As a wise woman once said, “work, work … work”, Rihana 2016. I’ve had many jobs. From planning opera trips in Italy, to accidental moonings from Charlie Sheen when checking his pant size. I checked cameras out for film students during my class breaks, and planned a parents weekend carnival for my University. I’ve delivered gingerbread houses to the Kardashians, and sold greeting cards in a malibu boutique. I designed packaging for a suncare brand and started my own freelance design business. I have always been a hard worker, looking for every chance to get involved. Reflecting on my past jobs, I noticed a pattern of personal growth. While the obvious being time management and enneagram type 3, each job shared the trait of impact. It is important to me to make a positive impact on others' lives. Whether its folding pants at lululemon, or putting together a campus wide carnival.
"Is This Worth It?" A Constant Thought Fulfilling A Childhood Dream.
The accomplishment that means the most to me is not my olympic gold medal or Nobel peace prize, it was seeing Saturday Night Live live. Since I was 11 years old I have wanted to see SNL live. I did all my research on how to get to the show. I didn’t have any connections so it wasn’t going to happen for me that way. I entered the raffle every summer, but alas no luck. I begged my mom everyday, to take me to wait in the standby line. She told me if I stopped asking she would take me when I turned 18. 7 years went by and we were off to New York. When we got to the line my mom was discouraged, she believed there was no way we would get in. We could watch it at our hotel, close enough right? Not quite, but it fueled my fire to do everything I could to see it one day.
The summer of 2018 I was living in Washington DC for an internship. My first weekend happened to line up with the season 42 finale. I realized that a bus ride to New York would only take 4 hours. I bought the 4 pm bus ticket and let my work know I had to leave early. They didn’t hold up their end of the deal and needed me to stay until 4:30. I missed my bus… have you ever noticed when you really want something there are more obstacles?
I bought a 5pm ticket and headed to the station in rush hour traffic on a wing and a prayer. After 5 hours crammed next to a heavyset gentleman and greyhound window I arrived. As I let out a sign of relief, it started to rain. Perfect weather for a night of sitting on the street.
The line was wrapped around 28th and 6th. The first people in line had been there since Thursday morning and here I was rolling in at 10:30pm the night before. I made it through the night by making friends. We played games, reenacted our favorite sketches, and ate street pizza. Sitting in my twin bed comforter that I fashioned into a sleeping bag, shivering from the cold, I reflected on how much I had gone through to attempt to satisfy a childhood dream, that wasn’t guaranteed to happen.
7am came and I got a standby ticket for the 4:30pm taping. When I arrived at the show, I waited in another line, went through security and got into the elevator. The final step. I was so close to studio 8H. It wasn’t until the opening intro and the fanfare that I realized I had done it. I had completed my goal of seeing Saturday Night Live LIVE! This accomplishment is so dear to my heart because I did not let anything get in the way of my goal. My hard work and determination paid off. I am capable of finding a way!
A Letter to Myself, One Year Ago ...
Hey girl, buckle up because next year is not going to be it for us. First off don’t order the cap and gown. I know, I know opting for the deluxe graduation package may seem like a deal now, but trust me on this. Be understanding of those who don’t have things figured out because you will be in a similar situation soon. I know you thought you would have job offers lined up, but invest in the people who are investing in you right now. Pour into your resume, extracurriculars and part time job. Make friends who will be there for you when you are having pretty dark days. Maybe give Mom and Dad a heads up, I know they are going to love seeing you more, a lot more… Eat out as much as you can, go to the gym and don’t be afraid to make those travel decisions on a whim. Be adventurous! It’s tempting to binge that Netflix show now but going out and being social will be a great investment. Don’t worry I am looking out for you now and we will get through next year. Love you see you in the mirror!
P.S. Dying your hair is not the move… okay bye