Matt Lewis
Almost a year later and what do I have to show for it? A degree in journalism, a job as an editor of a weekly community newspaper (theCoolidge Examiner), friends I will never forget and an experience that I will always cherish. I'm talking of course about the New York Times Student Journalism Institute that was held in Tucson, Ariz. from Jan. 2-12.
I graduated from the UA with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in geography. I promptly began searching for jobs in Arizona in the media industry. The offerings were few and far between, but I landed myself an interview with two companies: Wick Communications and Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. Wick is located in Southern Arizona, Sierra Vista, to be precise. They have32 newspapers and 23 specialty publications in 13 states – including Arizona, California, Oregon and Colorado. It sounded like a great place to apply. I wanted to apply for a job they had in Half Moon Bay, Calif. near San Francisco. After applying and interviewing with them, they asked for more clips. I complied and sent them some. I never heard back from them, though. I then applied at Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. for a job as an editor of a weekly community newspaper. It was mostly on a whim, because I had never envisioned myself being an editor in the past. The same day I interviewed with the company I was offered a job; but not just any job – one with power and responsibility; one with benefits and a salary; and one with a big office.
Life was pretty good, but as always with the cyclical nature of yin and yang, my left came back down to Earthly levels when my mother passed away after a one year, ten month battle with breast cancer. It was a very sobering event after the intoxication of the spoils I had received. I began giving extra hugs and saying "I love you" more to my friends and family. You never know when someone's time will come, including our own, so I am a true believer in being as happy as we can each and every day, because it could be our last. I elected to live at home to be with my family; there is nothing in my life I value more.
My dad has been my guardian angel, saving me from the grief disguised as mental strife. Most people want to get out of their house as soon as possible, and I suppose that's why I went down to Tucson for school instead of staying in Phoenix, but I was sure glad that my dad let me move back in after I graduated. I think we needed each other. I have a unique and special relationship with my family, because unlike Failure to Launch, my dad said I could stay as long as I like.
I know eventually someday (maybe even soon) that it will be the right time to move out on my own, especially since I've been serious with my girlfriend Caitlin, for two years now, and we've talked about getting married after she graduates. That's another thing I've learned since the institute, is managing long-distance relationships; not just with her but with my friends from the institute, college, and people I've known in other times and capacities. I've utilized Facebook, e-mail, and other means of keeping in touch. Our lives are nothing more than the people we know, the places we go and the things we do while we're there.
Almost a year later and what do I have to show for it? A degree in journalism, a job as an editor of a weekly community newspaper (theCoolidge Examiner), friends I will never forget and an experience that I will always cherish. I'm talking of course about the New York Times Student Journalism Institute that was held in Tucson, Ariz. from Jan. 2-12.
I graduated from the UA with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in geography. I promptly began searching for jobs in Arizona in the media industry. The offerings were few and far between, but I landed myself an interview with two companies: Wick Communications and Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. Wick is located in Southern Arizona, Sierra Vista, to be precise. They have32 newspapers and 23 specialty publications in 13 states – including Arizona, California, Oregon and Colorado. It sounded like a great place to apply. I wanted to apply for a job they had in Half Moon Bay, Calif. near San Francisco. After applying and interviewing with them, they asked for more clips. I complied and sent them some. I never heard back from them, though. I then applied at Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc. for a job as an editor of a weekly community newspaper. It was mostly on a whim, because I had never envisioned myself being an editor in the past. The same day I interviewed with the company I was offered a job; but not just any job – one with power and responsibility; one with benefits and a salary; and one with a big office.
Life was pretty good, but as always with the cyclical nature of yin and yang, my left came back down to Earthly levels when my mother passed away after a one year, ten month battle with breast cancer. It was a very sobering event after the intoxication of the spoils I had received. I began giving extra hugs and saying "I love you" more to my friends and family. You never know when someone's time will come, including our own, so I am a true believer in being as happy as we can each and every day, because it could be our last. I elected to live at home to be with my family; there is nothing in my life I value more.
My dad has been my guardian angel, saving me from the grief disguised as mental strife. Most people want to get out of their house as soon as possible, and I suppose that's why I went down to Tucson for school instead of staying in Phoenix, but I was sure glad that my dad let me move back in after I graduated. I think we needed each other. I have a unique and special relationship with my family, because unlike Failure to Launch, my dad said I could stay as long as I like.
I know eventually someday (maybe even soon) that it will be the right time to move out on my own, especially since I've been serious with my girlfriend Caitlin, for two years now, and we've talked about getting married after she graduates. That's another thing I've learned since the institute, is managing long-distance relationships; not just with her but with my friends from the institute, college, and people I've known in other times and capacities. I've utilized Facebook, e-mail, and other means of keeping in touch. Our lives are nothing more than the people we know, the places we go and the things we do while we're there.
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