A sudden wake up call

So today is Wednesday and Mom has been in the hospital since last Thursday. She had been experiencing horrible stomach cramps, and when she went to the ER last week, they told her she would need an operation due to blockage in her stomach. Talk about scary and so unexpected. My mom is the strongest person I know, and she has been going through the recovery process with such a positive attitude. There have been good days and bad days, but today is definitely a good day. I feel like things are going to start looking brighter for her from now on :)

It's funny that to think that just last Wednesday I was going out with my friends with basically no worry in the world. I was so excited for graduation, summer, and the start of a new beginning. My birthday is coming up next Tuesday, and Lauren and I were thinking about going to the OC Greek Festival over the weekend. I was pretty absorbed in my own world - which isn't a bad that, but it can become harmful. I don't consider myself self-centered, but I definitely tend to forget that something can happen at any moment could change priorities and daily routines completely.

Since last Thursday, it's like I don't even care about any of those things. Graduation is coming up, and I thought I would be so excited, but now it just seems like another ordinary day. I'll get dressed up, sit in a chair for a few hours, and then go home. It's something to be proud of for sure, but in the long scheme of things, it doesn't compare to being able to see my mom feeling healthy and able to do her everyday things. My mom is not one to be lazy at all, and it's horrible seeing her in a bed because she never takes a rest. She's always picking up the house, running around doing errands, doing favors for the family....she never stops. Being the only girl at home right now, I've gained a slight understanding of all she does when she's home. I hope that one day I can be just as good of a mother/wife she is to my dad, my brother, and myself.

I've learned so much about myself in the past week. Family has always been the most important thing to me, and after this sudden emergency, I feel like there are many times I've taken it for granted. Knowing my family will always be there is such a good thing, but when that knowledge is put in jeapardy, things change completely. I've always believed that everything happens for a reason, and while I wish my mom never had to have surgery, it happened and it has brought us so much closer as a family (when we were already very close). I didn't think we could get much closer. Also, it made me wake up and realize how extremely valuable every moment is with the people you love. I thank God every day for keeping my mommy safe and helping her throughout her recovery. It's so hard for my family and I to know what she has gone through this past week, however, we know she is so strong and she is the best mommy ever! That in itself is something to celebrate :)

It's now or never :)

This week I've FINALLY put efforts toward work my way into the meeting and events industry! Lately everyone has been telling me how much they could me planning events, and I since I have found happiness doing that in the past, I don't see why I shouldn't take a chance at it. It's now or never right? I haven't felt so instrinsicly motivated in such a long time. I realize that I have so much to learn beyond my B.A and whatever planning experience I've had, but I'm still very determined to push my way through.

Today after work I drove straight to OCC and talked to a counselor about their Certificate in Event and Meeting Planning! I had so much fun, just walking on completely different campus. felt like I was embarking on a new adventure into the unknown.

If you're reading this, please help me stay on track with this! Since I haven't had work experience in a hotel or catering company, it's going to be a little more difficult. I'm thinking I'll have to find whatever full time job I can get right now, and take classes for the certification and hopefully join the OC Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International). My boss Kristie at the Alumni Association told me about MPI and how great it was when she was a member. Kristie is such a blessing! I'm so thankful to be working with someone who knows all about the meeting and events industry. She's helped me so much with my job search and giving me advice on who to talk to and where to look.

People who say meeting and event planning professions require little skill have no idea what they're talking about. Crazy talk literally. One needs to have the ability to effectively communicate with all people involved in a successful execution of a meeting/event (vendors, attendees, catering crew, set-up crew...the list goes ). ALSO, one needs the ability to effectively prioritize, pay attention to detail, and at least appear collected when time is running out before an event. When I planned Parent's Day (which was very small compared to, let's say, a CONVENTION), I slept very little the few days before the event. Whether it was creating program, the slideshow (making sure it was compatible with the DVD player), the music, the food, the ever-changing headcount, I felt like it was MORE than a full time job. Yet I absolutely loved what I was doing - I was having so much fun, it didn't really feel like work.

As I'm reading more and more about high-level professionals in the industry, they have gone so far! Right now, I think it would be awesome to be a Catering Manager, but this one woman started off as a Special Events manager for Nordstrom and now she's Director of Sales, Hilton Worldwide. Crazyyyy... That just shows that event coordinators do have the power to move up the ranks and get things done.

Well....it's getting late now. I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm ready!!