NEW BLOG

Hi Everyone- I’ve promised myself that I would keep up with this blog, and it hasn’t happened.  I’m hoping that by moving my blog to Tumblr.com, I’ll be able to add shorter- and more- posts about my life.  Please see my new tumblr at: madisonfisher.tumblr.com.  See you there!

Updates from the North

It’s December 22 and I can’t sleep. And it’s snowing. And I’m in Canada.

The past month and a half has been a whirlwind of events and I haven’t had a chance to keep my blog updated.  In the beginning of November, I was called into our EVP’s office and asked to work on an account that would require me to travel to Canada every other week until the spring. Of course I was excited about the account and about the travel, but nervous because of three things: 1. I didn’t have a passport. 2. I’d never traveled by myself before. 3. I’d never been out of the country.

So within a week, I’d expedited a passport, bought warm clothes (with the help of my sister and mom) and hopped my little rear on a jet headed to Toronto.  I quickly had to introduce Atlanta, warm-blooded Madison to Canadian, freezing cold Madison.  The account that I’m working on is one that really interests me and traveling sure breaks up the work month.  This week is my third week here and I’ve had positive impressions of Canada so far.

I’ve been given the chance to work with a team from all over the US and Canada and have learned so much by seeing and adapting to work styles and personalities.  A few of my colleagues work in Edelman’s Chicago office, and I’ll be heading there soon after the New Year. I am SO excited to go to Chicago.

This weekend JD and I went and bought Hunter boots to make sure that my tootsies are warm because I’ll be walking through the snow to get to the office. My cousin lives in Chicago and I hope to see her while I’m there.

I head home on Thursday and am flying in to see my family in Greenville. I’m so excited to bake, shop and play tons of games with my family. I’m not going to promise that I’ll update this blog any more often than usual, but I’m going to try.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Three months in the A!

August 24th marked my three month period at Edelman and man has the time flown.  I had my three-month review and made goals for my next year.  I’m excited that my goals are set, and I’m ready to start reaching them!

As far as my life in Atlanta, it’s as crazy and as busy as I thought that it would be.  A couple of weeks ago, my roommates and I participated in the Cuervo Games of Atlanta.  We learned of the games through our friend, Danielle.  (Danielle always seems to know the fun events going on in Atlanta.)  Cuervo Games was held in the Olympic Park right next to my building!  The games consisted of different physically challenging obstacles (think Wipeout) with an end goal of acquring as many points as possible at each obstacle (think Family Double Dare).

The first obstacle was to ring a bell at the top of a 25-foot wall by climbing on “rocks” screwed into a wall rock.  Now I’m no rock climber, but I’ve harnessed up and scaled the rock wall at Galyans (now Dick’s) a time or two.  BUT, I forgot to mention that there were 8 gallons of water falling on us per second during this climb. AND everyone had to try to ring the bell within 45 seconds.  Needless to say, no one on our team made it to the top to ring the bell. (Points available: 25 Points earned: 0)

The next obstacle  was to race another team while running up a bouncy mountain and grabbing flags in a relay-race style.  AND Cuervo Games helpers were throwing soft barrels at you the whole time (think Donkey Kong).  Our team lost to the 30-year old men’s team that we raced against. (Points available: 25 Points earned: 0)

The third, and final obstacle was to walk across swinging platforms, grab leaves off of a fake palm tree, and tag your partner to walk back.  The platforms were 30-feet in the air.  My team grabbed 5 leaves before we finished.  (Points available: Tons Points earned: 5)

We left before the winners were announced, but we weren’t losers! We won grey-blue shirts to add to our t-shirt drawers. Yay!  After getting back from the Games, we grabbed dinner, showered and hopped on MARTA to meet my roommate’s boyfriend and friends at the Braves game.  I think this may have been my most favorite Braves game yet for three reasons: 1. I had no idea who the Braves were playing. 2. We showed up during the 5th inning. and 3. We didn’t sit and watch the game, we stood in the Chophouse and overlooked the outfield when we chose to do so.

I know this post is getting long, but one more thing to add: Last weekend, my roommate Margo, JD, and I joined my roommate Lauren and her boyfriend Brandon as Nittany Lions for the day.  We participated in the “Big 10 Pub Crawl” and took on the Penn State fan roles pretty well. (Margo and I added a little southern style by rocking our cowboy boots).  We wandered all around Buckhead chanting “WE ARE… PENN STATE”.  I learned that Big Ten fans love their teams as much as ACC and SEC teams. Who knew?

I’m heading to Washington State on Wednesday for my cousin’s Labor Day weekend wedding. More to come soon.

The Kudos Folder

I’ve been really slack in updating my blog, and I’m going to try harder.  I’ve been at Edelman now for a little over a month and I feel like I’m starting to get my bearings!  I know who to go to for help, I know what questions to ask, and I am becoming more familiar with the ins and outs of Edelman and am loving every minute of it.

A few weeks ago, on a Friday, I finished an assignment that I was working on and sent it to the right person.  After that person reviewed it, she sent back a really nice note that complimented my work as well as my work ethic.  She called me and asked if I had set up a “kudos folder”.  I was confused and told her that, no, I hadn’t.  She explained that making a kudos folder and storing compliments is a great way to boost morale on a not-so-good day.  She also reminded me that when my review time comes around, printing out compliments from the kudos folder help show improvements!

The kudos folder is just one of the many tips that I’ve gotten from my co-workers so far.  I’ve started my folder and love adding new notes to it.

life update!

I know that I’ve haven’t written on here in a while, but I’m going to try to keep this updated more often.

Where to begin? Ok- This is my third week as an assistant account executive at Edelman.  I love, love, love working there. Everyday is something new and I’m learning so much.  When I interviewed at Edelman and asked each interviewer what their favorite part about Edelman was, they all responded with “the people who I work with.”  After working there for three weeks, I know exactly what they were talking about.  Everyone that I work with is very creative, helpful, and intelligent.  I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such awesome people every day.  I’ve met many of my co-workers and have started to work closely with many of them.  All of them have taught me new things.  I love the fact that I’m learning so much. 

My roommates have both moved in it is very awesome/weird how alike we all are.  None of us knew each other, but we seem to like to do the same things, have similar opinions on the same issues, and even dress the same.  One of my roommates and I have a couple of the same pairs of clothing! 

So right now, life is good.  I’m really happy.  Sometimes I have my down times (like trying to hang curtains and accidentally putting 6 holes in the wall) but I’m pretty sure I’ve had a permanent smile on my face since I’ve moved to Atlanta. 

I really miss my family and Clemson friends, though.  I’m used to my mom running up to Clemson to shop and eat Panera.  I’m used to my dad stopping by Chimney Ridge on his way to give me things I forgot at home.  I’m used to Merrick being with me every second of every day-laughing, laughing, and laughing.  I’m used to Katy laying in my bed and re-capping the weekend.  I’m used to Jessie showing up and hearing her latest crazy tale.  I’m used to the guys calling every night to see where the next gathering was and what they needed to bring. 

It’s weird being on my own and not having anyone to immediately lean on.  I re-did my room by myself.  I figured out our cable and Internet by myself (believe me it was a nightmare).  And I’ve learned about  Atlanta by myself (sometimes this is totally by accident because of my horrible sense of direction and refusal to listen to my GPS). 

I guess I’m finally growing up.  And you know what? I like it.

 Until next time, I’ll leave you with this stanza from one of my sister’s favorite songs.  I heard it tonight on my run, and I played it twice:

“When you’re happy like a fool
Let it take you over
When everything is out
You gotta take it in.”

- Good Life, OneRepublic

Update on My Life

This past month has been a whirlwind of events and I’m going to take this post to update you on big events that have happened recently in my life.

1. I GRADUATED!  After four years that flew by, a long, three-hour ceremony made it clear that my undergraduate years were over.  After many tears from me, my friends, and my family, my parents gave me a sign that had a quote by Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”  My graduation weekend was a time full of celebration, laughs, and fun.fun.fun.

The Communication Studies graduating class of 2010!

My family after graduation!

    

2. I GOT A JOB!  After networking and interviewing, I was offered a job at Edelman in Atlanta.  It’s a PR firm in Midtown and I’m going to be an Assistant Account Executive.  I can kick a soccer ball from my office to the CNN Center.  It’s on the 29th story and I can see the Coca-Cola building, GA Aquarium and the rest of DT ATL ! I’m so excited!  I’ve met the team that I will be working with and I start on Monday. 

3. I’M MOVING TO ATLANTA!  Thankfully, I have friends who keep their ears open.  My friend, Jessie, connected me with a girl from USC, Margo, and we decided to live together in Atlanta!  Margo is working at a marketing firm in ATL.  Margo also found another girl, Lauren, who is also going to live with us!  She is a recent graduate of Penn State and will moving to ATL to start work soon.  Since Margo and I live the closest to Atlanta, we decided to meet and look at apartments together last week.  We used ProMove to help us, and I can’t even begin to tell you how helpful they were.  We met with a lady named Kelly who had a list of 40 places for us to browse through when we arrived at ProMove.  After pinpointing 7 places that looked like our “type”, we headed out of ProMove and headed to the first complex.  We weren’t too pleased with the first apartment… but we FELL IN LOVE with the second one.  We signed after seeing the complex, learning about the safety, and visiting the pool and workout center.  We move in to the apartment in 2 days! 

**A big thanks to my sister, Merrick, for coming to ATL with me to support with the apartment search.  She is so smart and was very helpful in putting into words what I was scared to say.** 

SO, needless to say, I’ve been packing my little heart out. And by packing, I mean laying out at the lake, hiking in Western North Carolina (Turtleback Falls), and visiting waterfalls in Westminster (Brasstown Falls).  But really, I did pack tonight. My room looks like a dizastahhh right now.  I’m so lucky that my best friend/roommate Katy sat with me and helped me today.  Wednesday, I’ll load up this room and head own down to Hotlanta.  I’ll keep you updated with the new chapter of my life in the big city.

Here are our pics from our most recent hikes:

Before Turtleback Falls

The beautiful second waterfall at Brasstown Falls

Hey Coach, Hey Hey Coach!

For the past two months, I’ve volunteered as a coach for Challenger Baseball through Clemson University.  Challenger Baseball is a program that allows children with disabilities to learn the rules of baseball, as well as teamwork, all while having fun!  Since my good friends had all heard me rave about Top Soccer (similar to Challenger Baseball but with soccer as the sport) last semester, I invited them all to be buddies this semester.  Katy, Rett, JD, Merrick, Edward, Curt, Neel, Emily, Ashley, Iris and Jessie all were given an athlete to help.  These athletes had disabilities that ranged from Downs Syndrome to Autism to Attention Deficit Disorder.  

The coaches ran the practices and games and the buddies helped warm up the athletes and taught them the basic skills of baseball.  Athletes learned how to step with the opposite foot while throwing, how to properly hold a bat, and that after a ball is hit, you run to first base-not third or the outfield.  The athletes are split into two teams and play each other in baseball after warming up.  Everyone gets to hit. Everyone gets to run the bases. Everyone wins.     

My most memorable moment was a couple of weeks ago with Brandon.  Brandon has Cerebral Palsy and played baseball from his wheel chair.  When it wasn’t Brandon’s turn to bat, he was allowed to stay on the field and watch his teammates (rather than heading back into the dug-out with the other players).  As I was walking to escort the next batter up to the batter’s box, I heard, “Hey coach, HEY HEY coach!”  I turned around and saw that Brandon was yelling at me.  I walked the batter to the box and then headed back over to talk to Brandon.  

 ”Hey Brandon, How are you doing today?” ”Good,” Brandon said. I asked Brandon if he needed anything and he said “nope.”  I then figured out that Brandon just wanted to talk.  I talked to him about his age, his family, and his favorite sports.  Brandon’s #1 sport? Baseball. #2? Softball.   

We talked about his favorite sports teams and he mentioned that he really wanted to go to a Clemson baseball game soon.  I told him he would have so much fun! The interaction that I had with Brandon is one that I’ve never had with anyone else in my life.  While it was difficult to understand every word that came out of his mouth, I learned more about a little 10-year-old boy than I had before.  I learned that sometimes people just want someone to talk to.  I’m glad that I got the chance to talk to Brandon.  And I hope he makes it to a Clemson baseball game very soon!       

It’s hard to explain in one blog post the amount of joy that baseball brought to the athletes’ faces.  It’s also hard to describe the amount of happiness that the athletes brought to their buddies and coaches.  But I can describe the Challenger Baseball experience in one simple phrase: 

It. Was. Awesome.   

The group of Challenger Baseball buddies and athletes!

My Contributions to the UHCSC Capstone Team

For the end of our Capstone class, we’ve been asked to document all of the ways in which we contributed to the Upstate Homeless Coalition of South Carolina.  I can honestly say that I’ve put more heart and soul into this project and class then I have in any other class of my four years at Clemson University.

My experience with this class started out a semester before the actual class met for the first time.  I, along with 4 of my classmates, met with Dr. David Novak in December to discuss the class and possible ways that we could help the Upstate Homeless Coalition.  Ideas were thrown around and possible ways to organize groups was also discussed.  Over Christmas break, I researched the UHCSC by joining their Facebook group, looking at their Web site, and signing up for their free newsletter.  I noticed that the UHCSC puts on an annual ball every February to help raise money.

Once our class met on January 7, 2010, it seemed as though everyone was ready to get to business.  We read the book on homelessness and communication called, “Who Is My Neighbor” by Phillip Tompkins and reflected on Tomkin’s experiences with homeless people and shelters.   We also talked about the Bridesmaid’s Ball and received the contact information for the volunteer chair.  I immediately invited my friends to volunteer with me and sent the names to Annette at the UHCSC.  I also was able to get Toussaint Law Firm (the firm where I intern) to donate tickets to the circus for the Bridesmaid’s Ball silent auction.  At the auction, my friends and I helped with the silent auction along with adding fun moves to the dance floor!

In my social media group, I took over the UHCSC Twitter account along with Lauren Patterson.  We tweeted daily during the week about upcoming events, interesting facts about homelessness, and news about the UHCSC.  I wrote the “How-To” guide for Twitter for whoever takes over the project at the Upstate Homeless Coalition.  The guide included how to log on to Twitter, post, and different aspects that will help raise awareness of the UHCSC. 

I also helped Beckman Perry with the UHCSC blog.  I uploaded a post once a week to help build the blog.  I helped promote the blog through the Twitter account. 

 During the fundraising week, I ate at several targeted restaurants to raise money for the UHCSC.  I bought a Battle of the Bands t-shirt and attended the Battle of the Bands event at 356.  I brought along a few friends and gave them stickers to wear for the event. 

I truly think have enjoyed the time that I’ve spent working and helping the Upstate Homeless Coalition this semester.  I feel so blessed to have been part of this awesome project.

Words of Wisdom…

On Friday, my friends and I went to the Atlanta Braves game in downtown Atlanta.  As we were tailgating before the game, a man approached us.  It was perfect sundress weather, and this man was wearing pants a long sleeve shirt.  He explained to us that he needed money so that he could get to Decatur.  I’m not positive if he had a home there or not.  One of my good friends, Neel, gave him money to help him out.  As he spoke to our group, he wanted to give us words of wisdom.  He said:

“If it’s not about love it’s not worth pursuing because everything else is a dead-end.”

Pretty thought-provoking.

The One Away Campaign Featured on Clemson’s Web Site!

Dr. Novak’s senior seminar class was featured as one of Clemson’s three major feature stories on its Web site!  You can read the story here.   Fellow members of our class, Kelly Smith, Tee Hassold, and Tiffany Sellers, were interviewed and gave great insight on the Upstate Homeless Coalition.  Check out information about the One Away campaign and my classmate’s thoughts.