Eight Ways Charleston Has Changed Me

It has been a little over a month since I’ve moved to Charleston and let me tell you, it has definitely been a whirlwind experience! I’ve had to essentially start my life over and become accustomed to a place so far away from home. Hands down, Charleston has changed my life already. Here are few differences from the Candace in Ohio and the Candace in South Carolina:

I like beer

Maybe it’s because I’m no longer drinking Natty Ice or Busch Light like I did in college. I use to never touch beer if it wasn’t necessary. Now, beer is one of my go-to drinks on a night out. I’ve really started to acquire a taste for Allagash. Sure, my ultimate go-to is still Captain and Coke, but my taste buds sure have expanded!

I’ve gone swimming in the ocean 

For those of you who really know me, you understand how big of a deal this is! Yes, I’m still nervous walking into the ocean and I have to be with someone, but still. I’m putting myself right into the fish environment! Big deal, folks.

I go kickboxing six days a week

Yes. Kickboxing. I LOVE going to the gym every day! It honestly is one of the things I look forward to the most. There’s something about kicking and punching a boxing bag that makes me feel extremely in tune with my body. Oh, and the trainers are all awesome. They know me by name now! So if you look in my trunk, you’ll see my gloves and hand wraps.

I take protein

Who would have thought I would be into nutrition like this? Not me! But, I decided I needed to take better care of my body than I did when I was in college. I did a doozy on it with all the alcohol and fast food for four years. There needed to be a change. So that's what I did! I have yet to eat any and all types of fast food since I’ve moved to Charleston. Why waste money and your appetite on that when you can eat at world-class restaurants? Not me!

One of my favorite Pandora stations is Luke Bryan

So this means I like country music now. Whoa. BIG change here! I’m actually listening to it right now. How can you not listen to country music in the South? But, really. I’ve found it to be relaxing. But don’t be fooled, Justin Timberlake will forever and always be my man and favorite artist. I probably listen to his radio station more than any other. Regardless, I now have a country music station set on my radio in my car!

I like tea

I’ve drank more tea in the last month than in the last year. You know me, no coffee, tea, pop, anything like that. I’ve never been a fan. But magically I became a tea advocate after moving here- weird!

I’m not as much in a rush as I was before

You know the stereotype, people up North are always in a rush. Yes, I still am like that most of the time, but when I don’t have to be somewhere at a specific time I take my time and enjoy the car ride and music.

I only wear makeup or do my hair maybe two days out of the week-usually on the weekends

OK, maybe this isn’t that much different than in college. But, with going to the gym every day and the humidity, it would be a waste of time (and makeup/hair products) to get ready every day. You can usually find me in workout clothes and gym shoes. Hands down the most comfortable type of clothing!

Don’t get me wrong, I still like to veg out and watch Netflix for hours, watch movies and eat out, it’s just different than when I was back home.

Yes, I'm a beach rat

People have asked me if I miss Ohio. And do I? No, absolutely not. But what I do miss are all the people. If I could uproot all my friends and family and move them down here, my life would be set. I know that’s not the case, though. That’s why I call my family every week and have multiple FaceTime sessions and texting conversations with my best friends. They are still unbelievably supportive of my decision. I really could not have asked for a better bunch to call my family and friends. They’re the reason I have been able to start my life here.

Oh, and I joined the Charleston Young Professionals club (funny because I interned with the Columbus Young Professionals club last summer!) and met a friend. It feels so great knowing others are new to Charleston just like me! I have finally began to start my life here. I can even get most places without a GPS anymore...and to me that's a big accomplishment! 

Call me selfish, but this move to South Carolina has been the best decision of my life.

From Ohio to South Carolina: The first week on my own

“I will be brave…one step closer.” As I sit down by myself in my room in Charleston these are the lyrics from Christina Perri I hear being emitted from my laptop. These are the words I have to remind myself every day that I’m in this new, unfamiliar place.

Charleston is a beautiful, fascinating city. I’ve already learned so much about its culture and history. The food is phenomenal and the views are breathtaking. I’m really living in a vacation spot.

The question, “Do you miss home?” has crossed my mind quite a few times in the last week since I’ve been here. I don’t miss Ohio. What I miss are all the people. Moving to a new place over 12 hours away from home can be isolating. I went from knowing half of campus, living within five minutes of friends and in the same state as most of my family to essentially being alone.

If you know me at all, you know I’m a social butterfly and strive on social interaction. Not being in that environment has been extremely difficult.

But I know that will pass. Since I’ve left home, I’ve (slowly) been reading Tuesday’s with Morrie. At one point in the book the author says this about loneliness, “You let it go, let the tears flow, feel it completely—but eventually be able to say, ‘All right, that was my moment with loneliness. I’m not afraid of feeling lonely, but now I’m going to put that loneliness aside and know that there are other emotions in the world, and I’m going to experience them as well.”’

This is my moment of loneliness. There is a time of adjustment with any type of move you go through. Mine just so happens to be with where I’m living, my job, my roommates and culture in general all at once.

Yes, moving to a new, unfamiliar place is hard. Feeling like you don’t have many friends in that place is harder. But do you know what would be the hardest? Regret. If I had not taken the opportunity to move across country and decided to stay in Ohio (where I’ve been my whole life), I know I would have regretted that decision forever.

But loneliness, I know it’s not forever. It will pass. What won’t pass is how proud I am for moving so far away from home and familiarity.

Thankfully, I have an amazing support system from friends and family back home. They have encouraged me to do my best and to remember that they're always proud of me. I couldn't have asked for anything else from the most important people in my life.

I know this move will teach me so much about myself. I’m still remaining optimistic and enjoying this Kingdom by the Sea (ß Edgar Allan Poe reference for all you literature buffs!)

“I will be brave…one step closer,” to following an adventurous path and enjoying my 20s.

Until next time, stay classy my fellow bloggers.

Candace

The Face-To-Face Book Analysis: Are Keller and Fay Accurate or Missing the Mark?

So I’ve finished reading The Face-to-Face Book and I have a handful of comments about the contents. I don’t think I have written so many comments in the margins of another book like I did with this one. You can flip through the pages and see blue, orange and pink lining every page. With that being said, I’ll dive into my analysis.

What I did not like about the book-

I could go into detail about specific details I did not agree with, but overall, they all fall under the same category, inconsistency. The authors of the book, Ed Keller and Brad Fay, did not stick to their stances throughout the book. To begin, Keller and Fay said word-of-mouth communication was the absolute best way to communicate and any form of Internet communication was not adequate. However, as you read deeper into the pages, they change their views to say the Internet is OK, but social media is inadequate. It is clear that Keller and Fay do not agree with the use of social media as marketing techniques. While touching upon the benefits of social media, the authors make comments about social media advocates focusing only on their practice and not traditional media. This is not the case. My minor is social media, but I know all forms of communication (whether it be traditional or social) need to be taken into consideration. I felt as if the authors were condescending to social media advocates throughout the book.

What I did like about the book-

Although I did not agree with much of the content, I did like how fired up the book made me. Like I said before, I wrote a ridiculous amount of notes in the margins. Reading the book brought out my passion for public relations and everything that I’m studying. It made me think critically and look at different scenarios from another perspective. Which leads me into my next section…Why did Dr. Agozzino make the class read this book?

The answer, in my opinion, is simple. We read this book to learn a different perspective about marketing, the Internet, social media and communication. I’ve read numerous books about the benefits of Web 2.0 and using technology to communicate. However, I have not focused on the views of others who are not on the new technology bandwagon. This book was great to read right before graduation! I may work under a person who does not like social media practices and uses more traditional media. Because of this book, I have a better understanding of their point-of-view. I now can explain more accurately why all forms of media should be considered when dealing with a client or project.

Even though the views of Keller and Fay are not consistent with my views, one clear theme is evident in the book. That theme is building relationships. In the end, whether you use traditional or social media, our goal is to create those relationships with customers, consumers, target publics, ect. In Branded, I learned that Best Buy uses social media and Web 2.0 to answer any questions customers may have about products. This creates two-way communication and encourages trust between Best Buy and customers. Starbucks uses online media to garner and implement customer recommendations creating a user-friendlier atmosphere. However, Apple does not use social media to create great customer service. They drive customers to physically visit stores and try out products.

Relationships can be built via traditional and social media. What needs to be considered is what is most beneficial for the customer. Fay and Keller do not touch upon this point in the book. I know the importance of this and so do other professionals. I would have liked to see the authors touch base upon this subject rather than blasting the use of social media so vigorously.

This book should be kept on the reading list for Digital Branding. Yes, it’s great to hear about how wonderful social media and Web 2.0 is for marketing, public relations and social media, but I also have to be realistic. I have to understand not everyone will agree with my opinions. As stated earlier, it is imperative to understand the other side of the story and differencing opinions.

Until next time, stay classy my fellow bloggers.

Candace