Trip Down Memory Lane

Today I completed my undergraduate studies at Auburn University.  This morning, while I was attempting to study, I started thinking about the many things I have learned through 18 years of school.

In kindergarden, I learned that I can relate to adults fairly easily, even as a five year old.  My kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Bailey, use to let me stay up during nap time and talk to her, color drawings, and even pull some teeth.

In first grade, Mrs. Reid taught me how to write.  My handwriting to this day is because of her.  Lower case letters below the dotted line, capital letter to the top of the paper (that's when we were allowed to use handwriting lines).

In second grade, Mrs. Riggins taught me how to make school fun.  School wasn't just about reading and math you can learn about how the world was created.  She was always dressed to a tee and knew exactly how to have fun.

Third grade was probably my favorite grade.  It was my last grade in Golden Springs and I had the coolest teacher, Mrs. Upchurch.  Third grade I cut my hair extremely short (like above my ears short), had a retainer, and wore dresses.  So it was my awkward stage, but little did I know what middle school would bring.

In fourth grade, I had to make all new friends and thanks to gymnastics I already had some friends that I knew that would be in my class.  I wouldn't have made it through that grade without them.  In fourth grade Mrs. Beshears helped my reading level sky rocket, well from below average to where it should have been all along.  This is the year I realized I liked to write.  We had a journal that we were required to write in once a day at school.  I guess I've kept that habit because I still keep a handwritten journal.

Oh fifth grade, the best class ever, as Mrs. Holcomb would say! I was a little confused when it came to what school to root for but in the end I saw the light ;) Mrs. Poore (now) helped me understand science just a little more and made me really interested in other subjects besides math.

Sixth grade was the year of change.  I moved to the middle school where boys were cute and the walls were blue.  Classes changed every period and I had a different teacher for ever subject.  Mrs. Moore helped me in science, Mrs. Graham with math, and Mr. Berry (who gave me the nickname KP) helped me in social studies.  I had my first group of girlfriends, my first boyfriend, and my first nickname.  I joined the youth group at church and made even more friends.  School was becoming a lot more fun because there was more to do after school than just homework.  I tried out for cheerleading, took piano, and did numerous activities at church.  I guess my interpersonal skills started to develop then.

Seventh and eighth grade was the beginning of my trouble years.  As much as I wish I could take back some of the things I put my parents through, in the end, I guess I really learned.  Cheerleading was my life and boys came second, friends third, and classes last.  My perfect grades through elementary school began to slip and so did some of my friends.  I started learning life lessons whether I really learned them that year or not.

High school came and went and couldn't have gone fast enough.  The first two years were a joy and then my best friends graduated.  I was left to conquer the school with just my grade and I wasn't ready for it.  I stayed in cheerleading (thanks to my parents).  If I wouldn't have stayed in cheerleading I would be a lot worse off.  My parents kept me as grounded as they could while I still had a rebel streak to prove.  Senior year was a year where I learned who people truly were and what little these last four years meant for my life.

Then freshmen year came at Auburn.  I moved completely on from my high school experiences and picked up with my old self.  I made great friends who helped me survive these last four years.  I had a boyfriend that held me back but soon got rid of him before my sophomore year could be ruined.

Sophomore year through this last year have been an absolute blessing.  I have learned so many things about myself, life, and other people.  This world is so much bigger than the first 18 years of your life.  They are like a building block for the next four years of college and on.  I cannot thank my parents enough for raising me the way they did.  I learned so much from them and the role models they set for me.  I can't thank my college friends enough for showing me what true friends are and how everyone is different.  Lastly, I can't thank my boyfriend enough for the lessons he has taught me in the last two years.  It has been a blessing to come to the plains and learn so much from so many different people.

I hope that these last 18 years of school and 22 years of life have prepared me for what's ahead.  I have big goals and dreams set for myself.  I was taught at a young age to never give up on what you want and that's what I plan on doing for the rest of my life.  Even without school, I know I will continue to learn everyday.  You can never have too much knowledge as my dear friend Morgan says.  Thank you to all the people who supported me throughout my building block years.  I hope I can go into the world and make you all proud but most importantly live up to my hopes and dreams.

Follow Your Dreams. Do What You Love.

Lately the topic of discussion has been: "Follow your dreams. Do what you love."  I seem to always talk about dreams and being passionate about things.  But when other people begin to talk about it, it draws me in.  They have my full attention because I am interested to see what people believe about dreams, being passionate about something, and doing it whole heartedly.

In class and from professors, mentors, and people I care the most about they have advised me to "Follow my dreams by doing what I love."  The two things I have the most passion for are: fitness/health and helping people out.  This dream is easy to follow as long as I take the right steps towards that.  But one of my other favorite things that I have become a lot more passionate about is social media.  I want to learn more about what's behind it all and how you can best utilize it.  I love being connected to people, learning new things about people, and sharing my story with the world.

How do you follow this dream? A professor once told me, (please keep reading, I promise I'll stop being redundant.) "Follow your dreams. Even if you don't know what those dreams are, follow what you feel the most passionate about. Even if there isn't a job title to match your passions, one day there just might be and if not why not come up with it yourself!" What great advice!

However, fitness bloggers are all over the place, health websites pop up all the time.  But helping people via the internet is very motivating but there is no physical interaction.  To me, this step is extremely important in helping people out.  This world cannot be come so globalized that the only way people communicate is via technology.  It is completely inhumane!

So, why can't I just do both? I can get paid to help people in person as a fitness instructor or personal trainer and when I'm not doing that have social media to help back me up? Tons of people do it, why can't I? It's not much of an aspiration compared to some people's dreams and goals but this is my dream and what I feel led to do! It brings me complete satisfaction.  I believe that is one of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs :)

Here is what I hope you can gain from this blog post, if you aren't doing everything to fulfill complete satisfaction stop doing what isn't making you happy.  Try and follow what will make you happy.  It means more in the end of your life to know you did everything you wanted/needed to do.  You lived out your life to the fullest! So, Follow your dreams and Do what you LOVE!

Kayla

April: The Month of Change

Can anyone believe it's April already? And the 2nd at that? What happened to the first day of the month? That was a full day... it definitely didn't feel like it.

This month is going to be the month of change.  Well the preparation month for change.  I accepted a job as of last week that I will be starting May 14th.  I am so excited for this next chapter and relieved that the job searching process is over!

However, one of my other dreams is to be a fitness instructor.  This process has only just begun and it will definitely be a lengthy process.  I'm still working on some details then this process should be finished before the summer ends.

Another thing that is also changing is that classes will come to an end and school will be over.  Making the move from college to work life will hopefully be an easy transition.  It will definitely be a learning experience so I expect a lot of blogs to come from my many hurdles to overcome.

Also, I think it is time for another addition in my life.  NO! Not a kid! I have wanted a puppy, or as normal people call them dogs or pets, for quite some time now.  My parents deal was as soon as I get my first paycheck, I'm free to do as I want because they won't be paying for me to live.  I have started the search but I know I will need some time to get use to my new life as a working professional before an addition can fit in my schedule.

This is the month of change people.  I encourage you to change something in your life.  Don't get stuck in a rut! Switch up your workouts, eating habits, people you talk to, or activities you partake in.  Don't be afraid to do something new.  It will keep you fresh and more energized when you aren't doing the same routine everyday.  Please leave a comment and let me know what your changes are.  We can help each other through these times.


-Kayla

Goals and Dreams

Everyone has a dream or a goal that they are trying to reach for.  Even if you don't think you do, you do.  There is always something in this world that is sure to make you the happiest you have ever been.  That is your dream.

Everyone's dreams are different.  Some may be the same as others but it is still your dream and your life.  Only you know what that dream is and how to completely satisfy that goal.

For quite sometime now, I have known that I'm a dreamer.  I was silly enough to get it tattooed on my hip just to remind myself that I can always fufill my dream if I just set my mind to it.  For the last couple of years, I have been completely lost on what exactly my dream is.  A lot of things make me happy so it is hard to just choose one thing to fully satisfy me.

This semester in school, I was given a project to design a website about myself.  On that website, I was required to have a page about my goals in life.  Well, being a senior in my major, about to graduate, you would think that would be a simple page.  It was definitely the toughest for me.  I have had this project since early February and the project is due next week.  I have just now completed my goals page! I had the entire webpage completed 2 weeks ago with the exception of that page. 

I have finally been able to put it down into writting.  My dreams or "goal" in life is to help people.  Simple as that.  As long as I am doing that I will be completely satsified.  Granted, add a little fitness, health, and fun and that would be my ideal way to help people.  I want people to be the best they can be and know they are the best they can be.  That is something I strive for everyday.  I want everyone to know that you can do anything you want to do, if you just set your mind to it.  Including health and fitness is just a great way to show people that you are doing the best you can.  As long as you are doing something to better yourself, that is enough to make yourself proud and strive for the next day.

If you are interested, check out my website I have been working on for a class at this link. Now the goal page isn't updated but it wil be tomorrow afternoon because this project is due Monday morning :) So check back Monday for a completed webpage!

March Madness Kayla Edition

Hello blog world!

It has been quite sometime since I have written a blog and my last one was not an update on "Running Through Life".  That title has been more relevant than ever this semester.  I never thought my mind would be racing with so many thoughts about my future.  Like you all know, I'm a planner and my thoughts have never made me this dazzled.  Because it has been sometime since my last blog, I will probably be writing a series of blogs about everything that has been going on.

I feel like I have been cheating on my virtual journal.  I have been keeping a written journal that I write something down, even if it's just what I did that day,  in this journal.  I'm hoping in a year I can look back at it and see how much I have changed and what happened through the year.

Spring Break was last week.  It was a nice week to just clear my head of all my thoughts and crazy schedule.  Reading books, hanging out with friends, splurging on food and drinks, and playing games all while being on the beach! Ah... it was amazing.

However, I still managed to have thoughts running through my head.  But the only one that I let stay there during the week.  That thought was "What are my goals in life?" Coming to college I knew I wanted to do something with nutrition.  I wanted to help people lose weight, make a healthier lifestyle for them, and just encourage people all over the world.  After realizing I wasn't going to be able to get a degree in Nutrition & Dietetics.  Personality tests revealed only a small part of what I thought I would do with my major in Hotel & Restaurant Management.  The title makes it seem my only options are hotels and restaurants.  False.  The amount of jobs that fall into the category of hospitality is HUGE!

This made me realize that I can still fulfill my dream with my degree.  I have never been one to give up on my dreams and I don't plan on doing that now.  The only problem now is finding out how to get to my dream.  Finding the right path to get me there.  And that's where I let the thoughts stop while I was on break.  It was a week to take a break from the job search, focus on myself, and have a good time while I was enjoying my last week long vacation for A WHILE!!  I still don't know the answer to that path and probably won't until I make it to the finish line.  But that's okay.  I'm going to make the best decision for myself at this point in my life.

Living out my dreams,

Kayla

Let's Catch Up

A lot has happened since my last post on February 1st.  Birthday's, Anniversary's, Holiday's, and Races!  Let's start from the beginning...

February 10th was Brenden's birthday.  He turned 22 and like any college kid just wanted a relaxing night not to worry about college and life.  Well, on Friday Brenden accepted an offer from a company in Arkansas and has an official start day for May! I am very excited for him and proud that he secured a job way before graduation.  And I might be a little jealous. :/  Before the job offer, Brenden kept telling me he has always wanted to see Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw in concert.  The first few weeks of January, I found out Kenny and Tim were touring together this summer and just had to get tickets for him for his birthday.  So I did.  But the concert is in Atlanta... and he just accepted a job in Arkansas.  Let's just hope he can some how make it there because he was very excited about the tickets (at least he acted like it!).  

After a fun night with friends, we made our way to Birmingham were I was running my second half-marathon on Sunday.  We made it to Birmingham and had the opportunity to hang out with my family and see my friend that set Brenden and I up.  It was so great to see her and spend the night at her cute little apartment in Birmingham.  

Sunday morning, bright and early, in the freezing cold, my Dad, Katherine, Allison, Allison's little brother and Dad and I ran a half-marathon in Personal Record (PR) times for all of us.  I cut 23 minutes off of my time from last year and was able to keep up with my Dad which is an accomplishment in itself.  Allison, Jacob, and Katherine completed their first ever half marathon in 20 degree weather with a wind chill of 15 degrees! It was such an accomplishment for all of us and I, for one, could have never cut that much time off of my first one if it hadn't been for the love and support from my family and friends.  Also, I never could have kept a 9:17 pace if it wasn't for my Dad's competitive spirit and drive to push me to be the best he knows I can be.

After running two half-marathons, having support is definitely a key component in running the long distances.  You don't realize how big of a factor that little emotion has on someone.  Knowing that people want you to succeed and do well makes a world of difference when you do anything but particularly long distances.  Now I am trying to decide, "What's next?" Another half-marathon, a full marathon, or a sprint triathlon? Decisions decisions.  As my sister would say, I am mentally ill!! :)

After running and driving back to Auburn shortly after the race, Brenden and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary of dating.  This sounds silly as I type it (like I'm in high school or puppy love) but to me it was something to celebrate.  I'm not big on Valentine's day so our celebration was just on Sunday night.  I got a gorgeous watch and stylish sunglasses from Brenden and I reminded him of the two tickets I gave him on Friday. :)  Brenden made an excellent steak dinner and we were able to talk about all the changes that are soon to happen to the both of us.

In all of my classes, we are reminded constantly "there should be an action plan for any event, it should be updated regularly, communication is vital, and recapping is of the utmost importance".  That's kind of how our talk was on Sunday night.  What's going well, what can we/I improve on, and what is coming up that we need to plan for.  The past two years have been a growing period for the both of us (he is going to be so mad I'm writing about this on the Internet).  We have developed as young adults and are about to embark on a big step into our adulthood.  We still have a lot to learn about each other and we continue to do that everyday.  I've heard before, if you can make it to the two year mark, you can make it forever.  I don't know how true that is but I sure hope it is. :)

Until next time,

Kayla

One Month Down

Wow!! January flew by.  I can't believe today is February 1st! I graduate in just 3 months and 5 days, Spring break is 38 days away and Brenden's birthday is 9 days away. Can time just slow down a little?  I guess that's why I'm "Running Through Life".

Tonight I did some reworking of my blog (new design) and thought of changing the name of it.  After this month, I've started to realize my life 1. never stops and 2. goes by way too fast.  So I thought why not change the name to something a little more relevant to my life?  Well, honestly, the title is very relevant to my life.  I'm staying busy, time is going by fast, and I'm learning so many things along the way just like running.

My race is in less than two weeks and I'm getting really excited.  I love competing and challenging myself to reach outside of my normal routine.  Even though I run in my normal routine, I don't normally run at 7 in the morning, in Birmingham, with thousands of other people.  Putting myself through something that is so different from my usual routine gets me excited and makes me realize that there are things outside of my tiny little box.

This month has a lot of exciting things coming up. Birthdays, anniversaries, classes will be halfway finished, and training (for SOS) will be almost complete. WOW.  That's all I can say! WOW. This month is going to fly by too! Good thing we have an extra day this month ;)

I've been keeping a hand-written journal since the first day of school this semester.  It has been really short entries but it has been interesting to go back and see all the little (and big) things that have happened in this month.  After keeping this daily journal, I'm starting to realize that my time is very precious.  I don't normally do anything that isn't going to better prepare me for the future.  This month, I am taking extra care of my time.  Like I said I only have 3 months left until graduation then the real world is going to start and it's going to be just as fast.  I better get at the starting line now because race time will be here before I know it (the actual race and the race of life!)

-Kayla

Fearing The Unknown

I am a planner.  Plain as that.  I want to know what's going to happen, when it's going to happen, and what is going to happen after it happens.  This year is a year of unknowns and I'm freaking out.

For as long as I've been alive I've always known what's next.  After third grade, I knew I had to switch schools.  After fifth grade, I knew I was going to the big middle school.  After eighth grade came the frightening high school.  Even though I didn't know what would happen in college I knew that I was going to Auburn after I graduated high school.  I came to Auburn knowing exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up.  After a year of struggling in classes that dream went away and new plans came into play very quickly (because not knowing scares the crap out of me).  After switching degrees, I began planning my future immediately to figure out where I would work and what I would be.

After two years of planning what I would be after graduation, I have no idea what those plans are and honestly  I don't think I ever knew what I wanted to do.  Graduation is less than 4 months away and I have no idea where I will be living, working, or doing with my life.  I guess this is suppose to be fun for some people but my personality doesn't care for this unknown at all.

I have no idea how to plan what will happen after May 6th because it isn't in my control.  The best thing I can do is hope that what I think I want to be and where I want to be will eventually fall into the "plan".

2012 is Going to be a Great Year

Happy New Year!! I cannot believe it is 2012! I feel like it was just yesterday it was 2008 and I was graduating from high school.  Now I'm 5 months away from graduating college and jumping into this big ole world!

New Year's Eve is a day to reflect on what went well and what went poorly and on New Year's Day you think about how to fix the bad and move on with the good! For me, this is the best day of the year.  I set my New Year's Resolutions and prepare myself for a year long of being busy and much needed change!

My New Year's Resolutions are: to have a more productive way of working out (instead of just going to the gym to get on the elliptical), be nicer to the people I care the most about, get a job, rent or buy a place to live (whichever makes more sense), and manage my budget.  Also, I hope to write more blogs.  Maybe not as long but more often.

Life is going to be extremely busy this coming year and everything is  going to change! I cannot wait to see what the new year has in store but I must take it one day at a time.  This getting older has made the years and days go by way too fast.

They say whatever you do on the first day of the year is what you will do for the rest of the year.  Today I woke up in Atlanta (I'm hoping to move there in May), came home and ran 9 miles (must stay fit), helped Mom cook low-fat chicken noodle soup (must eat healthy), and spent time with my family.  If this was the first day of the rest of the year will be like, I am in for a GREAT year! :)

Black Friday

Today is a day of strength, courage, and endurance.  I however have none of those qualities today, at least for the shopping aspect of Black Friday.

But Black Friday is something completely different for me.  Today is the eve of all eves! The night before the Iron Bowl.  This is not just any Iron Bowl.  It is my last Iron Bowl as a student.  Well, it is my last football game as a student.  Oh how these four years have flown by.  Saturday's in Auburn, in the fall, during college, will forever have a place in my heart.

I will always remember the four Iron Bowl's I had the pleasure to experience during college.  My first Iron Bowl was with my dear friend Kristen in Tuscaloosa.  The weekend was fun but we lost that year and I spent my Saturday evening surrounded by Alabama fans celebrating a year of bragging rights.

The next Iron Bowl was finally in God's Country.  This had to be my favorite Iron Bowl of the four.  For some reason, the state thought the Iron Bowl would be best played on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  So my family and our close family friends had our Thanksgiving meal at the tailgate spot.  That Friday, Auburn played their hearts out and that was the first time I cried about an Auburn loss.  However, that Friday night was also the first night I hung out with Brenden and his friends and got to met his Dad and two younger brothers.  This was an Iron Bowl to remember, even if we did lose.

The next Iron Bowl was back in Tuscaloosa and again on Friday.  This year my family spent Thanksgiving at my Great Aunt Lou's farm in Birmingham and woke up bright and early that next day to drive the rest of the way to Tuscaloosa.  The game was cold and wet and Brenden and I sat at the very top on the last row in the end zone with Alabama fans surrounding us.  We only stayed until half-time but man I wish I would have stayed to see that comeback and yell War Eagle (just once) in Bryant Denny Stadium.

This year, I get to celebrate the Iron Bowl on Auburn's turf with the people I love, in the town that I cannot get enough of.  This place means so much to me.  It has given me the strength to know I can do anything I set my mind to, the courage to try new things in life, and the endurance to know that no matter what comes my way I will not give up.  I am so excited to go to my last student football game in Auburn AND it's the Iron Bowl.  This will be a day I will never forget.  I will probably cry (win or lose) but it will be happy tears either way.  Because being in Jordan Hare Stadium was the first time I felt like I was apart of the Auburn Family.  I will always be apart of this great big family but I will never have the same experiences like I have had as an Auburn student in the student section during an Auburn football game!

WAR EAGLE!

-Kayla

Do You Know Your Strengths?

Yesterday, I had an extremely long day.  It started with a 6am-2pm shift at the hotel followed by an SOS/Camp War Eagle (CWE) retreat that lasted from 3:30-7pm.  I was excited to go but went into it thinking it would be just a long staff meeting.  It most definitely was not.

The last part of the meeting focused on our goals and expectations for the next spring which was a great way to get us all focused for the next semester and training new orientation leaders.  But the first part was very interesting.  The career services came and spoke to us about an assessment each one of us took to learn what our strengths are.  This test is called Strengths Quest.  The assessment reveals your top 5 strengths out of 34 talents (or strengths).  My top 5 strengths are Achiever (no surprise), Significance, Focus, Activator, and Responsibility.  All of these I thought were just like me except for Significance.  After reading the description I thought, "Oh, I know exactly why that describes me."  The brief description for significance is you are independent and want to be recognized.  The old me would say that being recognized is the most important but now I would say that being recognized is not what it is all about.  It's about doing things for people whether they know you did it or not.  I like to hear thank you's from people but I'm not going to be upset if I don't hear one.

The interesting thing about this assessment is that there are 34 talents (or strengths) that you can be assessed.  You can take it as many times as you like but your top 5 do not change much.  Studies show that you will stay within your top 10 strengths and vary little.  If you have a strength in your top 5 that you do not think matches you well, it is probably a strength you haven't developed yet.  Focus on that strength and make it stronger than ever.  A successful person knows what their strengths are, what they need assistance with, and is not afraid to ask for help when they know they aren't good in certain areas. Do you know what your strengths are?

Giving Blood

Yesterday I gave blood for the Beat Bama Blood Drive.  The last two years we have dominated and we always do the blood drive the week before they do. (WHOOP WHOOP!) They passed out the cutest stickers that read: "I bleed Orange and Blue!" (so true!)

Anyways, giving blood is my favorite way to give back at this point in my life.  I don't have much money to give but I can take the time out of my day to help 3 people in a quick 30-45 minutes (depending on if I pass out or not).

People always ask, how can you give blood or why do you like it so much?  Honestly, I think it was much more of a thrill when I was in high school and I was able to miss class to give blood or that I thought I was a badass for getting a huge needle stuck in my arm.  Now that I'm growing up and realizing how insane liking to give blood is, I start to get really queazy when I give blood.  This is normally how my appointments go:

I walk up to the registration table just fine and read the tips/facts book (just skim really because that is when the butterflies kick in).  After "reading" the tips/facts book, I rush to sit in the lab chairs.  The quicker I can answer the questions and get my finger pricked, which isn't that bad now (compared to a huge needle in your arm).  I never get worried about my iron because I think my blood is only made of iron (it's ridiculous how heavy it is).  But I always get worried about the questions.  I have no idea why because I haven't been on medication, or been paid for sex, or lived over seas.  But when they ask about going out of the country I start recalling every place I've been (which isn't much) but I don't want to lie so I get so nervous.

After the intimidating questions, they lady always says "Okay, are you ready?" and I take a deep breath and say "Yup."  Walking over to the table I start thinking about how my veins roll, I always get light headed, I can't get sick, I really need a drink, I don't know if I can do this.  Once they scan all those millions of barcodes they have to scan she says squeeze the stress ball.  I squeeze once and she says okay you can stop squeezing I can see your vein without any problems.  Which means I never get the purple marker (which is a plus because that thing never comes off) and her face turns into an excited child.  Before she gets too excited though I make sure to tell them "Yeah, my veins roll.  So you should be careful."  But of course they always miss.  The first 1-3 minutes isn't that bad but then I begin to lose feeling in my fingers and my face goes white and I start to breath really heavily.  Right before I feel sick I think about all the people I am helping with this tiny bag of blood.  It definitely helps me get through the last 10 minutes (I'm an extremely slow donor.)  Once the lady has asked twice now, "Are you sure you're okay?" I finally tell her, "No, I think I should lay down."  This always makes me nervous because the needle is still in my arm and laying down makes it move.  This time I did it with success and handled it like a pro!

The best part about the SGA blood drives is that (1) You get pizza! (2) This time they had corn nuggets! (3) There is almost always a t-shirt involved! (WINNING!)  But this volunteer project isn't for my great night of sleep I get afterwards or the t-shirt.  It's about the people it helps and how it will change their life.  I explain my experience because it has nothing on the trauma the people who receive the blood have gone through.  One of the thoughts I always have is I would love to know where my blood is going and how it is helping people.  I wish the Red Cross would put a tracker on all those crazy barcodes so we could see how it is helping people.

If you have never given blood before I have probably scared you away, but I encourage you to go and give (if you can and meet all the crazy questions they ask).  Do something for someone this month. It will make you feel better about yourself and it will most definitely make the people you help feel better as well!  There is two more weeks until Thanksgiving and I cannot wait to be around the people I love the most.  Be thankful for what you have!  There are some people who don't have anything!

God Bless,

Kayla

Is It Always Necessary to Say How You Feel?

I wanted to write a different blog today but had some emotions on my shoulders.  Yesterday, Auburn beat Florida! WAHOO!  The game was amazing because 1. it was Florida 2. they are in the SEC which always makes for a fun game and 3. it was a night game! The only thing not enjoyable about the game were this two guys sitting in front of me bashing Auburn the entire game.  And might I add, they were Auburn students.

I'll start from the beginning (sorry if you have already heard this story): The first kick of the game, Florida receives.  The two guys in front of me begin... "Trotter sucks.  I hope he realizes what he's doing to us.  I can't believe they would let him start this week."  Let me remind you, we are on DEFENSE!!! Trotter is not even on the field.  So I bite my tongue.  We get on offense and Trotter has a few bad plays but everyone makes mistakes.  Let's move on.  Oh no! These two guys insisted on yelling and screaming about everything he did, every play the coaches called, and everything else that could have possibly been good or bad on the field (If we scored, they didn't like how we did it).  By this time maybe 5 minutes has passed in the first quarter.  I am not going to be able to enjoy this game unless I say something to these guys.  I tap the biggest one on the shoulder (because he was making the most comments) and yell with my shaker pointed at his face "Listen, are you a full time athlete and a full time student? I don't think so.  You couldn't do any of that even if you wanted to because you are a fat a**!!" So he yells back and me and his friend gets involved and says "We went to high school with Trotter so we are allowed to talk about him like this." EXCUSE ME! No you are not! He is a human being and is busting his butt at practice and in school and you think you can just put someone down like that? No! All of this happened right in the middle of our first touchdown.  This makes me mad because I can't even enjoy the touchdown because I am shaking with furry! This guy has made me miss the touchdown and I can't believe he is dogging our players and coaches like this.

After a few plays, Trotter throws a completion and I realize I am not going to be able to sit like this for the entire game.  So I politely tap him on the shoulder again and apologize for calling him names and calmly explain how it infuriates me that people put down other people to make themselves feel better.  He says he appreciates my apology and he shouldn't have gotten that worked up.  But for the rest of the game, his friend continued to dog cuss our players and coaches every move they made under his breathe.

Now if Brenden would have been at the game with me this whole situation would have been avoided because he would have never let me get in someone's face like that.  I am so embarrassing.  haha But it happened and I am glad I did it because these players go through a lot of crap.  Whether they are on scholarship or not these players put in long hours, get yelled out by the coaches, get dogged by the media, and still have to go to school and live their lives as normal as possible.  I don't know how they do it.  I hope these players know that a true Auburn fan would never put them down like those two guys and half of the student section does.  A true Auburn man or woman stands up for their family and would never consider them any lower than themselves.

          "...I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that
          develop these qualities... and because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I BELIEVE IN
          AUBURN AND LOVE IT!" ~Lines from the Auburn Creed, George Petrie

Hard Work Deserves a Reward

I am two semesters away from graduating and I cannot be more excited.  I stayed in Auburn every summer and took classes, I came in with 22 hours from Dual Enrollment classes, and I have managed to passed all my classes with mostly shining colors! And after seven and half years, I am a semester and half away from graduation.  Since all this hard work was put in on the front end, I believe it is time to reward myself.

This semester I am taking nine hours and next semester I am taking eight hours.  This light load is not because I want to make my life any easier.  Lord knows I am busy with millions of other things.  No, the light load is because those are the only classes I have left until I graduate from college.  I put in the work in the beginning and was able to make it less stressful so I could focus on finding a job, enjoying my last year as a college student, and really focus on my upper level classes.

A simple joke this semester has been about my light class load but another joke from the past three years I have been in the Hospitality Management program is, "Oh, you are here to get your MRS degree." While I have met an amazing guy, I do not plan on living my life through his to make sure I can stay afloat.  I am an independent person and I plan on living that way for a while.  I am in Hospitality Management because it is what I am passionate about.  I love serving others and meeting others expectations.  I guess this came about because I always had to have everything my way when I was little.  Now, hopefully, I can give guests exactly what they want and more.

This major is by no means easy.  Yes, it may be more interesting than watching fungus grow in a lab, or punching numbers into a calculator, or listening to children scream all day, but you made your choice to do those things with your life.  I made my career choice in enjoying the finer things in life.  So the next time you call my major an "MRS" degree or an easy way out of college, think to yourself, where would I stay on the business trips I have to go on for my job if it wasn't for that degree, where would you eat, would there be such a thing as vacation? Probably not!

Why Should You Not Be Motivated?

Lately, people have said to me "You are so positive." "You are so motivated." "How do you do everything you do?" Most of the time my response is, "No I'm not. I just know how to time manage my time." When really I should just say, "Yeah, I guess I am." Without motivation from people in my life I would not make it through some of my days.

I like to stay busy. I like having numerous things to do and challenging myself to get all those things done in one day. But without someone saying to me "You can do it." every once in a while I would be really down sometimes. It's a nice reminder to know that there are people around me that want to support me and want to help me through life.

But you have to have a drive within you as well. I feel very blessed in my life. I'm healthy, have great friends and family, I have a part time job, and I could not ask for anything more. I think about the people in this world who aren't as blessed as me. That motivates me to be the best I can be. How could I be miserable when I don't have anything to complain about?

Yes, I have problems. But dwelling on them isn't going to help me. And those extra pushes from those special people in my life that just tell me that one sentence "You can do it." make the world of difference in those situations. I hope you all can find those special people in your life so you are able to make the most out of your life.

God bless,

Kayla

Looking Back

WOW, how time flies.  My sister is officially a senior in high school.  Ryan has finished his freshman year and I will be looking for real jobs in less than a year.  I feel like it was just yesterday we were all playing in the streets with Logan until 8pm when Mom would yell at us to come in.  (GOOD TIMES!)

Now that I have been in college for almost four years and I have had the amazing opportunity to help transfer students get acquainted with Auburn and helped Freshman students figure out what classes they should take to help them succeed in the next four years, I've had some time to reflect on how much I wish I would have known and figure out just how much I have learned.

Coming into Auburn I really wish I would have known just how fast those four years really go.  People always tell you, "It will be here before you know it" but you really have no idea how fast it sneaks up on you.  Even though I still have one more year left, I just keep thinking about how fast these last three went by and I know this year is going to go even faster.  And with the time flying by so fast, you really have to enjoy every minute of it.  For the most part, I feel like I've done that.  I did things I never thought I would do and I learned so much about myself in the passing time.  I tried out for numerous clubs my freshman year with unsuccessful attempts.  I died my hair on numerous occasions with my first best friend at Auburn, Morgan.  I joined a sorority which I never thought I would do but I met the most amazing girls and I do not know where I would be without them.

Doing all these things taught me a lot about myself.  People can tell you who you are all the time but you won't truly know who you are until you do things for yourself.  Do things that make you uncomfortable (but that you know are moral, lol).  Do not NOT do something because a significant other things you shouldn't do it.  If they really love you they will support you with whatever decision you make.  Take advantage of every opportunity placed in front of you because you never know what the future may hold.

Coming into freshman year, I thought I knew everything (on the outside) but really I didn't know a thing.  The year from graduating high school to ending freshman year made me realize just how much I really did not know.  Ask for help, get to know your professors (they will help you get jobs! They know people!), get involved, study but do not turn down the opportunities to go places with friends, and most importantly do not forget who you are.  First off, learn who you are and then stay true to yourself.  You might find out you are nothing like who you were in high school and that's okay.  I discovered that and I think I'm doing better now that I have could of dreamed for myself to do in high school.

To my sister who is about to start her senior year: Do not live in regret.  Remember that there is a bigger world outside of Oxford, AL! It's huge and there is so much to do and see!

To my brother who is in the midst of a wonderful college career: keep doing what you are doing but do not be afraid to do something out of your comfort zone.  Try new things and enjoy every second of everything you do! You will be a senior before I can blink!

And to all my readers: read this blog again if you ever find yourself not living life to the fullest.  Be happy and do not let things bring you down.  Grudges, fights, bickering, complaining and negativity will not give you what you want.  Stay positive, happy, and smiling.  Even if you are having a rough day, putting a smile on your face will always make it better.

Until Next Time,

Kayla

Summer and School Shouldn't Mix

It has been quite some time since I last wrote.  Since I got home from California, I feel like I haven't slowed down.  School started four days after we got back and the school work hasn't stopped.  School finishes the last week of June and I cannot wait.  It is weird to think in one year, I will not have any classes left to take.  I will actually be able to do what I want when I want (after the work day of course).

Why is working so scary for some people? Yes, it is what you will be doing for the rest of your life so I can see how that could get boring but to have the time to clean, cook, workout, shop, travel, etc. just seems more relaxing than stressing over a textbook.  There is an importance to learn and I completely agree with getting an education but I think I'm much better suited for the workforce.  I have had a job since the age of 16 and it has always been something I've enjoyed doing.  School on the other hand has always seemed like a task.

This blog really has no meaning.  I've been wanting to write for a few days now but I have been searching for the right thing to blog about.  The only thing that seems to be on my mind is summer, classes, and graduations.  I have been to two graduations in the past week and I take away something different from every ceremony.  Graduation is such a special time.  It is signing off on a chapter you have lived in for so long and beginning a brand new chapter.  Your life is like one big chapter book.  We go through stages in our lives and in every chapter we learn and develop more into the people we are meant to be.  I love starting over.  Having a blank page and a new story to write makes me feel like I have the world at my fingertips.  After graduation, take risks.  Find out who you are and stay true to that.

So in conclusion, get an education, stay focused, do what you want, and live for today.  Enjoy your time on Earth because you never know how long you will be here.  I use to live for the future but I finally find myself enjoying the present and taking each day one step at a time.

Until Next Time,

Kayla

Cumulative Finals

The dreaded week of finals is finally here.  Everyone on campus is heading to the library, loading up on caffeine and bad food, and cramming for all the classes they didn't really learn anything all semester until last week when their professor said, "It's cumulative."

I understand the need for finals but does it have to be that stressful?  For the most part, I think we (as students) put the stress upon ourselves.  You have all semester to study for this one test.  Learn the material the first time and it won't be as hard to study for.  Or actually go to class and listen to what the professor has to say because they might just give you the answer to the final.  But why do finals have to be cumulative? Oh that's right, professors want to make sure we got the whole concept of the class and actually retained the information for 16 weeks! Well then my question is, why did you test us three times during the year? We obvious either got it or didn't on the past tests so why make us retest on the same information?

Luckily, only two out of the four of my finals are cumulative and of course they are going to be my hardest ones.  But surprisingly, I'm not stressing this semester.  It might be because I'm completely burnt out or that my classes are actually interesting and apply to my future jobs that I can retain the information a lot easier.  BUT guess what? My two cumulative finals are both in subjects I would only use in real life and not in my field of study.  Surprise, surprise. But another cool thing about one of my classes is instead of a final we got a hands on experience (THE Hospitality Gala) and our grade is based on how well we executed the event (we raised $200,000!).  Like someone said in my class today, "The money we raised goes TO the college.  They should GIVE us an A!" haha So hopefully, that class won't be a worry.

But to all you people freaking out about the cumulative finals, good luck studying in RBD where everyone else is going to be... not studying.  Studying is not communicating with your BFF that's in Italy on Skype.  Actually sticking your nose in a textbook is the only thing that is going to help you pass your finals.  But to all you people who can actually get things done at the library, I commend you.  My dining room table will work just fine for me.  Good luck on finals and just think, YOU'RE ALMOST DONE!

Waiting for summer,

Kayla

After Show: The Hospitality Gala

One word to describe this event and experience: WOW!

As most of you know, yesterday was The Hospitality Gala event my event's class has been planning.  The first week of this semester my class was handed four objectives for this event:

1. To provide a "Real-Life" and "Hands On" experience in event planning, event management and fundraising for HRMT students.
2. Increase the local, regional, and national presence and awareness of the HRMT program at Auburn University.
3. Raise funds for the HRMT program. (Our goal this year was $100,000!)
4. To be THE EVENT of the year amongst other fundraisers ... locally and regionally.

Again, one word: WOW!!! We accomplished every single one of these goals with flying colors.

The "hands on" experience was like no other.  This event required so much planning and managing.  The executives at the Hotel at Auburn University did an outstanding job and mentoring and providing assistance with anything and everything we needed help with during the past three months.  I feel so prepared to go into event planning after college because of this class.  My class and I were able to plan, organize, and execute an event (a fundraising event) for 390 people.  We learned to deal with the stress of last minute things going wrong (a truck of wine being stolen, a wine maker missing his flight, and a special guest double booking for the evening) and were treated as professionals in the industry.

The people that attended this event came from all over the United States.  Our three chefs came from Miami, New York, and Southern California.  Our three winemakers came from France, San Francisco, and Spain.  That in itself is amazing! The man honored at the event who has brought meaning to the word "hospitality", Mr. Horst Schulze, has traveled all over the world building hotels with the Ritz-Carlton and the West Paces Hotel Group.  Locally, businesses supported us, professors from other colleges attended, and social status people of the community were there in support of the Hotel & Restaurant management program.

The goal at the beginning of the semester ($100,000) seemed so far off!  No one in Auburn University history of fundraising has ever raised more than $100,000 in one night of an event.  Last night, we were able to raise $200,000!!!!! Unbelievable.  I can't wait to see what is in store for next year.  We broke a program record in silent auction donations as well raising $15,500!  The donors who attended could not be thanked enough for their generous donations.  This program would not be where its at if it wasn't for the people who support our program.  The Hospitality Management department is growing at an exponential rate thanks to the support of the community, board members, alumnus, faculty, and industry professionals.

Becoming THE event of the year is a very hard task to accomplish.  I believe we accomplished this goal as well.  Last night there were two other events going on in Auburn, AL: Dancing with the Stars and Big Man on Campus.  The Hospitality Gala sold out of tickets before the invitations were even sent out.  The waiting list kept growing a week before the event.  People who were not able to attend missed out on an exquisite event.  THE event of the year! Everyone was extremely elegant and the details put in to making this event top notch were just amazing.

The four teams (Design, Marketing, Operations, and Auction) could not have been a better group of students.  Everyone did a spectacular job at building anticipation, putting all the minor details on things, executing the flow of event, and gathering objects for the auction.  This experience was like no other for me.  I cannot believe it is over and this semester is coming so close to an end.  Well, I guess I know what's next: NAPA VALLEY!

Until next time,

Kayla

The Hospitality Gala

Hello all.

As most of you know,  I have been enrolled in a class this semester called Catering & Events Management.  Before January, I was beyond thrilled to be in this class because I have the luxury of planning a gala for the Hotel & Restaurant Management Program.  Event planning was exactly what I wanted to do after graduation, until I started this class.

This is not a complaining post whatsoever (or so I hope it will not be).  I have been extremely blessed to be apart of this class.  Only 22 students are able to participate in planning this fundraiser for the Hotel & Restaurant Management Program.  This event is called The Hospitality Gala.  It is an event hosted by the 22 students who plan and design the event.  This event has grown tremendously in the past two years and the first week of January we had expectations already set in place for our class to top last year's gala.  We have definitely exceeded last year's gala's numbers but lets just hope the night of the event goes just as well as last year if not better.

I have learned so much this semester about event planning.  This is not something you want to plan in a three month period, that is for sure.  The leaders plan this event year around and the students just work on finalizing the execution the three months before the event.  Stressful!  I have learned how to adapt to changes extremely fast.  My patience and outward expressions have also developed over the course of three months.  While I am extremely stressed this week, I have been able to manage it fairly well (I think, some people would disagree), continue to work part-time and keep my grades up in my other classes.

This is the last week of planning for the gala.  It will take place at 5:30pm on March 31st, 2011.  Wish me luck.  There are so many details that go into an event that no one will ever know how hard each and every person planning this event has gone through.  That's kind of the joy behind it.  Seeing our hard work pay off will definitely be worth it the night of the event.

Last words of wisdom (or shall I say things you already know I'm just know learning), take pride and appreciation for all the hard work you do.  I have bashed this class a lot this semester but I must say I will be so excited when the planning is done and I can look back and say "Wow, that was an amazing experience."  I have learned so much about myself and event planning I will never be able to trade this opportunity.

Until after the gala,

Kayla