Its a Bittersweet Symphony

Hello World! School is back in session and for many Tourism Seniors at ASU, this means internship time! Woot Woot! Luckily, I am one of those seniors. This semester I will just be interning at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Its been so amazing thus far. I'm learning an insane amount the industry and I'm loving every moment of it! Although its super exciting to be a senior and just a few months away from having my degree, this entire experience is a little bittersweet. I just recently helped ASU with Fall Welcome. This consisted of meeting Freshmen in the College of Public Programs and also riding the bus with them to the main Fall Welcome events on the Tempe campus. I have to say, it was so invigorating to be apart of all the excitement. It definitely reminded me of my Freshman experience and how excited I was to be a college student. It strange to look back and realize how FAST college flew by. To all of you students out there, take this small piece of advice. Enjoy your time in college. Savor those moments. Inhale each and every adventure. Absorbs as much information as your brain will allow, and then push yourself to be better than you imagined. There will be times when it feels like the stress will be too much and just engulf you, but trust me when I say this, its not the end of the world. Take a breath, think positive, and just take it one task at a time. Before you know it, you'll be done, and be so much stronger than you ever fathomed.

I loved the time I had at ASU. I met some amazing people, learned more than I ever thought possible, and grew not only as a student, but also as a person. In conclusion, Welcome Back to School and Lets GO Sun Devils!!!!

Lonni

New Year. New Blog.

So it has been a pretty long time since I last wrote on my blog, but I figured, better late than never! With this now becoming my own personal blog, and not really one for ASU, the topics will be a lot more random, and more about me! Sounds fun right?

Now for the update. Andy (my boyfriend), has been back from Basic Training since December and we moved in together in March! Yay! This is the very first time being on my own and actually living with a boyfriend. A little different, I must say. Everything has been great though. We do have our random arguments and of course the discussion of leaving the toilet seat up, but other that its been awesome. We live in Mesa in a little two story town home with my dog Latte. It has been fun trying to decorate, shop, and even budget together. Living together is a whole other ball game. It really is a learning experience for the both of us, but we've been having fun throughout the process. We both work A LOT, but we try to spend as much time together as possible. Now that this is my personal blog, you'll probably hear more about him in the up coming months. He is simply one of the best things to ever happen to me and I'm blessed to have someone so special like him in my life. Love my Ginger Boyfriend :)

Ok, so enough with the sappy stuff and on to business! I started working at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in June, and its INCREDIBLE! I love that fact that I'm doing something in my career field, and its actually in a top notch resort! I'm learning so much and I'm excited to learn even more. Its so crazy to actually do something that I worked so hard in school for. I'm actually starting my career! The resort is beautiful and my coworkers are so helpful and supportive. It is a wonderful work environment and I look forward to coming to work each day.

I have covered love, work, now School! Or should I say, graduation ;) Yes that's right people. I will be graduating this December with a degree in Tourism Development and Management. Whoot Whoot! Three and a half years of hard work, tears, and too much stress, its finally coming to a close. This Fall I will just be interning at the Royal Palms and not actually attend classes. Its a little bittersweet, but its time. Grad school will happen, but not right away. I want to gain experience and network myself, and maybe in two or three years, I'll be getting my Masters. Till then I'll just work, work, work!

This really has been my life in a really short synopsis, but trust me, there is more to come! Photos, updates,and even videos (if I can figure out how to get them on here...). Till then, Hugs and Love.

Lonni