What I Have Learned

When I registered for Writing for News Media, I thought it was going to be easy. Yeah, it wasn't.
I thought we were going to write a few papers and look at news story or two and just have easy discussions. Little did I know that I would learn to write in a completely different way. I was taught to abandon what I had known about writing an essay. In order to learn how to write a story. At the beginning it was pretty confusing, there are just so many rules!  I had to learn how to write in short and abrupt sentences. I had to learn how to abbreviate states and use the right editing techniques. Learning how to write in a completely new way was challenging. Coming out of the class and seeing how much my work has changed over the past semester has been not only surprising but eye opening about the profession of journalism. I plan on majoring in communication arts and minoring in journalism. Taking this class has not only taught me more about a career in journalism but it has shown me how hard being a journalist is and how much criticism journalists get every day. These days everyone is a journalist. You can pick up your phone and send out a tweet and it could be considered journalism. I think the most important thing I learned is that you have to have a thick skin. You have to be able to read criticism and take a hit from readers and not let it ruin you. You need to believe in good journalism and not sink down to petty journalism. The one thing I will take away from this class is not to be a Sabrina Rubin Erdely. If you really want to be a journalist, be a good journalist.

NYPD Officer Killed

Baltimore Riots

This Isn't the Ice Bucket Challenge

Job Fair

Most people see summer jobs as an opportunity to make a little extra cash. While others depend on summer jobs to fund their summer festivities. Young adults usually switch up jobs over the summer. Mainly because they are out of school and have more time to work. Then suddenly when you get to college something seems more important, internships. It is pretty very rare to find a full time paid internship. I feel like internships are better than jobs, even if they are not paid. I think employers see internships are able to offer more experiences than a job. This week when I walked around the job fair I was drawn towards the little green signs that said "We Have Internships" .

The job fair was full of future employers from businesses around the area. The businesses were there to look for future employees and watched as eager job seekers would walk towards their booth. I was pleasantly surprised to see multiple booths that do offer internships and eve a few of them were paid. I was also surprised about how hesitate some of the employers became when I interviewed them. Some of them would not answer my question completely or did not know how to answer the follow-up. The fair seemed like a big success and live tweeting it was entertaining and even though it was a interview practice run, it definitely made me feel more comfortable with interviews and also with asking about internships. When you really think about it werent the employer and I there to do the same job, interview?  

Children's world learning center taking interviews in the nice weather. #AACCfair #mm pic.twitter.com/LnHAvqGxjS
— Com102 AACC News (@NewsCom102) April 16, 2015

Clinton 2016

Hillary Clinton

I am so proud to be part of the new generation. I may not be the newest of the new but I feel I was here to see future generations pave the way. Many people look down upon our generation, they see us as mobile device zombies who only care about our Friday night plans and who's dating who. As a young adult you are exposed to a lot and yes, all of the social media nonsense is actually pretty important to us, thats kind of all we know. With other opinions aside, I think highly of our generation, sure we've made some mistakes, for example, YOLO...genius guys.


Our generation are the ones who set things in motion, we share everything and keep nothing to ourselves but we are also a generation of thinkers, innovators,believers, and achievers. I never thought about what it would be like to have a women the oval office.

 I never thought my generation who see it honestly. Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced her
2016 Presidential bid.  Clinton announced her bid in a two minute video on Sunday. She is a pioneer in politics and she has changed the rules for every woman. Women's rights has been the news a lot recently, with questions popping up about equal rights and the dreadful wage gap, I think its safe to say that Clinton is taking a giant step forward. Clinton has already been receiving tremendous support from followers over twitter.

"Everyday Americans need a champion. And I want to be that champion" Mrs. Clinton said

Now not to be bias but I would really love if this wage gap could be fixed by the time I get to my career, thanks Hil.

"Everyday Americans need a champion. I want to be that champion," says Hillary Clinton, launching #Clinton2016 bid http://t.co/n5Q4uNWbwj
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 12, 2015

A woman's place is in the house...the senate and the Oval Office #Clinton2016
— Ashwini (@ashwiniiR) April 12, 2015

Happy Birthday Let's Move Project!

In 2010 The First Lady, Michelle Obama, launched a project called Let's Move!

Michelle Obama

Today, the project that is now known nationwide turns five years old. Obama first started the project in 2010 to wage a war against child obesity. Along the way she  has had amazing support from the media, news outlets, celebrities, and more. The project was started to raise awareness to the child obesity epidemic. While the problem grew it seemed that more and more people were ignoring the fact that childhood obesity is a serious issue around the world. The main goal of the project was to not only raise awareness but to raise a healthier and happier generation of kids nationwide. .

Obama has been promoting this project in every way she can. She has been featured on Ellen, she has seeked help from popular youtube stars and she has even created the popular hashtag #gimmefive.

Obama uses the hashtag to find ways that everyday people can #gimmefive. This hashtag asks people to find ways to workout, eat healthier or do an active family activity in five easy steps. Some examples have been "five ways to eat your veggies" or "five ways to drink more water". The movement has been pretty successful, with a slow start in 2010, reaching their fifth year anniversary is truly inspiring. The movement has been a way to bring the obesity in America issue to light without making it seem like America has an issue with children or adults who are not a size 2.  While some may take this project as a negative concept of obesity in America I think we should look at it in a positive way, the #gimmefive movement is not about being super skinny or being overweight. The movement is about living healthier and happier life.

First Lady Michelle Obama broke it down at the White House #EasterEggRoll. http://t.co/iB23PqsOh3 #GimmeFive @FLOTUS pic.twitter.com/rWyPw4KWE0
— CNN (@CNN) April 6, 2015

           

Hands Up

 So if you don't want to see some bitter truth then don't read further into this post.

If you did decided to look then I'm going to answer a few questions. Yes, this is a boy holding his hands up. Unfortunately to you it looks like he is just doing this to stretch or clap but sadly... no.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF YENIAKIT.COM.TR.

 The boy in the photo is a a four year-old boy surrendering to the camera, because he thought it was a weapon. The young child is from Syria and this photo has gone viral. The photo was first published on Instagram by photojournalist Nadia Abu Shaban and has said to be taken by Osman Sağırlı. While the the story of the photo can not officially verified it has been widely reported and shared over several days. A report on the picture identifies the child as Adi Hudea, and says he fled the war in Syria with his family. The family landed in a Turkish refugee camp where this picture was taken around 2012. The story behind the picture says he threw his hands in the air when the camera was pointed at him, believing it was a gun. The fact that a four-year old child, would feel the urge to physically surrender to any object is heartbreaking, let alone the fact that a child so young mostly has seen this done, has surrendered before, and also knows the unforgettable consequences of not surrendering immediately.

" It's a poignant reminder of how war derails the childhoods of those who grow up in its shadow." said the publisher of the photo, Madia Abu Shaban

Oh happy day!

Everyone hates Mondays. Well actually if you are a work professional or a impatient students then yes, you definitely hate Mondays, but today was a special exception. Today on this very special Monday was International Happiness Day! Today we took it upon ourselves to make someones day just a little bit brighter. Rather it was a random act of kindness or a grand gesture.  

Every year on National Happiness Day, the countries are evaluated to see who is the "happiest country of the year" the past winners have included Denmark, Switzerland, and many more. Including this year's winner Paraguay!  So what makes a country so happy? Is it the stable economy, the lack of wars, or simply the friendly neighbors? And where does American rank on this list?

The United States of American was ranked #15 on the list of the happiest countries in the world, sharing the spot along with ten other countries with a rank score of 79. The countries are ranked on a system called A World Happiness Report. The countries are compared by multiple factors including economic, psychology, survey analysis, and national statistics. These factors help assess the progress among the nations as well as using these to measure aspects of happiness, including mental illness, life expectancy,  benefits of happiness and ethics. All and all its nice to know that small acts of kindness and grand gestures can still occur between neighbors, even between nations.

A Second Chance For Malls Everywhere

Have you ever seen a post-apocalypse movie where the scenery is usually abandoned cities, run down homes, empty airports, and silent malls?  Have you ever watched and wondered what  actually happens to a building when it becomes abandoned? 

Usually they are torn down and condemned but what if we were able to recycle buildings like we do with plastic bottles, turn something old and used into something new and useful.  

The new skylight in what was the Highland Mall 

  According to Ellen Dunham-Jones, an architect and professor at Georgia Tech,there are about 

1,2000 abandoned malls around the United States Most of these malls have become abandoned due to the rapid building a malls in the 20th century, when the malls were seen as dollar signs, but only became a problem in over retailing the public. Now the old malls are become new and improved. Many architects like, Ellen , are using old malls and turning them into new functioning institutions like schools, churches, and medical centers.  Malls are becoming more vacant because of the incline of online shoppers. With lots of space to build upon, changes are being made for the better, allowing these once populated shopping centers to become something that is helpful to the community.

photo credit: Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects 

Move Over Wall Outlets!

Today you may have finally found a reason to upgrade your furniture.

If you are a human being and have not been living under a rock then you know what Ikea is.
If you don't, then you will soon, Ikea is a very popular Swedish furniture/home decor warehouse store. Most people describe it as a decorators heaven. The furniture is modern and simple, they have everything from rugs and couches to plates and painted glassware. Now Ikea is stepping up their technology game and introducing to the world a new line of furniture that will charge your devices, yes you just read that right, the little useless table next to your bed will now be available with wireless charging pads, and if your device is compatible then when it is placed over a "pad" it will charge without being plugged into anything. The first products available will be tables, desks, and lamps. Ikea will launch the line in the United States on April, 15th 2015.

It's Time To Ask

Every year during the aftermath of the holiday's when the now starts to fall and the chill sets in, we gather around to watch the shiny celebrities of music, movies, and television come together for a achievements they've made over the past year, yes everyone its award season. I love everything about this "season" I love watching the movies that are nominated, watching the interviews, but most of all I love the fashion. Last night the Oscar's awards were presented and as I watched the red carpet and listened to the actors/actresses interviews I noticed something different, women were not be asked about who they were wearing. Usually this is the first question that comes from the reporters mouth but not last night, what happened? That's when I noticed that instead of being asked about their dress they were being asked about their careers and their futures. I was so excited when I saw that they were being asked the same questions as their husbands. The only thing that caught on was that a lot of the women didn't know how to answer, maybe it was nerves or maybe it was because they had become so use to being asked their dresses that this was uncharted territory for most of them. As the interviews continued they finally came to one of my favorites Reese Witherspoon, she cleared up my confusion. Witherspoon mentioned a simple phrase #AskHerMore, as soon as I heard this hash tag I jumped on twitter and saw that it was trending! I was so excited to see that just these three words had started a movement that had not only taken over the award season but was being supported by viewers everywhere! The hash tag means that actresses are more then just their fashion choices, they are smart, funny, and goal oriented. Witherspoon explains that even though it is important to give the designers credit for their amazing dresses and designs, the nominees are pretty amazing too. I can't wait for future award seasons and to see where #AskHerMore turns up next.

                                                                    Reese Witherspoon

photo credit: US magazine/ Kevin Mazur

Tech Drive

From introducing the first Macintosh to the world, to releasing the latest iPhone model, Apple Inc. has changed the world forever. Apple has become a universally known symbol for modern technology. The company has changed how we listen to music, how we call loved ones, and how we communicate between distances. Now, is Apple about to changed how we drive? 

Multiple sources from The Wall Street Journal have reported then Apple employees are researching automotive products at an exclusive Silicon Valley location. Reports have found that Apple could be trying to create a self-driving electric car. Even though most people would be intrigued by an "Apple Car" no actual answers have been confirmed that the plans are in the works, thus leaving us all in a unclear speculation of how Apple will surprise us next.

Weekly News; Does Technology Make Teens Feel Invincible?

Teens today are obsessed with technology, not just obsessed, they are hopelessly dependent on it. I feel like our generation is very hard to trust. Today we are given so many ways to get away with things and so many loop-holes are handed to us. Today I was watching the news and came across a breaking news story of a teen who fatally shot his 16-year-old classmate in the face, he then took a "selfie" with the teen's body and used the popular social media app SnapChat to send it to all his friends. Unfortunately this is the sad reality of our generation. Now I would be lying if I said that I don't use SnapChat and I would also be lying If I said I didn't love it. SnapChat is a great way to communicate with your friends and show them small glimpses of you're day, but it is also a very convenient way to cause trouble. The convenient thing about SnapChat is that after a 10-second time limit the picture you "snap" disappears forever, or does it? This teen was not so lucky, when he sent out this horrific snap to his peers. Thankfully a fellow teen decided to take it upon himself to show his mother who reported it to the police. This is the reality of the society we live. Do teens feel like they have the resources to get away with murder? Is this want the future holds for modern technology?

Link below

Read the full story here 

2.2.15

Why Journalism?

When I tell people that I want to purse a career in journalism I always receive the same questions.

Is there really money in that?
Wow,you must love to write, huh?
Well do you have a plan B?

I feel like a lot of people have negative views on journalists . People might relate them back to whistle bowers or just gossip columnists but it doesn't really matter because everyone is a journalist these days, rather you like it or not. I want to write for magazines, now some may not see that as real journalism and it may not be the journalism everyone respects like the writers for the New York Times. Yet it is indeed my favorite form of journalism. I have been reading magazines for as long as I can remember and I still do. I always loved opening the mailbox and finding all my subscriptions waiting for me. The thing I love most about magazines it the ability to evolve with them. Most girls start reading tween magazine around age eleven and then they mature to Seventeen or Teen Vogue and eventually graduate to Glamour or Cosmo and when life continues so does the cycle of possibilities. I do not want to be in journalism for the money or the controversial stories, I want to turn a favorite childhood pastime into a career reality.

1.29.15

Terminology Thursday: Selfie 
(Link below)

Vox News:

Post #1

                   Why Com 102?            

I've always known I wanted to move to the city, mainly because of the career opportunities that the city holds. My first semester of college I decided that I wanted to major in journalism and eventually move to the city to write for a magazine and possibly run social media platforms for major fashion companies or news outlets. I decided take Com 102 mainly because I believe that Com 101 has been the most interesting and helpful class that I have taken at AACC. In Writing for News Media I hope to further my writing experience and learn the correct ways to write, not only for the news but for current events. I also want to develop interviewing skills which I have never tackled before has well as how to write for an audience that doesn't have the same opinions. I tend to put a lot of my own opinions in my writing and I hope to learn how to stray from persuasive pieces and essays and into deeper aspects of journalism.

J.H