...I just want to say that I'm sorry.

I am sorry about my man bashing comments that I've made on FYM recently. It was wrong, stupid and unfair for me to say that all men are egotistical, especially when I know plenty who are not.

I tend to bear grudges for a long time. And by that, I mean years. Ever since I started working, as a high school graduate working in retail, I encountered some very nasty, sexist bastards out there. If I ever tried to confront them, those...

Pearl

...and I am ready to pack it in.

I am so fed up with assignments, readings, my internship, everything! I'm just sick of it. I talk to my classmates, and everyone feels the same way. We all know the six weeks will be here before we know it, but it just seems so far away.

I'm also stressed from all the assignments that are due. The election stories, my thesis project, other assignments. I have a confession: I ate a candy bar and a bag of M&M's today in less than...

Pearl

Last night I did my first open mike session! I read three of my poems at this artsy cafe in front of about 20 people, and I received some good feedback. Which is relieving, because I was quite nervous. I was afraid I would be laughed at or someone would call out "you suck!" You know, the usual stage fright .

The previous night, I stopped by the cafe to film its artwork for a school project I'm doing on the arts scene on Staten Island - which is a ferry's ride from...

Pearl

...that was how the spring semester began this past Monday. In less than one week, we were all sent out all over the city, reporting on political rallies, surveying New Yorkers, and so much more. Naturally, since Super Tuesday is coming up, so our professors didn't waste any time throwing us out into the wilds of reporting. Hectic as it sounds, it has been fun so far. Chatting with total strangers and finding out what concerns them the most this election year, interviewing student leaders and seeing...

Pearl

I meant to keep my tattoo a secret from my parents until next spring when the lighter clothes would make it more visible than the heavier clothes worn during the winter.

But it didn't work out.

My parents -- who are totally against tattoos -- recently got back from their vacation out west. While my dad was trying to upload photos on the computer, somehow my pic of my tattoo came up...and I had to confess I got it done. Needless to say, my parents are fuming. I keep...

Pearl

Today was my first day of classes for grad school. I had two classes today - Research Methods and Legal & Ethics. Both were kind of dull today, as most first time classes are. All it was about was introduction to the syllabus and each other - the usual saying your name and where you come from and all.

I've met so many new people during orientation week and today. My classmates are from all over the country and even the world! They are from Nigeria, Canada and Northern Ireland....

Pearl

Well, yesterday was my last day at work at a local TV station. Grad school would be starting next week, so it was my time to leave. I tried to get a freelancing position but for some reason, they couldn't budget me into their freelancing budget. So after three solid years there, I left!

I got a good-bye and good luck card on Thursday, with so many co-workers wishing me well and telling me I would be missed. Aww! It was really sweet. I felt very touched by it.

I got...

Pearl

I decided to base my first entry on some really fantastic news:

I found out today that I got into grad school! I'm so excited and ecstatic about this. I'll be going for my Masters in journalism, which I studied as an undergrad. It would be a rigorous one and half year program, plus an internship.

I am soooo glad I got in. I spent the past month biting my nails over the anxiety of whether or not I got in. I worked so hard on this. For four months, I had to get my transcripts,...

Pearl