Get Engaged

Although it's not completed yet, the thing I'm most proud of is my work towards the Get Engaged page on the website. I'm working on this page that will go on the membership section of the website that is basically going to be a snapshot of everything SHM offers to it's members! This project has been completely on my own and I've really enjoyed it. It should be really cool once I get to see the final outcome on the website!

Welcome to the working world.

I am most proud that I have survived so far! This co-op has been such a great experience. Coming from working at Bruster's Ice Cream and Samuels's Pancake House I was a little nervous working in an office at a desk all day! I survived with only one panic attack and that I blame that on my wisdom teeth. With the help of my wonderful QI team I have not only learned so much of the working world but I have learned how to plan a wedding and life lessons too:) I owe them credit for my survival and don't think I could have done it without great people by my side!

Monday Afternoon

I'm most proud of the HFPM designs and marketing tools. I hadn't really done a whole marketing project before this, and Ashley helped me along the way, but I generally did most of it by myself. I love how the deliverables have turned out so far, and I look forward to doing challenging marketing work like this in the future!

700th post on Collective Reality!

What are you most proud of that you accomplished while working at SHM so far?

TCB

SHM reminds me of the 'Taking Care of Business" song that the orange team did for our "flash mob". We rehearsed the same 40 second snippet for like 2 months so its basically stuck in my head. Im sure if I heard the song again I'd have the memory of being in Sixers practicing our moves.

Eminem

Basically anytime I hear any Eminem song I think of Andrew and his rap. We kept calling him that for some reason leading up to the rap and now Eminem reminds me of Andrew! (even though they look nothing alike)

Rebecca Black

Two songs:

1. Friday - Because Ashley is always playing/singing it!

and

2. Black and Orange - Because I see that horrible color combination every day and it reminds me of Kat :)

Heard it through the Grapevine

While everyone was out of the office at HM11, the MA's were planning on creating a video to 'Heard it through the Grapevine' - but changing it to 'Heard the staff's in Grapevine. I re-wrote all the lyrics to relate to SHM but on the day our video was supposed to be shot we had to decorate for longer than originally expected. However, the lyrics still exist and can be viewed through 5pm: Marketing > MA Corner > Heard the staff's in Grapevine.

Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Thanks to the QI Princesses' Rap, I will forever remember SHM whenever I hear the Fresh Prince of Bel Air Intro. For those of you who don't know, the QI team revamped the Fresh Prince of Bel Air Intro to describe life at SHM. It's hilarious and if you haven't heard it before you should make a request to hear it!

Tell me what I wanna hear

I'm in the middle of listening to some JB (Justin Bieber, obviously) and was thinking about how every time I listen to this particular song, I think about the first time I heard it (pre-gaming for Erin Express, watching the music video, obviously). So I came up with this question:

What's a song that when you hear it you think about your co-op at SHM? And why does this happen?

P.S: the purple is a tribute to JB, not me.

Questions.

1. If you could go back in time and re-start life at one of your birthdays, what age would you pick? Why?

2. What's the worst thing you ever ate ?

3. If you could make/change one law, what would it be? Why?

4. If u were to hide something really valuable, where would u choose to hide it? And if it was locked away, what might you make the password or code to open it?

¿preguntas?

1. If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
2. What would be your dream job?
3. What is your most embarrassing elementary/middle/high school experience?
4. Who do you idol most (if anyone)?

For Meredith, answer the bolded one (#3) :)

So long. Farewell. Avida say goodbye.

As much as I'd like to stay at SHM (instead of delving back into classes), leaving Filthy-delphia to live in Australia for 4 months may be somewhat overshadowing my reluctance to vacate Spring Garden. But although I am cutting my co-op experience short, I feel like I have gained appropriate and valuable lessons about PR and marketing, as well as life in a business setting. Lessons that will surely carry on to my next employment... assuming I find a job after college that is. Truly being able to experience the daily tasks and activities that accompany a successful job in the PR and marketing fields is quite unique for a college co-op. I am thankful to have been given this opportunity and hope I have made an equally significant impact on SHM as it has on me.

My advice for future co-ops, as well for the 4 co-ops I so sorrowfully leave behind, is to give 100%, enjoy your work, and leave with no regrets. In the real world, beyond frat parties and cafeteria mystery meat, we Will spend at least half of our awake-hours dedicated to our profession Don't let your job define who you are, but rather let your job be defined by your personal character. Wake up each morning with the motivation to make a difference and the attitude to inspire others to do the same.

Not trying to sound like I'm accepting an Oscar right now but... I'd like to thank Jacqui, Brendon and Kristin for supervising my projects and educating me with the tools to move forward with esteemed knowledge. A big deserving thanks to Todd and Ashley as well; it is with their guidance that I am able to complete this co-op with only positive things to say about SHM, done so with a smile on my face. If I had the time to name everyone who has been an awesome coworker and friend I would but it seems the micropho--

4 Questions

1. If you had to be another species what would you be?

2. If you had your own reality show what would you name it?

3. Ever broken a bone? How?

4. If you had 10 days to live how would you spend them?

For Meredith (and anyone else), answer one above, your choice!

Queshterans

My four questions would be:

1. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? P.S. let's say all foods have no calories!

2. What is the best advice your parents have ever given you?

3. Favorite place you've ever traveled?

4. Quality you appreciate most in a best friend?


For Meredith... answer all of the above :)

Alyse, Joan, Tori, Andrew:

If you had to come up with a month's worth of blog questions, what four questions would you ask?

In addition, as a fun aspect to this week, I want each of you to ask me a question. It can be silly or serious, you get to decide. I figure it's about time I post a response on this thing.

Have fun!

Michelle:

You're out of here in two weeks! Time to give your "last lecture" as well as anything you hope to accomplish before you leave us forever! This is your moment to post your advice, your final thoughts about your experience, etc. Have fun with it, but take it seriously at the same time.

worry free

Dear Joan,

I know you're going to get yourself into some situations in which you'll stress out... a lot. But don't! Life is too short to worry like you do! Keep it up and your going to give yourself an ulcer (sidenote: I actually did do that)! Also, don't be afraid to screw up! You can't do everything perfect... no one can. And don't get so upset when you do something wrong. You're supposed to make mistakes. Last thing, please stop being such a control freak. You need to learn how to delegate duties and stop thinking that you have to control everything. That's all for now. Just live your life... it's supposed to be fun :)

Love,
15 year old Joan

Advice

What I've learned most from the past 5 years is that working hard is important, but taking time for yourself makes all the hard work worth it. You can overbook your schedule with class, practices, meetings and work (which I always do) but all the hard work can only pay off if you take time to enjoy your life. I used to never let myself go out if I had any homework, I wouldn't go to the cafeteria with friends for dinner because I was rushing from practice to a meeting, etc. Now I try to balance working enough to achieve my goals and allowing myself to be 21 and do things I really want to do. I wish that I had learned the importance of "you" time in high school.

Tips for 5 years ago.

Andrew,

2007- Colts, Spurs, Ducks, Red Sox
2008-Giants, Celtics, Red Wings, Phillies
2009-Steelers, Lakers, Penguins, Yankees
2010-Saints, lakers, Blackhawks, Giants
2011- Packers, Mavericks, Bruins

Bet on all these teams for the corresponding years no matter how much you may hate them.

Ok Bye.

My Adult Advice To My Teen Self

Dear 17-year old Michelle,

You are a shy kid by nature, I know that... but it's time to start make changes in your life that will leave you admitting, "I wish I had done that earlier." I know it's extremely hard for you to break out of your shell and divert from your reserved demeanor (I was you once). Opening up to people you aren't completely comfortable with is without a doubt nerve racking and anxiety-inducing, but also extremely worth it. People will never get a chance to experience the real you if you continue to hide behind that wall of fear... and that would be unfortunate because I think you're pretty great. It will hinder your ability to become involved in everything that Drexel and Philadelphia has to offer, as well as sheltering you from a wide array of amazing opportunities. Now is the perfect time to go forth and be yourself in any situation you stubble upon, you are in your prime young grasshopper! It's incredible what you can learn in just 5 short years that, had you known earlier, would completely change your life. Just remember that 5 years down the road you won't be happy regretting what life you could have lead in college.

"When the road ahead seems endless remember that with each step you take you are that much farther from where you started!" - Michelle McKinley

Time flies!

5 Years ago I probably would have reminded myself to relax and enjoy every moment of life! Within the last 5 years of my life I have experienced so much; transferring into high school, trying out for sports teams, getting my license, looking at colleges, living on my own and so much more. These last few years have been some of the best yet when reminiscing with friends my memory is terrible! I honestly believe I have such a horrible memory because I was always running from one place to the next and I never really enjoyed each experience. I was one of those kids that played every sport and never missed a social event therefore my schedule was usually hectic. Now I take full advantage of every day even if it is a boring one. I have learned my lesson and am finally listening to those who say time flies!

Hello everyone! I have returned from my 3 week vacation. A big thank you to Michelle for posting questions in my absence. You came up with some pretty interesting ones!

Here is my question for everyone this week, which I am stealing from the July issue of the SHM Newsletter.

What advice would you give yourself 5 years ago?