Thanks for the Memories

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

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

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)

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 Natalie and her story.

About Me in One Minute -Margaret Kreger

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

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

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?

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

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

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? Take a look at what its like to live as a photography intern here in Washington DC.

The Thrill of it All

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

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

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

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

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)

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?

Thomas Young