Catching up with a buddy

As the plane made its final descent into Nashville, my eyes gazed out the small window to a part of the world I had never seen before. My eyes darted right and then left, playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, as they tried to help my brain register the images of Tennessee. Tiny homes, green pastures and ant-sized cars greeted me as the plane glided through the air. Then BAM! The plane’s tires screeched as they hit the pavement, signaling the start of what I expect to be an inspiring weekend. As soon as the flight attendant made the announcement about the use of cell phones, I turned on my cell to text Kellie Hwang, a fellow Chipster and former AAJA Voices buddy.

It's been almost a year since I've seen Kellie. But as soon as we saw each other at the hotel, it was just as we left it in Hawaii at the end of the AAJA convention. After a few brush strokes through my hair, I was off with Kellie to catch up. We chatted about music, food, Chips Quinn, more music and more food repeating to each other that we must absorb what we can from the Chips Quinn and Nashville experience.

Now at 8:33 p.m., as a newly named Chipster, I embark on my first night in Nashville. I raise my glass -- and my handy reporter's notebook -- and say, "Ya'll better watch out now."

-- Mariecar Mendoza, reporter, The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, Calif., and California Polytechnic State University

Lessons in the 45 words of the First Amendment

I don’t know why I raised my hand when Jack Marsh, Freedom Forum vice president for diversity programs, asked a Spring Scholar to recite the First Amendment in front of a room full of strangers. It’s not that I’m terribly shy, but I have to admit I was nervous. I guess I was trying to make myself feel more comfortable and a part of an atmosphere that was inviting from the moment I sat down at a dinner table between Marsh and Career Coach Colleen Fitzpatrick. I was not prepared to answer additional questions from Marsh, but that’s what being a journalist is about. Sometimes we are not ready for the situations we face. It’s important to know how to deal with situations as best as we can. These experiences can turn out to be lessons for tomorrow. I might not have known everything I should have about the First Amendment, but I am positive that I never will forget it or forget Marsh for putting me on the spot. It wasn’t necessary for Marsh to apologize for what he called “picking on me,” but he did. As far as I’m concerned, he did me a favor when he called on me. Knowledge is power.

-- Ashley Anthony, Spring Scholar, The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun and University of Houston

Watching my life change

It's interesting what goes on in your head when you are told that you are about to embark on an experience that will change your life. I have heard it before: when I started college, when I left home to start a "grown up" life of bills, when I had my daughter. I never heeded much caution, though. I never really paid attention to what my life was like at that moment so I could later reflect on how I changed. As I heard speaker after speaker tonight tell me that I never would be the same after this weekend, I decided I would listen this time. I will use this blog as a record. It will tell who I was as I waited for my big change. So, I am excited and anxious. I am ready to hear, see, touch, smell and even taste the next three days. I am relieved that there is a room full of people who still believe that there is a future for journalism. I hope that they will show me how I can be a part of that future.

-- Connie Llanos, education reporter, Daily News, Los Angeles, and California State University-Northridge

Waiting and wondering

It was 6:50 a.m. and Jack Marsh, vice president for diversity programs at the Freedom Forum, was no where to be found. He was supposed to pick me up at 6:45 a.m. to take me to the airport. Normally, this would not be a big deal; it's only five minutes. But anyone who knows Jack Marsh knows that he operates like a well-oiled machine and he is never late. When he finally arrived at 6:55 a.m., I knew this was going to be an interesting few days. So far, it has been. I have met some fascinating people and became reacquainted with some old friends. I am looking forward to the next three days. I am looking forward to learning more about the wonderful people around me. I am looking forward to learning more about what I, very gratefully, call my career. But most of all, I'm looking forward to Jack Marsh -- and everyone who knows him -- reading this entry.

-- Craig Henry, online journalist, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D., and University of Oklahoma