a little bit about me

Unlike the previous blogs I've had, I don't want this to be centered around me. There will be personal elements, obviously, and the topics will usually be something I find relevant to my own life- but I don't want to wind up talking about myself too much.

I realized, though, that I should still take some time explaining who I am. I believe if you're going to be reading my words, you should know a little bit more about the girl behind them.
So what about me do you need to know?

I'm a journalist... I question. I observe. I want to know everything and I want you to know it too. Why is journalism so important to me?

In my opinion, it's not a job, it's certainly not a business... it's somewhat of an obligation.

Why is that? Because above all else, I consider myself a global citizen.
Every action we take, especially as a powerful Western nation (ugh.), has an impact that is experienced worldwide. The only things that borders separate are people.

There is a lot going on beyond our own backyards, and there are limited means and limited people with which to access it all. As wonderous as we consider the internet, its nothing if we don't do something with it.

I don't consider journalists to be superheroes, but we are an important medium that can help link us as a global community.

I believe in human rights. You can give me the standard argument that human rights are nothing but Western imperialism, or that they were created only to benefit such and such a people, but you can stop right there.

The imperialistic argument has become nothing but a crutch for oppressive dictatorships to lean on any time the pressure gets too high.

Women's rights and roles, and issues of religion and other sensitive topics, yes, these are culturally relevant topics.

Issues of free speech, standards of safety, and genocide... these are not up for debate as West vs. The Rest values. Those being held imprisoned and tortured on a daily basis, merely for peacefully expressing their political views? Ask them if it's a cultural value that their society is maintaining..... of if its a direct misuse of power and authority between a government and its people.

Communication is an obsession of mine. In all forms. Linguistics, body language, understanding the differences between intention and interpretation.

Yes, I am trying to learn several languages. I know French pretty well, I'm alright with Portuguese and Italian. I can slowly piece together Spanish and Tagalog. And I'm attempting to learn Arabic.

And no, that's not enough. Should I get a better feel of these languages in the next 2 years, I'd like to begin Latin and Farsi. Why? Because they serve as the roots and foundations of most of the languages we hear today, and understanding them will help me to better understand global linguistics.

And after that? Chinese, Russian, maybe German. My goal is to be well-equipped as I travel throughout the world (and I will). No matter where I go, I want to have at least one major language, or even a popular one... enough to say "Sorry, but I am not familiar with this language, can you direct me to someone who can speak (english/french/whatever)?"

But communication is about more than words, and thats my favorite part of linguistics.

And yeah... I'm a little bit crazy. I keep the best of my most inner thoughts inside my head. My outer thoughts are random, incoherent, sporadic, and varied. I see the world from 100 different points of view, all from behind the same set of eyelids. Maybe that's why some of you have claimed to respect my opinion so much, and why the rest are certain that I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about.

Obviously, there's a lot more to know... but this will give you a better insight to the weeks and months to come.

You better come back for some more...