The words of Martina

The art of video making…

martinareyes86lynn — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:39:24 +0000

Social media the last couple of classes have been about us seeing how easy it is to make a video. All it takes it $70 and a little creativitity and BAM something different for our blogs! While it does look easy when Handy is making it, I have a feeling it would take some time for me. I am doing my best to be more creative with all the social networks I am now a part of… it is a slow process for me to really sit and explore all the ins and outs. I think videos on blogs are a fantastic idea. It is creative and something that people would really enjoy watching if you had a good topic (its all about the topic, don’t make it pointless!) It is a way to make your blog stand out and grab the attention. I hope to be able to include this with my blog in the future!

Let’s take a gondola ride…

martinareyes86lynn — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:18:48 +0000

My next few posts will be detailing the many beautiful cities of Italy. I traveled there a couple summers ago and fell in love with the cities, the people and the food. Each place in this amazing country houses some of the best art and architecture in the world and it is hands down a must if you want to see Europe. So our first stop will be Venice.

Venice is a Northern Italian city that sits atop water. While the precise origin of Venice is unknown, many believe a community built it as a way to rid themselves of their enemies. Its history is filled with many historical events, one of them being that the city was a staging area for the Crusades. It is completely surrounded by water and the only way to get there is a boat ride. Known as being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Venice is known for its canals. These strips of water cut through the city, creating “streets” that are only drivable by boats. One of the best ways to explore this area is to take a gondola ride. While this will set you back about 100 euro (depending on exchange rate $130 U.S.) it is a MUST! I was so glad I went on one because the whole city just opens up, you see places that just walking around you would miss and the drivers can be very entertaining. My driver, Mario, told us his whole life story and a nice info session about Venice! Very funny:) The Grand Canal is the big finale of the whole ride because it features the bridge that connects the two parts of Venice together!

I’m sure everyone knows about the famous pigeons that live in Venice at St. Mark’s Square. If you haven’t well let’s just say there are a ton! So if you are not afraid of these birds, by all means buy some birdseed for one euro and go to town… if you are then stay calm and just avoid them. St. Mark’s Basilica is in this square and it is absolutely stunning. The detailed work in this church is amazing, I have no words… you just have to experience it for yourself.

A couple other things to do before you journey back to the mainland… see the Venetian glass blowers, go to Doge’s Palace, enjoy some shopping, have a coffee in an outside cafe and take A LOT of pictures!

You will be glad you put this stamp in your passport! Ciao!

A guru’s advice…

martinareyes86lynn — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:41:11 +0000

In social media this week, Mike Koehler from NewsOk spoke to our class about the professional view of social media networks. His discussion focused largely on twitter, a network that he focuses on a lot during his day at the office. He spoke about how the use of these new networks are helping shape journalism for the future. Hearing what he had to say was helpful in that it was nice to hear it from a professional who uses it on a daily basis. To hear him speak of the value in it showed that professionals are very interested in this and that we as college students need to be on board. I am very glad that I decided to take this course. I think it will benefit me in huge ways!

Let’s go see the Matterhorn…

martinareyes86lynn — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:36:52 +0000

Switzerland, like Austria, is a beautiful country with its scenery. The vast open space, the clear water, snow-capped mountains and fields of green make it a sight for sore eyes. For someone who wants to really explore a city, really experience its outdoors than Switzerland is your tourist attraction.

This country is influenced by its ski and hiking culture. Some of the world’s best ski resorts reside in Switzerland’s Alps Mountains range. Many folk art is seen on the streets in the form of dancing, singing, reading poetry and wood carvings. This is a peaceful place… Switzerland is known for its neutrality and is home to organizations such as Red Cross and World Trade Organization. Its cities, Zurich and Geneva, are some of the top cities in Europe.

The Matterhorn in one attraction that you cannot miss out on. This oddly shaped peak is one of the tallest in the Alps and is settled between the borders of Switzerland and Italy. Its vast size and beauty make it majestic. In Zurich you can enjoy seeing some of the country’s best universities, some going as far back as Medieval Europe. If banking is your love, feel free to enjoy in this world banking city.

Geneva is another great city filled with interesting culture. Some things to do here are seeing the Broken Chair, a 39 foot wood chair with a broken leg that sits in front of Place des Nations. The chair’s maker created it as a statement for opposing land mines and it is a way to remind politicians of that fact every time they visit the city. For car lovers, the Genveva Motor Show should be on the to do list. Every March car makers from all over the world bring in their new models for showing. Hundreds of gleaming, sleek and powerful cars make eye candy for any car lover.

So go to Switzerland and enjoy in some nice outdoor adventures… breathe the fresh air and take lots of pictures. You will be glad you put the stamp in your passport!

Networking for the future…

martinareyes86lynn — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:56:45 +0000

This week I went to a communications expo. It was the first one to be held for just journalism students at Oklahoma State University. Usually we have to go to the one that is for everyone and end up trying to make ourselves look impressive to engineering and marketing employers. Obviously it doesn’t always work in our favor. I went to one earlier in the semester and it was a waste of time. So when this expo came about I was excited. Now I could really network to employers who needed my skills. Well another disappointment because most of them were looking for interns and unpaid at that. I am graduating in just a couple months (yes I am panicked) and I need a job where I can pay rent. I was able to talk to some great non-profit organizations (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation) and that was fantastic. I would love to start out in non-profit so their advice was very beneficial. All and all I am glad I went to this networking event but I am still wondering if it made any bit of difference… guess only time will tell.

The hills are alive…..

martinareyes86lynn — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:25:29 +0000

Our next trip takes us to the beautiful country of Austria. This gorgeous country was the lush background to the musical Sound of Music and provides breathtaking scenery while you enjoy its sites. The country is well-developed, one of the 10 richest countries in the world, and is home to some of the best scientists, musicians and novelist in history; greats such as Wolfgang Mozart, Johann Strauss and even the French Queen Marie Antoinette were born here. Located in central Europe, the country rests in the Alps Mountains…. remember to pack some warm clothes for this very reason. Austria is known for its food and is one of the most multicultural cuisines in Europe… you can eat tender pork dishes and enjoy yummy Strudel.

One of the best cities to go to is Vienna. This city provides some of the most breathtaking and fun sites you could see. While there see the Vienna Opera House, Schonbrunn Palace and Naschmarkt. The palace is one of the most significant cultural monuments in Austria and provides a fascinating tour and the market has been a tradition on the streets of this city since the 16th century. There is also the Prater fair, which houses Riesenrad, the famous Ferris wheel. I suggest riding it because you can get no better view.

Another amazing site that I highly recommend is going to Salzburg and seeing the home of Mozart. Like mentioned in my last blog, there are some sites that worth the long wait and this is one of them. I have been inside this tiny apartment and it is worth seeing. You get a sense of history that you can’t get in a textbook. And while you are there, if you have the money and time, skiing is amazing. It is the national sport of Austria and you get to ski on the Alps….how many times could you say you skied on one of the most spectacular mountains in the world… bragging rights are yours.

So enjoy the fresh air and the tasty treats. You will be glad you put this stamp in your passport.

The inside scoop of social media

martinareyes86lynn — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:51:53 +0000

In my class this week we were taught how easy it is to make your own Web site. That’s right, something that the masses think is extremely confusing and time consuming. I was part of this bunch until Tuesday. Our class has put together a new site that is all about the awesomeness that is journalism. And we set it up in one class period. While I will not divulge the secret because well I want to be a step above the rest, I will say this…. for those who don’t know educate yourself by taking a class or doing some research. Knowing these skills makes you so much more profitable and that is important because you need to beat your competitors. At this point in time I will give anything to be a step above the tons of people who want the same job I do.

So investigate the social media world… and check out our Web site, www.sociallyorange.org.

Social Media, part 3

martinareyes86lynn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:17:52 +0000

Well this week was eventful in that a tornado stalled class on Tuesday. I think the best thing I learned that day was that in case of severe weather, the basement of Paul Miller is one way to go. But we did discuss our project on Thursday. My taking on our discussion was that as high school and college students all the way to alumni and professionals, we all have something to give each other. We can share tips we have acquired through our experiences that allow us to build off each other. Just goes to show that you can never stop learning. You just need to network and build relationships with different groups of people because it is not what you know BUT who you know. So true!

Ah, The Netherlands

martinareyes86lynn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:13:23 +0000

Our next trip takes us to the windmill capital of the world…. The Netherlands or more commonly known as Holland. Holland’s culture makes this country so incredibly unique! The people are nice, the sites are incredible and the shopping is fantastic. It appeals to all ages, from the retirees to the college kids going on a crazy spring break adventure.

Holland’s cities come with some amazing features. First there is Rotterdam, the biggest port city in Europe and until 2004 in the world. Known for its shopping districts this will be the home for the 2010 Tour de France opening. And then there is of course Amsterdam, the capital. Right now everyone is thinking “red-light district” somewhere in their mind. Yes, while this place houses every college guy’s dream of legal sex and pot, there is more to this place than movies let on. Amsterdam has some of the most unique museums in the world. First there is the Van Gogh Museum, named after Holland’s very own, the gifted painter Vincent Van Gogh. But the most intriguing of these belongs to Anne Frank.

The house of Anne Frank is a site that needs to be on your agenda as soon as you land. Now not everyone is a history buff but unless you slept in history class all through public schooling, everyone should know this amazing girl. The house of Anne Frank is a HUGE attraction and the museum is incredible. Knowing I have seen that infamous stairway and been in her family home is touching. So do yourself a favor and wait in the long line because I promise it is worth it, explore some culture!

And don’t forget to pick up some wooden clogs before you leave. So enjoy the sites because you will be glad you put the stamp in your passport!

Social Media… part 2

martinareyes86lynn — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:47:05 +0000

Last week in class we discussed in depth the wonder that is twitter. I, myself, am still trying to figure out this cyber world but the more I play around, the more I am becoming intruiged. Our guest speaker, Natalie Wright, told us the importance of learning these new avenues of social media because that is the direction companies are going. I just got done job hunting and it is slim pickens. So I am taking Natalie’s words to heart. I am going to become a twitter genius and showcase my new found talent to future employees. I will keep my fingers crossed that not only will I learn something new for myself but also become more marketable for companies.