That elusive Christmas spirit

Here we are, four days shy of the big day, and I'm still an eggnog or two away from getting on the Christmas bandwagon.

I can't believe it's so close. And I have no feeling. It just completely snuck up on me.

I'm back at home with the family, and our tree's up. I've bought pretty much all my presents... I don't know what's wrong with me.

At Outback last night a guy that was a regular of mine over the summer gave me a $50 tip. Amazing. Despite my struggle to be one with the holiday season, that gift meant so incredibly much.

I'm working every night till Christmas Eve, but I'm going to do what I can to catch up! Fancy dinners with the family, driving around to look at the lights, all the good stuff.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Benjamin

Some people have crushes on Johnny Depp. Certainly, the current following is foaming at the mouth for a certain teenage vampire. (What type of name is Edward Cullen, anyway?)

These trends will pass, but my love for Benjamin Franklin is eternal.

That's right. I have a big, fat, history crush on the ultimate Renaissance man.

It started when I was about 15. I was in English class, we were studying the literature that was first coming out of the United States, and we worked our ways to the Franklin days. I haven't really left it since.

I know it's amusing. I just love what I read about him! He is the most well-rounded individual, and his humor has survived HUNDREDS of years! How cool is that? I mean, I don't even know if I can properly communicate and be funny over my writing, but you can almost see the twinkle in his eye when you read his musings. Genius.

So let me have my crush. It sure beats the hell out of the Jonas Brothers.

Home, where my thought's escaping

Even though I live a lot closer to home than I've been in the past, I haven't made the drive home yet this semester. Thanksgiving is now two days away, and that's about to change.

It's hard to get away from Gainesville. There's always something going on, a test right around the corner, an article to write. For this four-day vacation, though, there's really no excuses.

I'm excited. I'm looking forward to a slower pace, to seeing my family, to being in familiar St. Cloud.

I'm also a little... tentative. A lot happened when I was last home and a lot has happened since I've been home.

Oh well. Here goes nothing.

Working without a net

Those moments when you realize you've moved up into the "adult" category are pretty scary.

My Dad writes me weekly, and one week he mentioned how exciting and terrifying it was to watch me live my own life. I'm completely responsible and in charge, and if I fail, I fail.

My best friend watched several people from her office get layed off today. As she watched, she didn't know if she would be one of them.

Wow. How did we get here?

Finding the beat

I'm on the commission and general assignment beat for the city desk at The Alligator, and adjusting to the task has been interesting.

I'm currently at a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, trying to understand the jargon, identify the people and disseminate the information.

Perhaps more challenging than that was actually getting here. For some reason, I had it set in my mind that City Hall was actually across the road, so I spent a bulk of time circling the block, then eventually parking and wandering in my heels, tripping over my trousers and heaving my laptop. For a little girl, no small task.

Hopefully, now that I'm in the press room, connected to internet, and at least looking the part, things will be a little seamless.

If not, I'll still figure it out. :)

Just a few more hours in the day... please?

I'm happy with a challenge, but man has budgeting my time been rough this week.

I've been pretty booked up, all day every day. And I'm tired.

Luckily, it is the end of the week and I will probably have some time to breathe! Yay!

Saturday's game day and there's really no way that can be ruined. Unless we lose. Which we definitely won't. IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!

Success!

Today was motivating. I received a job offer from the paper I've been contributing to and my first interview for an internship ended in another offer.

Woo!

As is my nature, I'm probably going to do both. I think it might not be completely crazy, though, because the reporting job would just be for the rest of the semester and the internship won't really kick in until spring semester. So, they won't really interfere with each other!

I'm just so excited. I feel like I'm getting somewhere, which is exciting. Now I just can't forget about my classes. Easier said than done.

Election 2008

Finally.

After months of constantly listening to election news, we're finally done! I'm a little excited, and pleased with the results.

Yay for Obama! I'm excited to see how he does.

On a sad note, it's been almost painful to log onto facebook and see the duranged statuses. Some McCain supporters aren't handling it with too much class. I'm grateful for the ones that still have their heads held high, but could really hurt the ones making the racist comments. UGH.

Dancing Queen

Not quite 17... da da dada!

I'm a big believer in stepping out of your comfort zone.

I've fooled around with dance off and on for years, but by no means am I a serious dancer.

This semester though, I am attempting hip hop, Charleston, and Irish jig numbers.

It doesn't look like Irish jig will make the cut, it's simply too difficult on my right leg, but I love the challenge. The dances sure don't come naturally all the time, and Lord knows I really don't have the time for it, but I feel like it's a welcome break for my brain.

I'm constantly going to find ways to challenge myself, be it physical, emotional, intellectual, or other. I feel like it's necessary to progress, and I'm all about the progression!

Now what do you want me to do this time?

I'm a public relations major, but lately I've been eating up the journalism aspect.

It probably has a lot to do with the amazing professor I have teaching my reporting class, and the adrenaline rush I get knowing my articles are read by such a huge audience in "The Alligator" as a contributing writer. It's time-consuming and challenging, and so valuable.

Yesterday I spent most of my day at a gay pride festival. Normally I wouldn't have much of a reason to go, but I'm reporting on the event for the paper. It was fantastic. Which brings me to what I love most about writing for the paper.

I love that I'm being sent on assignments that I wouldn't normally be involved with. I have to talk to people, to experience firsthand and to share it with others. In this past month alone it has lead me to run around campus in my underwear, to interview a Playboy playmate, to talk love with a sex educator and to discuss high heals with drag queens.

What a great gig.

easy there, killer.

My vote's already decided, but the final presidential debate sealed the deal.

My southern, gun-totin', church goin' family is largely McCain fans, shocking I know, but I'm voting for Obama. Because of my background though, I want to listen to what McCain has to say. He has made it very hard.

Take away the politicians' stances on the issues and just watch their exchanges. While Obama managed the cool, calm, and collected poise that he is now known for, McCain was feisty! Normally I like feisty, I am feisty, but he was downright annoying!

He interrupted, sneered, and undermined.

Now, I am from Florida. I am a woman. I am a young voter. I am moderate. Basically, my vote is highly sought after. I assure you, McCain, you're not going to get it by behaving that way.

Agree with me or not, don't forget to vote! Early voting will be available soon, and the big (official) day is weeks away!

First blogging, next... dream job.

Okay, maybe not exactly that seamless.

Yesterday I attended a panel on the changing job market in the world of communications (a world that I hope to one day, sooner than later, enter). They must have mentioned "blogging" at least five times. Now, I completely took advantage of that section on myspace.com when I was in high school, but I'm pretty sure my summer flings aren't exactly what they're looking for. Then again, maybe somebody needs a laugh.

Anyway, I'm going round two on this blog business. I asked a panelist personally what prospective employers are looking to read about. He said it's not so much the topic, they just want to know you have an opinion.

Ha... that's something I can most certainly do. :)