A VERY PLEASANT (AND RARE) ONLINE EXPERIENCE

Today while watching Yahoo!'s daily online trend countdown show The 9 I learned about a photographer who's been taking 36 pictures of the sunrise every morning for the last six years. After I scratched my head a little, I admired his dedication and creativity, and then rushed to see what the sun looked like on my birthday of each year. Surprisingly, when I did, I smiled bigger than I had all day. Look through the archives and see if any of the photos brighten your day.

I'm Speechless...

Authorities are investigating an alleged "ghetto party" held on Martin Luther King's birthday by Texas college students. The Smoking Gun released photos that one of the idiot attendees posted on Facebook. The photos say it all. Again, I'm just speechless -- however, not surprised.

Back To School Blues

Classes began again this week. I'm supposed to be thrilled to finally have reached the final semester of graduate school, but for some reason I don't. The feelings I'm having her bittersweet. Why? Well, on one hand I always promised myself that I'd earn a master's degree before the age of 25, and from a top school too -- which is about to happen in May (I'll be 24) -- and that's fabolous news. But, on the other hand the more and more I think about what's next for me, the more and more confused I feel. It's like that age-old question: Do I do what I love, or do what pays well? Some of us are blessed with careers interests that pay well and are rewarding at the same time. Journalists just aren't so lucky. I came to UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism to make sure there were no aspects of the business that couldn't find a nice home under the "Experiences" section of my resume -- and after having taking classes in radio, print, magazines, production, photography, and new media, I've accomplished that -- but suddenly the route they're encouraging us all to take post graduation doesn't seem so appealing to me. They say it's all about paying your dues, but for some crazy reason i feel like that's what I've been doing for the last 7 years. I mean thats how long I've loved writing and been studying how to be a good, fair reporter. I guess the problem is, the one thing this program taught me that I didn't expect to learn is that: I'm more of a writer than a journalist. Can I do the job, and do it well? Yes. But, does it make me as happy as I thought it would? No. Not because I don't enjoy questioning society (because if you know me at all, you know that I do!), but rather because I can't seem to be me when I'm trying to follow the journalist's way. Journalism only allows for so much creativity, because everything you do and say will be scrutinized for flaws, but if I drop the journalist title and allow labels like "writer", "creative", and "different" to stay, I find that the work comes much easier for me.

It's time to apply for jobs and quite honestly the thought is making me a little sick to my stomach. Where do my skills and desires fit into the world of employed journalists? Do they? Can they?

I'm still thinking a lot about all of this...stay tuned!

To Be Continued....

26 Things I Learned in 2006

1. I spend most of my time working hard for others, and it's time to do the same for myself.

2. I can reach any goal I set forth for myself. (i.e. getting a master's degree before I'm 25!)

3. If I just cut out impulsive shopping I can actually save some money!

4. Bank Of America is the worst bank ever and doesn't deserve to be trusted with your hard-earned cash.

5. A freelancing career in journalism takes time to build, but can actually happen! Slow but steady!

6. You stop hating the people who hurt you the most when you fill your life with happy thoughts, things, and people.

7. There is no such thing as a great friend, only great moments with good friends.

8. You can lie to everyone but yourself.

9. Even the hardest moments can give you more hope.

10. Awesomely bad TV can be one of the greatest forms of therapy.

11. The people who smile at your the most are usually always out to get you.

12. Sticking to your guns will always make you the shining star in any group.

13. Grad school is really hard, but it's one of the most rewarding educational experiences you can buy.

14. Debt is irrelevant if you make enough money to pay it off.

15. Little old ladies drive me crazy.

16. Kids under five in public places do too!

17. I'm not ready to be a mother, but the idea of marriage is now negotiable.

18. Even the deepest love between two people isn't always enough to live happily ever after.

19. I do still believe in happily ever after.

20. Your health won't work around your schedule, so make time for yourself.

21. Traveling makes me high -- in a good way!

22. I lived a past life in Vegas, so I always feel at home there.

23. Curvy women may never be in style, but who cares!?!

24. Women really do fall in love with men who are just like their father -- be it good or bad!

25. A life without "alone time" is a life with a huge void.

26. Home is where your stuff is, not your heart.