How'd you end up here? It's a question I never really know how to answer. Is he asking if I walked or drove? Or is it why I came to Eugene? Or why I decided to come to grad school for journalism when my passion is so obviously fiction and celebrity gossip?
The truth is that I choose not to focus too much on how I got where I am. I'm always sorta focused on what I'm gonna do next. I'm a big dreamer. I love to think about future plans. Dreaming about my future job and my eventual turn to coffee shop life (owning one, not just hanging out at one all the time).
I suppose if I wanted to be a shining light of success I would try to figure out my true calling and focus on becoming the very best in my field. But I'm not too concerned about this. I have a sweet enough face that I look like a shining light (Funny, right?) and I have amazing dreams that will lead me in a good direction no matter what.
Que sera, sera. I get it.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Supergirl
I've always wanted to be like supergirl. It's true. I loved that she was a blonde superhero. I could be like her.
Now, at 26, I realize that I'm not able to be a superhero. I can't fly (well, not without a plane) and I can't do a million things at once.
It would be nice to be a superhero. Maybe I'll be more like one when I become a mother. They really have to multi-task.
For now, I'm just trying to live... without getting too overwhelmed.
(NOTE: The picture on the right is of me. It was at least 21 years ago.)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Fall Walk
Walking helps me. I get to breath the fresh Oregon air. And my feet get moving. Some days, I walk to stamp out aggression. Other days, I meander home on foot to tire myself out for an early bedtime. This video is from a day this past week. I walked just to enjoy the fall colors. And I taped my feet as they cut through the crisp leaves.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
SPJ Conference Reflection
Today, I went to a conference for the SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists). It was pretty amazing. Here's what I wrote about it for class:
Inspired. That’s how I felt after listening to Jack Hart and Anna Griffin. I was inspired to write again. I wanted to explore the narrative and make every piece I write matter.
Since moving to Eugene this summer, I’ve become busy. I’m busy with work, my internship, and class work. It’s my life. It’s busy. And somehow I’ve become lazy in my writing. I get it done on time, I write the essentials, but my heart hasn’t been in it. I’m not writing the sort of work that I, myself, feel proud of. Instead, I am turning in mediocre versions of Sharece’s writing. Maybe I’m over-thinking my writing too much. It might be okay, but if I’m not satisfied, it’s highly likely that someone else who reads it may feel the same way.
When I sat in room 221 and listened to Hart and Griffin share their tales of finding story, I remembered why I came to the University of Oregon. I want to write. And although I continue to blog in true “Sharece style,” my reporting stories have lacked some of my voice. This is my new initiative. I will write like me again.
During the lunch break, after eating a few pieces of pizza, I approached Hart and his assistant at his table of books. He was eating a piece of pepperoni pizza. When he saw me, he set down the half piece of pizza and began to wipe his hands on his napkin. “You probably don’t want pizza grease on your new book, right?” A strange laugh came out of my mouth. I showed him my nametag for proper spelling of my name. After writing, “To Sharece,” he stopped. “So, Sharece,” he asked, “where are you going with your career?” I was dumbfounded. This is the question I’ve been trying to figure out since starting graduate school on June 22nd of this year. Just where exactly am I headed? The truth is: I’m not sure. I came here knowing that I want to write and edit. I wanted to become a better writer and to learn the skills needed to edit a magazine in Seattle. But since arriving here, I have realized that there is no definite path for me. My life is ever changing, ever evolving. I truly believe that I will do something amazing. I may not win a Pulitzer Prize or another fancy award, but I will do something great. This may be as small as volunteering to help kids learn to read or writing an article that impacts one person. Whatever it is, I think I’ll be okay. And although I’m pretty sure Jack Hart thought I was a bumbling idiot after our small chat at his book table, that short conversation helped me recommit to my writing.
Inspired. That’s how I felt after listening to Jack Hart and Anna Griffin. I was inspired to write again. I wanted to explore the narrative and make every piece I write matter.
Since moving to Eugene this summer, I’ve become busy. I’m busy with work, my internship, and class work. It’s my life. It’s busy. And somehow I’ve become lazy in my writing. I get it done on time, I write the essentials, but my heart hasn’t been in it. I’m not writing the sort of work that I, myself, feel proud of. Instead, I am turning in mediocre versions of Sharece’s writing. Maybe I’m over-thinking my writing too much. It might be okay, but if I’m not satisfied, it’s highly likely that someone else who reads it may feel the same way.
When I sat in room 221 and listened to Hart and Griffin share their tales of finding story, I remembered why I came to the University of Oregon. I want to write. And although I continue to blog in true “Sharece style,” my reporting stories have lacked some of my voice. This is my new initiative. I will write like me again.
During the lunch break, after eating a few pieces of pizza, I approached Hart and his assistant at his table of books. He was eating a piece of pepperoni pizza. When he saw me, he set down the half piece of pizza and began to wipe his hands on his napkin. “You probably don’t want pizza grease on your new book, right?” A strange laugh came out of my mouth. I showed him my nametag for proper spelling of my name. After writing, “To Sharece,” he stopped. “So, Sharece,” he asked, “where are you going with your career?” I was dumbfounded. This is the question I’ve been trying to figure out since starting graduate school on June 22nd of this year. Just where exactly am I headed? The truth is: I’m not sure. I came here knowing that I want to write and edit. I wanted to become a better writer and to learn the skills needed to edit a magazine in Seattle. But since arriving here, I have realized that there is no definite path for me. My life is ever changing, ever evolving. I truly believe that I will do something amazing. I may not win a Pulitzer Prize or another fancy award, but I will do something great. This may be as small as volunteering to help kids learn to read or writing an article that impacts one person. Whatever it is, I think I’ll be okay. And although I’m pretty sure Jack Hart thought I was a bumbling idiot after our small chat at his book table, that short conversation helped me recommit to my writing.
Life...as a party
I had an interesting conversation with my father today. He's a very wise man. He's lived a lot. He's dealt with a lot of different people. I used to think his advice wasn't that good. I figured I was a little smarter than he was since I'd studied at Oxford. (Ha! Funny, right?) But recently, I've realized how smart he really is. He gets me thinking about things. And although he and I don't always agree on politics or the world around us, we can have a good conversation and talk about things that matter.
It'd be nice if in America there was a middle ground like the one my dad and I have found. I wish we could live in an America without political parties. I wish we could all live in harmony without imposing our beliefs on those around us. If only America could be more like Eugene. It's a community that allows people to live the way they want without pointing fingers. Jaywalk as long as you do it responsibly. Loiter in public places as long as you don't make it unsafe for passersby. I like the idea of everyone just being nice.
I once had a friend in high school (his name was Nic) who told me a world without war and violence would be boring. You see, I wanted peace and harmony. But Nic said that wasn't possible. But why not? Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where people said hello and really meant it? Or maybe it wouldn't. I've been known to create my own drama. Maybe we're not supposed to all get along. I mean, we grow from our difficulties, if life was easy, maybe the world would be dull. Hmm... I guess I don't know the answer.
It'd be nice if in America there was a middle ground like the one my dad and I have found. I wish we could live in an America without political parties. I wish we could all live in harmony without imposing our beliefs on those around us. If only America could be more like Eugene. It's a community that allows people to live the way they want without pointing fingers. Jaywalk as long as you do it responsibly. Loiter in public places as long as you don't make it unsafe for passersby. I like the idea of everyone just being nice.
I once had a friend in high school (his name was Nic) who told me a world without war and violence would be boring. You see, I wanted peace and harmony. But Nic said that wasn't possible. But why not? Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where people said hello and really meant it? Or maybe it wouldn't. I've been known to create my own drama. Maybe we're not supposed to all get along. I mean, we grow from our difficulties, if life was easy, maybe the world would be dull. Hmm... I guess I don't know the answer.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Christmas time is coming
Christmas is but 64 days away. Sure, Halloween hasn't exactly happened yet, but still. CHRISTMAS! What could be better to think about? It's what's getting me through my tough classes.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
What ever happened to writing well?
Annoyed. That's what I am right now. I'm annoyed by the way Twilight author Stephenie Meyer butchers the English language. The first time I read the books, I was engrossed. I couldn't stop reading. I even ignored my family members to keep reading. But today, as I was listening to Twilight on audio, I became irritated. Where did she learn to write? Come on!
Okay, and I know that on occasion, I write poorly as well, but seriously, I'm not making millions of dollars for my mistakes. She does. Gross!
Okay, and I know that on occasion, I write poorly as well, but seriously, I'm not making millions of dollars for my mistakes. She does. Gross!
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