My TBD Fund

I don't know about you, but all this New York talk has me thinking about life after graduation from graduate school and what the future holds. More often than not, I find myself throwing around the idea of one day beginning an adventure in a completely new place. With that comes the feeling of giving up everything I have now. Is anyone else freaked out by this idea?

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Though I have nearly ten months until graduation, I can't help but wonder what's next. In the meantime, I figure the least I can do is start saving a little money. As we all know, you can dream all day long, but you can't take action without the funds to back these decisions. 

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Just last week, I took a small step toward my future by opening up a new savings account. I've decided that every month between now and whenever I make a life change, I'm going to put in $75.00. It doesn't seem like much, but when graduation comes, I'll have $750.00. In just one year, I'll have $900.00 to put toward whatever I please. 

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I'll be the first to admit that saving money has never been my strong suit. If I see something I love while shopping, I'll find a way to make it happen. By opening this new savings account that I've coined "My TBD Fund," this money is kept completely separate from everything else. When I am ready to make a life change, whether it's ten months or ten years from now, the money that I've saved will be waiting to help pave the way. For a girl that never stops dreaming, that sounds pretty darn good!

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New York City Vacay: Day Three!

Today on the blog, I'm rounding up my New York-themed posts with a summary of day three of our trip! As you can tell by the first two days, we didn't have much free time, and our last full day in NYC was no different!

We started our morning at Rockefeller Center, checking out The Today Show studios, then headed to the Evergreen Diner on West 47th Street for breakfast. This place was delicious, and was definitely somewhere I'd visit again! Alex and I enjoyed omelets, while Danielle ate one of the best waffles she'd ever had!

Right after breakfast, we rode the subway to The Plaza Hotel on 5th Avenue. This famous hotel was the meeting location for our Sex and the City Tour that day!

We booked our tour through On Location Tours, and it was fabulous! At $49.00 per person, it was worth every penny, and I would even consider doing it again. Our tour guide, Lou, was amazing at her job, and you could tell she enjoyed every minute of it!

After boarding the tour bus, we made our way around Manhattan, from 5th Avenue to Greenwich Village and everywhere in between. Though most of the tour was spent riding on a bus, we did make a few stops along the way. The first was at the Pleasure Chest in the West Village, where Charlotte of SATC bought her first "rabbit." Anyone recall that episode?

Our next stop was at the famous Buddakan restaurant in the Meatpacking District, where Carrie and Big's rehearsal dinner and New Year's Eve scenes from the first SATC movie were filmed.

Next, we made our way to Onieal's Grand Street Bar in Little Italy. This doubled as Aiden and Steve's bar "Scout," named after Aiden's dog from the SATC series. Cosmopolitan's were their specialty, and I couldn't leave without one!

After a tour of the West Village (which I'm now in love with) and another cupcake from Magnolia Bakery, where Carrie tells Miranda she has a crush on Aiden, we ended our tour in Times Square. 

I have to admit, I was super disappointed when the tour didn't stop at Carrie's apartment in the West Village. After a bit of Googling and a quick subway ride, we were able to find her exact apartment on Perry Street!

This was my favorite thing we did in New York City!

I didn't watch Sex and the City until I turned 22 (thanks, Samantha!) and I immediately fell in love! Watching the entire series from beginning to end twice taught me so much about life, love and friendships. It was such an amazing and surreal moment standing in front of Carrie's apartment, where so many of the SATC scenes were filmed!

After a quick trip to Chinatown and a lot of walking later, we were back at the Loft getting ready for a night on Broadway! Though I loved the LBD that I wore, my main focus that night was staying warm. It was frigid outside, and even snowed once we made it to Times Square! I had on a coat, scarf, hose, gloves and sweater on top of my dress, and I was still cold!

We knew that it wouldn't be a trip to NYC without seeing something on Broadway, and Wicked was right up our alley! Here I am outside of the Gershwin Theatre on West 51st Street.

Alex and me right before taking our seats!

This was my very first Broadway show, and it definitely won't be my last! I'd love to be able to see a show every time I go to New York City!

The show lasted from 8:00 until around 11:00PM, and was absolutely fabulous! Definitely go see it if you have a chance!

We still hadn't had dinner by then, so we made a quick stop at a SBARRO in Times Square. Though I would've rather had something a little more New York, it was late and freezing cold (probably in the teens with the wind chill,) so I wasn't trying to search for another restaurant. 

We got back to the Loft that night, packed our things and got ready to leave early the next morning. I'm still in disbelief as to how fast those three days went by! At the airport the next day, I was already planning my next trip to the city.

A few necessities before my fight home!

Being in New York City is like living in a place where you have the best of music, art and entertainment right at your fingertips…and don't forget about the shopping! It's completely different from any place I've ever been before, and it's absolutely fascinating. Though I'm nowhere near ready to make a move, who knows what the future may hold?!

If you missed the beginning of my trip, you can read about day one and day two here!

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As always, Have a Sweet Day!

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!

I'm Running the Princess Half-Marathon!

I have been anticipating registering for the Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World for months now!  After learning just how quickly those spots fill up, I was on pins and needles Tuesday at noon, when registration opened for the 2014 race.

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Not only was I trying to get myself in, but I was also attempting to register my running partner, Marcia, who happens to be out of town. After dreaming about this race for months, not getting in would have truly broken my heart!

At 11:45, I had everything ready to go! Notes written down, credit cards ready, and hands on the keyboard, so at exactly noon, I could click the register button! It took a few minutes to get everything set up, but I have never been happier than when I received this email for the two of us!

It's officially official!

I am running the Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World in February 2014!

Excited, and still in a bit of shock on Tuesday!

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This is such a dream come true, and I can't believe it's really happening! I'm not half-marathon ready yet, but I know with hard work and dedication, I can get there, just like my first 5K and 10K.

Marcia and I are participating in the Glass Slipper Challenge, a brand new 10K/Half-Marathon combination that Disney is doing for the very first time this coming year. The Enchanted 10K will take place on Saturday morning at 5:30AM, and the Princess Half is the following day, also at 5:30! Talk about a jam-packed weekend! Runners that finish the 10K and half-marathon races will be awarded three different Disney medals!

The beautiful Princess Half-Marathon 2013 medal:

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I can't wait for the 2014 medals to be released!

Marcia and I were also able to choose the type of Disney princess bib we would like to wear for our races, an option I absolutely loved!

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I quickly chose Cinderella, and Marcia will be wearing an Ariel bib for the weekend!

We are so excited and blessed to be able to participate in something this amazing! Though the individual races are still open for registration, the Glass Slipper Challenge sold out just before 5PM on Tuesday, less than five hours after it opened!

Disney World, here we come!

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Making Life Happen

Here I am, one week away from directing my first commencement at Appalachian State University, and I've never been more excited, nervous, anxious, or scared in my entire life. 

The past two months have been an absolute whirlwind, but I consider myself so lucky to have experienced every piece of commencement from beginning to end. 

Often times, I'll see people that I met as a student at Appalachian, and they ask me how I like my job. I don't know if it's the look on their faces as they wait for my response or the tone in their voice, that makes me feel like they expect me to say that I'm not happy, but they are so wrong. 

I am in love with my job. 

I wanted to plan events, so I got took a job where I get to assist in one of the biggest events that Appalachian has each and every year. 

I can't help but get emotional every time I think of this process coming to an end. Just like my 10K race two weeks ago, my office is about to accomplish something that we've worked so hard for, and for so long. 

I can already sense the tears that will come as soon as the cue is given for the first ceremony to start, for the brass ensemble to begin playing Pomp and Circumstance for the first time, and for the first set of graduates to walk by me with only their dreams in mind. 

Little do they know, they'll be passing someone with dreams on her mind as well.

There are so many things I want to do, places I want to go, and things I want to see in my lifetime. Getting through seven graduation ceremonies this spring has shown me that with a wonderful team and a great attitude, anything can be accomplished.

I am so unbelievably thankful for the wonderful office I am a part of. Without them, commencement wouldn't be possible.
 

When I graduated from college a year ago, I worried about what I was leaving behind in Boone, North Carolina. Now, I don't have to worry. I am able to show my love for Appalachian in each step that I take on a daily basis. 

Congratulations Class of 2013! We did it! 

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!

Success is...Intimidating?

A little over a month ago, an acquaintance made a comment to me that really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't know why I let it bother me, but I still can't seem to shake the words that were said and how they made me feel.

I was told that having my life together was very intimidating, that it seemed like I had everything planned out, and had all the answers.

I'm sure it sounds petty that this comment bothered me, but to someone that feels like their life is anything but together, it caught me off guard.

At first, I didn't know how to respond to this type of statement. Do I apologize for having a plan, goals and dreams? Should I be upset at myself for making someone else feel this way? I'm still a little confused.

One thing I do know is that I have worked very hard and feel blessed beyond measure to be where I am today.

A quote from Mrs. Lara Casey

Here are a few things that I wish I would've thought to tell this person, who was so quick to judge me that night...

1. I graduated from high school with honors because I worked my butt off and studied. 

2. I made the choice to come to Appalachian State, after not being accepted into the school that I dreamed of attending my entire life.

3. I joined a sorority to better myself after going through a break up that brought me to my knees.

4. I did an internship the summer before my senior year that I despised and sent the "plan" that I thought I had into a tailspin.

5. I lost one of my best friends for no reason, and to this day have no idea why or how it happened.

6. I made a D in college accounting, without missing a day of class, and it still makes me sick to think about it.

7. I did a completely unpaid internship after my college graduation because I had a dream that I believed in.

8. I took an amazing full-time job at my alma mater, after neglecting to hear back from umpteen other job opportunities.

So to the person that doesn't know the real me and made this unnecessary comment, it may seem like I have my life together, but honestly, I'm far from it.

I do believe in being the best you that you can be. I believe in working hard. I believe you should do a job that makes you happy every single day, and never settle for any less. I believe you should say yes ma'am, please, and thank you. I believe in prayer, and God's healing hands. And I believe that you shouldn't judge too quickly because you never know who's going to change your life.

One of my favorite quotes, also from Mrs. Lara Casey

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

I've always had a plan, God just had a different one!

A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with a sweet friend at work. She was telling me about herself, and how she started working at our office. That's when I asked her, "Did you always plan to work for the university?" Her reply wasn't what I was expecting at all. She said "I never really had a plan, I just went with whatever sounded good."

This really surprised me! I didn't know people went through life with no plan. I was putting lists together of things I wanted to accomplish as early as I can remember, and it hasn't slowed down yet. Then I started thinking about my own answer to that question. Had I always planned on working for a university? The truth? No. But, do I love it? Absolutely.

See...I had a plan, God just had a different one.

To be honest, my plan hasn't turned out anything like I thought it would, and though it took me a little while, I'm completely okay with that. I thank God every day for each opportunity that he has given me.

When I was in 8th grade, I decided I wanted to be a news anchor. It seemed like the perfect job. Honestly, I thought it was perfect until the summer before my senior year of college.

It was that summer, that I did an internship at a local TV station.

I went my first day optimistic, anxious and excited. Though I enjoyed meeting so many interesting people, I despised everything else. I didn't like the crazy schedule or hours, the politics, the rude news anchors that acted like I didn't exist, the work, the pressure, none of it. Not one part of that job was like the dream that I'd had since I was 13 years old.

What now?!

I tried to stay positive, but I just couldn't talk myself into working a job every day that I despised. At the end of that summer, I went back to school knowing that something had to change. It was then, that I started pursuing something else that I loved...putting together events. It started as a hobby when I worked on smaller events for my sorority, but I was set on fire when I got to plan Bid Day for our new pledge class.

I started looking into wedding planning, and learning everything I could about wedding planners, blogs, and the industry. I knew that if I wanted a job in a field that I had no real-life experience, I was going to have to show someone that I wanted it really bad. I started applying in December, and by March, I had a wedding planning internship secured in Greensboro after graduation. Things were looking up for me.

I did it and I loved it, every minute of it!

Here we are working my boss' 50th wedding!

Though I love wedding planning and all its facets, I quickly realized that I also needed a full-time job (with a salary and benefits,) if I wanted to move out and survive on my own. After tons of applications and a lot of ups and downs, I got an interview that led to a job at my alma mater, Appalachian State University.

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Never did I think that six months after graduation, I'd be right back in Boone. It may have not been in my "plan," but it didn't matter. I love my office, I love my coworkers, and I especially love representing a university that I love so much. It was a perfect fit:)

The best part, I still get to work for the wedding company that I love so much, along with assisting with commencement and convocation. It's win, win!

If you're still reading, you may be asking yourself what the point of this whole post is, well here it is...Yesterday was a big day for me, because it's the beginning of yet another change in my "plan," that I threw out the window a little over a year ago.

Yesterday morning, I took the GRE. Even if you haven't taken it yourself, I bet you at least know what it means...yes, you're right.

I'm applying to graduate school!

Nothing is for sure yet, but we'll see! Thanks for staying with me on this crazy adventure I call my life! Maybe one day I'll figure out my "plan."

As always, Have a Sweet Day!


Starting a New Chapter!

After watching Sex and the City the movie a few nights ago, I am filled with an immense amount of ambition, drive and so many dreams for my future!

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There's something about following along with the escapades of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha, that makes me really excited about living on my own! Big things can happen when you're in charge of your life!

This got me thinking!

I'm about to be in a new place, and though I've lived there before, there's a big difference between living somewhere as a student, and living there as a staff member!

With that said, I'm making a list of 20 things I'd like to accomplish during my first year of being on my own. It's not a full year, it's actually an eight month time period from November 26th, 2012 until August 1st, 2013. After that time, I'll have a roommate, so these are things I want to do before that!

Your first year post-college and out on your own is a big deal, that's why I've decided to make it a memorable one!

20 Things to do by August 1st, 2013:

1. Go to the gym everyday for a full week
2. Cook dinner for a group of friends
3. Visit a new church
4. Learn the names of everyone in my office
5. Go hiking on the parkway
6. Go skiing this winter
7. Watch 10 movies that I've never seen
8. Read 10 new books
9. Make friends with a neighbor
10. Take Paisley to the Greenway
11. Spend a day in downtown Blowing Rock
12. Do something fun for New Years Eve
13. Personalize my new desk
14. Buy an outfit from a local boutique
15. Attend an Appalachian basketball game
16. Do something that benefits my whole office (bring breakfast, write birthday cards, something!)
17. Eat at 5 restaurants that I've never tried
18. Throw a super fun housewarming party
19. Make my new apartment warm, inviting and like home
20. Make time to grab coffee before going to work (or buy a Keurig!)

I will be adding so many more things to this list as I transition to life working 8am-5pm, and living on my own, so I'm not stopping here! I'll update you all on my progress! Thanks so much so following along during this amazing journey of my life!

Interested in reading more?

I'm guest posting for Rachel at A Preppy State of Mind today about one of my favorite cold-weather patterns:
Plaid!

Read my post HERE.

As always, Have a Sweet Day!