Well I really don’t have a long one. I made a list once of 60 things to do before 60. They aren’t really like a bucket list though. It has things like kiss in the rain, fall head over heels in love, help a stranger, etc. Maybe one day I will post it on here.

However, I would say a bucket list contains things that aren’t going to happen in everyday life that you want to achieve/do before you die.

I feel I could add lots of things, but it’s difficult to think of things I really want to do before I die that are not small or simple.

So, here is mine as of today:

• Go back to Italy and stay for a month.
• Go to France and tour France becoming fluent in French in the process (I’ve had 3 years of honors French in HS and 2 college level French classes).
• Get over my fear of heights.
• Go somewhere completely out of my comfort zone.
• Own a bookstore.

Why are these on my bucket list?

I went to Italy for a week the summer after my freshman year of high school. I loved it. I want so badly to go back. The people, the art, the culture, the food, the shopping and all of it is just amazing.

Being fluent in French is something I would love. To truly be fluent I feel one must go to that country and be immersed in the language (and who wouldn’t want to go tour France with the art, food, and history?).

I have been unable to do a few fun things my friends have done because of my fear, and I do not want it to hold me back for life.

Going out of my comfort zone would be a way to discover more about me. You can learn a lot about a person by how they handle situations that are unfamiliar.

Finally, I want to own a bookstore. I imagine in my head a small bookstore with a nice backroom where there is a coffee maker, a teapot, and a fridge (gotta have some comforts). I imagine that when one walks in they can see the main desk towards the back of the store.

There are bookshelves on either side of the door and desk, there is a spiral staircase up to the second floor which has more books. I would have a pet (dog or cat) that would come with me. Yes, there would be a sign on the front door to inform people that a pet was inside. Overall, it would be really cozy with little reading alcoves and just a very calm atmosphere.

I figure this is something that if it were to happen would be when I am older and retired.

Well, I told you my bucket list. So, what’s on yours?

I am in my final semester at Georgia Southern Unviersity. It is terrifying and thrilling all at the same time to think that in May I will be graduating and heading out into the “real world” to find my career.

I think that many people are terrified at this point in their life. All of the “what ifs” are scary. The not knowing is a big part of that. I truly feel the only way I wouldn’t be terrified would be if when I walk across that stage in Paulson Stadium and graduate I have a job lined up. Having that security is important.

So this semester I am truly going to try to figure out, “How does one successfully get a good job before graduation?” Before finding a career the jobs you typically apply for are things like retail and they have an application. You fill it out turn it in and wait to hear back.

For “big kid jobs” it is a little different. With the economy having been bad many businesses have not recovered, and they may not be hiring. Having an in with a company, like knowing someone who knows someone who can give you an interview, is everything. Thus, I think a huge part is networking.

Aside from that the knowledge that I have had an interview with a public relations agency in Atlanta, Ga. and got rave reviews helps. They may not have any jobs, but getting an email saying I did excellent on the grammar exam, came up with a solid start to a crisis campaign within the time given, and have an impressive resume was a definite ego boost. Now I just have to find more interviews…preferably with companies who are hiring.

Still, the thought of not finding something is always there to terrify you just a little bit.

So, for now I shall blog about my final semester and my social media class.

One little pr note to close this out:

Keep in mind that in business and personal life if someone has a bad experience they are going to tell 10 more people about their experience for every one they would tell if they had a great experience. Customer relations is everything.

Toodles, Au revoir, Bye for now, thanks for reading, I’ll post again soon…and all those other endings

~Samantha

also you can buy stuff from their site! thought it was cool! the giveaway is great PR!

8tracks is a website where people have playlists that you can listen to for free. You can also become a member.

I think it is a really cool website. You can find a playlist to fit whatever mood you are in, and if you find someone whos playlists you enjoy then you can follow them, like you do on Twitter.

Some that I am currently exploring are:

http://8tracks.com/lytebryte25/songs-to-lie-on-your-bed-and-stare-at-the-ceiling-to

http://8tracks.com/sara_shine/music-that-makes-you-feel-important

and my roommate/best friend and I watch How I Met Your Mother primetime on CBS or reruns on Lifetime and in one episode Barney has a playlist and this is it!

http://8tracks.com/keylist/barney-stinson-s-get-psyched-mix

Enjoy!

I have posted previously my top 10 tips for blogging that post was:

1. If the blog posts are assignments do them ahead of time.

2. Write small paragraphs, they are easier to read.

3. If you need inspiration visit other peoples blogs as a springboard for ideas-make sure to link to their blog.

4. Do not be afraid. Just Write.

5. If you find somethig truly interesting, write a post about it, your passion will come through and spark peoples interest.

6. Get a good blog design that reflects your personality.

7. Use spell check!

8. Check your old posts to avoid repetition.

9. Don’t be afraid to use pictures, Bing and Flickr are good sources. Pictures add color and interest!

10. Have fun with it! Be you! Comment often!

I have to add that top 10 lists are a great way to generate flow to your blog!

Also, make catchy titles to your posts people notice!

Those are still my top ten-now twelve haha

BLOG PEOPLE BLOG!!

People and companies can post their ideas on changing the world one step at a time to the refresh site. Then it is up to the world to vote! At the end of each month the top ideas will be announced and the funding will be given to support their idea.

To visit the website and see for yourself some of the ideas go to http://www.refresheverything.com/ and vote! Voting closes for this month soon!

There are multiple categories that you can choose from to view the ideas. You can have the ideas on shuffle or in order of ranking, and you can also have them sorted by the proposed funding needed: 5K, 25K, 50K, and 250K. The areas are: Health, Arts & Culture, Food and Shelter, The Planet,  Neighborhoods, and Education.

It is a wonderful idea in my opinion and it gets everyone involved in making small changes to better the world.

A video about the project is available on the site too!

VOTE!!

One of the things we talked about is the fact that the average woman in America is a size 14!! 14!!

Yet, if you just went off of the media and television then you would think that every woman was a size 2,3,4 maybe a 5.

Our teacher related it to problems with body image like people who have body dysmorphia and/or eating disorders.

I personally am not a size two, nor do I want to be. However, I will admit that I think that what people see is what determines what they want to be like.

If you search media causes eating disorders on most search engines you will even find websites that talk about little girls having eating disorders.

Crazy world we live in, with babies on diets, and five-year olds wanting to be skinny.

There are many ways that public relations people drive journalists crazy.

From a personal standpoint I can say that I have personally have conflicts with a journalist, my journalism teacher! Being in public relations we are tought a different way of writing, more persuasively than journalists who have the goal to remain objective.

I know that I have gotten bad grades for using adjectives because I am so used to it for public relations!

The top 10 ways are probably:

1) TOO MANY HYPE WORDS:

Journalists receive tons of news releases containing “too many” hype words like “unique,” “revolutionary,” “sophisticated,” “state-of-the-art,” etc. They feel that they sound too much like commercials and find publicists incompetent and a survey in PR Week said that over 50% of journalists said that “poorly written materials” is a major problem of public relations people.

2) NEWS RELEASE SPAM:

Some journalists “blacklist” or block some public relations professionals who mass e-mail unsolicited news releases constantly because they get so annoyed. – A way to overcome this one is to be creative with your news releases so that they catch the attention of the editor some examples from our book were:

a new lightbulb and a lamp to test it in, and two volleyballs with details of a press event announcing a volleyball league.

Some say it is a waste of time but at least 16% said it worked and gained attention. Another way would be to not mass e-mail your press releases call and inform a journalist who would be interested in your topic of it and then e-mail it to them.

3) BIAS:

Journalists tend to feel that public relations writers are biased because they work for the company they are writing about many times and will only want to talk about them in a good light.

According to Professor Carr, my journalism teacher a way to avoid this is to tell both sides and avoid using adjectives.

4) NOT KNOWING THE PRODUCT:

Many journalists tend to feel that there is not enough research that goes into public relations writers stories about products. Cure? Do more research before you pitch something!

5) REPEATED CALLS AND FOLLOW-UPS:

Journalists do not like being harassed by public relations people who call them all the time asking about the news releases they sent them. They are busy and if they like your release they will edit it and use it.

 So do not call constantly call them maybe once and let them know you sent them a release and you appreciate their time if they use it or not. Maintain a nice friendly relationship.

6) SPOKESPERSONS BEING UNAVAILABLE:

Self explanatory. If you are a spokesperson for a product or you write about a product and list a spokesperson as a contact make sure either you or the spokesperson will answer the telephone for whatever number you use or use another contact.

If not, your release may not get published because they cannot reach the contact.

7) NOT MAKING DEADLINES:

 Journalists have deadlines and they depend on public relations people as much as they may not want to. So, if you want them to keep publishing things that you need in the media then find out when they have to have the article or release ready to send to the editor and make their deadline!

8) SLOPPY REPORTING:

Reports being incomplete or vague is also another complaint. To avoid this when interviewing executives of companies:

•  educate them about how the media operate and how they need to be objective so other sometimes unfavorable viewpoints will be in the story
•  train execs to give 30-second answers to questions
• provide background to reporters who are unfamiliar with the company
• familiarize execs with basic news values like that people like reading about conflict, drama, and obstacles

9) LYING:

do not lie and always be truthful in everything you write and say. Also, remain true to your word, if you tell a journalist that you are giving them an exclusive do not give it to anyone else.

10) NO COMMENT AND OFF-THE-CUFF REMARKS:

Journalists do not appreciate answers like “no comment” or “yes” elaborate and answer their questions fully and honestly. Also, do not say something to a journalist that you would not want repeated or printed.

Info from

 http://www.amazon.com/Public-Relations-Writing-Media-Techniques/dp/0205648282

Top Sites:

1. Del.icio.us. 
2. MySpace. 
3. Facebook. 
4. Twitter. 
5. Blogger.
6. Technorati.
7. YouTube.
8. Flickr.
9. Wikipedia. 
10. Digg.
11. Second Life.

Two things that are unique about the web is that it is interactive and can be updated quickly.

Ch. 14 Writing E-mail, Memos, and Proposals

The four different purposes of email are to:

1.      Reduces the cost of employee communications
2.      Increases the distribution of messages to more employees
3.      Flattens the corporate hierarchy
4.      Speeds decision-making

Things to make sure of when writing:

completeness-make sure you have all of your necessary information

conciseness-be brief, less is more

correctness-be accurate-make sure to have all names, places, quotes, etc. correct

courtesy-be courteous, some relationships are personal, others not so much

All informatin can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Public-Relations-Writing-Media-Techniques/dp/0205648282