Hail to Thee My Alma Mater.... and All That Jazz.

This week I had the lovely surprise of being featured the University of Oklahoma's homepage (number 3 on the scrolling headlines).  

From OU to the Oscars – 2008 public relations graduate Annie Terracina shares how she came to work the Red Carpet

This link led to a feature story on my job at the Academy.  I had originally been approached and interviewed for this story over a year ago, but it was never published.  I thought it might have just been lost forever, but I was re-contacted for an update interview a few months ago.  Still, I had no idea when or if the story would ever see the light of day, so it was a very fun surprise indeed when it surfaced this week!  There are a few fact errors (For the College Watch Party Contest, actual Oscar Watch Parties from college students were judged and awarded prizes, not simply a "party plan".  Also, I interned at The Regan Group, not "The Reading Group").  But oh well, other than those minor deets, a very well-written article!  

It really means a lot for my beloved OU to acknowledge my post-graduation achievements.  In a student population of more than 30,000 students, I know that I was viewed and cared for as an individual...not simply a lost face in the crowd.  I think this just further solidifies that I am "Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die I'll be Sooner dead."  ;-)  Boomer Sooner indeeeeed.  

In other news, I saw Chicago at the Pantages this week!  We had great seats and Michelle Williams (formerly of "Destiny's Child...ha) played Roxie.  It was a jazzy sassy good time.  Those who know me will not be surprised in the least that I have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop since the viewing. My favorite song is "All That Jazz" (such a CLASSIC!), but I am  also very much enjoying "When You're Good to Mama" and "We Both Reached for the Gun."  

I think the 2010-2011 season at the Pantages was tailor-made for me. HAIR, Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages, Phantom of the Opera, AND West Side Story?!?!  I am so excited, I can barely contain myself.  Who wants to go with me?

And finally, how funny is this street sign?  I saw it on Fuller and Franklin I believe (at Runyon Canyon) and it made me laugh a lot.  Whoever did this, I want to be your friend.  

Far From Home...

                                    

The beautiful skyline of my new 'home'

The Chisholm Trail Memorial, the  most monumental thing in my 'home home'

I've known since approximately age 3 that I wanted to live in a big city by a beach one day.  In fact, I often used to beg my parents to move from the mundane, close-minded 20,000-population-town I grew up in (no offense, Duncan), but to no avail. 


I tried out living in LA the summer of 2007, and I knew it was going to be sink or swim in this huge, fast-paced metropolis.  As you can probably guess, I definitely swam.  :-)  Within days of arriving in this gigantic place where I essentially knew nothing and no one, I was hooked.  I knew if I didn't move here after graduation, I would not be fully satisfied.  


Now that I've thoroughly explained that LA is undoubtedly the place for me right now, let me talk about what sucks the most about it: being so freaking far away from home.  





Limited funds and vacation time cause me to miss a plethora of fun events at home. Last summer, I was invited to 8 weddings in 8 weeks (which I fully realize sounds like the title of a Lifetime Original Movie), but out of this merry matrimonial marathon, I could sadly only attend one that just so happened to be in Cali. It is sad and disappointing to not be able to make it back for the joyous occasions like this, but it's the absolute worst to not be able to make it home for the hard times.

In February, my grandpa had a stroke and just last week my Uncle Gary unexpectedly died. I desperately wanted to go home to grieve, support, and heal with my family, but sadly work and expensive flights made this impossible. :-( I am really lucky to have some great, caring friends out here who definitely helped and encouraged me, but it's not the same as family. No one can truly empathize and comfort you like your family can during times like those. Since that wasn't an option, I did the best I could (which involved a great deal of crying, calling home, writing in my prayer journal, reading psalms 34:18, hugging friends, and spending some quality time on the beach).

I thankfully am feeling a bit better since Uncle Gary's sudden passing away, but it really made me realize how hugely importantly my family is to me. While I truly do L-O-V-E Los Angeles, I think eventually I will move somewhere closer to them. (Austin, perhaps?) There are only so many happy/sad occasions I can bare to miss... plus I never really liked the notion of having a fam and growing old in LA... bleh. But until that time to move comes (likely in the semi-distant future), I will deal with hard times as they come, visit my family as much as possible, cherish my sweet friends here, and continue my love affair with this great city.