For those of you I’ve known the longest, you know I’m more of an introvert rather than an extrovert. I’ve always been quiet around people I don’t know well, but once you get me talking, I’m sarcastic and sassy. I’m goofy, really. I have a caring heart, and I’m thoughtful.

I like to observe people and listen rather than speak, and I would like to think that is one of my better qualities. It’s fitting as a journalism major because listening is a key component to being a good journalist. It’s not everything, but it is certainly important to have good listening skills. I’m reflecting on my journey these past two years in the journalism program. There have been both trying and joyous moments. It’s hard to believe that all of it is about to pay off in a piece of paper in a frame.

I can’t fathom that in less than three months, I will be done with classes altogether. All there is left is my practicum this summer. It’s unnerving not knowing right now what I’ll being doing for my practicum this summer, but I know it will all work out in time.

I’m thankful for the learning experiences that seemed frustrating at the time. Like the time I went to a speech by Dr. Bill Bass and interviewed him one-on-one before his speech thinking my audio recorder was working, when it reality it was still turned off. Then waiting until I was one of the last people at his book signing to record a quote, and I deleted it on the way home listening to it in the car. Not to mention the time I thought I lost my Nikon D60, my baby, for good. This was all in the same semester last spring. You can be sure I thought about quitting.

It’s moments like those that have shaped me into who I am today. I’m not only a better writer, but a better photographer and journalist because of it. I have enjoyed my photo classes the most. My advanced photojournalism class this semester has taught me why I love being a photojournalist.

Currently, I’m working on one of my bigger projects creating an audio slideshow that I will post on here in due time. This past week, I have had the pleasure to interview and photograph two very kind people. I am meeting with the third and final person next week. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it will all come together.

This assignment made me nervous at first because I didn’t know how people would react when I want to follow them around, take pictures and hear their stories. I didn’t know how willing they would be, but I lucked out. Chrissie, the sweet lady I interviewed today, said it best, “I have a 32-year-old daughter, and I like to think of her because I know if she had to do something like this, I would like people to treat her the way I would treat her.”

What a blessing. Because the people I’m interviewing and photographing for my story along with the kind lady, Sharon who is responsible for introducing me to them have been so gracious to me, they will most definitely be receiving baked goods from me once this project is finished. So if you want to take anything away from reading this, remember to pay it forward. If you’re kind to someone, they will likely return the favor.

 

Thanks for reading! Updates on my audio slideshow coming soon.