Bye St. Charles

My time at St. Charles has come to an end. It was nice revisiting college one more time. I will say that by the second week I wasnt so outgoing, but overall I still enjoyed myself. This has definitely been the most networking that I have done in my entire life.

Last weekend I had the chance to visit Chicago. Myself and my Atlanta start group stayed at one of their sister's house in Lincoln Park. Beautiful place. I did the touristy thing and hopped on one of those tour busses and rode through the city for 2 hours. That one city has sooo much history. The highlight of my tour was seeing my homegirl, Ms. Oprah Winfrey's residence. After that, I could have ended the tour right there.

I had a deep dish pizza...Fab-u-lous! Definitely got ,my cheese fix from that one.

So now im getting preared for the real world. I have already been staffed on an assignment. Yay me!

Core Analyst School was great. Did I meet tons of new people? Yes! Did I pig out and gain probably 5 lbs.? Yes! Will I take those experiences and memories with me forever and ever? Yes! Would I do it again? Probably not...lol

Peace!

XOXO,


AYT

Core Analyzing

So today is actually day 2 of training. I was too wrapped up in yesterday's festivities to share with the rest of the world. Shame on me again! For me, yesterday was a cornucopia of cultures and cuizine. I met people from Sao Palo, Portugal, Australia, S. Africa, Milan, Caracas, Holland, Chicago,England, Ireland...literally every corner of the globe! The language barriers both frustrated and facinated me. I learned so many interesting cultural differences, similarities, and misunderstandings for a years worth of conversation and debate. I was really in my element.

They divided us into teams of 5 or 6 the people in my group were from the Melbourne, San Francisco, Paris, and Madrid office. Needless to say there were language barriers, but we rocked it anyway winning 1st place in a brick-holding competition (see above for winning design, kudos to our French engineer for the design...man do they know how to build!). My goal is to meet everyone in this session of CAS. Can I meet my goal? I will let you know by the end.

Ive committed to exercising everyday to offset all this free food they are stuffing down our throats. My Brazilian collegue thought otherwise...to him we didnt have a "decent rice" or any beans worth his time...lol. None of the Eurpeaners can understand why and how we eat so much here...hey neither can I!

Day 2 was very different from yesterday. Our activities were more involved. Very insightful activities. Im sure it will be applicable to my duties...whatever they will be...


I've gone on long enough...there will be more to talk about very soon...

You know, despite all the differences we discovered in each other today and yesterday, what was the one thing the majority of us had in common? FACEBOOK!! Absolutely amazing...freaking genuises...Im speechless...


XOXO,


AYT

Chi-Boogie

I left the D dot today for 2 more weeks of training in Chicago. They are really investing in your girl! From the travel accomodations, to the 1hr limo ride, to the huge campus in the "Middile of Nowhere", Illinois. (45 mins outside of Chicago to be exact). I guess youre like "Duh, thats Corporate America for you. Where have you been?" Cut me some slack, im new to the game.

Within 15 minutes, I met a girl from France by way of Ivory Coast and a group who came all the way from Italy for the training. If you know anything about me, you know im other-worldly and just love learning about new cultures and meeting people from all over the world.

I met up with my start group out of Atlanta and we all ate in the dining facilities...reminded me of life back in Snelling dinning hall (good times). Im going to try and excercise self control and not gain the dreaded 5lbs but its definintely going to be hard.

On the plane ride over, I had to sit by an older gentleman who was aksing about the Bear's score every 10 minutes. He admonished me for having attended the UofGa and not being a sports fan. Shame on me! Ah well...lol.

Yesterday I went to a party given by a co-worker of mine with my cousin. I was definitely out of my element, but I managed to have a very good time. Who says you cant have fun outside your box?

Im away from everything I know, but I can actually feel myself growing as a person. Insane! I really hope everyone takes notice to the improved me. I've even found my inner photographer with the new digi-cam.

Well, goodnight all. I need to be rested for "Day 1."


XOXO,


AYT

Whew!!!

Well my first two weeks of training are finally over. Good thing because I was tired of feeling slow. Its called SDF training and it was an introduction to computer programming. Everyone else had Java/C++ experience and the like, while your girl only has VCR+ programming experience...lol

Now im getting ready for two more weeks of training in Chicago (Burrr!!!)

I really cant say that im homesick just yet, although it has been hard not having any friends I can just call on and hang out with....I've been cooped up in a room with 6 other people and havent had a chance to meet any new co-workers yet. Im sure all of that will come in due time. Until then, its just slow motion for me.

I did have the chance to go out last weekend to this reggae club called CrossRoads with my cousin and her friends. I had one helluva time! It wasnt too hot, crowded, or filled with smoke. But I always enjoy myself at the Carribbean parties/clubs. They know how to have a good time. And big up to the ppl who were teaching me all the dances. I swear they have a dance for every song! lol

I hate im going to miss Howard homecoming because I will be in Chicago, but im sure I will have plenty of stories to tell from that experience. Get ready for those stories!

I hope all my peeps (where ever you are) are doing well. Love Ya!

XOXO,

AYT

Everyday is a new adventure...

When I say everyday has been an adventure for me, I am not exaggerating! From never coming back from work the same way to driving 30 minutes to the nearest Wal-Mart, I have done it all. Today tops the cake. After staying late at work to finish up some online testing, I discover that my tire is flat. Do I A. Call and wait for road side assistance? (keeping in mind how long they take and that its already 7p), B. Fill it up with air and pray I can make it home? or 3. Find the nearest tire place, get the tire fixed and not risk another flat on the 1hr trek? I decided to go with a mixture of B. & 3. Fortunately for me, there was a tire shop right across the hwy. from where I work. I missed America's Nest Top Model, but I got my tire fixed for the low low. Yeah, as it turns out, the guy who fixed my tire is part Liberian and part Ghanian and his co-worker is Ghanian! I found some homeboys in Reston...lol. They told me for future hookups always come on Thursdays. Please believe I will! I made it home in time enough for nothing! ANTM was off, but ah well..all is well that ends well. Stay tuned to find out about my next adventure! Will it be conversations with one of D.C.'s many crackheads? Or will I finally learn how to get somewhere without getting lost first? Who Knows...ttyl =) XOXO, AYT

Day One

My very first day in corporate America! Reputable company? Check! Swanky building? Check! Nervous? Check! My first day on the job was a mixture of excitement, nervousness, frustration (why the heck did it take so long to happen?), and anticipation on whats to come. My "start group" was a mixture of older and younger. Some coming back to the company after some years away and some just graduating college. Me? I fit somewhere in between those two extremes. Day one was filled with lots of first day what nots - introductions, core values, history, benefits, etc. They fed us breakfast and lunch (yummy!). We recieved our laptops today and we toured the facility. I ran into two UGAers one was facilitating the orientation, and the other was in my start group. I was starting to believe they lied to me in college with the old "youre going to run into tons of UGA grads throughout your career." Two and counting...lol. I look forward to whats ahead and I will keep you posted every step of the way. Goodnight all! A.Y.T.

Adios BOA!

September 11th, 2007...Ironically, the day I have been waiting for since 1/3/06...my last day working for Bank of America. Wish I could say I was sad, wish I could say I shed a tear, wish I could say that I will look back nostalgically...

But I wont. No looking back, only forward. No regrets, only new expectations and goals.

On a day to day basis, life as a teller wasnt challenging at all. At times I found myself doing multiple activities at once to prevent myself from going completely crazy. Nevertheless, I learned so much about people (heck, I came across 250-300 almost daily!). I learned that everything isnt always as it appears and what may be true on the surface may not be the truth to the core. I learned that everyone who wants to be your friend doesnt necessarily want to be your friend. I learned that a little hug goes a long way. I learned patience and humbleness. And the most important lesson that I ever learned in the year, 8 mo., 8 days, 1 hour and 33 minutes I was there was taught in the bathroom at Bank of America. I learned to let go. For the very first time, I completely, absolutely and wholeheartedly let go of all my worries and let God handle it. At that moment I felt more in control than I ever had.

So you see, while im happy to finally be out of that dead-end situation, I appreciate each and every lesson learned and each and every person who taught me the lesson. So to all my readers, if you're holding on to something you just cant solve, let it go. Give it to someone who is more equipped with handling your situation...you know who i'm talking about!


Adios BOA, its been real...now gimme my last check!


XOXO,


Akuba