26 December 2010

Moving Forward + Christmas

First off, Merry {late} Christmas! I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. My mom and I attended our church's candlelight service on Friday, full of carols, lessons, and (of course) candles. There's something so intimate and spiritual about candlelight services... love it. And I was blessed on Christmas morning to unwrap many lovely gifts, including one of those adorable flip-style camcorders. Expect some epic videos soon.


On Thursday night we attended an annual Christmas party. It's hosted by some good friends of the family and there are about four or five girls my age (we chill out together upstairs, and it's weird because we only see each other once a year yet we know each other so well). And guess who was there? Jane Spencer. Her family has been friends with mine for a long time. Jane won a Pulitzer Prize and is now the managing editor in the popular news-site the Daily Beast. My mom started talking to her about journalism because about a year ago I decided what I wanted to go to college for: photojournalism, with minor degrees in writing and acting.

Well, Jane had some amazingly terrific news.

She said that right now, the journalists most in demand are good in both regular writing journalism, photojournalism, and video-journalism.

Can you imagine my euphoria? I consider myself skilled in all three of those things! It's almost too good to be true... but it is true, and that makes me so happy. You have no idea. And now with my new camcorder I can practice my video-making.

Jane also cleared up a question I had about college. I had been wondering a) what type of college to go to and b) what kind of degree to shoot for. Now I have no doubts what I want to do.

I'm the sort of person who has altogether too many hobbies. To be told that I can combine all those (plus my love of travel!) in one job? That is a true gift.

Journalism isn't exactly the highest-paying job, nor does it require the lowest effort. But it makes me happy. And aren't people always saying you should do what makes you happy?



Okay, done with that little burst of happiness. Christmas photo time... I'm afraid I didn't get very many photos. I woke up and forgot it was Christmas until I opened Google. I know, I know. I'm terrible. I forgot Christmas. Eep.
Christmas dinner... hello dad
Willa loves presents...
My very first attempt at a lattice pie (before and after baking)

Our family also got a TV and Blu-Ray player. Now we can watch old X-Files on Netflix on some screen other than my mom's laptop. (Weird family obsession, don't ask.)

PS... we're supposed to get a mega-blizzard tonight, so it's very likely I won't have power tomorrow. I've temporarily turned off comment moderation; I trust you all to be respectful and polite. Thanks. :)

ALSO: Don't forget to enter the art contest! Only 5 days left, and if you're not one of the 28 (just 28?!) who has entered you'll want to hurry up.

18 comments:

  1. I am so glad you and your family had a nice day. The dinner looks lovely and I am so glad you found out more about what you want to do.

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  2. So, comment mod is off eh?

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  3. Yes, Anonymous, it is temporarily off, but don't you think for a second you can go writing nasty stuff, okay? I'll still be watching.

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  4. Love the pictures, Olivia! It sounds like you had a *very* merry Christmas! :)

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  5. Sounds like you had a great Christmas! We also got a Blu-Ray and my dad is in heaven! What a gift to meet someone who you can talk to about your future. That is special!

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  6. Merry Christmas!
    Okay, you don't know me, and I don't have a blog on Blogspot, but i found you from someone else's blog, and I have to say you're blog is great! You seem like a really friendly person!
    AND AND AND my brother is starting an abroad journalism trip thing at his college, so maybe I can ask him some stuff if you have any other questions.
    So yeah, this may be really awkward for you...but I had to comment. :)
    Um, anyway..bye!

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  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  8. Glad your Christmas was great! Thanks for sharing :)
    ~Holly

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  9. Glad your christmas was great:)

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  10. Merry Christmas! I love candlelight service as well; so beautiful.

    Blessings.

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  11. Cool! I have many interests too- and that would be awesome if there was one job for my interests: animals, basketball, soccer, running, and a little acting.

    The pie looks delicious!

    A blizzard! Cool! Well, not, cool, but you know. They still are exciting. Looks like anonymous has struck again. He seems to be a very consistent reader.

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  12. I'm glad you had a wonderful Christmas, Olivia! My church also has a candlelight service- it takes my breath away- singing Silent Night while each person holds a candle is pure magic.

    Lovely photos-congratulations on the pie-it looks delicious! And by the way, that bokeh is epic. Really. And the candles... *swoons*...beautiful.

    Merry day-after-Christmas!

    In Christ,
    Queen Lucy

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  13. We sing Silent Night as well. It's lovely because our church (built in the 1700s) is about the size of your average living room, so peoples' voices really resound.

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  14. Your photos make me happy. :)
    It's exciting to have a plan for the future. My mom found a great college for me, and now instead of dreading getting older, I'm looking forward to it!

    Be sure to keep us updated on your journalism adventures!

    Ellyn

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  15. Awesome photos!

    All anonymous... remember... I'm watching you!!!

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  16. It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! I love all the photos.

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  17. Glad you had a great Christmas and I hope the weather didn't get too bad. :)

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