Today.

Today is going to be pretty hard for me. It is officially my "last" day as a receptionist and 2 year long intern...

That's right, this girl right here has gotten herself a FULL-TIME job!

I'm pretty excited to say the least and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter in my life is going to bring. Don't worry, i'll be blogging about my new job, so i'll tell you all about that later.

But today, i'd like to do a little reflecting while I, *ahem*, work.

I began my journey at Colonial Life Arena what seems like forever and a day ago. (2 1/2 years ago to be exact.) I heard about an available position through an email within my department at school, and applied immediately. I was only a sophomore and wasn't really sure what to expect from this industry, but I was desperate for some spending money and I needed money to keep up with my drinking habits. I was called in for an interview, and within a week received an offer to be a receptionist working about 15 hours a week. The hours worked perfectly with my schedule and I was super excited. I was hired right before the Christmas holidays, and before my first day at work, my boss invited me to our Employee Appreciation Party. She thought it would be a great opportunity for me to meet some of the people I was going to be working with in a casual setting. I was extremely nervous, but I went anyways. Of course, while I was at the party, I won a door prize for a $50 gift certificate to a spa. I immediately was in love with my new job, although I could tell I had already pissed some people off. (that's for you, PK and SM) They changed their minds later, of course.

Months went by, and I really began to enjoy my job. I started to understand everything that went on leading up to and behind the scenes of an event. And it's pretty hectic at times. You work long hours and are around your co-workers non-stop. I learned really quickly, you have to love this industry and the people you work with. And man, did I grow to love both!?!?!

I've gotten to experience a little bit of everything, from the stresses of working 20+ hour days, to meeting some pretty awesome people from all over the world, to having our own tailgate in the box office while most were tailgating in our parking lots, to driving Miss Kellie Pickler herself to Wal-mart, to even recruiting my own roommate to babysit Usher's kids when the show was in a bind.

It's been so much fun and I wouldn't trade my work experiences for anything. I have developed some of the best friendships in my entire life since working at the arena, and I know i'll stay in touch with most of them for a long time. 

This job has changed my life. I've met people who have become my role models, taught me about life, and watched me grow up. I've learned that it's possible to have a job and have fun at the same time. Today is bittersweet. My coworkers have made me feel loved and appreciated, and that is a blessing that's hard to come by.

I'll leave you with some pictures of some of the fun times i've experienced at CLA.