My Last Semseter at Madison College

In the last post I did, I talked about my college experience as a whole. I did not focus on what I really did on my last semester at Madison College. I do not know why, but I want to fill you in on my last semester at Madison College.

When thinking about my past semesters I had during my career as a student at Madison College, they always have some stress built into them. Especially, during the beginning of the semester getting settled into your classes, then midterms, then the world of finals, final projects, and final paper hits. There is always something going on when I am jugging between four/five classes, with the newspaper, and my job at the bar. Normal, when one juggles things in their life.

But this last semester it did not seem that stressful. Yes, there where times of stress. But it did not feel like I was overwhelmed by it, like I normally be. I strangely without thinking about it handling it just well. I had that normal stress with beginning of the semester, then midterms, with finals, the school paper, plus working the bar job. It was all a breeze to me. I mean, I highly enjoyed my classes this semester. I loved this semester, I think it is one of my favorite semesters of my college experience.

I did apply to transfer colleges because I was on the transfer program also at Madison College. I applied to University of Wisconsin - Madison (for Journalism). I have not heard back from them, not sure about what is going on there personally. I also applied to University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (for Journalism). I did not get in. I am not depressed that I have not heard back from Madison yet, nor getting into the Twin Cities. This is a message for me to take a break from school, and try again if I am thinking about going back earning another degree. The door to education is always open.

Working at the paper and on the broadcasting team for the Clarion was quite fun. It was busy when I had both meetings back to back, but it was highly worth it. I got to work with my sports section fully, because the section became a multimedia route. It is something I highly encouraged as an editor. I took this from one of my professors, he said just doing print would not cut it anymore as a journalist. One needs to be doing video, radio, broadcasting, being a photographer, print, and also social media stuff. I used to not be a big fan of this. But now thinking about this, and learning about myself that I am pretty good at editing video (a few years ago, I was not that confident), this is the way to go. Also, after taking my On Air Broadcasting class, I like the radio and video side of things too. It's quite fun!

Also, with the paper I got to go to many conferences this year. We did a very good job when it came to cleaning up awards at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association conference. We managed to win one for our last issue of the 2016-17 school year, where I managed to score the headline article about our new Student Life offices. So, it was an honor to see that issue get rewarded with an award.

 

The other two conferences I went to where pretty special in their own right. I got invited by provost of our college to go to this ESPN Women's in Sports Reporting conference. It was more like a round table that was put on by ESPN Madison. It was interesting to listen to these women's stories in their field. It was truly inspiring for me. They talked about how it was important for them to do what they do, and why it is important to get more air time, and more respect for women in broadcasting, and also women who compete as athletes on the rink, pitch, field, court, and etc. because it's important to bring your grandmothers, mother, aunts, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters to these sporting events. Also, it's more especially important to bring your grandfathers, father, uncles, sons, nephews, and grandsons to women sporting events too, so they can gain respect for women in the sports world, and grow support for women in sports. It was something really inspiring to take away from, considering doing sports stuff for good after all. Let's see where the future takes me...

Left to right: ESPN Madison's Women's in Sports Broadcasting

& UW-Madison's Journalism School's Center for Ethics nametags

The second conference I went to was Journalism Ethics, it was put on by the University of Wisconsin - Madison Journalism School, and also their Center for Journalism Ethics. I was the only one from the Clarion who went to this. Little bummed that no one joined me. I understand why, because it was right in the mist of the end of the semester, and finals coming up. The things that where discussed where how to deal with shifting through news, and finding the fake news, and what to do about it. How to gain your readers back, and how to show the world that you, as the news organization you are in, you are truthful to your readers. What we should do as journalists, in the future of Journalism itself, how should we go on in this world we are in. It was highly interesting, and I am ready to go back to next years, and see what that conference covers.

 Screenshots of the videos I made. You can watch them on the link below.

I managed to do a video series for one of my Journalism classes, it was not intended to turn out to be big as it was. It was supposed to be a profile about either a student, an instructor, or another faculty member of the Madison College community. I had a couple choices in mind, at least four. Three out of the four responded and let me know they where okay with doing a video profile. I couldn't say no. I took it on as my own little mini honors project. I did not sign up to do anything like an honors project, but giving myself one just to make me feel like I had one (even though it didn't count for anything). I am proud of myself for completing this series, and working though different things to get them published. I found stories that I wanted to be told too. So, I am glad I made those videos to introduce to the world the amazing people I work, I mean used to work with with everyday at Madison College.

Speaking of used to working with amazing people at Madison College everyday, I am going to miss those who I worked at the paper with everyday. It's been a week already and I finished my Madison College student, and Sports Editor career, and I am already missing everyone! I know everyone is in the general area, and we can see each other whenever we want, but when it hits Fall. That will be a different story, everyone will be off doing their own little thing.

Our Opinion Editor planned a bonfire at her house. It was a fun night of sharing laughs and memories with each other. Learning how to fly the Clarion Broadcasting Video Production Manager's drone, and walking down to the lake. Cooking dinner of various foods, and enjoying each other's company before graduation, and going our own ways. Like I mentioned before many times, I will never forget this group, and if you need anything you have my contact information: you know where to reach me. We may never have office hours with each other ever again, but there is nothing wrong with meeting up at the Memorial Union Terrace, and watching the sunset eating Babcock ice cream, and having a beer! Good luck on all your future adventures, I am rooting for you all on your next chapters of your lives!

With that being said, that the semester is over, and I am done with school. I have more time to update this blog (whenever I can, it won't be daily). So look for more posts coming your way! I have some exciting stuff planned for you all! I cannot wait to share it with you all!

Bye Bye College, Hello Real World!

Well, I am officially done with school. It is SO wired to even say that! Ever since, I was five, basically my first day of Kindergarten, I have been in a classroom learning. First it was learning to write letters and numbers, then that turn into writing other words, then sentences, and then papers, and obviously how to read. Reading and writing both come hand in hand. Then it's no surprise I completed my Journalism Certificate, since I stuck with reading and writing in English. I may also took on the French language along the way. Let's just say I need to practice my French, because I am more fluent in English.

But after graduating high school, once I got to college I was not in college for the full time. I did a few semesters of college classes, but decided I need to take a break, and be in the world for a bit to figure out what I really wanted to do. That is alright. If you just graduated high school, and feel like you need a break from school. Take it! You're allowed too. No one is stopping you—you have every right to figure out who you are and who you want to be. It was something I suffered from when first starting in college feeling like I was forced to go to school even though I did not know what I wanted to study at first. A lot of college freshmen and students go through the same thing. Ask people around you how many times they switched their majors in college (if they did).

With having that feeling of not knowing where I wanted to go in life, and what I wanted to study, I felt lost. I managed to come across a poster for Walt Disney World on the Madison College campus. Truly, confused why there is a poster for Walt Disney World on a college campus. Spring Break trip? "Sure! Rollercoasters, spending time with Mickey Mouse, all the Florida sunshine to soak up," I thought to myself. "SIGN ME UP! I AM GOING TO THIS MEETING!"  I then head to the meeting to find out the opposite of little college trip. It was more of "Live. Learn. Earn." internship. Also, what I personally consider a internship of a lifetime (this is the 2010 and 2012 me, not the 2009 me).

So, the 2009 me considers this as an option for one day. I remember sitting around the Magic Kingdom or Epcot in the past (1998, 1999, 2000, or 2002... if dates are right), more I think of it I think it was a trip I took with my family in 2000. So, I was watching a custodial cast member on their trash run, or a food and beverage cast member busing off a table in a seating area for a restaurant outdoor dinning area (the cast member was probably also Disney College Program Intern, just thinking about it.). Just watching them do their job, and thinking: "how does one get a job at Walt Disney World?" I mean, just imagine popping that into a conversation that you work for one of the most famous theme parks and one of the most famous entertainment company in the world? It's nothing but a conversation starter! (Learned this from past experiences.) So, this was part of the decision factor for the summer. I could do an internship at Walt Disney World. This was no April's Fool joke.

So, in Fall of 2009 I applied for my first Disney College Program. Got it! Headed down to Orlando, Florida to work in Epcot (my FAVORITE park!), went in the Spring and Summer of 2010, FELL IN LOVE WITH IT! I believe you all know that story well. Then came home in August 2010. I started missing Walt Disney World like a mad person! It is something that everyone who has completed their Disney College Program, Disney Cultural Representative Program, Disney Professional Internship, Disney International Internship Program, and etc.—one will end up getting Disney Post Distress Disorder (it's a fake disease that full-time cast members make up working with a bunch of Disney interns). It's nothing serious, it's just that after living and working at Walt Disney World anywhere between three months, five months, seven months, up to a year, it is something that you get used to. Also, your Walt Disney World o'hana (family) is a tight-knit group as well. With those two things that you experience every day, plus it is something no one in the outside world understands, you long to go back to have that life again (in short, I will do another blog post to write fully about it).

Like I said above in the last paragraph, I FELL IN LOVE with the Disney College Program, I wanted to go back to work at Walt Disney World, again! I did a semester and a year at Madison College, so I could go back to Disney in the spring and summer of 2012, which I did. In August 2012, I came back from another completed program, and working at Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs). I learned a lot on my second one, very important lessons, I could NEVER had learned in a Madison College classroom (same with the 2010 program, but different life lessons). But after coming back in August of 2012, I ended up taking a gap year (a year and a semester off) to do some soul searching, and to figure out what I wanted to do. So, within that time I motivated myself to really look into myself to see what I wanted to do career wise.

Working for Disney one thing it reinstated in me was that I like stories. I like listening, reading, and watching stories, also sometimes myself I enjoy sharing stories of my own, or making up little stories in my head and throwing them down on paper. When working at Walt Disney World, I always enjoyed listening to stories of my fellow cast members, or my coordinators, trainers, or managers about how they found their way to Disney or just another story about their lives. Also, something that Disney reinstated in me was that everyone, every place, and everything has a story to be told, and maybe (if okayed) to be shared.

Another thing I took in consideration when thinking about a career path was, working with social media. As a kid who grew up in the 90's where I have memories of running around in backyards with my friends, or my cousins, I've got a childhood full of imagination, and outdoor fun. But when I got older around third grade being introduced to computers, along with the internet (the 90's version of the internet, before Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook, etc.—PLEASE DON'T AGE ME! NOR CALL ME OLD!), also a 90's version of Microsoft Word (I miss that little dancing paper clip (Clippy? Was that his name?)). I grew up in a world where you could run around outside, until mom or dad called for dinner, and a young age of computers and internet. I got both worlds, the outdoor adventures one, and the Information Age, where you can Google just about anything.

But the more I got older, and went through school, the internet and technology kept on changing, and quickly (faster today). By the time I started college, there where fancier Blackbarry smartphones out  in competition with Apple's iPhones. Then one day in 2011, according to 'How I Met Your Mother', it was mentioned in a line in the show how everything suddenly changed, and everyone had their nose in their phone (anyone remember that?). But, I believe that statement was true. Suddenly one day in 2011, everything suddenly shifted over to smartphones. I did not realize this until I got my first iPhone in 2013. BOY! That was an eye opener for me! If you needed something to know, you could Google it, and know who that actor is, in that TV show or movie your watching. Or tweet or Facebook you're opinion and reaction about what happened on the new Game of Thrones episode (don't spoil it for anyone).

With growing up around the newly formed world of social media, with MySpace being new in high school, and then when Facebook opened up to high school students. Then once I was in college Twitter became the new thing (around 2009), then Instagram became the newest thing (2012 or 2013), and then Vine and Snapchat. I was thrown into the world of self-teaching myself how to use these new platforms. So, with the people who are older and younger than me too. With having this new field of way to reach out to the world as a person, a famous person, or a business. That is where social media became handy in the work force, and the real world. I tried to learn what I could form the different social media platforms that came out. I mainly stick with the main ones, because there is no way I am keeping up with every little application that comes out on a daily basis.

So, with my love of telling stories, and working with social media... I thought I would be perfect going to the Communications field. As, was looking through the branches of Communications I did not see much for social media. I looked at Journalism, and saw that this is a way I can share stories. That was the major thing that caught my eye. I went back to school in the Fall of 2013 - Spring of 2015 to get some of my generals out of the way. I have not had a chance to do that hence, yours truly was considering joining the Mickey Mouse Club (and getting it started up again) while working at Walt Disney World, did not consider what credits I still needed to finish. Got to the school bridge, then realize I had to quickly take care of the generals that I ignored.

  

Thank you to my lovely friend (the hand model)

 helping me during Valentine's Day!

In Fall of 2015 I started my major path of Journalism. Took a good starting class (Introduction to Mass Communications) for my major. If you are going into the Communications field, you need to learn about the whole field and it's laws and ethics before you take anything on.  Turned out that professor turned out to be my advisor once changed my degree into a Journalism Certificate degree, and also my instructor for many other Journalism classes I took.

So, in that introduction class I had to write an article for the Clarion (Madison College's Student Newspaper) for extra credit. I wanted to do well in school, and general. I took that opportunity to write for the paper. The first meeting I went to I wanted to check it out to see what it was like. I also went with the guy I sat next to in the class too. We both are inspiring to become future journalists (I am. Him? Not sure, I think he is more leaning towards broadcasting—I lost touch with him, until this last semester he popped in shared interest working with our online radio station (more on that later)).  At first walking into the newspaper office was daunting, but interesting, it had this excitement to it. I did not sign up for stories at first, I was just there to get a feel out of it. I managed to comeback to another meeting, the advisor of the newspaper talked with me to let me know, that this whole deer in front of the headlights thing is normal. I managed to muster up signing up for my first article, and around that time I was offered the position of Sports Editor. The one before me was overwhelmed with everything going on her life, so I ended up taking the job over for her. I also mentioned during the first meeting I was interested in doing social media stuff for the Clarion.

So, I was on double duty: Sports Editor and Social Media (have been up until my last day). I was helping run the Facebook account, I would post about when our new issues came out, and any other exciting happenings. In the Fall 2015 I helped living up our Twitter account, by posting new issues, and help to highlight articles that we wrote (added on the new banner in Spring of 2016). Then the Summer of 2016 (going into Fall of 2016) I revived our old Instagram account. I saw a sticky note on one of the old computers in our old office, and thought I would joking try the password to see if it worked. Surprisingly, did! Got into it, did not think much of it, until a meeting we had for our first issue of the next school year (2016-17). Logged into it, to post a picture to prove a point of we got our Instagram account active again.

 The screen shots of the social media I helped with. 

With content posted by yours truly.

During my last year (2017-18) at the Clarion we got a new branch of the Clarion called, Clarion Broadcasting. This is where we have a YouTube channel for the Clarion, and staffs' videos that they have made appear and people can watch them (I have made a few videos myself for the channel). The videos are based off of the Madison College community, Madison Community, or Wisconsin. The content varies. We also got ourselves our very own radio station this year called Clarion Radio. You can listen to it here (under 'Listen to Clarion Radio'). They did a radio show for Halloween, it was a bunch of students who came together to voice "Wars of the Worlds" and put on a Madison College twist to this H. G. Wells's original version, and modernized it. My lovely sports section writers came together to put together their own show on Clarion Radio, called WolfPack Recap (they also have a Twitter account too; because I know someone would want me to add that in). It was originally one of them at first, then they added on. They also took on doing play-by-plays for basketball games and softball games (which they ended up with two others who helped them).

 

From the Clarion Instagram 

Working for the Clarion was one of the most fun, and exciting experience of my life, it's up there with working at Walt Disney World! I got to meet so many different people who where on staff, and also many different wonderful individuals that make up the Madison College community! With working with the Clarion one can go on many conferences around the United States to win awards, also to network with future employers and co-workers, and also learn more about being a journalist. Also, getting to see the staff everyday and just enjoying time with them. I am truly going to miss you all. I know I have said that more than once to you in person.

While working on the newspaper, and learning about the path of journalism (through classes, and also the newspaper) was an interesting experience. Even now, with the way the world is, and how our politics are in America—with the way they view journalists. Right now it is an interesting time to be a journalist (even though I was a student one), and to be in the world of Journalism. We have people deeming news real or fake. The Clarion reports on real news, we inform the public about what is actually happening around them (to a certain extent, hence it being a student newspaper). But, reporting the truth and nothing but the truth, and local events that are of interest of the Madison College community.

 

 Awards we have won. Top would be Best of the Midwest and

Wisconsin Newspaper Association (Winter 2017).

Bottom would be Best of the Midwest and Wisconsin

Newspaper Association (Winter and Spring 2018).

Like I mentioned in the introduction, it is wired to say I have completed my Journalism Certificate, and to say I am done with being a student (for now). The door is always open, there is always more time to earn more degrees if I see fit. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from education, and living in the real world for a bit. In college or the real world, you learn new things everyday about the world around you, and yourself. You do not need to be stuck in a classroom. One thing the Madison College experience taught me through these years, is that there is always something out there to be learned. One does not need to be on that path of what others set out for them, make your own path, go follow that. You will grow into a much stronger, and better person. The world values you, just for being yourself. Go out there, and find your adventure! I am off discovering my new one too! I know it's scary, but I believe I can do it, and I know you can too!

If you are interested in reading my other articles I wrote 

for the Clarion >> They all can be found here.

Round the Riverbend: Got swept off in my little old kayak!

Sadly no kayaks where used in this adventure, it was mainly on land, and mainly in a building. Been spending time working either at the bar I work at or in the newsroom at school working on the paper, or working on school work. 

While being caught up in all this work, and sometimes doing this work over my breaks from school. The bar job is a year around job, with events that keep us busy year around. So I have not spent much time as I would've like writing on this blog. I have things same from around this time last year that I was working on. Miss those Minnesota Wild half season updates, and the full season updates? I have not worked on those since 2016. I do not think I have gotten past the outline of the half the 2016-17 season update for the Wild.

I do truly do enjoy writing those. But I feel a little burned out from doing stuff like that, because I do manage to do season update stuff for the Madison College WolfPack for the school's paper, plus the stress from my other classes I have taken over the semester. If school was not stressful, I don't think it would be worth it to get an education and a college degree of some sort. I am enjoying the first couple days on break, taking time out to actually relax, and it feels nice. I may not be on a beach somewhere, but I am relaxed.

I help create this spread. I wrote mainly the words, and the graphic 

team took care of creating the layout of the spread. I am VERY PROUD

of this spread we all created. I also did a video for the Women's Soccer

team going on their first trip to Nationals as well. I filmed and edited it

myself.

I am not burn out of writing sports or being a journalist, NEVER! But I am a little burn out writing this blog, because I am not sure how many people read it. I have a clue about where you guys are who read it. But I am not sure if I have a tight following. No one really comments on here, which makes me think I am shouting into a void that is the Internet. I am not trying to sound whiny or get more attention, no. I am trying to figure out what I want to go from here. Because I like blogging and telling stories of things I find interesting, I like to write, and also to get a little practice writing while I am not working on a newspaper. Busy hands are happy hands, idle hands are sad hands... the saying goes something like that?

Like you read before I like watching these vlogs that one of my old friends from Disney is doing on her second Cultural  Representative Program in Walt Disney World. Because I did the Disney College Program, and I like keeping in touch with friends who I did my Disney Internships with. While going through my journalism classes, I am learning that journalist now to be multimedia journalists, instead of something of just being a print journalists. So I have been debating about doing something like that, vlogging, I did it for a class before. But I don't know how I feel about filming everything I do, and carrying around a camera everywhere. I won't be doing that kind of vlogging though, thankfully. I am going to save that kind of vlogging for people who are doing a Disney Internship kind of thing, or traveling through Europe (Backpacking? Or just general kind of traveling, and want to bring people with). Also if I do vlog something, it'll be an adventure, and I will let you know what it is, and offer you all to tag a long with me.

I like that people do vlog their adventures to bring their family, friends and anyone who wants to come a long. But as a journalist, and person, when I tell stories, I like to write them out. I am a writer. So I do like to blog.  Like I said before I like blogging I find things interesting. I am giving you all a chance to be heard too. So in the comments blow let me know that you enjoy my content, and also what do you find interesting? I am taking your ideas, and running with them. If you do not want to comment on here, feel free to comment, message, or reply to me on the other social media forms I use to post this link on.

I enjoy talking about things I like, I just want to get to know my audience more. I want to talk to you guys, and find out more about you guys. Like sports, traveling, books, and other things? Like me. I am not planning on this blog being a professional one for my journalism career (which has not been created yet, if you where wondering), it's something fun, just like my friend, Darci's blog. It is about her, and her going through life, living her dream, and much more other stuff!  I am just trying to find a way where I want to go with this. Also I am going to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to all of you who have been reading this! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I am also planning on taking you guys through my journalism career adventures in becoming a journalist. So enjoy the ride with me!

Still there? YES I AM!

 This past year has been very hectic for me. When you are in Journalism school during a presidential election, you will be busy. It was not mainly the election that held me up, it was gaining more journalism experience I could ever imagine... in a million of years. No I did not get a job with the Washington Post, and broke a Watergate kind of news story. But, I did manage to quickly learn some of the ins and outs of running a paper. Sports editor on double duty of copy editor, sometimes filling in for the opinion and arts editors. Also filling in for the Chief Editor of the paper, or filling in for our two managing editors. Thankfully now, those positions (the major positions) have been filled, and hopefully they will not leave us hanging.

Basically this is what the Clarion, and Student Senate 

office looked like on a daily basis. Everyone working on 

their school work or other school related work. 

The year for me and working on the Clarion was not that bad. I actually reached some of my goals, and then some. One of my major goals was just to go to the Minneapolis Conference (regional-wide) that is held in February. I entered some of my articles to win awards, I expected just being able to take everything in from the workshops that where held there would be enough. But to my surprise I won fifth place on one of my sports stories. That was unexpected. But I caught the bug for pushing myself to do better. I am looking forward to work on my craft as a journalist to become a better writer. I am a good writer now, but there is always room for improvement. I am not shying a way from learning more, and improving more on anything. I also won another award at our Madison Conference (state-wide) for third place for a feature story, I believe it was the Todd Bowie one.

Another thing I was really proud of this year, was having one loyal sports writer stick with me. I am happy that he is enjoying working with us, and looking to improve himself. Also I am happy to see him interested in moving up and becoming an editor someday.  Also taking on some major stories that did not involve the sports section. Even though that is my major place I usually write, I like also writing for different sections to get my plate full of different skills of writing. I do enjoy writing sports... but politics really caught my eye this year. I am not really that big of political person, but the whole fact that news can be used to call a politician and/or the government out on their wrong-doing, is something I fine really amazing. I just want to branch out into other subjects because I want to have my resume looking well rounded.

But I am looking to get started with the newspaper again this year. We are planning on being more organized and hopefully more ways to recruit staff and keep them on. We have an advertising project I cannot wait to share with you. I am looking forward to picking up some projects again. I wonder if someone is still up for mini-challenges videos. Long story on that, but I eventually going to tell you that later on.

This year has been full of changes. Due to Madison College undergoing a remodel. The Clarion and the Student Senate got to share an office for the majority of the 2016-17 school year. That was really fun! I would not have it either other way, because we made really good friends with everyone who was involved in our student government. Also sharing the office with them opened my eyes to see how they ran. We have our new office next store to theirs in our new Student Life offices. We are still hangout together outside of school. I do not know what I would have done without any of them this year. It was nice to work in an office with people there working hard, at something they love. I loved sharing the passion of what we where working on together. Sharing the office with the Student Senate also made me realize what was happening around the school, and there are students and teachers who are trying to make this place a lot better than what we know it to be.

It was also amazing to watch my friend, Tina (whose first year was this previous year) become student-body president. I was really proud when she got voted into office. Tina, wants to make Madison College better for all students, and teachers alike. I cannot wait to watch her taken on the world Madison College next year. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out for her. Tina, I cannot wait to see what you can do to connect us all and make the school a better place for everyone.

 I would like to thank the Clarion for the photo in the upper left corner. 

I would also like to thank Sed & the  Clarion for the photo in the bottom

right corner. The other two are mine. 

Pointing out what is in the little mini photo collage: the upper left one is during our grand opening for our Student Life offices, and also our new student area. The photo on bottom right, is during our Minneapolis conference; where we took home nine awards, even best two year newspaper in the Midwest! The other two photos are for an article, plus a video (hopefully out soon) for the new Madison College's Goodmen Sporting Complex.

Also working at the Coliseum has been keeping me busy. New adventures everyday there, even though it is just a sports bar. There is always something new and exciting happening every shift. Stuff none of us could even imagine. We also got new owners as late. It has been an interesting experience to witness. More new adventures are ahead of us. Who knows what will happen. But I have a feeling that we all will survive it together, there is hope. This year was the last season that the Madison Capitols will be playing in the Dane County Coliseum, they will be moving somewhere next season. So it was sad to say goodbye to our next store neighbors. The fact we will not get to see them that much anymore, is bittersweet. But guys, do not be afraid to stop in and grab a burger or something.

Speaking of hockey and sports, those posts will be coming later with other cool things. I am planning on posting as much as I can this summer, and hopefully later on. There has been a lot amazing stuff I learned this year in my classes, that I would like to share. Vacation plans I have been thinking about a lot lately. Anyways, I am not dead. I am very well, alive and well! "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans," that John Lennon quote does ring true.

Enough Talking, More Doing

I have been saying: "I need to start running again.", "I want to start to paint.", "I want to play hockey, relearn how to skate first.", and "I want to..." It's all I need and I want lately been coming out my mouth and zero action.

Small issue here, the costs. I got the running shoes, I just need more workout cloths, skates, pucks, hockey sticks, and the list goes on. I am slowly earning to buy these things on the list. Also time is a factor, being in school and the semester is coming to a close and finals are coming up... ENOUGH WITH THE EXCUSES! That is what has been holding me up. I should not let them hold me up anymore.

I need to start running again. This is for me, this is me wanting to feel healthy and happy about myself. I used to run cross country in high school. I loved it. An outlet just to get all the aggression I had in me and let it out. After the run, the best feeling in the world. I felt a lot happier, I felt good about myself, and I felt like I could take on whatever was going on the next day. Running long distance also taught me to stick with something even though you are sore or tired and you just want to quit, don't. One of the things that made me tougher and who I am. I want to get in touch with that again, I briefly did. That was a wonderful feeling, I stopped doing it sadly. I just need to rekindle the flame, I said I would start again when I had a place of my own, a job, and in school, well I got all of those. So it is time to get off my ass and get movin'!

 It feels good to be with your oneself when your are with nature

If any of you have not been able to tell, I love hockey! So it feels wired being the only hockey fan who does not own any hockey skates, hockey sticks, or pucks. None of the above. If I ever am involved in a game I am borrowing someone's equipment. I am not using my own. I have played floor and street hockey and I liked that, but I am ready to now take it on the ice! I need to save up some more of my pennies and one day, I will have all the equipment and call it my own. So hopefully I get to run into some of you out on the pond next winter. I am not only looking just to playing just hockey. I am looking forward to play other sports again as well like: basketball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and softball. Maybe being on a tennis court and hitting around the ball back and forth.  Just generally being more active and healthy than I have been lately.

Imagine these as CCM or Beuar skates and a stick

I want to start painting or doing some artwork of some kind. I have been inspired by a Finnish model, Emmi Kainulainen. I found her by finding out she is dating Mikael Granlund of the Minnesota Wild. So I googled her to see who she was. It surprised me to find out she has been painting abstract art, doing interior design, designing her own clothing line, running her own business, and working for a fashion magazine back in Finland as an editor. To top it all off, she is a student at the University Minnesota - Twin Cities. She also went into school in Finland too, she is working on her graduate or masters. I have been inspired by her because she is doing all that and she posts inspirational sayings on her Instagram account. She is one talented woman, who just turned 25 this year. Inspiring and amazing all on it's own.

 

Her artwork on top, which also can be found on her Instagram. 

Emmi herself, is on the bottom with a peak at her 

beautiful Instagram.

Just going through Emmi's Instagram just makes me want to get in touch with my artful, creative side. I want to do the abstract painting that she does. I am debating maybe dipping my toes into the world of interior design. But I would also love to do something with photography. I need to buy a camera first. I always enjoy going on walks and taking pictures of flowers or something with my phone. I enjoy embracing my artistic eye for things.

Enough of sitting on the couch and saying what I am wanting to do. More of getting off the couch and actually doing it.

 

Leaving you with advice and inspiring words from Emmi

Why I am a Sports Writer

Why do I do sports journalism? Well, because I feel like sports have values I value to my core. Also it is lighter news in this dark world. A lot lately in school I have been studying genocide in my history and my international relations classes. Also with the recent terrorist attack in Belgium and this up coming election in the States. It makes me wonder about humanity at times. It feels like there is a lot a bad in the world, and I have been having that feeling a lot this week. But, even though there is bad and ugly in the world, there is always the good, great, and beautiful.

Sports, is one of those things I consider the better side of humanity. Even though it is always all not that pretty peaceful at times, sports do have their not so great moments. But that is not the point of this post. The point is what it teaches the young, about the teamwork, hard work, sticking it out, cheering on each other, and the best not the least, being good sportsmen to each other.

I finished an interview today with the athletic director of my college today for a article that is coming up in the next issue. So we got into the interview more about the topic I was interviewing him about. Turns out the athletic department is helping out local community centers and giving camps to younger kids and teaching them about teamwork, and the value life lessons sports can teach you. While they are doing this they are showing that it is possible in the future these kids can come to college too and further their education. Madison College is not the only college or school that does this. The University of Wisconsin - Madison is doing volunteer work and camps for the community too with their athletic department. College students are not the only ones doing this as well, professional athletes give back too.

Just after realizing this after a rough week of learning about what horrible things people have done to each other in the world in the past, this was just a nice icing on the cake and gave me the realization that the good in the world shadows over the bad.

After 9/11 the United States got a chance to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was our chance to show the world, that we as a country came back from something really horrible, and we rose from the ashes. Even though we where a bruised country, we where a strong one.

Another reason why I do sports. I don't like to get very political. I don't like to talk about politics, personally, I never like offending anyone or getting offended myself and taking it out on the person I am talking to or people who I will see later in the day. I have seen this happen with people.

But that is not the main reason. The main reason is people do get overly offended and will find a way to take it out on the reporter. I heard stories about it, even though they are funny and no one gets hurt. But there are some cases it is not the case. Luckily we live in a part of the world where no one will get hurt by sharing their point of view on a topic. But other places journalists are not so lucky. Depending on which country you live in, and what type of government one is under you do not have a freedom of speech like we do here under our constitution. So these journalist either get beat up badly or worse murdered, if they write something that the government does not agree with.

This is not just a national thing, it's a international thing as well. If something is posted that is highly political or just a topic that is touchy at the time, a certain group can hunt down that certain newspaper and plan a bombing on the newspaper head quarters.

You think being a journalist is easy or not that hard. Think again. It's probably one of the dangerous jobs in the world depending on where you are in the world.

I picked my area of journalism because of values, and safety. Also being a sports journalist is fun. I get to do something I enjoy with something else I highly enjoy. I get to write about sports while I get to write and talk about them. I also get to tell stories that are being created everyday. I get to spread positive and good news in this dark world and put faith back in this darken thing we call humanity, that at times we are sure it is falling apart (which is not). I am here to re-insure you that humanity is not falling apart and that there is light and good in the world.

I have not forgotten about you...

It has been super busy since the semester has started! Once the first week of classes, came around I got swept away with it and it snowballed from there. Not saying that me being busy is a bad thing, it's actually a good thing.

New semester, leads to new beginnings. I got a new job this September and that has been working out well, it is something new for me. I never have served before, so taking up an serving job has been an adventure. I love it, I love the fact I am learning something new, and getting new work experience in my resume.

This serving job has not been the only job I have started once this semester had started: I have started writing for the school's paper. It has been a fun experience getting my toes wet into the career path I want to go into. It has been an fast here, I have my own sports commentary column that is in the works right now, hopefully the first piece will be ending up in this next upcoming issue that is coming out next week. I also became one of the sports editors for the paper, so this all has been all really exciting. I have gotten two articles published in last weeks issue, these where my first ever newspaper articles, so I feel really proud of them! I love writing these articles, they are fun to write. I am glad to be pursuing this career path, I like being right in the middle of it all when a story breaks.

My classes are going well, I am enjoying those. I am taking four this semester. They are trickier than they look on paper when I was picking them out. Well mostly the British Lit and the Intro to Philosophy one. I thought the African History class was going to be hard, it actually not. It is all actually very interesting! I enjoy it, I am learning new things about the continent of Africa, I am thinking about taking more classes that involve African history. I am also starting to get my feet wet in the major I want to transfer into, journalism and communications so I am taking an intro class to that, it's really fun. Just learning about anything to movies, television, newspapers, social media, and magazines; basically everything that involves media. These classes are something I find interesting, so some of these are being hard and tough, it's worth it because I love them!

I haven't gotten a chance to go to very many hockey games yet this year, since I have been busy with my two new jobs. But I did find a time to go to my first Madison Capitols game, it was a fun experience! That day was their Pucks and Paws night. So everyone who had a dog, got to bring their dog to the hockey game. It was a very cute idea. I think hockey games are much better with dogs, well the ones that are not that too crowded, and every seat in the arena has someone in it. It was a good thing to do at this game, because there where not very many people in the audience during it. I enjoyed it, not sure how the dogs enjoyed it? Due to the fact they are not used to the sounding of the buzzer when someone scores, or someone getting chucked up against the boards. I am planning on seeing more hockey games over winter break, planning on going to watch some Men's and Women's Badger Hockey too, along with some more Madison Capitols games. Planning on venturing to my first NHL game too, I am thinking of venturing my way up to a Minnesota Wild game one of these days over break, or Spring Break.

At the Madison Capitols game. The Caps won 3-2!