I've now worked as an Outside Eyes intern for 7 (week)days and I feel as though I'm catching on pretty quickly. I think any first day at a new job is marked with anxiousness, and mine was no exception! This was the first day of work on Monday, July 6th, and might I say I was a little overwhelmed! At ULM, my Mass Comm. professors have taught me the role a public relations firm has, how to construct press releases & who to send them to, the importance of being proactive, how to react when a client faces a potentially damaging crisis--all of these skills have been vital to keeping up with what's going on at Outside Eyes--however, not much can prepare you for what its REALLY like. 
At any given point, you could be compiling a research binder for a new client, answering the phone to hear an A-list celebrity on the other end inquiring about the status of his/her latest campaign, scanning the news to ensure nothing negative is released from media about any of your clients, editing crucial documents that will be sent on to prominent individuals, calling editors, reporters, and various media affiliates (at networks like ESPN, abc, and Fox) to pitch ideas and stories...all the while, trying not to let your eyes cross! It's a fast-paced, exciting, testing industry. There are no "File these papers" or "Get my coffee" at this internship!
We represent numerous celebrities and athletes, politicians, authors, prosperous companies, former presidents, and non-profit organizations. I can't actually disclose who they are because it's confidential and I'd like to keep my job, but you wouldn't believe whose personal cell phone numbers sit in front of me at my desk...
My favorite project I've been able to work on is an international adoption campaign. Since 2004, the number of international adoptions have plummeted and no one knows why. This campaign is in its beginning stages (in fact, the week my internship started was the campaign's first week so it's nice to be working on something that's as new as I am!) and right now we're conducting a lot of research on American's perceptions of adoption (domestic and international). Because I have been able to work for numerous non-profit causes as Miss ULM and Miss Crescent City New Orleans, this campaign has the strongest hold on me.
As for an update on my riveting California adventures, on Wednesday of last week I went to the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. If you've never heard of this (I would bet you haven't but get ready because it's neat) Google it! Basically, it's this 6 week long event that takes place, here and only here each summer, where art "comes to life". They have enormous, exquisite paintings that are well-known on an outdoor stage but here's the kick.........the characters in the paintings are actual people. I know it sounds bizarre because when someone explained what it was beforehand, I couldn't wrap my brain around it (and I expect you to be no different!) It was probably the most creative, skillful, and intricate thing I've ever seen on a stage--there was even a full orchestra. Being outside made the experience even more unique because the moon shined through trees that surrounded the amphitheater and it was cool enough for hot chocolate!
Thursday night, I had dinner with Dr. Kevin Unter's sister and brother, Dave and Marijane, at a nice restaurant on the ocean called Las Brisas. We had a blast talking about everything from Volcom (where Dave works) to the Grammy's (Marijane is the presenter to the presenters each year! She hands them the official envelope) to, yes I'll admit, stories about their brother...They are very entertaining people. I see where Dr. U gets it from.
The 2nd California weekend was an gripping one...I drove to L.A. and stayed with Marijane at her brand new, incredibly beautiful home. Now, Mrs. Donna Ward (my former dance teacher, mentor, friend, 2nd mother, you-name-it-she's-it) forewarned me about Los Angeles traffic and actually made me a little nervous! "People drive like lunatics on the freeway..they're weaving in and out of cars and they aren't afraid to mow over you. If you can drive in L.A., you can drive anywhere!"
I called her on Sunday to let her know I'd done it...she proclaimed that I'm a big girl. I grinned and felt accomplished.
In L.A., Marijane was the best tour guide a Louisiana girl could ask for! She had planned Saturday out so we could pack as many things into one day as possible. We had brunch at a cafe/bakery called Jack & Jill and the chef was originally from New Orleans so every dish had Louisiana flare to it.
Rodeo Drive was next, where I boldly tried on a pair of Jimmy Choo's...black satin...4 inch heel...peep toe...classic broach on the end...suede soles...50% off...only $450. I tried to rationalize that type of purchase by running "Carpe Diem" through my head a few times, but then decided it would be better to have food for the rest of my stay.
After visiting Tiffany's, Prada, Chanel, and every designer store imaginable, we decided to move on to something else...
We drove around and saw enormous houses, namely the Aaron Spelling mansion and even part of the Playboy mansion! While we were driving around up in the hills, we passed by a movie production crew that was waiting to film a scene outside a house. I eagerly looked for a movie star in that group of guys, but unfortunately saw nothing more than scruffy men with walkie talkies and clipboards.
Marijane and I hiked up to the Hollywood sign--pretty steep of a climb, but totally worth the view--and snapped some pictures. You can't actually get up to the sign, but we were as close as you can get. It was unbelievably beautiful up there...we could see all of the city behind us.
This picture was the display in front of the Prada store on Rodeo. I loved all the red!
We finished our Saturday by driving along the coast to Malibu where we had some tasty mexican food and I heard stories about her backpacking trip in Europe as a 22 year old.
Sunday, I went with my co-workers to the Angels & Yankees game in Anaheim. It was awesome--pretty hot, but awesome! Luckily we were in the shade, so we got to enjoy it a little more. I had never been to a professional baseball game before, so it was a great memory to make with the other interns and my boss.
Only a week and a half in, this experience has already stretched and grown me immensely. I am taking in every day I have here. Hopefully when I go home, I'll be an even better version of myself, prepared to take on the professional world when I graduate next May.
An LA girl in L.A.,
Hope
On Friday and Saturday, we 
