New York City Day 30: More to learn

Today I was at the Grio. I had to write an original story about a legend in New York, Holcombe Rucker. As I read about the story, it reminded me a lot of a lot about John Thomas. I intern for him in Atlanta with the 411 Brand Knowledge and Entertainment show. I actually wrote an article on John and the 411 Brand and I was fortunate enough to win a 1st place award for best feature article form the Southern Regional Press Institute. Not to put myself out there, but I want to be reminded of this moment when I look back at this blog, lol!

Anhoozer, Alexis and I were reading through my stories from last week. I'm glad we did because I wanted to know how I was doing, but I know I'm barely there and that thing's have been pretty random at the office lately. Alexis is an interesting character. She's VERY particular in the way I should write (not just me, but she's particular in how people need to pay attention to the technicalities of their material and not just write to write).

She sometimes worries if she's too hard on me or if she's telling me too much at once or all this other kind of stuff, but I always have to remind her that I'm fine! Lol, where would I be if I didn't have criticism thrown at me left and right?! I'll survive. I'm actually glad she doesn't let me slide under the radar (not that I try to) because that's not what I'm here for. So, thank you Alexis! Lol

The article proved to be an interesting read too. I was hoping to get a quote from John, but he's out and about with his family on an Island somewhere, lol. He finally texted me back once I got back to my dorm. You snooze you loose buddy! Lol, no really, maybe next time!

Afterwards, I left the Grio, only to run into Demeshia (intentionally) and Ms. Reid (unintentional, UNINTENTIONAL lol). She informed me that MJ, (McJunkins) is in Jamaica with his students and that he's going to be competing with out group as far as the Facebook posts, blogging, pics etc...(zzzzzzz) Lol, I sleep on the idea that he thinks he can outdo us being that he's only going to be there for all of two weeks (yawn).  I MAY consider entertaining his measures...I don't know yet...

New York City Day 29: Nothing much

So today, I didn't really do much. After recuperating from last night's epicness, lol, a couple of us got together, ate some leftover cupcakes, shared memories and went our separate ways!

Aleisha and I went to the Marshalls and Duane Read and got a few thing's for our dorm room. After that, I returned to the dorm for a much needed shower, washed some clothes, cleaned my room and I did work.

I spoke with my old roommate not too long ago. The special thing about my relationship with her is, if we can't relate to on anything else in this world, we can relate to the talk about the entertainment industry and our careers. We both have brains and common sense and know how to use them. We're both very driven people. We're both supportive of each other's careers and endeavors and we're both on the same track in our lives. That say's a lot to me.  Everyone need's someone like her in their world if you ask me. She keep's me on my toes!

I was able to read a couple of thing's here and there. It really saddened me to hear that Usher's ex-stepson is brain dead. I mean, I can only imagine how Tameka (Usher's ex-wife and the young boy's mom) feel's. He's only 11 years old. When events like that take place it just really makes you appreciate life that much more. Anything can happen to anybody at the end of the day.

New York City Day 28: 1 of the best day's ever

Yesterday was probably ONE OF the yes day's I've had here thus far. All I'll say is that I'm glad the I can wake up at 6 o'clock in the morning and live to tell the story, lol.

We met back up with Ms. Battle, wonderful soul she is, and talked about and watched previous live shot's we did. I really like her. She's sooooo supportive and helpful and so many more thing's! We did our live shot at Union Square Park and were talking about it's Green market. This one was a little challenging for me to do. I guess because I was trying to remember so much info and I wasn't flowing.

After that, it was Aleisha's birthday and we threw her a surprise party at a nice restaurant called Katra Lounge. Now, the area we were in didn't look safe, friendly or live, but one we got there, everything changed! I guess you really shouldn't judge a book by it's cover!

Unforfunately, once me, Aleisha and Briana were about to walk to the door, Ms. Reid stepped out and we saw her with Juniors bags, so to me, the surprise was kind of ruined! lol, the girl's didn't tell us to gold off or anything like that! But it was cool.

We really enjoyed ourselves. Ms. Martin came, along with some of Ms. Reid's friends, whom we've met before. We ate some DIFFERENT and DELICIOUS food. The almond fried chicken was a little bit more than amazing to say the least. After food, we went downstairs and danced the night away to say the least. then we came upstairs and ate some cheesecake and danced the night away upstairs, THEN we went back down stairs and danced the night away. After it was all said and done, EVERYBODY was DRENCHED in sweat! I mean, sweat flung off of people, lol, it was crazy, but all in all, I'm glad Aleisha enjoyed herself...we all did!

New York City Day 27: Day off...who?

Well, today was an interesting day. I went to my internship and no one was there. Someone finally show's up and tell's us that we didn't need to come in today. Ok, thanks for the heads up, lol! I actually wasn't upset. I'm actually glad I was able to get up that early and not sleep my day away. So even though I was off, I wasn't technically off from doing work to say the least.

Me and Aleisha :-)

After finishing up some work for my internship, I was assigned to write a few thank you letters to some of the guest who spoke with us during these past could of weeks. It was interesting having to do that assignment because I was able to visually put down how each person has had an effect on me being here, because in some way, each person has. 

I also spent some short amount of time updating The Reid Groups twitter and Facebook account. People are funny. They asked me if I'm in a labor camp...I had to correct them and say BOOT camp...lol, you get more perks with a bootcamp I think. I don't know what tomorrow holds,  but Lord willing, it's Aleshia's birthday. She doesn't know it yet, but we're kinda planning a surprise party of her. It's going to be great to see the look on her face. Oh how I LOVE SURPRISES!!!!

New York City Day 26: Bountiful information

I learned a load of a lot today. We talked about production and the different jobs available in it as well as the different responsibilities that are involved. We also got some pretty good information on how to and how not to act on social media. That was one of the most beneficial things I think I must say. You can never learn how to be careful enough online. Ms. Martin was very beneficial and talked about how you should be conscious of the people you talk to and how you shouldn't assume that everyone isn't your friend. For the most part, the sessions talked about being prepared in this industry. Ms. Zeno said that you should have some experience outside the industry so that you don't come to New York confused! New York is a major market, the one thing you don't want to do is come here and mess it up! I really appreciated that above all else! Take a look at some of the best thing's said today:

·      

•       It’s all about telling a story, with different media, you’re telling it differently
• ·If you’re generous enough to promte someone else, then they’ll promote your surf
• ·      Don’t say anything on social media that you wouldn’t say on the news
• ·      Its kinda true, im gonna tweet it. Would you say it  if you were on the news.
• ·      Don’t retweet it if you don’t know if it’s true or not
•   Think twice before you put things online
• ·      Don’t retweet unreliable sources
• ·      Don’t retweet stuff that objective and gives you stance (you don’t have a side) sources
• ·      Don’t be afraid to travel because you’ll become well rounded in different regions
• ·      When you come to a market like New York, you should have experience
• Ø  Know what people’s (your employee’s) strengths and weaknesses are
• Ø  Just cause somebody’s weird, doesn’t mean they’re not valuable

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New York Heat

Elmo needs a little shade too. In the heat that entraps most tourists pouring into New York City, one must find several ways’s to keep cool.

According to a man dressed up as Elmo, hydration is key in escaping the big city humidity. Walt Daniels was seen drenching himself in a bottle of water after he took in a big gulp.

“In all actuality, and I’m being for real, this suit keeps me safe from all that, you know? Talking with kids and taking pictures is really what will do it, but you know, other than that, I’m good,” said a soaking Daniels.

Daniels said that he walks around the city as the Sesame Street character for about six hours a day everyday.

Daniels said that he tries to drink at least a bottle of water every two hours and that he paces himself as he walks throughout the city. He said, “It’s not a marathon, you know?”

In traveling around the area surrounding the Rockefeller Center, people found their own way’s to hydrate. From the men posed behind the hot dog stands to the men and women operating the magazine booths and down to the doormen at restaurants.

Doorman Eric Guru said that he typically finds coolness in staying inside doors.

“Me? No, I don’t go outside. Yesterday, I stayed inside, in shorts, under the air conditioner.”

Guru mentioned that it’s not only important to stay under the air conditioner in New York weather, but that it’s also important to eat healthy foods.

“Fruit. I eat fruit days like this. You feel heavy when you eat fast food in this weather. No, you have to eat fruit and [a lot] of water,” said Guru.

There were some children who were spotted lying under their parent’s jackets to shelter themselves from the shade.

It is important that children be monitored in weather like New York’s. It is easy to get a sunburn mark and to stamp it as a common experience in the city, however, tourists are sometimes caught off guard by the intense weather.

In late June, a Washington mother was furious when her daughters were sunburned after being denied to use sunscreen on the playground at school. In images found on FOX.com, the young girls were seen with ruby red cheeks, arms and legs.

Whatever the case, it is important as tourists and citizens of New York to know that hydration, fruit and a little sunscreen wouldn’t hurt to carry around if you plan on exploring the city on day’s like today.

New York City Day 25: Exploring New York!

And that we did! Although, it saddens me to say that I lost a very special friend today...my Itouch...as I prepared to take a picture, it fell from my hands and onto the ground. A piece of my heart went right along with it. I can't explain the anguish I felt at that moment. However, I couldn't sit on it too long, because something bigger than me took place today. I along with a couple other young ladies, went to the 9/11 Memorial.

Fortunately, it wasn't what I was expecting. I expected to tear up a little, but I didn't. What I did notice however, was the fact that the area was so desolate. Once we got off the train, it seems as if the world stood still. There weren't many people there. There was a lot of construction going on. There were very few businesses around every other corner. The area didn't look live