betruetoyourdreamsbelieve asked: Hey girl! I was searching tags on here for TWC and you're post popped up. I just got accepted and will be moving to DC for the summer session, are you in the program right now?

Hey,

I did the program in the fall. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have. It’s great. Try to live in the dorm, not out in Silver Springs and I would encourage you to look for your own internship!

Sometimes, learning hurts

sometimes you don’t know to ask the questions.

and that can lead to some pretty expensive and heartbreaking things.

Recently I have come across a couple of different situations where failure was the outcome and it’s frustrating. The job search and grades and life are just plain difficult at times. I used to think that when it came down to it, I would be strong and not get discouraged over not getting exactly what I want.

I won’t lie folks, I’ve had my share of ups lately:

• TXAPME Star breaking news report of the year
• Two first place TIPA awards
• Field producing for a national package

At the same time, school seems to take over everything I do.

Can someone please tell me how to apply for jobs, make good grades, work two jobs and still be sane? I don’t think I took on too much but seriously folks, how in the heck am I supposed to find time for everything when you keep piling it on?

I have been very blessed to be a part of a wonderful university and have taken advantage of numerous opportunities to further my experience. I tend to forget that I am still only 20. Life is moving faster than I’m ready for but I’m just 20. I don’t have to have it figured out, but it would sure be nice to, right?

So right now I’m on life’s learning curve, and it’s a bit steeper than I’m ready for. Here’s to tacking the week.

Last night I was on the out. Graduating in three years means that I’m not of age for every activity that a normal university senior would be eligible for. So I decided to take myself out to dinner. This is a new experience for me. At home, I make dinner almost every night. But that’s also me eating in the comfort of my own home with Piccolo running around me feet while I’m probably catching up on NPR. But actually going out to dinner by myself, completely new and kind of scary. I asked the receptionist where to go, sat in the bar lounge, flagged my waiter down and proceeded to eat by myself. I stayed off my phone minus a tweet about what I was doing and just watched. I found that I really like San Antonio. I think it’s a wonderful city. The people are interesting and it’s a bustling city. I could definitely see myself here. But I learned that, going to dinner by yourself is fun. You don’t have to find random first date conversation. You don’t have to be glued to your phone. You don’t have to worry about what you’re ordering, that someone will judge you for a salad or a burger (I chose grilled chicken). Instead, to my surprise I liked it. By no means am I anti-social and this idea may seem comical to an older audience, but think back to the first time you took yourself to dinner. This got me thinking,I should find out other things to do on my own. Here’s what I found:

• repair something
• pick up an artistic skill>
• learn to defend yourself
• learn style
• learn a subject you missed in college
• learn to hack
• play an instrument
• cook like a pro
• speak a new language
• code

I picked up this list here

I’ve already learned some of these. But I can’t wait to tackle more. I’m excited to get started and I’ll think I’ll start by picking up a new language!

Asia. If you’re anything like me, a young soon-to-be college graduate, you know that Asia is important but just not quite how important. I mean, we are hearing about North Korea daily and just today the Department of Defense announced they would be sending missiles to Guam because of the threats. As I am writing this, I’ve gotten a CNN update that North Korea has issued another nuclear threat.

There has been a growing popular interest in Asia for a while, though. Myanmar announced that after years of a state run news agency, they would be opening up the presses to independent organizations. If you’re really interested, the AP is looking to set up a bureau there. Go ahead and apply.

While attending a lecture by David Sanger of the New York Times at TCU, Sanger made the argument that how the Obama administration handles Asia will be more important than how they handled the Middle East. Let’s face it, the Middle East has been in turmoil since before the Romans set up shop and stormed the Temple.

Earlier in the talk, someone asked if the threats from North Korea were real concerns. Sanger has lived in the area before and said that these threats would fade. North Korean leadership is young and he is probably just getting his feet under him.

So I asked, “how do we as young journalist get people to care and become knowledgeable about Asia when our timely element will run out?”

My answer I got was really a non-answer. Sanger said it had to be broken down to selling more news. He mentioned how some sites are starting a pay wall.

But what stuck out to me was the UK’s news tax, called the BBC tax. It should be noted I tried to research the tax and could not find it on the magic of the interwebs. Still, citizens pay a news tax.

I was a bit shocked. How would that work? Does it require independent news? Does it allow it? How does that not become the child that gets punished when it says bad things about its parent? I’m really not sure how this would work. As a colleague of mine said, that sounds a bit like communism.

Still. Part of the issue with news today is how unhappy and distrusting people are of the media. They just do not see it as something that is trying to help and educate. Could a news tax help? I’m really not sure. On one hand, news would finally have e resources it’s lacking since newspapers are not dying, but having difficulty selling ads. On the other hand, this system easily lends itself to PR.

So what do you think? A news tax? I know that it is difficult to get Congress to work together so let’s not focus on that. Focus on the idea of taxing people in order to get them the news. What do you think?

Yes. My heart is a crazy place these days since Africa and DC. It’s been broken and bruised and being back has just solidified that. I am also in a great place of healing. Honesty has helped and hurt me. To the people in my life:

1. I don’t hate you. I just can’t. You know how I feel. It’s not because I can’t or I won’t, it’s because I don’t have to. You know why. It’s the kind of things people spend their whole lives looking for. I just pray about it constantly and you still find a way back. 

2. You are wonderful. I’m glad we’ve gotten closer. You are precious and I’m glad I can finally be real with you.

3. Come back. 

4. You hurt me. I know you think you you’re doing what’s right but you’re not. I’m not the only one who sees it either. Make up your mind.

5. How did I get so lucky to find you? 

6. I hope you’re having a great time. I can’t wait for you to come see me:)

7. Can you follow through on what we talked about? That would make things perfect. 

Overall, I am ready to get out of school, but I’m also extremely stressed these days. What else is new?