In Summary:

Well it's been a while, folks!

My life has been wonderful and crazy at the same time, but that's how it has been for the last four years. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, I assure you I am not - just in time to graduate.

The Last Semester:

1. I'm working with Eagle Angle - our campus' weekly live news show.
2. Looking for my first big girl job.
3. Finishing my last semester with Pi. :(
4. Working a wonderful internship at St. Anthony Hospital.
5. Still procrastinating on homework. What else is new? This next week will be crazy! I have two papers and a book report presentation due, and an interview to get ready for on Friday.

The fun thing about this semester is that I don't have to take any classes directly involving my major. With the exception of one business class, but it's more entrepreneurial in nature. So it's freed up a little time to explore and concentrate on other subjects, which is kind of nice.

I can also say that I officially graduate NEXT MONTH. It hit me a few days ago. December 17 I will be walking across that stage and out of OC - I place to really don't want to leave, but must. I know it's time, but it's hard to say goodbye to something that's had such a significant place in your life. I never felt nearly this nostalgic about high school - I was glad to say goodbye, but this time I'll have to prepare and remind myself I'm no longer a student.

This quote has been on my mind a lot lately and I'm so happy I found it:

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”

— Anatole France

This gives me a little comfort in the seasons of life, and I know without a doubt I will leave a part of myself at OC. However, it is only to continue to build a better "me". God's path is undeniable, I've learned. I'm trying to see his plan for my life right now as I'm making so many decisions about my future. It's so tough at this age cause I think I can do a lot on my own, but I know there is a grand plan for it all.

Wisdom from the wise

"Top 10 bits of advice for graduates"

1. Deadlines matter. Almost as much as quality - not quite but very close.
2. Appearance matters. How a project looks is the first impression of the content that is going to be inside. If it's not your best- don't turn it in
3. Show up. Most of you competition won't at some point.
4. Errors kill. Get yourself a trusted proofreader and be that person for them as well. You can't catch all your mistakes, even with multiple passes.
5. Learn from your mistakes. Keep a file of what you don't know and add to it every tome you make a mistake.
6. Avoid time killers until it's time. Social media can eat up your time and even cost you a job. Limit social media to the time allotted for it and no more.
7. Read a lot.
8. Write a lot.
9. Consume news. Know what's going on in the world, and switch new outlets frequently to make sure you're getting the real thing.
10. Budget time for yourself and your relationships. If you don't budget it in, you'll never find the time.
11. This one is your bonus, but it's SO important I broke the rules:

Enjoy the ride.

Dr. P.

4/22/10

I just love this teacher. Good thing I'm not graduating this week. This reminds me a lot of "Everyone's free to wear sunscreen." Such a great song/advice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq_A8nXMsQ

Favorite part:

"Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be the things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday."

Dillard's never fails me

It's been an exciting and sad day all in one.

I had my last real Dr. Patterson class today. I got a little teary towards the end, but I'm okay with that. I just really like his classes and him as a person, so it was weird being in my last one. Although, I will be taking newspaper workshop in the fall, so I w

ill see him again.

I've been doing a crazy amount of shopping lately. I've been looking for a rehearsal dinner dress for KP's wedding, a outfit for Taylor's graduation and just some spring/summer-y clothes in general. I just hate a lot of my clothes right now. Most of them are from high school and obviously I dress differently than I did 4 years ago, so they just aren't cutting it. I might take them to Plato's Closet this summer if I get the time.

But today I found the most amazing dress ever!!! Dillard's never fails me when I need a bomb dress. I found this beauty in the expensive section (the one where the women wear all black and look at you funny for even considering going over there, yep that one).

Cue cheesy mirror MySpace pics:

And here's the best part:

Yes, it was $20. Originally $148. Man, oh man I'm so proud of myself.

And the even better part is I LOST A DRESS SIZE!!!!! YAY!

I don't have a scale so I'm merely going off of how my clothes fit, so I'd consider this a success.

So that was my sad, but exciting day!

Denial Blogging

Yep, it's that time again. Where I can pretend like I have actual time to blog and that I don't have mountains of school work on my shoulders. Cause I don't (lies).

Just talked to mom about the big move. She is stressing over it right now. Plus, the apartment people are being weird about a move in date. This whole "we guarantee it by May 5" thing isn't working for my schedule, Miss Lady. I need a REAL date. Although, I do like that my carpets will be shampooed, walls painted and memories of the previous owners will all be gone by the 5th. That will be nice.

ALSO! I have big news. News that alters my life everyday.

I gave up drinking pop. Like for real. It's been almost 3 weeks and I haven't had any (except for a sip of desperation on Friday, but it was literally a sip). I'm pretty proud of myself. I didn't think I would have this much will power. I hope to stop until the end of May when I'm in a wedding and then just drink it in moderation, but we'll see.

Right now I'm just sticking with water and the occasional sweet tea or lemonade (which coincidentally have about the same sugar content as pop, which suuucks). How rude.

I'm trying to eat healthier also. I guess I'm beginning to become a grown up? As weird as that sounds. I just want to look good in a bathing suit, though. So my motives are purely selfish. And I want to look good for my future husband and eventual celebrations that come with the occasion.

Too far?

Is it really almost February?

This year has been the longest and shortest year of my life (currently a year to me is based on school, not a calendar. Yes, I do realize it's not even the end on January yet haha).

I feel like SO much is lying ahead of me: spring sing, summer, graduation, engagement/marriage, a career - SO much to prepare for!

New motto: taking things one day at a time.

My mom engraved this motto into my mind growing up and often tells me "I hope you dance" (based off the Martina McBride song) when I take things too seriously.

Last week was hectic in the spring sing world. A few blips in the process and one very unexpected blip - a show changing blip. And a blip that I think is now fixed. Whew!

Right now I'm enrolled in a Media Ethics class, taught by my favorite communications professor, Dr. Patterson. Surprisingly enough, it seems I can use a lot of this information sooner rather than later. Being the executive director involves a LOT of decision making - I try to make it as fair and unbiased as possible, but as the saying goes, you can't please everybody. This class is teaching me way to deal with group conflict and is probably one of the biggest blessings in my life right now.

Plus, Dr. Patterson has some great stories from his journalism days. Never boring.

More exciting news: I'm looking for apartments next weekend with one of my bestest friends! We'll be moving in the beginning of May and signing a year lease - if all goes as planned, by the time the lease is up I will be getting married soon after! : )

Back to Blogging

It's been a while since I've written in this thing and with my new found time freedom I've decided to bring it back!
So many things (good and bad) have happened since I've stopped writing in this thing! I want to keep track of my college memories so when I'm finally in the "real" world I can look back and have a laugh. (which is what I do with my old Xanga, currently. Seriously. I can't bear to shut down my account!)

I'm officially a college senior! So weird to be saying! My 21 birthday is quickly approaching, and I can feel adulthood moving in just around the corner. Major events of this semester include: Getting a Marketing/Communications internship at an AMAZING OKC based, non-profit organization called World Neighbors (www.wn.org - a total blessing!), taking a trip down Route 66 to the Grand Canyon with about 10 of my friends over spring break, being chosen to be the executive director for OC's annual variety show called Spring Sing (such a big honor!), writing for the school newspaper (taught me A LOT!) and finishing my spring semester with the highest GPA I've had since college started! : )

So far this summer I have completed 2, 3 hour classes- Media Law and Video for Media. They were both 3 weeks courses which made it quick, but while you are in the class your life is literally CONSUMED by the class! (both good and bad I guess)
I have 2 more classes I'm starting online in a few weeks- Public Relations Case Studies and E-Business and Online Marketing. Now you may be asking yourself: "Why in THE world is Susan taking 4 stinking classes this summer? She's got to be crazy!?"
Well here is my answer, 1. Yes I am totally crazy!, and 2. I changed my major last fall from Marketing to Public Relations/Advertising with a minor in Marketing, so I'm trying to make up for the hours I've lost. If I didn't do this then I would have had to stay an extra semester and I didn't really see the point!

Now that my classroom classes are over, I'll be starting a job at the Gap in a few weeks! While I'm in between things my plan is to go home for about 4 days this coming week. I visited my family for the weekend a few weeks ago and it was wonderful, to say the least! I didn't realize how much I missed being home.
The rest of the summer I'll be working, finishing up classes, visiting home some, going to a few more weddings and hopefully take a few short trips to Texas and up to NE Oklahoma to visit my friend, Katy!

My life has been hectic, but I love it. Taylor and I are doing wonderful. I'm so proud of him and I see great things for our future ; )