimicked me also.

 

I love the IU Kelley School of Business students! They are like sponges; they listen attentively and heed advice. They are outstanding students who go above and beyond. They are a joy to work with and a joy to know. 

 

And they appreciate the time and advice I give them as Career Coach. This is evident in the many thank you emails I receive almost daily. But if only they knew how much they give back to me. I learn from them, too. Many times, they make my day!

 

After a one-on-one coaching session and on his way out the door, one student said, "I'm going to pay your social security." I chuckled and said, "So you're going to save the system, huh?  and he replied with a smile, "Yes." So we talked a few minutes more about that. That student was so full of knowledge, motivation, and drive, and by golly, he convinced me if that if it can be done, he would be the person to do it.

 

Another student, during a mock interview when I mentioned that he had a charming personality, replied, "Thanks; you do, too." This made me smile.

 

I have yet another student who graduates in May and will only take a job in California or someplace "warm." She and actually took herself on vacation to check out different areas -- solo -- over the Christmas holiday break. She has no contacts out there. Yes, a very brave student. 

 

KSB students come from around the world, with diverse backgrounds and interests, yet they share a quest for knowledge.

 

Students so fresh, so hopeful, that they make me feel hopeful, too.  No matter what my day is looking like, KSB students are a bright spot.

 

 

Note: The Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, is considered to be one of the top business schools in the U.S. and in the top 50 throughout the world.