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Just got my assignment for my DC internship. I'll be a political correspondent for WTWO in Terre Haute, Indiana. For all of my IU friends, if you are in Terre Haute, be sure to watch me on channel 2 starting on July 6th!
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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| Time: | 6:34 pm. |
| Mood: |  sad. |
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I'm really going to miss Brianne, Katie, and Kevin when I leave.
What will Charlie's Angels do after the big split on August 11th?
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Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
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Thursday, March 30th, 2006
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Just got an interview with Nexstar Broadcasting on April 11th. Woohoo!
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Comments: Read 4 or Add Your Own.
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Just got back from Spring Break.
Dev and Bean taught me how to drive on the highway. I went up one exit to the mall. This is a baby step process.
Went to AC Sunday to Monday. Gambled. Lost. Bought fudge. It was cool. Dev bought me an awesome bag from the Wilson's Leather outlet there. Love it!!
Had a dr. appt. on Tuesday. He confirmed that the health center is full of crap. I also saw Bouchard and Mrs. Sandusky. Boo threatened Dev; it was pretty funny.
Wednesday was boring. No car. See Colleen's entries for explanations.
We went to South Street on Thursday so Dev could get a cheese steak. Bean almost got arrested by PATCO. What drama.
Friday we went to the adventure aquarium. It was cool except for the 1st grade field trip of loud kids from Camden that need to be on leashes. The hippo there, Button, was having a birthday, so Dev bought me a hippo stuffed animal, rightfully named Button. He's soooooo cute.
Dev left on Saturday. Tear. But the day got better when mom made me a Vera Bradley look-a-like bag. It's awesome.
Can't believe I have to go back to class tomorrow. It went by too fast. :(
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Sunday, February 19th, 2006
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I have a crush on Rick Pitino
and Apolo Anton Ohno.
The end.
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Comments: Read 6 or Add Your Own.
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Thursday, January 5th, 2006
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This is an update from me and Dev...since I'm in STL this week.
Christmas was fun...Dev spoilled me more than he should have!
New Year's was awesome. We took a dinner cruise on the Mississippi and rang in the New Year on the river.
And then January 3rd came....hard.
Dev and I were in a nasty car accident. He was driving, his dad was in the passenger seat, I was in the back. The car was totalled and Dev and I spent half of the night by the side of highway 40 and the other half in St. Luke's Hospital. I hit my head on his convertible bar and got a huge bump and screwed up my neck. Dev hurt his head and neck as well. Both of our seats broke because of the speed at which we were thrown from them and pulled right back into them. It all happened because of some moron not paying attention. It was rush hour and we had come to a complete stop. The idiot on a pickup was not paying attention and ran into the car in front of him. He hit the car in front of him, who in turn hit Dev, who was forced into the car in front of him. Here is a picture of the back. The front looks better because he was quite a distance from the car in front of him and didn't hit it hard.
http://portfolio.iu.edu/dariggs/DSC01264.JPG
We are all ok. Dev is upset because this was his first car. It was unique and special. Now, he will be returning to school without a car. He may not have one all semester.
We went car shopping today. He has his eye on a Lexus IS300. He looks good in it! This is so unfortunate that his baby was taken from him all because of one jerk....and I think he so deserves the car!!
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Monday, December 19th, 2005
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| Time: | 12:08 am. |
| Mood: |  contemplative. |
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Earlier today...I got to thinking about the past year.
2005 was an off year...and I use the term off because I have no other way to describe it. It was amazing and horrible rolled into one.
For starters, I left my home in Indiana only to head back to Jersey. I left the life I've known for four years, left my best friends and the greatest love I've ever felt all to come home, be unable to find a job this side of the Mississippi relatively close to civilization, and work for peanuts at Hallmark under a bitch who barely had a high school degree who treated me like a piece of garbage on the New York City sidewalks.
Bad months continued until April...then all of a sudden...great months!
I was accepted to Syracuse and given a teaching position. I won my first television news award from the Society of Professional Journalists. I went back to IU to visit everyone. I moved in and started school and loved it.
Then I made the worst decision of my life, hurt someone I love dearly, lost a smidge of trust in someone I love dearly, lost my friends, nearly lost Dev...and I've spent the year semi-alone since. I say semi because I still have Dev, but he is 1,000 miles away and only available via a wonderful invention called a webcam.
So when the clock strikes 12 on January 1st, I'm holding my glass up high in hopes of new friends and better times...all while hoping 2006 is on par with the GOOD times in 2005.
Here's to success and happiness for everyone in 2006. And here's to brighter days and a job in Indiana or Illinois come August for me.
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Comments: Add Your Own.
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Tuesday, December 13th, 2005
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| Time: | 2:11 am. |
| Mood: |  ecstatic. | | Music: | the sound of my computer fan. |
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Jon Bon Jovi is hott.
The concert was awesome; he's so much better live. CDs just don't to the group justice.
I'll be shocked if I haven't lost my voice by tomorrow. I was screaming at the top of my lungs to "You Give Love a Bad Name."
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2005
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| Time: | 10:05 pm. |
| Mood: | discontent. | | Music: | VH1 But Can They Sing. |
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I don't think I've ever known true friendship from anyone but Devlin, Jen, Jennifer, and Liz.
It's been a disappointing semester. I feel like I'm in the wrong place....like I don't belong. I'm never included in things. I'm the odd one out. The girls go to lunch; they don't ask me to go. They go shopping; they don't ask me to go. I try to set up plans, and no one's interested. I've cried off and on for about 4 days now. I'm not in the best health recently, and now is the time when I need friends most, but I'm all alone. I think it's because I'm surrounded by East Coasters...my high school "friends" were the same way. I miss the Midwest so badly.
I've been hanging out with Ari a lot recently because he's going through the same things, but he's really really been annoying me recently. It's dumb little stuff...like how he bitched to the waitress at Tully's for like 15 minutes about how they got rid of his favorite dessert. He just bothers me. He's like the kid that you can only take 10 minutes of before you want to hit him with your shoe. Well, 10 minutes is up, and I had to tell him that I can't spend time with him any more. He over analyzes everything, he throws every nice thing he does back in my face, he hits on me, he makes fun of me...good god...why the hell did I spend so much time with him in the first place? I'm getting angry just thinking about it.
I've been getting headaches for the past year and a half. I've tried migraine medicine, muscle relaxers for tension headaches, allergy medicines for sinus headaches. Nothing has worked, and they just keep getting worse. I'm getting them almost every day now. I'm always drugged up, because the medicines make me drowsy and dizzy. The next step is an MRI of my head...just waiting on the insurance company to authorize me for it. I'd like to get it done by the time I head to STL so I don't have it over my head, but mom said it could take months for the paperwork to go through. I come home everyday and sleep because it sometimes just hurts to be awake.
Christmas break can't come soon enough. I'm psyched for a week of relaxation with my family and pups followed by two weeks in STL with Devy. No more tears after December 18th. I'll be with the people/pets who love me, and I can't wait.
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Comments: Read 14 or Add Your Own.
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Thursday, September 15th, 2005
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I haven't really updeated in a while, so I'll try to catch everyone up on what I've been doing.
Boot camp was done in August. I ended with a 3.7. They gave us a two week break before the fall semester. Everyone went home, but I was stuck here for TA training. It was ok. Dev came out for three weeks to keep me company. We had a good time. We fixed our problems. The distance was really getting to me. He decided to put law school on hold so he can find a school close to me and my first job. Our parents think it's a good idea. Our spring breaks line up this year, so we're trying to find a cruise to take. Other than that, not much more about Dev to update on.
The fall semester started three weeks ago. I have 11 credits and am TAing for a Comm Law class. My students are wonderful. They're seniors, so they are all very motivated and hardworking. They know this is their last go before they get a job. I've had a lot of papers to grade, so I'm keeping busy. Next week, I have to start coming up with exam questions.
And it's a good thing I'm keeping busy with school and teaching because I'm kind of miserable up here. I don't exactly feel like I fit in. I hate the East Coast. Everyone's the same. I miss the midwest so bad. I really miss IU. I think about how much happier I was every single day. I wish I had applied to Mizzou and stayed in the midwest, but then I would have been away from my family for another 13 months and it would have been so much harder to move. As it is, Dad barely managed to get the Budget rent-a-truck up here, and it was only 4 hours. I couldn't see us driving all of my furniture out there. I probably would have had to rent furniture or buy it out there, and it would have been a huge pain. At least I have Brie. I've become so close to her in just the few months we've been here, but I'm glad to know we're going through some of the same things.
I miss the dogs a bunch. I'm going home on October 13-16th to visit the family and the puppies...more so the puppies since mom, Bean, Aunt Frannie, and Dad have all been up here at least once within the past month. It's Yom Kippur, and with the huge Jewish population we have here, we have a 4 day weekend.
Dev's heading over for Halloween. We're going as GI Joe and Barbie. I'm about 10 pounds away from my goal weight, but I promised him, if I made it close, I'd wear a hot pink mini-skirt and high heels for my costume. For all of you who haven't seen me in months, I started working out/dieting hard core in April and have lost over 30 pounds. I quit when I moved here because my gym membership didn't fit in with my school schedule, but I've started counting points and working out in my apartment again recently.
That's all for now. To all of my IU friends reading this, I miss you guys terribly.
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Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
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Monday, September 5th, 2005
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Bootcamp is half over...Thank God.
I'm going through a quarter-life crisis.
It's been a strange couple of months.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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The truck is all packed and ready to go...and a very empty apartment is awaiting my arrival in Syracuse tomorrow!
It took Dad and me forever to load everything. Hopefully, when mom helps us unload tomorrow, it will take less time.
Okay...5 and a 1/2 hours until we hit the road. I'm not 100% sure on my new address; I have to double check when I get there tomorrow, but here's what I think it is:
Lauren Kay
60 Presidential Plaza Apt. #703
Syracuse, NY 13202
Wish me luck this weekend.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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| Time: | 11:25 pm. |
| Mood: | sad. |
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I went to Danielle's grave today. Seeing Amy kiss her stone and wisper how much she misses her broke my heart. I didn't want to cry in front of her (today was one of her beter days and I didn't want to make her upset)...so I waited until now. But it is comforting knowing Aiden will always have his big sister watching over him.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I love you!
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Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
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| Time: | 10:24 pm. |
| Mood: |  frustrated. | | Music: | the static in the web cam. |
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I've been back in Jersey for about 4 hours now...and I already hate it. Not because my family is tough to deal with or anything, but because of work. God that job sucks. I'm giving my two weeks tomorrow.
Anywho...Indiana was awesome. I arrived in Indy at 1:30 on Friday. Dev was waiting with a huge smile, a hug, and a kiss. After our second attempt, we finally found the right hotel and checked in. We headed out for lunch, then we rushed right back to the Courtyard Marriott to get ready for the award ceremony. He presented me with a beautiful 3 stone pendant for my birthday because my suit was "incomplete" without it! It's so pretty! We drove to the Marriott North and checked in...Dev forgot his camera, so he had to drive all the way back to get it, but it made it back just in time for the first course of dinner. My "Student Workers" piece took second place in the "Best Television News Reporting" category. Chuck was a no-show, which was frustrating because I was hoping to see him. (It's so not like him to make reservations and just never come. I hope everything is alright with him.) We headed back to the hotel where Dev surprised me with a "Congratulations Lauren" cheesecake.
We woke up early the next morning, hit the Circle Center Mall, and then made the trip back to Bloomington where he surprised me with another present...the entire 6th season of Sex and the City on DVD. Since I had not seen the 4 final episodes to the series, I made him sit through over an hour worth of Samantha, Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte. I even made him push back dinner at Texas Roadhouse, his and my favorite restaurant in Bloomington, so we could finish watching the series. We finally went to eat at about 9:30. Dinner was followed by a quick trip to Walmart, and then we crashed for the evening shortly after.
We slept late on Sunday and headed to a late lunch at Irish Lion. Since this is possibly my last trip to Bloomington, I needed to stock up on Blarney Balls! We did some grocery shopping, rented a video, and ordered a pizza for dinner...had a relaxing evening just cuddling with a movie like we used to do all the time. I miss those nights the most.
We got up around 10:30, packed, and headed back to the airport this morning. Quick bite at Fridays and I was back on a plane by 3:30. Worst flight ever. I thought I was going to throw up...my head still feels shaken up. Ugh...and I have to be up at 8:30 tomorrow for work. God, I hate retail. I busted my butt for this??? I know, I know...it's not my career. It's just filler for a few weeks so I can earn some cash and do something with my life other than sleep, but it's sucky labor. I hate the people there...except for select 3 individuals that I have become friends with. The worst part of the trip was the road back to reality today when I realized I have to step back behind the register tomorrow. My only sanity is knowing I only have to put up with it for 2 more weeks. The income was nice, but $6.25 an hour isn't worth my aggravation.
Maybe Zales will have my ring tomorrow back tomorrow........
........but probably not.
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Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
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Tuesday, April 19th, 2005
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If you read my last entry, you know that I could potentially face a difficult decision: PR or grad school.
I met God today at the food court in the mall, and he told me to go to Syracuse.
Yes, I know how that must sound, but it's true.
I went to Chic-Fil-A for a diet coke this afternoon. I was wearing my IU shirt, and the older gentleman behind the counter asked me if I recently graduated from IU. I said yes. He questioned why an East Coast girl would travel all the way out there when Penn State and Rutgers are so much closer. I told him I was a broadcasting major and IU has a great program in addition to offering me a scholarship I couldn't turn down. His response was as follows:
"You need to go to Syracuse. You'd be guaranteed a job in broadcasting when you graduate if you go there."
OMG...he pulled Syracuse out of nowhere. It was freaky. Kind of shocked, I explained that I will probably be heading to Syracuse in July for their Master's program. I told him he was rather excited about Syracuse and asked if he went there. He did not.
So...he high fived me and yelled, "That's awesome! Come back and see me when you're famous."
So I took it as a sign. He completely pulled SU out of thin air. It was so weird that a cashier would no so much about the school and the program when he didn't even go there. No matter what comes of Boeing, I'm heading to NY definitely. I'm not giving up that opportunity. I sent my check. What do you think? Was it a sign from God?
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Comments: Read 7 or Add Your Own.
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It's been quite a full weekend. My family and I went to Syracuse for a few days for the Master's preview and to look for housing. I love Syracuse. Their program is amazing...best in the country. They only take 35 broadcast majors, so I consider myself lucky to have gotten a TA position out of them for $15,000 a semester. But I just didn't get that "I belong here" feeling that I got when I visited IU. I'm second guessing everything. This is just such a confusing time for me. I would absolutely hate to turn down the TA position and the stipend, but I can't help but wonder if I am making the right decision. I WILL come out of there with a much better tape, but it won't help me get a better job at all. The career advisors there said I will still probably have to start somewhere like Nebraska for less than a live-able amount of money. I've been wondering if turning down that Nebraska job was a mistake. I may go through my whole life asking the what ifs.
After my job search turned sour, I started sending my resume out in search of a job in PR. Hey, if I can't find a job as a reporter, I am still qualified to be a spokesperson for a large company. I was in a silly mood, and hit the real big companies...I was certainly not going to settle for a nothing job in PR like the Nebraska job would have been. I sent my resume to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, NASA, the FBI, the CIA, to mane a few. Totally not expecting a call, right? I mean, which of these corporations wants to hire an inexperienced person who didn't even major in PR (granted, like I said, I am qualified to do both)? Well, Boeing is interested. We are going to do a little pre-interview phone call tomorrow to see if they want to pay to fly me out for a full blown interview. The position is in STL, so I would be close to my baby...and to Steve! But, if they do offer me the job, should I give up a TA position and a career in broadcasting for an awesome job in PR? See the tough decisions I'm faced with out here in the "real world"? They suck! What are your thoughts?
I guess there will always be the what ifs...so how do you ever know if your major decisions in life are the right ones? Should you always go with your gut instinct? Do you listen to your head or your heart? If I do have to make that tough decision, I'm flipping a coin and leaving the rest of my life up to chance and the gods.
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Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
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Chuck Carney, my News Director and professor for WTIU News Forum, called me this afternoon. I was very surprised to hear his voice...and rather confused. He informed me that he entered one of my pieces in a contest for the Indiana Society for Professional Journalists. Get this...it won! I am receiving an award on April 29th in Indianapolis.
So...I'm making a weekend out of it and will be in Bloomington from April 28th to May 1st. I can't wait to see all of my IU friends!
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Comments: Read 6 or Add Your Own.
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So...my phone rings at 11 AM this morning. I barely wake up before 2PM, so I didn't bother to answer it. When I did finally roll out of bed at 3, I checked my messages. An Associate Dean at Syracuse left me a message asking me to call him back. I made my best attempt to cover up my "I just woke up" voice and called him back. Turns out he called to offer me a teaching assistantship! They want me to TA Communications Law next fall and spring...and they are offering me a 1/2 scholarship to do it plus a $5000 stipend. Go me! Comm Law was my favorite course at IU, and I'm so excited that I get to teach it next year.
Dev was quick to point out the irony. He's headed to law school, and I'll be teaching law. Kinda funny how that works. Anyway, looks like I'll have to dust off my old J300 book so I can brush up on the material. I'd hate the thought of one of my students asking me the difference between libel and slander and not know it. (I'm not a complete moron; I do know the difference. Libel is written and slander is oral, but I was in need of an example.)
Other than that exciting news, my life is boring. I need a part-time job...just to give me something to do and money to spend (or save for school). If you know of anyone who may hire me for 3 months until I ship out to NY, let me know.
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Comments: Read 7 or Add Your Own.
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