Bye Bye BYU

It's official. Four years of exams, group projects, and harsh winters have finally paid off. I graduated BYU. I got my degree. (Well, almost. I technically won't get it until June.) I did it.

These last couple of days have been hectic, but I won't ever forget the time I walked on that stage in my cap and gown and spoke about how grateful I was for this school and the Communications Department. How I loved every experience I've been given, from my classes, to the Bradley Lab, to my internships, to the wonderful people and friends I met while I was here. It was an honor to be able to reflect on those things, and I hope my fellow graduates were able to look back on their own college experience and realize the potential they have. Especially my fellow PR folk--we're the best.

Tomorrow I fly out to my internship in New York, effectively beginning the next phase of my life. It hasn't hit me quite yet that I will no longer walk across the campus grounds of BYU as a student. Or that I might not see Provo or some of the amazing friends I made here for quite a while. It's a little depressing, but you can't be stuck in the past. I'm ready for whatever the future has in store for me. Bring it on, post-grad life.

P.S. As soon as the recording of my speech is sent to me I will post it here. I know some people wished they could have come, but were either too far away or too tired to come at 8 in the morning. I don't blame you; I've probably slept a total of seven hours the last three days.

P.P.S. There's a lot more I could say about my awesome experiences as an undergrad, but the thing I'll miss the most is the people. And since a blog post can't properly express how much I'll miss everyone, I'm currently working on a goodbye video showcasing everyone that's made an impact on my time here in Utah. I'm also working on one telling all things I won't miss so much about this place. My computer's been pretty sketchy lately though, so I'm not sure when I'll have it done.

P.P.P.S. Did I mention I'll be in New York tomorrow??? Stay tuned for my adventures in the concrete jungle. 

Big Apple Dreamin'

Today marks the two-week wait until I fly into New York City. I still have a million and a half things to do, but since I don't feel like doing any of them, I'm instead going to tell you how pumped I am for the Big Apple.

What I'm looking forward to:

• The food. Of course this makes the top of my list... Regardless, NYC is the mecca of delicious food from all over the world, so it's basically heaven to a foodie like me. Also, cheesecake. 
• Working for an awesome PR firm and learning a lot about media relations. Did I mention the office is in Times Square? And their clients include PBS, HBO, and Scholastic Books? Here's a picture several employees took a few months ago. I don't want to brag, but I definitely nagged the best internship in the program.

  

  LEVAR FREAKING BURTON, people.

• Mastering the subway system and the whole map of Manhattan. Basically, by the end of these seven weeks I'd be happy to not look like a total noob and at least appear to know where I'm going. 
• Broadway shows. I really want to see Newsies and Phantom.
• Seeing something new every day. Whether it's the different cultures, landmarks, or this guy:
  
• Yankees game, the Met, Ground Zero, etc... I unashamedly love touristy things. 
• SHOPPING
• And of course, hanging out with my awesome BYU friends at the IHouse. It will be a party. SO EXCITED.

What I'm not so much looking forward to :

• The tiny IHouse dorm room and communal bathrooms. Enough said.
• Getting lost. Which will happen every day, knowing myself. 
• The fact that I'll have practically no money out there. I might have to take up a part-time job like this guy to earn some extra cash. 

  

  stone. cold. statue.

I'm excited to tell you all about my NYC adventures when I finally get out there! I also love restaurant advice. 

Three more weeks

The race towards graduation is happening so fast I can barely keep up. These last two weeks of school will be super busy (this last week was the worst), finals won't be too bad, then it's just prepping for graduation and my speech(!) and then I am OFF TO NEW YORK. Craziness.

When I have more time I promise I'll have more topic-specific posts, but for now just a quick update of what I've been up to.

I've been attending a lot of concerts lately. Hillary and I went to see our friend Jared's band, Red Orange, for starters.

And then MIKA, whom I absolutely adore. He did all of his songs acoustically, and it was one of the best shows I've been to.

Shiny Toy Guns. I have to say I'll really miss Utah audiences. They get really into it and it's always a blast. 

Cori and I got a pic with the lead singer of Midi Matilda (they were good--check them out!) and he told Cori she should die her hair all the way pink, which was pretty funny.

Last BYU NIT game with Christine. I'm still shocked she didn't caught with that cowbell. 

I attended TEDxBYU, which was amazing and inspiring and basically highlighted everything I wish I could be as a public speaker. 

Yesterday was a Comms awards luncheon, where free food is always appreciated. Here are some of my other awesome PR friends who were honored. I'm gonna miss everyone so much. Gah. Can't think about it yet.

That's basically it. These last few weeks should be more eventful, including my raging graduation party on the 19th!! If anyone knows where to find an empty keg, let me know. It's for root beer, of course :)

I should also mention my April Fool's joke, which I thought was kinda lame since I didn't have much time to think of something better, but everyone still seemed to be fooled. I simply changed my birthday on Facebook to April 1, and everyone kept wishing me happy birthday throughout the day. It was pretty hilarious. Hillary even bought me fudge! Hahaha.

Bye for now.