Isn't it funny how people never get used to change? I feel as if my life is constantly changing, always transitioning and when things start to get comfortable, there's always a curve ball to bring it back to it's non-normal, inconsistent normalcy.
First, it was college. For the first time ever, I left home and lived in the dorms. I met new people, experienced new things, found a new level of independence and learned things on my own. When I started to get used to that, my boyfriend left for Italy for 4 months. That was an adjustment in itself. I experienced more patience, a heck of a lot more commitment and dedication and a deeper love. When he came back, I got used to a new life with my roommates in our beach house and my consistent work/school schedule. Then, in the summer, I went to Washington D.C. for 2 1/2 months. That, in it of itself proved to be a huge challenge, victory and memorable experience. Towards the latter half, I got used to my life there with my internship, weekly activities and group outings. So, here I am again, baffled at the fact that I'm in another transitioning period. Why should it surprise me? More than 50% of my college career has been full of change. It's about time I get used to it, don't cha think?
I'm entering a new school year with more opportunities. I live with 2 new girls in a completely different house. It's exciting but intimidating. I'm in the last half of my undergraduate career at UCI and I feel a new sense of urgency and seriousness. It's fun and exciting to not know what the future holds, but what happens when things eventually settle down? What happens after I go to France next fall and then, Korea in two years? Eventually I will slow down and life will become more consistent as I've never known it. If you think about it, that is a new experience in disguise...so I've concluded: transitioning/changing never ends. People never get used to it. It's better to just accept that now and soak in the joy of each day's musings.
Just food for thought :-)
transitions are permanent fixtures in my life
9.19.2008
9.05.2008
Republican or Democrat. It doesn't matter. For now, set your partisan platform aside. Listen with unbiased, unfiltered ears and think as a human being or as an American citizen rather than a liberal or conservative.
With this year's presidential election, I've read/heard/watched a lot of news. At an age where I can actually form my own opinion about the best candidate and debate about today's pressing issues, I looked at this election as an exciting new experience for me...a stepping stone into intellectual maturity. It didn't occur to me that, 2 months before the election, I was searching for just one news source that could provide factual and most importantly, fair information. I'm spending more time frustrated at the media than I am thinking about which candidate is the best-fit and why.
What I've observed in the last months is a ridiculously obvious pull towards one side. I am not ignorant--I realize that the media generally tends to be more liberal. However, are they even slightly attempting to APPEAR unbiased? The news is blatant and extremely mystified. Yet, liberals will be the first and loudest to state that Fox News is so ridiculously conservative, it's sickening. And while I agree, it's humoring yet frustrating to see no one chirping up about the other side.
Why is it that reporters have welcomed Barack Obama with such open arms and when attacked by McCain, they shield it with the fact that Obama received $10 million more in donations because of it? Why was the tone so different and skeptical in the Republican National Convention on CBS and NBC than it was for the DNC? Having no cable limits my options to a very select, and obviousely biased choice of channels.
Shouldn't the work of journalists be a public service? Why has it become a segway into a field of political agendas and propoganda. If journalists and editors and networks want to sway a group of people towards a certain direction, then please--I beg of you--reconsider your career field.
Blogger, Social Butterfly, probably says it best:
With this year's presidential election, I've read/heard/watched a lot of news. At an age where I can actually form my own opinion about the best candidate and debate about today's pressing issues, I looked at this election as an exciting new experience for me...a stepping stone into intellectual maturity. It didn't occur to me that, 2 months before the election, I was searching for just one news source that could provide factual and most importantly, fair information. I'm spending more time frustrated at the media than I am thinking about which candidate is the best-fit and why.
What I've observed in the last months is a ridiculously obvious pull towards one side. I am not ignorant--I realize that the media generally tends to be more liberal. However, are they even slightly attempting to APPEAR unbiased? The news is blatant and extremely mystified. Yet, liberals will be the first and loudest to state that Fox News is so ridiculously conservative, it's sickening. And while I agree, it's humoring yet frustrating to see no one chirping up about the other side.
Why is it that reporters have welcomed Barack Obama with such open arms and when attacked by McCain, they shield it with the fact that Obama received $10 million more in donations because of it? Why was the tone so different and skeptical in the Republican National Convention on CBS and NBC than it was for the DNC? Having no cable limits my options to a very select, and obviousely biased choice of channels.
Shouldn't the work of journalists be a public service? Why has it become a segway into a field of political agendas and propoganda. If journalists and editors and networks want to sway a group of people towards a certain direction, then please--I beg of you--reconsider your career field.
Blogger, Social Butterfly, probably says it best:
Walter Williams, esteemed Journalist and first dean of the world’s first journalism school, created the Journalist’s Creed. An excerpt:
I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.
Sadly, but very true, journalism is becoming "more of a business and less a public service."
As newspaper journalism dwindles and on-demand web news journalism produces sub-par writers, a career revolution is absolutely necessary. Editors need to edit with unbiased eyes. Journalists must revert back to the art of writing and their duty of public service to this country, NOT the political agenda of filtering factual information. News networks need to stand strong against the influence of big money and remember their responsibility and role in our country.
My political standings are unbeknown to you...on purpose. Maybe you think I'm conservative because of my attack on the liberal media...well, you'd be surprised. But rather than trying to analyze my political platform, understand the plague. In every article I write, one of my top priorities is to make my political views ambiguous. I'm only an undergrad studying journalism and yet, I know that my duty is to deliver (unbias) factual information through creativity and the art of writing; so why can't our professionals do the same?
It is a sad and quick downward spiral. Let's hope that the next generation of journalists (including myself) can revert back to our social responsibility.
9.03.2008
Hello Everyone!
Well, it's been quite a hectic 2 weeks! I apologize for the long hiatus in posting but it was crucial as I devoted my time to last minute packing, big goodbyes, boyfriend time, NYC time, broadway musicals, etc.
I believe the last time I posted a blog was my best friend's visit to DC and our trip to NYC. Well, after she left, time suddenly halted abruptly and the ticker began to crawl. Everyone else was still working and because I did most of my DC exploring already, I found that I had nothing to do. Yes, it was a nice change of pace. However, I was impatiently waiting for August 24th to roll around as my much-anticipated reuniting with Mark was planned for that date. Therefore, the next 4 days went rather slow, forcing me to find new ways to be productive or patient. I did a little bit more exploring and also got some last minute souvenir shopping out of the way.
Finally, on Sunday, August 24th, I boarded my bus to New York City at 8:15 am to arrive at 12:45 pm. The bus ride was rather uncomfortable, as I was unfortunate enough to be seated next to a very large man who had no problem leaning on me and striking conversations at the most inconvenient times (while I was trying to take a nap). However, I endured it with a positive attitude since I was about to see Mark for the first time in 10 weeks! Luckily, there were no delays and our arrival was right on time. Stepping off of the bus was rather surreal. I had been at Penn Station twice before but not nearly with the same anticipation and nervousness. He came up from behind me and gave me a great BIG hug. It felt soooo good :-)
From then on, our trip in New York was a complete whirlwind of activities. We went to 2 Broadway shows, Gypsie and In the Heights (both great, by the way!), one off-broadway show, lots of family meals, shopping, Central Park, Top of the Rockefeller Center, Water Taxi, and the list goes on! And you want to know the worst part? I didn't have my camera? I know, it's really a horrible shame. For some odd reason, I didn't think to bring my dslr and my little digital camera died :-( I apologize for the lack of pictures; the only ones I have are from Mark's dad :-/ but they're still fun!
(Kaylen, Mark, Me)
Anyway, on Thursday morning, I headed back to DC to spend the last two days with everyone in the program. Surprisingly, it wasn't that emotional but I think it is partly because we all attend the same school, therefore, it's a lot easier to keep in touch. Plus, my roommates and close friends were living in Newport (just a couple streets down) or somewhere nearby.
Everything was a rush. Our last nights together went by very fast and next thing I knew, we were on our flight back to Long Beach. I was very excited to come home...by Week 8, I really missed home and my family. Even though I loved being surrounded by politically saavy people, there was a major disadvantage too. So many people in DC were type-A personalities, so there was a lack of humor and personality that I missed. People didn't really know how to relax and not everyone was bubbly with fun and friendliness. I got my dose of that in New York but my stay in NYC was temporary and it ended all too soon. And although I was surrounded by family love from the Ratto's, it wasn't my family and I sure missed 'em.
I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to DC...it was a great opportunity and such an unbelievable experience but there are certain places that don't fit with people's personalities and that may be mine. I don't want to ruin what I have there by stretching or overextending my experience. New York is a different story...I'll probably go back. But until then, I'm enjoying my time here at home with my family and friends.
Until next time...ciao ;-)
Well, it's been quite a hectic 2 weeks! I apologize for the long hiatus in posting but it was crucial as I devoted my time to last minute packing, big goodbyes, boyfriend time, NYC time, broadway musicals, etc.
I believe the last time I posted a blog was my best friend's visit to DC and our trip to NYC. Well, after she left, time suddenly halted abruptly and the ticker began to crawl. Everyone else was still working and because I did most of my DC exploring already, I found that I had nothing to do. Yes, it was a nice change of pace. However, I was impatiently waiting for August 24th to roll around as my much-anticipated reuniting with Mark was planned for that date. Therefore, the next 4 days went rather slow, forcing me to find new ways to be productive or patient. I did a little bit more exploring and also got some last minute souvenir shopping out of the way.
Finally, on Sunday, August 24th, I boarded my bus to New York City at 8:15 am to arrive at 12:45 pm. The bus ride was rather uncomfortable, as I was unfortunate enough to be seated next to a very large man who had no problem leaning on me and striking conversations at the most inconvenient times (while I was trying to take a nap). However, I endured it with a positive attitude since I was about to see Mark for the first time in 10 weeks! Luckily, there were no delays and our arrival was right on time. Stepping off of the bus was rather surreal. I had been at Penn Station twice before but not nearly with the same anticipation and nervousness. He came up from behind me and gave me a great BIG hug. It felt soooo good :-)
From then on, our trip in New York was a complete whirlwind of activities. We went to 2 Broadway shows, Gypsie and In the Heights (both great, by the way!), one off-broadway show, lots of family meals, shopping, Central Park, Top of the Rockefeller Center, Water Taxi, and the list goes on! And you want to know the worst part? I didn't have my camera? I know, it's really a horrible shame. For some odd reason, I didn't think to bring my dslr and my little digital camera died :-( I apologize for the lack of pictures; the only ones I have are from Mark's dad :-/ but they're still fun!
(A little TOO close!)
(Kaylen, Mark, Me)
(Water Taxi; in front of the Statue of Liberty)
Anyway, on Thursday morning, I headed back to DC to spend the last two days with everyone in the program. Surprisingly, it wasn't that emotional but I think it is partly because we all attend the same school, therefore, it's a lot easier to keep in touch. Plus, my roommates and close friends were living in Newport (just a couple streets down) or somewhere nearby.
Everything was a rush. Our last nights together went by very fast and next thing I knew, we were on our flight back to Long Beach. I was very excited to come home...by Week 8, I really missed home and my family. Even though I loved being surrounded by politically saavy people, there was a major disadvantage too. So many people in DC were type-A personalities, so there was a lack of humor and personality that I missed. People didn't really know how to relax and not everyone was bubbly with fun and friendliness. I got my dose of that in New York but my stay in NYC was temporary and it ended all too soon. And although I was surrounded by family love from the Ratto's, it wasn't my family and I sure missed 'em.
I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to DC...it was a great opportunity and such an unbelievable experience but there are certain places that don't fit with people's personalities and that may be mine. I don't want to ruin what I have there by stretching or overextending my experience. New York is a different story...I'll probably go back. But until then, I'm enjoying my time here at home with my family and friends.
Until next time...ciao ;-)