Intermission

This is a (long-winded) break from my online dating saga to talk about something more significant.  In all honesty I wasn't even going to write about this, but then I realized it's important and maybe even refreshing to look back as well as forward.

What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Single? I have to pick ONE? Not gonna happen.  On two separate occasions I had the chance to lend a marketing hand to help others…talk about a warm fuzzy feeling.  The first class project was a last-minute idea for a final project that our professor came up with.  The Tsunami had just hit Japan and he thought it would be a great idea to help the victims.  How can little ol’ River Falls, Wisconsin help people in Japan? Easy! Plan a concert at a local bar & restaurant, ask for donations, and peoples’ lives are improved at least a little.  We asked for monetary and sock donations so that victims had clean, dry socks to wear, as well as baggies to keep some of their belongings in.  We pulled Rock for Socks off in less than two months, raised $1008.15 and collected 200+ pairs of socks.  Not too shabby!

The other event was also thrown together in just under two months and was held to benefit Turningpoint—a local non-profit that provides resources for victims of abuse (check them out here:  http://www.turningpoint-wi.org/welcome).  Fittingly, the event was called Esuba Jam.  Esuba is abuse spelled backwards, as if we are reversing the cycle.  Pretty clever if you ask me.  We raised $1453.31, and collected ~$1,000 worth of personal care items.

For the marketing skeptics out there…I challenge you to rethink your marketing hatred.  It’s not about hassling people to buy electronics or sending direct mail.

I also had two amazing internships—both of which were handed to me, and I’m beyond grateful to have had those experiences.  My first position was at Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery working as a “Digital Marketing Intern”.  Before I go on, I must say that my title wasn’t 110% accurate.  I would argue I was more of a Marketing Communications Assistant.  The other internship was with Chippewa Valley Technical College, as a Marketing Assistant/Intern.  Both positions gave me the opportunity to explore the marketing world in real situations, solving real problems…and it was amazing. 

What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Giving some background info:  2010 was a stressful year, since my serious relationship ended, forcing me to live on campus (which I had never done before…talk about a shock to the system), and my gramps passed away quite suddenly shortly after.  Naturally, going into 2011 I was hoping for a better year.  A day or two into Spring semester, I woke up to my phone ringing at 6:30 in the morning.  I saw it was my mom, and went into panic mode.  She told me that my grandpa passed away earlier that morning.  Although we all knew it was coming, it didn’t lessen the pain.  For anyone who truly knows me, knows that I am extremely close with my family.  I spent most of 2010 and 2011 trying to adjust and live without two amazing people that played such a huge role in my life.

What a bittersweet reflection.  There are so many other things that I could ramble on about, but I think I bore you with every other post, am I wrong?

So what do I hope for in 2012? First of all, I hope to hell that the world will not end.  Why? Because I don’t think it’s fair to graduate in May only to have the world end in December.  On the other hand—I would have only made one student loan payment by then…so maybe………

I could say that I want to lose 40lbs, or visit Australia, but I’m going to be more realistic.

In 2012 I want to:

• Appreciate the people in my life and love them unconditionally
• Be healthier than I currently am
• Start my career with optimism

Sure this post may be considered “late” by some, but it has taken me a while to reflect on past events and think about what life is truly about.  

What are YOU looking for in 2012?