Some Blissful Thinking

Makin’ changes! www.avery-johnson.com has a beautiful new...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:28:06 -0700

Makin’ changes! www.avery-johnson.com has a beautiful new look

Photo

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:45:01 -0700

www.avery-johnson.com

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:44:22 -0600

www.avery-johnson.com: It is official. I’ve moved! After much deliberation and design, Some...

Finished Product

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:29:50 -0600

The hard work is paying off! Today we officially launched the USD Admissions Blog that I have been...

The Beauty of Moby Dick

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:46:34 -0600

One of my classes this semester is proving to be a unique challenge. In my Melville and Hawthorne...

We have only scratched the surface of senior year, yet it...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:14:32 -0600

We have only scratched the surface of senior year, yet it already feels like we have been back forever. I am still transitioning into a work/Kappa/class/homework/SLEEP schedule so the blogging has been few and far between, so I will take a quick moment to update my September happenings. Even though my weeks are planned out to the minute, I have managed to avoid major breakdowns simply because I am spreading my time over activities I actually truly enjoy doing:

Planning the sisterhood retreat for Kappa and talking with our leadership consultant visiting this week recharged me for my last semester as VP Standards. Leaving a legacy is definitely a priority for me this year and I am so excited for all of the amazing events to come.
The USD Admissions blog is coming along as we continue to recruit student bloggers and finalize the WordPress site for its set launch on October 1st. We also have a video contest coming up and other exciting ways to show Future Toreros just what a day in the life at USD encompasses. I finally received my official name badge today and feel right at home in my “closet” office.
Senior year has brought on a fantastic selection of courses for me as I finish up my majors. Powering through Moby Dick in my Melville & Hawthorne class deepened my appreciation of the written word even further. The novel is incredibly written and rich with vivid imagery of the sea. My Teens and Popular Media class has me thinking more and more about entering the world of marketing. I am intrigued by the crafty ways marketers target the teenage consumers and wonder if this is another potential career path for me…On the other hand, Intermediate Creative Writing with one of my favorite USD professors, Helina Duraj, challenges me daily in my growth as a writer. Needless to say, I am thrilled with all of the possibilities this year is presenting for my future so far!
Exploring the nightlife of San Diego (and thoroughly enjoying the daily activities) is officially a priority this year. Spending time with my closest friends in our wonderful college town by the beach is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I fully plan to take ahold of.

Finding a balance between work, school, and play is the challenge du jour. So far, I am attempting to artfully master this not-so-simple task. Realizing my limitations and my abilities are crucial during this time, and I finally feel like I have a firm grasp on who I am as a person and where I am headed. It is all quite riveting, really. Expect more on this subject as the weeks go on, and it is realistic to foresee a few breakdowns as well. Alas, I have accepted the fact that I am human and I am constantly learning- and growing up is never truly finished. That is what Mom and Dad are on speed-dial for.

Photo

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:59:01 -0600

Life as a Kappa at USD In my spare time, I took the liberty of...

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:58:00 -0600

Life as a Kappa at USD

In my spare time, I took the liberty of creating a Tumblr for my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Compiling pictures of our chapter’s gorgeous women and all of our fun activities was a rather enjoyable task that I hope current members and potential new members will utilize in order to see just what life is like as a Kappa at USD. Through the process, I was able to relive some of the incredible memories and gain even more excitement for the year to come. Kappa has changed my life and given me a home at USD, and I couldn’t be more proud of my ladies in all that we do. I am thrilled to unveil the newly updated USD Kappa Blog! Click HERE or on the picture above to check it out.

Workin’ Girl Until now, work and school remained separated...

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 22:12:56 -0600

Workin’ Girl

Until now, work and school remained separated into their own individual spheres. Summer internships ended upon my move back to school, and only the occasional babysitting job interrupted my Kappa-class-homework routine during the week. This year, that all changes. Two interviews before school began resulted in two new jobs, allowing me the opportunity to further explore the varying scope of my Communication Studies major.

After landing the PR internship with Northwestern Mutual, I accepted an interview with USD’s Admissions office. Later that day, I received a call from one of the college counselors offering me the position of USD Admissions Social Media and Marketing intern. Though the thought of piling up a part time job onto one of my busiest semesters at USD caused a fraction of anxiety to kick in, my heart won out and I accepted the offer. This job incorporates everything I love doing- blogging, utilizing Twitter/Instagram/Facebook, photographing events on campus- and promoting my school.

My first project is setting up a Word Press blog site for USD Admissions, a new tool for potential students to use in order to better see if USD is right for them. I am currently seeking out some student bloggers to share their college experiences on the web, something I enjoyed doing my freshman and sophomore year. We started building the site on Wednesday and I am thrilled to see such progress already. Exploring my passion and potential career outlets in a supportive environment under a boss who also acts as a mentor is a dream come true.

There are no buddies quite like blogging buddies… This...

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 01:52:00 -0600

Bloggers at our finest

celebrating Georgia's birthday at Double Deuces, a country bar downtown SD

There are no buddies quite like blogging buddies…

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting my Kappa sister Kendall’s twin, Val. Val studies Journalism at the University of Washington in Seattle but made the journey to San Diego for the weekend. Val and I discovered our shared passion for writing after connecting just over a year ago on Tumblr. Since then, we have followed each other’s adventures on our respective blogs and encouraged each other in our writing, offering valuable feedback from the perspective of another writer.

Val’s pieces offer a range reviews of her favorite places from restaurants to parks, delving into her love of travel and exploration. On the personal side, she creates heartwarming bios of her friends and family, highlighting one special person each week during her “Sunday Spotlight”. Other days, expect to find words of wisdom and snippets capturing the little things in life that Val enjoys. I admit that I derive much of my inspiration from her beautifully worded pieces and enjoy reading about her adventures whenever they appear on my dashboard. It is such a blessing to meet someone just as passionate about something as I am, and I look forward to continuing our friendship both in the blogging world and the real world. Thanks for the continued inspo, Val!

Click HERE to visit her blog, Where in the World is Val?

Humidity and a Bay Breeze

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 00:26:23 -0600

I step out of my front door and glance to the right, captivated by a shock of blue water mere steps...

Captured the blue moon rising over Mission Bay the other night...

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:35:08 -0600

Captured the blue moon rising over Mission Bay the other night from Erik’s balcony. How blessed we are to sit casually on the porch above this view, sipping a Corona and contemplating the future. What a serene sight welcoming me back to what will sure be an exhilarating year. Welcome back, seniors.

It may be September, but summer mode is still in full-swing. I...

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:32:00 -0600

Mom and Dad before Dad's birthday dinner

I miss my babies! Star and Oakley

Seal Beach with Mom

ahhh the sights and sounds of the ocean!

It may be September, but summer mode is still in full-swing. I began my drive back to San Diego last Monday with my mom, the car loaded down with almost all of my earthly possessions. After a picturesque two-day drive through Utah, parts of Arizona, and Nevada, we finally made it to my grandpa’s house in Orange County. I spent a couple of much-needed days with my Pops, taking walks around the park, touring where my mom grew up, and enjoying a delicious Mexican dinner with my Uncle Randy and two younger cousins, Jess and Roxanne. My mom and I even fit in a morning walk around Seal Beach and breakfast at Schooner or Later before we dropped her off for a flight bound for Denver.

After spending one more night with Papa, I made the drive down to San Diego for an interview downtown. At Kappa Kappa Gamma’s convention this past June, I connected with a USD Kappa alum, Meghan. After speaking with her about my soon-to-be-completed Communication Studies degree, she filled me in on her career and opened my eyes to even more post-grad possibilities for the field of communications. One interview in a coincidental room full of Kappas later, I was hired on as the new PR intern for Northwestern Mutual. I am truly grateful for the networking capabilities Kappa provides, along with the instantaneous connections made with complete strangers after coming to the realization that they, too, share in the same rituals and passion that I have for KKG.

Now, I am spending my time before school alternating between the beaches of North County and Mission Beach, noshing at all the restaurants I missed, and anxiously counting down until move-in day (ONE! Tomorrow!). It is funny how you can spend three months away from a place and return feeling as though you never left at all. While my blog posts will probably slow down as school/job/Kappa responsibilities near, I vow to never let my passion for writing take a backseat. Stay tuned for even more adventures as Some Blissful Thinking continues to follow me through my senior year at USD and into the beyond. I am excited for all that my final year will bring, and the future is looking bright. TBIYTC! (The best is yet to come)

I am a creative. Seeing the world a little differently is how I...

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:00:00 -0600

I am a creative. Seeing the world a little differently is how I thrive. I often lose myself imagining the scene before me composed entirely of words on a page. How would I begin to describe my setting to you? The striped wallpaper, blue fading to gray turning yellow under the gaze of a bronze table lamp, still clad in its plastic dust cover. A fire hazard. Cream sheets crumpled at the foot of the bed, the room rendering my exhausted body too warm to seek its comfort underneath.

Since my first writing workshop in elementary school I have been taught to show, not tell. This seemingly simple snippet of advice remains steadfast from my 3rd grade penning of dolphin stories to my college internships and classrooms as I begin to search my beyond for a possible career involving what I remain most passionate about.

Enter my second love: photography. What better way to offer the rest a glimpse into my world vision than with a photo? Artful composure, the trick of the light, and pops of color capturing any moment in time drew my interest to cameras from a young age. Learning to develop my own film in my darkroom black-and-white photo class in high school sealed in my love, and you rarely find me without one of my cameras at any given moment. Though my well-meaning family and friends may tire of the constant flashbulbs, I claim one day they will thank me for preserving our lives as we know them in this moment for years to come. For some of my favorite shots, updated frequently, visit my photography blog and enjoy.

It is never too late to pursue your passions.

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:11:00 -0600

Even after working in the PR field for 20 years, a chance run-in at the opportune moment changed the...

I love birthdays. I countdown until mine in November, plan...

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:50:00 -0600

I love birthdays. I countdown until mine in November, plan dinners and decorations for my roommates’, and craft blog posts, of course. Unfortunately I missed the most important man in my life’s special day yesterday, so I am here to make up for it.

Dad, you truly are a remarkable father. Always one to put your family first, you work so diligently to provide all we could ever need and more. I know there are times when I just don’t want to listen, but truth is, you have kept me on the straight and narrow toward a future full of opportunity. My biggest fan in all I do, you make sure I see the benefits in all my experiences, subtly nudging me to pursue my God given talents on a daily basis. I don’t know where we would all be without your support system and love.

I am sorry Mom and I had to be absent on your special day, but I am glad we were able to celebrate this weekend. Enjoy the rest of the cake without me around to pilfer slices for breakfast! As I prepare for my last year of college I hold all the wisdom you have bestowed upon me in my heart. Knowing you are always just a phone call away makes the transition that much easier. Love you with all my heart Dad. Happy birthday!

Coming and Going

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 11:55:19 -0600

It is always difficult to stare down the end of a summer: those long, sun-drenched days filled with...

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY GINGIE! I am so blessed to call this mess of...

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:18:38 -0600

me visiting Notre Dame this summer

Italy, 2009

Cork, Ireland 2011

visiting me in Cork!

Us as lil nuggets

Still sassy

Navy cruise, summer 2012 (photo courtesy of her friend, Anton)

Visiting me in SD, 2011

2010, graduated from high school!

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY GINGIE!

I am so blessed to call this mess of red hair my sister. Though we used to fight like cats and dogs when we were kids, I am sure grateful our relationship took a turn for the muuuch better! (Mom, you can stop worrying about having Thanksgiving at two separate houses now.) Together we have seen the world and taken on the adventure that is growing up. Kendall, every day I thank God for putting you in my life!

Watching you grow up, I cannot help but swell with pride at the poise you have developed, all while maintaining that unique weird-ness that is Kendall- you can always make me laugh. You are so incredibly strong and brave, and I pity anyone who has to go head to head with you (including myself at times!) but you inspire me to be a better, more courageous person each day I wake up. Though you may be Navy tough, your true compassion shines bright, rubbing off on everyone you meet. And we all know you are a smartie-pants but I saw this weekend how much you like to have a good time, soaking up your college experience with an amazing group of friends. You are never one to waste a moment!

This weekend proved that even though we are both growing up and settling into lives thousands of miles and three time zones apart, our relationship remains stronger and more mature than ever. You may be the younger sister, (even though you apparently look older…ahem) but I look up to you in so many ways. I am so blessed to call you not only my sister, but one of my best friends. I am also anxiously looking forward to returning to ND during football season and watching the Fighting Irish chase down victory!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Canvas and Cocktails is the perfect girls’ night out. My...

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:53:33 -0600

Ready, set, paint!

Emily paints her hills

Masterpieces!

Where'd the wine go?!?

Canvas and Cocktails is the perfect girls’ night out. My best friend Emily introduced me to this hotspot where we enjoyed one of the best nights of the summer. Read my 303 Magazine article about the new social painting trend taking the Denver scene by storm here.

Oftentimes it is not until we catch a glimpse of someone in...

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:47:00 -0600

In front of the dome

The Grotto is even more beautiful at night

Basilica door: "God, Country, Notre Dame"

Can't wait to make it to a game! GO IRISH!

a run around the lakes

Post dorm room transformation

The basilica

Oftentimes it is not until we catch a glimpse of someone in their home that we fully grasp who they are as an individual. You’d think that after living with my sister for the first 18 years of my life and each summer since that I would truly know her. Then I visited her at Notre Dame…

This weekend, I volunteered to drive my sister Kendall’s car 18 hours from Colorado to South Bend, Indiana. Why would I take on this solo mission through cornfields and middle-of-nowhere truck stops right before making my own move back to San Diego? Well, the end of Kendall’s Navy cruise coincided with move in day and left her with no choice but to fly straight to school while one lucky family member followed with the car. I was facing down the last leg of my summer filled with nothing but packing and free time. One can only do so much relaxing poolside, and to be honest, I missed Kendall. A lot. A month of summer school and a month of cruising around with the Navy only left her with a handful of weeks at home to catch up on our semesters. So off I went on the drive loaded down with her life’s belongings, bras and makeup bags clearly visible through the rear window behind the NRA and US Navy bumper stickers.

Saturday night, I retrieved an excited redhead from South Bend’s minuscule airport and promptly brought her to her “home sweet dome”, the Notre Dame campus. We met up with a few of her closest friends so she could reunite and make proper introductions. Even though I was exhausted from the drive, I found her elation contagious as she pointed out the football stadium and golden dome before making running leap-hugs at each of her friends as we encountered them.

Sunday was move-in day, so we unloaded, arranged, tacked, nailed, set up, and organized her new room. A steady stream of friends and classmates flowed through the space, and I connected more names to the faces I heard so much about over the past two years. After a running tour of Notre Dame (conjuring images of the movie Yes Man’s comical jogging-photography club as I quickly snapped pics) and enjoying a delicious meal in one of the dining halls, I became more acquainted with the campus Kendall calls home nine months out of the year. At night, we hung out with her friends, and I found myself conversing and joking with this lively group as though I had known them for the past two years rather than the past two hours.

Ever since I started high school, Kendall’s and my relationship took a turn from the tumultuous to one of genuine friendship, and we continue to grow even closer each day. Sharing in her excitement to be back at the place she considers her second home gave me further insight into who she is as a person, and I couldn’t be more proud. All the final puzzle pieces are falling into place. Her compassion, individuality, and tenacity shine at Notre Dame, and it is plain to see just how much she truly thrives on this legendary campus.