Now you may have read that last post and wondered: "What in the world did she go to Vegas for?" No, I didn't have an audition for the Cirque Du Soleil (even though that would be a fun job... I'm just not quite flexible enough). Well I was recently presented with the invitation to attend the Miss America Pageant. Not because they thought I should be crowned, but because Miss Mississippi is a current student in the same scholarship program that I work for. It was an amazing experience to be able to see all the work and franticness that goes on during a live production.
Our beautiful Miss Mississippi won the swimsuit and fitness preliminary on Wednesday night. She did not place in the judges' minds, but in the heart of all her supporters she is the best. A group of us went and cheered our hearts out for her. I definitely woke up a few mornings with a feeling in my throat that I haven't felt since high school after a big game.
I am convinced that travel forces you to learn about yourself and also those around you. Luckily I was able to travel with some of the best people I know. i don't want to go into too much detail, but I have to say this: The board of managers that provide the scholarhip to students were able to attend also. These are all highly educated people, but work outside the realm of higher ed. I have never seen a foundation that is so committed to supporting their recipients as these are. They truly give me a model to look up to and admire. I am so thankful for the opportunities that my job affords me and all the lessons I am learning along the way.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Lights of Las Vegas
Last week was spent in the crazy environment of Las Vegas. This trip was my second ever to Las Vegas, and my opinion stands the same. There is only so much you can handle of Vegas.
I say that it is a crazy environment because of the extreme surroundings. Surrounding the lights and sights of the strip you have the most beautiful majestic mountains. We took one morning trip to Red Rock Canyon. I can say that seeing this made the trip. The most beautiful rocks and the most serene surroundings were seen. It's amazing how used to polluted smokey air you can get until you are placed in the middle of such pure air.
Even though I enjoy to gamble (in small amounts-- $40 is all I lost) a girl can only take so much. I do have to say that being raised in the South has made me a bit more modest than others, and admit that the open nudity of marketing shocks me still. I don't care how many times that 'Hot Babes to you in 24 hours' van goes by, I still feel a little exposed with all my clothes on.
The trip was complete with a trip to the Hoover Dam. Amazing what man can do, don't ya think? My personal favorite tidbit of information: The Hoover Dam is made of enough concrete to make a four foot wide sidewalk that would wrap around the equator. Now that's a lot of concrete!
The free shows on the strip are always my favorite! The Bellagio fountains will always be the best in my book though!
All in all, a great time! I have to say though, a week in Vegas is probably the equivalent to a month somewhere else!
I say that it is a crazy environment because of the extreme surroundings. Surrounding the lights and sights of the strip you have the most beautiful majestic mountains. We took one morning trip to Red Rock Canyon. I can say that seeing this made the trip. The most beautiful rocks and the most serene surroundings were seen. It's amazing how used to polluted smokey air you can get until you are placed in the middle of such pure air.
Even though I enjoy to gamble (in small amounts-- $40 is all I lost) a girl can only take so much. I do have to say that being raised in the South has made me a bit more modest than others, and admit that the open nudity of marketing shocks me still. I don't care how many times that 'Hot Babes to you in 24 hours' van goes by, I still feel a little exposed with all my clothes on.
The trip was complete with a trip to the Hoover Dam. Amazing what man can do, don't ya think? My personal favorite tidbit of information: The Hoover Dam is made of enough concrete to make a four foot wide sidewalk that would wrap around the equator. Now that's a lot of concrete!
The free shows on the strip are always my favorite! The Bellagio fountains will always be the best in my book though!
All in all, a great time! I have to say though, a week in Vegas is probably the equivalent to a month somewhere else!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Keeping BUSY
whew... It's been a while. Almost a month I know! My readership of two has probably given up on me, but I am back. Hope everyone had a great holiday!
Recently, well not so recently, a good friend "tagged" me on her blog. I suppose the only right thing to do is to keep it going by posting 6 'interesting' things about myself even if its ever so slightly delayed. Some of these might be little quirks I have as opposed to being interesting. This should be fun...
1. I am a 'do it yourself'-er. I love to do make things, create things, modify things. You name it, I like to do it when I have the time. My sister and I usually joke about the projects my mom is forever working on, but I am just like her. I was brought up in a house where my mom was constantly changing the inside of house in some form or fashion. I guess its in my blood. My most recent project was decorating my room with canvases. I go through phases of liking my own painting abilities, and right now I'm in a not liking phase. Instead of painting the canvases, I found a fabulous fabric at Hancock's and covered the canvases with it. With one large canvas at the head of my bed, it looks like faux-head board. My next project? Slowly but surely I want to paint my own place setting at the local pottery painting place.
2. My absolute dream job would be something revolved around traveling. I absolutely love to travel! Well my current job does involve a little travel, I got to take a trip to New York City over the holiday break, and soon will be getting to see the lights of Las Vegas. Hey, I'm not complaining!
3. I'm all or nothing. When doing something, even small things. If I'm not fully committed, I'm most likely not following through. If I'm organized, then EVERYTHING is organized. If I'm not, then NOTHING is. A little extreme, I know but this is who I am.
4. I absolutely enjoy cooking, not so much the clean up though. If you ask the guy if this is true, he might disagree. Although I have only cooked about 3 times for him in the past 8 months, I do actually enjoy it. Currently I don't have ALL the cable channels, which I'm not complaining, but I do miss the FoodNetwork from time to time. The past holidays have been great being able to go home and cook with my grandmother, mother, and sister. Even though our conversations and tempers can get more heated than the oven, its always a lot of fun to get together in the kitchen with them.
5. I love planning. Nerd, I know. With my job, a little bit of planning is involved. From coordinating students throughout an important day on campus to planning a trip for students I love doing it. This planning has carried over into my 'outside of work' life. Or maybe I brought the planning with me? I don't know, but I do know I enjoy it. There's something about working hard on something and seeing it being carried out. I have to admit, I can go almost overboard with it though. My sister could only laugh at me when I brought a typed itinerary to her Bachelorette Party in Memphis. What can I say? I'm a dork.
6. If there is nothing on my schedule and USA catches me with a Law and Order marathon, I'm stuck. I can watch these types of shows all day long. I don't know if its the dun.dun. sound that keeps me in a trance or the twists and turns that keep you thinking. I will stay up way past my bedtime any night just to see who sexually assaulted Kandi, the hooker who was off duty. Absolutely compelling.
Well there it is. Six interesting facts or quirks about me! Hope you enjoyed!
Recently, well not so recently, a good friend "tagged" me on her blog. I suppose the only right thing to do is to keep it going by posting 6 'interesting' things about myself even if its ever so slightly delayed. Some of these might be little quirks I have as opposed to being interesting. This should be fun...
1. I am a 'do it yourself'-er. I love to do make things, create things, modify things. You name it, I like to do it when I have the time. My sister and I usually joke about the projects my mom is forever working on, but I am just like her. I was brought up in a house where my mom was constantly changing the inside of house in some form or fashion. I guess its in my blood. My most recent project was decorating my room with canvases. I go through phases of liking my own painting abilities, and right now I'm in a not liking phase. Instead of painting the canvases, I found a fabulous fabric at Hancock's and covered the canvases with it. With one large canvas at the head of my bed, it looks like faux-head board. My next project? Slowly but surely I want to paint my own place setting at the local pottery painting place.
2. My absolute dream job would be something revolved around traveling. I absolutely love to travel! Well my current job does involve a little travel, I got to take a trip to New York City over the holiday break, and soon will be getting to see the lights of Las Vegas. Hey, I'm not complaining!
3. I'm all or nothing. When doing something, even small things. If I'm not fully committed, I'm most likely not following through. If I'm organized, then EVERYTHING is organized. If I'm not, then NOTHING is. A little extreme, I know but this is who I am.
4. I absolutely enjoy cooking, not so much the clean up though. If you ask the guy if this is true, he might disagree. Although I have only cooked about 3 times for him in the past 8 months, I do actually enjoy it. Currently I don't have ALL the cable channels, which I'm not complaining, but I do miss the FoodNetwork from time to time. The past holidays have been great being able to go home and cook with my grandmother, mother, and sister. Even though our conversations and tempers can get more heated than the oven, its always a lot of fun to get together in the kitchen with them.
5. I love planning. Nerd, I know. With my job, a little bit of planning is involved. From coordinating students throughout an important day on campus to planning a trip for students I love doing it. This planning has carried over into my 'outside of work' life. Or maybe I brought the planning with me? I don't know, but I do know I enjoy it. There's something about working hard on something and seeing it being carried out. I have to admit, I can go almost overboard with it though. My sister could only laugh at me when I brought a typed itinerary to her Bachelorette Party in Memphis. What can I say? I'm a dork.
6. If there is nothing on my schedule and USA catches me with a Law and Order marathon, I'm stuck. I can watch these types of shows all day long. I don't know if its the dun.dun. sound that keeps me in a trance or the twists and turns that keep you thinking. I will stay up way past my bedtime any night just to see who sexually assaulted Kandi, the hooker who was off duty. Absolutely compelling.
Well there it is. Six interesting facts or quirks about me! Hope you enjoyed!
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