MIA!

I will be MIA this week because instead of going to my internship in the city, I will be going to Nashville!

I have been selected to present My research paper on social media at the 2011 Academic Business World International Conference and International Conference on Learning and Administration in Higher Education joint conference.

I'll be staying at the Opryland Hotel, which is amazing! I've been there before! And I am going to have plenty of time to sight-see!

I am presenting on Wednesday at 10:30 so wish me luck!

Busy Day!

Yesterday was a very busy day at my internship! I got to work 20 minutes earlier because I took an earlier bus. I ended up just walked from Port Authority to my job and it took about 20 minutes. I even stopped at this cafe to get a parfait for breakfast! Yum!

As soon as I got in I had to go to a meeting for 1.5 hours. The presentation was called What Not to Write. It was on how to write in the business environment and pretty much put us all on the same page so there is one consistent voice coming out of the organization.

We also spent a lot of time on editing and proofreading. I learned a lot of tricks for proofing my work and we got VERY technical in grammar. It was all very familiar since I took two writing courses this past semester, but was so cool.

After the meeting I sent out a press release via PR Newswire, which is awesome. That means there is a greater chance that it actually got published. It was for the final push for this engagement contest we are doing. After that I worked on writing 18 handwritten letters to be put into recruitment kits. That literally took me 3 hours because I would get to the end of the letter and make a mistake and have to throw it away!

I also worked on a pitch to Huffington Post on Father's Day gifts. We get this awesome newsletter called HARO (Help a Reporter Out). A twice-daily newsletter is sent out with topics that reporters need news/information/quotes on. I found one that was relevant to my work and I emailed it out! Haven't heard back yet, but how cool would that be if my work was featured in the article all thanks to me!

Right before I left I learned how to judge the engagement contest. I get to be on the of the judges!! I had to read the story and rate it. Then we will narrow it down to the top ten finalists and America will vote. How exciting!

BTW: The press release I sent out was published in many places including in FashionNews and CNBC!

Cups Frozen Yogurt

CUPS! This does not necessarily pertain to NYC, but since I am staying in NJ during the week it kinda has to do with my internship!

Cups Frozen Yogurt is the most amazing thing ever. It's pretty much a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt bar. First you grab a cup, then you go to a line of machines. There are two flavors on each side and one in the middle.

The cups are big enough that you can separate all the flavors if you wanted to. For example I got chocolate coconut, raspberry cheesecake and raspberries and tart. I put them in 3 separate sections!

Then you go to the counter and there are like 50 different toppings to chose from. Syrups, fruit, candy,  and even cereal! Note: that is not my Cups just something I found online. I got cheesecake bites and brownie bites.

When you pay for it, you put it on a scale! Kind of like at a salad bar. It was seriously so good and so fun to make! Right now they only have two locations in NJ but I think there are similar things like this out there. It was seriously so good and I wish I thought of this idea before!

New Raincoat

If you live in the northeast, then you know how much rain we've been getting. It looks like this weekend will be nice but next week it's gonna pour everyday.

Since I started working in the city, I noticed lots of ladies wearing fashionable trench coats. It seems like everyone has one! I can see why. They are super cute and on the thin side, which is perfect for this spring weather.

On my lunch break I got the DKNY water repellent spring trench coat in blue powder. It goes for about $80 online and I got it for so much cheaper here in the city.

It looks really cute with my work clothes and I feel like I might actually fit in here. Especially because the raincoat in my closet at home is actually a kid's raincoat. It's time to grow up!

Commuting Problems

I've been staying with my cousins in NJ since Sunday, just so we can hang out before I have to work this week. Yesterday my cousin Nicole took the bus with me into the city so she can show me where to go. Well, this week is disgusting and SO rainy out. The bus was 10 minutes late and there was a lot of traffic because of the rain.

She spent the day shopping in the city and visiting my uncle who works above Grand Central. Then we went for lunch at Food World. It was close by and had a lot of indoor seating, which is something that is not common around here. They had all kinds of food: sandwiches, soup, salad, breakfast, Japanese, etc. I got some delicious Chinese food and ate it with chopsticks!

Later on my cousin met me at work and we took the subway to Port Authority. It seems kind of confusing but she said to just follow the crowd. We then waited for the bus. Luckily, the 5:28 bus stops right by her house so as long as I get there in time, I won't have to get picked up at the transit center.

So it was a little rough yesterday but today was far worse. I took the 8:40 express bus into the city. It was on time and the sun was starting to peek out. Then all of a sudden the bus got off the highway and we were rerouted to Secaucus Junction train station. There was a bad accident near the tunnel (which BTW I didn't realize we will have to go underwater to get to the city!!) The girl next to me told me we would have to get off and take the train to Penn Station! AH!!!!

Once again, I followed the crowd. The employees directed us to the right train. Then I got to Penn Station and my cousin had told me to get a cab. But there was a huuuuuge line for the cab so I decided to walk the 10 blocks. It took me like a half hour and my feet were killing me. I was 30 minutes late to work but I can't stay after today to make up my time or I will miss that sweet bus.

So today when I get out of work, I need to get to Grand Central, take the 7 to Port Authority, and navigate through the maze to get to the 197 bus! Hopefully it goes a lot smoother than it did this morning. I think tomorrow I will take the 8:28 bus instead of the 8:40 so I'm not late!

Graduation!

Yesterday was my graduation from grad school! I can't believe I made it through such an intense year! I am now a master of public relations...

Though I was able to participate in the ceremony, I still have 6 credits to go. This summer I will have to work on my professional project. If I defend it by October 2011 then I will get my actual degree in the mail shortly after.

It still felt so unreal when I was sitting in the stadium, waiting to receive my degree. I didn't have a graduation ceremony when I graduated from CCSU so this was so awesome for me!

Also, my dad, stepmom, brother and Brendan were sitting so close to me! Every time I looked up, I saw Brendan being so adorable and thinking the same thoughts as me! My mom was there too with Fallon and Logan and I was so happy to have my whole family there!

The ceremony ended a lot earlier than we thought and we had a little get-together at my aunt's house. Afterwards, I went back to NJ with my cousins because that is where I will be staying during the week while I go to my internship!

By the way, I owned grad school this semester! All A's and a B. It would have been straight A's if I didn't have such a terrible professor, I am sure of it!

On the streets of NYC

I saw a bunch of people walking the streets of New York with these signs taped to their backs. I just recently heard that the world was going to end on 5/21 and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this!

Don't get me wrong. I fully believe in the Seconding Coming. But I have a lot of problems with this sign.

First of all, if you zoom in, you can see the clever line: The Bible Guarantees It. Listen, we aren't shopping on the QVC channel or some infomercial! That's like what sketchy products add for a seal of approval.

Secondly, yes the Bible does guarantee it...

Luke 21:25-28 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

BUT..even Jesus does not know the time or place.

Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 13:32)

So, I was perplexed by the sign and I would like to know where they got their information from. I do believe they have good intentions and I understand they are spreading the Gospel in their own way. I just don't see how practical it is. I would rather be the hands and feet of Jesus and love the people around me who don't know Him yet.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 

For more info read this article. "Many mainstream Christians aren't happy with the attention the prediction is getting. They reject the notion that a date for the end times can be calculated, if not the doctrine of the Rapture itself."

Second Week

My second week at my internship is going so well! On Tuesday, I barely had any motion sickness was able to enjoy an audiobook of the first book in Rick Riordan's new series, The Heroes of Olympus.

On Tuesday, I went to a meeting about the fashion show everyone attended in California. We brainstormed solutions to the problems that happened this year so 2012's goes smoothly. I also continued to work on this membership list to get some new recruits.

Later on in the day, I learned the database systems and how to manage subscriptions. We get tons of fashion and women magazines so I had to renew the subscriptions and double check that we were getting comped on the free ones.

The best part of my day was when I took my lunch break. I walked to the New York Public Library. It was so beautiful out! Everyone was sitting on the steps and eating lunch. It's my new favorite place to go when I am on break. For some of my lunch break today, today I went back and it is barely 60 degrees and very chilly so it wasn't as busy. I took this picture today and you can see that it wasn't as crowded. It was really cold today so I decided to sit inside. And I unlocked the Bookworm badge on Foursquare when I checked in. I am such a nerd! I love it!

When I got to work today, I got set up at my new desk. My co-worker is back from maternity leave (her son has the same Valentine's birthday as me!) so I couldn't use her desk anymore. Now I am up at the reception desk. I was weary about sitting up front where I am the first person people see when they come in! But the desk is so nice and I can finally stash all my stuff here. Plus, it doesn't face the street so it's a lot quieter and not so cold either!

They assured me that I am not here to take deliveries and answer the phones. The phone constantly rings so I have to just let it go to voice mail. But people just assume I will let them in, which we really can't blame them because they see me through the glass. And the door is locked so I would have to enter in a special code so I don't have to get up and press the button to unlock it.

Actually before, the mail lady angrily stood in front of the door and kept pulling on the locked door. It took me a moment to get my bearings straight and enter the code on the phone and so she yelled at me through the glass. WILL YOU OPEN THE DOOR??!!!

Awkward.

Besides getting a permanent desk, I worked on two press releases to recognize the achievements of two members. I hope they get published. That would be awesome. And for the rest of the day I will work on this membership list!

The Perfect Lunch

To save money during my internship, I plan on bringing a lunch almost everyday. I've been doing this for the entire school year and it's worked out great!

Side note: in undergrad, when I commuted, I rarely brought a lunch! I am trying to think of how I survived but I was 10 pounds skinnier then so I am thinking I lived off yogurt and Special K bars. I should probably go back to that but I love food too much...

My lunch basically consists of the following:

Turkey or chicken sandwich

Light and Fit yogurt

100 calorie packs

An apple












I try to go for things that are filling but also healthy. For some reason now that I am older I have to constantly work out and watch what I eat or else I gain weight fast. With commuting to NYC, I don't know if I can realistically stay committed to my four day a week workout. I want to eat healthy and I know if I don't bring in my own lunch I will eat $1.75 pizza slices everyday and that's not good!

Friday in the City

Today was my second day at my internship. It was so nice to come in an hour later! It made a huge difference!

Today I've learned a ton of stuff here. I had a meeting with someone from membership. She showed me how they use Cision here, as well as the image database page.

After I did some classic intern work (preparing receipts for expense reports and throwing away old photo discs), I met with someone from public affairs to learn about the responsible business and legislation side of the organization. Finally, I had another meeting with communications and learned all about what the organization is doing and how they are integrating messages and all that!

Well, the train ride in was better...I didn't have that much motion sickness. I was able to watch a whole episode of Gossip Girl and not feel bad. After about an hour and half, my motion sickness was really bad. I looked up online that ginger ale helps so I got some at Grand Central and I thought it did help a little bit.

I had a meeting at noon and my motion sickness was still there. I actually started feeling like I was going to pass out. I was so dizzy I could barely move. Finally I was able to get back to my desk and I read that ginger root pills really help. I am so apprehensive about taking medication in general. I know Dramamine or Bonine would just make me drowsy and tired (I've taken them for flights before). So I decided to go the natural way.

I ended up walking down Park Street looking for a Duane Reade. I think it closed because I couldn't find it! So I walked up to the one on 5th Ave, but there wasn't any ginger root. Luckily there was a GNC down a few blocks so I was able to get some for like $6.

I pretty much spent my entire break looking for these pills but it was so gorgeous out. It is so unreal that I actually work in NYC. I probably sound like a n00b but I loved watching this lady try to flag down a cab but every cab was taken! And all types of people walking during lunch time. Some in business suits, some carrying shopping bags, some in gym clothes. It's so cool that I get to be a part of this.

The pills were so creepy looking! I was so afraid of them! It was like powder ginger in a plastic-looking capsule. It made me sick to think of swallowing it! I thought maybe I was supposed to crack it open! It has helped though. By the time I had my third meeting of the day and I don't feel like throwing up anymore, but my head is hurting bad.

By the way, this is my favorite skirt in the world. I wore it today and it's from the Limited. Even though it was "Casual Friday" from what I can see here! It was so laid back today and so many people weren't here at work so maybe that's why.

Now I will finish the rest of my research on the organization and take the 5:02 train home! I have A TON of work to do this weekend. I have a photo shoot on Saturday night, plus I need to get June's teaching for Amplify ready. And I need to edit my project proposal for my professional project by Monday. On top of my final portfolio due on Wednesday (but I will be working at QU/internship so I don't know when I can do it) plus my final project due on Thursday....

Welcome Home Gift!

 So my boyfriend Brendan is pretty much the greatest! Tuesday was my first day of my internship. We already worked it out that he is going to take me to the train station this summer. Then during the week when I stay with my cousins in NJ he is going to take care of my kitty! So sweet!

I felt like Brendan is already doing too much for me! He woke up before dawn to bring me to the train. When he picked me up, he was inside the train station waiting for me with a bouquet of flowers! It was the sweetest thing! So unexpected too!

Then we went to Primo Pizza (my favorite pizza place in Wallingford) to pick up pizza he had ordered today! We were so hungry we ate the garlic bread in the car!
Then I came home and I noticed little AB's food dish was filled. Things in my apartment were also neater like my bed was made. Just those little things mean so much to me!

He is such a great guy and I feel so lucky to have him! Luckily I will be able to take the 8:00 train in the mornings from now on so he won't have to wake up super early to bring me anymore!

First Day

View from the office

Yesterday was the first day of my new internship! I am working for a national trade association in the jewelry industry located in the Midtown section of NYC. I will mostly be doing PR and marketing activities for the consumer arm of the organization.

With graduation just around the corner, I am truly blessed to have secured a paid position. It's a funny story on how I got this job. In March, I made the trip into the city and interviewed for a social media internship. When they called me, they let me know that I did not get the social media internship, but they wanted me to do the PR/marketing internship! Of course I accepted, and up until my first day, I wasn't sure what to expect.

The train from CT was about 1 hour, 45 minutes. I ended up only getting 2 hours of sleep the night before! I wasn't expecting the kind of welcome I got! I met my boss for the first time (I didn't interview with her since I wasn't going in for the job I have now).

I found out that she had just gotten back from a trip AND just got engaged so her life is really hectic. But she was still so welcoming and had everything prepared for me! I even have my own laptop and everything was set up for me already!

I was scared I was not going to be expected or I would just be in the way all day. But it was the opposite! I got to meet all 19 people who work in the office. I read up on what the organization does, looked at the website & social media accounts, and went through an orientation and filled out paperwork.

When lunch time rolled around, I found out I had an hour break. That was too much for me. I ate my lunch at my desk but decided to walk to Starbucks so I can get a break. Being in the city, a Starbucks was just around the block. I even checked out some clothing stores for the fun of it.

I wanted to make a few phone calls but it was too loud outside and too quiet inside my office! I mean, my office is really quiet. I feel like I am yelling every time I talk in the office since it's so quiet. It's hard to get used to. There is no break room either so there is nowhere private to make any phone calls.

After lunch, I got to sit in on a meeting for a trade show in Las Vegas! This is so different than my last internship. I am actually included in meetings and I even gave an idea on QR codes when we were brainstorming. Everyone seemed happy with my input and I actually felt confident to share an idea which was awesome! After the meeting, I did more research and finally left work for the 5:02 train.

Overall, I had a really awesome day. I found out I will be doing a lot of PR/marketing activities, as well as special events. Each week my boss will give me an assignment to do and I have a paper to keep track of all the things I do. She wants me to come in from 10-5 now (instead of at 9) so she can have the first hour to prepare for my assignment. It's great because now I can take the 8:00 train in to the city!

Now the train...I get motion sickness from just about anything. I was trying to read Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (part of the Hunger Games series) on my iPad, but it made me so sick. I felt like I had motion sickness all day. Even going down the elevator! The ride back wasn't as bad and I actually could read, but I really need to figure out something! Any tips would be helpful!