Chinese Food with Matisyahu and ???

I find it unbelievably ironic that I am doing so much for my career, yet I don’t even have a car right now. That’s right, my car decided to go all Paranormal Activity on me again, so now it is back in the shop where it refuses to talk (it literally erased it’s computer’s memory, so the mechanics can’t figure out what’s wrong) and here I am getting rides everywhere I need to go.

Not only am I working my two jobs still, but I’m also now writing for two sources. Most recently, I have become an Inland SoCal Restaurant Reviewer for InlandSoCal.com and I’m also still writing for The Record Gazette of Banning. So in addition to getting rides to my jobs (located in opposite directions of my house), I also have to get rides to do interviews and reviews, especially if I’m really going to make my way in the writing world. To sum it up, when I say that I am determined to succeed, I MEAN IT.

Somehow wired off iced tea, I sit here in the location of my latest review, Best Wok Chinese Food, listening to Matisyahu on my computer and waiting for a ride from my grandma. I feel like such an oxymoron. From the outside, I look like some sort of successful business woman. I’m dressed in work clothes—black slacks, black button-up blouse, and a grey boyfriend blazer as I quickly type my thoughts onto my trusty, sunshine-yellow Dell. My foot vibrates against the leg of my stool and I can’t help but think about where I am.

I really am a writer, aren’t I? I mean, I write what interests me—what food is delicious—who I think is worth writing about—whatever—and people in the business find it worthy. I feel like this is only a small step toward my dream, but it’s a significant one. …And I’m happy…I’m blessed in my life beyond belief.
I feel like someone is watching me nodding and smiling as I go along in life. I swear sometimes I just get the random urge to dance and I don’t care who sees. Am I lucky as some have said or am I just being taken care of? And if the answer lies in the latter, is this an attempt to catch my attention?

I love Matisyahu—his music is positive and beautiful, yet now I seem to take from it more than I was before. I seem to be paying attention to the spiritual dimension of it more now than I have ever. I guess I want to believe that there is someone—something—taking care of me and making sure I’m smiling. Clearly not everything is going perfectly in my life; if that were so, I wouldn’t be waiting for a ride, but there has to be a reason that I feel so at peace despite the fact that I don’t currently have a car and I’m still living at home.

My inquisitive mind tells me to stay curious and find answers, while my spirit seems content to rest in this unexpected state of bliss. So for now, I have a message to this Being who is watching me in everything I do: Thank you for this… there is no way that it’s just me. Meet me for a chat? I’d like to see more of you.

Coffee Grounds for Opportunity

I never thought I would say this, but at this point in my life, I am in desperate need of a smart phone. I have gotten so busy! You would think that quitting my 40-hour-a-week office job would really free up my time, but you have to remember that that same day I landed a job as a newspaper stringer and a few days later, I was hired as a Barista.


Now, don't get me wrong: I am so in love with my life right now! I would have never imagined how much quitting the best paying job of my life would have changed it for the better. Not only am I writing for my local paper, I am also taking this time to build up my resume. I am definitely going to need these experiences before the big move.


The past few weeks have been such a learning experience in so many ways: not only am I writing more than ever, but I can honestly say I have never been so intrigued by coffee in my life. My interviews have also been very fun and informative, yet lately, I find that I have gotten more comfortable talking with people who are total strangers to me in most cases. At first it seems so awkward to walk into a person's life and expect them to bear all, but now it's just second nature. Stay curious--ask the right questions.


In addition to the features I have been composing for The Record Gazette, this week I will add blog reviews to my resume. Last Thursday, I received an email from one of my Journalism professors suggesting that I contact a woman from The Press Enterprise (a paper that covers the Inland Empire area) about doing some blog reviews on local entertainment and dining. I jumped on the opportunity and today I ended up writing my first review. I can't wait to see it posted--I really liked my approach.


As for the Lawrence Wright talk happening on Thursday night, I was scheduled to work until 9pm, but I'm hoping I will get lucky and be able to leave early although I'm not too keen on asking since this job is still fairly new.


Also, my parents ran into a woman who knows someone who works for Self Magazine in New York. I'm hoping I can get in contact with her and have lunch with her friend on the upcoming visit to the city.


Opportunites are flying in as I stand here wide-eyed and ready; I feel like now is the time I have to start proving myself to the Journalism world... no blinking!