Black Tie Lounge

Tomorrow is the day that I walk across the stage to receive a Masters in Communication. For those of you contemplating on whether or not to go to graduate school, you definitely want to give it the same amount of thought you would give a decision to take on a new job, a family, or move to another area. Needless to say even though it is a serious matter, it has worked out for my good in the most ridiculous ways. I'm coming out of this program better connected, with more confidence, and deeper insight into what I do and do not want. My passion for PR has been confirmed, my desire to start a business and meet the needs of the community are even more ablaze. I'm ready, even for the unexpected. I did not get to express all my final thoughts in Josh's video but I am going to miss everyone. I've been so blessed to meet the people that I have and to have worked with everyone I have. I have been put in contact with people I never would have imagined I could cross paths with. I h...

This morning I turned in the last paper of my career as a Masters student. I don't know how I feel right now. I'm experiencing a mix of relief, anticipation, excitement, ease, and overall wonder for what is in my path for the next few months. A few days have really altered the course of my perspective on graduating. I got some pretty rough news about the passing of a close family member. Luckily through no strength on my own I pulled it together to finish my last paper. The only thing this changes, well not the only thing but a few of many is that I may not be able to hang with the grad students like I expected. No showing my tail this week, my family needs me and I them. I'm collecting the money that was raised for the trip. I feel a bit anxious about leaving when there are so many things going on back home. I'm a very weird spot right now. This is probably the realest I've ever been on my blog but what else is a lounge if u can't do just that. Current events: ...

I forgot to mention that I passed my comprehensive exams!! With much prayer and support from others I got through it and I peformed. I was confident but you know how you got into something and never know exactly what is going to happen when you come out. I proved that I knew my stuff. My only discouragement was that my answers were not long enough or complete enough. I was given 4 questions each one an hour each. I had all my sources, but I packed so much into my answers that just to type out my responses took about 45 minutes alone. I was told that my responses should have been 5 - 8 pages long. Each of them was 4 pages max. So, I felt discouraged. I am proud that one of my committee members added a piece to a question on material I was unfamiliar with and was not previously exposed to. Even still, I worked the answers out. I saw my advisor the week before I got an official response and he told me as far as he was concerned I passed. This meant a lot because even though he is younger ...

I'm going through one of those periods where I have to cut myself off from a lot so that I can prepare for the biggest exam I've ever taken. What do you do when you are in a profession where you have to be creative and you can't come up with any ideas? Any suggestions. I think in the past week I've been satisfied with myself because I have said NO and been unapologetic for it. What do you do when everyone and everything wants to be your priority. I'm all for helping but dang, people pick the worst times to call in me at times. I really wonder how this is going to work once I start working. I am well aware of the demand and pressure that communication professionals face on the day to day. It excites me because I like to work on different things at once. I don't think I can function just doing one task without having other things to revert to. With that said, a lot of things and people have pulled on me lately and I just had to say NO. Not the polite no but the I...