Front page of BYU's Daily Universe: Wave of emotion

My article on the celebrations at Ground Zero Sunday night was published in BYU's student paper The Daily Universe today.


Check out this link to read my full article featured in The Daily Universe today or visit universe.byu.edu or newsnet.byu.edu/pdf.

Mentioned in the SL Trib

So apparently a blogger for the Salt Lake Tribune referenced my blog today in regards to my coverage of Osama bin Laden's death and the celebrations happening in NYC.

Here's the link. Check it out.

Osama got Jimmered?

This sits above University Pkwy in Provo, Ut, "Osama Got Jimmered" referring to BYU's star basketball athlete Jimmer Fredette. Photo courtesy of Ryan Hill.

So apparently this is how Provo, UT is celebrating the news of Osama bin Laden's death. 

VIDEO: Singing at Ground Zero Sunday night

Sorry for the poor quality. Used my iphone4 in the moving crowd.

Ground zero the center of NYC celebrations

People crowded in the streets near ground zero in the early morning hours after President Obama confirmed the death of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

After a long and busy weekend, the news of Osama bin Laden's death swarmed around NYC as we all tuned in to hear the words of President Obama. The press conference did not occur until midnight approached. 


More than nine years later, the United States has brought bin Laden to justice for his heinous crimes against the thousands of Americans who were innocently slaughtered in the attacks of 9/11. 


My trip to ground zero last night was a long and memorable one. Arriving after 12:30 a.m. the streets surrounding the memorial were swelling with people, flags and news agencies. The crowds chanted "U.S.A.," "Osama, hey hey hey, goodbye" and lines from the "Star Spangled Banner." 


Men climbed up the traffic light poles and anything that could give them a view of the patriotic scene. President Obama spoke of another uniting of the American people and this congregation after his announcement was just that: a uniting of New Yorkers supporting the truths and principles this nation was founded upon: justice and freedom, and remembering their friends and family who had fallen. 


While the scene seemed to be unruly at times and barring on disrespectful (chants of "F#$% Osama") it was overall a grand gesture of America's feelings: joy, pride, relief and some fear.
American flags are selling out all over the city. 


Today, the NYPD has upped their security in every part of the city: Grand Central, Times Square, ground zero, the subway system and airports. The thought did cross our minds as we rushed to ground zero last night: will there be rogue retaliation for bin Laden's death? Will we be able to prevent it? 


Every news agency is covering this frantically. Fox New's big bumble last night was comical. (Their website banner completely misspelled Osama bin Laden's name and every other word in their headline.) The New York Daily News did not let this opportunity pass them by (they never do). Their headline is being called the most flashy/forward in the world. Check out this link to see the cover.


I was surprised at the small number of interns who decided to go to out and see the news. 


I am a journalist. To me, that means going where the news is. Being a part of historical moments and communicating what happened. I have such unique opportunities here and must take advantage of them. Otherwise, why leave Utah and the BYU bubble?


I encourage everyone to reflect and remember 9/11 today and how it has changed us and our country. 


(This post is not a criticism nor intended to be a comment on other's weaknesses. It is an observation of the events which is followed by my definition or purpose of my career choice.)

The Royal Wedding: Don't you love online streaming?

New media allows us to watch news online where ever we are. Ex: The Royal Wedding.

The day has come. (The news will have to find another countdown now.)


Prince William married Kate Middleton this morning. I felt I could not not mention the royal wedding. Even in NYC, celebrations have been happening since 5 a.m. this morning.


Many of my friends and fellow interns went off to cover the wedding events for the Brooklyn Paper and the New York Daily News at 4:30 a.m. this morning. I was still in bed.


I HAD to watch the last of the procession when I woke up around 7 a.m. Unfortunately, I missed "the kiss" because I was on the subway. But thanks to online media, you don't need to watch things on the tv anymore. I just used my trusty macbook pro.


This is one technological advancement I love. love. love. Forget the hassle of tv commercials or even owning a tv. In NYC, where space is limited and money too, we can just use our computers and that is amazing. Just take a moment to think about that. Four or five years ago, we were just getting tv show episodes online and then they were barely able to play all the way through their 43 minutes of video without buffering every two minutes (today its just every 10).


While technology can be frustrating and often force you to wonder whether throwing your computer, etc out your 6th floor window might be easier, today remember what it does for you.


It helps me get my job done. It allows me to stay connected with family, friends and readers. It keeps me from getting lost on the subway system. And it helps me find restaurants when I'm on the go. I can watch all my tv shows weeks after they air. And I can watch news live.

Walking through the Rain: Day 4

(PICTURES of Central Park to be uploaded tonight)

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. I went to work. I typed up a calendar all day. Went for a donut run (Dunkin Donuts, of course) and got caught in the rain. and sat drying.

I finished my work a little early, and since the other interns wouldn't be home for several hours, i went and explored on my own.

I am beginning to feel like a natural and New Yorker. I put on my khaki raincoat and set our for Central Park. I got off at 72 St. and walked a couple blocks over to the park. How can anyone not love spring? (Yes, it rains and it gets muddy, though the city could use a good wash) But the flowers everywhere are so lovely! All colors of tulips fill the flowerbeds around the city. The same goes for Central Park. I almost felt like I was outdoors, out of the city. And then you hear the sirens and it brings you back. It was refreshing. If I lived closer, I would walk or sit in the park every day. I eventually made my way by Trump Tower and Columbia Circle. At this point I got a hankering for some dinner. (I don't really eat lunch here.)



Olympic Pita. Courtesy of Serious Eats.

I've been craving a real falafel since I left Jerusalem, so that's what I searched for. Luckily, I found a website that ranked the top 10 falafel sandwiches in the city! I didn't go to the top restaurant. I wasn't looking for anything fancy. So, I hopped down to 58 West 38th St to Olympic Pita.

It was one of the most authentic ones I have eaten since returning to the U.S. The falafel itself was a little dry (Which the review said) but they included fries! and the hot sauce gave it a similar spice to my favorite 7 shekel stand in Jerusalem. I also ordered some baklava, which was very tasty.

After getting my food to go, I headed back to 125 St and ran into Maria on the way home. Tiffany and I are hoping to plan some relaxing yet exciting things to do this weekend. I cannot wait to see what we end up doing.

Here are some activities I plan on checking off my list before I leave:

• Broadways: Wicked, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera
• Museums: Natural History, Guggenheim, Madame Tussaud's, Museum of Art, MoMA
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Ground Zero
• Concert/play in the Park
• Watch a movie in a park/barge
• Apollo Theater Amateur night
• Go to the NYC LDS temple
• Statue of Liberty
• Be on a subway when a random group performs