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.

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

Manic Monday

Yesterday was a day.  That's all... just a day.  I procrastinated Sunday night so I could watch my shows and I would finish my homework before class on Monday.  I was casually eating breakfast in my kitchen on the bar and reading a passage for ethics that I had to answer questions on by 10am.  It's now 8:45am and I spill orange juice on the keypad of my MacBook. First thought, I'm going to have to buy a new computer.  Second, it's just orange juice how much damage could it do? I should have stuck with the first thought because that is exactly what I had to do.  I ran over to the AU Bookstore where we have an Apple Store (many students don't seem to know we have this amazing tool! Utilize it! We are one of two stores in the state of Alabama.) and talked to the tech guy and it was obvious I had fried the computer.  I went to class, made a phone call to my mother dearest and decided to buy a new laptop.  This world, well I should just say me, doesn't know how to function without a laptop!  I took notes the old school way with pen and paper and participated in class discussions.

After my first two classes, I headed back over to the bookstore where they scanned my credit card for a new MacBook Pro and I headed to the tech guys to move all my data over from my orange juiced computer to this sleek professional looking computer.  I told the guy not to touch it because it looked so fresh coming out of it's box. (haha) I went to my next class where I am planning The Hospitality Gala and it's only 10 days away (click on the blue to see the webpage).  It is crucial I have all my spreadsheets, Powerpoints, and word documents for this class and I'm unable to attain them because of my computer.  Oh well, it wasn't necessary for that class but I still need it to finish all the minor details for this event.  So after class I head back to the bookstore to pick up my laptop and go straight home to make sure everything is there and I'm able to access all my files.

I was suppose to have a meeting Monday afternoon to finalize a Powerpoint for the night of the event.  I click on the file and the programs won't open.  I need my product key from when I purchased it in December.  Okay, easy.  I'll go get the license from my filing cabinet and type it in... The CD (product key) is no where to be found.  I tear my filing cabinet apart trying to find that stupid black sleeve and never do.  So I call the bookstore hoping to get some help, "Well, if you can't find it by in the morning come by and we'll put in the product key for you."  So much for that meeting.  Post-poned.  I decide I've looked far and wide and it is no where to be find, I'll just wait until the morning.

I go to the bookstore this morning (Tuesday) and tell them I couldn't find it.  "Oh, we only have the 2008 version and you have the 2011 version.  Sorry. Call Microsoft and they should help you. IF you need proof of purchase, just come back."  I'm thinking to myself, I have spent so much money and time here in the past 24 hours and you are telling me to come back WHEN they need proof of purchase. UGH, fine.  So I go to a meeting, go to class, grab Chickfila (because it's irresistible), and call Microsoft.  After a 15 minute conversation, oh you've called the wrong line.  You have a Mac so you need to call Macafee. Maca-what? Okay, fine.  I call them, automated phone conversation.  Oh how those make me so mad! "Press 1 to be connected to blah, Press 2 to be connected to blah!" I finally get a lady on the phone and we have a 20 minute conversation, she takes all my information, and NOW she can transfer me to customer service.  Well thanks.  (and of course I can't understand a word any of these people I've talked to on the phone so far are saying)  I get this lady on the phone who can't do anything for me because she has to have her supervisor email me within the next 24 hours.  Well that doesn't help.  I needed these files accessed yesterday!! Oh and they need proof of purchase.  I go back to the bookstore to obtain my proof of purchase and I wait and wait and wait until 45 minutes pass and they can't find my receipt of when I purchased it.  By this time, I'm about ready to just buy a new program and install it.  BUT of course when it comes down to the crunch they always have something up their sleeves they just want to see you waste your whole afternoon before they do something for you.  10 minutes later, Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Outlook are all working on my computer no problem!

So needless to say, the past 24 hours have been a heck of a time coming back from Spring Break.  BUT the day gets better.  No really, it does. :) I finally get home after running around campus and check my email.  I have an email I've been waiting for for a week now.  I have been accepted to go on a trip of a lifetime to Napa Valley, CA for the Hotel & Restaurant Management program all expenses paid to study wine and wineries for 9 days in May.  I will have the privilege to meet famous chefs, wine makers, and go on private tours through wineries.  AH! While this trip sounds so relaxing and fun, it is a study tour.  It is considered a class and I will be extremely busy in those 9 days.  I could not be more excited about how much this trip will benefit me in the long run for jobs, sommelier classes (wine masters), and learning more about the art of pair food with wine.  So to end these hectic 36 hours, I will be sipping red wine, watching the Biggest Loser and cooking a fabulous dinner for myself to unwind and be thankful for all the things I have in my life.

Until next time,

Kayla

Lifetime Achievements

Some quick thoughts to start the week off.  Lifetime achievements.  This weekend I had the opportunity to work at an event hosted at the hotel for Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by the Auburn Alumni Association.  This event was unlike an event I have ever worked.  The people who were honored at this ceremony had done things that you only see done in the movies.  They had achieved things that only rare people achieve.  It made me start to wonder how you get to such a place in your life.  This people are respected by so many people and the things they have done (such as be an astronaut, work for NASA to make the ships safer, run 135 hospitals to help care for people's needs) just amaze me.  I hope one day someone respects me as much as these men were respected on Saturday.

Coming out of that event I felt more inclined to make the things I do and say for everyone else and not for myself.  I become self-centered a lot and don't realize how much one life can impact somebody else.  I shouldn't be focused on myself and my well being.  I have people in my life that will take care of me as long as I take care of them back.  By not realize how much the words I say hurt people made me take a step back and think about the things I say and do.  I want to be more giving and more respectful of everyone around me.  Not just the people who are close to me.  Friday was my first SOS session and it went fantastic.  After this weekend, serving people has shot to the top of the list of priorities yet again.  I can't say this is a bad thing because if you take care of people you are going to get more rewards than being selfish and inconsiderate of other people.  Your life matters to people and sometimes you may not even know who those people are.  I have people I look up to and they probably don't even know it and I know you do to.  Take it to heart this week and think about being selfless.  This is a very poorly written blog but I wanted to put some thoughts down before my busy week started just to get me on the right track.  I hope this makes you realize how much of a blessing each life is to this world.  You are special and your life could be making a difference in someone else's life and you may not even know it.

-Kayla

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

How ironic that I would take an AU Knowledge test on all of Auburn's traditions the day before we found out about Harvey (Al) Updyke poisoning Toomer's Corner.

If some of you do not know already, Auburn is what I consider my home.  I know it sadness my parents but they know how much this place means to me.  It's not about the professors or classes (like it should be), it's not about the school/university (it's a close second), but it's about the people I have met here and what they/it (the town) has done for me.  This place has given me so many opportunities that the small town I'm originally from, never could have given me.  I grew up an Alabama fan because I was a Daddy's little girl.  Until, I started applying to colleges.  Everyone from my hometown was "going to the University of Alabama, no doubt".  That was their school.  Well, I had NO intentions of keeping in touch with ANYONE I went to high school with so I chose the polar opposite, Auburn University.  I visited the campus one weekend that my mom had to come for continuing education.  I took a tour by myself, walked around downtown, got some Toomer's Lemonade and realized what a spectacular place this town was and I didn't know a soul at this point.  Anyways, three years later and if it wasn't for Auburn and the people in it I never would have gotten my life back and become myself again.

On my AU Knowledge test this week, we were asked to describe these six traditions: Tiger VI/Spirit, Aubie, "Hey" Day, Tiger Walk, Spirit Walk, and last but certainly not least Rolling Toomer's Corner.  I thought it was kind of a joke to study those traditions because they are such a big deal of my life already I didn't need to know anything else about them.  BUT when I got to "Hey" Day and the description beside it read:


"...this day is symbolic of the year-round friendly atmosphere in Auburn."

It made me think about how deep these traditions run in Auburn people.  This is how Rolling Toomer's Corner read:


"After any Auburn athletic victory, fans march up to the intersection of Magnolia Ave. & College St. (known as Toomer's Corner) & roll the trees with toliet paper on the campus side of the corner.  Tradition began when the cheerleaders would announce the score to the townspeople on the step of Langdon Hall after which the rolling started.  Toomer's Corner was named after Sheldon Toomer, longtime operator of Toomer's Drug Store, which is known for it's lemonade.  This is where campus ends and the town begins."  

That last sentence means so much more than it really shows.  Yes, Auburn is a university inside a small town, but where Toomer's meets is how this whole place is connected; around FAMILY! If you go to Toomer's by yourself, it won't matter because you will make friends there because we are all there to celebrate with family.

I love rivalries! I love sports! But this Old South rivalry is getting extremely out of hand.  My PaPa has heard me say numerous of times, "I hate that town, I can't stand it, I will never have anything to do with it."  I could never say I hate that place now because I would never want to ruin someone's tradition.  I will just politely say, "I don't care for their football team."  In an article on ncaafootball.fanhouse.com, Clay says we should take the year off.  I am completely behind him.  Maybe with the break the rivalry will settle back down.  I don't understand why everyone is so hostile.  Alabama won the National Championship in 2009 and Auburn won it in 2010.  Can we just say, SEC domination??

My parents always taught me to respect people.  I use to get in so much trouble if I didn't say "Yes ma'am, No ma'am, Yes sir, No sir."  The south knows how to respect people and I just don't understand how you can KILL a tree.  The latest I've heard is the injection is spreading, rapidly.  It could easily kill other things on campus because of how big the dose was.  BUT if it gets into our water system, Mr. Updyke could be faced with attempted mass murder.  I really hope your disrespect was worth it to end up in prison for life.  (Could thing Dad retires in a few short months :D).

I know everyone just thinks of Toomer's as a tree and it doesn't mean anything but Toomer's is to Auburn as Ugga is to UGA and National Championships are to Alabama.  If you take these things away from these schools it's not a laughing matter.  This tradition has been around for years and years and years.  It's a place to take your kids too, your grandkids too, to get proposed to, and to take pictures at to remember the victory of a huge game.  I know this stuff is getting repetitive within my blog and everyone else's comments on Toomer's. As Jay Gouge says,

‎"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism. However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed." 

AND BECAUSE AUBURN MEN AND WOMEN BELIEVE IN THESE THINGS

I BELIEVE IN AUBURN AND LOVE IT!

Friends

Friends will come and go but your true friends will always be there for you.

College has been an amazing experience for me and it still isn't over.  I didn't have many "true" friends in high school.  There were a few that were always there for me in my lowest times and can I just say high school had some of the lowest times of my life.  But most of those friends were either younger or older so my senior year was a very lonely year for me.  I waited for months and months to finally get the letter saying I would be attending Auburn University.  When that letter finally came, all I could think about was getting out of that awful town and moving.  I knew that once I came to Auburn my whole life would change and man did it change.  My first week at Auburn I got into a minor car wreck.  It was pouring down rain and I had NO ONE to call but my mother who couldn't do anything for me two hours away.  Thankfully, a few days later, I met a girl who changed my life and made me realize what a true friend was.  Soon after that, I met six more girls that formed my support system.

These girls mean the world to me and without them I wouldn't be where I am today.  We have been through some troubled times, we have been through some silent periods, but no matter how bad things got or how long we had been without talking we picked right back up where we left off of being best friends.

I write this short little blog to say that you cannot get through life without friends.  You may think it's hard to find friends.  You may think that you don't have any true friends.  But if you ever have a problem and you call that person you think "isn't a friend" and they are there for you in the waiting room of a hospital because you have flipped your car and your parents are driving two hours to make sure you are alive...  That is a true friend.  That is who will always be with you no matter what.  Through all the guys you will cry your eyes out over, for all the not so true friends stabbing you in the back, and for all those happy times, like a 21st birthday.  They will never disappoint.  Count your blessings.  Most people aren't even blessed enough to even have one true friend and I can say I have eleven girls who will always be there for me.

-Kayla

We are the Champions!

We are the Champions, my friend *sing in Queen's voice*!!! :D  I can't believe that we actually won the National Championship.  It still hasn't set in.  I guess that's why I've driven/walked by Toomer's a total of six times just to look at the toilet paper! I swear it's prettier than snow.  Speaking of snow, the little "Snow Storm" the south had was non existent in Auburn, AL.  While my mother and sister got a good four-five inches of snow only 100 or so miles above me, Auburn got windshields covered in 1/4th of an inch of ice.  The state of Alabama doesn't see snow very often so when they do the whole state shuts down until there is nothing left on the ground.  My sister has been out of school for three days and Auburn was closed for two because..... well we'll just say it was for the National Championship because there was no snow. :)

Today, I embarked on my first day of classes in my second semester of my junior year.  I can't believe I am this old.  College has flown by.  I am taking some not so interesting classes this year but I'm also taking some classes that I'm so excited about I might just quit school now to start my career in these classes.  The two I'm talking about are Catering & Event Management and Club Management.  I know what you are thinking: "Is this girl serious? Is she actually going to school to take a class on that?" Why yes, yes I am.  Call it what you want (MRS degree, joke classes, etc.) I LOVE my major!! While I still think it should be called Hospitality Management, I'm enjoying my professional electives already and I haven't even been to Club Management yet.

I had an interview today for an internship I've been wanting since before Thanksgiving.  I hope everything turns out my way because I turned down the best opportunity any college kid could get.  This past fall, I applied to the Disney College Internship Program, got a position, and turned it down.  I know, I know.  You are thinking again: "This girl is crazy! She takes joke classes in college and can work for Mickey Mouse for a semester paid and she turned it down?!"  Well, after reviewing everything, I came to the conclusion that the position wasn't where I wanted to get my experience.  This opportunity would have opened doors to anywhere I wanted a job because let's face it, nobody does hospitality like Disney!  So here's to hoping I find an internship that will be spectacular, paid, and in a position that I can get the experience I want.

I'm going to go ahead and call myself superwoman this year.  I know it's conceded but let me explain myself.  I am taking 17 hours this semester, I have a job that I work crazy hours for but enjoy very much, I am planning a Gala for my Catering & Events class, I might be taking on a small second job, AND I am an SOS Orientation Leader.  You probably understand where most of my superpowers will be going towards except you might not know what an SOS Orientation Leader is.  Well, SOS is a sophomore/transfer/students who cannot attend Camp War Eagle, orientation program that the orientation leaders (that's me) run.  We help get these students on the right track to have a successful career at Auburn University.  If you don't know me then you might not know yet that I'm crazy obsessed about Auburn University.  I love knowing facts about this place that nobody knows, I love the people/atmosphere, and most of all I love love love everything about this campus.  Some of the tasks an orientation leader is in charge of is giving tours of the campus, leading a small group of students in discussions about the classes/Auburn/stuff you need to know to get you around this place.  Tomorrow, I have my first knowledge test.  The information for the first one is just the fight song and the alma mater.  The second test, OMG! Please keep your fingers crossed for me and say a little prayer.  It is a TON of information and one of the things is knowing the creed which will probably be the easiest thing on that test. :/  BUT I wanted to test my knowledge so I'm going to type it out for you and I promise I'm not looking.

Alma Mater: On the rolling plains of Dixie, Neath it's sun kissed sky, Proudly stands our Alma Mater, Banners high. To thy name we'll sing thy praise, From hearts that love so true, And pledge to they our loyalty, the ages through.  We hail the Auburn and we vow, to work for thy just fame, And hold in memory as we do now, Thy cherished name.

Fight Song: War Eagle fly down the field, Ever to conquer, Never to yield, War Eagle fearless and true, Fight on you orange and blue, Go Go Go, on to vict'ry strike up the band, Give 'em hell, Give 'em hell, stand up and yell, hey! War Eagle, win for Auburn power of Dixie Land!

Well I know the fight song but the Alma Mater might be a little messed up.  Thanks for the practice.  I hope everyone is having a blessed week and until next time....

WAR EAGLE!
Kayla :)

College Teachings

It's been a crazy few days.  I can't seem to get my thoughts straight.  This semester I have been very distant from my friends and super close with my boyfriend and his friends.  While boys are nice, a girl has always got to have her girlfriends around for some things.  I reconnected with a lot of my close friends after finals.  It's like we hadn't been apart this whole semester.  We were right back to cutting up and gossiping just like we always do.  Girls nights are a must next semester.  Monday nights were so relieving with them.

While I have spent some time away from the girls and spent a lot more time with my boyfriend and his friends I can't say it's a bad thing.  They are some of the most genuinely nice guys a girl could ever have in her life.  They tolerated me through thick and thin.  I have learned to appreciate nice people because their aren't many of them out there.

Coming home is always a joy because I am such a family person.  My brother had to head back to Auburn the day I got home from Auburn so we won't see each other until a day or so before Christmas and then I leave for Jamaica.  My mom and me are so much alike.  We were really close in high school and have stayed closer through college as well.  My dad and I were not close in high school.  I got on his nerves!! Thankfully, college has opened my eyes to make me realize how important a father/daughter relationship is.  I need to call him more because I can't imagine not having him there to talk to.  My sister and I are at two different places in our lives right now.  I love her to death and hate that we can't see eye to eye.  Hopefully we will both mature into civil adults and be like a sister relationship should be.

Like I said, I love my family very much I just hate the pressure we put on each other sometimes.  Everyone expects so much from everyone and it's so hard to make them happy.  Growing up has been a hard lesson but I've enjoyed the battles I have faced (not many yet, but I feel them coming).  I have learned that you have to make decisions on your own and for your life.  Being an adult means that it's your life, not anyone else's.  If you go through life making decisions for everyone else's sake you will be miserable.  I've also learned that your parents really do know what they are talking about (DANG, I'm that girl! My grandparents always said I would be).  I turn to my parents for advice on almost everything.  I try and talk to my parents daily just to see if there is anything else I can learn from them that day. And definitely not the only other thing I learned but the most important thing.  Trust.  People are not out to get you (most of the time the aren't at least).  You don't have to put up a wall and tear people down just to get a reaction out of them.  When people say they love you, they actually mean it.  When people say, I'll be there for you whenever you need me, they really will be.

It's amazing how much college teaches you, outside of your major.  Life lessons are some of the best things I will take away from college.  Moving on and discovering different things is what's going to make you who you are.  Without that adventure you will always be that high schooler that thought they were the best thing to walk the campus.  You will never understand what the real world has in store for anyone willing to embark on it.  Take a chance and discover life.  It's pretty amazing what will happen when you just open your eyes.

Until next time,
K

Finals are over and life is good!

Finals are finished! Everyone can go back to being there fun loving selves again.  Yesterday, I was in between my final at 12 and my final at 4 somewhat studying.  I got an email from my finance professor and I told myself do not look until after your last final cause you will either be disappointed or too excited to focus on it. Well I went ahead and looked and I was way too excited to take my last exam (I got an A - in Finance! I worked my butt off for that grade!). But it's a two hour class about hotels, common sense stuff about hotels.  I work at a hotel so I was thinking, "Oh, this won't be bad!" That final was ridiculous!!! I got the 50 point question right but if I didn't do so well on the rest of the exam, that class will be my only B. So frustrating!

Well, I told some people yesterday that my blog was going to be about some people yesterday and I didn't want them to think it was about them.  I have had a change of heart and have decided to leave the bashing for girls nights ONLY! haha Cyberspace is risky and you never know what's going to bite you in the butt in the long run.  Except I have a Facebook, a Twitter, a blog, and a LinkedIn. I'm a social networking freak! haha I hope that doesn't hurt me in the long run.  Anyways, I had a girls night with my long lost friends from the semester and oh how I miss girls nights!!!  The girls night are being reinstated next semester with no excuses!! It's my only break away from life when I'm with these girls! We have way too much fun together! 

On another note, finals are over and Christmas break has started!  I leave for Jamaica in 15 days! :D The goal is two workouts a day! Starting tomorrow. Today is going to be so much fun! Two tacky Christmas sweater parties, lunch with some friends, dinner with my awesome boyfriend, and fitting a workout in after lunch.  Cannot wait! I hope everyone has a fantastic day.  Until next time, laugh a lot, life happy, and STOP being negative!

Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Kayla

SEC Championship

Hello friends!

If you don't know me you might need to know that I am a huge Auburn fan.  Being a student and all I think it's an obligation. ;)

This weekend was a blast! My boyfriend and some of our friends headed to Atlanta on Friday to start the celebration of making it to the SEC Championship.  Saturday, more of our friends came to Atlanta to help keep the celebration going.  The Marta station (Atlanta tram system) is close to B (my boyfriend) 's parent's house.  We all headed there and proceeded to wait on the tram.  My brother (being the country boy that he is) says, "Is it a big train?" His girlfriend and I bust out laughing and tell him he's got to get out more.  The tram was packed but we sported our colors loud and proud.  There were thousands of people at the tram station, both Auburn and South Carolina fans.  As the South Carolina fans started to yell "GAME" "COCKS" "GAME" "COCKS" and on and on, an Auburn fan started Bodda Getta and a huge WAR EAGLE, HEY!!! It was the start to a great day!

We finally made it to downtown! Another side note for those of you who do not know me, I'm obsessed with cities: the buildings, the people, the atmosphere, etc. etc.  I cannot wait to live in Atlanta one day! Anyways, we had lunch in the CNN center where it was a complete ZOO!! After lunch, it was time to head to the Georgia Dome! My borther's girlfriend and another one of my friends got lucky enough to win the lottery (student tickets) and the rest of us had to find tickets on our own.  Well, lucky for B and I, my brother plays football at Auburn University.  He is only red shirted this year and plays on the scout team but it still has its perks.  My brother landed three tickets to the SEC Championship and gave the other two to B and me. WHAAA HOO!!!! Sooo, we waited in the players will call for an hour and thirty minutes.  It was crazy but so worth the wait.  We got third row seats, right in front of the cheerleaders, in the Auburn end zone, and behind Emory Blake's family!! OH how I love my little brother!!!!

So needless to say, we won the game, all the players came over to our section because we were in the parents section and we had the best night of our lives.  Well, as much fun as we can have to be only a few weeks away from turning twenty-one.  Toomer's got rolled and was the best I had seen EVER!! I only got to see pictures until we got back this morning and they were trying to get it all out of the tree and I witnessed how crazy it must had been last night.

Well, I hope all of you had a great weekend and were able to experience some of these things (if you are an Auburn fan).  Finals week is starting tomorrow and I could not be more distracted.  Thankfully my hard test is Tuesday and Thursday.  I hope everyone continues to have a blessed day and week.  There are sure to be many great stories this week because yes, it may be finals week but my friend is turning twenty-one and we are having a Tacky Christmas Sweater party! YAY!

War Eagle!

Kayla