Make-A-Wish Foundation (MAW) has been an incredible experience for many reasons.  I had the opportunity to go to a Bruce Springsteen concert with another intern and get to know her a lot better.  Ellen and I made Barbara's wish come true when she went on a shopping spree for the day.  I also had the opportunity to go to a Galaxy soccer game with my friend Ally and see David Beckham play.  I really got into the game and the best part of the night had to be the smile on the little boy's face who we watched the game with.  He was so happy to be there and I couldn't help but look back at him and despite all the equipment he needed ever minute of his life to keep his body functioning properly see his enjoyment and smile myself. 

About two weeks ago I was sitting at work and I received an email from Jon, the volunteer coordinator at MAW.  He said there were spots available for MAW representatives at the special American Idol Gives Back Show.  Jon put me on the list that Tuesday and I was so ecstatic all week about the chance to go to the show and represent MAW.  I had no idea what to expect since we hadn't received any details about the day.  All we knew is that we would be standing on stage behind Maria Shriver as she gave a short speak the importance of volunteerism.  Thursday or Friday night of that week we all received a disappointing email that they would no longer be able to have volunteers participate because of a union fee they would need to pay us for being on air.  I was bummed, but it was to be an all day ordeal so now at least I would have my day back. To our surprise the night before the show would take place I received an email telling us it was back on! 

I arrived at the entrance of the Kodak Theater on Hollywood Boulevard forcing my way through the crowds of tourists and celebrity impersonators until I made it to the lobby of the theater.  I was unsure of where the other MAW reps would be I immediately felt more comfortable as I saw almost one-hundred friendly people from organizations like City Year, LA's Best, Save the Children, Brothers and Sisters, and LA's Free Clinic. As the other MAW reps arrived it was nice to get to know them and learn about there involvement in MAW.  We had a rehearsal at 2:30 and then they told us we could watch the artists rehearse!  We had the opportunity to see performers like John Legend, Carrie Underwood, Mile Cyrus, and Gloria Estefan as they practiced their songs for the show.  It was neat to witness a behind the scenes look at how the stage managers, directors, crew members, and musicians get ready for an event of such magnitude.  As we waited around for the start of the show at 7:30 I had a great time chatting with people from different organizations and learning about what they do.  As it neared time for the show to start they placed us in the lobby of the Kodak Theater, conveniently located right where all the artists walked through to get on stage.  As Simon and Paula walked through, they spent some time taking photographs and signing autographs for the volunteers.  Paula came over to our MAW group and gave us all hugs and thanked us for all the work we do! Near the end, Snoop Dogg walked by with a body guard who no joke must have been 450 pounds.  We could barely see Snoop Dogg as he walked by next to this man.

 It was finally time to line up and we were all getting very excited for our two minutes in the spot light. We filed through several hallways and eventually made it backstage.  Just to our left we waited along with all the American Idol contests that were going on stage to perform the first number.  It was so exciting to see them all loosening up and humming to each other before going on stage.  David Archuletta is my favorite idol and I tried to make eye contact with him to mouth, I want you to win!

As the idols went out to perform before I knew it, the idols were running off and we were filing on stage as Maria Shriver started to speak.  I was in the last row but it didn't even matter because the moment I walked on stage and the light hit my eyes time started to slow down.  As I looked up all I could see people for what seems like miles high.  Now I kind of have the idea of the rush any singer, dancer or other type of performer feels when they go out on stage and see the crowd.  I am not a performer of singing, dancing or acting, but in this moment I along with everyone else on stage I am sure, that all the work we put into performing acts of volunteerism was being acknowledged and recognized.  In that moment, I found my way in LA.  It put into perspective for me that I can still be the same young women who loves to volunteer and help others and stand on a stage just like a star performer.  As I walked off stage Maria Shriver put her hand on my back and said, "Thank you for supporting me on stage, I couldn't have done with without all of you." That's why I love volunteering, moments when it doesn't matter who you are, just people appreciating what others do.     

After spring break I was exhausted the next week…as a matter of fact I am still exhausted AND sick. Three weekends ago my cousin Anne Marie came to visit from New York. She arrived and was able to come on a gorgeous weekend.  That Friday night was my roommate Kelly’s 21^st birthday.  She really wanted to play laser tag for her birthday. Our group of friends ended up playing against a bunch of middle school kids who kicked our butts. They have obviously been practicing!

I have been trying to find a church to go to out here, but we never seem to make it on Sundays. This Sunday was Easter and we really wanted to find a service.  I stumbled upon a website about an Easter Sunday service at the Hollywood Bowl.  The Hollywood Bowl is a huge amphitheater nestled at the bottom of a hill with a gorgeous view of rolling hills surrounding it.  This was a special service put on by the Bel Air Presbyterian Church. We dressed up in our little sun dresses and left early to make sure we could find parking at this very popular event.  We watched families’ enjoy their picnic brunches as they waited for the service to start.  The church brought their large choir and Christian rock band with some amazing soloists.  After church we came back to our apartment and decorated and dyed Easter eggs.  That night we invited some of our friends over for a nice Easter dinner with ham, potatoes, veggies, biscuits and dessert.  Easter is one of my favorite holidays and I am glad I could celebrate with my cousin and friends here. 

On the topic if dinner parties, I wanted to let you know that Ally and I have been putting our event planning skills to work right in our own apartment.  I am not much of cook, but I do enjoy having people over for parties every once in a while.  So far this semester my roommates and I have hosted a Mexican fiesta night, a Valentine’s Day Italian style dinner, an Easter dinner, a Pirate’s of the Caribbean themed birthday party for Kelly, and a BBQ for our friends.  Good food and good friends always makes for an enjoyable time.

Anne Marie was only here from Friday night until Monday morning.  I ended up calling in sick on Monday because I started feeling a little under the weather. Turned out I had been infected with Tom Hanks sickness!  My friend Corey works at Playtone, Tom Hank’s company. Tom came into work sick one day and then a couple days later Corey was sick too.  We hung out with Corey that weekend and sure enough my roommate and I got sick too.  So, even though I wasn’t feeling well for more than a week and a half at least I could say that through less than 6 degrees of “sickness” I contracted Tom Hank’s germs. Wow, that’s gross now that I am reading it….haha

In this posting I wanted to write a special note to anyone reading this who is considering coming out to LA in for a semester.  Everyone basically makes their own schedule based around what they want to accomplish out here. During the fall and spring semesters most students complete a six credit internship, two 3-credit classes, and a 1-credit required Media Industries minicourse.  A six credit internship requires you to work a total of 360 hours at your internship(s) as well as completing a weekly log of your experiences, what you have learned about yourself and the company or companies you are working for.  Since I am working five full days a week I had to take two night classes.  Classes only meet once a week and are in a three hour block.  I am taking Organizational Speechwriting and Interviewing, an elective class for the CMD major.  I also decided to take Government and Media, a class required for TVR majors.  I really only took it because that was the one other night class that seemed to apply to my interests.  Professors out here realize students are here to focus on their internships and networking so they usually tailor the workload accordingly.

My Organizational Speechwriting and Interviewing class is very small with only two other students.  One positive about this class is the amount of time we can spend on each person’s assignment.  I have found it helpful and comforting to review and critique my work within this small group of people.  Government and Media is the opposite when it comes to class size.  The room is full of students who know a lot more about television, radio and films than I ever want to know.  The professor lectures without a power point or projector and we take notes and read from the assigned chapters each week.  I am having a little trouble focusing on this class and the readings.  I am to buckle down these next few weeks and start making a greater effort to complete the readings. I also think my issue is with classes that only meet once a week. I always think I have more time to complete assignments and then it’s the night before, I am exhausted from work and become easily distracted with something going on in my apartment or talking with people back home.  It’s really about learning how to do a little work each day and not leaving to the last minute. Living out here it’s VERY easy to get distracted and make work your second priority to experiences unique to being in Los Angeles and California.  The point is, make the most of your experience here but realize school is still just as important.