Mis historias, my life

SB1370

2008-04-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I just did a big story like three days ago.
It might not be story in ordinary people's eyes, but to those journalism orientated, it is.
SB1370 is a new bill that is on its way to be signed by the Governor of California, or so we hope so.
In other words, it is The Journalism Teacher Protection Act. It protects journalism teachers from being disciplined, reassigned, removed from their positions because of a certain story that has been published in the school newspaper.

We as students have the right to use our free speech rights to the fullest. No one should tell us otherwise. Teachers from all over the state have lost their job because the schools administrators have disliked a certain story. The administrator then demands for the story to be removed. If the teacher refuses to do so, then that's when the teacher gets the boot.

This is wrong in so many levels. Who is the principle to say what we can write or not.

I currently had the privilege to talk to James Ewert, CNPA legal counsel. He was such a great resource for the story. He fully informed of the cases that have been occurring, and answered some questions that i could have not found online.

JACC Convention

2008-04-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

First of all I received some complaints about my inexperienced it seems to the blogging world....(umm haters u noe who u are) Just Kidding guys.

Ok, so here I go in more experienced-AP Style-boring type of blogging.

I went to the JACC State Convention this past weekend and let me say it was the most thrilling experience I have ever received. Being part of the Talonmarks staff, has made a proud student here at Cerritos. Being awarded on the best online newspapers has had me thinking; "Man we're good."

The JACC offered various workshops varying from broadcast to print, to layout and design. The one's I mostly attended were the one's associated with the print, which includes newspapers, blogging and magazines. I attended more workshops than those that were required from my professor because I wanted to get the sense of things. Seeing all those students in the conference, really brought to my attention that I am not the only one trying to make it in this profession.

It showed me that I really need to start improving in my skills and actually start "selling myself" which was said by Randy Hagihara, recruiter for Los Angeles Times, which by the way was the most honest, and brutal workshop I attended. But that was a good thing, it introduced me to the materials that I need to succeed in this demanding business.

By the way I also participated in a competition (forcefully by my editor-in-chief) but I thank him for that, even though I was nervous. It was an amazing experience, the pressure was insane, and the gathering of information was stressful because all sorts of ideas are running through my head, that I lose the correct angle I am trying to get at. I have realized through this experience that I need to stay focus on one topic and deliver my opinion straight on. My stories end up all over the place, and that's going to end up hurting me.

Something I learned, that was eye -opening for me was feature writing. I can almost say this is my favorite type of writing. I like to write news, but I see myself as a story teller and that's what feature writing is about; description. For those who read my opinions I tend to that a lot, and I am not sure my editors like it that much, sorry.

But I think I rambled enough. I am so grateful for this experience and seriously, this made my decision of coming back next semester and giving it my all in the newspaper.

Spring Events

2008-03-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

Spring break is over, and its a sad time for all.....well maybe not for all, but of for me it is. I WANT TO GO BACK TO MEXICO!!!! lol!! The beach was amazing, but back to the journalism. The last thing I worked on was Mr. Cerritos with Jessica. It was something new and fun . I never even knew that guys got all dressed up and performed with a stage of screaming women. It was entertaining to see all these guys get into it and actually enjoy themselves. Dennis Hernandez who was the winner, gave an outstanding performance to Ricky Martin's "Vida Loca". He won over the crowd and the judges with his provocative movements and cookies. He is studying to be a chef, and he is not far from achieving that goal. His signature dish as he told us, was Panama dishes. The other contestants were not disappointed to have lost, they overall reaction was that they had fun and it was a great way to get Cerritos College students involved. There was also a chili cook-off that took place, students were getting a ball of that too. Eating free food, now who wouldn't like that? Unfortunately i was too busy video recording guys getting crazy and naked on the stage to taste the chili......bummer.

Cabinet Meeting Events

2008-03-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

well lets see what can i talk about this week in my weekly blog, hmmmmm the story i recently covered was the cabinet meeting last Monday. Like always it's interesting to find out new information and to learn things occurring at our school. Michael Barrita is trying out for president, interesting right??? Apart from that the new master plan was on everyone's mind. My opinion is that people need to stop complaining and walk. How are we going to destroy soccer fields, uh i think not. Apart from that i have a senate meeting i need to cover and i am quite excited about that. Yeah, yeah consider me weird but i actually like learning new things. :)

interviews

2008-02-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

Well, i am a couple of days late on my weekly blog,but i have been sick to the max. Today i feel a bit better.
I recently interviewed the SPICE club on valentine's day and let me say something, they are awesome. I never even knew such a club existed, and they have such energy and charisma. The woman I interviewed was Cecilia Morales, and she just put a smile on my face. She's such an energetic person and even though it was my first time meeting her she made me comfortable and welcomed. All their club members made me feel good and plus they're cupcakes were really good:). Apart from that SPICE club is not a only a club it's like a second family to anyone and they are there to lend a shoulder to lean on.
Yesterday I went to the financial aid booths and even though i was dying i made the best of the situation. I learned new things as well. I am planning to transfer out of Cerritos and go to a four year college and talking to them really made me get on track of things. Now I am even more interested in getting out there and getting people to give me some scholarships. I many not be the best student or be the an awesome journalist, but God knows i tried, or maybe I can try harder?

blah

2008-02-13T12:55:00.000-08:00

I am really starting to like my journalism class, it's intimidating but one has to get the work done. The meeting I covered last week, which was the Senate meeting was so interesting. It had so may aspects and ideas. I had no idea that Dr. Vela had so much trouble going on with the school, but actually attending these meetings really teaches me something about our school government.

Now change of topic, yay Valentines Day is tomorrow, I know some people love this holiday and some people that are haters. I love the fact that there is a holiday dedicated to couples, or just friends or anything. The roses, candy, dinner and the love is amazing. I know it might be overrated but I am just a sucker for this kind of things. I am actually covering the Valentines Day event tomorrow at campus and I am excited about it. This are the kinds of stories I like to do. The ones that engage with the students and actually have them participate, even it's eating cupcakes and candy outside in the Falcon Square. I will also be covering the new movie, Spiderwicks tonight and writing a review. So i'll let you guys all know how that went :)

meeting

2008-02-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

I went to my first cabinet meeting last monday and it was scary at first, but once you got into it and the issues being discussed i felt intrigued. I wanted to know more and it fascinating to hear how the meeting went. I always knew that there was a student government, but I never really paid any attention to it. It was something like that was just, there. After actually hearing one and being part of the action i felt like i was missing out on something all along. I might sound like a nerd to some people, or a loser, but I actually liked going in and knowing what are the plans for my college.

The free water proposal and the book exchange program was something that got me interested. It's about time that the ASCC realizes that students are paying way too much for their schoolbooks and getting practically no money in the end. It's outrageous, in my opinion.

The free water proposal is another thing that should have been a long time ago, it's really a good and bright idea, something new. Not every college can say that they offer free water to their students, well you know the good kind, not the pee pee water that comes from the fountains.

ahhh !!!!me in the newspaper?

2008-01-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

OK, so my first article came out in the newspaper, and I'm not that happy about it.
I am excited that i actually came out with a story and seeing in a college newspaper was a dream . I remember going into college and seeing it and thinking to myself " I will be on it one day".

My opinion article was an issue that I feel should really change, but i feel like i could have been more specific with it. I could say that it was given to me on short notice, but that's no excuse for a journalist. I have to be on top of things and be prepared to write a story on the spot.

But enough with that, the class in general is awesome. If you guys are reading this who are not on the newspaper staff, consider it. I just have been in it for a week, and its fast paced, but exciting.

The people in it are great and i hope i get to know more of them and make it a semester i will remember forever.I wasn't prepared to be thrown into out there on my own, but I have to make the best of it, especially if this is what i want to be in the future. Like Mr Cameron says " Time to jump into the deep end of the pool, and see if you can make it".

It's scary but I think if I prepare, and with a boost of confidence I can contribute greatly to the newspaper.

It's 7 already!?

2008-01-10T15:15:00.001-08:00

The alarm rings and rings, and if you're like me you ignore it all the time until you realize you have like 30 minutes to get ready!!!! OMG, so there you running out of your pj's, probably tripping on the clothes you have on the floor (wait...... if u don't have clothes on the floor, and u consider yourself a neat freak...... ur weird..jk) so anyways some of you might jump into the shower, but others will go think," Hey, it's just school" and serve yourself a huge bowl of cereal. Then there are the girls that actually wake up early enough to do their whole beauty routine... yes i mean THE WORKS. It starts with their straightener getting plugged in and their hairspray in their hand and then the killing of the ozone layer begins. Then comes the layers of makeup and the finishing touch: two layers of lip gloss. The guys aren't that bad I hope.

You realize you are really late once you get to school, there isn't a parking space in sight. The only space you have a chance in is all the way next to the the football field.....great 10 minutes of walking right? You see all those cars circling the parking lot waiting until they get lucky, cause they don't walk more then they have too. But you in the other hand don't necessarily have that time to wait and pray that you see a car come out so you can race to the parking spot. Yes, so you park next to the football field. The walk seems like forever, and you try to speed it up, but no matter how fast you go you're still late. And sometimes you know you wish those campus security people in the yellow jackets could give you a lift in their little golf cars...hm mm maybe one day ill ask for a ride? You're outside your classroom you take a second to breathe right again, straighten your clothes out and slowly open the creaking door. 30 pairs of eyes all suddenly look straight at you , you scan the for the closest possible desk, but hey that isn't going to happen. The only available is in the middle of the room, the teacher is looking at you as you make yourself across his room, disrupting his lecture. You sit down and then think "Never again".