Fall Break!

Finally some time off to sleep and read something not assigned in a class.

Every year we have a Fall Break at UR that is really only a four day weekend but it comes at the same time as mid-terms. Everyone seems to be at the point of exploding right about now making a four day weekend appreciated more than summer it seems. And I actually get five days because both of my classes for today were canceled! And because of the break there will be no Collegian next week. While that makes me sad because I love The Collegian, it will be nice to have a week with some actual free time. The timing is perfect as well because next Wednesday is Josh's and my sixth month anniversary.

I do love less work and more time.

Especially since this week was pretty crazy at The Collegian. There was a very large breaking news story this week which you can read here. It is pretty disgusting (not in a gross, icky bug sense but a I-can't-believe-people-behave-that-way sense) but unfortunately not surprising. When you read the article you will understand.

Anyway, it was a big deal that took a lot of time and arguing but eventually came out OK. Now everyone is ready for a break.

On a happier note, I wrote two briefs for this week. I am also doing pretty well in my Copy Editing class which makes for good times. I've started looking for internships, which is fun and exciting and scary all at the same time. And the speech I thought I was going to have to give last Thursday I don't have to give until Oct. 23.

So life is pretty good. If you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for a fancy dinner with my boyfriend.

Live Blogging

Yesterday I did some live blogging during the presidential debate for The Collegian. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad I got the opportunity to do it. And I got to watch the debate at the same time.

Good times.

Here it is.

Another week

Things are calm and fall is here.

Seriously, fall just showed up. It's like fall came up behind summer and pulled an "Et tu Brute?" And I am so glad it did. While summer is my favorite season in California, summer in Virginia equals humidity and humidity does not equal good times. But fall is nice and dry with warm days and cool nights that let me cuddle up in my bathrobe with my tea and read a book. But it also means my feet are often cold. Uggs, here I come! (Maybe, seeing as I'm a poor college student and Uggs are about $160...)

The Collegian this week was also good times. We got out later, 3 a.m., but the paper looks great and I got to cover a breaking news story. It's not up online yet but when it is I will post a link. I also had a story printed that I turned in last week for Practicum, viewable here.

And now, because of Fall Break (four day weekend next week), we won't put out a Collegian two weeks from now so no Practicum story! While I love writing and reporting, it's nice to have a few weeks off to relax and take care of mid-terms, which are the next two weeks. I am giving a speech for Rhetoric and Public Address on Thursday, praising newspapers and newspaper journalists. I'm still working on the manuscript but I think it will be a good one because I will be able to speak from personal experience and journalism is definitely something I'm passionate about.

The next week I have a Copy Editing mid-term which will not be too complicated but I want to do extremely well on it so I can get an A in the class. While it's not necessary and grades really have no bearing on whether or not I get a job when I graduate or much else, I would like to keep my major GPA at a 4.0 just for my own sake. I don't get Bs.

And now I get to enjoy a relaxed, minimal work weekend while in my bathrobe, drinking a hot cup tea.

The Collegian is slowly taking over my life...

...and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Especially when my story is on the front page two weeks in a row!
Week 1 Week 2

I'm writing a story every week for Practicum which takes up a good chunk of time with all of the research and interviews and then finally the writing. Then on Monday and Tuesday I spend a few hours in the office getting some of my pages together. Then Wednesday I am in the office from 7 p.m. until we finish the paper. Last week we set a record by getting out at 1 a.m.

And yet I am enjoying the work so much that it doesn't feel like work. Sometimes the lack of sleep catches up to me but that's what naps and weekends are for. Like last night when I slept for 12.5 hours.

First Week of School

It's only the first week and I am tired... But it's been a good busy week.

I started classes on Monday with Photojournalism at 7 p.m. That is going to be a fun class with a medium amount of work which is always nice. And I have an excuse to buy a really nice camera!

Tuesday I had Copy Editing at 9:45 a.m. We already had homework to turn in and were given a bunch more for Thursday and the next Tuesday. That is going to be my hardest class with the most work. Yet it is going to make me a better writer and have a skill that is in high demand in the journalism world so I guess I'm OK with the work load. After Copy Editing I had Rhetoric and Public Address. Basically its a speech class. I'm a little nervous about it but the professor seems very good at what he does and I want to be able to become a better speaker so there ya go.

Wednesday I didn't have any classes but it was time to get back to work at The Collegian. We put out our first issue of the year that night and it turned out pretty well. It only took until 3 a.m. so we're off to a good start. And now we have Martin to help us out. Martin is Emily, our Features editor, new Miniature Schnauzer and he is adorable! Whenever I need a break, Martin is there to keep me company.

I wrote an article for this weeks issue which you can see here.

Thursday I had Copy Editing and Rhetoric again and then the practicum for Rhetoric. I had to give a surprise speech, as did all the other students, and we we're definitely nervous but it went well. We got some good pointer from out TA for our first speech that we have to give on Tuesday in class. Thursday night we had our first CSF event of the year, Coldstone! What better way to get people to come to your group then free food and ice cream?

After Coldstone I attended the Democratic National Convention Viewing Party and watched Obama's acceptance speech, asked a few people what they thought and then wrote an article for The Collegian online. The new website is awesome, very well done.

And now it's Friday. No classes today either, which is awesome. But a lot of homework to get done for Monday and Tuesday.

And of course throughout the week I've been doing homework, hanging out with friends and Josh. You know, trying to have a social life. And it's been storming and raining all week. All in all it's been a good week and I'm glad things are going again.

I need a nap.

Top Story

You got it! My article about the tuition increase for next year was the top story of this weeks Collegian!!!!!!

Happy dance time.

Stop.

Break it down.

Do do do do do do do do do. O o o o o o o o o o. Da da!

Here is the link to the main page.

Here is the story.

I also have a story on page 3 about how the university spent its money in 2005 based on a tax form. Unfortunately the link isn't working so you'll just have to believe me when I tell you. Hahaha!

I also wrote three briefs that were on page 2 which are also not on the website. Sorry.

Anyway, yeah! I definitely feel accomplished and am proud of my work. This journalism thing is definitely working out for me.

The Collegian

Here is this weeks.

I wrote three campus briefs that are not online unfortunately. Still a good paper.

For the upcoming and last issue of the year I am writing a long story about the upcoming tuition increase. We'll see what happens with that.

More News

It's another Thursday at The Collegian. Only this time we are very close to being done and it is only (I say only...) 12:45am.

Everyone came early and did what they could in advance so that we could all go to sleep before the sun comes up. So far it looks like that is actually going to be the case and I am happy about that.

I realized I have been neglecting you, my proud and few readers, by not putting up a link to last weeks Collegian. So here it is.

The link may change when this weeks paper is put out tomorrow. If I remember/have the time I will correct it.

Until then, enjoy!