Jenny Choi

As the workshop comes to an end, I recollect all the lessons I had learned from the instructors and the memories I made with my friends.

I have to admit that these two weeks were one of the best weeks. I never knew how much I loved journalism until I came here. Even though being a journalist will be hard, I know that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve anything! You know why? Because I love journalism.

I know that this post might seem cheesy, even to me, but CSPA really has been a great experience.

While I’m typing right now, I’m filled with happiness, laughter, and gratitude. Maybe it’s because of the broadcasting tape that made me laugh. Everything that happened here and I learned from here, I know that it will be useful in the future.

When I talked with the girls last night, it felt like we were “sisters.” I formed a close bond with each and everyone. I met people here, and I hope to stay close with everyone!

As we go on our journeys to high school and college, I hope that we can always look back on CSPA and remember the amazing memories that we shared.

Whatever occupations we pursue, I know that CSPA has played a great role in our lives.

1)    Offers all the aspects and opportunities that journalists can be, such as lessons like photography and visiting the television station.

2)    Students go through experiences real-life journalists’ work, like attending several press conferences.

3)    Other than print journalism, online journalism is taught. Among other aspects, blogging is taught. This is more useful, as more online content is used in journalist industry.

Behind a local highschool, there was a two-acre brushfire.

If print was not available for this news, I would first take a picture of the brushfire and post it on my newspaper’s blog. Since it would not be convenient that I take the photograph with a camera, I would take a photo on my i-Phone, and send the photograph to Twitter. Mashable, a resourceful site, teaches twitter users of how to use emails to send a twitter photo. See below (Photo cred: Mashable):

Also, another example can be through using the school website. My school’s website is http://www.cjuhsd.k12.ca.us/cgi-bin/complex2/showPage.plx?pid=75

Many audio updates are available during the school year. If Los Osos High School were to be affected by the brushfire, I could interview some students and parents who witnessed the fire and record their voices. I can upload the audio. A screenshot of my school is below:

“I used to think cooking was too feminine,” said Yeon Woo Lee, a student of the CSPA workshop.

When she was little, her mother used to always cook for her. Whether it was cookies, cakes, or bread, Lee’s mother cooked baked goods for her. She associated someone who liked to cook, as someone who was feminine.

It was not until she volunteered at the countryside for underprivileged children that she started to cook. The children were not friendly towards her, so it made her feel uncomfortable. Her mother suggested that she should bake cookies for the children, and Lee thought it was a great idea. An idea that brought her closer to the children.

After that event, she brought ingredients for cooking, as she had wanted to bake with the kids. Lee even brought chocolate frosting to put the initials of the children.

From then on, whether it was for her friend’s birthday or a special occasion, she cooked. She cooked at any and every opportunity she had.

One of her favorite things to cook are walnut muffins, and she anticipates on learning more recipes.

“Cooking brings people together, and it made me feel close to people,” Lee said.

A muffin may only be a delicious baked goods for some, but to Lee, it’s a chance to form personal relationships.

I love everything about children. I love how they can turn “simple things” into an extraordinary thing, just by their imagination.

When I was taking photographs at the ASI Children’s Center, their was this one boy who brought a box with him. I asked him why he had brought it, and he said, “I asked my mom if I could bring it, so I  brought it to play with my friends.”

I was fascinated on what they would play with the box, and that’s why I followed them out to the playground. For almost an hour, the children just had fun playing with the box. They would take turns going inside the box and closing the lids. I guess they wanted to “pretend” that they were being shipped.

I remembered my childhood. Those times that I used to play cooking with toys, or  I would perform a magic show with my friends. Now, it seems that children are never exposed to traditional fun. One of my closest friend’s brother is 5 years old, and he plays with a PSP.

When I saw happiness in their eyes, it reminded me of my childhood. The simple things back then.

That thought quickly went away, as the kids fought for their turn. In the picture below, the two girls tried to kick each other out of the box.

Then again, that reminded me of my childhood fights.

After the last class yesterday, a couple of other students and I went to the restroom. The other people went to the discussion room, and as we tried to head to that direction, we couldn’t find our way. We were so confused, and most of our worries were, ‘What if someone tries to kidnap us.’ I always have this sense of being in danger… a lot of the times.

During the school year, it would be around 4:30 or 5 when I finish my club meetings. Most of the times, I would have to walk back home. It’s not that far to my house, but I’m usually really scared. When I see a truck approaching, I pre-dial 911.  I just dial 9-1-1 on my phone, so when someone tries to kidnap me, I would just have to press send. I know, I might sound crazy.

Also, when I walk past someone that looks like a “potential kidnapper.” Walking by myself,  I see all men, women, elderly, and some teenagers to qualify as a “potential kidnapper.” So I call my friends real quick, and I would talk to them. Sometimes no one picks up their phone, so I pretend someone else is on the other line. Usually I’m really discreet about it, so I’m pretty sure no one knows.

I know, I’m really scared at times. But just think about it, it’s kept me safe for all these years.

About an hour ago, the CSPA staff and students went out to the park. Before I went up to CSPA, I spent some weeks in Los Angeles (I don’t live there). Most of the parks there are very, very dirty. But today, I noticed that this park was very clean, and I loved just talking with some of the girls on the grass.

It was some time later that Mary came and asked us to play Flag Football. I honestly didn’t want to, because I REALLY dislike outdoor activities. I would much rather watch someone else play then participating myself. The one thing I hate about playing sports are my teammates.

This summer, I was enrolled in summer PE, and no, I didn’t fail PE during the school year. I just took it, because I don’t have any space next year. Anyways, my PE teacher made us play a lot of outdoor games. He was normally in his room, while we were playing outside in the heat. Thanks teacher, you’re the best.

One game we played was softball. I was put into a specific team with a number of other students. Most of my teammates were boys, and they all knew that I wasn’t the “most talented” in the team. They just told me to try to catch the ball, but since we had a limited number of team members, they appointed me on first base. After that, I dreaded PE.

Everyone blamed me when I didn’t catch the ball. They blamed me if I did catch it, and then I lost it. They blamed me when I didn’t pass the ball high and far enough. Ultimately, they blamed me because I “suck.” After that I got so mad that I yelled at a guy on my team.

After three days of playing softball, I got hit by the ball. Someone was trying to pass me the ball, but I guess I didn’t catch it. It hit me on my eyes, and after minutes, my eyes began to swell up. After that day, my teammates were all saying, “Jenny, are you OK? It’s really bad that you can’t play anymore, because you were doing so good.” I knew they were lying, because right after I got off the team, we started to win.

When I arrived at CSPA, I met many people. Most of the time when you meet someone new, you

ask him or her about what they like or don’t like. This made me remember and think about some occurrences.

When I meet new people at school or church, and I ask them about music, it usually goes down like this:

Me: So do you like music?

Person: Yeah.

Me: What do you like to listen to?

Person: Just about everything.

Me: Really? Everything?

Person: Well except screamos or stuff.

Maybe i’m the only one thinking that.

“Hey, have fun! I’ll miss you, and make sure to call me every night!”

Those were the words that my sister sent to me through a text message. I received that message right when I arrived at CSPA. Yes, it might not be a big deal, but it just always seems like she’s nicer when I farther away from her.

Whenever she comes home from college, I always get in disagreements with her. We would be fighting about the silliest thing. Don’t get me wrong, we’re really close. She helps me, and I help her. She loves me, and I love her… well except when we fight.

The strangest thing is the fact that we actually get along with each other when she’s in college, like when I visit her dormitory.

That being said, at times, I like it better when we’re farther.