One week down!

Hello readers,
If I haven't said this before I will say it right now for the record, time flies. The first week of my last year in college is already over, and I begin the second tomorrow. Mind you the first was only three days due to the fact that we started on Wednesday...but regardless, it went quick.

So far I have discovered that this is going to be a pretty interesting year, and I mean that in the best way possible. I have a few teachers that I have never had before, and am looking forward to getting to know them and learning as much as I can. Adda, a psychology professor (amoung other things) taught the single best first class I have ever had. We learned a bit about her life, why she ended up teaching the course, and had some fun getting to know her. I think her class will be full of surprises and good times, it's refreshing to have someone a bit unconventional and 'out of the box' as a teacher.

I am surprised, excited and even someone scared to announce that the true test of my life has arrived. After almost a year of working as a Bartender at Stages Nightclub for only a few nights a week I have been recognized. This past week, along with the week to come, I have been scheduled for shifts on every night the bar is open except for one. Last week was not a big deal because I wasn't in school until Wednesday, but this week I have a couple days where I am up until 4am and then have classes early the next day....sigh. I fear that any looks I have will be ruined from late nights and lost sleep, here come the bags! Fear not Mandi, you can pull through this and when you figure out your new sleeping pattern you will be good as new, with a little extra money in the bank.

Ta ta for now my darlings.
It is time for me to have a nap, even though I got up less than an hour ago.
(See, it's already slowly killing me!)

- Mandi

Update!!

Time passes so quickly that it's hard to keep up with journal and blog entries. Between finishing my second year of college, job hunting, working, and trying to have fun I don't seem to have enough time to do everything I want to do.

I'm currently working at Stages as a Bartender on weekends, having a blast doing it. But I would like to find sometime for during the day...so I have a few more hours and a looser budget. So far I have handed out lots of resumes, and followed up on almost all of them. Either they filled the position and didn't want to tell me, or are actually still going through other resumes and will get back to me at some point. Let's just hope that at least one of them give me a call back...once I get an interview I usually get the job. *crossing fingers for an interview*

I will be returning to St. Lawrence College in the fall for the third optional year of the Advertising program, I hope it's worth it. I was offered a full-time job over the summer but decided that sales really isn't for me, as I want to pursue something in Copywriting, or Marketing...so I don't have to let go of the creative side. The key to this will be finding the right job placement during the third year, it is 6 weeks long and if I can prove myself I feel that my first job could potentially come out of the placement.

That is really the only update I have for now.
Summer has been job hunting with a bit of fun on the side. So far I have been to Calypso the new water park, and did an overnight camping trip for my friend's Birthday. Nothing else 'out of town'...but paintballing and movie going are favourites of mine for in-town activities.

Ta ta for now!!

Acart Day 8

It's hump day!

No...not that kind of hump, what a dirty mind you have! It is Wednesday, the hump in the middle of a 'regular' work week (Mon-Fri). So far it does not feel like there is much of a hump to get over, as I am busy at Acart...sitting in on meetings, and working on my very own Creative Brief. I wish I could talk about all the stuff I am doing, but sadly I do not want to ruin any surprises or get into trouble...confidentiality is important!

One thing I have to say about Acart is that I love the entire atmosphere...but my favourite place is the brainstorm room. I don't know what it's actually called, but that's the only thing I have done in there...so that's what I named it. It's a bright green with a couch, and 4 comfy chairs surrounding a table. There are what look like leaf umbrellas coming out of the walls shading us (even tho we are indoors), and a white board on the back wall to write ideas...or anything we want. What a great place to get the creative juices flowing, and the best part is you get to be comfortable while you do it.

The working world certainly is a lot different than being in school, seems like with commute and a 9 hour day there is not much time for anything else. I am also alone in this big city, don't know anyone...so I just go home and spend the evening alone. This might be a bit different if I took the opportunity to meet some new people...but I am already half way done my stay in Ottawa, and go home on weekends to work (the prime social period of the week).

So...this evening I will put on my favourite sappy love songs for the bus ride/walk home, sit and catch up on Tom's blog...then put on a chick flick (or a hardcore action movie)...and go to bed.

Hope everyone had an awesome hump day!
Ta ta for now,
- Mandi

Acart Day 4

After taking my first ever 'all natural' sleeping pill last night at 8:30pm, I woke up at 7:57am to a faint alarm going off. My phone had somehow gotten under my sheet and I had slept right through the alarm that went off at 6am. Perhaps it was a mix of the headache medication, headache and the fast that I have never taken a sleeping pill before...but man was I ever angry.

I got ready as quick as I could and arrived very late for work, at 9:20am. :( This is not the type of impression I want to give them, and I have learned my lesson never to take a 'new' drug again. Or at least when taking a sleeping pill make sure you don't have to get up at 6am the next morning. Regardless I will be relying on natural sleep from now on, headache or not.

So far I have not done much today, but I am going to see one of the superiors to ask if there is anything at all I can do for her. Craig, Tom, Vernon and Amanda are still in Montreal for the commercial shot, so I am at a loss for guidance. Hopefully I will not be sitting here all day again reading blogs and eves dropping on the conversations around the office. I want to be put to work!

So I ended up being given something to do by John Westbrook, and he told me I had until the end of the following week to get it done. Well...I finished in 4 hours (which included my lunch break in the middle). I guess when there is only one thing on your plate it's easier to get done. But also keep in mind that I am a student and do many powerpoint each semester...so it's not really something new and exciting. I powered through the two slideshows I had to make, and that was that. He gave me permission to leave early tomorrow and catch the train home.

I am excited to see everyone, but it's going to be a busy weekend since I am working the whole time. Ekkk. A week of working at a real job, then home on the weekend to work my part time job. Life just keeps getting more and more busy!

Time to eat, pack my bag for home, wash up...and go to bed.
Ta ta for now.

Acart Day 3

Today is my third day working at Acart Communications as an intern.

I will be working here for three weeks under the wing of Craig and his client services team. So far I have sat in on a few meetings, and done a lot of competitor research for different re-branding campaigns. I am also giving my humble opinion on some copy for a campaign I cannot talk about. Hahaha.

Even after a few days here I have decided that I want to be a copy writer. I have always excelled in English and enjoyed writing, so I think it is a perfect fit. The input I have provided to far has been given the thumbs up and some of my work was even submitted and made into an ad. If it is approved through focus testing it will become part of the campaign! Pretty cool right?

I am not sure what the rest of today will hold, so far just a bit of research that I have finished! I am looking over some campaign material as well as just observing the inner workings of the office. Trying to soak up as much as possible!

Until next time fellow bloggers...
Ta ta for now.