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Day 2 (Part 2)

Though I had no prior knowledge of who Neil Leifer was prior to this conference, I can see what a modest and humble man he was. It’s almost as if he doesn’t see the impact he had on photojournalism. He literally changed the field. His pictures were breath-taking and I wish I could have spoken to him, or at least shook his hand.

 

Right now I’m absolutely exhausted but I don’t think I’ll be sleeping for a bit. Before this conference, journalism took a back seat to other career for some reason or another. My interest was sparked as we approached this conference and already, I’m looking at college for journalism. I want to be able to make a difference, to keep people informed about the world around, as I feel people lately are more occupied with the latest gossip and not what is actually happening. I’m considering broadcast journalism (either on television or radio), perhaps written journalism and so many other options. The main thing on my mind is political broadcast science. I’ve always loved politics and adding journalism would be great. Still, I have a bit to consider everything. I am so excited for tomorrow and getting to meet all these great people.

 

Did I mention: HODA KOTB TWEETED ME BACK!!!!! (Waaaaay more excited for that than I should be. I just started tweeting yesterday!)

 

We’re off to a great week and I can’t wait for all the adventures it holds!

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Day 2 (Part 1)

The Newseum was absolutely amazing. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting too much. But wow, was I blown away. My desire to be a journalist was sparked immensely. I couldn’t believe all the emotions that came up over the day.

We passed through the 9/11 exhibit. I had to stop myself from crying. All the pictures were so candid and really just pulled my heartstrings. Being a Jersey girl, I grew up right across the river from this devastation.  I remember the day clearly, despite not being totally aware (probably not even at all) of the situation around me. As I saw the video, I couldn’t help but wonder and be amazed as to how all these people were able to go through that and start anew. The fact that there were journalists that let me be able to see all in the darkest times, that there can be hope, gave me hope.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs were absolutely breath-taking. A lot of the pictures I have seen before, but I never knew the story. Each one was absolutely breath-taking and showed the horrors and good things in life. There were even some I could relate too, such as the recent one of the soldier struggling with being out of the service and PTSD. I saw this firsthand at home, as my brother struggled with no longer being a Marine. The entire exhibit had me questioning whether photojournalism was a path I wanted to take.

The 4-D theater is such an innovation. I really hope these become a thing of the future. The only thing I really wasn’t a fan of was of how cold it was. Then again, I was only wearing a skirt and a blouse. I can see that 4-D movie-making still has a long way to go but the fact that I’m able to experience it now is just mind-blowing.

Overall, the entire experience of the Newseum leaves me wanting to know everything that place has to hold. My desire to be a journalist is newly reignited. I’ll go more into that later tonight or tomorrow.

Until later!

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First day!

I had such an amazing first day! Though it was a little hectic, I had such a good time! I’m so happy the heat finally broke. Now I can actually breathe. We spoke with Angie Goff and she was so sweet. I got to talk to her personally, and take a picture with her. (She retweeted me :DDDD) FYI: I just joined Twitter. No idea how to use it. Follow me @HannahWJMC. I’m absolutely exhausted and I feel like I’m not going to sleep at all. I can’t wait to meet the rest of the people here! I love all the people I met so far and my roommate are absolutely amazing. G’night!

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I can’t stop smiling =)

This has definitely become real to me this week. My friends keep telling me how proud they are and how they can’t wait to hear all about it. My grandparents keep telling me about all these things I will love. And of course, my parents worry about me being away. I am absolutely blown away by everything. I am pretty much completely done packing, I just need to really organize everything. I finished all my reading (though I’m contemplating whether to get another book off the book list), I finished all the summer work that’s due, I’m packed. All that’s left to do is wait! 

 

I finished Hoda’s book. Wow. I cannot wait to meet this woman. There were times I was almost in tears. I’ve always been on the fence about journalism and whether I wanted to be a journalist. After being nominated and accepted to this conference, and even just reading this book, the idea of me being a journalist is becoming more and more real. After this conference, I’m almost positive that journalism will be my future career. I can’t wait to see you all! 4 more days! 😀

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Remember how I said it sunk in?

Yeah, well now, I’m freaking out! I’m still so amazingly excited but somehow, I feel so majorly unprepared. But I don’t know why. I have way more than enough clothing (you don’t even want to know), I have every little cosmetic, jewelry, notebooks, pens, and pretty much everything. I just don’t know what I’m forgetting. I don’t even think I am forgetting anything. Maybe I’m just nervous. I’ve been away, but never for a week, and never this far from home. Even then, I’m actually a lot closer than a lot of the other people going to this conference. Any one else freaking for no reason? Let’s freak together =P

I’m arriving in Washington around 2 or 3 on Saturday, just so my family doesn’t need to drive so much in one day. I’m staying at the Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel. If anyone else is staying there, we should meet up that night! I can’t wait to meet you all. This conference is going to be absolutely amazing!