This time last week I was in the sun with my shades on and the mountains as my background. I was in sunny San Diego with the wonderful people of Kia. It was pretty fantastic and I still can’t believe it now. See I made a bucket list and a vision board earlier this year and I put on there that I wanted to be invited to more Press Trips. I also put traveling to California on the list as well. So when I got the invite via email to join Kia and a group of Social Media Influencers on an all expense paid trip to San Diego to learn about #TheNewKia Stinger I flipped. Like I seriously jumped up and down for about five minutes straight. I hit reply once I came to my senses.
I still remember how I responded to the email. “Oh wow! Yes I would love to attend, thanks for the invite!” On the inside I was praying the rep hadn’t made a mistake and emailed the wrong person. I couldn’t believe they picked me. I didn’t tell anyone until the official paperwork came in just in case they did decided not to include me I didn’t have to explain what happened to anyone. Once it was set in stone I told my close friends and family and started preparing for my trip. Kia sent me a cool carry on suitcase and I googled the weather for San Diego in April and started packing. I knew jeans and comfy shirts would be a safe call. We were also encouraged to bring a band t shirt for the Live Band karaoke event they were throwing for us.
You are heading to San Diego now what?
Sometimes we ask for things and once we get it we don’t know how to handle it. I had the invite to a press trip now what? I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t know anything about San Diego. Before I let anxiety take complete control of me I looked in the group I was added in with all the other attendees. I searched for any names that look familiar. Two stood out instantly: Choya (Justasplashofdiva) and Brittany (clumpsofmascara). Choya and I have worked together before on different blogger events and was one of my long term blogger boos so I was extremely grateful to see her included on the trip. Even though I never met Brittany until the Kia event she was one of my friends on social media and in my head. Lol. I loved her journey and her story. Also my blogger boo Natasha (Housefulofnicholes) told me Brittany was a beautiful soul. I spoke to them in the group and all of the tension I had on my shoulders fell off instantly.
In the Facebook group we were encouraged to find a crew for the Car Karaoke contest. Choya and I instantly became a team and Brittany and Derrick (awortheyread) joined right along. I didn’t know D, but Choya and Britt did so I knew he was a great person. Derrick kept us laughing in our group messages as we prepared for our video. Once we all arrived in San Diego there was no separating us. We were a team! Our name: Octaves & Automobiles! Funny, creative, and full of life which sums up our group in a nutshell.
We clicked so well. All of us are parents, people of color, and bloggers that cover the whole spectrum of life. As a huge fan and advocate of working as a team I can honestly say we nailed it. Choya made our shirts, Brittany edited our video for the contest, Derrick came up with our cool group name. I helped with the props. It was all a group effort.
On our second day we test drove the new Kia Stinger with our group. The Stinger was impressive! The style, the speed, the speakers, the roomy trunk…oh it was a dream! It’s a Sport’s car wrapped in 4 doors. I can see my husband driving the Stinger hanging with his guys and then running to grab the kids from school. I can also see me whipping the wheels headed to Target and for Taco and margarita night with the girls. The Stinger is versatile!
Hitting the road!
While test driving we stopped by Krispy Kremes grabbed some sweets and headed to the Light House. We drove by the Navy base and a memorial grave site for our fallen soldiers. We paused a moment to soak it all in. Then we continued to the Light House. The mountains and ocean had me stuck. I wish I could bottle up the feeling I had standing in front of the ocean. It was calming, inviting, and almost surreal. We took plenty of photos. Had the Stinger by the ocean, by the mountains, and even caught a slow motion shot of it in action. After all the fun and games it was time for us to shoot our video. It was hilarious and so much fun to do. Everyone’s personality came through and we laughed every time we watched it again. We won 4th place! That’s pretty awesome because it was like 10 other groups.
While down in San Diego I was able to sleep in a bed alone (no hubby or kids), able to eat my food without sharing, unwind a little, and most importantly make new friends and relationships. The bonds that were made those 3 days will last a lifetime. The satisfaction of coming home and scratching two items off your bucket list…priceless!
Thank you Kia for such an amazing opportunity and experience! I’m so honored to be a part of the #KiaFamily.
Check out my team members thoughts on our #TheNewKia experience: Derrick, Brittany, and Choya.
*Photo cred: Brittany from Clumps Of Mascara and Clarissa from Clarissa Explains It All Choya from Just A Splash of Diva and Derrick from A Worthey Life and Shelly from A Magical Mess.
This was such a fantastic journey, and it was made even more enjoyable with our crew! I can’t wait to get Octaves & Automobiles back together again!
Yes a blast! Kia has made a life long band! It’s such a fun adventure.
I love Kia and their experiences are always memorable. Looks like you guys had a fabulous trip, and I can’t wait to see more of your adventures.
Kia is such a great brand! It was so much fun hanging out with the team and making new friends. Definitely have a few things under my sleeve for some upcoming adventures with Kia. Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Love your post, you guys looked like you had a great time.
It was so much fun! I hope we can do it again.
Such a great experience!!! I was following along on your journey via IG but now reading about it seems so much better! I haven’t done a vision board in a couple of years but I think you have movitated me to finish the one I planned to do earlier this year!!
My IG stories was LIT! LOL. Food, drinks, cars, and fun. I’ll be sharing other parts of my trip later on because the hotel was amazing and I learned so much about Kia. I definitely recommend getting back on board with your vision board and a bucket list. The Bible says write it down and make it plain. Thank you for always being supportive! #Tribe
This sounds like an awesome press trip! I love that Kia Stinger! Thanks for sharing, as it made me feel like I took the trip with you. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to scratch press trip off my list too. You go girl!
The Kia Stinger is amazing! Loaded and fast with lots of room. You will be able to go on a press trip soon just keep writing and being the dope blogger you are. Thanks for stopping by and reading I appreciate it more than you know.