Getting Toward the Finish Line

It has been difficult for me to post frequently since the summer is winding down. I’m trying to live a healthier lifestyle, which leads to me posting less than I should. I apologize. Now back to the intern news!

PTM– My New Jersey story has gone to press! I will have my second story in a magazine later this week. It feels like such an accomplishment. It took me a while to write the story and now that it’s done, I can look at it in a magazine! My other story about piers is wrapping up and I will start on probably my last story or two for PTM ever. This chapter is closing but I got some great stories out of it as well as “InSite” on travel.

Wave Swinger at a NJ park. Photo from Morey's Piers and Beachfront parks.
Wave Swinger at a NJ park. Photo from Morey’s Piers and Beachfront parks.

Suburban Life– My story about Brookfield Zoo’s Blanding’s turtles was published last week, as well as my nice story about Packs 4 Kids and a summer agriculture program through the Cook County Farm Bureau. I worked on a few interesting crime stories last week and I spoke with the president of Riverside about the Village manager’s position. I learned more about the Relay for life in Brookfield/Riverside as well as the impact it has on those affected by cancer.

Look how adorable these Blanding's turtles are. Brookfield Zoo has established a nurturing habitat for these interesting turtles. Image from Chicago Zoological Society.
Look how adorable these Blanding’s turtles are! Brookfield Zoo has established a nurturing habitat for these interesting creatures. Image from Chicago Zoological Society.

This internship will also be wrapping up soon. I was able to get a different perspective about a newsroom than I had at the Missourian. It was a different dynamic than what I had experienced before, but I have learned that I shouldn’t close the door on newspaper entirely. It’s rewarding to talk to these people and showcase the money they raised for an organization, the new business they opened or the award they received for their hard work. It will be interesting to see where I end up next year. *Aah! Scary*

NYK– I started editing actual stories last week and I really loved it! I was nervous because I thought to myself: “What if I really don’t like this editing business, then what would I do?” but I realized after editing the stories I really have a passion for helping others get across what they are trying to say in an understandable and fun way.

I also have a knack for WordPress now, as you can tell; I’m a WordPress aficionado.*Ha.* With all my SEO knowledge and text sizes and image dimensions. There could be a career in that as well *Maybe?*

This weekend I also went to my last two events of the internship. It was kinda sad, but it went out with a bang! On Saturday I went to the Taste of River North, and it was so fun! It was right on the riverfront and there were options for some good food, drinks and music. I might go again next year.

View of the Chicago River during the taste. To view more photos go to www.facebook.com/NowYouKnowEvents
View of the Chicago River during the taste. To view more photos go to http://www.facebook.com/NowYouKnowEvents

The last event was the Rock ‘N’ Roll half marathon. I saw a bunch of people who accomplished so much. (Because there is no way I could ever run 13.1 miles) There were bands staged along the route and there was a celebration after! Although I’ve never been to a race prior, I thought it was nice that we were able to congratulate these people and have some fun after all the training and running is done. It was held in Grant Park and it was a festival as well as a race.

1001023_606952889355306_1233099250_nThere were tents for people to get physical therapy as well as free samples of health memorabilia. There was also a beer garden, which seems counter productive before noon, but I am not to judge. My favorite part and the reason it went out with a bang is a band that I enjoy was headlining the celebration: Walk Off the Earth. They made their start on YouTube and had a record deal with a CD in March. They were so much fun with a lot of energy. They were throwing instruments around, hitting drums with glitter flying everywhere and jumping around to their fun beats. I really felt like I was at a summer festival even though I was at a half marathon event.

rock1It made me sad and nostalgic of all the events I’ve been to this summer, but I know that I can go to these events anytime to enjoy myself. That was kind of the fun of it though; to think, how can I illustrate this on paper? That has been my challenge this summer and I hope it will continue for the rest of my life.

-Becky