January 2014 Playlist

Sup?

For all of you curious souls who have been losing sleep over this, I've made a little playlist including some of the songs I've been obsessed with this month.

The majority were introduced to me from my dear friend Nathan while I was visiting after Christmas, but some I was introduced to in other ways (Forever 21 played it at work, or Spotify radio).

I recently signed up for Spotify and absolutely love it. I would pay about $10/month for new music on iTunes, but with Spotify I'm able to listen to as many songs as I want, new and old. I have yet to not be able to find what I want to listen to on Spotify, plus I can make playlists and listen to my friends playlists as well. However, at the end of the month I'll be making the switch to rdio- as long as you are a student, it's only $5 a month, and I happen to be a student.

Lo and behold, here are some songs I've had on repeat for the past few weeks. This month's is a mix of slower, acoustic songs and some upbeat ones that make you feel like a supermodel even though it's just windy outside and you're walking to class.

Look! You can even give it a listen here! Yay Spotify!

This post has not been sponsored by Spotify, rdio, or any other companies. All opinions are my own. 

New Years Resolutions

Soooo, this post is a little late, but whatevs.

2014 is in full swing, and it seems everyone is abiding by the "new year, new me" principle (which I think is absolutely hilarious. why do you need to wait for a new year to become someone else?) That being said, I've got a couple little goals in mind for this year that I want to put in writing and on the internet so that when December 31st rolls around I can look back at this post and think "oh, did I actually get that done? YES I DID. or no I didn't."

1. Get a little more daring with clothing.

Now by daring, I don't mean revealing, or wear totally weird clothes, although Forever 21 does have some pretty strange stuff in their plus section online that I would never, ever wear.  Whenever I look at my teeny-tiny closet, I realize that about 2/3 of what I own is black.  I have very little color in my wardrobe, and if I do, it's usually blue or olive green. I don't know what my deal is with the color black- I just subconsciously go for black clothes.  I want to burst out of my comfort zone! I want to start wearing colors, start wearing those clothes that have that strange pop (for example, the leggings I bought yesterday that have a leather strip down the side. whaaa?).

Which leads me into resolution number 2:

2. Start documenting said outfits.

I follow a bunch of style bloggers on Bloglovin, tumblr, instagram, etc., and I love seeing pretty new outfits pop up on my feed.  Whenever I feel like my outfit is stellar, I'll try to grab a pretty picture of it and post it on my blog.  I want my blog to be a little more style and plus-lady fashion based, and  time and time again, I've heard "write what you would want to read." And that's what I like to read. I'm still gonna keep this blog pretty personal, which leads me into resolution... 3!

3. Blog more!

Write more. Photograph more. Post more. At least once a week. Twice a week, on a good week.

4. Run a 5K.

I've already signed up for my Very First 5K, which will be in Cloverdale BC on May 31st.  My lovely Coralie asked me on New Years Day if I wanted to sign up, and on a whim, I did.  This means now that I actually have to start training for said 5K.  Maybe if I like it I'll do another one. Who knows? I love how I feel when I run, (or more accurately, after I run) and I love the groove I get into when I exercise a lot.  This isn't exactly because I want to lose weight- I just want to exercise more, and if I happen to lose a few pounds, cool. If I gain some, cool. Which brings me into my final resolution...

5. Get more serious about the whole body-love warrior thing.

I'm a firm believer that everyone should love their body.  Every body is beautiful.  Your fat body, your skinny body, no matter your size, color, abilities- your body is a very beautiful thing, and it's the only one you're going to get.  You are capable of so much.  I could go on and on and on in this post about why body positivity is important and why I'm such an advocate of it, but this year I want to spread the word that you should love your body regardless of what you look like.

Transitions are weird.

Until later!

dunzo!

Fall quarter is finally coming to a close.. almost.

I haven't posted since October 22nd. Ahhh! This quarter has literally swallowed me whole. Between Front staff, law, and photojournalism (which is easily my favorite class), I've been crazy busy. Add in work and a little bit of a social life, and goodbye, blog.  Sorry!

I've learned a lot this quarter, about both journalism itself and what it's like to be a journalist.  Writing can be hard, but there are certain aspects to being a journalism major that have its perks.  Likewise, there are also bits and pieces that totally suck.  But like most things, the good outweigh the bad.

What I have for you lovely readers today is a compilation of the pros and cons of being a journalism student.


I'll start with the bad, so that I can end with the good.

LOTS of outside work.

While being on the school newspaper, you're expected to put out a lot of work, which is again expected.  It is a real newspaper.  You're held to the same professional standards as other newspapers.  Sometimes I would be working on multiple stories at a time, which is a daunting task when working with features.  (Features are the longer, insightful stories and profiles inside the newspaper.)  Photo J was a lot of work as well, but not nearly as much as Front staff.  That was work I enjoyed a little bit more when I put my head to it.

Talking to people.

At work, I can find a random person and talk to them about what fabulous deals we have at Forever 21 at any given moment, but when it comes to interviews, talking to strangers is a lot harder.  When I would be out shooting photo projects, I would have to go up to random people, talk to them, ask them their name, age, phone number, and some questions— luckily, most people are willing to be photographed, but photographing strangers is no easy task.  Most people make some self-depreciating joke, and you have to figure out a way to make light of it ("oh, don't get below my shoulders! I don't like that to be photographed!"- how do you reply to that!?) 

Not being able to be creative.

If you've read a newspaper, you know that there is a very particular kind of voice that reporters have when writing.  All of the stories can kind of sound the same after a while, and you have to be super precise with your words/AP style.  This is tricky for me because I like to write like I talk (well, you are reading my blog.) 

Meeting new people, and learning new things.

While it was really hard talking to new people, the experience was like no other once you got to meet them.  I met an 86-year-old woman who had lost two husbands on the same day (years apart), and a fellow student who was trapped in a snow cave for 24 hours and managed to survive.  I also got to meet some faculty quartet members, Miss Seattle and so many other amazing personalities who I wouldn't have met otherwise. I also got to learn about Paganism, a forgotten Bellingham author, and so many other things that I wouldn't have known existed otherwise.

Seeing your stories published.

This is potentially the biggest 'pro' of them all.

Through all of the hard work and time invested into this major, there's nothing better than picking up a newspaper and seeing "By Allie Holzman" (or something else. Or Allie Holzman if your name is also Allie Holzman.)  

My first story! You can read it HERE! 

Definitely not my best story or hair day but that's beside the point.  I was so stoked to see my name in the paper that day.

Read this story HERE!

The first story I wrote that made front page sneak peek! This one was probably one of my funnest ones to write as it was about a fellow Western student who is phenomenal at Humans vs Zombies, and it gave me a newfound respect for the players of the game.  I could actually kind of tell you how the game works now, too. See? Learning. Plus this was a better outfit and hair day, AND it was right before my birthday. Good day, right there.

Finally, in the last week of the quarter, I got my first double truck.  For you non-journalism people, that's just a two-page centerfold.  THAT was a good way to end the quarter.

If you don't have super sight, read what I wrote about Hanukkah at Western HERE. 

Well, that's it for now. 

I'll post again during break, when all I'm doing is working and sitting at home.

nine

Hey, Dad.

Today marks 9 months since you lost your battle with cancer.

It's been a while since I gave you a life update.

I'm gonna try to write this like I used to write you letters in Freshman year and we were pen pals.

There's a lot you've missed since you've been in heaven or wherever it is people go (if they go anywhere. I'm still figuring out what my beliefs are regarding the afterlife.  I loved discussing this with you.)

One, we had an amazing trip to Europe this summer.
I know you planned it with mom before you died.  You guys talked about it and said it was okay to use some of the insurance money to send us on a trip.  It was just what we needed- well, if I'm speaking for myself.  When I think about 2013, I'll think of losing you.  But I'll think about that trip, and the beautiful sights in Italy, and the atmosphere of London and how badly I want to go back.

Two, school started again.
I'm in three journalism classes this quarter.  Law, newspaper staff, and photojournalism.  Law is kicking my butt because it's, well, law.  Newspaper staff is a lot of work but I love it anyway.  It's pretty cool seeing my work published and knowing that the entire school can read it.  Photojournalism... easily my favorite class. I've gotten A's on everything so far and I love seeing a new side to photography.  I know you would be stoked to see how well I'm doing with all this.

Three, I'm on Relay committee this year!
I know you totally supported me through the one Relay I did while you were still here.  You gave me a pretty hefty donation and I wasn't expecting that at all.  I guess for you it meant a lot.  Last year I was the 2nd highest fundraiser and Leo's Legacy was the top team.  Now I'm trying to be one of the people who makes it happen and help the ACS fight against cancer so at least one less family has to go through what we went through.


I found an email last weekend that you sent the other weekend to an old friend.  You caught her up with what was going on in your life, and then talked about your family.  You gave, like, one sentence about Coralie and Sara.  Then you proceeded to give a whole paragraph on me and how I'm doing.  You ended it with "one of my only hopes is to be there when she graduates".  I'm usually pretty good at keeping my cool and not freaking out, but I started bawling when I read that.  The things that get me are knowing you're not going to be there for the big things.  For instance, graduation.  You're not going to be there to see me walk across the stage and get that coveted diploma.  When/if I get married, you're not going to be there to walk me down the aisle.  My kids will never know their grandpa Leo.

A couple weeks ago I was walking home from class and had the sudden urge "oh, I'll call Dad" and then as I got my phone out of my pocket I realized I couldn't just do that anymore.

It's getting easier without you.  Well, I should say I'm getting more used to it.  There are some things I'm not sure how to get used to.  There are a lot of firsts to be had- my first birthday without you, your first birthday without you, our first Christmas without you.  I'm not sure how I'll handle those yet but we're getting there.

One step at a time.

case of the mondays

Oh, Monday. I loathe you and love you at the same time.

On one hand- you are the beginning of a new week! A new, glorious week! So many potential successes are to be had.

On the other- you are the end of a weekend.  A glorious, glorious three day weekend (which I have every week- not to brag or anything).

This week has been crazy but I'm starting to say that about every week. Unless I'm posting more than once a week, assume that I am busy- not that I've forgotten about this blog.  I'm still learning how to balance school, work, and a social life, let alone keeping up with shortforalexandra.

I've got a love/hate relationship with craziness (kind of like mondays).  I like being busy because time goes by fast.  When you have more to do, time seems to go by a lot quicker.  I'd rather have too much to do than be bored most of the time.  However, business can lead to a lot of stress... I swear, my teachers all conspired together and had shit due on the same day.  It was an awful day and I could count the hours of sleep I had on one hand.

Halloween is getting closer, so hopefully this weekend will be a good way to kick back and forget about all the stresses of every day life.

Goods and bads of this week:

• Good: My 20th birthday is on Sunday! It is also my roommate, Erica's birthday on the same day and she happens to be turning 21. Super excited for her! 
• Good: I'm working on another story for The Western Front right now and I'm super pumped about it.  
• Good: My first story was published!
• Bad: I feel like I'm behind in one of my classes. I hate that feeling...
• Bad: Tomorrow is 9 months since my dad passed away.  Good: I feel like I've got a lot stronger throughout his death, and really found peace with it all.
• Good: I've been so, so happy with everything. My major, my friends, my family... everything is falling into place.  

Here's what I've been up to:

FITTING A BIKE IN MY CAR.  

Continuing to gawk at the sunset off my back deck. 

Adoring the foggy Bellingham days.

Got a new computer- a shiny new 15" retina display Macbook Pro (which I am using to write this post!) and not realizing how thin it is! Mac went on Jenny Craig.

Editing my second photojournalism project.  I signed up for the Adobe Creative Cloud- an awesome deal for $20/mo!

GETTING REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT PUMPKINS.

SHOOTING CORN. 

I just really, really love leaves. (and my new tattoo. aaah!)

Falling in love with my other new tattoo. 

Have a great week!