extra! extra!

Image: business2community.com

Guess who's an official sob sister, newshawk? Your 1920s slang a little rusty? As of Friday I was offered a position as a news reporter with The Shorthorn, the University of Texas at Arlington's official and award-winning student publication.

Although I've enjoyed writing for many years I have never considered a career as a news reporter. But Aisha you're a journalism major, right? Yes but there was never a plan to become a reporter. After all everyone knows it's a path you pursue for the love of it, not the great pay. And trust me the pay is not the reason I accepted this job. Not at all.

I began the journey one year ago and noticed that now when I hear people say "{insert negative adjective here} media" a defensive reflex comes up in me. Don't get me wrong I don't play into the mass media pandemonium but I don't want to lump the great reporters who are upholding the standards of excellent journalism in with that crowd.

In any event my infinite curiosity, concern for communities and inability to sit still mean I'm a good candidate for this. Who knew that random combination would pay off? I have a beat to work, stories to develop and relationships to build with sources. This is the next step along the way and I'm both nervous and excited. I look forward to digging in, researching and growing.

Maybe I'll even make a difference. Looking up and ahead.

a day in the life

Today is interesting. I am beyond tired and have an opportunity to be in bed but I am a bit keyed up. I have spent most of my summer preparing for this week at work, the biggest meeting we host all year, Holiday kick-off. So many people, so many moving parts and pieces, so much activity, so little crew to put this together, feeling behind the eight ball on just about every cue, but it's here and we've started the party. The team seems super excited and ready for this week and the selling season ahead, it is an exciting time. It's great to see the people I serve year-round but only see once a year and it's great to award them and really great to send them home :)

One of the best parts of this most interesting day has been the transition from how it started to how it has ended. This morning before 11, I had broken down twice crying, unfortunately sometimes it's how I deal with stress and this week can be very high stress. Keeping up with the whereabouts of 150+ people and people arriving on different days and dinners and guests lists and gifts and awards and computers and team members who all have a different role can be a little overwhelming and before lunch I was ready to run away. But all along the way, God was giving me things to smile about. First thing to counter the not so fun of the day was my coworker showing me a picture of her new nephew born just this morning, huge smile. Babies have that effect on me, I can't help it, I am excited about new life. Then about mid-day as i was putting myself back together I received a simple "I'm thinking about you and praying for you" text. Wow, right when I needed it most. After that point in the day, no matter what happened or how much I wanted to complain, I remembered and was glad.

At the function we had tonight, one of my business partners from out of town literally pulled me aside to remind me that I need to take care of myself and to say she was thinking about me. Now I felt really special and now I am really amped again to make sure everything is as perfect as it can be, not just so the bosses are happy but so that the team feels appreciated and knows we care about them and believe them to be special. I am happy about what I do, even though there are days I feel as though I am so lost in this maze of a corporate game at times. I am having that moment where I realize I do not understand it all, and what I do does not seem to make sense but I am okay with it. I am alive, and happy to be so.

This place has been a serious test for me, out of place since I arrived, but picked up and taught some things that have prepared me to help others in ways I never would have expected. Touching lives in ways I did not even know possible.  I am excited about the next 3 days and how I am going to serve this great team that I am a part of but also excited about what is growing inside me, the change, the season that is coming. Man this is going to be powerful. No matter what the past 4 years have looked like, it looks like something different right now because of what's growing in my spirit.

I am determined to see this victory for which I was named. The coming expansion of influence and coming peace have warmed my heart and eased my fear, ah I know my Beloved Lord is with me here and I receive His love. Yes, this is a snippet of a day in the life.

Green Apron Blues

It is spring and in Texas that means it is already summer. Ahh yes, the time has changed, the sun is shining and baristas everywhere are grumbling and whining. Only a person who has never had to tie the strings of the Siren's green to your waist would ask the question "Why?". I sympathize with every green apron out there. Be warned, my fellow baristas for FRAPPAGEDDON is upon us. Who will save us from such a depraved generation?