Plastic or Jellyfish?

September 4th, 2009

So, leading up from the previous post….

My teacher had shared this website on her blog about what awful wastes have been showing up in the ocean. It was part of a discussion she was sharing w/ the class and after looking more into it… I was super disappointed in myself and other people who are just not aware or maybe just too ignorant to the situation entirely.

Maybe it was being in California over the summer, but I wasn’t really into the whole “green movement” before. Yah, I’d tell cashiers to save their plastic bag b/c I brought my own reusable one OR I’d try and make sure to recycle at home, but something about this just really strikes a nerve!

Here’s the video from the VBS.TV site. It’s one of three, but if you scroll down you can check out the rest of the documentary.

The one fact that really stuck out to me was the statement made about Subway. The woman mentions when you go to Subway, regardless if you’re taking it home with you or taking it five feet from you, they still throw it in a plastic bag that last, what, like one minute? In the ocean, bags like that stay there for over 20 years. WTF?!

So what is it with plastic? There’s bottles, bags, containers, objects, toys and I’m sure the list goes on. I know there’s the talk about reducing your carbon print, and some people are pretty crazy about it (as they should be… to a certain extent), but what do you think you do on a daily basis to reduce yours? I mean, we all have a good idea about what’s good and bad for our environment. Just because it may not affect you, your family or other loved ones NOW doesn’t mean it won’t catch up to you LATER.

VBS aired the first set its documentary in April of 2008, but it seems like now it’s getting some more exposure or maybe I’m just way behind. Surfline, however, wrote an article about this and posted it on Wednesday- so I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s a little late! It consists a lot of the same information as the video above, but includes other organizations and people who are also trying to fight the plastic waste out in the Pacific. It makes me wonder where else in the big ocean blue does this exist and if it’ll be this generation to start fixing it.

Being from Florida, I know lots of people who love not just our beaches, but beaches in general. If you love them that much- or… even if you don’t- please think about what your using and eventually throwing away. If it’s not too much to ask, just consider where it’ll end up after. If not, you could possibly end up swimming with it a few years down the road…gross.

Here are a few website I’ve found that have some helpful information on how you can positively start improving your recycling habits:
Discovery’s Planet Green
Earth911: Find Recycle Centers & Learn How to Recycle
National Geographic’s Green Guide
Rise Above Plastics

Also, some of the other organizations and teams prevention plastic wastes:
Algalita Marine Research Foundation
Plastiki
Project Kaisei

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Not Just Another Day in ‘Writing for Public Relations’!

September 1st, 2009

One of the amazing courses I am taking this semester happens to be ‘Writing for Public Relations’ with a some-kind-of-wonderful teacher by the name of Ryan Sheehy. She’s awesome, incredibly spirited and is passionate about everything she does! Whether it’s going to visit her in her office hours or listening to a lecture, one thing you never are is bored.

On August 31st, I strolled into class wondering whether or not I should have written something regarding our previous assignment. Pretty aloof and just completely drained from sleeping only like 12 hours in four days was starting to get to me! I wasn’t sure if I was going to handle any more lectures until Ryan hops into class acting like someone straight out of those Bing commercials!

Still almost half asleep from the three hour power nap I tried taking earlier, I was immediately awake just trying to follow everything she was saying. It’s a little fuzzy, but I remember elephants leading to how they can’t jump and then going to painting her nails to razzle dazzle pink WHICH ALSO happen to be the same color of Kelly Mccain’s (fellow professor’s daughter) then back to why she wanted to change the color to pink instead of black because it’s such a pretty color. Somewhere along the way we also discussed Britney Spears’ concert, that is actually going on tonight, and shortly after, she asked for everyone to get up and follow her as she was walking towards the door.

We were on our way to the gardens by the Burnett Honors College, because “flowers are pretty” and some other reasons that I can’t seem to remember… damn, I should have written this last night when it was fresh in my mind! Anyway, as we trekked through the heat and humidity the random word vomit and word games continued. One thing was always leading to another and then at times, some other crazy things were pulled out of thin air.

Before entering the Honors college, we paused to look at these flowers. I was designated the photographer and was also told to name them- so if you know what they are, I’d really like to know!:

Can you name these flowers?

Can you name these flowers?

My classmates, Ryan and I made our way through the building and into the gardens. We found a convenient little spot, right behind the building with nice, little, circular bench for us to sit at. Again, I’m totally blanking on how we started the conversation there BUT I do remember beginning somewhere with some discussion about:

-October 10th being Ryan’s 13th anniversary of her residing in Orlando and that day she’ll be traveling to Scotland (I think?) to do a marathon?
-Sailboats and anchor tattoos
-Why it’d be not the norm for Ryan to get her hair shaved (like Britney) and how if she did, society could possibly say that she “pulled a Britney”.

Random, I know, but I promise- not only does this have a purpose, it’s also my assignment to recap the experience too.

So, we start talking about who’s going to travel with her! The Nicholson School of Communications was going to fund a trip for some students to travel around the world in 80 days. Ryan posed a question, for the ladies mainly, and asked “Who would shave their heads to travel the world?”. Six girls raised their hands and it was then after we decided about all the cool locations we’d be going to. And if you’re wondering where does all this head-shaving business come from, I have no answer for you. This was just spur of the moment-get the creative juices flowing-kind of class.

So the places she would go (haha sounds like Dr. Seuss) would be:
-Venice: on a boat, that would magically turn into a gondola once she got there. The other student and her would walk around and then some how end up in..
-Rome: and run up the Spanish steps and then later go to..
-Spain: to run with the bulls, drink lots of wine and wear the white bull fighting outfit- which leads her to
-Vietnam: for something about elephants and then to
-Dubai: and check out all the ridiculously priced stores but then move on to the outskirts of the city and get to really know the people who built all those amazing buildings.. which she’d then go to
-Kenya or Madagascar.. i forget
-Bali: with a surfer girl from class, OH!, where she shaves her head bc she gets H1N1 or something? Bleh! I forget, but this is the spot where Ryan actually really wants to go to so she can make cool jewelry w/ all the artisans there and to be able to engulf herself in their culture and lifestyle.. after she’s done shredding some epic surf and jewelry making she goes to..

-Thailand (with me!) and we go check out temples that are called Wats, and just traveled around to see all the pretty nature and how people live in their house up high in the trees.

Getting closer to the conclusion of this whole lecture, she mentions something about sailing around to all these wonderful places and what we would do if we ran into a bunch of trash. Plastic specifically. I kind of knew where this was going since I checked out her blog briefly earlier, but it’s also something that will lead me to my next blog post.

To end this one, though, it just was neat having a discussion without having a serious discussion. All too often do students go into a class having that “oh-my-gosh-stab-me-in-the-eyes” mentality and dreading any and every lecture. Some can be worse than others, but regardless- most of us have done it at one point or another. It’s classes and professors, like Ryan, who understand that and change it up and make every class that much more worth attending.

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Social Media Revolution

August 27th, 2009

My roommate had sent me this video the other day and I loved it! The facts and figures are astonishing, but not so surprising. I’m not sure how it is in other industries, or maybe the whole “social media” trends are beginning to ensue, but it’s something you read, see and hear in the advertising industry on a daily basis.

Regardless, it’s something that every one is trying to understand and one-up any and every competitor. I’m not sure where I was going with this post, but I definitely wanted to share the video! (=

-Sarah

Posted in Advertising, Random Thoughts | 1 Comment »

Yes, I am Still Alive!

August 8th, 2009
So, I know it’s been almost two months since my last post, but I figured I would have a chance to sum up the amazing summer I have had out here in California towards the end of my journey. Thanks to photos, it makes it a little easier to share my stories and experiences. 
 
It seems like it’s just been one, ginormous learning experience and all the change was exactly what I’ve been waiting for. As far as the reason I traveled to Los Angeles, to be an intern at TBWA\Chiat\Day, it was an unbelievably great time. Full of new knowledge I was able to gain about the advertising industry and the people I came across was just awesome! I made an effort to lunch w/ all sorts of people within the company from Creative Directors to Account Planners. Staying connected and networked was important to me, but listening to their stories and their own experiences in any agency were both enlightening and inspiring.
Of course, the other interns and I were always having a blast. Being dubbed the “Social Director” of the bunch, I’d always try to make plans for everyone to go out after work. Below is a photo a few of us at a bar in Venice. We’ve got interns representing the Media Arts Lab, Nissan, Mars, Energizer, Pepsi and Visa accounts. It’s safe to say I’ll miss each and every one of the them and hope that we’ll all keep in touch! A couple of us that got really close have already started making plans to visit each other at school in the Fall or Spring semesters!

 

Chiat\Day Interns
Chiat\\Day Interns

 

When I first found out I was making the move, I heard from friends and acquaintances that the people in LA were mean, cold and flaky. On top of that, other friends had asked me about what I was going to do about a social life. After hearing both, I still wasn’t too worried about it. Maybe it’s the personality I have, but I have attracted nothing but good vibes and great people during my time out here.  Everyone was very friendly and willing to show me around the city. Maybe their intentions were elsewhere, but the time spent genuinely taking the time to go around Santa Monica, Venice, Hollywood or other areas were so much freaking fun!

 

The picture below of my friend Vrinda & I was taken at one of my new friend’s birthday party. His name is Justin and is also a Florida native. We met at a cafe in Venice and were discussing all the similarities we had! Floridans, both in the advertising industry and crazy about California to name a few! He was traveling to Costa Rica but thanks to facebook, we were able to get in touch when he got back and he invited my friends and I to his birthday festivities! This is also where he introduced me to Thursday night reggae concerts out by the Santa Monica Pier. All you need is a blanket, cooler full of cold drinks and great company and you have yourself a relaxing Thursday evening!

 

Thursday Nights at the Santa Monica Pier

Thursday Nights at the Santa Monica Pier

 

Every Tuesday, I had taken a day off from interning and waitressing to volunteer at the Venice Beach Boys & Girls Club. Starting off at the end of May, it was just a lot of helping out getting prepared for the summer camps. The director was aware that I was minoring in marketing so every so often I’d help out their marketing director with some calls or events.

 

I was even more excited about volunteering when the summer classes started. The Boys & Girls Club does such an amazing job at providing cool activities, both outdoor and indoor, and trying to get the kids to be expressive and involved. In the mornings I’d stroll in and see if the office needed any help and then head down to the game room. Every hour the groups would change, all by age. Seeing how kids these days would always suprise me! Watching them dance, play and enjoying all the games was really cool to see and be a part of. A couple of weeks into it, I’d come in a few kids were run over screaming “SARAH!!!” and it was so cute and really made me feel special to be a part of their lives this summer.

 
 
First Half of my Day at the Teen Center

First Half of my Day at the Teen Center

 
 
In the elevator one day, I saw signs for sailing classes and asked the director if they needed help with those classes, that I’d be more than happy to be the volunteer to go! So that’s what I did! After lunch, I’d drive over to Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Ray and assisted the group of instructors. Since I don’t have a sailing certification, I mainly kayaked, hung out on the beach or got to actually ride around and learn to sail the hobie catamarans! Time did not permit, but I would have been able to get certified if I had been out here a little longer! I got to kayak around and show the kids all the sting rays by the beach, play games and spot other cool sea creatures! Tuesdays were always good days!
 
 
Second Half of my Day: Sailing & Kayaking

Second Half of my Day: Sailing & KayakingWest Coast Sunset

 

One of my friends from back home, Ryan, came out to the West coast for a conference and introduced me to his friend Jonathan who is a California native. We’ve become good friends and hang out a bunch which requires me to do a lot of surfing spectating.  A couple of the interns at Chiat surf too, so sometimes they’ll go for a quick dip after work. An amazing idea to me, because you don’t go back into the water after dark/sunset or else you’ll be shark bait (ooh ha ha)! That and the fact that it only takes you about five to ten minutes to even get to the beach versus thirty to forty. The next two pictures are things I will really miss when I go back. The beach and the sunset. Of course, there is both in Orlando, but it’s such a far drive and to catch a sunrise- you have to wake up early.

 

Night Surf at Venice Pier

Night Surf at Venice Pier

 
 
 
Beautiful, yah?

Beautiful, yah?

 
 
Below was a couple of weeks ago when there was some huge swell that came from the Pacific. It was cool to see such huge waves in the states. Last and only time I’ve seen big waves were in Costa Rica last year. Further south by Laguna Beach, there was a body boarder who died at spot called ‘The Wedge” because the waves were so big. I think you can really feel the difference between the Florida and California beaches. Minus the obvious like the water temperature and what not, but the water out here feels more fierce and heavy. When I’m laying by the beach and listen to the waves crash, they sound a lot louder and stronger. Maybe I’m just crazy though, who knows?
 
 
Huge Swells at Heavens

Huge Swells at Heavens

 

The things to do out in Los Angeles are ALWAYS endless. Regardless of the day of the week or time of the day, you can rest assure that there is always something to do. The piers seem to be really big on concerts and music. Below is at Hermosa Pier waiting to see Rebelution play. The crowd was young and it made me kind of jealous. I wish I could have had cool things like this to do when I was in high school or middle school! There’s also the Santa Monica Pier concerts and festivals of all sorts are very common through the beaches and city.

@ Hermosa Pier Sunset Concert Serious

@ Hermosa Pier Sunset Concert Series

This weekend, where my best friend, Christine, and her best friend, Casey, came to town to visit is the weekend I had been looking forward to ALL SUMMER! It was close to not happening, but everything happens for a reason! My other friend Nick, also came to town for a conference and I was more than happy to have him join us and see a lot of the city that I had waited to visit when my friends arrived.

 
 
Let the Best Weekend EVER Begin!

Let the Best Weekend EVER Begin!

 

We had the chance to see the pier for my friend Vrinda’s last night in LA. She goes to Penn State and is from India, which is where she was headed to for the last bit of her summer. It was perfect. While I was interning, the girls shopped and my friend Nick and Jonathan did a bit of surfing and “bro”-ed out their own day. We checked out a friend’s art show and met lots of interesting people! Like this guy! According to him, we are “hot bitches”. Psh, we didn’t argue! haha! It was a long, tiring evening and everyone was still pretty worn out from the night before, but a good night it was!

 

 

I'll Miss Random Guys Like This.. or Not!

I'll Miss Random Guys Like This.. or Not!

 

I won’t lie. I loved making new friendships, but I did miss a handful of friends while I’ve been out in Cali. I talked to them as often as I could and we would keep each other updated, but it was so nice having the girls out for a few days. My favorite part was just sharing the good times I’ve been having here with them.

 

Playing at Manhattan Beach

Playing at Manhattan Beach

 

As a waitress, I’d get a lot of good suggestions of places I need to visit before I traveled back East. One was Abalona Cove, a  “free aquarium” as one guest put it. He talked about a short hike, mini coves and tide pools that show you more sea life than any aqaurium could. Well, on the way there we also saw more photo opps in a ten mile span than I’ve seen in three months! They say the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) is a stunning drive and they’re right!

 
The View North from Palos Verdes, behind me

The View North from Palos Verdes, behind me

 

So we got to the cove, hiked down a bit and got to walk along the shoreline ’til we got close to the tide pools. Unfortunately, we took too much time at the beach and missed the low tide. However, we did see SOME pools and it was neat seeing some of the crabs and critters. We just got stuck at the cove below because the only way across it was to swim. With phones and cameras- that just wasn’t happening. So we made the best of the situation and just jumped in! It was a tid bit nippy, but really refreshing. I totally felt like a little kid again. I didn’t have a care in the world and felt so free!

 

Cave Exploring at Abalone Cove

Cave Exploring at Abalone Cove

 
 
After the coves we rushed home for a REALLY QUICK RINSE and then headed out to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona soccer game. Definitely glad I went but felt like I was robbed of  the experience. Barcelona wasn’t as aggressive as they usually are and it made me think the game was rigged. It was fun to go to regardless but I guess I’ll have to go overseas to see a game of futbol!
 
 
@ The Rose Bowl: LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona

@ The Rose Bowl: LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona

 
 
 
I couldn’t leave LA without seeing the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign or all the bums trying to make some flow by pretending their some movie character. I’m glad I can say I saw it, but the cove or some of the other stuff we did was way more cooler to do then looking at old Hollywood stuff.
 
 
Crusing through Hollywood

Crusing through Hollywood

 
Between the hike to the Griffith Observatory or the Cove, I’m not sure which was my favorite. The hike was a blast and definitely something gorgeous to have witnessed a sunset like that! Full of laughs, grunts and a parking ticket later- it’s safe to say everyone really not only had fun but appreciated the trip up!
 
 
Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory

 
Hiking Up to the Observatory

Hiking Up to the Observatory

 
 
Rocky Style

Rocky Style

 

Jonathan & I Enjoying the View

Jonathan & I Enjoying the View

 
Sunset @ Griffith Observatory

Sunset @ Griffith Observatory

The trip to Napa was an unexpected one but incredibly AWESOME! It was weird seeing rain clouds for the first time in three months, but the vineyards and scenery were gorgeous! A contact of mine from when I interned in the golf industry is based in California and had invited me to come up with him while he tried some wine to add to his collection at a recently purchased golf course of his. We talked directly to the owners and wine makers themselves and it was just so awesome watching them talk about wine with such passion and love.  We flew into Oakland, did a quick drive close to San Francisco and I got to see Alacatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. We quickly toured a few vineyards, but I wasn’t complaining! I’m waiting to see how much info about wine I retained the next time I go out to eat!

 

 
Alcatraz

Alcatraz

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

Kelham Vineyards

Kelham Vineyards

Flora Springs

Flora SpringsJohn Komes, the Owner, Pouring Me a Glass of his Own Wine!

Sparkling Wine Tasting at Mumm Napa

Sparkling Wine Tasting at Mumm Napa

Robert Mondavi Vineyard Entrance

Robert Mondavi Vineyard Entrance

Robert Mondavi's Grapes

Robert Mondavi's Grapes

 

Robert Mondavi Vineyard Entrance

Robert Mondavi Vineyard Entrance

There’s not a doubt in my mind that I will move back to California. All that’s left is finishing school, getting some traveling done and continuing to live my life! I look forward to it and can’t wait to see what’s in store.
–Sarah

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45 Lessons

June 15th, 2009

I have no idea who Regina Brett is and this could quite possibly be just another cheezy chain email BUT I’m glad I got it and it made me feel better after having a pretty rough week/weekend. Just thought I’d share!

 

- - -

 

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland,

Ohio



 

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.


 

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once
more:



 

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.



 

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.



 

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.



 

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.



 

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.



 

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.



 

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.



 

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.



 

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.



 

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.



 

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.



 

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.



 

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.



 

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.



 

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God
never blinks.



 

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.



 

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.



 

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.



 

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is
up to you and no one else  



 

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no
for an answer.



 

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.



 

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.



 

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.



 

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.



 

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.



 

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will
this matter?’



 

27. Always choose life.



 

28.. Forgive everyone everything.



 

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.



 

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.



 

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.



 

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.



 

33. Believe in miracles.



 

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did
or didn’t do.



 

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.



 

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.



 

37. Your children get only one childhood.



 

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.



 

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.



 

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d
grab ours back.



 

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.



 

42. The best is yet to come.



 

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.



 

44. Yield.



 

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

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Life Lately

June 14th, 2009

It hasn’t taken long for me to get back into my work-non-stop-incredibly-anti-social routine out here in Los Angeles. The first couple weeks were probably the best since Christine, my roommate and best friend from Florida, was still in town. She kept me company throughout the whole 3,000 mile drive here!  

 

Once we got into town, we had a blast! Went paddle boarding, ate at a few hole-in-the-wall restaurants which were all amazingly delicious and roamed a few streets to check out the area! Not to mention, it was nearing the end of the NBA East coast finals, so we had to root for the Magic at few local bars! It was the start of a great move and then she went to San Francisco to visit family. I miss her so much, but I got really lucky in meeting a handful of great people out here! Eventually, I’ve been able to meet a some of their friends so I’m feeling pretty good about my social situation. Especially since I moved out here not knowing a soul.

 

Finally made it to LA! Enjoying the first sunset!

Finally made it to LA! Enjoying the first sunset!

 

As far as my internship at TBWA\Chiat\Day - I LOVE IT! I’m an account management intern on the Mars account, specifically for Pedigree, but I also help out with Temptations, Whiskas and The Good Life Recipe. I still walk around the agency feeling incredibly fortunate to have landed the internship! There weren’t many interns there yet since they were all arriving the beginning of this month, but there were three that I got to know pretty quickly when I arrived. Two interning for Media Arts, even though one was just finishing up his Spring internship, and the other for Visa. It totally helped that we were all set up on “Intern Row”, a serious of computers and desks right next to each other for some of the interns to use. Now, there are like twenty other interns, but they are scattered throughout the agency, closers to their teams and have their own desks. Just on Intern Row, there are seven us. Three working on Mars, two on Visa and two on Media Arts.

 

The View From Intern Row

 

The actual work I’m doing is pretty interesting too. It’s kind of repetitive since this is my seventh internship, but practice makes perfect, right? I’m learning new ways to research, through lots of new resources, becoming way more efficient at PowerPoint and most importantly- HAVING FUN! My team usually gives me something cool and enticing to work on. Obviously, it IS an internship and there is the occasional ‘paper pushing’, but even people who have actual paying jobs do it and most of the time it HAS to get done, so I have no qualms about doing it either.

 

It doesn’t stop there! I’m also taking one day a week to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. After getting the O-K from my background check, I was able to start this past week. Their summer program begins June 29th, so they are getting their orientation started to make sure all the parents know what to expect and how they can help ensure a safe and smooth summer for all the kids! Since the director knows I’m going to school for Advertising & Marketing, he’s having me help in the Marketing Department. I’m glad that he was considerate enough to think of me and my education. I did let him know, however, that I’d like to spend some time with the kids and help out with some outdoor activites, if there was an opportunity to do so. There’s a chance that I could be helping  out with their sailing class, which would be AWESOME since I’ve been wanting to learn how to sail and I’ll get to be out on the water. SUPER stoked about that!

 

Finally, my job. It’s like being out here is a mini-vacation, but then I remember that I have bills to pay! There’s also having the cost of going out and it’s crazy how quickly that all adds up. Just being out here costs a lot and I’m lucky enough to have my Mom helping me out with my living situation. I think she knows she’ll be getting all of her money back when I will be making the big bucks- haha! I do work a lot, though. It gets kind of frustrating and I feel like I’m not getting to enjoy as much of Los Angeles and California as I would like to, but then again, I have to keep reminding myself that I’m here for Chiat. Everything else is just a big bonus. Like I’ve said before, if given the option to move out here post graduation- I woud do it in a heartbeat.  But yah- my job. It’s great for what it’s worth. I must say, I do miss the people at my old restaurant. They are just so much more fun to work with! Here, people wig out when they’re stressed out (which is most of the time), but back in Orlando, we would laugh and make the best of it! But that’s not going to change, so there’s no dwelling. I’m going to try to enjoy it and stay as positive as I can. I’m only working there ’til August anyway!

 

And there you have it! Just a bit of the beautiful, hard working life I have.  Haha! Whatever, it’ll all pay off one day- I know it. There’s a few other personal things that are on my mind, but if I could just take my own advice - I’d be fine. It’s just the unknown that scares me. All the “what-ifs” and not knowing if the decision you made is the right one and whether or not it’ll turn around and bite you in the ass one day. But I’ll learn! Who knows, I may just dish it out and write a big, long post about it!

 

-Sarah

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Finding What Motivates You

June 10th, 2009
The more I thought about writing this post, the more I thought about how hypocritical I could come off. Everyone has their days, right? The hangover hell hole feeling when you’re at work after what was a fun night of partying. Or “the case of the mondays” that seem to stretch throughout the whole week. Or how about just have a crappy day and just being totally unmotivated?
 
Yah, I have those days time to time, but especially as a student and an intern - regardless of what company or school - I feel like you have to take advantage of every opportunity and if none are presented to you, then you need to create your own.
 
For example, as a server, it’s so important to help each other out. Whether it’s doing your part to keep your section of the restaurant clean or help out a co-worker who is in the ”weeds” (meaning that they’re drowning in stuff to do for all their tables and they can’t handle it on their own).  This is mostly what made me write this entry. Working at the restaurant in California is totally different than it is back home. From the guest to the people I work with, it all took a few days getting use to. The only thing left is getting use to holding up all the dead weight that’s there. There’s a few servers who can be held accountable for actually doing their job, but it’s like all the others just want to half-ass it, make THEIR money and peace out. They complain when glasses haven’t been restocked or when they can’t find something else they may need BUT YET,THEY DO NOTHING ABOUT IT! And then when you call them out, they make some lame excuse. So it’s up to you to make sure things get done.
 
1. Inability to put forth the effort to complete any task.
No one likes a slacker.

 

Funny thing is, I use to be that person. I use to be the person that didn’t care and was super selfish. I had an excuse for anything and everything. Then I grew up. Kind of. Still a work in progress, but with the help of setting goals and being really passionate about something has really helped. I’m learning to apply that in other aspects of my life too. I guess it’s finding what motivates you. For some, it’s money. Others, making Mom & Dad proud. For me, it’s a mix of not dissapointing people, learning and being proud of myself & my work.

 

So, whatever you do- do it with pride as it’s a representation of who you are. When you mess up, buck up and accept it. Then learn from it and make sure you kick ass at it next time!

 
I’m interested to know what motivates you?
 
-Sarah 

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Wait…What Did I Do Again?

May 24th, 2009

I picked up, what I think to be, a good habit of keeping tabs on everything I need to remember by wrtiting it down. Books I’d like to read, things I need to get at store or what brought me to write this entry- to remind myself of what I did or am doing at my internship. When I was updating my resume earlier this year, I heard it all about how you need to “quantify” your resume and explain how YOU made a difference or helped out in the end. I believe I had no problem doing either of those things, except when it came to the part of what trying to remember what I actually did! It had been awhile since I updated my resume and it seemed like everything I did and learn were running together. That’s why I decided to apply my serious case of note-taking to my current internship at Chiat.

 

How I keep tabs on my tasks

How I keep tabs on my tasks

 

The actual book/journal was part of the gift bag that was given to the 2009 Orlando ADDYs attendees and the sticker you see on the front was the tag I recieved my first day. Call me dorky, but I was pretty stoked that my journal had some character from day one!

 

Just like keeping notes to keep my life in order, I like to keep notes to make sure I am on top of my responsibilities as an intern. It helps me keep the tasks at hand organized and is good to refer back to when I need to confirm that previous tasks were taken care of. 

 

After I’m assigned something to do, I like to take a highlighter and beneath the task, write a quick sentence of what I’m doing and how it’s helping the agency. I carry it with me wherever I go while I am working and espeically when I’m speaking with a supervisor so I can write out any tasks that could be given to me.

 
Now, I’m sure there are a lot of people that do this already, but this is something I wish I would have known when I started doing internships. I’m really looking forward to going through the book when the summer is over to see how much I’ve learned and done.

 

 -Sarah

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The Intro Post: About Me

May 10th, 2009

Oh dear. Where to begin? Blog name? About me?

 

I decided to name my blog ‘Sarah’s Bella Vie’ because I am growing up and living what is a very beautiful life. My middle name is also Bella and there is no real reason behind “la vie” besides the fact that I liked how it sounded when you say it and it means ‘life’ in french. I could have went with “vida”, but like I said- no real thought process!

 

I am a twenty-one year old aspiring suit in the advertising industry. I decided to start blogging because I wanted to have something I could look back on to remind me of everything I am about to experience, to share some of my random thoughts and word vomit with the world and to update close friends and family on what I am up to. Which leads me to my recent, not permanent move.

 

Marley & I in the backyard
Marley & I in the backyard

Marley, my dog, & I moved out to Los Angeles, CA for the summer just over a week ago because I got an amazing internship opportunity as an account management intern at TBWAChiatDay. I don’t think it could have come at a better time since I am Florida native and have never lived anywhere else. I feel like this is the change I have been dying to have in a long time. I know it has only been a week and I have two-and-a-half months to go, but I absolutely love it out here! I am still in shock as to how perfectly this move fell into place. I am walking distance to my internship, had a job secured well before I even made it out here and thanks to a co-worker at my previous internship in Orlando- I have made friends with some truly amazing and driven individuals.

 

I fell in love with account management and advertising thanks to a woman named Michelle Cooper. It was the summer after my high school graduation and I was with a friend watching his little sister’s lacrosse game. We were sitting next to the parents’ and of course the “What do you want to do the rest of your life” conversation came up. I was telling them how I was interested in Marketing or something in Business and that I was going to look more into when I started at the University of Central Florida. Well, lucky for me, Michelle is an UCF alumn who got her degree in Advertising/Public Relations. She shared some brief stories with me and suggested I swing by her office to talk a little more indepth about the industry and the program at UCF. She was the woman who sparked the fire under my toosh.

 

After that, I did whatever I could do to learn more about both sides of the major to pin point what I wanted to pursue. When I became involved in Quotes, the Ad/PR club @ UCF & Ad 2 Orlando I felt incredibly confident that I wanted to do something in advertising. I started doing a few internships and building my network which has all helped lead me to where I am at now. I think it’s safe to say that I have no complaints!

 

So, that’s me in a 550 word nutshell! Stick around if you’d like!  

-Sarah

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Posted in Advertising, Intern, Introduction, Life, Moving | No Comments »