Day 3: Emotions Running Wild

When I thought to myself, “Could this convention get any more intense than it already is?” I had no idea how little I have actually explored. The second day of the convention was probably the most intense and emotionally diverse day I have had in a long time. As always, Seo Young, Linda, and I woke up at 6:30 planning to write our blogs. This never works out because getting ready, physically and mentally, poses a challenge for us. I had an had an extremely important activity to go to today – Lunch with the JEA President – so I decided to do some research and from interview questions with which I would go in. At first, it was extremely productive. It was extremely early in the morning and there was no one in the lobby so I could use the computers there. I was diligently researching, working hard and not bothering anyone, but of course there had to be something that disturbed the perfect balance of my morning. It was not the 6,000 high school students from around America all coming to the lobby and being loud, it was even worse – it was Mr. Smalley. He came, all happy and ecstatic for the day to begin and started rambling about how his first day went and what his plans were. Then he started asking me questions about my experiences at the convention, and I just totally lost focus. Don’t get me wrong, I love to hear about other peoples days and chit chat with them, but not so early in the morning when I’m trying to get work done. There was a small amount benefit to this encounter. He helped me form my questions in a more professional way and guide me towards asking questions more specific to scholastic journalism rather than journalism in general. The lobby and computer area started filling up as more and more people woke up so I went back to my room to get dressed.

The first session I had was called “The Issues of Covering Religion at Schools.” The thing I liked most about it, is that they gathered a panel of people of all different religions and job areas to present the topic. There was a boy from a Jewish day school, a Washington Post writer who covers religion all over the world, a Hinduism expert, a school board adviser and a PTA representative. The two hour session consisted of two parts. In the first part, Charles Haney asked the panel questions on the basics of religion in schools. He said a very interesting thing – “Student journalists have the civic obligation to cover religion. Accurate and fair coverage helps overcome the ignorance and fear associated with religion.” I liked this statement because it summarizes the key objectives of a journalist and relates it to the issues and negative emotion the world faces. I also liked how the panel gave their opinions on specific case studies of religion at schools. I learn best when I am exposed to particular cases from which I can take the benefits and mistakes, and that’s what we did. The second part of the activity was Q and A, where the audience could ask the panel questions. It was extremely interesting to see how different regions of America react to religious issues and topics in general. Even though the country is a melting pot, the religious aspect of it is very rigid and gives off an uncomfortable vibe.

Next was Lunch with the JEA president. There are no words to describe how extremely excited I was for this. I thought that it was going to be a very formal thing and consequently I dressed up really nicely and brought my notebook and questions and was ready to interview Mark Newton. The event ended up being quite different than I pictured it to be. It was very informal and structured more as a conversation than an interview. There were four students there in total and we all go to compare and discuss the journalism programs at our schools. Two girls were from Tampa, Florida and one was from Omaha, Nebraska. Everyone had different experiences, but what fascinated me most was the journalism program at the school where Mr. Newton works. Instead of having a separate yearbook and newspaper staff, he has a media team. The media students are good at many different things and they produce different mediums for the topic they are assigned. In addition, I got a lot of good advice for the Almaty Voice. It was a very productive lunch, despite the fact that one of the participants wouldn’t shut her mouth and thought that she was the president herself.

Jay Harris was the keynote speaker that we had to see at 2:00, but I was so exhausted I couldn’t get myself to go. Instead Jasmin and I decided to grab lunch on the street adjacent to the hotel. We chose a shady Indian restaurant, which had the most delicious food we’ve had in a long time. This was actually our first meal since we came to the states. There is no time to eat whatsoever because you are always running from one session to another and taking power naps during breaks. At 4:00, I had a yearbook body copy write off. It is a contest in which we had to write body copy and two captions for the topic of performing arts at George Washington High School. Two hours were given to us for this activity and I thought I didn’t do as well as I could of. I was very very very tired and it felt as if I forgot how to write. I’ll just have to wait and see how I did.

After my tedious two hours I started making my way to the elevator. I hoped I wouldn’t see anyone, that I could just slip past everyone I know and climb into my bed. Surprise – this didn’t happen. Right as I walked out of the elevator on the fourth floor, Mr. Smalley’s face pops out from around the corner. We sat down and chatted about my day. I was tired, annoyed at myself for not writing an extraordinary body copy, irritated at the girl who wouldn’t shut up at the lunch, and physically dead. I started crying, and laughing at myself for crying, and the world just started falling apart.

THE NEXT MOMENT, was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m sitting on a couch crying and the elevator doors open. Harsha, who walked me to my write off contest and supposedly left, walks out. I wasn’t surprised because I saw her the day before and thought maybe she had just forgotten something. BUT THEN, Katie and Laurie walk out of the elevator as well. I tackle Katie because I haven’t seen my best friend in over six months and we fall over. I’m sobbing, I’m laughing. The love, excitement, surprise, and joy is so overwhelming that I have no words to say. I later found out that they had been planning this for two weeks and that they have both been lying about not being able to come see me because of school work. They booked a room at the same hotel as us and are staying for two days! I think I have the BESTEST friends on the planet and I am so glad I get to see them,  even for a little bit.

The surprises weren’t over just yet. Adrian and Claire, who I haven’t seen in ages, were sitting down stairs, waiting to go to dinner with us. I changed my clothes as fast as I could and ran downstairs to meet them. We went back to the shady Indian restaurant and had a marvelous time catching up. I took no naps that day, so I was falling asleep, but just being with the people I love and seeing them was remarkable. We spent about two hours there and then made our way back to the hotel, where I crashed. It was nostalgic, all the memories and experiences we have lived through together rushed into my body. Overfilled with happiness and love, I descended into deep sleep in Katie and Harsha's suite.