Home is where the heart is.

So usually I'm not much of an emotional person at all. My mom says I have no heart because I don't show emotion about a lot of things -- so not true, of course! But we're opposites in that respect, because she has no problem showing emotion! 

But here lately, with the prospect of so many things in my life changing, I feel like I may cry at any moment. Looking for a job and knowing that when I find one, there's a 99% chance I'll have to move away, breaks my heart. Athens is my home. These are my best friends. And I don't want to go.

Athens is the first and only place I've lived on my own. When I finally got ready to 'leave the nest,' this is where I wound up. I was never a Georgia fan, never wanted to come to UGA, but I came. And I fell in love. So, I have no desire to leave. Except that deep down, I know I can't stay here forever. I know most people don't, and I'm sure everyone who has had the best four (or so...) years of their life here find it hard to move on from this stage of life. It's hard to really grow up, and head out into the real world. 

There's not really words to describe the pull this place has on you, or what it is exactly I feel when I get so emotional about leaving this place. But I know that leaving may be the hardest thing I've done in my life up to this point. 

Job Hunting is...well, a JOB!

Hello my long lost friends.

So honestly...I have multiple motivations behind getting back on this blog I've neglected for oh so long. It allows me to procrastinate writing this cover letter for a job application that I should be doing. I read another blog post today telling me all the reasons why I should blog. And...well, I'm bored. So, here goes. We'll see if I can keep up with this for a little bit longer this time!

This job search thing...TERRIBLE. I know everyone said it was going to be hard and tried to prepare us for it before graduation but oh my gosh. When reality actually hits you it's a whole different ball game. Looking for a job and applying for dozens and sending resumes and writing cover letters and composing emails...well, that's a job all by itself! But I have to keep doing it, because I know something will eventually work out, and I have to have a job. Like, ASAP.

So, prayers are much appreciated as I continue my job search!

I have lots more to say but I'm going to hold off so I'll have something to say tomorrow! Not to mention, my Dawgs are playing Kentucky on ESPN right now, so I've got to go cheer them on!

GO DAWGS!!

The more things change...

Sometimes I forget I have this thing, and then one day something will make me think about it, and I'll realize how much I miss it. And so I come back.

I feel like my life is all over the place right now! Where to start?!

First, let's just get it out of the way -- my Georgia sports teams are breaking my heart. The Braves have lost way too many in a row. My Dawgs are 0-2. Ouch. And the Falcons got trampled in their first game. I hope this week is better!

I've had an internship all summer at the Hart County Chamber of Commerce that has been a great learning experience. I've gotten to experience all sides of the tourism and event-planning aspects of the Chamber, as well as how it works with the local government to make things happen. I've gotten the opportunity to extend my internship, because my boss took a position elsewhere, and I'm so thankful for that!

Hmm, what else to update you on? I feel like there's so much that's happened that I can't possibly fit it all into one blog post [and I know it's not all interesting to anyone other than me, too!] But let's see...one negative thing this summer -- I've sort of ruined a good friendship because we tried to make our relationship more than friends, and it didn't really work out like we expected it to. And now I'm pretty much at a loss for how to repair things. It's just...weird. And I want nothing more than for it to go back to normal. Oh, boys... :/

Anyways, enough of the sad sob stories and on to better things...my birthday is this month!! I'm going to VEGAS in less than two weeks to celebrate with two great friends, and then the weekend after pretty much everyone I know is going to the Luke Bryan Farm Tour concert. I can't wait, to say the least! Have any of you ever been to Vegas?? I've never been and I have no idea what all we should do, but I am SO excited!

And last, I'll leave you with a few pictures from over the summer...I can't believe it's already over!

Me & Beth at Flip Burger in ATL

Me & Britt on Lake Hartwell

Me & Sam

Me & Sam -- UGA vs USC

Emma, Me & Paige

All the girls! -- 4th of July

Beach Trip - Orange Beach

Sick nasty.

Today is day 11 of the 30 day blog challenge -- the thing you hate the most.

I've always been taught not to hate, that no matter how much you don't like someone or something, you should never have hate in your heart. So, I really don't hate anything.

But what do I despise?

Bugs.

Particularly roaches and nasty things that fly. Like moths. Or these flying roach-type things we have here in the lovely GA. I'm not exactly sure what they are -- a lot of people call them water bugs -- but they can fly several feet at a time and they look just like a BIG NASTY ROACH and OMG I am TERRIFIED. [Notice the use of all caps there -- that's how nasty they are and how scared I am...seriously!]

They're so nasty I'm not even going to post a picture. You don't want to see them, and neither do I!

On a much happier note though, because I'm really getting the creepy crawlies all over my skin just thinking about roaches:

35 HOURS TILL I LEAVE FOR SPRING BREAK IN MEXICO!!

This will be my view for the next week!! :)

And, a sad and disappointing note to end this post on...my Dawgs lost today in the SEC tournament in an absolutely heartbreaking loss to Alabama in overtime. We could [should] have won during regulation on a last second three-point shot that went in, but unfortunatley the shot was about a half second after Coach Fox called a timeout. Huge bummer. So, we're still crossing our fingers to be a bubble team and earn a bid to the big dance! GO DAWGS!

Beginning of the end.

Tomorrow is the first day of my last year of college. That's a scary -- and somewhat exciting -- thought. In nine short months, I will no longer be a student, a title I've carried for the past 17 years of my life. I will be completely 'grown-up,' in the real world, and all on my own. Like I said, that's a scary thought!

Some of my goals for the year:
--Make the Dean's List for my last two semesters and raise my GPA.
--Get an internship that will help me secure a job when I graduate.
--Stay involved with a campus organization [or two].
--Start and keep up with a regular workout routine.
--Cheer the Dawgs to victory every Saturday that they're playing between the hedges.
--Do my part to help us keep the #1 party school ranking [Mom, if you're reading this, I'm totally just kidding on this one].

The place I call home.

I found this neat little video that gives an interesting view of the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. I don't know how many of you are familiar with this campus or town, but it's my adopted home and I absolutely love it here. Enjoy! :)

[FYI...it does take a minute to load, so be patient!]

Georgia from Joseph Stunzi, IENCE on Vimeo.

Learning new things.

For a Friday, I sure am learning a lot.

Usually by this time on a Friday, my brain has already starting shutting down in preparation for the weekend [especially this weekend, because I don't have to work!!]

Today was different, but good.

This morning, I met with Lori Randall of Social Media Design at 2 Story Coffee House in Five Points. She gave me lots of great advice about Social Media, and how to make myself more marketable to potential employees.

She took this lovely picture of me with my new blog:

I don't think a lot of college students understand how important social media is, and what a great tool it can be. When you're trying to get a job or internship, especially right now with the economy, who you know becomes extremely important. And social media can connect you with so many different people and resources. My fellow college students or recent grads - take advantage of this!

More learning happened today. I started my June-mester class - The Communication of Collection. I think it's going to be harder than I thought, but pretty interesting. We get to take field trips around Athens to view various collections, like the Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library at UGA and the State Botanical Gardens.

As always, advice/ideas for this blog are welcome! I'm still trying to find my voice, so any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated! :]

There's a first time for everything.

This is my first blog ever, and I'm scared. I don't really feel like I have anything important to say that anyone really wants to listen to. But, I'm going to try it anyways.

So, who am I and why am I blogging? I'm a Public Relations major at UGA [GO DAWGS!], and everyone keeps telling me that getting my voice out there and practicing my writing is important.

My dream job would be to work for ESPN one day - in particular, I'd love to have the job that Erin Andrews and Holly Rowe have! I've also thought about working for a PR firm that represents professional athletes or just work in the PR department for a sports team.

With that in mind, I thought doing a blog relating sports to life in some way would be a good idea. I'm not exactly sure what direction I'm going to take it, but hopefully the more I write, the clearer it will become.

And on that note, I'd just like to say my hometown Atlanta Braves have moved into first place in the NL East! :]