One thing I love and hate about college— I’m constantly learning.
It’s a good thing because I love learning about new stuff, enriching my mind with new opinions and views, and expanding my academic horizons. The thrill and pleasure I get from learning something new is like being tempted with fresh-baked cookies. I get a whiff of it, I get a taste of it, and I just crave it more and more.
But it’s also a very, very humbling experience…And I’m not going to lie— it’s a bit nerve-grating to find out that I still have so much to learn.
Yesterday was a whirl of frantic calls and emailing as I tried to get all my interviews in before the deadline for my article for the Daily Trojan, our school newspaper. I couldn’t get in contact with any of my interviewees because of the long weekend, and my hope for an extension was crushed when my editor basically told me I had to get it in time, or else.
After hours and hours of thumb-twiddling and frustrated groans and swearing, I finally got in touch with the City of L.A’s Councilman. Unfortunately, he talked in a low, throaty, mumbling sort of way and it was super-hard to understand what he was saying. Furthermore, he spitted out all these business terminologies that I have never even heard of!
Thanks to Google and some expert paraphrasing, I managed to whip out my article in 8 minutes flat and email it to my editors in time.
All the sweat and tension was worth it, though, when I picked up the paper up this morning:
Oh yeah, front page, baby! 
Granted, it was on front page just because it was probably the only newsworthy item today, but I was damn proud of it! 
What I realized throughout this process, though, was that I am not as great of a writer as I thought I was. Pressured under time, limited to a certain amount of space, restricted to tons of journalistic rules, and forbidden of all forms of personal opinions, I was stripped to a confused and stumbling newbie in writing:
- Editing time with my editors was torture. They basically re-wrote the whole article for me, pointing out to my bazillion errors
- I made so many journalistic taboos, I could make the next Jayson Blair
- Worse, I started questioning myself if I could make a good journalist, because I had a tough time with interviews, and catching good angles to a story
- I found out I was timid. I was scared to interrupt the Councilman and tell him I had no idea what he was slurring about!
Oh, man. I have much to learn indeed, so freaking much to learn!
…Or…I can think of it as: Oh, yay, I can’t wait for the challenge and to learn as much as I can! Yippee! *Jumping jacks of celebration*
I am trying to turn my mindset to the latter, but truthfully, I can’t help feeling a bit…deflated and overwhelmed.
Thank goodness for comfort food. Some people turn to chocolate, some people to mac & cheese. But for me, nothing spells comfort food like a good bowl of kabocha soup. Yes, even if it is 100 degree outside and I have no AC in my room, kabocha soup was the one single thing that could truly warm me from inside-out (Besides God, of course).
Kabocha Soup with Bacon and Goat Cheese
- 2 teaspoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cups roasted kabocha flesh, mashed
- chicken broth
- 1/4 cup milk/cream
- salt and pepper
- pinch of turmeric
- pinch of cumin
- 2 strips bacon, diced
- crumbled goat cheese
Heat up the butter in a large pot. Toss in the garlic and onion, fry until fragrant. Dump in the kabocha, then the chicken broth, enough until it covers the whole thing.
Bring the contents up to a boil, then a simmer. Add more chicken broth if needed. Pour the mixture into a blender, blend until smooth and creamy. Return to pot, stir in milk or cream. Season to taste.
Meanwhile, fry up the bacon until nice and crispy. Ladle the soup into a bowl. Top with bacon and goat cheese. 
Served with half a warm (microwaved) ciabatta. And my favorite lime-green spoon from Yogurtland!
Can you say, ahh~hh. 
There really is nothing like this rich and creamy and intensely orange soup on a stressful day. 
And call me silly, but the fact that I was eating out of this lovely green spoon, with the visual contrast of colors, delighted me! 
Slurping up this soup did wonders, but wait till you see what I received today… 
A college-care package from Jennifer of Slim-Shoppin!! What an opportune time, just when I needed some pampering! I said “ahhh…” wh
en I ate that soup, but I was totally going “AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!” when I saw this!
Just look at the lovely stuff she sent me: 
Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal! How appropriate that it is called ‘Mom’s Best’…Jennifer was totally like a surrogate mom to me at that moment! 
Fruit snacks from Trader Joe’s, Peanut Butter Larabar, and Kashi bars! How did Jennifer know that the only Larabar I like is the PB one? She’s a mind-reader! 
And more: packs of Garlic Rice Noodle Soup, and Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup from Trader Joe’s! Haha, I was just talking about the comforts of soup, too! 
More munchies! (I already polished off the Smartfood popcorn clusters) 
And awesome foodie magazines to indulge in when I feel like procrastinating!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Jennifer! I must have been in some weird hormonal emotional state because I could have wept with gratitude. This small token of care and kindness came just at the right time, and not am I awfully thankful to Jennifer, I am also thankful to God for sending this package to me in such a timely manner!
*Sniff*sniff*. I honestly believe that life is beautiful. Even when things go wrong and sometimes you start questioning your own ability and decisions…somehow God provides a comforting hand through any random ways.
Ah, well. Back to the books I go. There is a reason why I am in college. Not to get A’s and flaunt my intelligence, but to be humble and to just learn as much as I can!
Question of the day: What is your ultimate comfort food? And in what small but significant way did anyone offer a source of comfort to you?
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Congrats on the article
It’s SOOOOOOO normal to have these doubts, Sophia. It’s so early on though and dude- what, 2 weeks in an already on the front page? You are going to be an amazing journalist.
Comfort- right now the comments on my blog have meant more to me than I can ever say… I LOVE this community! xxx
my comfort food – mushy food, cereals, oatmeal,pudding… and a big cup of coffee/cocoa/something like that.
Youve only started college, you whipped up an article in less than 10 mins and made the front page, that all seems pretty impressive to me! You`ll made a great journalist some day, you’ve discovered that there are still some things you need to learn but once you get the hang of it you`ll be flying. Remember you need to walk before you can run!
Hmm for comfort food, I usually go for a big bowl of oatmeal or chunky soup.
xoxo
I’m so proud of you for getting on the FRONT PAGE! I think you’re maybe a bit too hard for yourself… But I totally understand the confusion and ‘fear’ of all there is to learn…But you’ve got a whole life for that:)
Your soup looks wonderful, I would love to try it. And all that good stuff you received…wow! Wish I could get that over here!
Take care! Love, Julia (Taste of Living)
congrats on the front page!
but like you said, you’re at college to learn. if you were already an accomplished journalist that did not need her articles re-examined by the editors, then you would not be at college studying. you can’t just KNOW all this stuff – someone has to teach it to you! don’t be so hard on yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day. all the other staff on that paper have probably experienced exactly the same thing as you did when they first started!
what a lovely care package. i’m eyeing up those bars, the oatmeal and the magazines. scratch that, i’m eyeing it all up!
hope you’re having a less stressful day chica!
L. x
Yay! Great job…and it’s good to question ourselves sometimes…we can never, ever stop learning and times like these are ones you’ll remember in the future and learn from. Your soup looks absolutely delicious and what a great care package! Soup is probably my ultimate comfort food
And bread….warm, fresh out of the oven bread.
Whoop, congrats on the front page! I think that’s wonderful, especially when you whipped up the article in under ten minutes!
I love that care package too. S’very cool
Comfort food for me is either a nice warm bowl of carrot & lentil soup (<3) or buttery toast, with or without cheese.
I love me some comfort food
Katie x
Wow. 8 minutes?!?! WOW. Even if you had a torturous editing session (ow!), that’s really cool, Sophia! Front page too!
And that soup looks really comforting, all right:) (But 100 farenheit?!) And that box you got is making me jealous! Lucky girl:) Glad college is a great experience!
It’s hard to be confronted with criticism, even if it’s constructive. Just remember: you’re NEVER going to learn EVERYTHING, so just keep soaking it all whenever you can.
Chica! You need to give yourself some more credit! That is fabulous! Way to get it done despite the challenges. Dinner looks absolutely gorgeous- nice photography
What a fun package too. I love foodie packages- they are the best
You go girl! Front page no less-that’s brilliant!
And how amazing is that package? Jenn is lovely!
First off, congrats! Make sure you snatch up all the copies you can! Now on to the serious stuff…
Coming from someone who is a professional in the business with quite a bit of experience (and has “editor” on her business card, despite her ramblings)–relax.
I felt the same way to do, in fact, I still do at times, but just know that you learn as you go and no one expects you to be perfect the first, second or 100th time around. Editors edit because that’s their job. I’ve come to look forward to the edits, as they show me how I can improve next time. You will ALWAYS be learning and copy will always get cut–because of space, relevance or just preference. Stinks, but it’s true.
Think of it like tweaking a recipe…it may taste okay one way, but someone will add pepper or a bit more salt to suit their tastes. And I STILL hate calling people and get stressed about deadlines, but you deal and things get easier.
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions about anything writing/editing related! And holy crap on that package! I’ve NEVER received something so fun and random in the mail
Yay for making front page. Conventional Journalism as A LOT of rules. I’m a journalism major but even I make mistakes sometimes. Your article looks great!
Congratulations on making the front page!! Do you also get a crazy little thrill every time you see your byline?! (I don’t think it ever gets old.
)
That is one awesome package!!
<3 <3
CONGRATS ON MAKING THE FRONT PAGE! hahhaa. i’m still working on getting to do tons of pushups in a row. i usually do it in sets. =D
Ohhh how exciting! Congrats =) As for always learning at college–I think it’s gonna be learning new things everyday in life from here on out! And that soup reminds me of the upcoming fall season, but I would have to minus the bacon, since I’m a veg hehe
ps–As for chia seeds and how you said you don’t see the point when you can eat your vitamins. Well they do have a significant amount of Omega3′s which I am lacking in because I do not eat a lot of fish, nuts, or oils, so it’s a great way for me and others who avoid certain foods to have a back up plan
Well Hooray for making the front page! Your soups look delicious but I’venever heard of that kind of soup before. Sounds delicious!
What a sweet package! That was incredibly thoughtful. Your kobucha soup looks so yummy, and I LOVE that you topped it off with goat cheese, my fave topping of choice for just about anything!
Congrats on front page – and you are an awesome writer!
Hooray for my sister’s package – I have yet to send mine so maybe I’ll wait until your rations are low!
woohoo congrats!
Congrats on the prime placement!! Don’t fret too much about the mistakes…you’re a great writer. Everyone has to learn the ropes at some point and after a few more interviews and articles, you’ll have it all down in no time
Now isnt google the best?
Soup looks warm, comforting and so inviting..so when shud i come?
okay, i have GOT to find kabocha!!! this soup sounds amazing.
congrats on the front page, girl! and what a sweet care package.
Wow! Front page? Congratulations! You’re on your way to be a fabulous journalist – and the job that would perfectly compliment your established cooking talents? Food critic, perhaps? The next Ruth Reichl? <—your writing reminds me of hers.
Way to go!
I felt the same way when I first started writing for my college paper. You’ll get the hang of it though!!
Congrats on making the front page – that’s AWESOME! Don’t be so hard on yourself. Remember you will make mistakes (even in interviewing someone). The thing to remember is that you just learned a bunch about what to do and what not to do for your next article which will make you a better journalist in the long run. You are an excellent writer – dont’ ever think you aren’t. I love reading your posts, you have a wonderful way with words.
It seems your care package came at the perfect time – I am glad it made your day a bit brighter.
Your soup looks hearty and delicious – great comfort food. My ultimate comfort food is a creamy chicken pot pie with extra crust. Mmmm.
wow grats on front page girl! woot!
don’t worry, you’ll improve. it is a learning process!
awesome package
-muffy
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Front page, headline article – you rock!! Having worked with some of the newspaper folks while I was in college, I can attest to the fact that the designation of front page article is a HUGE complement!! (also, having worked as an editor for 3 humble years, I’ve found that editors tend to make the most critical comments when they’re working with the people they consider to be the very best writers, the ones with the most talent with which to bloom under the critiques… All of which to say, you are amazing! I am SO impressed!)
Such a beautiful care-package! Your box reminds me of when my friend Jeanette and I were in college in separate states, and each month we would send each other similar care packages which we fondly nicknamed simply “the box”
) Receiving “the box” from Jeanette always brought SUCH joy – it was truly such an uplifting blessing! 
Thank you for reminding me with your wonderful story!
sometimes some good comfort food is just what the doctor ordered. and congrats on the front page article. it can get frustrating, but you’re off to a very good start!
wow- awesome package!!!!
comfort foods… hmmm… it would have to be chocolate fo sho. milky creamy.
i just tried the pb lara bar and omygoodness it is SO good! i’m totally hooked on these. what other flavours have you tried, and do you recommend?
comfort food for me is, hm it sounds a bit weird probably but seriously you have to try it! my grandma would make me this all the time when i’d visit her in india. boil a pot of hot milk, add cinnamon, cardamom, sugar, and honey. (i’ve actually discovered agave nectar which i use in place now) take whatever bread of your choice, and break apart the slices and soak into the milk. grab a spoon and start eating! you can probably jazz it up a bit too by adding some dried fruit or nuts.
Sophia, congratulations on your article being published on a front page! And it’s your first one too, that’s so excellent!!!
Yea, you’re on the front page!! That’s totally awesome. Don’t be so hard on yourself! You’ll write an even better article next time.
LOVE the bacon on the soup.
You made the front page?!?!? That’s awesome! Sure, you can look back and point out things you might have done better but now it’s done, the list of things to change next time is writen out and the comfort food is consumed…. now move on and start working on your next award winning article! You are an amazing writer with so much to say! Today is a good day!
-A
What a sweet and thoughtful care package!
Congrats on the front page article!!!
My favorite comfort food is my “world famous” homemade chicken noodle soup. It takes all day to make, and makes the whole house smell all warm and comfy. (Oh, and I’m the only one in the world that knows it’s famous, lol
)
that is so awesome taht you made the cover!!!!
and I am jellie of your package! that looks like one helluva care package.
woohoo!!! FRONT PAGE!! That is awesome. It’s like Harry Potter-ish fame…well the beginnings of it anyways! I’m really happy for you Sophia.
You are one loved girlie. How nice to get a huge love package! The only ones i get are the ones i send myself. hahahah well, that’s self-appreciation right there!
Awesome! Sophia, Congratulations!
Angie’s Recipes
Appearance in front page, amazing… you write well …
I just came back from a journalism program in DC and yes, being a journalist is noooo joke. I don’t want to seem pessimistic but you might want to consider alternative career paths to being a journalist, like writing for online websites, or learning all the other multimedia stuff that comes with news these days (video, pictures, etc.)
I met with reporters from the Washington Post and read about so many newspapers during the program. The gist I got from all of them was that the old newspaper model is dying. Not just declining readerships dying but no profits, going bankrupt dying. And so future or aspiring journalists will have to not only be well-trained in news gathering, writing, but also in the previous multimedia aspects I mentioned earlier. They call them mojos [mobile journalists]. Haha (^^)v
Of course, you still have a few years until you graduate so hopefully the media companies figure out a lucrative business model to be able to compete and stay relevant. In the meantime, FIGHTING!
What an awesome care package!! You are one lucky girl
Comfort foods really hit your heart when you eat it, and that soup looks like the ultimate. I would have to say my fave comfort food would be good old trusty reliable mac and cheese.
Great job with the article!! Front page-holllaa!
oh …. dear, I’m soooooo proud of you (I’m sure your parents do too). You’re in the front page! You really should be celebrating because it’s so exciting that you have so much to learn! Every time I find something new to learn, I get super excited, because that means more challenge, more fun!
comfort food? KABOCHA!!!
Aw, a baby reporter! I wanna pinch your cheeks! Don’t worry- you WILL get better if you want to. Remember that journalism is a grinding process- I’ve been in it for five years and am still learning. But if you love it, you’ll stick with it, no matter the medium.
as a journalism major, i laughed OUT LOUD at the jayson blair joke. awesome.
that’s amazing – front page! i didn’t join the newspaper in college, and looking back, i kind of wish i did. so enjoy it, think of it as a learning experience and write more! and send me the articles – i would love to read them
Congratulations on the front page!! Seriously – that is so cool!! I am so proud of you. It is only your first interview, right? It will get easier, I’m sure. And there is no doubt in my mind that you were meant to write!
The soup looks like lovely comfort. I actually saw a Kabocha for the first time in my life the other day! I will definitely be eating some in the future. What a sweet and wonderful care package!!
I have so many comfort foods I can’t pick a favorite. Soup, pasta, baked goods… the list is endless.
Congrats on your article making the front page – how exciting! You’re so talented Sophia and I know you’ll pick things up quickly
Love that soup – soup and mac&cheese are my favorite comfort foods. What an awesome care package too!
Sophia, this is so funny… I mean what you wrote wasn’t funny, it was touching and heartwarming, but you’ll see why when I next post. I went through a very, very similar experience. Except I only get to read Jenn’s blog, lol. No, I mean about the journalism stuff.
How lovely you received that great care package!
As for my ultimate comfort food, it depends on what I need comfort from – chocolate and cheese are both always good, but if I’m sick then it’s gotta be manicotti or tempura udon soup.
Congratulations on the front page! I think you are an amazing writer and have a ton of talen, especially for such a young person.
I LOVED college care packages! I was a pretty homesick kid, so getting stuff from friends and family was like a big warm hug.
Congrats on the front page! I’m sure the more you write and face deadlines and interviews it will become easier!
I love care packages!
That is so awesome that your story made it to front page!!! When I first started one of my internships, I’d get so discouraged to see my press releases published and be like completely changed by the editors. Don’t worry, that’s just how it works! Everything goes through tons of edits before print.
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