Life as a Telecommunication Major at UF

As a junior here at the University of Florida, I am thankful for the array of opportunities that have come my way. Some of them I have missed, and some of them I have reached for, but proved to be just beyond my reach. And then there were some that have been granted to me, and allowed me to take them and run with them. These are the opportunities and blessings that I will treasure through my professional career and indeed, for the rest of my life.

But of ALL of these opportunities, there is a unique cluster of them that will always stand apart from the rest, and they are all found in my very own College of Journalism and Communications.

I am very proud today to serve as an ambassador for my college, giving tours to UF J-School hopefuls, explaining to them why we have so much to offer, and specifically what we can offer to them. One such resource is the Center for Media Innovation and Research, which in its description alone explains the thing about our college that is so great: the fact that we are always moving forward.

I am happy to call the Innovation News Center my home and workplace. From walking into the newsroom, you would think that you have stepped away from the college educational scene and entered into a professional setting...it's that cool. I have the privilege to work with materials that just aren't available to other schools. And I have the honor of serving as an anchor for a live broadcast for WUFT, Gainesville's PBS affiliate. This is a broadcast that reaches several counties, and a broadcast that I hope is just the first television news shows I get to be a part of in the future, thanks to UF.

Because of the training and extra-curricular reporting and anchoring work I have done with our program and with WUFT News, I know that I will be ready to become a reporter upon graduation. And I feel confident that the uniqueness and depth of our program will prepare me for the media world I am entering into.

I have been trained extensively in radio, web, and television reporting. But most importantly, I have learned what it really means to be a reporter.

At the end of the day, my goal is to help people through my work. Reporting is where my love for the spotlight and passion for serving the community come together as one. I have a spark that has been lit inside me that drives me every day to be better and better, and I hope this spark will land me wherever I'm meant to be when my time at the University of Florida comes to an end.

Blogroll: Featuring some pretty cool people

I enjoy blogging, just as my classmates do. We all appreciate the chance to post our opinions and insights on a public forum that is all our own. It's incredible to learn of the dreams and aspirations held by some of my classmates. So take this time to check out the work of my classmates, because they have some pretty interesting things to say and read about.

Jessica Alpern blogs about entertainment news and pop culture, and provides some great commentary about these popular topics.

Bianca Bahamondes talks about her quest to inspire spiritual healing both in yourself and in others. She offers a fresh new outlook on certain topics that perhaps you had not thought of before.

Jessica Barreto inspires you to practice healthy living, because it can be tasty and enjoyable!

Carla Bayron is someone who shares many of my viewpoints about reporting, and I am proud to call her my co-anchor as well. Her blog is definitely worth checking out if you have enjoyed my posts so far.

Drew Bryan's blog is one I can connect with. I used to be very involved with theatre, and so I feel that I (and you) can enjoy his posts about both theatre and journalism!

Taylor Burke follows the Gator soccer team, and soccer in general. So if you want to keep up with this popular sport, her blog is worth perusing.

Zak Dahlheimer blogs about his passion for reporting and his love for music. He's a rocker and a reporter, and his blog proves it!

Colette DuChanois aspires to be a sideline sports reporter for the SEC Network, so it is only appropriate that her blog is about Gator football.

Chelsea Gates is already in Chicago living the beginning of her dream! Check out her blog to keep up with her adventures in the world of sports news.

Megan Gannon tells you about the "hidden gems" around Gainesville that she has discovered. She encourages you to check them out as well!

Kara Hudgins talks about something we can all relate to: food. If you want some delicious insight, check out the link to her blog.

Richard Johnson also provides some discussion on Gator football, covering all of the hot-button football issues that have blanketed our Swamp throughout this season.

Courtney McKenna gives both examples of her work as a reporter and helpful tips for her fellow "type As" to get by in college life.

Jonathan Munoz delves into the origins of building names at the University of Florida, such as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Anderson Hall.

Hannah Oliveto's blog is another that details the antics of Gator football, with a few special features and surprises in there too!

Jonathan Perez discusses the very popular theme of superhero movies, as he critically analyzes a variety of them.

Gabrielle Peterson gives some helpful cooking hints, and even includes some discussion on Pinterest recipes (not to mention the cute and clever title of her blog).

Raphael Pires tells you how you can stay fit and healthy with your workout routines. He goes into detail about how to work out different parts of your body using special techniques.

Paige Pitisci pleases the palette by blogging about Gainesville restaurants she has tried and recommends.

Larissa Scott states the viewpoints and life of a journalist that are so easy to relate to, from one Telecommunication student to another.

Peta-Gay Sherwood's blog is wonderful for exploring different cultures, and the beauty that lies within them.

Codi Snead explores campus life here at the University of Florida, and gives details about some of the hottest places to check out during your stay as a Gator.

Jennifer Tintner talks about her passion for feature storytelling. Feature stories are the components of the newscasts that contain the "feel-good" stories, and some argue that features can be just as important to the show as the hard news that it usually follows.

Carson Williams has inspiring blog posts about one of her favorite book entitled The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. It's pretty cool to see how this book has had an influence on her life.

Last but not least, Adriana Yurizza's blog draws some commentary on trending news stories. I think it's always interesting to read about a reporter's perspective, since reporters are the people who are responsible for diving in and gathering all details on a story before forming an opinion.

I hope you enjoy browsing through these different blogs; I know I have!

Review of "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

I found The Tipping Point overall to be a very interesting read. Oftentimes I have seen Internet videos (ex: the new and adorable Baby it's Cold Outside rendition), pictures (ex: Humans of New York), posts, etc. become viral. Upon viewing/consuming this viral content, I usually can understand why it is so popular, but a lot of times I have wondered how that content came to be so popular. I wondered who or what was the factor that caused it to rise to widespread attention to captivate such a large audience on social media. In other words, I wanted to know when and how this content "tipped", and I was happy to find that The Tipping Point answered this question very thoroughly.

I think the most interesting concept presented in the book was about the Connectors, Mavens, and Salesman...all of which were the types of people who can be responsible for the successful spread of epidemics. Malcolm Gladwell describes connectors as the people with the rapport and widespread credibility necessary to influence other and spark movements on a broad spectrum. Mavens are the ones with in-depth knowledge about certain topics and a deep desire to use their knowledge to help others, as well as induce change and opinion-building. Salesmen are people who use their tactics to persuade; they have the credibility of a Connector and the knowledge of a Maven, but use their skills for "selling" a 

particular item or idea.

Gladwell discussed how all three of these types of people are needed in order to spike an epidemic such as Hush Puppies (which was commonly referenced throughout the book). With the thorough breakdown of each type of person and their role, I was intrigued at how much sense it makes that these three types of people are the agents of change, and I believe I can start to recognize these agents at work on epidemics such as social media trends and viral videos.

Another point of discussion I thought was interesting was the Stickiness Factor, which, in its breakdown, discussed the differences between the development of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues. I never would have thought before that Blue's Clues would trump Sesame Street simply because of its, well, simplicity (ex: characters named by the object they are, like Mailbox the mailbox). However, I can understand how such a literal interpretation can resound well with young audiences, and I can see how the very small increases in viewer salience launch a program far above its competitors. It's interesting, really. And I believe that Gladwell once again did a great job in explaining just how this approach works in tipping popularity.

The Power of Context discussion was also quite fascinating. This, again, deals with small differences in a scenario, whether it's a simple cleanup, or a game of just a couple of numbers. All in all, Gladwell went into depth in this explanation to prove that small things really can make a difference. It was amazing to read about the experiments and examples that proved this point.

All in all, this was a very good read, and this book gave me some valuable insight as both an aspiring reporter and a social media manager. I feel that, thanks to Gladwell's examples, I have a better understanding of how things "tip" into something infectious, whether it be in a good way or a bad way.

Classmate Spotlight #2

The following are three more spotlights on people who are talented news-gatherers, people I can learn a lot from and enjoy working with in the newsroom.

So, first up is Zak Dahlheimer. Not only is this guy the next Ron Burgundy (except far less vulgar), he is also one of the nicest guys I know. His talents expand beyond reporting, as he also boasts musical expertise. He's a good pal of mine, a very hard worker, and the star anchor of WUFT's new and prestigious 6:00 news broadcast. He's on Monday through Friday if you want to catch him doing what he does best!

Next is Carson Williams. Carson is always in the know when it comes to sports news, and she dreams of going to law school to be a sport agent. I've had the pleasure of working with her on the Gator Growl team this year, and I am confident that her dedication and her passions for sports will land her exactly where she wants to be.

And the final spotlight goes out to Bianca Bahamondes, whose blog is very intriguing. She wants to use reporting to help explore and better understand different cultures, as well as open people's minds to new ways of thinking and viewing. Reporting in itself teaches you to be open-minded, but Bianca wants to take this to the next level, which is something I find inspiring.

Check out my previous post for my first three spotlights. I hope you have enjoyed visiting these blogs!

Classmate Spotlight #1

For a twist, I would like to take a moment to spotlight the accomplishments and personal blogs of some of my classmates in the Journalism and Communications college here at the University of Florida. Everyone has a story to tell, and these people who I am happy to call my peers have some really great ones.

In addition, these particular three also happen to be the people on my news team for WUFT.

The first classmate I would like to spotlight is the lovely Adriana Yurizza. She is a very talented news-gatherer, and I was happy to call her my partner in crime for the television broadcasting class we took together this past spring. She is now my anchor double for the consumer news segment of WUFT's First at Five news broadcast! I encourage you to check out her blog for some valuable insight on trending current events.

Next, I would like to call attention to Carla Bayron, who serves as my co-anchor for First at Five. She's the type of person I can easily see as the next up-and-coming news personality. Carla is very passionate about her work, and is very good at it too. If you'd like to see for yourself, tune in to WUFT on Wednesdays at 5pm to see her anchor alongside me!

Last but certainly not least is Jessica Barreto, our main anchor for the broadcast. Jessica also works for Gainesville's ABC affiliate, GTN News. Jessica's blog is definitely worth taking a look at if you'd like to draw some ideas for healthy eating and living!

Check out the above post for three more spotlights!

A Little More About Yours Truly

As I'm sure you can see from my several blog posts about Telecommunication, especially my post about my passion for reporting, you can probably easily guess that my dream is to one day become a news anchor.

I've worked very hard toward this goals thus far, and despite the trials and doubts I have had, I have discovered that this is the right path for me. I truly believe I have what it takes to be successful.

I am fortunate to have held several leadership roles here at the University of Florida (elaborated upon in my resume) that have helped to prepare me for the work I will be doing, and the leadership I must demonstrate upon graduation.

However, something more to know about me is that I am very driven. I understand that perfection in my work is rarely possible, but I believe in bettering myself so I can get as close as possible. This is true in just about everything that I do.

I also am a very compassionate person. I love investing in close friendships and relationships that will  be long-lasting. I find true beauty in the strong bonds of friendship. In fact, my very first blog post was about platonic love, because I believe that no matter where you go in life, friendship is the positive force that can help carry you through any difficult time.

Last but not least, and perhaps my greatest asset toward my dream, is my curiosity. I love asking questions and finding out information about people or situations that I did not know before. I especially love the fact that reporting gives you valuable insight that you get to know first, and that people will be grateful to you for sharing with them.

Resume Information

The link I am providing in this post is to my current resume, which is based primarily off of my past and present campus involvement here at the University of Florida.

I am honored to have had the chance to take part in all of these wonderful opportunities, and to have something special to share about each and every one of them.

My personal information is blacked out for obvious security reasons. If you have a question about any item on my resume or would like to contact me about it, please e-mail me at embraun19@gmail.com.

Please follow this link to view the resume of Emily Braun.

Resume

New York: The City of Dreams (including mine)

Many times I have been asked what my dream job would be, or since a lot of my friends know that I want to be a reporter, they ask where I would like to end up.

I have a short-term answer and a long-term answer.

For the short-term, also known as when I graduate from college, I would like to end up where I can get a job. The goal is to start in a small town and work my way up, until finally I land in a top-five market.

The ultimate dream? To have my face on the television screen reporting the news on a major network in New York City!

There's much to love (and I guess, not love) about New York City. Some go for the Broadway shows, while others go for food, shopping, and touristy activities. Working in New York can be considered to be a symbol of success. But for a reporter, working in New York city means that you are the cream of the crop. It also means that people all across the United States can be watching you.

Yes, it's a hefty goal. But I do believe, as I stated in a blog post earlier, that I have the passion for reporting. It is this passion that I feel is my greatest asset as I go on from here.

Here's to the future that's always ahead, and here's to hard work that will hopefully keep guiding me closer and closer to my dream!

An Embarrassing Loss, and a Disappointing Win

Last night was nearly a blowout for my beloved Florida Gators. We were favored by five points to beat the Mizzou Tigers, and instead, they slaughtered us with a final score of 42-14.

So what is a Gator fan to do when football stinks and there isn't much of anywhere else to turn? The answer is to turn on the Florida State game, of course. If we can't win, maybe, just maybe we can take solace in the fact that our rival team will be taken down with us.

I had heard that they were just barely keeping up with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame during their halftime. So I turned on the game and patiently watched the back-and-forth until the clock ticked down to the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.

With less than one minute left in the game, it looked like there was a game-changing moment, when Notre Dame completed a Touchdown pass and took the lead. For all of ten seconds I was bursting with joy. But then...the flag was thrown.

Until I read this article about the Notre Dame pass interference call, I believed that the call was in poor taste. Although of course part of this came from the bitter feelings I have always harbored toward Florida State, I also did not see anything wrong with the play.

This article broke it down with images and explanations as to why the call was the right one. And no sign of loyalty toward Florida State or Notre Dame was present. So begrudgingly, I now agree with the decision.

Now as far as where this fits in with "sports news", as I mentioned in my news and sports post, I feel that the heat and debate about the game will be ephemeral. Even I, as a Gator fan and an anti-Seminole advocate, believe that this news was only huge in the moment, and the sting that I am feeling from this Seminole win (and Gator loss) will dull over time.

Sports, Sports News, News that Deals with Sports, or Hard News?

The topic of sports in today's culture is a highly popular one. Millions of Americans consider indulging in the sports fan culture as a satisfying escape from the demands of daily life. Sports is indeed SO popular, that it makes its way into non-recreational aspects of life as well.

It shapes our society as well as our understanding of today's society. It lines the shelves of many outlet stores. And, oftentimes, it makes its way into mainstream news.

Sometimes it's difficult to agree upon where to place incidents that relate to the sports world solely into one category listed in the title of this post.

A prime example of this is the Ray Rice incident. This is a story that has become so big, that even non-sports fans associate his name with some sort of negative connotation.

If something similar to this, but far less severe, were to have happened, it would probably only be briefly mentioned and written about in the Bleacher Report.

However, since the incident involved domestic violence--a subject that is a timeless, hot-button topic of news--and a celebrity, the viral sports news story became so "contagious" that it eventually hit the top stories of the hard news outlets.

It's amazing how quickly the story left sports, became sports news, gained momentum to become relevant news that dealt with sports, and ended as a hard news headliner. And if we are to be honest with ourselves, whether we are sports fans or not, the only reason why this story blew up news sites and social media is because of the supremacy and influence that our society places on sports.

The other fact that cannot largely be denied is that this story is interesting. It's something worth reading, because it's dramatic and antagonistic. People want to know good news sometimes, and they also don't mind checking out the quirky stories, but the bad news that deals with controversial, emotionally-charged topics is what many people know of and like to talk about the most.

As I mentioned briefly in my previous post, news today deals with the good, the bad, and the strange. Sports can fit into any one of these categories. Fans of the team that wins the Superbowl consider the proceeding story great news, Ray Rice's case of violence is bad news, and a superstar college football player who got drafted to an unexpected team may be considered strange news.

Of course, all three of those examples are still subjective, but not nearly as subjective as the my title's question. And just like sports events do not always fit neatly into a good, bad or strange story, the answer to the title question pertaining to any sports event will never be just one answer, either.

News- The Good, the Bad, and the Strange

When you're a news reporter, you never know where your day is going to take you. This is a standup reflecting one of the more unique stories I helped to investigate.

When I interned with WFTV News in Orlando this past summer, I shadowed reporters on stories ranging from LGBT awareness, to murders, to...people siphoning gas from gas tanks.

For this particular story, some person was drilling holes in city vehicles to make away with "free" gasoline. In reality, they were getting (maybe) up to $14 worth of gasoline, but causing hundreds...maybe even thousands of dollars worth of damage. Not to mention they were wasting time and probably money on the tools and means necessary to make the heist.

The question is, who would go through that much trouble? Surely this method of stealing gas is not nearly as cost-effective as just purchasing that amount of gas at the gas station.

Sometimes I wonder what goes through people's minds. But on the flip-side, quirky stories like these are what make the job interesting. These stories are the ones that I particularly love sharing, because they stand out from all the rest.

And to be honest, given my craving for variety and distaste for boredom, I love the idea of occasionally being sent out to cover this flavor of news. But to the unknown gas thief (if you're still out there), please stay away from my car!

An Early Morning Fender Bender and a Good Samaritan

7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning...I am awake and reaching for my keys to drive one of my sisters to her LSAT, which I happily agreed to do for the sweet soul who is bound to be an all-star future lawyer.

But on the way back, I drove cautiously, because I had this odd sense that my delirious and half-asleep state was bound to get me into trouble if I couldn't manage to hold focus until I had successfully retreated to my bed.

Pulling in the parking lot, I'm safe...nothing can happen now. Here's a parking spot, gotta pull in and...nope, this person parked way too close to the line, better go for the one next to it. Next spot, turning the wheel, about to edge in, and all of a sudden...

thud-thud-thud-thud-thud

I'm into another person's car. GREAT. So my negative intuition was right. But no use crying over spilt milk. I back away to assess the damage, checking the other person's car first, of course...

...Okay...the damage isn't SO bad. Honestly, they probably won't even notice. Perhaps my luck will be the same.

Turning to look at my car...and well, I got the brunt of it. My car is banged up with paint scratches, and a panel slightly disconnected from my headlight.

I opened my phone to call my parents, but just as I was about to do so, my bad luck made a U-turn. A middle-aged man approached me and asked to look at my car. I allowed him to do so, as I noticed that he was just coming from inspecting the engine of another car at my complex.

A minute later, he tells me that he'll be back with some equipment, and in the meantime, he tells me to run up and go get a rough sponge, some dishwasher soap, and a bucket of water.

He's a car repairman, or so he said. I believed him and welcomed his help. Perhaps my desperation for my car to look aesthetically pleasing again was my reasoning. Or perhaps it's because my training to become a reporter has made me way too comfortable talking to and trusting statements from strangers. Truthfully, it was probably a little bit of both.

Regardless of my doubt, I noticed that the man knew immediately what to do, and what needed to be done. That's something that no random stranger can pull out of thin air.

As I watched him carefully scrub the paint stains off of my car, and observed the results, I decided to give the guy even more credibility. He even went and scrubbed off the other person's car. But when I called my parents and told them what had happened, they were a little skeptical. They told me to ask some questions. Reasonable enough, so I got to it.

The man did not want to ask for anything in return. Fixing cars is his passion. He does not work with a company because he loves to do his work where it's convenient for customers. This sounded fishy, but I trusted my intuition again, which was telling me that there was nothing to be concerned about.

As the man took apart my car to fix the panels, he told me that he was diagnosed with cancer. He is fighting it with chemo, but working with cars helps him to get his mind off of it.

At this point, I was seeing how skillful he was in his maintenance work, and decided that it was time to be 100% certain that this man was credible and honest. And so, I went to the woman he was helping before me...

She had nothing but glowing things to say. She had gotten the recommendation from a friend, and said that he was one of the sweetest, most honest men she had ever encountered. She said that the cancer he mentioned used to be terminal, but now he just needs to follow up with the doctor to make sure that he can recover.

Now my mind was made up, and I returned outside to see the progress on my car.

And this is what I saw:



Now I'm not sure if you can tell from this picture that something was ever wrong, because I sure can't. In fact, in snapping this picture, I zoomed in and out to see if there was a clear mark that would show up. But trust me when I say that if I had thought to take a "before" picture, you would be just as amazed as I was when I saw what this kind man had done.

I took down John's phone number, and told him I would call him if anything else ever happened. I also told him that we would be sending him a check for his services.

In a community where safety is a huge concern, there is still room for hope and trust. There's still reason for us not to put up a red flag if someone steps up and lends their hand to help, because as much as we think it is always true, there is certainly NOT always an ulterior motive, or something they wish to ask in return.

At the end of the morning, the man and I helped each other. He fixed my car, and I gave him the chance to fuel his passion, and divert his attention from his battle with cancer.

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. In doing a small kindness for my friend, I was meant to carelessly collide into that car, so that I may meet this man and unknowingly do him a kindness as well, as he certainly did me one.

And as a parting note, if any of you reading this post get into a fender bender, or need help jumping your car, I know a guy who is pretty amazing and can help you out in a jiffy.

Arrowhead Court: A Trip Down Memory Lane

When I arrived home for my first visit of the fall semester, I was greeted by the familiar black sign with gold scripted letters that read "Arrowhead, a Country Club Community", the words that I have known since I was four years old.


We moved to Winter Springs, Florida from Chicago, Illinois. Although I was too young to remember much, my parents told me I was very displeased with the move, and the only thing that gave me solace was the swimming pool waiting out back.

However, we were welcomed into a close-knit community of families who had kids my own age. As my mom went out for neighborhood Bunko nights, I ran around knocking on neighbors' doors (because I was too scared to talk on the phone) asking if the kids could play with me. The neighborhood seemed so big to me. But at four years old, I was ready to tackle it, and to embrace my new home.

At six years old, I met my childhood best friend just three doors down, and we spent nearly every day together at each others' houses. Sure, we occasionally had fights over whether we were going to play Pokemon Stadium or Barbie Pet Rescue, but despite these small quarrels, we were inseparable.

At eight years old, I had finally emerged victorious from the fight I had with my parents over getting a dog. I will never forget the day we drove our standard poodle home from Destin. Our dog Delilah was very stubborn, and oftentimes refused to go on a walk with anyone if it wasn't my mom. She was the giant, fluffy, cuddly canine that I loved to show off to all my neighbors.

At ten years old, more kids my age moved into Arrowhead, and friendly playdates turned into competitive games of manhunt. Although I wasn't very fast, and I wasn't very stealth either, I still had fun mocking terror as the other kids found my hiding spot and ran after to catch me.

At twelve years old, I cried when I heard the news that my childhood best friend was moving to Michigan. In the years to follow, I would only get to see her on New Year's Day, when she and her family would fly down to Florida for the weekend.

At fourteen years old, I got off the bus from middle school for the last time. As I walked back into my neighborhood, I had suddenly realized how much our community had changed. I looked around and noticed that there were no more basketball hoops, no more razor scooters, and no more skateboards. The only thing I saw was emptiness and quietness on the street, and "for sale" posts planted on every third house.

Through the years, I watched as my childhood friends grew up with me. Before I knew it, we were all in high school, and our lives were pulling us in all different directions. I came to realize that the things about my neighborhood that were once so exciting were things I had either outgrown, or things that simply didn't exist anymore.

By the time I finished high school, the city of Winter Springs had died down to a city of frozen yogurt joints, and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I couldn't wait to start my new adventure in Gainesville, Florida: a college town that was sure to never have a dull night.

The adjustment to college was very difficult for me at first. After all, I spent most of my life in a gated, sheltered, country club community with just over twenty houses. But after I got acquainted, I wondered how I ever got by for so long in such a small, peaceful town.

Oftentimes, I forget how much home means to me, until a month or so away from it has passed. Every time the gates pull back and I roll into the subdivision I've known for most of my life, I am flooded with nostalgia; the memories that overcome me are so clear and powerful that it's almost as if no time has passed at all.

I am so fortunate to have had a childhood so strongly associated with the friendliness of my community, even though it couldn't last forever. Even after two years of being a quasi-indepedent college student, it still feels surreal that my home is now a place I reside in for only a small fraction of the year.

People always told me to treasure your childhood, because it would be over far before you were ready for it to be. I may be grown up now, but I still hold my memories of youthful bliss close to me. My twenty-one year old self can look back and smile at the four-year-old kid with the bobbed haircut, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Christmas morning to wake my family up at 5:30am.

When you stay in one place for a long time, it becomes a part of who you are. And I do believe that wherever my life takes me, I will carry Arrowhead Court with me forever.

A Visit to Tallahassee

Last Tuesday, I had the unique opportunity to pay a visit to the Florida State Capitol building. While there, I met prominent Gator alumni who were leaders at our university, and later went on to become leaders for our state. I made the trip to Tallahassee along with my fellow Gator Growl directors, and it's amazing to think that one school organization could present me with the chance to step inside one of the most important buildings in the state of Florida.

I am grateful for the chance to serve my University and hopefully do our alums proud by carrying out my position within Gator Growl. What's more is that my position allows me to practice useful skills that directly apply to my major. In essence, I am doing what I enjoy doing alongside campus leaders that I am proud to call my peers. It's great to be a Florida Gator, and it's great to let the Gator Growl!

Living the Dream

     It still doesn't feel real to me that I was able to make my first live television appearance as an anchor last week. I could feel the shock even after the fact when friends started to send me pictures of my face on their television screen. This is the image that is the picture-perfect representation of my ultimate dream, yet I still had a hard time believing that last week, it became real.

     This passion that I have for reporting is so strong, that oftentimes, I have a hard time articulating just what it means to me. However, there is one thing that I can say with confidence. Whether it's the feeling of goodness that comes from interviewing people that have a story to tell, or the adrenaline rush that precedes the camera going live and the studio lights nearly blinding me as I say my first words, I don't think this job will ever get old to me.

UFPD Does not Disappoint

     I read a quote somewhere that there are only three groups of people who run toward danger: cops, firefighters, and reporters. I realize that my line of work requires me to put myself in hazardous situations sometimes, and that's something I've come to accept. However, when the blazer is off and the camera is returned, it is my hope that I can retain my personal safety. But with a suspect on the loose that some are calling a sexual predator, I haven't felt like I can do that. In light of the recent incidents threatening student safety here at the University of Florida, the fear that my peers and I have been feeling is very real.

In a time like this, I wondered if UFPD would step up and help our student body --- especially the female population --- feel less vulnerable. This image, along with the many others tweeted by UF Public Safety, convinces me that the job is being done.

I've always had my doubts about UFPD and their reliability as a unity, but last night, my mind was changed. It's amazing to see how quickly the police and security force rallied, expanded, and cracked down these past couple of days.

An officer stopped me because he noticed I was alone in making the very short trek from Phi Mu to Norman garage, and he assured me he would watch me until I got to my car. In a school as large as UF, this officer made me feel like I wasn't just part of a mass of people the police force is tasked to watch over. Rather, I was pulled from the crowd and regarded as a single person, whose individual well-being was deemed just as valuable to that officer as it is to me.

All I can say is that for the first time in a week, I feel more at ease. After being scared to leave my apartment, I feel so much more confident that we are closer to catching the creep who has been assaulting my fellow Gators. At least, I feel confident that our safety is not so much in jeopardy as it was before, and UFPD, as well as the leadership of our president Bernie Machen, are largely to thank. I hope many others feel just as convinced of that in the near future as I feel now.

Why I Love My Job

Tromping through pouring rain, visiting slums of town where drug deals and violence are normal occurrences, getting yelled at from people you talk to from time to time, pitching a story you're passionate about and spent all night researching, only to have it assigned to a different reporter so the story can be "cast" right.

It's all in a day's work for a reporter.

I was warned from the very beginning that this job is not pretty, like it appears to be on TV. A reporter's 10-15 seconds of on-air glory are attained only from a long day's work, and plenty of stress to accompany it. People may know your name, and one day you may become a local celebrity. You can have the fame, but not the perks that come with it. You will never bask in the riches of today's Hollywood stars.

When you graduate from college, you have to be 110% okay with the fact that you will most likely move hundreds, even thousands of miles away from your hometown, your friends, and your family. Most likely, you will end up in a small town where you know not a single soul, where you will have to start your life over, living on a 25-30 thousand dollar salary.

Why, then, would any person in their right mind want to pursue a job like this? Am I crazy for choosing this field? I could have put my math skills to use and studied to be an accountant. At least then I'd be much more likely to find a job when I graduate, and would probably be making a heck of a lot more than I would be making IF and WHEN I get my first job as a reporter.

Well, I guess you could say reporters are crazy. It takes a special kind of crazy to do what we do and keep coming back for more.

Now, here's why I do it. Here's why I could NEVER see myself doing anything else.

I love people. I enjoy hearing different perspectives, seeing different facets, and meeting all kinds of people from various financial and social backgrounds. As reporters, our job is to give ordinary people with a story to share the chance to speak out to the community.

It's all summed up in one simple phrase: to give a voice to the otherwise voiceless.

I have never considered myself to be a natural leader. All my life, I always thought it was right to keep my opinions to myself and avoid arguments. I've always stood on neutral ground, extremely cautious if I were ever to take a step in a different direction. Some say this is a submissive approach, and they are right. But, I like to be fair and hear from all sides before forming my own opinion about things, and even then, I tend to prefer to stay open-minded. And since I am pursuing this field, it is absolutely necessary that I continue to do so.

A reporter who shows bias is a reporter who has the potential to completely and permanently destroy their credibility with one slip-up. Once that slip-up is made, it can be nearly impossible to recover from it.

I love this job because you don't have to be a leader to get people to pay attention to and care about what you're saying. And the people we interview don't have to be either. Sure, we always interview public information officers, senators, and other important officials. But most of the time, that is only to back up the facts we are telling, and add supplemental information to the story.

The ones the people, our viewers, really listen to are the ones who are just like them. 

I would be lying if I said I don't want to become a famous reporter, and have people who watch the news in my local community know my name and recognize me in public. And I do admit that I love getting to be on camera. But I want to be an ordinary person, too. I want to be someone that people will open up and talk to because they know they can trust me to tell their story fairly.

Most of all, I want people to see that reporters aren't the obnoxious people they see in the movies, who hound people for sensational interviews to make good television. My goal is for people to see us for the job we really do: to report on stories that the community cares about, and let people know that we care about them.

I want to make a difference in whatever community I land in, one story and one person at a time. Giving a voice to the voiceless is a powerful thing, and it's a power that even non-leader types can possess. At the end of the day, being able to do that is worth the blood, sweat and tears.

This is my dream, and I will work hard for it with everything I've got until it becomes a reality.

(Anti)Social Media

A video about the ills of social media has gone viral these past few days, and it caught my attention. It's a true eye-opener, and it's beautifully done. If you have not seen it yet, I highly encourage you to check out this link and watch it before you continue reading.

http://blog.petflow.com/this-is-a-video-everyone-needs-to-see-for-the-first-time-in-my-life-im-speechless/

This video really says it all, but here's something that I think we should consider a call to action. This video may influence us, but it's time we take it to heart so we can influence future generations.

More and more, I am seeing kids as young as seven years old playing on iPhones and sending text messages. Middle school aged children are lying about their ages and starting up Facebook accounts, using them just as much (if not more) than the average young adult does. It's absolutely sickening.

But what's even more unnerving is these kids are learning this antisocial behavior from US.

People in the age bracket of approximately 18-40 are the ones who fell victim to social media's sparkling appeal first. I can definitely say that I am much more addicted to using Facebook than I would like to be. And addiction to social media is a serious, SERIOUS problem.

Social skills are disintegrating into the comfort, safeness, and conformity of using social media sites. Because, we figure, why talk to someone face-to-face when sending them a text or Facebook message is so much more convenient? This toxic mindset is the mindset of so many people today, and it is the epitome of being antisocial.

A point to consider, however, is that social media has become such a large part of our daily lives. Social media usage has grown to the point where certain aspects of business organization are handled over social media. There are not many legitimate arguments you can make as to why this does not make sense. After all, people check Facebook just as much as they check their e-mails, so what could be more efficient?

I'm not saying it's a good idea to delete all forms of social media, especially since so many careers nowadays have such a strong social media base. But it's definitely time we realize that we need to cease the heavy abuse of social media.

If we can find a successful balance of using social media and practicing natural, human interaction with our friends and colleagues, then WE can change the dynamic of the next generation: our children. Children look to us, the first class of masters of social media, for guidance in the social world.

We need to show them that Facebook is not the social world. The social world is everything around us except our computers, our phones, and every object that has Internet accessibility.

Society is plummeting into an abyss leading to a brain-dead, virtual form of reality. And it is up to us to stop it. If we don't teach youths what being social really means, then we will be living in an entirely anti-social world before we know it.

If you are still reading this post, thank you for being patient with this rant. I hope you will join me in my efforts to find this healthy balance by taking some time out of your day to tune out of social media so we can tune in to life.

The Art of Being in Love with Your Friends

Throughout our collegiate lives, many of us toy with the idea of that epic romance we have dreamed about since middle school. We go out at night holding a thought in the back of our minds that maybe tonight, it will be the right place and the right time for us to encounter our soulmate. We fantasize about falling in love with that perfect someone, graduating together, and going off to start the rest of our lives with them.

I must say that I have these thoughts occasionally. I would think it's normal for any single college student to dream about meeting their future spouse. But I also must say that I believe sometimes, far too much thought goes into finding the love of your life, and not enough goes into the epic relationship you have with the ones some say are your true soul mates: your friends.

Now I'm not talking about the kind of love situation we all hoped would happen in the Lizzie McGuire series with Lizzie and Gordo, when you finally realize that you and your previously friend-zoned bestie are perfect for each other, fall in love, get married and have kids. No, I'm talking about falling in love with your girlfriends, going head over heels for the ones who will never leave your side, feeling certain that you would do anything for them at the drop of a hat, and at times, admitting that you are a little obsessed with them. I'm talking about a love that is strictly platonic, but it is a love that can be far stronger than anything else you find in college.

In my life, I am blessed to have a core set of close girlfriends that I know I can always rely on. These wonderful, beautiful souls have been the first to lend me their hand when I needed it. They have laughed with me over things that, to other people, just aren't that funny. They have stayed in with me for the night to watch Disney movies and eat cartons of orange sorbet, or perhaps duke it out with me over a game of Mario Kart. But they are also the ones who would go out with me and take care of me when things fell to shambles.

These very special people understand me better than anyone else could. Through all of my best and worst sides, they choose to be there with me through it all. And for that, I am madly in love with them. 

If you are in love with your friends, then you should know that there is a set of relationship rules and advice that you should follow to maintain that love with them. Friends oftentimes last longer than significant others, but not maintaining healthy ties can cause friendships to weaken over time, until they gradually wither away. So here are some things you should always remember, to make sure you and your friends are in it for life.

1) Don't ever let your friendships take the back burner. The love you have with your friends is something you should never, I repeat, NEVER blow off for a boy who has broken your heart more times than he's tried to apologize for. This is a lesson I have learned the hard way, and it is a mistake I strive to never make again. Love may come and go, but a true friend will never fail you. If you don't value your friendships as much as you value a relationship, then your friends will drift away from you. And don't be surprised if they aren't as welcoming when you run back to them crying after your relationship falls apart.

2) Find a balance. Make time for both your social life and your love life. If you meet a romantic interest you think is worth keeping around, you'd better be up front with them first and make certain they know that you can't sell your soul away to them. Otherwise, you'll go insane, and if anything happens, you'll end up completely alone. You'll soon discover that your friend time is precious, and no matter how special Mr. or Mrs. Right is, the time you spend with him/her just doesn't provide the same type of satisfaction that being with your friends does.

3) Tell your friends how much you appreciate them. Oftentimes, we assume that our friends just automatically know that we love and treasure everything that they do for us. This is not the case. Not showing your appreciation can lead them into thinking that you're taking their kindness and compassion for granted. It doesn't take that much effort to express your appreciation, just a simple text will suffice. Just to show them that you recognize how much they care for you, which is probably quite a lot.

4) Take goofy pictures. This may sound superficial, but you'd be surprised at how much a selfie of you and your friend after a long night of bar-hopping will make you smile a few years down the road. Pictures are truly worth a thousand words, and they reflect some of the best memories you will ever have with your friends. Don't feel like you're being obnoxious when you pull out your phone, stop your friend from whatever they're doing, and say "first, let's take a selfie."

5) Show genuine interest in your friends' interests. It's easy to get caught up in the business and excitement of our own lives, but don't forget that your friends have things they want to share with you too. Some of your friends are just really good listeners, so they won't always be the first to speak up about their life's happenings. Ask them. Show them that you care. It will truly mean the world to them.

6) Invest your trust in your friends. Don't give your trust away freely, but when you are close enough to someone, you should naturally feel like you can tell them just about anything comfortably and without a doubt that they will keep it confidential. Trust is one of the key components of a good, strong relationship. If you've been friends with someone for a long time, and you still feel like you can't share some of your most embarrassing secrets with them, then you may need to reevaluate your friendship, and think about why you can't open up to them. Good friends like to know as much as they can about you. They want to help you through personal things in your life that are bringing you down. So give them the chance to do so.

7) Remember the golden rule: treat others the way you would want to be treated. Don't snap at your friends just because you yourself are frustrated over something that has nothing to do with them. If you're not in the mood to talk, just tell them, calmly. Don't make them feel like they are the subject of your anger or stress. Be careful not to let other aspects of your life soil the way you act around your friends.

8) Communication is key. This is an obvious one, but I can't express how many times some of my closest friends (or I) have hit the wall and exploded in front of each other without any warning. Tell your friends when there is an issue, whether or not it involves them. Talk it out before things get too messy or anyone gets hurt. This is a very hard, yet very important thing to remember.

9) "Why so serious?" Make sure you're not just using your friends as a sounding board for your problems. Laugh with them and indulge in plenty of fun, crazy times together. Friendship is all about bonding over the fun stuff. While they will be there for you if you're having a hardship, using them solely for that purpose is a selfish, one-way street leading to a quick end.

10) Last but not least, as I said above, it's okay to admit that you are in love with your friends. Really. The faster you own up to the fact that you are platonically crazy about your friends, the faster you'll realize that you are leading a life that's full and enriched.

Take a little extra time out of your day to think about these meaningful relationships with your close friends. Always hold them close to your heart. And even if you are single in the romantic sense, never forget that you are loved by your wonderful support system.