What I've learned in the MBA so far...

After finishing the first year and working for Intel for a month I have come to the realization that the best thing I learned is that I don't know much. It is amazing that the more one learns the more one knows that there is so much more out there. Wasn't it Socrates that said back in Ancient Greek times: "As for me, all I know is that I know nothing"? Smart dude, I have to agree with him.

After reading all those books in the first and second semester, all those articles, working on so many projects and so many groups, I come to Intel and realize that I still need so much more knowledge.

I like it thought, I always thought that learning is a never ending challenge.

So when I go back for my second year I will try to learn as much as I can and network with as many people as possible because the real learning comes from sharing information with others.

So watch out my friends, Jackie is armed and dangerous and questions are my weapons.

And so it goes...Summer, Intel, Internship, and family

OK, so I haven't write for quite a while but after I'm done today you'll know why.
After my three weeks vacation (at home with no school:) I moved to Hillsboro, Oregon for my internship at Intel.

I left my sweet family behind and my broken heart with them. This is the hardest decision we ever made.

I have been here (in Oregon) for a month now, I'm staying with a family of three: Kim, Marc, and sweet little Ada (23 months). They are awesome and had made my stay so welcome, I will even say they are spoiling me: share dinner with me, let me borrow their collection of DVD's, their toilet paper and laundry soap. Most importantly they are warm, funny, and very respectful.

Intel has been an interesting place to work. I was lost for the first two weeks, Intel campus are all over the place and the layout of each building is almost identical. I had no no work for 2 and half weeks after begging for a while now I'm starting to panic because I might have too much on my plate. My team and my manager are great, very nice and always willing to help me with my questions. The best part is that other BYU students are also here and we get together on a weekly basis to share a lunch. I love those guys, they made feel less lonely.

My darling hubby is back in Utah with our children and my mom. He is working hard and adjusting to his new job while also driving the kids back and forth, cooking, taking care of the house and my mom.
He is my champion and my hero, I don't know how is he able to do all that. I LOVE YOU, HONEY!!

Second day, 911, ambulance, and the hospital. This just keep getting more fun by the minute!

Yesterday I kept thinking "tomorrow is another day, things will get better" I lied to my self, today has been more horrible than ever.

I had a Women's conference to attend to, my manager Kaye (she is awesome) gave a ride to Portland so we can attended together. I didn't feel any better than yesterday, so after 15 minutes of driving I felt so sick that I asked her to pull over. Nevertheless, I threw up all over the outside of her car. When we finally pull over, I got out, and try to breath deeply and prayed that I could feel better. It was raining, it seems that always rain in Oregon, so i got soaked. After a few minutes we started our trip again, this time with me on the back trying to sleep. NOT BAD FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS, AH?

We finally made it to the conference, went to the breakfast (and of course couldn't eat a thing), participate in the next talk and had to go to first aid because I was just dying...They called 911 and the ambulance took me to the hospital.

They diagnosed me with migraines, I had these "attacks" once in a while since I can remember, but I never knew they were migraines. I don't wish them to anyone, they just kill you.

Anyway, after 3 hours in the hospital, I went back to conference and felt a little better.

First day and sleeping on the job.

Not what I expected for my first days on the job. We had NEO on Monday but two hours after started I felt so sick that I had to go to the enfermery. The nurse let me lied down and I slep for 45 minutes, after that I felt a little better but the headache and nausea were horrible.

At 1:00, when NEO was over, I called the administrative assistant that contacted me for the job. She is so sweet, we met and she took me to my cubicle. When I was ready to go to my next appoinment, my car would not start (battery dead). I do have the AAA so I called them and they fix it momentarily (jump started).

At 2:00 pm I had an appoinment with IT for a class and to pick up my notebook. The class was in another campus and I didn't know how to get there. So, I got lost! After 1 hour of driving around town, asking people, and walking to wrong buildings, I finally find the room. I have no idea what the instructor said, I was just trying not to faint or throw up. Yuck! I was done around 4:00, and all the while hoping that the car would start on its own. It did, Feewwhh!!

I took the car to replace the battery (they charge me $35 to install the battery, crazy!) and went home around 6:00.

I'm tired, sick, dirty, and sad...I want to go home, my real home...

Hillsboro, Oregon

So I made it! I drove and drove and drove for two days (15 hours) and after getting lost several times (I actually crossed the same bridge 5 times back and forth until I find my way) I made it to my apartment.
I'm staying with the Bourker's, a young family that rent a room to Intel interns. I'm glad I won't be all alone.
The house is really nice, my room is small but quite enough for my needs. The townhouse is new and impecable, they are really clean and organized people. I like that!
There is a park, a school, a movie theatre, and a grocery store nearby.
I hope I like it here if not it will be a looong summer.

On the road...

After driving for what it seems forever, I stopped at the Best Western Hotel. A rat helped with my suitcase, a mouse was my valet, and fleas were my companion...:)
Not seriously, the place was horrible...dirty, dark, YUCK!
But, at least I had a place to sleep and relax from 9 hours of driving. The scenery was breathtaking!
Now, I'm just too tired, I'm going to sleep.

The worst day of my life

As I pull out of the driveway I cannot contain the tears. I'm driving to Oregon leaving my sweet children, husband and mom behind.
I have never been away from my family for more than 2 weeks and now I'm leaving for 3 months. Yes, I will visit them some weekends but it is not the same.
Summers are the best time in our house, we do tons of things. We go to the park, museums, mountain, picnics, parades, and the rest of the time we splash in our pool.
Not this summer! I don't even now what will they do other than some taekwondo and theatre classes.
What about my sweetheart? Will he be able to take of the kids, the house, my mom, his new job? So much uncertainty...
But I have to do this, it is a main part of my MBA and it will be good for everyone in the long run. I will put all my efforts to have a great internship, to fulfill what I going to do, to do a great job.