Farewell....For Now

Reflecting back on this semester of borderbeat, I have learned more than I ever anticipated. My weekly journey posting blogs on various topics regarding the Hispanic culture has provided me with different insights and thoughts on a culture I was unfamiliar with.

This semester flew by and I cannot believe it is already over. Never posting a blog before, I had to learn quickly how to upload videos, upload pictures, and write my reporting in a conversational way. I can honestly say this was the hardest part for me; differentiating between hard-news reporting and conversational reporting that still entices the reader. After a while posting my blogs became a weekly ritual for me, almost like checking my e-mail or checking for updates on my facebook!

Even though I had previous experience in Final Cut, I learned this semester that as much as I think I know about this program, there is ALWAYS something new to learn. My first special project about the salsa band Senor Q took me quite a while in the photo lab to complete. Between making a video, soundslides and writing a story, I was so overwhelmed...but I grudged through and produced a pretty good story (if I do say so myself). I want to thank the members of Senor Q for being so kind and allowing me to work with them behind the scenes.

My second special project took me on a completely different journey. My class took a trip down to St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic in Nogales, Arizona for a day to report. This experience was amazing; something I have never experienced before and would love to do again. My partner Paloma and I ran around frantically trying to gather as much information as we could and before we knew it, it was noon and we were eating lunch and heading back to Tucson.

The following week, I was in the photo lab for three days straight editing and cutting and putting together as much information as I could into videos and soundslides. I would like to thank John deDios for helping me understand Final Cut and the ins and outs of the internet…and also for putting up with me!

Overall, working as a journalist for borderbeat this semester was a wonderful experience. I thank my teacher, Jay Rochlin, for allowing me to take the reins and go in the direction I wanted to go. I was able to report on all different topics regarding the border that were interesting to me, and I hope, interesting to you!