First, let me give a huge shout out to (really fly journalist) Patrice Peck. If she hadn’t let a sista know about this opportunity, I’d probably be sitting at home watching Say Yes to the Dress reruns. We worked together during SXSW 2011, and she knew I recently graduated from J-school. We’d only interacted in real life during SXSW a year ago, but because she’s Real and down for the cause, she sent me a Facebook message suggesting I apply for the Village Voice Digital Media Fellowship in Phoenix.

So I did.

And I got accepted.

Since this is our blog, a space where I invite you to toot your own horn if you want, allow me to toot mine right quick: out of about 200 applicants across the country, I was one of 6 chosen. *passes out*

Fun fact: I was driving to Austin for SXSW 2012 when I got the call telling me I was accepted. Hittin’ the dougie while talking in your white professional voice AND driving? I don’t advise it.

So now I’m writing this post from my hotel room just outside of downtown Phoenix. Dad made the 17+ hour drive with me, thank God. We left DFW at 2 am. Stopped in Amarillo & ate at a racist Denny’s (totally kidding, but that didn’t keep us from giggling during breakfast). Then I took the wheel and drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dad drove another 4 hours into Arizona state limits. Passed back to me until Flagstaff, AZ. Then he finished it off and here we are. We’re exhausted. No fancy instagram pics because i’m #teamnosmartphone.

Tomorrow, we’ll drive around and get me acquainted with the area – you don’t want GPS saving your ass all the time, you know? Then Sunday – Father’s Day – he flies back home. Leaving me to go check into my room at the university. Go grocery shopping. Prepare for my first day of the program/on the job. Get wasted with my new roommate Meet the other fly journalists in the program.

This opportunity is huge for me. Not only is it a chance to get a crash course in aspects of journalism my degree didn’t cover, but…it’s a job. I’ll be working for the Phoenix New Times as a reporter. Like…what I went to college for. I feel kind of lame being so excited because most of the other fellows are already working journalists…? But that’s neither here nor there…

Finally: EXPERIENCE, that elusive thing that employers want you to have before they hire you, but you can’t have unless they hire you. IMA GIT ME SOME OF THAT GOTDAMN EXPERIENCE! IT WILL BE MINE! THIS SUMMER WILL BE THE LAUNCHING PAD TO MY BRIGHT ASS FUTURE! TO INFINITY AND BEYOND, OR AT LEAST TO A FULL-TIME JOB!!!

Y’all? I’m just glad I’m here. We’ll see where this goes. My post-college life is finally moving in…you know…a forward-like motion.