Last post under Graduate Confidential

These past few weeks have been insane. From announcing my move to NYC, going to Auburn, lots of football, going to a wedding in Chapel Hill, Thrashers games and packing for NYC, I haven't exactly had a lot of time to blog.  

However, with tomorrow being my last full day in Acworth I figured today would be a good day for updates.  

Lately I've been feeling rather nostalgic and despite my complaints over the last four months, I've really had a great time being here.  I'm so incredibly excited about this move to New York but I can't help this nervous feeling. I'd be crazy if I wasn't a little nervous, right?!  I'm really taking a leap of faith here and I'm praying it works out in my favor.  

As most of you know I'm leaving December 1 instead of the original date of November 30 but for those who didn't-now you do! 

December is by far my favorite month but this year is going to be strangely different.  I'm so glad that Vicki is going to be in NYC with me so that I don't have to spend my 23rd birthday alone.  I'm so used to not spending my birthday with my family anymore due to college but I was going to be really sad if I didn't have any friends around.  

Also, this year I won't be returning to Acworth for Christmas. Despite being in the most beautiful city during the most beautiful time of year it is going to be very sad that I'm not spending Christmas with my family.  I do however think I'll take the train into New Jersey and spend the Holiday with my grandparents.  But it won't be the same without my normal traditions.  

Although the end of this year is going to be extremely different from all others, I'm beyond excited to start this new journey.  

I'm ready to let the chips fall as they may.

I have to stop procrastinating on my packing now and the next post will be from my new room in New York City!

Until then!

Big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for NEW YORK!

I can't believe I'm finally writing this blog! 

I'm moving to New York City! I'M MOVING TO NEW YORK CITY!!! 

For months I have heard that the only way I'm going to break into the NYC PR biz is to move there.  So that is what I'm doing. I have accepted a job at a restaurant right by NYU so that I can prove to everyone that I am serious about New York. Apparently because I am still in Atlanta I'm not getting taken seriously. Which I understand! I can't imagine how many applicants say, "I'm going to apply to every firm in NYC because it's my dream!" 

Well yes this is my dream too but I'm 120% serious.  

I'm so incredibly excited to be moving into The Markle at the end of the month.  This place is such a fabulous starter home for young professionals in Manhattan.  No way would I ever be able to afford Greenwich Village otherwise!  Not to mention one of my best friends is already living there!

I'm now on the lookout for paid PR internships (PT or FT) as well as entry level positions.  I want to get the agency experience that is expected of me therefore if you know of any leads please let me know!

There are so many emotions running through my mind and I'm really going to need all your support! I know I can do this! It's going to be tough but like I've always said, I am going to do ANYTHING in order to reach my dream.  


I'm ready to take my first big step. 


New York City, see you in 18 days! 

Vows

It's been nearly a month since I left for my NY trip and all I keep thinking about is how I can get back as soon as possible.  School never prepares you for the highs and lows of post graduate life.  Yes, I've had my fair share of failures but this helpless feeling of entrapment isn't something I've had to experience before.  

I have my good days and bad days. There are times when all I want to do is lay in bed and cry. But what good does that do me? Don't get me wrong, I normally feel much better if I just sit in my room and cry for a moment or two but that can't last forever. But I also can't just bottle it up or I'd explode.

Every day this gets harder.  I thought it would get easier with time but I was sadly mistaken. Every moment I feel further away from college life and more sucked in to the job hunt black hole.  I feel opportunities slipping away from me that I have no control over. 

So as October comes to a close and November begins I keep thinking this is not what I visioned.  This is not where I wanted to be. The days/weeks/months are flying by.  In just a little over a month I'll be 23. 

...23 years old... 

I am vowing to myself that I will do everything to the best of my ability to make the last few weeks of my 22nd year worth it. I will do whatever I can to reach my dream. And to those who are beginning to tell me that I should start being realistic and dream a little smaller- you obviously don't know me. 

I've never dreamed small and I don't plan on starting today. 

Goodbye NYC- But hopefully not for long!

What an amazing 11 days I had up in New York! Thank you to everyone who made this trip so fabulous! Alright so to catch you up on the last few days we'll have to go back to Friday!

Started the day off by catching a 5:50AM (yes...AM!!) train to NY Penn so I could get another train to Long Island.  I had a second interview out in Lake Success, which in total was about an hour away from Penn Station.  It was beautiful out there! I passed the US Open tennis courts on my train ride too! 

After a long but fun morning, I made it back to Manhattan to meet up with Vicki.  We headed up to Times Square to walk around for a bit before walking over to Mood! Vicki and I are big fans of Project Runway and if you watch the show you are well aware of what Mood is! I have never seen so much fabric in my life! It made me wish I could design clothes! We even saw Swatch- the adorable dog that is always in the store. 

Since we were going to places that represented our favorite NYC shows, I HAD to stop by Kleinfeld AKA Say Yes To The Dress! It was just a short walk from The Markle and although I didn't go inside I did see consultant Sarah from the window! It was definitely a highlight of my trip, haha.

Saturday, I said my goodbyes to my Aunt, Grandma and Grandpa as they dropped me off at the train.  So glad I got to spend some time with them! 

There I was waiting for the 8:30am train and then BAM! It happened! I had a War Eagle moment at this small little train station in New Jersey! Realizing that I was wearing my All Auburn, All Orange shirt in honor of game day, I turned around and met a cute little family that actually lives in Auburn and was up visiting family as well.  The cutest part was the 2-year-old who kept yelling War Eagle and singing "All i do is WIN WIN WIN!" It was hilarious and a fabulous was to start my Saturday!

By 2pm, Vicki and I were sitting in a beautiful theatre ready to see Promises, Promises staring Kristin Chenoweth (original Glinda from Wicked) and Sean Hayes (Jack from Will&Grace)! It was SO good!! I definitely recommend seeing it if you can!

After the show, we booked it down to Vicki's so that we could change back into our Auburn attire and head over to the Auburn Bar to watch the game! We had a blast and thank goodness that we pulled out the win! It was definitely a great way to end my NYC trip!

Vicki and I said our goodbyes early Sunday morning as I was off to catch my flight and she was off to start her first day at Anthropologie.  I was sad to go but I know that something will work out for me soon!  

Overall, I had THE best 11 days. I met amazing people, went to great meetings and had a blast with one of my best friends. Now that I'm back home I'm more determined than ever to get back up there permanently!

Just a little Touristy

Nearly 10 full hours in the city today and every second was completely worth it! This morning began with an amazing interview near Central Park and my day ended with a stroll around Times Square.  And so much happened in between...

I love going to Brooklyn and I love walking across the Brooklyn Bridge even more.  After eating a delicious pizza from Grimaldi's, we walked back to Manhattan and took in the amazing views of the city.  We even stopped to watch our favorite artist (who is STILL in the exact same place he was back in '09!) who does the most spectacular art from spray paint. It really is unbelievable. 

Canal Street is something everyone just has to experience in order to understand how this insane street operates.  So naturally I go everytime I'm in town. 

We took a quick breather back at Vicki's room before finishing our day in Times Square.  I hadn't been during my trip yet so I definitely wanted to go.  I don't care that people say real New Yorker's avoid Times Square- I love it so I'm going.  We hit up M&M world, saw the infamous Naked Cowboy and I even said my goodbyes to Phantom since it is going off Broadway soon.  I'm also proud to say that I bought my first authentic Yankees hat too! Wahoo!

Well, must head out because...I have a 2nd round interview tomorrow! YAY!

Two Cupcake's Please

After a few busy days in the city it was nice to relax in Morristown for the day. You don't realize how physically and emotionally draining interviews are until you get a chance to sit down for a few hours.  Granted, I wouldn't have it any other way- interviews get you jobs so I will do as many as it takes until someone takes a chance on me!

Yesterday was a lot of fun. I had two meetings that were completely opposite of eachother. I learned a great deal from both! I also had the opportunity to meet Lauren, a sweet girl who read my blog and reached out to me via Twitter. It was so great to meet her in person!

Vicki and I got to spend some time together too before and after each of my interviews.  I got in a little early and went down to the Markel to hang out before I had to go Tribeca.  Then later we went to this really good pizza place around the corner and of course later that day we went to Magnolia's. We can't help it...their cupcakes are just too good!

I have my last interview tomorrow so I'm off to bed.

Thanks to everyone who is keeping me in your thoughts and prayers! It's greatly appreciated :-)

And the rain continues

I'm not sure why I seem to always bring extremely rainy weather to New York but it's becoming a little odd! It has rained every day that I've been in the city thus far and while I lived here last summer it was recorded as one of the most rainy summers in NYC history. Hmm...


Oh well! Rain all you want because I don't care!


Today was fabulous!! I got into the city a little early (and by a little early I mean over an hour, haha but what can I say- I'm time obsessed) so that I could not only find my first interview in plenty of time but I got to stop by my favorite bagel shop too!!!!!!!! For those who didn't read my blog while I interned you should know that I dedicated an entire blog post to how much I love Bagel Maven. Therefore it was only appropriate that I make the 2 block detour to get my morning bagel. 


I walked over to the Manhattan Mall to eat this fabulous bagel before I headed off to Union Square.  I'm not going to say where exactly I went yet (maybe in a week or so) but let's just say that they are very well known and I had the best time there today! Not to mention the office was breathtakingly gorgeous.


I then managed to walk in the rain back to the subway and get all the way up to Grand Central wearing heels. I don't think miracle is a strong enough word to describe how relieved I am that I didn't slip/trip/fall during my journey. I would be that person to fall all the way down the subway entrance...but lucky it did not happen and please pray it never does. Haha.


I then had lunch with a good friend who I've stayed in contact with since he interviewed me this past summer. It was great to catch up!


The rest of the day was spent in Morristown where I've been relaxing and preparing for my meetings tomorrow. 


In other good news- PR is now officially running in the Pinto family! Colleen was accepted into UGA's Grady School of Journalism as a Public Relations major today! Yay!


More tomorrow!


PS. These "short" blogs never turn out to be short....haha