Furniture Market

Twice a year, the furniture market comes to town here in High Point, NC. This is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for us as design majors. Having such an invaluable resource five minutes from our campus gives us an edge other design schools simply don't have access to. It would be unheard of for me to graduate as a design student from High Point University without having worked furniture market at least once. However, I have had trouble working market in the past. It always overlaps with our spring/fall break and being the homebody I am, I have a hard time giving up my breaks. Luckily this market, was moved up a few weeks which has allowed me to get some work experience.

I have been working in the Lazar showroom (you can visit their website here), assisting two of the sales reps. Basically, I am here to show their customers around the showroom when they cannot be here to do so themselves, and hopefully assist them in the sale of the furniture. I'll admit, it was an extremely intimidating job at the beginning of the week. Never working with their furniture before, it was a little scary trying to sell their furniture. I did not get my dad's love of sales or ability of being a great salesperson, so let's just say it didn't come naturally. After the second day though, I got a lot more comfortable and confident. The beginning of the week I would dread being called up to the front, now I cannot wait to get a customer.

Sales reps represent different areas of the country for particular showrooms. Jack represents the Florida region, and Mark represents the Carolina's region. It has been great getting to work with people in the Carolina's region because that's where I will be located when I start working. I've gotten contact with designers, store owners, and big name companies that will be so useful to me in the future. On Sunday, I was showing a lady named Dana around the showroom and realized her badge said they were from Durham. We got to talking about the area, and she offered me an internship this summer. I've been looking for an internship for months now, and to have one offered to me was amazing. Lets just say I was a little excited. Market has been an incredible resource for me and very educational. Fingers crossed this internship over the summer, and the internship with Baker next semester both go through!

I'm finally beginning to feel like I belong in this industry, and have the confidence to be a designer.

Meredith

I thought I'd write a little fun post about the best suitemate ever: Meredith Mirick. Last year, fall semester, Meredith and I had Drafting class together. She had just transferred to the school and sat right beside me. I introduced myself to her (which I NEVER do), because I figured it was about time to start making friends in my major. Little did I know, that would lead to one of the greatest friendships ever. She is absolutely hilarious and over the last year and a half we have become really close. So here are a few things I love about her:

1. She makes me laugh hysterically every single day.
2. She's the only one that appreciates the quote "lets get this done"
3. Talking about John Smith always makes us laugh.
4. She taught us all how to properly kill ourselves if the need arises.
5. She's completely oblivious when any guy hits on her.
6. She believes she's a mermaid.
7. She's taught us all to look in the mirror and say "I'm beautiful" on a daily basis.
8. She and I seem to always be on the same wavelength in class- we can just glance at each other and know what both of us are thinking.
9. She's disgusted by hair- especially facial hair on men.
10. She finds the best youtube videos- curiosity usually directs her choices.
11. She's taught me a lot of things I never knew- like what a wing man is.
12. We never, EVER run out of things to talk about.
13. She makes it a point to have our 11 o'clock talks every night (usually not ending until 1 despite her best efforts)
14. She will stretch anywhere, at anytime.
15. She will understand this perfectly- Nubs.
16. We keep each other sane when it comes to design projects.
17. She may be my date to Erin's wedding.
18. She is a pro at unbuttoning her skirt.
19. She talks about her car like a person and her first child. R.I.P Lj
20. She is going to dress her husband and son in matching ralph lauren polos.
21. She chose to live with us next year!!

So basically she's amazing and I love living with her! My days would not be nearly as enjoyable or entertaining without her! Love you Meredith!

Summer Happenings

I realized the other day, that my summer is going to be packed. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just means I am going to have a busy summer with very little down time. Between taking 3 online courses (so I can graduate on time), working at an internship (hopefully!), working at Day Camp, and helping my sister finish planning and actually have her wedding, lets just say I've got a LOT to do! With the exception of taking classes, I am very excited about this summer and am eagerly awaiting all of the activities I've got planned.

An internship, means I will get to have more hands-on experience in Design which is MUCH needed right now. Over the last year, I have come to really feel official in this work and actually feel like I know what I'm doing now. It's an incredible yet scary feeling seeing as how this will be my life in a little over a year! (Yikes!) I come to love it more and more each day though, and I'm really excited to get some in-field experience.

• Speaking of which, I got a Furniture Market job! This is HUGE in the design world. This is where all major Designers, furniture companies, etc come together in one place. Huge I tell you, HUGE! I've never worked market before, and I'm very excited to have this opportunity.
• I also am working on getting an internship with Baker Furniture next semester! My teacher Mrs. Megliola recommended me for the position and I can't even explain in words how big of an opportunity this is! This internship could potentially help me achieve up to 6 credits in school, and seeing as how Baker is one of the biggest furniture companies out there- this would be an AMAZING opportunity and could really jump start my career. I have an interview April 19th so please, please, PLEASE, keep me in your prayers! I really need this job!

I'm also very excited to work at Day Camp again this year. I've been promoted to Director of Early Childhood Development and am really excited for what this summer holds. I love being with the kids, hanging out with our staff, and really enjoy working there everyday. The job can have long days, but I love it. There's nothing better than working somewhere that you enjoy and connect with the staff. It's great!

And the biggest event of my summer is Erin's Wedding! As the maid of honor, and sister of the bride, I have quite a few duties on my plate. One of my biggest ones is her bachelorette party. I've never thrown one before so any ideas are welcome! It's kind of weird that she's getting married, but I am so happy for her and Stephen. They will make a wonderful family and I am blessed to call them my family. And hey, who doesn't love helping plan a wedding!

Until summer however, I have a last few things to tie up on my end so everything will run smoothly. And just for my sanity and benefit, I will share with you my list. (Please feel free to skip this portion)

• Contact schools and get information on summer courses
• Get summer classes approved by HPU
• Apply for summer courses
• Find a summer internship
• Interview for and hopefully finalize internship with Baker
• Complete this semester's classes (hopefully with all A's!)
• Finalize Day Camp plans/supplies
• Get bridesmaid dress altered and buy shoes for the wedding

So there you have it, my summer happenings. Please keep me in your prayers about these internship possibilities. I would really appreciate it!

You know your an Interior Design major when...

1. Spending less than 5 hours in the design building is a quick night of work.
2. You find drafting tape stuck to your clothes.
3. It's normal to have a bunch of fabric fibers on your clothes.
4. You have a shelf of bins in your closet designated to file your resources such as fabric, tiles, paint samples, etc.
5. You have to explain on a regular basis that rendering is not coloring.
6. You yell out during a movie "that's a barcelona chair!"
7. You analyze the space planning of every restaurant you dine in, and always find a way to improve it.
8. You could pay for college with the amount of money you've spent at hobby lobby.
9. You have a steady supply of rubber cement, foam core, matte board, x-acto blades, and tape on hand at all times.
10. Your dreams consist of how to improve the current project your working on.
11. You'd ask just about anyone for a back massage- you'd do anything for one.
12. You have to check your bag before going through security to make sure you took your utility knife out- because you know it's always in there!
13. You keep a measuring tape on you at all times.
14. You cringe at being called a decorator, and always find a way to correct and educate the person on the difference between the two.
15. You have visible scars from your drafting tools.
16. You cut yourself with an x-acto blade and your first thought is "please don't let there be blood on my project."
17. You understand that there is no such thing as too much caffeine.
18. Your professional wardrobe never seems to be big enough for all the events you must attend.
19. You watch HGTV and think "Oh I can do that."
20. Your normal handwriting becomes quick lettering.
21. You're funniest stories happen during your 2am IHOP runs with your design girls.
22. You have the best support group of friends anyone could wish for.
23. You can read this and relate to everything i've said.

If you can think of something i've left off let me know!

Love my design girls!

10 Days and Counting...

Until SPRING BREAK! I am so excited!! It feels like I've been in school with no break for a really long time, and a nice relaxing week at home is needed for my sanity. I find myself getting very overwhelmed with school work lately, and I cannot wait to take a week off! I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, enjoying home cooked meals, hanging out with friends, helping my sister with wedding planning, and sleeping in. Oh spring break, please hurry up and get here!

Until then... I will be in one of the most chaotic weeks of the school year- Midterm Time!

Yep, around here in the Interior Design world, this is when teachers load you up with projects, and regular teachers load you up with tests. I've got my second psychology test, first Ethics test, cumulative residential project, and my lamp creation for Lighting.

I will also enjoy steakhouse at least once more (hopefully twice), get my resume finalized, hopefully line up a job for market, take an interviewing class, and hopefully have some time to relax during all of that.

Like I said: 10 days and counting!