Is my life a good story?

Confession: I love Star Trek.

Paul and I have been watching The Next Generation over the past two years or so, and I have become REALLY attached to the characters. When you watch a show for several seasons, it starts to feel like the characters are people you actually know and care about. I know, it sounds silly, but it's so true.

So, it's my sad duty to announce that we watched the last two episodes of Star Trek the Next Generation today. The last episode was pretty cool, too, so I'm feeling a little bummed that the adventures are over.

I guess I'm a story junky--I love stories! I can't immerse myself enough in books, video games, movies and story-based television shows. You give me a good story and I will immediately become addicted. I want to know what will happen next and how the oh-so-lovable characters will get themselves out of insane situations. I cannot get enough of good stories.

And here I am at the chapter of my life story that's called, The Last Semester of College. (I debated calling it other names like The Over-Extended Ridiculously Busy Stressed Out Twenty-Six Year Old or The First Time Novel Editor Who Harbors Delusions of Finishing College This Semester Against All Odds...) And this chapter of my life has curious echoes to my last semester in high school. Back then, I remember worrying so much about where to go to college and IF I should and what I should major in and where I would live. Now I have the same kinds of concerns. What should I do after I graduate? What kind of jobs should I apply for? Can I even GET the super awesome jobs that I would like? Is it possible for me to actually have a career in writing and editing?

The questions crowd my mind and chase each other around in unproductive clouds. My brain is a beehive.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER I GRADUATE?

Ah, if we had the answers to our questions, maybe we couldn't really make choices and we'd never grow. I wish it was easier sometimes, but I am happy to be part of a story that changes as it goes along, that is always interesting, and that never gets boring. It may not be fiction, but it's a good story, anyway.

Okay, so this post is all about ME!

So, I've been afraid of posting on my blog for quite some time now. Because I know that people are going to read it, I have not wanted to share. I'm afraid of some people knowing about my life, but I don't want to make my blog private because I would like to invite more readers in.

I decided that it's time to get over my fear and just do it--because I like it and I really like writing about myself. (It's true. I'm self-absorbed like that.)

Boy, have I had A LOT going on lately! This is the second week of my last semester in college. And it is already a big hairy demanding semester that is threatening to overwhelm me. My classes are exciting (most of them) but I can't help but feel that I'm in over my head a little bit.

I'm taking freelance magazine writing, mythology, introductory communications, grant writing, physical science lab, and writing internship. For my internship, I will (hopefully) be working with an orgaization called Jana's Campaign. They work to raise awareness about domestic violence and women's rights. If they accept me, I will be writing press releases, articles, and blogs for their organization and doing some editing on their website. It's the kind of work that I imagine to be very rewarding and worthwhile.

At the same time that I'm taking all of these classes, I have my first big editing job.

Drum roll, please.....

I'm editing a novel! I've never had to do a job on this scale before and I was really nervous when I found out that I would have to do it during school. But the good news is that I'm head-over-heels in love with the work. I woke up Saturday morning at 8:20 (which is super early for me) and I didn't want to go back to sleep. I wanted nothing more than to get up and edit. As soon as I sat down to start the editing, it was like I entered a zen dimension. I was so confident and I just felt so competent. I knew what to change and how and how to communicate with the writer in a way that would make him feel good about having me as his editor. It was awesome!

I'm not a person who has loads of confidence to spare. I have always had a hard time believing in myself. So, this is big. I'm so happy that I've found the thing that I will never not want to do. It's amazing.

The song above totally fits how I feel right now. It was recommended by my friend Ruth a few weeks ago. I LOVE it and I hope you all enjoy it, too.