Social media is on the rise, and, with that, knowing how to utilize social media is becoming increasingly important.
I have always wanted to start blogs, but never knew what to write. I did a poll for my political blog to see what people thought I should write about. The options were narrowed down, and exploring politics came out as the top choice. Doing research was very interesting, but writing about politics proved to be difficult. There were times, even after I had done over an hour of research, that I still wasn't sure what I was writing about. It was difficult to sound well-educated rather than ill-informed in my writing. One aspect I liked blog writing was that I was able to incorporate other blogs or YouTube videos to back up my points or to help me better explain something. I honestly think that was one of my strong points in my blog writing - my ability to create a conversation that wasn't completely one-sided.
Although I have been a journalism student for three years now, I have never had to incorporate different aspects of media in my stories. Having to incorporate various media sources in my stories made it slightly difficult. Photography was one of my strong suits in my stories. I am still shaky on my video editing skills, but now I know how to make a Youtube video whereas I did not before. I also know how to record and use audio now. For example, in my story about the train that runs in front of the Riverview Suites, I took a recording of the train as it passed by and utilized it in the story.
I would like to utilize more social media aspects in my writing in the future, especially for the Connector. I feel as though I have gained a solid foundation, but I still have much to work on.
A soft afternoon light flows through the stained glass windows, casting a golden shadow across the pews and reflecting off of the ornate mosaic-covered walls. Children fidget, playing with dolls and toys their parents brought to keep them entertained during the Divine Liturgy. When they are scolded by their mothers, the children turn to their grandmothers, who welcome them with open arms.
Altar boys dressed in silken robes stand patiently while the priest reads from the Gospel. The priest's voice resonates through the church, joined by the choir. Old and young voices combine with his to create a sweet melody. One of the youngest altar boys grows restless waiting during the seemingly endless service, and begins to sway back and forth.
Families that have attended the church a very long time sit in the same pews every Sunday. The Yiayias lean on their canes, their white-gray hair set in perfect curls. The Papous stand by their side, wearing their best suit and tie. Their weak eyes peer over their gold-rimmed glasses as they read worn Bibles and sing along with the choir in their soft, old voices.
When it ends, everyone gathers in the basement for the coffee hour. A line forms for the special Sunday doughnut and coffee, or orange juice, and chatter fills the room. Cacophony fills the room when the youngest Sunday School children are let out of class. They run to the piano on-stage and pound away at the keys with their fists, laughing as they try to create a melody.
The Church
The Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church has been home to the Greek Orthodox of the Lowell Acre since 1952. The priests have changed throughout the years, but the families that have attended the church have been the same. Some families have been members of the Transfiguration parish since it first opened its doors. The church not only represented a place of worship, but also an opportunity for Greeks from all different villages to come together under one roof, in a new country. They built the church up together, creating a place they could call home, and their future children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren could also call home.
Sophia Exarhopulos, 15, a parishioner of the church, has been attending the Transfiguration her whole life and her family has been attending the church for over 50 years. She enjoys attending church because it makes her feel connected to her culture, she said.
Other parishioners share a similar sentiment. Cassandra Floor has a very strong connection to the church. "I was baptized as an infant in 1982 at the Transfiguration...my family raised us there, and in 2005, I was married to my husband there," she said. Now she volunteers as a Sunday school teacher and is involved in the philanthropic woman's group at the church, and her husband is also on the parish council, she said.
The church has not only developed structurally over time, but internally as well, said Floor. "From adding the youth director position... 'Family Night ministries,' the addition of 'Mommy and Me' ministry and the addition of the Family and Life Center for the parish, the emphasis has definitely been on what can we offer to the next generation" said Floor.
The Mosaics:
The mosaics were installed by iconographer Robert J. Andrews, who according to the church's book, "Mosaic Icons: Transfiguration of Our Savior Church," is a "master of Byzantine art and mosaic iconography." Altogether, the project cost around $500,000 to complete. Every square inch of the inside of the church is covered with the ornate decorations. Each mosaic is representative of a different icon. Some of the icons represent saints or Jesus, others are depictions of scenes from the Bible.
A parishioner's take on the mosaics: "My favorite feature of the church would have to be the mosaics. As a child, I would be mesmerized staring at the walls and ceiling and now I still do but instead, it's with my children. The icons tell the stories of Christ's life and His Saints so well. It's hard not to feel humble standing in the church as the Saints all look down from above! " - Cassandra Floor
A soft afternoon light flows through
the stained glass windows, casting a golden shadow across the pews
and reflecting off of the ornate mosaic-covered walls. Children
fidget, playing with dolls and toys their parents brought to keep
them entertained during the Divine Liturgy. When they are scolded by
their mothers, the children turn to their grandmothers, who welcome
them with open arms. Altar boys dressed in silken robes stand
patiently while the priest reads from the Gospel. The priest's voice
wavers through the church, joined by the choir. Old and young voices
combine with his to create a sweet melody. One of the youngest altar
boys grows restless waiting during the seemingly endless service, and
begins to sway back and forth.
When it ends, everyone gathers in the
basement for the coffee hour. A line forms for the special Sunday
donut and coffee, or orange juice, and chatter fills the room.
Cacophony fills the room when the youngest Sunday School children are
let out of class. They run to the piano on-stage and pound away at
the keys with their fists, laughing as they try to create a melody.
The Transfiguration Greek Orthodox
Church has been home to the Greek Orthodox of the Lowell Acre since
1956. The priests have changed throughout the years, but the families
that have attended the church have been the same. Some families have
been members of the Transfiguration parish since it first opened its
doors. The church not only represented a place of worship, but also
an opportunity for Greeks from all different villages to come
together under one roof, in a new country. They built the church up
together, creating a place they could call home, and their future
children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren could also call
home.
Families that have attended the church
a very long time sit in the same pews every Sunday. The Yiayias lean
on their canes, their white-gray hair set in perfect curls. The
Papous stand by their side, wearing their best suit and tie. Their
weak eyes peer over their gold-rimmed glasses as they read worn
Bibles and sing along with the choir in their soft, old voices.
It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to write about for Story 3. I debated writing an Onion-type piece, but it's a lot more difficult to write a satire than I originally thought.
I have always been a big list-writer, so I thought I would utilize that for my story. I also have a friend who has introduced me to a lot of really good, obscure movies, so I thought I would use that to my advantage.
I have never really written movie reviews before, so that is a new style of writing I need to get better at. I also need to get better at synthesizing a movie plot into a few sentences without being bland. It's hard to write about the movie without giving the plot away.
Uploading my video was also very easy. For the next story I need to work on editing my video. I received some recommendations to do a video clip that includes all the movies in one video, and that I should add voice-overs and introductions for each movie.
Overall, I like this piece because I really like sharing my favorite movies. This piece allowed me to combine my love of lists with my love of movies.
I have spent more time than I should watching movies with my friends on school nights. That essay that is due tomorrow at noon? Not important. If I want to consider myself well-educated, it is imperative that I watch all of Pootie Tang. What's that about Brit Lit reading homework? Naw, I'll just wake up early and get that done. As if.
For my fellow procrastinators who are also interested in watching good movies, I give you my top five movies that are worth procrastinating for:
1. Big Fish
We've all heard those stories that begin with, "When I was your age, I walked ten miles uphill without shoes in a blizzard..." Will Bloom's father is the king of tall tales, which aggravates Will as he becomes an adult. Why can't his father ever tell him a true story? Why do his stories have to be so farfetched? When Will's father has a heart attack, Will is determined to find out the real details of his father's life. I never got bored with this movie; it weaves fantasy with reality in a masterful way that keeps you entranced. Big Fish makes you appreciate the far fetched stories you were told as a child. Starring Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange, Danny Devito.
2. Wristcutters: A Love Story
Don't be fooled by the title. This movie is not nearly as dark as you may think. Patrick Fugit's character Zia kills himself after he and his girlfriend break up. He ends up in a second world, only populated by people who have killed themselves. When Zia discovers that his ex-girlfriend has also killed herself, he goes on a mission with the help of his friends to find her, but he discovers there may be more to the afterlife than he thought.I love this movie because it gives a whole new perspective on the fragility of life and what awaits us when it's over. Starring Patrick Fugit, Shannyn Sossaman, Shea Whigham, and Tom Waits.
3. Seven Psychopaths:
When a struggling writer's best friend steals the Shih Tzu of a well-known criminal in Los Angeles, he is unwillingly drawn into a world of violence, and is forced to face a psychopath who will stop at nothing to get his precious dog back.The premise of this movie is ridiculous, but it is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time and it has an original plot. I love this movie because it doesn't treat itself seriously, even though it features big name actors such as Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell.
4. Saved
Mary, the main character, grows up in the Bible Belt of America and attends and extremely Christian high school. When she discovers that her boyfriend Dean is gay, she has a vision that Jesus tells her to make him straight. Having sex with Dean is Mary's only hope. When his parents discover that he is gay, however, they immediately send him away to a rehab so he can "recover." Mary finds out she is pregnant, and decides to keep the baby a secret, but only succeeds for so long before the adults in her life discover her secret. This movie is great at making you question your beliefs and relationships. Starring Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit and Jena Malone.
5. Heathers
Winona Ryder is the only Veronica in a group of girls all named Heather.The top-Heather wears a red scrunchy in her hair, asserting her dominance, and uses her position to put everyone else down. Basically, she is the Regina George of the 1980's. Veronica teams up with J.D., the new rebel on campus, and the take down the top-Heather, killing her with Draino in a coffee cup. The next Heather assumes the top role. Veronica needs to decide whether she will keep killing off her friends with J.D., or whether she will put a stop to his killing streak. A brilliant satire, this movie touches on the subject of high school drama queens, staying in the closet, suicide and murder, and relationships. I love Heathers because it is still relatable for teenagers. Featuring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty.
I have spent more time than I should watching movies with my friends on school nights. That essay that is due tomorrow at noon? Not important. If I want to consider myself well-educated, it is imperative that I watch all of Pootie Tang. What's that about Brit Lit reading homework? Naw, I'll just wake up early and get that done. As if.
For my fellow procrastinators who are also interested in watching good movies, I give you the-
List of Top 5 Movies You've Probably Never Heard of:
1. Big Fish
We've all heard those stories that begin with, "When I was your age, I walked ten miles uphill without shoes in a blizzard..." Will Bloom's father is the king of tall tales, which aggravates Will as he becomes an adult. Why can't his father ever tell him a true story? Why do his stories have to be so farfetched? When Will's father has a heart attack, Will is determined to find out the real details of his father's life. Starring Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange, Danny Devito.
2. Wristcutters: A Love Story
Don't be fooled by the title. This movie is not nearly as dark as you may think. Patrick Fugit's character Zia kills himself after he and his girlfriend break up. He ends up in a second world, only populated by people who have killed themselves. When Zia discovers that his ex-girlfriend has also killed herself, he goes on a mission with the help of his friends to find her, but he discovers there may be more to the afterlife than he thought. Starring Patrick Fugit, Shannyn Sossaman, Shea Whigham.
3. Seven Psychopaths:
When a struggling writer's best friend steals the Shih Tzu of a well-known criminal in Los Angeles, he is unwillingly drawn into a world of violence, and is forced to face a psychopath who will stop at nothing to get his precious dog back. Featuring Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell, this movie has one of the most original plots I have seen in a long time.
4. Saved
Mary, the main character, grows up in the Bible Belt of America and attends and extremely Christian high school. When she discovers that her boyfriend Dean is gay, she has a vision that Jesus tells her to make him straight. Having sex with Dean is Mary's only hope. When his parents discover that he is gay, however, they immediately send him away to a rehab so he can "recover." Mary finds out she is pregnant, and decides to keep the baby a secret, but only succeeds for so long before the adults in her life discover her secret. This movie is great at making you question your beliefs and relationships. Starring Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit, Jena Malone.
5. Heathers
Winona Ryder is the only Veronica in a group of girls all named Heather.The top-Heather wears a red scrunchy in her hair, asserting her dominance, and uses her position to put everyone else down. Basically, she is the Regina George of the 1980's. Veronica teams up with J.D., the new rebel on campus, and the take down the top-Heather, killing her with Draino in a coffee cup. The next Heather assumes the top role. Veronica needs to decide whether she will keep killing off her friends with J.D., or whether she will put a stop to his killing streak. Featuring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty.
I had a little bit of trouble with story two because I thought I would be able to find out more information about the train itself. There was no information available about which company owns the freight train, the train schedule, or even where its station is located.
The story still came together, however, because I was able to focus on the train in a different way. I focused on the students' perspective of having a train in front of their residence hall.
I feel like I present both sides of the story without bias. I have quotes from students who dislike the train, and a quote from a student who likes the train. I also have quotes from an administrator.
As usual, the weakness of my story is my transitions. I am still working on the flow of the story and making it flow well without any awkward breaks or sentence structures.
Overall, I am pleased with how the story turned out.
