Monday, August 1, 2011

PSYCH! (Not the TV Show)


So remember how three weeks ago we thought we would be spending the next two years in Berkeley for business school? And remember how two weeks ago we thought we would be spending the next two years in Chicago for business school? Well, plans have changed again my friends. We are now going to spend the next year in San Diego and go to Chicago next fall. That is right. Let me tell you how our plans changed so dramatically in such a short time.

We moved in with my parents in June so Chris could start an internship with a private equity firm down here. He planned on just staying for the summer and hoped the few months of experience would be a good addition to his resume (any experience you can get in PE before business school is very helpful). All the while, we were making plans to move to Berkeley in August but Chris was still hoping to be accepted to Wharton or Booth. Two Mondays ago he was rejected from Wharton but the very next day he got in at Booth.

I spent a couple hours mourning over the things I was looking forward to in Berkeley: friends, warm weather, a nice town, San Francisco, and being closer to family. However, it quickly became clear that Chicago was the better choice for Chris so we accepted their invitation.

While this was happening, the bosses at Chris’s internship asked him if he would consider deferring school for a year to continue working for them as a full-time employee. It seemed easy and harmless to fantasize about staying here for a year because the chances of getting a deferral are very slim. Shockingly, Booth agreed to allow the deferral! Before, when I thought there was no way we would actually stay it seemed so perfect, but once they agreed we actually had to really consider if this was a good decision.

You would think since I am the one from San Diego and I am the one with family here I would be the one that was really pushing to stay. Au contraire. My mind was spinning! Mainly, I just wanted to be sure that Chris would be happy at this company for a year and he would not regret putting school off another year. Chris seemed cool as a cucumber through this process and assured me that both options were good, it is not as if we were choosing between bad and good here. In my opinion, the fact that both decisions are good made it that much harder. After Chris reassured me many times that he thought staying here would be beneficial and he would be just as happy going to school next year, my mind was at ease, mostly.

I know some of you might think this decision is crazy since Chris has worked so hard to get into school for two years now, but we have been very prayerful about it and feel this door was opened to us for a reason.

So I will be spending the next year stocking up on my winter gear and enjoying this wonderful weather and time with my family before we head to Chicago next year. If only we could convince my little sister and her husband to live here for a year too!

At the beginning of the year I told Chris my motto for 2011 was going to be, “good things come to those who wait,” and I feel like that has definitely be true in our lives. I also feel like this sudden and extreme change of plans might be a foreshadowing of the rest of our lives. Yikes.

7 comments:

Jodi said...

Welcome to my life- Taylor is changing things up on me all the time! Glad you get to be close to your family a little longer. My advice- have a baby while you are near the family! Ha. Or just do whatever you want.

Lacy Rane said...

so excited!

Andrea Coles said...

That's so great that everything has worked out so well for you guys. I'm so happy you're staying in California for another year (mostly because I'm pushing Spence to vacation out there in the near future and it would be so so great to see you guys again). Enjoy the extra year of great weather - we are super jealous!

klanshe said...

Kristen, I am excited for you and Chris. I also believe that these opportunities were enabled by your persistence, preparation and prayers. Enjoy the time with your family and good luck with your school(s) this next 12 monhs.

Kelsey Ann said...

Congratulations on figuring out life for the next few years:) Tyler and Chris actually touched base a week or so ago and it made me think of you guys. We miss and love you both!

shauntel said...

I think this is awesome! :)

Stopher and Nicolle said...

omigosh! i have been meaning to call you all week and see what was going on...who knew I just had to log into the ole' blog? tell Chris congrats! I am so excited for you guys! I need that motto! love and miss you both!