Metropolitan Museum

Japan, Portugal, Miami and Chicago. These States and more make up the thousands of commuters traveling through the Metropolitan Museum of Art everyday. In observing the museum, you can’t help, but to hear the many accents and different styles of clothing. Your attention steers from the pictures to the people watching them.

Romany Sanz was one of those people that stood out at the museum. Sanz was born and raised in Ohio, but moved to New York when he was 12. Occupying a small section on the third floor of the museum, he was an animated receptionist. He was more than polite to customers asking for assistance and more than courteous in making sure they knew how to get to their destinations.

No stranger to a helping hand, he was very well rounded when asked about the upcoming events to take place at the museum. “Well I will be pleased to tell you that I am the biggest attraction this museums ever had! So let’s just get that out of way,” Sanz said jokingly. “But aside from me, the most talked about exhibit we have coming up right now will be the Art Trek.”

Not to be confused with Star Trek, the Art Trek will feature videos and vintage arts from that of the early 1820’s. What’s so spectacular about it, according to Sanz, it that it will have features that spectators get to, “play with.” As with most museums and city attractions, many of the exhibits and art peace’s in the museum had signs posted around them that clearly stated, ‘Do Not Touch.’ However, the Art Trek will feature work that’s meant for the audience to feel and will allow them to become more involved in the experience.

 Another exhibit that Sanz was pretty amped about, was the Everyday Life in the Middle ages exhibit. “Now, that one won’t just explore me putting my sexy on in the morning, but [it will] show how my ancestors did it too,” said Sanz. He said that the Everyday life in Middle ages exhibit will provide, in detail, the everyday lives of people during the middle ages.

It will explain and present the rise of technology and how it transformed their world, and the current one, so drastically. It will also tap into the family dynamics of those during the middle ages. Sanz didn’t want to give too much away, but wanted to mention that the exhibit has been the most anticipated for the museum crew.

July exhibits in the museum began July 2.  

New York City Day 20: Challenging myself

I can't believe it's the 20th day already! I feel like I just got here! Wow.

So today was the final day Lauren and I had to work on Tom Joyner. It seemed like it would be a good day until I started receiving emails about how bad it was. Apparently Frenchie Davis wasn't too pleased with the questions she was asked on the show and felt attacked. She sent me an email on Facebook that said:

So when you asked me to come on the show, were you aware that they were going to be in attack mode for this interview???? If so, shame on you.

Caught me completely off guard. She seemed fully aware of the show, she kept mentioning how she know's and loves Tom and was excited to be on the show. She knew we'd be discussing her sexuality being that it's recently been discovered that she is homosexual. So, I don't know where the confusion was. Aside from all else, she was apologized to countless amounts of times and hopefully she can just agree to disagree.

I went to the Grio today of course. I feel like this was one of my most productive/busiest days. I had to write a Michelle Obama peace the other day and took too long writing it if you ask me. So Alexis spoke with me today about it. Her advice was very helpful, but I knew it was coming. Politics, Inspiration and topics around that area are not my strong points, however. After talking to her and Ms. Reid later on, I felt more confident that I could maybe take on the challenge. Ms. Reid was very helpful in telling me about what websites to look at everyday and how to be consistent about it.

I also realized something. The same energy I spend fighting change, challenges & things I'm not used to, is the same energy I could use to turn that negative thinking into positive thinking then on to purposeful actions.

Like I said before, I have been challenged since the first day I got here. People have challenged me as well as certain situations. In every circumstance, I was aware that it was happening and in every situation, I feel as though I was given a choice to react the same way I respond to something different/new or to make a new/better decision. In most cases, I made a new/better decision. And today I choose to take on a new challenge.

New York City Day 19: Reality check

We met Michael Jack today. His demeanor reminded me of Brian Monroe. He achieved sooooo much, but you would never know because he's so cool and personable and relatable and humble, yet, a go-getter! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him. He also reminded me of my president Dr. Carlton Brown of Clark Atlanta University. And I would be remiss to say that he doesn't give me a little President Obama too! He was just so cool.

When I meet successful/well established/polished people, I'm always curious to see what about them makes them stand out. I'm always curious to see what about them makes me remember them. It never fails, they always do some 1 thing to stand out. He came in the room and brought 12 manila folders where he asked us to write our names on them. Now, that may sound like a small gesture, but to me, it said that he's not only self aware being that he can't remember names that well, but he's also a caring individual who cares enough to not only speak to us, but want's to know our names. That said a lot to me.

I asked him about internal competition. I'm the kind of person who believes in friendly competition because it's motivating. I compete with my friends sometimes (they don't know it of course, lol), but they motivate me to keep moving if there's a lull in my journey of success. But many times, I find myself surrounded by individuals who are competing against me with spiteful intentions and that saddens me because many times, it's people who I thought I was close to. So it took him a hard time to answer that question, I guess because it's an on going thing for him as well. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I asked because it's been laying on my heart for a very long time.

Later on in the day, Lauren and I continued our search for the Tom Joyner Morning Show's next contestant! We were able to land former American Idol and The Voice contestant Frenchie Davis! I tell you, Facebook is some type of creation.

The end of the day was a sad one I must say. Whether expected or not, I will never say, but it didn't end how I would have liked it to. Farewell, my good friend.

New York City Day 18:Knowing your limits

Today was a busy day. I don't really know where my mind was though. I feel as if it was all over the place.

I was very productive and I completely understand what people say when they say that you need to be passionate about something in order to produce. I get it! When your heart isn't in something, it's not going to succeed, simple. It's going to be choppy and all over the place. I knew that before, but I learned that today.

I also learned that I stretch myself too thin. There were so many different thing's that I had to do today that I was stressing out. It was crazy. It's been like this for about three years now. It's not healthy and I say that because I notice how it's affecting me. I need to learn that it's ok to pull back and not say 'yes' to everything!

Anyway, I don't want to harbor on anything too deeply. I get back to my dorm and immediately started working on Tom Joyner. As I mentioned in the previous post, Lauren and I are producing Ms. Reid's segment this week. I was able to get in contact with Frenchie Davis. It felt pretty good to get in contact with her, with anybody that I reach out to!

Ms. Reid made a good point. Why do people aim to contact lawyers, publicists and everybody else but the person! IF you want to do a story about Rihanna, talk to Rihanna! Find somebody who know's somebody who know's Rihanna! Lol, it's really that simple. Why start at the bottom when you can start at the top?

I tell you, everyday, I learn something new about me. I learn everyday how to make better decisions.

New York City Day 17: Clem Richardson speaks

In 1964, he was convinced to enroll in an integrated school. It was an experience that shaped the man he is today. “I am a child of desegregation,” said New York Daily News reporter Clem Richardson.

            Richardson spoke to a group of interns enrolled in The Reid Group. It was there where students not only learned how to write a good news lead, but how to tell a story.

“When you’re reporting, you want to keep it simple,” said Richardson. “Approach each story as if you’re writing for someone who knows absolutely nothing about the story.”

He encouraged students to make their work conversational and to not write with the pressure of knowing that thousands of people will be reading their material. However, write as if they’re writing for one person. The pressure was on as Richards challenged the interns to a leadoff.

Each student was told to ask Richardson one question and form a lead from his response. It was during the challenge where Richardson pointed out that, amongst the questions, no one asked him ‘how old he was’ where he went to school ‘or where he worked.’ He said that journalist seem to forget the most basic aspect of an interview and that basic questions like that should be step number one.  

            Growing up, Richardson always knew he wanted to be a reporter. A graduate of Duke University, his career has complimented his childhood dream. The married father of two has worked with the Daily News since 1993. Before then, he worked with the Chicago Sun-Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Anderson Independent newspaper and the Miami Herald. The Miami Herald is the place where he said he wrote his best lead ever.

            He’s worked at several publications in his career and much like the interns at The Reid Group; he’s had a lot of trial and error moments where he had to be at unfamiliar locations at unfamiliar cities. Students asked how he dealt with it and he mentioned how you can’t help, but to find your way. He said, “The city will reveal itself to you.”

            Richardson continued that leads are the most important part of a story and how it’s important to realize that you’re not writing for you, but for the reader. “The lead is how you sell the story,” said Richardson. He said that it’s the deciding factor that either encourages the reader to continue reading or put the paper down.

            He also gave out a few tips for students. He had one student close her eyes and, based off her memory, tell a story about the room she was in. She described, in detail, everything that she saw and that made for a descriptive lead. “...Relax, let your senses do the work…” said Richardson. “You have to have the confidence to trust your instincts. Close your notes and do what you remember.”

            Besides being witty and creative in their leads, Richardson encouraged the interns to read everything they could get their hands on because it will diversify them as a writer and enhance their material.

New York City Day 16: Long Day

As you can tell from the title of this post, today was a long day. I've come to find that one cannot live off of oatmeal alone! Lol, I have a crazy headache and my stomach is not too pleased with me. I don't really want to go into too much detail about how long I've been up and all that jazz because it comes with the business, but what I will say is that everyday, LITERALLY, everyday since I've been here, I've been learning more and more about me. I can see God challenging me every single day and I can't get over that. I'm thankful for it.

Now back to business. I'm at the Grio today and, I had an epiphany, the males out number the females. There are 8 males there and 7 females...ok, before listen, I'm including interns so TECHNICALLY there are far more males than there are females in there. Anyhoo, mostly everyone came back from the NABJ conference and they spread nothing but good news. Today also marked the day that I official begin working with Alexis and Joy Ann. I'll be writing for the Living section and (swallows) politics.

That's the one thing I feared writing about because it's hard for me to really get into politics. They are sooooo passionate about it at the grip and I sit there for the most part trying to figure out who is who and how you pronounce a certain person's name that I forget the issue at hand! So I know for a fact that it's going to be a challenge, so I need to read everything they read and some. Hopefully all goes well.

It's also me and Lauren Morton's week to produce the Tom Joyner Morning Show. We underestimated the task. We thought last Friday was an early day to reach out to the guest when in reality, that was pretty late. Luckily, we pulled it off. It was a hassle, but I try not to freak out too much because I take thing's as a trial and error. We're here to mess up so that we can do better next time and the next time and the next time. So I can't sweat my mistakes this time around because I'm new to the entire thing. I just know to be a load of a lot more prepared for the segment this Friday!

New York City Day 15: What a journey

What people won't do for a cheesecake! Smh (shaking my head), before I get into that, I want to talk about church earlier today. Church today was interesting to say the least. Fast talking Pastor Dale Bronner preached today. That man had some words up his sleeves that knocked me off my feet! He was extremely witty! He referenced Pastor Bernard a lot and mentioned how the congregation should be thankful that he's doing his job (and some) as a pastor by being the sensei, guru and expert when it comes to leading the congregation to righoutness. Afterwards, he kind of continued Pastor Bernard's sermon from last week and talked about how you should try something different to get different results. So, stay tuned next week for the completion of Pastor Bernard's series "DESSIGN!"

After church, I finally got in touch with a potential guest for the Tom Joyner Morning show. I was excited about her being on the show, but I think she was a bit more excited. She really works to empower young girls; young minority girls and I appreciate a good story like that because somebody is actually doing something to try to fix a social issue rather than complaining about it. I think this world needs a balance of good news and celebration every now and again rather than what we typically hear. She was a breath of fresh air for me.

After talking with her, me and a few of the girls went out to find Juniors! It took us about an hour to walk around and find this place and it was extremely tiring. I finally told them we needed to head back because the journey was getting ridiculous, but we took about two more steps and somehow stumbled into our location! The one good thing I can say about it is that we at least got a chance to go to Times Square at night, see the awesome sights and get back to the dorm all before our 11 o'clock curfew!

New York City Day 14: The evolution

Me reporting the News Live at Central Park in New York

So today, I'm walking the streets of Harlem and what do I hear? I hear music and people on the corner dancing alongside the sound. My eye's then began to follow the sound where the music was coming from and what do I see? I saw a man holding one medium sized speaker that can only be utilized with an iPod touch or iPhone. I was blown away...and slightly disappointed.

I mean, we all heard the stories of how New Yorkers use to walk around with big boom boxes sitting on top of their shoulders while they glide to the music. It use to bring people together! And to see that kind of disappointed me. I wasn't disappointed in him of course, I mean he was just the victim of a system that forced him to adapt to their views of entertainment, in my mind. I mean, he literally walked around with a speaker and an iPod attached to it. Hurt my heart. But what are you going to do, you know? You can't escape technology. I'm sure that speaker has reduced a lot of shoulder problems and ear damage in the past decade.

Today was the second time we did live shots (Live shot's are us interns acting as if we're real news reporters, lol. We all came up with different scenarios and an actual cameraman 'Mr. Nelson' recorded us with the lighting and everything). I think I was too comfortable with what I did on my first live shot that I didn't deliver as well as I could have. So I want to make sure that I do a better job on the next live shot.

New York City Day 14:Uppademic showcase

The Shrine Restaurant/World Music venue showcased some of New York’s homemade talent June 22. The small restaurant/bar usually features performances by members of the motherland as well as local Caribbean performers. However, the multifaceted location revealed an outpour of young talent and drive.

Nathan Hosanna performing with Uppademic students

Local non-for profit organization Uppademics showcased the raw talent that’s been brewing in New York for the past 10-weeks. Students of the program came from all faucets of life. Creator Nathan Hosannah started the program in hopes of assisting the community in understanding the concept of ‘IRAC: issue, rule, application, and conclusion.’

“It’s a law school method that’s used to break down briefs and cases,” Nathan said.” He continued, “Issue: what do I want to do? Rule: what [are] the rules that I have to maneuver to in order to make this happen? Application: you actually trying to do something. Conclusion: the analysis of something. So we take that and bridge it into our program to bridge the gap between the scientific side and the artistic side.”

Finding the balance between the music and engineering was the main goal for Nathan once Uppademics got certified back in 2011. He believes that everything has a certain format in which you must artistically learn.

“If you look at science, if you look at academia, there’s an artistic way of looking at it.”

During the 10-week program at Uppademics, students are learning how to not only utilize the skills and talents that they have, but how to learn about how to expound on the many directions it can take them. The performances at the Shrine, gave those students the venue to perform their poetry, raps and monologues. One of the young men performing was said to have learned how to play the guitar in his 10 weeks of being a student.

Nathan recalled one of the best thing’s he’s heard from a student member of the program. “One of the best thing’s I heard is that ‘I realize that everything has a structure to it whether I see it or not.’”

If interested in being a part of the program, go to uppademics@gmail.com. 

New York City Day 13: New perception

So today I had an epiphany. One of the coolest thing's I heard today was from an intern at theGrio, "Each movement has to take it's own term." I feel like I probably heard that before, but I guess it's the context in which he said it that gave me a whole new take on it. We were pitching stories and talking about pride weekend and the phrase "Civil Rights" came up. Personally, I don't like when that phrase is used when referring to the homosexual community.

Demy Jacks and I :-)

Not that I'm homophobic or anything like that, but I just feel like it was a different movement/journey/experience my ancestors went through. You can't possibly compare what they went through to the events that transpires today and to even conceptualize that idea is insulting to me. I mean, sure, there are some similarities as there are with many movements that took place back in the day. At the same time, I don't feel like people should be able to take experiences that have already transpired and try to evoke the same kind of emotion out of people. I don't know, that statement just really struck a chord with me today.

But that's neither here nor there. Today, I also realized...again...that I have to try something different to get different results. I just feel like EVERYDAY that I've been in New York, God has been giving me different chances to react to similar situations I've encountered before, differently. I see him doing it and it is amazing to me. It's soooooooooo hard to change and not react in a way that's comfortable to me, but at the same time, I know that I have to step outside of my comfort zone and do what I have to do to get to where I am suppose to be. Simple.

New York City Day 12: Learning about me

Well, today was pretty cool. Lol, I always start my blogs off like that, lol sorry! We went to Christian Cultural Center again today. It was, yet again, AMAZING! Some young people who went to Guatemala, for a missionary trip, showed their documentary and spoke with us about their experience. I always heard people going on church trips or studying abroad and things like that, but for some reason, I felt a little emotional. Maybe because I was in a church! But it was beautiful, I thoroughly enjoyed that.

They were saying how you have to be careful of the type of music you listen to. Is it producing Godly emotions or peaceful emotions or hatred etc...it was deep.

Then Pastor Bernard spoke with us again. He just know's the right thing's to say that makes you think twice. It made me realize that I need to try harder to make a relationship with God. Simple. He said it right, you make time for what is important to you. Then he said some more awesome things, let me break it down:

• When we blame God, it takes responsibility away from you. So don't play victim to everything, take responsibility and make better decisions. 
• If change doesn't volunteer itself from the head, it will start from the bottom through a revolution.
• The bible is the only doctrine that has over 40 witnesses about ONE GOD for over 1500 years. Now that determined his credibility
• Sometimes you're going to have to work with people who have no morals, but one objective; get the job done! So how are you going to deal with it?
• You need to live in the awareness and sensitivity of his presence everyday, that' s how you build relationship with him.

It was awesome! Then we went to a radio workshop. We have to do a PSA...I'm personally excited about it!

New York City Day 11: Practice what you preach

Ok, so thing's got all the way real today. We met Soledad O'brien at her New York CNN headquarters. It was pretty cool. I find it amazing how news reporters transform their voices on television and radio (kinda). They talk COMPLETELY different on air than they do in person...it's pretty cool.

Me touching the famous Apollo Theaters Tree of Hope

One of the best things I saw was that they interviewed Reverend Fred Luter of the U.S Baptist Southern Church. It was cool first because he's the 1st black president out of all the previous 56 caucasian presidents. Why do I know this? Because I pitched this story to my internship when he 1st got elected and they didn't write about it, lol. I'm not mad or nothing, I'm actually glad because it made me realize that my news gathering and story searching skills are activating, lol! Keep reading to hear some cool news!

Reverend Luter handled himself so well with those questions! I was so proud of him! He was asked about gay marriage and he stood by his word! He said he supported his president, but didn't agree with some of his beliefs and that's ok! That made the first half of my day! Ms. O'brien was as sweet as pie. I liked how when she spoke to you, she starred at one eye and kept firm contact with it and never let it go. That let me know she was serious. One of the best things I heard her say, that I've been hearing many people say lately (which mostly means God is talking to me through people) is that you are most confident when you are sure. Keep following, it get's better!

When you are sure and knowledgable of the information you're presenting, the nerves go away quicker and quicker. Now before I lose your attention span, let me tell you what happened at...theGrio! Hey! Don't you skip to the bottom! You read it all!

Long story short, I was told to write a story about Keshia Knight Pulliam possibly being on RHOA. Coincidently, I know her publicist, so I suggested me reaching out to her publicist to see if she's going to be on there or not. At that moment, it because a breaking story, lol. The pressure was on!

It got crazy and I struggled a little bit, but we got it together and it posted! Click here to read the story. It felt pretty great. HERE'S THE GOOD PART! Adam, Deputy Editor, said, "Who else do you know (publicist wise)?" I told him and he was like, "We may need you for resources and things like that so be on the lookout. No, I'm serious." :-) That was pretty cool.

New York City Day 10: Schomburg Library

So, what’s new with the Schomburg Library? “Well, we now have the Obama exhibit,” said Compten Olijeah, the eager executive of security of the Schomburg Museum.

            According to the Schomburg Center’s website, the center is a historic public library and has been active in New York City for over 85 years. Arturo Alfonso Schomburg was the creator of the museum and was a Puerto Rican of African decent.

The museum was on the rise as the Harlem Renaissance was underway during the time the museum was starting off. Works featured in the museum include the likes of Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson and Marcus Garvey. It has collected and documented global black culture for decades and has over 10 million items out for display. The library was designed a research llibrary in 1972.

Most recent to go on display in the museum is first African American president, Barack Obama.

            President Barack has just been initiated into the museum over a week ago through exhibition and will be open for view come late July according to Olejiah mentioned that many students who explore the library would sometimes approach him asking if there were any plans of a President Barak exhibit. So he eventually decided to address the manner to his superiors.

            “We have [material] in the library [that] talk about he and his family, but nothing big,” said Olejiah. “So once I noticed that students kept asking for it, I thought it best to tell someone about it and they were about half way done with the exhibit by the time I told some one (laughing).”

He’s excited about plans the Schomburg has in the near future. Oleijah who happens to be from Nigerian descent, has been living in Harlem for over 23 years and has been working at the Schomburg Library for over 12 years. In an accent as vivid as his smile, he claimed that he loves what he’s seen the museum do for people.

            “I’ve been here a very long time,” said Oleijah. “I believe that we sometimes need to be reminded of what it means to value our culture. I value my culture and I appreciate how the museum has helped others who may not have [understood] my culture, to grow to learn about it.”

            Oleijah said that he’s seen an enormous transformation in the library. Only haven been there for 12 years, he say’s that he’s seen so many visitors throughout the day, but that his joy is seeing returning people.

            “The library is meant for people to really study different worlds than what they are use to, you know? It is suppose to make you see the world through different eye’s and when I see students or tourists come [many] times, it comforts me because that means that they care enough to want to know more.”

            

New York City Day 9: Hardships

This post is about to be all over the place! 

Today was interesting to say the least. It was a hard day for me for many reasons, but I'm in bed now so it's all good. I went to my internship and I remember feeling like Amanada Seyfried in "Letters to Juliet." I just wanted to write a real story already! I kept doing run down's of stories that aren't mine, but I write a small paragraph and tell the reader to view the full story by clicking on the link -__-. I wasn't that frustrated, but I was mostly wondering why I kept doing that, I felt like a blogger. 

Then some caucasian woman working on the other side of my internship thought it was cute to tell her co-worker (after viewing a picture he showed her), "Oh you were wearing a hoodie! You look like a hoodlum." Even after the whole Trayvon Martin incident, I never took hoodies to have a negative image, but when she said that, something just didn't feel right. 

I was over it. But today was hard for me for many other reasons. In coming to a different city like New York, I realize that you can't escape your problems. They will follow you everywhere and it's funny because I've been telling people that I've been seeing my growth since I've been here. I feel like I've been challenging myself and have been growing as a result, it's crazy.

At the same time, I just come from a background that none of these girls understand and after a loooong talk with my mom tonight, I realized that that's ok. I don't have to continuously get upset when people don't understand my plight because honestly, I'm tired of explaining myself. But one thing I do need to do is make better decisions. In order to have something better, you gotta do something different.  That's a journey I've been on for some time now and it won't be long until I reach some good results. 

New York City Day 8: Discovering my purpose

Today was a little more than amazing...I mean, Pastor A.R. Bernard...timeless. He preached a sermon that spoke to my life. I want to write a few excerpts that really spoke to me...

• Purpose is not decided, it's discovered
• Purpose has to be bigger than an event or something you do. It has to continue until the day you die or else, once that event or thing has happened, you won't have a reason for living anymore
• You're suppose to live in your purpose by using your gifts, talents and abilities to satisfy a human need. That satisfaction never dies because people will always be in need 
• It's not about finding your purpose, it's about living in your purpose
• You can't be cheap and stingy and discover purpose

Like, I feel like he was speaking to my life. We all did! Before that, there was an all men step team performing. It was so powerful. I mean, we need thing's like that in churches, schools, jail cells (just a thought :) all around the world. These men made my soul shake up. It was amazing to see them step and shout together.

Afterwards, we all sat at a Sunday dinner brunch with Ms. Reid and her mother, she's a sweet soul. She seemed like she liked to have fun from how Ms. Reid was describing her, lol, she was cool. We had a pretty good sunday dinner. I actually drank some tea...everybody was doing it, lol, I hate tea, but I wanted to see what the fuss was all about (if you never drank tea before, there's no rush trust me, overrated!) Dinner was delis! It may sound crazy, butI felt like I was a child (not in a bad way!) 

It seemed like mommy was serving me dinner and gave me seconds, some of which included some veggies that I didn't want (they were actually good tho, lol). Mrs. Bernard spoke with us after we ate...she's the funniest! She had me cracking up...they have the cutest relationship. For whatever reason, she kept mentioning to us to be mindful of people and that everyone isn't your friend. It's like that one of the biggest lessons she's learned in life. I don't know, I just thought it was interesting that she kept telling us about that. She's a sweet woman, I can't imagine someone ever screwing her over...she's an angel! lol

New York City Day 7: New Experiences

Today was nothing less of amazing! I mean, I'll, first, never forget having to get up at 5am to be at NBC Studios by at least 7:15, lol, I didn't think I'd make it! But it was great. We met news anchor legend Pat Battle. I just wish she could be my auntie, lol, she seems sooooo fun to be around! Anyhoozer, we were able to watch her do a snippet of the news and we were able to watch the weatherman do his segment.

Afterwards, the girls and I went to our famous conference room (or daycare center as I like to call it, lol! We can't leave the room until mommy get's back!) where Ms. Battle and Ms. Reid both went over with us, what it takes to be a news reporter. We all went around the table and acts as if we were news anchors. We had to complete each others sentences to create a scenario, then we had to present a news scenario by ourselves. It was entertaining to say the least. 

Then things got real. I knew we were getting filmed and 'practicing' how it is to be a new anchor, but I underestimated the situation completley. We went outside and I saw a van and wires, lol. It was then where I realized that we were reporting 'live' in front of tourists, citizens of New York and the whole world you ask me! We went one by one to to rerecorded by camera-man Mr. Nelson and Ms. Battle was reporting from a  fake location so that the scenario can seem more real. 

Tourists thought we were all real news casters; we sold them! I had to explain to number of people that it wasn't real, lol. Their faces were priceless! They looked so concerned as we were reporting our drastic stories with a smile plastered on our faces! It was great!

I created the story that Glady's Knight died in front of Radio Music City Hall. I loved it! I felt like a natural...in a sense. I mean, there's definitely some improvements needed, but I wasn't really nervous. When the pressures on, you just have to deliver on that camera. It was awesome, afterwards, some guy was telling us he want's to give us money and that he would give us everything. He was saying how beautiful we were and how we should use it by stripping I guess, lol. Ms. Battle had that Jersey come out of her and she stepped up to him, lol, then Ms. Reid said. "Oh look, there's a naked lady!" And I saw him walk away, lol!

After watching some of Ms. Battles previous news videos, we took a trip down Times Square! It's like the buildings were coming out at you! They're so big and it's so much going on with so many people an characters walking around. I lost a pearl earring as a result, lol. I can't hang clearly. That's the second item I lost in New York. The other one was my favorite sweater of all time. Anyhoozers, we had a good time in Times Square. They ate at TGIF (I wasn't about to play with them prices) and we walked around some more before calling it a night. It was a day well spent.

New York City Day 6: Growing

I was the first person to arrive at TheGrio yesterday, that was pretty cool. Lauren Fluker was actually interning for the day which was pretty cool, all the guy's really liked her, lol! We wrote a number of stories that day and it was madness! It was a lot of pressure on me because I was writing one of the big stories for the day. One of the stories I was working on was about Adidas releasing a shoe design that resembled slave shackles.

It didn't take me hours, but it took me a minute to get the story right. Adam, head Editor of TheGrio kept having me revise it because I kept editorializing it. I understood what he was trying to say, it was almost scary because at some point I felt like he was getting frustrated at some point. Eventually he was cool...thank God!

It was a lot of pressure to get that story done because it was a big story for them that day. I actually wrote two stories that were both published. It feels pretty amazing I must admit. I was happy/nervous that they chose me to handle the story. I could kind of hear the nervousness in some peoples voice when they realized I was the one covering it. I didn't get mad or offended because I felt the same! Lol at the end of the day, I was able to deliver and that's what it's all about.

Ms. Reid came and  spoke with us today one on one and as a group over pizza. It was all fine and gravy until we all gathered in the back room. She addressed some issues, I'm assuming she noticed, within the group. I was kind of disappointed because I was hoping we wouldn't have to have this conversation at all, CERTAINLY not 1 week INTO the internship! I only hoped that we all really took in what she said because at the end of the day, this group isn't about any 1 person, it's about the representation of our mentor, institution, family race, and then us...as a WHOLE. Period.

New York City Day 5: Continuing to learn about me

Powerhouse? What do you think? All us Reid Group Interns sat around a table for lunch and came to the conclusion that our experience in New York should’ve been a reality show. I mean it writes itself! Afterwards, we decided to give each other nicknames for whatever reason, lol, I mean, nobody, besides the characters on Jersey Shore, has nicknames for their reality show! Whatevs, I’ll take it! 

            Today was pretty interesting, I had my orientation for NBCUniversal and honestly, it felt like somebody punched me in my back and I lost my breath for a minute. Maybe it’s a delayed reaction to realizing that I attend an HBCU or the fact that I’ve been bubbled around black people for the past couple of day’s, but when I got to that room, all I could see were white faces.

            In a room of over 200 interns, only 8 of them were black and 3 of them worked for thegrio.com. It was terrible on one end, but it was good on another, or at least, that’s how I chose to look at it. I was also pleased to see that one of us worked for the Oxygen network. Long story short, while it made me feel a little uneasy, I felt pretty honored at the same time.

On another note, I met some cool people today as usual, but one of the highlights for me was the fact that I met some amazing entertainment journalist! You know entertainment’s my thing, so to see Lola Ogunnaike and Alicia Quarles. I’ve definitely seen Alicia a number of times on E! News and I’ve seen Lola a number of times as well.

I asked away and got my answers. It was cool. We also met BeBe Winans. I really wanted him to sing me a song, but I knew he was a little occupied! Lol   

My 4th day in New York

Hmm, where do I start with this blog today?  Well, I started my internship at thegrio.com today. I was initially nervous about little things, but at the end of the day, it was pretty cool.

I met an intern named Jonathan and Marquise and a couple of other one’s. They were sooooo sweet and sooooo helpful and I thoroughly enjoyed the staffers as well. I love how there isn’t a hierarchy. Everyone sat in the same area and I’ve never seen that before. It makes for some good bonding though I’m sure!

Another cool thing that happened was that I wrote my first story for thegrio.com and it was published! Here’s the link: http://thegrio.com/2012/06/13/nene-leakes-to-launch-affordable-clothing-line/

I was so excited! Everyone was just so cool, I can’t get over it. After thegrio.com, we went to an event at Tracy Reese’s store for Black Girls Rock. It was pretty cool. Saw a lot of familiar faces there so that was pretty awesome.

Ms. Bonds is such a sweetheart; I just want to say that. You come across very few people like her in this world and I tell you, I’ve only been around her for two day’s and she is timeless.

Of course I couldn’t end the blog without mentioning that we got lost again today, lol, smh. I will never understand. It got to a point where I don’t even get mad anymore because we’re able to see some sights, not only that, but we’re all held accountable for all of us getting lost! There isn’t just one person reading a GPS, we all are! Which makes it worse because it means that none of us read it right! Lol, you have to learn to sweat the small stuff man.

Third Day in New York

Sooooo, today is my 3^rd day in New York (smiling from ear to ear)! Today was…eventful! I find it quite interesting that we’ve been traveling to the same two locations in two day’s and we still get lost, lol! It is soooo hilarious to me because we think we know about New York after only being here for all but 3 day’s and we keep testing out new routes! Sigh, on a good note, in the midst of us getting lost, we tripped into Times Square! I assumed Times Square was a way’s away from NBC (Oh yeah, did I mention that my internship is at NBC Studios with thegrio.com)!

            When we tripped onto Times Square, the New York that I always see from my television and computer screen finally came to life! I definitely want to walk down there during the night just to see all the lights and action! Anyhoozers, we met some pretty amazing guests tonight. Kimberly Allers (former essence editor, blogger and author) was teaching us about research amongst many things and it made me hopeful that I will be able to diversify my writing now. Bryan Monroe (you should google him) also spoke…one word…PHENOMENAL.

The fact that he was so calm and personable really made him stand out to me because this man has done sooooo much! He and President Obama are practically best bud’s you ask me! He showed us soooo many pics of them together! What was really touching to me was when he shared his audio with us of the interview he did with Michael Jackson (It was the last interview Jackson did). Amazing!

The night ended with a couple of us meeting some pretty cool guy’s at out dorm. They are from New York and are HILARIOUS!

First experience in New York

Hmmm, let’s see. Before making myself well aware of the safety book on the plane and eying all of the exits, I began to set my mind on the fact that I am going to be in New York City sooner than expected! So we landed and had car service to our dorms (which made me feel so official!). We all sat in silence as we were soaking up the fact that our lives were about to change in ways that we can’t even imagine! 

            After we got our room’s situated, we were greeted to New York with an AAAAAAAMAZING Pot Luck! We were then given some guidelines about safety. When I tell you I got a little scared, I tell you no lie. It was almost to the point where I wanted to say, “Um, I’m just gonna, head on back to Chicago real quick, look’s like you guy’s are good here,” LOL! Yes, I was a little nervous after the safety speech, but at the same time, I’m from Chicago and if there’s one thing I learned there, it’s to always stare fear right in the eye and keep it moving! So the first day went fairly well.

            Today was a big eye opener! I think ONE OF the best pieces of advice I heard today was to act as if you’re going to work and not an internship. So, I really tried to own my surroundings. I also realized that there are so many prominent companies under NBC and I don’t know why I didn’t realize that one of my favorite show’s in the whole wide world, SNL, was shot here in New York! I mean, I knew it was shot here, but not in the same building where I’d be interning! It is my personal mission to meet the awesome Lorne Michaels and Jimmy Fallon. Day 1 of finding these two, starts…now!