The Week in Review

OK, so it's been a week since I last updated you on my adventures, and I apologize because school is now in full swing! But here is an update of the fun things I've been up to:

SUNDAY!
Today, I went for a late morning run in order to pump myself up for a day filled with reading, writing and schoolwork. As I ran along the streets of the neighborhoods making my way towards Wrigley Field (it's about a mile away from where I live), I was impressed by how packed the bars were for the first wave of football games starting at noon. I must be be a rookie--I can't imagine dragging myself out of bed, showering, being productive and drinking beer all by noon. I miss being able to watch Patriots games in my pajamas while studying.

MONDAY!
We had to write our own obituaries for a class assignment. The professor said she made us write them because it's usually one of the first assignments you get as a new reporter (that or police beats) and it would help us figure out our life plans. Then we had to read them out loud to the class. I can feel myself getting more comfortable with public speaking, I think it's a result of auditioning for the television show.

TUESDAY!
Today I navigated my way via bus to Target a couple of miles down the road. I have had a horrible time trying to sleep since I got here and thought that an egg crate or mattress pad would help. So far so good! I am not only excited about better nights of sleep, but also at how easy it is to get to my favorite store--AND there's a Dollar Tree in an adjacent plaza.. I am officially in shopping heaven. The only kicker is that I have to walk and take the bus, so I can't go too crazy... probably better for my bank account :)

WEDNESDAY!
I had class tonight. We had an in-class assignment to write a radio news story from a newspaper article and I got called on to read mine. Usually I would have turned red and panicked, but I read it with confidence... turns out he really liked my opening sentence!

THURSDAY!
I didn't leave the house today. I had big plans of maybe some grocery shopping or a trip to the bank... didn't happen. But I DID finish my cover story for the Pulse. Around 3 p.m. I got in the zone and when I looked up a few hours later, I was done. I can't wait for the November issue now so I can share the link and the story with you all!

FRIDAY!
Tonight my roommates and I, plus one of their other friends, had a Girls Night Out/In. We went to an Argentinian BYOB restaurant and the food was delicious. After finishing a couple bottles of wine (which were purchased at CVS... you can get alcohol everywhere here, even Target!), we came back to the apartment and proceeded to play Sing Star (the PlayStation version of karaoke, it's so fun!) for a couple hours. I sang (poorly, mind you) too many songs, but thankfully wasn't hoarse for my big Saturday of reporting, recording and interviewing at Oktoberfest. More on that in the next post!

That is a picture of me and my roommates out to dinner on Friday. Left to right: Laura, Katie and of course, yours truly.

That was the week in a nutshell... I promise I'll be better this week!

Inspiration on Ice

Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "Do something every day that scares you."

OK, so it's a magnet on the fridge at my apartment, but still inspiring. It's not mine, but every time I go to get something out of the fridge, it helps me stay brave and reminds me that I am here to become a better person. And seeing I love to eat, I am reminded a lot.

I actually thought of that very magnet and the quote when I woke up this morning. A couple days ago in class, my new friend and classmate convinced me to try out for the DePaul television show. It is a new initiative DePaul is starting this year, a short news magazine show that will begin airing once a month. The auditions were this morning and I was ready to chicken out and skip it, using the excuse that I had an interview (for an article I am writing for the Pulse) planned for the same time as the auditions. But because these auditions scared me, I decided it would be the one thing I could do today to honor Mrs. Roosevelt. I rescheduled the interview and headed downtown.

When I got to the auditions, the room was crowded and I almost turned around to leave, but found the courage to fill out the form and wait my turn. When my friend showed up, we practiced the script a few times. Eventually, we both got our turn to shine. I was nervous...

But I didn't do as bad as I thought I would! I took a few deep breaths and read the news with all the oomph I could. It helped that I started a mini conversation about the teleprompter and how I understood the effort it took to operate successfully (which is true, as I learned at ESPN) to try to get my mind off the big task at hand. When I was finished, the professor in charge of the auditions told me that my personality fit in well with a "people on the street" position. I never wanted to be an anchor, I was aiming to be a beat reporter covering sports, so that sounded good to me!

Apparently, results will be communicated via email by next Friday.

Whether I get a position with the show or not, I am proud of myself for trying. It was a step closer to overcoming my fear of the camera, and will help me face the challenging assignments involved in successfully completing and thriving in this program. Now my first media project won't seem so daunting... hopefully! And if I get scared, I can just run to the fridge... for a little inspiration from Eleanor Roosevelt and Ben & Jerry.

The Ivy Tower

Today I attended a game at Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs and Brewers face off in basically what most would (and did) call a "meaningless game." I didn't care because I spent the day with a couple old friends from ESPN who were in town visiting from Connecticut, got a sunburn and finally ate a couple slices of Lou Malnati's famous pizza. Mmm. After slathering aloe all over my poor sun-kissed skin, I decided to share a couple of things I learned at the Cubs game today:

1. It has been 63,100 games since the Cubs have won the World Series. There is a banner boasting this number hanging from one of the rooftop bleacher bars outside Wrigley.

2. The nickname, "Windy City," in fact did not originate because of the city's weather. Apparently, when someone refers to the nickname in terms of the weather being breezy, that's how you can tell they are not native Chicagoans. I decided to investigate when I got home, and this is what Wikipedia said:

"Chicago has been called the 'windy' city, the term being used metaphorically to make out that Chicagoans were braggarts."

The reputation is said to have originated when the United States was pegged to host the 400th World Fair. When Chicago was chosen at the site over New York, the Big Apple was not thrilled and dubbed Chicagoans "windy," referring to their long winded nature and pride of their home, which no doubt helped them land World Fair privileges over New York by eight votes.

3. The statue of Harry Caray outside Wrigley is actually pretty creepy looking. Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure. He actually looks like another Carey (Drew, that is)... I have to credit Steph on that one!

4. There is still a live organist who plays at Wrigley Field. I decided to continue on my research kick, curious to know how many ballparks still have live organists (other than Fenway Park and both Chicago baseball teams). I discovered that not only does Wrigley still have an organist, but the Chicago landmark was the first to start the tradition. According to Ballparktour.com, "on April 26, 1941, the Chicago Cubs brought an organ into Wrigley Field as a one-day only gimmick. It went over so well however, that the Cubs management decided to keep it around and a new tradition was born - the baseball organist."

5. Cubs fans are brutal when one of their players messes up. I hope Milton Bradley used the Buddy System when he left the Field, as his little bloop mistake on a hard play allowed a couple of runs to score, ultimately putting the game out of reach for the Cubs. He was booed loudly for at least five straight minutes, cursed at and called fat. When Bradley was replaced in the game, the crowed cheered loudly. Maybe they just don't like Milton Bradley.

6. The Boo Birds also come out in full force when celebrities don't throw out the first pitch well. Poor Dennis Miller, he was harshly criticized when his toss didn't make an appearance in the strike zone.

7. Wrigley Field bleachers are General Admission seating. And probably some of the bests seats in the house. Great view, good access to home runs and outfielders who throw the balls to the fans when they're done being used. But I'm a "Bleacher Bum" (a nickname for fans who sit in the bleachers at this ballpark) anyway. I still believe that most of the game's truest fans sit in the bleachers. Or maybe I just say that because that's all I can ever afford :)

I hope that you enjoyed learning these things as much as I did. Some were actually pretty cool to find out about! Except those Boo Birds. No one should ever boo their own players! (Although I thoroughly enjoyed it when A-Rod was booed for pretty much an entire game after committing a couple errors in a Red Sox v. Yankees match up at the old Yankee Stadium). Ok, that's it for me now... time to apply some more aloe!

Feed 'Em to the Wolv(erine)s

When I was 17, my uncle imparted some words of wisdom to me that are finally making sense: he told me to make sure the college I picked had a football team. I didn't take his advice and picked Clark, but am now beginning to understand what he meant, living in the Midwest.

I think that it would guess that about 85% of the Chicago population did take my uncle's advice and went to a D-1 school with a football team. This weekend was the second weekend of the college football season and I am getting an idea about how exciting Saturdays can be when your alma mater has the potential to make the scrolling bottom line on ESPN. On Saturdays, the streets are filled with jersey clad alumni venturing out for a few beers and to support their teams (in the company of other festive alums). Some don't wear just jerseys: I have seen ribbons and headbands and plastic beer mugs with logos and slogans and even the occasional face paint. Yesterday, I was sitting in my living room and a car full of Michigan fans was stopped at a red light outside my apartment. Now, this could be taken as normal, but they were blasting (what I assumed was) the Michigan Fight Song and singing along.

The closest I have come to being one of these college football fans started when I was about 10 years old. I was shopping with my mother and saw a Michigan sweatshirt (among other college teams) on sale at the Sports Authority in the mall downtown. I think I was probably drawn to the article because it was blue (my favorite color) with gold embroidery. I got it for Christmas that year. Because of that sweatshirt, I have always favored Michigan and rooted for the maize and blue when someone asked me who "my team" was. And when I discovered New England's golden boy Tom Brady was once a Wolverine, I secretly congratulated myself on having good taste in college football.

I never understood the college football craze. When I worked at ESPN I got a little taste, although the majority of my co-workers celebrated the glory of the UConn Huskies. I would come across the occasional Michigan State or Illinois fan, but none as enthusiastic as the alumni I pass on the streets of this city (I have a friend here who is an Illinois grad and his house is filled with blue and orange Illini decor). I never realized that if I actually went to Michigan, I would have been part of a sports cult, a kind of brother/sisterhood of shared allegiances brought together by the sport of football. That Michigan sweatshirt is like a ticket into the coolest club in town: a college football team of which to dedicate my Saturdays.

While I am happy with my academic choices because of the education I received and the opportunities I have encountered since graduation, I do feel a little envious of those who have plans every Saturday come fall; it kind of makes me feel a little left out because I went to a D-III school with NO football team... basketball was the closest to cool we got. I didn't even learn my lesson when it came to grad school... I picked DePaul, home of the Blue Demons. While the school is D-1, it is sans a football team and the basketball team is a regular bottom feeder in the Big East conference. At least I will have a team to root for come basketball season and March Madness (only if I'm REALLY lucky!!).

This Saturday, Michigan upset mighty Notre Dame in a thrilling afternoon game. I was excited, but couldn't really celebrate; I felt like a fake because I didn't really go to the school. However, I do have a sweatshirt! Mom, can you please ship that to me? If it still fits, I will fit in a little better in this college football crazy town.

Achilles Heels

Today's lesson: how to keep my balance standing as I rode the El in heels. I had to go downtown to meet with a temp agency this morning and managed to make it alive without face-planting or rolling an ankle. For those of you who know me, you can appreciate what a feat that was. I felt empowered dressed in my suit, heels and string of pearls as I walked the sidewalk among the other "suits" who work in the financial district of the city. However, as the blisters started to form and I could feel my skirt leaving circulation lines across my stomach, I was reminded of everything I hate about the corporate world and why I left it in the first place. I abandoned the desk job in hopes of learning new skills that will catapult me into the journalism world and a job where I get more exercise than walking up and down the stairs to the vending machine or to the coffee shop down the street to prevent me from crashing on my keyboard.

Last night was my first night of class as a graduate student. And I have never been more scared of school in my life. This class--one of three I am taking this quarter--is called "Backpack Reporting" and trains the student on how to be the "one-person band." These days, reporters have to know how to communicate through all different forms of media and need to have the skills to tell their stories quickly and efficiently via TV, internet, radio and newspaper. This class requires three major media packaging projects in which we have to come up with a story idea and not only write it as a newspaper article but as a website entry and as a radio broadcast and as a television news piece. This means I have to physically shoot all of my own video, do a stand up piece as a reporter and the like, as well as edit my own video together into a comprehensive and professional news package. This is not a team project, it is all done individually!

Now, the reason I am so scared of these projects is because I have a paralyzing fear of public speaking and presenting. My high school journalism teacher once told me that if I wanted to become a reporter I needed to change my voice. for some reason it wasn't a good voice in his opinion and from that moment, I have been self-conscious of my voice and convinced I'd be better behind-the-scenes as a writer.

This class is exactly why I decided to go back to school. I knew I needed to face and conquer fears like not being assertive enough to go out and get interviews, or brave enough to appear on camera or speak on the radio. I also knew I needed to develop socially and grow up as a person to become a better journalist and there were a few things standing in my way. I was confident J school could help me overcome these obstacles. I just didn't think I would have to face all of them, all at once, in my first class! Maybe it's easier to jump all in, just like into a cold swimming pool.

I spent the night stewing over the project and pondering what I would bring to class next week-- one of our assignments is that we have to have an outline of our first project ready to present on Wednesday. I decided that I need to view this class as I did moving to Chicago: it's a scary step, but as I am finding out every day, it is also very much worth the risk. I became so optimistic that in the middle of the night I woke up and jot down a whole slew of ideas I could use for the project! I then excited myself to the point where it took hours to fall asleep because my mind was churning over the potential b-roll shots I could capture and interviews I could conduct to tell each story. What was I so afraid of before? Hard work? Talking to strangers? I've done these things before. Now I just have to take it to another level.

I plan on focusing on sports for my first project, so it's only fitting to adopt the mindset of an athlete. I've been called up. I'm in the big leagues now. And I can't wait to get my first hit. I just hope I don't have to wear heels while doing it.

Cheesecake and Chocolate Hair

I am officially a student! Yes, I had already paid my bill, spent $166 on books for one class, and gotten a school student ID... but tonight, I was orientated. If that is even a word.

DePaul held an orientation for the graduate school of communication tonight, which kicked off with a meet and greet, complete with a fun ice breaker which encouraged the students to talk to each other and allowed me to win a prize-- a fancy thumb drive! These events are supposed to pump students up and get them excited about the coming year, however, after three hours of sitting and listening, I was more deflated than ecstatic. It's been over four years since I've been in a classroom, so maybe I just have to get reacquainted with lectures and listening. Let's hope so.

Or perhaps my lack of enthusiasm is a direct result of a long and strange afternoon at The Cheesecake Factory. After reading an ad that the restaurant would be taking applications and conducting interviews between 2- 4 p.m. today, I headed down to the Hancock Tower location just before 2 p.m. in an attempt to beat the rush. It was a nice idea, but upon arrival and within minutes, about 100 people filled the room, all flocking to try to land a job in cheesecake heaven. After handing in the application and my resume, I sat down at a table to wait. It felt like we were all stuffed in a room at an American Idol audition, waiting to get a coveted golden ticket to Hollywood from Simon, Randy and Paula. I have never experienced anything like this, and could only laugh to get through the craziness. I also befriended Victor, the gay college student sitting across from me, and our fun conversation also helped pass the time. The wait was like sitting in the lobby of the doctor's office. Every time they come out with a clipboard, you hope it's your name they are about to call. I waited until 4:07 p.m., when I finally sat down with a manager and answered a quick pre-created set of interview questions. Hopefully I dazzled him with my answers, especially when he asked me why I wanted to work there and I told him I loved the food and the cheesecake.

On a more exciting note, I am once again a true brunette! I am lucky enough to live down the road from the Aveda Institute, which offers cheap services as long as you are willing to have your work done by a student. This morning I took a chance and wound up with a great student who gave me a great cut and color. and it only cost me $44!! The subsequent events of the day may have been less fruitful and not so entertaining, but when I got home from school and looked in the mirror, I saw my great hair and it put a smile on my face. It's amazing what a good haircut and evened out color can do to one's attitude and confidence! Although it can be very challenging at times, I am sticking to my commitment to finding the sweet silver lining in every day... and today it just so happened to be chocolate brown :)

A Place in the Clouds...

I've seem some strange things since moving to this fine city, but one of the weirdest--and coolest things--up to this point has been the sight of which I took this picture:

Standing on the El platform, I usually have a clear view of the Sears and Hancock Towers. On Monday, clouds blew through the city and the way they came off the lake and settled around the buildings was odd. As you can see, it looks as if the Hancock is a city in the clouds, not really connected to the grounded place in which we all live. It was truly interesting and surreal to see. It was like Jack and the Beanstalk when the beanstalk goes up through the clouds, almost into a different world. It made me smile.

The only negative about this strange sight: I use the Hancock and the Sears as guides as to where I am in the city. So when I went downtown and had to find a place near the Hancock, I got a little lost. I looked up for guidance, and all I could see were clouds and white mist. I eventually found my way, and an hour later, the clouds had disappeared and the Chicago skyline was once again visible and available for direction.

As part of this growing experience, I have made it a point to try and learn something new and to take lessons from the experiences I have each day. On Monday, I decided that the passing clouds served as a symbol for my own life. Although my present and my direction may be clouded and confusing for a little bit--for hours, maybe even days at a time--like the clouds, this, too, shall pass. Eventually, the skies will clear and the present and future will once again be bright. Maybe it was a little sign from someone above that there will certainly be the bad, the sad, the lonely and the very frustrating days (like I had been having a few of recently), but everything will be okay if I just wait for the clouds to pass.