Inspired

My friend Britt often writes about what inspires her. Whenever I read her blog, I feel like writing a dozen stories, ordering a half-dozen more books to read, learning a new skill. The list goes on.

Today I'm feeling very inspired.

On a scale of one to 10, my inspiration level is usually at a 10 on Sunday. Instead of complaining about the weekend coming to an end, I embrace it. I'm ready for Monday, after coffee from Caribou, of course.

This weekend I realized I should pick up another language. I took Spanish for three years in high school, which was followed by two years of Italian. My colleague says Italian is useless as a language -- this coming from someone who has an Italian heritage. I want to return to Spanish. It'll make me a better journalist, someone who can communicate with more people. Apparently the Department of Agriculture offers Spanish courses here in D.C., among several other languages. I had my heart sett on taking a one-night-a-week course this fall, but it costs $355. Everyone tells me it's a good deal. Not if you're an intern. Since I know a thing or two about learning second languages, I'm going to get a used textbook from Amazon or something. It'll be hard to stay motivated, when I don't have homework compelling me. But I can't help but think about the possibilities of being conversant in Spanish. And I'll have my sister and cousin -- both are majoring in Spanish -- to kick my butt.

Since I am such a poor intern and want to expand my writing skills, I want to dab in freelancing again. I've done it before. I have a few ideas in mind. I actually started writing a travel piece in June, but I'm blocked. I know I have to put words on paper, even if it's total crap. It's better than nothing.

And what I'm feeling most inspired to do right now (in addition to reading book after book) is apply for jobs. I'll be ready for a beat when the job is over in December. I met with someone today, who gave me some of the best career advice I've ever received. He's a former Dailyite and only 10 or so years older than me. He also quizzed me on the spot about why I'm in this "business," where I want to be in 10 years, etc. We always have the perfect answers until we're interrogated. I still have to revamp my resume and work on a cover letter, which I think is one of the hardest things about applying for jobs. Cover letters, they stump me.

Here goes a night of setting out to do what I'm inspired to do.