Wellington Weekly #5

 January 29

Today started out bright and early, just like the usual Friday! I was off to WEF to cover the talent search, and had an amazing view of the sunrise on my way to work! I am not a fan of early mornings, but I do love a good sunrise. That night, Jenna and I met up to go to the movies! I am a huge fan of going to the movies, and I am always down for popcorn with extra butter! We saw The Fifth Wave, and I will admit, it was entertaining, but predictable. It was another "the world is ending but there's also a love triangle" type of movie, but I liked it!

January 30

Today was my first day covering a hunter class! I opted to cover the small junior divisions, and everything went well! After working, Jenna and I headed to WEF to watch the Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix. We stuck around for the end and got to watch the press conference with Todd Minikus, Laura Kraut, and Chloe Reid. It's still so surreal to be surrounded by some of the best riders in the world!

 

January 31

Today was a nice lazy day off. I also went to the gym today, and was pretty proud of myself. Let's hope the trend continues! I also started up Making a Murderer again, and I am addicted.

February 1

I spent my first day of February in the office. All of the interns were actually in the office today! (minus Caroline... boo!) We decided we would start a weekly tradition: intern dinner!! After I went to the gym, Ilana and Jenna came over to my place and I cooked spaghetti squash, chicken, and made salads. We followed dinner up with powdered donuts and Grease live! It was a super fun night.

February 2

A day off... on a Tuesday?! Yes!! How did I spend my Tuesday? Why, laying out by the pool of course! I decided I needed to stop looking like a ghost, so I went out to the pool to tan and relax. I also started reading An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. It's a nice, slow pool read!

February 3

A lonely day in the office, all the interns abandoned me!! I ran some errands mid-day in anticipation for the Wellington Masters this week, and met up with Jenna for some much needed Chili's. The chips and salsa are super addicting, and now that I know they are free on the bar side, I can't resist.

February 4

A day off, on Thursday? Yes! Another day spent sleeping in, laying out by the pool, reading my book, and going to the gym! It's nice to have a few relaxing days to break up the week, and to re-energize myself for a busy weekend of coverage this weekend!

Things I learned this week 

1. Waking up early is worth it for sunrises

2. I am not immune to sunburn... Always wear sunscreen

3. Steven Avery is innocent

4. You will always regret the amount of chips you eat afterwards

5. Every movie probably has a love triangle

Wellington Weekly #4

It's official: I've survived my first month in Wellington! 

January 22

 The day started out bright and early to cover the USET Talent Search. Skies were partly cloudy for the first half of the class, and then the heavens opened up and poured. At WEF, when it rains, it pours. After surviving covering the class in the rain, I headed home to greet my cousin and her friend that come into town to visit this weekend! Friday night I got to work the check-in table at the USET Rockin' Rio gala! I checked in big name riders, made eye contact with Bruce Springsteen, stood four feet away from Beezie Madden, and got to walk around and pretend like I was a guest at the gala. The Phelps GM Julie was even nice enough to buy the volunteers a nice dinner at the Grille afterward. Such a great night spent with great people!

January 23

 Another day of horse show coverage! Today I got to cover the U25 Grand Prix, and the wind wand the cold were crazy! Today was the day I finally felt like my photos were getting good, and I got some great shots! I took my cousin and her friend to the Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix event to give them a taste of the equestrian world. I know it's probably freezing cold in most northern parts of the country, but Wellington was super cold this night. It was very strange! I can't complain too much because 90% of the time it's beautiful. After the show we did some late night Publix grocery shopping and headed home for bed!

January 24

Today was our lazy day! We hung around the house, and then my cousin and her friend headed out to pick us up some cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory while I made tacos for dinner! We enjoyed our meal, and scrunched up on the mattress to watch Carrie. We were in the mood for a scary movie, and this one was the right amount of entertaining and scary.

January 25

The girls' last day!! We all went to Chili's for lunch before the girls had to head back home, took a few necessary selfies, and they were on their way! After they left I got some errands done, cleaned up a little bit, made myself dinner, and prepared for a fun-filled week ahead!

January 26

Today was my Monday since I had Monday off. It was a fairly low-key day at the office. After work I headed home for a quick change and then went to work the American Equestrians Got Talent Event at the White Horse! Everyone that auditioned were so great. Equestrians in this area are so talented! The judges for the night were Margaret Duprey, Chip McKinney (from Phelps!), Laura Kraut (olympian!!!), and Karmine. Such a fun night!

January 27

Another rainy day! It was a pretty low key day today spent in the office and helping out the girls. When I got home, I did laundry! Pretty proud of myself for that one. I also finished One Tree Hill tonight, and it was an emotional mix of happiness and depression and emptiness... Now I need a new show.

January 28 
Today was supposed to be a WEF Challenge coverage day, but WEF got rained out! I wasn't too surprised, to be honest. It had been monsooning for the past 48 hours! I spent the day hanging out in the office, got myself a gym membership, picked up some Chick-Fil-A for dinner (the reason I needed a gym membership...), and went to bed early to prep for a weekend of show coverage!

Things I learned this week

1. Always volunteer to work events... You never know who you'll see or meet!

2. Florida does get cold, and I needed a heavier jacket on Saturday.

3. One Tree Hill is better than Gossip Girl.

4. Chili's chips and salsa are free if you sit on the bar side.

5. Laundry is $1.50 per wash and $1.50 per dry... Have to keep this in mind.

6. Famous horseback riders are normal people too except more fabulous and rich and famous.

Wellington Weekly #3

These past two weeks have flown by. I can't believe I've already been a Wellington resident for 3 weeks and my first week of WEF is over!

January 15

 Today was my first day shooting a horse show class solo! I got to cover the USEF Talent Search class, and of course with my lucky, it was raining that day. Anyone that knows me, knows that I cannot stand the rain, and I melt if I ever have to walk, ride, or god forbid, horse show, in the rain. Luckily, there was a pavilion for spectators that I could stand under and still manage to get some okay looking photos! I held an interview, edited photos, wrote the article, and finished up my first day of solo event coverage. I was also able to see Julie, Alli, and Kara today!

January 16

I love this sport. I already knew that, but this day in particular made me truly appreciate how blessed I am to have it in my life. The day started out at the College Preparatory Invitational where I watched Alli kill it in her two classes. After we all hung out at WEF and bought some WEF merch (hooray for being paid!) I went back to my place to change and prep for the Saturday Night Lights Battle of the Sexes event!! Standing ringside at the Battle of the Sexes, looking out at the crowds and the kids that were there, watching the riders compete, and just thinking how lucky I was to be there working for Phelps, was truly an amazing feeling. Taylor and I didn't leave the show grounds until 11:45 that night, but it was one of my favorite nights so far!

January 17

 Sunday was my day off! I got some recovery sleep, did a little bit of work, and hung out with Alli, Kara, and Julie until they had to leave and head back to VA. I am happy that I got to see them as much as I did while they were here. I'm going to miss them! (side note: I made it to season 7 of One Tree Hill tonight... I'm a little obsessed)

January 18

No days off for people in the real world, even on Martin Luther King day! It's okay, though. A day spent in the Phelps office is a day well spent! Today was a pretty low-key day, nothing too news worthy... Except that I had a pretty delicious Jamba Juice smoothie for lunch...

January 19

Staff meeting day! It's still so interesting to me to hear everyone talk about all of the amazing things their working on with our clients. I could listen to them talk for hours! The horse world is a great place to be.

January 20

Today was my day off, and I had all of these grand plans to be productive and get a lot of stuff done. What ended up happening?? Most of the day was spent sitting around watching One Tree Hill on Netflix... I did take a break to make myself lunch and dinner, but other than that, I was a potato all day long.

January 21

After a day working in the office and checking things off of lists, the interns and a couple girls from the office headed to the Wellington Amphitheater for the Food Truck Invasion!!! The interns have decided that this needs to be a weekly event, no matter what our bank account says. There were so many food trucks, ranging from chinese food to burgers to vegetarian to shave ice and donuts! I had the best burger I have ever had (it may have helped that I was very hungry...but it was still amazing). Definitely a must see in Wellington and a great way to end week 3!

Things I learned this week

 1. I love this job.

2.Tiger's blood is a shaved ice flavor...Berry coconut flavored and very tasty.

3. One Tree Hill is addicting and I am way to emotionally invested.

4. My hatred for the rain was reaffirmed.

5. Potato chips on burgers is delicious.

Wellington Weekly #2

And so ends week 2! This week brought on stress, travel, and the start of WEF!

January 8

Friday was a day of errands! We got to sit in on an interview at the WEF equestrian center and had to escape the rain in the middle of it! After venturing around the center, picking up some boxes and handing out flyers, we headed back to the office before wishing everyone a happy Friday and headed home. This day was particularly stressful though, as I learned that a package (that included VERY important papers) that was supposedly delivered to my door, was nowhere to be seen. Still no word yet (ugh).

January 9

Today brought travel! I packed up my weekender bag and headed to my grandparents' house in Fort Myers. After driving 2 hours through miles of farmland, I made it in on piece, and I was treated to PF Changs' for dinner (my favorite!). Ice cream for desert, a visit from my cousin, and tornado warnings to finish out the night!

January 10

Today was another unlucky today. I woke up to find that my laptop charger was no longer working, so we made a run to Best Buy for a new one! We also made stops at Target and Ulta (of course), and grabbed lunch at Tropical Smoothie (Bahama Mama for the win). My aunt, uncle, and two cousins came over to hang out for a little bit, and my grandma and I watched a movie to finish out the night (it was called "Every Secret Thing", and was great!!)

January 11

My body actually woke me up at 8am. That NEVER happens!!! I took advantage of it, made some waffles, and ate breakfast with my grandparents. I did my laundry (thanks Grams & Gramps!!), ate some lunch, and made my way back through the farmland to get home in time to grocery shop, make some dinner, and get to bed to prepare for another week at Phelps!

January 12

This day was a great day to help me get back into the swing of things after a long three day weekend! I worked at the office late, made myself dinner, and and ended my night with One Tree Hill. Not a bad day!

January 13

We had our hunter/jumper orientation at WEF today, and it was awesome to finally get behind a camera and get to shoot some pictures. Come to find out, I'm actually not too bad at it... think four months worth of WEF practice will help! After work I got to go do the social media for the American Equestrians Got Talent event. It was fun to hang out with some of my coworkers and watch some fellow equestrians get up on stage and sing and dance their hearts out!

January 14

This was an awesome day. I got to help shoot photos for the WEF challenge jumper class, and even had some featured in an article on Phelps Sports! After leaving work, I met up with my trainer, my friend, and her mom from back home and it was so nice to be able to see them while they're in town!

Things I learned this week:

1. It's definitely worth it to drive an extra 20 minutes for cheap gas.

2. If a package has important papers, make sure someone has to sign for it (or you may never see it again). 

3. Tornadoes are a thing in Florida. 

4. Take care of your laptop chargers (or you'll spend $80 for a new one).

5. Check the label on your tablespoons... Sometimes they read "tbsp & 1/2"... Oops...

6. Excedrin Migraine works wonders.

Wellington Weekly # 1

I've made it through the first week of 2016, and oh my, it has already been a whirlwind. To ring in 2016, I spent New Year's Eve with my family. It was a nice quiet evening at home. The next morning I had a bright and early 6 am wake-up call. I was headed to FLORIDA! 

At that point, it still hadn't sunk in that I would be spending an entire semester in Wellington, Florida working for Phelps Media Group as a seasonal intern. I had been waiting for this day for two months, and it was finally here. My mom and I packed up the truck, and started our decent into the south.

January 1

We made a stop in Jacksonville after driving for about 10 hours. Nothing too exciting happened this day, except that maybe I drove the entire way while my mom had the luxury of taking a nap. You're welcome mom!

January 2

The next morning we had breakfast with one of my mom's old friends, and drove the final few hours to the condo I would be staying in. I'm staying with a friend of someone in the Phelps company, and she has been great! I have my own room and bathroom, and we both really get along. My mom and I explored the Palm Beach area, and I drug her to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, where I will be spending most of my time working. I fell in LOVE. Wellington is the perfect spot for equestrian fanatics. There are trails alongside the road, equestrian centers on every corner, and of course, palm trees as far as the eye can see! After drooling over the horses and the facility, we grabbed dinner (and ate way too much chips and salsa) did some grocery shopping, and headed back to the condo to finish settling in.

January 3

A lazy Sunday well spent! My mom really wanted to go to the beach, but we ended up deciding on spending the day shopping and exploring. We found the original Lilly Pulitzer juice stand first. It was really cool to experience the small business, local feel. We walked around the shops on Worth Avenue, and it was definitely not our speed when it comes to shopping. We aborted the upscale shopping and headed to an outdoor mall. First stop? Cheesecake factory!! The S'mores cheesecake is 100% recommended for sure. After walking around a little bit more, we headed to the condo to finish off the day by making spaghetti squash! My first time trying it and definitely not my last. Also 100% recommended!! (we also attempted to watch making a murderer, but I fell asleep and my mom stayed up googling information on the case...oops!)

January 4

My first day of work!! This was an exciting and nerve-racking day. I couldn't wait to start my short, but whirlwind career at Phelps. We got introduced around the company, introduced to our very own intern office (yup!) and hit the ground running with lunch provided by the ever so gracious owner, Mason Phelps, and an orientation on how to post releases and work the cameras! I have little photography experience, but holding one of those huge fancy Cannons felt pretty good! I met up with my mom after work and we headed to the condo for leftovers! I then proceeded to fall asleep to another movie we tried to watch (sorry mom!).

January 5

This morning I had to say goodbye to my mom! My uncle was on his way to pick her up and drive her to Fort Myers, and I was headed in for my second day at work. I am so thankful that she was able to come help me settle in. At work we got to sit in on a staff meeting and hear about all of the amazing things everyone here is working on. It really opened my eyes to the amount of effort and passion each person has for what they do. When I got home from work, I had my first ever night alone! I made myself an adult meal, finished season 5 of One Tree Hill, and hit the hay (pun intended).

January 6

Hump day!! It seems the week is actually going by faster working a 9-5. Now, the job won't be a 9-5 once WEF kicks in next week, but I'm loving every second so far. Today we got to transcribe interviews and learn more about what goes on behind the scenes! The other hunter/jumper intern, Jenna, and I went to Panera for lunch, and took a trip to sight see some amazing farms after work. We stopped at Target for some necessary shopping, and I headed home to make dinner and call it a night! (after baking cookies of course)

January 7

Today was polo day!! Mason, the founder, and Chip, the CEO, were kind enough to take the new employees out to lunch at the International Polo Club. I felt like I was sitting in a resort or on the set of a movie as I scarfed down my food (important note: the polo ball is the must have dessert... a ball of ice cream rolled in coconut and covered in hot fudge... HEAVEN!). It was a wonderful afternoon, and another lovely day spent at the Phelps office. I think I'm going to like it here!!

Sincerely,
Allyson xoxo

Things I learned this week

1. Always give your mom some credit and some thanks. Being you're own adult person is hard, but being a mom is even harder. 

2. Always check the expiration date....Especially on your license. Just take my word on this one. 

3. Florida weather is beautiful... but it also rains. Keep an umbrella in your car and in your purse at all times, you'll probably need it.

4. A "chucker" in polo is the equivalent to an inning. 

5. You can learn something new from everyone from you meet. 

New Year, New Adventure

Dear 2015, 

You have been an amazing year. You've given me rest where I was once anxious, stress levels that I didn't even know existed, pure, genuine happiness, and unforgettable memories. This was a big year of change and trying new things, and I couldn't be more grateful.

I explored the gems and beauty of Athens. I was lucky enough to do that with some of the greatest friends I have ever met, and they have helped me grow into the person that I am today. I am forever thankful that 2015 brought me closer to an amazing group of people. 

I tried my hand at wheel throwing, and learned that I am way more of a perfectionist than I thought. I also learned that I am not that great at wheel throwing, especially when comparing myself among a class of art majors. That's the funny thing about art though, you don't have to be perfect every single time, and I'm glad that class helped me see that.

I finished my first year as a college equestrian, and won the award for best fall (thanks to the horse that will not be named and the standard that fell on top of me). This was the year I really started to change the way I rode mentally. I laughed off my mistakes, brushed off the falls, and tried to challenge my frustration into working harder at my sport. Riding became a lot more fun this year, the way it's supposed to be. I'm still not perfect, but no one is.

I took a leap of faith and applied to the Emerging Athletes Program, and I got in. I don't think it would've have happened without my unfailing support from my family and my trainers (and of course the horses). I got to train with Karen Healey and meet amazing riders and professionals in the sport. I learned how to overcome adversity, how to ride a horse I've never ridden over 3'6'' courses and how to pick yourself up from the ground when you fall off while everyone is watching. The clinic was the most draining and rewarding week I could've have imagined.

It was a smaller year for travel, seeing places like Fort Myers for Spring Break with my roommate, New York City with HTC, Texas over the Summer, Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving, and back to Florida to begin my 2016 adventures. It was a summer of music, getting pit passes to Sam Hunt, Hunter Hayes, and Lady Antebellum, and floor seats to Taylor Swift!!!!! I even got to see (and meet!) musician extraordinaire Miranda Sings! I also spent my summer working at a bakery. It was such a fun summer job, and I met a great group of girls that became my friends. Not many people can say they spent their summer baking cupcakes!

My semester back at OU was definitely the hardest ones yet. It was cluster semester, and every OU business major probably shudders every time they hear that word. Cluster brought lots of tears, lots of stress, lots of late nights, and a group of new lifelong friends and fun celebrations when it was all over. I am grateful for all that cluster taught me even if I hated it while I was doing it. 

My Fall Sophomore semester was still pretty exciting despite cluster. I was initiated into the charter class of Gamma Phi Beta (and got a twin!) I made a surprise visit to VA after driving through the night. My friends from UVA visited me for a weekend. I visited my family in Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving. I made some new friends, hung out with the old, and managed to have a little bit of fun along the treacherous cluster path. 

 I love writing out everything that I did over the year and realizing all of the blessings that I have. I am truly grateful for every experience, hardship, and person that has touched my life along the way. 2016's mantra is officially, "New year, new adventures." Farewell 2015, you've been good to me.

Sincerely, 

Allyson xoxo

Dear 2014

Dear 2014,

Boy, have you been one heck of a year. You have shown me stress, hard work, failure, acceptance, denial, joy, success, and oh so much love. A whirlwind of emotions all landing me right here, at the end of an amazing year.

College was one of the biggest worries and greatest joys that you threw at me this past year. I was accepted into four amazing colleges, and was wait-listed to one of my top schools. Being wait-listed was really hard for me to accept, but I knew that God had a greater plan for me. Not so surprisingly, making a final decision on a college did not come easy to me. I worried and teetered back and forth between my top two schools for weeks, stressing about which one would be the best option. Eventually, I had to learn to let my heart tell me what I needed to do. You taught me that making a life-changing decision, or any decision for that matter, is not made easier by weighing yourself down with worry.

I was part of a team and a farm that showed me that family is not just biological. They gave me so much joy every time we were together, whether we were competing, practicing, or bonding over dinner at Olive Garden. They taught me dedication, trust, and self-acceptance, lessons I would not have learned on my own. I want to thank you, 2014, for letting me be a part of that, even if the team was only for a short time.

 

I learned who my true friends were as we trudged through school and college applications, while still finding time to have fun. I got to see all of my friends experience the joys of graduation, and I celebrated with them as we walked across the stage to receive our high school diplomas. I am so proud of everything my friends are and everything they will one day become. They bring me so much happiness, and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Your summer was one of the best summers I could have asked for. It was filled with travel, horseback riding, family, and friends. My horse and I had the best show season we have ever had, despite my worries that she wouldn't ever jump again. She taught me so much about trust, happiness and positivity, all lessons I am still working on learning.

In the fall I packed up my life in Fredericksburg and moved it to Athens, Ohio to start my life in college. You gave me a little bit of a rough start, filling my head with loneliness, fear, and doubt. Fortunately I  settled in, and I met some of the greatest friends and had some amazing experiences. You gave me a lesson about maturity the hard way, but I am grateful for the lessons I am learning in college. 

You took me all over the world this past year, to Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, St. Lucia, Washington, Pennsylvania, Spain, Ohio, and New York City. You provided me with an excellent live music selection including Bastille, The Head and The Heart, and Bruno Mars. You gave me family, friends, and horses, which were exactly what I needed. I learned so much about myself during this past year that I never thought I would even need to learn, and I want to thank you.

My heart grew so big this year, and I only hope that in 2015, I  can open it to even more possibilities. In 2015 I will think more, pray more, try more, and worry less. 

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo