The moon, the radio and the hostess

I learned a lot during these weeks….

NASA
I had a field trip to one of the NASA visitor centers. To be honest I was expecting to see some rockets and astronauts, but of course at the visitor center there were just informational object, samples and a little rocket. Nevertheless I enjoyed the trip especially when we get into a conference room where there was a rounded screen where the guide women screened for us real images of the earth, the moon, and other planets. I got interesting information about NASA contributions and more facts besides what most of the people, including me, used to think about the org.

XM Radio

“XM is America's #1 Satellite Radio Service”, this is what the website states, and after my visit to the headquarters in Washington I can’t they are number 1, but I can tell they have very modern installations, ultimate equipment, many radio stations decorated according to each show theme, an enormous music library, really cool studios, and more. The visit was fun and interesting, and even more a really enjoyed the recruiter for XM Radio talk, especially when he gave us some advices for our professional life.

The hostess
During these weeks I have been producing some packages for ArteKultura show. This is an assignment I enjoy a lot since I love arts, but what made it go better was being the hostess for the show! Ariadna Alvarado, the producer let me present her program to add it to my portfolio. As my first time hosting I was nervous of course, but everyone at the studio were really kind to me, helping me with everything, giving some tips, and being patient. I made no mistakes while reading the prompter and we did just one take for all the stand ups. Ariadna liked the final product and she told me I can do it again next week.

This weekend I had fun with the celebration of Open Houses at Washington, DC Embassies, and of course going to dance one more time :)

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The most stressful

The editing room time was over and my package was not ready. I had to hand in the tape the same day, so I had to edit the video myself using Final Cut, a software I didn’t know how to use…. until that day.

The craziest

In one of the embassies I bumped into my boss and his wife, he asked me if I was with Lali, the other intern in VOA, and when I was about to say no, Lali came into scene. I can't believe how many times I've bumped into so many known people in DC.

The most motivating
My boss told me once I was a “natural”, and after my hosting, the current anchorwomen said the same thing…. after two testimonies that have to be true, and motivates me.

Different

This week was different starting with the fact that I had to work during the weekend.

Just TV
In the week I was completely working for TV production, and it was really cool. I independently produced 3 packages and it was really challenging. The editing process can be a really tough work especially if you don’t know the technical terms and the editor expects you to be up to the standard.

Working on the weekend
Because of the Summit of the Americas, my supervisor asked me to work during the weekend and he gave me Monday and Tuesday off. These two days I worked on my assignments for my program, and my portfolio is almost ready.
Then during the weekend I had a good time with my colleagues updating the website while listening to music and eating pizza. We were able to do all that because there was nobody else at the office.

Nationals Game
I am not a big sports spectator, not even a small one, but I attended to one of the Nationals Game, a baseball game, and I had such a good time with the communications interns and my program advisor. I had so much fun seeing the people getting excited and yelling to the players. It was nice to hang out with TWC people, and knowing new people from the program.

I just have one month left in my internship, and I feel kind of nervous about it.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The most stressful
Editing one of my packages with footage that had no natural sound. At the end the editor did a great job helping me to get a very good product.

The warmest
Saturday was a perfect day with the greatest weather since I got here. I got a tan.

The greatest
I attended a magazine release salsa party and I had the chance to dance for hours.

Entertainment

This week was full of entertainment

First music, then politics
This week at the Presidential Lecture we had Mary Lambert as a panelist. She is a director who has worked mainly in entertainment directing music videos for Madonna, Chris Isaak, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Alison Krauss, Live, Mötley Crüe, Sting, Debbie Harry, Tom Tom Club and others. Now she has made forays into documentary with "14 Women". She presented us this documentary, which is about the first time the number of women in the Senate increased to an unprecedented 14. I got really interested in her job, especially because of the entertainment background, I asked for her contact expecting to interview her but she was in Washington just for a couple of days. I enjoy her documentary, at least the 30 min watched ad the way she treats women in politics in a very encouraging way was really good.

Presenting entertainment section
This week my job was a little monotonous, until Friday when I first presented the entertainment section for the news show “El Mundo al Dia”. This is the 3rd stand up I have done and I think I am improving somehow. I was nervous, but finally I had a chance to do something else on camera, and it actually went on air that day. Of course, I have so much to work on; the anchor gave me some advices and hopefully I would be doing more things next couple of week since The Summit of the America is going to be a big issue at my job. Well, if you want to give me your opinion check on my entertainment presentation at minute ’22.

KOOZA!!
Soon it will be my birthday and I received an early gift: I went to the CIRQUE DU SOLEIL show!!. It was such a drama because on our way to Baltimore, where it was going to be the show, my friends and I got lost, we arrived an hour and a half late at the place but fortunately we were able to exchange our tickets to a later function. I love arts, and this show was absolutely amazing, all the artistic production and the magnificent acrobats, dancers and all who formed part of the show were breathtaking.

Right now I feel really happy and thankful for all I have had chance to experience, but to be honest I also feel exhausted intellectually and physically. I really need a breath.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The most motivating
Listen to my boss telling that for the Summit of the Americas he wants me, somebody he can trust to work directly with TV producer while he is at Trinidad y Tobago.

The most exciting
My partner and I got an offer to perform at a magazine release event where we are going to present the choreo we are preparing… I am eager!

The most satisfying
Going to church this Sunday, I needed a moment to pray and meditate.

Easy

This time I am going to be short.

Opportunities
This week I felt very glad of getting 2 offers to work on marketing as an extracurricular activity. Even though it is going to be more work I feel flatter and even more excited because the work I will do is extremely related to my business background, and will give me the opportunity to learn about business and mkt in Washington.

The boss call
In my job I did my regular duties, but this time was different because Deborah, the coordinator of the division, asked my boss if it was possible to take me with her to do some editions for TV. I was surprised at first and then I felt happy because it made me feels I am doing things right. At the end I didn’t go with Deb, because the edition time was changed, but the coordinator told she will ask for my help later.

Salvadorean designs
On Thursday my boss invited me and one of my colleages to attend an exhibition at the consulate of El Salvador, where graphic design presented their portfolios. There were really cool works, since I just love arts, I was very pleased watching all the creative designs they worked on architecture, advertisement, books, objects, and more.
I felt this week I did a lot of work, and was really tires, so I tried to rest and get most of my assignments done, since I planning to do a lot next week. So let’s go to the funny section.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION.

The sweetest
After an anxiety crisis I end up eating a chocolate croissant, and cranberry muffin and a raspberry bagel in just 15 min.

The most relaxing

Walking back home with the drizzle felt so good, it was so relaxing.

The most beautiful

In the train, sitting next to a women, her baby was trying to touch me, it just make me smile.

Motivated

During this week I was closer to me than ever since I arrived in Washington, what I did and who I met remind me what I am pursuing.

Double R
At one of TWC hearings I met Rosemary Reed, president and owner of Double R productions. She is very successful woman who with no media background is now running her own company and is a very prestigious journalist. She gave me an interview and this was one of the worthiest chating I have had in Washington so far. She reminded me how much I wanted to be somebody and how much I wanted to pursue my goals and dreams. I am glad and thankful for the words she gave me that day.

Standings
At my job I did my first two standings! Being on camera is not easy at all. I did the standings for the entertainment sections presenting the Environmental Film Festival of Washington. To be honest they are not that good, but they went on air, and now it is just a matter of practice to get better and better.

Animation
Ariadna, the person in charge of the arts and culture section in my job, ask me to help her doing one interview with Paul Mackey, executive producer of "El espíritu del bosque", an animated film presenting in the Environmental Film Festival. I end up asking the question to the producer, which was very exciting. I still have to work on my interviewing skills but Ariadna told I did a good job.

Food court
For my entrepreneurial class, my Professor get some free passes for the International Franchise Expo. There we saw franchise ideas and all kind of support for franchise systems. I am actually working on a business idea and there I got good information of how things are done in US. Of course food franchises were offering samples and I had a really good time tasting a little bit of everything.

I enjoyed this week a lot, I started to practice for my choreography, and I had fun with colleagues and friends too.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The funniest
Getting locked out of my apartment, my mexican friend and I stay out for at least one hour until our roommate finally open the door for us.

The most motivating
Hearing at my boss, telling my program advisor how good my performance has been at VOA.

The most singing
On a goodbye party for one of my colleagues I had a really good time, since a violinist and a guitarist played at the party.

Getting better

This week I enjoyed plenty things :)

Help for starting up my business
For my Entrepreneurial class, we attend to a field trip at Martin Luther King Library, where we met staff from the Small Business Administration organization. They gave us really usefull info about all thing you must we aware of as an entrepreneur and I was surprise of all he support we can have if I decided to start up my own business. I would definetely keep that contact, I will use it later.

My voice in a SOT

I am so excited my boss ask me to record my voice for one Sound On Tape (SOT) video for the show on TV. This was a video about Spain Attack anniversary and I had to record my voice tellin the news on a edited video. It was actually harder than I thought it would be, it is not only about reading the script is about entonation, volume, storytelling tone, clearness, speed, and more. But I'm happy they actually use that video for the show.

Real journalist
During this week I attend to a Summit discussion, and I published another article! this one is way much serious than the firts, now I'm improving my journalis skills, check it out. Also I worked on 3 articles for a special we are going to publish next week, and I enjoyed going out and interview people as a real journalist, because they don't know I am an intern, and as media they treat you really nice :)

Camera test

On thursday I assist my colleages to make an TV interview with Peter Hakim, president of Inter-American Dialogue. After the interview was over, the camaraman who is also one of the producers asked me if I wanted to try a shot on camera... and couldn'd resist the temptation. It was an improvised two questions shot, just as a test. I didn't realize the producer had show the video to my boss, and when I met my boss he told me next week we were going to practice the stand ups, I am so excited! I actually thought my test was not good at all, but seems like my boss have faith in me, and I appreciate it.

This week, it was all getting better, and now I am feel really tired but it is absolutely worth it.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The most Hollywood

On my way to the Presidential Lecture we were not able to cross one of the streets because Angelina Jolie was filming in DC!! I couldn't see her but I spoke to the staff an it was really cool.

The most pleasant

My russian friend cooked russian food for my friend Ingrid and me, but he actually made a big effort. I was surprise about the way he set the table, the food, the desert, the drinks, etc. He was a really good hoster.

The coldest

Weather has not been constant. I am feeling kind of sick, and I now I feel cold all day long

So far so good, and improving

Busy, busy and busy

This week I felt like I did a lot of things, here is why

Snowstorm
On Monday we had a snowstorm and even so we had to attend to a career boot camp where I had really good workshop about interview tips and how to have the perfect resume.

Fully adapted

Now I feel really adapted to my job, I feel like I know my duties and now a feel more confortable with the people I work with. For the next week I will be working on some articles my boss asked me to write for a Green Planet Special. Even though my job is working on the website, TV production always need help, and I have been working for them too, something I really like to do.

My job with arts
In this week my boss invited one of my colleages and me to attend a painting exhibition at the Embassy of Uruguay. I felt really good about my boss considering us to go with him, and as a matter of fact I had a really good time.

Loud mexicans and puertoricans

On friday was the International fair, where foreign students were representing their countries. Each group gave a brief description of their country and a traditional performance. With international food, the fair became a party were mexicans and puertoricans were really loud.

My first dancing performance
In the week, one of the dancer that I met lately call me to performe with him a free style coreography. We didn't have time to practice until 2 hours before the event, but since it was just an improvised performance we did really good. I will start practicing soon.

This week I felt like I worked really hard, and now I am waiting for more.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION.

The most delicious

At the painting exhibition I had really good canapés, I was hungry and ate like a million of them.

The most distressing

This week we ran away of many things, it is horrible to wake up and have nothing to eat.

The warmest

During the weekend the weather was perfect, it changes my mood.

4 weeks... and the story continues

During this week I was assigned to work on TV production in my internship and finally the Capitol Hill tour.

Shadowing
At Voice of America my boss was off the whole week but he assigned me to work with Nick, the TV Producer. I shadowed one of the journalist through all the process of making a TV package, from witting the story, editing the video, recording the stand up and setting the package info in the rundown and cut sheets. Also, one of the hosters invite me to attend an interview with the representative for Mexico, at DEA. Finally, at the end of the week I was able to edit my own Voice over video.

Capitol Hill, lecture and books

I went to a Capitol Hill tour and it was not about visiting a nice building is about being in the place where big decisions are taken. Also I attend to my Capitol Hill dialogue with staff from Western Hemisphere Subcommitte, at the Rayburn House. We discussed the intentions US government has to work with the Western Hemisphere countries during this crucial times. On Monday TWC students had the presidential lecture. I visited the Library of Congress too, and I got my reader identification card.

Not just about work

After a hard work week, I had fun with some friends. First I went with one of my colleages to have dinner at an Argentinge restaurant. Then my roommate and I prepared mexican food for some friends and after we went to Cafe Citron, a latin club where we had a really good time.

Ok now, “The MOST or the EST” SECTION.

The most relaxing

This sunday was first day I rested since I got here. I did nothing but eat without any rush, and well some homeworks.

The most chating

While having dinner with my colleage I had a really good conversation while talking about little bit of everything, and a I loved those conversations.

The funniest

Spending a long time laughing about everything with my roommate has became one of my favorite habits in D.C.

Short week

Monday was the President´s Day, a holiday for all United States, so my week was short but good as always.

Common Spot

The whole week I attend to Common Spot training at work. Common Spot is the software VOA uses to manage the website and after I conclude the training I got my own account so that I can actually manage the website as a real editor.

Producing TV

I really like my job because my boss is really flexible and he allows me to learn from everything not only internet. This week I was again the prompter in one of the TV shows and also assisted one of my colleagues while covering an event at Organization of American States for a TV program. Next week I will be working directly with one of the TV producers; since my boss knows I prefer working there more than in Internet so I am eager to learn as much as I can.

Airplanes and Art

This weekend I visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Gallery of Art. The first museum was good and I had fun there but it’s not the kind of topics I am interested. The other museum was like amazing to me, I love it. I couldn’t see the whole exhibition but what I saw was enough to enjoy it.

Two of my pleasures: food and dancing

I went to Capitol City and Mongolian BBQ, where I had I really really good company the food was really good and the music was definitely my style, we had a great time. I got in contact with a dancer here in DC and he invited me to a performance at Clarendon Ballroom, where I actually get in as part of the company and had free food and drink LOL. Afterwards we went dancing to Salsa room, I missed dancing so bad.

Ok let’s go to the important part:

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION.

The most emotional

Being at the Gallery of art, makes you have a diverse palette of feelings you just can’t describe.

The most delicious

At the restaurants I ordered the biggest brownie in the world LOL, I love chocolate.

The most releasing

Getting my LOS feedback with just a few corrections, I need to save as much time as I can.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to ask or say what you want.

Privileges, lessons and engagement.

Hey! This week had a little bit of everything… so here we go!

Within Society
The Garden is an Academy Award nominee for best documentary, and I attend to the presentation where I met the film director, Scott Hamilton Kennedy. This documentary follows the plight of Latin-Americans farmers in LA, and not being in my country allows me to have a more sensitive impression of the film, I enjoyed it.
Also I had the opportunity to assist to an evening with Gwen Ifill, recognized journalist and author of the book “The breakthrough”.

One step forward
In my job I had my ups and downs. This week I assisted two of my colleges in making TV articles. I assisted Karina at a hearing about Chavez referendum. Also, I assisted Fede interviewing people for a St. Valentine’s article. I learned how they do the stand up for TV and how to get quotes for TV. This week I also learn Teleprompter, and the next day my boss asks me to be the Prompter. Things didn’t happen as expected, because one of the scripts was wrong written, and people in cabin went crazy, the host improvised and the real prompter finally saved the program. When I arrive to the office the host was really upset about what had happened and was complaining about the prompter, I mean me. These are the experiences people learn more from, and to me this was a step forward my learning experience. Nevertheless I am happy because the division director had me as a guest in the radio show “Club de los Oyentes” and finally one of my articles was uploaded in the website! Check it out…

Keen Teens
As part of my program I have to do a civic engagement project, and I choosed an organization called Keen Teens. What I read in the description of this option was a music program for volunteers to have fun with children. I got interested and I registered in the program. When I got into the place I was informed that it was a program for children with disabilities, big surprise. I had experience working with these children, but for me it was really hard, emotionally talking. But this time was very different, this time I just come up with the feeling that I can recognize happiness in people, and children with disabilities truly are happy, and I felt good.

Fun was also in my week; I went to Rock Bottom, the National Zoo and went crazy in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Now my favorite part…

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The most influential
I realized the privileges of having a press ID, I was able to meet Ifill backstage, as press “people wants you to be there” and I’ll take advantage of it.

The most comforting
After the big issue with teleprompter my boss told me not to worry about, I really felt he have faith in me, and that really made me feel better.

The most emotional

For my article, I called some dance companies, and I talked to a dancer and choreographer of DC. We talked about dancing, I was eager to dance.

The game has started

At this point, my internship is analog to a dog’s time life, for you it has been just a week for me it seemed like a month, let me show you why.

More than what I expected
Finally I am part of the Voice of America team. Carrying my VOA ID, I became part of the Latin America division. I will be responsible of updating the website for VOA Spanish with the news provided by the broadcaster, and with articles I will be able to write by myself after covering events of the audience interest. This week was what I would call the big step. On this days I knew my supervisor and colleges, and I was introduced to a million people. I learned common spot for website editing. I assisted one of the VOA journalists in a hearing at Rayburn Open House. Finally, I was assign to covered a discussion in Ronald Reagan Building, with panelists such as ex-governor of Michoacan Lazaro Cardenas, Ambassor Arturo Sarukhan, Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow, The New York Times correspondant Ginger Thompson, and other important people. I am happy with my tasks, my co-workers, my boss, and my desk LOL. My internship looks like so much fun, hard work, nice people and networking, even more than what I pray for.

It is not just about fun
I applied for the mass communications program, but my major is business administration and I liked the business frame of everything, especially in media, and this is the reason why I choose Anatomy of Entrepreneurship as my course. First class with Professor Hardy was terrific, she one of those woman you can smell success from, I am willing to observe and learn as much as I can from her. The Washington Center is a fulltime program, that keeps you busy and more, but I decided to add an extra class, why not? I may not sleep really well because of the assignments but English as a Second Language is a course I couldn’t leave behind.

So far...
I am exhausted, but I couldn’t be more thankful of being tired of taking all the advantage of Washington D.C. I haven’t got the fun part of the city, since I am still getting use to the place, getting organized, and dealing with the duties and the worst part the homesick. The game has started and I am eager to make my move.

“The MOST or the EST” SECTION

The most frustrating
At Prof. Hardy class, seems feel as a beginner in English language, professional speaking is very different and still hard for me.

The kindest
VOA people is more than kind to me, I appreciate all the patience, support and guidance they are giving me.

The most worrying
One of the Mexican students got into surgery room. The diagnosis: appendicitis. We spend most of the weekend with him.

The funniest
Get into the wrong metro train and realize it after 3 stops. Happens all the time, hopefully.

First days in Washington

For the first time writing from Washington DC! I have being here for four days, and this is the story.

The biggest load on my way to my new "home”
Imagine the fact of carrying a 45 lbs luggage, knowing nothing about how things work in a place. Even though I printed the bus and metro directions of how to get to Grosvenor Tower, the trip wasn’t easy. When I finally get to the building, there was a pizza party in the lobby where TWC student were breaking the ice. Afterwards I met my roommates, Ingrid a known friend from Mexico, and Sara and Erika, both Americans.

Media & Mass Communications Day
On this day I met the Media & Mass Communications program interns, and of course, Kathleen Reagen, my program advisor. We had 2 orientation sessions, to know our upcoming duties and assignments. It all seems like it is going to be a full-time semester. Then all international students had a meeting and then we Mexicans decided to go buy groceries for living.

Laughing at our differences
This day all interns assisted to the Orientation Session, where we had the chance to know:
· Michael B. Smith, President of TWC, who welcome all interns.
· Kevin W. Nunley, Director of Student Life at TWC, who gave us basic orientations.
· Kenny Bryson, officer of MPD, who gave us security advises.
· Josh Sundquist a comic who gave us a really good speech, called “Laughing at our differences”, if you ever have a chance to meet this guy, don’t doubt it.

Exorcist stairs
Remember the exorcist scene were the priest fell down from an infinite stairs? Well I was there! the movie was filmed in Georgetown, a very nice and important neighborhood, where you can go shopping, good restaurants, visit the Old Stone House and a very famous college, The Georgetown University. We spend the whole day in this place; we have fun, except for the fact that it was so cold this day, I couldn’t feel my hands, and my face.

Superbowl party
Steelers V.S. Cardinals, and a superbowl party in my building. Me and my roommates spend some time setting up stuffs in the apartment, and then we joined the party at 21 floor. It was another chance to know more people, next day is going to be the first at work, so wait for the other post to tell you everything about it.

Now, “The MOST or the EST” SECTION.

The most blessed
After arriving to the airport, I could get to Grosvenor tower because of the help of 4 really good persons, who help me get into the Grosvenor tower main entrance. I will never forget this.

The funniest
My roommate and I bought so many things on the grocery day, WHAT A MISTAKE!, carrying all the things back to home through metro and millions of blocks, was exhausting. I was wearing heals, I just couldn’t do nothing but laugh about it.

The coldest
On Saturday the weather was so cold, walking through Georgetown paths roads with a 22° F temperature, not feeling the hands and the face was indescribable.

Well, I hope you are all having a good time, I'll come back next week :)

AN INTERNSHIP…. Maybe a common thing in the world, to me a changing life opportunity.

Hi! My name is Yahayra, and……

I’M GOING TO WASHINGTOOOOOOOOOON!

But this was not an “all of sudden thing”, instead, I call it a “meant to be”, let me tell you my story.

This semester I started to plan my international exchange, places? I truly thought on many, and mong all the places I could ever thought on, Washington was never an option. What happened? Well, one day Paola (of the International Department at my university, to whom I thank a lot of things) told me about an internship opportunity in D.C. My first thought was: Washington???? I don’t think so. However, I went to the informational meeting, which was in charge of Luisa Solarte, from The Washington Center, and after that day there was no other option! This program was made for me, I bet William M. Burke (founding President of TWC) was thinking on me in 1975 (LOL), ok that was too much, sorry. Afterwards, it was all about preparing the trip and get ready for the USA capital city.

In recent days someone asked me how I was feeling about the upcoming experience, and this is what I answered: “it’s like reading a book and wait for the big screen version. In this case the book might be TWC bloggs and soon I’ll be the main character in my own movie”.

In 4 words, what I expect from D.C. is: “an overwhelming land to start my dreams”. I know, it’s not 4 words; I just count the adjective and the nouns. It may sound a little exaggerated, but if you think a little more on each of the main words, you’ll find the sense.

Now, I want to introduce you to “The MOST or the EST” SECTION. Here I’ll match moments with feelings, through my upcoming experience, so here we go:

The most ANXIOUS: thinking I was not accepted for the program.
After the dateline to submit the papers, a decade passed before I know I was accepted (It seemed a decade to me). What happened was that my e-mail was wrong spell or something in the database.I didn’t received my acceptation letter. I knew I was accepted a long time later.
The HAPPIEST: knowing I have a placement at VOA.
I was having lunch at a crowed place, when Kathleen, my program advisor, call to ask me if I would accepted an internship at Voice of America. Happiness… that’s what I felt, I remember every detail of the feeling.

The most UNPREDICTABLE: who my rommie will be?
I think everyone planning an international exchange ask themselves this question, I really don’t want to imagine the person or persons I will share the room with, surprises are funnier, but I can’t avoid it!!!

Alrightttttt, for now I better go and start planning what to do and where to go during my internship, I WILL SQUEEZE EVERY SECOND there. If you are from D.C., a TWC student, or just know cool things to do there or places to visit PLEASEEE, I will appreciate your suggestions, they are all welcome.

Thank you very much for reading and have a nice day!