Today I sold my first article, "Confessions of a Bridesmaid" for a pretty pricetag of $144.50.

I would have let the magazine print it for free, although I'm really glad to be receiving the money. It's never about the money though. If it was, I'm in the wrong career.

   The truth is that I dived head first into Journalism without solid evidence that I have what it takes to be a success. I didn't know if I could do it, and sometimes I still have doubts. But, I've been told that the most a person can do is to follow their passion and trust God along the way, and hopefully I'll continue to do this.

   Nonetheless, a little encouragement, just a little...is really appreciated at times. For me, today served as that encouragement...that indication that perhaps I did choice the right path. I know I did.

   So, I sold my article with on swift click of the mouse. It was a one I never imagined would be printed anywhere (other than the BIN). It's a tad more personal than I would have liked for this purpose, but I'll live.

   Imagine...me writing for a Bridal magazine. What do I know about weddings? I don't even have a Friday night date. I've never been engaged. And I always forget which figure the ring goes on.

     So, on January 4th, 2008...I sold an article for the first time. I'm absolutely thrilled!

Thank goodness I ate an extra spoon of black eyed peas...

Yesterday I kept thinking that I needed to remember to blog. Only as I laid awake last night did I remember...and joted down some notes on paper. Yeah, it's kind of pitiful, but it counts:

       Tired. New Beginings.

        I love a new semester.

          Time to pack.

             First...sleep.

               A New Year and a new beginning. As an optimist, I enjoy ending one year and leaping full swing into a fresh new one, with infinite possibilities. I watch the fireworks, eat spoonfuls of Black-eyed peas, and handwrite my new year's resolutions just before the clock stikes midnight. I don't believe in luck, I believe in God's will...fate. But I do feel lucky, especially with this wonderful new year placed in my hands.

               I have several important resolutions. I have decided to throw away the excuse of writer's block, and to committ myself to writing daily...EVERY day, in the form of a blog. Since I call myself a writer, this should be achievable. As long as I stick to it.

               This is my blog, and my place to express everything. I think I'll leave it for others to read, as an audience helps to condition a writer. In the coming days, I will push myself to expand my writing comfort zone, and to depend on writing as a mental release from the events of my daily life.

               Whether it's 5 pages or a single sentence, I am going to blog every day for the year 2008. If for some reason I lose access to this blog, I will write on paper and type it out (without revisions) later on this site. If I am without paper, I will use whatever means necessary (stone, brick, seaweed, etc) to write out my heart's intentions.

            Here's to a wonderful new year! To a year of redefining our lives for the better and seeing the world for the beautiful creation that it is, today and tomorrow. Cheers!