Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The question we all ask ourselves: Why?

It's almost been a week since that horrifying shooting. The innocent lives lost. The mothers and fathers without their children. The kids without their friends, without teachers. The list goes on. Newtown, Connecticut will forever be remembered by Sandy Hook Elementary. It's a day most of us will never forget. The worst mass shooting in Elementary School history. As I type that sentence, I can't help but ask myself why? Why the kids? Why, why, why?

It's an event we can't fathom. We don't understand. Yet, it's real. As a journalist-- we try to give the public facts. We grieve and we cry. One day we may even know why. But, does that really give us the answer?

As I watched Breaking News coverage, I just sat in my living room. I didn't say anything. I read twitter and Facebook and other online sites. The anger, fear, sadness felt by many across this nation.

I heard people upset over the wrong facts that were initially reported. People upset over reporting the suspects name. Everyone has an opinion. I'm disappointed that the facts were wrong, initially. If all of us are asking the question why.. then why don't people want to know about the shooter?

Yes, I want to know about the children, the victims, those teachers. I want to know who they were.

I'm not sure where I'm supposed to be going with this. Everyone will always question the way journalists report something. They didn't do this, they didn't do that. Every station is trying to be first. I definitely think this unfortunate situation will change the media. We have to learn from our mistakes. We have to listen to viewers. If we don't, viewership will stop. No one will listen to us. Right now, every citizen can consider themselves a journalist.

Every car accident, every shooting, every fire.. is this news? Where are we supposed to draw the line?

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Pinterest: My Holiday Obsession

Today on WAAY TV:

I'll introduce you to my world of Pinterest. Follow me here: http://pinterest.com/jillianucf/

Pinterest during the holidays is probably one of the greatest creations, at least for DIY recipes and crafts.

I found this wreath and fell in love with it! http://pinterest.com/pin/250442429250418753/

I must say-- I'm not the craftiest person in the world. I get frustrated easy and bored. But-- I decided to tackle the craft.

I found the instructions here: http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-mesh-wreath-tutorial.html

Deco Mesh was super hard to find. I couldn't find it in any holiday colors but I found silver and gold.. So I'll make it work. I found some cute little ornaments and decorative ideas to place on the wreath. This wreath is really poofy.. and poofy isn't really my thing. So-- I made mine a little flatter. But-- I think it turned out well.

This is one Pinterest find that I highly recommend. It didn't take me but 20-30 minutes to actually make. I'll post final pictures tonight!

Happy Pinning!