Articles by: Stephanie

The Travel Diaries, May 11 to 14

The Travel Diaries, May 11 to 14

Seventy-two hours after handing in my last exam, and you better believe it: I was on the road again.

On Wednesday, I moved back home following the end of the spring semester. I have one more semester to go at AU, so I made the decision to pack up, leave D.C. and become a commuter student in order to save some cash and get a better idea for what I want in the future. But that’s another story for another day. Point is, I moved back on Wednesday, spent most of Thursday unpacking, and by Friday I had repacked a small carry-on and was on a bus to Philadelphia.

I’ve taken the bus several times, and when things go according to plan (i.e. no traffic), it’s an easy and affordable trip. But unfortunately my trip did not have such a smooth beginning. Traffic was a nightmare and a 3 hour trip soon turned into 5 hours. So awful, but it was probably worse for the bus driver whom I felt really bad for.

Anyway, finally made it to Philly and spent Friday and Saturday with my cousin. I’ve been to the city several times before so there was no visiting historical landmarks or anything like that; it was pretty casual, just hanging around. Saturday during the day, though, I went outside of Philly to attend my friend’s graduation ceremony. I swear it was only a year ago we graduated from high school and now this?!

Sunday I took the train to New York City (as if I would go back on a bus so soon after Friday’s debacle) and spent some time wandering Times Square and going on a chocolate shopping spree. I was disappointed by how small Hershey’s Chocolate World is, but I guess that’s to be expected after you visit the real thing in Hershey, PA. M&M World on the other hand was really cool – I bought a champagne bottle filled with M&Ms to celebrate… well, I’m not sure what, but why do you need an excuse to celebrate with M&Ms?

I met up with some friends Sunday night and somehow ended up rubbing shoulders with important, artsy people at the Manderley Bar in Chelsea. It was an experience, to say the least.

My trip then culminated with the NBC Primetime presentation at Radio City Music Hall on Monday morning, which I was invited to on behalf of Poptimal. I found this year’s UpFront to be far less showy than last year’s, but it was still an enjoyable time all the same (I’m probably still bitter about not seeing Joel McHale again, you’ll have to excuse me). Following the NBC presentation, we were served some delicious lunch and I accidentally knocked into NBC Entertainment Chair Bob Greenblatt. Of course, I didn’t realize who he was until afterward. People look so much different up close than on a stage!

Check out my article about NBC’s Upfront here: The Peacock Grew a Funny Bone

So far summer is just getting started and though I don’t have any major trips planned, I hope to do a few more weekend excursions!

May 16, 2012 0 comments
My Daily Walk Does Not Need a Soundtrack

My Daily Walk Does Not Need a Soundtrack

We’ve become accustomed to seeing people walking or jogging on the sidewalk with some ear buds in place, wires dangling down to their music player of choice. They are completely tuned out to the world, going about their day with their favorite songs filling their eardrums.

I’m more than guilty of this act. In fact, I probably should’ve taken it as a sign when I went through three headphones in a six-month time span. My abuse of the headphones began in 2008, when I was living in Paris and commuting to my French classes several times a week. Britney Spears had just released her first album since going crazy and it was catchy; how could I not have it on repeat?

Fast forwarding to 2012, I found myself slipping in those ear buds during my 10 minute walk to campus, having only the chance to listen to three or four songs. And whenever I would run into a classmate or friend on the sidewalk, instead of stopping to have a conversation or saying a quick “hello” to one another, it became more of a wave or nod and smile. Human interaction? Gone. Not hearing that car while you’re crossing the street? Not good.

So I’ve decided to stop wearing my headphones when just walking around the city and to and from my apartment. There are so many sights and sounds I could be missing out on by tuning out the world around me. That’s not to say I won’t ever listen to music while out and about; if I’m on metro commuting somewhere, yes, I probably will put my headphones in. It’s part of the metro culture. Is that good or bad? I don’t know. But I do know I want to make more of an effort to be fully aware of my surroundings and not consistently distracted by technology.

After all, my ears could use a break. I wear headphones most of the day when studying in the library or watching a show on my computer. My roommate would probably rather not listen to the trials and tribulations of Chuck & Blair.

April 11, 2012 0 comments Read More
Favorite New App: Viggle

Favorite New App: Viggle

Since I got my iPhone in November, I have been hooked on downloading and playing with a variety of apps. Honestly, I completely expected this from myself. Of course the first apps I downloaded were the obvious ones: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, Fandango, etc.

Anyone who’s seen my Mac case knows that it is covered in stickers from a web site called GetGlue. When you “check in” to a TV show, movie or even song, you have the opportunity to unlock a sticker. Earn 20 stickers and you can have hard copies mailed to you. Many networks, studios and record labels have teamed up with GetGlue to produce these stickers and, overall, it’s a pretty fun site for pop culture junkies like myself.

But then I started browsing the iTunes store and came across a featured app called Viggle. It’s similar to GetGlue in that you “check in” to a TV show, but instead of receiving a sticker you’re rewarded with points every time you watch TV. If you accumulate enough points, you can redeem your points for gift cards to Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Sephora and so much more. And if that’s not cool enough, Viggle wants to make sure you’re not lying about the shows you’re checking into. The only way to check in is by audio confirmation; the app listens to what’s playing on your TV and automatically makes a match. It’s both creepy and fascinating at the same time.

I definitely recommend you try this app for yourself! Especially if you’re a TV junkie like myself.

February 21, 2012 0 comments Read More
Downton Abbey/Fancy Entourage

Downton Abbey/Fancy Entourage

I realize I am behind the bandwagon on this one, but I have finally discovered the amazing show that is “Downton Abbey.” Not Downtown Abbey, as many have accidentally called it, myself included. But once you start saying “Downton,” it rolls off your tongue easily enough.

The first season is short, with only seven episodes, but that’s the way many British shows go. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I believe the show was only supposed to be run as a mini series, but it’s growing popularity earned it a second season.

I’ve finished the first season, but am holding out on the second one because I know once I start watching, I won’t be able to stop. Unfortunately, there is no room for procrastination these days. But I love the show because, despite having such a large ensemble cast, I felt everyone had the chance to shine. Every character’s personalities and story arcs were clearly defined, and the interaction between the house servants and the Crawley’s worked seamlessly. Plus, the time period is a bonus (pre-WWI through the first season).

And lest we not forget Dame Maggie Smith, who has some of the best one-liners on television. My favorites being: “What is a weekend?” and “Why does everyday involve a fight with an American?” Thankfully, the good citizens of YouTube have put together a video to back up this argument:

Note: “Fancy Entourage” is in reference to an SNL produced fake commercial about “Downton Abbey.” It’s a pretty appropriate title, and one of the best SNL-produced anything in a long while.

February 14, 2012 0 comments Read More
Learning in the City

Learning in the City

This semester, I registered for a class called “Media at the Newseum.” It’s the first time it’s being offered at AU, so it’s still a bit of an experimental course. It’s more of a media study class, and we don’t have every class at the Newseum. But each time we go, we’re assigned to a certain exhibit and given an assignment related to something or someone featured in said exhibit.

I signed up for this class for several reasons (fit my schedule, credit towards my major, etc.), but also because I love it when professors use the city as a learning device. In the past, I’ve had to attend court and congressional hearings for class and while studying abroad in London, the city was our classroom. Especially during British Life and Cultures, our teacher took us to Primrose Hill and a prostitute graveyard. Sounds odd, but it’s actually really fascinating because we learned about the history of London neighborhoods to the south of the Thames during Shakespeare’s time.

Anyway, the point of this is, I love learning in a city. It’s why I wanted to go to college in a city; there’s so much to do, see and learn. During our first session at the Newseum, I saw a real section of the Berlin Wall (photographed above) and several artifacts from news history (O.J. Simpson’s trial suit, original copies of newspapers from the early 1900s, and more). It’s a fascinating museum, the only one of its kind in the world, and as a journalism major, I’m so fortunate it’s just a short metro ride away!

February 1, 2012 0 comments Read More