Graduate School Bound!

This past Wednesday, I got some really good news! News that I wasn't expecting for another month, but it absolutely made my day!

I got my acceptance letter from graduate school!

Though the decision came much sooner than I thought, this hasn't been a short process.

In December, I attended the New Employee Orientation program at Appalachian, where I learned that ASU will pay for its employees to take two classes each year, (one per semester) at absolutely no cost to the staff member. This sparked my interest and got me thinking. College classes with no debt...sounds like a pretty good idea to me! I also spoke to a few people that decided to pursue their masters while holding a full-time job as well, to get some additional insight.

In January, I signed up for the GRE, borrowed a book from a friend (Thanks, Lizzy!) and started studying. I took the test about a week later. At that time, I hadn't decided the exact program that I wanted to pursue, but with deadlines quickly approaching, I needed my scores, and fast!

The two programs that I considered were a Masters of Arts in College Student Development and one in Higher Education. Though College Student Development sounds like the more "fun" of the two programs, it had a lot of internship/graduate assistant time commitments that would have to be met, and without being a full-time student, that was going to be very difficult! The Higher Ed. degree is just as intensive, but offers all of its courses in the evenings, for students also working full-time jobs, just like me!

A Masters of Arts in Higher Education provides a graduate the qualifications to hold a director's level position in a community college or four year institution in many different areas. It's made up of 12 classes, most of which are offered all year long (including summer), and will take me two years to complete. Though that may sound like a while, we all know that two years goes by at the speed of light in college, I know my first four did!

The deadline for priority decision for the Higher Ed. program here at Appalachian is March 15, 2013, this coming Friday. That's why I was so surprised when I heard back so soon! One of my goals for 2013 was to decide what direction I wanted my life to go in professionally. I don't know about you, but something's telling me graduate school is it.

 Cheers to the next BIG step in my life!

I can't wait!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Tailgate Essentials & a Winner!

Today, I'm on my way to my alma mater, Appalachian State University for Homecoming weekend! Homecoming is a big deal at ASU, as it is for most schools, and I can hardly contain my excitement! There are so many people that I am looking forward to seeing and hanging out with! Fall is beginning to be one of my favorite times of the year!

In the spirit of college, homecoming, football and tailgating, here are my top 5 tailgating essentials!

Made with Polyvore

1. Great outfit: No tailgating experience is complete without a cute dress or blouse and skirt supporting your team! I love to dress up for football games! (It gives me another reason to shop!)

2. Great shoes: I have worn a variety of shoes to games, including sandals, high-heeled boots (big mistake!) Sperry's, etc. Of all the ones I've tried, boots with a low heel, like a cowboy boot style have always been the best choice! They're cute, look great with a dress or skirt and it doesn't matter as much if they get dirty!

3. Great accessories: I always try to pair an Appalachian button/pin or yellow accessories of some kind with my black outfit. It makes your outfit pop and shows your school spirit!

4. Great food/drinks: This should go without saying, but you aren't really tailgating if good food and drinks aren't present! In past years when I tailgated with my sorority, our tents were always catered with good food before the game! So much fun! Drinks are also a must!

5. Great company: No matter where you are and what you're wearing, the people that you tailgate with truly make the experience! I am so excited to see fellow alumni (I've gotta get used to saying that), sorority sisters, old friends, and even some teachers!

I absolutely can't wait!

Also,

I am so happy to announce the winner of my Stella & Dot birthday giveaway!

The beautiful Stella & Dot Luxor Bracelet goes to:

Lucky number 52, Michelle Wong!

Michelle, please email me at sweetlikeasong@gmail.com to claim your beautiful prize!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Coming to a Close

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement, nerves and tears, as my time as a collegiate member of Alpha Phi comes to a close. For those who have been in a sorority or been apart of any special group, I'm sure you know the feeling of going to your last meeting, or watching your big/mentor graduate and start a new part of their life. It's a feeling that I've been anticipating since last summer, before I even came back to school. I can remember people asking me "How excited are you to go back?" or "Can you believe this is your senior year?" and I always told them that though I was ready to be back in my college town, I wasn't ready for everything I know and love to end. 

An end to one huge part of my life & the beginning of something amazing.

I decided that since it was one of my last weekends with these girls, I was going to make the most of it! On Thursday night, I attended our last mixer of the semester. It was toga themed and held at bar in town.

On Friday, I spent the night helping my little and g-little make sashes for our Alpha Phi formal awards! Then we got so tired, Kaitlyn & I ended up having a sleepover in Katy's room:)

On Saturday, Alpha Phi held its annual Mom's Day Luncheon, so my parents came into town to spend the day with me. Mama and I had a great time painting picture frames, having lunch and meeting the other A-Phi moms! Then after a nap, the three of us had some great Mexican food for dinner.

On Saturday night, I attended the final concert for Ear Candy, an all-girls a capella group on campus. My roommate from freshman year is a member and is getting ready to graduate as well. Since this was her last time singing with them, I wanted to make sure I was there! She did amazing job and we had a great time going out to eat after.

Credit to Katie Watson

On Sunday, I attended my last chapter meeting of Alpha Phi. We had a special ceremony to celebrate the seniors and I was able to read a funny poem that I wrote to everyone.

The Alpha Phi Seniors

After the ceremony, the Princess Family had dinner together at the same place that we ate the first time we ever had a family dinner.

I will miss each and every one of them so so much!

Charleston Formal 2012!

I'm so happy to finally have time to blog about my weekend in Charleston for Jake's Formal! It was so much fun and I can't wait to go back sometime soon! Every year, the fraternity takes care of making all the arrangements for the weekend. They usually rent two large beach houses that are fairly close together! Here's where we stayed in the Isle of Palms!

Isn't it beautiful?!

 I thought the blue was so cute and loved the fact that it was oceanfront and still had a private pool! I love being able to swim in the pool, but then have the beach only a short walk away.

Jake and I loaded up the car along with another couple and headed down to Charleston on Thursday afternoon around 3:00pm, we finally made it around 9:30pm! Needless to say, I was ready to be out of the car for good. That night we hung around the house and met everyone's dates.

The second day of Formal (Friday), is usually spent laying by the pool and enjoying the beach. We did just that! It was beautiful weather and I think I may have caught some rays!

Later that night, a group of twelve of us traveled into downtown Charleston for dinner and ate at the Southend Brewery & Smokehouse.

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The cheeseburger that I got as my meal was pretty good, but my she-crap soup appetizer stole the show! Something I would definitely get again!

On Saturday morning, Jake and I decided to go into Charleston for a little shopping! We couldn't pass up Lilly, Victoria's Secret and all of the other cute stores that King Street had to offer. I tried to keep myself from splurging and only ended up going home with two dresses from Forever21.

This little girl was too cute!

For lunch, we stopped in at Old Towne Grill and Seafood, also on King Street. I had the Shrimp Poboy and it was delicious! We also decided to try some of their mozzarella sticks and they didn't disappoint. 

On Saturday night, the fraternity usually schedules a formal dinner and dancing for all of the guests, but because of lack of interest, they decided to cancel it. Instead, we all still got dressed up and had nice dinners out. I decided against the Lilly dress that I had originally bought for the occasion, so it will be making its first appearance at graduation, under my cap & gown. One of the dresses that I'd purchased at Forever21 earlier that day ended up working great.

We decided to try a seafood place called Hyman's that's supposed to be well-known in Charleston. Though it was a bit pricey, the crab legs that I got were definitely worth it!

Yummy!

Overall, it was a great trip and such a fun thing to attend as my time in college comes to an end! There are only 17 days left until graduation! I can't believe it!

A Change of Heart

I'm a little stressed right now in the school area of my life, not because I have work piling up (I mean I do, but that's a constant occurrence), not because I don't have time to sleep or anything like that, but what happens when whatever it is you thought you wanted to do with your life, isn't what you want to do anymore.

Sorry if that was a bit confusing, let me try again. Ever since I was in middle school, I've wanted to be a news reporter or news anchor. 

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I've always dreamed about it and pictured myself being on TV, but after completing an internship in the field this summer, I realized it's not what I want at all. I hate the idea of not being able to have a family, not being able to spend holidays at home, or be on a normal sleeping schedule. Even though I had fun and learned a lot, I hated writing every day about things that I wasn't the least bit interested in. 

So what do I do?

At the end of May I am planning to graduate and have a degree in Electronic Media/Broadcasting....So, you might be thinking, what do I want to do now?

Being 100% honest, I want to plan weddings.

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 I've wanted to since I first got to college, but I put my dreams aside for a major that sounded more realistic. Now, I'm wishing I had just followed my heart.

So now, six months from graduation... 

Here are my options:

 1. Graduate and look for a job in the event planning field with my Broadcasting degree 

2. Stay another semester and double major in Public Relations/Broadcasting 

3. Quit school now and give up 

(Okay, that last one was a joke, but that's how I feel sometimes!)

I need some advice or insight! Any at all!

Sorry for the vent sesh.