Just before Thanksgiving I was offered a job in Marketing with the Athletic Department at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. This offer was contingent on my acceptance into their graduate program. Of course I was so happy about the job offer, but still so nervous about getting into grad school. I obviously told my family everything but that was it. My friends and extended family had no idea about the offer until I finally was accepted about 2 weeks before Christmas. They knew I was applying to schools and looking for positions to work in College Athletics, but they (and I) didn't expect it to happen so quickly.
Quickly is a relative term. I've been working with Athletic Development at Rutgers for a few years, and have volunteered at events such as the SEC Media Days and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl Kick-off Game in order to network, make connections and gain experience.
I say quickly because this particular position happened quickly. I applied, was offered the job, applied to the graduate school and got accepted all within 4 weeks. And then planned a move within the next 3 weeks mixed in the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years. It was a whirlwind of joyous Christmas celebrations and tearful "See You Later"s!
My wonderful family threw me a "Going Away Party" with all of my closest friends and family! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people love and support me as I follow my dreams (about 1,300 miles away)!
My mom, dad, and sisters drove down to Louisiana with me! We took my car and a U-Haul on the 20-hour drive from Pennsylvania to Louisiana. We left around 4 o'clock on Saturday (1/4) morning and drove until we stopped for lunch in East Tennessee. We then continued to Chattanooga where we stopped at Rock City. Rock City is a spot on Look Out Mountain where you can (apparently) see seven states from the one spot. There's nothing to differentiate the states, so I guess we all just have to take their word for it. It was pretty cool though, and the views were great. (Of course I don't have any pics of this cause my mom took them on her camera..)
We then continued until we got to Birmingham, Alabama where we stopped in time to watch the Eagles lose to the Saints :( We spent the night and got up to drive the last 5-6 hour leg in the morning before arriving in Louisiana and getting the key to my first apartment.
The next few days my family helped me move in and explore my new town of Monroe, Louisiana. Being big Duck Dynasty fans, we of course went over to Duck Commander and even saw Willie pulling into the shop. He ran into the shop really quick and we weren't able to get a picture, but we definitely saw him, which was pretty cool. I'm finding some new and fun places to eat which is exciting. And there's even a drive-thru daiquiri place right down the road from my apartment which is probably going to be dangerous!!!
I'm so excited to start classes and working today! Once my apartment is more put together and I'm completely done unpacking I will post pictures. :)
Does anyone have any suggestions for hiding wires without making wholes in the wall?
