last GA shift

I'm on my last GA shift at the Missourian for this semester. I actually didn't get to write anything today (at least not yet). It could always happen at the final hour. I guess I'll let you know. For now, onto the Missourian presentation. If all goes well, I'll have created my first Prezi by the end of the night.

GA over Thanksgiving

I signed up for three GA shifts over Thanksgiving, but unfortunately, could only make one of them. I was disappointed, but looking back, I'm so relieved that I focused on the research papers. I would not have been able to finish everything (to my liking) had I only had this week to finish them.

I did make it in last Monday and it was really fun to be in the newsroom during such a quiet time. There were only a few of us and I had the chance to go to court and attend a small media conference. At the time, I thought the media event was boring, but looking back, I think I learned more than I actually thought I was learning at the time. Sounds so typical of most things in life...

Court was fascinating. I've never heard a judge go through the process of accepting a guilty plea. The first time I heard it, it was interesting. The second time, I caught nuances I hadn't noticed before. The third time I heard it, I just felt bad for the judge. I can't imagine going through that script thousands of times a year. My friend, Sam, who is currently in law school said that many lawyers want to add even more questions to what seems like quite a long and tedious question list. He said a surprising number of people appeal their guilty pleas later on, so the legal community thinks more questions will help clarify. I don't know the details, but at first glance, I disagree with the legal community. I think most people know exactly what they're saying when they enter a guilty plea; they just change their minds later when they're actually sitting in jail. Oh, I should mention that the guy I was there to report on did not enter a plea. His lawyer asked for a continuation. 

Later that evening, I covered a media event announcing that a Toronto-based pharmaceutical testing company is coming to Columbia in February. They'll be creating at least a dozen jobs and will be using space that previously housed an autism program.

Pharmaceutical testing company to expand to Columbia in February

I also finished up the rural emergency medicine doctor article on Monday (finally!).

MU's emergency medicine residency aims to alleviate physician shortage

surviving...

Well. I almost survived my first semester of grad school. I almost don't want to write that because I don't want to jinx anything. I am a few sentences away from finishing my first literature review and a final edit away from finishing my first (and probably last) legal research paper. I'm nearly finished with my research project for the Missourian and my TA responsibilities are finished after next Wednesday. Wow. It feels so good to write all of that.

Graduate school is all I had hoped for and is just as difficult as I expected. In just a few months, I've learned how to read research articles, how to synthesize complex works and how to report. I also learned how to grade and even though I would have appreciated much more instruction in that area, I feel like I have some baseline knowledge for next semester.

Here are a few lists that I've been mulling over the past couple weeks:

Top 5 favorite moments of the semester:
1. Calling myself a journalist for the first time last August
2. Finding out how much I like health reporting and then learning how to actually be a health reporter
3. Learning that there is an area of health communication called media advocacy
4. Listening to Aye Aye Win talk about being a journalist in Burma
5. Watching the leaves change on the MKT trail

Articles I wish I'd had time to write:
1. Acetaminophen overdose and how the knowledge is changing health practices
2. FIT WIC
3. Out, Proud and 40
4. World AIDS Day highlight
5. Dr. Williams' lecture: Your zip code dictates your health more than your genetic code

What I've learned:
1. Grad school involves a huge amount of research
2. Say yes now and tackle inner reservations later
3. Time off is sometimes more valuable than study time (though it needs to be appropriately timed)
4. Long-distance love doesn't have much of a chance (but that opens the door for love closer to home...)
5. Coming to grad school (even at 31) was a good idea

Reporting a complex issue

I've been digging into physician shortages in Missouri from an ER perspective this past month. I'm getting a taste of what it means to report on a complex issue. I've been wrestling with the actual writing part for a few days now and it's by far the most amount of time I've spent writing an article this semester. I've noticed a few things about this type of reporting.

• First - Time flies. 
• Second - It's hard to stop reporting. 

There seems to be an endless number of sources and an endless amount of research I could be doing. I can learn so much on this topic. In fact, some of the people I've spoken to have dedicated their careers to reducing the physician shortage in rural Missouri. It feels strange to swoop in for a moment, shine a light and tell a story and swoop back out.

More on Ryan Ferguson

I did a follow-up article on the legal side of the Ryan Ferguson case last week. I spoke with Professor Rodney Uphoff, a legal scholar at MU, (again!) about the potential ramifications of the case. Much to my amazement, I was fascinated with the topic. I never really thought I'd enjoy writing a legal interpretation, but once the law is contextualized within a personal narrative, it comes to life.

I asked if Ferguson could be tried again, if double jeopardy applies and if any of the prosecutors could be reprimanded for making a mistake. I also wanted to know about Erickson. He said Erickson has a slim chance of being released, but that his confessions will make it quite difficult.

Reporting on the law is tricky because it's difficult to remove the jargon without losing the accuracy. I'm really glad I had two opportunities to write a legal article. I would definitely take it on again in the future.

Q&A: Could Ryan Ferguson be tried again?

remembering nyc

Back before I moved to Columbia, I lived in New York City. I rode my bike down St. Nicholas every morning at 9 a.m. and worked as a volunteer coordinator for a nonprofit called Harlem RBI.

Most of my work was monotonous and involved sitting in front of a computer. But outside the office, Harlem buzzed. I rode down streets named Frederick Douglass with Puerto Rican flags strung up between street-facing apartment buildings.

I ate mangu con queso frito (fried cheese with mashed plantains) at La Carnita with out-of-town friends before we headed south to see the Brooklyn Bridge and the Highline.

My best friend, Prospero Herrera, and I rode our bikes everywhere. I felt like a teenager again. Everything in the city amazed me. We saw Rockefeller Center at Christmastime. We played frisbee in Brooklyn Bridge Park. And, since I wasn't actually a teenager, we went to a dive bar in Harlem called 'The Duck' to drink pitchers of Rolling Rock on Friday night.

I spent my Saturday mornings running north to Fort Tyron Park. From the crest of the park, I saw the George Washington Bridge and the New Jersey bluffs. The green side of New York always surprised. I always imaged the concrete and steel would overwhelm nature. Surprisingly, I found nature everywhere.

Many people will tell you that New York City is one of the most expensive cities in America. I think that it can be true. But, discounting my Peace Corps salary, I made the least amount of money of my professional life while living in New York City.

As a member of AmeriCorps, I received a weekly stipend of about $250. Somehow, I managed to survive. It wasn't easy. Once I came down with a sinus infection and had to pay for everything out of pocket. AmeriCorps does provide health insurance, but it is so basic that it will only cover life-threatening emergencies, which this sinus infection was thankfully not.

Six months after my late September arrival, spring arrived and the ground started to thaw. I stopped biking in my fleece face mask, packed away my gloves and washed my long underwear for the last time that season.

Spring in NYC is like a roller-coaster ride through all the possible weather patterns. Sunny mornings are followed by rainy afternoons. Thunderstorms roll in and out with surprising consistency. Undeterred from the wild weather, I continued to bike commute nearly everywhere. My bike tires spat street grit onto the back of my neon bike jacket and I would often arrive a work with a long, thin black line down my back.

Slowly summer arrived. I weaved seamlessly through New York traffic and had memorized many of the streets in my neighborhood. The thin black line of street grit was replaced by a strip of slick sweat. I replaced my yellow bike jacket with a black tank, pink Brooklyn bike hat (a birthday gift from Prospero) and sunglasses.

The train lines still eluded me and I often lost my way when I ventured underground. But that didn't stop me from venturing down the subway stairs and grabbing a free New York Post on my way down. I read op-eds until local politics started to become familiar. I recognized leaders in the news and felt comfortable in this city that once seemed to tower menacingly above me.

By June, I no longer felt like a tourist. I felt like New York had been my home all along and I didn't want to leave.

Part of what makes living in a place so great sometimes is knowing that your time is limited. This happened in Turkmenistan my last few months there. I savored every piece of manty (traditional Turkmen dumplings) like it would be my last. But it seems to me that all good things eventually come to end sometime. And I think that's what makes them so good.

I know that Harlem is still buzzing. The ground is freezing up right about now. Rockefeller Center is covered with lights. Prospero is biking like a madman through midtown.

Life is filled with mostly ordinary moments. But that's not what I remember best. I remember the bike rides through a torrential downpour and the endorphin-filled view from the crest of a hill I've never run before. I remember the Prosperos and the immense pleasure of finding new friendship in a new city.

Now that I'm in Columbia, I can't help but wonder what my next mangu con queso frito will be or who will be beside me when I have another Brooklyn Bridge moment.

Often times, these poignant memories do not even surface until I've already left. And, that's the reason I've always believed it is important to leave in the first place. Otherwise, how will I ever know what I would have missed?

What I'm reading

We've been talking a lot about context in all of my journalism classes. In my opinion, it's a topic that simply cannot be over-taught. In reporting, context is everything. It orients the reader and often times, even influences how the reader will understand the story. I read a Missourian article over the weekend that includes just the right amount of context. Kudos to reporter Tess Catlett.

Students say college loans necessary for success after college

Reporting on the law

Big news broke last week in Columbia. The Western District Court of Appeals determined that the prosecutor's in Ryan Ferguson's trial had not followed the proper protocols. The judges did not say they think he is innocent of the murder he was convicted of committing. But, they did say they cannot be sure that with the evidence that should have been provided to the defense, that the jury would have found him guilty.

I was in the newsroom the day the news broke because my mass media class is no longer meeting. I had planned to start my literature review that day, but heard about the news and couldn't help myself.

I really wanted to be in the newsroom to watch how the story would be reported. Around noon, my editor asked me to write a legal interpretation of the appeals court's decision. She had interviewed an MU law professor and sent me two and half pages of interview notes. As I read, I realized that my comm law class has actually helped me better understand the law in general.

The content of this particular legal issue was dense and the subject not really easily explained in bullets like I had hoped. Seven hours, two phone calls with the law professor and one missed cross-cultural class later, I finished the article. It is by far the densest topic I've covered so far.

Ryan Ferguson appeals court ruling complex, focuses on Brady Violation

research paper time

I'm currently working on three large research papers. That's three times more than I've ever written before. In college, I remember writing a 10-page double-spaced paper and thinking that it was the hardest thing I'd ever done. My first semester of grad school has already surpassed my undergrad capstone. But, as my roommate says, 'It'll get done. It has to.' She's right. Somehow, I'll find the time to read the articles, do the research and synthesize the information. So far, grad school seems to be about stamina, reading and thinking critically. It has been an amazing, yet intellectually demanding experience. I'm glad I decided to come to MU and test myself in this way. I don't think I'll ever regret it.

Amazing article

Several people have recommended I read a New York Times article entitled Snow Fall. I finally sat down to read it last week and am still thinking about it. The reporting was powerful, thorough and incredibly heartbreaking. As I read it, I felt like I was there. It reminded me of home and of my college snowshoeing days. The leaders of those Mt. Rainier treks always carefully considered avalanches and would communicate with one another about them while we traveled around the mountain. I remember feeling safe as they guided us and awed at their depth of knowledge. At 19, I remember wondering how they sharpened those avalanche instincts. This article is a good reminder that nature is beautiful, but can also be unpredictable and tragic.

Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek

Working in difficult conditions

Aye Aye Win came to speak to our cross-cultural journalism class last week. Win is a tiny, unassuming Burmese woman. Her voice is kind and patient and she exudes both wisdom and a quiet confidence. She traveled to Missouri to receive recognition for her work as a journalist in a highly censored country.

Stories like hers have a long arc. Bursts of progress occur, but most of the work is done in slowly over many patient years. The excitement I think most Americans expect from a censored government, like midnight arrests or tailing cars, does exist. But in general, life involves low-grade frustration and worry mixed with normal daily tasks. Success occurs in small steps over many months and years. Sometimes, the changes are undetectable to someone who does not live in the community.

I understand Win's censorship experience because I lived it for two years in Turkmenistan with the Peace Corps. The Turkmen government slowly wore me down. They consistently monitored my work and would step in to prevent me from hosting clubs with too many students or conducting camps they considered beyond the scope of the program. In a country with children hungry for a new experience presented to them in a foreign language, I felt the need was insatiable. From a community development perspective, it was. But the Turkmen government saw big projects as risky and threatening to the status quo.

Occasionally, I looked over my shoulder on my way to work in the morning. I knew the minders were there. I didn't have to check for them. I could sense them. I knew they watched me from afar. They watched as I left my house, as I ate my lunch and took note when I got into a taxi and left town.

When projects approached, I got nervous and hoped they wouldn't bother me or my students. Sometimes, the phone would echo and I would speak faster hoping the person listening in didn't speak English well enough to understand us in "English on fast forward."

The fear and anxiety became part of daily life. I knew I could lose everything if I made one false move - not enough work, too much work, talking to the wrong people, talking to the right people, traveling out of the region too far - any of these actions could be the end of my Peace Corps service.

My most intense fear was that I would lose my students. I worried that the government officials would come to their homes and threaten them. I had heard stories about volunteers who were told they couldn't teach anymore. Their students said the government officials told them they wouldn't get into university if they spoke to the American. All of my struggles to learn the language, bond with my family and make an impact on my community, could be lost with just one false move. This is what it is like to live in fear. It happens slowly over time. I can say now that the anxiety did not drain me initially. It happened gradually as the days and fear built up over the months.

Near the end of my service, I made arrangements to visit a city in the northern part of the country. The morning of my trip, my family received a call from the migration office. They asked me to stop by with my passport. The man took it because he said he needed to make a photocopy. But once he had it, he did not turn around to make a copy. He held it in front of me and told me I wouldn't get it back without a $500 fee (ie: bribe). I reached out to grab it from him and he threw it on the counter behind him.

A self-satisfied look crossed his face as we both realized he had won. I became enraged. All of the frustrations I'd internalized over the months emerged. The frustrations I had repressed in the name of being strong and doing my work, broke through the filter I thought I'd successfully created and I started screaming at the man who had just stolen my passport. I told him that Turkmenistan is not in a golden age, as the government promotes daily on the front page of the paper and that in the U.S., we have real freedom. We don't steal passports and demand bribes. I told him we don't follow around our foreigners and harass them as they do their work (Although now that I've read more about the NSA, I'm not sure I would say this. But, this event was pre-Edward Snowden.)

I wish, in that moment, I'd had the wisdom of Aye Aye Win. Instead of seeing this harassment as part of a larger and very complex story, I poured all my rage into the man standing before me. But he was just a pawn following orders. He couldn't have changed the situation even if he'd agreed with me. I fought him with words and tears and lost a lot of energy fighting a battle that simply could not be won - at least not without $500.

If I could transport myself back to that moment, I would hold back the tears, speak to the man with compassion and go home to have tea with my family. I would seek my host grandmother's advice because certainly she would have had much to offer. And then, I would calmly call the U.S. embassy and report the extortion.

This particular situation would have had the same result regardless of my actions. Whether I screamed at the man or calmly told him to have a great afternoon, I would not have gotten on that plane.

What could have been different is the opinion this man held of me. That interaction must have led him to believe that American women are embarrassing, spiteful and stupid.

In the end, the Peace Corps did pay the bribe and I signed the document falsely claiming that I had broken the law. I suspect my admission was one of many false admissions the Turkmen government later used to expel the Peace Corps on the grounds that its volunteers are irresponsible and unsuccessful.

I see now that rage doesn't really solve anything and in fact, it can make life worse. Win shared a story about the police coming to her home at midnight to take her husband in for questioning. She began her story by talking about the knock at the gate after curfew. She saw the police and knew they had come for one of them. Win, when faced with a similar situation, handled it quite differently than I did. She packed her husband's toothbrush and toothpaste and he went with the police to the station. There was no screaming involved. But, even if there had been, the result would have been the same.

Win's lecture helped me process an experience that I'd always viewed as a traumatic event in my Turkmen story. I think after this lecture, I'm starting to view it differently. I think, even two years later, I can still learn from that day.

Looking back, I understand that an experience like this holds value because I can carry the lessons forward. If I can learn this patience and remain calm in the intense moments, I might then carry the same quiet confidence and wisdom as Aye Aye Win.

crime reporting

Crime reporting is tough. I don't want to be one of those reporters making everyone think the world is a bad place. But, I also want people to be aware of what is happening in the world and to use that information to keep themselves safe. Today, I reported a sickening story about a man who tried to rape a woman in her own home. Thankfully, she manipulated him into loosening his grip for a moment so she could get away.

We've been reading a lot about context and framing in my media theory class, so as I was reporting the story, I wanted to delve deeper into the life of a man who is obviously quite disturbed, power hungry and sexually frustrated. And, I also wanted to hear more about the victim. Her quick thinking helped her escape from a terrifying situation. But, I didn't have time and I probably didn't have the resources to add that kind of information or context. And, from a reporting perspective, it may not have even been entirely appropriate to include it in a short crime brief. But, it's interesting to consider anyway.

Man arrested in connection with first-degree burglary and sexual abuse

Research papers...

I've never read so many research papers in my life. I have a thick stack of articles on my desk from my media theory class and I'm amazed at how quickly the pile grew over the course of the semester. Then, last week, I added some serious depth to the stack. I printed off 25 articles for my literature review and have spent the past several days reading them. My eyes are bleary from the reading, but my mind feels sharp. I love being surrounded by so much data.

So, tonight, as I organized my life for next semester, I realized that I really want to take a quantitative research course next semester. For some reason, I had it in my head that I would take qualitative, but tonight, as I flipped through dozens of pages of data, and liked what I saw, I knew that even though in-depth interviews are awesome (and I will always love them), I want to learn more about how numbers can inform decision making.

My annotated bibliography is due tomorrow, which means that I have now read and synthesized 25 research studies on media advocacy. (This is a theory that explores how public health advocates can utilize media to promote their public policy agendas.)

My two favorite articles on media advocacy are entitled: "More than a message: Framing public health advocacy to change corporate practices" and "Different perspectives: A comparison of newspaper articles to medical examiner data in the reporting of violent deaths." They are excellent and if you want to read more, ask me for my literature review next week. Then, if you really want to learn more, ask me for my research project next year.

Ahh, grad school. It's really hard. But, I love it.

multimedia project - complete

We finished up our multimedia project last Wednesday. It was quite an experience. I learned how to use audio equipment, video equipment, a tripod, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop and even a bit about how to shoot photographs, although I probably could have used some additional training on the photo part. I enjoyed learning how to use the video software and realized that multimedia projects are more time-intensive than I thought. I'd like to create a project on Turkmenistan and use some audio, video and photos from my time there. It would be a fun Thanksgiving project. At the moment, I'm not sure if I have permission to post the project here, so for now, I'm going to wait.

breaking news

Last Wednesday I was in the newsroom preparing for my law class when my editor forwarded me a release from the Chief Boone County Prosecutor's office. The release said the prosecutor did not plan to file charges against the man who shot and killed Brandon Coleman last May. The document was several pages long and I had only read a short article about the case before I started reporting it. I read as fast as I could, but it was definitely more than I could absorb in just a few moments. I think if I covered crime reporting more often, I could have synthesized the information faster. But, my inexperience with the terms and the legal system slowed me down. I managed to write up a few paragraphs, but had to get to class and unfortunately, couldn't spend the rest of the afternoon helping to report the story. I experience I did have was really interesting, though. Covering breaking news requires two skills:

• speed reading for content
• speed writing for precision (it's easy to miss quick details when speed reading)

Here's a much longer version of the original piece I helped to report: UPDATE: Prosecutor says no charges in Brandon Coleman killing

Thinking more critically

The New York Times ran a fantastic piece last week called The Russia Left Behind. I read it the day it was published, shared it on Facebook and then just went on with my day.

But today, about a week later, I realized that I haven't stopped thinking about that article. It wasn't until I read three research articles on uses & gratifications theory and wrote a one page thought paper, that I comprehended what that article meant to me.

I lived in a former Soviet-bloc country for 24 months. But, I have never been to Russia. A year and a half later, I still wonder about the similarities and differences between my life in Turkmenistan and the lives of Russians. I always think 'oh, I'll read up on it,' or 'I'll visit St. Petersburg someday.'

But, in the meantime, I still wonder: 'what does life in Russia look like, taste like, feel like?' This article answered those questions for me. And, looking back, I sought out that news in a way I don't typically seek out news. I looked forward to reading that article later in the evening and when I finally did sit down, I relished the experience.

I still remember the people featured and can see them living their daily lives just across the ocean. I can visualize their lives because I had the chance to draw a parallel to my own time in a Russian-influenced land.

This master's degree program is a great gift. Although it is removing some of the mystery I have always reserved for writing, it is giving me the chance to break down media into disparate pieces and theories and examine the reasons we consume words and the reasons we write them in the first place.

Learning about the reasons behind the mystery is quite empowering and enlightening.

GA reporting

I'm working the late shift at the Missourian and started last Wednesday. I wrote a life story about a fascinating woman named Tatiana Kudriavsteva. It was a really fun process. I enjoy delving into people's lives and learning so much about them. For some reason, the fact that they are no longer living, makes the details seem more important. I know maybe that sounds strange and I'm not sure if I'm verbalizing my sentiment well enough, but I always feel as I'm writing a life story that it carries a little more importance than the average article.

The woman I wrote about spent most of her life working as an English to Russian translator. Her family estimates she translated more than 80 books in her life. She met authors like John Updike and John Steinbeck. By the end of the night, her son-in-law, a retired MU journalism professor, had sent me pictures of Mrs. Kudriavsteva with John Updike and Graham Greene. She spent many winters in Columbia because he daughter was married to an MU professor. It was fun to examine the Columbia angle, but also step back and tell some of the stories about her life in Moscow.

Tatiana Kudriavsteva, prominent English to Russian translator, dies in Moscow

About five minutes after I finished the accuracy check on the life story, Allie heard about a residential fire over the scanner. Jacob Hamilton and I drove out to the fire and I had the chance to cover my first fire. I met one of the Division Chiefs from the Columbia Fire Department and learned about fire response in the city. It was a small shed fire and caused a few hundred dollars in damage. I haven't had the chance to cover much breaking news. It was a good experience. I went home around 10 p.m. hungry for dinner.

Shed fire causes a few hundred dollars in damage

Multimedia Project

The multimedia project is awesome. I would never prioritize a project like this with my current schedule, but because it's required, I was forced to take the time to learn how to use the photo equipment as well as Final Cut Pro. The software was actually surprisingly user friendly.

Marcie and I spent last Monday interviewing and photographing Steve Easterling, a 62 year old musician currently living in Columbia. Easterling has a fantastic voice and he humored us while we figured out how to use the equipment.

Yesterday, we  sat down to edit and were able to produce a basic 2-minute interview slideshow. I tried to watch some examples online and found some amazing stuff (thanks for Hannah Baldwin's direction). Most of it came from the LA Times, which I realize I need to read/watch more often.

I've never paid attention to the anatomy of an interview slideshow, even though I've probably watched thousands. Still shots from varying angles. Sound bites from an interview. If video is included, the camera is often not even moving. The scenes unravel slowly.

At some point, I'd like to delve into multimedia more. I'd really like to take a convergence class and an infographics class. I just hope I have enough time for it all.

Quint took a look at our video today and liked it. We just need to a title slide, pick a name and export it. If it's good enough, it'll be published.

Pestering people

I published a follow up article on the BJC HealthCare Benefits changes after exactly three weeks of pestering Jacob Luecke. Originally, I didn't even think about following up right away. I knew the changes would be officially announced, but I thought that meant I would follow up in 2 weeks or a month. But, the next business day, Katherine told me I needed to call him every day. While I didn't call him every day, I did call him consistently for about three weeks. Eventually, he got back me and I spent last Thursday afternoon interviewing him and the senior vice president of human resources. It was a really interesting interview. I really enjoyed speaking with them and was actually amazed that they didn't know some of the answers to my questions. The skeptic in me thinks they do, especially my number questions. Perhaps they just aren't willing to share? Does the vice president of HR not actually know how many people are set to lose their benefits in less than three months? I can't believe it. Katherine helped me get a number on the Columbia-side, so that was helpful in terms of providing context.

I know that we have to keep moving along on stories, but right now, I just want to rest for a minute, focus on my three research papers and read a newspaper.

Some Boone Hospital Center part-timers to lose benefits; smokers won't be hired

Writing on deadline

I've never had to work under an actual deadline. But Thursday evening, after I returned from an event, Stephanie told me I had 45 minutes to write the article. I spent 10 minutes panicking that it wasn't enough time. Ironic, right? But, then I just started typing. It was just me and my notes and one deadline. All the other thoughts about grading, my law paper, the article for tomorrow, just disappeared. I had one task. It turns out, I didn't finish the article by 9:30 p.m., but I did finish it in time for the copy desk to edit it and send it on to the print desk. I realized I have no idea how that part of the newsroom works and I look forward to learning either this semester or in upcoming semesters.

My article on the Ethics of Obesity lecture is here: Obesity examined: Health Ethics Conference talk at MU encourages compassion

My article made it into my Google Alert

I set up a Google alert a few weeks ago to help report the BJC HealthCare changes and yesterday, my Missourian article showed up in my Google alerts. That was pretty cool.

I don't understand

Why do people seem so apathetic about the government shutdown? I think it might be because we are all too busy. At least for me, I spent most of my day chained to my desks, madly typing up research papers and reading for class. I would like to think if I were working as a full-time reporter right now, I would be covering the shutdown more.

In honor of the outrage I currently feel, I'd like to give a shout out to a scene from Network.

This is how I feel about the government shutdown: I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.

Helpful links

I'm going to compile a list of helpful links on this blog.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

another good lede

I'm TAing a cross-cultural journalism class this semester. Yesterday, we discussed privilege, class and race. I came across an interesting blog post from the New York Times entitled: 'Mixed Kids Are Always So Beautiful.'

I love the lede: "Like many other people of color, I am no stranger to awkward conversations about race."

I was hooked and just kept reading.

Discussion on ledes

I like this lede from this New York Times article on cheating: "When was the last time you cheated?"

I like it because we're not supposed to start with a question, but I think there are times when the rules must be broken. Hoffman's lede drew me in and I just kept reading. I also answered her question in my head: The mini-golf session I played last Sunday with Alberto. I totally cheated, and incidentally, I won.

to be continued...

Orientation Assignment Part II

Friday I met with Andrea Waner, the PIO for the Columbia/Boone County Health Department. We spoke for about 45 minutes about the work the health department is doing and discussed potential story ideas. The health department has many projects that aren't actually listed on the website, which was interesting - I can't just rely on the website for information. Andrea just started working as the PIO and in the process of updating their website.

Some potential story ideas:

FIT WIC Program: a health educator provides healthy cooking lessons, activities for kids, time in the community garden. The program aims to help mothers learn how to prepare healthy food from the store. (Feature on one of the mothers?)

STD Clinic - 5-7pm Tuesday, but family planning/preventative services are offered everyday. (Calendar event?)

Free spay/neuter for dogs/cats of low-income residents (Brief?)

Follow-up on the vaccination grant launched in 2011 that provides children 6 months - 18 years free flu vaccines. Need to cite this, but Andrea mentioned that children 5-14 year old are most affected by the flu.

Out Proud and Healthy - health program that encourages lesbian and bisexual women over 40 to be out, proud and health conscious. (Feature on one of the women participating?)

Follow-up on the smoking cessation program launched in 2012. Nurses run counseling sessions and classes are Thursday noon to 4 p.m. What are some of the results from the program we could report? (Feature on someone who has successfully quit smoking?)

Hot Topic - a safe sex program at the Activities Recreation Center for teens 14 - 17 years old. They educate teens in safe sex, the connection between sex, drugs and alcohol, focus on relationships and communication.

Rural vaccines at schools and community centers occur every so often. Consult Andrea for upcoming dates.

The health department cut the rural health program about five years ago because of low turnout. That was interesting to me. What has that meant for rural health in Boone County? People must travel for care.

The multimedia project begins

Tomorrow, I'm starting my first multimedia project. I've been wanting to make a video, audio, photo compilation for years, so I'm glad it's finally happening. My favorite Oregonian reporter does some really cool work. I remember watching this video of hers while I was traveling around Asia. The first time I watched it, it reminded me of home and after clicking through her videos this evening, this video again reminds me of home. Mostly I don't miss Portland, but sometimes, I experience a vivid rush of nostalgia and I find myself dreaming of Portland's mossy sidewalks and lush cityscape.

Video from Casey Parks: Fall 2009

Great investigative piece

I finally sat down and finished the ProPublica article on accidental acetaminophen overdose. It's a fantastic article and I recommend reading it:

Use Only as Directed 

(Yes, it is incredibly long. It's worth it.)

Sub-beat

I started reporting for the government shutdown sub-beat today. Joe Dixon and I co-wrote an article about the closure of nutrition education programs across Missouri. It was the first time I co-wrote an article and I really enjoyed it. It was fun to discuss every sentence, and even though it took longer than normal, I think it was valuable to write an article with someone else. He suggested viewpoints I hadn't taken and ways of writing I hadn't considered. The experience made me realize I need to expand my sentence structure repertoire and include more semi-colons, dashes and perhaps even creative turns-of-phrase. I need to spend more time analyzing the way people write when I read, rather than simply reading to gather information.

Government shutdown stops MU Extension nutrition education

Back in the swing

Wednesday I wrote up a short event preview and joined the "government shutdown sub-beat."

Casey Bischel and I also gave a libel presentation on the New York Times, Co. v. Sullivan and Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. cases. I was mostly terrified of this presentation because the cases are so technical and I typically absorb 25 percent of the content I read for that class. I usually just rely on the professor to explain the other 75 percent in class. The problem on Wednesday was that I was supposed to be co-teaching the cases with the professor. Fortunately, Casey and I survived and we even provoked some lively debate from our classmates.

I spent the remainder of my Wednesday on GA. I'm starting to get into the swing of reporting. I still feel so young and inexperienced in this profession and I think the title cub reporter is quite apt. But the speed at which the newsroom operates is a distinct advantage for learning new things. I can learn more in an 8 hour shift as a reporter than I did in four weeks as a volunteer coordinator for Harlem RBI or web content coordinator for Medical Teams International. In the newsroom, everything happens so fast.

I also noticed that after a long weekend away, I was able to maintain my balance much more effectively. I spent too many weekends in August and September studying and working and didn't take a break. I need to remember that vacations actually improve productivity. Even four-day vacations that don't seem like that much time away can set the reset button and make grad school fun again.

Here's the event preview: Harvest Hootenanny fundraiser to raise awareness of locally-grown foods

Orientation Assignment

This past week, I visited the MUPD, the Columbia Police Department and the Boone County Courthouse, which included the the Clerk's offices. I sat in on a divorce case that was incredibly depressing. The moment I entered the courtroom, I felt sadness, frustration and irritation. It was strange to see two people who had once married and brought kids into the world fighting through two lawyers. The MUPD and the Columbia Police Department were essentially closed off to the public, except for the lobbies. I located the blotters and read through some of the recent crimes. The one that stands out was an assault and sodomy charge - yikes! Pictures from my trips are below:

At the Boone County Courthouse - 705 E. Walnut

At the Columbia Police Department - 600 E. Walnut

At the MUPD - 901 Virginia Ave.

notes are poetry

Sometimes, I look down at my notes and think that they look more like poetry than notes from an academic class. I think this has to do with my affinity for writing poetry, but could be because I'm just not that great at taking notes. Below are some notes I took a few weeks ago about reporting:

look for the center of the story first
show, don't tell
be observant
understand the intricate details
tell the reader something new
find something revelatory
think about: what's the pay-off in this story?
is the dream unrealistic?
reveal character
people really want to know what makes other people tick
they want to know
- what makes a person fail?
- what makes a person succeed?
- what does this person do on a normal day?
get to the center of a person
become an immersion reporter

Friday and a new beat

I switched beats this week. I want to focus more on health. I also want to focus on news reporting and hopefully, tackle features later. The community beat seems like a better opportunity for an intermediate or advanced writing class. So far, I like my decision.

I wrote an article yesterday about BJC HealthCare, one of the largest healthcare providers in the state. Employees working less than 24 hours a week may be losing their health benefits. Although BJC has not officially confirmed the claim, a few current BJC employees shared the story with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Even though the information is unconfirmed and the reason for the changes is unclear, I started thinking about the wider healthcare ecosystem. As the roll-out date for the new healthcare system approaches, will more employers start making changes like this one? Is it an isolated incident or part of a larger movement toward the exchange program? I need to read Zach Mattson's navigator article again and pay closer attention to the details. I also need to immerse myself in the Affordable Care Act politics brewing in Washington so that I can understand the healthcare situation better.

I spoke with my mom last night and she made an excellent point. Any large change, especially on a national scale, takes time. This transition will be long. There won't be some magical overnight shift to automatic coverage for all (as much as I'd like for that to be the case.) She's right. At it's best, this will be a long, arduous process toward more accessible and affordable care.

Health benefits for part-time BJC HealthCare employees could be cut

An important article

When I was in high school, my cousin decided he didn't want to live anymore. He left a suicide note for his parents and his girlfriend and disappeared. The police found his car, but not his body. For nearly a year, we lived in a state of shock. Then, in the fall, his parents got a call. A hunter had found his body in the forest and a gun lying nearby. I remember my parents coming into my room to tell me. I had just come home from a social and remember feeling so much confusion. I couldn't understand why my oldest cousin had chosen to walk into the woods and end his life. Suicide is a decision that does not provide answers, only more questions. It leaves more hurt than almost any other option and it takes years, even decades, for family members to find joy again.

When I hear stories about suicide, my first question is always "Why?" I wonder, would the person have continued living with more friends, more support, less depression? How could the story have a different ending? Everyone in my family misses Justin at different moments and every year around the time he disappeared, we collectively wonder what we might have done differently to change the outcome. But, mostly we are filled with sadness for a life mostly un-lived and a family member we no longer have.

Usually, the Missourian doesn't report on suicide. But, because of the unique circumstances, they decided to report this story and I'm glad they did. When I read about Jacob Meadows' life this week, I thought a lot about Justin. There are many similarities in their stories: youth, awkwardness, fragility, depression. And, again, that question lingers. Why?

After tragedy, Southern Boone marching band plays on

Wednesday GA

I left the Missourian on Wednesday night around 7:30 p.m. It was dusk and the moon was bright. As I biked past the MU power plant toward my house, I felt proud and tired. I had just written two articles. They weren't earth-shattering. They were both just informative news pieces. But, I started and finished them within a 10-hour work day.

I become an expert on an event called Food Dialogues that would discuss farming and animal welfare. Then I became an expert on the 911 tax. I started to realize that becoming an expert on a topic that fast makes it difficult to remember other things.

I also started to wonder how I would be able to keep so much information in my brain. But, I think the process will become natural as I practice doing background research, interviewing, writing and accuracy checks. In the meantime, I expect to be frazzled after GA and probably unable to focus on anything besides eating and laughing with my housemates.

My articles from Wednesday are below:

Event seeks to further understanding between farmers, consumers

City, county announce transition dates for Public Safety Joint Communications

Thinking like a journalist

The lessons are finally starting to sink in. I find myself dreaming about frames. Well, not every night. It was just one time last week right before the full moon. I tossed and turned all night and started to realize that all these articles I've been reading and all these lectures I've been attending are starting to reverberate within my mind.

They're making me a better writer. I can feel myself connecting with my own voice. And, I'm also thinking more critically about the way I introduce, structure and build characters and events in my articles.

I sweat through every word, turning it over and examining it to see if it will express my meaning. I have never considered my words so carefully. I am just at the beginning of this journey, but it feels good knowing that I'm beginning to think like a journalist.

for consideration

Hannah Baldwin and I are going to work together on our Missourian research project. We're looking at metrics and how they affect decision-making at the paper. Today I found an interesting article by Ethan Zuckerman while researching our topic in Google Scholar: Seredipity, Echo Chambers, and the Front Page.

I especially liked his point about community newspapers sacrificing local opinion on national and international news for community-only reporting.

good media from 9/6/13

I want to be able to report stories like this: How I Got Into College

Localizing Syria

When the chemical attacks happened in Syria, my first question was, "Why is the Missourian not covering this?" The very logical response from the ACE at the time was, "We're a community paper and people come to us for events in this community, not news they can get from national media." It made sense.

About a week later, I received an email from Stephanie Ebbs suggesting I try to localize Syria for Columbia residents. She gave me the name of an MU student from Syria, Hany Hawasly, and an MU professor who specializes in human rights.

I contacted them and began the process of interviewing. Over the course of the past week and a half, I interviewed two Syrian people. Only one of whom would go on the record, but that was two more Syrians than I had ever met (in my life), so I was thrilled they gave me their time.

I heard about their families, their studies and how difficult it is to be a graduate student with all of the instability and chaos back home. I tried to imagine what it would be like to see all of the violence on a television screen, but be completely unable to help because of the distance. I also wondered how they ever focus on their studies. I think my mind would wander and create all sorts of what-if scenarios. I never did hear from the professor and I probably should have tried calling. Next time.

I learned a tremendous amount from the reporting experience. Since I only had one voice to quote, my editors decided it would be strongest as a Q & A. I wish I had thought of it. They were right. It was much stronger as a Q & A. So, after two hour-plus interviews with Hany and several emails, texts and phone calls, I submitted the article.

MU student Hany Hawasly describes his experience as a Syrian in Columbia

MU's journalism school picked it up and posted it on their website as well: Missouri Photojournalism Master's Student Describes his Experience as a Syrian in Columbia

observation about media

I noticed this week that for the first time in my life, the media is starting to appear finite. I used to view media as an infinite amount of information that could not possibly be compartmentalized or categorized.

As the weeks pass, and I spend more time reading media and delving into the New York Times website or Reuters or the Wall Street Journal, I am starting to understand the "finite-ness of media."

I'm still not sure my brain will ever be able to categorize or comprehend truly how much exists, but if I can get a grasp on the top players and move from there, media will continue to move beyond the nebulous mass of information that my brain once refused to categorize.

Sunday GA shift

I spent the better part of Sunday on General Assignment (GA) at the Missourian. I checked the MUPD's blotter for the first time. It was interesting to see that more than 10 people experienced varying degrees of crime on 9/5. Most of the incidents were thefts and DUIs.

I came back to the newsroom and reported on a police watchdog who had been arrested on Saturday night. Reporting on crimes, charges, arrests, etc. is nuanced. I need to learn how to report on crime more accurately. For example, how do I know when I should use: "the person was arrested on suspicion of charges," vs. "the person was arrested on charges of." I'm going to ask this question on my next GA shift. The ACE didn't really have time to get into it on Sunday.

The article is below:

Police watchdog activist arrested on suspicion of shooting gun at man

I wrote an obit on Sunday as well. It was sad to read the articles about his death and see the pictures of his family. He was only 9 years older than me. I've noticed that being a reporter really informs me about the community. I've only lived here for about five weeks, but I know so much about the community already. Even if it is sad news, it feels good to remember people for the impact they made.

Curtis Warner Jones Jr. left imprint on athletic department

to publish or not?

I spent the last part of my Wednesday GA shift writing an article about two men who rescued and returned an electric wheelchair to a disabled Columbia man. I used a press release and some interviews to piece together the details of the story. During an accuracy check, one of the men being honored told me the whole story, but asked that I not print it. It was an unexpected turn of events. The men's intentions were still honorable, but definitely complicated the story I had written. We decided not to go to print.

As I biked home that night, I remembered how the media used to prod and dig around the press releases I wrote for Medical Teams International. The reporters would inevitably rewrite my releases and would always question the information I provided. I remember feeling a little insulted that they would question the accuracy of the information I had provided them. I also remember thinking about the dizzying speed at which they fired off questions and turned around the content. As a communications person working for a disaster response NGO, I was used to tight deadlines, but the media world seemed to be on fast forward, even for me.

It's great to be on the other side of the press release and to finally realize that a good reporter always digs and pieces the information together on their own through a string of interviews and later, through an accuracy check.

The irony of this experience not lost on me. It took a reporting class for me to finally understand public relations.

These two fields are so closely linked, but without a background in journalism, it's no wonder I couldn't understand. If I do write press releases again, my expectations of journalists will be much different than they once were.

One of my professors suggested I write the woman who sent the release and provide her feedback. It's so liberating to provide that kind of feedback. Working for an organization like Medical Teams International sometimes demanded that I bite my tongue. But, journalism demands I provide feedback. It's liberating.

agreed

There's a great article from the New York Times about being busy (The 'Busy' Trap). Here's to the third week of school and trying not to be busy!

Mud Run

I spent yesterday morning and the early part of the afternoon watching people slosh through a muddy obstacle course. It was drizzling when I left the house, so I expected thunderstorms by the afternoon. I wondered how I would interview people in the rain. But, by noon, the clouds had cleared and the sun came out. The highlight of the day was avoiding the parking fee because we showed our Missourian press badges. I spent the next few hours interviewing children and adults about this wacky way to spend a Sunday. I watched kids throw paint at each other and their parents and realized I should have worn some different clothes.

The race director was on an adrenaline rush and obviously adored his work. He excitedly told me about how he puts on 80 races like this a year. But, this one, the Epic Mud Run, is his baby since it's so close to home. He spent a week building the start and even hauled in two large dumpsters for people to wade through near the end of the race. He told me I'm welcome to race next year and will be happy to give me a go-pro head camera so I can video the whole experience as I run. It sounded awesome and I wondered what readers would think.

I came away from the event covered in dust, but luckily, not any mud.

I headed to the newsroom and realized that one of the reasons I like journalism is the speedy thinking that's required. I had to make sense of a bundle of notes and pick out the most pertinent details in a matter of minutes. It was fun to build the story, introduce the characters and follow them through the race. Ted, the ACE, called before the event and suggested I follow one character through the event instead of including a bunch of information from many people. It was a different take than the Boone Dawdle, so I decided to try it. Unfortunately, it's tough to get good quotes from kids. I interviewed about 20 kids and only a few of them spoke to me in a way I could use for the article. I think it's partially that kids have short answers and partially that I need to practice my communication with children. I had a hard time with it in Turkmenistan and realized again, that I need to practice being in their shoes and speaking with them so that I'm on their level.

I was lucky to meet 11-year-old Lena Coon. She was reflective about the experience and eloquent.

I'm not sure if following one character or many makes the story stronger, but it was certainly interesting to realize that it's an option. I hadn't ever thought of it.

I enjoyed working with Ted and watching along as he made my article stronger. I look forward to strengthening my editing.

Runners trudge through sludge at Epic Mud Run

Getting to know the community

Last Monday, Caleb and I stood in front of Kaldi's Coffeeshop with a whiteboard. We wrote, "Who is the most interesting person you know in Columbia?" and "What is the most interesting thing happening in Columbia right now?" Only a few people engaged with us on their own. The rest, we asked to participate as they passed. Many were relieved to learn that we weren't selling anything, but once they learned what we were doing, about half didn't have time to stop. The people who did speak with us, gave us thoughtful answers and introduced us to new issues and people in the community. It was an interesting exercise and one that I would definitely try again.

Here are some of the names I received for Columbia's most interesting:

Dr. Nicole Monnier - Russian professor at MU
Matt Chapin - classmate of a local high schooler
TK Klein - street evangelist
Kim McDonald - turning her life around against the odds
Dale Basshan - Alley A owner
Eli Gay - owner of Cafe Berlin

I had the chance to be on the other side of the proverbial interview table last week. A gal from the Peace Corps' Midwest Office interviewed me about my service and my decision to attend grad school at Missouri.

When time was right, Peace Corps led to grad school at Mizzou for returned volunteer

Learning how to be on the community beat

I signed up for the community beat at the Missourian because I want to learn how to write features. Even though it's all a bit intimidating, I want to refine my curiosity, develop my intuition and learn how to identify intriguing stories.

The challenge is that I moved to Columbia exactly one month ago, and my understanding of the city is still quite basic. So last Friday, I biked over to the visitor's center and filled up my backpack with maps, welcome guides and informational pamphlets. Then, I actually spent the weekend reading them. I have never, in my life, actually sat down to read a city's welcome guide. And, I am surprised to say that I enjoyed the experiences. The ledes left much to be desired, but the content was perfect for my needs. My natural inclination is to absorb a city slowly and let it unfold before me. So, while this experience does at times, feel forced, I know that getting myself out of my comfort zone will only build character.

My other inclination is for bare walls. Simplicity in my living space keeps me focused, or at least that's what I've been telling myself. For the first time in several years, I now have two wall hangings: a Columbia city map and a Columbia city map with all the bike lanes.

I spent the other part of my weekend actually out in the city. My roommate, Ben, and I rode our bikes out to Rocheport. I loved every second of the ride. I saw eight miles of the MKT and another 10 miles of the Katy. I also saw the Missouri River and perhaps the smallest town I've ever been in. After the concrete and steel of New York City, Missouri feels quiet, peaceful and beautiful in a very different way. I still miss New York and will always be called to the urban side of life, but for now, it's wonderful to explore farmland, bike paths and a much quieter way of living. We also hit up a bike swap over at Walt's and then had a chance to walk though some of the older neighborhoods in Columbia.

As for my assignment in the Northwest part of Columbia, I am still pretty unclear on the boundaries. Is Rocheport considered Northwest? I need to spend more time with my maps, my bike and much to my chagrin, my car.

Learning how to be a researcher

"At this point we are leaving the world of common language, and joining a discipline of scholars who make distinctions that are not required in everyday language." - Steven Chaffe in Thinking about Theory

Life story

I wrote my first life story yesterday on the general assignment shift. Again, I was nervous. But, once I got started, the nerves faded. In between communication law and answering the front desk phones, I pieced together the story of Louis Lohman, a man who lived to be 92. I heard about how he met his wife. I learned about their canoeing trips in the Ozarks. I spoke with his grandson. His family shared so many kind sentiments about their father. I left the newsroom at 8 p.m. hungry, tired and proud. I like the Missourian's life story policy and think it is also a valuable learning experience for young reporters.

Today, I mailed the story to 2 members of Louis Lohman's family. I'm not sure how many more chances I'll have to write a life story, but I would definitely do it again.

Louis 'Ming' Lohman embraced family, farming and canoeing

First article

I wrote my first article for The Missourian over the weekend (Boone Dawdle raises money for True/False, builds community for cyclists). I covered a bike ride fundraiser called The Boone Dawdle. I felt nervous before the event, but quickly loosened up and realized that many people were happy to speak with me. Only one interviewee made some comments unfit to print (!). Here are the six things I learned from my first reporting experience:

1. A small notebook is much easier to write on than a large pad of paper.
2. Repeat name spellings back to people (or show them what you wrote down).
3. Do more interviewing than you think you'll need to do. I felt like I spoke with too many people, but actually used most of what people said in the story.
4. Before leaving, be sure you can answer the who, what, where, when, why, how questions. (Thanks to Lee Anne Denyer for this excellent advice, which helped me fill in the information I'd overlooked.)
5. Reporting is less scarier than it first appears.
6. I have much to learn.

missing home

I miss New York desperately.

I miss the way my bike navigated those Manhattan streets so seamlessly and got me to my destination. Every time.

I miss arriving at work meetings just a tad late; always with a great story to tell about the new volunteer who had kept me in the first place.

I miss the way the sunlight came through my fourth-floor walk-up in the morning as Washington Heights awoke to another New York day.

I miss the kids at Harlem RBI and the way their city smarts mixed with youthful innocence in such surprising ways.

I miss Alberto.

I miss his apartment and his cooking and the way his speech slowed before sharing a contentious thought.

I miss his laughter and his kitchen.

I miss boiling water for green tea over his gas stove and then accidentally letting it spill over onto the burning gas.

I miss the runs around the Central Park Reservoir with Prospero and the way he always stayed just one step ahead of me.

I miss our weekly visits to the Duck, East Harlem's grittiest dive bar.

I miss my housemates and the pesky cockroaches that covered our dishes after midnight.

I miss the subway.

I miss the skyline at sunset.

I miss the trees in Brooklyn and the dinner parties we often had there on Friday afternoon.

I miss the joy of my life there.

And, though I am thrilled to be studying at the University of Missouri and realize that this dream of studying journalism is now coming true, I still wish, sometimes, that I could be there instead. I know that city isn't going anywhere soon. Although, by now I am old enough to know that once I get back, everything will have changed. Even the cockroaches.