The Power of Communication is Worth More Than People Think

Let me tell you a story:

About two years ago, I was on vacation with my family. As I sat with my parents on the hotel patio one night, a man sitting next to me struck up a conversation. We talked about where we were from, where I went to school, the basics. When I told him I’m majoring in communications, he looked at me funny. “We don’t need communications. You should go into a real field, like engineering or medicine,” he said. He continued to go on about the need for real jobs in the world – career paths worth the expense of college. “MY son is a successful engineer,” he boasted.

This stranger attacked my creative drive to the point where I left crying, retreating to my hotel room.

Maybe you laugh. Maybe you think I should’ve stood up for myself, or that I’m weak for crying. Maybe you think he’s right. Well, to all the critics out there, I say, thank you. You are the fuel to my fire. It is hard to stand up for yourself when people stereotype your major as “the easy way out,” or when you’re reluctant to answer the inevitable question, “So what are you studying?” for fear of the person concluding your lack of intelligence.

Do you think we are sitting around gossiping with one another and tweeting about it? Or hoping to make it as YouTube stars or celebrity news anchors one day? We’re definitely playing around with Twitter and YouTube, but we’re using them to learn how to make business better. Learning how to keep the Average Joe interested in global issues and not bore him to sleep and how to convince thousands of people to dump ice water on their heads in an effort to raise money for a worth cause.

All the judgement creates this need to prove our worth. Check my resume if you don’t believe me. How many internships will it take for people to see that COM majors mean business? We may not have lab hours, but we have semester internships and extra-curriculars to try and bulk up our experience for employers.

Don’t think I’m here bashing on other majors, because I’m not. I’m sticking up for one slice of a whole career pie. COM students can’t survive alone, but we sure don’t need people knocking us down for being a little more real-world based, and a little less textbook-oriented. The newspapers, internet and social media are our textbooks. So we learn from current events, so what?

Back in high school, a fellow senior asked me why I chose to study communications. “But you’re way smarter than that. I’m surprised you’re not doing something else,” he said.

I love events, I love meeting new people and I love seeing how we can help a brand make a difference on the public. That’s why I chose to study communications. I want to do something I love; I’m not in it just for the money. Everyone’s goal is to impact the world in some way, right? So, why can’t we have our own dreams instead of having the “right” dream?

In the end, we’re all still writing research papers and final projects, only our answers are limited to 140 characters.

I Meditate in the Classroom

Yesterday marked the first day of my senior year of college. Yay? Ew? I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. After running around all day trying to make my new apartment feel like home, I headed to my first and last class of the day at 6pm in a building unknown to me (and apparently to just about everyone in the class, including the teacher).

The first day is always nice because after trekking the streets of Boston and passing faces that you think look familiar, you finally put those faces to their respective names and hear a little bit about them. On top of that, the College of Communication has a pretty competitive aura, so it’s nice to hear when you’re not the only one with post-grad plans to get A job, rather than THE job.

Once the professor started lecturing about what the course will be about, what he will expect, yaddah yaddah, I fell into my meditative state. Not with eyes closed and legs crossed on the floor, but just sitting in the now. I found myself present and genuinely interested in what he talked about, not planning when I can get to the grocery store to stock my empty fridge. I just sat. Stress-free.

Next thing I know, we’re all taking notes and that surround sound of keyboard clicks fills the air. Sometimes I really wonder if people press keys as loud as they do in class, or if they are doing it on purpose? I mean really, your clicks can be almost a whisper if you try. IF you try.

However, then I found myself thinking about yoga and how I always try really hard to jump from down dog to the front of my mat as quietly as I can. The instructor usually says “walk or lightly jump” so of course I go for the challenge and try to conquer what seems like an oxymoron.

These keyboard clicks became the flow to my classroom meditation and there I was, thinking hey, this is sorta like meditating.

I’m the kind of person that does all the research about meditation, but never actually finds the “time” to do it. Such a pitiful excuse given that meditating only needs five minutes. Maybe now that I found a path toward it, I’ll be more likely to give it a try. Or maybe I’ll end up taking a nap in that class.

Curiosity May Have Killed the Cat, But it Hasn’t Killed Me

I’m so curious.

I catch myself wondering about how things are made and how they work or applauding the people who had the idea in the first place. I consider the work in the background that leads to the final product.

When I see a commercial that catches my attention, sometimes I picture a bunch of people sitting around a long conference table, pitching their greatest ideas, bouncing thoughts off one another to finally create what I just watched at home. Everything has to start somewhere, right?

Or how about those car commercials where they speed through the closed course that is New York City. Ever wonder when and how they block sections off in the city that never sleeps?

And even in PR situations (which I have been learning so much about), I’ll notice how often I spot a celebrity on magazine covers and talk shows to promote their current movie or product, most recently I have been seeing Amy Schumer. New movie = tons of coverage. Bravo, PR peeps.

Ever since I’ve been attempting this blog, I find myself writing my thoughts down more often, searching for topics in everyday life, having more of an overall awareness. So much goes on that we think matters, but in retrospect doesn’t, so it’s nice to start sifting through my days and finding the parts that do matter.

I’ve even tried to brainstorm fictional writing ideas. I’ve written some short pieces, but nothing substantial that I feel is any good. I like writing about my life and about real things I have experienced. That’s why I fell in love with blogging abroad: there was so much that was new to me I felt like I could write about just about anything.

I was curious. Still am!

I’ve had so many odd jobs that it could look a bit scattered. But, graduating high school, then moving to a new city, and later coming back home and temporarily starting over – it’s inevitable to be jumping around from one thing to another. I found that I liked it; I got to try out a lot of different things. Ever iced donuts for 14 hours? I did. How about ref lacrosse or manage the front desk at a beauty salon? Yep, been there.

Not to say that it wouldn’t be nice to find a job and stick with it for a couple years, but just that I embrace trying new things and it seemingly shows through my resume. I like to give anything a try, at least once (within reason). Except roller coasters, but we won’t get into that… I’m curious, just not that curious.

Daydreaming or Reality?

It’s not until the evening that my mind starts to wander. All day it rests until I am bored of being bored and it thinks my best thoughts.

Tonight, my mind is racing. As I leave the couch after about eight hours of lounging (not kidding), I head to my room, turn on some “chill tunes” per Spotify and play around with some makeup. Trying to get creative. Ok, so that all lasted about ten minutes until I washed my face and sat down with my current read.

Side note: The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins, SO thrilling.

It’s peaceful. And then my mind turns on.

When my life gets too stressy at school, I dream of a life in a beach town, working at a coffee shop in raggedy, worn clothes with dreads and sleeves full of tattoos. Colorful headbands, unlimited coffee. I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s a pretty ideal scenario for me to escape to in a world of non-stop chaos. Maybe because it’s just about the exact opposite of my life and where I am expecting it to go. It just seems so carefree.

Anyway, my point? I’m at home, trying not to waste these days of freedom, but ultimately wasting them, and I think now, maybe this is the time of my life to live that daydream. Embrace the creativity. Not literally, no, I’m not on my way to get tatted, but rather, take hold of the freedom and enjoy it. Get rid of the guilt of sitting on the couch because it’s not going to be long until I don’t have that time anymore. And rest from the gym, skip makeup, just enjoy it all.

Sorry to, yet again, bring up my large amount of free time I have this summer, but it’s making me think!

My days are going so fast because I continue to point out that I have nothing to do. I wake up when my body does, consider working out, and then lay around and eat. Sounds like heaven! So why can’t I see it like that rather than laziness? I know myself better than I think, I’m not going to make a habit of this, especially knowing that I am tired of being bored.

My dad actually pointed it out yesterday. I had a fun weekend, friends came home and I actually had plans (imagine that), but as the day winded down and I returned to the couch I said, “And now back to being bored…”

He didn’t even look up from his work and said, “Oh, just enjoy this while it lasts.”

DUH.

And it’s not even that I’m not doing anything. I’m working, I’m moving around, I’m volunteering. I am doing, just not at the speed I am used to.

So, here’s to getting used to this slow speed of life and letting out my inner bohemian barista while I still have the time.

Could it be Writer’s Block?

I’ve been on this writing kick, but who knew it could be so hard?

I guess I knew it would be tough to stay on a schedule, but with all this free time during the summer, I don’t even have a schedule and my bed is too comfy or it’s such a nice day to be outside or some other excuse. I’ll write notes and ideas throughout the day, telling myself to sit down later and go into more detail, but I am always getting sidetracked. Not that I’m busy – please, I’m so free that I come up with all these ideas like hiking and volunteering and taking an art class and I don’t do any of them – but that I just don’t want to put in the effort. It takes a lot to sit here and form sentences!

I try to motivate myself by picturing me, sitting in a cute little coffee shop with a latte in a fat mug and I’m typing away while Norah Jones’s “Come Away With Me” plays in the background. So picturesque. But then I consider my cafe options, the drive to get there, the time to set up, the money I don’t have for the coffee and the fact that I can just write at home. Ideal, but not real. I’m trying!

Even if I’m not writing, I could at least be surrounded by nature or checking out a new town. A lack of scheduling sets me off and I don’t know how to handle myself. It’s almost like all the free time is so overwhelming I don’t know what to do first, so I just resort to what is easy: sitting around. Someone needs to put a little pep in my step. Where is the motivation to do things by yourself? Adventuring is more fun with friends.

Maybe all of my ideas are too grandiose like a beach trip and a day of hiking, they take planning. Maybe I should start with smaller, more spontaneous things to do. If I can write at home, I can enjoy the sunshine at home.

Anyone want to have a water balloon fight?

Maybe You Can’t Plan Your Plan

Since I’ve been home for the summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about this “plan” we’re supposed to be following.

There’s so much pressure to make sure you’re doing all the right things, but what exactly are those right things? They must be specific to each one of us, cause let me tell you, I keep trying to follow my “plan,” yet I constantly end up in a new direction. Who or what is designating these plans to us anyway!?

I’ll give you an example. Coming into college, I learned a lot about internships and all different views towards them: start early and get as many as you can, get one and stay there for awhile to grow, try different fields to explore your interests, but most importantly get one during your junior summer because that’s when it counts.

As a task-oriented rule booker (sad, but true), I took all that freshman advice to heart and got straight to work on my plan, and I’m still working! It has created this stigma at school that pins us against our peers in a competition of “who has the best internship” and “how can we incorporate the name of the company into some classroom response to tell others where we work”. Not only that, a pressure formed like a big cloud over my head, constantly egging me on to apply, apply, apply, with me never really knowing to where or for what.

Yes, I’ve had a few internships, and I’m so thankful to have learned so much at each one, but it felt like my mindset has been in practice mode for the championship: summer before senior year.

I have been gearing up since I came home from Sydney, looking at deadline applications, experience requirements, you name it. Honestly, it’s like applying to college all over again – at least for larger company programs. I applied to so many positions I lost count, and I know I am not alone in that among other upcoming college seniors. Yet, after fretting over the waiting periods, getting rejection letters, having to turn down positions because of no pay or location, nothing panned out.

I’m left wondering…How could I have failed? I have past experience, good communication in interviews, but yet I came up short. It’s not like I didn’t try! What did I do wrong? What could I have done better?

And then, I decided to turn things around.

I had this so-called “plan” to get an internship for this summer and have been eyeing it up like this is the real moment that counts. But, maybe my plan had me doing the exact opposite. Maybe you can’t plan your plan, if that makes sense. Or maybe you can, and I just have to learn to deal with rejection – different story.

Instead of groveling in shame and reading Facebook posts about others’ dream summer internships (though I have been doing the second one), I looked at this summer as an opportunity rather than a setback. Free time? Great! Yes, you’re thinking Netflix and sleeping past noon, but this summer I’m thinking writing, reading and learning about myself. Maybe I didn’t get those internships because I didn’t really know what I was applying for or what I want. Getting turned down gave me this time to consider what I do like and what I really would like to get out of an internship and/or future job.

I need to stop harping on the number of jobs I have vs. others and the brand-name companies so I can focus on me. I know it sounds cheesy, but I’d rather do something I’ve always wanted to do now instead of working a 9-5 I hated just to put it on my resume for the next opportunity. Endless cycle, is it not?

I’ve been treating life as a means to an end, trying to follow a strict plan, but I think I have to consider the “means” that make up my “plan” and enjoy them first.

Because there is no plan, I’m just creating it as I go.

Time for some R&R (OK, maybe I’m bored)

When sickness steps in, it really shuts. you. down.

Day 4: finally stepped outside.

I have been aching and congested, hot and cold, tired and more tired. When you’re sick, your life really is defined by four-hour increments of Advil. It is hard succumbing to bed for three days and shutting out the world, wishing I could hit the “pause” button so that later I can pick up right where I left off.

Well, now I’m realizing, I can. Know why? Cause my work isn’t gonna do itself. And the things I wanted to do won’t be done until I come back to them. Sickness never comes at an opportune time, so we might as well nip it in the butt from the beginning: pop some NyQuil and catch some Z’s.

Yes, the world will continue to move around you. I missed some classes, a group meeting, even formal (it was only three weekdays, but it might as well have been three months). But, there will be more of all those things. Sometimes sickness is really for the soul – minus fighting the fever and aggravating cough. I think my body and mind needed the break more than I wanted to give it to myself.

Downtime? Yeah, I don’t have much of that. As a result, I’m plagued with unavoidable symptoms and forced to take care of myself. And, as hard as it is, I will sacrifice now, to be healthy for later. Might have missed formal, but come Monday, I hope to be raring to go for the Marathon.

And let’s face it, no better reason to indulge in a lil Ben & Jerry’s and Friday Night Lights 😉

— Madison

The Time is Now: A Reminder to Myself

Yesterday, I came across next year’s graduation calendar here at BU. What’s the significance, you ask? That’ll be mine. To think, I’m already planning the end of my time in college when, in reality, I’m still figuring myself out, let alone still figuring out the college world.

If you know me, you know my mind works in the future – I’m constantly worrying about what’s next: summer plans, next semester’s classes, what’s for dinner.

Maybe it makes sense why I landed on the webpage with the schedule of events that are over a year away. I inevitably always find myself focused on the future. Can’t I just slow down? Can’t life just slow down? How about a little optimism? Or a conversation that doesn’t fall back on “I’m just so stressed with schoolwork and looking for an internship”? I’m asking myself these questions because I think I’m in need of a little reminder about enjoyment. Aren’t these supposed to be “the best years of our lives”? There’s a lot of expectation in that assumption.

I can’t deny, the transition from high school to college was tough for me. I still find it hard: dabbling in new clubs; trying to find a niche. Then, sticking it out in hopes of eventually finding a fit and then realizing I’m almost done with college and soon maybe moving away and starting all over again. Ever feel like you’ve tried so many things yet you still feel out of some loop?

It makes me think of a quote I recently read. Paraphrased, it said that we are so tied up with the worries of what our futures will bring that we cannot fully enjoy the present, thus never fully enjoying life because the future never comes. Super paraphrased: YOLO.

It stuck with me because it describes me to a T. I’ve been (and always am) so concerned with what I’m doing next. But for what? Whatever I am preparing for is quite possibly out of my control. In some aspects, it may show that I am proactive, but I don’t want to earn opportunities only to have them pass me by and I forget to enjoy them.

I know it is a cliche idea to “enjoy each day” and “live in the moment,” but how many of us actually do just that? Why not make now better? I’m sure going to try harder to make the most of what I do in this last year of college, and in the future (there it is again!).

So, maybe the best years of our lives aren’t just in college, but whatever part of life we are in right now. All of our years can be the best years. Starting now.

When It’s All Said and Done

I can’t believe I’m already at the end. It’s surreal. It’s unbelievable. It’s bittersweet. Just hours until I journey home. This has been some of the best months of my life and I am so thankful to have experienced it all. I created a part of my life in this city! Now we have to pack up and move back to reality. Too much moving and shaking for me.

I don’t know how to put it all into words. In one semester, I’ve made new friends and travel buddies who explored the other side of the world with me, I interned at an awesome PR/communications agency and I got to live in one of the coolest cities in the world. I have so many memories to keep with me forever.

Study abroad taught me so much about myself. I lived more and worried less that is for sure. I didn’t waste time harping on my body; I ate, I drank, I soaked everything in. I lived out of a backpack, slept in a hostel, navigated four of the six Australian states, made friends with strangers, stepped out of my comfort zone, and so much more.

I loved every minute in Australia. From my BU roomies to the beautiful beaches, I’m going to miss every minute that I’m not here. It’s been a semester-long vacation. Yes, I can’t wait to be home, see my family, sleep in my own bed – all that good stuff, but, It’s hard to leave a place I fell in love with, even if I have a feeling I’ll be back.

The crazy amazing people I have met:

If you’re nervous about traveling abroad, you know you are making the right decision. I took a big leap and I fell in love. I can’t stop wanting to type “I’ll miss it here, I’ll miss it here” over and over.

It has been an easier way of life here: a balance between work and play, a more relaxed working environment, and a love for travel (more Aussies seem to travel outside of their own country without having even travelled their own! sounds like me…). Now it’s time to prepare for winter, American currency and driving on the right side of the road.  If there’s one thing I want to leave behind in this country, it’s my stress!

I might not come back with an awesome tan or an Aussie accent, but I’m returning with a love of life and a passion for travel. I will miss Australia so much. But don’t think this means I am going to stop blogging, I found a love for that, too. Get ready, USA, cause I’m road tripping you next!

— Madison

A Family Affair

I know it’s all over Facebook, but…my mom, Aunt Kim and Thea are here!!!!!!! Well, not currently “here” in Sydney, but they are having a vacation while on vacation in Port Douglas and I’m pretty sure they are going to experience the Great Barrier Reef today. Jealous, but I couldn’t be happier. For their updates, check Facebook!

As they adjusted to the major time difference, we explored the burroughs of Sydney, making our way to the Glebe markets, the Rocks Village Bizarre and the unanimous favourite: Manly beach. I think as their jetlag wore off they started to like the city, but the first few days of adventuring was a little too much to handle. We tore UP this city!

 

The one day I was so graciously given the day off so we shopped til we dropped. Literally. Another day they hosted “wine & cheese” in their hotel room slash penthouse apartment so they could meet my friends here. We checked out a Chinese Cotemporary Art Gallery and sipped on traditional herbal teas while we munched on scones. We explored The Rocks Village Bizarre and they found some good souvies and Christmas prezzies. They helped me cross off items on my bucket list like seeing a show at the Sydney Opera house! Our first ballet other than the Nutcracker and we received dirty glances from the women in front of us.

The best day was our trip to Manly. We didn’t plan on going, as the weather was not on our side until we walked outdoors and decided it would be the perfect day to ferry to the beach. And we were right, natch. We walked the length of the beach, stopping to check out a beach volleyball tournament, and ended the day sitting harbourside with beer flights and fish&chips. Not me, I’m still scarred from my bus tour with greasy, smelly fish&chips. No way, I opted for the German pretzels to go with my new favourite Hofbrau Dunkel Dark Lager. Who knew!

But really… let’s talk food. I finally got to eat more than oatmeal, chicken sausage and 65cent pasta! On their first day here, we ate at a cute Greek restaurant, Giulia’s – recommended by friends of mine – and had a huge brunch. We found delicious Mexican food (seriously, it has been hard to find) and enjoyed a happy harp-playing serenade during our dinner with frozen margaritas, mojitos and nachos. Another night, we had the classiest of classy h’ordeuvres – still have to Google that word for spelling – which included wine, a variety of cheeses, Lavosh a.k.a. a giant cracker and the most incredible white chocolate truffles. Ooh, might I add we had multiple amazing brekkies, one being at Bill’s in Surry Hills with ricotta hot cakes and eggs, bacon and sweet corn fritters. And coffee. Everyday. My addiction may be making a comeback.

So many good things happen when food is included, except my jeans get a little snug. Study abroad will definitely do that to ya. Thank goodness I go back to big sweaters and heavy coats – hide in a big ball of warmth.

We haven’t found Little Italy of Sydney, yet, but we were recommended a hole-in-the-wall restaurant to try (our fav), so we will hopefully make it there before they head back to the States.

I love my family because we’re all foodies and we sharesies, it’s the best(ies). However, my mom really has to learn about the tipping culture (or lack there of) in Australia. I’m sure she’s up in Port Douglas giving waiters $20 tips even though the minimum wage is like $17/hr. Still, gotta love her and the fact that she/Aunt Kim/Thea are here!

In other news, I only have two weeks until I suffer through one final (how will I survive?) and somehow pack my room into two suitcases. We have a program-planned Thanksgiving next week and one more farewell event on our last full day before it’s Ta-ta, Sydney. It’ll be the whole”it’s not Sydney, it’s me” and “we don’t want things to end this way, but they have to” and “maybe our paths will cross in the future” big emotional break-up. We’re making the most of the time we have left. Too cheesy?

Ugh, completely and wholly loving my time here.

— Madison