"What is Journalism?"

We've Moved!

2009-12-02T16:54:00.002-05:00

If you are visiting this page to read about what is going on with the Semester in Washington Journalism Program our blog has moved!

Please go to siwjournalismblog.com to read current, up-to-date entries on internships, current student experiences, resources, links and photo highlights.

Thanks for visiting,

AndreaGenevieve

D.C. & Me

2009-08-04T18:06:00.004-04:00

Hello Future SIWJ Students,

Here is a little video I made that briefly describes my semester and how much I grew from the experiences I had here.

There is much to be learned and get exposed to but you must keep an open mind, sharp eye, and a thirst to absorb what you DON'T know. Trust me, you don't know it all so just accept that you are a tiny guppy in a large ocean and learn from it. If you do this, I promise that you will walk away from your time in D.C. thoroughly satisfied.

Thanks for the Memories

2009-07-30T15:09:00.012-04:00

To the Summer 2009 Semester in Washington Journalism Program: Thanks for the Memories

-Thomas drops Lauren -- both of them.

-The creation of the Evenflow game
-Walking into the apartment and screaming for Joey's name to no avail

-The Water balloon fight -- hitting Brittney Cooley in the face, it was so mean but it was funny
-All the Nats games, no matter how crappy they were

-Seeing Lt. Dan (Gary Sinese) during a Memorial Day Parade
-Getting rejected from giving the doorman at some hotel a dollar because I wanted to tip him by folding it up in my hand and handshaking and giving it to him but he didn't understand what was going on
-Trips with Biz-mark
-"President Obama! President Obama!"
-Fourth of July on the National Mall
-The pillow talk with Josh
-Josh, Thomas and Jordan and the Secret of Joey
-Random text messages/phone calls/facebook messagees from Lauren Hogan
-Lauren Steier's love of Nebraska no matter how crappy it was
-Asking the security guard at the Washington monument how tall it was and him trying to give a smart answer but failing miserably
-Being at the Rhino bar the same night as the Real World People
-The report between Margaret and Josh about their Georgia roots
-Going to the zoo and getting my picture of the "hungover panda"
-Brittney Cooley giving me the nickname of "panda", also comparing her boyfriend to Seth Rogen

-Chanel's cupcake quiz

-Camping -- Thomas asking us all philosophical questions about life, liberty and Nebraska

-Camping -- Josh thought he was on fire and didn't want the pictures on facebook because his dad is on facebook
-Camping -- Chanel keeping the fire alive by throwing batches of leaves into it

-Sarah's fall/Josh wets himself

-The Revivalists concert

-Nights at the National Mall

-7-11 Trips: in particular singing "Two Princes" by the Spin Doctors and getting the employee into it

-Getting lost in Dupont and creating a new term

-Listening to the Gift of Words and Music

-Creating the Giver-Guys Night Out: "Are you embarrassed by this piece of crap???"

-Thomas' shock at the gray squirrel

-Drift Away moments

-Watching the Lakers/Nuggets, Lakers/Magic with at least one fan of the opposite team

-Michael Jackson week, the death sucked, but the week was awesome

-The new obsession with the song "Pokerface"

-Making the infamous haiku video that only an elite few have seen thus far
-"Too many Squantos, not enough Indians."

-Thomas' birthday
-"So you write blogs? Is that what's going on here?"

College Summit's Hilarious Team Building Activity

2009-07-29T16:56:00.002-04:00

This past weekend I went with my internship, College Summit, to conduct interviews and film an Alumni Ambassador workshop presentation and ice breakers. In this particular video, all the alumni ambassador candidates are participating in a team building activity, which ended up being pretty funny! For the activity everyone had to have a partner. One person was blind folded and the other person had to act as a guide.The partner that was not blind folded had to verbally guide the blindfolded partner to different items in the room and bring the items back to the teams home base. There was a conflict over cheating... but Ill let you watch and see you for yourself.

This clip is so funny and makes you think twice about cheating!

The most interesting intern in the world

2009-07-29T02:02:00.004-04:00

For one of the recent Semester in Washington Journalism assignments students were asked to create a 1-2 minute haiku using a small Flip video camera. Watch and see what students came up with. If you had to make a video about yourself, what would you say? Listen to Josh and his story about what he's really all about.

This is my short one minute project. (Don't worry I'm not that arrogant, it's a play on the Dos Equis commercials!)

Me in a nutshell ,sort of.... (haiku outake)

2009-07-29T00:25:00.002-04:00

About Me in One Minute -Margaret Kreger

2009-07-24T17:52:00.002-04:00

For one of the recent Semester in Washington Journalism assignments students were asked to create a 1-2 minute haiku using a small Flip video camera. Watch and see what Margaret had to say. If you had to make a video about yourself, what would you say?

I'm Not Just a Journalist

2009-07-21T14:35:00.005-04:00

For one of the recent Semester in Washington Journalism assignments students were asked to create a 1-2 minute haiku using a small Flip video camera. Watch and see what students came up with. If you had to make a video about yourself, what would you say?

When asked to describe myself in one minute, I had an hour's worth of words to use. Then I was asked to describe myself in a minute's worth of video and that was hard. After much thought and preparation, this is what I came up with. Below is me,Brittney Cooley and my Haiku.

This is my story: Chanel Smith

2009-07-20T13:28:00.001-04:00

Why Goat Aren't Mowing The Lawn at Capitol Hill and Other Answers from Lawmakers

2009-07-20T12:47:00.001-04:00

My fellow students in the Semester in Washington Journalism Program have gotten to create video tributes to Michael Jackson, cover summer fashion and go to photoshoots. But none of them have had the pleasure of asking Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) why Congress hasn’t hired goats to mow the lawns at Capitol Hill. Google’s doing it, but judging by his response, I don’t think Waxman is going to be championing the idea. Not only did he decline to answer the question, he also asked one of my coworkers at Capitol News Connection why I was asking idiotic questions.

The questions come from CNC’s website, www.askyourlawmaker.com. Users submit questions and vote on other questions. Reporters and interns ask the questions that get the most votes. Later during the summer, I got to ask Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) why we haven't legalize marijuana. Fortunately, he was more polite than Rep. Waxman and didn't treat me like some sort of pothead.

In addition to running that website, CNC also covers Capitol Hill for radio stations across the country. Stations from different states submit requests for stories about Congressional business relevant to their states. Then we report, write and track the stories. This allows stations that don’t have a bureau in Washington D.C. to get news from Capitol Hill.

Take a look at CNC’s website, and the Ask Your Lawmaker site. You can hear me ask Waxman about goats mowing the lawn and also submit your own questions or vote on existing questions.

Turn on yoru speaklers if you just want to hear Rep. Waxman comments or more informative answers from Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA). Also, if you want to find out why Rep. Terry is not in favor of legalizing marijuana take a look at this article and let me know what you think!

A quick look into the day of a photo intern

2009-07-16T23:27:00.006-04:00

The Thrill of it All

2009-07-14T13:44:00.007-04:00

He moonwalked into our lives and forever left his mark on popular culture around the world. We grew up dancing to thriller, singing along to numerous renditions of his songs, and screeching “Hee—hee” as best we could.

He was King of Pop, but Michael Jackson’s legacy didn’t stop at his music, or even his dancing. Though he is known for his record breaking music, his outrageous style is equally recognizable for all those who haven’t been living under a rock for the past four decades.

Michael was among the few artists capable of collaborating his music with his presence to create a revolutionary trademark. Who could picture Michael performing “Billie Jean” without the infamous glove? For years after the Triumph Tour during the 80s, when Michael first rocked his signature crystal studded glove, people from every corner of the world caught on, even on the day honoring his funeral services. In fashionable respect, the Jackson brothers wore sunglasses, a gold tie, and of course, a single white glove as they carried out Michael’s casket.

After the release of Thriller, the Jheri Curl was suddenly sexy, and aviators were no longer for pilots. From his extravagantly sequined blazers to his too-short patent leather pants, Michael’s eccentric taste for clothing and accessories have manifested its way through the wardrobes of many.

So, the next time you are trying on that black fedora or strutting a military jacket, remember who that is in the mirror because no message could have been any clearer: Michael’s legacy style will continue for many decades to come.

From Southern Girl to Big City Reporter

2009-07-14T10:52:00.010-04:00

On May 24, I took the biggest leap of my life in moving from Petal, Mississippi to Washington, D.C. Although I had vacated in the big city, I had no idea what lie ahead. The nearest "big city" to me back home is Hattiesburg, with a population of approximately 50,000 (less than one tenth of the population of D.C.)
After the settling in and finishing the rigorous week long boot camp, I was sent out to my internship at the Hispanic Link to make something of myself. My first day in the office, I was sent to the press club to a luncheon to hear former Vice President Dick Cheney give his speech to the press. I couldn't believe it. My first official day as a reporter and I was standing just a few feet away from Dick Cheney.
As the week continued, I was given my own business cards, a congressional press pass and open access to just about any event I wanted to cover. It was incredible! Who would have thought that a small town southerner would be reporting in Washington D.C.?
Time passed and there were more events, more celebrities and more stories. But the big city glamor began to fade away. I missed my family and friends, my boyfriend, fishing at the lake, my swimming pool, the summer gardening and so much more.
My hopes of making it in the big city began to dissolve as I realized that my home in the south is where I belong. Never in a million years did I think that I would be saying this; but I am. I'm a southern girl who's heart is in the south.

Accomplishing my D.C. list of things to see and do

2009-07-12T21:19:00.009-04:00

Before moving to D.C. for the summer, I made a list of things I wanted to see and do. For anyone moving to D.C. for an extended period, I definitely recommend making a list, but in fair warning, any time you knock out one or two things, you might find there's four more things you need to check out.

Some of the things I have seen or done (which I couldn't have left D.C. before crossing them off) we're seeing the Giant Panda's at the Zoo and going Paddleboating in the Tidal Basin.

With my list of activities finally starting to turn into a list of accomplishments, one of my most memorable experiences has been the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team at 8th and I.

Growing up the daughter of a Marine, the parade was something I've been wanting to attend for a long time. Finally, for my 21st birthday, my not-real-uncle, Uncle Gil, invited me to the parade, where I got to see Chesty (The Marine Corps Bulldog Mascot), honor our nation's finest and of course, meet some very good looking Marines.

Hungry Big Fish to Humble Guppy

2009-07-07T16:31:00.007-04:00

Every human being is humbled at some point in their life. Some are humbled more than others and others are less fortunate to only experience it once. My friends, I have had yet another chance to be humbled and I consider myself fortunate.

Coming from a relatively small school in the northern plains of Colorado to our nation's capitol was a big step. A step that I thought would be challenging but never uncomfortable. The truth is I was forced out of my comfort zone. I went from popular school politician to little-known student "X" in a matter of days. I was the big fish in the pond that suddenly found himself swimming in a vast ocean with fish he never knew existed. It was scary at first, the water was cold and uncertain. Then slowly the water warmed and I acclimated to my new water. I am now a guppy. A guppy swimming among the big fish of Washington DC. Going unnoticed and ignored. Left to grow and learn the ways of these new waters on my own.

Humans often associate growth and change with pain. My growth and change has been pleasurable and of great value to my future. My arrival to the Semester in Washington Journalism Program was the start of a journey that is far from over. I realized that I do not belong in the form-fitting journalism world. I was not interested in broadcast or print or anything in between. I was interested in political messaging. Instead I got social media and New Media Strategies. This is a temporary stop in my navigation of this new ocean. A launching point to further exploration.An exploration of journalism I never thought possible. For this guppy, journalism is discovery.

Friends, it is beneficial to become humbled, to shake off the shackles of a small environment and thrust into the abyss of uncertainty. True growth comes in this way.

As a big fish in a remote Rocky Mountain pond, I was hungry for more. This summer my hunger was satisfied... temporarily. As a guppy, my hunger only grows.

I have joined other guppies in the quest to satisfy thier hunger and we continue to swim up the narrow streams of success. Each guppy sifting through the muck, seeking truth, growing, and finding meaning. We will part and swim the many tributaries of journalism until we are again big fish, ready to be humbled again.

On set with the Georgetowner for a Photo Shoot

2009-07-07T15:44:00.004-04:00

Take a look at what its like to be on hand at an uber-chic photo shoot for the georgetowner.com, the place I am interning. I'll give you a hint, you better dust off those cowboy boots!

Hypocrisy Watch with Thomas Young (Taken from HW with David Shuster)

2009-07-05T23:05:00.008-04:00

Thomas Young

Print, My Final Frontier

2009-06-30T21:29:00.006-04:00

There are many fears I have overcome this summer: A sewgway running me over on the sidewalks of DC, being north of Tennessee for longer than a week, Amos Gelb (Just Kidding). But these are child's play compared to how I have overcome my fear of print journalism. Being mostly a video guy it used to seem to scary with it's research, long sentences, and big words! But throught wriring for NBCWashington.com I've learned that print isn't quite as scary as it's made out to be, check out the work I got published on their website:

Hot National Soccer Team coming to DC
Finally, a team we can all agree on

By JOSH PATTERSON

Getty Images

Nationals or Orioles? Democrats or Republicans? 9:30 Club or Black Cat? This city can't seem to agree on anything. Don't worry, the U.S. soccer team is here to fix that.

After their incredible and improbable run at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the U.S. is ready to show off their new skills to a home crowd -- in D.C. On July 8, The U.S. will play Honduras in their second game back in the States (the first is in Seattle, so it will probably be rained out) since almost defeating Brazil to win the Confederations Cup Sunday.

In case your TV only picks up Wimbledon and you missed it, the U.S. team had a 2-0 lead at the end of the first half only to give up 3 goals in the second half of their first FIFA tournament final ever. (Did we mention Brazil is now on a 16-game unbeaten streak?) How did the boys in red, white and blue get to the final, you may ask. By beating the No. 1 ranked team in the world, Spain, 2-0 in the semifinal.

It certainly seems the U.S. is finally able to compete in that little-known sport heading into the World Cup, but they are still missing one thing: Fans.

We're not talking "buy a bobblehead of your favorite player" fans, we're talking soccer fans. "Make a cape out of your country's flag" fans. "Don't stop yelling until the team goes into the loccer room" fans. Fans that the world should be scared of. Fans like the Screaming Eagles.

D.C. can set the tone. The U.S. already played Honduras once this year -- a close game that ended with the U.S. winning 2-1 in front of more than 55,000 in Chicago. RFK Stadium only holds 45,600, but that should be more than enough if they cheer like DC United fans.

Tickets are still available in four of the five sections, so if you want to be able to read the names on the jerseys or save some money chilling with the pigeons, RFK's got you covered. Camden or Nats Park? CNN or Fox News? Next Wednesday it doesn't matter, just get out and cheer on a team that deserves your support.

10 Feet From Obama, Helen Thomas Picture... GREAT SUCCESS

2009-06-29T21:29:00.019-04:00

Before coming to DC I joked with my family and friends about how Barack Obama was my neighbor and because of my awesome basketball skills, he might invite me to shoot hoops at the White House (one can only dream)! Obviously the second part will never happen unless I grow another foot and become a basketball all-star like Dwight Howard. But... I am proud to say I stood within 10 feet of Obama at his 4th White House Press Conference.

Last Tuesday, Rebecca Cooper (the anchor I work with at WJLA/NewChannel 8) and I set out for the White House Rose Garden, but when we arrived we were informed we'd be crammed into the Press Briefing room (which isn't as big as it looks) because of "humidity". Reporters later said, "It was the most packed [they've] seen the briefing room since the Monica Lewinsky scandal during the Clinton administration."

Rebecca told me before it began I had to do the "first-time reporters" thing. First I met HELEN THOMAS.... most well-known White House journalist.

Then I stood at the podium President Obama was about to speak from...

Finally, I stood my ground at the front to hold a place for Rebecca to stand (seats reserved for daily press). I did this for about 2 hours (I'm in pink, holding a newspaper)

When the President walked in, the room was silent (with the exception of cameras going crazy).As Obama took the podium to address the US position on Iran, health care and the economy (as usual), I stood in awe of the president. I couldn't pay attention to the words coming out of his mouth because I was in awe of how surreal this was. Finally I came to when he began to answer questions and actually learned a lot. Evidently I was on TV too!!!

This is my favorite moment of my internship so far and I'm so grateful to Rebecca for giving me the chance to go. I'm still hoping to take on the President in a 1 on 1 challenge though. So President Obama if you're reading this... call me and we'll set the time and place!

Journalism is the Moonwalk By Lindsay ONeal

2009-06-29T12:11:00.006-04:00

It had been a slow day at SlateV, the place where I intern. Legendary actress Farrah Fawcet died, but that did not give us much material other than a feathered hair competition for a slate initiative – double XX.
The interns and I were planning to embark on a culinary adventure, that night we were trying Turkish food. And then- it happened. A confirmed report that the legendary Michael Jackson had died. Expletives ran through our heads- no Turkish tonight!
Well, SlateV, the video company I intern with, wanted to do a compilation video as a kind of tribute of Micheal Jackson's moonwalk. MJ perfected the move and it became a pop culture movement. Others tried, most failed.
So, I spent a couple hours on YouTube pulling clips and editing and the V team ended up with a pretty awesome video! Its definitely something we were proud of, take a look!

Like usual, we threw it up on YouTube and it started to gain momentum. First 25,000 hits then 50,000 then 100,000 hits. As I am writing this, it has close to a million hits! And that wasn’t the end of this viral video's success. MSN called us over at Slate, they wanted my video for their homepage-oh wait and Dateline and the Today Show called too.
Pretty darn cool! It is the most successful SlateV video to date and it has opened up many doors for SlateV. YouTube is talking to us about how we can gain more prominence in our partnership and we may have a deal with MSN for sharing video sometime soon!
This blog is called "What is Journalism?" for the students in the Semester in Washington Journalism Program and at least for me, for today, it's the moonwalk.

Combining All Into One: DC + My Experience + SIWJ Class

2009-06-29T00:24:00.004-04:00

Over the last 4 weeks I feel as though I have been the closest to my ultimate dreams, yet the furthest away. As I continue to learn about this city, the opportunities, and my love for journalism within politics, the excitement is a constant reminder of where I belong.

As I sit in my apartment and gaze out my window, it still feels like a dream. The monuments are real. The humid air flowing in the window is a continuous reminder that I have finally made it to DC. After growing up visiting our nation’s Capitol I knew that at some point I would end up here. SIWJournalism is my first step… the ultimate step… or leap of faith.

I have had so many great experiences after 4 short weeks in DC. From the Capitol, to speakers, class and embassies, the opportunities never rest.

I hope to apply every opportunity of this amazing city with what I am currently learning in my Semester in Washington classes. I have had a personal blog since the beginning of last semester, strictly using it to post for a technology/ media class at Creighton, and nothing else.

After attending a Republican National Committee Women’s Leadership Summit last Friday, I now know the direction I want it to go in. With a little bit of help from the skills learned from SIWJ and an RNC speaker and former intern, I decided to re-focus my blog to “What An Omaha Girls Needs to Know to Survive in Washington DC.”

I am excited to continue in the world of New Media and add it to my Public Relations background. With my involvement in politics and Capitol Hill, I know they will come in handy while having fun with my new blog idea.

I will definitely check back in!

Life Without Joey

2009-06-26T22:13:00.008-04:00

Life without Joey...

Joey was supposed to be my roommate this summer in D.C.

He never showed up.

I still go to sleep each night with a bare mattress across the room.

Josh and Jordan are my other roommates. For the first few weeks we’d walk in the room shouting out for Joey hoping he’d finally arrive. We know nothing about Joey but we built him up in our minds as some kind of muscle bound male, simply based off his name and the fact that he’s from Florida. Josh, Jordan and I all got along great and we couldn’t wait to add Joey’s personality to our group. But we’ve given up and we’ve adjusted to life without Joey. And he has no idea what he’s missing out on.

So Joey, here’s a quick wrap up on what you’ve missed out on.

Well the first day here, Josh, Jordan and I saw Captain Dan (Gary Sinise) from the movie Forrest Gump in the Memorial Day Parade. Although that quick moment was exciting enough in and of itself, he’s missed much more.

Joey’s missed the Amos Gelb tourist experience (too much to describe here), discovering hidden memorials at night, sports outside the Washington Monument, nightlife throughout DC (sorry, no details), John Donvan from Nightline , the House Chambers, stirring Washington Nationals games, the Gay Pride Parade, documenting the Revivalists, sunburns at the Mt. Vernon pool, and way too many other priceless moments.

Joey’s missed out on a lot here in D.C. We’re sure he would have added another great element and sadly he’ll never be one of the The Knight’s of Gelb. (That's we call ourselves, the survivors of this summer semester in DC) But we’re surviving...to say the least.

Oh thank God and Zeus and Buddha and whoever else, it’s 7-11.

2009-06-26T18:44:00.005-04:00

No 24/7 Mcdonald’s. No late night pizza. Not even a damn cup of coffee. Welcome to Foggy-Bottom, GWU campus- where they take your money and don’t even provide you with a place to eat. Okay, that’s stretching it, but I’m pretty sure nine out of 10 restaurants, on this side of town, close their doors at 6 p.m.

And my usual late night snack? Too bad I didn’t wear my tennis shoes with my power suit today because I’d have to walk from A to Z just for some french fries. I thought I moved to a big city, not South Dakota.

Luckily, for all us D.C. interns the oh-so-familiar 7-11 pulled through for us. Yes, I know, 7-11 isn’t exactly a restaurant or even a fast-food joint, but when there’s nothing else around, it does the trick:

Operating 24/7, it’s open when we need it the most.
It has variety- ranging from two-day-old hot dogs to (what I’m sure are) extremely fresh garden vegetables.
And above all else, it has that wonderful invention:

The Slurpee.

Time and time again (like at least five days a week) the 7-11 Slurpee has come through for us. It’s become such a hot commodity that I think we’ve collected enough Slurpee cups to replace our Solo cups.

And because 7-11 is basically our GWU version of Central Perk we don’t have to deliberate over what flavor to get- we’ll just try a new flavor tomorrow. (Although, my usual GWU 4-ride driver recommends the watermelon, with the exception of reserving wild cherry for a wild Saturday night.)

So whether I have the need to quench my thirst after interning for eight hours, followed by five hours of class projects or I simply just want a day-old donut, there’s only one place I turn to: Foggy Bottom’s 7-11.

Make a Statement at the Capitol

2009-06-24T21:11:00.012-04:00

What's the easiest way to make a statement on Capitol Hill? Many suggest starting with an internship and working from the bottom up. But for a weekend trip, the statements made on Capitol Hill all come down to a matter of focus.

Walk past the United States Capitol Building on Saturday and a kaleidoscope of contorted figures, blend together in a scene not normally associated with legislation - until seen through the viewfinder on the camera. Flocks of the young, old, tourist, locals and the curious all have their own way to pose in front of the Capitol, and every pose is worth a thousand words.

Mahendrm, who traveled from India to Washington, D.C. with his family said, when he got ready for his close up it was really more important to capture the Capitol itself.

From another perspective Eliana, Danielle and Brittany say it's all about tagging a fun photo on Facebook.

Turn the lenses toward Dimitry - posing like the top dog in Washington - and all he can say, "why not pose like the President."

Next time you pass the Capitol, give some thought to what your own photo caption might say someday.

Final Cut PRO: My Proudest Moment!

2009-06-21T12:40:00.009-04:00

This is the first project of this magnitude that I have made in Final Cut Pro. The thought of the project was intimidating--just a couple of weeks before it was expected to be finished, my friend Thomas comes to me asking for a HP commercial-like advertisement to help his campaign for Georgia State University's homecoming court. I said sure without even thinking! (Might have been because I had a little bit of a crush on him :-) But then after I did think about it...the task was a little daunting. Where could I shoot this? How could I light it? How long will it take me to edit? Will I be able to do everything he asks?
I basically dove in headfirst and just decided to see what I could do. The final product turned out to be an amazing video for which I received praise for weeks after it debuted. I am really proud of this product because it was really the first time that my proficiency on Final Cut had been solidified to myself. I had NO IDEA how I was going to do everything that Thomas had asked, but I ended producing a video better than even he had imagined. Take a look and let me know your thoughts.

What I have learned since arriving in D.C.

2009-06-21T11:14:00.006-04:00

D.C. is nothing like I thought it was going to be! Below is a list of things I thought I would share about what I have observed since I came here three weeks ago:

If D.C. had an official animal it would be the rat. I have seen so many rats running across the streets. It's ridiculous the size of them too.
Avoid driving here at all cost. Walk or take the Metro. It's much more efficient and easier.
If you fall in your new shoes and cute dress in the Metro. You won't die of embarrassment. It happens to everyone
D.C. has a magical aurora about it. You can be completely exhausted and busy or mising sleep and putting in crazy hours at your internship because you are still happy. I wake up everyday smiling because I am here.
Most of the guys I have seem in D.C. are super cute in their suits and business wear. Very nice.
My internships with The Georgetowner newspaper is the best internship in the city!!! Amos and Susan (the program directors) were totally right when they said this. I have a chance to do actual journalism with this newspaper. I already have clips and am working on more and I have only been here for 3 weeks. You can't beat that.
The Lincoln Memorial (or as all of us in the SIWJ Summer '09 class call it, Abe's House) is the coolest place to hang out in D.C. Standing at the top of the steps and turning around to see the Washington Monument in the reflecting pool and the Capitol behind is beautiful. Everytime I go visit the monument I feel so lucky.
I have made some life long friends in this program. This really is the best group of people I could have ask for to spend my summer with.
I am amazed that I really haven't gotten homesick yet. I thought I was going to miss my family and friends terribly, but so far I have been OK. I miss them, but it's nothing like I thought it was going to be when I left home. I think it has a lot to do with the people I am with and how busy I have been.
If the Lincoln Memorial is my favorite place in D.C., then the Newseum is the second. That place is amazing and it is especially great for any journalism junkie like myself. Chanel (the other girl in the program who interns at the Georgetowner with me) and I wrote an article about one of its new exhibits, "Our World at War: Photojournalism Beyond the Front Lines." Let me know what you think!
Most importantly, aside from learning about journalism, I have learned about myself. I have learned that it's ok to want what I want and to go for it! I learned that if I try I may actually just might get it. I finally believe that now. I think I just needed to get a way from all the distractions and out of my comfort zone to realize it. DC has helped me to see that.

I have learned much more than 11 things since I have been here, but these are the only ones I can think of right now and the best ones I wanted to share!

I Know Enough About DC To Be a "Tour Guide?"

2009-06-18T16:00:00.004-04:00

This past weekend two ladies that I know from Mexico came to visit D.C. It was the start to their two week long vacation in Pennsylvania. My mom and younger sister drove down from PA to pick them up and bring them to spend the weekend with me at my aunt and uncle’s house. One of the women visited D.C. a long time ago and the other has never been here. Neither had my sister. Even though I haven’t been living in the D.C. area for long, it was up to me to figure out what to do with everyone and where we should go. It was a different place than I have been used to being these last couple of weeks. Everyone else has been giving me tours and teaching me how to get around. This weekend was my turn to show off what I had learned.I started the day by showing them how to use the metro system. Then I had to direct everyone to which station we needed to get off. I decided we should get off at the Smithsonian so we could be in the middle of the monuments and Smithsonian museums. This turned out to be a smart choice. We spent the afternoon in the Smithsonian Castle and Museum of Natural History. Then, we headed back outside to walk down the mall to Abraham Lincoln and his memorial. My friends and family enjoyed the walk and got some fun pictures at the different monuments. It was an exciting weekend for me. As corny as it sounds, I was proud to be considered knowledgeable enough to lead a group of people around downtown!

Hard, ain't it hard

2009-06-17T21:19:00.007-04:00

Let's face it, everyone: journalism is stressful. For my job back on the student paper in Austin, Texas, I dealt with serious questions about campus news. I usually wasn't out of work earlier than 2 or 3 in the morning. I didn't get paid very much, and most of the students didn't read what we put out. But if we got anything wrong, the school administration and our professors would come down on us like a ton of bricks.

There are a lot of really sad and depressing news stories out there in the world, and we journalists have to deal with them every day. On top of all that, the job market for us journalists-in-training isn't very forgiving right now, and the few jobs that are available barely pay enough to get by. Sometimes, the stress is almost too much.

Luckily for us, there's cuteoverload.com. When being serious and respected takes it's toll, you can turn here for a little bit of lighthearted stress relief. I know I do.

Excitement! ... of the wrong sort

2009-06-10T16:12:00.005-04:00

I have been here in D.C. for just over a week, and it has been all sorts of exciting, wonderful, etc. I am interning at Washington Monthly magazine, which has been great: The work isn’t too hard or too boring (they DON’T have me getting coffee), the people have been welcoming and they gave me my own office, right across the hall from the editor-in-chief’s.

It has been going great … until a few days ago.

Paul Glastris, the editor-in-chief, ducked in Monday afternoon to tell me that someone from the office next door to us has come down with what may be swine flu.

Apparently, one can carry it for about a week before experiencing any symptoms, and it can linger on surfaces

(for example, in the bathroom I just used) for several days. The elevator operators are being tested. A man with a surgical mask just disinfected my doorknob, and I have decided to limit myself to one bathroom stall. Really, though, by continuing to come to work, I might as well be doing this.

Who knows? By the time you read this, I might already be infected.

Live From 510

2009-06-05T14:45:00.004-04:00

This is our first session of Welcome to the Blogosphere! take a look at our website to learn more about our program... I know you want to come to DC!

Alex's 100 Days

2009-05-01T01:02:00.007-04:00

My first day at my internship at NBC News Channel was January 12, and my last day was April 29 - President Obama's 100th day in office.

I think it's interesting that I left News Channel on his 100th day. As a quick disclaimer, I volunteered for the campaign for 11 months, and I am an incredibly loyal supporter of the President.

I think it's inappropriate for me to do a fancy analogy comparing my internship and my experiences in D.C. to President Obama's presidency.... So I won't do it!

BUT I learned a lot at my internship. I learned personal things about myself. I learned to work with people in an office. I began practicing correct respect for elected officials and people with titles (Senator Brown, Congressman Space, Justice Kennedy, Secretary Clinton). I learned how to research the U.S. Government. I watched congressional hearings. I went to a congressional hearing. I went to the Supreme Court. I went in the White House Press Briefing room - TWICE.

Speaking of that, both times I went, President Obama had been out of town at Town Hall meetings. On February 9th, the President was in Elkhart, Indiana which has the highest unemployment rate in the country. On Wednesday, he traveled to St. Louis, Missouri. Both times, I was at the White House when Marine One landed in the South Lawn of the White House. When Marine One lands in the backyard, reporters and photographers are allowed to go back there. Each administration is different, and for the Obama White House, people have to wait by a door to be let in the backyard.

Both times, I got to the door late and was not allowed back to see President Obama walk out of the helicopter and into the Oval Office. Also, both times, I forgot to bring my camera. I know that this was, unfortunately, meant to be. I feel that it happened for a reason.

I feel like everything that happened here happened for a reason, and I don't regret anything. I am SO GLAD that I came to D.C. I can't believe everything that I did, that I saw, that I witnessed, that I heard... Incredible!

Rajon!

2009-04-30T22:55:00.005-04:00

You remember when you were in middle school and had a crush on that special someone? I do! And remember how you felt whenever that special someone came your way? I do. As a matter of fact, I'm feeling like that all over again.

Everytime I see him, lets just call him Rajon, the softer side of me comes out. I can't help but to feel like this little sixth or seventh grader that has the hots for a cutie. If you saw him you'd agree.

Rajon is always dressed nice. His smile is the cutest I've seen in a while. I love his style! I could go on and on about Rajon but the thought of him makes me wish I was with him now.

We chit chat every now and then, in person, and I wish it could last forever. I don't know what it is about him. The other day he had on the mustard color polo shirt with the jeans that has the brown look to them along with some shoes to match. Brother can dress. Always wrinkle free. And his smell. Off the chain! It isn't cologne, I'm thinking Tide or Gain with some kind of scent. Or maybe fabric freshner. But whatever it is, I'm loving it!

Rajon's swagger, voice, smile and style always gives me a CREST SMILE!

Procrastination Management

2009-04-28T13:24:00.007-04:00

I would like to think of myself as a "master procrastinator." No matter how long I wait, I always seem to get things done.

However, I have to ask myself, "Does such a title truly exist?" I mean, there are rarely any advantages to waiting until the very last minute. Sure, the ability to finish a paper in a matter of days, running on little to no sleep, when you've had the whole semester to do it may give you some bragging rights but it's a miserable way to get through school. For me, little sleep = bed-ridden = absentees = behind in class = make up work = little sleep = sick = ...you get the picture.

I would like to say I've gotten better about planning ahead my last few years in college, but only to an extent. For example, the last paper I had was assigned, you guessed it, at the beginning of the semester. And when do you think I started? WRONG! I'll have you know, I started researching for that 20 pager well in advance- at least three weeks before it was due. Okay, so I didn't OPEN a library book until a week and a half before the due date, but at least I had them in my possession! Progress not perfection, my friends.

The truth is, I find it EXTREMELY difficult to MAKE myself work on something too far in advance. I'm sure there's some sort of mathematical equation I've subconsciously devised in my head. Unfortunately, I don't know how to alter the formula to decrease stress while increasing motivation and productivity.

I'm sure some would say working well under pressure is a strength, especially in my chosen profession. However, once you factor in a weakness such as "perfectionistic" tendencies (and yes, I consider that a weakness), it's hard to be satisfied with a finished product when I never have enough time to make it "perfect."

#edemcamp and #POLC09

2009-04-22T23:46:00.019-04:00

You may be asking yourself "What do those mean?"

Well, party people, those are hashtags that are used on the popular microblogging site Twitter. When you include hashtags in your tweets, it serves as sort of like a grouping device. If someone has something political to say and he or she is a conservative, he or she can use the hashtag #tcot meaning Top Conservative on Twitter. If you search #tcot at Twitter Search, you find a lot of conservative tweets!

#edemcamp was the hashtag for E-Democracy Camp. It was an un-conference (an informal conference that's largely 'user-created') that was about the Internet in democratic processes. The topics of government apps; making local, state, and national government more transparent, how to get young people more involved; making data more available; and improving government and campaign websites were discussed during the sessions.

#POLC09 was the hashtag for the 2009 Politics Online Conference. It was a two-day 'techie' conference that was about the use of Internet and technlogy in democracy. POLC09 featured elected officials who were using new technologies like Twitter or advanced applications to make elections run better. It also had sessions about the role of cell phones; applications and interfaces used to improve elections (such as Vote Report) and to allow people to get more involved; the future of campaign websites; and the role of new technology in things like congressional offices and campaign organizing.

I had the great opportunity to attend both of them! #edemcamp was graciously hosted by GW, and #POLC09 was put on by GW's Institute for Politics, Democracy, and the Internet. These conferences were filled with people who are extremely knowledgable about technology and politics. They are informed and opinionated, and it was a thrill for me to be around such smart people.

The types of computer applications that are being developed by people (like Click-to-Call and Mixed Ink) are amazing. I cannot in any way give justice to these three days.

I'm blogging about this largely to let poeple know that if something interests you, even if you're an amateur like I am, you NEED to check it out!!!!!

This fits in with a high school graduation speech that Conan O'Brien gave in 2006:

What I'm asking you to consider is that the next four years don't have to be just a stepping stone. You are very bright, impressive young people. But for the last four years, your GPA has been calculated to two decimal points and you've pushed yourselves very hard. Many of you have succeeded because you have stuck to a very rigid and linear path and that is fine, that's fine. All I'm asking you to do in college is to take a moment every now and then, breathe, look around you. If something intrigues you, take a small chance. You might just find your entire life you've been planning on. ...

The point is, at this moment, many of you have ideas of what you want to do with your life, but for many of you those ideas will change. And that's because you think you know who you are right now, but you really don't. ... But life and the choices I made have changed me in a thousand ways. None of it would have happened if I had rigidly kept my eyes on the prize and decided with great determination to follow my dream, because I didn't have the slightest idea what my dream was when I was 18. It had to find me.

I read that when I graduated from high school in 2007, and it has indeed shaped the way I look at opportunities and life. It's part of the reason why I am here in Washington, D.C., blogging to you today.

Thanks.

The End is Near!

2009-04-19T19:40:00.003-04:00

Sweet! (The one time I can say that and it doesn't sound like the end of times.) This weekend has been pretty awesome. It started sort of bad, so I didn't have high hopes, but I was pleasently surprised on Saturday. I was supposed to go to Target with a friend, who ended up cancelling on me, so I ended up going shopping by myself. It turned out pretty well. I ended up not going to Target though, because I got to metro center and decided to go check out H & M. I am sooo glad I went, because I found the perfect sundress!! I have been looking for three years now to find the perfect little dress and I finally did! Then, I found out there was a Payless just two blocks away and I found the cutest white wedges to go with the dress! I was disappointed because it was too chilly on Sunday to wear a dress...oh, well.

So, on Sunday, I went to the National Gallery of art!! It was soo amazing. There was so much to see that I spent the entire afternoon there. I went with my friend Mainjari which was perfect because we both love art and so we weren't rushed to get through. I found out that I prefer art styles prior to the post-modern style...also, I'm not a big fan of abstract. It just doesn't seem like art to me. When I think of art, I think of being able to convey emotions. When someone calls someone else an artist, even if they are not technically an artist, it is because they have a talent for something that goes beyond what most people have. When I look at abstract art, all I see is stuff that anyone could do. Heck, I had to reproduce a painting for art in high school and I chose to do an absract because it was sooo easy.

Anyway, enough of what art is and is not, at least in my opinion. The Gallery has so many paintings that I could never see in Oklahoma, which is why it was so much fun. Also, this week in Oklahoma is the Arts Festival. Every year in April, hundreds of local artists get together, outside, and show paintings, glass work (blown and sculptures), photographs, and anything else you can think of. There are three or four different stages and the festival is right around the Myriad Gardens. There is a water stage where local artists perform. There are a couple of other stages. A lot of dance schools perform and some local schools get their choirs to perform also. There's food, too and its so much fun!

Anway, I was disappointed because I go to the Arts Festival every year. I didn't get to go last year because I was sick and I didn't get to go this year, because I am here in DC. So, it was really awesome to go to the National Gallery of Art as a substitute...

Anyway, we only have 12 days left! And I can't wait to get home. There has been so much going on. So, that's all have to say for now we're so close to the end!

Why I'm excited

2009-04-12T20:37:00.004-04:00

there are a few reasons, actually.

First, because the weather is undoubtedly warming and there is nothing dull about that! Last weekend I went to the Cherry Blossom Festival parade to get some interviews and enjoy the scenery. Later, Alex and I enjoyed a lovely spring night at the first Nationals game of the season. It brought us back to fun SUMMER memories of Twins games, and that's a good thing.

I am so pleased about the weather!!

But more importantly, I am excited because of what I learned from class last Friday. In order to understand why I'm so excited, there are a few things I need to explain.
Throughout the semester, our program assistant, Andrea Michnik, has been teaching me and a few interested others about social media, specifically Twitter. Twitter is kind of hard to understand for "non-tweeters," but I have found it to be a very fun and helpful social and professional resource. I won't go into the ins and outs here, but if you're curious about it, you can go to www.twitter.com/jclynes to see what some "tweets" look like (without having to sign in). I've gotten some really cool opportunities, advice, and connections through it though.
ANYWAY, Andrea has been an advocate and mentor on issues of "social media" and, as we learned on Friday, this is an aspect of journalism that is quickly developing and expanding. Andrea found 3 interesting speakers to come in and talk about how they use social media in their life.
The first was a TWENTY TWO year old, named Meg Roberts, who has this incredible job with New Media Strategies as a PR rep who works with her clients (such as Disney) to advertise/promote their products via social media (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, myspace, etc). While her job certainly sounded exciting, what was probably more interesting to me was that she graduated in May '08 and was so driven and impressive in her internships and interviews that she's already been hired to this incredible job at such a young age! Her advice really spoke to me because she talked less on "traditional" journalism, which many of our other speakers tend to stick to, so it was more applicable to my focus since I'm likely not going to end up in mainstream journalism. Anyway, she talked about how to use twitter as a professional resource and she also said that she used her blog (while interviewing) as leverage. Once she picked her topic of interest (PR in her case), she would blog about it and promote her blog to her interviewers to show her interest in the subject, as well as her writing ability. This is seems like such a good idea!

Next, two other social media pros came in (for those of you on twitter... they're: k8michael, and cheeky_geeky... rather famous in the "twittersphere") to talk about the way they use social media in their careers and extracurriculars. Mark is a government scientist who recently ran the Government 2.0 Camp and Kate Michael was Miss DC 2006 and has a blog that has become so popular that she'll be giving up her day job soon to dedicate her time to all the videos, posts, tweets and social stuff that's almost 100% online! Hard to believe, I know.
None of these 3 individuals has a life that I would like to directly emulate, but they did show me how to apply personal interests (writing, news, promoting certain issues, etc) into something professional, productive, and even lucrative. Kate gave good advice about how she's promoted her blog: www.kstreetkate.com, into the online success it is. I won't tell you specifically what I learned from her, but hopefully my new blog (coming soon), will teach by example!

It was just very exciting to have a new task that I can focus on before I worry about finding my place in the real world... and something that may even help me GET to my place in the real world. So, I'll be starting up a new blog into something that will hopefully be much more green and professionally focused. I don't know that this will happen before the end of this semester, but I'm excited about the opportunity.... and I'm more excited that I don't need someone else to give it to me! I get to make it on my own! How convenient. It just basically works out well because I love to write.

Anyway, the end of the program is going to be so busy and go so quickly. I'm bracing myself by cutting back hours at work, especially because I really want to be able to enjoy DC in the springtime! I'm excited for the stuff we have left, but I'll admit, I'm excited to be done!

Alright, I've got work tomorrow and then I'll need to mentally prepare myself for another crazy week ahead.

I realize this post may be difficult to understand, but Friday just gave me a sense of direction that I had been looking for since the semester started. It may not be a final direction, but it'll definitely do for now. Anyway, Andrea, if you're out there... THANKS!

One Month Left

2009-04-02T15:11:00.003-04:00

I can't believe there is only less than a month left to this semester! Kinda getting over stressed and under relaxed. We're working on the SLT projects... still... and it's really becoming the bane of my entire existence. Hopefully it'll be done by Tuesday (at the absolute latest). Then we have a stupid paper due for the Broadcasting class. Not the class is stupid... but the paper is going to become the next bane of my existence. And then throw on the project for NBC. Thank god for my bad habits!!!!

Spring break was aaaaaaaaaaaaaawesome. I made the best steak I've ever tasted. We ate at the most popular hamburger place in the country. We played a ton of Super Mario World and beat the crap out of a lot of the levels. I had a really super difficult time trying to get on the plane.... I hated it. I knew that coming back here would bring back all the stress that I left here. Oh well!

I have a new internship that I l.o.v.e. I love it here. The people are hilarious. I love the interaction and the fun we have in the office. Things are really lax around here. It's fun! I've had some fun assignments so far. There are some great homeless people I've met. Street Sense is really amazing. I have always wanted to see some organization that doesn't just give out freebies to anyone who wants them. People have something to work for. It's so uplifting.

Anyways, that's all I've got! Gotta go do a paper.

Natalie

Open for Questions

2009-03-27T16:55:00.015-04:00

On Wednesday, March 25, I learned about President Obama's virtual town hall meeting while I was at work at NBC News Channel. I liked the idea and knew that if I asked a question, it would be about making college more affordable. My two best friends, Kristen and Malorie, were in town during Kent State's spring break, and when I got home from work, I asked them if they wanted to ask a question and submit it to the website. They kind of laughed it off, but around 6:00 p.m., I asked them again, and we began writing a question and recorded this video with my digital camera while sitting on Jenny's bed:

After that, we continued with our evening. I posted the link on my facebook, and the next day at work, a producer watched the video and forwarded the link to a few more people in our office. My co-workers said they liked it and thought it was a good question.

During President Obama's town hall, I was being filmed because I was a young person watching it on the computer while texting my friends. A reporter jokingly said, "When he answers her question, get ready to run so you can get her reaction on camera." I had spent a lot of time going through the website voting on questions, so I immediately recognized two top questions that both received over 6,000 yes votes. Our video got 6 yes votes and 12 no votes, so I knew our question would not get played.

I began eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich while watching the town hall meeting on my computer. I then heard one of our reporters and a producer yelling. They were watching the town hall on the NBC feed, so it was several seconds ahead of the internet broadcast. I heard the moderator of the town hall say "Alex from Ohio", then I saw our video come on the screen.

I began shaking, and I couldn't breathe. One of our photographers ran towards me, and other people in our office began looking at me and watching me freak out. It was such a meaningful and powerful moment in my life; something I don't think I've ever experienced.

My reaction was caught on camera, and a reporter compared me to the annoucement of Miss America. I was in total shock... I still can't wrap my head around the idea that the President of the United States watched my silly video and looked at me and talked to me and listened to me and answered me.

The best part was after our video was played, President Obama said, "That was pretty well done!" The audience laughed and clapped.

The "Open for Questions" forum received over 104,000 questions. President Obama answered 4 typed questions and 2 video questions - including mine. The remainder of the questions were asked by people in the audience.

At work, the D.C. NBC News Channel package included me. It had my reaction and also a few good sound bites from Secretary Geithner and President Obama. The package ended with "Geither's goal: blahblah. Obama's goal: blahblah. Alex's goal: taking a breath."

Our office is shared with a reporter from the Columbus Dispatch, a reporter/photographer for Ohio News Network, and Telemundo, and they all wanted to include me in their pieces that day. Our managing editor contacted the person in charge of NBC stations in Ohio to inform them of what had happened. A little blurb about me was on the 11 o'clock news on the NBC Cleveland affiliate station, WKYC. Here are a few appearances of our video in the news:

CNN (We're at 1:15)

ABC World News

The Columbus Dispatch

I would like to thank Kristen, Malorie, my co-workers at NBC News Channel, everyone at the Semester in Washington Journalism program, my parents, and the White House staffer who first viewed our video and liked it.

You all made yesterday the best day of my life.

Yay Alex Vitale!

2009-03-26T18:00:00.004-04:00

Obama held a virtual town hall today answering questions from around the nation and Alex's question was one of the 6 questions (of over 100,000) to be selected and answered by the President himself!

This is what they submitted:

And here is a bit from CNN featuring their video (it's at about 1:15):

Very exciting!!!!
She is an NBC intern and a camera person there caught her reaction when she saw it aired and then she was interviewed by NBC for her local news in Ohio!

It was an exciting day!

Bill Nye- The Science Guy?

2009-03-08T14:12:00.004-04:00

The past few weeks haven't been so great. I decided to quit smoking. I woke up one morning and thought, "Hey, you're settling in too well. let's test your emotional stability." I have gone five days, today is day six, without a cigarette. Yay me! Aside from waking up every two hours and having some really creepy dreams, I am doing ok.

Thursday and Friday made up for the last two weeks, though. I got to meet Bill Nye the Science Guy on Capitol hill and Helen Thomas at the National Press Club! It doesn't get much better than that! (I look really awkward in the pic, I know.) I was really star struck and very shy around him. I grew up watching the show and was so nervous that I went up to him three seperate times. The second time, he actually said, "So, you're back again." I blushed so hard I almost fainted. HaHa. Seriously, though. Anyway, me and this other guy, (I think he was an intern for one of the representatives on the Hill, )got to talk to Mr. Nye about science and degrees and regualr stuff for about 15 minutes. I told him how every man in my family has a degree in either electric or mechanical engineering and then Bill Nye asked me what I was going to do for science. I told him that I want to be a health/science reporter and get my masters in biology. He said, "Good. You should definitely do that, becuase we regret the things we didn't do." So, now I have to get my masters in biology because Bill Nye the Science Guy told me to! HA I know, I am such a dork. I don't care though.

Anyway, that was my Thursday. Friday is when I met Helen Thomas. I admire her for so many different reasons, which I will not go into here, because I don't want to. To keep it short, just know that I believe that she is a cornerstone of DC journalism and any future journalist would benefit greatly from meeting her!

Update on DC

2009-03-02T12:39:00.004-05:00

Hi people,
Lots has been going on, my weeks are so busy. In a good and bad way.

^This is a picture of me sitting on the steps of the Library of Congress.

Let's see if I can think of some important/cool things that have been going on...

1. Last week was overwhelming. Really busy between class and three jobs. Too much juggling and not enough sleeping. But SIW did get to go to a Capitols game!

2. I really like my job at DC Department of the Environment. They always ask me if I want to participate in all these cool things they have going on (usually can't because I don't have time, but one of these times it'll work out). I wish I was working for them more often. It feels good to be there because I think that I have a lot to give, but also a lot to learn. Which is a nice feeling.

3. Tuesdays I work at Old Glory (A restaurant in Georgetown). I can't decide what to think about working there. I like to meet people and I'm really nice to all my tables, but I'm not so sure I'm the best waitress. I forget things a lot... and no one likes a waitress who forgets things. Anyway, I'll just be really nice and do the best I can. I'm not going to worry about that place too much. Being a server is something that I could let stress me out a lot because it's often a very stressful environment, but I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to do my best, smile a lot, and hopefully make some money. (!!)

4. Island Press (my other internship) is getting better. I have a friend there now, Max, so that's nice. We have lunch together and complain about staring at excel too much. I get to go to a conference for them tomorrow morning, so that'll be fun, and a nice change. This weekend they paid for me to go to this environment conference... but more on that later.

5. This week during all my walking between jobs, I realized that even though there are a million people in this city, everyone is very much on their own. Even if you have tons of friends, this place is just too big for someone to be supported by others all the time. There are too many place to be, people to meet, opportunities to seize, and no two interests match 100%.
This sounds depressing, and it was to me before, but now I think it's good.
But anyway, what this means, is that even if things are a certain way for people who know you (i.e. stressed, tense, whatever), when you step outside, you're just another person on the street who has the opportunity to positively affect someone, or not. So, this week, after having realized that, despite my stress, I decided to be one of those people who totally rocks out to their music walking down the street (like, kinda dancing a lil bit...). And I said hi to people, and pet dogs, and held my head high, and smiled. It sounds ridiculous, but I actually did this. And it helped.
I don't think I have really made clear what I mean here... but I'll think about it and hopefully get back to it later.

6. On Friday, SIW went to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for a conference about covering drug addiction in college papers. It was a poorly organized conference, but overall, I thought it was a good experience.It made me feel both naive (that I have no idea about all the drug use that goes on at college campuses) and happy (that I have no idea about all the drug use that goes on at college campuses). After the conference, we were done for the day and it was my first afternoon in forever to RELAX. And I did. I took a nap, worked out (a great one, while proudly representing my BUCKY t-shirt), hung out with Alex (my roommate)... it was great.

7. I forgot, after the NIDA event, I got off the metro downtown, and walked around (unfortunately in the rain) to see some sights, stop into a few stores, and rub my new positive attitude off on a few people. It must have been the Jason Mraz in my headphones. But that was nice. This is just a picture of a building that I took with my phone. I thought the red was really pretty with such a dark sky... but it's kind of hard to tell from this picture. I think I need to invest in a real camera....

8. On Saturday, I went to PowerShift at the Convention Center. PowerShift is the biggest youth environmental conference in the nation (12,000 students)! It was a very cool experience. Great atmosphere of motivated people, amazing speakers, lots of opportunities. I met some really great, interesting people. On Sat., I went around and interviewed people for another Planet Forward video and attended a seminar called, "Social Media for the Greener Good." They talked a lot about how to use new technology for certain causes. Basically... Twitter! DO IT! If you do not know what this is, or want more info... ask me! or, check it out! www.twitter.com. And look for me... I'm @jclynes.
But yeah, PowerShift was great. It taught me (once again) that I need to learn more, specialize, learn more, do more, ahhh.... so much to be done. It's kind of overwhelming, actually.

Anyway,

9. Saturday night I hung out with Alex and friends. We went to J. Paul's in Georgetown and then just relaxed.

10. This morning I went back to PowerShift to sell a book for one of Island Press' authors, Jon Isham, who was speaking at one of the seminars. The book is really cool, I highly recommend it. It's called Ignition.
I also sat next to the guy who wrote this book, Planetwalker. The book is my new friend, John Francis', biography telling the story of how he gave up riding in cars and ONLY walked for 22 years. He also gave up speaking for 17 years. WOW. You can read more about him here, but basically, I can't wait to read his book (and Ignition, too).

11. After PowerShift I was tired. I napped again (this was equally as excellent as the first nap). Then I had the lamest workout ever, then met Alex for dinner, then more procrastinating/grocery shopping/talking to my sister, etc.

12. PowerShift was good and I'm glad I went, but my mom and sister offered to come out here to visit and couldn't because I was busy there... so that made me sad. I'm excited to see my family over spring break... in 2 weeks. I'm not used to staying put for this long! It's a new record!

Ok, time to do my homework and go to bed early. I'm praying for a snow day in DC tomorrow, but I doubt that'll happen.

Sorry this is really long.
Love,
Jenny

Oh, also, we got to meet Chris Matthews and attend a live taping of Hardball with Chris Matthews last Friday. It was cool! The best part was when he encouraged me to go visit my friend Claire in Mozambique because its a place he has been and really enjoys. Random. Here we are with Chris in his office:

The Road to DC

2009-03-01T18:59:00.006-05:00

Pictures from the road in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia on my way up to D.C.

Thus Far

2009-02-16T11:34:00.000-05:00

So, I came to D.C. thinking this was my dream. I had just been here a few months earlier and I l-o-v-e-d it. My ideals changed in a short period of time. I had always wanted to live up here, be someone important, work in some super important job, and be very satisfied with a career. Now, I long for the Southern mentality. I miss the drawls, the tractors, and the country. To say "Natalie is homesick" is an understatement. I don't know how many adjectives one would have to use to adequately describe how badly I miss my home.

But, oh well, right? I'll get over it. There is only about 2 and 1/2 months until I can wake up and be close enough to throw something to my closest and most trusted friends. OMG I can't wait!

Things are getting better for me. I don't feel like I'm ostracizing myself as much. I got to meet Rahm-ie, Wolf-ie, and Senor John King. One of my pictures was put in the Washington Times. I get to be around family I wouldn't have ever seen had I stayed in Atlanta forever.

Oh and on a different note, I'm so sick of the weather everywhere. Our system seems to be so freaking ridiculous right now! Who has 70 degrees in February? And then one and a half weeks later, the meteorologist predicted snow. Oops--the predicitions have already changed. There should be snow on Sunday, instead of Thursday and Friday. I'll be getting sick again very soon. Mark my words.

I've met two people that I'm sure I'll keep up with, after this project is over. They're sweet, but crazy (and you two know this). I do well with crazy. I kind of love it, actually.

Anyways, I'm off to eat breakfast and get ready for my internship. Let's hope today goes better than the past 5 Sundays? If it doesn't, I guess I can write the paper due this Friday.

http://omglmg.blogspot.com/

Excitement

2009-02-14T22:34:00.011-05:00

Hello everybody! My name is Alex, and I am a student at Kent State University. I chose to come to Washington, D.C. and to do the Semester in Washington Journalism program because of my passion for politics and journalism. I am enjoying the program and D.C. life very much so far, and I can't wait to blog more about it throughout the semester!

I am interning at NBC News Channel which is a branch of NBC News that produces packages and provides other content for NBC affiliate stations all over the country. It's definitely a unique division a of news organization, but it's very cool to be in a place that covers Washington for stations all over the country.

We get all the NBC feeds in my work, so I spend a lot of time watching House and Senate sessions, press conferences, stakeouts of politicians inside Capitol Hill, and events involving President Obama. I have also helped interview people throughout the city and attended events on Capitol Hill. Two of my favorite experiences so far were when I got to interview Congresswoman Illeana Ros-Lehtinan for the NBC Miami affiliate and when I got to see the new Illinois governor, Pat Quinn, both of the Illinois senators, and some members of the Illinois congressional delegation give a brief press conference inside the Capitol building.

I am enjoying D.C. life and am quickly becoming way more independent. There are many ADORABLE shops and cafes in Georgetown, and that definitely became an instant favorite of mine. It has become hard to not take things for granted while being here such as having the freedom to walk around Capitol Hill and the National Mall whenever I want to.

SIWJ has already taught me a lot about journalism. We are being taught how to do multi-platform stories - a must in today's journalism world. We are also hearing from many important journalists including reporters from the AP and the Washington Post. My favorite branch of journalism is broadcast, so you can guess how excited I was when we toured CBS News' Washington bureau.

While being in D.C., I've been asked what type of journalism I'm into. I find that a difficult question because every part of journalism and reporting is very important to me. I have started to define myself by a term I heard being thrown around while at KSU - Multimedia Journalist.

It's very easy to become a Multimedia Journalist at GWU. The School of Media and Public Affairs building gives students the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment to shoot, edit, and produce videos as well as create websites. I am actually spending my day at SMPA tomorrow to become proficient at great programs such as Photoshop and LiveType.

That's all for me now! Happy Valentine's Day! =]

- Alex

New Beginnings

2009-01-31T17:00:00.004-05:00

I am from Oklahoma and I expected to have to get to used to a new way of doing things when I moved here to DC. I have always thought, because I had never been out of OK prior to this, that my home state was behind the times (so to speak) but I was wrong. OKC is just as modern as any other city in the US. Except, maybe with tattoos, since they weren't legal until about two years ago, and the conservative liquor laws.

So, I thought it would be interesting to look at the similarities and differences between the two cities: DC and OKC.

Here in DC,I hate not having a car, but I wouldn't want to drive in this city (and I don't say that because of driving laws and one way streets, we have those in OKC). I say that because the drivers here are insane! No offense to anyone, but sheesh! It is a much more aggressive driving situation.

I work at hyper speed back home and it is nearly impossible to get anything done in one day here as I could there. That is due to two differences: the reliance on public transit and the difference in store hours in Washington DC. OKC has many 24 hour stores, so you can get whatever you need, whenever you need it. It is not like that here. But, that's DC, I guess.

Other than that, the cities are pretty much the same. So, it really wasn't that difficult to get used to. Though, I really loathe walking...

All of that aside, I am glad I am here. There are more opportunities here for a career in journalism than there are in OKC. Back home the biggest paper there is the Oklahoman, owned by the Gaylords. They are very conservative and very Republican... here I am interning at Market News International and I love it. It is a wire service and I love the fast pace and turn around time. I love doing something different every day and meeting so many new people. It is a real challenge and I love challenges.

I am slightly nerve-racked on account of I graduate in December and have to find a job...but I am less nervous now that I have something like MNI on my resume. Also, I get to go out and cover stories everyday, so I will get a lot of material for my portfolio.

Changing gears a little, there is a song by One Republic that I love and it has become something of an anthem for me...it's called "Stop and Stare" and does a wonderful job describing how I feel at this point in my life. I look at everything I want to do in my career and I see people doing it and I wonder how long it will take until I am finally there, too...

Anyway, no more insight. Back to being in DC. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here and if anyone reading this ever gets a chance, you should take it. If it seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity, it is and you won't get another chance, so take it and run as far as you can with it. I read a book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" I don't remember who wrote it, but it poses the question, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" I try to keep that in mind when I have to make big decisions.

I hope you enjoy reading this...have fun where ever you are.

Winding down!

2009-01-28T18:24:00.005-05:00

Whew! Another cold day is almost over. YES!
I compared yesterday's weather, Jan. 27th, to today's and it's a little better.
The weather here is nothing like GA. It's always cold and it seems like the sun stays hid all the time. Down south it's like you want the sun to stay hid for that extra second. But here, it's totally different.
Once again I took the metro to my internship. I miss Diesel, my car, so much. I hate walking to the metro then walking to where I have to go. So much walking here and there. It makes you realize just how blessed you are t have a car. Even if you have a pinto for a car, walking everyday would make you realize just how lucky you are to have a pinto.
While at my intern, I did my usual, looked up business headlines. It started out kind of slow for me, being that sports is my best area, but everyday I'm getting better at it.
I arrived back to my place that I now call home, City Hall, around 7:30 and got settled in. I washed and dried my clothes. Something else that I kind of dislike. Why? Because I'm used to having the washer and dryer in one place along with the detergent. I walked all the way down to the laundry room to only realize when I got down there I had forgotten my washing powder. So of course I had to walk back upstairs to get my box of Tide.
Afterwards I chatted with my mom. I miss my family, church family and close friends like everything. It's not the same without having them around. My friends, especially Rico, knows exactly how to make me laugh. I always have a blast with him and my cousin Ticket (James).
Oh well, guess I'll get myself together and get ready to work on our project that's due Friday.
Our first project was about President Barack Obama's Inauguration. For our project we based it around then, Inauguration Day, and then afterwards, meaning after everything was over. It turned out nice.
Until next time take care & be blessed!

Introductions

2009-01-26T13:14:00.005-05:00

My name is Jen Bischoff and I am from Oklahoma. I attend Creighton University.

This semester I am at GW and interning at the Salt Lake Tribune Washington Bureau.

I love my internship and the SWIJ program.

Amos, Susan and Andrea have been great teachers and friends. From lectures to field trips, we have already learned so much from them and the journalists who work in the city.

I already have a couple bylines for Sltrib paper and the two guys I work with are great!

They are both from Utah and very much into politics.

They have a lot to teach and I have a lot to learn during my time with them.

For the 2009 Inauguration, I covered the Utah Marching Band, who performed in the Inaugural Parade. I spent twelve hours in the cold, but it was worth it just to be there (even though I didn't vote for Obama.)

Within the two weeks I have been here, I have fallen in love with the city and can't

wait to experience all it has to offer! I just hope I have enough time to experience it all.

Take a minute to check out sltrib.com to see some of my work.

Inauguration Day!

2009-01-21T12:16:00.002-05:00

Events of January 20, 2009

12:00 am: Go to bed

1:24 am: Fire alarm goes off in dorm; whole building is evacuated and all occupants stand outside for 30 minutes while they check for the "fire"

2:00 am: Defrost and return to bed.

4:55 am: Regular alarm goes off. Time to get dressed and grab video camera to head out.

5:15 am: meet SIW friends, Jen and Laura, to have a quick breakfast and head to the parade route.

5:45 am: Walk out of dorm and cheer because we're so excited! We followed the crowd on the streets who were all walking toward the mall. We didn't really want to go to the mall, but all the streets were blocked off, so we kinda ended up at the Washington monument by accident. Also: I ran into one of my HS friends' dad on the way. What are the chances?!

6:00 am: By now we're getting frustrated that we're still walking near the mall and have been told by 3 separate officials to go a different way to get to a parade checkpoint, all three of which were dead ends.

7:00 am: Finally find a parade route entrance. We're about 200 yards from the security checkpoint. I don't think I've ever seen so many people at one time in my life. Ever. Except for the few complainers in the crowd (about the weather, bad direction-giving, confused volunteers, crabby secret service agents, etc.) everyone is really happy, excited, and randomly shouting Obama! or singing/cheering, etc.

8:00 am: It's light out now. We walked about 100 yards closer to the checkpoint at 10th and Constitution but are definitely not going anywhere anytime soon. Amos assigned a 3-minute film about the Inauguration for class, so we start shooting quick snippets of what we're up to. Spirits are still relatively high although we're getting realllllly cold.

8:30 am: Strongly consider returning home due to the weather and the fact that we've barely moved closer to the checkpoint in the last hour. We probably would have except for the fact that a.) my mom would have been so disappointed! b.) we had no idea how to get home due to all the crowds/road-closures, c.) Jen has to write an article for her Internship about the Salt Lake City marching band (this was our most persuasive reason, I'd say).

9:00 am: Things start to get miserable and we still haven't moved. The three of us start singing patriotic songs, and then move onto hymns, motown, camp songs, other misc. church songs, Disney classics, you name it. We were taking requests from the crowd in no time. They were pretty shy about joining along, but we had a few additional choir members from time to time.

10:00 am: The singing has made the time pass amazingly! Our spirits are raised and so are those of the people around us (we'd like to think, anyway). Unfortunately, we still haven't moved and we receive news that the checkpoint at 12th and Constitution is nearly empty.

10:05 am: We RUN to 12th and Constitution.

10:15 am: Get in line amongst new checkpoint crowd (yes, there's a crowd. We learn the hard way that "nearly empty" means different things when we're talking Inauguration day.) We meet our new standing-neighbors, include them in our video, and discover that this crowd is packed so tightly that we can purposefully fall in any direction and not even move! Great fun!

10:16 am: We've got a vast majority of the new checkpoint crowd joining us in The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. We like this new crowd!

11:15 am: We're in!!!!! Very cold, but very happy!! Parade starts in 3.5 hours.... what to do?

11:20 am: We begin interviewing parade-goers about their Inauguration day experiences. We ask: Where are you from, What are your least and most favorite parts of the day, and, If you could ask Obama one question, what would it be? (stay tuned for link to the video!) It was very interesting to hear everyone's varying answers.

12:00 pm: We stake out a spot on the bleachers (yes, we get to sit for the first time!) and realize that we've somehow made it into a tickets-only area where they aren't letting in anymore parade-goers. Although this is very exciting news, we're getting QUITE chilly again.

12:05 pm: We begin, along with 90% of the nearby crowd, to dance to the music being played over the loud speakers in order to keep warm! Great fun!

12:20 pm: Obama is sworn in! Cheering, yelling, rejoicing, and dancing everywhere! Everyone is SO happy! We sit down to listen to his speech, which is great and distracts us from the fact that our toes are turning purple and may fall off. The whole of the parade route goes eerily silent while listening to what he has to say.

12:45 pm: Return to dancing and notice the police standing nearby making fun of us. This does not bother us.

1:00 pm: Trying to keep busy. We're not allowed to leave our "exclusive" section so we don't loose our spots, but this means no bathrooms, food, warmth, or change of scenery!

2:00 pm: All hapiness is gone. Extremely cold and contemplating leaving, except for Jen's damn story. humph.

2:30 pm: Parade was SUPPOSED to start now.... we get a clue that this isn't happening anytime soon when they start sharing inauguration trivia over the loud speakers.

3:05 pm: I give up and leave my "exclusive" spot to go inside (which is outside the security checkpoint). I know what you're thinking. Yes, I did wait for over 9 hours to go inside RIGHT before the start of the parade.

3:10 pm: I've gone to the bathroom and am watching the parade on a giant screen with a decent crowd inside the Historic Post Office food court eating a delicious gyro and french fries.

3:15 pm: Parade has begun, but has not yet reached our previous standing post. I notice Jen and Laura inside getting hot chocolate, also having exited the secure parade area. We watched the start of the parade inside and cheer along with those outside while we defrost. I decide to head back because I cannot get the idea of sweatpants, sweatshirt, a couch, a chai, and CNN out of my mind (where I am right now!)

So, I left Jen and Laura there and took the metro (no small task due to the crowds... but it was helped by the fact that I found a metro ticket worth $13.50 on the ground!). I'll be very interested to hear if they made it back out for the Salt Lake marching band.... the thought of being back out there gives me nightmares, but they seemed determined! I'm so impressed!

Even though this was a long, cold, and draining day that didn't result in me seeing the parade, I don't consider it a failure. This whole entire city looks like Mifflin street in Madison after the block party, only all the beer paraphernalia is replaced with hand-warmer wrappers, styrofoam coffee cups, Obama trinkets, and Inauguration information guides. It was AMAZING to be among all the "party people" this morning and this weekend who have come from all over the US and world to welcome Obama into the White House. It sounds weird, but one of the coolest parts of the day to me was to observe all the people who were dancing to do ANYTHING to stay warm, or peeing in satellites with no toilet paper, or standing in line for hours and waking up at 5 am all to show Obama that they are overjoyed and inspired that he is our new president.

Basically, even though the people who stood on the mall or waited along the parade route were certainly uncomfortable, they we're still astonishingly excited and cheered louder than ever when Obama walked (!) past. This morning was a perfect combination of an incredible and horrible experience. I'm so glad I was here to experience it, but I will NEVER do it again!

I'll post our video once we make it, and I'm going to go back to watching the parade while I'm nice and warm on the couch!

Time to go home? Already?

2008-12-04T13:17:00.002-05:00

Wow. This has gone by so fast!

I had my last day of internship today. It was sad :( It was hard to say goodbye to my mentor and the host of the show and everyone else that I work with, but its on to the next adventure.

Which is going back to school and taking boring classes in the frigid cold. great. This was so much fun and so exciting that going back to regular school is going to be so hard.

Learning about the Supreme Court sitting in a classroom in Minneapolis isn't the same as GOING to the Supreme Court.

Learning about the relationship between media and politics by writing a paper at my desk for a teacher that probably doesn't have first hand experience in that isn't the same as HAVING a relationship with politicians and guests at XM Radio.

Learning about congressional procedures isn't the same as talking to a communications director for one of the representatives at the House.

dang. This sucks.

WOW only 2 weeks left?!

2008-11-17T20:24:00.002-05:00

I can't believe we only have 2 short weeks left (with Thanksgiving break in there). We are going to do our final project, and we're starting it tomorrow. We are filming a morning briefing at a local news station, and interviewing the News Director.

I'm continuing to work hard at my internship. Turns out my mentor was switched to the morning show, and so I went along with her. Everyone thinks I'm crazy. But I really don't mind getting up extra early (6am) and going to work. That way I'm done earlier, I get everything done and I don't waste my time sleeping in.

It's going to be so hard to leave, even though I miss all of my friends from home and my parents, I love this city. I love everything about it. I love that everyone is dressed in uniform, very professional like they have somewhere important to go (even though most of them don't). I love that the day after the election I was on the metro and the announcer said "You are on the Yes We Can Train to Shady Grove" and everyone smiled. I love that any given day you can walk around and run into something really cool.

I've accidentally run into:

1. The Ford Theater

2. A giant post election party in front of the White House.

3. The Vietnam Memorial

4. Where the g20 were meeting

5. The Lincoln Memorial

6. A protest in front of the capital against proposition 8.

I love that I can see the Washington Monument everywhere I go. I love that there are 8 million different kind of police (so I'm always safe) I love that it's no secret that everyone is a political junkie here. It's awesome.

I'm not sure what awaits me at home, but I am going back a changed girl. Now instead of not knowing what I want to do when I grow up. I know of at least 20 jobs I want to do when I grow up. :)

DC vs. KC

2008-11-12T14:32:00.000-05:00

By Rachel

DC vs. KC

Being here for the last few months has been absolutely amazing but the home sickness has started to seep in. It has made me think of whether or not I could ever live this far away from my family for longer than a couple of months. It has also got me thinking about just how much I love both cities, which I will now opine.

DC > KC
1. The people here are so eclectic. Everyday I get mingled in with people who speak, dress, eat, and live differently than I do and it's overwhelming in such a great way. It makes me really believe that childhood motto of everyone is special.
2. This city raises my confidence. I get approached so often by men who just want to tell me I'm pretty. The past few years have been tough for me and no matter how narcissistic I sound, I was in need of that kind of attention.
3. It's inspiring here. It's been so long since I felt a patriotic bone inside me that I thought I was a self-loathing American. But living in this city has gotten rid of that attitude and has encouraged me to be proud of where I live again. For the first time in 8 years, I stood for the national anthem at the hockey game.
4. Art is everywhere. I'm not sure if Washingtonians appreciate it, but everywhere I go, I see art. From the advertisements in the subway, to the posters sold on the street, to every single statue here, the art exists and I appreciate it.
5. No one is caged by cars. It is so easy to walk from one end of the city to the other that I can't believe so many people even have cars here. That's so not possible in KC.

KC > DC
1. The food is better. Even though we have tons of chain restaurants, everything is home grown and organic. It's cheaper and no one really worries about carbs or fat, they worry about taste. Maybe I don't have a well developed palate, but I know what I like and I like KC food.
2. It's quiet. This place is so loud that it reaches a point of uncomfortableness. If my iPod, at it's loudest, can't be heard over a bus, something is wrong. And I miss sleeping without hearing the campus fire station updating me every five minutes.
3. Everyone is so pretentious in DC. Everything is about labels and images and bank accounts that I feel people choose their friends over these things. No one cares about that back home, and if they do, they get theirs kicked. Maybe DC needs a good kicking.
4. The festivals. DC doesn't have actual festivals. They say they do, but they don't. Kansas City has a festival every week practically. The Irish Fest, the Renaissance Festival, the Spirit Festival, the Psychic Festival, the Barbecue Festival...they're so great!
5. KC is the best of both worlds. We have the city aspect with the skyscrapers, the taxi cabs, and the upscale swanky places. But take a ten minute car ride and you're going to be in a rural area with cows and country barn restaurants. It's a great blend.

DC is great. But KC will always be my home.

Elect-rifying!

2008-11-06T14:45:00.006-05:00

At the pinnacle of trying times, the mass rose from their apathetic cynicism and stood up for change.

Introducing, President-elect Barack Obama.

But I sense this man will likely be erected as a political colossus or will fall by the very hands of foundation that supported his and many others' dream.

Yes, he did... inspire, unite, and overcome. But will he change US for the better?

The manifestation of a dream deferred, Barack Obama has exploded onto the world stage.

It is his time to act.

Now, to my tangent. Life at Slate V is wonderful, with more responsibilities, more fun, and more mistakes.

What do you call an intern without mistakes?

Unemployed.

Yeah, hiccups occur daily for me, but I battle adversity with confidence and a smile.

And for that reason, I'm recapping the world in a way I never thought possible, while putting finishing touches on unforseen projects.

Just today, I accompanied my boss and his right-hand editor on a shoot. There, I met another member of the Slate team.

They say familiarity is the key to unlocking employment opportunities. Well, I'm getting familiar, with people, places and things.

Who knows what will come out of this. All I can do is enjoy this time.

Welcome to my world-- the O-zone. It feels so good, you can breathe it in.

Ah...

Election Night

2008-11-05T14:06:00.004-05:00

Oh my! Election Night was AWESOME here!

I spent the first part of the night working at POTUS (xm radio.) I was in charge of coloring in the map, and at one point I went into the bathroom and I had blue and red marker all over my face... how embarrassing! But I watched the AP reports and colored in the states when AP 'called' the state, because other channels were calling different states at different times. We were going by what AP said. They called the election around 11pm eastern time. I stayed for Obama's victory speech and then one of the other interns drove me home.

We drove by the White House were there were crowds and crowds of people cheering and singing and dancing and screaming it was AWESOME! I got home and I made my roommate walk with me to the White House. It was so amazing. There were thousands of people dancing in the middle of the street. Cars were stopped and people were hanging out the windows with their music turned up. There were these three guys playing trumpets and a trombone and people were singing along. It may have been one of, if not THE best experience I've had here.

I know that this may be cheesy. But I am so proud to be America. To be here. To be involved with this election and to have voted. It was a historical event, in a historical place and there's no where better to have been than Washington DC.

Quick Update

2008-10-13T16:14:00.003-04:00

We've been so busy lately that I've forgotten to update!

So much has been going on around here, with the economic failure and the election going on, there is never a dull moment. On top of that I've been working hard on our projects, Fialka's class and my internship!

Right now we are working on 3 minute online video's for the Georgetowner. Shelby and I are doing the "style" one. There are two other groups doing "Restaurants" and "History of Georgetown." So we are going to Boutiques in Georgetown, we're going to talk with the owners and film the best shopping in Georgetown.

Last week the class went to visit XM Radio, so everyone got to see where I worked, and we went to see POTUS. I'm REALLY REALLY enjoying my internship.

I don't want to leave, but we are halfway through now :/. I still have a lot of places in DC to visit.

Rachel's First Post

2008-10-02T22:02:00.000-04:00

Rachel's Blog 9/23/08

First of all, I hate blogs. I hate what they say and I hate what they mean. I firmly believe that diaries are meant to be kept a secret and to use one publicly shows a need for attention (in my eyes). OR by using one to rant and rave about something can be therapeutic but who wants to sit around and read things with people complaining all the time. I don't. But in the spirit of the class, because DC is supposed be about trying new things for me, I'll write one for these next few months...no promises that I will continue afterwards.

I absolutely love DC. I came to this city to discover whether or not I can do something on my own. I had never done that before. And DC is throwing itself at me in so many different ways that I'm learning that I do not have to be dependent on others to survive life. It is everything I had hoped for.

I'm amazed at how much one city has to offer. Everywhere I turn, there are interesting people from all corners of the globe. There is beautiful artwork all throughout the city. I constantly feel like I am about to explode with an information overload of excitement, but it never happens. There's always room for more. I already feel as if I have gotten my money's worth from this program. I feel like I have done more things in the last four weeks than I have done in the last few years of my life. I never thought I would have felt this way. Here's the thing though: I know that I owe a lot of what I have accomplished already to Amos and Andrea, but I'm taking most of the credit for myself. If I hadn't felt like it was time to stop wasting my life on a couch and start living, I would have never gotten here to begin with. So, thanks to everyone, but thanks to me too.
~Rachel

A Clean Slate

2008-09-30T14:04:00.009-04:00

New on the job at Slate V, but I fit in like a regular.

I will not drown you in hyperboles to spitshine my internship, in order to make it look cool. However I will say this, I'm learning more than I ever thought possible.

And it's practical stuff, not some institutional method of experience (i.e. class lectures). I get to delve into the Slate V domain, getting lost in a world of video clips, text, and website upkeeping. And that's just my usual day to day, not to mention the spontaneous work I'm assigned on the whim.

See, I came to DC for a fresh outlook on life, and what I got was a clean slate. It's amazing how life works sometimes.

Journal entry one

2008-09-18T15:46:00.003-04:00

So much has happened in the last 2 weeks that I don't know what to even add! Every time we do something I say,"This was my favorite thing we've done so far." So it's hard to highlight my favorites since they all are!

Probably my most most favorite was going to a taping of the CNN special "The Next President" and it was basically a conversation with former secretaries of state: Madeleine Albright, James Baker, Warren Christopher, Henry Kissinger and Colin Powell. It was so cool to see so many great minds in one place. Whey they asked what they thought was the most important thing for the new president to do. Powell replied we need to restore the world's confidence in the United States. Everybody strongly agreed with that, but Albright added that not only do we need to be 'popular' around the world, we also need to be respected.

I also started my internship at XM-Radio, at a show called POTUS (President of the United States.) I'm having an awesome time there! Today one of our guests was the director from FactCheck.org. I LOVE factcheck.org. He came in to talk about debunking some of the myths/non myths that surround the campaigns right now.

I'm really enjoying DC at this very exciting time!!!

The Georgetowner

2008-09-16T15:28:00.004-04:00

So, as many of you already know, I don't have any first impressions of DC because I live in DC. But I do have a myriad of first impressions of my internship at the Georgetowner and the Georgetown way of doing things. So far, all of my impressions have been positive or nearly so, and most more than a little humorous.

The people in georgetown seem nice enough, possibly because the atmosphere bears little resemblace to the frantic hustle of the rest of the district. At ten thirty in the morning, banana republic clad men, shabby-chic young ladies, and manicured moms line up outside Dean and Deluca for their morning coffee and a glance at today's paper. Even the business casual tweed suited 30-somethings seem to prioritize scones over work. Hmm, perhaps that schedule could work for me...

As I round the corner, I can see my office in the charming brick townhouse nestled comfortably beside the down dog yoga center. Despite being cramped, cluttered, and under construction, the interior is equally charming. Our four rooms of space in the converted old house can most flatteringly be described as "intimate." The occupants of the Georgetowner office, (I hesitate to say employees because many of them spend their lives working on the paper), are all lovely ladies. I'd venture to say that the coolest of us all is Sonya, my boss and the woman whom Amos appropriately dubbed "a force of nature." She truly is the creative force behind the paper as well as our mentor, friend, and resident motivational speaker.

The others are Charlie, the hilarious ad guru; Jenniffer, the in-country adventurer; Dan, the endearingly rumpled real estate expert; Alyssa, the telecommuting graphic designer; Siobhan, the events coordinating queen; and last, but certainly not least, Erin, the mild-mannered make-it-all worker. If sonya is the grand poobah of the paper, Erin is certainly her Chief of Staff and most level headed advisor. Then there's me, the only in-house writer, in charge of doing a little of everything and writing about all-things-style-related (as well as misc. stories without writers). The job couldn't be better suited to me, I get in around 10:30, get out by 5:30, and spend time running around with people that I now consider my friends.

First impressions? It's well worth the commute, and that's saying something since I live in Maryland!

Alphabet District: From O, to DC

2008-09-09T11:55:00.033-04:00

Tell me how to get to Sesame Street--

Just hitch a ride to our nation's capitol and every street you cross is brought to you by a letter , number or state.

So, for a guy like me, who is called "O" by my close football friends back at Penn State, this city and specifically that street was made for me. At least the political/news me.

But there is more to these elementary named streets. I feel comfortable saying that this city has the most diagonal roads you will find in the states. I mean rapper Paul Wall introduced me to "sittin' sidewayz", but this is something new.

The guy that designed this place apparently was not opposed to taking shortcuts. Like, what kind of street is NW? Come on, now. Furthermore, there is no J street; it skips from I to K.

From what I have heard, designer Pierre L'Enfant did not get along with the thriftiness of John Jay during the formation of DC, which led to there being no J Street. Sounds childish, right?

Just because his last name means "the child" in French does not mean it's a description of how Pierre behaved.

The story is a myth. There is no reason to hate the French here.

But once you get over the simple street names and tilted roads, DC sends you on a ride you'll never forget. And it's called the metro.

The metro is a stage filled with countless characters, ready to perform at the tip of a hat.

Have you ever been serenaded by a rag times group of bums, whose melodic tones and smooth moves reminded you of Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions?

It's alright if you have not.

I mean they got down and dirty, no pun intended, as they broke into an oldie but a goody. You could see the lines and wear of stress, frustration, destitution on their face, but their voices and moves sent a contagious smile and rhythm to all those who watched them.

In fact, my friend, a metro worker, and some other patrons began singing along with the group. I, being an off key singer, decided to hum the notes. I need not embarrass myself in front of such a sharp group of performers.

Then the train came shooting through, and as we got on, I could not help but think they deserved more than our pocket change for the brief joy they brought to us.

For a city that is the epicenter of American freedoms, there's little to be desired about the ridiculous amount of bums that migrate throughout the city.

Where are the politicians, the businessmen, the cavaliers of justice, peace and the American way?

They're stuck in the traffic-- of bureaucracy. Is it me or does this whole city seem like a macrocosm of paper pushing? Swipe a card to use the metro, to get your lunch, to enter your building, to wash your clothes, to use the elevator, to breathe, to live.

My roommate has joked about how you might have to submit a petition for dying in this city.

Don't get me wrong, I have come here with an excitement to delve into a place that holds the center of attention at a very important time in our history.

It's election year, and we're at a taping of Washington Week (thanks SIWJ) and a bold man in a tank top and shorts decides to question host Gwen Ifill, on why we're talking about the candidates and their personalities. He was tired of the back and forth of the parties and wanted to hear about something different.

Are you following me? If not-- that's the point. The guy made no sense. You go to a taping of Washington Week and basically yell how you're tired of politics. That's like going to Taco Bell and saying you're tired of tacos. What?!

Then, he asked to have the mike and get on TV. Aside from his less than decor dress attire, the guy's hostility was not going to play well over air.

In the end, he booted himself out. His best move yet.

However, the trip the Newseum was the highlight of week one for me. Just look at me trying to be a TV news reporter. Not as good as my acting performance in the student movie Gone.

But as aforementioned, I am enjoying being in DC. I begin my Slate V.com internship tomorrow. This online video log is part of the Washington Post family. And the man I'm working with seems as free-thinking in mind as I am.

In short, to me DC stands for do come and deliver change. And I shall do so every NW step, swiped card, and metro ride along the way.

...so what's next?

2008-07-25T09:00:00.004-04:00

What a summer this has been! It feels strange that I am leaving a few days; I kind of feel like I'm supposed to live here now. D.C. is such a great city; culture and history are infused in everything here...and it's all so accessible. Let's just say it's been almost 2 months since I drove a car, and I've grown to love public transportation.

I signed up for SIWJ with intentions of being solely focused on my internship, a position with the Office of Communications and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education (DoED). All that mumbo jumbo simply means public affairs for the DoED. While I valued my time and learning experience at DoED, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the SIWJ classwork.

(P.S. That's me INSIDE the White House gates, after my West Wing tour as a DoED intern!)

Learning how to edit video, make a piece of video journalism, and organize the process with a varied group of people was the highlight of the class for me. Through all the moaning and groaning of group work, I loved being creative in a completely different and digital way.

Now, I came at this program from a very different angle than most other students, as a recent graduate (of Harding University--go Bisons!) with a public relations and Spanish degree. I wanted to learn about the media in our classes and about public affairs through my internship. I was able to apply what I'd learned in classes and from guest speakers directly in my public affairs job.

One of my best pieces of advice for living here: make yourself a "business card" and hand them out to anyone interesting you meet--and keep in touch. Ask them advice about jobs, career paths, etc. Be saavy about it!

So what's next? Next I'm moving to Mondéjar, Spain to be a culture and language assistant in Spain for the next 8 months or so. BUT, when I get back, I'll have a good sense of where to look for a job, and I'll have a wealth of contacts--from my classmates to my co-workers--all of whom have shaped my summer into the productive, self-discovering adventure that it's been.

The end is near....

2008-07-25T07:48:00.005-04:00

My experience here this summer has taught me so many things about the journalism field, and more importantly it taught me a lot about myself. I came into the program gung-ho about producing for news. All I wanted to do was be the person who got to play with the run down, organize the stories and compile them into the show we see on the newscast. But coming out of this program I have realized that what I thought was my dream job is actually very far from it. And it was not that my internship was bad, it was wonderful. Working at WTTG (local fox station) was a great experience. I got to go anywhere I wanted within the station and learn all aspects of broadcast news. But while there I realized I did not have the drive, the passion, for producing for news. And after talking with Amos I knew what direction I wanted to go in. I remembered that in my statement of interest for journalism school, and then again for the summer program talked about my other dream...

"After achieving a dual degree in journalism and history I would like to be able to produce historical and educational programming. By doing this I would be able to help people learn about a subject in which I am very passionate about. I would love to be able to have the opportunity to help others fall in love with history and its many exciting events..."

It was right in front of me the whole time. This was always a dream I thought I could have later on, after I had fulfilled my dream for the news. But I needed to pursue production for documentaries, maybe historical documentaries now. I watched them all the time as a kid with my dad. We would turn on the history channel and watch something on World War I or World War II. I was the kid in high school who loved watching those history clips your teacher turned on...I was never the one to fall asleep. And while I am disappointed in myself for not being able to love news production as much as I thought I would, I am happy that I still have time left at Georgia to explore other aspects of journalism. I am trying to enroll in a documentary class which will help me to learn more about that field.

I truly believe had I not come on this program I may not have had this realization until later on in life. After I had been at a production job I did not 100% love. I don't want to be one of those people staring at my watch, waiting to leave work. I want to love every minute of it. Otherwise, is it really worth it? And by knowing where that love is not at, I can search for the place I will be truly happy. And if I do not find that place...well I may just have to make one up. After all, journalism is constantly evolving and changing. And I am excited to be a part of that change.

All I can say is that this program was worth every penny we payed because the knowledge and skills are wonderful and I know they will serve us well, but what we learned about ourselves is priceless.

The Future Begins

2008-07-24T21:01:00.002-04:00

Thanks be to God. This has absolutely been the best summer of my life. The people I've met, the experiences I've had, and the lessons I've learned have all met and exceeded expectations.

I spent the first two years of college in a small school in Carrollton, Georgia, with few opportunities to grow as a person. The University of West Georgia is largely a commuter school, and students who attend the school have more than likely grown up in Atlanta and attended high school in the city as well. So, I knew my surroundings, went home whenever I wanted, and didn't get an opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone at all.

Broadcast television and politics have always been two obsessions of mine, so I knew that eventually I would end up in Washington, D.C. So, during the Fall semester of my sophomore year, I knew it was time that I did something about that. I applied for this program, and by the grace of God, Amos gave me the opportunity to spend a summer with SIWJ. When I visited the school over Spring Break this year, I was so struck by the school and the opportunities available that I decided to apply. I was admitted as a transfer student about four weeks ago.

Most of the students in this program will be leaving in a couple days, but I'll remain in the city for another month of my internship, plus another two years while I finish my degree at GW. So, this doesn't feel like the end to me--at all. It feels like my future is really just getting started. This program gave me the opportunity to see things I never thought I would ever see, and do things I thought I would never do at age 19. My internship at CNN in "The Situation Room" was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Working alongside Brian Todd, Carol Costello, Abbi Tatton, and Wolf Blitzer is something I never would have had the chance to experience had it not been for SIWJ. It's been amazing to see firsthand how the news is made, and I'm extremely blessed because I also know what I want--and DON'T want--to do in this business. I've helped produce packages that hundreds of thousands of people watched on TV. I've also seen people do jobs that I once thought were for me--and now I know unequivocally that they are not. And this is all before I take my first class as a GW student!

SIWJ has been an incredible experience. I know there's so much more in store for me at this school and I couldn't be more humble and thankful for this opportunity.

A midsummer night's blog...

2008-07-24T18:50:00.002-04:00

I feel like I just got here and already it’s almost time to leave. When I look back on this experience, I wonder if it will seem like the whirlwind that it actually has been. These last few weeks will be the worst of all. I made a checklist of all the things I need to do before I go, but my greatest fear is getting back to Georgia and realizing that I didn’t do any of the things I should have. So today I’ll talk about the things I have done/will do at my internship and the things I have done/will do outside of work.

Before I say anything, though, I just want to comment on how amazing and awesome my internship at CBS News in DC has been. With the help of my supervisor I’ve done a ton of things and met a ton of people that have taught me so much. So far, I’ve been to a political dinner (where all kinds of people spoke), and met Lewis Black, Lara Logan, Bob Schieffer, and most of the CBS Evening News correspondents in DC. I’ve learned a million things about radio, broadcast, and the different roads that can lead you to different careers in journalism. I’ve also been able to shadow an accomplished journalist and his noteworthy colleagues up close and personal. It’s been ridiculous. I couldn’t ask for more. Before I leave, though, I’m also going to shadow someone who covers the White House, someone who reports on the goings on at the Capitol and one of the female correspondents for the Evening News. All in one summer. I really can’t believe it.

Outside of CBS I’ve been doing a lot, too. We’ve visited all kinds of places and heard from speakers that have had some pretty striking things to say. I still want to go and see all of the historical things in DC, though. Like the Declaration of Independence, the memorials and all of the other things that tourists usually come to do. There’s also a Madame Tussaud’s wax museum here like the one I went to in NYC. I think that would be a lot of fun to do, too.

When I think about everything that I’ve seen since I’ve been here this summer, it makes me feel like so much has gone on. There can’t be any other place in the world where someone can collect so many awesome experiences in such a short time. I’ve been throwing around the idea of coming back in the future to work for a few years after I graduate. I love the level of achievement that younger people can find in this city. It just seems like anything is an option and anyone can just stumble into success. That may seem cheesy, but I really feel that way. Coming to DC has to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and I’m really appreciative of everything that has happened. So I guess that’s everything. The past month or so in a nutshell and my big plans for the future. See what I mean about the whirlwind?

Shari

Summer in the City

2008-07-22T11:18:00.004-04:00

After our 12 hour trek in my dad's Chevy, I was ready to get out and see what this city had to offer. Needless to say, map quest got the best of us when entering downtown DC, and after the third time around Washington Circle and almost being side swiped numerous times, I was really ready to get out. When we came to a stop, my dad looked at me and said, "This isn't going to be anything like Maine Sar." He was right. My first feelings of this city were intimidation, worry and excitement all at the same time. I mean, having to walk everywhere? Or take a bus? Things are too far to walk to in Maine, and if I ever needed something, it was a matter of getting in my car and throwing it into drive. After a short time, the bewildering streets leading through the city became home, and all of my new classmates, professors and supervisors became lifelong friends.

Our program professors had an incredible way of instilling confidence in each one of us. When Amos said, " We want to make you uncomfortable, bringing you out of your comfort zone is how you learn," he was exactly right. At one point or another, each of us was frustrated with our group members, our assignment, our time constraints and just the feeling that there wasn't enough time in the day to get everything done. At the end of the day, we all made it through, and made it through successfully. You know you were successful when you can look back and say, if I could do it over, I would do this instead... you have taken from the experience and will make those changes the next time around. From this program I know I gained an appreciation of time management, a new perspective of technology and an interest in taking on challenging tasks just for the feeling of accomplishment that comes when the work is done.

My internship at the Georgetowner was exactly what I expected. Upbeat, unpredictable and hectic. I came here with a major in Broadcast Journalism, but had already interned at a news station in Bangor, Maine and wasn't interested in another beat-reporting job. Amos understood immediately that I was looking to learn more about the business aspect of Journalism, and sent me to the Georgetowner to do just that. The publisher soon became my new best friend, and I came to learn her ways, as well as what needed to be done to keep the paper running very quickly. The best part about my internship was not going on trips to meet connections with her, but that I was writing, making databases, updating event calendars, taking pictures, filming broadcast clips for the web site, basically learning every in and out of the publication. Each day was a new day, and in the journalism business, that is something you have to look forward to.

Everything about this program was a learning and growing experience, and I would recommend that everyone interested attends. Not only is being in the city incredible itself, but the exposure that you are given is enough to allow one who either loves journalism, or one who is on the line trying to make a decision about the career to make it. There is something for everyone here, things you may have never expected yourself being interested in, or seen yourself doing. You will never know though, until you get in the car, get on the plane, or on the bus, make the trek, and come find it yourself.

Ah, Journalism...

2008-07-17T19:37:00.003-04:00

This program rocks! I know it may sound like I'm totally talking up the professors, but I'm not kidding, this program is the best thing I ever did as far as school goes--one of the hardest and most demanding things I've ever done, but also the best.

I came in as an English literature major, so I was a bit petrified at meeting the group of 20-something students who would mainly have a background in journalism. What I found, though, was that many people were like me. Everyone here had an impression of what journalism is--myself included--and came here to find their ideas turned upside down.

My own impressions were that journalism had to be hard news. However, I never considered whether a blog or tabloid magazines (which is ironic, considering one of my dream jobs would be to work for Cosmopolitan) could be journalism, or what components went into a piece, in order for it to become journalism. Imagine my surprise when we were given our first assignment: produce a 3-minute video piece of good journalism, accompanied by a 300-word article and a Web page. Possibly the most vague and most terrifying assignment I have ever received, I found that, like many classes or assignments that are extremely difficult, this assignment taught me more than I ever would have gained in a semester-long journalism course at CSU.

Here at SIWJ, journalism is open-ended. It is not concrete, it does not have one definition. Instead, this program allows us to define what journalism means to us. One classmate may find a journalistic story in the artwork at the National Gallery. Another may find a piece on the Metro. This program has shown me that journalism is open to interpretation; it is flux.

Going back to that first assignment, I found that the open-endedness of the assignment was scary, but at the same time liberating. Gone were the constraints most professors give their students and in their place was freedom to be creative.

Perhaps that is the most interesting aspect of what I've learned here. Whether at my job or in class, creativity is necessary. A piece of journalism does not always fit into the template designed for it. At Moment magazine, we interns are expected to contribute creatively on a regular basis, whether throwing out possibilities for the next "Jewish Word" column or researching interesting story ideas on the Supreme Court.

I am still working on my definition of journalism. Maybe it's like I said before--that no one definition of journalism will ever truly encompass journalism in all its forms. For now, I agree with Amos' requirements that journalism should inform and entertain. I feel strongly that a piece of solid journalism should make an impact on an individual's life in one way or another. And whether writing about the stock market (boring!) or about the newest runway fashions, passion for the content is key.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

2008-07-17T10:16:00.003-04:00

10:20 a.m.

I've been up for, oh, six hours already.

It's probably a good thing that I'm totally out of it - because I don't really feel much of anything, not even embarassed about the near disaster that was my run this morning with Sen. Chuck Grassley.

It's not that I was intimidated by the most massive case of morning bed head I've ever seen. Naw, I wasn't put on edge by that 74-year-old man who sported long tube socks and a yeller t-shirt that read "Grassley 5:29." I even smiled a bit when I watched him put on that bright blue CAT farmer cap.

The man's a beast, no doubt, but I wasn't intimidated at all. Just forgetful. 3 times.

First of all, the run was great. Grassley keeps about a 10-minute mile pace for 3 miles, which he keeps-up nearly 4 days a week. Seriously, how impressive is that? The guy's 74.

We had one other girl with us, Mindy, 34, who is a lobbyist from Iowa and manages to make it out to D.C. a few times a year. She said she usually always tries to get over to run with Sen. Grassley when she's here.

Mindy was pretty neat - a real Iowa girl with an accent I probably have, too, when I am home. I started to feel myself twang this morning when we were talkin' too - a sure indication. Mindy's in decent shape, does weight-watchers, and chatted the entire run.

At one point, she must have been feeling great because she took the lead for awhile, running a few yards ahead on the home stretch. Grassley must have got a 2nd wind though, because we passed her right before the house.

"He's breakin' awaaaay!!" I turned to mouth at Mindy, who winked.

Then I made my first mistake.

I managed to announce that whoa! We just ran 31 minutes! That's awesome!

And I was seriously impressed and feeling good about that, until Mindy gave me the face and motioned for me to "cut-it!"

"OHhh well if I knew you'd have a watch on it well I could have done it in 30!" said Grassley.

Ahh man. Dang...

And Mindy tried to work him, saying, "Noo that was great, I mean you threw those two hills in there those were so hard!"

And then five minutes of puffing the senator ensued. I don't know, a 74-year-old man keeping a solid pace for 31 minutes is impressive to me. I forgot for a second that by nature, Grassley's gotta be super competitive. So what I said to him this morning was heard something like, "You're a minute SLOW, Senator." Auuughhh . . . and I could tell he was irked by it. The man walked up the street and touched a fire hydrant before turning around - that's how you know method matters, and a minute's a huge deal.

It probably didn't help my case that I forgot both my phone and my wallet, on 2 separate occasions this morning.

Mrs. Grassley made us all oatmeal for breakfast, which of course is my favorite. She even gave me a pack of cinnamon weight control oatmeal to take home. I doubt it was a hint, and just my curiousity on how she made it from straight oatmeal that got her to take interest in the discussion, and give me pack of her favorite.

After breakfast, Mindy, Mrs. Grassley and I loaded up the Lincoln, and I realized right as we were settled that I forgot my phone in the house. Mrs. Grassley had to get out to open the house again, and I grabbed my phone from right inside the door, apologizing once but no more (incessant apologizing is annoying).

Then my wallet fell out of my pocket at the metro. I realized it after Mrs. Grassley had pulled away and Mindy and I were about to get on the train. I knew it was in the car, so I called the Senator at home.

"Senator Grassley, it's Lindsey again! I think I forgot my wallet in Mrs. Grassley's car. It fell out of my pocket."

If I've ever felt like an airhead in my life, it was this morning. I told him I'd wait until they were ready and heading out for the day, and they could drop off my wallet if they'd be so kind.

So I waited at the Metro for 45-minutes, probably the least I could do after calling out the Senator on slow and managing to forget two things on two different occasions.

A good first impression, I'd say!

The Empowerment of Washington DC

2008-07-09T17:26:00.004-04:00

For months, I had been looking forward to coming to Washington DC, full of optimism and confident I had the talent to work hard and reap the benefits the city had to offer. Yes, I have worked hard and yes, I have reaped benefits. Although, they are not the work or the benefits that I was expecting. Washington DC has been a work in progress for me from the very first week, until this very minute, and there are only a few more weeks ahead of me.

My internship was not what I was expecting. However, I was very privileged to have two internships. For me, an ideal internship combined class lessons with situations in the workplace. The exchange would be similar to that of a mentor with a student. I lucked out and was able to have the ability to learn more than I thought I would have in an office environment. Together, my mentor and I were able to solve dilemmas, create dynamic pitches, and learn more about ourselves.

I have learned more about myself in these past few weeks than I could in a lifetime. When I return to my home university, I will be picking up another major, adding more expertise to my resume and my area of concentration. The classroom portion of this program has taught me that the world of journalism is constantly moving forward and I need to move with it. I have had more confidence in situations that were not under my control than I ever had in my entire life.

Life is a series of new experiences, some of which you will never have been in or would not normally seek. Sometimes you will be backed against a wall and will need to find a solution to get out. For me, I found my solution with a tremendous amount of support and courage and went for what I believed was right.

Most of all, I have learned invaluable life lessons. Working for what you believe in is more important than working hard. If something is not right to you, then you should follow your gut instinct and get out of the situation. Sometimes organizations do not have a solid structure, but it is up to you to figure out where you will blend in. Seek help and advice and question every action. You as a person are more important than performing work that will put you in an unethical position and you should know the difference, because knowing the difference will stop a lot of headaches.

Every experience has its lessons and what you take away from these lessons is the most important part. For me, lessons in Washington DC have taught me to follow my instincts and what I believe is right. Surround yourself with those on your side, get some confidence, and you will be empowered to do anything.

From Creative Writer to Journalist

2008-07-08T14:38:00.002-04:00

I am not a journalism major. I come from a creative writing background and have no video or audio experience. After the first week here though, all of that changed. This summer has been a little overwhelming and I have been thrown into a lot of new situations: living in the city, public transportation, writing on a consistent basis for a newspaper, video editing and all the things that come with learning journalism and media communications.

I come from Cumberland MD. I have been to DC a few times, but I didn't ever think I would live here.
I have to say I am doing well with living in the city. My apartment rooftop is amazing with a view of the city unlike anything you have ever seen. I have bonded with many of the members in the class up there and I think its been a great place for all of us to come together and relax.

As far as writing for the newspaper, I have already had a few pieces published and have written a lot more that are in the kitty (A kitty is the place where stories, photos and pieces are help for future publication). I know it's a little late, but I'm starting to think outside of the box and not rely on ideas for stories other people tell me to write. I am constantly thinking of new ideas, stories, angles and trying to see things in a different light.

My classmates are all interesting and much different from what I first expected. When I started talking to students the first few days, I realized they are all experienced and very talented in their own ways. This intimidated me a little, since I had not had much if any journalism experience or courses in my background. I learned a lot from everyone here by just talking to them or working on group projects together. I took Amos’ advice on one of the first days when he said "Everyone has something to offer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and give your input."

He was right. By taking an active role in the program I have learned how to edit and film and do audio and put short pieces together, something I never would have learned at my home school. I have learned how a newspaper runs and gets put together, from story ideas to interviews to layout, publications and distribution. I have learned how to gather information and to write and more importantly, edit stories.

This program has taught me a lot about journalism and has given my résumé a major boast. I am not getting credit for this program but that doesn't matter to me because I have learned valuable lessons that will help me in the future.

It has been a truly great experience.

Amos also said this program would change our aspect on life and what we wanted to do with it. This couldn't be more true. I have gained so much insight on the media field and my own personal direction, now my eyes have been opened to the world around me. In the Fall I am transferring from Shippensburg University to The University of Maryland. I'll be at a bigger school that will help me to succeed and I will also be closer to DC, a location I like a lot now.

Changing Expectations

2008-07-03T09:57:00.003-04:00

On our first day of class, as Amos stood there telling us how SIWJ would fundamentally change us, I had my doubts. I’d heard it before. Many professors have given that speech on the first day, and I’ve left at the end of the semester without having to question anything and with my core beliefs still intact. But with less than a month left in the program, I can honestly say this program has changed me.

I came to D.C. with a completely idealistic view of the city and the world of public relations. I thought I was prepared and knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was wrong.

I’ve been obsessed with DC since I was little, and always thought I wanted to live here after graduation. I thought it was absolutely gorgeous, and full of the most important people in the world. Let me tell you a little secret about DC: it has rats. Seriously, walk around at night, you’ll see one. For a girl from the suburbs of North Carolina, that was quite an experience.

This isn’t to say I don’t still want to move here. I still think the city is amazing, and I’m actually getting to meet some of the big players of DC. In fact, I’m already making plans to be here next summer because I know it presents so many opportunities for me. But I’ve learned that everything isn’t always as it seems, and it doesn’t always turn out the way you want it to.

The perfect example is my internship. I am working for a public relations firm whose clients include the Obama campaign and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I had dreams of attending fabulous charitable galas, and sitting in on campaign strategy meetings. Um, not so much. More like working on spreadsheets, making phone calls and research. Although, at first this was frustrating and disappointing, I’ve learned that this is an extremely valuable reality check for me. I am getting a glimpse of what my life would be like if I choose to move up to DC and work in a large corporate pr firm after graduation. You have to start small before you can be something big. It’s much better to find out now that this may not be the job for me than to find out after I accept a job. I still love politics, and I know that I want to do something in the political realm. Perhaps I’ll try to work for a smaller political strategy firm, or maybe even work as a reporter.

Not to mention, I've met some of the most amazing people up here. All of our speakers have talked about the power of networking, and I really hope that we all keep in touch and will be able to help each other out in the future. We all have such diverse interests, and I know that people in this program will be successful in their various ventures.

So I’ll admit it, Amos was right. I’ve already changed and the program isn’t even over yet. I haven’t figured out all the answers, but I’m starting to understand myself a lot better in the process, which is something I needed to do.

1255

2008-06-30T15:57:00.005-04:00

Time cruises in the 1255, that is 1255 National Press Club Building which houses seven reporters making up bureaus for a number of papers. I work for the Salt Lake Tribune, and am the third arm of two 28-year-old political junkies. Even though we're on the Utah clock, with my day starting at 10 and ending at 6, it doesn't take a whole lot to pass what you'd think would be a long afternoon. Time and life and people move so fast out here, and when you report on it from a newsroom, it's easy to get on a fast track.

There is something about waking up every day that has me really excited. I am finding myself rushing to bed at night, so I can get up and start my day at the bureau. What was apprehension and overwhelm has somehow turned over on its head, and I love being with the Tribune. Working with two 28-year-old frat mentalities is a blast, and going into an office full of still-young writers is indeed glorious. Slipping under the radar is not an option in this office, though. Knowing that under the frat-façade lies an extreme level of professionalism that expects just the same from me is like living under the KGB. They can wield their red-pencil power and I’m done for.

We have fun in here, but I am always aware that I am needing to perform, as they are. I am constantly keeping myself in check. Having that twinge of fear of getting hacked is actually proving to be sort of exhilarating, and I find myself looking ahead every morning as I make my 10-minute ride to the office. I am eager to be there should something come up. I find that I am trying to instill a level of confidence in me so that Matt and Tommy know I can be depended on. I think I owe it to them already, for I am finding the office is full of not only work lessons, but life lessons I am picking-up each day I spend there with everyone. For these lessons I owe them.

I want to tell you about a few experiences, the first being my first piece to go in print in a major newspaper. It was a daily, but Tommy encouraged our editor to get it up on the web as soon as possible. It ran in the paper the next day. Those who got to read it should not have been fooled if it didn’t sound like me - it wasn’t. Matt stuck around until 7:30 p.m. that night so that he could let me write, read what I wrote, and then re-write what I wrote. He called it "editing," I called it getting annihilated. Submitting a piece of creative work to someone else's judgment takes some time getting used to. Constructive criticism is hard. Nonetheless, I asked him to be honest, brutally honest, and the last words he said to me before he went to town on my piece were, "Ok. Now you should not be offended by this or frightened or worried, because it isn't like that, but we're going to rework this, and by that I mean we're going to rewrite it so much that it won't even look like the same piece."

And we did.

Leaving work that day, late though it was, tired, heat struck from being on the Hill for 4 hours, hungry and embarrassed, I couldn't have felt better about that day. I got my first daily in a major newspaper, I was somehow able to come out of the coin hearing (my first piece was on the new national park quarter series bill) with the "salient details," as Matt called it, a skill you are either born with or doomed never to have. Style, structure, organization - it can all be taught and practiced, said Matt. If you can't pick out the important stuff, you're done. I did by his standards, so that's good.The rest will come with practice, and getting a feel for what my editor, Dan, looks for. That was the most reassuring advice I got from the day.

I can remember so well getting beat up every Monday in Professor Ciccone's journalism class at Notre Dame for being "too flowery." Every time Ciccone would get to my write-up, he'd laugh in my face point blank, in front of the whole class."Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey . . ." he'd say, "my favorite."

"Why the hell would you write this? HOW could you write this badly?" was what immediately followed. I could not dumb down my writing enough for that guy, and that day I wrote for him. Had I just sat down and wrote how I usually write - whatever comes off the top of my head - I might have spared my not-yet-tough skin some smarting. And so I said to Matt, "Can I do that, am I allowed to be flowery?"

"It's how you'll get a job," he said. "You have to write to entertain."

The 2nd thing I want to tell you about is my experience at the job-cutting block a few weeks ago, when I ate lunch in the conference room with Matt, Tommy, and Anne, the lone writer for the Denver Post's D.C. Bureau.

The other 3 got laid-off over the last few months.

As I look around the office, I notice that six desks sit empty, not including mine - the unpaid intern's - all of which were once the office spaces of reporters and journalists. After lunch that same day, I sat in on an hour and a half conference meeting with some of the team back in Salt Lake. The Deseret News, the Trib's top competitor, just recently laid-off 30 employees. Because the papers share a lot of the printing, etc. between the paper's, and for other various reasons I don't quite understand, the Tribune is now faced with the opportunity to do the same thing. That day’s meeting served to reassure the members of Tommy and Matt's team that they were not getting laid-off . . . this time.

I asked how often these meetings happen, how often people are put under the cutting block. They said anymore they are sporadic, maybe every 2 months. My entire time out here, all I hear is "it's bad, real bad," and the first slice of advice I got from a reporter over in Salt Lake that day was to "GO TO LAW SCHOOL!" And the more I hear it, the more I don't want to go to law school - I want to go to "well, you're going to be poor but you asked for it" journalism school.

These guys have a blast here, and I realize few get the opportunities they do. They. love. their. jobs. And I couldn't ask for much more than that. A loose schedule, passion every day for what I am doing, lots of change and activity, every day. I'm not sure why I should go into something like law school just to do it. Just to have a back-up?

This was one of the most important experiences I’ve had here, though. It forced me to ask myself the hard questions I was avoiding. I am trying to be realistic with myself. I've asked these guys to be honest with me, and I've thrown out questions at them like, "knowing what you know and having watched it all change, would you go in the business today, if you were in my shoes?" I think I am asking too much from them, though, because I've noticed that their answers are never exactly what I'm looking for. I feel like I need someone to tell me, definitively, whether or not I personally am not being a total idiot by doing this. I know that the second they do, though, I'd more likely laugh and do it anyway just to go the other way.

And so I debated a lot with myself that day. Am I not being realistic enough with myself, and being too audacious when in reality I know very little about what I am getting into? It's easy to hear "do what you love" when you're doing it and feeling good about it and not yet having to support yourself and others in the meantime, when you're not the one getting laid-off and on the threshold of unemployment.

Then Matt said everything I wanted and needed to hear, and more.

“Chances are, you won't be filthy rich, but you won't be poor either. You will be middle class though, and if you're OK with that, you'll be well-off," he said. Matt also said many people in the business struggle a lot with this, those who always have their eye on the money, the monetary glory and myth of the job. He also said there are times when he'll get to thinking about it, too, but is confronted then not with what he doesn't have, but with what he has.

"I'm 28 years old, I get to come in whenever I want, and I get to write about whatever I want," he said. "I make my own hours, I have no supervisors, I can talk to anyone in the world about really cool stuff, and my wife and I just bought our second house."

Awesome.

I still often wonder at what cost one is willing to continue doing what one loves. At some point, did the journalists who were let go from this office wish they had gone into a business simply to avoid living in a month-by-month system in which you will eventually get let go? Is it wiser to sacrifice a little bit of that passion to guarantee financial stability - and just go to law school? Or do you choose to lower your head and keep on barreling through, hoping that 2 years from now a newer model will bring about better conclusions than things like "newspapers are dying - go to law school."

But I can feel myself starting to rally for this cause. Already the wheels are starting to click to life and instinctively brainstorming all the ways I am going to do this thing call journalism.
I feel like the last thing I need to hear out here is that it's a lost cause; because if it is, those very words are what are driving me right into it. If they really don't think I should do it, they should try to say something like, "THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER JOURNALISM IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THE BEST LIFE/CAREER/STANDARD OF LIVING IT'S A BLAST EVERYBODY SHOULD DO IT." I think that would get me out the door quicker than "you WILL get laid-off at some point," as it should for anybody! I'd like to know if this feeling is a legit passion for what I want my career to be, or if it's just naiveté and ego that is making me a little too idealistic for this reality.How do you know? Do you just do and decide at some point that you'll accept whatever it'll be? Do you just make the decision to go with the flow regardless? These are the questions I am faced with in this newsroom every day, and in class with Amos. John Donvan couldn’t throw these at me enough, and I brought up my fears one day to Tommy at work.Tommy: You're gonna hear that stuff because it'll shake people up, and it'll weed those people out who aren't serious about it. There are people who are just looking to get to the top, who don't really care about journalism. They just want the money and the image. And those are the people who are going to get frustrated in this business; and those are the people who need to get out before they even begin, because they won't be able to take the punch.I think it's kind of exciting. A totally new frontier on the horizon. Nobody knows what this thing is going to look like. My main editor in Salt Lake couldn't say enough in the meeting, "I don't know guys, I just don't know what's going to happen." I think the point is to still be around when people do know. It’s going somewhere, and at this point it’s a question of whether or not you’re up for the ride.

Time Flies

2008-06-29T21:16:00.004-04:00

I cannot believe we are entering our fifth week of the program. I feel like I have experienced so many wonderful exciting things in D.C. Yet there is still so much I want to do and I am worried I won’t have enough time. I love so many things about this city and I could see myself living here for a few years after graduation.

I am interning at the NDN this summer. Formerly known as the New Democratic Network, the NDN is a democratic political think tank that’s goal is to help set the agenda for the Democratic Party. As the development intern, my main tasks include making phone calls to patrons or target corporations about upcoming events, as well as setting up and checking people into the events. I work 9 to 6 Monday through Thursday and 9 to noon on Fridays. It is extremely rare that a day goes by where I have nothing to do, but I prefer it that way. My favorite part of the job is meeting Members of Congress at our events. Even if it is only for a few minutes, how many people get to meet three U.S. Representatives in a five minute period?

Everyday something new and different happens. I feel our experiences this summer have been made possible by D.C. and they could not be offered anywhere else in this country. Even though there are days where I am so exhausted I could sleep for a week, I prefer to soak up as much of this city as possible. This city, my internship and my new friends have already made this summer one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Its true what they say.."Time Flies When You're Having Fun!"

The Halfway Point

2008-06-25T21:18:00.004-04:00

"Are blogs news?" --Amos Gelb, SIWJDirector

Not when Jocelyn writes them!

We've been in DC now for four weeks, working hard and playing harder. I never imagined myself doing all of the things that we have done. Last week, we went to the Capitol and got to sit in the House Chamber, which gave me goosebumps. Next week, we are visiting the White House and will tour the east wing. This is all too funny to me though, because my internship has almost nothing political about it.

I am interning at Nature's Best Photography Magazine, a quarterly magazine, as an editorial assistant. They are producing the summer issue now, so I have been oh-so-busy trying my best to make the biggest imprint I can! Luckily, the managing editor has been out all week and its given me the opportunity to take on the work he would otherwise do. It is actually my first shot at editorial writing too, so this is a huge learning process for me. I feel that I have an amazing opportunity with them, because it is such a small business, with only six employees, and I am interviewing a lot of big names in photojournalism, people that I can only dream of talking to when flipping through the pages of National Geographic.

I am also meeting people through the SIWJ program, people that I may one day work with if we all stick the course in journalism. We've been going to Pride parades, enjoying the nightlife, and soaking in as much of DC as there is to soak in. All in all, if I could do this every summer, I would!

D.C. with Dana

2008-06-23T10:18:00.006-04:00

D.C. is so much more than I ever could have expected. Before coming here I, like most people, knew about the monuments, the memorials and the old buildings. However, knowing about them and actually experiencing them are two different things. All of the things I've read about these places didn't prepare me for the feelings of pride and awe at the way our great country is represented in D.C.

Still, the SIWJ program is not a vacation. The first week here is scary and I often felt like Amos threw me to a pack of wolves. Yet, as the weeks have gone by I understand why. There simply is no way of "easing" into life in D.C. Deciding to intern here is a big leap of faith, but in the end I can tell it's going to be worth it.

Before getting here I knew my internship would teach me things, but I never could've imagined the ways it would change my views. I am at Hispanic Link with my boss Charlie, who has been in the business for over twenty years. Charlie has given a voice to the Latino population through his weekly paper. He has been educating me daily on the issues that face the fastest-growing demographic in the country. Education, health care, immigration and equal rights are huge issues for Latinos, but how they are handled affects all Americans.

I had never even heard of the Link and wasn't aware of what a big deal it is. However, on my second day here I quickly figured it out. We attended a luncheon featuring congressmen and women, and other political leaders and instead of us having to run these VIPs down to get their stories, they came to us because of Charlie. It left me a bit awe-struck of my new boss.

Since then, interning at the Link has afforded me some amazing opportunities. I've been to luncheons with congress members, Capitol press conferences, Congressional hearings, museum press tours and more. I'm also looking forward to attending a few conventions where the presidential nominees are going to be featured speakers. None of this would be possible without the Link, Amos and the SIWJ program.

I'm not even sure yet how I feel about all I'm seeing and doing... I think it will hit me when I get home and look back at the pictures and see that it really was me doing all of these crazy things. I just know that right now I am thrilled to be here.

So, to avoid incessant rambling I will say farewell for now. I want to wish my fellow classmates good luck for the rest of our summer.

Dana

Two weeks...

2008-06-14T00:30:00.007-04:00

Wow-We've been here for two weeks and the city still takes my breath away.

It's beautiful! We're here... we're where it all really happens. We're in the hub. As our professor Susan mentioned the other day, it wasn't always a hub, but now and it's truly inspiring to be here.

Although, it feels like time is slipping through our fingers.

We're all so busy with work and projects, it feels like there's no time to go see monuments and museums. I have a list of things I want to see before I leave: the Constitution, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, the Ghost Clock (for my sister's sake), and I'm really excited for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival next weekend on the Mall.

Then there's also the incidental stuff: the events and dinners that just tend to happen when a bunch of 20-somethings spend any time together.

But the city...

As I go to bed some nights, I think about the fact that the leader of the free world (love him or hate him- you have to acknowledge and respect the power) is sleeping- or not sleeping- just a few blocks away. Every day, as we walk by those big, nondescript office buildings, decisions are made. These could be large and important, or so small and trivial you don't know how they will affect you personally. Every person working in those federal office buildings is, either directly or indirectly, beholden to me.

I recently saw an old interview between Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart where Bill made some disparaging comments about the 18 to 25-year-olds who watch Jon's show and their voice in the election. He said it like he felt that it was a right that should only be reserved for adults... like him. I think that's a prevailing misconception held by much of the federal workforce: twenty-somethings (the interns who make them coffee and run their errands) are not members of the voting public.

I fear I grow political, which is not my aim, but I'm simply awestruck that this. My first year to vote in the general election (I voted in the midterms, but everyone I voted for was an incumbent) is the same year I spend two months in the nation's capital!

It started off great and I belive it's going to be an inspiring summer!

Adjusting to (a New Type of) City Life

2008-06-12T11:00:00.009-04:00

After months of painstakingly waiting in the South for this summer to come, my time for living in D.C. has arrived. The accommodations have been made, my job is secured, and all the fees are squared away...almost. Well, I guess you're wondering by now who this person is writing in this blog and how he made it to D.C. and the SIWJ Program.

I'm a modest person by nature and don't talk too much about myself, but I will say this. I'm John Asante. I'm originally from New Jersey, but have lived in Georgia for about 5 years. I'm about to start my senior year at Georgia State University, located in the heart of Atlanta. I'm double majoring in journalism and speech and I'm using this summer away from home to see if telecommunications (moreseo which branch - radio or TV and what type of job - reporting/ anchoring, producing, etc) is my calling.

In order to get a good scope of what kind of career I want to pursue after I graduate next May, I decided I'd try out more of the field of radio...and intern at XM Satellite Radio. Even before I go into what my duties are as an intern, I must say that XM is an amazing place. Located on the corner of NY and FL Aves., and only a 12 minute metro ride from my apartment, the company is forward thinking and innovative. Everywhere I went on my first was an enigmatic inundation of music, news, talk, technology, and the like. The people are real chill as well, and that makes any job enjoyable.

Now to my internship. Probably one of the coolest things about my job is that we (my coworkers and I in our office) don't have to dress up in button-up shirts, ties, and power suits. Seeing as we're in the program department, "as long as you have a shirt on" is our motto day in and day out.
I am serving as a programming intern for The Bob Edwards Show on XM's Public Radio Channel 133. If you're a bit unaware of who he is, you can check out his impressive career here
and click on the link to the show. In short, he does long-form one-hour interviews with noteworthy people in news, politics, music, entertainment, movies, sports, etc. The pre-recorded show is aired five times a week and played four times a day. Plus, there is a weekend show...aptly called Bob Edwards Weekend.

Since I don't want to sound too long-winded, here's a brief explanation of what I do, courtesy of Facebook:

"Editing pre-recorded interviews, researching noteworthy people, booking guests, creating podcasts, and learning to form effective interviews for one of talk radio's finest, Bob Edwards, on his daily program, The Bob Edwards Show.

All from the convenience of my desk (phone included), overlooking the busy streets of D.C. Booyah."

All of this is surreal, but true. I have a pretty sweet view out my window and I'm learning a lot about public radio and formulating interviews with a radio legend and his crew.

Now, I'm trying to stress the motto of "work hard, play hard" this summer. It goes without saying that I'm looking to explore D.C. in all of its glory as a fresh, new 21 year-old. I've visited this city a few times in my youth, but have never adventured on my own past the National Mall. D.C.is such a different city from Atlanta; from its NYC-like grid system, to its crazy hustle and bustle each day, it's quite an experience. The city seems so health conscious. Virtually everyone either walks, bikes, roller blades, uses a scooter, or some form of transportation more than a car. Around any given corner is a healthy eatery with 'fresh vegetables' and 'organic products.' D.C. is so historic too. The fact that I can walk to the Lincoln Memorial at night, see the Washington Monument out my window AND take the train to the Smithsonians is amazing.

Now that I mention sightseeing spots in the nation's capital, check out this video I took of the tour guide at the FDR memorial:

However, if there's one thing I noticed right away about D.C. is the HUMIDITY. And I'm from Atlanta, but it gets unbearable. It'll take me a while to get used to working up a sweat while walking to the metro.
Speaking of which, the train system here trumps Atlanta's any day. Five color-coded lines? Genius. Paying fares by distance? Brilliant. A chart showing the approximate ETA for any station. Remarkable. There are so many stops that are available...and it only takes me 12 minutes to get to work on the metro. Basically, I can leave my room (on the corner of 20th and E streets) at 8:30 AM and make it to work by 9. Awesome.

Living in a new city for about 11 days has already started to change my views on life mentally and physically. I'm so much more willing to just walk or take the metro to a favorite destination. The real world is becoming...a reality. Being around grown people with deadlines and lots of work, but who love their jobs, is a great experience. Everyday, I come up with new ideas of what I should do after college. Should I go into radio? What aspect? What can I do online? In addition, my social interactions with strangers has changed. Less than two weeks ago, my roommate was this random kid from upstate New York. Today, we are chillin' as if we've been buds for years.

The same goes for the people in the SIWJ program with me. We come from a myriad of walks of life, but have come together for one main purpose - to learn more about journalism. Our class is pretty intensive. We've gotta read three books, complete a five or six projects (a 3-minute video, a 300 word story, and a website), meet people in the journalism world with a good head on our shoulders AND attend our internships, all in 8 weeks.

My classmates and I are learning a lot - especially Final Cut Pro. Many of us spent countless hours in the editing studio and out in the field capturing footage, planning our videos and editing. But I can proudly say that I know how to use another program that will be beneficial to landing my dream job(s). I've also learned to multi-task like never before! At my internship at XM, I've booked three future interviews for Bob Edwards this summer and I have the challenge of creating interview questions and editing the pieces for air. The first couple of days were a rather large overflow of information...I got tutorials in about 8-10 programs that I may only use for all but 2-3 applications. Overall, I'm enjoying every minute of it.

In my free time, I've been scoping out the cool areas of D.C. and taking advice from everyone I meet. The other half of the people in the program are Ivory Tower, another nice and relatively new dorm building. Those are some nice (and expensive) apartment-style dorms. There's also the monuments and memorials, of course. I went to the Benihana in Georgetown the second night I was here with a fellow classmate and that was a trip. It was my first time in a Japanese hibachi restaurant, so I had to get some footage of the cooks' sweet skills behind the grill:

There are many places on my list to go to:

- explore more of Georgetown
- possibly check out the Film festival happening closer to Maryland
- Artomatic, before it finishes up on my birthday
- Chinatown
- Adam's Morgan (the night of my 21st!)
- Howard University
- the Smithsonians (especially the new ones I've never been to)
- Washington Memorial at dawn (to recreate one of my favorite scenes from "Wedding Crashers")

The list virtually goes on and on.

So, I guess I'll end with an ironic (maybe not so funny story) of my first week on GW's campus. I had to move apartments twice. The first time was due to water damage on the wall of my bedroom from the sprinkler that went off the month before due to the fire in someone's room.The second time was due to ANOTHER placement mistake by housing. Then, I got a wrong key. Then, I got locked out...with only a towel on...

My summer so far has been fast-paced and so is the real world, so I'd say that the program is also teaching me about how quick we have to act in the journalism world to stay on top of our game. We all laugh and cry together, during parties, classes, homework, and outings. I love being thrown into a new element and finding a way to deal with it. The last couple of summers have been a drag at home, so I wouldn't have it any other way this May-August.

As with most blog posts that I create, I feel as if I've said too much. My mind races a mile a minute, but I wouldn't have it any other way. There's that feeling in the air that this summer is going to be the most rewarding, challenging and creative experience of my life, to date.

That's all for now,

John A.

First Impressions

2008-06-10T18:57:00.019-04:00

I don't want to spend a whole post nerding out, but living in Washington, D.C. is awesome.

I can walk to the Mall, watch motorcades fly past my window, and gaze at the Washington monument, lit-up every night, right from my living room. I live between the State Department and the White House. I walk past the IMF and the World Bank on the way to work, not to mention a couple of demonstrations.

Living in Washington is a unique experience. It's a big change from New York State, where I'm from. It's a lot lazier down here. Trust me, you have to be--the heat and humidity won't allow for anything else. Things move a lot slower down here in general; you won't find someone yelling at you if you take more than five seconds to order your fast food.

But I digress. Let's get back to basics and stock introductions: Hi, my name is Conor Hale and I'm a journalism major at St. Bonaventure University. I want to work in television and broadcast news. Not sure where and/or how yet. I'm interning at the BBC's Washington bureau. More on that later.

If I had to talk about my first impressions of this program, my internship, and my summer, I would say this: sometimes your professors will say--if you're not sure about what you want to do--take an internship, experiment, dabble; and if you find something you like, you're golden. And if you don't, then you know what you don't want to do.

This is not one of those programs. This is far from a waste of time.

Amos, the big cheese of the program, really helped me find a place right for me--and so far he's been right every time. And I'm not being paid to say that. (Which reminds me: be wary of the district's 9 percent sales tax. And if you can score a paid internship, all the best.)

But if you're looking for journalism-- I really hope you're not doing it for the money. And if you are looking for journalism-- there are few places as media-savvy as Washington.

Working at the Beeb (what insiders call the BBC) is a lot different than anything else. It's not your dad's TV station. The BBC is the largest Newsgathering operation in the world. Newsgathering, where I work, supplies two domestic UK channels, a 24-hour news channel in the UK, a 24-hour international news channel and an American nightly news broadcast, not to mention the BBC's 5 radio channels and the BBC World Service, broadcasting in over 35 countries and languages. Yeah, it gets a little crowded. But the best part is that there is always so much to do--I’ll never be that intern getting coffee.

This really is the last stretch

2008-05-06T21:56:00.003-04:00

Well this is it I guess. This really is the last stretch. Classes have now finished, as has my internship.

It was sad thinking that this was my last week at my internship. It has been my life for four months now and I have loved having my little routine from Monday to Thursday. I am certainly going to miss working there. I have had the most fabulous experience working there and have learnt so much! I have also loved working with my boss and couldn't have worked for a more lovely and brilliant person - it has been fantastic!

It was also strange having our last day of classes, but it was a fabulous end with us all going out for lunch - talking about our experiences and also getting to probe Amos for the first time!

I have to say I cannot believe how quickly these last four months have gone - everything has flown by at an incredible rate.

I have absolutely loved being a student at GW, working at Smithsonian Magazine and living in DC. Not to sound too cliched but it really has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have learnt new things about Journalism, but also about myself. It has also helped me figure out where I will be heading next. This experience has certainly changed me a lot!

I cannot believe how much I have done, the people I have met, the places I have seen. I could not have even begun to imagine it when I stepped off the plane at Dulles Airport in January.

I want to thank Amos for everything - he has done such an amazing job and has made this experience one that I am unlikely to forget. I have seriously had 'the time of my life'.

P.S. Have been wearing the sweat-shirt I received from the program non-stop, despite the merry chants of "GW" on Friday night as students walked passed me and the water bottle has been in constant use since the weather warmed up!

Cheers! Natalia

An End to End All Ends

2008-04-22T12:25:00.006-04:00

Well, this is the second-to-last week, and the last week that I am scheduled to blog, and I am sure that if anyone is actually reading this blog.

Our West Wing tour was scheduled for last Tuesday night, but since the Pope was coming to town, we got bumped off the schedule because the staff had to ready the White House. I wish they'd told us that before I walked over there in my best suit and waited for half an hour at the gates...They rescheduled us for Sunday afternoon, which ensured that I would not have a conflict of schedule, but I would actually rather have such functions at the end of a day that is already devoted to work or school instead of taking a day off away. I'm just weird that way (and many other ways besides), and it didn't matter what I thought anyway; that was the only available time, so debate wasn't an option.

At work the past couple weeks, we've bid farewell to two interns and began interviewing new applicants. I'll be gone next week, and the only other intern is actually leaving this week, so Creative Differences may be intern-less for a time. If you're thinking of applying, do so now, as they are looking for enthusiastic people who are ready to work, and can really sell themselves in an interview (Hint: It helps to be thirsty in an interview here, and that's all I'll say).

Last Friday, we saw Professor Gelb's reality show (no joke), and discussed the impact of the reality genre on TV. That afternoon we went to the Holocaust Museum, where we spoke first to a man who works there, and helps promote awareness of genocides that are happening today, not just the Holocaust. We took the tour of the museum, and I will tell you, you will never really understand how bad the Holocaust was, how it happened, and how it was allowed to happen unless you go and see this museum. They do not display things of a graphic nature, so children will probably miss the point rather than be plagued with nightmares as the true terror of the thing is mostly suggested, very strongly suggested, by telling of the horrible things that happened and not showing them. It is more effective that way, because you feel the pain and injustice instead of seeing it and commenting that it wasn't as violent as the movie you saw last night... And I learned many things I never knew, for instance: Hitler had Jehovah's Witnesses put in the concentration camps as well as Jews, Political prisoners, homosexuals, and people who just got in the way (in a big way). Jehovah's Witnesses; I didn't know they existed in the 1930s, much less in Germany. And come on, I know they come to your home and talk to you, but is that is not a reason to have them tortured and killed.

On Sunday, we did finally get into the West Wing (not the actual White House) and saw the Oval Office, the Press Room, and even the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. I have to say it, even though it's cliched it's true: "It looks a lot bigger on TV." While it was fancy and prestigious, the reality of the Office of the President of These United States could not live up to the hype. As a result, I was more impressed by the Eisenhower building (because it is huge, old, and has many ornate fixtures and features...It reminded me of the Spencer Mansion from Resident Evil).

Over the next two weeks, I have a ton of work to do, not the least of which is a police ride along, which just doesn't want to happen. I spent 2 and 1/2 hours at the police station yesterday, waiting to SET UP the ride along that I showed up to TAKE. Somebody told me on the phone yesterday morning that I had a ride along appointment, and when I showed up at the station, it was news to them!

Apart from that, there is an intership case study paper (7-10 pages), a final video project (>10 minutes), and a paper based on the ride along (5 or more pages), once I finally get to do that...

That's all the news I have, so now I'm signing off for the final time,

Yours recedingly,
Greg

"No one knows what it means, but it's provocative."
--Chazz Michael Michaels

Learning until The End

2008-04-21T12:26:00.007-04:00

Another week has gone by and sadly we are getting closer to the end.

This last week has still been busy though which is great. At work I have been sifting through literary catalogs in order to create a huge database for my boss so that she will have all the catalogs on record which she can refer to. Hopefully this will create a little more space in her office as it is unbelievable how many there are. I hope this also helps her out when she comes to looking through catalogs next season. At the moment, I feel like a true journalist as I am slowly being swallowed up by papers, magazine, literary catalogs and countless yellow sticky notes which are living up to their name and sticking to virtually everything!
Although, this may not be as exciting as the other tasks I am doing it really has given me a different insight into the job, showing the mixture of work invovled in a publication house. Additionally, I feel it something which will really help my boss in the long run (well I hope it does) and I feel I am making a bit of a difference.

At school this week, we discussed the role of the reality television medium - why it works so well and what is its secret formula. In contrast, in the afternoon we visited the Holocaust museum and had someone who works with the media side of the museum explain how the Holocaust is not something that remains in the past, but that genocide is something that is happening this very minute in Dafur. He explained how the media is vital with helping this cause and the Sudanese people, by broadcasting their plight to the rest of the world. The media is helping to keep the issue at the forefront of people's minds, as too often these stories are soon forgotten as they are replaced with some new, more current and therefore more interesting topic. This was particularly interesting for me as I am so interested by humanitarian issues, and it is something I am very keen to get into, as I feel this is one way a Journalist can use their skills to help improve situations such as this.
The Holocaust museum itself was also fascinating and extremely well presented. Having a Polish father I was particularly interested in the areas focusing on the invasion of Poland and the surrender of Warsaw to the Germans and the way in which the country suffered during the war, especially as it is not an area which is so well covered in High School. Once again, it made me realize that this may also be something I am interested in - writing about historical events and the way in which they affected people's lives and still do now - it links with my interest in humanitarian causes and issues.

On a slightly lighter note, on Sunday Amos organized a tour of the White House's West Wing for us. It was truly amazing to see where the President worked, his offices, his meeting rooms and his private study. Being a would-be journalist it was also great to see the press room as well. It certainly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I never thought I would do before I came here.

I have to say apart from today it has really started to feel like summer, which means lunches outsides, walks a long the harbour and plenty of Ben & Jerry's. Social life is a real blast and although too many late nights are starting to take their toll it is all worth it in the end.

Race until The End

2008-04-08T12:54:00.004-04:00

Since coming back from Spring Break staying in Daytona Beach, Florida it has been hard to get back in the swing of things, but I'm finding myself busy once again in D.C. which is great - helping me to get over the shock of coming back to the city and the cold! I have to say, before I continue, that Spring Break is one of the great American experiences and if you are an international student it is definitely one of those things that you have to do - the memories will last a lifetime!

Anyway, back in D.C everything has been going full steam ahead, especially at Smithsonian Magazine. Everyone always asks me at work how I am getting on and I always answer I love coming into work. This is met with a bemused look as if to say "Are you crazy? or what?!" But it is true, I love coming into work looking forward to finshing off one project and starting on something new. It may be true that "the feeling won't last forever in my working life" as my mother says, but right now I love it! Last week I was working on History Today for the magazine. This is a feature which appears on the Smithsonian Magazine website every day. For each day of the week, (example May 12) you have to come up with an important event that happened on the same day say 20 years ago, or 200 years ago and then write a short piece on it. I was working on a week in May - May 12-18 and I had to find seven events, one for each day that I thought Smithsonian Magazine readers would find interesting. It was so much fun and incredibly interesting investigating and researching births, marriages, deaths, battles, discoveries, natural disasters, expeditions, publications and works of art etc. And the wealth of information I discovered was fascinating. For example, I found out more about Pope John Paul II when I was researching his attempted assassination then I ever had known before. This project reinforced the scope of subjects that Smithsonian covers, which is what really attracts me to the Magazine, since it covered religion, history, art, culture, medecine, travel, literature and science. The breadth that working at the Magazine allows you is also extraordinary, which is why I say I like coming into work every day. I know it sounds geeky, but I love to learn new things, even in Science, which isn't my strong point. Now, this week I am calling up and writing to literary agencies to request different books for consideration for excerpts, which again encompasses an entirely different area of the Magazine.

This week classes were full steam ahead too, with the director, Amos, organizing another jam packed day. On Friday morning Amos took us to the NPR (National Public Radio) offices. Here we were able to sit in on their Friday morning meeting and hear discussions on the different stories they would be including in future programs. It was fascinating to see what different kinds of stories were brought up and also the interaction between the journalists when ideas were put forward. It gave you a real idea of what it is like to work in radio journalism. We were also given a tour of the building, including the "floating" studios which were an amazing design. Later in the day back at school, Amos gave us a history of the radio, which while as Amos said the SIWJ program is not a history course, I still feel it is important to learn how the radio developed and evolved, in order to understand it today. We then rushed into Georgetown (it really is non-stop here and always on the go which I love - it's the journalist in me!) to meet Jeffrey Dvorkin, who is an experienced journalists who has worked for a variety of companies. He gave us a great insight into the profession and I appreciated greatly his candidness, as many journalists are not as honest about the work or the profession they work in.

Social-life wise this weekend was packed too with my best friend at GW turning 21 and his parents booking a hotel suite for a whole group of us for 2 nights. It was pretty much a Spring Break reunion as friends from Maryland came down. We also managed to include a tour for them around D.C. -- as my mother said "Isn't it a bit strange for an English person to be giving a tour of D.C. to Americans?" Well I guess D.C is my second home now! I have to say it was great time to show them the city, as Saturday was so warm and sunny and the cherry tree blossoms were amazing - it looked stunning. However, trust me to forget my camera - so I guess I'll be returning this week, otherwise my mother will not be impressed that I have been in Washington for 3 months and haven't taken photos of one the most famous and beautiful things here!!

Past the Halfway Mark

2008-04-08T11:50:00.003-04:00

We're rounding the last turn and coming into the home stretch, soon it will be summer, and the big adventure will be at a close. But, before that happens, we will be visiting the West Wing, the office complex of the President! Seriously, are we well connected or what? And, before that happens, it will be my birthday. I'll be twenty-one; tie whatever significance into it that you will...

This week we are going to get to see Ted Turner in the SMPA building. It should be interesting to hear what such a person has to say. Work continues, and there is to be a rotation of interns, some leaving and others taking their places.

Yes, we are half done with this semester, but there are still more things to do in the time ahead. As it is done, so shall it be written, so stay tuned.

With gusto and a plate of cold spaghetti,
Greg

"Sometimes you just have to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'When in Rome...'"
--Ron Burgundy

Back in the Capitol

2008-03-25T10:59:00.004-04:00

Well, friends and neighbors, from the clock on the wall, I can see that I forgot to set it ahead for daylight savings time, which really threw me off, and somehow I lost a week, and my calendar caught on fire, and my pocket watch spontaneously exploded, and by my reckoning, it's probably time to write on this blog again...

Last week was spring break (yay), and I went back to my old homestead in Colorado (which isn't really very old at all). I played video games and watched my DVD collection of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Apart from that, much sleep was had by all. It was a good week and a good time to relax.

But, now I'm back, and rather than feeling thrust back into the rush of the city (which I could handle just fine), there's a bit of a hiatus at school and work, so I feel that I am just now reaching the edge of the cliff where vacation drops into the abyss of routine, rather than already falling.

Whatever else I may do the rest of the semester, I think one of my greatest accomplishment will still be introducing a Londoner to the musical stylings of Hank Williams Sr... I would never have thought that England and the American South had any views in common, even in songs, but, there we are.

As more developments develop throughout the rest of my semester here, I will be sure to ramble and drone on about them in either a hilarious or altogether uninteresting way, depending on my readers...

That is all,
Greg

"And now for something completely different."
--John Cleese

Cupcakes and Spring Break

2008-03-11T11:29:00.003-04:00

Everything is still going great here out in Washington D.C, although last week was a rather intense, but very interesting, time for me at my internship. There was a change of plan to the May issue, which includes the section called "Destination America." There was supposed to be an article on Memphis, TN included in the section (as Smithsonian Magazine tries to cover all areas of the United States.) However, the author had written a 10,000 word piece, instead of a 3,000 piece and it was so good that they wanted to keep it as a proper feature for another, future issue. This resulted in a massive gaping hole where The South was supposed to be covered in the "Destination America" section. Consequently, this meant that a story which had been 'killed' a couple of years back on the Natchez Trace had to resurrected. This meant a mad rush for everyone to get the story ready on time for publication. This allowed me to do my first bit of reporting, which my boss said I should take advantage of.

You see, the problem with the Natchez piece is that we already knew one of our key sources had died and we needed to make sure that wasn't the case for the rest of story. Thankfully, we discovered most other elements of the article were accurate and the story is now almost ready. This was a great insight for me to see that things do not always run smoothly and one way or another you have to come up with a back-up plan. Issues always have to go out on time.

This week also saw my first two stories that I had worked on, Acoma and Conner Prairie, go into their final stages and I was able to see the layout. It was really strange for me to see the articles, which I had crossed words out on, marked big red circles on and generally just scribbled all over with my pencil, in its final stages looking not far from what we will see in the May issue. It really gave me a sense of achievement.

Last week, for school, was cupcake time! Greg and I worked on a 3-minute video piece about Georgetown Cupcakes that had opened last month. Everyone had been going crazy for them - there were lines outside the door and the owners had to close the store for a few hours at a time to cope with the demand. It was a frivolous story, but I thought it would be fun to cover. After a few initial bumps that we managed to iron out, the story came along quite well and Greg and I had a bit of fun with the soundtrack, although I have to say "Hey good-looking, what you got cooking" has somewhat stayed in my head since then!

On Tuesday, we met Carol Knapps from RTNDA/F who creates journalism programs/projects for high school students, to teach them writing, videography, editing, radio, etc. We were asked by her to create a 3-minute video piece on the program and its students, which will then be put up on the website. Therefore, at the end of this week we are visiting the Friendship Public Charter School to film the children at work. In school this week they are working on a project concerning the 40th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination, and connecting how it relates to the election.

Social life is still going well, I am having a really great time – it is so much fun! Tomorrow is my birthday, which I am really looking forward to, although turning 22 makes me feel old, especially when I go out on the weekend and I discover everyone is a sophomore – (to be 19!) Anyway, I’m even more looking forward to the end of the week/next week, as 14 of us are sharing a house in Daytona Beach, Florida for Spring Break! I can’t wait– I need some sun! Not looking forward to the 12-hour drive down there, but I’m sure it will be worth it when I get there. As you can probably tell I’m definitely trying to do the whole American student experience!
Next stop…road trip across America of course!

See you after some fun in the sun!
-Natalia

Howdy!

2008-03-11T10:28:00.005-04:00

Prepare yourselves once again, 'cause here I is...
I will begin this session by saying that anyone who has not seen the movie "Airplane!" should do so immediately.

Now, on to business. I've been working on video projects for the past three-or-so weeks, and while I can feel my skills improving, I am also ready for Spring Break to relieve me of duty for a while. The last video turned out pretty well, considering it was about a cupcake store, so be looking for the video on Youtube in a couple weeks. The soundtrack features Journey, The Cars, and Hank Williams, so ask your parents and grandparents who those musicians are before logging on.

In other news, I attended The Kalb Report last night, which was visited by Christiane Amandpour, CNN's war correspondant. I was amazed to hear that she obtained her current position mainly through random chance and luck, which is rather encouraging for the new generation to know; you don't necessarily have to know someone high-up in the company, you just have to know your business, and do your best and people will recognize that.

On another note, I just obtained Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and it is awesome. I recommend it to all Wii owners, and will give no spoilers. If you're in the mood to see the Nintendo all-stars beating each other senseless, go pick it up.

Not much more to say, so I'll sign off once more.

"No man is an island, but some men are peninsulas."
-Robin Williams in "The Survivors"

Farewell until our next random encounter, exactly two weeks from now,
Greg

The Second Post

2008-02-26T10:45:00.006-05:00

It's me again, Greg, and I'm here to share a little something with the public about my past week. I guess I should touch on my internship this time, so here it goes.
I'm working at a production house called Creative Differences, and due to the intern-internship relationship (and legal documents I signed at the beginning of my stint here) I cannot say anything about any of the programs, but think "Discovery Channel" and you'll be on the right track to see the kinds of things this place turns out.
I only work there on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with my lecture class on Fridays. Don't think I'm slacking off though, because there are always errands to run on the other days of the week, and I use Mondays and Wednesdays just to keep up with my homework and taking care of the apartment I'm staying in....
Where was I? Oh right, internship. I spend my shifts on a computer, researching and transcribing film, so after a seven-and-a-half hour shift, my eyes are pretty much fried, not to mention finger-strain from typing...but I don't mean for this to sound like a complaint, because I enjoy surfing on a computer in my free time, so this type of activity doesn't seem like "work" to me.
Okay, but I have to admit, I was getting a little bored transcribing the film I was working on. However, I talked to the other interns and evidently the film is going to be used in a promo (or a commercial) for the show it is part of and that made it feel more worthwhile. Plus, if the segment I'm doing gets used, it'll almost be like I'm on TV.
That's all the info that's in the least bit interesting, for the moment, so it's time to sign off. But before I go, I'll leave you with a quick philosophical thought:

"I'm reminded of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'"
--Chris Knight

(From the movie "Real Genius." Check it out if you have the time, it's well worth it.)

Greg

A Clean Report

2008-02-25T11:29:00.005-05:00

The last two weeks in the program have been really great, even though I can't believe how quickly everything is going! My internship at Smithsonian is still going really well. I finished fact checking an article on the Acoma settlement, which felt like a real achievement as it seemed to take a rather long time to get to the bottom of it. I have now started work on another article, which is equally fascinating, on the Conner Prairie living history site in Indiana. It has been great to be in touch with the writers and then to source out others who are experts in their field who can aid with the research. I really feel now I am helping my boss out a little bit with her work load.

School has been going really well too. Since I last wrote, I went and heard George Stephanopoulos speak at GW, which was amazing. It was fascinating to hear about his thoughts on the upcoming presidential election and I have to say people back in England are rather jealous that I got to hear him speak. We went to Capitol Hill the following day where we managed to sit in the hearing of McNamee versus Clemens, on the use of steroids in Major League Baseball. It was brilliant and I have just turned in a paper on the media coverage of that event. It was really interesting to see what the different journalists had reported on the subject of the hearing, particularly Mike Wise of the Washington Post, as we met him at the Hill the previous day.

This Friday just gone we went to Fox News Studios, which was a fantastic experience. We managed to sit in the studio room while the news was being broadcasted live and were able to hear through an earpiece the instructions for the anchorman/camera crew etc. We also learned about television writing this week, which was certainly a new experience for me, especially as I am so used to writing 3000 word English essays. It is a slight change when your target is only 4 sentences! I'm hoping practice will make perfect though!

Social life has been going really well - apart from the domestic side of things. Obviously living in America is just that bit different from England and I thought I was doing really well getting used to the way things were done over here - obviously not, as last week my roommate headed to the kitchen to leave for the gym and came face to face with bubbles and foam filling the entire kitchen! Yes, I had put the wrong type of liquid in the dishwasher (on someone else's instructions I might add - although my roommate did point out that he was not the best person to ask, considering he eats out pretty much every night!) So yes, there was foam absolutely everywhere, pouring out everywhere! (it does make me wonder about the condition of our dishwasher though.) I have to say we were in hysterics - I am going to known as the blondest student at GW now! But, at least we looked on the bright side our kitchen floor is probably the cleanest thing in our apartment!
So apart from that episode, everything else has been great. Too many nights out in Adams Morgan has started to be combatted with late night/early Sunday morning jogging sessions to make me feel I'm doing myself some good. I have found there are some great places to run near the Washington Monument. Although, the two guys I run with are often just two spots in the distance after the first mile as I struggle to keep up! I feel a few more sessions at the GW gym are needed! (The GW gym is absolutely brilliant, by the way, great facilities and it's free which I was amazed about- you wouldn't find that in England!)
Once again I'm absolutely exhausted first thing on a Monday morning, but it has been a great two weeks since I last wrote. I may be burning the candle at both ends (as my mother would say), with work and social life, but it is definitely worth it.

The First In A Series Of Rambling Monologues on DC...

2008-02-14T11:05:00.006-05:00

Well, after a long fight with my computer and much swearing, I'm finally a part of this blog...you readers will have to decide if that's good or bad.

Anyway, I'm a country boy at heart- born in Maryland, raised in North Carolina, and now I am a resident of Colorado, where I attend Colorado State University- Pueblo. Needless to say, any big city is a drastic change of pace for me, and living here in the District of Columbia has taken a lot of getting used to.

The most memorable event, so far, was just yesterday, when Professor Gelb, my classmate Natalia, and I went up to Capitol Hill (dramatic fanfare!) We actually got to sit in on a Congressional Hearing about Major League Basbeall player Roger Clemens and his steroid use. (In my honest, or rather blunt opinion, Clemens and his former trainer and accuser Sean McNamee were both lying. Or at least, neither of them were presenting themselves in a trustworthy manner.) Afterwards, we caught a quick bite in Rayburn Hall's congressional cafeteria, and I'll tell you what- the burgers and fries weren't all that great.
We stopped by an area just outside the doors where another hearing was going on, to try and catch a live stand-up report, but the hearing was running long and we had other places to be, so we didn't get to see it. We did, however, make a visit to Congress's official Gift Shop (capitalism at work, eh?).
Before our next appointment, we had some free time, so we went to the Library of Congress for a short while. As a lover of reading, I was in heaven. The Library of Congress has a copy of every single book in existence, even one of the original Gutenberg Bibles, the first real "book" ever printed! And if that wealth of knowledge wasn't enough, there was an exhibit on the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations in one particular room. But to me the most amazing feature of the Library is the architecture, decor and environment . There are sculptures, mosaics, stained glass windows, gold-inlaid walls, and plaques with various inspirational quotes on them. We didn't stay long, yet that was my favorite part of the day; I could live in that building my whole life, just reading nonstop for the rest of my life, and I still would not be able to read it all...
Our final appointment was with the Press Office in the House of Representatives. We saw two rooms where most official speeches occur, and we were also introduced to the staff who coordinate members of the press that come to get footage of the House proceedings. We were permitted to go in the Press Box of the chamber where Representatives meet and discuss their business. This is the same room where the President delivers the State of the Union address. We were even lucky enough to watch Representatives mid-vote over the FIZA bill. It was a very full day, to say the least and even then it wasn't over.

Once we all got back to the campus, I had to get my video project (mentioned in my classmates previous post) edited and spliced. That was a pain. I normally wouldn't have had trouble, but at some point during my filming for the project the timer on the film jumped from 00:10:05;00 (or so) all the way back to 00:00:00;00, and it started counting up from there all over again during my last scene of the film. I didn't think that would cause trouble, but the computer automatically assumes that 00:00:00;00 is the very beginning of the tape, and it will rewind all the way back, and start taping the wrong segment. I finally had to trick the system by setting the start point about 7 seconds into the last scene, and running the tape forward some more. That way, the computer rewound, and the timer stayed in the last scene's time (instead of overshooting and ending up at 00:09:59;00, and having to run back all the way). Whether this makes sense to anyone is doubtful, but suffice it to say after a long computer battle, I finally finished my film. Unfortunately though, some of the glitter I was planning to add had to be cut, since I was too tired to add it.

Anyway, I've run my mouth (or fingers) enough so I'll do everyone a favor and sign off.

'Til next I bore ye, dear readers,
Greg Albertson.

"Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man."
--Plaque in the Library of Congress

DC Welcomes A British Scholar

2008-02-07T15:28:00.000-05:00

I have now been in Washington D.C for over two weeks and so far it has been the most amazing experience. Everything here from my classes and my internship at Smithsonian, to the whole social American university scene at GW (I come from London, England) has far surpassed my expectaations.

My internship has been a truly remarkable experience so far. I have not been here long, but already I feel I received an incredible education not only on the media world - the way in which a magazine is run - and also on the hard work ethic of editors (although my internship mentor tends to exceed that!), but I have also received an incredible education on the world itself, its culture, languages, history and the people living there. This is only my 9th day working here and I have already done a vast amount of reading and research, from President's heads in South Dakota, a young hip LA-based fashion designer and musicians and artists in New Orleans. I have also just finished fact-checking an article on the Acoma settlement in New Mexico. Having done this type of work, I feel I am becoming an integral part of the Smithsonian team and am starting to make a difference. My mentor is certainly not one to hold me back, and she is constantly providing me with diverse projects, which test my capabilities as a would-be Journalist. I believe all of these are essential if I am to form a realistic impression of what it is like to work at a publication like the Smithsonian Magazine.

The classes of the program have so far also been a brilliant education and introduction into the world of Journalism. The time spent on a Friday from 10am-5pm is more varied than I could have expected. Having graduated from The University of Nottingham last summer, I was used to classes simply comprising of lectures and seminars. So now, to have a mixture of journalists coming into to talk to us (Susan Morrison, who has worked for ABC, CBS and the New York Times talked to us last week on the changing face of American Journalism), trips out to news studios (this week we are going to Fox News) as well as lectures and discussions, is excellent and for me truly the best way to learn about world of Journalism. Our assignments are also remarkably diverse, with our first having to create a 3 minute news documentary. Now, just to note, if there is anyone out there like me, who does not revel in experimenting with technical equipment, do not fear! Here at SIWJ you will learn how to use equipment and how to develop your skills in every aspect of Journalism including writing, researching, filming and editing (on paper and film). It may seem frightening at first, but it will force you to learn about areas of Journalism that you have never experienced before. So don't worry! The SIWJ Director, Amos, will get you through it! I have just finished filming the GW men's basketball team and an interview with their coach, Coach Hobbs - and although I almost forgot to press the record button before the interview started - I have already developed a new skill which could prove to be very useful in the future.

Washington, D.C itself is also one of the best cities in the world I have been to. I have to confess I was a bit anxious about coming here originally, as unlike the big tourist spots like New York and San Francisco I really new nothing about it. Now, within only two weeks of being here I have already come to call it home. The location of the GW campus is particularly superb. I am living at City Hall (on 24th St.) which is 10 minutes from Georgetown. Georgetown is a very attractive area and it is full of shops and restaurants, many which I have already sampled. The Metro is also just a two minute walk form my dorm which means most of D.C is pretty accessible. The social life here is also great, everyone I have met here has been so friendly and welcoming and have really helped me to settle in early on. You just have to throw yourself into the whole scene and hope for the best, which worked well for me.

I haven't had much of an opportunity to make the most of many of the tourist attractions as my internship, classes, assignments and social life have pretty much occupied me for the last couple of weeks. However, Amos took us on a great tour of D.C on the first Friday which pointed out all the landmarks and important sights to visist, so hopefully within the next week or two I will get time to visit perhaps the Abraham Lincoln memorial, or the Washington monument and at least one of the Smithsonian Institute museums ( I am particularly interested by the Air and Space Museum).

Until then...

~Natalia

Spring Semester 2008 Begins

2008-01-22T16:47:00.000-05:00

Check back soon to read about how students and what they are doing this semester in DC!