Back to square one

So I didn't get the practicum with Knoxnews. Apparently they thought I was there for a full-blown paid internship and they don't do practicums over the summer. So...

I have to start looking somewhere else. I don't want to! I'm going to end up with some company where my "job" is to get coffee and file papers or something.

I'm not super excited about all aspects of journalism but I'd much rather do SOMETHING than nothing for 120 hours of my life!

Graduation day is in 11 days. Wow. All I know for sure at this moment in my life is that I have an editing class this summer. That's it.

And, of course, I'm having anxiety issues again. Heart rate going through the roof when I think about my future.

I don't know why I stress. I have my WHOLE LIFE to make something of myself. I just feel so behind when I see other go-getter journalism majors getting out there and doing what they love. They are the ones that are going to get hired instantly.

But I don't think that's me. I think that's why I'm not doing what they do. It's not what I want to do - at least not right now.

I'll eventually find MY job. But why get there so fast? Why the rush? I should enjoy life and ALL it has to offer.

I think by doing a variety of odd things and just moving about will provide me with more character. I don't feel like being pinned down right now, I guess. At least, not in the journalism world.

I love photography and I could take pictures all day, but what happens when I push it? When will too much be enough and I start to not appreciate the joys of photography? I don't want to get burned out on it.

Maybe it's some of these things. Maybe it's all of them. And then, maybe I'm just being a lazy 22 year old - and that's why I don't exactly know where I'm going in life.

But either way, I'll find that career.

Stress and anxiety are no fun.

The waving game

Tonight was amazing.

I waved to people and they waved back...well a lot of them did.

See, my roommate Jessica and I decided to take advantage of the wonderful, balmy evening and take a night walk around campus. It was nice strolling around to The Hill side of campus. I haven't been there in about a year. So I figured I needed to revisit the scene - being a senior and all. I'm going to miss it. 

Jessica mentioned how she sometimes sees students hauling ass up a steep grass hill to class....

So we decided to rampage our way through the darkness. First we ran down. Which was good because we got to assess all the holes and impaling-capable objects before running over them. 

We got very tired very quickly. 

A little while later we were on a bridge that crosses Cumberland Ave (for all you folks not from Knoxville - it's a busy street running through campus), and we decided to stop and watch the cars. Then we had the BEST IDEA EVER!

We decided to wave at the cars as they drove under us.

It was the most amazing feeling when random people wave back. You don't know until you try it. But it makes you happy. Seriously. We got so excited when these travelers would take the time and wave. A few even honked their horns. 

We sat there waving at the passing cars for about five minutes. It was so fun. 

So what I'm trying to say is, maybe everyone should just take a little time to wave at strangers - they may not wave back, but if they do - it'll automatically put a smile on your face. 

Just try it.

This feels weird

I have an interview with Knoxnews.com this next week.

It's for my practicum this summer.

I really hope I don't BOMB this little diddy!

Samantha Sutton

I do not yet have my very own website that I can keep track of my work online, so blogger will have to suffice for now.
This is basically only what I've done in JEM 222, because, well, that's basically all the online stuff I have done.
I really wish I would've taken this class sooner. I really enjoy it and all aspects of online journalism.
But anyway, I'm looking to grow as a writer and photographer and someday make something of myself.

Here's my work:

• Very first blog post for 222: ICONN Conference

• First Review for class blog: Sassy Ann's

• First Interview for TNJN: Sheila - not very awesome...

• Photo slide show: Storm - one of my favorites

• Very first taste of video: Spring Break - also not very awesome

• Voice Over Assignment: Ben and Jerry's

• Weather-Related Assignment: UT Gardens

This is the extent of my online work thus far. Hoorah! I would LOVE more experience though.
Thanks!
-Samantha

Flip-Flops or Fuzzy Boots?

Vines on a bridge at UT Gardens

Make up your mind, Knoxville!

Let me re-cap the weather for you all:
Sunday - Partly sunny, high of 79
Monday - Rainy, high of 66
Today - Cloudy with snow showers, highs around 43

What is THAT? I go from sweating in a tee shirt and shorts to dodging gigantic snow flakes.
It's all so disorienting...

So, I did not do the pollen story like I had thought. Instead I decided to do a bit on the crazy weather and how it has affected UT Gardens and what they do to prepare for such winter advisories.

It's due by 3:25 pm today. And my expert source, Dr. Susan Hamilton, the Gardens Director, has not replied to my questions yet.

I have a few awesome pictures from when I visited the gardens on Sunday though.

Thought I'd share just a few.

I'll post my story when I get it completed.

This one is a bit blurry, but I still like the composition of it.

It's a beautiful day

It feels amazing outside. I have no idea the current temperature, but it was hot enough for me to regret wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, and a sweater.
But, before leaving my room (dressed like it was snowing) for class I decided I would grab my camera and take a few pictures if I could find anything worth shooting.
I ended up taking a few pictures of blooming flowers - my favorite aspect of Spring.
And I think I have an idea now for an assignment in my online journalism class.
The assignment is a weather-related. We can compose a story with multimedia involving the weather in some sort of fashion. And while taking pictures of flowers I thought why not do a story on ... *drumroll please* POLLEN! hahaha.
How very original right? It's just hard to come up with a story surrounding weather out of thin air (no pun intended). Or maybe I can do a "getting ready for summer" story. Include the school pool being cleaned, girls hittin the tanning beds like the sun is about to implode, ppl working on their beach bods...that'd be hilarious.
Anyway...it's due this upcoming Tuesday. Arg.
Anyway. Here's a few of the pictures I took this morning. They aren't fantastic or anything.