History is just journalism on a bookshelf

I am kind of a history buff. I can talk to you about dates and settings but names still get past me sometimes. I love the idea of researching information about the past like in the medieval and renaissance periods. Sometimes, I find myself looking up information on historical websites that illustrate characters from the 14th and 15th centuries. I like to think about the troubadours, dressed in their attire, with their lutes in hand. I also like to think about maiden's dresses and how their skirts fell in flowing layers around their ankles. Time after time I find myself daydreaming about this time period that I expect to schedule a trip to California's Renaissance fair as soon as I get my life together up and running. It will be so much fun to finally walk around in the time period that I was meant to be born in. Therefore, I imagined that taking a break from journalism writing to earn my master's in history would be a good idea but I feel judged by certain people in my life for having to start another BA to earn an MA in history. My first journalism teacher once said that journalism is really an archive of history. Part of the researching new stories asks reporters to go back into the chronicles of reporters who once were to find out if something was already reported. What I can really talk to you about in this post is how I feel about history versus journalism, the reasons why I love both and why I would lay down one subject to pursue the other.

So in my opinion, I love journalism because of the tradition that comes behind it. In school, we learn about the worth of the first amendment, its position as a watchdog in the fourth estate, and ethical concerns that are meant to guide journalists in practice. All of these sacred traditions are essential to preserving the democracy at which we live in. Also, I am so very thankful for the dedication that other editors and proofreaders have taught me when it comes to crafting words. Before I took journalism classes, I could not understand why headlines were so short and choppy or why columns got lost from A1 to A6 behind another headline that has nothing to do with the other four pages in front of it. Honestly, I feel caught up now and like I can pick up any newspaper and know what is going on in the world.

Then there is history, as I mentioned previously I love going back and reading about other characters. I will imagine myself traveling back time and in another setting as a reporter in the outskirts observing soldiers in battle, coming to triumph and creating relations with their kings and queens. I would want to become an author one day so if I ever found the time to dedicate to research, I would go back and think about King Arthur and his knights in the midst of a whole new plot. 

 However, do I really need another degree to prove that I know my dates? I could even work in a newsroom and search archives on my breaks to see what I could find, haha. Or I could even do something else completely different and research on my own time? Who knows.

However, there is another reason why I do not want to go into the fast-paced world of journalism. I feel so conflicted because I can't seem to understand why on earth I love to read so much but reading doesn't love me. On occasions when I am reading, I feel a sharp headache as I concentrate on text for long periods of time. I feel so bad that the other night I had a nightmare with a 15th-century soldier in battle getting his brains repeatedly knocked in by a sword. Then I felt a soft voice in my sleep ask me if I really want to keep reading? Hmmmmm, I woke up and tried to expel those GOT thoughts from my mind as soon as I could. A few days later, and I am still thinking about my headaches versus love for history. What if I take a break from college for some time. I could always go back and get my Master's in Communications.

So on one hand, I love writing and history. On the other hand, I find it difficult to keep my attention on school for long periods of time. I feel the need to push myself every time I write everyday. However, I think I will need to take a break from the books for a moment to let my mind rest. I hope my mind's sharp pains aren't very serious. If it hurts too much I might need a physician. What do you think? Am I exaggerating o do I need a doctor? haha