Sweet Ride

I spent a windy Saturday recently interviewing my first subject for a super fun section in the new alumni magazine.It's intended to serve as the eye catching, opening spread in the magazine. A double-truck of something, well, out of the ordinary.

Scott Elmer, a graduate of the college's department of civil and environmental engineering, certainly fit the bill. He's spent the last 10 years testing his nerves and his stomach jumping from planes. Yes, he's a city engineer and public works director by day and a skydiver on most weekends. He's taken some 4,000 jumps and competed in skydiving competitions both nationally and internationally.

Needless to say, we had an awesome time! I even had my first trip in the cockpit of an airplane. Let me tell you, it was the perfect day for this trip. The sky was so clear I could see to the coast of Galveston. I even got to wear the headset!!!

The sweetest part of this ride, though, was near the end. Unlike your typical flight, the pilot and I came back much lighter than when we left. I watched Scott and 13 other skydivers leap from the hatch and free fall to the ground. Maybe next time I'll join them :)

The Redesign, Second Pub

It's hard to believe I have officially been working at UH for a month now. Time really does fly by, especially when you have as much going on as I do!

Anyway, I can honestly say my decision to join the Cullen College of Engineering Office of Communications was a good one. I already feel as though I have been there for years!

What's been most exciting for me, the dean has requested Parameters be completely redesigned. Oh, and one more thing, I get to launch a brand new, second publication this fall. Translation: I'm in heaven.

For the last few weeks the floor of my apartment and my office have been littered with magazines and torn pages from publications that I find have interesting layouts and eye-catching font. Since I am the post-it note queen, those are everywhere as well. The little yellow snips of paper are pulling double duty with the wedding quickly approaching. If I could only check off as may things on my "To Do" list as there are post-it notes!

Here's a quick taste of my crazy world. Bad ... I know. I think it may have actually trumped the desk in my office.This kind of progress, for me at least,is messy.

Well, that's all for tonight. My updates will be more frequent from now on, I promise :)

Farewell to Freelancing

Hello All!

I know it's been ages since I've updated my blog. That's mainly due to the whirlwind of changes in my life.

As if planning a wedding and running my own business were not enough, my fiancé is now being transferred to a Cisco Systems branch in Houston, TX.

The news has forced me to make a tough decision – to leave freelancing all together. During a visit to the city in March, I interviewed for a post with the University of Houston. Needless to say, I got it!

I will be starting in the UH Cullen College of Engineering on April 21 as the senior writer/editor of their magazine, Parameters. This is in addition to drafting content for marketing material and news for the college's online newsroom. I am extremely excited about the opportunity, but will miss all the people I’ve met and the interesting stories I’ve been a part of through freelancing.

It’s been something I’ve enjoyed full-time recently, and on the side since college. Thanks for the great experiences everyone! See some of my last assignments as a freelancer in Triangle Catalyst and Southern Neighbor magazines as well as on helpfulskills.com.

I'll continue to keep you all posted on my life’s developments here in my blog. Good luck to each of you!

Best,
Erin