association: n. connection or combination.

Possibly one of the most pivotal aspects of civilization. To know people. To share ideas. To gain experience. To sometimes lead to guilt. But nonetheless, pivotal. My current employment is at a store in my town. My boss is my friend’s dad. I work only one day a week during slow tourist seasons, so my best friend texted me one day and said “do you want to work at the bike shop?” which his father owns. Only because I had mentioned it in passing in personal conversations, I earned a spot on the time clock in that store as well. Two jobs earned by enjoying time with friends; by building associations with people.

On a larger level,  possibly the most looked upon aspect of newspapers are article through the associated press. This simple idea of association has created an intertwined world through more than the web. Levels of association are extreme, starting with family all the way to people on opposite ends of the globe who read the same things.

I made some of my strongest associations, or connections, are those I made at WJMC. I never realized it there, since the group was so diverse we rarely felt truly connected, but once home it began to show. Everything that reminded me of a new friend I made at GMU, every reference to a different state I had a connection to. And at the age of 17, they are deeper connections than many adults can hope to collect. Friends I made the first day and on the last night during my stay in Virginia are still contacting me through networking vehicles such as facebook and by exchange of phone numbers. Teenagers are more open to these connections and I have made some rock-solid ones as far south as Miami, as far west as California and as close as Philadelphia.

Whether my new networks will land me a job, a vacation, or just an extra email every so often, they are things I know I can fall into if ever need be or just desire to be. They had great depth to my small town life that many people in this quiet Pennsylvania valley will never experience. I value it each day, each text, and each reference I make to each and every one.

Perspective: n. a personal point of view

There are approximately 150 students attending this conference. We all do the same thing, relatively. We all wake up in the morning, enjoy breakfast or not, and head toward the bus. Some in heels, some in flats, but one in particular, in a wheelchair. Due to torn ACL and OCD or whatever else is in there, she cannot walk. When I saw it, I thought about how badly it must suck to be so limited during such a great opportunity. But, no sooner than the thought simmered in my brain for a minute or so, I realized what I was really looking at. I was looking at a prime example of the industry I arrived here to study. She takes the elevator while we take the stairs. She gets aisle seat by default. We may think there are little things she misses out on, but its us that is lacking. There are a hundred of us and one of her. a hundred of the same seat sitting staircase taking kids and one impaired girl. The industry is lacking that variation It needs to have people like her, sitting in a wheel chair. She is doing the same things that every single other person in the room is doing, but just a bit DIFFERENTLY. THough her situation is involuntary, in journalism, that variation of perspective is what we all strive for to keep life SPICY.

Niche: n. The most suitable place for a certain person or thing.

One syllable. I pronounce it the same as everyone else. I am sure, because almost all of the speakers so far have used said word. It seems to be a recurring theme in journalism. With all the vast opportunities and various sectors of this industry and so many others, the best place to be is where your heart takes you. Where your niche is and nothing sums that up more so than the above definition of the word itself. But like all words, and all aspects of life, its your spin that counts, your unique variation.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

Second amendment to the constitution. First most important to journalists. Done from memory. Yes, I studied. And by studied I mean rewrote over and over during … never mind. But what a great amendment, right? I can say whatever I please and no one can do a thing about it. Even here, on this blog; on this public forum in which I speak on behalf of only myself and broadcast to whomever is willing to read. And sadly enough, I have little to say…Oh, the things we take for granted.

wazz-up (Wa sup) : stemmed from “what’s up” as an initial greeting regarding the general well-being of the person.

Wazzup?! I’m Tara! Whether pronounced “tah-ruh” as I do or “tare-uh” as most people without quote-un-quote “New York accents,” I’m the same girl. Preciously perched atop the Pocono Mountains is my home in what is considered Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania. During our first session with speaker Brian Lamb of C-Span, he asked me if I knew who Jim Thorpe was. Though it may seem uncommon for people to know who he is, I don’t deserve the “4.2 on the scale 4” he gave me. Living in a town that is named after someone obligates teachers to constantly summarize his life. For those who were bored and inattentive during that portion, Jim Thorpe was an athlete that was deemed the “Greatest athlete in the world” by King Arthur V for his excellence in various sports and in the Olympics. He never stepped foot in our town alive. His body is buried and memorialized at the base of the town for visitors to visit. Me, I’m disinterested. I am the portion of the town who is not “native.” My family is from Brooklyn, New York where my heart truly resides and apparently my voice reflects. Many of my new friends when first meeting me have asked, “where are you from….I would have guessed New York.” Though my response is always Pennsylvania, I cannot hide the roots of my family. But whether you say “Wazzup?” or “What’s going on?” we’re all here for the common purpose.