May always feels like a party to me. 

 

Working at a university, the end of year is always filled with recognition ceremonies, end-of-year parties and, of course, the biggest day of all, commencement. 

 

But, this week was special to me for a few different reasons. Mostly I was just praying to make it through because it was going to take a lot of energy and pep. 

The Lieutenant Governor of California, Elena Kounalakis, stopped by campus on Tuesday as part of her tour visiting all 23 campuses. Her first stop was to see the future site where the Energy Innovation Center is supposed to be and learned more about the process, what it will hold and so on. The next stop was our Edible Garden. She learned more about the techniques and approaches the students are taking with the garden, and saw the progress we're making. Then, she stopped to answer questions from the media. 

 

It was a fun afternoon! Got to switch things up a little and get out of the office. I was on social media duty, so I was switching between the camera and the cinema mode for video. I put together some quick posts when I got back to the office. 

 

I'd already had a headache because I skipped lunch that day (and took medicine), but must not have had enough to drink. I was so wiped out from the little bit of heat and sun I was exposed to. I'm so not used to getting out in the sun. I was down the rest of the night - didn't even want to read (that's when you know it's bad) and worked from home/taking the afternoon off the next day because I just couldn't hang. 

 

It was a fun experience and I'm so glad I get to be part of little excursions on campus! 

This was my first time going as a true “volunteer.” The events team in our division was in charge, and I knew they’d kill it. I wanted to help them with check-in, because it was a newer process than we’ve done in the past, and was their first time with this event. 

 

I was nervous since I was working in a system I hadn’t used much before to check in people, and I know the line gets looooonggg. Add the heat in, and I was worried I’d get sick. 

 

But, I didn’t. And it was a lot of fun. We had a great group of people - me (marketing), a few team members from development and a couple of accountant team members. And, of course, the events coordinator. Working from home, I don’t always get to see them, or they’re on the other side of the office, which I don’t venture over to very often. 

 

It was a bit intense at the beginning as we tried to find a flow and rhythm, but we eventually found a groove. Then, it was in smaller pockets here and there. I got to see a few familiar faces and there was music playing outside, which was fun. 

 

It definitely wasn’t as warm as it could have been, but it was hot enough. I’m so glad I chugged a Liquid IV before I went. 

 

It was nice to bond with fellow coworkers. We also had incredible food from two local vendors, Salty’s and Primetime BBQ - tri-tip, mac’n’cheese, salad, beans and a roll. Thankfully, Jane also had an extra drink ticket, so I was able to get a Diet Coke. Later, some of our peeps went to the Yogurt Zone frozen yogurt truck and brought us back a little mid-evening snack. 

 

It was also a gorgeous sunset, and one of those evenings that reminds us we’re closer to summer. And more moments like this. You know, where time just sort of stops and you can make the time what you will. 

 

We wrapped up around 8:45. It was a long, but full day. Another busy day up after it…

Again, normally in the past, I’ve been the one taking pics or doing social media. This event always gave me major anxiety because there was a large group picture that took place on stage with all of the awardees. I never had a wide enough lens, and getting everyone to try to listen to me as I yelled from the audience was next to impossible. 

 

This year, I was recognized for 10 years of service at CSUB. I mean, technically, it’s probably just short of that, since I left for about a year, then came back. But, here we are. I never truly left, in spirit. I was always connected. So, I was just in the audience for that and then walked on stage when my name was called. I was able to just enjoy the show. 

 

One decade of my life has been spent there as an employee, which is crazy to me. All of my adult life has essentially been developed here - through the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made and the work I’ve done. 

 

Naturally, it has sent me into a very reflective state, thinking back on my time from graduation and fast forwarding to where I am now - everything I’ve learned, all the people I’ve met in between and just how different we think our lives are going to be after graduation. (Anticipate a longer think piece on this from me and my sentimental self). 

 

I’m very grateful to work where I do and to be surrounded by the team we have. 

 

Finally, ending the week, was the 50th anniversary of the student newspaper, The Runner. I was on the newspaper staff during my two years at the university, and it made my college experience everything that it was. 

 

It truly put my education into practice - I started as a staff writer, then moved up to features editor and lastly, a senior columnist/reporter. But, it taught me to work with a team, the importance of communication and also reaching out to others for interviews. It was also writing, coordinating photos/artwork and adapting when things didn’t work out accordingly. It was late nights on production days, it was figuring out what the week’s stories were going to be and it was building relationships with those on our team. 

 

Advisers and alumni alike joined together to celebrate the work and monumental occasion of The Runner. The founder of the newspaper was there as the keynote speaker. She talked about the importance of saying ‘yes’ and how we are all trailblazers and pioneers. 

 

I remember when our staff planned the 40th anniversary, just a decade ago. We celebrated in what is now the Media Arts building on campus. It’s crazy how far everything has come. 

 

This year’s celebration was much more extravagant with an elegant black tie affair, complete with red carpet, lights and glam. There were photo stations, high tables, some seating, fancy twinkle lights above us, a DJ, sound system, a “50” light up sign.

Mostly I stayed with my bestie and her husband, along with my coworker, who was writing a story about the event and doing a few interviews. 

 

Being on campus tonight, celebrating the newspaper brought all the feels - thinking of our little team that could, what we accomplished together and thinking about how we all went on to do great things. And, also, how it isn’t the end of the world that my career took a detour on another path. Our dreams are really guideposts at the beginning to help us carve a path. It occurred to me that it’s brave to go down a different path than you thought it would be. 

 

It was lovely to hear from the founder of the newspaper, the president, the current editor-in-chief and the dean for the college of arts & humanities. An alumna also spoke on her time as a newscaster/reporter, her journey and how the newspaper shaped her journey. 

 

I’m so thankful for the time I had with my friends, the connections I made, the experience I gained and for our adviser, who was there to guide us, mentor us and helped set us up on the paths we’re on now. All of us went on to get jobs in our fields, whether it was public relations, producing shows with news stations or something else related to journalism, communications or digital media. I’m proud of what we did and everyone that’s come after us. 

 

We ate, we laughed, we reminisced, talked to a few others from our time on the paper, said hi to others we haven’t seen in awhile and took fun pictures in the photo booth. I’m so glad I went, enjoyed another beautiful sunset in the distance, as we were reminded of the passage of time.

 

I can't wait to see what everyone does in the future and how The Runner continues to evolve as the world changes and more tools develop. 

We just have a few more events from the rest of the week, summer planning for what's to come and summer hours to look forward to. Just a couple weeks left in the semester!