Making Moves

The latest and biggest news is that I have accepted a full-time job at Lovell Communications, as an assistant account executive, in Nashville, Tenn. I will be moving to my new home in exactly 4 weeks! While I am very excited about the new place and the awesome opportunity it presents, it is a little nerve-wracking to leave home. I’ve lived in Georgia for 15 years, in the same house, minus the four years at school, so this will definitely be a big change. 

In addition to physically moving, I have decided to start a new blog. After continually hearing blog about what you’re passionate about, I realized that my blog is just a bunch of random thoughts, with no true passion or direction. So… I got to thinking, What am I most passionate about that I would want to write about? After going through a few different ideas, I kept coming back to Hope, my black lab. I have been toying with the idea for awhile now, so what better time than now to create a new blog about our journey in Nashville. I’m thinking it will be told from Hope’s perspective, still not sure. Hope you all check it out. I’ll let you know when the site’s live. 

In honor of my new job and one of my last posts on here, I have a few things to say…

1. I should seriously consider changing careers and becoming a relationship/break-up counselor

2. If you are recently out of a relationship, don’t try to date anyone

3. Following #2, end all communication with your ex. Trust me, you’ll get over them a hell of a lot sooner

4. Live life, don’t be afraid to take chances and make moves

& Finally,

5. Keep Calm & Write On

Timing is everything

The past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about the timing of things in life. Perhaps one of the biggest questions in life is when is it the right time to do anything? People have so many preconceived notions about when you should do this or that and the perfect timing for it. Time is such an important thing, and sadly… most things take time. Grief, heartbreak, success… to name a few of the common ones that we experience every day… and why is it that time seems to “heal all wounds?”

Sometimes it’s hard to understand why things happen when they do. After a co-worker passed away in a motorcycle accident on labor day weekend, I just kept asking myself why now? He was so young, why was this his time? Time is complicated. It’s something I don’t think any of us will ever fully understand, although I think it’s one of the most important things to realize in life that timing truly is everything.

You hear people say all the time, I’ve met the right person, it’s just not the right time. Maybe there’s something better coming along. Really there is always some reason for the timing behind things, but we usually don’t realize it until weeks, months or maybe even years later.

I guess I’ve just been exposed to a lot of different areas in my life recently where things just need more time to come together. It’s very frustrating, but at the same time, it’s trained me to continue to be patient, and sit back and enjoy the current life I’m living. I have no fear that everything will fall into place at justtt  the right time.

Double Deuces

22. The year I finally feel like I can officially call myself an adult. I have a job, okay an internship, same difference post-grad. I have a regular schedule. I don’t go out every weekend and get crazy… or really at all during the week for that matter. I live with my parents again, which isn’t the greatest at times, but I’ll suffer a little longer for a free place to stay and dinner waiting for me when I get home from work. I no longer can use student as my occupation. Probably the best indicator that I can classify myself as an adult is the fact that I am usually asleep by 10:30 p.m. every night, and I’m up at 5:45 a.m. every morning. Ouch.

As much as senior year of college was the “last” time I did this or that, the same concept applies for the “first” time for things this year. It’s crazy to think that I won’t be in Athens every game day paying $8 per ticket for a game dressed up like a true Southern SEC Girl in Red & Black. The amount of emails I received from UGA this week was just sad, especially the one from the Registrar reading: Welcome Back! Too bad I’m not back. I miss Athens and that lifestyle dearly, but I know it’s time to put on my big kid panties and move on, and grow up. Besides, Athens is a mere one hour away and I know plenty of people still there.

I’m looking forward to a year of new beginnings for me, and spending more time figuring out what I want out of my life and who I want to be going forward. I’ve made some promises to myself that I’d like to keep and hopefully good things will come!

Now, back to work! 😛

What I’ve learned in 3 days of work

I can’t believe I’m almost done with my first week of work! I am absolutely loving my new job as the PR Intern at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. Our marketing team is awesome, and I’m looking forward to what will come.

Today, we had a health fair, which was a lot of fun and I even won a raffle which scored me tickets and a parking pass to a braves game!

I have learned so many valuable things in these short three days, as well as some insight into what the “Real World” encompasses:

– Getting up before the sun is not fun, 5:30 a.m. is very dark
– I now know what working through lunch means… But I love staying busy!
– Rain makes traffic 1000x worse…it took me 2 hours to get home tonight.
– & my favorite is… After a long day at work, it’s perfectly acceptable to take the elevator up one level to your car.

Off to visit NYC this weekend! I am so happy with how my life is coming together and so grateful for all the wonderful opportunities I have before me.

July, the best month of the year

July. My favorite month of the year. For the past 13 years it has begun with a relaxing vacation in Kiawah Island, SC, and it ends with my birthday weekend. This year was the first time in seven years that my brother and I didn’t bring friends with us, making it a family affair. I read three books, spent all day every day at the beach, hung out with my local friends, took many bike rides, watched fireworks and visited all our favorite restaurants.

This July was extra special because I found out that I finally got a job 🙂 I will be working at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP as a PR intern, with hopes of it turning full-time by January. I start on Monday and I can’t wait! I am really excited about the people I am working with and what I will be doing. I’ll definitely keep you up-to-date.

Additionally, this July I am going to NYC! I’ve never been to NY so it should be an eventful trip! July 20-22 will be spent exploring the city, shopping and catching up with family and friends.

Finally, July ends with my birthday on the 29th! This year it’s on Sunday, meaning that for the next three years my birthday will be on a workday, bummer. Guess I will have to celebrate extra this year.

I am so happy that I have had the past eight weeks to relax and enjoy summer before starting work. I’m looking forward to the rest of July and thinking ahead, I can’t wait until football season starts! Go Dawgs!

Keep Calm and Write On

 

A few weeks ago my best friend’s mom gave me this framed photograph. She had come across my blog while randomly searching google. She is a wonderful writer, and has always encouraged me to keep writing and pursue my dreams. I am in love with this photograph, and happy to have a constant reminder to never stop writing. It is officially my first office decor item, and I can’t wait to have a job and a place for it to sit. Even now, it has given me the inspiration to keep blogging while sharing my thoughts, dreams and aspirations (The keep calm part, is probably what I need to listen to the most).

After coming back from a relaxing vacation in Panama City Beach, Fl, I am excited to jump back into writing as I craft new ideas as to what I want to talk about. Fellow writers and bloggers, I hope this can provide you as much inspiration as me 🙂

Job hunting looks a lot like dating…

*Just wanted to clarify that my last post was not meant to be a pity party, or negative.  Being a PR girl, I am not used to the life of doing nothing. This is a total change of pace than what I am used to. Hey, it might even be good for me, you never know. I am actually very confident in everything that I have done while in college, and I know that it will pay off in the near future. If you’re interested in checking out my work you can view my online portfolio here*

As I go through the interviewing process, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a whole lot like dating. Every interview is like going on a date with someone. You’re getting to know each other better seeing if you’re a good fit for them, and if they’re a good fit for you. In the mean time, while you wait for the phone call to see if you got the job, you sit and wait by your phone waiting for it to go off. Sometimes you leave it for a few hours while you run errands, hoping that when you come back there will be THE message or email that you’ve been waiting for. Once the perfect match comes along and you get that phone call, the relationship begins. It’s funny how different situations in life can be so similar. It’s how you handle yourself in these situations that makes you who you are. If you get rejected from a job, it just makes you a stronger person and you learn what you need to do better for the next time. This is a very exciting, and emotional, process for anyone, and I am open to “date” as many companies or agencies as needed to find the right match.

Welcome to Life Post-Grad… AKA Unemployment

Well it’s officially been one month since graduation. I can’t believe how fast the time has gone since I walked through the Arch on graduation day. I’m not gonna lie, post grad life isn’t that exciting… Especially when you are unemployed. Sure it seems great at first; you get to spend every day at the pool, or shopping or hanging out with other unemployed friends. Trust me when I say that you get tired of it. I’m so bored, and not to mention broke.

It’s also extremely frustrating to be patient waiting to hear back from jobs. They tell you a week or so and two weeks goes by and still nothing. From talking with my friends it seems to be a trend with every agency or company. I completely understand they’re super busy, but it’s all every post-grad thinks about. We all want jobs… And unfortunately they aren’t in surplus these days. As my mom would say, patience is a virtue. Definitely a character trait I still need to work on.

In the mean time, I’ll just keep applying, waiting, hoping and praying that I will be employed soon and can join the rest of the 9-5 (or 8-6) world. Oh and take a trip to the beach next week! Why not? 🙂

The End of an Era (Graduation)

College Graduation. A milestone in any persons life. It has come and gone, and now it’s a feeling of what’s next?

Looking back, I cannot even put into words how much I have loved my four years at The University of Georgia. Through all the highs and the lows, I would not change a single thing about my time here. I have made some absolutely amazing friends that I will never forget. We have made so many wonderful memories and I know I will cherish them forever.

Now it’s time to begin the next chapter of my life. No I do not currently have a job, but I am confident in my experience and education and know something will work out soon. Patience is definitely something I have had to learn and improve upon over these past 4 years, and let me tell you, I’ve come a long way.

There are just so many great things that lie ahead…. potential for a move to a new city, finally having my dog back with me for good, eating some homemade meals, a full time—decent paying job, not living on fast food and mac and cheese….all while having a couple weeks to digest this crazy feeling that comes with graduating.

As I begin to figure out what’s next, I want to thank everyone that made my past four years so special. Parents, professors, friends and mentors. I don’t think I would have made it without y’all and all the support and advice along the way.

*We did it!*

Expanding your Horizons

The past two months have enlightened me to a whole new world of thinking. Someone I met has opened my mind to new ideas, and has taught me to take the time to view things from all angles. I have become more politically versed in the past two months then in my entire lifetime. For once I am now educated on the issues that really matter in today’s world. When I went to Washington D.C. last week I was able to have a new appreciation for the city and the political atmosphere in general.

This got me thinking about how many things me, and people in general are not knowledgeable about. People jump to conclusions or join the bandwagon on issues they are not educated about. Ignorance is not always bliss… it just leads to uneducated decisions, specifically regarding choosing a leader to run this country. Now, I tend to favor more republican values, but now that more facts have been brought to my attention, I can say I am swaying more to the independent side politically. I definitely want to do more research to become more educated to see where my true values and opinions lie, and I think this is something everyone who plans on voting should do. Honestly, it’s sad to say, but the Daily Show & Colbert Report have educated me more than any news source.

This new form of thinking has made me think past just the political aspect, and more in general of expanding horizons. As humans we crave comfort and familiarity, but it’s the unfamiliar life experiences that build our character and develop us into independent individuals. Since traveling to so many new places in the past year, this past week in D.C. was just another confirmation that I don’t want to live in one place forever. I love Atlanta and would love to have a job close to home, in the familiar settings I’ve grown accustomed to over the past 15 years, but I think I need a change. I think moving to D.C. and starting fresh with an open mindset would be good for me. Moving anywhere new, meeting new people and growing as an individual is important for anyone as you will learn new things not only about yourself, but the world that you live in.  I’ve always been one to put my whole heart and effort into whatever comes my way, and I never regret anything I’ve done, or all the effort I put in because at one point it was exactly what I wanted. I want to be happy, no matter where that is, or what I’m doing, and I would love to have someone to share that with. I leave you with this, open your eyes, open your mind, think outside the box. && if an opportunity presents itself whether it be a new job or a new relationship, jump on it. You won’t regret it.

What’s stopping you?