Esmi's words of wonder :)

JACC Convention

2009-04-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday through Sunday was one memorable experience.

I attended the JACC convention in Sacramento, California. This is my second state convention that I attend, and my third one overall.

For those who do not know what the convention is, the best way I can explain it would be a hotel full of aspiring journalists, reporters, photographers, broadcasters that want to learn more and get a hands-on in the field.

There is an website that gives more information, and future information about upcoming JACC conventions,

There is an array of workshops ranging from reporting tips, interviewing techniques, special tips for photographers, and workshops for those who want to be in broadcast. There is a little of everything for everyone.

One particular event that stood out to me occurred on Thursday night. In the Key Speaker event, one particular journalist by the name Marjie Lundstrom.

She won the Pulitzer Prize for her investigating reporting on the CPS in Sacramento.

Now she is a true inspiration to all, but it opened my eyes to a whole different aspect of journalism.

Like she said, investigating reporting was thought to be dead, but she proved the world otherwise.

Investigating reporting is an aspect that I am particularly fond of after this JACC convention. It shows to me that journalism is more than just covering the news, or maybe going to that special restaurant or play to review it. Journalism can reach in deep, and provide the world with knowledge that will either be good or bad.

I also competed in the feature competition. They took us to Old Sacramento, to the California Military Museum. The museum was amazing, but the lack of people to interview was disappointing.

I wasn't the only who complained that there was not enough people to interview.The main museum director was always busy and it was hard to get a question in, and then there was an older employee, who was also hard to get an interview out of him, and he wasn't even a veteran.

That was just disappointing, because I expected something better and more exciting. But like Mr. Cameron told me, each convention has its it good and bad aspects.

Overall, an experience to remember, one step closer to my future career goals.

Safety

2008-12-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

To be safe, is to be smart. That is the way of life. Many college students today, don't take safety seriously, especially at campus. They think that since they are at a school, they're personal belongings would be taken care of. Sad to say, it doesn't work that way. Police officers and traffic controllers could only do so much.

In this sprout, students voice their opinions on how they feel about the safety here at Cerritos, and what improvements could be made.

Traffic controllers give a little more insight on what they do on a daily basis, and their role into making sure they keep Cerritos safe and sound for all of us.

Campus Safety

2008-12-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

Hundreds of incidents occur every day. No matter where one is: the supermarket, the mall, the bank, or even at school. Crime doesn't stop for no one and nothing.

Cerritos College is not an exception. Crime occurs, just like everywhere else.
Students and traffic control officials are aware of this, and take certain safety precautions to make Cerritos a better place for all.

JACC not what expected........

2008-11-20T13:18:00.000-08:00

JACC is a conference where community colleges from California go and learn more about journalism. There are a variety of workshops where professional people come and give seminars. Staff writers from the LA TIMES came and talked to students, and professors from different campuses also came and gave their professional insights.

Sadly to say that this JACC did not meet my standards. I did not have as much fun as I did at the State JACC. This conference lacked in the variety of workshops and the speakers that they had.

Don't even get me started on the key note speaker. Yes, the matter he was talking about was very intriguing and kept me informed, but he was so dull. It seemed like he lacked enthusiasm. I mean, if you're asked to come and speak in front of hundreds of aspiring journalists then you should be adrelanized.

There were a couple of snores among the crowd, which proved to show that I wasn't the only one who thought the speech needed to be more animated.

The only thing that I did like were the competitions I participated in. I was involved with the critical review and the feature writing. The one I enjoyed the most was the critical review. They gave us tickets to go see "Urinetown," which is by far the best play I have seen.

It made me almost pee my pants a couple of times.

A couple of the workshops were repetition of last conference, so I don't feel like I learned something new and different.

I just can't wait to attend the state convention next year, hopefully it meets my standards and more.

Marriage is for who?!

2008-11-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

Some of my fellow TM classmates and I covered the Proposition 8 debate that was held on Cerritos Campus last Thursday.

Students and spectators filled the Teleconference room eager to listen to what each of the sides had prepared to say.

Personally, I agreed with the no side, and that was part of the reason why I voted no on proposition 8 on Tuesday.

The Yes side kept bringing up that the story that one lesbian teacher brought her small students to her personal wedding. It was part of a school field trip.

It got old after the tenth time they said it.

I felt that they had no original material and they lacked preparation when the public asked them questions.

The responses that they gave to the questions being asked didn't even relate to the question being asked anymore.

There were a lot of confused faces in the crowd.

Most of the people that were in the crowd that did agree with the proposition were much older. People (no disrespect) of a much older generation where marriage was very traditional.

But what they don't understand is that society has changed, people have con temporized, and have adapted new ideas and beliefs.

The world has evolved since thirty years ago.

Free food and valuable information?, I am there!!!!

2008-10-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that there is a theater department at Cerritos, right?

Well hopefully you answered yes.

The Theater department is considered a great program here at Cerritos, by many students here on campus. It has produced some great plays like the recent one : "The Rivals."

Theater professors want to reach out to students who will be interested in learning more about the theater department and maybe participating in some of the upcoming plays.

They thought of a brilliant way to do so : free food.

They throw a BBQ every year to encourage students to come down and learn more about the department. It got my attention so I am sure they caught a few other wandering students as well. The smell of the hamburgers and hot dogs were sure to stop any hungry student dead in their tracks.

The BBQ was a successful because the tables were full of students, munching but also signing up for the theater department mailing list.

The teachers were up and about to answer any questions,or comments.

Emails and flyer's were distributed throughout campus, to help promote the BBQ, and it worked, caught my attention.

"The Rivals" an unrivaled comedy

2008-10-15T07:34:00.002-07:00

Due to the lack of space I had to work with this week for the newspaper, my review for the play was cut extremely short. In order to make justice to myself, and to the theater department Photo:Marisa Klug-Morataya
Mrs. Malaprop (Maria Lopez) confides in Captain
Absolute unaware of his alter ego and plotting, I will now rant on and on about how I was so fortunate to enjoy one of the best plays I've seen seen so far. Thank you Renee for the free tickets

I enjoy being in the newspaper for benefits like this.

First of all, let me just start with congratulating every member of the cast. Everyone made the play special and memorable in their own way. Kudos to every single one of you.

"The Rivals" was unlike any other play I had previously attended. Not only was it my first here at Cerritos, but the location it was in was a bit strange to me. Usually I am seated in those huge theaters where I have to practically squint my eyes to see the actors on the stage. I never complained then, because it was my own fault for getting there late, and getting a crappy seat.

This play however was not in the huge theater we have at campus, it was inside the BC Building. A much smaller, and intimate theater. It had a stage,and the seats were so up close, that you could see every expression in the actor's faces. If they ever made a mistake, oh, ! I and all the 40 something people in the audience would of caught it. Luckily for the cast, the performance was almost flawless.

The two characters that made it happen for me were Mrs. Malaprop (Barbara Lopez, she was performed her character that night) and Lydia Languish ( Susannah Kim). These two women were absolutely amazing. They made me laugh like no other. I was surprised I wasn't kicked out of the theater. Mrs. Malaprop character was by far the funniest. I sure the rest of the audience agreed with me because I wasn't the only one laughing.

"Come here Lydia, you hussy!" was one of the lines Mrs. Malaprop used constantly over the play.Photo:Marisa-Klug Morataya
Captain Absolute woos Lydia Languish Her bad use of vocabulary was also very funny. “...I have since laid Sir Anthony’s preposition before her...” (what she really should have said was “... I have since laid Sir Anthony’s proposition before her.) Something small like that made her character stand out and be memorable.

Lydia was just cute and hilarious in her own way. This particular woman was so such a great performer to watch. Her facial expressions ranged from sour to happy constantly. It was great. Made me laugh every time.

Also, what made the play stand out were the costumes. They were all beautiful. I have been to plays were the costumes are made out of crap. They look so cheesy and last minute, but this play all the costumes were so bright and colorful. They made the play so much better. It gave me and the audience a sense of how people really used to dress back in 1795.
I on the other hand would die if I wore that around the street nowadays.

My only problem with the play had to be some of the accents. I know it was purposely done to make a point. But there was one in particular that was very hard to understand. I had no idea what she was saying, and neither did the couple next to me. They must have murmured to each other " What! I can't understand anything she is saying," at least three times. Other than that it was perfect.

This play is on my favorites list and I can't wait to see what the theater department has in store for next time.

religious preachers just dont learn

2008-09-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Monday morning after trying to respond to the ton of email I receive daily, I was quickly thrown into a story that was quite interesting and let me just say I saw a bit of a free show.

That morning on the famous "hill" was a preacher. Carrying his giant picket sign about how we are all sinners and that Satan is going to come get us all, was a pathetic sight to watch.

This wasn't the first time, the infamous preachers have come to Cerritos to come and try to "save" us the students. They don't know how to approach the students correctly. All they do is throw their big words out to us, saying that we are all sinners and that we are going to hell if we don't repent.

Heck, if they really think students are goign to listen to that, they have another thing coming.

There was no trace of respect given from their part, so how do they expect for students not to fight back?

One line the preacher made clear was that "all gays and lesbians were going to hell"

I was busy interviewing a person when I was distracted by the "OOOOooooooHH's and "ahhhhhs". I turned to my left , and to my shock there was two girls kissing, their way of rebuttal.

How do you like that preacher guy? Left his jaw hanging wide open.

New semester and upcoming events

2008-09-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

This fall semester I was privileged to be the Arts editor for the newspaper, and whew!!! it has been quite challenging.

The long nights into producing the paper are hard. People don't realize that the hard work that it takes to put a simple 8 page paper together. It might seem easy, but in reality it takes cooperation and team work to get the pages done.

Being the Art's editor has its advantages also, it lets me in all those free screening passes, and I have a head ups on all the upcoming arts and entertainment happening at Cerritos College.

Fall semester has been heading in a good direction. So far I have covered arts stories that have been of great interest to me like going to the movie screening of Burn After Reading, that star two of my most favorite actors: Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Total studs.

It is by far one of my favorite movies that Pitt has come out in. He acts like a complete moron, but somehow it works for him. It had me laughing out hard, that certain people shushed me after my continuous 10 minutes of laughing.

I also attended my first Board of Trustees meeting, which was quite interesting. I learned that the Cerritos College Assistant coach for the women's water polo team, was the head coach for the United States Women's Water Polo team in these past summer olympics. That was quite remarkable. Something else that Cerritos College could be proud of.

SB1370

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

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

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

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

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

JACC Convention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spring Events

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

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

Cabinet Meeting Events

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

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

interviews

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

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

blah

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

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

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

meeting

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

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

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

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

ahhh !!!!me in the newspaper?

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's 7 already!?

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

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

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