A little bit of gold

               

“Citius, Altius, Fortius” “Swifter, Higher Stronger.” The Latin motto of the Olympic games since 1921, representing all the inspiration that I have seen in the past few days. 

I’ve been glued to the TV every night, watching athletes dive, duck, and tumble around being inspired not only by the results but by the story behind them. The human that transcends TV screens and into the hearts of many across the globe. 

I only hope that one day I am able to do the same - achieving greatness like none other, and inspiring those that watch.

I was recently hired on at RPA thus ending my internship experience and the first step in what is my career. Now, I’m by no means comparing the Olympic games to my social media position, but I think it’s a start. 

For Phelps, his first swim competitively began at the age of 7 where he was scared to put his head under water. I think we all are that way sometimes, a bit afraid of total submersion into what we are meant to do. It’s human nature, but it’s that perseverance and slow progression that leads us to becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time.  

I still am a bit amazed at how far I’ve come already. Looking out into the California bay, seeing places that I had only hear of, and working for a great company. It’s all coming together, that Olympic dream - theoretically of course. 

The time spent in school and as an intern have been my ‘floatie’ days, and now I paddle out on my own, pool noodle free, to see how I can start to train for gold. 

In limbo

Lining a hallway, finding my place in line, breathing and smiling as I walked into the room. Sitting down. Facing the stage. Reality began to set in. 

It’s official I’m an alum of West Texas A&M University. A Buffalo (Bison) by heart, but no longer in academic practice. It hasn’t hit me yet. The feeling of the finale. Much like watching the season of some great TV show end, I don’t feel like it’s over until the next season starts. Problem is, I don’t know what channel my show will premiere on. 

Those feelings of goodbye, leaving my best friends, and the memories I have while becoming the adult I am today are all still fresh. It’s not over I keep telling myself - when in reality it is. 

I have a job offer lined up that I could potentially take. I’m waiting to hear back on an internship in California. All the while my lease on my apartment ends on May 31st. The clock is ticking. 

    

I’ve never been one without a plan, but what happens when life throws you into this ‘limbo’ stage? I can’t make any set plans. I don’t know what I’m doing. I can’t know what I’m doing because all the cards aren’t on the table. The table hasn’t even been set. I’m in limbo. 

This is not sitting well with my gold self. I often need to remind myself that patience is a virtue - welcome to that adulthood that I just mentioned. I will always value the lessons learned at West Texas A&M University. The people I’ve met and have come close with will still be in my heart. The reality of it all will set in at one point and I can imagine it will flood in like the hoover damn. 

Until then, I wait. Wait for the National Student Advertising Competition Nationals (I forgot to mention we were selected as the wild card team!). Wait for a word back on jobs. Wait to form my plan. 

Of advertisers and men

This past Saturday was the Amarillo Addy awards and I felt completely honored to be there. Sitting in a room full of people who make the world of advertising that is the Texas Panhandle was pretty neat. I knew I had won a Gold Addy for my documentary Shedding Ignorance and that would be the highlight of my night. 

As we sat there watching the awards being presented and seeing all of the other local winners, I knew that this is something that I should be doing. I feel completely confident in the fact that I want to do advertising now. My professor, Lori Westermann, was up for a special Silver Medal award that is given out to someone that is well - advertising. 

It came as a big surprise to Lori to see all of her family and several of her students and local attendees supporting her and I’m proud to call her my professor. A big surprise of the night was to hear Shedding Ignorance called up for a second time. 

I can remember sitting there next to Sheryl thinking that this is a long awards show and be excited to see Lori’s face when she gets her award. As they were describing the next award as something that shows multiculturalism and groundbreaking work and that they don’t give this award out often, I can remember thinking “Man that banana pie was really good.” Then came, “And the Mosaic Award goes to…West Texas A&M University, Shedding Ignorance…” Uhh, what? Yeah that’s me. I walked towards the stage with a look of shock on my face. My documentary won another award at an advertising award show? No way. 

Yes, way. I didn’t know what to say as Dr. Browning announced me to the stage. I could barely muster out a thanks to her and Sheryl that were in the audience. It was a great night and something that I will cherish.  

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