A day in the life (of me)

Yes, it is a little narcissistic, but whatever. It's snapshot moments that we study and attempt to glean much information from once a fair amount of time has passed.

Today, I had to go to school, even though Veteran's Day was yesterday (Sunday). My mother said that was un-American. Considering all the soldiers in uniform around campus, I'd have to agree.

On a different note, I'm still living journalism: constantly writing, trying to improve my staff writing and editorial skills.

Whenever I write a story, I feel like I'm not quite doing it justice. I have an impatient, preoccupied audience to write for. Of course, if my writing was amazing, then they'd read it anyway (if they cared about the topics I write about). What a conundrum.

I feel I've found my niche in the Arts & Entertainment section. For awhile, I was wondering if I was taking the easy path, but really, it's harder. Arts are an incredibly important part of any culture, and it is arguably a unifying aspect. Here, people express politics, emotion, individual exploration, societal interaction, psychological processes...the list goes on. Arts & Entertainment is a form of news with a colorful costume.

In a couple days, I'll be Skyping with one of my friends in Germany. I think today, many take Skype for granted (I know I have). But there are also times when I'm grateful to those that created it. I can see parts of the world miles and miles away and maintain intimate contact with my friends and family.

To think in maybe five years, this technology will be outdated and nostalgically remembered.

This is just me thinking.

From writer to editor: managing writers

About a month and a half ago, I stepped up into an assistant editor position at Boise State's student newspaper "The Arbiter". As any paper, but especially a student newspaper, we've had continuous ups and downs with our content and staff. Several fellow writers in our section have said they need to quit without giving much reason except class work load.

While as a fellow student and writer, I completely understand where they are coming from, but as an editor, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper into the issue. Could the way my section editor and I are running our section be a bit overwhelming for our writers?

I personally think so. We have high quality expectations, which usually motivates people to produce better work (and as a result better work is produced). However, we also have high expectations for quantity, which I think affects quality of work and motivation of our writers. Right now, it could be possible our quantity expectations are too high for our writers to continue, especially with the end of the term approaching. From my personal experience as a writer, burn out is what causes people suddenly say "I quit" (and in our particular case because of school).

Now, if I recall correctly, both my editor and myself have encouraged our writers to come to us if they are having problems with the work load they are assigned/take on and our management practices. In my opinion, this hasn't happened and I'm not sure why. I don't fully understand what is compelling some of these writers to up and quit. As mentioned above, I have my speculations, but I don't know the whole story (and as a journalist that is something I try to achieve).

At 3 a.m. yesterday morning, I came to an executive decision. Before we our writers to bow out (if they feel the need or desire to), my editor and I should sit down with each of them and try to get at what the real issue is and if there is anyway we could keep them as writers but alter their workload (since that seems to be the problem). If these writers are serious about journalism, and considering it a career, they have to understand that the work they do for our paper is invaluable experience for their future career. I think in addition to seeing about adjusting their workload, these writers need to be reminded of this.

Part of our job as student editors is to train writers. While we've been doing a good job with the technical training and experience, we haven't done much in the passing on of advice/wisdom. I think these writers that are considering withdrawing from the paper (even just temporarily) need to hear some career advice and overall wisdom before they decide if quitting really is the best option. I hope they see that it usually isn't.

Something Different

This is pretty impressive (if I do say so myself). I can't believe I managed to get so close! I think the composition couldn't be more beautiful. This was taken at the nature tour area in Boise on the Greenbelt.

New Parents

Congratulations Alexandreea and David welcoming Baby Rehvyn into the world!

City Scape

The colors are pretty accurate, thanks to the manual settings. I'm pretty pleased with how this looks.

Dreams and Desires

It's 1 a.m. and I can't stop thinking about some adventures I'd like to have (probably before kids would be best). These consist of:

Going to New York
Going to Venice, CA
Going to Spain, England, Italy, Greece...
Doing a photo shoot with Lady Gaga
Writing for Cosmo and Psychology Today

Sleep, why do you elude me???

Anyway, this is also a test post to see if I figured out how to switch emails for this blog.

Lots of love,

Dropped off the Blogger Earth. I'm Back Now!

Excuses for my absence: work, back in school and married now. It's been huge.

Everyday I wake up, I am grateful for where I am now. My mind and heart are stimulated with school and love for and from my friends and family.

You know, I've been thinking: I need a niche. Why? Because I don't have one. (this is where you laugh)

I also want one. I feel like I have should have one, as a journalist. I need some defining factors. I love sociology, psychology, photography, and communication. I like organization, a bit of a clear path.

Right now, my blog feels random and disorganized.

Suggestions are welcome. :)

Updates :)

I can't believe my last post was in March. I just got the memo that it's June. I guess it's time for some important updates (at least, I think they are important).

1. I made a Facebook page for my developing photography skills: APhotography. I'm really pleased with my work, considering I've had very little formal training. 
2. August is fast approaching, and I'm ready to go back to college. I'm planning on double majoring in photography and journalism, and minoring in sociology and psychology. I think these areas will provide me with an excellent career post graduation.
3. The wedding plans are coming along well. There's still quite a bit to do, but fortunately, no one has labeled me as Bridezilla yet. 
4. Having recently turned 21, I've had the privilege of exploring downtown. It's pretty nice. I like the size of Boise. It's not too big of a city, but it's not too small either. It's just right. The only "thing" that would make Boise perfect for me is if my friends and family were living here with me. At least I have Shaun and some new friends.

So, to conclude (for now): that's life in Boise (for me anyway)

Photography Ponderings

So, this past week I did my first photo shoot with someone who I'm not close with. Jin is an acting student at Boise State, and through Craigslist we arranged to do an "art trade": in exchange for me taking and giving her head shots that she could include with her resumes, I could keep the photos (and take additional ones) to be used in my portfolio (both physical and on the internet). Thanks to this experience, I now have a Facebook page dedicated to my photography (APhotography) and I am becoming comfortable photographing people I barely know. I also am now aware I need more pictures of guys to broaden my portfolio. I've noticed that it's very easy for me to photograph women (it's easier to think of poses, know what's flattering, etc).

So, in the up coming months, I plan on photographing some men (other than Shaun) and shooting my first ever wedding (with a second one lined up right after that.

I'm really excited. Things are nicely falling into place for me here, both career wise and education wise.

the Boise Blog

Ok, seeing as I'm going to be a desert dweller for the next 2+ years, I might as well document this experience (so I never make this mistake again, lol). Future posts may have the title "Boise Blog Article..." these will be about the adventures we're having out here.

Hopefully this project will keep me from going completely insane...

Welcome Back Alx

I'm back. I hadn't been writing or taking any photos. I felt unmotivated and dead inside. I was really starting to worry.

Now, I am set for orientation at Boise State, planning on double majoring in journalism and photography, and I have a few photo gigs lined up. I'm also planning some fun things to post on here in regards to our Boise adventure.

I feel better. I feel like myself again. Thank you God.

Take a Shot, Take a Turn

People rave about my photos. I'm an amature really. And yet Shaun has asked me, "Why are you going to school for journalism?" I reply with writing has always been my passion. He then gently tells me, "You're a much better photographer."

Both are very challenging fields to go into. You have to be current, artistic, tech savvy, and very experienced. But I wouldn't be happy doing anything else. Working at the portrait studio and writing for the LBCC paper showed me that.

I guess one will do as a fall back career. I mean, I like both and I've been working on developing skills for both. I shouldn't be discouraged at the fact that my photography is coming along better than my writing. All the great and good writers slaved over their work, and took years to get really good at it.

While working on both is a great idea, shouldn't one get a priority? The more focus you dedicate to something, the better it becomes. So which will it be: toiling in the long held passion, or running with the new found talent?

It's Inspiring, It's Sexy, It's Burlesque

Burlesque is a inspiring, beautiful musical staring Christina Aguilera as Ali, a young singer/dancer that escapes her dull life in Iowa, Cher as Tess, sexy owner of the club Burlesque, Eric Dane as Markus, the "bad guy", and Cam Gigandet as Jack, the heartthrob.

Upon arriving in L.A. after purchasing a one-way ticket from Iowa, Ali immediately begins searching for her dream job: being a singer. With rejections crossed out in a local paper, Ali finds herself at the night club Burlesque, owned by Tess, a former singer/dancer herself. When Tess initially says "come audition some other time," Ali turns to her new friend Jack for a waitress position at the club.

Slowly, Ali starts climbing the ladder of success, but not without slipping on a few of the rungs. The other girls shun her, Markus is only interested in her fame, and the club starts going under. Tess struggles to keep her club and the girls together. Both need to make some careful choices and take some daring risks to live their dreams.

Written and directed by Steve Antin (The Goonies), Burlesque is a sexy musical tailored to the female audience.With an inspirational plot, soul touching songs and outrageous dancing, Burlesque is a romantic thriller that deserves to be enjoyed again and again by women above the age of thirteen.

1hr 59min‎ - ‎Rated PG-13‎ - ‎Drama

Gone crazy, dunno if I'm ever coming back.

I caught up with the crazy train. Now I'm sitting on the roof, cuz I don't have a ticket, and I'm watching the scenery blur by while I fold clothes and inquire "are you finding everything ok?" I watched Burlesque tonight, and began wishing I was a thin, beautiful singer and dancer. But no. That is not my life. And thank God it's not.

The movies make that life seem so easy and sexy...desirable. I know that life...the life of an artist. I am one. Except I write, and take photos. I'm working on achieving my dream, surfacing above the cutthroat competition and seeing my name under a byline.

Rather than live the life portrayed by Christina Aguilera, I'm choosing to mimic Stephen King and Edna Buchanan: reach out to writing opportunities while trying to pay the bills with a low skilled, minimum wage job.

I also dream of love. I know that life too. I'm engaged to a wonderful man who is also chasing his dream. We drove into the desert...seeing employment and academic opportunities. We've both tasted the life styles we want, and now we're wading through the shit to get there.

Each day I fold a shirt, watch the clock, and count down the months until I can put the uniform away and walk into a classroom, eyes already glazed over in anticipation of a lecture.

To Be, Or Not To Be Beautiful

 (photo from http://goodnewspic.com/2010/08/23/miss-universe-2010.html)

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And if the beholder happens to be a guy you've had your eye on, surely you're gonna pull out all the stops to make him catch give you a second glance.

So you've gone to the gym, diligently stuck to your diet, waxed EVERYWHERE, gotten your hair, nails and makeup done...right?

Ladies, if you are not that high maintenance, then you have a problem.

Now, I am aware this is the OPPOSITE of what most you believe: it's beauty on the INSIDE that counts. Well, sorry girls, but I have some honest, bad news: men do care about what's on the inside, but they also care a lot about what's on the outside.

To quote Psychology Today's writer Amy Alkon, "being beautiful means being sexually appealing to men. And then instead of snarling that male sexuality is evil, we need to accept that it's just different..." (from her article "The Truth About Beauty")

According to psychologists, men are just more sexually "visual" than women. Men like to be "turned on" by what they see when they are having sex. So if a woman isn't physically attractive, their sex life will most likely have problems, if it even exists at all.

It seems unfair.But takeYourTango's contributing author Evan Marc Katz's advice: "Would the world be a better place if being 60 lbs overweight didn't matter? Sure... But that's not the world we live in. And the people who do best in the world we live in are not the ones who try to rewrite the rules of society but, rather, figure out how to navigate them successfully." (from his article "Why It's OK For Men To Judge Women On Their Looks")

Waiting for work

Summer vacations were fun back when I didn't have to worry about supporting myself. Now that I do, lazing around most of the week is driving me insane.

I don't understand why it's so hard for me to be motivated to engage in one of my hobbies (well besides running, as it's usually too hot to do that after 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.).

I should be keeping up with being involved in journalism. I should be reading my books, keeping up with new trends, etc. At least I still use Facebook and Twitter regularly.

Living on my own is great, don't get me wrong. Even though I live in a crowded room in a state where the only people I know are my roommates and my boyfriend, I have this new feeling of freedom that is one of the sweetest things I've ever tasted (besides Yoplait peach yogurt).

Now, it's only a matter of time. Hopefully, Sears will contact me very soon about orientation/training. Same goes for Babies R Us. In the mean time, I have to be patient, and try to make the most of each day where I have nothing scheduled (that means I need to lay off South Park reruns).

Am I hiding from the heat or just feeling lethargic?

Radio claims 80 degree weather today, so I'm guessing I'm lethargic :)

Shaun and I are doing pretty well by ourselves and with each other. We're working on overcoming feelings of dependency and claustrophobia.

These are two of the top causes of break ups. Someone feels either smothered or too heavily depended on, so they end the relationship rather than really talk about what's causing those feelings (this is the usual scenario).

Regardless of whether the couple lives together or not, this problem is bound to creep up at some point. So as an alternative to splitting up, talk over these feelings. It's a painful and tedious process, but it's also well worth it.

Pepper: my adopted (well, bought) chinchilla

Having been in Idaho for almost three weeks now, I still don't have much company while I spend the day watching TV and applying for jobs. So  asked my roommates and Shaun if I could get a chinchilla to counter the lonely, boring days.

A couple days ago I adopted Pepper from Petco. He's incredibly soft, cute and fast. We've gotten to the point where I can open the cage and pet him or pick him up and hold him without a fuss.

I'm very thankful John, Arielle and Shaun agreed Pepper could spend time at either location. I am not lonely any more and Pepper is very entertaining all hours of the day.

This here is Pepper. I still need to find out how old he is. He's a treat in my life. I feel happier now and much less bored. :)

Life in Boise

I'm still looking for work, so life is rather lonely. Shaun's at work all day, and I'm inside applying for job after job on the internet (and sometimes at a potential work place). Why won't anyone call me for an interview/hire me? I'm almost sure it's my not local phone number.

Other than the no job situation life is pretty good here. The weather is still hot but not humid, so it's tolerable. I've been keeping busy with regular cleaning, tasks I've been putting off for awhile (like getting my hair cut), and playing lots of Solitaire.

It's time I did journalism related stuff. I miss being connected with that part of my life. I have some plans, and I need to force myself to execute them.

Life in Boise update

It's been a little over a week since Shaun and I moved to Boise, ID. We've been struggling with work or lack thereof, illness, navigation and emotionally adapting. Things have improved now.

Shaun is finally starting to like his software job at Micron Technology. I'm still responding to job postings on Craigslist.

My roommates Arielle and John are both welcoming and pretty chill. Arielle has two fat cats, one of which has bonded with me. I'm in the stages of convincing Shaun he should get a cat at his place.

I have my own room and bathroom, and plenty of fridge space (not that it's ever filled with much). Shaun's townhouse is cozy. The neighbors are interesting. One was BBQing in a Tye-Dye T-shirt. A few of the little neighbors challenged Shaun and I to a game of tether ball. Of course they kicked our butts.

Recently I got the ERG valve on my car replaced. The mechanic promptly informed me of many other things that need to be fixed. I also pumped my own gas by myself for the first time this week. I'm still pretty proud of myself.

It's been hard on both Shaun and I not having a social life. We've made some tentative plans for dancing. Tonight Arielle's friend is coming over and the three of us are having a "girl's night." I'm not sure how I feel about this yet.