Reminiscing

I've had a lot of great opportunities and experiences during my time as a college student. As that part of my life is coming to a close, I've been looking back at some of the amazing things I've done in the last four years.

The summer after my freshman year at UNL I took a study abroad trip to Greece. This group of UNL students was led by Dr. Michael Hoff. He's been doing this trip for over 30 years. You could not find a better tour guide anywhere. 

I still pinch myself when I think back on those three weeks scouring through the entire country of Greece. Did that really happen? Did I really see all those sites and museum pieces that I had read about in my art history class with Dr. Hoff? Did I really jump off a pirate ship into the Mediterranean Sea? Heck yes I did.
It was a truly unique and special experience and I would recommend studying abroad to any student.

Dr. Hoff with the Vapheio Cups

 

Illiterate Facebookers

Remember what I said about Facebookers who can't spell? Well if you don't know what I'm talking about, here are some very good examples. Or if you're just interested in a good chuckle. Ha. "Um Beyonce."

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/people-who-should-not-be-allowed-in-public

Editorial edict on editing

For the next month or so I will be blogging about editing for a journalism class.

Scott Kleinberg (social media editor at the Chicago Tribune) says that good bloggers follow the rule of thirds:

-a third should be about your company

-a third should be personal--talk about yourself

-and the final third should be reposts from the work of others (cited, of course--we ARE journalists here!)

So to start off this little adventure, I am reblogging/reposting a blog that a fellow American Copy Editors Society member had retweeted last week. So please read the link below!

http://nuzedit.blogspot.com/2013/07/oops-our-slip-is-showing.html

I truly felt like I connected with this story--being a copy editor at the Daily Nebraskan in college was so much fun! I never thought I'd be able to do it as a profession! But it takes a certain kind of person. For instance I know some Facebookers who could not handle it because they do not know the they're/there/their rule. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. 

What I loved the most though was the Illinois teacher's response to future mockers of editors: "I'll punch them in the face."

More exciting things about Colorado

Can't wait to see these on my hikes!!

Colorado attire

So my mind has been racing since I said, "yes" the other day. One thought was that I was going to buy myself a new television. Then I said to myself, "Megan--you silly fool. You're going to be living two blocks from a ski resort and a bajillion gorgeous hiking paths. Why would you need a tv?" Touché, myself.
Thennnnnn.......
I remembered my wardrobe for summer school. And pretty much college in general. Don't think you can wear t-shirts and gym shorts to work. So I've been Googling everything from "newsroom fashion" to "copy editor style." No decent results. I asked my mother what I'd be wearing..."Columbia sweatshirts and hiking boots." Touché again. It is Colorado, but let's be serious here, Mother.
So I've been scouring Pinterest...general searches and the style boards of my stylish pals. Any assistance/advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
So excited to go shopping now! Is it August 17 yet??

"And at last I seeeee the liiiiiiight!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (yay for Disney references)

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. The last month or so has been really rough. Not only was Spanish hard and frustrating, I literally did not know where I would be by the end of the summer. Back at my parents house working at the local newspaper? The grocery store? McDonald's in Lincoln? No idea. And it absolutely scared me to death. Anxiety levels have been super high and I was really living hour by hour, even minute by minute some days. That was until I saw through the clouds today.

After returning home from campus on Monday, I was hot, sweaty and smelly but all I wanted to do was rest. After a few games of Bejeweled on my iPhone, I started to close my eyes when my phone started buzzing. I looked at the screen where a 970-area code and "Aspen, CO" were displayed. I leapt out of bed and my heart rate was doubled instantly. I let it ring a few times while I caught my breath and then calmly answered.

Sure enough, it was the editor from the Aspen Times. After completing a few copy editor tests and a questionnaire from the human resources lady, I had been anxiously awaiting any kind of response.

After about 15 minutes of more info about the position and some further interview-style questions, the editor stated I had scored very well on the tests I took (kudos to my editing professor, Sue!!!) Not only had I finished them in a short amount of time, I had "great attention to detail." These two things are vital to any copy editor. The editor then said that because of my great score on these tests and after further chatting today, he would like to offer me the position.

I couldn't speak. I think he realized this and immediately told me he didn't want an answer right away--take my time. One of the questions I had answered for the human resources lady was how I respond to success. Well, I smile, do a little happy dance and call my mom. Instead of simply smiling, I instead started to sob hysterically before my happy dance and calling my mother.

Not only can I see through the fog, I think I can see sounds now. Ha. I am on a high. My life doesn't feel like a waste. I have been given an amazing opportunity and I'm not letting anything hold me back. There isn't anything that could hold me back.

So apologies if I don't blog much in the future--I'll be on the slopes ;) ha jk that's just a perk. I am super excited. I already love the people involved with this publication that I have had the opportunity to speak with and I am even more excited to start copy editing again!! I've missed the DN this summer :(

I want to thank everyone who has helped me make it this far. You all know who you are. But more importantly, I did this. I don't mean to sound cocky. I'm not. This is proof of my skills and my efforts. No one else's. I can't wait to see what Colorado has in store for me!

A sad edit to a previous post. It was not "Hot Ott" who signed my get well card, but actually my surgeon. Darn doctor signatures.