Central Park Conservatory

WOW! I know these pictures are beautiful, but you all should've been there! I had an amazing time. The day was beautiful!

I just thought I'd share my experiences and photos!

I think I was a fish in another life or a mermaid...a mermaid would be better, otherwise I would have a fish-face and that's not pretty. Everytime I am by water I feel more at home, I am calmer, and just want to write and paint. It is a feeling of familiarity.

LOVE IT

someday I hope to retire on the Oregon Coast with my Jason and whatever pets we own. I want to have a room that's all white where I can write, paint, and do whatever my little heart desires.

Of course, we will have some sort of recreational thing around there for Jason:)

Anyways, NY is beautiful.

NYC Subway music and yearning for rain boots...

Well, first let me say that this blog, again, was initially set up to follow my TODAY SHOW happenings, but due to my uncertainties about what is okay to write and what is not, I have made this more into a NYC blog of my adventures around the city...with a little "salt and pepper" of the TODAY SHOW when I know that it is okay to write about it.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO onto the city of everything:

I find that instead of being compelled to give to bums on the street or in the subway, I have found many talented/interesting musicians in the subways- especially high-transfer subways like 59th and 42nd...even 34th. LOVE IT! Last night while out with Lindsay, a fellow intern, we came across an amazing blues band. These guys were not messing around! They had a whole set up with drums, guitars, amps and a harmonica...and by the time I left, I had not only placed $1.00 in the open guitar case, but was "feeling the blues" in the best way possible.

On numerous other occasions, I have stopped to enjoy musicians in the subway...now this is a big deal, because the city is hustle and bustle...it doesn't stop and in the bigger subways when you are racing to catch the next train and trying to weave through the crowds, to be stopped by anything is a big deal.

The music takes me out of my trance...a couple weeks ago there were 2 musicians dressed up in Elmo and Cookie Monster outfits playing the guitar and chello....no joke.

On Monday there was a girl with her guitar in the subway singing blue grass and her voice was so unusual that it was good...it cracked and she had a hard time holding a note, but it was really good :) While she was playing a rat came running up and people stared gasping and a few screams let out...I'm just glad I saw the rat so I knew what the commotion was about. I, of course, moved quickly out of the way and jumped on top of a seating area, and immediately thought of my mom. I haven't told her this story and do not plan on it until after her visit to take me home, so that she will not be staring at the ground in the subway looking for them. (I'm sure my dad and rest of the family can see this happening).

Today it is raining...again. I took my rain boots home this last visit because I thought it would be good to start taking things home. BAD IDEA no WORST IDEA EVER. It is raining and it is the sticky rain that makes sloshy puddles and before you know it you are ankle deep in them which is awful because you are blocks from your house and you can't go back because you haven't gotten to the store yet to buy those groceries or soap you really need. So as you continue walking with the squishy sound of your sock rubbing up and releasing water into your shoe (which does not go anywhere, but lingers) you can only think about those beautiful rain boots...missing them. BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS KEPT YOU DRY.

I am lucky enough to be by the river though...it is really amazing, because the rain makes it smell so good. SO GOOD.

If you go down further into Times Square the rain does not make anything smell good, but worse. It's like all of the smells from the food carts and subway now are stuck to the ground by the rain and instead of floating smells...you now have heavy, sticky smells. LOL it's bad.

I am in NY at the best time of year, the trees are blooming and it is not hot enough to make the subways smell and people sweat because there is no ventilation down there...can you imagine? I have heard from my roommates that summer is fun, but the subways are awful because people are sweaty and smashed into the train cars and you are stuck up against not only smelly people, but sweaty, smelly people...ahhhhhh.

I would really love to see my DAD on one of those cars...it would be like his worst nightmare, besides breaking a hand or something that would stop him from playing the guitar...except at that point he would learn to play with his feet or teeth or something...I'm not sure that anything would ever stop him :)

SO ANYWAYS, NY in the Spring is amazing. AMAZING. The trees are starting to turn pink, purple and white and the grass is getting green and the weather is perfect for walking everywhere. It's like the city is coming alive and I am falling in love with it more and more with each passing day.

My first MOS with TODAY

OK- today was officially one of the coolest days at TODAY for me as a journalist! I had my first MOS (Man on street) shoot. I had a camera man (who is also a producer and amazing) come along as I stopped people on the street and asked them questions for a spot airing this Friday from 10-11 on the Kathie Lee and Hoda show! I'm pretty stoked! I got to say, "Hi, I'm Kim and I'm with the Today Show, do you have a few mintues to answer a couple of questions about..."
It was AWESOME!!!!!
I was out in the field, around 30 Rock and security came up and asked, "Are you with NBC?" and I said, "Why yes, I am. I am with the Today Show, here's my badge."

It was so official.

Very cool day.
I also worked with the PMs (Production Managers) who really are all stars!

Jason's birthday was today. He's 26.
I'm bummed I missed his birthday, I never have before. That was a bummer, but I will be there for his party this Saturday (which I am throwing!)
HOLLA!

zzzz zzzz

Today I met Martina McBride and Reese Witherspoon as they were both in our studio today. Amazing women. I am co-producing a piece with one of my favorite people at the show and am very excited about that. I have been so busy, I can hardly remember anything outside of work lately.

Things are amazing here in the city. A lot of great weather has been coming, but then it goes. (But I know it will come back)
I'm pretty overwhelmed with everything that is going on. I am doing a lot of writing on my own time. I intended for this blog to go on and on about my experiences here, but unfortunantely, I have to be so careful as to not violate any policies at the Today Show that I just can't say a whole lot. But, for those of you who read this, I have something that I have worked on on the show every day. Seriously. Whether it's research, screening, coordinating, shooting or anything else, I have left my fingerprint on a lot of things.
This is such a cool experience, but man I am tired at the end of the day.
I'm hooked on caffeine.
There I said it.
I'm hooked.

groceries bags, bathrooms, and my bedroom window

All 3 inconvieniences.
First- grocery bags- a luxury item we all take for granted. I have purchased reusable cloth ones that have NY on them (touristy- maybe, but it's all they had).
Problem #1: I cannot carry these with me all the time and never really know when I will have a sec. to stop by the store, thus my problem is that I never have them, but had really good intentions when I bought them.

Problem #2: Whether these little grocery bags are reusable or not, the grocery store is 6 blocks from my house. Now this is very far when you have groceries to carry--or when you are stupid enough to think that you can carry it all, because it's not that far, but then your shoulders hurt so bad by the time you get home and you are dripping with sweat that this activity has now taken place of you going to the gym.

Second- DAMN YOU BATHROOMS! OK, now this is the worst! Imagine if you will that you are out exploring the town with your friends, enjoying the fresh air and you decide (due to the constant wind) that a cup of hot chocolate would be so fabulous- you just have to have one...
2 pumps cocoa
1 pump white mocha please!

TO GO!

What a fabulous day it is. Ah, the window shopping, the amazing rush of the city...
AND THEN IT HITS.

The bladder is screaming and all of the feelings come to a halt, you must find a bathroom. It's as if the entire world has come to halt and you now have tunnel vision...must find toilet.
Of course, no place around here let's you use the bathroom. NO ONE.

You cannot enjoy the chit chat with your friends, you cannot enjoy the rest of your 2 pump cocoa, 1 pump white mocha- YOU NEED A BATHROOM! It has gone straight through you.
MAN DOWN!
oh wait

GIRL DOWN!

Seriously, help a girl out. Help a guy out. This is ridiculous. I am not a scruffy looking person. I am a good citizen, I pick up trash, I recycle, I try to do good deeds: all I ask is for a BATHROOM! A public restroom, not one that I have to pay $14.95 for to purchase my way in by buying one of your ridiculous items off the shelf. Is this how you are making your money?

THIRD:
My bedroom window is odd. It is bigger than me and opens from the top AND the bottom. I couldn't reach the top before and there is a fire escape out my window.

Problem #1: Opening the window from the bottom at night, when it is dark is hazardous for a couple reasons. The most obvious leading into problem #2: The fire escape goes to the ground, which means someone could climb up it and into my window.
The top is hard to reach, because as I said the window is taller than me, so for me to reach it I must become a gymnast or a balancing act...both really.
It's a pretty picture for those across in the other building who can easily see me due to the fact that I do not have a cover for my window.

That's right, I get changed in the corner of my bedroom, where no one can see.

I am not complaining...I promise.
I have a great place to live and great roommates. AND an internship and the Today Show...but hey.
A girl needs her shoulders back, a bathroom, and a cold room to sleep in every now and then.

Taking a breath

TODAY- what an amazing and inspiring day I had! First things first, I am at my new place on 92d and Riverside, so I had to take a different subway this morning to get to work, which requires me to transfer. Before I took the B at 81st and CPW all the way to 30 Rock. Now I have to get on the 1 (which is the express line) which doesn’t run to 30 Rock, so I have to transfer at 59th Columbus Circle and transfer to the B or the D to get down to Rockefeller Center. So my commute is about 7 minutes longer on average. It is snowing here, so much that there are actual drifts on the sidewalk. Now a girl from Boise would definitely have boots for such an occasion to make sure and trudge across like a pro. THIS girl had no boots, but flats, that also had no traction, so I slide my way to the subway and by the time I set foot on dry pavement underground I was leaking water onto it with my soaking wet socks and pants. It was a sight- this was another case to show that I really was not from New York, everyone here has boots for such an event.
By the time I got to 30 Rock, I knew I was in for a busy day. I immediately started prepping questions for our sit down with Matt Lauer tomorrow. He has done so many amazing things with his career and this is my chance to pick his brain, what an amazing opportunity! I spent a lot of time making sure I had very concise, open-ended questions. Next, I was actually conducting an interview today with my favorite producer for the article we have the choice of writing as a part of our internship. I wanted to make sure to emulate the amazing presence she has and how she is just so inspiring, so I had to make sure I structured my interview well enough that I would be able to get a nice flow out of it.
After this, I was assigned to another producer(who I worked with on the work-out segment for infomercials) to log an interview for her with a very “difficult” person. His answers were 3 minutes long, and when you are logging, that is almost ¾ of a page. He also wouldn’t directly answer the question he was asked. It was hardly amusing to listen to him bounce around her questions, but I was so impressed with how she was able to continue pressing him until she finally got her answer.
After this was finished, I got to start on my interview with the producer I chose. This took up most of my afternoon as we spent a lot of time just chatting off the record. It was so amazing how she is just so honest with her answers. We talked a lot about having a spouse and juggling your career and family. One thing she said that really stuck out to me was that she knew when she interned that this was it for her, and she learned over her time as an intern what it would take to work there and how much time she would have to put into her job- so she knew what she was getting into working there. She KNEW what it would take. I see what it will take for me to pursue a career at the Today Show and I questioned if I could move from Idaho with Jason all the way over here. However, after talking to her and she came from California, I know that it can work and you can have what you really want, you just have to sacrifice and work hard and things will happen.
I have been working so hard to get the most out of my experience here, I know that I will only get out of it what I put into it. So I have to put my whole heart into this, all of it so I will know that I put myself completely out there, and will then know where I will want to head after all of this is done and I graduate. Maybe Jason and I will decide to stay in Idaho or go to California or New York, but at least we can make an informed decision as to what will be next. I know he will follow me anywhere and I know that right now my heart is always with him, but this place is so personally fulfilling. It just kicks you down and beats you up, but when you conquer it, when you come up on top and take a breath it is the most exhilarating experience. I cannot describe what it feels like better than that.

Right now I am taking a big breath, and I know that tomorrow I may be back down on the ground, but I know now that I can always come back up for air.

Fresh off the press...

So, I spent most of my weekend moving and unpacking into my new apartment. This was an unexpected move of course, but nonetheless, moving in NYC is a nightmare!
Today was a great day! I had a lot of fun at church and really just enjoyed finding myself again. I find I do have to re-center myself and collect my thoughts. There is always so much going on in my life and around me that it is easy to get caught up and swept away in it all.
I have discovered a lot of artists (music) that are playing around here through a fun little website on facebook! I'm really excited because a lot of these artists are indie, so they are cheaper to get into and just such an amazing experience! They write their own stuff and are normally so thrilling to listen to...but my dad is still the best, duh!
www.jameslancaster.com

I am still discovering so many things about myself as I stay in the city. So many strengths and weaknesses, so many new thoughts and passions, so many things it's hard to keep it all straight. But I am so blessed to be able to go through this experience right now, I mean I am really coming into my own and it feels so good.

I never thought I would be where I am. I am so glad to have so many people behind me supporting me, I mean I have my amazing husband and my entire family, friends, the Idaho Youth Ranch, BSU, and other people too. AMAZING when I sit back and realize everyone who's got my back.

INSANE

I live on Riverside now, which is on the opposite end of the Upper West Side, I was living on the west side and now I am living on the east part of the UWS. It is a nice area and the Hudson River is outside our building. It's weird to think that I am half way done now...

Things are going by pretty fast and I can't wait to see what happens next!

IDAHO JOKES

So there are two potatoes on the corner...

Today I heard my first Idaho joke from some fans outside from L.A. Good people, excited to be there and decided to indulge me with a joke as soon as they heard I was from Idaho.
I will not finish the joke because it is kind of inappropriate for all ages...
Today I met Mr. Trump, very nice guy. I also met his security guard who was intimidating, but nonetheless a nice guy as well. I am moving this weekend to my new apartment on Riverside with new roommates. It is going to be such a fun journey, but I will miss this apartment and my wonderful roommate.
So much has been going on, this post will be boring, I just wanted to say hello to everyone.
I will have to catch up with everyone later on.
:)

Elliot Minor and sleepless nights

Well, I have officially not slept tonight. I have had such great anxiety about not waking up on time and just being able to go home. It doesn't feel weird and honestly, I didn't know I would be this excited to just see mountains...I'm a little upset about that, it is very hard for me to understand those feelings. I have bothered poor Jason for years...since we've been married really to move to the city, to move to LA...anywhere. And yet here I am, just wanting a lil Idaho. WEIRD!
Now, let's not get carried away here, my entire family is basically in Idaho and my most immediate close and loved ones are all in the Boise area (besides my g-pa in Twin and my Gammy and Papa in Rockland, and my Aunt Deb and her kids in Pocatello)-- obviously this pulls me there!
I am so excited to see Jason, OLIVER, my parents, my pups and the rest of my family! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I attempted to fall asleep, not because I was tired, but because it would make the time go by faster. I would wake up and it would be 4am and I could gather my things and get a taxi to LGA at 5. My plan was for not as I spent all night tossing and turning with knots in my stomach just thinking about being home for a couple days (the knots stem from excitement-duh).
THEN, on top of that, I originally started out with one of my windows closed, which was crazy because oddly the movement of the city makes a humming noise that is very easy to fall asleep to. So, I decided to open my window a bit as I do every night.
However, tonight a large number of people decided to serenade my block with their drunken tunes and a man decided to go through our trash outside (not that uncommon). I think he was new, because the guy before was very quiet, which I thought was at least polite, this new one needs to learn some manners. As the night rolled on, someone decided to break into a car right outside my window and I got to listen to yelling and a car alarm go off for about 5 minutes...lovely isn't it?
Now, don't get the wrong idea. The Upper West Side is lovely and this is really a rare occasion. I just found it odd that it would happen on the night when I just wanted a little bit of sleep. I am surprisingly awake and enjoying one of my new favorite bands, Elliot Minor, but I do know that I am doomed to crash later...hopefully on the plane to CO as I'm sure I will inevitably be smashed up against a lady that decides to tell me all about her life while doing her makeup, or a man that is reading a book, but breathing heavily enough that I can hear it over my IPOD.
NEGATIVE?
Perhaps.
Elliot is one of my all time favorite bands, they were never big, and maybe that's why I love them so much is because they are like my little secret. I started listening to them when I was 17 and haven't really stopped. I think it's kind of cool that Elliot Minor is one of my new favorites, but honestly I was drawn to them by their name and lucked out!
SEE?
Not all that negative.

Balance is important.

Well, it is now 3:35am my time. I was supposed to get up at 4:00am to get ready, however, I have already done that AND watched 2 episodes of Gilmore Girls. Whatever shall I do?
I never have time to write in my blog, so here is some rambling out of boredom...please be kind and excuse the constant jib-jab.

Jason and I celebrate 6 years of marriage on March 8th. CRAZY COOL! I feel so old- especially out here as people who have 10+ years on me aren't married and when they find out I am and have been for 6 years- they look at me like I am a mystical creature with a horn and wings. Everyone is pretty much used to it now, but the reaction never gets old. I am the luckiest girl alive. Jason is,well, perfect really. (gag all you want, I don't care, skip to the next paragraph, because I am not done.) It is so easy to take someone for granted sometimes, but I must say I am so happy to have my bestfriend in my life as my partner! He is pretty cool, ask him...he will tell you all about that! LOL

Being from Idaho is glamorous here. People think it is so cool. I actually describe it to some people and they respond with "Wow, sounds amazing!" so who-raw for us!

OK, nuff said.

Continued from yesterday

OKay, so continued from yesterday! SOOOOOOOOOOOOO as the segment aired today, I can finally talk about all the fun I had! So I got to go to Marie Claire (the magazine) to help with the interview that Amy Robach conducted with the wonderful lady and her intoxicating accent. Then, I had to contact all of these fabulous designers publicists to get footage for the segment, showing the show at Bryant Park. It was really a fun time. The producer was amazing!

I had a couple of really great assignments given to me today, and am excited to get started! Today was busy with brainstorming activities for some new segments and also doing 5 million other things, but my day went by quickly. Honestly this week I really just want it to go by fast, so I can see Jason already!

HOLLA!

I am very excited to get a taste of Idaho...odd that those words come out of my mouth, but it's true. I want to see your painted mountains and get some fresh air!

And drive my own car!

Fashion Week

Yes. I have been working on pieces for this and I'm not gonna lie, I am having a ball! I have never been fashion foward, really just doing my own thing, but black is in this year, which is great news for me as that's the majority of my closet. I have a favorite expensive designer now....DRUM ROLL please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Viktor & Rolf...amazing new line!

So I can't really say all that I did because the segment airs tomorrow, but it was so much fun! FUN!!!!!!!!!

I contacted a bunch of high end designers and it just reminded me how cool it is, "Hi, this is Kim with the Today Show..." and BAM they give us whatever we need!
It is great!
More later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace of mind

Time? HAHAHA you ask? Listen, I have the best intentions with this blog, but find myself completely consumed right now at work, so I will do my best to not drift away. UPDATES:

I have worked on a lot of segments lately and have done a huge amount of research for my favorite producers! I helped with Dierks Bentely when he came through, Tori Spelling, the "Stuff Your Spanx" game on Kathie Lee and Hoda (which I was on TV for a little bit hahaha), the Tara Conner piece, as well as Mel B. (from the Spice Girls) who has a new workout DVD out. I have been pretty busy. I have also spent the last 3 weeks in the control room every morning from 6am to 9am as an assistant to the exec. producer. It was an amazing experience and I am sad that it is over, but couldn't have been happier to have had the opportunity to do it. I have never really spent time in a control room and it was amazing to watch it light up every morning and see the backbone of the show! They are all really, really awesome people!
JASON CAME TO NYC! He came Friday the 6th and left Monday the 9th (at 6am) and we had a blast! I took him to my neighborhood and showed him my apartment, we took the subway, I gave him a tour of 30 Rock, so he got to see the SNL floor and then the observation floor, which looks down on the set, as well as the Conan stage and my floor, of course. We went to the Empire State Building at night and made out (hahaha) and also took the subway a bunch. We went and got a slice of pizza and walked around the city! It was so much fun! I am trying to figure out how to work my video camera still so I can load some of what we did. It was magic! I felt full for the first time since I left. I hate that I am not as independant as I thought. Truth is, he is my pulse and my heart doesn't work right without him. I know, I know, it is mushy, but I don't care. I am away from not only my husband, but my bestfriend, so it's like being hit twice. Also am 3000 miles away from any family or friends, so it is gut-wrenchingly painful at times, but I have discovered parts of me I didn't know were there through all of this. Parts of me that I am so blessed to have found. I have a clarity now about my life that I was always searching for. This experience is priceless. I love the Today Show and everything I am doing here, and in 5 days I get to see my family again and meet my new nephew, Oliver!
As Mindy Smith says I have found Peace of mind and a miracle.

M-F and gourmet Mac 'N' Cheese

Gaps between my blogs are becoming more and more frequent. I am now working from 6-9am in the control room as the exec. producer's assistant! Ridiculously amazing! The entire staff is amazing and the control room is ful of energy and excitement in the mornings!

SO to sum up the last week:

Monday: I went in at 6am and left at 5pm, a long day, but it felt like it just raced by. I went in for a model shoot today where designers had outfits made to look like Michelle Obama’s inauguration dress and her outfit during the inauguration. We had several models and I waited down by the visitor’s center to check them in and escort them up to the 8th floor (SNL FLOOR). I played coordinator mostly on this and it was really fun to work with on eof my favorite producers again. After this was all over, I went to a meeting the TODAY show holds once a week with the executive producer of the show. We pitch ideas and talk about news and other affiliates, like London, Washington, etc. I came in with 3 story ideas and somewhat nervous, but I was determined to just be myself, because these are the people that I would like to be my co-workers and I didn’t want to appear meek and scared, but more excited and ambitious. I came in and sat down right in the middle of 2 senior producers and introduced myself as the meeting began. It was nice to feel like I could just be myself, I pitched my story ideas and was told they were excellent. It was just one of those "wow" experiences.

Tuesday:I had a great time in Yonkers today, which was about a 40 minute commute from 30 Rock. I got to meet Jenna Wolfe for a segment and she is absolutely one of the coolest people ever! It was just another good day and a different day of doing PA duties!

Wednesday:Well today I had to take the footage we shot yesterday and log it. We had 3 tapes, which is A LOT, so it took me pretty much all day, but the most exciting thing happened to me today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right when I came in today, I was asked to be the executive producer's assistant from 6-9am, in the control room M-F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could’ve died right there. Of course I accepted and just thanked the crap out of my supervisor.

AND it doesn’t stop there. Later I was asked to help with Kathie Lee and Hoda’s facebook page. Sara asked me to come in and basically spend an hour a day updating the page, posting videos from the show that day and comments, as well as continuing to reach out and get people involved with our show! Yes, I get to spend an hour a day on facebook for work, LOL! I really can't believe what a good day this was!

Later- after work, I went to a magazine launch party with Sarah, which was really a lot of fun! It was called Semi-Homemade and there were a lot of people there at the top of the Empire Hotel- amazing view! PS. Picture is not flattering of me up there, but o well!

Thursday: I got to help one of my favorite producer's today! I absolutely look up to her and love the way she puts her segments together! I had a lot to do for her, which I love, because I really get a taste of what goes into each segment. This actually took a while, because it is important to be thorough when you are pulliung research for a producer and of course, it has to be legit information. Can you imagine going into an interview with false information? You would lose your credibility. So, I really have been able to hone my researching skills and I felt lucky to have taken Research Methods in school with Traynowitz, I know I used a lot of what I learned in that class here.
Speaking of which, I have really used a lot of what my professors have taught from the classes I’ve taken in the Communication Department. We have really amazing professors in the program and I feel so lucky to have been able to learn from them. I’ve felt prepared for a lot as time has gone on, because of what I’ve learned. It has also given me a jumping point in other circumstances to open my mind up and learn even more while I am here.

Friday: A long day. A good day.

Saturday: Melissa and I went to Union Square, where wer found some really amazing shops, one called Strawberry! I got a really cute scarf, with the money that Roberta's sister gave me! Very cute! Then we also found a True Religion jean store, which I went in with my mouth open and slobbering a little bit. There was a market down there and it was so much fun! We also ate at a gourmet macaroni and cheese place here that has pizza as well! PINCH- very good.

TOday- sunday- I'm realxing and revamping for Jason's visit on Friday. I could just die, I'm so excited to see him- so anxious. wowowowowowowowowowowoowow!

My hair is cool in NY

Sooooooooooooo, even though I have gone back and forth on my hair, my hair is officially cool in NY! This is really amazing! Several people have now told me this....so I just thought I would share that.
PS there are not a lot of blondes here
and almost none with short hair.

Weekends

Most people look foward to them, I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "TGIF...haha" in my world, this is the equivalent being deaf. I do not like the weekends, for it reminds me that I am in a strange place. I am brave sometimes and explore the city, but some weekends, I am not brave and merely stroll through the streets finding little shops with unique pieces of memory for my brain.

This weekend I wasn't brave, next weekend? I hope so.

The city really never sleeps, but there is something very alive about that. In a way, you can never really feel quiet, because this city is up 24-7, so you can never beat it...time that is.
Now I am rambling....

hello AMBSUH!

So today was probably one of the most fun days I’ve had at TODAY. I got to participate in the Ambush Makeover segment, so I came in really early and was able to work closely with the producer in all aspects. We went out into the cheering crowd around 6:30 this morning with the camera crews and the host, Jill and Louis, the fabulous hair stylist and picked out our two ladies, it was so awesome! These ladies definitely deserved it and were so wonderful to be around. There is so much that goes into this segment and so many wonderful people working VERY hard behind the scenes, it was just so great to be a part of it.
I had to organize a lot and I ran around all crazy between the SNL floor, where we were doing hair and makeup and out TODAY floor, making sure that we had cards for the show and that the ladies were prepped and on time.
I also got to take pictures for TODAY’s facebook and again, just everyone is so amazing on the show and behind the scenes, very inspiring people.

Just having a fun time and loving what I'm doing!

The importance of logging and internships...duh!

January 21, 2009
So today was a great day at work. One of our interns called and said she wasn’t coming in, so I had to finish her project. Which can be hard, but what I’ve decided to do is just make sure I maintain a very positive attitude. So, I did just that and it was a success and I had a lot of fun with it. I also was assigned something I haven’t done before, but can't talk about it until it's done. I have really mastered logging this week, I may have already said this, but there is logging in a generic way, where you write the in and outpoints to responses and maybe describe some B Roll, and then there’s LOGGING, where you can take advantage of the fact that this is what the producer sees before they go into editing…so you can do all the previous mentioned things, but highlight dialogue that you think is really interesting and B Roll or shots that are aesthetically pleasing and can make the segment really light up! It can actually be really fun and let me just say, my typing skills are pretty top-notch right now.
I can’t believe it is almost Friday. I am going to a magazine party a the Empire Hotel on the 28th and am so excited about that, it makes me feel so “New York.” I’m also going to the opening of a new restaurant and I will have to find the name later, but how exciting is that? I invited Jess, one of the other interns to come with me, I just really like her and she is an absolute joy to be around. We really feed off of each other’s energy and have a great time together. Her school runs on quarters, so she is only here until March, which is a bummer.
Well, that sums up my week so far. So many wonderful things happened in the news, especially the inauguration of Barack Obama, which was so much fun to help with. I helped with the segment on the First Lady Fashion that aired last week, as far as their inaugural gowns, I think I already typed that up, but it was really amazing to see what Michelle Obama wore after doing the research. I loved both of her outfits, even though most people loved her outfit she wore to the swearing in ceremony more than they like her inaugural gown, but I loved both (I may be a little biased here though).
I love the Today Show and am learning more than I could’ve thought I would be able to take in. I truly understand the importance of an internship and being out in your field, getting hands-on experience, and why not get it from the cream-of-the-crop?

This week***

I must say that beyond being excited to be a part of such an amazing time in history, with the inauguration of Barack Obama, I am thrilled to be behind the scenes with the Today Show. It is so amazing that I will some day, be able to tell my children that I was able to assist in some ways (though small) in the coverage of this historic moment.

I see a nation coming together and even those who maybe didn't vote for him, can still recognize what an important step this is for America.

I'm just....well...excited for this week.

The subway, Vinny and Johnny

So, I have decided that I really like the subway. There is something really great about being able to travel underground and get to where we want to go, while enjoying the dark tunnels of the city. So, I like the subway. Some people worry about the subway or really actually despise it, but I will continue to thrive on the adventure (how touristy am I right now?)

So one of my roommates and one of the interns and I, went out to explore the city last night and stumbled upon a dance place. So we went in to check it out. These two girls are single and I am married, so it was an interesting experience to watch guys come up in groups and for me to be showing my ring (as the music was loud).

I did meet a Vinny and Johnny, which was part of completing my NY experience. Both very nice guys who took an interest in my girls and also stepped in to make sure any guys who didn't pay attention to me waving a ring in their face, would pay attention to their mafia glares. So, in another way NYC is very much like home. You have a mixture of guys who are gentlemen and some who need to go back to Mommy's house and retake their lessons.

I really had such a great time last night exploring more of the city and seeing more of everything that this place has to offer. I don't know how people can get bored here, there is so much to see and do all of the time.

Everyone kept asking if we were sisters...apparantely because we are all blonde, so after a while we just started saying "yes."

I've had numerous opportunities to tell people about the Idaho Youth Ranch since coming here too, which has been a really fun experience, because there really is no other place out there like the IYR. It's crazy to think that I have been involved with them for 8 years...8 years and they are like another family to me. I have so much support from my family and the IYR and my friends, I am the luckiest girl alive.

This is all still a dream and I can't wait to start week 8.

2nd week wrap-up

WEll, my second week at the Today Show has not been anything less than awesome! I worked about 63 hours this week, but it only feels like parttime, because I am having so much fun as well as going a thousand miles an hour.
Now when most people go a thousand miles an hour, they want to slow down-it carries a negative connotation...however, I LOVE it, and don't want to slow down. This week I got to help out with 30 Rock and meet the crew as well as Jane Krakowski and Tracy Morgan. The whole team was a blast to work with and I got an inside look at the Production Management side of things. I worked closely with our (Today Show's) Production Manager and she is top of her game cool. She knows what she's doing.
I also was paired up with another producer this week and had such a blast with her. However, the plane went down here-you all know the one, that landed in the Hudson River and due to that I was able to experience the newsroom in the moment of BREAKING NEWS- everything shifts over to light speed and people running around. It was awful what happened, but I was able to see how the newsroom reacts and pulls together as a team to do our job.
Due to the fact that this all happened, my producer had to shift her focus over and I was able to conduct an interview for part of the segment as well as run some B-Roll footage...awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so inspiring that I have such driven people around me and it only makes the fire in my heart for journalism brighter!
It has been an amazing time and I feel like I have been here longer. I still am in a trance while out in NYC-although I am proud to say that my pace blends in and I am no longer the tourist:)
This city is beyond words and I feel like I really fit in here-it's almost impossible not to fit in, beacuse there is so much diversity and such a variety of people here!
Well, that's been my week (in a nutshell) and I can't wait for Monday!

A couple weeks in

January 14, 2008

Wow! I thought this blog would be easy to maintain and it is not right now;) Everything is absolutely thrilling here. I know I keep writing that and maybe that’s why I haven’t really been writing a lot, because it hasn’t changed.
The segment I helped with on Bret Michaels and Rock of Love aired Tuesday and it was so nice to be able to see a project all the way through again. The producer I work with is just amazing in every way and I look up to her very, very, very much.
Today I was in the control room for a bit helping to plan out some segments and things going on over the rest of the week. I also was able to talk to a couple of really great Prodcution Managers. They took the time to sit with me and talk to me about the differences between what they do and what Producers do.
They told me that in its most basic form, producers create the project and production managers see to it that it comes to life…they make sure it happens. They have a more organizational role. There is so much more to it, but I am interested more in producing from these descriptions, but you never know.
One of the prod. Managers I was speaking with talked to me about helping with the concert series that comes through there once I told her what I would want to work on or what I was interested in. To me, I have the rest of my life to write about serious, hard news. Right now, I really enjoy soft news and connecting with viewers in that demographic.
I do love that now, as a journalist, you have to do it all. You plan, write, do lighting, sound, edit, EVERYTHING. While it takes more work , it is nice to have that kind of control over your vision.
Something else I love is that tomorrow is a new day…seriously. You can have a segment on this or that, but tomorrow is going to flip you over and fry you another way.
I love everything about what I do. This is just a breathless experience.
I miss my husband dearly, but he will be visiting in Feb. so that will refill my love tank and put the air in my lungs again. He is the most supportive person and my whole family just rocks.
I’m constantly wondering if Jen is going into labor. Missing my Mom and Dad’s company or wondering how Amanda is doing in school, what gma is up to…what My Aunt Lisa and Uncle Ladd are doing…
With such an amazing family and constant support from the Idaho Youth Ranch and my family there, it is hard to ever look up and feel like no one is thinking about you;)

This last week

Ok, I could've sworn that I'd written something here. Ok, so, this last week has been the most amazing experience ever. My first day I was asked to work on a couple of assignments and to help in so many different places, it was amazing. There are much fewer interns than I expected and I have been able to reap the benefits of that and stay soooooooooooooo busy. I love this industry for that reason. I have worked 12 hour days and it only feels like I'm working 5 or 6. I love NBC, they are an amazing company and I just can't believe all of the fun I am having. Due to confidentiality reasons, I cannot talk about what I am doing until it airs, but I have been really involved in a lot and all of the producers are AMAZING and so smart, so smart. This last week Stacy London on the show and I was involved with that segment in helping the producer in a lot of different ways. I know I already said it, but the producers on this show are absolutely top notch!
I was asked this next week to help out with 30 Rock next week and am flipping out! Sooooo, in a nut shell I am in love with NYC and my roommates are amazing and the area in fantastic, so all I am missing is my husband, family and friends! =)

Another day in NYC

January 6, 2008

Well, last night was my first night with my roommates. We stayed up until midnight talking and getting to know each other, which was really fun. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to handle living with other people and not really having my own space (as I share a bedroom as well), but it really isn’t that bad. The girls are awesome! Natalie is my room roommateJ She went to broadcasting school is Maryland and then went on to work at Access Hollywood and CBS. She also decided to go back to school to get her Masters and while doing that taught in one of the toughest neighborhoods out here in the Bronx… so now she is also writing a book about it.
Melissa is the cutest ever! She came up here from Utah in April of last year as an advertising intern and after she finished, was offered a job and has been here ever since. They both are just such really nice girls and I think we are all going to have a lot of fun together.
The brownstone is adorable. It is really a comfy place and feels very safe. Today is my dad’s last day here and we are going to take the subway down to 30 Rock again…taking the B train.
Yesterday we went to the Statue of Liberty. It was just beautiful and interestingly, her back right foot is lifted up as if reaching higher and higher into the sky. It was really remarkable to see a sight that so many have seen and that symbolizes so much to so many.
Next, we went to Ellis Island, again, just a really neat place…full of history. Another interesting feeling that comes about when you stand in a place that means so much to so many and to our country. After that I came back and took the train ALL THE WAY up to my stop by my house. This really has been an amazing couple of days and even though it is so real to me that I am alone up here, really alone, those feelings are subsided by the excitement of such a wonderful city and opportunity.
I really, really, really miss my husband and family. It is so odd not being with them. I miss my puppies too. Right now is hard because I haven’t started work yet, hopefully when I am working and living out my dream this will get easier.
I have received a lot of emails, phone calls, and messages from so many people, it is such a great feeling to know that people care=)
Well, tomorrow is the big day and I couldn’t possibly describe the feeling.

Pictures to go with the NYC story

So, here are more pictures and I will post a couple more soon!

Me in NYC

Well, I didn’t have internet access when I first got here, but I remember it all clearly! I stepped off the plane, took a deep breath as I stretched my fingertips out and opened up my heart to this wonderful city.
The first thing to touch my nose was the smell of people. All kinds of smells…not bad, just an abundance of smells (I noticed this heightened once in a taxi…like times 10!)
I came into the city at the perfect time…around the time it was getting dark and it was just beautiful. I couldn’t take it all in at once, it was in pieces over the last couple of days that I have only begun to take in the blocks of NYC. The people who live here or around here don’t refer to Manhattan as “Manhattan,” but the City. I heard this last night while spending some wonderful time with Sarah, a Producer at NBC and my friend here in the city.
The first night, I went to a small market that had really exotic foods and I must have hit it around rush hour. It was ridiculous. I didn’t know what I was doing and I really was trying my best to blend in. I got up to the counter to check out and the guy behind the register was saying something to me and I couldn’t really understand him, so he said it again, but much louder…I didn’t take my items out of my shopping cart…you have to do that.

So, the next day I got up and went to the Museum of Natural History…AMAZING! Lots of people there at 10, when they opened, but what a cool place. You could really spend days in there, my favorite part was the ocean life and the dinosaurs. I still had so much that I wanted to see of NYC, so after 4 hours and 4 floors, I ventured onward.
Later that day, I went to the subway and bought my first METROCARD. Very cool…unless you are me and don’t know how to use it. ;)
Swear…I got up to go through and ran my card through and the turn thing wouldn’t let me go. I noticed a guy walk up next to me on my left and just go through without swiping his card. So I did it again…this time a lady came through without swiping?????? Finally a woman came over to me and politely told me that I needed to swipe my card on the right to go through. Therefore, I have donated 2 subway rides thus far. Look at me being so generous…
Once I figured that out, I got on the subway and took it to Penn Station, which is HUGE. When I got off, the place was packed with people and there were so many stairs everywhere, I panicked. However, I put my head down and went for it. Going with the crowds, I made my way up to the streets and continued on to the Empire State Building, which was my destination choice. ***NOTE: This is a touristy weekend; therefore, there was a MASSIVE amount of excess people at all of the sight-seeing places. I literally waited in line for about 30 minutes to get to the top and see (which was worth every minute), but what made me laugh was the amount of time I was in line to COME DOWN. Almost the same amount was spent in line.
Later that night, I went to Sarah’s place for dinner. She made soup and I got to meet Walt, her boyfriend. We went to some really wonderful places that night. We got to go to this place named Rodolfo’s??? I might be wrong, but it was this place that decorated their whole restaurant with Christmas décor….literally every square inch. It was just really cool. A lot of the places you can go to here have so much charm and are so unique! ;)
Today was another amazing day.
Although, I must say, the weather here is insane. The cold is so much different here…it is gnarly.
I got up with the intent to take the subway to 30 Rock…funny, it seems the subway and I am going to have some lovely run-ins.
Anyways, my intent was to take the B to 30 Rock, because it goes right underneath it, but the B was down so I had to take either the A or the D and then change trains and take different one….anyways, you get the point, it was confusing. I ended up taking the D to 59th/Columbus Circle and then just walking over to Rockefeller Plaza.
Again, probably one of the most beautiful buildings. Just because it is where I am going and have always wanted to go. Just took my breath away. It was kind of scary too, but without fear, we have no room to grow. Still people everywhere. I got to see the Christmas tree and the skating rink, but there were just so many people, it was hard to really see.
I then, proceeded down to Times Square…you would think that the number of people at 30 Rock would’ve given me a clue to turn around and come back, but I am stubborn. I went over and saw all of the lights and it just really felt like a piece of the city that you see in the movies…loads of people everywhere and taxis’ honking at each other and people just hustling around….shopping bags all about.
WOW!
Let’s talk about St. Patrick’s Cathedral! It is the largest church in the United States and the 3rd largest in the world. What can I even say about this place? Phenomenal. It was probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It has a very gothic architecture to it, which IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! I was completely drawn in with my mouth just open. It is hard to describe and pictures don’t do it justice, but simply breath-taking.
I must say, that I took the subway back and really did feel some relief, when I stepped off the subway into (what I consider to be) my quiet little block. People were slower here, but still on a mission to get somewhere. The city is rough, but honest. The people are genuine here, which I appreciate. It is just like anywhere else in the world, where you have a mixture of people and cultures, except really heightened.
One of my favorite parts about being here is enjoying the diversity here. I absolutely love it. The city is so different depending on where you are. All of the neighborhoods have their own feel, people, shops, and air. I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in here, that I would stick out, but that is very hard to do in a place that includes people of all different kinds.