You'll Have That

Well, capstone presentations took place yesterday, and I thought everyone did a fabulous job! I was so impressed with everyone's work and experience and all the time they put into the presentations. Mine didn't exactly go as planned due to some technical problems...but I made it through. After it was all over, I remembered something Dr. Barner said once. It was something along the lines of it's not always how good you are, but how well you handle yourself when things go wrong. I was so worried about the technical glitches that I almost gave up on the rest of my presentation being anything valuable. Now, I can't really recall what I talked about, or even if I made sense, but I handled myself the best I could and I think that is all anyone can hope for. No one asks for these things to happen, but they do. It's not easy trying to fit 4 years of work, memories, projects, laughs, tears, and accomplishments into 15 minutes...and after the night was over, I couldn't help but wonder if my time spent at Westminster was productive at all. I feel like I have learned a lot, and have grown as a person even more, but I guess not enough to know what I want to do with it all. I'm in no hurry to start a "career" or even begin to plan where my life will take me from here. For now, I'm happy just thinking about all the memories I will leave Westminster with and how it has forever changed me. To all of the friends I have met here, and all of the professors I have had--Thank you for helping me find myself along the way!!

I prefer to remain in denial

I can't believe a year has gone by since my first blog. Capstone presentations are less than a week away, and I'm busier than ever. I have all of my stuff for my E-portfolio, so now it's just the putting it together part! I don't like to think too much about the presentations or graduation because I'm enjoying being a little bit in denial that in exactly one month I will be done with college forever. However, we do have to start thinking about who we would invite to our presentations. Assuming that all of the broadcasting professors already have to be there :), here are the top three people I would like to show up:
Pem
Dr. Cushman
Chuck
It is important to me that Pem is there because "we are fun"...and have made a pretty sweet team over the years. We have had a lot of laughs on our morning show, making promos, doing Titan Crew, starring in packages, class projects, etc. She has always been there for me, and I probably wouldn't have gotten a lot done without her help and creative ideas!! Thanks, Pem :)
Secondly, Dr. Cushman (religion professor) is my favorite professor outside of the broadcasting department on campus. I had her for Gender and Religion, and she was so passionate about it, I got really into it and loved the class! She is such a sweet lady, and I will always remember her class and how much fun I had.
Finally, it wouldn't be a true presentation unless Chuck was there. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that Titan Crew was one of the most unique experiences I'll ever have...and there was never a dull moment with Chuck. I remember my first time riding in the truck to do a game, thinking what have I gotten myself into?? In addition to being a learning experience, It was just a lot of fun making friends and getting into trouble now and then (Leanne and those switches!!) Thanks for the memories, guys!

I checked out some job postings on Yahoo! HotJobs and searched according to different criteria to get an idea of what was out there. First, I searched by type of job (broadcasting, communications, journalism, writing, etc.) Then, I searched by city or state to see what kind of places had a lot of opportunities. I realized that I might have an interest in working for TLC Network and I searched through some of their listings as well. I also got to talk to Pat Sandora for a little bit when he visited campus, and I may end up looking into the same program he did for NBC.

Also, as I continue to gather my work for my E-portfolio, I've been thinking about what I would like it to focus on...or what I really want to stand out to potential employers. One thing I really want to stand out is my writing, so I am including a lot of writing samples of broadcast and long-format stories. I'm including on-air stuff as well, because that also displays my writing and ability to ad-lib.

One Cap and Gown Down...

The cap and gown is purchased and ready go, the announcements are in the mail, and senior week plans are in the mix....so what's left? Here are some things that are still on my graduation check-list:
1. Finish my E-portfolio complete with writing samples (news scripts and WC Magazine articles), air-checks of "Pem and Em in the AM" and newscasts/radio shifts, sound bytes from long format interview, resume -- I have everything organized, it's just a matter of creating the actual portfolio. I'd also like to include some of the pictures I have worked with in my digital photography class!

2. Look for a job? I'm still a little fuzzy about what I want to do, but I got some advice to sent out my stuff and apply for the jobs that I never thought I would get first. I am actually heading out to Colorado to stay with some family right after graduation, so I am looking around what is available in that area. I am taking things day by day and seeing what opportunities pop up.

3. Put Together Capstone Presentation. I pretty much know what I have to present, it's just a matter of how I'm going to do it! The capstone class is doing a little group presentation as well-- including confessionals and video montages...so I'm looking forward to working on that.

4. Complete Sexual Task Force Interview and participate in upcoming Relay For Life Event for my Radio/TV Announcing class.

5. Pass Environmental Science...I never thought it was possible, but I promise you, it will happen!!!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not rid of all my graduation butterflies. However, they have become fewer and far between lately. I really like that Dr. Barner has invited past graduates to come and speak to our announcing class because it has helped to show me how much they have improved since graduation and how they really love what they are doing now. Even though it is not always easy, they have all agreed that it's worth it. I hope I feel the same way some day!!

And the Oscar goes to...

Well, the Oscars aired last night, and I swear there is more hype before and after the event than the show itself. From some awkward red carpet interviews to Elton John’s pink leisure suits at his after party…it really seemed like a top night. I’d like to share some of my likes and dislikes of this year’s show…and how it almost seems to be losing its luster in some ways.
First of all, I like awards shows in general because there is always room for error. As scripted as they try to make them, people still can’t read the tele-prompter, acceptance speeches are dragged out to no end, and at least one celebrity is left standing dumbfounded at the podium. It was a little awkward when Clint Eastwood presented an Oscar for a lifetime achievement in musical scoring and the guy spoke in Italian…but even better when Eastwood translated!! I was impressed, but I’m sure he had some help from those backstage. I have to say I thought Ellen was very entertaining as a host. She kept the mood light and is a master at ad-libbing. I was also a fan of Will Ferrell and friends’ musical number about not being nominated for any Oscars. Also, the people rolling around behind the screen and making themselves into scenes from certain movies were pretty unique.
Let’s not lie to ourselves…there were some parts of the show I could’ve done without. One being, Al Gore’s ongoing (…and going) joke about announcing candidacy for President. It was funny the first time, let it go. I was also happy to see Jennifer Hudson lost the space cadet jacket by the time she accepted the Oscar for best supporting actress in Dreamgirls. As much as I love some of her jams (I still cry when I hear the theme from Titanic) I wasn’t the biggest fan of Celine Dion’s little concert. And what was with the hair this year? Apparently I’ve been at the height of fashion for quite a few years by simply straightening my hair and wearing it down. I was disappointed with the fashion trends this year. They were sort of boring and predictable…nothing gorgeous, nothing hideous.
Which brings me to my picks for best dressed of the evening. For the gals, I have to go with Naomi Watts. Maybe it’s just because yellow is my favorite color, but I thought the dress/hair combination went very well on her. As for the guys, you can never go wrong with Leonardo DiCaprio or Ryan Gosling. They tied for first. I’m not sure I could really pick a worst since none of the outfits seemed too daring. Oh wait, yes I can. Jessica Beil. Her dress had no shape…and even less support. Not a fan…no wonder Justin went with Scarlett.
It must be so fun (and equally stressful) to be involved in such a prestigious event. However, even though the ratings suggested otherwise (up from last year), The Oscars seem to be losing their shine. Besides Jennifer Hudson, there seemed to be a lack of emotion. Is Hollywood getting bored with it? Are people even watching for the awards (I didn’t recognize half of the movies) or just for the fashion blunders? Sometimes I wonder if anyone would notice if they kept up the pre-show and post-show hype (interviews, fashion, dates, parties) but just got rid of the middle man (the actual show) altogether.

Time flies when you're having fun...or when you're in college

It's been a long time since I've thought about what I wanted to be when I was little...probably because it's kind of been a long time since I was little. It's funny how things have changed, but also how I still feel like a little kid. This is why I really like this week's blog...compliments of Mr. DJ (Tator-Tot) Yokley.

I recently found an old school project in my attic at home where I had to write about what I wanted to be someday. It was from elementary school, and I had completely forgotten about it. I was convinced for years that I was going to be an interior decorator. Then there was a fuzzy period when I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a decorator or designer...or what the difference was. Well, I kinda went the other direction on that one. Don't get me wrong, you will still find me re-arranging furniture/accessories/pictures, etc. in my room pretty often...and the rooms of others, whether they like it or not :) My roommates have always been pretty good about my spontaneous re-decorating ideas, though.

This blog prompt also made me think about the characteristics I had when I was little and how they are affecting my life now. I like everything to be a certain way, and I've always been good at staying organized. You would think, then, that I would like a pretty steady routine. This is where I'm weird, I guess. I cannot stand when things stay the same too long. I'm very spontaneous, and can deal well with the unexpected. Sometimes this can get me into trouble because I tend to act before I think things through logically. Let's just say there have been a lot of times in my life where I've had the opportunity to say "Well, we can just chalk that up to experience."

Answer Is...

For those of you who have seen Office Space you should know where I'm going with this, for those of you who haven't - shame on you. The purpose of this blog is to focus on your dreams and ambitions. Answer the question "What would you do if you had a million dollars and didn't have to work?"

Well, my initial answer to this question was similar to the movie…I would do nothing. But then I got to thinking, and realized this is a really hard question. I think the first thing on my list would be travel. I would go back to Florence, visit my family who I’ve never met in Norway, and probably hit up a few other places like Austria, France, and Greece. Maybe I would even buy a villa on the coast of Italy or the Greek Islands and chill out there for a year or two. I love the idea of living abroad and experiencing a completely different lifestyle than the United States.
I also wouldn’t mind working at an island resort somewhere in exchange for room and board. I can picture myself living further south and having lots of little jobs instead of just one career. I am the master of meaningless things…decorating cakes, wrapping gifts, tearing apart movies and TV shows, telling funny stories, re-arranging furniture, coming up with new recipes, etc. Sometimes I think about just starting to write a book about all the funny things I think about and how life constantly surprises me.
I want to travel, and I want to see things, and I want to take risks and be spontaneous while I still can.
As an after-thought, I want to be on a reality show…or Jeopardy.

Wiping the Slate Clean

This week in capstone it was Aidan’s idea to blog about skills we each have that would enable us to do something outside of broadcasting after graduation. I love this idea because, while most of us know what field we want to go into as of right now, I have a little less of an idea J. So, here are some things I know about myself that could be valuable to future employers:
1. Reliable. If I say I’m going to be somewhere or have something done at a certain time, there is an excellent chance that will happen. I want to be the kind of person that other people know they can count on and I will really try my best to help.
2. Good Listener. I have been the go-to advice-giver for my friends for as long as I can remember. I love listening to what other people have to say (whether it’s their latest love crisis or their political perspective) and being able to help them out if they need advice.
3. Organized. I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist, but I’ve been pretty neat and organized since elementary school. It honestly didn’t occur to me until about the 5th grade that some kids didn’t do their homework on time. (maybe this trait should be re-named loser…)
4. Personable. Maybe it’s the southern girl in me. I’ve always been comfortable around people, and I hope I make other people feel comfortable as well. I love to talk and joke and work together…which is why broadcasting at Westminster is so much fun for me.
5. Open-minded. I am very open to change, and kind of like not knowing what is going to come next. And as much as I love learning about politics, I am usually the one sitting to the side and listening to others debate and forming my own opinions out of that. I change my mind all the time and I’m not one to be stuck in one place too long…some may label that as flighty…but I think it’s fun!
6. Independent. The funny this is, I was the opposite of independent growing up. I was the kid who couldn’t even have sleepovers without getting homesick…and summer camp? Forget it! Then, when I came to college, it was like I became a completely different person that thrived on being on my own and creating a life separate from my family.
7. Hard-working. I expect a lot out of myself which means I am always trying to do better. Sometimes I’ll get frustrated if things don’t turn exactly right, but I know I put a lot of time into projects so I can be proud of them.
8. Punctual. Even though I am notorious for taking some time to get ready (I’m easily distracted at times…), I am pretty good at being on time. Actually, for the most part, I like to be early to give myself time to get settled and ready for class/work/whatever.
9. Good Sense of Humor. Don’t ask me how this will help in future jobs, but I have a way of lightening the mood sometimes when people are frustrated or upset or stressed. I absolutely love making people smile/laugh and seeing that I’ve made a difference in their day.
10. Fast typer. Just throwing this out there…I took a few years of keyboarding classes in my day and I can type at unknown speeds!! If I was a superhero that would probably be my power.

Thanks to everyone (Mr. Weaver and those in capstone especially) for easing the anxiety of final projects and graduation. Thank you for reminding me to enjoy my last semester and focus on what I have accomplished instead of what more I could’ve done. I think we’ll all be alright because we are all unique and I really think Westminster has had a lot to do with me finding that out.