Driving down Mayfield Road...

Tonight I drove along Mayfield road around 10:30 p.m. and I couldn't help but notice the scenery, the smell, the wind blowing throughout my car, I couldn't help but notice that I miss what truely makes me happy. I used to think I was that high class girl, wanting to live a stressful job in the city, but the more I'm headed toward that direction, the more I start to appreciate the simple things in life. I missed that smell of summer just starting out, the smell I used to love when I played soccer, until I got badly injured. The feeling of being so hot, yet so cold, sweaty, but content. I even miss the huge misquito bites on my legs, and the feeling of being able to run for miles wihthout knowing that your still breathing. The changes in my life are now beginning to take hold of me, and the feeling is so powerful, uncontrollable, yet exciting and weird all at the same time. I'm growing into a mature women with priorities, and I love being independant, but at the same time, planning hasen't always been my thing. Music helps me make sense of the world, Taylor swift makes me see why I long for these nights...driving down Mayfield road..I know i'll be okay now.

Beating the crowds

For many people who don't know, you don't only have to go through all the crowds, and waiting in line for change rooms to shop. Online shopping is something many people do, and it's way more convenient for people with busy schedules, like myself. Some of my favorite places to browse and shop online are forever 21 http://www.forever21.com and urban outfitters http://www.urbanoutfitters.comThese two places have high fashion designer clothing at lower prices. Many people wait until the new stock of clothing comes in each month, or every few months, but when you shop online you are able to purchase new stock before it has even reached the stores yet. These stores can be found downtown Toronto near the Eaton Center, it's where I usually go. Urban outfitters has Betsey Johnson clothing and accessories for sale, and they are high fashion. These designers make is easier to purchase their clothing for middle class people like most of us who hesitate to buy a shirt for $180. She has reasonable prices and beautiful runway garments. Next time you're on a site, check out their online shopping, and see the differences in variety and style. There isn't much of a cost for shipping and handling, and for me, my clothing comes within 2 days. How can you beat that?

Carrie Underwood - Wasted

From personal experience, it’s very hard to be stuck in a situation you feel you have to control over, and in relationships, it tends to happen A LOT. Most people get comfortable with whom they are with, and don’t take the time to realize they really aren’t happy at all. Have a look at this song. It’s inspiring. You have to face what you feel, or you will end up jaded.

Magworld article - Journalism in the field

As a journalism student, you often walk into many unfamiliar environments scattered with people you don’t know, and with the pressure of having to prove yourself as a good journalist to your editor, and to society. To be comfortable doing this, you need to know the skills of a reporter when you finally get that diploma, and head out for your first job in the field.

Sharpen soft skills; be a self trainer

“Journalists have to be good with people,” says Tina Anson Mine, managing editor of Canadian Living magazine. “You have to talk to them, negotiate with them, and you have to put people at ease and respect what people are bringing to the table.” It is essential to connect with interviewees, make them feel comfortable, and show that you are interested in what they have to say. If they sense that you are rushed, then they will rush through their answers and you won’t be able to get an informative interview for your article.

Ryerson student, Canice Leung, editor in chief of Ryerson Review of Journalism and the co-editor of McClung’s magazine, says, “You have to have personal skills, and the nature of journalism is to cold call people, harass them; this is how you work your way up there. “You simply just have to want it enough to get the experience, to get out there and make contacts; it’s the only way to get better at what you’re doing.”

“You either have what it takes or you don’t,” says Aaron Brophy, managing editor of a popular music magazine, Chart. He says in a stern voice that he is a very opinionated editor and to show him that you can stand out takes a lot of effort.

As a journalist you must be determined and bold to get what you want out of people.
Journalism teacher Douglas McGill, a former reporter, on his website says that you have to push in order to find the cause to reach the outcome of the story.

Find the core of the story

Mastering soft skills, such as being comfortable with people and respecting them allows the reporter to dig deeper to find the core of the story. In the article, “School of journalism and Mass Communications,” Hemant Shah, a professor of journalism and mass media communication at the University of Wisconsin, says that what is not forced enough in colleges is to push students above and beyond what they are comfortable with. Shah says most students just splash all the information they have come up with on a page and call it a story. He says in the article that a journalist can interview many people about a story, but where does that really lead you to? All you now have is a bunch of opinions and ethical judgments without the real cause. It is very important to know your story and all angles of it before you put a finger to your computer keys.


Develop an interesting voice

All potential journalists are trying to compete with other writers to get their stories published, and it all comes down to voice, individuality, and how you bring life to your copy. Every word in an article holds certain significance, and if you don’t show voice in that copy, you will lose to someone who does. Brophy says, “The ability to having an interesting voice in your writing is something amazing. “It’s extremely important, especially in our magazine because we write a lot of similar stories all the time, and if someone can bring life to that copy in 200 words to present, that is incredible; to make something stand out is incredible.” While Brophy feels that people either have a unique flare, or they don’t, Anson Mine says she thinks, “All people are unique in their own way, and some people are natural with it and others will grow into it. All people have totally different strengths.”

Know the niche of your magazine

Being a journalist, you have to know the niche of your magazine, and be able to write flexibly. Brophy says, “You must know the niche of the magazine, or you can not write an article and sound like you know what you’re talking about. It just doesn’t work” The key to knowing your story is to research, gain knowledge in what you are covering, and follow up with it all the time. Anson Mine says, “It’s unproductive to pitch to a magazine you don’t understand. It’s presumptuous to assume people will read anything.” Journalists have to constantly be calling their contacts and sources to know the latest on the story. Brophy says, “We have had many good writers, but they didn’t get the niche of our magazine; we are a music magazine. You can be a wonderful writer, but if you don’t understand the value of Alexisonfire, you’re of no use.”
A little piece of advice coming from Leung, she laughs as she says, “In fourth year everyone wants to make something of their self, and things start to become hectic because everyone wants to start working their way up. “I think all the students are at the level where everyone is champing at the bit. You have to show your self-worth.”
Anson Mine says in an industry where things are very demanding and competitive, most people do what they feel comfortable doing, and they play it safe. She says, “Just go with the flow, and don’t be afraid to try new things. What’s the worst someone can say? They don’t like it? It all takes confidence.”

Experiencing life the way you should...

Being a small town girl, I find that I am always stuck doing the same boring things day after day. When I finally have the time to do something spontanious, I always settle for the movies, or the mall...until I was exposed to Toronto that is. I highly recommend that people like me start getting out there because there is so much to do and see. Toronto has changed my whole perspective on life. I'm no longer narrow-minded anymore, and it changes your personality. If you have a boyfriend, head on down to the harbour front, and go for a walk and dinner. With summer just around the corner, and school ending, I say dedicate a day to Center Island. It was like a mini vacation for me. Go with your friends, or your boyfriend or girlfriend. They have bike riding, swimming, and it's an enviornment where you can just be yourself and relax. If you want to go for a nice city dinner, I say check out Everest for a nice cheap eat. The atmosphere is elegant, and the food has quite a variety. What more can you ask for, really? Also, like me, I love to shop! Go downtown to all the stores, and just check out everything and anything. You will be suprised to find all the unique little shops down there. It was certainly different for me, but a good kind of different. Being in the fast pace city like Toronto makes you feel like there's a whole world outside of your small routine life, so get involved with it. It's only a few bus rides and subway stops away, so check it out. I gaurantee you will enjoy yourself!
http://www.dine.to/everest

The inner you can fade

Are you a student who is overworked, stressed, and with no sense of direction? I am, but I've overcome it. Many teens enter college or university with an idea of what they want, but once you get there, you tend to dig yourself into a tangled web of discouragment and uncertainty with an innocent mind forced to conquer the world. I am in a journalism program, and all I keep thinking about is stability in my life. If I'm working for a magazine, or a newspaper with high expectations and a demanding position, where does my life go? Journalism is a 24 hour, 7 day a week kind of job. Don't say it's not because it is. How do I live a stable life when the work I do is based on something unpredicatable? Many people are in this situation, and all I have to say is do what makes you happy, and do what will make you happy in the future. The saying, "live in the moment" is not something I agree with because that moment can screw up the rest of your life. One must plan to live one's life. Take a look at our world, people. Gas used to cost 85 cents, and now it's at 1.14? The job you choose must be able to support you, and you have to adapt with society. Life goes by too fast, so set goals, and keep working your way up. It's the only way to stay sane.

Spring and summer Flava

Photo By: Miranda Hynes

All of a sudden, you’re walking down the street and something catches your eye in a near by window. It’s a gorgeous long satin tunic that you absolutely just have to have. The money isn’t an issue and neither is the fact that you would have never given it a second glace a few months ago. You’re smitten and you don’t know why.
Most people are drawn to what is unique in shopping malls, and how they can express their individuality to that garnment, or accessory. Some say fashion is everything, and others couldnt care less, but when you really think about it, what you wear is what tells people their first impression of you. What you will see that are hot on the racks this summer are looks that haven't been in for a while. Jordan Porter, a FASHION magazine associate says fashion will be emphasizing large floral and tiny floral patterns, as well as the consistent bohemian trends, gladiator sandals, more eastern looks, scarves and a lot of the graphic look. So, as you strut downthose beaches, and attend backyard barbecues, remember colour is key to your wardobe this spring and summer, and always look fashionable because you never know who you will run into.