There Are People Out There Routing For You!

Yesterday I met a nice man who attended Columbia University's Master of Journalism program back in the 80s.  Columbia, being the first journalism school and one of the world's most renown, I was amazed to find out he was the only Canadian accepted at the time. 

Being a journalism student who just finished my first-year in university, I quickly took the opportunity to ask him a lot of questions about his career. 

Turns out, he's been everywhere. 

He's written for the Toronto Star, the National Post and the Globe and Mail--mainly as a business reporter.  Not only that, he was a producer at CBC and an on-air broadcaster for CBC Radio One.  Listening to his experiences and his credentials...I was in awe. 

Here was someone, who had actually WENT to Columbia Journalism School offering his own advice to me:  a complete stranger and rookie reporter. 

And that was when I realized something.  There really are people out there routing for me to achieve my dreams. 

When I first got accepted into Ryerson's School of Journalism, I was both ecstatic and scared.  Ecstatic because I was one of 150 applicants who made it out of the apparent 1000 who applied.  Scared, because I honestly thought that it was going to be so competitive and many would be uptight, cocky, pretentious and rude.  (I guess my glass was really half-empty at the time...)

Competitive yes.  But uptight, cocky, pretentious, etc..? 
Not the case at all. 

At J-school, everyone was so nice and supportive.  If we needed help with our articles, we got it.  When we needed advice from a mentor, we got it.  And when our idols came to visit for a conference to share their experiences, we most definitely fed off and benefited off of them. 

So as I go back to my encounter with this Columbia grad, I can't help but feel thankful to know that a complete stranger has faith that I can be successful in my career. 

With journalism being a cut-throat industry,  I was relieved to see someone tell me that I had a chance in making it big. I apparently reminded him of Terilyn Joe, because I was Asian.  (It really is funny how Asian reporters stand out nowadays....)  But nonetheless, he said that if I really wanted to be a broadcaster, I should just keep asking and going for it. 

And as I shook his hand at the end of our talk, he asked for my name. 

When I told him, he said something along the lines of:  "Samantha.  I'll look for you one day reporting the news on TV.  Best of luck!"

And realizing that there are people out there routing for me, I couldn't be more ecstatic. 

Now, all I have to do is learn how to believe in myself. 

Living Life in the City.

After months complaining about waking up early, inconvenient TTC buses and long rides dry-humping complete strangers on the subway, my parents decided it was finally time to invest in an apartment downtown.

Needless to say, getting an apartment for school has a lot of benefits for me.

Yes, a pricey investment, but perhaps worth it in the end as the opportunities are endless. We live around Yonge and Bloor-just steps away from the luxurious Yorkville area where designer clothes and accessories, celebrities and fancy cars are not uncommon.

Not that I can afford anything from Yorkville, living in the area has proved to be not only convenient for all of us, but also quite an adventure. And with that, I cannot thank my parents enough.  I am truly blessed.

While I love outdoor adventures like climbing, biking and jogging, I am a city girl at heart.  I love the rush Toronto brings and all the good things it has to offer.

But that is not to say that I can't imagine myself not living in the suburbs.  Growing up in a suburban Scarborough neighbourhood, that's all I really knew. While downtown is a great area to live, I still can't imagine myself not being part of a suburb with a nice house, backyard, park, car, friends and family nearby.

Though at the end of the day, journalism and the city do make a great match.

But that is the future.  And the future is quite a long time from now.

For now, I should just live for the moment.

Taking the streets of Downtown Toronto.

 These photos are a couple weeks late, but I finally got a hold of them from my good friend Nicole Caguiat, a budding marketing student who wants to start her own blog!! (By the way you better get on that because I need to add you to my blog roll!!)

We toured around Yorkville and various locations downtown for a few nice photos...mainly because Nicole wanted to take some photos for her blog.  And knowing me and my dream of becoming famous (HAHAHA...), I couldn't help but model for a few pics as well! 

But to say the least, I am unfortunately not the most photogenic person on the planet.  If I don't smile, I end up having this "chronic bitchface" look that makes me want to bite everyone's head off!!

But I am nothing like that!! I am a kind-hearted human being with lots of love to share!!

Exhibit A...on the right --------->

 I guess a smile really is a girl's best accessory!!

 

And here is Nicole in a lovely dress! 

 Nicole looking modeltastic!! Do you think she could pass off as a model??! I mean, a guy did hit on her while we were walking out of Starbucks!!! 

And here is me...with my Chronic bitchface

  AND here is me...Without the Chronic bitchface!!

Okay but seriously, here is a pic I am proud to say is a good one.