Glowing with Certainty

January 08, 2017 by leah goldberg

Fashion/Insight: Approximate time reading this post: 3 minutes

I'm not really the New Year’s resolution type, and if you have asked me to ever make a promise, you know the answer is "no." I am reliable, yes, but I don't like to make a promise that I will be someone or do something that I may feel differently about tomorrow or five years from now.

But one piece of advice I have heard from many people is “stop selling yourself short.” I was told this about a year and a half ago by my journalism director and professor, as well as my editor for my journalism internship. I've also heard this from close friends and family, but I have yet to seize it.

I don't think it is an act of being humble but actually uncertain and scared. Although I have placed my personal work in a published portfolio for all to see, I continue to downplay my success without even knowing it.

But this is something I want to work on. I don’t want to hide in my own shadow, unaware of the person in charge of potential or even current success. This will not become my resolution or promise but simply a change in lifestyle.

For everyone in college starting their first day of school today, tomorrow or next week, I wish you all the absolute best of luck! This semester is about to be one of my most challenging during my time at ASU and Walter Cronkite but I will be blogging as often as humanly possible :)

Quick Story: The day before Christmas Eve, I was hanging around Downtown Phoenix and dropped by my best friend Kayla’s apartment, which she was in the midst of moving out. Every day around 5:00 when the sun sets it would light up her entire studio apartment with a perfect orange glow. Her place was especially empty because of the move, so we seized the opportunity and the lighting for a few photographs, and this is the outcome. This little oasis was a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of journalism classes and it will be deeply missed. But Kayla and I are expecting many adventures to come from her new condo, so stay tuned!

Thank you for reading along, and thank you, Kayla for being such an amazing photographer and friend- you continue to amaze me.

I hope you all enjoyed today’s post and I am looking forward to writing on many more Mondays of 2017. As always, send me any questions, comments or suggestions in my “Contact Me” page or via social media found at the very bottom of this screen.

Outfit Details: striped crop top (Forever 21), highwaisted seam leggings (Forever 21), denim jacket (Forever 21), gray sweater cardigan (Forever 21), gold beaded choker (Forever 21)- OK I know I have a problem- silver middle ring (gift), index finger ring (gift).

A Year of Looking Forward

January 02, 2017 by leah goldberg

Insight: Approximate time reading this post: 3 minutes

I'm a firm believer in speaking things into existence. This follows the very concept of hope and also explains why I enjoy blogging about certain topics. But this year was a lot more action than talk. This was different for me, but very much needed.

Technically two years ago, I wrote "Hope For 2016" regarding my accomplishments for 2015 and limited expectations for 2016. Shortly after, I wrote "2016 is My Lucky Number" which might have been too soon to declare, but oh well.

As it may have not seemed like a very good year for the world as a whole, I felt accomplished in my own personal feats of 2016. This past year was just what I had hoped for, an opportunity to put all my talk to the test.

For myself and those around me, 2016 had plenty of "hellos" and "goodbyes," which made it feel all the more productive.

But I don't quite feel like ranting anymore about 2016 (not because I keep having frightening flashbacks); but simply for the reason that you can read my past blog posts and/or stalk me on social media, if you really want to know about my year. Or talk to me in person, that's cool too.

Overall, I'm entering this second day of 2017 with caution but hope. Hope for learned lessons and visible stepping stones throughout this year. I'm keeping this one short and sweet today because anything can happen this year, and I'm ready to accept that without preconceived expectations.

Thank you again for following along with "Hope For Mondays." I look forward to the gradual future of my little blog and my work as a journalist. Don't be scared to send me questions, comments or suggestions through my blog, and even use my hashtag #hopeformondays if you are feeling extra excited about life. Happy first Monday of 2017!

Here is a quick look at my favorite 2016 moments:

(Click on the right side of this gallery to see more photos)

Turning 21 years old with Allison, graduating from community college with my Associates of Arts degree and seeing Allison graduate from GCU.
Joining the team at the Forever 21 in Scottsdale Quarter.
Befriending Kayla as well as seeing her turn 21, graduate community college and enrolling in ASU together.
Seeing The 1975 live for the third time and perform their newest album, "I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It."
Entering my first semester at ASU Walter Cronkite: School of Journalism and Mass Communication, earning an A+ in Multimedia Journalism- which was my most challenging and rewarding class, and joining The State Press as an Arts and Culture reporter.
Discovering The Grand Central Coffee House, making many memories with friends there.
Seeing Alexis graduate from ASU.

Vote Hope

November 14, 2016 by leah goldberg

Fashion/Insight: Approximate time reading this post: 3 minutes

Happy Monday to you! Here I am, three months later, thinking about how drastically my life has changed since my last blog post when the contents of my backpack consumed my thoughts. This was before I knew the mountains of classwork I would soon add to this load. But instead of catching up I want to touch on hope, obviously.

Two weeks ago, I voted for the very first time turning in my early mail in ballot not very early and two days before Election Day. I chose to support the #WearWhitetoVote grass-roots movement representing the women’s suffrage movement. Before women could vote, they would wear white on Election Day in protest. It was only fitting that my shirt also donned a “bee nice” logo.

In our three hour break before Journalism Ethics and Diversity, I forced my best friend to bite the bullet and turn in her early mail in ballot to a polling station nearby, so I snagged a sticker too. With my favorite Levi’s mom jeans and Adidas sneakers, my little “I voted today” emblem perfectly pulled my look together.

Attending ASU during campaign and election season has broadened my knowledge and consideration for politics immensely. For the first time, I actually cared about my own state’s political circumstances and who I would vote for to better Arizona in every way possible. I even made a news video about the Democratic candidate, Kelli Butler, who ran for the AZ State House of Representatives in District 28 (my district woot woot), and won! It was really special to feel like not only that my vote made a difference but that I was creating entertaining content and good journalism.

But the results were still unexpected when it comes to the nation as a whole. With that, I may rant another day on this subject but I just wanted to remind any readers out there that your actions and your anger is being heard, and you have every right to feel the way you do. Now more than ever, I’m hoping for the country to heal.

I came up with some friendly reminders to cope with the cards we have been dealt recently:

Let people be angry: Everyone expresses anger and sadness differently, so don’t criticize their protests before you know what they are individually protesting for. They are not protesting to complain that a candidate lost, but protesting the hatred and fear that the country embodies right now.
Let people be happy: You don’t have to rip off their bright red hat which you may entirely disagree with. Be the bigger person.
Stand up for each other: My Journalism Ethics and Diversity professor sat down with my class the following Thursday, after Election Day, and talked with us as if he was our favorite grandpa. He reminded us to now more than ever, protect each other as minorities and majorities.
On Thanksgiving: You are not going to change that one stubborn family member’s political views at the dinner table so keep the political discussions to a minimum, and focus on why you gathered together.
Have productive discourse: If you feel compelled to get your point across to someone you disagree with, do so with purpose and the facts. When it starts to feel heated or unproductive, know when to stand your ground or walk away, especially if this is someone you care about.
Don’t let go of hope: Because it’s only November.

Outfit details: white “bee nice” tee (Forever 21), Levi's mom jeans (Buffalo Exchange), black strappy bralette (Forever 21), Adidas Superstar sneakers (Urban Outfitters), wired choker (ANGL), royal ring (Forever 21), gold spiked bracelet (Wanderlust + Co.), Tiffany & Co. silver index ring (gift), silver middle ring (gift)