Goodbye- such a strong word. Goodbye can mean a few different things. It could mean, “I’ll see you later today” or “ See you tomorrow.” In this case, I’m talking about the kind of goodbye where it’s an “i’ll see you later, much, much later.” We’ve all grown up around goodbye but I think the older we get, the more we develop, goodbyes become harder.
My first stint with goodbye came when I had to say goodbye to my childhood friend, Polotimi. Now, I have no idea where she is today, or what she is even doing but let me tell you this, my four year old self was devastated. Even then, I already didn’t like goodbyes.
Fast forward a few years, or about six and I’m leaving California to move to Texas. Now, most who know me now, know I love Texas. This was not the case 11 years ago. In California, I met a friend in kindergarden who became a sister to me. We were inseparable all the time. Our parents joked that “we were trouble.” I still remember saying goodbye to her like it was yesterday. Sitting at the pool, it was our last day in Cali and I cried and cried. I think I may have cried halfway to Texas. Oh, I’m sure my parents really loved me that day.
Jump to middle school- the time when I was 13 and I was right about everything. No questions asked. As I sat in my 8th grade math teachers classroom, she read us “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” and she was crying. We all were so happy to finally be ready to go to high school. It wasn’t until later on did I realize the meaning of that book.
Four years later, I land signing one of the most important pieces of paper in my life. I signed my life away to Rider University to play soccer. At that moment I realized my comfortable life in Texas would take a big shake when I moved across country to New Jersey. I couldn’t have been more excited, my parents on the other hand were terrified. Saying goodbye and graduating were sad for me but also so exciting and I knew that I would stay in touch with my friends from high school and for the majority, I did. I've found with goodbye sometimes comes the exciting feelings for new adventures. Saying goodbye to my family was more horrible for them. They cried a lot. (You know how moms can get) I did get a bit sad but I was also excited about this journey. It wasn’t until about halfway to NJ did I realize that I wasn’t coming back for a while, and that’s when that goodbye had set in.
Now, I think this is where the story gets a little more interesting. This is where I started to grow and realize that my own actions and choices affect where I end up. I stayed at Rider two years. Two years growing friendships, two years having fun, two unforgettable years, but it just wasn’t in my books for staying there. This is when goodbye got hard. They say you don’t realize that you are leaving until the aftershock but I realized on my way to the airport that day. With my dorm packed, most of my goodbyes said, I just broke down. I think I cried the whole plane flight home. The good news there is I still have great friends that I met there and who I keep in touch with. Through that, I’ve realized that the best of friends, are always there for you, no matter the distance.
Fast forward to now. The present. This is where goodbye gets really hard. I think these last two years of college at West Texas A&M has brought me to my closest friends. The friends who have seen me laugh, cry, get mad, throw things, they’ve seen my brilliance, my defeat and through it, they have still been by my side. I was supposed to graduate this year in May 2012 but due to some knee surgeries and changing my major, I decided another year at WT was in the books for me. Hey , I’m not arguing, just taking my college victory lap. Though staying another year meant more knowledge, soccer and fun for me, I’ve realized my friends don’t stay with me.
Today, I said goodbye to probably the best friend I’ve made here at WT. I think we all know who it is. He’s been there from the beginning of my WT experience. Pushing me past two knee surgeries, pushing me through my switch to advertising. Winking at me during presentations to make my nervousness go away and never once doubting my ability to succeed whether it was in soccer, school or in work.
This goodbye and the ones I’ve said in the last month have been the hardest. This goodbye hit me, before it even came. This goodbye might take a while to sink it, to realize that he’s in Cali and I’m still at school. I’ve never been much of an emotional person and if you ask any of my friends, I’ve just been a mess. I know that this is part of growing up, the hard part, the goodbyes. For me though, it’s a see you later. The true friends who I’ve managed to stay close with, I know I will see again. These people hold a special place in my heart.
I know that this goodbye was the hardest yet but it sure isn’t the last goodbye I’ll face or that any of us will. In the next year, I hope to be doing the same thing, packing up my life in college and moving to pursue my dreams. I couldn’t be happier for my friends who have made their dreams come true and I know that I will be seeing them again. It's hard to say goodbye to the places and people you hold near to your heart. No one every said it would be easy but they did say everything was worth it. For now, to all of my friends, It’s a see you later, not a goodbye.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
History in the Making
To say that these last five days have been an unforgettable journey is a complete understatement. It was surreal and unreal in so many ways. Buffalo Advertising started the journey to Austin early in the morning on Saturday. Most of us, didn't sleep because we were so excited. For the first time in the schools history, the NSAC team made it to the National conference among the top 19 schools in the nation for advertising. We were the smallest school there.
When we arrived, we noticed other teams were arriving as well. We recognized some of them from their plans books and were a little bit starstruck. The team who BuffAD became close with, Alabama, or stachetag were one of the first teams we met. That day, we mingled and tried to take it all in: We were really there. We had made it. The AdAmerica conference was in full effect.
We watched presentations all day Sunday. I remember walking out of the first presentation and saying to the team, "We're in the big shark tank now." We were in awe of some of the teams and how good they were. Unlike district, the national competition was not for the weak. Each team was strong in their ideas and their presentation. We knew we were good, but it was still intimidating. That night we had our final rehearsal before the big day. We presented at 8:50 Am Monday morning. My parents and sister and a few other parents of team members were there to support us, as well as people from District 10.
The morning of the presentation was crazy and it seemed to go by so slow until it was our turn to present. DL, the giver of inspirational speeches, said her speech to us about being legendary and set the floor to us. Prior to competition, we had rehearsed for three weeks, got grilled on insane Q&A and maybe had a breakdown or two. Seeing the judges walking in, as well as a room full of people was incredibly scary. But, we were prepared, we were confident.
Right before the timer asked us if we were ready, I looked at my team and said " Let's have every single person in this room walk out of here knowing who we are and what our presentation was." I could not have imagined our presentation going better. The crowd laughed and was having fun with us. The lights worked, the soccer ball move was flawless (hehe) and we, as presenters , had the most fun we have had presenting our campaign. There were no lines fumbled and it was slow like we had been told to do.
When we finished our presentation, the first 5 rows of people stood up for a standing ovation including the judges. That's when it hit us, we literally were all almost in tears before the Q&A had started. We got asked one question by the judges and the rest was praise for our ideas and how well we put our presentation together. I looked out and our adviser was crying and we were so happy.
The next two hours went so slow. We just wanted the results. Come lunch time, the winners were announced and BuffAd did not place top 4! You could see disappointment on our faces but we knew that we were among the best of the best. It wasn't until an hour later at the judges review did we learn we placed 5th place, only .9 pts behind the 4th place team and defending national champions. I remember running back and hugging everyone. We were so happy, we celebrated like first place. It's so amazing to think that we came in as the wildcard, barely making it and walked out beating both teams in our district and 147 other teams to rank in the top 5 in the nation. I get chills thinking about it.
The rest of the trip was so amazing. Our team was able to network with industry leaders and the judges as well as some of the top Advertising people. We were able to hear from speakers from ESPN and the New York Times. We also go to tour two of the largest ad agencies in Austin, GSD&M and McGarrah and Jessee. I know I speak for my team as well as myself when I say that this experience has been amazing. Our team was able to bond and forge friendships that won't end. We are so thankful for our advisers and for the opportunity to be among the best of the best. I know I can say that I am eagerly awaiting NSAC next year, for my last year of school. I'm also eager to get out into the work force and fulfill my dream of moving to NYC. I know after this last weekend, it is very possible for my dream to come true. We made history and I couldn't be more proud. "If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney.
When we arrived, we noticed other teams were arriving as well. We recognized some of them from their plans books and were a little bit starstruck. The team who BuffAD became close with, Alabama, or stachetag were one of the first teams we met. That day, we mingled and tried to take it all in: We were really there. We had made it. The AdAmerica conference was in full effect.
The morning of the presentation was crazy and it seemed to go by so slow until it was our turn to present. DL, the giver of inspirational speeches, said her speech to us about being legendary and set the floor to us. Prior to competition, we had rehearsed for three weeks, got grilled on insane Q&A and maybe had a breakdown or two. Seeing the judges walking in, as well as a room full of people was incredibly scary. But, we were prepared, we were confident.
Right before the timer asked us if we were ready, I looked at my team and said " Let's have every single person in this room walk out of here knowing who we are and what our presentation was." I could not have imagined our presentation going better. The crowd laughed and was having fun with us. The lights worked, the soccer ball move was flawless (hehe) and we, as presenters , had the most fun we have had presenting our campaign. There were no lines fumbled and it was slow like we had been told to do.
When we finished our presentation, the first 5 rows of people stood up for a standing ovation including the judges. That's when it hit us, we literally were all almost in tears before the Q&A had started. We got asked one question by the judges and the rest was praise for our ideas and how well we put our presentation together. I looked out and our adviser was crying and we were so happy.
The rest of the trip was so amazing. Our team was able to network with industry leaders and the judges as well as some of the top Advertising people. We were able to hear from speakers from ESPN and the New York Times. We also go to tour two of the largest ad agencies in Austin, GSD&M and McGarrah and Jessee. I know I speak for my team as well as myself when I say that this experience has been amazing. Our team was able to bond and forge friendships that won't end. We are so thankful for our advisers and for the opportunity to be among the best of the best. I know I can say that I am eagerly awaiting NSAC next year, for my last year of school. I'm also eager to get out into the work force and fulfill my dream of moving to NYC. I know after this last weekend, it is very possible for my dream to come true. We made history and I couldn't be more proud. "If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Enjoying Every Opportunity
I cannot believe we are a month into summer. It seems like that went by so fast. It's already June. Whew! "When one door closes, another door opens." This couldn't be more true in the last few months of my life.
My internship with the High Plains Food Bank is in full swing and I love it. I have a great staff and great tasks(sometimes). Window washing proves to be a specialty of mine. Just kidding. Recently, we've had a big golf tournament and a few fundraisers that have gone pretty well. I am happy to say though, that I have made a break into more of a social media role and I couldn't be happier. I never thought of myself as much of a social media person, but seeing as social media is so huge and relevant today, I have come to love it and specialize.
My other job, Marketing for Jump-N-Jive is proving to be a challenge but nothing I'm not used to. I didn't realize how much effort running a full marketing program took. I am ready to see where this challenge brings me. Jump-N-Jive is an inflatable playground that is a very unique kind to the Amarillo area. Needless to say, both of my jobs are different but being passionate about both, I love it.
We are now within 24 hours of being in Austin for our National competition for NSAC. I can say that while my jobs have been interesting, this has proved to be the most challenging and rewarding. Once we found out we made it to nationals, the high quickly wore off. The presenters knew we had a challenge ahead of us. Along with our plans book that was judged, we still have a 20 minute presentation and a 10 min Q&A. We had our presentation and lines pretty well rehearsed but the Q&A has been such a challenge for all of us.
On Wednesday we had a presentation for family, friends and faculty that went amazing. For three weeks we have stayed up late nights, cried, laughed, threw thing and have been super frustrated but I can say on behalf of all of us that we are ready.
I am so proud to be a part of the first of something. We are the first team from WTAMU to make it nationals for NSAC. We are competing among some of the top schools in the nation: UPenn, Johnson and Wales, UC Berklee, UCLA , just to name a few. We leave tomorrow and get to spend the weekend networking and preparing. How cool would it be if we could place at nationals?! Half those schools have no idea who we are.
Despite being horribly out of shape, I look forward to getting back on the field next year. There was a time this year I thought I wasn't going to be playing again but with every workout I am getting stronger. Every time I get back on that field, I remember why I fell in love with the game and I am ready to finish up my career as a college athlete.
It's so amazing to see where God has led me in the last year and I am excited to continue this journey. There have been ups and downs but every single thing pays off. I've got great friends, family , teachers and just amazing people all around me. One year from now I will hopefully be moving away to pursue my dreams in my field and it's so crazy to think where it all started and the journey that I've been on. As for now, I'll enjoy this moment, and every moment.
My internship with the High Plains Food Bank is in full swing and I love it. I have a great staff and great tasks(sometimes). Window washing proves to be a specialty of mine. Just kidding. Recently, we've had a big golf tournament and a few fundraisers that have gone pretty well. I am happy to say though, that I have made a break into more of a social media role and I couldn't be happier. I never thought of myself as much of a social media person, but seeing as social media is so huge and relevant today, I have come to love it and specialize.
We are now within 24 hours of being in Austin for our National competition for NSAC. I can say that while my jobs have been interesting, this has proved to be the most challenging and rewarding. Once we found out we made it to nationals, the high quickly wore off. The presenters knew we had a challenge ahead of us. Along with our plans book that was judged, we still have a 20 minute presentation and a 10 min Q&A. We had our presentation and lines pretty well rehearsed but the Q&A has been such a challenge for all of us.
On Wednesday we had a presentation for family, friends and faculty that went amazing. For three weeks we have stayed up late nights, cried, laughed, threw thing and have been super frustrated but I can say on behalf of all of us that we are ready.
I am so proud to be a part of the first of something. We are the first team from WTAMU to make it nationals for NSAC. We are competing among some of the top schools in the nation: UPenn, Johnson and Wales, UC Berklee, UCLA , just to name a few. We leave tomorrow and get to spend the weekend networking and preparing. How cool would it be if we could place at nationals?! Half those schools have no idea who we are.
Despite being horribly out of shape, I look forward to getting back on the field next year. There was a time this year I thought I wasn't going to be playing again but with every workout I am getting stronger. Every time I get back on that field, I remember why I fell in love with the game and I am ready to finish up my career as a college athlete.
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