My First News Stand-up

Check it out peeps.

This is my first news piece with a voiceover and stand-up.

I'm particularly proud of this piece after the fiasco I went through with my last one.  This time around, my group got along just fine.

This particular story is about the radio referendum taking place at my university.  With the shut down of CKLN last year due to lack of diversity and student-operated shows, production ceased in April. But with heavy campaigning, students in related programs such as Radio and Television Arts and Journalism have been campaigning to bring in a new station.

So...that's really the gist of it!! Watch it!!

I also showed it to my parents today and instead of praising me (I'm so vain...), they offered me critiques such as: "You talk a bit too fast", "You only interviewed guys."

Well, they were the only ones that offered articulate enough answers that were relevant!!!

Anyways, my reporting teacher and class seemed really content with the piece, so I'm hoping I did a good job this time around!!

J-skool adventures

I feel like I haven't posted in ages. Though if you click here, it is my interview with Rocco Rossi in which I have posted last night.

On Monday, I exercised my right as a Canadian citizen and voted for the first time.  I'm glad to say that I knew who I wanted to vote for, but unfortunately I am upset with the results.

I did not vote for Ford, and I will tell you why in a later vblog.

Tuesday classes have become my favourite. I know, everyone should dread going to an eight-hour class, but I find it quite fun. I have met several interesting people downtown, and I really enjoy networking.

I woke up super early yesterday to go downtown to interview people around the city on what they felt about the election. I probably arrived TOO early, but I headed down to City Hall anyways. I kind of regret going up to the first person, because he kind of scared me.

He called himself 'THE CAT' and he told me some pretty frightening things. I don't know if I should be revealing them here, so I won't. All I can say is that he kept me there for 10 minutes accusing City Hall of things that I don't even know if they are accurate or not. I was so glad that my friend Arti came along afterwards, to save me from talking with him. (When you're doing Streeters you have to be really careful!!)

I'm so glad I had someone to venture around downtown with. Arti and I ended up walking a huge square around the downtown core. We headed to Queen St. W., but there weren't a lot of people so we went to the Ontario College of Art and Design.  I didn't think students would really have a lot to say about the election, but it turns out they really did.

They were not pleased with Rob Ford being Toronto's new mayor, especially because he did not support funding for the arts. I really enjoyed their opinions and it was very nice to add their input.

Realizing that I finally had a focus to this story, my friend and I ventured to art scenes all around downtown. AND I HAD AN EPIPHANY. I LOVE ART AND I LOVE ARTISTS. They are some of the nicest people in Toronto.

I even went into Vtape, where our film class went last year.  I need to go to these indie film places more often, let alone the NFB... I think I should make that a priority no?

Another cool place I walked into was Next Models agency, where I met Glen, who is a booker. It was super awesome to walk into the studio as he has met such big names like Coco Rocha and Stacey McKenzie which is really exciting. MAN, I LOVE FASHION.

But of course, the highlight my day was when my friend and I met Matte Babel!!! Not only is he incredibly gorgeous, but he is also really chill and cool. I was taken aback for a little bit when Matte told us to get out of J-skool because we won't make much of a difference locally, which nearly crushed us of our dreams.

He told us that if we really wanted to make a difference, we needed to go big, and apply for overseas places as well as top news networks such as CNN.  That, I will try and do.

Alas, the wondering meet-and-greet had to end, and we had to go back to school to write an article.  Too bad I couldn't write about how awesome it was, but here's to hoping for a good mark to that article. (AND I REALLY HOPE I DID OKAY *crosses fingers*)

Matte Babel and I!!! <3 <3 <3

Technology vs. No Technology

When I was told to give up technology for 24 hours for a school project, I was instantly a bit concerned.  It's not because I need to constantly check my Facebook and Twitter, it was because the day I chose to go without technology was at a very crucial time.  I had piles and piles of homework.  My WARD assignment (I had to interview people running for councillor in my WARD), an English essay, novel reading, (stupid french) and a lot more. The list goes on and on. Anyways, I made a video reenacting my day. And just do you know, landline phones and the radio were allowed!!

Also, this video wasn't mandatory. I decided to be really extra with this project in attempt to get better marks! I am so tired of getting these Bs and Cs...though I really shouldn't be complaining...

On another note, I wrote two articles for Ryerson's The Eyeopener. Please check them out if you want!

This ain't high school kids
Ryerson Aims to Battle Asbestos

Rocco Rossi is what Toronto Needs, despite non-political Background

Whether he has a political background or not, canvassers backing Rocco Rossi’s campaign think that he is what the city needs.                                                                            

Into the final weeks of the mayoral race, Rossi and his campaign team headed into a Rosedale neighbourhood in Ward 27 to talk with residents about their concerns for the city, or just to greet them hello.                

Rossi’s executive assistant, Radey Barrack, has been with the candidate since the beginning of the campaign.   As someone who has been in politics for most of his life, Barrack thinks that a candidate who hasn’t had a political background to be the mayor of Toronto is what the city needs.                 

“I’ve been in politics my whole life and I’ve seen every other candidate who has had political experience.  Too many mistakes have been made by career politicians.  We need a real change, not just another politician.” he says.

Rossi’s approach to his campaign can be traced back to the values he has learned from his parents.  “My parents taught me that above everything else, you’ve got to tell people the truth. And yes, it’s about family, the values I’ve learned from them, the hard work and living in your means and telling people the truth.  I’m happy to win or lose based on staying true to those values.”                                                                            

Canvassers of the campaign team have also enjoyed being part of Rossi’s road to being mayor because of what they call his genuine and wonderful personality.                                                         

Steven Swanson, who coordinates the canvassing and scheduling of the campaign, thinks Rossi is the best choice.  “Political, non-political, I don’t think it makes a difference other than the gentleman is a leader, a business man, and can lead a team.  And that’s what Toronto needs, a leader that can make Toronto important, the best that it can.”                                                     

Swanson believes that Rossi is a good leader because he listens. “He hears what everyone has to say. He doesn’t shut down ideas.  He’s open to ideas.  He thinks outside of the box and he encourages that from the people he works with or has worked with and not just to stick to the status quo.  He thinks of ways to make things better.”                                                                        

During the campaign trail, Rossi stops to speak with a local film crew taping for a show called Falling Skies.    
For many members of the crew, they plan to vote strategically in order  to get the right person to City Hall.                                                                                                                                                             

Mario Silva, who is a lighting technician, says he doesn’t follow the election, but would consider Rossi after having just talked to the mayoral candidate.                                                                                         

“He would seem like the person I would most likely to vote for,” he said.                             

Whether Rossi wins or loses is not a concern for the mayoral candidate.  For him, it is about making the right decision.                                                                                                                         

In obvious allusion to dwelling frontrunners Rob Ford and George Smitherman, he says, “If you’re elected just because you’re not someone else, what kind of mandate does that give you?  What kind of mandate does that give you to make decisions that will affect the lives of people who are going forward?”                                                                                                   

Having grown up in Toronto, the city is a family to Rossi.                                                    

“When people are suffering, when people are being left behind, we have a duty within our family to make sure everyone’s taken care of and everyone has that opportunity.  The city can’t be great, unless it’s great for everyone.  That’s the same values my parents and family have taught me.”  

Journalism Orientation

After attending my academic orientation in addition to seeing the facilities I get to take advantage of, I have concluded that I am at the right school and program. I had previously visited the Rogers Communications Centre, but I have never really looked around.  But after having a second tour, I cannot wait to start classes!

  When I reached the building at a very early 9:00 am, it was time to mingle.  Today was my absolute favourite day of the entire frosh week because I finally got to meet people in my program.  Everyone is so nice, outgoing and friendly. These are not only my future classmates, but they are also potential colleagues and partners in the career of my choice.

I certainly did not DRESS for the occasion.  I don't know about anyone else in Journalism school, but after seeing a lot of the people today, I feel like I should step up my wardrobe.  I felt so plain, and kind of messy! AGH...They even took press photos of us today!  Although I wasn't ready, I did feel very nice about having my picture taken.  It felt very professional but the photographer kept taking photos of me!  It HAD to be PERFECT:  "There's something wrong with the lighting....It's too dark...How about fixing your smile...?...Hmm...the glare is too bright..."

Well...I suppose it really is important to get that perfect shot! Hopefully this can somewhat help me get an internship hahahaaaa..

My favourite part of the whole orientation process was the panel of second-year students offering advice ranging from tough professors and assignments to getting involved at school.  The whole thing really made me inspired to go out and find internships and to get ahead right away.

But all of this information is very overwhelming for me.  I know what I can expect, but I will not actually know how it will feel like until I start the program. I have heard that my first few assignments are going to be torn apart in terms of sentence structure, content, and grammar.  I'm a girl who's used to 80s and 90s, how am I going to prepare for 70s?  And also, what about the grammar test? Even though people say it's NOT that HARD..., I'm still worried because a lot of people still fail!  I suppose that's another thing I have to look forward to...

P.S.  I'm a girl who wants to go into broadcast journalism.  So does the majority of the people (COUGH girls) in my program.  Therefore, I'm kind of assuming that it will be kind of cut-throat and competitive.  I suppose it's time to step my game up! SERIOUS BUSINESS. They need more Asians in the field.

A couple of small regrets

I know I should be excited for University, and I am...but I cannot help but feel a little sad that I won't be leaving home.  It's funny how all the universities I applied to were out of town except for Ryerson University.  But the one I ended up choosing, was Ryerson.  I cannot stress how much I want to leave home, move in somewhere by myself, and just LIVE.  I want to be on my own, go out with friends, and learn how to do things myself.  Not to mention, I want to be far away from my parents, to HAVE SOME FREEDOM. 

Then why didn't I pick the schools that are out of town?  Several would ask that, and my answer is because of the program that I'm going into.  I chose the school solely for it's excellent reputation for Journalism and Broadcasting.  There has been a lot of funding put into the program; not to mention the plethora of opportunities set around Downtown Toronto. Getting into the program was even harder, as I had to set up a portfolio to get in. So you can imagine what a relief and joyous moment for me it was to learn I got accepted!

I really did have a hard time deciding which school to choose because I REALLY wanted to go out of town.  I had to do a lot of thinking, and realized that the benefits from Ryerson surpassed Carleton in terms of my education, experience, and my future.  While Carleton is a great school, I just couldn't really picture myself in that atmosphere. And did I really want to risk getting cut from Carleton's Journalism program in the second year? It was a risky position to be.  Besides, from seeing all that Ryerson Journalism can offer, it would be silly to refuse this program just to live out of town.

I have tried to make the best of my staying-at-home-situation by applying to residence at Ryerson.  But I am on the waiting list.  I've lost hope however, because the school only has 500 vacancies.  Obviously, I would not be a first choice.  This makes me a bit upset because my stay at home has been prolonged.  But come second year, I will hopefully be able to get a condo with a couple of room mates.  It would be much easier to travel, and I WOULD GET TO LEAVE HOME!! How this day is so close but yet so far....

Don't get me wrong though.  I love Downtown Toronto. It's so busy and full of life!