Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Boomer the TorchBearer?

The mascot was revealed tonight. There was a loottt of people. I did not expect sooo many students to show up and it wasn't just the pizza that got them there. They handed out flashlights in the beginning (making us confused at first) but then during the presentation they had the atheletes flashing them and whatnot, so it made sense.

President Alexander rocked out a Lasell t-shirt and running sneakers. His speech was theatrical and entertaining, except I think people were too excited to listen to the whole thing.

Well, Boomer the TorchBearer is our new Mascot! And yes I know it sounds silly at first and may not make sense but: 1. torches are a big part of Lasell history and are used in graduation ceremonys and 2. the people who founded Lasell in 1851 were nicknamed "boomers".

Clever, easy to remember and "historically based"...do you think it was a good name?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Post-vacation

So it's back to work for me. Spring break was too short, I miss the sunshine!

In my last post I pointed just out how frantic I was with assignments in the beginning of the week and just how relieved I felt for spring break week.

Well, I'm thinking maybe the whole "frenzied and frantic" me from last week is just me...

Yesterday was my first day back to class. We had an assignment due and I completely blanked and didn't do it. Today I rushed to get to class by 3, except once I got there I remembered my class doesn't start until 4! Oh, and at work today, I almost walked out without my sunglasses and with a co-worker's coffee, thinking it was mine.

Maybe I need another week off Michelle and Gail? Please?

I can't get too upset today because the snow is gone, the sun is shining and I got a parking space in my lot :) The landscapers were out on campus today lawn mowing and doing yard work. Spring is finally coming! The campus looks so beautiful when spring hits…its one of the main reasons why I chose Lasell. I am excited that my dorm this year has a porch and a large lawn; my friends and I are definitely going to break out the beach chairs and tan once it’s warm.

Last year one girl dragged her mattress outside to lay on it in the sun…not sure if that’s allowed but it was a great idea.

Also, I attended a Women in Islam speech this morning. I learned a lot about the aspects of Islam, the struggles Muslim women face and sexuality-based aspects of the Koran.

Although, after the presentation I did walk out of the auditorium looking for my car in the parking lot and started to flip out when I couldn’t find it...until I realized I parked in the street.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Spring Break next week!

Spring Break is next week and I couldn’t be happier.

Five days in Florida lying on the beach and two days sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. The perfect week if I do say so myself!

Monday and Tuesday of this week were absolutely hectic. I had deadlines for the TAB and my Magazine & Feature writing class, assignments due to Michelle, a test in Publication Editing and an internship evaluation “essay” for Field Experience.

Everyone thinks I’m crazy for taking on so much my last semester of senior year, but in this economy I need to do anything and everything to put me ahead of the competition. The way I have been trying to see it is, I have the rest of my life to party and most of my friends still have a year of college left so I can visit them if I’m missing the “college life”.

Plus, there’s always enrolling in grad school: new friends, new classes and possibly a new city.

Also, internships are a way to learn what I hate and love in a career while I’m still in school, rather than figuring it out by having to quit job after job because I’m unhappy.

I will miss Lasell but for right now all I am worrying about is how to stuff a week’s worth of bathing suits and maxi-dresses into a carry-on.

Have a great spring break everyone! :)

Community politics...a learning experience

I had to cover a Sherborn selectmen meeting recently. When the Sherborn editor and my Newton editor asked me, I of course said yes even though I had never even heard of Sherborn.

And yes, I admit. I googled what a selectmen was.

I studied the news site about the issues that were to be discussed at the meeting and when I got there, realized I was way over my head. The terms “motion” and “bid” were thrown around in discussion over the construction of a new garage. I had no idea what was going on!

After the first (almost 4 hour) meeting, I had all the information down, quotes, figures etc…but had no clue what most of it meant. Thank goodness for the Sherborn editor and the Sherborn Town Administrator, they saved my life! The editor reminded me to write the article in “laymen’s” terms so I could stop being nervous about how to use the political and architectural phrases. I was to write for the people who read the Sherborn paper, not for a lawyer or architect.

I went to a follow-up meeting on the garage and knew exactly what they were saying and understood almost everything.

Michelle, who worked in newspapers, gave me tips and taught me that these types of meetings are the “bread and butter” of community newspapers. And although the meetings and politics can be complicated, the task is usually thrown to an intern or newbie reporters.

I’m glad I learned these lessons now. Perhaps I won’t get so nervous when I have to report on Newton’s 24 aldermen; Sherborn only had 3 (selectmen).

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Thank goodness for my camera!


When I left the TAB in Needham the other day, a car crash happened right in front of me! So the journalist in me grabbed a camera and took a few pictures of the damage and sent them to a reporter at the Needham newspaper. (Don't worry, no one was hurt!)Just goes to show, if you wanna be in journalism, always carry a camera. You never know what may happen!







Oh, and here is what I did for an assignment for the TAB. We took pictures of the aldermens' sidewalks. Some were perfectly shoveled and well, others were awful. I almost fell flat on my butt a few times and people were staring at me trying to take these pictures. Either they thought I was crazy or I was some secret photog.

So, what exactly do I do?

I guess I never really explained what I do as a Communications Intern...

I work in the Office of Communication alongside Michelle Gaseau, the Director. I help Michelle put together stories for the school website and alumni newsletter. If there are possible story pitches, I usually contact the person involved or research the event or speaker. Then Michelle will ask me to create a media advisory notice or a blurb for a weekly "what's going on at Lasell" email.

For instance, today I attended a Torture and Democracy talk, something that I probably would not have gone too if it was not assigned. Michelle was away at a conference and wanted me to see how it was. Although the topic of torture is not generally a preferred subject for me, the speaker was entertaining and informative. I assume that I will write up a short blurb about it as an assignment tomorrow morning, which will help me practice reporting on events.

The assignments I am given are always varied, which keeps the days I work from blurring together. I am learning a lot about public relations and writing; two valuable skills that I can take with me to my future job in communications (well, hopefully I'll find a job in communications!)