What I am Loving Wednesday!

New Places, New Faces. Over 10 days I've been here in Richmond and here is what I am loving about this great city so far.

1. NO TRAFFIC - What? Yes, my drive to work and even going downtown is traffic free and I am loving it. Growing up in the suburbs of D.C. and going to school in a college town has lead me to live two different traffic lives, and if I never have to sit in a backup again, it will be too soon!

2. The People - Southern charm at its finest. People hold open the door, smile as you walk by, greet you kindly and say please, thank you, and yes sir. Plus shout out to my internship class, they are all so fun!

3. Short Pump - Yes, this may be the only place you find "traffic" but an outdoor mall with all my favorite stores and restaurants, yes please!

4. The Food - While I have not experienced that many places yet, there are so many options. Along with all the main staples, they have other great options too. And lets just say they do Seafood proud and thats a lot coming from a Maryland gal.

Can't wait to see what else is in store! 3 day work week and 4 day weekend here I come!

Reading Review

Getting ready for summer reading? Here are some books I recently finished and are perfect "summer reads." And honestly, I prefer summer reads all year long. I recently decided to read a little of a "fun" book to help unwind and relax before bed.

Little White Lies

Gemma Townley

The sister of my favorite, Sophia Kinsella, does her sister proud. This book titled "A Novel of Love and Good Intentions" follows the lovable heroin as she lies to create a better alter ego and finds love along the way!

A Total Waste of Makeup

Kim Gruenenfelder

It follows a thirty year old women struggling to find her way as her younger sister gets married as she has a crazy family, even crazier job, and interesting love life. It also contains tid bits of advice for her great-great grandniece.

Misery Loves Cabernet

Kim Gruenenfelder

The follow-up to "A Total Waste of Makeup" although they set everything up you can read it freestanding. Also very good writing and a little less predictable, loved it also!

Outfits for the Week

My first work week is officially over. While I am still getting into the swing of things, I have dived head first into my project and starting to get how this "real world" job thing actually works. Next week is a 3 day work week, what what! I get Friday off for holiday and Thursday is community service day for all the interns!

Friday May 20th
Dress in Purple

First Week of Internship!

I had an absolutely amazing first week of my internship and I can only see it getting better! I have so many great resources (Buddy, Mentor, Manager & Team, so many people!) and great opportunities (going to Chicago, what what!) and kinda wish I was an intern forever!

Monday - Orientation where I met many of the other interns and learned all about the company. The downtown Center for Research and Technology was such a cool building and of course, who doesn't love tons of great food!

Tuesday - First "real" day of work, consisting of many administrative tasks, learning the building, and orientating myself with work practices. I met my team and am rocking the only girl role!

Wednesday - Met the IS directors and CIO for breakfast. And started diving into my project.

Thursday - Getting into the swing of things and working, working, working! Lunch with all my IS interns. Afterwards, ERIC CHURCH CONCERT with some interns! So much fun to get to know a few of them better and listen to some great country!

Friday - Getting into the work, out to lunch with members of my team and recruiter at a great restaurant (Firebirds), and Welcome Meeting with all the interns and our CEO/Chairman.

I am so thankful to have met so many of our companies top level management already, including our CEO and my BIG boss CIO, it shows how they value us interns and want us to feel a part of the company. There are also so many great intern events (with so much good food!) through my company and another group! This first week exceeded my expectations and am so excited for the rest of the summer!

BIG Day

Today is a BIG day! I moved into Richmond (aka my Grandma's house) yesterday after getting lost, which 1. I almost never get lost and 2. it totally freaked me out for finding things tomorrow. Luckily my Grandma drove with me downtown to find the location for the orientation, and the normal location; both are super easy to find so I am happy!

Here is my outfit for my first day aka orientation. The dress code is business casual and I wanted to be relaxed yet nice for today so decided on the following outfit.

Wish me luck on my first day in the real world. I can't believe how fast time flies! And congrats to Virginia Tech's Class of 2011! I can't believe you all are alumni, love and miss you already!

Summer Movie Preview

Summer blockbusters are not called "blockbusters" for no reason, they are guaranteed to get lots of people out to the movies with big names, big stars, and usually sequels in store. Here are some movies I am looking forward to!

Something Borrowed

May 6

I read the book (and Something Blue) so I am really excited for the movie. Plus Kate Hudson + Chick Flick = Gold.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

May 20

I love the first two Pirates and while the third was a dud in my opinion, I am excited to see Capitan Jack Sparrow work his magic, even if it is without Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley.

The Hangover Part II

May 26th

The wolfpack is back! Can't wait to see what Thailand has in store for these crazy guys on round 2 of the bachelor party of all bachelor parties.

Green Lantern

June 17

Ryan Renyolds as a super hero with Blake Lively in tow, sounds like a hit to me. I hope it lives up to all the other great 'comic book' movies!

Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

July 15

No Explanation Needed - So sad to see the saga I grew up with end!

Crazy, Stupid, Love

July 29

I have been waiting for a Ryan Gosling movie, and a comedy role no less!

The Help

August 12

While I have not read the book, all I have heard is raves so I am excited to see it!

DONE!

I cannot believe I am 3/4 done with my college career! One of the greatest quotes that I think perfectly describes me right now from Lady Antebellum: "Couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't quite ready to leave." I was eager to get home at the end of this year, this past semester exhausted me for many reasons and I am ready to start a new school year with positive changes.

Each year of my college career, I find has something different, but great about it. As I reflect, I realize while these moments may also be rough at the time, they make me stronger and shape me to be who I am. This year I feel I feel into my stride for school, I liked all my in-major and minor classes (sorry not sorry but Finance is the worst) and excelled in them. I found my fun-loving side and got "buck-wild" at moments (my signature tag line for nights out). I realized I will only be young once and now is the time to take advantage. I also got a taste of the real world, with the stressful interview process and learned how to make myself marketable. After all my growth this year, I feel confident going into my internship and "real-world" life. "Summer" is short for me as I arrived home late yesterday night and will be home for a mere 5 days before heading to my new home, Richmond. I am so excited to see what the next chapter in my life has in store!

"Oh, nothing's sweeter than summertime and American Honey."

Finals Relief

2 Down, 3 to Go! Got my back-to-back hardest exams out of the way this morning, and needed a little relief before returning to the books for my two exams tomorrow! Hopefully, soon I will be able to dance freely like this boy!

See more funny videos and TBT at Todays Big Thing.

Motorcycle Diaries

If you have never seen "Motorcycle Diaries" it is a must! I watched it first in high school during Spanish class and it inspired me so much. While most us college kids dream of free-spirited trips backpacking around the world, many of us are not blessed enough with the opportunity. After I saw this though, I want to travel around South America. As a Spanish minor and lover of the culture, I was lucky enough to study abroad in Madrid last summer, and hopefully one day I will be able to visit Latin America also.

The characters Ernesto (the future Che Guevara) and Alberto find themselves on their motorcycle journey through South America, and through their interactions with others, mainly the impoverished people of rural South America. They learn to never count anyone out, not even a wonderful group at a leper colony.

And as the trailer says "Let the world change you, and you can change the world."

Weekend Re-Cap

My weekend was jammed packed with fun! It was so busy but I am so glad to end the semester with such a bang!

My friend Rosie is a Hospitality and Tourism Management major at school. She has a cooking class where she cooks gourmet food for 4 hours every week. For her last class she had a practicum and invited me and 3 of our other friends to enjoy in the food.

Our menu included ...

Pisaladiera Squares

Tilapia En Papillote with Peach Salsa

Risotto with Broccoli & Asparagus and Strawberry Salad

Shortbread with Strawberry Coulis

Unfortunately, I took pictures with my phone and have no idea how to transfer them to my computer so I am without pictures. But Chef Rosie did a wonderful job!

I was so excited that my fabulous Big, Morgan and Grandbig, Katie came into town this weekend. I was lucky to see them often in the fall for football but it was the first time since December I saw them! We had dinner at our standard location, El Rod's with my Little and GrandLittle in tow!

Morgan, Katie, I (forgot to open my eyes?), Steelie, and Brittany

Sunday was our sorority's Spring Tribute Philanthropy Splash and Dash. I worked the "Splash" part this year and it was a water field day complete with water games, water balloon fights, corn hole, cook out, and a dunk tank!

Junior's at Splash!

Jessie getting dunked!

With our amo, aka water balloon fight!

Getting hit by a water balloon!

Finally, on Monday Stefanie and I saw the Far East Movement in concert. They were so amazing and had great stage presence. And after we got to meet them, I literally was such a bundle of emotions (yes, I am that person that freaks out when they met someone famous) and they were so nice!

Like a G6 with Far East Movement!

Mother's Day Gifts

With Mother's Day a mere week away its time to think about the perfect gift for your Mother. While no present can really express all our gratitude for all the amazing things mother's do, a little love and appreciation go a long way!

Spa Gift Card

Mom can always use a little pampering!

Personalized Picture Frame

Mom's love pictures, especially memorable ones!

Jewelery

Every Mom deserves a little bling!

Home Cooked Meal (or Take out)

Let Mom take a break from slaving over the stove.