I heard once that, “if you change the way you view the world, the world around you will change.” (or something along those lines, haha).
Going back today with an open mind and heart made me see opportunities that I missed yesterday. Being positive is a great feeling and brings happiness to people around you as well. It made the day go by faster and I didn’t come home with a fatty headache! (Even though I got lost on the subway, AGAIN!)
Today I finished the press kit mailing. A press kit is basically a press release and little sneak peak of the show that will be premiering. It contains information about the show so the person or organization you are sending it to can write a story or article about it (which in turn will help generate publicity and buzz about it.)
I’m getting better at clipping articles.
It’s very motivating to see the publicity senior VP and VP’s in their offices. They’re large and in charge! They always seem cool, confidant and collected.
*By the way, my little sister got a job interview at Crumbs Cupcakes on Thursday! Yay for her! She’s super excited so wish her luck!*
Stressful. Tiring. Draining.
But I’m coming back tomorrow full force! Gotta keep thinking optimistic and get out of this negative nancy rut.
So let’s see.. I got to the MTV Networks headquarters at 8:50 am (almost an hour early! I didn’t know how long the subway would take and didn’t wana be late. haha) so I stood around and pretended like I belonged there for a while before I was directed to go to VH1 Press.
After introductions, I jumped right into mailing press kits. I was taught how to clip articles and had to look through the biggest stack of newspapers I’ve ever seen in my life (didn’t even get to the magazines!) to look for mentions about VH1. I would then clip and organize them.
Got information overload on the two new reality shows airing tonight on VH1 about Fantasia and Pepa (from Salt n Pepa). Let me know if you guys watch it and what you think 
Didn’t leave until around 5:45pm. It took me foreverrrrr to get through the clippings. Gotta work on that. lol.
I missed my stop on the subway and didn’t realize it until I got all the way to the end of the subway line in Flushing, Queens (dangit!), which is 8 stops past mine.. ugh.. so instead of a one hour commute it was more like a two hour commute today. booey.
Some cool highlights of my day:
There are (free!) soda machines everywhere at MTV Networks.
$2 hotdogs are sold on every street corner in Times Square. They even come with sauerkraut (YUMMY!!!) Hotdogs taste way better when eaten outside.
My bus stop is on street 69 and EVERYTHING in that area incorporates “69″ into it somehow… For example, “69 Smiley Grocery,” “69 Bar”… hehe.. makes me laugh every time.
I thought my sister burned the house that we are living at down while I was at work… but it turned out it was just the countertop =)
She made me a wonderful delicious dinner and bought me a Red Velvet cupcake from a bakery to cheer me up. (So sweet!!!)
Thanks everyone for all your support and love! I really appreciate it! It means a lot to me and makes me feel not as lonely all the way over here! Muah! Hugs!
Day 2 in NY! Can you tell we're sisters? 
Even if it says "NO STANDING" at the bus stops, you are indeed allowed to stand there and wait for the bus. Must admit, we were a little confused at first.
Times Square! (Yes, I know. My water proof Uggs look a little out of place. I'm from Seattle, dangit!)
Woohoo! First celebrity sighting ;P haha
Hershey's Chocolates Store
M&M World
1515 Broadway in Times Square. MTV Networks. My place of work for the next couple months!
If it's good enough for Oprah, it's good enough for me!
Heaven on Earth = Dylan's Candy Bar. YUM YUM.
Apparently they deliver liquor here? hmm... haha
Haddddd to go here after I saw the movie!
Famous Frozen Hot Chocolate
Tomorrow is my first day at work for MTV/VH1′s publicity department. YIKES! I’m scared and super nervous at the same time! Wish me luck guys! I’ll let you know how it goes… Good night and sweet dreamin’!
1. Impress my boss and network, network, network
2. Visit all 5 boroughs
3. Eat at Serendipity
4. Empire State Building
5. New York Public Library
6. Statue of Liberty
7. Central Park
8. Metropolitan Museum of Art
9. Brooklyn Bridge
10. Shop in Greenwich Village
11. Eat in Chinatown and Little Italy
12. Play in Coney Island
13. See a Broadway musical
14. Eat at Lombardi’s Pizza
15. Eat a hot dog from a street vendor
16. Parson’s School of Design
17. NYU
18. Visit People’s Revolution PR
19. Elle Magazine headquarters
We landed nice and early (7:30am) at JFK airport and took a taxi to Middle Village, Queens (it only cost $27 bucks, YAY!). We are renting out one of my sorority sister’s family’s basement ($700 a month). Welcome to our humble abode…
It’s pretty comfy and has everything we need. =) I can’t complain! We went grocery shopping and bought a few things for our new place (hangers, dish soap, towels, etc.) at Walgreens, the Met (their grocery store here), The Silver Barn (an organic grocery store) and Target (all within 15 minutes walking distance!) Even came across this little fella…
and this…
99 cent hot dogs out of a street cart, woo!
The main differences that I’ve noticed between Seattle and Queens is…
1. People do not appear to be as friendly. (I made the mistake of smiling at people when I passed them and got very confused scowls in return).
2. Cashiers do not greet you when you checkout or ask “Did you find everything okay?”
3. It is colder!
4. Almost everything is within walking distance (which I LOVE!)
5. The houses are made of brick, opposed to wood. Many houses are all connected (all the way down a block).
6. I didn’t see anyone wearing North Face or Uggs! haha.
Overall, it’s been a great experience but I must admit- I’m a little homesick =( It’s so different here and feels a bit lonely…
at least we have eachother. sisters.
Who: MTV Networks
What: Vh1 Publicity Internship
Where: 1515 Broadway, New York, NY
When: January 11-March 2010
Monday-Thursday 9:30am-5:30 & Fridays 9:30am-1:30pm = 36 hours/week
Here I am before I leave! Hopefully I still look this happy when I return =P
My Expectations:
1. Learn about the MTV company culture.
2. Job shadow different positions within the publicity department.
3. Learn the daily functions and responsibilities of a publicist at VH1.
4. Learn about the department’s imperatives and goals.
5. Learn to write an effective press release.
6. To find a mentor that will help guide and teach me about the industry.
7. Network, network, network.
Posted in MTV Networks/VH1 Publicity Internship
Tagged communications, dreams, expectations, intern, internship, interview, living, major, manhattan, moving, mtv, network, networks, new, nyc, press, public, publicist, publicity, queens, relations, release, seattle, square, student, times, unpaid, uw, vh1, write, york
And nothing is going right.
Everything got messed up with my school credits and tuition so I had to end up paying almost $2000 more than I had planned. I officially have $10 left in my bank account. I don’t know what to do… Leaving for New York in 6 days with no money. I might have to take out a loan from my school. HEADACHE!
Part of me just wants to stay. This is getting all too stressful now.
I just purchased my airplane ticket from Virgin America! One-way ticket from SEA to JFK for $140 (including all taxes and fees). I depart January 8 and arrive the next morning! I purchased a one-way ticket because I have no idea when I will return. Who knows what may happen, right? It’s really unlike me to not be ultra-prepared and have every little detail planned out, but I must admit- it kinda feels good and… free not to know exactly what is going to happen. SO EXCITED! NOW IT’S OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL!!!
My first day at MTV Networks is January 11, 2010. Yes, I have gotten cold feet. Moving across the country to a big city I’ve never been before with barely any money in my pockets for an UNpaid internship with no guarantee of securing a job is a bit scary. But it’s also an adventure.
I keep wondering if I’m making the right decision.
I’m not doing this in hopes to someday work at MTV (though it would be nice), I’m doing it for the experience. Living in Washington for basically my entire life only exposes me to so much- the world is a huge amazing place and there is still so much out there for me to see. I feel like I’ve already seen and done everything there is to do in Seattle. I’m bored with this place and need to get out. Maybe I’ll love it in the big city, maybe I’ll hate it… at least I can say I’ve “been there and done that.” Maybe I’ll come back a changed person with different ideas and opinions- maybe I’ll come back the same old Jessica. All I know is that this is the time to grow. I’ve got to keep positive and motivated!
