1990s boybands bliss

Spice Girls World Tour t-shirt from 1998

 I had one of the  most epic weeks of my life. It started with driving cross-country. It included driving through the craziest storm of my life. Then, I went to the beach with my family (literally allowing me to drive coast-to-coast in less than two weeks) for a day. After the Spice Girls performed at the Olympics Closing Ceremonies, I decided to flashback to 1998 by wearing this little number on the left

New Kids on the Block tour tee from the 1980s

I got up early Friday morning and drove back to PA to get ready for  the MixTape Music Festival in Hershey. It was amaaaazing. Friday night was good. It rained, a lot. But we sat it out to have good seats for Kelly Clarkson (who Lindsey has been wanting to see in concert for a loooong time). I wore a New Kids on the Block tour t-shirt that I had held onto. I'm pretty sure my cousin had given it to me ages ago. At that time, I wish I had kept the other one I used to have. Pretty sure I used it as a PJ shirt when I was little. Aaron Carter opened on Friday. I was all excited to see him again but then he only sang three songs. There were some other bands before The Fray, New Kids on the Block, and Kelly Clarkson. Like I said, it was good but Saturday is what I had been waiting for.

Brian! 

First, Brian Littrell (from BSB) was signing autographs at his wife's boutique booth. I won't even start on how awesome I think that is. He's smart though and waited until after the doors opened and bands had started to play. Not as many people to attack him. When he said, he'd be there, I thought he'd just be in the background, behind a table, or something where people could see him, talk to him, etc. but never did I imagine him walking around and signing things for everyone. It was so cool. I got him to sign my ticket stub and my newly purchased BSB shirt. He looked at me in the eyes when he said something to me while giving my shirt back and (this is cheesey) I felt like I had known him for years. It's weird how someone you had never even met can play such a huge role in your life.

Holding my new (and signed) BSB tee while wearing one of my old ones

While I was getting Brian's autograph, I missed The Ready Set and The Wanted. Heard Carly Rae Jepsen. Half listened to LL Cool J while I worked to figure out my brother's camera. I was impressed that I could see his biceps in my pictures. Then, the moment came...98 degrees reunion concert! I swear I had seen Nick walking around but I wasn't positive and I wasn't a big enough fan to bother him. Their concert was good though. They sang all the classics, sang happy birthday to Nick and Drew's mom (after pulling her out from backstage). I bet she's one proud mother.

NKOTBSB was just as good as in Vegas. New Kids pulled The Wanted up to sing their hit song "I'm Glad You Came." Then later, while New Kids and BSB were talking on stage, they pulled out 98 degrees to give them another thanks. I thought my heart was going to stop. As a teenage girl, my dream was always to have BSB, 98 degrees, and 'NSYNC on one stage. This was close enough. So many memories.

I found the ticket stub from my first BSB concert in 1998. That's when I realized that the t-shirts I've been wearing all weekend are just as old (if not older) than I was when I bought them. Crazy. I can't find my Hanson or 'NSYNC t-shirts though. I must have gotten rid of them. :(

First BSB concert in 1998 

Treasuring the friends who understand what I need

Someday, I'll expound on my thoughts but for now, I just want to say how much I treasure those friends who have exhibited patience and taken a large amount of time to understand more about me. Lately, I've been feeling stressed by my environment...the push to always be with people and doing something. I'm grateful for the friends who understand that after a long day, going out with a large group or to a loud place is added stress on me. I either need alone time or a small group situation to recharge. I need my gym time. I need to take care of me.

overwhelmed with social media

I'm a mass communications major and I can't keep up with all of these social media networks. How does the average American not feel overwhelmed? I really want to give it all up but I can't because it's supposed to be my job! So, I shall continue to try to master the art of Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, etc. and ways in which it can enhance and promote businesses and organizations. But after I'm done watching Gossip Girl and finishing the conclusions section of the Master's Project. Soooo ready to be done with this and graduate!

Unanswered prayers

In November, I packed up my car after three wonderful (okay, two of those were wonderful) years in Utah. I left feeling bitter. I was so frustrated that I could not find a job/career in that state. I wanted to stay. Even after my last visit, I still wanted to move back. Today, I just came back from another week in Provo and I no longer feel that way. I'm going back for 4 - 5 weeks in July (I defend on July 23!!!) to finish up school and work towards these last 15 lbs that I have to lose. I know that a lot of my feelings from this past week were based on not having a car, thus feeling trapped and dependent on other people, but I realized that I mainly miss the gym (and the people that came with it obviously). Aside from a few friends that set aside time to see me, and some fun adventures to National Parks that I had last summer, it's really not all that wonderful. It's a good thing I was mainly there this week for school because, in reality, I was actually pretty bored.

I've finally realized that I need to dream bigger. As soon as I finish this defense in July, I can really focus on going after my dreams. I've always, in a way, wanted to be a hot shot doing something amazing. (i.e. as rewarding as it can be at times, I do NOT want to be a TSS for the rest of my life). I have experience, I have the education, and holy cow, with the help of Justine and the staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County, I won the club a new van from Toyota. How many people can say that? The world is at my finger tips.

I often just want to pack up and pick a city. Unfortunately, student debt keeps me from starting afresh without a secured income. Until then, I will keep applying for jobs in new places.

In summary, I'm grateful for that unanswered prayer that caused me to move back home in November. If not, I might have been stuck in Utah County for the rest of my life.

two weeks

I gave my two weeks (well, three weeks in this case) to my weekend job because I'm going to UTAH for a big chunk of the summer.

I might see if they'll take me back next Christmas but I don't think I want to give up every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of my life for awhile.

I'm defending my thesis in July (finally!) and after that...oh, I pray that things work out career wise. While I am blessed to have my current job as a TSS, I really don't want to do it full-time nor for the rest of my life. It feels good to see improvement in my client but I'm rather bored. I want to use the skills I gained over the past 7 years of my life. I guess the only thing I can do is keep applying and keep praying.

realizing that you're good at something

I found myself re-reading a paper I wrote back in 2009 for my intercultural communication class. I needed to transfer some of the methods section to my thesis and just started skimming the other 30 pages. When I got to the end, I thought "Wow, I'm a really good writer." It always has been my strong point. I may not be a very good creative writer or very good at writing in my personal blogs but when it comes to making information sound pleasant and flowing, I'm good at it.

I want to write more. I don't want to be a glorified babysitter too much longer. I might be able to last for another school year but I really need to get myself back into the PR field. I want to write press releases dang it!

Things have been pretty crazy and stressful. I had a couple days off because of the Easter/Spring break at the schools. I've been able to use this time productively and get caught up on tasks. Now, I just need to get back on track with my workouts and nutrition. I'm looking into joining the Air Force; I'd like to get in as an Officer of Public Affairs. I, however, would like to drop another 10 pounds before meeting with a recruiter.

Things with Victor continue to go in a positive direction. He's waiting on a bail hearing, attempting to get his bail dropped and to get out, get his job back, get back into the daily grind of "real life" while waiting for his actual trial. I didn't get into visit him this evening because I ended up sleeping for a good four hours (I haven't been feeling well) but last week's visit ended with a question that completely caught me off guard.

Well, I'm not about wasting time on the Internet today. I have some things to get done.