First Assignment

The life as a traveling admissions counselor has officially begun last week!  My traveling assignment was to attend graduate fairs at New Mexico State University and University of New Mexico.  Since Las Cruces, where New Mexico State University is located, does not have an airport, I got to initially arrive in El Paso the night before.  As a win-win situation, I got to see my family for a very short period of time!  I was so thankful for my dad to be at the airport to greet me because I received a horrible customer service at the rental car place, and I was ready to have an argument with the representative (my first rental car experience + tired + lack of sleep = really frustrated me).  When I arrived home, my mom had prepared my favorite homemade noodle soup.  My family all sat around me while I was eating...they couldn't really believe their daughter was all grown up and coming up for work-related reason.  

I left home early the next morning, said goodbye to brief reunion with the family, and drove my way to New Mexico.  I was quite familiar with New Mexico State University, so navigating through the campus wasn't too difficult. I neatly arranged my brochures and giveaway items; I was excited to talk to students.  I talked to quite a few students, many who never heard about the school.  I shared my personal stories when choosing a graduate school and tried to emphasize the importance of branching outside of your familiar territory, whether that is a school type or region. After the fair, I had a brief moment to meet and catch up with my old friends You Kyung and Kateleen.  

 Everything was quickly packed up and before you know it, I was on the road to Albuquerque.  I was surely driving in middle of nowhere, but the Southwest scenery was quite raw and beautiful.  No matter how accustomed I have become to the intertwining highways, endless traffic, and more greenness of Dallas and Houston, I still missed the dryness and mountains of the Southwest.  I always forget how beautiful it can be.

I started booking all my hotels with Holiday Inn, so I can rack up reward points.  I got to the hotel around 8pm, had a quick bite at the hotel restaurant, and eventually passed out from tiredness shortly after.

The fair at University of New Mexico was hosted in their nicely air-conditioned ballroom.  Location wasn't suitable for high student traffic, but I at least took the time to network with other admissions counselors and replied some work emails. 

During my quick drive through Albuquerque I was attracted by the cleanness and natural beauty of the city, as well as the friendliness of the citizens.  I really liked the UNM campus too.  I hope that one day I will have more time to explore the city.  

I had 2 suitcases and a computer bag to carry around during the whole trip.  For a 5ft woman, it was a daunting task to carry/roll that many bags at once.  

My next travel destinations are San Antonio and Dallas in less than a week!  Both trips are combined into a huge, busy week. Z will partly accompany me this trip, so I'm very excited!!   Lot's of exciting events ahead - we are attending Allie & Aaron's wedding this weekend and I get to reunite with many of my UNT friends next week!