I have officially wrapped up my first week here at The Aspen Times publishing my first story, meeting new people, trying new things and having one super fun week.
Top 10 Lessons I've learned this week:
1. Altitude really does effect you - Running and walking up a mountain are a lot harder than in St. Louis. I was heaving to catch my breathe and have felt so out of shape this week.
2. Learn to love the game of phone tag - A lot of reporting this week has turned out to be me leaving many messages for sources in the hopes that they will call me back so I can get what I need to write my story.
3. Have confidence - don't be afraid to make a phone call, ask a a question or do something that makes you feel a little uncomfortable.
4. Try new things - this week I have tried hot yoga, learned to hackie sack, play rugby and explore by myself. I have learned new things about myself and have seen beautiful things.
5. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to new people - being in a new place where I know no one I have gone out of my comfort zone to meet new people and this has paid off.
6. Take criticism positively - Turning in a story is always nerve racking because you want your editor to like it and not make any suggestions to it, but the fact is the suggestions make it so much better. Yesterday I completed my first story turning it over to two other editors in my newsroom to give me their feedback. It was a little scary being at a real newspaper, but I wrote a good story that needed only minor fixes. These fixes made my story so much better and I am so happy I had another set of eyes or two look over it.
7. New shoes give you blisters, buy bandaids
8. Have an open mind - be open to everything that comes your way and take it as an opportunity to grow and learn new things.
9. Go with the flow - I don't have every moment of my day scheduled out like I normally do and don't know what my days will entail so I have to go with what is sent my way and not worry about anything not happening or what is to come.
10. Have a little fun - you can't work hard and have no time to play a little bit. I'm in a wonderful place where there is so much to do in addition to the hours I spend in the office. It's time to take full advantage of hanging out with new people, trying to new things and enjoying the time I have here.
To read my first article to ever appear in a real town newspaper check it out here:
http://www.aspentimes.com/news/8204078-113/nakagawa-aspen-flood-donations
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