Ridiculously Fabulous: The Neon Vibe

Back in April, I was blessed by getting an amazing job with the Neon Vibe. It is a 5k running company that holds night time glow races in a different city every weekend. Here is how it all started. My friend Collin, who I met my sophomore year, who I hadn't talked to in years, randomly messaged me on Facebook just wanting to catch up and ask me about a speaker I was trying to sell. We got talking and he asked if I needed a job for the summer. I told him I just planned on subbing till June, then just going home to spend time with my family, work for the special education program at Wheatland again and then come back to Logan in August. Throughout that week, I couldn't get that job offer out of my mind. For me, that usually means it's a sign that I need to put more thought into it. I kept brushing it off. I had my mind set. And if you know me, you know how important it is for me to be able to go home and get that time with my family. Well, after a few days of fighting off the urge, I finally gave in and called Collin up to set up an interview. Long story short, I got the job and started working that next week. I was a little nervous because it all happened so fast, and this meant I would be staying in Logan for the summer and not going home. I think it was time to put on my big girl panties, accept an amazing job that will let me travel all across the country for free and work with an awesome group of people. It has been a little over a month now and I have done my first race. All I can say is... I LOVE MY JOB! So, this is how it works. Usually, we work in the office, Monday through Wednesday. That is when we plan all the details for each race. We book venues, DJs, sound systems, stage, barricades, lighting, news stations, vendors, water stations, and much more. Then on Thursdays, we fly to whatever city we are at that weekend, hold the event, then fly back Sunday mornings. I worked my first race in Peoria, IL this weekend, and I had the best time. I didn't realize how much physical labor was involved and I probably got about 7 hours of sleep in two days. When we are traveling, we usually work about 20 hour days. No joke. I usually have been one who struggles sleeping on airplanes..... that is not the case anymore. Those flights have become my best friends and the time when I get the most sleep. At the end of the day though, when Sunday comes around, it is the best feeling of accomplishment and all the hard work is worth it.

I have to get use to red eye flights.

We were stuck at the Chicago-Midway airport till 5am. Not so pleasant when you just want to sleep.

Collin, Brandon and Tijs might have gotten the car stuck in the mud.

BEST PART ABOUT THIS RACE: My parents drove three hours to come see me for a few minutes. I loved it. They are one of my greatest supports and I loved being able to see them even if it was only for a few minutes. I am excited to be planning a race in Chicago and Milwaukee in the up coming months. More opportunities for my family and friends to say hello :)