It was an amazing training. I felt for the first time in a little while that all is not gloom and doom. In general, I try not to succumb to such things, but lately I couldn’t help but feel depressed about things. I think I was overwhelmed with things at work and it just made feel bad. I guess we all deal with that sometimes.

Anyway the training was a wake-up call about the importance of my involvement in my local SPJ chapter. I learned a lot more about how SPJ is run nationally. I also learned about all the neat resources the organization has to offer.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was sort of a speed dating-esque session designed to discuss ideas with other participants on everything from recruiting and retaining local chapter members to programming ideas. I came away from that session with a ton of notes.

I also met some great people. We also had quite a bit of time to get to know each other. The organizers always had us sit with different people during each session and there was plenty of time to talk during mealtimes. It was tough to get to interact with everyone in such a short time, but there were a few people I ended up really having some great talks with. The best part is knowing that I have some folks that I can contact if I need some inspiration or to bounce ideas with.

Other fun stuff: a run around the IUPUI campus, duckpin bowling, a shipping container art exhibit and a drag show for the ages.

Now my focus is trying to process all this information and put it to good use. I have scheduled a time for myself to process all the notes and figure out how to best implement these ideas.

I would like to think these tools are helping me communicate better with my friends and the people who read my writing. But what happens it that certain things (this blog, for example) are left with no updates while I give quickie updates elsewhere.

I know that people have short attention spans. (Heck, I do!) But I can’t help but wonder if this will end my ability to sit down and really process something fully. Or express what I’m thinking fully.

That’s what I’m thinking about Facebook. Too bad you can’t fit that in a little box.

I have the final printed edition in my hands, purchased for $1.00. But to me, that paper will be priceless. It represents so many things.

• The end of a two-newpspaer town
• The realization that yes, print newspapers will die, and it will happen sooner, not later
• The destruction of dreams and hopes for 100 or so journalists, photographers, copy editors and other staff members who worked for years, their entire lives to develop their craft.
• The beginning of the digital age of newspapers, which is scary for many.

So where does that put me? I am exploring, thinking, brainstorming on what this new age of journalism means for someone like myself, a 20-something reporter who has pursue the path for more than a decade.

I guess I have time to develop a new career. But I’m not just ready to give up this one yet.

For better and for worse.

I bet most of you are inclined to believe that most of it is bad. And a lot of is bad. Several newspaper companies are in bankruptcy or in danger of such, newspapers continue to try to layoff out of trouble and the revenue for our print products products have continued to dwindle.

But there is very much good going on here. And I think for the next few entries, I’m going to try to write about good stuff I see going on.

• I want to send props to the Seattle chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. (Disclaimer: I am involved in this organization) They have been aggressive about pushing discussion on how our industry can reinvent ourselves. Most recently they held “Choppy Waters” a conference on new ways we can distribute information. And as someone personally trying to figure out how to deal with things, I’m glad I have the support of this organization to help me along.
• Tracy Record, of West Seattle Blog, is one of my new media heroes. And I have to say that the name is a misnomer — this is a full news site and Tracy is a really great journalist. She basically took what was a hobby and turned it into something that people check on a daily basis. And it makes enough money so Record and her family can live.

• Finally I want to give props to Todd Bishop and John Cook of Tech Flash. The former Seattle PI reporters have basically provided a very comprehensive news site on technology. I was a big fan of both when they were blogging for the PI, and I’m glad to see that it has evolved to this site. If you love technology, you got to check it out.

I’m sick of hearing the bad news. Yes, Virginia, journalism can survive. And thrive.

In 2008, it seems that everyone was taken by surprise in a horrible way. I don’t want that to happen to me, whether it’s in my personal life or in my career. So I’ll be spending the next few weeks thinking about what goals I ought to be making for next year that will keep me prepared for just about anything.

And really 2008 was pretty good:

• I went to South Korea for an entire month. Not only did I get to experience a new culture, I got to do an awesome project for the newspaper about the popularity of Northwest sweet cherries there.
• UNITY 2008 in Chicago. I got to know some of the AAJA Seattle crew better and made some new friends from other parts of the country. Also I learned a whole lot about multimedia, reporting and doing a kick ass job everyday.
• I ran the Royal Victoria Marathon (half-marathon!). I ran it in 2:31:45, much faster than the half I ran in Chicago in 2005.

So yeah, I can’t complain.

Anyway, I thought about my Web site and what I would want it to be. I realize that I have a real opportunity to develop this into something really good.  I’ve seen some great Web sites out there (and from my friends). It’s inspired me to put a little work in this blog.  Eventually, I’d like this blog to be part of a comprehensive Web site.

To start, I have tabs to add my resume and my clips, so you can get to know a little more about my professional life. The blog will be a mix of stories, news, tidbits from both my personal and professional life.

The goal is simple — to learn to maintain and build a personal Web site and blog that will help me develop my web page making skills, my video making skills and any other -making skills required to function in the Triple-W.

Any suggestions you may have on entering this venture would be greatly appreciated.

The problem with my goals, that I’ve thought so much about it, read so much about it, I stopped doing anything about it.

So the decision? Focus on one or two goals at a time (personal and work-related). And just figure out the first/next step.

Here are my personal goals (and the next action).

– Pay off  $1,800 in debt. (I spent a little much in S. Korea!) and have at least $2,000 in my emergency fund by the end of the summer. (Next step: develop a payment plan….)

– Be trained to run the Royal Victoria Marathon on October 12.  (Next step: Follow runner’s world returning runner’s plan until July 7 and have a long run of 65 minutes (approx 4-4.5 miles).

Encouragement is needed!!

Being in this dorm got me thinking about schoolgirls in Korea.

Most of them are in uniform, so they look much alike. But yet you can see personalities shine through.  It’s in in the way they laugh or the hip sneakers they wear, the only fashion statment they are able to make.

They love seeing English-speaking people. They have spent years learning English grammar and conversation, but don’t have much opportunity to use it. They use the greetings they were taught.

“Hello!” “Nice to Meet You” and oddly enough “I love you.” 

The third statement is scary considering how much fear there is from American girls and boys to use it when they are dating or in a relationship. I think back about how big of a deal it was when Jerome and I said that we loved each other. I laugh when these girls feel free to say it freely to people they barely know. But then again, when you are a schoolgirl, love is fleeting. So perhaps it is appropriate to express for a moment, how much you love that American or Canadian. That you love them because you can finally practice the English you were taught since the age of 9 or 10.

***

A young girl came in, answering her cell phone. She’s just one of many that are mobile. Reachable by dialing a ten-digit number. Like their parents, they don’t hesitate to answer, regardless of where they are.

***

When we were in sitting in on a group of 12th graders, it were the girls that asked good questions. The boys didn’t want to lose their cool. The girls, on the other hand, weren’t afraid. One asked us, “What don’t you like about Korea? Speak frankly, please.” Another asked, “What stereotypes did you have before you came to Korea?” They are shy at first to ask these questions, but you know inside they can’t wait to ask, can’t wait to practice their English.

Korea has been quite an experience. I have had a couple of mis-steps and a minor breakdown, but otherwise a wonderful trip. We have done so much. Gone to Temples, museusm, sang karaoke, and so on and so on.

Here’s a few  things to know about my trip…

• Be careful when you complement someone on something they own. They interpt it as that you want it and will give you whatever you’re complementing on. Example, I was in a homestay and I pointed at this woman’s hat and said it was gorgeous. She ended up giving it to me.
• The high school and university students speak excellent English, everyone else pretty much speaks little or no english.  Often many of them may understand you, but just can’t speak back to you.
• It’s amazing how much driving we’re doing considering we’re in such a small area. This probably is because tehr’es a lot of cars and very narrow roads. Koreans are actually excellent drivers, but because of the nature of roads and such, they are also super aggressive drivers.
• Speaking of cars…not a lot of imported automobiles. People pretty much sick to the Korean big three – Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo (which is actually partially owned by General Motors).
• The toliet facilities are an interesting paradox. One moment you’re peeing in a hole on the floor the next you’re sitting on a toliet with heated seats and can be washed with a push of a button.
• Everyone thinks I’m Korean. I’ve been given material in Korea, and spoken to in Korea. So much for the Asians shiould be able to tell what other Asians are theory. I don’t think I look Korean at all though. but it’s nice as it keeps me blended in.
• The technology is something here. The GPS units here don’t only get you from point A to B…but can detail on everything you’ll encounter in our journey such as steep hills, curves, etc.  The hotel rooms electricity only works when you put the hotel key in a designated place.
• We’ve been eating on the floor a lot. Good thing I have awesome indian-style sitting skills.
• Lots of singing room. My favorite song to sing? West End Girls by the Pet Shop Boys. The new stuff doesn’t bode really well with the crowd. (Not even Sexy Back!)

Okay I got to run. Time for dinner. Maybe there will be another update?

***

It’s going to be a busy next few months. Here’s the schedule.

April 6-May 7 – Korea!
May 24-26 – Memorial Day Weekend. Probably a weekend in Portland with Elizabeth.
June 14-June 21- J-Dawes Wedding in BG /Family Visit in Louisville /Girls’ weekend in Chicago.
July 22-29 – Unity conference in Chicago.

That equals about $781 in plane tickets and about 8,000 in Delta Air miles. My budget is suffering, but if I work it right I won’t pay a lick of credit card interest or totally deplete all my savings ( I might be able to actually increase my savings..only slightly…but that’s better than nothing right?)

***
I ‘m excited that Western made it to the Sweet 16. I am your typical bandwagon fan, but who wouldn’t love moments like the one Ty Rogers made when he made a 3-pointer within five freakin’ seconds before the game. A small-town boy launches into national prominence with just that one shot. I love it. It’s easy to say that Western doesn’t have a chance with UCLA. But this time I will say that anything is possible, especially when UCLA has had to claw their way out of every round. My hope is the Hilltoppers will make them claw again.