Melissa the Fugazza

 What have I learned from interviewing for my Communications writing class? Well, let me tell you! I have learned to have more meaningful conversations with those around me. I have learned to ask questions, actively listen and follow up with more questions because I'm interested, and engaged.  I have learned that we can learn so much from others. We can feel a kinship with those that may seem to live a bit differently than us, but in the end, we're all human, and we can connect.  I have learned there are so many nuances to communicating with others. Body language, tact, reframing and rewording a question to getting critical pieces of information we need. All this is so important in every day interaction.  Communication is an art form, and it takes training and practice and trial and error to get it right. 

 What makes a story newsworthy, and not just some sensational piece?  I love great stories that uplift, inspire, tell the truth, and make me learn something from them when I read it.  Several years ago, when I was younger, I used to like to keep up on pop culture. I always wanted to know which celebrities were dating, what couples broke up and why, etc. But as I grew up and matured, I realized I wasn't really progressing educationally by only seeking out sensational gossip. And that's what I think sensationalism really is. Those pieces of journalism are meant to push magazine or newspaper sales (or online traffic), but aren't reliable for real news.  Sensationalism can happen in "real" news, as well. Adding inflammatory comments and personal points of view to a news story can detract from real information and useful knowledge.  What is newsworthy is any story that presents facts in a readable way. It entices with a great lede, and thoughtfully and respectfully p...

    “When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what pow’r it has over my mind. . . . The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more are we dispos’d to look with compassion on perishing souls—[we feel that we want] to take them upon our shoulders and cast their sins behind our back . . . if you would have God have mercy on you, have mercy on one another.”-Joseph Smith When we interact with others, whether it be in person or online, we are responsible for showing our best selves. This also applies to business interactions. When God commands us to love one another, it's not just until something is said or done wrong, or if it 's regarding financial compensation or not. It's always. 

 As you know, Memorial Day is coming up this weekend. I have thought long and hard about how I can make this holiday more meaningful and memorable for my children. And, to be honest, for me.  I am a World War II fanatic. I have always found that time and generation to be so inspiring and amazing. My grandfather fought in that war, and I have recently learned a few more insights into what he did. But he didn't die in the war, and so I want to somehow honor and remember those who did. That's what Memorial Day is all about.  In the past, I have taken my girls to military cemeteries to visit graves. We talk about war, and the horrible consequences of it (because military cemeteries are always full of graves). And since we live in the south (Tennessee), we also have many gravesites of fallen Civil War soldiers. I think I like this tradition, but I feel like I could do more.  Due to being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I know that doing redemp...

 I am a huge fan of YouTube. It hasn't always been that way, but I have experienced too many successes due to YouTube videos, that I can't deny it has saved me time and time again (and hundreds of dollars). It all started when I wanted to give me daughter's a trim, and didn't want to spend $20 on a three year old's head that had a handful of hair. So, I googled how to do it, and even though there were comprehensive step by step instructions, I am a visual person, and they didn't help me much.  Then, I remembered YouTube! I searched for hair trimming videos, and dozens and dozens of videos flooded my feed! I scrolled through, found the perfect one to watch, and it helped me give my daughter a nice trim.  It didn't stop there.  I have fixed my washing machine, and saved hundreds of dollars by not calling a repairman. My husband and I have fixed our dishwasher, done minor to moderate repairs on our cars, and learned useful emergency methods to safeguard ourselv...

 I love to blog. I really do.  I just forget to do it sometimes, and that's why this is my THIRD blog page.  I may not even remember the name of my first one.  But I get distracted, and then I don't remember to do it. I do love, however, that because a blog is on the internet, it will last forever, for better or worse. Which makes it a great online diary or journal.  If I remember to write.  Since I am in a school writing class this semester, and they assigned us to write daily on our blogs, I have noticed that it is becoming easier to remember to do it. Because I'm assigned to do it.  I suppose if I were to continue on with the routine, I would have to set a reminder on my calendar, or remember why I think it's important to write down my thoughts daily. It's therapeutic, memorable, and one day, my children and grandchildren will read these entries because I'm no longer around.  That means that I should really continue the daily grind of it, even ...

 I am a fan of feature writing. Mostly because news writing is so inflammatory and usually biased. It's annoying to read a headline of a significant news event, only to know that I need to consider the source and do some deeper research to make sure I am being fed the truth. I'm not complaining about doing the work myself to uncover the truth, per se, but reporters get paid  to write, and if they're not doing the work to earn the money, it's a personal pet peeve of mine.  Feature writing, in my opinion, is an example of a deep dive of information. It is something a writer needs to be passionate about, research thoroughly, and is a salesman of ideas. Feature writing consists of becoming an expert on the subject, and therefore, the work of the writer is made manifest in the article itself.  News writing can be copied and pasted in a sense, when statistics and details is what is fed to every outlet in the world. Feature writing highlights creativity, and therefore, is a...