I'd like to thank SEPTA for making my life miserable. I take the subway from South Philly every day from campus but since they went on strike I can't. Luckily, I have a car. So I've been driving to school but I'd probably be better off walking. Everyone has the worst road rage because of the strike. Broad street was jammed! And everyone is biking too and I have probably almost killed 20 bikers. There are bike lanes for a reason people!!!

Speaking of even worse strikes, I hope the Phillies don't strike out tonight and Pedro can throw a bunch of them. I can't talk about this game. I'm too nervous.

On a happier note, I'm headed to New York (boooooooooo) with my fellow classmates for the hotel show. I'll share all the details when I get back! And I can't believe it's already November. Time flies when your having fun. I'm pretty excited for Thanksgiving though :)

Here's one that will make you laugh...
Sailor, Aretha Franklin's hat from the Inauguration and a Strawberry Daiquiri.

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 7:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So 3 big things going on at the moment.

1. The Phillies. I love them. Bad thing is, I don't have cable so I've been listening to every game on the radio and it is extremely stressful! I don't want to jinx anything so I will end the Phillies convo now. Go Phils!!!!

2. I have my Research Methodology midterm tomorrow! I've been studying for a few hours now. I'm feeling good about it. That usually changes once the test is in front of me. It's mostly about the foundations of research, measurement theories and survey design. Good stuff. Wish me luck!

3. I got an internship!!!!! Wonderful news, the best by far today. I had an interview with Temple's Special Events Office this morning. This internship was my #1 all along because A. I love being at Temple. and B. I get to plan a variety of events including graduation! So after my hour and a half interview, the director offered me the position on the spot. I had to say yes!! I could not have been more excited. I interviewed at a few other places but it wasn't really what I wanted and I know this is a perfect fit!

Happy Belated Birthday to my awesome buddy Mike!

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ME.

Just to give you an idea of you senior year is here's a sample of my week next week.

Monday:
Work 9-1
Senior Seminar Meeting 10-11
Meeting with the CSPD to talk about internships 2:30
Meeting with Angela to discuss the Hotel Show in NY we are organizing 3:00

Tuesday and Thursday, class 8-8

Wedneday:
Volunteering at the Palomar Hotel opening 8-11
Work 12-5
Meeting with Global Events Partners for a job next week I have 6:00

Friday:
Work 9-1
Volunteering again at the Palomar Hotel 1-3

On top of all that, I have my 6 classes I'm taking and all the homework and studying. Be prepared. I have to stretch myself thin because STHM provides so many great opportunities, like the Palomar Hotel.

We met with the director of sales and marketing today to get a tour of the hotel and learn about it. It is GORGEOUS! We will be serving as "hotel ambassadors" during the opening process. We also go invited to a luncheon with the CEO of the company! What an amazing opportunity! Don't pass anything up. Especially if it can lead to a career later on!

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So the past week has been very hectic...but I absolutely love it. I thought I would dread senior year with the course load I have, but I am falling in love with being super busy.

For example, today, I had a meeting at 10 with my group for Senior Seminar. I am in the Sponsorship Committee. Our goal is to raise $12,000 from sponsors to fund the Semi Formal. My group is outstanding. We are all very hard workers and ready for the challenge.
After that I had work til 1. Then I met with my partner for our Research Methodology proposal. Our topic is what motivates college students to work while getting an education.
After that I had a STHM Student Association Meeting.

Finally I'm able to sit in bed. But... This week I have 4 papers due, plus 5 one page papers. I was stressing over the weekend but taking it one thing at a time is helping immensely. I'm already ahead of schedule :)

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 8:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

with the Sounds of Music! I watched movie this weekend and can't get the songs out of my head!!! I have never watched the whole movie because it is way too long!

Anyway..

First week of school is done with! it was very stressful but I made it out alive! Now on to week two! all of my Professors are really really great. I'm taking a Greek Myth class that I'm not really interested in so that's a little dry but the Prof is enjoyable. All of my tourism classes are great. Senior Seminar is going to be a lot work but I'm up for the challenge...or so I think.

I've not only had classes but I'm trying to make myself go to more student organizations. Yesterday I went to the HSMAI meeting (hospitality, sales and markerting association international). I couldn't stay long because I had a class at 5:30 but it was great! tonight I 'm going to another meeting today! I feel so accomplished!

Also, tomorrow is Speakman Halls open house for Tourism and Hospitality. We made the move to Speakman over the summer so now it's time to celebrate it! It will be nice to mingle with some friends and faculty.

So far so good!!

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I start my classes tomorrow. Today, I had work from 10-8! Crazy. The Owl Ambassador office is going threw a lot of change..in a good way..so there was a lot of information to retain.

I have to get up around 6 tomorrow to be on the subway by 7:20 in time for my 8am class! UH! Anyways, here's my schedule for tomorrow...

8-920 Research Methodology
930-1050 Greek Mythology
1230-150 Senior Seminar
530-8 Intro to the Bible (Tuesdays only)
530-8 Legal Issues in STHM (Thursdays only)

I am super nervous and I don't know why! I feel like I'm starting school for the first time ever. I'm really just nervous about senior seminar. I just don't know what to expect and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly.

On a good note...all my favorite country singers are performing on ABC. And I got tickets to the Zac Brown Band!!!! Woooo..

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes! Wish me luck!!!!!!

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So the question on Millionaire was what is a howdah used for. I got the answer correct..it's used to sit on an elephant with. Sure I completely guessed, but now I feel like a genius!

Anyways Vegas was great. Very hot, lots of walking, great shows, did I mention hot? My mom and I saw The Lion King...I definitely recommend it if you have no seen it! We saw this Legends show with impersonators. It was Britney Spears, David Bowie, James Brown, The Temptations, and of course Elvis. It was pretty good actually. They all sounds like the real deal. David Bowie lacked a little rhythm though. We also went to the wax museum which was great. Some looked so real it was scary. We had a ton of fun. Gambled 5 bucks and won 5.20..so I'm content :)

Our Hotel..The Bellagio!

Me with Shaq!

The M&M Factory..So many colors! Heaven!

And the best news is...My Senior Seminar Binder is done! I'm dropping it off tomorrow! We have to put in all of our industry related hours from over the past 3 years. I can't wait to start class! I'll be at Temple tomorrow to do a few things and I can't wait to get my egg and cheese sandwich from Richies..the best! Summer is almost over!!!!!!

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 8:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I leave for Vegas on Monday and I could not be happier! It's a sort of short trip, just 4 nights. I figured I'd spend less money if I made it shorter. My mom and I haven't really gone on a vacation other than the shore in a while so it should be fun. We're staying at the Bellagio :) http://www.bellagio.com/...It's gorgeous!

The only thing we really booked was The Lion King! Other than that we're just going to let things fall in to place while we're there. Of course we'll go to the M&M Factory and the Wax Museum. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post!

Other than Vegas on my mind, today I was down on campus getting some things done. I was getting some letters to put in my binder for Senior Seminar. We have to put all of our industry related hours that we've done over the past 3 years (250hrs.) I have well over 250 but I need to make sure my binder looks great! When I get back from Vegas I will be in binder mode since it's due before the 25th!

I also visited my favorite STHM Recruitment Director :) STHM moved to Speakman and it's a lot more convenient and nicer. I also finally got an STHM t-shirt that I've been wanting for a while now. Woohoo.

I think I want to start packing :)

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The past few weeks I've been recovering from a few things.

1. First and foremost, the death of Michael Jackson!!! (just kidding) I mean, yeah, I love his music, but I'm sick of the special programs on everyday. And poor Farrah Fawcett just got thrown to the dirt because she shares her date of death with MJ.

2. Billy Mays. Annoying voice, but a nice guy. Not that I knew him or anything but after watching Pitchmen a few times I grew to like him.

3. Turning 21. What a blast. However, people get the impression that now I can go out everynight all night. No thanks. I like my 11PM bedtime :) But it is nice to go out to dinner and order a drink. ( I still have yet to get carded...anywhere!)

4. Cavities. I had two filled a few days ago. I knew one was a cavity because eating chocolate became painful. So i get them filled, all is well. Not. I have a problem with my jaw and it decides to lock sometimes. Well, while getting my teeth filled, it locked. Couldn't unlock it till the next day :/ Then I realize that my bit is off because who can ever tell when your my is numb. So I couldn't really chew anything. Good news is I got it fixed today. We'll see how dinner goes.

Here are some random pictures from July...(1 from June)

At the Aquarium! I just love Penguins!!

This picture just makes me laugh

On my birthday

VEGAS with my mom is less than 3 weeks!!! Woo!

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gross title I know, but that's all that's on my mind lately.

We have these huge house centipedes in our house that are disgusting! Probably the size of my pinky if not bigger. I've killed 4 in the past 5 days. Apparently they are good to have because they kill all other types of bugs but EW. They make me sick. Last night I couldn't sleep because I kept (seeing) dreaming about them. I didn't know if it was real or all in my head. I was itching all over and it was horrible. Anyway, if I see anymore, we're getting an exterminator!

On a lighter note, 2 more days left of summer class! + 1 day that we're having a class potluck. So exciting! I have work at Temple until next Wednesday and then I'll be home for the rest of the summer babysitting.

Time to get back to work :/

Posted by Courtney Clarahan at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)