Well you guys, I had a nice stint as a journalist writing for A&M's newspaper. It lasted all of three months and I got a definitive answer on one of my life questions: my career path will not include reporting.
I'm pretty not good at it, in my fairly critical opinion (though despite my deadline missing habits and a feeling of "I have no idea what I'm doing", the editors liked me and what I wrote). The writing part was fine. Great, even. I loved being able to sit down and crank something out because I love to write and I was writing something that was not analytical of a novel or a research paper about educational theories. It was something that people my age would read and may be interested in.
The cause of my journalistic demise was the knowledge that I was so not a journalist. Not even a little bit. Calling up people and asking them all these questions felt like an intrusion into their lives and an inconvenience of their time. I felt horribly guilty if a story didn't run because I had hunted down these people and wasted their time.
I know that's not what it was. Not really, anyways. Interviews didn't take very long and people were open to talk about things they liked and were involved in. But still. The self-conscious and insecure part of me felt really bad about a story not running, but I knew it was because of logistics and other stories in the paper that were going to be run.
I learned a lot. Without a doubt, I learned a lot. That part was really cool. I feel like I have a glimpse of what working for a publisher looks like. Maybe not extensively (probably not, let's be real here), but I know what it means to write on a deadline now and to have people waiting on things in your hands. The amount stress was surprising and kept me up at night--which is funny, because my job was the minimum amount of everyone who worked for the paper. Just further confirmation that journalism and fast-and-hard stories aren't my strong suit.
Do I regret it? Nope. Not even a little bit. It was a valuable experience and I'm glad I did it. But unless I'm interviewed for something, you probably won't see my name in the Battalion next semester.
The next step in the adventure is on its way.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Feelin' 22
Yeah so I've been 22 for about three weeks at this point, but I think we can all agree that my blogging game has been off for like the past year. Relatively similar to the Rangers past season.
Anyways.
As per tradition, here are twenty two things that I've learned/observed/that are notable in the past year/22 years.
1. Being told you're an Impact co-chair is excellent. Especially when you get that glorious email on your birthday.
2. Though sometimes I question why people put me in positions of leadership because I choked on water so badly the other day that I made these horrible noises that sounded like a dying goose. Like for real, y'all, infants can drink liquids better than I can.
3. Blue Bell ice cream is unquestionably the best kind of ice cream. Especially when it's right off the line and hasn't been frozen so it's all melty and soft and you feel like you could stick your face in it forever and it be totally okay.
4. The Texas Rangers have successfully traded 4 of their best/most famous players. Yeah, I'm still crying. I'll miss you, David Murphy, Ian Kinsler, Craig Gentry, and AJ Pierzynski.
5. Trying to combine the English and Education departments at A&M is like trying to mix oil and water. Sorry I'm complicated y'all.
6. I think Johnny Manziel has a shot in the NFL. Sue me.
7. Having the top bunk in a room with a 7'4" ceiling isn't bad. I've only whacked my noggin once. I'd consider that a victory.
8. I would rather have a small house with character than a big house that doesn't feel like a home.
9. Disney has still got it, you guys. "Frozen" was legit.
10. I've seen some really incredible sunsets this year. I don't know what it is, but the artist is working. (that was corny and I'm sorry but I'm also not)
11. Those little party noisemaker things can entertain a group of twenty-somethings for at least 10 minutes. My apologies to my neighbors.
12. I am such a bad dancer. Like such an awkward white girl with zero rhythmic abilities whatsoever.
13. Being able to hang out and lead a group of Phi Lamb pledges this past semester was a blast. I loved being able to see how God was working through their freshman year.
14. My Impact nuggets are the bomb, y'all. Like the Struggle Muggle freshman are so great.
15. I'm becoming a Marvel nerd. Can't get enough of that stuff. Captain America, I'm yours.
16. My roommates are the best.
17. I am not a journalist. My brief stint with the Battalion told me that much.
18. But I am still distinctly a writer. Trying to figure out where all that comes into play.
19. Going to some of the football press conferences were some of the coolest experiences of the year. Like, hey, Malcome Kennedy. Why yes, I will return your smile.
20. There is nothing I can do that will mess up God's plan. I may complicate things, but He is bigger than me.
21. I still don't get Gossip Girl.
22. Yep, I'm feeling it.
Another great year. X number more to come. Thanks, and gig 'em.
Anyways.
As per tradition, here are twenty two things that I've learned/observed/that are notable in the past year/22 years.
1. Being told you're an Impact co-chair is excellent. Especially when you get that glorious email on your birthday.
2. Though sometimes I question why people put me in positions of leadership because I choked on water so badly the other day that I made these horrible noises that sounded like a dying goose. Like for real, y'all, infants can drink liquids better than I can.
3. Blue Bell ice cream is unquestionably the best kind of ice cream. Especially when it's right off the line and hasn't been frozen so it's all melty and soft and you feel like you could stick your face in it forever and it be totally okay.
4. The Texas Rangers have successfully traded 4 of their best/most famous players. Yeah, I'm still crying. I'll miss you, David Murphy, Ian Kinsler, Craig Gentry, and AJ Pierzynski.
5. Trying to combine the English and Education departments at A&M is like trying to mix oil and water. Sorry I'm complicated y'all.
6. I think Johnny Manziel has a shot in the NFL. Sue me.
7. Having the top bunk in a room with a 7'4" ceiling isn't bad. I've only whacked my noggin once. I'd consider that a victory.
8. I would rather have a small house with character than a big house that doesn't feel like a home.
9. Disney has still got it, you guys. "Frozen" was legit.
10. I've seen some really incredible sunsets this year. I don't know what it is, but the artist is working. (that was corny and I'm sorry but I'm also not)
11. Those little party noisemaker things can entertain a group of twenty-somethings for at least 10 minutes. My apologies to my neighbors.
12. I am such a bad dancer. Like such an awkward white girl with zero rhythmic abilities whatsoever.
13. Being able to hang out and lead a group of Phi Lamb pledges this past semester was a blast. I loved being able to see how God was working through their freshman year.
14. My Impact nuggets are the bomb, y'all. Like the Struggle Muggle freshman are so great.
15. I'm becoming a Marvel nerd. Can't get enough of that stuff. Captain America, I'm yours.
16. My roommates are the best.
17. I am not a journalist. My brief stint with the Battalion told me that much.
18. But I am still distinctly a writer. Trying to figure out where all that comes into play.
19. Going to some of the football press conferences were some of the coolest experiences of the year. Like, hey, Malcome Kennedy. Why yes, I will return your smile.
20. There is nothing I can do that will mess up God's plan. I may complicate things, but He is bigger than me.
21. I still don't get Gossip Girl.
22. Yep, I'm feeling it.
Another great year. X number more to come. Thanks, and gig 'em.
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