Journey to A+ Success: Tip #1

Hey! Looks like you have decided to come along with me on the Journey to A+ Success! Welcome! Just a short disclaimer: be ready for some tips and tricks that I will be practicing over the course of my semester. There will be some trial and error, some frustrations, maybe tears (those can or can't be promised), but overall I'm praying and striving for a great semester where I have redeemed myself from a not so stellar last semester.

My first tip is more like a personal vow to myself: Buy a Planner & Stick to Using It!

Most schools hand out planners each year (especially to freshmen). My advice is to do search for a planner that best suits your personal style and taste. Because if you truly like it then you will pull it out and use it! I chose a really vibrant medium size planner VERA BRADLEY STUDENT AGENDA $18. I asked for it for Christmas! I really like the print and the size is perfect to fit in both my backpack and a tote bag. For some this might not be your style. Find a cool color and also choose a size that works for your lifestyle. A mini planner that fits in your pocket might better suit or a full size planner that measures the size of a sheet of paper. Whichever just make sure you adore it because it's going to be your friend this semester. Open it daily. Take it out at the start of class along with your textbook, pen, paper, etc,.

While on this mini shopping trip here's a few more items to pick up for your planner:

•  Colored pens (I'm taking 4 classes so I want to write assignments, deadlines, extra credit for each class with it's assigned color. I went the less creative, blue, red, green, purple and any other items that don't fall into those classes can be written in black, pink, and orange)
•  Highlighter (one or two colors are only needed; I use these as a last chance reminder of tasks that MUST be done soon that have been put off)

Now for me I like writing stuff down, but with it being 2014 and all, there's an app for that right? So I'm going to search around for a few apps over the first few weeks of my semester and see which I recommend. I've used one before and preferred paper/pen but hey if I find the right one maybe I will conform.

I'm so excited and pumped to apply the tips I will be sharing with y'all to my success this semester!


The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

                                                                          Psalm 138:8 ESV

On The Road to Redemption: Bouncing Back from a Not So Stellar Semester

Nothing like a new year to revitalize the motivation and drive for all A's this semester. Grades were less than awesome for me last semester, and now I am on a mission to redeem myself. I mean it's one thing to say "I'm shooting for all A's" at the start of each semester only to get halfway through and shape my thinking to "heck, if I pass I'll be okay!". I have let senioritis get the better of me, but not anymore! This semester I'm not just shooting, I am AIMING and having aim is much more accurate than idly shooting.

Let's flashback in time to me as a freshman: fresh-faced, overly ambitious, and on the Dean's List most importantly. What helped me stay so focused? I received the extra push with the help of some advice books.  I picked up again HOW TO WIN AT COLLEGE: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country's Top Students by Cal Newport over the course of  winter break. It's an easy read with less than 200 pages containing 75 tips from top performing students all over the country! As I read the book again, like the back cover states, there were some surprising tips like: don't do all your reading and drop classes every term. Now don't let these two pointers keep you from checking this book out; like with any advice book, everything does not have to be taken wholeheartedly and is circumstantial. Over the course of the spring semester I will be putting some of these tips to the test  on my journey to A+ success (I think this is the makings of a mini series: Journey to A+ Success).
Disclaimer: Don't let my trial and error approach to tips I have deemed beneficial substitute checking the book out for yourself! There are tips that I will overlook that you find valuable that I overlook. On the other hand I also hope that my testing encourages others to change their old patterns by  practicing a new tip or two I am trying.

Won't you come along on this journey with me this semester to prove to myself that I can aim and hit the target of A+ success in school?

And if anyone has any awesome tips, advice, or stories feel free to comment below. I am always open to new ideas for studying!



May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
                                                                                                                  Psalm 20: 4-5

Go See The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Form Your Own Opinion)

I have been inspired to write again after a 3 month hiatus. I convinced my mother to go see Ben Stiller play a serious role! That's impressive people, round of applause please. Anyway today I saw the Secret Life of Walter Mitty and I have mixed reactions to this movie. Usually I'm more into action or thriller type movies but seeing commercials for this movie touched a special part of my heart. Is it sad that I saw a bit of myself in the character, Walter? There sparked a fear of growing older and living a life of mediocrity. Ok that word is a little harsh, more like complacency or unfulfilled. Walter loves his job; he lives for his job and goes through the motions of everyday life. Is it scary to think my life could be the same? Do others have that fear too?

I sympathized with, related to, and and yet loathed Ben Stiller's character in the movie. I felt sympathy for his contentment in life and his father passing. I related to the part of him that realized he wanted something different for his life and went for it. But I realized that the whole adventure in this movie was because he wanted to spark the attention of a woman! It was in that aspect of the movie that I loathed him.

Where is the person that decides they want to make a change in their life for themselves? I know I am not the only person that wants to see themselves as a particular character they are watching on the big screen. Some want to be Katniss (Hunger Games) other see themselves as young Simba in the Lion King. Whatever the character, relating is inevitable and maybe a piece of you aspires to have their characteristics: courage, spontaneity, passion etc,.

 I realize that technically he did want a change in his life, he was lonely and wanted to share his life with someone else. I guess what I am getting at is this movie did not break past the surface. The go-getter message conveyed merely stepped out of the kiddie pool and lurked in the shallow end of the big pool. I think a better story would have been if Walter discovered (or really re-discovered) himself for himself, not for the approval of the opposite sex. Finding yourself seems to be a theme that is missing in the cinematic world. Instead the ultimate goal is a happy ending with significant other. Now this is not going to turn into some rant about feminist views, all that is being stated is where is that strong individual at the end, not necessarily a power couple?

My next step is to read the short story written by James Thurber and go from there. I did enjoy the movie and would encourage others to go see it for themselves to form an opinion about it. This film so eagerly wanted to encourage a strong message ("To see things thousands of miles away, things hidden behind walls and within rooms, things dangerous to come to, to draw closer, to see and be amazed"), it scratched the surface with good intentions, but somehow lacked depth.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MOVIE??????

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 
                                                                                      Philippians 4 6-7

DAPPER DAY!

This weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios, hundreds of sophisticated dressed ladies and gents filled the park for Dapper Day! I have been looking forward to this event since September of last year when I first found out about the event. The participants are still small in number, but as the number of park goers and the media for the event increased soon the park will be outnumbered during this bi-yearly event.

My roommates, Hanna, Jordan, and I have been nonstop excited about Dapper Day, that it was probably sickening! Finally Saturday had arrived but the day was not so smooth sailing as expected. I had an online test to take; 2 hour exam with 100 questions. Talk about putting a damper on things. Hanna had been expecting her petticoat for her dress to come in the mail all week and was resorting to shelling out money for a last minute substitute that would have been super plain. Luckily the package came in RIGHT before she was heading out to the store! Great luck right? A quick drugstore run for false eyelashes and we were in business for preparation for the evening!

We didn't get to the park in time to get in the picture with everyone at The Great Movie Ride, but we took some awesome pictures and even were snapped a few times by guests. One guy even approached us and asked for us to pose for a picture. We felt like celebrities. People staring and taking pictures of us as we enjoyed our evening at Hollywood Studios. People would even come up to us and want to know "what the heck was going on with all these beautiful people dressed up".

The best part of it all was passing other groups of people dressed up and acknowledging each other with a warm "HAPPY DAPPER DAY". Even some of the cast members knew what was going on and greeted us with the same welcome.

Ending the park experience by watching Fantasmic, next we headed over to Beach Club Resort for some much needed food. We were so excited about the night we had not eaten since breakfast!

 A few bumps in the road did not bring my spirits down Dapper Day; it was like the social event of the year for me! I am still on a high from the event and how stunning everyone who participated looked! I have a new adventure in the works, going to Disneyland Dapper Day next fall where the event originally started.

For more information about Dapper Day check out the website www.dapperday.com

Hanna retro updo

My roommates Jordan, Hanna and I on the tram outside Hollywood Studios

Shelby, Hanna, Jordan, and I posing near this vintage classic

Hollywood Tower of Terror

This was taken right after these ladies complimented me on my outfit! I had to get a picture with these dapper dolls!

Picture taken by Kanoe Lontayao 

Sarah and I

Ending Dapper Day events at Beach Club Resort for dinner

A photo-op in a foyer at Beach Club

Their recreation of the classic scene in Titantic

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program to Talk About DAPPER DAY!!

DAPPER DAY!!!!!!!!!

What you've never heard of it? It's only the greatest Disney event to hit Hollywood Studios since EVER! Actually my opinion is bias. Plus this event has only been going on for about 3 years. There might be greater things, but none of them include guests dressing to the nines and heading to the parks for an evening of retro magic.



Inspired by the original Disney park designer's illustrations, which often featured extremely well dressed guests enjoying the park, DAPPER DAY events celebrate the tradition of stepping out in style.
This is your chance to visit the parks while looking your best. All elegant fashions from vintage-inspired to contemporary chic are encouraged. (Taken from Dapperday.com)

I am SUPER excited for this event this weekend! More excited about this than Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and ALL the Christmas events put on at the Walt Disney World Parks! This is my kind of event, dressing up and going out (and it's NOT to a club! Bleh!).

Here's a video that features the creator of this event, Justin, and looks at some snazzy looking folks!

And just for fun here is a video from DAPPER DAY-Walt Disney World February 24, 2013

Uncertainty: Unclear of my decisions

Today officially marks week 5 of my Disney College Program. I am comfortable in my role at work, accustomed to co-workers and leaders, and pretty much figured out the bus system to my favor.

I should more excited about my experience than I feel. Constantly lingering in the back of my mind is the question "should I have come back?". Trust me it's not a good feeling to have, questioning my decision. Never have a made a decision so big that I felt was possibly a mistake. In the past, every decision I have made has been a learning experience. Being back here though I feel is not a learning experience but instead is not the place I should be right now. 

There has not been anything bad about my program: great job, leaders, and roommates. But have you ever felt God was this God's plan and timing or my own? Decision making about the future could be playing a lot into my reasoning. With graduation inching closer upon me, I wish I knew my next step in life, where I want to live, whether or not to go to grad school, career paths. These thoughts make my heart grow heavy. I hate to think my heavy heart is keeping me from truly enjoying all Disney has to over. 

This is sort of a different kind of post than I normally share. I feel that I should express concerns I have in life and that my life isn't all pixie dust and grand adventures. My life is not perfect and it definitely is not figured out! I will continue to seek God's help in my journey and ask that anyone reading this pray for direction for me. 

For anyone unsure of their decisions loke me there is a scripture that continues to speak to me:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT)

The Power of Music: Rock The Universe

It was that time of the year again: Christian Concert Series at the two biggest theme parks in Orlando, Disney World and Universal Studios. During the same weekend in September both parks host a 2 day concert event featuring some of the top artists in Christian music. The downside is having to choose which one to go to, Night of Joy at Disney or Rock the Universe at Universal.

I choose to attend Rock the Universe with one of my roommates, Aubry on Saturday. Originally I was going to attend Night of Joy on Friday, but I forgot to buy a discounted ticket plus I didn't have anyone to accompany me. Things worked out for the best because Rock the Universe was excellent!!!

I had heard stories about how cast members despise working the events: basically tons of church groups kids away from their parents for the night. You do the math. Attending and observing guests I could understand where cast members could feel little pleasure in working the event due to the amount of unchaperoned teenagers being let loose. 

Overall though I felt like everyone was just having a great time! How many people can say they rode rides while their favorite artist played tunes on the stage below? 

There were so many great artists performing it was hard to pick who to see! Saturday night performers included: Red, Lecrae, Jesus Culture, Casting Crowns, Reliant K, Dara Macclean, OBB, Love to Outcome, and Crave. We decided to pick our favorite artist and see each perform. I picked Dara Maclean and my roommate picked Reliant K. The best part was getting to meet them and get autographs and pictures! Dara Maclean is such a sweet and down to earth woman of Christ. Her performance was so soulful and spirited! My roommate became a fan that night! Reliant K was awesome too even though we were so far back from the stage. I definitely knew some of their older songs. 

I think the most cherished and beautiful moments of the night was small but touching to my heart. As we were walking through the crowds to get to the Reliant K stage we pasted Jesus Culture performing. The hundreds of people watching the concert as well as the moving crowd passing through were singing along to One Thing Remains. Imagine as you're walking among hundreds of believers in Christ singing "Your love never fails and never gives up and never runs out on me" at a theme park in unison!! I loved it! 

The night was completely magical because through the power of music, The power of Christ filling the theme parks this weekend! I would love to go back again in the years to come

My roommate Aubry and I outside Universal Studios Orlando

Rock the Universe Banner

Aubry gets the autograph of lead singer Matt Thiessen of the band RELIENT K before their show

We met singer Dara McClean after her performance (such a beautiful sweet woman of God)

How's Disney?

If my lack of blogging could be an indicator of how life back at Disney World is then voilà! I never have time to inform about my experience here, which is quite tragic. The pace has definitely slowed down from my summer in New York City. Actually I think living in Orlando requires tons of patience: buses, monorails, traffic, 5 roommates, Disney guests......it all forces you to be patient and wait. I am okay with the lifestyle change too.

I moved into Disney housing on August 12 so I have been here a little over 3 weeks. Certainly feels much longer since I am accustomed to both my work location and to the area from my previous program. Speaking of work, I am sure you're dying to know what the heck I am doing this time around. I work at Walt Disney World's flagship resort The Grand Floridian as a hostess for the Perfectly Princess Tea Party and afternoon tea. It is a very small operation but I enjoy the slow pace of the location compared to the chaos of the theme parks. Can I just say that God has blessed me with such a wonderful location that has great hours. With taking 12 hours online this semester I needed a schedule that was pretty set. My location is  only open 10:30am-5pm! Talk about a princess shift.

When I first came back to Disney I will admit I wasn't sure what to expect about my second program; I was feeling uncertain about whether coming back was a good idea. My roommate shared with me how she felt it was perfect it timing God's perfect timing bringing her to Orlando at this time. Unfortunately, that was not the same feeling I had. Questions lingered for about the first week and a half about if this was God's place for me. I did not start working until a week after I had arrived, and that also made me a bit anxious about what to expect about the outcome of my College Program. Honestly, it does not feel awesome questioning your decisions, and I knew praying about uncertainty would help me make a decision. I cannot believe the slight possibility of leaving so soon crossed my mind because of my uncertainty of my timing here. Being back here is like God's strengthening me I believe. I am forced to balance classes, work, faith, friends, and playing around Orlando, and I like the idea of the challenge.

Can I stop for a second and mention my roommates. I live with 5 other girls in a 3 bedroom apartment. Calm down people, I can hear your gasps! I absolutely adore my roommates, and living with these girls is such a joy! We share a faith of The Lord and I love how open we are about Christ and The Word. How many people can say they have devotional with their roommates? Our strong faith helps us bond as sisters of Christ and it is a beautiful thing.

Now that I have been working 2 weeks I am comfortable about being back here and I enjoy working at the most elegant resort on Disney property. The best part of my day is getting to here the big band play swinging music between 3-6pm while I am working afternoon tea.

More exciting experiences are here to come! Here's some pics of the first few weeks!

At the Woody's Round Up Welcome Party

Not the best batch of pancakes at our pancake party

Blending of 2 apartments for an awesome PJ Pancake Party

Hanna and I right after riding Pirates of the Carribean. Arrrgh!

Garden View Tea Room (my work location)

Night time at Grand Floridian's Garden View Tea Room

Walking down Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom

Dancing with Bolt in Tomorrowland

Space Mountain

Monsters University Welcome Party at Chatham Square 

Jordan in her Port Orleans Resort Quick Service Costume

Aubry in her Beach Club Resort Quick Service costume

Delisia and I in front of Cinderella's castle, Magic Kingdom

Rainy day at The Commons pool

Gabby and I spending our day off at Blizzard Beach Waterpark

Visited Kayla at work at Blizzard Beach

Right before the rain clouds came at Blizzard Beach

Punk: Chaos to Couture

I promise to do an extended holiday post, but today was such a special day I had to share! Over a year later, but I finally made it back inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the largest art museum in the United States to be exact) today. Jessica and I ventured out to the Upper East Side this afternoon towards 81st and 5th Ave. It was her first time visiting but none of the other exhibitions seemed as important as a special one, Punk: Chaos to Couture, that "examines punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today" (excerpt taken from MET website). We were excited to see this fashion exhibit! I have not been to tons of fashion exhibitons but this has to be one of my favorites. Although the top prize for best fashion exhibits hands down goes to The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk from 2012 shown at The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) & The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). Anyways, I loved how it blended both punk style of the US (circa 1975) and London (circa 1976). There were over 100 pieces including many from the infamous duo of London's SEX 430 King's Road boutique, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren. Other designers featured included Alexander McQueen,  Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren (Viktor & Rolf),  House of Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Hussein Chalayan, and Burberry to name a few. 

Basically the exhibit is about the punk rock movement being more than leather and torn cloths; it was the self expression through clothing to make a social statement using unconventional methods like D-I-Y, recycled and reused materials, and of course, studs and spikes. In my opinion, the outfits mirrors some of the styles that have been recurring the past few seasons such as the studs and spikes and leather moto jackets. This year has seen a huge resurgence of the choice punk footwear, the Doc Marten boot.

Unfortunately I was not allowed to take photos inside this part of the museum, but I got a few photos online to give a glimpse of the awesome punk fashion. ALSO for those wanting a guided tour with narration by Andrew Bolton, curator of The Costume Institute  the video is at the bottom. It is quite interesting even after I walked through. I do not own any of these photos. 

Kyla's Internship Search Tips

It's 2013 and internships seem like the only way to even come close to landing a career after college. People have been asking me how can they get an internship, since I have done two. So finally I have decided to give some tips that would be helpful.

Here are a few tips from a novice internship finder such as myself that can help you land your first or your fourteenth internship:

1.  You Gotta Have an Internship to Get an Internship: This is kinda like the whole you gotta have work experience to land a job sort of theory that most teenagers have faced when trying to land that very first job. These days nobody wants to hire candidates that do not have experience, and in the internship world, this is no exception. If your dream internship is to work for Cosmopolitan Magazine, I recommend seeking your first internship at a local newspaper/magazine company. By all means I am not suggesting aiming low, but through experience I know big companies tend to pick candidates with lengthy resumes. The goal is to build up your resume to have the best chance possible of landing your dream  internship. Also, working for your school's journalism department, helping with the school's newspaper, and joining an organization or club for journalism are all great additions to helping land that internship. Any kind of internship experience is beneficial. If I had never participated in the Disney College Program (DCP), I do not think I would be interning this summer in New York. Disney did not necessarily correlate with Corporate Buying, but skills learned through the DCP are transferrable to other areas in business. If you are a nursing major, go ahead and apply for that summer internship at a local PR firm. There are skills you will learn there that can help you in the long run, as well as build your resume. 
2. Have an Expert Look Over Your Resume: I have had my resume looked at my at least 6 different people. Do not just let anyone look at it though. Your stay-at-home mother may not be the best person to ask resume advice to, unless she worked in HR. Get as many professionals to look over it and give you suggestions. You can never be given TOO much advice from people. Be prepared for each person to give their own opinion about it though. One person will tell you to change the entire layout of your resume, while another will let you to change it again. Be open to suggestions but overall find a style or two that you feel showcases your greatest talents foremost. If you have more relatable work experience to the internship you are seeking have that information closer to the top. If you have had a lot of unrelatable jobs (such as waiter or sale associate) and are seeking an internship in a field unrelated (such as Marketing) have your skills experience before work experience so recruiters read about your involvement in your school's Marketing Club for example. 
3. Use Internship Search Engines: There are tons of websites out there that companies list their internships openings to. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
1. http://www.internshipking.com/
2. http://www.internmatch.com/internships
3. SCHOOL'S CAREER SITE
4. Don't JUST use the internet: You limit yourself when you only apply to internships online. A lot of smaller companies may not even know they need an intern. That is where you come in! Cold call a few companies to check and see if they are willing to take in an intern. PLUS if you mention you are willing to do work for free, you increase your chance of gaining experience. You never know until you ask.
5. Job Shadow: If you cannot intern for a company at least ask to maybe shadow someone in a field you are interested in for a day or two. If you play the "student" card, it's the perfect reason too! My sophomore year I shadowed a department manager at Neiman Marcus for a day and even got to contribute to the effort during an in store jewelry trunk show for David Yurman. Let's just say there were live models, music, and expensive jewelry. Job shadowing is the perfect way to live like an employee for a day without either parties committing to a long term agreement.
6. Pick up a copy of Lauren Berger's book!! I read this book from the InternQueen herself, which I HIGHLY recommend anyone searching for internships should buy. It is called ALL WORK, NO PAY: Finding the Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience. It is an extremely easy read and it is not even 200 pages long. She does a great job breaking down topics and highlights the main points at the end of the each chapter. I would say she is an expert in getting internship expert because over the course of her undergraduate studying she had 15 internships! Here is the link to purchase from Amazon:      
   http://www.amazon.com/All-Work-Pay-Internship-Connections/dp/1607741687/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370997658&sr=8-1&keywords=all+work+no+pay
7. Prayer: Asking God to lead you in the right direction should really be the first step, but I placed it last because it is the most important. He can help you find your way, and He will open doors for you unimaginable if you were go through the internship search by yourself. So by putting your faith in Him can make your internship wishes a reality. 

Searching for an internship takes work people. If you do not put in the effort to make yourself stand out from other candidates, then point blank you do not want an internship bad enough. It seems harsh, but it is the truth. Big companies hire interns who are the cream of the crop, why would you not want to be in that top spot?

If you have any specific questions leave a message in the comments, I am more than happy to help!!

As an Intern: Week 4 Recap

Week 4 of my internship has come to an end. Before I know it I will be packing my bags and heading back to Texas. Thinking about it is bittersweet. I have great appreciation for my state being in New York, the southern hospitality unparalleled, air condition everywhere, and the space! There are things about New York that I love too! I love walking the streets among hundreds of different types of people. The term cookie cutter does not exist here and I love it. Never have I drank Starbucks as much as I do here, and I am not even ashamed about it....not too much. I am going to miss Central Park! I need to get out there a few more times before.

The entire shoe buying team headed to Miami for SMOTA Shoe Trade Show last week, without me, unfortunately. On the plus side it was the perfect time to be independent and hold myself accountable for office tasks I was given throughout the week. I was given  My buyer set me up to shadow with buyers from other departments too. On Monday and Wednesday I worked with the womens lingerie and socks buyers.On Tuesday and Thursday I was with the newborn and kids pajama buyer. The two worlds were so different than going out and buying shoes. My experience with the clothing aspects were quite similar. Over the course of the four days I went to a womens sock vendor, a little girls panties/bras vendor, and two newborn onesies vendors. Little kids clothing is just so cute and colorful. It was cool to notice similar trend patterns between the clothing and shoes for kids. I also got to share my opinion during appointments about some of the shoe trends we are noticing (sorry folks the trends are classified information be on the lookout for fall in stores).

Friday was a new experience altogether. My team did not come to work that day since their delayed flight did not make it back until the wee hours of the morning and I do not blame them for not coming in. My buyer gave me the task of doing shoe markdowns. I felt so empowered given this responsibility to perform all by myself. 2.5 hours and over 250 markdowns later it was finished and I was off to my lunchbreak. I frequent this self serve place called Cafe Bistro on 34th because they have so many types of foods to choose from. And for a flat rate of 6.99 a lb you can get as much or as little food in a container as you want. Their vast selection of fresh fruits and salads is what I crave. They also have tons of drink options including about 5 different brands of ginger ale, my go to soda when i drink it!

My afternoon task: go out into the city and go window shopping at some of our competitors. I felt like my buyer had placed alot of trust in me to send me out solo for this task. The afternoon was awfully hot as I walked the streets of Manhattan. Luckily Starbucks was having a special, 1/2 price Refreshers from 3-5pm. Since there are over 70 Starbucks in the city I had no trouble finding out and quenching my thirst. I made my rounds in Burlington Coat Factory, Aldo Shoes, Steven Madden, and GEOX before calling it a day. My next task was to use my notes and pictures to create a small presentation for my buyer. I will let you know how that goes when we discuss it on Wednesday.

Everyday I am learning something new about the job or the city in general. Well overall as the weeks go by in my internship and I get more accumulated, I am loving being an intern for Ross more and more. Until next time. Peace!

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 
                                                           Proverb 3: 13-14

Intern Recap Week 3

So I just finished my third week of my internship. Time is really passing by fast! It is a little sad. I want to do so much during my time in the city. One of the drawbacks I face here is coming home after work and being exhausted. It is not a physical exhaustion, instead I am mentally exhausted. In between, meeting new people each day, going to vendor appointments all around the city, and the tons of new information I am learning about reports, trends, and vendor personalities I feel like I am going 1000 miles an hour. I will say I appreciate NEVER having a dull moment on the job. There are interns working for other companies that count the minutes until the end of the day and are bored, but for me I do not face that dilemma at all. Instead I am trying to figure out how to get everything accomplished before the end of the day. Time seems to fly by so fast that I blink and it is lunchtime. I blink again and it is already 4pm and I am in crunch mode to finish running and formatting reports that I have not finished in the morning before getting away from my desk.

 I attended a shoe vendor show in New Jersey Monday morning, and as GLAMOROUS as it may sound, it was exhausting. Yes do not get me wrong looking at shoes is never a bad thing, but I have been going to see shoes for three weeks and the styles get old. There are only so many ways to style a mens loafer or a girls combat boot. I have caught on to the lingo of the shoe business "there is nothing fresh". Anyways that day was long, and I couldn't wait to get back to the city and back to my apartment. The following day came a change to my routine, which was very much needed. I went to market with another buyer. I got to experience the world of clothes buying while accompanying the little girls clothing buyer. We went to three appointments, one for leggings, dresses, and denim shorts. What I took away from that day was that clothing vendors are totally different than shoe vendors. Whether of not the vendors we met were a good representation of clothing vendors, it is too soon to tell, but I found they were refreshing to the shoe vendors I usually encounter. Every side of the business is so different, and I learned that. Maybe I have found my calling, kids clothing!

Finally after three weeks, I am starting to get the hang of how to be of help to the buyer. With the assistant buyer on vacation the latter half of the week, I was forced to step up to the plate and perform tasks she normally does. My buyer expressed to me how impressed she was with my fast learning, and it made me finally feel like I was apart of the team. I ended Friday being proud of myself for a job well done.

I will be sure to blog about my weekend affairs soon, including pics!

Island in the Sun: Hawaii

I just got home from a week in Paradise, a place my friends Nicole and Courtney call home, the island of Oahu. It was a Disney reunion of not seeing my friends for a year. The girls showed me their island and I must say God gave this place great beauty and wonder.

To start I want to mention how I came to the island with no expectations. My eyes were wide open to all aspects of the state of Hawaii. The common question I received from people was how expensive it was, but I had the help of my friends who knew how to have an amazing time while not breaking the bank. We did tons of sight seeing without spending crazy money. We checked out Pearl Harbour and Dole Plantation, we hiked Pillboxes, experienced great weather at Pali Lookout, and of course spent plenty of time at the abundance of beaches. I went to five in total!  The most expensive activity we did was the luau at Paradise Cove for $65, which was pretty reasonable because there are other shows that can be almost $200 a ticket! Maybe when I make my marvelous six figure salary working in corporate America, but for now this college student is ALL about a great deal.

Originally I was going to blog each day about our adventures, but by the end of each day I was completely and utterly exhausted. So instead I will highlight the moments that truly made our Disney reunion special!

1. THE REUNION: Seeing my friends after leaving the Disney College Program last year was magic. We told each other we were going to see each other again and after months of planning it happened. Seeing them was surreal and yet it was like we had just seen each other a week or so ago. It could not have been a year since we left Florida! I also reconnected with a old tennis mate from high school. We had come to the conclusion that we had not seen each other in over six years because we both moved away from the school. Of all places and people to meet again it was Jeremy and me!
2. Staying at Ko Olina Marriott Beach Club: I am so glad we decided to stay near the city of Kapolei over Waikiki Beach. The entire Ko Olina area was majestic and hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki and Honolulu's hecticness. The hotel was a paradise in itself. It was also on the same street as Disney's Aulani Resort. (In my opinion Marriott Beach Club was nicer than Aulani especially for people without small children: nicer beach area and better hotel room). 
3. Leonard Jrs Hot Malasadas: Portuguese originated heaven!! I ate them like water!
4. Driving to North Shore: You leave the city and drive through the mountains into the countryside. No buildings no traffic lights just the open road (and a slower speed limit than the mainland that's for sure!) Being at North Shore was where I felt like I was living like a local. 
5. Jumping off a 30 foot rock at Waimea Bay: If it were not for my friend Alika, I would not have had the courage to jump off not once BUT TWICE! I just learned how to swim about two months ago and my biggest fear was not the jumping off the rock but the water below. I overcame the fear with his help and I feel I can conquer the world, literally! 
6. True Aloha Spirit: Courtney and Nicole's family and friends welcomed me with open arms and an Aloha spirit. They let me into their homes and into their lives and I am truly grateful because they have forever made a lasting impression about what Aloha spirit is! Both ladies parents showed my such generosity and I gained so much knowledge about the culture of the island and the people that call it home. Also their friends I met, both Laurens, Tiffany, Nick, and Danielle, Dylan, and Chris, the sweetest group of friends! The way you guys look out for each other, to say you guys are friends is an understatement. You guys are a beautiful blending of cultures, Ohana! And you took me in as part of it. I loved it! I even left the island with a nickname, Professa! 
7. Food: I was NEVER hungry during my trip. From Red Velvet Macadamia Nut Pancakes at Cinnamon in Kailua to Pork Hash from 7-Eleven to Acai Berry Bowl in North Shore, there was always delicious food around every corner.
8. BEACHES: How could I not fail to mention the beautiful beaches of Oahu! I visited 5 in total, with my favorite being Waimea Bay. I also visited Ala Moana Beach, Ko Olina Beach, Lanikai Beach, and Waikiki Beach. 
9. Windows down, cool breeze blowing, blasting our favorite tunes! There is something about singing aloud with your friends to a song on the radio. Spotify is like God's gift of music with the abundance of songs at our fingertips. There were moments in the car that stuck out to me the most: singing along to Island in the Sun-Weezer as we drove home from North Shore and the night drive from Waikiki  while we did a quartet to Buffalo Solider-Bob Marley. 
• Speaking of music, Nicole+Me+Bag of Godiva Chocolate=Pure Madness!! We were on a sugar high for Christ that Sunday night! We walked around Waikiki Strip singing Christian songs like the Holy Spirit himself! We did our best renditions of songs from Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, and many more!! That was a great moment in itself.

I left my friends Nicole and Courtney on Monday night, along with their friends and family and their paradise called home. It was not until I got to the airport that I felt emotional about the departure. In the end though we know this is not goodbye, but instead, in the words of Mickey Mouse, See Ya Real Soon!

Now the moment you have all been waiting for....PICTURES!!