Turns out life doesn’t just hand you bad peaches. It hands you bad figs, too. Horribly expensive and horribly bad-tasting figs. Seems like my fruit-picking skills are failing me.
Figs are one of my favorite fruits. It’s just so juicy and luscious and chewy and…figgy. But the bag of lovely-looking figs I brought home was a total dud. Dry, tasteless, spongy. I thought I was munching on a dish sponge. I spit it out, cursed the damn fig, but couldn’t bear to throw it away. Why? Just for its beauty. 
Just look at it. Damn this fat pouch of sweetness. Stop being so pretty! (The picture above is not mine, by the way)
Anyway. Point is, my bag of figs deserved to be tossed out, but I ended up keeping it deep in my fridge. Because it was pretty. Because I had great expectations for it, and I paid big bucks for it. The deceiving little conniving fruity fatales.
Today’s second meeting with my editor to edit my article for the Daily Trojan reminded me of this bag of figs.
I have had high expectations for journalism. It seemed so glamorous, so exciting, so thrilling. I once saw a journalist interviewing someone in the streets and I had to refrain myself to skipping over and fawning over him. I wanted to find out what shoes he was wearing, what notebook he was using, and what pen he liked to use for interviews. I wanted to gush about how cool his job was, how much I want to be like him, blah blah blah.
Yes, I would rather meet with a good journalist than— say, a star like Edward Cullen (darn, did I get his name right?).
But now…I’ve realized that as exciting as journalism seems to be, behind-the-scenes, the majority of my time seems to be sitting next to my laptop and cellphone, obsessively checking on emails and waiting for phone calls that are 4 hours late. Oh, dear.
Journalism is hard work. I have to have skin as thick as a rhinoceros, I have to be constantly up-to-date, I have to dig out “juicy” angles, I have to be hip and knowledgeable and aggressive and creative. All those stereotypes on annoying, obnoxious journalists? It’s true. Because I am being taught to be like that. And all I am is a little news writer for my college newspaper!
Glamorous journalism? It’s a facade, like that bag of deceivingly-pretty figs. In fact, I doubt there is any job/career in the world that is as glamorous as it seems to be. Behind the glamour are buckets of tears and perspiration.
Which brings me to this key question: Is journalism worth all that hard work?
Well, this is my answer: Am I going to stop buying figs because of this one bad buy? Hell NO! Am I going to quit my dream just because some hard work is involved? No freaking way!
In fact, this just brings in my topic for my previous post: When life hands you a bad peach fig, GRILL it!
Grilled Fig Pizza 
- 3 fresh figs
- 1 whole wheat pita
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup kabocha (or pumpkin) puree
- salt and pepper
- cinnamon
- 2 strips bacon, chopped
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- small bunch of spinach, torn
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- spoonful Parmesan cheese
- drizzle honey (or maple syrup)
- drizzle balsamic vinegar
Set out your dearest friend Mr. GF and grill the figs.
Meanwhile, mix the cottage cheese, kabocha, cinnamon, salt and pepper together, and spread it on top of the pita. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Fry up the bacon and the onions until cooked and fragrant. Nibble on a piece of bacon to make sure it’s crispy and delicious. Scatter the bacon and onion over the pita. Top with the grilled figs and both cheeses.
Bake in oven for about 10 minutes until the pita is nice and crisp, and the cheese is melted and you can’t stand the amazing tantalizing aroma anymore.
Take the thing out, drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar. DIG IN! 
Holy Fig! If a bad, spongy fig produces such a result each time, I wouldn’t mind it! Every penny that I paid for these turned out well worth it! 
Ack! It just is absolutely gorgeous with all the colors! 
But the taste is even more beautiful. Oh my GOD! The base of the cottage cheese and kabocha was perfect with the grilled figs and the acidic balsamic vinegar and the intense sweetness of the honey… 
Damn fig. Grilled with a permanent black mark. Serves you right. But soooo good in my tummy! 
Oh my God. Do you see that little oozing honey? Sweet nectar of the gods! 
And pita sure makes for a lovely, thin and cripsy base!
Okay, I’m babbling. I don’t even know what the heck I’m saying, but seriously, this was one big ecstasy in my mouth, so no wonder I’m losing coherent and rational thought.
But I haven’t forgotten to say this: Whatever path you chose, you’ve got to undergo some intense grilling in order to achieve the best possible result. Good things don’t come in a breeze.
First, you’ve got to determine whether it is worth it. And if it is, don’t just give up and toss all your work away; keep on at it. The result may not be what you exactly expected, but you can be guaranteed that it is always worth it.
I may groan and complain as I work to achieve my journalistic dreams, but every sweat I break, every time I spend working on it, it is not to waste. Because I am improving. Because I am learning. Because honestly, the process of that is even more significant and meaningful than the end result.
Question of the day: Is there something for which you are busting your ass? Do you think it’s worth it, and how is the process of achieving it?
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Pursuing your dream is so important… And all the hardship makes it that much sweeter in the end…
Beautiful pizza! I still have some bad plums I pushed to the back of the fridge; I better figure out what to do with them quickly…
as for your question of the day: YES! RECOVERY! it is ABSOLUTELY worth busting my ass over. =D i’m going at a comfortable pace for me, which i’ve been advised, is the best for anybody. everyone’s always in different stages with their recovery and it should be personalized, as long as each individual gets to where they need to be – hopefully a healthier, happier place! i’m going about it with the help of a nutritionist, and my mom, who is finally coming around and though she won’t ever realy understand, she’s really trying and i can see that.
have you ever read rilke’s letters to a poet? oh, it’s the best! and it perfectly applies to what you speculate on here. if you don’t have it i’ll totally send it to you! the essence of this is: before you sleep and first thing upon waking up: what is it that you think of doing? if you truly dream of being the most fantastical amazing journalist ever, and this pervades your thoughts, hopes, ambitions: if you observe your actions and they all seem to align, relate to, and sort of connect to this higher goal or purpose of being a journalist – then girl, you’re meant to be a journalist and don’t allow the little challenges along the way to ever make you think otherwise!! good luck and don’t get too stressed, it’s all a journey. but i think you can look inside yourself and answer the questions better than anyone else. =) sigh, you’re lucky you know where you’re going in life! sometimes i don’t know if i’ll EVER get there. so i’m happy at least you seem to know what you love to do!
oh and p.s. seriously, have you ever considered culinary arts as a second profession? you could have your own show and everything!
believe it or not, i’ve never grilled a fig. but now i know what to do with a less than perfect one.
i was actually just at your school getting interviewed for trojan tv and was very impressed with the facilities!
Oh my, you are doing some amazing things with figs! I was a journalism major for a year (wrote for 2 newspapers, etc), then I switched to general communications. I LOVE my communications degree. It prepared me for so much beyond what journalism could have prepared me for. My unsolicited advices is that whether or not you stick with journalism, really focus on your writing and speaking skills- technique, style, experience, etc. If you’re a good writer and good speaker/presenter, you can do just about anything!
Hah! I’ve never heard journalism being compared to a fig before. But I guess there are similarities. Each has a short shelf life, and each can be quite sweet if the timing is right.
Well, as a newspaper journalist for 22 years (my gawd, that makes me feel old now. Yikes!), I can say it has been worth it. It was worth moving clear across the country, leaving family and friends behind, to work at my first paper. It was worth the long, crazy hours where everything came second to your job. It was worth even having to experience the awfulness of getting laid off.
If you love learning about new things, meeting interesting people, and expressing yourself in words, there’s no job like it. It’s definitely a challenging profession. But often times, the best things in life are the ones you have to work hardest for.
I’m busting my butt to get back into school for my second bachelors degree and wonder what am I doing???
Love all your stories and fruits!
Have a great rest of the week!
this post is so close to my heart in so many ways food and otherwise. First the food, holy flavor explosion in the mouth!! Yum! I’ve found that with figs, sometimes they are out of this world and other times they taste like dry dirt to me, blah. Your pizza sure looks lovely though
Thanks!
Now the other part, I’m struggling with my thesis topic at the moment and am questioning if it’s really worth it. I feel overwhelmed, flustered and sleep-deprived trying to work and go to grad school. Your words are so inspiring and forced me to look at it from a different angle. Heck, it may not be worth it per se, but the experience and credibility sure will be nice. I just have to power through it and enjoy it for what it is and the learning experience I’m getting and struggling with
Your pizza is absolutely stunning, and this is coming from a non-pizza lover!
As for journalism, I was in the same boat in school and had the same initial feelings. You will thank yourself for sticking it out. Studying journalism will teach you SO much about digging up the truth, as well as about your own values and opinions. Though I ultimately decided not to pursue news journalism, I would never have studied anything else.
Sarah
O_O. I think you need to subtitle this pizza:
“Or, how to get a naturally lower carber to break down into compulsive drooling and cry that she’s out of cottage cheese.”
Seriously, that looks gorgeous! Cottage cheese + figs + balsamic vinegar = YUMMO. Everything else just adds to the awesomeness!
Yeah, Journalism is HARD. You gotta become a stalker, somehow keep up with fast-talking people. You have to master how to be amiable enough for people to want to confide in you but also tenacious enough to draw out answers when they don’t. Being a good journalist is very different (and much more challenging) than just being a good writer. But I think the skills a journalist must master are incredibly useful in everyday life…so it all rolls together!
First off, I want that pizza. When I said I would walk to LA, your cooking would be what ploughed me forward.
Second…girl, cut yourself some slack. YES it’s hard, but journalism whilst partly talent (which you certainly have an abundance of) is also a skill that needs developed. Do not give up. Do not question. You have wanted this for a LONG time, and it’s what- 3 weeks in? It’s too soon to say it’s not right for you, you know? Maybe it ISN’T your calling. Maybe it ISN’T worth the time and energy. A lot of things aren’t. BUT, it’s too early to say.
You are a fab writer- journalism is a cut-throat business. My brother did his masters in journalism and was unemployed for a year- he has worked in a bank for 5 years and does freelance music reviews on the side. He’s happy. Journalism doesn’t consume him- his passion remains his passion because it’s not the be all/end all. It’s worth it if you give it the time and attention it deserves. NOTHING is worth losing sleep over or getting sick over. But on the other hand…nothing worth doing comes easily. xxx
I am currently busting my errr butt to keep my 3.4 through nursing school while working and raising a strong, self-secure girl. It will be so worth it in the end!
Nothing in life comes for free and nothing is easy, if you want something badly enough you have to work for it and then when you get it you appreciate it all the more because you know you’ve earned it. You will make a fab writer someday, your still learning you cant be expected to know it all right away.
I do believe if you want something badly enough to just go for it and grab it. I hope journalism turns out to be all you want it to be
What a great way to use up figs, your so talented, in more ways than one!
WOW, that pizza looks delicious!
I think you’re totally right. Is there even a job that’s as glamourous as people think it is? Probably not. Believe me, this will be worth the time and effort. You will become a great journalist (or whatever you decide to do) and next to that…you learn from everything.
And I’m working really hard for my recovery right now:) And that’s definitely worth it!
Take care, hold on! Love, Julia (Taste of Living)
You always find a way to make things work. I would have tossed the figs, yet you figured out a way to come up with this delicious looking pizza. That gift of turning a negative into something positive will serve you well in life. Figtreeapps
Very inspiring, Sophia! Both the food and the attitude! With that tenacity, you will be an excellent journalist. I must admit that I’ve tried figs and didn’t like them, but they certainly are pretty.
YUM. I just had a flatbread pizza and pumpkin soup…I feel like I just ate what you made (though I know yours probably tastes SO much better!)
Ah well. If we want anything, we have to work for it. You seem to make a pretty awesome journalist, Sophia, keep with it!
Ha, I was totally like you with journalism! I got lured into it after a TV journalist gave a talk to one of my first year classes about her job, and I was completely star struck. I wanted to do that too! Little did I know I was setting myself up for a lifetime of pestering people to talk to me for a story
It does get easier once you do it full time though 
People are more likely to talk to you when you have an established news company backing you up – and the majority of my stories come from press releases and news tips! I don’t spend as much time racking my brain trying to squeeze stories out of nothing. And yes, you will have to get aggressive. But I think there’s nothing wrong with being aggressive with a polite smile 
I’ve never had fresh figs before! I can’t find them anywhere here!
Hey chica! Way to make those figs into something wonderful! I love how colorful the pizza is. Sorry about all the journalism related stresses
I think we all hit a point where our job or our schooling feels like it wasn’ tworth all the work. Its at those cross roads where we need to really EVALUATE it we love what we’re doing
OMG Figs in pizza? i cant imagine..u are so creative and pizza looks amazing!
seriously, this may be the most delicious pizza i have ever seen. um, yum. i love figs too – have to savor them this time of year!
i love your thoughts on working hard for your dreams – if you want it, the hard work is always, always worth it.
so you liked it then? heehee.
i’m busting my ass for recovery & i deffo think its worth it. espesh’ after reading all your lovely, inspirational posts.
i’m going to sound like a dunce, but if i wanted to just eat a fig, do i have to peel it or…? what bit do you eat and what do you not eat? can you eat it just….plain? gah, i’m need remedial foodie lessons!
i’m so glad that you’re not letting it dissuade you. you’re an amazing writer (i expect to see a sophia lee cook book one day in a decade or so, and i’ll certainly be buying it and reminiscing about how i used to blog with you!) you will definitely be a success and make it because you are fighting the biggest battle of all, and the most important. and that was for your life. fighting for a career in journalism? pah. that fight is going to be easy!
L. x
i’ve never tried figs, but oh my goodness, your pizza looks delicious. what a great analogy for not giving up and looking at things in a different way.
i, too, was the college newspaper reporter studying journalism and thinking it was going to be a glamorous career. got a job at a small-town paper before i graduated and stayed there for almost 2 years, even after graduation. a job like that certainly humbled me and my image of journalism as this fast-paced, jet-setting life. sure, i was covering politics and spoke to senators, but i was also covering community news and writing about youth rodeos and beauty pageants.
but you know what made it “worth it”? i loved to write. i loved to ask questions. i loved to get those phone calls after a story ran about how what i wrote made someone change their mind about an issue. the lifestyle burned me out; i couldn’t live with a career that was seven days a week and who-knows-how-many hours a day, so i found a better job for me.
anyway, i understand your struggle but encourage you to keep pushing because the work you’re doing is important
-jessica
I love love love fresh figs. Seriously your food looks to die for. You create the best meals ever. Can you come cook for me???? I can’t wait to make that pizza
I’ve only had one fig in my lifetime (like 3 weeks ago) and after that experience, I thought figs in general were all unflavorful. After hearing you rave about figs, maybe I just got a bad one. I’m gunna have to search out some juicy ones to make a decision!
i am with you 110% – when the going gets tough, the tough gets going! most things worth doing in life are NOT easy – you just have to keep on swimming and eating ridiculously amazing pizza like that!
Good for you for not giving it up.
And those figs and fig pizzas are making my mouth water over here!
I really need to grill fruit – you have inspired me! The pizza looks so delicious, colorful and healthy.
I am busting my ass being the best mom I can be…I definitely think it’s worth it. Being a good mom will be, by far, the most important thing I will ever do.
I love figs. My very favorite fruit. I even have a fig tree in my back yard. I bought figs recently when we went on vacation to Chincoteague Island and they were horrid! I was so glad when mine were ripe. Nothing can beat a delicious, fresh fig! (Maybe chocolate?)!
I cannot believe you are able to create such beautiful things in college! I just found out my brother scored me some figs so I’ll be trying them soon for the very first time! Can’t wait!
I think it’s VERY important to bust your a$$ to achieve your dreams. Sure, you’re probably going to have a bunch of bumps in the road…. but that’s only going to make it BETTER when you reach the finish line! Keep on going!
Also, I’ve NEVER had fig (other than in a Newton). I’ll have to keep an eye out for them!
-A
Journalism/fig -analogy = 100% correct!… It can be very deceiving.. especially if you end up not being able to write about the things you want to….
But really, you can write with any education. So it’s better to study something else and freelance in your free time..
That’s my opinion anyway..
Food looks great
Thanks for the insight into journalism, pretty cool! I am deathly afraid of figs, but they sure are pretty!
I was trying so hard to get those good grades while I was an undergrad. I put that as my top priority, and put everything else second, which was not good at all! I don’t think having top grades is worth it. After graduation, I realized the many other things in life that are waaaay more important. But, it is still important to work hard, just not to the extreme!
Wow, that fig pizza looks amazing with the kabocha puree and goat cheese. I’ve never used pita bread as a pizza crust, but will have to try it soon!
haha thats funny. I’m sorry I was under the wrong impression. Figs are really good though. They don’t have a strong taste but I warm mine up in the microwave for about 15 seconds and sprinkle them with cinnamon. I really really like the texture of them.
You are so good at turning the situation around!
I avoided the challenges of journalism by just being a ‘Writing’ major haharrr >) Well, we all have our own obstacles to overcome (like publishing research papers for me).
LOL Edward Cullen is his movie name, but his RL name is Robert Pattinson … or mcdreamy. mmmm i want to spoon him up!
holy yum that pizza looks good!
I’m busting my ass to get through school. .. 18–21 hour weekdays and working on the weekends and hardly any free time unless i procrastinate.
meh! i have friday off this week though, so I’m coming home thurs night and sleeping in!
-muffy
I love that you made fig pizza! True story: I have never eaten a fig. Nope, never.
I say, give yourself some time on the journalism thing. I think we get so caught up in instant gratification from so many things that when something doesn’t go right immediately we start to question it. Well, the best things take time. Like wine. and cheese. Mmmm cheese..
Ooops, I digress. Seriously though, I’d give journalism some time. But you had it all figured out already…
Now. Make me some pizza??
Love figs and yea they are pretty expensive and I can hardly get nice ones…I think everything involves hard work…you just have to enjoy what you do.
I would not have been able to throw out a gorgeous little fig either! Wow, that pizza looks mighty tasty!
Your writing is incredible…touching, genuine, and from the heart…I know you’re going to be a great journalist!
holy vibrant figgy pizza batman! i love it! and it amazes me that the flavor took a complete turnaround just by throwing them on the grill. that is awesome. as always, i love your clever linking of food to real life. you are such a great writer!!!
Great freakin post! Keep working as hard as you are, it will pay off no doubt
I just started eating figs, I don’t know why but have always skeeved them! I am taking baby steps though, only figs with prosciutto as of now.
girlie you are going to totally slaughter me, but I’ve never had a fig… **runs and hides**
As a journalist for a daily metro in the comm. weekly section, everything you described is true. It’s hard work and hard to ask some questions, but once it’s in your blood, you can’t shake it. I’ve had lots of times when I wanted to quit, but couldn’t.
It’s all for the story, you see.
Goodness gracious, my stomach just growled so loud when I saw your pizza pics…yummm.
I’m not busting my ass for anything right now, and I wish I was. I love to have something difficult to work towards, but these days it’s just the same ol’ routine. Maybe I should shake things up a bit, hmm?
Have a fabulous day
This weekend I’m making my boyfriend take me to Walmart to get a GF. You’ve made me a fan. I want one almost as much as an DSLR… okay actually it’s 1. Nikon D90, 2. Princess cut diamond set in white gold from a certain gentleman, 3. George Forman…
Totally reasonable, right?
I’m busting my ass for my degree… 6 classes left… 2 of which I’m completing now. In all honesty, I’m not sure I’ve chosen the right path… well that’s not true when I watch one of my kids learn to write his name then I am, but 2 seconds later when he kicks me I’m not so sure
I LOVE figs on pizza! With rosemary and gorgonzola… yum! My mom always wanted me to be a journalist when I grew up. A news anchor, to be exact. But it is a HARD field… which I am not in! Haha! Good luck with the career, though… you are a fantastic writer…which is why I nominated you for a Foodbuzz Award! Good luck!
Mmmm, tummies are rumbling for these! These pizzas sound addictive!! great post!
cheers!
That may be the most beautiful fig I have ever seen. Wow. And the pizza looks mouth watering. I want one.
Oh my fig pizza – it is b-e-a-utiful!
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