Just call me a sponge

It's unbelievable how much I'm learning by living in another state and through my internship.

Dallas is a completely different world. It might seem intuitive, but I continue to learn and appreciate this city more the longer I live here. I feel somewhat disappointed with the number of people I've met so far, but am thankful for the Kansas friends I can cling to. I still have another month before heading back to the home land, and I'm going to make the most of it.

I love going to work every single day. I'm surrounded by incredibly smart, creative and hard working people. I feel so blessed being on the nonprofit/cause branding team because the work we're doing for our clients contributes to something truly meaningful. Every one of our clients is passionate about what they do and the impact they’re making, and we’re helping them make that impact. The main clients I work on are The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Citizens Council, Children’s Medical Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. I have also helped out with many other clients such as Honeywell, American Heart Association, Parkland Hospital, Sub Zero/Wolf and many potential new clients.

Working in an integrated agency is a very unique experience because while I’m working for and on public relations, I sit by a creative director, media planner, print production guy and brand managers. I get to “over hear” what they’re working on and learn how all the pieces make up the giant puzzle of The Richards Group. The culture here is unbelievable and it's amazing how many relationships I've already formed.

P.S. Check out this beautiful new Children's Medical Center advertisement!

(Side note: It's tough updating my blog when I'm already on a computer all day. It's also extremely annoying how many sentences in this post start with the word "I." Thanks for understanding.)

I really like my parents.

Bill and Robin Niederee (my parents dancing on our cruise)

A K-State Pi Phi tradition at our final dinner as undergraduates (senior dinner) is to have funny memories and words of wisdom from our parents read aloud to the entire chapter. It basically creates a huge sob fest, however, is extremely meaningful — especially for the senior class.

I was particularly proud of what my parents wrote and thought my hundreds of followers might benefit from their words of wisdom as well... Enjoy!

I hope never lose your sense of wonder — Always strive for something new and exciting and want to know what else is just around the corner.

Get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger — You may have succeeded in everything you’ve set your mind to, but continue to set new goals to achieve something great to make a difference.

May you never take one single breath for granted — So breathe in and breathe out, do not stress out and enjoy the moment and everything will work out for the best.

God forbid love never leaves you empty handed — Believe in God and he will never leave you empty handed.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean — Remember there is always more to learn in this big wide world we live in; keep learning and giving and sharing your talents with others.

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens — There are always going to be doors closing, but keep looking for an open door, and be persistent.

Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance — Continue to keep the faith in your dreams and convictions and God will make it happen.

And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance – Keep dancing through life with a smile on your face and you can make anything happen.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance — You will never fear the mountains that you love to visit so dearly. They are enormous and tall like the high goals you have set for yourself. Taken one step at a time, you’ll always reach the top.

Never settle for the path of least resistance — There will be challenges in life from many people so keep pushing forward and never take the easy way out.

Living might mean taking chances, but they’re worth taking — There are many unknowns in life if you don’t take an educated chance or leap forward you will never know if you could have met the challenge.

Loving might be a mistake but it’s worth making — Keep searching for that someone who will love you for all your strengths and weaknesses.

Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter — Love endures all things!

When you come close to selling out reconsider — Be proud of who you are and never let anyone take that away from you. The strength of your convictions make you a role model and an effective leader.

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance — Take time to appreciate all the good things you may take for granted by looking up at the stars on a clear night in the country.

And when you get the chance to sit out or dance, I hope you dance — DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. We know you’ll dance because you don’t see any other way.

Thanks, Bill and Robin... I couldn't do it without you.