NYC Staff Directorship: The Application

For those of you that read my blog on a regular basis, you know that I've been planning to apply to Appalachian's NYC Staff Directorship for months! Well y'all, the word is out. The office of Business Affairs has officially sent out the call for applicants to the two directorships that the loft offers. The email went out last week, and honestly my heart skipped a beat when I saw it appear in my inbox!

Lovely PrintDesignStudio Print

Of course, I still have to apply, get approvals, recommendations and such, but for me, the chance to do this is so much more than something to list on a resume. If chosen, I would have an opportunity to work for two weeks in one of the most amazing cities in the world, the city that I also happen to dream about on a regular basis. For someone that one day would love to live in New York, living and working there for two weeks is the perfect trial run.

In the meantime, I've been learning all I can about the city and where things are located. I've also been studying the subway system, how it works, and how exactly to get where I want to go. I can't imagine getting to the city and not knowing how to get from place to place!

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The deadline for applications is October 15th. After that, the Office of Business Affairs schedules in-person interviews for all of the applicants. There are two different two-week periods up for grabs, but I plan to apply for the Dec 28th-Jan 13th time slot. 

Representing Appalachian is one of my favorite things to do on a daily basis, but getting to transition it into a city that I dream of being in makes it that much more exciting. 

Cross your fingers for me!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

The Travel Bug!

Lately, I've had the travel bug in a bad way!

Over the past couple months, I've been ready to pack my bags, jump in the car at a moments notice and travel to the nearest big city or beach paradise! Luckily, I have some amazing friends that are ready and willing occupy my passenger seat!

With all this jet-setting on the brain, I've decided to do something about it, and make these dreams a reality!  Unfortunately, in my 8-5 life, if I want to travel somewhere significant, I have to ask for permission. I was so excited yesterday when I received the response from my boss, letting me know that all of the dates I'd asked off for had been approved!

 So the most important question...Where am I going?

1. My Birthday Weekend in Charleston!

I have always been a BIG birthday person! My 21st and 22nd birthdays were absolutely amazing, so when I started planning my 23rd, I knew it couldn't disappoint! I've always wanted to go on a trip for my birthday, but something else has always come up. Well, this year is my year! A good friend of mine has a condo in Charleston, and let me know that I was welcome to use it anytime. This was the answer to my prayers! After checking the office calendar, and the university's football schedule (as any Southern belle would do,) I knew it was meant to be! I, along with some of my closest gal pals, will be heading to Charleston either the 26th or 27th of September (I haven't decided which yet,) and will come back on Sunday, September 29th. A completely open weekend, perfect for a birthday getaway!

Turning 21!

Turning 22!

Last night, in a matter of minutes, I was able to fine the perfect party invitations! I seriously can't wait for this birthday! I know that 23 is going to be amazing!

2. New York City!

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Many of you already know that I am obsessed with New York City! I've been there once, when I was in the 8th grade, but had no appreciation at the time for what the city had to offer. Though I'm still planning on applying for the The Appalachian Loft Directorship that I mentioned here, I really wanted to get in a visit before then, just to make sure it's where I want to be. That's where my friend Danielle comes in!

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Danielle and I have recently gotten closer, and since then, discovered that we share an extreme interest in New York City. We both had dreams of going, but had no idea how, when, or who could help make that happen! I'm telling you it was fate! Recently, I've been in touch with the Appalachian Loft Coordinator, and we've picked out a weekend in November to go visit! I am beyond excited for this dream of mine to come true, and so is Danielle! We've already decided we'd love to go to the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, and couldn't resist one of the famous Sex and the City tours. There's no way in the world I would pass that up!

3. The Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World!

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Though this trip is a little farther out, I am so excited to go to Disney World in February! Even though it's just for a race, it's going to be so much fun! We haven't booked a hotel room or anything at this point, but it's definitely in the works. Though I normally prefer the Caribbean Beach Resort on Disney's property, I've heard it's super convenient to be at Disney's Wide World of Sports for this type of visit because it's the central hub for a lot of the race hype. As someone that wants to be in the middle of all the action, this has my name written all over it! I also want maximum shopping time at the Princess Half-Marathon Expo that starts on Thursday of that week!

Hello, Paradise!

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I can't wait for all the fun memories that my friends, family and I will make on these three trips! I am so thankful for the opportunity to travel and visit such amazing places. This might even call for cute new luggage!

Where are you off to these days?

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As always, Have a Sweet Day

Melody and the City!

I've been attempting to write this post for about three weeks now, but something just didn't quite feel right. What that "something" was, I wasn't quite sure until yesterday, when the pieces came together for me.

I needed a goal. Something to strive for, something to make it real.

New York City.

Just those three little words have so much meaning behind them. I immediately think of crowded streets, taxi cabs, and culture beyond my wildest dreams, amazing architecture, food, shops and new experiences.

For years, I've dreamed of living there, just for a week or a month, to see what it was like. To experience the atmosphere, walk in Central Park, and try things completely different from what I'm used to...except it was just that, a dream.

Until yesterday.

Yesterday, while chatting with someone in my office, I mentioned this little dream that I've always had. She immediately told me about The Appalachian New York Loft, a place where Appalachian students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families can stay while visiting New York City. I had heard of the Loft, but I didn't really know how it worked.

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It turns out, the Loft has a full-time director that is a faculty member at ASU (like a professor,) but for staff members who are interested in staying in the Loft, they offer what's called a "Staff Directorship" during two different weeks in December each year. If chosen for the position, you can live in the loft during either December 18th-28th or December 28th-January 10th. Though I definitely want to be home for Christmas, I would love to do the later time. NYE in NYC...OMG! (sorry for all the abbreviations!) It's a simple application and interview process that takes place during September each year. As a September birthday, what an amazing gift that would be!

The Director's Quarters

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Living in Manhattan for 13 days, having my housing provided, and getting paid to represent Appalachian in the Big Apple...Sign me up!

Though it's just a dream right now, dreams come true every single day! 

I now have a goal to work toward, to wish for, to pray about. You may be thinking, why the heck would she want to do something like this...

Why not?!

Do any of you feel this way about going somewhere? What's your dream destination?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!