Hello summer! Sort of!

Industry Events is over! The Spring semester is over!  We ended the semester 2 weeks early because of the NATO summit - Columbia is pretty close (or close enough where it matters) to Grant Park where the protest are, so the school was worried about the safety of employees and students.  Now that the G-8 moved, we just have Nato, which is May 18-21.  We have those dates off :)

Anyway, time to settle into the summertime planning and moving on with my life!
Bill and I are starting the home search again - its pretty necessary.  We're still unsure whats up with our apartment, and I REALLY want to own a home.  Paint a wall, tear down a wall, etc.  I'm ready to start nesting.

Anywho you six readers out there, prepare for a summer of veggie shots from my CSA, and of course my garden.
Over and Out.

Me and Richard Steele, journalist and reporter at WBEZ at the Radio Industry Event.  Man my arm looks fat.  And working out can resume now, too!

I'm an Event Planning Fool!

With the Fall semester up and running, I have events coming at me all over the place.  Check out some of the posters our graphic design student worker has done!

I have to assist tognight for the Crowdsourcing event, and tomorrow I moderate two panels - the Casting Directors (in from Los Angeles) and Gina Rugulo, Talent Manager.
I can't wait until Saturday!

To you, Spring 2011 semester!

And finally I can relax.  Industry Night went off without a hitch....I was stressed out and working 10+ hours a day for a while there, and now its over.  The semester is over and my Film & Video, Television and Radio event was great.  Through all the concerns that came from people in various departments, it was the best we ever had.  Friday I was exhausted and made it to one art exhibit for Manifest. Here's a photo.

I made it to the grocery store soon after and just chilled all evening.  Saturday I went to Girl and The Goat with Mackie, Mary-Frances and Erica. It was great.  Erica and I are all about our 2011 to do list, and so I made these reservations in February after crossing off "get a new job" on my list.
We had: Pan Fried Shishito Peppers with parmesan, sesame and miso; Chickpea Fritters with romesco, hazelnut hummus, sesame and goat feta; Grilled Baby Octopus with serrano, treviso, celery root, braised pistachio and red bliss potato (it was so good it was crazy); Escargot Ravioli with bacon and tamarind-miso sauce; Goat Chorizo Flatbread with ramp pesto, rhubarb and fresh ricotta; Wood Oven Roasted Pig Face with sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro and potato stix;  Goat Liver Mousseline with ham hock jus, citruis marmalade and crumpets; Grilled Pork Ribs with tomatillo-mushroom slaw and grilled scallion vinaigrette and for dessert, Blood Orange Sorbet with parsnip pot de creme, pistachio cake and three sisters cornmeal crust.  Wowzer, it was an awesome meal with awesome friends, which was long over due and super, super fun and necessary!  I can't wait to do it again soon!

My Dream has COME TRUE!

I have always been a career motivated person.  Always.  The last job I loved waking up every morning to go to was The Real World Chicago which was back in 2004 I think.  That's a long, long time to wake up in the morning to something that isn't your passion or your dream.  I am grateful that I have had a job for 5 years, which started on the first day of Hurricane Katrina, and have had it until now.

I worked last semester in the Portfolio Center as an Industry Expert.  It was my calling.  From only 4 hours a month, I wanted to do it 8 hours a day.  A job was posted for the Creative Industry Liaison in the Portfolio Center, and I jumped on it.  I got the job.  Not just a job, but my DREAM JOB.  How many people get to say they have their dream job? It's all I have wanted in life, to be happy with my career, to make a difference, to love what I'm doing.  I am so, so, so  happy. I don't think I've been this happy since my wedding day.  It's that important to me.  I will be helping radio, journalism, arts & media management and interactive media students put together their portfolios for the outside world, booking and planning events, etc.  It's an awesome place to be and I can't wait to start.

I am grateful for my current job and boss, I was terrified to tell her, and of course I cried, too.  It's hard working with one person for so long, but I know she knows its best for me.

So ready world?  Phase 3 of my life officially begins!  I can't wait!!!