A Peace of My Soul

Summer 2012 Bucket List

I’m not going to pretend I’m perfect and I always do what I say I’m going to, but I do my best. Notice I did not say “try my best” because I don’t believe in the word try. You either DO or you DON’T. Simple. 

So, here are the things I’d like to accomplish this summer. 

1. Save money. (This is a big one as I have a tendency to live in the moment and spend money on good times with friends.) 
2. Work as much as possible. (I’m not getting any younger. In fact I’ll be 24 next month, so it’s time to be a big girl. The party will always be there if and when I want to join.)
3. Volunteer. (I’d eventually like to own my own nonprofit, helping children to learn to read and appreciate literature, so I’d like to build my volunteer resume. I already have a few things but I want more! I truly enjoy helping others. I believe it’s my destiny.) 
4. Spend more time with my family. (This includes my animals. Mila is pretty independent but she does like to sleep with me and I tend to kick her out when I get in a mood. Charlie definitely needs more attention. She needs walks because she’s too frightened to play and like her Mama(me), she likes to eat!)
5. Get to CrossFit at least 4 times a week. (I was on such a roll starting this time last year throughout all of last summer. I’ve been so busy with school that I’ve neglected working out among other things such as eating, sleeping, showering… you know, the important stuff.)
6. Do something for myself. (I’m not calling myself Mother Theresa or anything, but I do focus a lot of my time and energy on other people. It’s in my blood and also, the way I was brought up. I’d like to focus on myself a bit more because in reality, you can’t love anyone else if you don’t first love yourself.)
7. Go to shows. (Music touches my soul. That’s what I always say. I haven’t been to a show in quite awhile. I’m going to BLOC PARTY on Aug. 8, but I must go appreciate the art of music before that.)
8. Write. (This should probably be numero uno on my list. Grad school stole my creative mind for the year and I want it back. Just for the summer. So I can produce some of my own pieces without any direction.)
9. Read. (I read constantly. But, it’s always assigned reading for school. This summer I’d like to read all the books on my list that I haven’t had time to read.)
10. Go skydiving. (Enough said.) 

Internship Update

So, I have to send my professor a log of the past 50 hours of my internship and I also wanted to blog today about something going on in my life so I’m killing two birds with one stone :)

The first day I walked into The Gloucester County Times, Tuesday, January 24, I was given a key and a desk. I was also given an email address - mmccourt@sjnewsco.com and a username and password for NewsEdit Pro, which is what we use to compose our stories. I was excited. I felt important, as silly as that sounds. 

I had imagined the first day as just a day to get settled, see how things work, and meet the staff, but to my surprise it was much more than that. After I received all my login information, Kristie Rearick, my editor and supervisor, handed me a press release and told me to get started. I could feel myself getting hot inside. 

I’ve never done a phone interview before! Most of the people I’ve interviewed, I’ve met in person a few times before the interview. What do I say when I call them? Hi, this is Megg McCourt from the Gloucester County Times? Am I really from the Gloucester County Times? Should I tell the person I’m an intern? Oh goodness, what do I do?!

These were my thoughts as I sat there trying to keep calm and act like I knew exactly what I was doing. I was used to writing the press releases, not receiving them. 

Eventually I gathered myself. I took a deep breath and began reading the press release. It was from Rowan, regarding their upcoming Jazz Festival. I felt a little better after reading it. I composed so interview questions and called a few people. I actually enjoyed speaking to people about their work. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. 

As time went on, I called, interviewed, and wrote story after story - all of which, I am proud to say, have been published. I even went to my first press announcement in the city, about The Roots Mural being painted on 6th and South Streets. It was very exciting. Kristie even allowed me to write a story on the 2012 Philadelphia Tattoo Convention. I went to the convention, spoke to artists, and took great pictures. 

I learned something from that experience, though. I wrote the story in first person, being that it was a feature article. Kristie edited it to look like a news story. I asked her why she had done that and she said because GC Times doesn’t do first person stories unless it’s absolutely necessary. So, lesson learned - not all news agencies publish first person stories. 

I’m currently working on a story about the play “Moonlight and Magnolias” which will be opening at Mainstage Theatre for the Arts, March 2. I also have a few stories coming out in the near future. It’s really exciting to see my name in print - as a writer! 

Early for ONCE

I’m sitting in the parking lot of the GC Times waiting to go into work at 10am. I actually got here about 20 mins ago but I was busy mind wandering while listening to Tristan Prettyman. But, I still have 20 minutes, ok - 18 minutes until I have to be at my desk so I decided to post some of my recent epiphanies.
First, I’ve realized that thinking about everything I have to do as a whole sends me on an anxiety filled roller coaster so I’ve decided to just live in the moment. One never knows what will happen tomorrow, or even 5 minutes from now so there is no point in planning, freaking out, and overwhelming oneself. Just my opinion. Another - appreciate the little things, i.e new music, the good weather days, smells, that really good cup of coffee, hearing from an old friend, the Dunkin Donuts guy telling you you’re special, getting flowers from friends, people appreciating your hard work and letting you know that you really are doing well, a new clothing item, when your rescue dog (normally scared shitless) is dancing around with a doggie smile, your cat cuddling so close to you to keep warm, 5, soon to be 6 published articles when you’re struggling to get your name out there as a writer, getting a student loan refund check (even though you’ll have to pay it back someday), when a stranger smiles and wishes you a good day. These are just a few I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing in recent days past.
Ok, time for work.
Have a fabulous, love filled day :)

City lovin’

I’m sitting in one of the many Philadelphia Starbucks waiting for my therapy session to start. No, it’s not held in Starbucks (that would be cool, though).
I just can’t express how much I love being in the city. There is just something in the air, which is what I say about my many trips to Hawaii. The feelings I get from both places are overwhelming and inexplicable. Although, I wonder if I’d love it as much if I lived here like I hope to do someday (soon). I have a hard time believing I wouldn’t.
I want a loft in northern libs, by myself (well with my cat and dog). I want to work with an organization dedicated to changing the world in a positive way.
Ok, time to go. :)