Backtrack

Ok, so I have returned to the blog after a day long hiatus. Yesterday was crazy, we were off campus from 9am-11:00pm doing all sorts of awesome stuff.

But, I promised I’d talk about the session about E-Journalism with Steve Klein.

Klein, who worked for USA Today and now teaches at Mason, spoke about the importance and prevalence of social media in the journalism world. He was informative and charismatic and spoke with us for several minutes after the presentation was over.

So on to yesterday: We did SO many amazing things. First we went to the National Press Club and listened to a presentation from Frank Lamonte, the head of the Student Press Law Center which protects students from unlawful censorship.

Following  a brief break, we got to ask questions to a White House Correspondents Panel consisting of Chuck Todd, Liz Sidoti, and Chris Silliza. The panel answered a variety of interesting questions and were very funny and informative.

Finally, we went on a moonlit tour of the monuments which was really cool.

The highlight of today for me was my visit to Capitol Hill. I was able to meet with staffers for my congressional representative John Hall from NY’s 19th. One of the interns, Andrew, actually attended my high school’s biggest rival. I was able to get a lot of great information and got a great glimpse of what  getting to be around the capital is like.

I”ll have more tomorrow

My Kind of Heaven

For our first full day at the WJMC, we visited the Newseum on Pennsylvania Ave. This is a museum which focuses primarily on the history of the media and its impact on world events and history. Throughout its six floors it contained hundreds upon hundreds of facinating atrifacts which included the actual car the DC Sniper used, the radio twer which rested upon the roof of the South Tower of the WTC, actual newsbooks (early newspapers) from the 16th century, and  pieces of the Berlin Wall. There are also various mimi-films shown throughout the museum, one of which is a “4-D” movie about the history of at the scene journalism.

Needless to say, as a history and journalism nerd, I was in heaven. There were SO many incredible pieces in the newseum that its incredibly easy to be enthralled on each floor.

There are also some highly emotional areas of the newseum, such as the 9/11 exhbit (the film is VERY powerfull especially for New Yorkers) and the Pulitzer Prize photo exhibit which also has some very powerful content.

After the newseum, we did a Story Conference, ate dinner, and then split up for separate sessions.

I chose to attend a session about E-Journalism taught by Steve Klein. But, since I’m way tired, I’ll you about that tomorrow.

There is also

First Post

Hey everybody,

This is the self-descriptive first post on my WJMC blog,  I hope you enjoy it.

A few hours ago I arrived on campus, checked in, moved into my room, and set up my lifeline for the next few days: my laptop.

I’m really enjoying everything so far. The staff is very helpful and friendly, the campus is very nice and easy to get around (even with my deplorable sense of direction) and most of the students here are very cool. Girls outnumber guys here 3-1, but I’m not complaining, at all. I met a few students at the airport, all very nice and interesting girls, and a couple of girls from my home state (NY) on Facebook a few days ago.

My suitmates are also pretty cool. Some are more outgoing than others, but I can only imagine us getting closer as the week progresses.

Right we have our only substantial free time, so I’m taking advantage of it by buying snacks, learning my way around the campus, relaxing, blogging, and texting my parents (Hi Mom, Dad, and Spen.)

I don’t really anticipate getting homesick because of A) the tremendous amount of things we will be doing and B) my laptop and cell phone. I will miss my family, friends, and comforts of home, but not to a debilitating level. Plus, Facebook should definitely help with that. Even thought this is my first time being off on my own, I’m too worried. This is basically college prep.

So far everything is going great and WJMC looks like its going to be an awesome experience. Right now its time for dinner, so Ill be back later