Once a Journalist, now a blogger.

In the beginning of the semester to be perfectly honest when we found out that we had to write blogs I was unsure how much I would enjoy this process. I thought to myself a little bit and immediately through out the idea that these blogs could help me in any way. Well now the semester is over and looking back, I was such a fool. These blogs have been nothing but beneficial to me in so many ways.

For one I had never truly written a blog, and I never knew how much went into making a blog a success. I had no idea what tags were, I didn’t know how to link websites into my stories, basically I just thought to have a successful blog all I would need to do is just write. Well I was wrong, tags, links, and pictures really make blogs stick out, and they also allow for more people to view your work. Without these tags and links no one would be able to see my work, no one would be able to leave comments, it basically would have been a journal. Now I can see in my mind what it truly means to have a productive blog, there is so much more that goes into it than just writing.

As long as were on the topic of writing, I believe that through this blog process and this class that my writing has improved. Now I am a graduating senior come this December and I thought by now that I should have had everything figured out. However, I learned that when writing blogs and feature stories that I am not just writing papers for teachers, but through this class I realized that I am writing to an audience. I never really took into consideration prior to this class that one day people would see my work. So now as I write I don’t think so much about what I would like or what my teachers would like, but what my viewers would like and what they would want to hear. My thought process about writing has really done a 180.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that my writing has gotten any better from these blogs or these feature stories, but I would say that the structure to my writing has changed for the better. I was a little narrow-minded before this class and now I feel as if I have broadened my writing horizon. I truly did enjoy this class and the process of writing these blogs. I believe I am a better writer because of the uncomfortable situations I was put in. I plan to continue my blogging after this semester, because I believe it really helps me vent on topics I may not necessarily be able to write about or talk about anywhere else. Plus I can see nothing but benefits from continuing these blogs, who knows someday someone may read my blog and a new opportunity may arise from it. Opportunities are not going to come being complacent, and I have truly learned this from class, it takes action to strike opportunity and I plan to be an active writer and blogger from here on out. It has been a great experience and I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.

If you would like to get started on blogging, or really don’t know the first thing about blogging check out this video for tips and come join me in the blogging community. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6CbJCXIKc

The Final Salute- The True American Heroes

The Final Salute a feature story in the Rocky Mountain News is a story that is hard to get through. I can not imagine having to go to the door of a fallen Marine and inform the family of their son or daughter’s tragic death. When one thinks of the U.S. military they think of hard noised, poised for anything type of people, but this story proves otherwise. This is a story about the men whose job it is to inform the families of their fallen soldier. We all see it in movies and T.V. shows, but something about this article doesn’t just show what happens when these men knock at the door, this article makes us feel the emotions as if we were giving the sad news.

It would be very tough going into work every morning just waiting for the reports on tragedies and then having to spring into action and deliver bad news. I found it very interesting and compassionate to find out that after these Marines had delivered the bad news that they stayed with the families to console them and comfort them. Not just for an hour or two, but in some situations they are with them for months or years helping the families grieve and get over their losses.

The part of the story that got me the most, or really hit home, was when the young widow,23, spent her last night in the church or resting grounds for her husband’s body before he was buried. She said she had one of the best nights sleep, but she felt that she had taken it for granted. It is hard to let someone go forever, especially if you never got to say goodbye to them, but I think the hardest thing of all would be to spend one last night next to my significant other, knowing that nothing can be done to change the outcome. Not to mention she was carrying her husbands baby, whom he had not go to see, nor ever will.

Honestly this was a tragic read and it was very depressing to be frank. I appreciate reads like these however, because stories like these are a big reality check, it is so easy to get caught up in our own daily activities and life styles that we often forget about the bigger picture. We often forget about the men and women serving our country so we can live a life of freedom. This article is a good refresher on what is truly important in life. Dying for your country and for the betterment of other generations has to be the highest honor, but when that day comes it is really hard to accept for the family as their loved one died for something greater. Is it worth it?… Like Beck said, it is not up to him, but it is up to the families and the loved ones to decide. It is never an easy topic, but in my opinion, although tragic, it should be a great honor to die for one’s country.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn_iz8z2AGw