a little background information..

Before divulging into the intricate details of my everyday, I'm sure everything will be much easier to follow if I go through a short history of my past summer and a few extra details, therefore:

When I began applying to colleges, I naturally assumed two tracks could govern my life - music or law. 

My family has been firmly grounded in both long before my birth, as my parents are strong believers in the beauty of music and the truth in the law. Very good teaching methods for a child I think. 

So I was leaning toward majoring in vocal performance or pre law. I was a bit hesitant to choose one entirely, because as much as I love to sing I want to have a secure job that will sustain me, though as much as my bleeding heart wants to defend the righteous I don't want to give up on my passion. 

So developing one moot point after another in my mind, my counselor steered me toward a balance of sorts between the two in communication studies. 

Lord knows that was one of the most nonspecific choices ever, but I found my safe haven at a university I never thought to apply to in the beginning, nor believed I would attend if I were accepted for other extraneous reasons. 

That was mainly because I was untrained in the amazing opportunities and elite education I would receive at Syracuse University at the Newhouse School of Public Communications. 

I arrived as a member of the Syracuse University Marching Band (SUMB) for band camp as a part of the color-guard, and slowly moved into colligate living. 

Originally I was leaning toward Public Relations as a field of study. It seemed safe enough, and an applicable relation to law school or representing a theatre company depending upon what route I wanted. 

But then I surprised myself again and took a leap. 

I wanted to enter a field that would remain challenging but inspiring to me throughout my entire career, so I dabbled in the art of photography, and decided that it was a lot harder than I originally thought. 

Which is exactly what I was looking for. 

In the optimal world in my head I would love to impact the world with one thing. Something "provocative" as my professors would say, and lasting, like on AP (associated press, not advanced placement classes you silly silly people)

I find photography fascinating. 

It's truly a way to communicate live events to people that the artist finds especially invigorating or important.

Unlike print journalism, there is something to look at so the reader doesn't have to stretch their imagination - especially if it's written about something they've never experienced before. And unlike film, the image is focused on a specific moment - the "stop and take a look around" moment greeting cards request of you constantly, though the image may not always remind you of roses. 

It stresses the striking or beauty of an instant. Something to cherish or explore further by examining a flash of time. What isn't challenging or invigorating about trying to create that?

This leads me to my past summer.

I sort of recklessly threw out my name and my little experience to some local newspapers around and about where I live without much return till I called the little gem of a paper called The Star Beacon in the town where my father works, about a 30 minute transit where I live, in Ashtabula, Ohio. 

They didn't have regular funding for an intern, so they pulled me aboard as a sort of free lance photographer under the direction of the lovable and very wise Bill West with the infamous Neil Freider as my editor. 

I was to shadow Bill, and later Warren Dillaway, and submit any photos I took along the way. 

This path not only led me to new methods of photography and wonderful mentors, but I also got to dabble in the writing department finishing my summer season with solo trips to event sites and taking photos to accompany my own stories. 

Seeing my name in print as a cutline (photo) and as a byline (article) has been my proudest moment to date. 

Now an avid Nikon girl, I've stashed away my camera briefly to dabble in the world of graphics (both as a separate interest and as a requirement for my photojournalism major). 

It seems my adventure as a slightly smarter sophomore will be much more interesting than my frightening freshman year. 

I can't wait.