My Life as of Lately

A lot has been happening since I last checked in. The quarter is really starting to take off, and I'm actually not wishing that it would slow down, for once. The last couple weeks have been C R A Z Y, and I'm loving it.

Last week was our first official week of the paper, meaning we were actually assigning stories and the paper came out that Wednesday, though it was editor-heavy content. Sunday night I was really sick all of a sudden; threw up, and didn't get to sleep until really late. Skipped my first class Monday morning, was starting to freak out about whether the story I had planned on doing was going to go through, and then like a snap of the finger, things just changed. I was also able to have lunch with my good friend, Sarah. The newspaper also went really well.  I gave everyone their stories, and then it was time for production...Well, not quite. A lot of the editors have class at right after the newspaper, and our adviser has another class to teach. Since it was my first week of really sitting down to learn the page layout system, I had a lot of questions, but no one was around to ask. So, after awhile of freaking myself out about what to do for my page, the photography editor and I went out to grab some food and came back later when everything was hustling and bustling, because I hadn't eaten since earlier in the morning.

Let's just say, I had no idea all of the time that is spent trying to make a college paper. We were there until close to 10:30, working on the page layout, making sure everything was in great shape to run. We had some good laughs in between, though. And I was SO excited about my Q and A with Gavin DeGraw going in the paper. It felt like it was the BIG moment I've been waiting for. You know, where everything is starting to fall into place and it all feels worth it? Yeah, that's how I felt. This is just the beginning, and I see that now. Patience and timing are both key factors. I've also had a lot of good feedback about the article, especially from my One Tree Hill friends...WOOO! :D

Then, there was Easter. I was part of the choir at church, and it was a blast! God really showed up. Not just in the services or our church as a whole, but in speaking to my life as well. I started seeing that I need to cut myself some slack. I've been trying too hard to be perfect, I think, and that has been causing some problems. God's love and my performance are two very different things. He loves me regardless of the grades I get, the mistakes I make, the times I'm too quiet, and the list goes on and on. He loves me. Period. We worshiped, I was able to hang out with Viviyan more during practices and services, and see all of my other friends that I don't get to see on a normal basis. We had 5 services, and everything went really well. We worked together as a team and were very aware of the fact that we were part of something much larger than ourselves.

Easter Sunday was also wonderful for spending time with my family. They all came over to our house; we ate, we visited, and celebrated the resurrection of Christ, of course. Easter gives me hope. Hope that Christ always comes through with His promises and just how blessed I am with the people in my life. It was the first time in awhile that I've felt content with my life. I'm not trying to rush ahead to get here or there, I'm not wondering what it would be like if certain friends were still in my life…I'm perfectly happy with where I am right now and the new people who have entered my life, and I didn't realize I wanted or needed until now.

This week has been extremely crazy with setting up a lot of interviews and meeting up with people to talk story ideas for the paper. I'm starting to think I need an assistant. HA! The paper is speeding up, and with that, comes great responsibility. If anything, it is teaching me to be more flexible-to be ready to call or meet someone when the story calls for it. You just never know what you're getting yourself into, but it has helped me to lighten up tremendously. I see how, now more than ever, I sweat the smallest details. I will cause myself so much stress that was never even there in the first place, and nothing comes of it either. I need to just let it go and see what happens. Not because I don't care, but I need my sanity. But, I'm getting better about it. If I'd had to do a lot of the things that I'm doing now back in the fall, I would have freaked myself out and probably just shut down. I also found out that I got two tickets to cover the Gavin DeGraw concert for the paper. AHHH! Now, I see why things happen the way they do and why there's a certain timing and reason for everything. God has a plan and that's what I have to trust right now.

Here's what my week looks like as of now: 

Thursday: Working on a story about a guy who has done colorguard for awhile/met with him, also met with the spirit coordinator on campus to talk story ideas.
Friday: 2 classes/meeting with the journalism club to pick out things for our booth at Celebrate CSUB on Saturday
Saturday: Celebrate CSUB/possibly working on a short story about Bakersfield's Got Talent/possibly making posters for Gavin DeGraw's concert on Sunday with Athena
Sunday: Church/editing stories at the paper/ GAVIN DEGRAW CONCERT WITH ATHENA!

Let's just say…"It's a helluva life" right now :)

That's all for now,
Shelby!!