The JudyDC Weekly

writing to my heart's content

[ashleighbc-blog]

My best friend, Kari, and I were walking through Target and somehow ended up in the book section. We didn’t plan to go to Target to look at books, but we sure did end up leaving the store with a book.

When we got to the book section, we both started grabbing books and reading the summaries on the back. I read the summary of this one book and after reading it; it told me that this story would not disappoint me.

Kari came walking towards me smiling and carrying a book. She told me that she found the book that she was going to buy. I also told her that I found the book I was going to buy. We showed each other the book that we each picked out and to our surprise; we both picked out the same book, Sara’s Key.

Kari and I decided that we would start our own book club. The two of us would try and read a new book every month. Kari and I would buy the same books and read the same chapters at the same time. This way we could discuss what was going on in the book with someone. Kari and I read the first chapter and we knew that we picked a really good book. Like I thought when I was reading the summary, this book will not disappoint, and it hasn’t…so far.

The book that Kari and I bought is about a journalist who wants to solve a mystery about what happen to this particular Jewish family back in 1941. We both really like this book because it remind us no matter how hard things can get, they can always get worse. Not only is this book really good but it helps remind people to be thankful for what they have and to cherish their love ones. 

[judydc-blog]

I've read this book. I first heard about it at my community college when one of my professors recommended it. As all things about the Holocaust, it's a really sad read with a surprising twist. 

There's also a movie version with the same title, although the book is better in my opinion. 

[judydc-blog]

Who Benefits More in Internships? Students or Employers?

My second field assignment was on student internships. Specifically, I wanted to focus on whether or not students actually benefit from internships or if employers are the ones who reap all the benefits.

  The idea for this story came from the fact that I often complained to my friends and peers about an internship that I had at the time. I didn’t realize that this particular internship would not benefit me at all until Dr. Kallan (who approves these internships as a graduation requirement in the communications department) pointed it out to me. It then occurred to me: how many other students have been dissatisfied with their internship experiences because they learned nothing while their employer got most, if not all, of the benefits?

  Researching the topic on ProQuest and other scholarly journals through the Cal Poly Pomona library database, I discovered that this was a prevailing issue on the topic of internships in the U.S. Next, I consulted government sites to see if anything has already been said about the legality of internships. Indeed, the Department of Labor has a specific section on internships underlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act that determines whether internships should be paid or not based on six criteria.

  To get statistical facts and more background information, I looked at research studies that surveyed and interviewed students from 2011 to the present who participated/completed internships.

  Lastly, I conducted three personal interviews with two students and an employer. Both students, a Cal Poly Pomona student and a Cal State Long Beach student, provided opposite viewpoints on their internship experiences (one positive and one negative). As for the employer, she is a marketing coordinator who is charged with handling the internship and interview process within her organization and she gave me useful information from an employer’s perspective.

  What I found is that, although there are instances where employers do exploit their interns, studies show that internship programs continue to be a good resource for students to gain experience and hone their skills in the real world.

[genavie0-blog]

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ opens with a doozy of a chain of images.  Hell fire and demons to coffee machine to office guys.  Joss Whedon’s casual, yet clever dialogue is dropped right into it.  The movie puts you on your heals right away, and I loved it.

I implore anyone who has not seen the film to avoid spoilers.  The films craft and cleverness are charming either way, but it would be a shame to ruin such finely timed story telling.  ’The Cabin in the Woods’ is fun when it surprises you and also satisfying when you guess right.  People who have spent many hours watching slasher, zombie and monster films will feel right at home here and likely squirm with delight at how they still never can settle into it.

Whedon is working here as an artist shredding a genre.  This is chaotic, spectacular Hollywood special effects film making and it is my favorite kind of thing to see talented directors play around with joy and love.  The movie is outrageously violent, gross and funny.  The acting is much better than most might notice and subtly tweaks expectations of character archetypes.  Pay attention and don’t forget to laugh.  Most inspiring of all is that Whedon and company, once the film amps up, never pulls back.  They proceed with full confidence in their story and the film’s epic peak is both exhilaratingly ballsy and tragically sad.  For the right kind of movie watcher it is a total blast.

[judydc-blog]

I found this movie on Netflix and instantly watched it because of its rave reviews, although I had never even heard of it before. As a big fan of watching scary movies, I found this movie to be more humorous than scary (but I'm guessing that was the intention?) and was delighted when.... okay, I don't want to spoil it for anyone else, but it's a funny twist to the horror film genre in general. 

[judydc-blog]

Malibu Beach Locator? There's an App For That

This blog post was inspired by an article that I read online about a smartphone app that would make it easier for anyone to legally access beaches in Malibu that have been previously closed-off or hidden to the public.

Jenny Price, the brains behind the idea, says that many of the beaches in Malibu are actually open to the public but that homeowners try to deceive the public by making the beaches look like they’re sitting on private property. The app, which debuts next month on the iPhone (and coming soon to Android phones), would serve as a guide to helping people find a legal way to get to these secluded beaches.

  Anyone who knows me knows that I love going to the beach and that my go-to location is Malibu. When it comes to rest and relaxation, there’s nothing like going to a secluded, hidden beach that takes me away from the noise and obnoxiousness of the more popular beaches such as Santa Monica and Venice beaches.

  However, one of the main concerns about granting public access to secluded beaches, and perhaps the reason why Malibu homeowners dislike this idea, is that they’re afraid that the public would trash the beaches and not clean up after themselves. In fact, secluded beaches that don’t have open and easily accessible pathways to get to the beach are also less than likely to have public restrooms, trashcans, and lifeguards.

  Personally, I do agree that people need to respect public space by cleaning up after themselves because the (thoughtless) actions of one person could ruin it for the rest of us. But I also think that the public has the right to gain access to these beaches. 

  The hidden beach that I go to is, in fact, in Malibu and while I’m afraid that more people would know about it once the app becomes available, I’m more excited about finding new beaches to go to this summer and because of that, I’m all for this app! But let’s also pledge to keep our beaches clean.

  News article: http://ktla.com/2013/05/28/new-app-unlocks-secret-beaches-in-malibu/#axzz2UuZ4TEUt

  More info: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/escapeapps/opening-this-summer-the-malibu-beaches-0

[ryan-gaeta]

So, having seen the previous two, I was kind of duped into seeing “Hangover 3” this week. I call it the “Saw effect”. This occurs when, for whatever reason, you find yourself watching installment after installment of a hackneyed movie franchise and when the next one comes out, you watch that too. You rationalize your wasted viewership like this: “well, I saw the first eight, so I owe it to myself to watch the next movie.” For the record, I made it through like “Saw 6” before I had to call it quits with that endeavor, and I’m definitely seeing the next “Fast and Furious.” The Saw effect is a powerful force.

Back to the movie. While not as formulaic as the previous— there’s no baby (as in the first film) or monkey (as in the second film)— you just can’t separate the “this all seems way too familiar” feeling from your head. Another folly of the film is the dark, like inside of a coffin on a moonless night dark, comedy it employs during the opening scenes. The series dabbled in dark comedy in the first two films, but in this instance the movie overstepped its boundaries. They had me at hello and lost me somewhere between giraffe decapitation, mass traffic collisions, and a father dying of a heart attack in the background while his son jams on his “beats by Dre” in the foreground. I dunno, call me soft, call me what you will, but it seemed like too much from the start.

Another flaw I found was the overly abundant Leslie Chow screen time. Yea, he’s an oddly lovable wildcard, but the appeal of Chow is his capricious nature and his funny-in-small-doses appearances. You want him leaping out of a trunk nude and accosting cast members, or shouting “muda f$#$&” then disappearing for long periods of time. This is not the case in “Hang Over 3,” as somehow the movie becomes a bad version of “Get Shorty,” but in this case it’s Chow.

If anything, see it to satisfy the Saw effect, otherwise you can save your money. Alright, “Fast and Furious 12” is starting. I gotta go.

[judydc-blog]

I, too, suffer from the "saw effect". The first movie of The Hangover series was hilarious. The second one was so-so (and a bit unoriginal), but I'll still probably end up watching this last movie in theaters just because I watched it all and I want to know what happens next. 

[judydc-blog]

Caution: Play At Your Own Risk

          In the midst of finals and getting through the last projects and assignments of the quarter, there has only been one thing that has me procrastinating on my schoolwork lately.

  Candy Crush Saga. The game.

  Candy Crush Saga is a puzzle game that’s available on the iPhone (and Android smartphones, I think?) and Facebook. If you love Bejeweled, I have no doubt you’d love this game too. The basic premise of the game is to match three “candy” variations and as you progress through each level, the tougher it becomes because of new obstacles and restrictions that you have to overcome.

  I was introduced to Candy Crush Saga at my cousin’s birthday party when a family member asked me if I played it. I told her that I had never even heard of it. It’s funny because I’ve seen the game in the “top games” section in the app store before, but after previewing screenshots of the game, it didn’t particularly interest me at the time because it looked too childish with its bright graphics and candy theme. Boy, was I wrong!

   Aside from the challenge of the game itself, it’s also fun seeing where you and your friends stand against one another as you compete to beat the entire game (and there are a lot of levels!). By syncing the game with Facebook, you’ll be able to see the progress of your Facebook friends.

  The only downside to this game is that you’re given a maximum of five lives and each life takes about 30 minutes to regenerate. I guess this is a blessing in disguise for people like me who have work to do.

  NOTE: If you’re currently playing the game on your smartphone and you run out of lives, you can instantly get five more lives by playing the game on Facebook.

  I guess I’ll see you in 30 minutes Candy Crush Saga. 

[andirocco-blog]

Okay, I’m sure you have all already heard about the convergence at CPP taking place at the end of the decade. I was really interested in this topic because like most of us, I’m a transfer student and was affected by the change in academic calendars. Although I will not be directly affected by...

[judydc-blog]

Coming from a semester school myself, I prefer the quarter system mainly because of the shorter weeks and the fact that it goes by much quicker than a semester. As for graduation ceremonies, I realized that semester schools graduate in May whereas we don't graduate until June. Maybe I'm being biased for wanting to get out of school sooner (since I'll be among the graduates this spring), but it certainly would have been nice to graduate in May as well. 

[judydc-blog]

June Can't Come Any Sooner

With the spring quarter drawing to a close, I can’t help but smile and laugh at the fact that I’m almost done with school forever. Smile because I’ll be moving on to bigger and better things (like begin my career and start a family) and laugh because it was only a couple of weeks ago that I posted my first blog here complaining about the stress and workload this quarter has thrust upon me. Granted, the quarter isn’t actually over yet considering the exams and essays that I have yet to complete, but the feeling of being halfway done has already given me a sense of freedom and a big sigh of relief. Not to mention anxiety for what’s to come (but I’ll worry about that later).

  A friend once told me: Enjoy your school years, because those are the best years of your life.

  While I can’t vouch for that statement myself (give me a few years as I adjust to occupational life), I can understand what she means by it. College is the time to discover oneself (such as your likes and dislikes, hobbies, career goals, etc.), meet new people and create lasting friendships, and travel, all the while not having too much responsibility or being on a strict Monday to Friday schedule.

  To be honest, I’m not sure that I want to trade in my newfound freedom for a 9-5 job just yet (although from what I hear in the communications/public relations industry, the workdays are much, much longer). But I’ll probably take advantage of the summer to relax and go on a vacation (Hawaii is on top of my list) and then look into securing an internship in the fall before I get into my career.

   Yep, this quarter is shaping up to be a good one after all. 

[ben-hugo]

The topic of my first field assignment this quarter was online classes. The benefits, the disadvantages and more importantly the opinions of both professors and students.

The idea of the writing a story on this topic actually came from a classroom discussion last quarter when my professor,...

[judydc-blog]

I would have thought more students would support online classes than oppose it. As a commuter, I find that online classes are really convenient in terms of not having to drive through traffic and doing the coursework at your own pace (which I also imagine being an advantage for busy students who work or manage a family full-time). My only gripe with online classes, however, is the amount of extra work it demands each week versus doing the work in a classroom setting.

[judydc-blog]

Do You Vape?

For my first field assignment, I wanted to choose a topic that is popular and constantly talked about in society right now. That is, I wanted to write a story on a current trend in our society. When researching possible topics, I went on Facebook and stumbled across a link that someone had posted about the SB 648 proposal in California that would hold electronic cigarettes to the same restrictions as tobacco cigarettes if passed.  The link that was posted was actually an online petition to stop SB 648 from passing. That got me thinking about the emergence of the “vape culture” in Los Angeles (where I live). The word “vaping” is just another word for the use of electronic cigarettes, as it turns nicotine and other chemicals into an inhalable vapor.

  Specifically, I wanted to find out: Are e-cigarettes a better alternative to regular smoking or is it just another trend?

  I started my research by learning more about electronic cigarettes and looking at government health sites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for legitimate research and studies that could aid in the direction of my topic. As it turns out, however, not a lot of government-sponsored research has been done on the health benefits of vaping.

  Next, I researched vape stores around me and was able to conduct interviews with an owner and a manager at two locations: one e-commerce business based in L.A. and one actual shop located in Glendale. The main question that I wanted to know was: Why did you open a vape store?

  Lastly, I wanted public feedback so I interviewed two L.A. residents, which worked out perfectly because both gave me differing opinions. One was a makeup artist who is a regular smoker and supports vaping, and the other is a Starbucks employee who opposes vaping.  Overall, I think this made for a well-rounded article. 

[ashleighbc-blog]

I wonder if any one else feels the same way I feel? I feel like I am having a tugga war in my head about going to the gym. I am running out of fuel to keep me motivated to go to the gym. Normally, I love going to the gym and I can’t wait to have some time to myself, but as of Tuesday, things...

[judydc-blog]

I totally feel this way too! It's weird because the warm weather (as opposed to winter where you just want to stay in bed) has been my motivator to go out and workout, but lately I've had to force myself and I'm pretty sure that the stress and workload of school has a lot to do with it. I just made a weekly schedule that I'm going to try really hard to follow and hopefully that's motivation enough. Good luck and let me know what helps too!

[judydc-blog]

"STRESSED = DESSERTS" = An Epiphany

Today was the first day in a long time that I started running again, and boy did I get tired fast! But because of the many running applications (or “apps”) that are available on the iPhone that track distance, burned calories, GPS coordinates, etc., it makes it even easier to get back on track and even motivates you to do better. For example, I use the Nike running app and not only does it cheer me on while I’m running, but it also remembers my best running time to encourage me to beat it.

  What brought this on, you ask? Well it all started last night when I was watching Mad Men. To avoid any spoilers, I won’t mention any names. One of the main characters in the show started eating a lot more than usual and gained weight because of it, and a trip to the doctor confirmed that the sudden weight gain could be due to stress, anxiety, and other emotional distress. So it got me thinking about my own situation, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it must be true. Whenever I have a major project due or an exam to study for, I always break out the bag of chips or the delectable sweets to help calm me when I’m stressed out. After all, stressed is desserts spelled backwards right?

  Since realizing this and the fact that summer is right around the corner (which means pool parties, beach tans, and Las Vegas and other vacation trips), I decided to try to run (or any other cardio activity) at least three times a week. I’m not just doing this to lose the extra weight, but also because I haven’t been eating healthy at all and this binge-eating-while-stressed-out routine has got to go.

  But like all things, only time can tell if this moment of clarity will last. 

[genavie0-blog]

The Backstreet Boys received the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame two days after their 20th anniversary. I was so excited that I could be part of that with them. I will always and forever remember that day. I was also really lucky to get as close as I did. 

I have been a fan of the Backstreet Boys since 1997. I was 7 years old when I fell in love with them. I can still remember the day I got their Backstreet’s Back album like it was yesterday. I am 23 now and my love for them is still going strong. They have gotten me through my ups in my life as well as my downs.

Last year I got to meet 3 of the 5 boys (A.J, Kevin, and Howie) at Disneyland after they filmed the Disney Parade. I also got to meet Nick before the taping of their Jimmy Kimmel performance in 2009. I am now on a mission to meet Brain, so my childhood goal of meeting all 5 members will be completed.

On Monday, April 22, 2013, the Backstreet Boys were immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Backstreet Boys received the 2,485th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday and I was wouldn’t have missed that for anything in the world. Their star is located between Boyz II Men and The Osmond which is ironic because the first song they ever sang was a Boyz II Men song.

There were so many fans there and from all over the world too; I even met two girls who traveled all the way from Belgium. After the ceremony I heard that there were almost 1,000 fans all there. We were all there for the same reason and that was to show how appreciative we are to them and their music. There were also many crowd sing-a-longs to some of the Backstreet Boys most popular songs.   

Each member of the Backstreet Boys gave a speech and each couldn’t hide their emotions. One of my favorite things that was said during the speeches was said by my favorite Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean. He said “I love you guys. And aside from my wedding day and the birth of my daughter, this is hands-down the best day of my life.”

I wanted to get a picture of the star but there were just so many people there. I must go back soon though. 

[judydc-blog]

Funny that you mention this because my best friend is the biggest BSB fan I know, and she uploaded a picture on Instagram yesterday of her standing on top of their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (she went late at night and there was no one there). And I have to say that although I'm an Nsync fan, I'd love to meet Brian too! He's definitely my favorite one of the bunch. 

[judydc-blog]

Life Imitates Film for Reese Witherspoon

          In "Sweet Home Alabama," Reese Witherspoon's character gets arrested by the sheriff's department in Pigeon Creek, Alabama (see photo above). 

In real life, Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth were both arrested on Friday following a traffic stop in Atlanta. Jim was arrested on a DUI charge while Reese was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge, apparently because she wouldn’t leave her husband alone while he was taking a field sobriety test. Perhaps the funniest thing about Reese Witherspoon’s disorderly conduct charge is the fact that she pulled the “Do you know who I am?” card with the police officer, to which he responded with “no”. Then she said something along the lines of, “Well, you’re about to find out.”

  Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely adore Reese Witherspoon as an actress, but this incident proves that she is human just like everyone else. Prior to the arrest, I have always perceived her as the on-screen characters that she so often portrays: lovable, sweet, and living the perfect life. In fact, I feel like this incident just made her even more lovable and I don’t mean that in the Kim Kardashian-and-Paris Hilton-explicit-video-famous kind of way. The “Do you know who I am?” stunt that she pulled doesn’t seem to come off as arrogant; to me, she comes off as a fun loving gal with a sense of humor.

  What makes her even more lovable and worthy of our forgiveness is that she was quick to issue a public apology that same weekend. As a public relations student, one of the cardinal rules to our credibility and reputation is to always admit your mistakes and apologize for them. Reese didn’t make any excuses for her behavior, besides the fact that she was drunk, but even she acknowledged that it still didn’t give her the right to behave the way she did.

  And for that, I adore you even more, Reese Witherspoon!

  Read the whole story here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2013/04/21/reese-witherspoon-arrested-in-atlanta-after-traffic-stop-gone-bad/

[judydc-blog]

What Would Don Draper Do?

As a communications/public relations major, I decided that I wanted to try my hand in advertising - to be the one who makes the advertisements and the jingles – so that I can get my creative juices flowing because I thought that was something I had a very good chance of being good at. When I took up the internship at a magazine, I was placed in the advertising department and what I learned from my short time there, is that sales is not for me.

  My curiosity over advertising as a possible career move was also the reason why I started to watch Mad Men. In essence, the television show revolves around the competitiveness of the advertising world during the 1960s. Set in New York, it focuses on the life of Don Draper, a leading and successful adman, and his fellow associates as they try to climb their way to the top of their advertising agency. Although I just started season 3 (there are five seasons), I soon realized that advertising and the art of selling is an extremely stressful business. Even Don Draper’s wife, Betty, understands this when she gives Don some quiet time to himself whenever he comes home from work.

  Unfortunately, not all of us can be Don Drapers in this world. So I decided that I should probably focus on public relations or marketing once I graduate from college. Since my major is in public relations and I already have some knowledge of what the profession demands, my next step would be to look for internships in marketing so I can also gain some experience in that field. That way, I can compare the two and find out which path is the right one for me. After all, as professor Spoon says, “Do as many internships as you can.” 

[judydc-blog]

Guest Speaker Doug Spoon Offers Advice for Journalism Students

Doug Spoon, "spelled just like the silverware," held a press conference today at Cal Poly Pomona to offer his advice to communications and journalism students as they prepare to graduate and find jobs in their related field. 

Spoon has worked in the newspaper industry for 35 years, working for major publications such as the Pasadena Star News, as a sports writer, sports columnist and later, a sports editor. He has covered some big events such as the 1984 Olympics and the Dodgers in the 1988 World Series. He has cited the Dodgers winning the 1988 World Series as the most exciting event he has ever covered. The Dodgers at that time were not expected to win the series, and Spoon himself was even the first reporter to position himself in the Dodgers locker room, ready to interview the players on their loss. Suddenly, he heard screams and shouts from the stadium and, with the only presence of a small television in the corner, he realized that he missed the home run that would send the Dodgers to victory that year.

Leaving the newspaper in 2007, Spoon decided to focus on teaching where he now teaches basic news reporting classes and serving as the faculty adviser for the student newspaper (The Poly Post) at Cal Poly Pomona. His passion for writing has brought him back into the game, currently serving as the editor for an online newspaper called Menifee 24/7, an online publication written in blog format that serves the city of Menifee, CA, located near Riverside. 

When asked why he decided to teach: “I think it’s important for all my students to understand the legacy of journalism,” including online writing and social media.

  His final advice to graduating seniors who want to pursue journalism? “I think online writing is a great way to get your name out there and get experience." Also, "do as many internships as you can.” 

[smtrujillo-blog]

Most people have the dream of settling down in the future, having a steady job, having a family and living life that way. My dream for my future life is a little bit different. I do have the aspirations to have a family in the future, but before that I want to live everywhere.

Okay, maybe not...

[judydc-blog]

I totally agree, Sierra! I, too, want to see what it's like to live somewhere else before settling down. Having lived in Los Angeles all of my life, in the heart of traffic and smog, has made me want to see what else is out there. Maybe something that's even better, perhaps? So I'm definitely excited to see where life takes me after graduation and once I start a career. That's the beauty of life after school but it's also a scary thing because it's a new change in our lives. My only hope is that I find a job that I'll love.