Turning off the social media switch?

It's finally here! The long awaited 2010 Study Break. Items have been checked off my to-do list, chapters have been read and midterms have been written. It is not time to head home for some much needed relaxing time. But will I be able to decrease the time I spend on Facebook and Twitter?

Now that I have a small and convenient laptop, it’s tempting to be connected 24/7. But for this study break, I am going to attempt to only allow myself one half hour per day on my laptop. Just long enough to check my e-mail, facebook, twitter and the weather! Chéticamp is too beautiful of a place for me to spend my time sitting with my laptop!

I am heading home and catching up on some books; nothing public relations related. I am watching the Olympics and reading the paper in the leisurely way I used to read it. I am going to practice yoga, watch some tv, read books and hopefully go snowshoeing with a few friends.

Happy Study Break to my fellow students. Enjoy your week-long break!
Namaste,
PR Girl

For the love of the sport

It’s finally the final days before my long awaited Spring Break. And as I try to find the motivation to write a speech for my crisis communications class, I hear the “I believe” song playing on the TV in the living room. What’s most on our minds on this love weekend are the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

My roommates and I stayed up Friday night to watch the opening ceremonies and it was amazing. What I enjoyed the most about the event were the Facebook and Twitter updates I was monitoring from friends and peers. Tweets included performer’s names, comical remarks and background information that I wouldn’t have received otherwise. I got the sense that everyone was reuniting together for the event. The next two weeks are going to rock!

Now I will be the first to admit that I am not a sporty person. But you can't help getting goosebumps as Gretzky was running with the Olympic torch!

We all know that the world is fast becoming a smaller place. I think this will be emphasized during the Winter Games. Following your favorite athletes has never been easier with the Lulu blog and facebook friends posting pictures of sporting events.
So we take a day to tell those we love how much they really mean to us, let’s not forget to cheer on our athletes!

Love,
PR Girl

Cape-Breton kitchen party

My aunt and cousin at our holiday kitchen party. Any type of social situation is a great opportunity to meet people!


Aisle 2, seat B18; the best seat in the house. I attended one of the Pop Series concert last Friday with two of my best friends. Ashley MacIsaac was the featured artists and the talent on that stage was amazing. I had been waiting for months for this show and it certainly met my expectations.

As the symphony tuned their instruments, I knew we were in for a great night. I have always felt connected to the symphony as some of their members visit Chéticamp every summer to participate in the musical “Le Grand Cercle”. I have been dancing in the musical for four years and have always been impressed by the musicians’ talents and professionalism. It was great to see some familiar faces on stage.

In a twisted turn of events, the night made me reflect on my public relations career. In every social occasion in our lives, we are introduced to individuals. We are likely given business cards but we oftentimes forget the individual’s name even before the event is over. I think in the small PR world of Halifax, knowing the right people and working on your credibility are two key things. Let me explain with an example.

As my friends and I exited the auditorium after the energetic two-hour production, I ran into the CEO of the Greater Halifax Partnership, Paul Kent. I had a positive third co-op work term at the Partnership so it was great to catch-up.

So you never know who you will bump into at professional and personal social events and who may in the end guide you with your career. You may even bump into some familiar faces at a Cape-Breton kitchen party.

Happy networking,
PR Girl