Massachusetts State House Visit

This past Wednesday Massachusetts State Representative Jeff Roy invited me and my family to the State House for an official “send off” of me to Australia! It was quite the day! My family and I got the royal treatment once we arrived to the State House. Jeff and his assistant, Chris, met us in front of the State House at noon where we took a few pictures outside of the building. One of my favorites from the day is Me, Jeff, my mother, father and best friend Pats all holding the “SEND BMAC DOWN UNDER” sign in front of the State House! Check it out!

 

Next, Jeff gave us the grand tour of the State House. I felt like royalty! I got to meet everyone we walked by. I was introduced to many different state representatives and other officials in the building. Jeff had informed everyone in the state house about what I’ve been doing with Send BMAC Down Under for the Best Jobs In The World contest. It was really cool to have so many people already know what I have been up to and congratulating me on my accomplishments! I was scheduled to meet the Governor, but sadly he was not in that day. I did, however, have the privilege of being taken out onto the Governor’s balcony where you can see, as Jeff put it “the best view of Boston”

 

Not a bad view, huh? (And I’m not just talking about Patrick 😉 ) The house was in session on Wednesday so after this, Jeff took my family and I into the House of Representatives chamber in the state house. Once inside, I continued to meet state officials and spread the word about the Best Jobs In The World contest and my quest for Chief Funster. I was then introduced by the Speaker of the House for all of my accomplishments thus far in making it as a Top 3 finalist for Chief Funster. The chamber was buzzing with conversation and it didn’t appear as though anyone was even really listening, but when the Speaker of the House finished speaking, the chamber erupted in applause! I was overjoyed with excitement. I received a standing ovation from the House of Representatives in the Massachusetts State House! WHOA! I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so largely in my life! When we left the chamber, Jeff told my family and I that it is rare for the house to give a standing ovation. I have never felt so special in my life the way I felt when I was in that room.

Next on the agenda, Jeff, my family and I had an official photograph taken of us with the citation that Jeff presented to me on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The citation congratulates me and recognizes my achievement of making it as a Top 3 Finalist for Tourism Australia’s Best Jobs In The World contest. Now that’s an official document if I ever saw one!

It was an incredible experience being at the State House where so much important history has taken place and knowing that I am also making history. There were many rewards from this special day in my life and I’m going to tell you the two biggest ones [in my opinion]. The first happened at the conclusion of the day when my best friend Pats said that joining my family and I and watching me earn this recognition was a huge motivator and inspiration to him. I was so happy that I could serve as an inspiration to him. I’ve always believed that if you can dream it, you can do it, you just have to believe in yourself and not set any limits. You should live life and act as though there are no limits, that is when you will find success. It’s such a rewarding feeling to know that I’ve impacted more lives than just my own with the success I’ve had in becoming Chief Funster thus far.

The second most rewarding feeling was when we were in the car driving out of Boston. I was quiet and smiling at my mother gushing over the day we just had and my accomplishments. She looked at me and said, “Brittany, I don’t think you understand how incredible of an honor you just received…” My mother was surprised at my “lack of excitement”, however it wasn’t that I wasn’t excited, because believe me, I certainly was! For the first time since I found out about the contest in March, I felt satisfied and proud of myself because I have finally seen that all my hard work and sacrifice has paid off. Of course the contest isn’t over yet and I am not giving up, but it was nice to take a quick breath and be proud of myself.

Me with the Franklin Town Council

The fun of the day wasn’t over yet though, kids! After dinner, my parents and I headed to my hometown’s Town Hall where I was recognized by the Franklin Town Council with a proclamation in congratulations and recognition detailing my success and achievements thus far in the Best Jobs In The World contest for Chief Funster.

State Representative Jeff Roy standing next to me while Franklin Town Council Chair Robert Vallee read aloud the proclamation they presented to me on behalf of Franklin, Massachusetts

It was a jam packed rewarding day full of fun! As if it was even possible, this day really built up my excitement to head down to Australia for finals week!!! Only 2 more days now until I leave! I have purchased a few necessities ( a converter, bathing suit and a couple new outfits) but now it’s time to get packing! I can’t believe this is really happening and I could not be any more excited! (I know I’ve used the word “excited” a lot in this blog post, but I just can’t contain my excitement!!!!) I am looking forward to spreading the word even further of how fantastic Australia truly is! I wish I had a dime for every person who asked if they could come with me over the course of the day. I should really just transport the entire state of Massachusetts down under! They’re all jealous of my experience and itching to get down there! See you soon, Australia!

BMAC: Chief Funster Finalist & Marist Grad!

Soooooo first THIS happens:

Then THIS happened!

It’s been a VERY busy couple of weeks, SBDU fans! Now it’s time to dish out how it all went down…

Second semester senior year of college. It’s finals week. The Top 3 announcement of Chief Funster is scheduled to be anytime between 4:30-6:30am in the morning on Wednesday, May 15th. Do I stay up and wait for the announcement? DUH! That is the obvious choice! Who would be able to sleep through that kind of thing anyways?! But if I don’t go to sleep, will I be able to focus during my group project for my final presentation? Decisions, decisions, decisions! I tried to stay up all night and made it to about 3:30am before I dozed off because my anxiety over the announcement was through the roof and it put me to sleep. Next thing I know, I wake up and roll over to check my phone and it had already started blowing up. It sort of felt like a dream as I was first opening my eyes and awakening from sleep to see the email from Tourism Australia that looked a little something like this…

OH. MY. GOD. I MADE IT TO TOP 3 FOR CHIEF FUNSTAHHHH! I immediately called my mother and when she answered she said, “NO. WAY.” before I even said ANYTHING! Then I hear her waking up my father saying, “Malcolm, WAKE UP! Brittany made it to Top 3 for Chief Funster!!!!” I wasn’t able to talk to my mother long before I get a phone call from an unknown number. I answer , “Hello?” and hear, “G’day, BMAC! It’s Matt McInnes from Tourism Australia! Congratulations on making it to Top 3 for Chief Funster!”

Let’s just rewind for a second…

First I wake up to find out that I made it to Top 3 for Chief Funster and now AUSTRALIA, my dream, is CALLING ME at 5am to CONGRATULATE ME on getting the opportunity to go visit THEM?! How many awesome things can happen in one day?! Try how many awesome things can happen in 2 weeks!!! Ever since this moment, my life has been a whirlwind and I’m loving every moment. Each day I lose a little more sleep, but I gain a little more excitement! I DID IT! I’M GOING TO AUSTRALIA! WAHOO!!!!!!! I got countless texts, calls, tweets, likes, posts, etc of congratulations and they are still coming in! I am very proud of myself and am thrilled that Australia has selected me to go down undahhh to interview with them in person.

For all of you who were worried about me during finals week… I made Dean’s List, so I must’ve done alright! OH, and I graduated from Marist College this past Saturday with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications- Advertising and a minor in Business. Not too shabby, huh?

receiving my diploma from Marist College’s President Dr. Dennis J. Murray

But the fun is not over yet! I met with President Murray a couple days before graduation to tell him about my success in being Top 3 for Chief Funster thus far and check out how we decided to celebrate…

YEP! That’s my ENTIRE graduating class right there SCREAMING “Send BMAC Down Under” and doing the Aussie cheer! I graduated with over 1,400 people and ALL OF THEM are represented here [although we couldn’t get a wide enough angle to show everyone] and how fabulous does that “SEND BMAC DOWN UNDER” sign look?! Thank you, President Murray for ordering the sign and getting the Marist College graduating Class of 2013 to celebrate with me!

I was also featured in follow up articles with The Boston Globe, Newsday and The Poughkeepsie Journal. Tomorrow morning I am going to be on Fox 25 News where I will be interviewed by Gene Lavanchy about The Best Jobs In The World contest, Chief Funster and Send BMAC Down Under! How cool is that?! I am BEYOND excited for my television debut! But what shall I wear? Find out tomorrow morning at 8:55am on Fox 25 news!

Catch ya later SBDU loversss 😉