Thunderstruck and Thriving

Spring break was nothing short of adventurous. Between arriving in a power outage, battles with cockroaches, climbing endless hills and a deceitful hike to a fake beach, Whitsundays was amazing. There are so many parts of this trip I could talk about but my absolute favorite day was the last day when we went out on an ocean rafting boat in the pouring rain all day. We were on a marine boat that was a high speed donut doing boat called Thunderstruck. The crew was super rowdy and fun and they played storm themed music the whole day like, It’s Raining Men and CCR Have You Ever Seen the Rain? So naturally I was having a blast. We were being pelted in the face by rain so hard that we wore our snorkeling masks on the boat so we could see, we hiked up to the Whitehaven beach lookout in our wetsuits and then sat in the ocean where a baby shark was apparently swimming around us AND we snorkeled several bays around the Whitsunday islands that was still apart of the Great Barrier Reef. It could be said that the highlight of the trip was getting the captain to blast Rocky Top for us and confusing the whole boat with our Tennesseeness. Our English couple we befriended got a kick out of Rocky Top and SURPRISE, they ended up sitting next to us on our flight back to Sydney the next day. I may not have seen The Shire over spring break but I did find Nemo and it was incredible.

My first two weeks as an intern at an ad agency in Australia has been nothing short of unreal. I don’t feel like an intern, I actually feel like I am apart of the team and office. I have already learned so much about the industry and about Australian culture, I can’t think of a better way to immerse myself in Sydney life. Everyone I work with is extremely friendly and from so many places that I have a hard time keeping up with the lingo since I am dealing with several different cultures at once. The entire work environment is so different from the States too. They play all kinds of music like Cher, Flume, NWA and RHCP throughout the day, they have a sign on the trash cans of Mr. T saying “I pity the fool who doesn’t recycle”, one girl came to work dressed as a unicorn just because she could and boy do they know how to order coffee! (by the way if anyone can figure out what jet fuel is for coffee, let me know). 

Overall Sydney solo life has been pretty rad and now that we have passed the half way mark and are starting our descent back into American ways, I have really started to appreciate this trip and all of the amazing things I been privileged enough to do. But it isn’t over yet, so stay tuned for more adventures down under!

**Also I ran into one of my sorority sistersthis weekend in Newtown randomly and that was amazing to find a friend 9000 miles from home. 

More Memorable Adventures

It has been a long few weeks since my last blog post. However, these past three weeks have been full of memories, work, and fun. My spring break group decided to do things a little differently than the group who went to New Zealand. We chose to go to the WhitSunday Islands and spend four days exploring, snorkeling, and hiking. From having no power on the first day, hiking 4 hours in the rain to a beach that did not exist, and ocean rafting in the rain while they played 'Rocky Top' on the speakers, it was definitely and adventure.

After an exciting break, it was difficult to get back to the city and get ready for work. The first few days of my internship were difficult, but I am now getting comfortable with my position and am getting to know my co workers. It is hard to believe that 2 weeks have already passed by with my internship, but I am excited about the weeks to come.

Overall, this experience has truly been incredible and I have had the opportunity to meet many people and see many different places that I never thought I would get to see. My internship has already helped prepare me for my future, with the experience that I am getting. While I am excited to see my friends and family again in a few weeks, it will be difficult having to leave here. It's hard to believe that there are only 6 more weeks left, but I am looking forward to the many more adventures  and memories to come.

The First Impressions

Once school ended on this study abroad trip, everything about our experience here changed completely. I remember how nervous I was when I made my way to Bashful for the first time by myself. I was thinking so hard about the entire experience that I completely overthought the entire process. Once I arrived at my office for the first time, a woman who had previously interned at the company showed me around and we went out for coffee to talk about Bashful and how everything worked together. The tradition at Bashful is for a new employee to have a ‘Bashful buddy’ for their first week. First of all, Bashful is an advertisement agency compromised of an account management, strategy, creative, & digital department. The account management dept. works with the clients to make sure they get everything they want with the advertisements. The strategy dept. works in tandem with account management to create a plan or ‘strategy’ to achieve the requests of the clients while also working on a pitch for the creative department. After the strategy dept. comes up with a plan, they pitch it to the creative group and they take the strategy into action in order to design the ad itself. The digital dept. works almost exclusively on social media and digital advertisements to promote client brands.

Everything I just mentioned probably sounds very confusing, but the reality of the internship process is that your supervisor expects you to understand it all. When you are immersed in the office environment working on research and partnering with different people in each department, you learn things so fast. My first three days were very chaotic and I felt like I could not contribute to my full potential mostly because I was nervous and had a lack of knowledge on advertising. However, just in the second week I feel so much more confident in my abilities to help the agency solve solutions to their problems and produce quality research about client competitors. My major is communication studies and I did not have much experience working in an advertisement field. The thing to take away from all this is that no matter where you end up in your internship, you will land on your feet. The people you work with here are very friendly, want to help you, and see you grow. The key is to stay positive and never think any questions is a ‘dumb’ question because asking questions when you are unsure about something is one of the best ways to learn (trust me you will ask many). So far, the internship at Bashful has been my favorite part of the trip and I feel like the people I work with are making a very positive impact on me. Working 9-5 throughout the week is preparing me for the real world work environment and contributing to my professional development.          

The final countdown

It's finally here; we've officially passed the halfway mark for our adventure Down Under!

These past several weeks have been a whirlwind of classes, excursions and tons of unforgettable memories. It's hard to believe that I have been in my internship placement for two whole weeks and all of our planned excursions are finished. Sydney has been amazing, no doubt, but I can't wait to be back home (hopefully with Taco Bell and sweet tea waiting for me) in just six short weeks.

Last night, when this actually hit me, I realized that I haven't even scratched the surface of what I wanted to do in Australia since I learned I had been accepted into the program. I panicked and immediately began searching for last minute weekend trips, activities in Sydney and worried that I hadn't met the Aussie friends I assumed I would still keep in contact with and be able to show off to all my other friends while in the States.

But then, I decided to calm down and appreciate everything I have already gotten to experience here from playing with a baby wallaby to figuring out public transportation to making lifelong friends in my college. I really have accomplished so much more than I hoped, and I felt so humbled by having this opportunity and being halfway across the world. Sure, I'll still be attempting to eat at every "must" brunch spot, hit the beaches while I still can and enjoy those amazing Aussie accents, but it's true that no place is like home, and I can't wait to be there.

See you soon,
Allie

Bus Buddy

To all my fellow women in the world: 

I was having trouble figuring out what I wanted to write about because I knew everyone was going to talk about their Spring Break trips (nothing against that), but I wanted to be different. So, today Liza, Katelyn, and I were headed to Hunter Hills for brunch when I met the sweetest lady on public transit.

Preface: I suck at public transit. I always get us on the right bus but going the wrong way, and of course I did that this morning. I really don't know why I am always the one navigating us places still.

Ok back to the story now.......we were going to a brunch place called Dachshund Coffee. I am obsessed with wiener dogs and love coffee. It was a match made in Heaven for me honestly. I kept talking about this place last night that Katelyn probably hated me for it. Most importantly, the whole coffee shop was decorated with wiener dogs. I was without a doubt...IN LOVE. Heart eyes for this gem of a cafe.

But the best part of the story is the lady I met on the bus ride there. Her name was Meg, and I am still sad I didn't get her number. She overheard me reassuring Katelyn and Liza that we were definitely headed in the right direction this time. She proceeded to ask me where we were headed to make sure we were actually going in the right direction. (People are so nice here!) Then, the general questions came about America and why I'm in Sydney. She asked me to explain the dynamic is at my job since I'm just an intern. In my opinion, work environments in Australia are way more laid back than in America. I don't feel like an intern at my internship. They are very welcoming, and I am learning so much about the events industry. Lastly, Meg started talking about gender equality in the workplace and how it has effected her. She was coming from the International Women's Day event at ICC in Sydney when she sat by me on the bus. I can't put into words all the amazing things that she witnessed at the International Women's Day event. Everything she said was so encouraging and empowering as a young woman about to enter into the business world! The wise words she left me with were: "Go for whatever you feel in your heart to be passionate about. If people doubt you because of your gender, then you forget about them and just keep pushing towards your dream."

WHAT AN AWESOME WOMAN MEG IS.

These words will stay with me. Inspire me. I will pass this message along until my last breaths.

So I leave you with this amazing story, empowering words, and a great day. To all my fellow working women out there, may we all keep pushing towards our dreams each and every day, and always remember we have the right to be heard.

Cheers,
Cheyenne

p.s. I meet the most amazing people on public transit. I hate to say I will miss public transit once I leave Sydney.

Top 10 Times I Almost Died But Didn't [CLICKBAIT EXTRAVAGANZA 2K18]

Well folks, it's dawned on me that I've almost died a few times, but yet am still alive enough to write this blog, so that can only mean one thing:

We've come this far without it, but now it's time for some hot and spicy CLICKBAIT! BUCKLE UP!

TOP 10 TIMES I ALMOST DIED BUT DIDN'T

10. THAT WEIRD PIZZA I HAD THE OTHER NIGHT

          It's not that exciting, sure, but I sure was looking forward to that meat lover's pizza I'd been saving. I don't know what it was about it (expired? bad ingredients? I don't know how ovens work and probably undercooked it?) but, MAN, was I disappointed when I bit into it and it tasted like absolute trash, leaving me hungry and ready to make one of many poor food choices here (see #'s 5 & 3).

9. A WILLFUL MISUNDERSTANDING OF HOW ROUNDABOUTS WORK

          Listen, man, I know deep down inside that you have the right of way and that I shouldn't have walked out into traffic. But at the same time? I was holding a bunch of groceries and really wanted to go home and eat some ice cream. I was having a rough day. I know you've been there before, and really, you should've just either let me pass unaccosted or committed to hitting a listless pedestrian. 

8. I HITCHHIKED (NO, LIKE ACTUALLY)

          This one was weird, because in New Zealand, there's this really small town of Waipu that's next to some radical glowworm caves. When we got off the bus, though, three very nice ladies told us idiot travelers that there wasn't any sort of public transport to the caves themselves and that we would either have to walk or hitch a ride. We got rides from 3 different people, and, oddly enough, none of them tried to stab us and/or take our lunch money along the way. Crazy, right? 

7. LINCOLN ROCK

           What can I say? It was a big rock and I got too close to the edge. Sorry, Mom.

6. CAVE WATER

           Re: the Waipu caves, once we actually got there, we found ourselves in a cave system with thigh deep water and maze-like nooks and crannies. The fact that we didn't get lost or eaten by bats is something in and of itself, but the real victory was not getting any diseases or flesh-eating bacteria from whatever was in the water. Caves? A+. Cave water? F--. 

5. TIM TAMS: IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER

           Sometimes you just get a craving for Tim Tams, and, 15 minutes later, you've eaten 2 sleeves and don't have any more food. I never claimed to be a healthy eater, I just follow my heart. (pro-tip: dark chocolate Tim Tams are the superior Tim Tam)

4. CHARLENE CALLING OUT DEAN ON M.A.F.S.

           Amazing. If you aren't keeping up with Married at First Sight, you should definitely rectify that. Not to give away too much, but let's just say that if Boy's Night gets a little too rowdy, Charlene's gonna pull the receipts in front of every one. I was so thrilled my heart almost stopped (or maybe that was just the Tim Tams). RIP Justin and Carly. 

3. CAFFEINE OVERDOSE

           I haven't been able to support my coffee habit as much as I'd like, but we just got some half-way decent instant grounds at work. When I got my grubby little mitts on this, I went on a caffeine rumspringa of productivity and heart palpitations. Sure, I felt like my blood vessels were going to burst, but I got a lot of work done and had a nice drink along the way, so, if you really think about it, it was all worth it.

2. PNEUMONIA, PROBABLY

           There might be a bit of recency bias with this one, but it seems like I've been caught in torrential downpours more often these past few weeks (Taupo, Castlecrag, Ultimo, Castlecrag again, and, most recently, Central). I'm sure that if I stayed out any longer, I would be a breeding ground for pneumonia, or something of that ilk. Thankfully, I can still breathe (as of now, anyway). 

1. GOING DOWN IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

           Planes, dude. They're crazy. I've been over the Pacific 3 times so far, and each time I feel is just getting me closer and closer to a watery grave. Let's see what happens on the flight back!



          Anyway, thus concludes my clickbait extravaganza. Thanks for reading. This has all been great, and I can't wait to almost die a few more times while I'm here. 

Home is where New Zealand is

I never thought I would be able to say that I spent Spring Break in New Zealand, but here I am, two weeks past my return date to Sydney with all these amazing memories from a place that has quickly entered third place for Favorite Counties in the world (followed by the U.S. - duh - and France - obviously. Sorry Australia and Italy).

Here's the summary:

We flew out of the Sydney airport, had a layover in Auckland because the Kerikeri airport is a building the size of my living room with (maybe) three planes, then flew into Kerikeri to take a quick shuttle to our hostel, The Mousetrap, in Paihia. Now let me just say, I'm not nuts about beach towns because they have this whole vibe of being a beach town like it's so cool that they get fresh seafood that's actually just shipped from a different beach town - whatever. The point is, I liked Paihia. It was small and had a great history and everyone was insanely nice. New Zealanders are the nicest people in the world, and I grew up in the American South, so that's saying a lot.

The next day, we went on a dolphin cruise. The plan was to swim with them, but the pod we found had, not one, but three babies, making them illegal to swim with but a joy to watch (I mean, come on, one of them was named French Toast and they were adorable and Mom, I'm getting a dolphin, sorry  for the mess).

This was followed by a nice hike to a really big waterfall and a trip to the town across the water, Russell, which was even cuter than Paihia, before hopping on a bus to Auckland. And this is where the story picks up.

I had not had any amazing food since coming to this side of the world. Like, everything has been unbelievably okay. But, Auckland, oh Auckland is a haven for good food. I did not consume a single bad thing in Auckland. Aside from that, it is a gorgeous city. It's pretty small, the people are lovely, and the views are spectacular. That was the first place I've been since the move that I thought, "Oh yeah, I could live here no problem!" It was amazing.

While we were in Auckland, we took a few day trips, one to Matamata to see The Shire (because no way was I going to New Zealand and not going to The Shire) and to Waipu to see a glowworm cave. After devastation that we couldn't make Waitomo work, I was desperate to find somewhere that would give me the experience I've wanted since I was 12 of looking up in a cave and seeing the night sky. Boy, did Waipu deliver. Not only were the glowworms, stunning, the cave was heaps of fun. We walked through hip-deep water and slid through mud and climbed through some wild rock formations all to get to the  darkest parts of the cave. On top of that, we did something I thought I would never do. We hitchhiked. Like, held out our thumbs on the side of the road hoping someone woudl pick us up because the walk was two hours. Upon our return to the one-road town of Waipu (seriously, this place had four restaurants and we ate at half of them), we spent the rest of the evening walking to a river and getting pizza before watching s beautiful sunset on the bus back to Auckland.

Finally, it was time to go to Taupo where we went to a honey hive, tried some Manuka honey, did a beautiful hike to see the bluest water and the most intense rapids and sit in a thermal waterfall. But the best thing about Taupo? Home-cooked breakfasts. Our AirBnB hosts, Paul and Erin and their sweet angel of a dog, Toby, greeted us every morning with waffled and fresh fruit. It was like being home. It was really the cherry on top of an experience that took me away from the stressful city life of Sydney back to the  hills and Sunday morning pancakes and doggy loving that I miss from home.

It was the perfect way to spend my last week before taking on my first job, but there will be more on that later.

For now, cheers.

Sarah