Schaffer Schenanigans: October 2012

The rain has officially started here in Oregon for the Fall, so I am of course thinking back to all the fun we had in the summer to remember the warm, sunny, beautiful times we had not too long ago.

We took our first trip to Sunriver, and for the longest time leading up to the trip we would reference it as our "Bend Trip". Now we understand that Sunriver it its own destination and deserves the credit for fun family time.

Many conversations I have with my dad start with: "Hey, dad - want to join us in (fill in the blank)". And the timing worked out just right to have my dad fly from AZ to join us for our adventures in Sunriver.

We had a blast biking, swimming, hot tubbing, hiking, exploring, picking flowers, canoeing and just hanging out together.

July 2012

The kids loved the extra time with Grandpa, and he was a huge help to me while Jim had to focus on work while we were there.

Thanks for coming to play, dad!

We found out why there are so many deer roaming around so near the houses. There are apparently a lot of little kids who feed them carrots off the deck.

Ahhh... Summer. Farewell to thee for this now, but we will look forward to what adventures await us next year.

As I mentioned before, in May Jim began a 2 year Executive MBA program from Wharton: University of Pennnsylvania at their San Francisco campus. In July, Aron and I were able to accompany him to San Fran to check out the campus, the hotel and the people that he goes to every other weekend. In this post I will attempt to recap that July trip, as well as answer some of the common questions that we have been asked since the start of the program.

Where is he going to school? Although the program is through Wharton: University of Pennsylvania, he travels to CA for this Executive MBA program. The Wharton campus is in a beautiful building off Embarcadero overlooking the Bay Bridge in San Fransisco.
What does Jim eat while he is there? He is well fed during his days of the program, as they cater Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on days they hold class. The food is a part of the cost of the program.
Where does he stay? They have a really great hotel near the Financial District. I can't remember the name right now, so I will have to come back and add it in later.
When do they meet for class? Jim's typical schedule is that class is held 8 am - 7 pm every other Friday and Saturday, with the occasional Thursday every now and then. They fit 2 weeks worth of full time MBA content in those 2 days every other week, so it is fast paced and constantly varied.
How long is the program? This is a 2 year program. Every semester is 4 months long. We are almost halfway into our 2nd semester (as of 10/14/12), or in other words, 1 down and 5 more to go - I am trying to say this positively, but both still sound like a long time right now.
How much does it cost? Well...A lot. I will say that I am thankful for student loans, which we don't have to start paying back until he finishes the program. Also, I have been extremely grateful that we have been able to cover the added travel and related MBA expenses each month comfortably.
Why did you decide on this MBA? Wharton was really attractive because it is a top ranked, Ivy League Business School
Is Jim looking for a new job? No. Jim is happy with his current company, Precoa, and has no plans to change jobs. We have felt extremely blessed being a part of this company, and are not looking to move from Oregon or change careers.
What does Jim plan to get out of this program? One of Jim's core values is seeking life-long learning. I knew when I met him that he would continue his education and that one of his life goals would be to get an MBA. He wasn't going to be satisfied with just any MBA, but he would try to get into what he saw was the best program. The Wharton MBA in particular was attractive to him because it is heavy in analytics, strategy and finance. His current position at work is "Vice President of Strategy and Finance", so this seemed to flow nicely what he does. Along with his life goal, he also knew he has more to learn in order to do the best job he is capable of.
How is he handling his work load and school load? It is tough. He is under a lot of pressure and has a lot of stress. Before the program, he was already working 60 (give or take) hours a week. Now he has 20 (give or take) hours of homework, studying, projects and deadlines he is trying to fit in somewhere into that same week. He is constantly trying to find the balance and make the most important tasks a priority. He does not want to fall behind in deadlines at work, and he does not want to get swamped at school. There are 30 hours of things to do each day, and only 24 hours in which to do them. I think we both knew this would be the case going into this program. However, it will constantly be a challenge and something that is always evolving. One of the hardest things is to see his load and stress and responsibilities, and recognize that there is nothing I can do to relieve the burden for work or school. I have tried to make it as easy as possible for him at home. When he is home, we make sure he gets good fun, quality kid time, so the kids don't notice their dad is gone so much.
How are YOU doing? Super! At least as super as one can be! I will take my role over his right now. I get to (try to) keep up with our 3 little darlings, and keep things running on the home front. Yes, we are busy. Yes, things get crazy. Yes, I am ready to go to bed most nights by 8 pm after I put the kids down. Yes, my house is most often dirty. Yes, my kids are most often happy, hilarious, and energetic all day long. No, I do not see my friends much socially, but they are all still important to me. Yes, I am enjoying each stage of childhood they are each in right now. Yes, I eat a lot of chocolate - it's therapeutic. No, I am far from being a perfect mom and homemaker. Yes, I have felt so grateful for our health, our house, Jim's job, our minivan, and all the other wonderful possessions that we are blessed with to make life easier right now. Life is good.

Now back to more of the San Fran trip. Here is a view from the 6th floor of the campus building.

While Jim was in class, Aron and I walked the streets. I visited Chinatown and the fortune cookie factory.

Followed the "Chocolate" signs to the TCHO factory.

As part of the "family weekend", we got to do a dinner cruise

Here are some of Jim's classmates

Under the Golden Gate Bridge at night

Chocolate pie...Yum!

Aron and I getting ready to head out for the day

View of Alcatraz

Ghiradelli Sunday...YUM! I told you I eat a lot of chocolate... I don't think I really went out for food as I walked along - I just made stops at the chocolate factories. San Francisco has two chocolate factories: TCHO and Ghiradelli. These are my thoughts: TCHO is better for the "dark chocolate purists" out there. Its claim to fame is to enhance the natural flavor of the cocoa bean to bring out the different notes of cocoa to enhance the different dark chocolate flavors (citrus, fruit, nutty, etc). It is delicious to savor. Ghiradelli is also delicious, but more because they have the "making chocolate a treat" thing down. Sundaes, cookies, chocolate bars - you name it they do it, but by adding sugar, flavorings, and fancying the chocolate up for yummy treats anyone would love. Did I mention I really like chocolate?