Life status update!
Previous Weeks....
After completing a surprise test, a 60 page screenplay, a 2000 word essay and a final story package, I finished up my third year at UGA with some good grades. I then took a few days off to relax by the pool and enjoy Cinco De Mayo. At the end of the week, I went to UGA graduation to watch some of my favorite people turn their tassels and finish their time in Athens with a fireworks show. A few grad parties later I bid adieu Athens and some of my favorites for the summer and headed for home a few days before making my way to Wilmington.
Present Week....
This week has been eventful to say the least, and its not even Friday yet. After a long drive through a few flash floods and terrible South Carolina roads, I arrived in Wilmington on Tuesday night. My apartment was not available until the next day, so I got a hotel room for the night. All settled in, I watched the 11pm news show and then read more about the 50 Shades romance before calling it a night. Bright and early Wednesday morning, I woke up excited to begin my first day as a news intern. I hit the ground running by arriving early to the station early and meeting most of the staff at the morning meeting. I went to work shadowing a reporter, Katie, who took me into the field for a story on a book written about a WWII gunner on the USS North Carolina Battleship. The story was extremely interesting, but sadly it was raining the whole time making filming more difficult. We were able to get the story though and went back to the station where I observed Katie putting the package together just in time for deadline. I, then, watched the entire news show from the production studio.
After finishing up my first day at the station, I headed to to my new apartment for the first time ( I had been able to pick up my keys on a short lunch break that involved eating a Wendy's jr. bacon cheese burger from the drive-through). I met my roommate and her friend, who were watching episodes of the Vampire Diaries when I arrived at apartment 2A. After some brief hellos, I got to work hauling in all of my stuff, which was quite the task. Exhausted, I looked up story ideas and then went to bed ready for another day at the station.
Today I arrived early and met the station receptionist, who supplied me with a badge and a parking pass. I felt so official walking into the newsroom with a badge. I was surprised with a Chickfila biscuit as I sat down for the morning meeting. My day was made, but far from over. I shadowed Katie on another boat story. This time the story was about a tall ship that had been used in multiple movies was docked in Wilmington. We went abroad and talked to the ship's captain and some tourists around the ship. Next we covered a scholarship fundraiser luncheon. Both stories were extremely interesting. On lunch break, Katie showed me around Wrightsville Beach after we ate some really good Mexican food. After the fascinating tour, it was back to work. I learned a little more about video editing and writing for TV, which is very different from newspaper and magazine writing. Katie had a live report on the tall ship for the 5 and 6 o'clock shows, so I went with her to the location. We were joined by a camera guy named Ryan, who taught me how to use the camera and film for the show. It was all so interesting. I have only been working 2 days, and I have already learned so much while having a wonderful time! I am excited to go back to the station tomorrow for my last day of work before the weekend. Life has been pretty good so far. I hope the rest of the summer will be just as fun and educational. More life status updates to come later!
