Growing Up Isn't Always a Bad Thing...

...if I become just like the people I love most, my parents.

here.

#478 Hearing a song that reminds you of someone you love

Each day 1000 Awesome Things reminds its readers that it is the little things in life that are worth while. This is one of my favorites. I think songs are some of the biggest memory triggers. I hear a song and as I sing along to the lyrics I think of all the people who have sang them along side me and places we have sung them. I love hearing a good 90s jam that reminds me of not only my childhood, but also the hundreds of other times my friends and I have reminisced and rocked out. So take some time and MMMbop, Spice Up Your Life, or C'est La Vie!

Here. and Here.

im not afraid for tomorrow,
for i have seen yesterday
and i love today

-William Allen White

Home Sweet Home

Going home today!

here.

...And It Starts Off With a Bang

It's here...Summer 2010! Already this summer has proven itself to be amazing. It started off with feeling uneasy about a couple of my very best friends leaving Lawrence, but was shortly followed up with new roommates and lots of fun. I then received an offer to for an internship at HNTB in Kansas City, which I could not be more excited about! I'm ready for this summer to be filled with lots of learning and lots of fun.

I can't wait!

It's Done

The past four years have been absolutely amazing. I cannot thank my friends, family, professors, and the University of Kansas enough for the support and memories they have given me. The things I have learned in my time here will help me be successful in whatever I end up doing. Although I am unbelievably sad to have this chapter in my life end, I know that whatever the future holds will be wonderful. This whole graduation weekend has been a whirlwind I haven't really had time to process the whole thing, but I'm pretty sure it is soon going to hit me like a brick wall. Thank you KU for this experience, it has meant the world to me.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK

This Commercial Makes Me Stop Whatever I'm Doing

Harvard Sailing Team - Boys Will Be Girls

Happy Mother's Day

I miss you mom. You are the greatest person I know. I cannot wait to see you in less than a week!

Here.

Cannot Believe It

This next week signifies lots of things. First, the time has finally come for our campaigns presentation. After not getting to sleep before 4 am all week because of all the work there is to do, I will be ready to get a normal life back. Although, I can honestly say this has been the greatest experience of my educational career. I have found wonderful new friends because of it and have grown so much as a person.

This week is also the last week of school...for the rest of my life. I don't think it has really set in yet that this is all over. It's been absolutely amazing...more on that to come later.

Enjoy the weekend.

Sometimes I Love Forward Emails

I received an email today that had some good life advice. Sometimes we all just need a little reminder. This was my favorite:

Laugh often, long, and loud.

Laugh until you gasp for breath.

Michael Jackson Medley--This is Legit

The End is Looming Near...

Graduation is 3 weeks from today. I feel anxious, excited, nervous, scared, sad, adventurous, sentimental...you name an emotion and I'm probably feeling it.

Steve Jobs had some advice when he spoke at Stanford's commencement in 2005:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

View his whole speech here.

The PEN Story

Always Remember...

Sometime things are hard, but nothing is impossible.

Here.

Absolute Necessity

When I get my own house this will be a must.

Check out other cool staircases here.

Adorable--I Hope My Future Boyfriend is Taking Notes

Spending way too much time on stumbleupon.com. See this image here.

This is Amazing

It really is the little things in life. This awesome blog (no pun intended), 1000 Awesome Things, reminds us of all the small details that can so often be forgotten. I know I can get caught up in all of the things going "wrong" sometimes it's hard to focus on all that is good. The author of this blog is also putting out a book coming soon! Can't wait to read it. This site is amazing, hopefully all of you find it to be as well.

View the new book trailer here.

Image from "538 Laughing So Hard You Start Crying"

Like I Needed Something Else

I have a new addiction (like I did not have enough all ready), which to some maybe extremely old...but stumbleupon.com I think is amazing! I have found the coolest/most random information, pictures, and Web site on there. Everyone should check it out. I thought this image just made me feel happy, hopefully it does for you too.

Check it out here.

You Have No Idea

Reading people's secrets every Sunday inspire me, makes me smile, makes me cry, and simply makes me take a look at my own life. It's amazing what this small idea has turned into.

Secret status: still no postcard sent.

Here.

I Love My Mom

This weekend was our last Mom's Day of my college career. (Prepare yourself for the next month to be filled with "This was the last (fill in activity here)"--I'm sentimental, what can I say?) ANYWAY, to anyone who doesn't know, Mom and Dad's days are for fraternity and sororities to allow their parents to act like they are in college again for a two day period. It was an AMAZING weekend! I had not seen my mom since December so I was especially excited. We had soo much fun and I am now depressed she has left. Good thing I will get to see them in almost a month for Graduation. Enjoy the weather it is so beautiful outside.

Spring Fashion on the Mind

Greys, florals, feathers, patterns, pastels...the list could go on. Nothing is better than ditching your full body thermals needed to survive winter, and pulling out skirts and tanks. Tons of sites lay out their idea of what the new spring fashions will be, however, for me none other than InStyle does it better. Check it out and see all they have to offer, from trends to how to update your previous spring wardrobe to fit this year's new looks. Love it all--well maybe not the idea that knee high socks are in again, I'm having a flash back to Cher in Clueless.

College Fashion

Even though I will only be a college student for another month (wow, what a scary statement) I just found this fabulous blog called collegefashion.net. It has cute ideas about fashion that college students actually would wear for the most part. Check out there spring fashion trends, here.

Crunch Time #campaigns10 #teamyellow #rtyd

Tomorrow will mark exactly 4 weeks until our campaigns presentation. Nervous is an understatement by a long shot. Thus far I have logged over 90 hours outside of the classroom working on this project and I'm sure that number will double by the end of this. We meet as a team and for different groups basically everyday to discuss something or another, but what I am worried for is creating the tangible products. If it takes us this long to decide what we are going to say in a 2 minute brief description of our idea, how long is it going to take us to create a plans book, opening video, and to write the actual script. At this time I would like to thank my wonderful team for being the type of people that I want to spend time around. It would be a VERY long next four weeks if we did not get along. At least this is work I want to be doing and am interested in. Would I rather be outside enjoying the weather? Well yes, but this is still by far the most enjoyable class related experience I have ever had. This brings me to my final idea, which is not necessarily about campaigns itself but rather what it represents. Is it not ironic that I will work a million times harder for this class and actually enjoy it, and never once think about the grade I am going to get, but yet struggle to find anything interesting in other classes and constantly be concerned about the grade. I think there is definitely something to be said for classes that focus way too much on grades.

Put a Little Spring in Your Step

It is amazing the way weather effects people. Waking up to the sun shining and 72 degree weather simply makes everyone so much happier and pleasant. Today's Easter holiday put people in an especially cheerful mood. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed the day. I made brunch with my roommates, it was truly wonderful. In four years of college I have never once got to be home with my family, although I miss them very much, I am very thankful for my friends that can be my fill in family.

The only downfall to this lovely weather is my motivation to study and do homework goes right out the window. #seriouscaseofsenioritis

Happy Easter everyone!

Cutest bunny pictures here.

Magazines at Your Fingertips...Sign Me Up!

After just talking about the future of magazines in one of my classes. I continued to do a little more exploring. First of all, I am in love with magazines to begin with. From health magazines to trashy celebrity ones, I just love to read them. I thought that I would never want the tangible version of them replaced, but after hearing what is in store for the future, I changed my mind. The thought of being able to touch a product on a page that I am interested in and learning more about it seems like something you would see in a movie about the future, I cannot believe it's really here. The iPad is going to be a wonderful product for this and could completely revolutionize the magazine industry. After hearing all about the potential, they have definitely made a believer out of me.

View the Ad Age article here.

Beliebers...?

I just read an article on Ad Age about the statistics of Justin Beiber's social media phenomenon. Everyday as I sit on Twitter (for far too long) I see that he is yet again a trending topic. HOW? I mean I like his music and all, but there are some serious crazed tweens out there if they are tweeting about Justin that much. I don't tweet about any one thing that much. This just leads me to wonder how different things would have been if Twitter and Facebook would have existed when I was a 11-year-old girl belting it out to BSB (Backstreet Boys--for those of you who are not into the 90's pop lingo) and N Sync. I had my fair share of Justin Timberlake posters, but would have constantly tweeted about him everyday? Would I have even had a Twitter for that matter? I guess We will never know. Read Ad Ages Article here.

Missery Loves Company

Still being oh so bitter about our loss last week to UNI, I took great enjoyment watching Syracuse go down as well. I know, I know I shouldn't be like this but I am. Although as great as it was having Syracuse loose, it was even worse having K-State still in it. Oh well. I think now I want UNI to do well, to prove to everyone that our loss was at least a little more justifiable. Oh well...the saddness is fading at least a little, although I'm sure it will return on the night of the National Championship where I watch someone else win it all...should have been us. Rock Chalk.

Team iPhone

According to Mashable.com, the iPhone is now available to EVERYONE (for a slight heftier fee than AT&T customers currently pay). I really believe that the iPhone is one of the best inventions to come out of my generation. This past week I didn't even consider bringing my computer on vacation because everything I could possibly need to do I could do on my iPhone. #ILoveMyiPhone

Find out more here.

Home Stretch

It's here!

A month and a half left of school.

Ready or not...

Rock Chalk

Yesterday was a sad day for Jayhawks all over the country. The University of Kansas was the number one over all seed going into the NCAA tournament this year and everyone had the highest of hopes. I was no different, I dreamed of the day when I could say I witnessed TWO National Championships. Unless you were in Lawrence, Kansas when they won two years ago, it's really indescribable. This loss was especially difficult for me being as that I am from Iowa and live an hour from the University of Northern Iowa. I felt like I tried to be a respectful looser, even though I was dying inside. UNI played a great game of basketball, and we...well we've seen better games. Even though it's over, KU basketball has given me so many memories in my four years here and I am eternally grateful.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

Currently Interested/ Obessed

I thought I would take this time to tell all of my readers (I know how many of you are out there) what my fascinations are of the moment. Just in case any of you don't have enough going on in your own lives and you need/want a new fixation.

1. The Weather. Currently it is 59 degrees in Lawrence, Kansas and I could not be happier. All I want to do is sit on my porch or drive around with my windows down. I CANNOT wait for spring and summer. See ya never leggings and Uggs, say hello to your replacement of a white v-neck, Nike tempo shorts, and Rainbows.

2. KU Basketball. This is nothing particularly new, however, as we get into March any basketball fan knows this is IT when it comes to college basketball. I have been blessed (for lack of a better word) that I got to see the Jayhawks win a National Championship when I was a sophomore here, but how cool would it be to say that I was here for 2? Selection Sunday is looming near and KU will inevitably get a #1 seed but from there it is all up to them. Come on boys, one more time!

3. Campaigns. The KU school of journalism has a capstone course for students on the strategic communications side of the school called Campaigns. This class requires hours and hours of work as well as being glued to your email at all times, but I absolutely could not be happier with the class. I am not allowed to say much about our client for disclosure purposes, but when we are done with this, we are going to make a big impact. I could not be happier with the team of people that I have been grouped with and am actually excited for when it comes down to crunch time and we are literally spending every second of our lives together working, eating, and not sleeping. Team Yellow is about to have a wicked good campaign...we just aren't quite sure what it is yet.

4. Social Media. I have been obsessed with Facebook since I first got it when I was a senior in high school, and have been on Twitter for quite a while as well, but now I feel like I really have dove head first into everything that social media has to offer. I still Facebook, I now have two Twitter accounts (one personal and one professional). I've had my personal one much longer so I am trying to get my new one up to speed while tweeting to my followers about actual relevant things other than "I love animal crackers" (which I honestly have a serious addiction). I also just got a Linked In, which I am still figuring out the ins and outs of but really like what it has to offer. And then of course this blog as well. I love it all..what else is out there that I should be doing? I'm ready for it.

5. American Idol. Alright so I know this will now be my second post about some reality show, and I assure you I am NOT a reality show junkie, certain ones just suck you in. American Idol I do honestly enjoy. I think it stems from my lifelong desire to be able to sing. I love listening to people with good voices. I DVR it every week and love to sit down and be able to enjoy the show. Call me a loser but I LOVE American Idol. (On a side note: I RARELY take my love as far as actually voting for any of the contestants.)

There you have it 5 things that I'm spending my time/thoughts on.

Countdown to spring break: 6 days.

Thank You

I would like to take this time to say "thank you" to the William Allen White School of Journalism. Deciding to become a journalism major and joining this school was the second best choice I have made in my time at KU (first being studying abroad). This school inspires me everyday to do my best and show me what I can achieve with hard work. For the past three years I have listened to speakers at least once a week that are business professionals, many of which graduated from KU. These people are honestly more of an inspiration than they will ever know. In one of my classes the other day we had a man that works for VML come and talk to us all about social media and what we needed to be doing. As a result every single one of my friends, myself included have become even bigger social media junkies than we already were. He had such an incredible impact on us, as do all of the speakers that the J-School provides. My teachers also provide me with much inspiration. I get told everyday how great every student in the school is and how we are all capable of doing anything we set our mind to, and no matter what I may think...I WILL GET A JOB. These professors have become so much more than just a face in front of the classroom, they have become my friends and my mentors. I now do believe that I will get a job and in large part because of them and what they have for done for me. At times I may think that some of the things they have us do are crazy, but I tell you what...it's the crazy things that I am still remembering. So thank you to the Kansas School of Journalism for everything! I will never listen to 90's jams, read children's book, play catch phrase, watch a commercial, listen to a speaker, read an article, or write the same ever again...and I like it that way.

Visit the William Allan White School of Journalism here.

Heels and a Power Suit

Today was a defining moment in my life, I purchased my first "lady suit." As the journalism career fair approaches, as well as what will hopefully be followed by many job interviews, it was time to have a business professional ensemble of my own. It's navy, from Gap, and in terms of business attire...quite cute. I scared myself a little as I told my mother the blazer would be great to throw on with jean to go for drinks in after I leave work. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? Hopefully now with my oh so fashionable suit, I will walk into the career fair on Wednesday and have companies throwing offers out right and left...wishful thinking I know. Well at least I will be looking good and hopefully my resume can do the rest. Wish me luck!

See more pants and dress clothes like these and the ones I got here.

No Excuses

I will not start making excuses for how the Jayhawks played today, however, I will start with this quote.

A good balance of winning and losing is important. If you just win all the time, you won't get anything out of it; having some tough losses can be really important. --Andrew Shue

My team did not play up to its potential today, this is true, but I do believe that it is better to know what it feels like to loose before we hit the NCAA tournament than to experience while in the tournament. I like to think of it as "getting it out of our system." So while I was just like everyone else in screaming at my TV this afternoon, I do not think this is the end of the world, and MAY actually be a good thing. PLUS last time we lost to Oklahoma State, we won the National Championship...so hey, who says we're just not trying to have a re-enactment? So Bill, give them a stern talking to and let them know there are A LOT of people depending on them and they should get their act together. I'm ready to see another National Championship before I leave this place. Selection Sunday countdown...2 weeks from tomorrow.

See more of the Kansan photos and coverage here.

Putting Things Into Perspective

I'm along with everyone else in the world when I say that the people of Chile are in my thoughts. The devastation is awful (although certainly could have been worse if it had hit in a more populated area). The people of Chile seem to be handling it well from what I can see on TV, which obviously is not always accurate. Although I do know that they are not asking for outside assistance at this time, so they must have themselves fairly well taken care of for the time being. I'm not really sure that there have been more natural disasters lately or it has just seemed that way but hopefully seeing the hardship that so many people in these countries are going through will make people here be grateful for what they have. Find out more information here.

Two Weeks and Counting

In a mere two weeks I will embark on what will be the LAST school break of my life. How weird is it to think about that for 22 years I have always been guaranteed a "break" from the chaos of school to either go home or go on vacation somewhere. I think it's a pretty good system they've worked out, it's too bad the "real world" doesn't have this same great deal. I'm spending my last break with around 30 of my friends laying on a beach, and it is going to be wonderful. The only downfall to the fact that is it is so soon, is the fact that this means the semester is half way over. As much as I am ready to be done with the busy work and going to classes, I am in love with being in college. I don't want to stay any longer but I am still sad to see if coming to an end. I guess this just means I am going to have to enjoy every second after spring break...that is if Campaigns (capstone journalism class) doesn't consume my life...which it will until May 5th (presentation day!) I guess on top of all that, do you think I have two weeks to make my body look like this?

View more swimming suits and this one here.

This Week On The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony Ever...until next week

I hate to admit it but similar to a lot of other girls (or guys) in this country, I have been sucked into the reality show phenom, The Bachelor. From around episode two or three I heard Vienna won, yet some irresistible pull kept me watching. I'm usually very pessimistic when it comes to reality TV in the fact that I believe most of it is staged. The whole thing can get to be a little much, how many shots do we need to see of Jake pensively staring into the distance, by a fire and shadows? Yet despite all this, ABC will definitely have my TV tuned in for what I'm sure will drag on for a three hour finally Monday night.

The Bachelor Show

Secrets Don't Make Friends

Every Sunday for the past couple of years have meant one thing...Post Secret. Sometimes I try to wait to read it to "savor" it for later, but I can never resist. I am absolutely in love with Post Secret and everything that it does. Frank came to KU when I was a sophomore and I wasn't able to go, I've been tweeting him telling him to come back but it hasn't worked yet. I have ALWAYS wanted to send in a secret. I think about it all the time, what I would want to say, how I would make my postcard look, if it was about someone if they would know, etc. If I opened up the site on Sunday morning and saw my post card, my life would be complete. My issue is that I don't think I would be able to keep it a secret that my card made it...completely defeating the purpose. I think I will set a goal to send in a secret by the time I graduate. Check back later to see if I actually follow through. Until then read Post Secret (www.postsecret.com), it will brighten your day.

Too Addicted???

I LOVE Mac products (Macintosh that is, not the make-up, although those are great too). In marketing terms I'm what you would call a "heavy user." Mac Book, iPod, iPhone, what have you...however lately I have found my apps constantly not working. I have had to re-download one of my applications 3 times in the past week because it just spontaneously stops working. Part of my frusteration stems from the fact that I am WAY too addicted to my phone and find it a crisis when I can't update my Twitter or play back my Words With Friends, but also I just feel that the apps should maybe just a tad more reliable than they are. Maybe if they could work just a little more often and I could take my dependency down a notch, life would be good. Until then...I think I'll just continue staring at the screen asking "why are you not working?!" until it eventually starts again.

This Is It

After some contemplation and inspiration, I've decided to start this blog. I'm not exactly sure why--I don't actually think I have that much insight--however I do enjoy sharing how I view the world so take it for what you will. As I end my senior year at the University of Kansas and enter the "real world" I have truly learned not to take anything for granite because time does goes by so fast. I know everyone's heard this time and time again but in all honesty take some time and enjoy it all.