Here Comes Summer!

It is Saturday afternoon and I am having a really hard time relaxing. Don't get me wrong, I am in major need of relaxation after this week. Its like after you've been sprinting on a tread mill for days, your legs still feel like their moving when you get off. However, today I have given "relaxation" my best effort. I slept in till 10, watched I Love Lucy, leisurely got ready, and then headed over to my new apartment. Since then I have been doing laundry, reading, working out, all enjoyable things but today it has seemed more like torture. I have been so used to working all day on Saturdays, free-Saturdays are still kind of foreign to me, but I am sure in time I will come to enjoy them.

Let me just start by saying that my internship in Production is awesome. I feel so much more in my element now at CMT. On Tuesday we had a live at Studio 330 session, which is primarily what our department is in charge of. A very talented, very famous singer/songwriter came in for the session and it was amazing. I grew up listening to her music, but I had no idea how talented she was until I saw her live. I got to sit in the production room with my head set on, watching the concert and writing down time codes. I also got to stand around during all of the excitement and look important. I found it very entertaining that people from the artist's record label and her publicists introduced themselves to me like I actually mattered. Not to say that I don't matter, but lets face it, I am an intern.

The rest of the week was spent learning the tasks that I will be in charge of including transcribing interviews. I spent the whole day yesterday, 9:30-6:00, listening to every word of two different interviews and typing out what they said word for word. Lets just say I know both of the artists interviewed very well now. I was staring at their faces for so long, at the end I felt like I had adapted some of their mannerisms. Weird. Anyways, all in all it was a great first week.

My sister and my mom will be arriving tomorrow night after a 12 hour drive from Texas. One reason why I hardly ever go home. My mom is going to help us get the new apartment ready. This week, once again I have been a vagabond because my apartment has a bed with no bedding, a shower with no shower curtain, a kitchen with no glasses or plates, and the list goes on. She will be here for a week, and when she leaves I hope that my sister and I will have a place that we can call home, at least for the summer. Luckily, the condo I am moving into in August is completely furnished by my friend/future-roommate, and looks like it was decorated by an interior decorator.

Things are going to be alot different with my sister here, but I am excited. It will be nice to have a partner-in-crime for the summer, and to introduce her to all of the people and places that make up Nashville for me. Between that and my internship, it should be a memorable summer!

I Can See The Light

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just two more days and school is out for the semester! I am so pumped. After Tuesday, I will have nothing to do until the following Monday when I start my internship at CMT in Production. I don't think I have had that much free time since I moved to Nashville in August.


This week has been a blurr. Their was a lot of early morning studying, deadlines and the added stress of what I like to call being a "vagabond." I am so ready to just be settled in to my own apartment where I can completely relax and call it my own. This week my roommates were painting the condo because they are going to sell it and buy a house. Therefore, the condo has smelled of heavy paint fumes the last few days and has been in a general state of disarray. So, I have been carting my trusty Vera Bradley overnight bag and my books back and forth to my Aunt's in Brentwood.

My Aunt Sharon's house was paint-fume free, but not loud, screaming children free. My cousin and her husband have been staying there the last couple of nights as well with their very enthusiastic 2 and 4 year olds. They are absolutely adorable. So adorable that even though I was trying to study for my finals, I couldn't help but smile when I would hear their feet scampering across the wood floors and their high-pitched voices screaming "Rachel!" at 6:00 in the morning. This morning as I was leaving, the two of them sat on the front porch waving goodbye to me as I pulled out of the drive way.

I left early this morning to meet my two cousins (roommate's brothers) for breakfast who came in town for the weekend. I couldn't help but think this afternoon after I got off the phone with my Aunt Prissy, "wow, I sure do spend allot of time with my family!" It is so funny because growing up, we really didn't spend that much time with the extended-family other than the holidays. Since Ive moved here, it seems as if Nashville is the heart of our family and I am completely consumed in it now. I think it must have all been a part of God's plan to bring me to Nashville, because I feel like my life has been so enriched by the relationships I have made with family.

Right now I am studying, but their is allot to look forward to. A week with no responsibilities or plans, and then I am moving into my new apartment next weekend! The following week my cousin is coming up to stay with me, and then my mom is bringing my sister up to stay for the rest of the summer! Once again, spending so much time with my family. Ha ha oh well! Goodnight.

I'm the Lucky One

It is Friday! This week was completely insane. Regardless, all I have to say is God is so good. I have been freaking out about who I was going to live with in the Fall for months now, and yesterday it all worked out. One of my new friends here has a condo that is right down the street from my condo now, and her roommate is moving out. It is still in Green Hills which I love, and I really love my friend. I think she will be a great roommate, and a really good influence on me.

I am still going to live in an apartment with my sister this summer, but then I will move into my new condo in August. I will have to sign a one year lease, and so that means...I am staying in Nashville after graduation. I had a feeling that would end of being the case, but now it is confirmed.

It is a really crazy feeling when you realize that God has you right where he wants you to be. At least it seems that way to me. I feel like when doors are opening left and right, you are on the right path. I came to Nashville to finish school, try out the music industry scene, and see how I liked it. Almost a year later, I have one internship at CMT under my belt, and I am looking forward to the next one. I have had the most amazing experiences, and met the greatest people. I feel very "in my element" here, and I really think I want to pursue something in the music industry.

Their have been some challenges moving to a new city. However, I wouldn't trade the experiences I have had for anything. Moving away to a new city and leaving your friends and family behind is tough, I am not going to lie. But if you can make it through the tough times, it is a growing experience and it makes you a better person in the end. What better time than your twenties, when you are not tied down, to explore and try out everything you ever dreamed of? I no longer have to write in my blog, but I think I will keep it up. It is fun to look back at previous entries and see how much has happened in just one semester.

Interesting article on the Quarter Life Crisis

What Just Happened?

What a whirl-wind of a weekend! It all began Saturday morning when I picked up my friend Ellen from the airport. She came in town for a fun-filled weekend in Nashville, and to attend the CMT Awards Monday night.

We went straight from the airport to her favorite restaurant in Nashville, The Puffy Muffin. We have a joke that every time she comes in town, everything goes our way. Nashville did not let us down when we received a full box of the most delicious cookies for the price of one. The lady there at the Puffy Muffin thought it was necessary that we try them all. After a full stomach of cookies, ginger tea and chicken salad I went to work for the rest of the afternoon and Ellen took a nap back at the condo. That evening, we went out to my Aunt Sharon's and watched SNL, and I took a bubble bath in my Aunt's Jacuzzi tub. It was very relaxing and just what I needed.

Sunday morning, we met some friends at 4th Avenue Church out in Franklin. The preacher gave a wonderful sermon about how important community is and how we are all a part of the same body in Christ. He talked about how we all have our own gifts and talents, and that we should love each other as we love ourselves because we are all apart of that same body. I thought it was such a great message, and it reminded me how much I need to appreciate my christian friends. After church we headed to Puckett's for a great lunch, and then we enjoyed pedicures, some time at the book store, and some leisurely shopping around the Hill Center. Sunday night, we picked up my friend Liz and all headed back out to Sharon's for movies and pizza.

Monday, we started out by going to the Pancake Pantry and then I took Ellen to see where I work at CMT. She was totally impressed considering she is a huge country fan, and watches CMT all the time. We met up with my cousin and his friends for lunch that afternoon, and then started getting ready for the CMT Awards! My sweet friend Hannah escorted her to the awards show because I couldn't go. I borrowed the greatest coat from one of my friends which thank goodness was not only stylish, but very warm. It was freezing outside the night of the Post Party, but my adrenaline also kept me pretty warm.

I knew that I was going to be "a clicker" which entails clicking a device every time someone walks into the venue. However, I did not know that I would be clicking right next to the red carpet at the VIP entrance. I got there at 9, and by the time I left at midnight I felt as if I had just had an out of body experience. I was standing there inside of the velvet rope, next to five security guys, headset on and being passed by all of the biggest stars in county music. What a dream. At one point, I took a bathroom break and went inside the party. As I walked through the crowds of executives and celebrities, I had an overwhelming feeling of "What am I doing here?! This is insane." It was insane in a good way though. I will never forget the experience, and I am so thankful that God opened the doors for me to have these awesome experiences.

This morning at CMT, I shadowed the girl who interned in Production this Spring. I got to sit in the control room, and watch a live 330 session. It was amazing, and I am so excited about this summer. As you can probably tell, this weekend was a little exhausting and I am still recovering. I love Nashville!

Unglamorous

It is Friday once again. The weather does not reflect the mood here in the building at CMT today. Outside it is dreary, rainy and melancholy. In here their is excitement, anticipation, and a bustling energy because the CMT Awards is Monday night!

I just received my duties for the Post Party after the awards show. The information sheet says "We encourage all staff to wear comfortable shoes. No heels or sandals." "There is no drinking of alcoholic beverages or participating in the party while you are working." Okay, so it doesn't sound that glamorous, but I get to stand outside and watch every celebrity walk through the doors to get their party on. That sounds pretty exciting to me!

This week is a blurr to me because it was filled with one deadline and responsibility after another. All in one week I have secured an apartment for the summer, and scheduled my classes for the summer and my last semester of school. Plus, school is really picking up because it is the end of the semester, and I have many assignments due including a 25 page paper for my Capstone in Communication class.

I plan on tackling some of that tonight, but once my friend from home arrives tomorrow morning, I am taking a break from this madness until she leaves Tuesday. It will be great. She already has a list of places she wants to go eat, and we are house sitting for my Aunt Sharon all weekend, so it should be a great time. I cant wait to tell you about Monday night! Until then, have a great weekend!

Spring Is Here

The wheather the last couple of days has been wonderful. Yesterday, you could feel the excitement in the air as everyone basked in the sunshine. Spring around here is unlike anything you could see in Texas. Their are these beautiful trees with white blossoms that billow like clouds in the wind. Streets are lined with these vibrant yellow bushes that I have never seen before in my life. Tulips that look fake decorate the front lawns of houses, and the green that covers the hills just makes you smile. Okay, I will stop with the corniness but it kind of takes your breath away and makes you say "I love Nashville!"

I got to enjoy the outdoors yesterday with a trip down to Franklin to meet some friends at 4th Avenue Church, which I love. I love the energy that church has. Their is allot of commotion through out the service, but it is not offensive. It just gives you the idea that everyone is excited to be there to come together and worship. Most of the service is singing, and they have a time where people in the congregation can gather and pray together. I was watching a group of people huddled together in front of me, and a few of the people were consoling this one lady. I was in awe of how close they all seemed, and how sincerely concerned they were about this woman. One of the women was saying "Ive been there.." and being very understanding and humble with the lady. I thought to myself that this is what church should be like. No one putting up fronts or being judgmental, people just coming together joyfully and being there for each other. I will get off my soap box now.

After church, we headed down the street to Puckett's. We ate green beans, sweet potato casserole, chicken with Cajun cream sauce, sweet potato fries and squash casserole. After that, I walked the Crop Hunger Walk with a friend at Centennial Park. She is always looking for things to get involved in to help people and causes. I really respect that about her. She found out about the walk on a website called Cool People Care. The website lets you know about good causes to get involved in in Nashville.

Today at CMT, we had the big reveal of the 4th floor lobby. It looks amazing, and my department should be very proud. It feels like you are walking into a day spa with its warm color scheme and low-lighting. I heard one of the employees who walked through say "I feel like I should be able to book a massage here." People are so busy with the awards show coming up next Monday, they should be able to book massages to de-stress. It is going to be a great show though. One of my friends from back home is going to come up this weekend and take my ticket to the show, since I have to work the Post Party. Poor me, ha ha just kidding. I will talk to you at the end of the week! :)

Oh Nashville

I woke up this morning and remembered...I never wrote in my blog! We are supposed to add new entries every Tuesday and Friday, and with all I had going on last week-I completely forgot. I hope that my professor will forgive me.

Last night a couple of the interns and I trudged through the damp Nashville wheather to eat at Jackson's downtown, and then we headed to a place called Station Inn to see one of the intern's friends sing. It was a singer/songwriter night, my favorite. Their were four women who all had wonderful voices, and all had an amazing talent for songwriting. The music was acoustic, and was kind of a mix between folk and country. The Station Inn is a little whole in the wall place, very "down home" Nashville with its intimate seating and old concert posters plastered all over the walls. The stage was very modest, and their was a bar in the back that served sodas, beer, and popcorn out of an old-fashioned looking pop-corn maker. The room was filled mostly with the singer's family and friends, so it was a very cozy show.

I found out yesterday that I am going to get to work the CMT Awards Show Post Party next Monday night! I am so pumped. I knew I was going to get two tickets to the Awards Show, but I really wanted to have an experience that I could only have as an intern. I contacted my friend who interns for Special Events at CMT, and she said "If you can handle not being starstruck, and can be well...(a b word), you can make sure people are on the guest list. It will be such great experience for me to see how a party of that magnitude is set up. I'm just going to have to make sure I don't have another tongue tied moment in front of famous people.

Right now I am working at Katie's Hallmark, and when I get off I am going to see my cousin in Lipscomb's Singarama. I hope everyone is having a great weekend, and I will talk to you soon!! :)

Life

It's Tuesday night and I cannot fall asleep. It has been one of those days where you have so much on your mind, you feel like your batteries just need to be taken out and put back in tomorrow. Okay, bad analogy but you get the idea.

Monday I worked at CMT, doing some final touches on projects I have started for the department. I told my advisor my last day would be April 25th, and she said she was going to cry. I am going to miss her! I told her that I would be doing an internship in Production at CMT this summer, and that if she still needed me to come up and do things for her I would.

That night, the interns and I went out for a casual dinner at a place called PM near Belmont. Murph, the intern from Georgia, is moving back home in a few weeks, so we have been trying to get some extra bonding in lately. As I looked around the table last night, it was almost comical how different we all are, yet how we all have one thing in common. We are all driven, creative girls who are trying to make it in the entertainment industry in some form or fashion. At this age, that can seem like a whole lot considering that is what is so heavy on all of our minds. Friday we are having an intern bonding night out on the town in Nashville because Murph hasn't really gotten to see the night life Nashville has to offer...she has been living with her grandparents during her internship at CMT. I should have some funny stories from that night!

Today I had school all day and then I went to church with a friend. I love friends that you have a spiritual connection with right off. Having christian friends is so important at this age because so much is up in the air, and their is so much to be making decisions about. It helps to be able to talk to someone that believes in the same things you do, and it makes you feel close with someone so much faster.

I hope everyone is having a great week, and I hope that I will have some exciting stories to share from CMT on Friday! Goodnight.

Quiet your mind...and open your heart.

Hustle and Bustle

Its Friday! I drove to CMT this morning on an overcast day and arrived to allot of boxes and commotion. Our department is giving the 4th floor lobby a face lift and so everyone was pitching in to get the job done. It is all apart of getting ready for the CMT Awards. The project will take all week, and the big reveal is April 7th. I helped black out all the windows today in the lobby so that no one can see what is being done until the big reveal. I love how everything at CMT is a big production-its right up my alley.

The new and improved lobby will be getting cork floors, a paint job, brand new furniture and draperies, as well as a new steel CMT logo mounted at the front desk. They wanted it to have an old loft feel and I think it is going to look great. Today it was kind of creepy because we had taken out all of the furniture and blacked out the windows, and guests were still being taken up through the lobby. Poor Phil Stacey (from American Idol) was escorted through the madness today. I was sure to tell him that this is not what CMT usually looks like. To add to the madness, one of my co-workers had to bring his adorable 3 and 6 year old daughters to work today and they accompanied us at the front desk. But that is what I love about CMT and country music for that matter, - everyone is so layed-back, and unconcerned with being overly professional. It's very refreshing.

Tonight I plan on relaxing after my first week back. I think my sister is going to come up and live here for the summer and take summer school with me. I am so excited because I will have someone that I can show around and drag to all my favorite places in Nashville! It's going to be a great summer. Until next week... have a great weekend! :)

Home Sweet Home

Well, I am back from Spring Break and I had a great time at home. It took me a couple of days to get used to being back in McKinney and not running from one thing to the next- like I do here in Nashville. However, once I got used to it, it was pure bliss. It was beautiful, warm Texas wheather and I got to spend time with my sweet and hilarious High School friends.

Every time I go home and see their smiling faces, I am reminded how blessed I am to still have them in my life. You cannot replace all the memories, and all the things that can be left unsaid and un-explained because they already know so much about you. I went to lunch with two of my girlfriends, we sat on the patio at an eating place in West Village where all my friends live in Dallas. We went to my favorite mall, North Park, complete with a trip to Nordstrom and Sephora-which has become a ritual every time I go home. That night, I met up with some other friends for dinner and allot of laughs. Their is this great mix of personalities with my High School friends that always makes for hilarious moments and conversations which to a bystander would look like a sitcom. Never the less, I am a big believer in the old saying "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold."

The rest of my trip was spent hanging out with my two sisters who magically grew up and became really cool. It is so fun spending time with them now-we are 23, 20, and 18. That seems allot different then 18, 15, and 12 , our ages when I was in High School. I am so thankful to my parents that they didn't move around allot when we were growing up. I love that even though so much has changed in my home town, their is so much that hasn't changed and that is a comforting thing to come home too.

Anyways, enough of the reminiscing. I am back in Nashville and things are going in full-force. I think I landed the Production Internship at CMT this summer, which I am so happy about because I am not ready to leave CMT anytime soon. Plus, I think that department will be such a great fit for what I am interested in. Everything is bustling around CMT with the Awards show coming up in a couple of weeks. I hope that I will have some exciting stories to share from that event! Goodbye for now!

Texas On My Mind

It's the end of another week and I am getting ready to go home for Spring Break. Since I've been here, I keep Texas way in the back of my mind in order not to get homesick. But lately, its been slipping up more than usual. It might be because it has been such beautiful whether here lately and it reminds me of home.

This week I have been concentrating on my internship as well as this summer and next semester. I have had allot on my mind. Their are so many things right now that I need to get straight for next year including what summer school courses I am taking, where I am going to live, classes for next fall (my last semester of school) and where I am doing my next internship. Maybe that is why I am ready to go home-I need a breather. Isn't it lovely being a twenty-something?

At CMT right now, my department is working on something called "The Get Trashed Party." Yes, only at CMT do we have parties with titles resembling that of a Fraternity Party. Its not as crazy as it sounds. The Annual CMT Awards Show is April 14th (woo hoo!), and our department is putting on an event to encourage people to clean up their spaces, in order to get ready for all of the big-wig LA people who are coming in to help with the Awards. Since everything has to be fun at CMT, we are rewarding prizes to people with the most trash, and complimentary beverages. I love the idea of people throwing important files away in a drunken stooper-even though that is my imagination, CMT employees would never get that out of hand.

Yesterday I got to help one of the guys in my department make the signs for the event. He is a very talented graphic-designer so it was very neat to get to work with him and see how all of the software works.

I also spoke to the intern-coordinator in Top 20 Countdown/Production yesterday about interning for them in the Fall. It looks promising, but I will have to get back with you when I find out if I got it or not.

This weekend will probably consist of work, packing, and relaxing at my Aunt Sharon's. I cant tell you how excited I am about that. I will get back with you about how Spring Break is going! :)

Birthday Bliss

Wow. What a great weekend. I love birthdays because they remind you how many people love you and how blessed you are. Friday was my 23rd birthday, and it was one of my best birthdays yet! The best part is that I was totally not expecting it.

It all started Thursday night at my Aunt Sharon's with dinner, birthday cake, and all my favorite people in Nashville. As if that weren't enough, I got to work at CMT on my birthday and my department treated me to a birthday lunch. Afterwards, I returned home, expecting a qainte birthday dinner with my cousin/roommate. Instead, I was surprised with my cousin Lauren coming to visit! I had no idea! I think it was evident with the "shut up!" and pointing I was doing outside the condo's window.

The night began with pedicures, and then we headed over to one of my new favorite restaurants in Nashville-Firefly. I had the most wonderful salmon and a glass of wine, and then we went to a late movie. To cap it all off, it snowed the most it has all winter that night, and I woke up to a winter wonderland.

I thought I would be sad that I didn't get to spend my birthday with family and friends from home like I was supposed to-but I wasn't in the least. I have friends and family here that I love and if my 23rd birthday is any indication of how this year will be, it is going to be a great one!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-Marcel Proust

Today at CMT

Today was quite the day at CMT. I got in the elevator as I do every morning and pushed the button to go to the 2nd floor. The elevator stopped at the lobby, and immediately a bunch of people with "talent escort" badges stepped inside. Trailing behind with her perfect blond curls and her black alligator skin boots was the adorable and talented T. Swift!

We were all smooshed to capacity in the elevator, and I joined Taylor and what seemed to be her publicist in a conversation about where she got her boots. I smiled pleasantly and then stepped out to the 2nd floor and let Taylor and her entourage ride up to the studio on the 4th. Ever since I had an embarrassing moment with a certain Chuck W., I am a little hesitant to talk to famous people. I figure it is better to just smile then try to have a conversation with them and have it come out as a nervous "blah blah blah"...let me explain.

I met Chuck W., an up-and-coming attractive country singer, at the Dallas airport when I was going home for Christmas Break. We chatted at the baggage claim, and at the time I had no clue he was famous. Over Christmas Break, it became apparent he was famous as I began to hear his song on the radio 24/7. When I got back to Nashville and started at CMT, I mentioned to a girl in my department that I met Chuck at the airport and I thought he was cute. Bad Idea! My whole department began conspiring a plan in order for me to "bump into him" again. He was scheduled to host Top 20 Countdown the following week, so we arranged for me to strategically be down there for the shoot. After all the build up, it was necessary that I say something to him as he walked out. After about a 1/2 hour of nonchalantly sitting behind the camera during his interview, he passed by me and I said "blah blah blah." I really couldn't tell you what I said actually...it was one of those moments.

I thought Chuck and I's future was over at that moment-but today a girl in radio stopped me in the hall as I was leaving. She interviewed him today and said that Heather (the girl in my department) had told her I had a crush on him. In the interview, she asked him if it was weird that all the girls think he is so cute now. She also told him that one of the CMT interns has a crush on him. He said "I think I met her, the one with the long brown hair?" I guess my blubbering gave it away.

Anyways, to make a long story short I think I need a little more practise before I feel completely comfortable around famous people. Especially young, attractive male country singers.

Seems the only one who doesn't see your beauty-Is the face in the mirror looking back at you-You walk around here thinking you're not pretty-But that's not true, cause I know you...Hold on, baby, you're losing it-The water's high, you're jumping into it-And letting go... and no one knows-You cry, but you don't tell anyone-That you might not be the golden one-And you're tied together with a smile-But you're coming undone
Tied together with a smile,Taylor Swift

Just An Ordinary Day

It is Tuesday afternoon and I have to tell you, Tennessee wheather is crazy! Over the weekend it was 70 degrees, yesterday their were winds that literally pushed you over, last night their were thunderstorms, and now I think it is going to snow again! My Texas wardrobe really is not up for this.

On Friday I went and saw The Other Boleyn Girl with my cousins and my Aunt. I loved it because I love movies from that time period. I love the passion, and the drama. Saturday I worked at Katy's Hallmark, and then Saturday night I crashed after a long week. Last week included way to many tests and deadlines to mention. Sunday morning I went to the Pancake Pantry with a friend and that made everything better. It is this great place downtown that has the most wonderful sweet potato pancakes you will ever eat. Their is always a line around the corner, but it is so worth it. I think it is the only place I know of that puts complimentary coffee outside for the people waiting in line. That is so Nashville.

Yesterday at CMT, I got to work the front desk again. I like working the front desk because you get to talk to everyone as they wait for the elevator. I have learned so much just by chatting with people as they walk by. I think it is so important to ask people their story and what they do on a daily basis for their job. This is especially true for me at CMT because I am interested in so many different positions. I think I have narrowed it down to Production/Top 20 though. Some of the interns and I snuck down to the studio yesterday and I was just so enthralled with every aspect of it. The cameras, the lighting, the backdrops, the script...I really wanted to stay but one of the camera guys was filming us over the "in house feed" which everyone in the building can see- so we had to leave in fear that are supervisors had spotted us.

Anyways, this Friday is my 23rd birthday and in two weeks I am going home for Spring Break- so I have some fun things to look forward to. Until Friday...have a great week!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Its Tuesday night and it is snowing in Nashville! I came out to my Aunt Sharon's tonight to watch American Idol, eat a good dinner, and spend the night. I got to watch it with my Aunt, my cousin, and her husband. My cousin Lacy said "I am so content right now...eating a great meal, watching American Idol...with the people I love!" I totally agree Lacy! It's been a crazy couple of days with work and school so I decided I needed a vacation out to good 'ole Brentwood. On the drive here, I couldn't help but smile as snowflakes hit my car. We don't get much snow in Texas, so snow flurries are kind of magical to me. :)

Saturday night with the Interns was allot of fun. We saw an amazing singer/songwriter named Daniel Steele. He has written song after song for Rascal Flatts as well as many others. I am just so impressed with songwriters. Perhaps it is because I am a pretty deep person myself, so I appreciate someone who has the insight to notice life's occurrences and explain them in a way that moves people. Not to mention the fact that they are creating music to go along with it. It is a talent that I feel is to often over looked.

Tomorrow is my last day to be working on that "mundane project" I have been telling you about. I am so excited! I hope that now I get to show my department the talents I have, instead of being in my cubicle entering data into spread sheets! They are such a great group of people to work for, and I have been very blessed. They know how to have a good time, but still magically get so much work done. I have decided that I want to do another internship at CMT in the fall, and I think I want to do it in Top 20 Countdown or CMT News. I think that my passion lies more in film and broadcasting and I think my talents would be well suited in those departments. I hope it works out!

Right now, I am going to bed because well...for once I don't have anything else I need to be doing! Goodnight!

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good
Heart of Life, John Mayer

Funny Friends

Tomorrow night we are having a "CMT girls night out", and I am so excited. I proposed the idea to one of the interns at the beginning of the week. We thought up a game plan, and proceeded to e-mail the invitees. She was sure to clarify in the e-mail that it was "a gathering of new friends" not an "intern activity", because we are not inviting all of the interns.

For some reason, a group has formed within the intern circle. Perhaps it is because we are all girls, all in our early 20's, and are generally the more social ones of the bunch. However, it is not as if the group has much else in common, that is why I am looking forward to tomorrow night.

Two of the girls go to Belmont, one is from Florida and the other from Alabama. Both are sweet, blond and sarcastically funny. They both are very ambitious, as most Belmont students are. Another intern was Miss Mississippi 2006, and fits the bill completely. She is very pretty, has perfect hair, and a very southern accent. The next intern who we have affectionately nicknamed Murph, went to school in Georgia and has moved around allot her whole life. This is probably why she is so friendly, and makes friends with people so quickly. The girl was e-mailing and texting us the first week of our internship! We found out at lunch the other day that she has 14 tattoos...nothing surprises me anymore with this group. Their are a few others that I don't know that well yet, but hopefully I will get to know them better tomorrow night!

We are going to see Live Music at a place called 3rd and Lindsley, one of the Belmont girls recommended. Those Belmont girls know their live music venues around this town! I hope to make seeing live music a regular outing for the interns. I really want to soak up everything I can while I'm in Nashville, and completely immerse myself in the industry so that I can decide weather I want to pursue this or not.

I'm so glad that I am making friends with people who are interested in the same things I am! If their is one thing that all of us have in common, I think it is our common love for music!

Three's Company

I don't think that I have explained my current living situation yet. I live with my sweet cousin Andrea and her husband. Yes, I live with a married couple and not just a married couple, but newlyweds. Friends of mine that know this always ask "isn’t that weird living with newlyweds?" I always answer "surprisingly no." Surprisingly, it has been a very comfortable and enjoyable living situation. This is probably due to the fact that they are two of the most christian, sweet-hearted people I know.

Sure, at times I have had to get away when I can't handle the lovey- doviness any longer, but all in all it has been a very positive experience. It has been amazing to see two people as obsessed with each other as my cousin and her husband are. I'll admit, I can be a cynic when it comes to love. I'm not exactly sure why considering I've never had a bad break up, and my parents are best friends.

Never the less, I can’t imagine feeling the way they feel about each other. They spend every waking day together, perfectly content staying home with just each other’s company to entertain them. I can hear hysterical laughter from their bedroom in the wee hours of the night. They stay on speaker phone with each other when one is at work, not saying anything for minutes at a time.

I’m not sure if I’m not ready for that kind of relationship, or I haven’t found the right person. They didn’t find each other until they were 27 years old, and for them it was worth the wait. Watching them has made up my mind even more that I will not settle on someone just to get married. When I get married, I want it to be because I can't imagine not having that person in my life on a daily basis. I want to enjoy that person's company so much that we could be doing nothing at all, but still having the time of our lives. And most of all, I want someone who makes me laugh.

I am so thankful to have them as role models, but they have also been like second parents to me since I moved to Nashville! I will miss them when I move next semester, but I will never forget their kindness! :)

I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person.
-Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

The Grand Ole Opry

I just got back from the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman. Their was everything from bluegrass, to old men singing really old songs, to the wonderful Josh Turner. From the moment I stepped into the Opry, I felt like I was going back in time.

It is called the "mother church" of country music, and a church it is. It was a church a long, long time ago and has remained in its original form. My dad and I sat in a wooden church pew surrounded by stained glass, and a bunch of tried and true country music fans. It was classic.

The Grand Ole Opry allows you to enjoy the music and the artists stripped of all the lights, glitz and glamour. You are actually allowed to take pictures, and I got to walk all the way up to the stage and not be repremanded by an usher for all of Josh Turner's songs! People would get up in between songs and go get snacks, and then casually come back in and sit down. It was how music should be enjoyed.

Tonight reminded me of why I love country music so much. I love the tradition, and how people in country music respect the artists who came before them. What a memorable night!

Laid Back Weekend in Nashville

It is the beginning of another week here in Nashville, Tennessee. I will take a few moments to recap the weekend. Friday evening I went to Cheesecake Factory for a small dinner (and of course cheesecake) with my cousin Andrea. We then went to see Fools Gold which was very funny. It was a laid back and enjoyable "cousin-bonding" evening, just what I needed after a long week.

Saturday I had work as usual at the one and only Katy's Hallmark, which has actually turned out to be one of my favorite places of employment. I work in the Print Shop making invitations for cute pregnant ladies and bride-to-be's. I suppose you would expect a Hallmark store to be a warm and positive environment...and it is! Saturday night I went out to my Aunt Sharon's in Brentwood and had a relaxing evening including a hot shower, some late-night TV and a really comfortable bed.

Sunday morning I made my way out to my favorite city, Franklin, Tennessee. Some girlfriends and I discovered a great new church there on the square. Just driving into Franklin with the picket fences, historic homes and the quaint square puts me in a spiritual mood. Afterwards, I introduced the girls to my favorite restaurant in Nashville-Puckett’s. The menu includes all of the southern favorites...sweet potato fries, squash casserole and peach cobbler. To die for-I know.

These are the kind of weekends that may seem low key-or boring, but are just what I need to refresh me for a new week. It’s funny how when you get older, you stop stressing about what other people think about what you do on the weekends, and more about what you really want to do. It is quite liberating actually.

Thinking Out Loud

It's Friday! The weeks just keep on going by so fast here. My days are just so jam packed that if I didn't write down every minute detail of my life in my planner, I couldn't tell you what I did yesturday. This might sound unappealing to some, but for me, the busier the better. I pride myself in multi-tasking. I read a quote by one of my heros Lucille Ball that said " The more you do, the more you get done." This could'nt be more true. The only problem with this is I never get a chance to go home. The way things are looking, I probably wont be back in my old stomping grounds till May for my little sister's High School graduation. I think I am going to have a complete melt down that day...that means that I will have been out of High School for 5 years!

Next weekend is Valentines Day and thank God my Dad is coming in town. The majority of the time I am just fine not having a significant other. In fact, I probably wouldnt even notice if it were'nt for holidays like Valentines Day to rub it in. My dad hasn't been to see me since we unloaded my suitcases the day he dropped me off in Nashville. I am so pumped to show him everything. I have tickets for us to go to the Grand Ole Opry Friday night...it will be my first time to go! I will have to tell you more about that later.

It is a pretty basic day today here at CMT. I am about to go to lunch with my supervisors about the project I told you about in Mundane Monday's entry. I have to explain to them the progress I have made. This weekend I dont have any big plans, but I will update you on Tuesday if anything memorable happend. HAPPY FRIDAY!! :)

A few more good quotes:
"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. "
Lucille Ball

“It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.”
Lucille Ball