DECEMBER 17, 2010
As Christmas approaches, I think many of us feel excited and anxious at the same time. I’m happy about the holiday lights, the ornaments, the fresh smell of pine from our Christmas tree….and then I’m, anxious about all the things I have to do, want to buy, wish I could buy.
In the past few years, my significant other and I have made it a point to keep Christmas gift giving to a minimum. Really. No more than 20 dollars on a gift for each other. It has been a card and a tree ornament. A hand written note of our favorite memories of each other. A single edition of a Wine Spectator. A book. Warm fuzzy socks.
I think sometimes we have the desire to please by buying. And, sometimes, we end up getting carried away. Is this year’s gift just as good as last years? Can it be better? Is it the latest and greatest? Might he/she be disappointed if it’s the wrong size, color, style, make or model?
Honestly, I would feel much better with something that’s home-made, something edible, something thoughtful than another thing to put on the shelf, something I’ll wear once and put away.
Christmas gifting is what you’d like to give. It’s also what you’d like to do for someone.
Of course, I’d love an iPhone or a plane ticket to Mexico City. But, I can buy those things myself. Honestly, I’m just as happy to share a glass of wine or a plate of fresh baked cookies with my loved ones and friends.
I'd love to hear from you....
Email: sphan@news10.net
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Twitter: @suzannephan
Read more…
Friday, December 17, 2010
What a week.
DECEBMER 17, 2010
What a week. I’m glad the rain and stormy weather are here to wash away so much of the crime and grime in the past week.
I think reporters approach crime scenes in two ways: 1) It’s my job. Gather and sort the facts as professionally as possible. I’m an investigator piecing together what and why it happened, and I am sharing the story. 2) "My goodness. Someone was just killed here." The caution tape. The markers for the bullet casings. The poor family. How in the world could that possibly happen? Why did that have to happen?
On one hand, we do our job. On the other hand, it’s emotionally and mentally exhausting. Making that dreaded door knock. Dialing the number of a loved one. Talking to that best friend or the family member. It's definitely a very difficult part of the job.
On Sunday of this week, it was the gut-wrenching stabbing of two children in Vacaville—a 13 year old girl and her 18 month old brother--allegedly by a friend of her older teen brother. The big sister was stabbed 30 times. Her baby brother—10 times. But, they survived. Police say the teen girl was also sexually assaulted. It’s enough to make anyone ill to their stomach.
Then, the heart-breaking story about the 30 year old mother who died as she shielded her 2 year old son from gunfire. Talking to her brothers, her best friend, the babysitter/gal pal and learning more about the woman,mother, sister she was. It was senseless how she lost her life right before the holiday. She and her son had just finished taking Christmas photos. It was tough learning about suspected gang members and the way the shootout claimed 2 lives—the mother and another person’s—who happened to also be a father of a toddler.
It’s so sad. And, it’s reality for some people. It’s not an episode of CSI.
I wonder about the officers, the medics, the homicide detectives, the chaplains---how they deal with this type of reality day in and day out. As reporters, we compartmentalize everything. And, we do the best to get through the day, through the story, the follow-up stories, the followup interviews. Sometimes, its like riding a wave. I feel like I’m just holding my breath. And then, at the end of the day, or in this case at the end of the week, after a series of crimes, I’m ready for a good cry---during yoga class or while I'm waiting at a stoplight.
It’s true. That’s just me. Others cope in different ways.
It’s not a sign of a veteran or a novice. I’ve been reporting for 16 years now. It’s sign that we’re human. And, the things we see, experience, are exposed to, are sometimes extreme.
It makes the special stories even more important, the unique features even more worthwhile. The stories where we are able to breathe and share a bit of good helps restore my faith in humanity.
What a week. I’m glad the rain and stormy weather are here to wash away so much of the crime and grime in the past week.
I think reporters approach crime scenes in two ways: 1) It’s my job. Gather and sort the facts as professionally as possible. I’m an investigator piecing together what and why it happened, and I am sharing the story. 2) "My goodness. Someone was just killed here." The caution tape. The markers for the bullet casings. The poor family. How in the world could that possibly happen? Why did that have to happen?
On one hand, we do our job. On the other hand, it’s emotionally and mentally exhausting. Making that dreaded door knock. Dialing the number of a loved one. Talking to that best friend or the family member. It's definitely a very difficult part of the job.
On Sunday of this week, it was the gut-wrenching stabbing of two children in Vacaville—a 13 year old girl and her 18 month old brother--allegedly by a friend of her older teen brother. The big sister was stabbed 30 times. Her baby brother—10 times. But, they survived. Police say the teen girl was also sexually assaulted. It’s enough to make anyone ill to their stomach.
Then, the heart-breaking story about the 30 year old mother who died as she shielded her 2 year old son from gunfire. Talking to her brothers, her best friend, the babysitter/gal pal and learning more about the woman,mother, sister she was. It was senseless how she lost her life right before the holiday. She and her son had just finished taking Christmas photos. It was tough learning about suspected gang members and the way the shootout claimed 2 lives—the mother and another person’s—who happened to also be a father of a toddler.
It’s so sad. And, it’s reality for some people. It’s not an episode of CSI.
I wonder about the officers, the medics, the homicide detectives, the chaplains---how they deal with this type of reality day in and day out. As reporters, we compartmentalize everything. And, we do the best to get through the day, through the story, the follow-up stories, the followup interviews. Sometimes, its like riding a wave. I feel like I’m just holding my breath. And then, at the end of the day, or in this case at the end of the week, after a series of crimes, I’m ready for a good cry---during yoga class or while I'm waiting at a stoplight.
It’s true. That’s just me. Others cope in different ways.
It’s not a sign of a veteran or a novice. I’ve been reporting for 16 years now. It’s sign that we’re human. And, the things we see, experience, are exposed to, are sometimes extreme.
It makes the special stories even more important, the unique features even more worthwhile. The stories where we are able to breathe and share a bit of good helps restore my faith in humanity.
Friday, November 26, 2010
A Grateful Reporter: Meeting Some Amazing Families This Year
NOVEMBER 26, 2010
I’m grateful to have met some extraordinary families this year. I’ve interviewed them on all sorts of subjects for special reports. In my story "Mancession," I talked to a family about women becoming the breadwinner of the family because of layoffs. In "Pregnant Drinking" I spoke to a remarkable mother of 7 and professional mom blogger about a British study that says its ok for pregnant women to drink in moderation. In another story, I talked to a great mom about moms saving money and her favorite tips. Another extraordinary mom I met recently is going back to school to finish her degree in psychology while raising a remarkably tech-savvy young boy with Asperger’s syndrome.
This is one of the experiences I’m grateful for as a reporter. I’m grateful to meet families who make me realize the importance of family--through thick and through thin. It’s wonderful to see how some families, if faced with adversity or personal challenges, overcome them.
I’m grateful that they’ve trusted me enough to share their story. I’m grateful they invite me into their home. I know that I’m a rather private person, slow to open up and share with others. And, I realize how much it takes to trust someone with intimate details or to simply invite a stranger into one’s home. I’m grateful that I’m able to spend a few moments with someone and their loved ones, talking to them on their couch or at their kitchen table. I’m happy to share a story---no matter how little time I'm given. From these experiences, I’ve learned a bit more about human nature, about family, and about the love that helps many people to triumph.
I’m grateful to have met some extraordinary families this year. I’ve interviewed them on all sorts of subjects for special reports. In my story "Mancession," I talked to a family about women becoming the breadwinner of the family because of layoffs. In "Pregnant Drinking" I spoke to a remarkable mother of 7 and professional mom blogger about a British study that says its ok for pregnant women to drink in moderation. In another story, I talked to a great mom about moms saving money and her favorite tips. Another extraordinary mom I met recently is going back to school to finish her degree in psychology while raising a remarkably tech-savvy young boy with Asperger’s syndrome.
This is one of the experiences I’m grateful for as a reporter. I’m grateful to meet families who make me realize the importance of family--through thick and through thin. It’s wonderful to see how some families, if faced with adversity or personal challenges, overcome them.
I’m grateful that they’ve trusted me enough to share their story. I’m grateful they invite me into their home. I know that I’m a rather private person, slow to open up and share with others. And, I realize how much it takes to trust someone with intimate details or to simply invite a stranger into one’s home. I’m grateful that I’m able to spend a few moments with someone and their loved ones, talking to them on their couch or at their kitchen table. I’m happy to share a story---no matter how little time I'm given. From these experiences, I’ve learned a bit more about human nature, about family, and about the love that helps many people to triumph.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Making Legal Sense of Marijuana in Amsterdam: What is and isn’t Legal
OCTOBER 30, 2010
AMSTERDAM--Prop 19 has drawn intense interest and scrutiny among marijuana users and opponents. Using and selling marijuana is not actually legal in the Netherlands. It’s “tolerated.” Multimedia journalists Suzanne Phan and Ryan Yamamoto take a closer look at the cannabis culture there and what is and isn’t allowed in Amsterdam.
Throughout the Netherlands and all along the streets of Amsterdam, coffeeshops sell cannabis. Amsterdam’s coffeeshops don’t actually advertise that they sell marijuana. In fact, the only way to know what’s available is to go inside and ask for a menu. Inside, locals and tourists alike smoke marijuana---the flavor or form they choose.
One misconception is that marijuana is 100 percent legal in Amsterdam. That’s actually not true.
“Smoking on streets is still illegal despite what many tourists seem to believe,” said Dave Duclos, manager of the Cannabis College.
Claudia van Zanten, a spokesperson for the Police Bureau of Amsterdam explained, “By law, marijuana is illegal in the Netherlands. However, in all of the Netherlands, also in Amsterdam, we do tolerate small amounts of marijuana for someone’s private use.
Coffeeshops can sell customers up to 5 grams of marijuana per person. Coffeeshops also must check to make sure pot users are over the age of 18.
“The maximum amount is 5 grams. If a person has between 5 up to 30 grams in possession, we treat that as a summary offense,” said van Zanten. “If a person has 30 or more grams in possession, it is a criminal offense.”
The Dutch are not pro-pot explained Tour Director Aaron Guthrie. “The mood in the Netherlands is very tolerant. The Dutch are very tolerant. They are very tolerant when it comes to drugs, prostitution, euthanasia, and gay marriage,” said Guthrie.
Some argue that policy of tolerance has far from created more marijuana users.
“Since cannabis use became tolerated in Holland, the average use of the Dutch person is the lowest in Europe,” said Duclos.
Meanwhile, the Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction of the European Union stressed that cannabis use may pose a risk to physical and psychological health.
In the Netherlands, using hard drugs is illegal. But, when it comes to soft drugs like marijuana and hashish, police in Amsterdam turn a blind eye.
“It is a policy of non-enforcement they have here. They tolerate it when to comes to personal amounts and, they don’t go into coffeeshops,” said Guthrie.
American Jon Foster owns and operates The Grey Area coffeeshop in Amsterdam.
“Our name comes from the fact that shops are allowed to sell cannabis, but the supply line is in the gray area,” said Foster. “’Coffeeshops’ is a gray area. That’s the incomplete system we have here with weed being legal in the shops, but not legal to grow or buy in large quantities.”
Foster said that other countries are interested in pursing a policy like Holland’s. But, because it’s an incomplete system, other countries aren’t sure how to handle it. As the debate over marijuana rages on, sparking questions over Prop19 and what it will mean for California, Amsterdam's policy continues to evolve.
Many marijuana-selling coffeeshops in Amsterdam say they are bracing themselves for changes in store. Among those changes: keeping coffeeshops more than 250 meters from schools and streamlining the number of shops allowed to sell marijuana in the city.
By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Amsterdam Travel Blog: www.suzryan.blogspot.com
RELATED STORY: Amsterdam’s Lucrative Cannabis Culture: Can it Work in California
Read more…
AMSTERDAM--Prop 19 has drawn intense interest and scrutiny among marijuana users and opponents. Using and selling marijuana is not actually legal in the Netherlands. It’s “tolerated.” Multimedia journalists Suzanne Phan and Ryan Yamamoto take a closer look at the cannabis culture there and what is and isn’t allowed in Amsterdam.
Throughout the Netherlands and all along the streets of Amsterdam, coffeeshops sell cannabis. Amsterdam’s coffeeshops don’t actually advertise that they sell marijuana. In fact, the only way to know what’s available is to go inside and ask for a menu. Inside, locals and tourists alike smoke marijuana---the flavor or form they choose.
One misconception is that marijuana is 100 percent legal in Amsterdam. That’s actually not true.
“Smoking on streets is still illegal despite what many tourists seem to believe,” said Dave Duclos, manager of the Cannabis College.
Claudia van Zanten, a spokesperson for the Police Bureau of Amsterdam explained, “By law, marijuana is illegal in the Netherlands. However, in all of the Netherlands, also in Amsterdam, we do tolerate small amounts of marijuana for someone’s private use.
Coffeeshops can sell customers up to 5 grams of marijuana per person. Coffeeshops also must check to make sure pot users are over the age of 18.
“The maximum amount is 5 grams. If a person has between 5 up to 30 grams in possession, we treat that as a summary offense,” said van Zanten. “If a person has 30 or more grams in possession, it is a criminal offense.”
The Dutch are not pro-pot explained Tour Director Aaron Guthrie. “The mood in the Netherlands is very tolerant. The Dutch are very tolerant. They are very tolerant when it comes to drugs, prostitution, euthanasia, and gay marriage,” said Guthrie.
Some argue that policy of tolerance has far from created more marijuana users.
“Since cannabis use became tolerated in Holland, the average use of the Dutch person is the lowest in Europe,” said Duclos.
Meanwhile, the Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction of the European Union stressed that cannabis use may pose a risk to physical and psychological health.
In the Netherlands, using hard drugs is illegal. But, when it comes to soft drugs like marijuana and hashish, police in Amsterdam turn a blind eye.
“It is a policy of non-enforcement they have here. They tolerate it when to comes to personal amounts and, they don’t go into coffeeshops,” said Guthrie.
American Jon Foster owns and operates The Grey Area coffeeshop in Amsterdam.
“Our name comes from the fact that shops are allowed to sell cannabis, but the supply line is in the gray area,” said Foster. “’Coffeeshops’ is a gray area. That’s the incomplete system we have here with weed being legal in the shops, but not legal to grow or buy in large quantities.”
Foster said that other countries are interested in pursing a policy like Holland’s. But, because it’s an incomplete system, other countries aren’t sure how to handle it. As the debate over marijuana rages on, sparking questions over Prop19 and what it will mean for California, Amsterdam's policy continues to evolve.
Many marijuana-selling coffeeshops in Amsterdam say they are bracing themselves for changes in store. Among those changes: keeping coffeeshops more than 250 meters from schools and streamlining the number of shops allowed to sell marijuana in the city.
By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Amsterdam Travel Blog: www.suzryan.blogspot.com
RELATED STORY: Amsterdam’s Lucrative Cannabis Culture: Can it Work in California
Read more…
Monday, August 30, 2010
Happy birthday. Happy anniversary.
AUGUST 30,2010
Wow. It’s been EXACTLY one year since I started working at News10. And, it has been 16 years for me in the media business.
A year ago, the 49er Fire erupted and news crews from Sacramento were scrambling to cover the developments. I had just returned from 3 weeks in Guatemala and Honduras. Upon returning to Sacramento, I was in the right place at the right time to be immediately dispatched to cover breaking news.
I’ve been a professional news reporter for 16 years. I’m amazed at how much has changed and how little has changed. I remember my starting salary as a reporter: $20,000. Age: 20. Living in a small farming town. Ouch. This was after I graduated with a double major and honors from University of California, San Diego. I put aside my law school application and decided that journalism was my calling.
For years, credit cards helped me stay afloat and pay for food, rent, gas, clothes, and makeup. I’m not certain what the starting salary is for a beginning reporter these days in market 121, but I know it isn’t much.
16 years and many stops later, I’ve seen so many colleagues’ come and go—including news directors and general managers. There have been massive changes to the media landscape. Journalism—tv and print-- has seen dramatic downsizing, layoffs, and cutbacks. For those who are still lucky to be in journalism, it’s a labor of love. It’s certainly not because of the salary or the benefits.
I still pursue the craft of writing, of telling a good story, of learning and sharing. Some days are better than others. For now, I’m still a believer.
Email: sphan@news10.net
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Wow. It’s been EXACTLY one year since I started working at News10. And, it has been 16 years for me in the media business.
A year ago, the 49er Fire erupted and news crews from Sacramento were scrambling to cover the developments. I had just returned from 3 weeks in Guatemala and Honduras. Upon returning to Sacramento, I was in the right place at the right time to be immediately dispatched to cover breaking news.
I’ve been a professional news reporter for 16 years. I’m amazed at how much has changed and how little has changed. I remember my starting salary as a reporter: $20,000. Age: 20. Living in a small farming town. Ouch. This was after I graduated with a double major and honors from University of California, San Diego. I put aside my law school application and decided that journalism was my calling.
For years, credit cards helped me stay afloat and pay for food, rent, gas, clothes, and makeup. I’m not certain what the starting salary is for a beginning reporter these days in market 121, but I know it isn’t much.
16 years and many stops later, I’ve seen so many colleagues’ come and go—including news directors and general managers. There have been massive changes to the media landscape. Journalism—tv and print-- has seen dramatic downsizing, layoffs, and cutbacks. For those who are still lucky to be in journalism, it’s a labor of love. It’s certainly not because of the salary or the benefits.
I still pursue the craft of writing, of telling a good story, of learning and sharing. Some days are better than others. For now, I’m still a believer.
Email: sphan@news10.net
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Remembering Hurricane Katrina and volunteering
AUGUST 29, 2010
Today is the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It's amazing to see the pictures of before and after the natural disaster struck and then to see those places five years later.
Many of my colleagues were dispatched to the Gulf Coast to cover the damage done and the massive impact on thousands of lives.
I had just finished my Red Cross training. I had signed up to get re-certified in CPR and First Aid and decided to take the few extra courses needed to help during disaster relief. Little did I know that I'd be assigned to the Gulf Coast. So, I asked my employer for some vacation time, I packed my big backpack along with plenty of wetwipes and mosquito repellant and was adamant that I would bring a laptop along because somehow I was going to blog about the experience from a Red Cross shelter (despite the lack of power and electricity in many places). And, I had plane ticket in hand-- I was heading to Baton Rouge.
But, sadly, just hours before my flight, I got a phone call saying that because of another hurricane heading that way (I now know it was Hurricane Rita), and my team was told to "stand down." I never got the call to continue on that mission. I unpacked my bags and watched as events unfolded on television.
I still think about how close I came to heading out as a Red Cross volunteer. I'm sure that experience-- for the hundreds of people that did go from the Sacramento area-- was remarkable. I know volunteer work is tough and sometimes tedious. Hats off to everyone who devotes their time and energy to such causes-- to volunteering with disaster relief--- be it following a hurricane, a house fire, or any other time where people and families are in need.
If you were a Red Cross volunteer in the Gulf, I'd love to hear from you-- how long were you there, what did you do, what the experience meant to you...
sphan@news10.net
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Read more…
Today is the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It's amazing to see the pictures of before and after the natural disaster struck and then to see those places five years later.
Many of my colleagues were dispatched to the Gulf Coast to cover the damage done and the massive impact on thousands of lives.
I had just finished my Red Cross training. I had signed up to get re-certified in CPR and First Aid and decided to take the few extra courses needed to help during disaster relief. Little did I know that I'd be assigned to the Gulf Coast. So, I asked my employer for some vacation time, I packed my big backpack along with plenty of wetwipes and mosquito repellant and was adamant that I would bring a laptop along because somehow I was going to blog about the experience from a Red Cross shelter (despite the lack of power and electricity in many places). And, I had plane ticket in hand-- I was heading to Baton Rouge.
But, sadly, just hours before my flight, I got a phone call saying that because of another hurricane heading that way (I now know it was Hurricane Rita), and my team was told to "stand down." I never got the call to continue on that mission. I unpacked my bags and watched as events unfolded on television.
I still think about how close I came to heading out as a Red Cross volunteer. I'm sure that experience-- for the hundreds of people that did go from the Sacramento area-- was remarkable. I know volunteer work is tough and sometimes tedious. Hats off to everyone who devotes their time and energy to such causes-- to volunteering with disaster relief--- be it following a hurricane, a house fire, or any other time where people and families are in need.
If you were a Red Cross volunteer in the Gulf, I'd love to hear from you-- how long were you there, what did you do, what the experience meant to you...
sphan@news10.net
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Read more…
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What's in your (multi-media) toolbox?
JULY 18, 2010
My vacation to Amsterdam was a great multi-media experiment. We brought a couple of tools or toys (depending on how you look at it). And, it was an adventure every step of the way.
Stuff we brought:
a flip MinoHD Camera
a "gorilla" or "spider" tripod
a handheld camcorder
a sony video camera/microphone
a tripod
2 digital cameras
a Macbook
lights
batteries
tapes
converter
power strip with two USB ports and three AC/DC plug-ins
* The two things we used the most: our Flip camera and our Macbook.
* The thing we forgot: a firewire cable (which was important but we still managed to get one at the MAC store in Amsterdam); a charger for my digital camera. (darn!)
* The two twitter tools I really like: Twitvid and Twitpic
* Without a phone to use internationally, we used Twitpic and Twitvid from our laptop to send video and pictures.
* What I wished I could have got going: Skype from our laptop.
* Things I learned along the way: not all airports have free wi-fi. Just because some places have free wi-fi doesn't mean it's actually fast or efficient for uploading pictures or video clips to a blog.
BLOGGING: We used Blogspot. I prefer that over Travelpod. It's fast, it's friendly, it's used by many more peeps.
To get a video clip of the WorldCup finals/thousands of fans in Amsterdam onto or our blog, it was a matter of shooting a quick clip on our flip camera, uploading that to iMovie, editing/trimming it, rendering it, and then posting the clip. In order to send the clip back to Sacto (for use in any other capacity, i.e. for air), the easiest thing to do was to just post the clip on Twitvid.
FTP: We would have had the ability to ftp had we needed to (per breaking news).
Still learning lots of things along the way...but this international trip took our multi media skills out of our "comfort" zone--always a good experience to have.
-Suzanne
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: @SuzannePhanNews10
Blog: www.suzryan.blogspot.com
Read more…
My vacation to Amsterdam was a great multi-media experiment. We brought a couple of tools or toys (depending on how you look at it). And, it was an adventure every step of the way.
Stuff we brought:
a flip MinoHD Camera
a "gorilla" or "spider" tripod
a handheld camcorder
a sony video camera/microphone
a tripod
2 digital cameras
a Macbook
lights
batteries
tapes
converter
power strip with two USB ports and three AC/DC plug-ins
* The two things we used the most: our Flip camera and our Macbook.
* The thing we forgot: a firewire cable (which was important but we still managed to get one at the MAC store in Amsterdam); a charger for my digital camera. (darn!)
* The two twitter tools I really like: Twitvid and Twitpic
* Without a phone to use internationally, we used Twitpic and Twitvid from our laptop to send video and pictures.
* What I wished I could have got going: Skype from our laptop.
* Things I learned along the way: not all airports have free wi-fi. Just because some places have free wi-fi doesn't mean it's actually fast or efficient for uploading pictures or video clips to a blog.
BLOGGING: We used Blogspot. I prefer that over Travelpod. It's fast, it's friendly, it's used by many more peeps.
To get a video clip of the WorldCup finals/thousands of fans in Amsterdam onto or our blog, it was a matter of shooting a quick clip on our flip camera, uploading that to iMovie, editing/trimming it, rendering it, and then posting the clip. In order to send the clip back to Sacto (for use in any other capacity, i.e. for air), the easiest thing to do was to just post the clip on Twitvid.
FTP: We would have had the ability to ftp had we needed to (per breaking news).
Still learning lots of things along the way...but this international trip took our multi media skills out of our "comfort" zone--always a good experience to have.
-Suzanne
Twitter: @suzannephan
Facebook: @SuzannePhanNews10
Blog: www.suzryan.blogspot.com
Read more…
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
World Cup and Netherlands: We catch up with some Californian fans
JULY 13, 2010
World Cup and Netherlands: We catch up with some Californian fans
In a crowd of thousands here in Amsterdam, I managed to find a few locals from Northern California.
In Rembrandtplein aka Rembrandt Square, I bumped into Paul and Gina Gamble and their daughters. They were visiting from Oakland. After visiting several different countries, they made a stop in Amsterdam just in time for the World Cup Finals.
"It's bringing the country together," said Gamble. "It's a spirit that is beautiful. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to celebrate the true spirit of international competition--football. It's not about money. It's about national pride."
Gamble and his family have been in Amsterdam for four days.
Here's a video clip from Gina Gamble.
************
Meanwhile, I connected with Julie Tam of Grass Valley via the internet. She's a student of UOP and she's in Amsterdam for the summer for an internship.
"I am working as an Intern for the non-profit Aflatoun, an organization that promotes children's financial education all over the world," said Tam in an email.
Here is her take on the big game.
"I had the amazing opportunity to see the final game at Museum Plein, a park here in the city, with 20,000 other people. Everyone was wearing orange, dancing, and cheering; there was so much energy. I have never seen so much national pride! At the same time, not everyone there was Dutch," said Tam. "There were people from all over the world in Amsterdam on Sunday to support the team. The collective disappointment when Holland eventually, dare I say unfairly, lost was heartbreaking. I really wanted to see the team win. Even though I am not Dutch, Amsterdam has become like home to me. I guess you could say I caught the "orange fever"!"
Abram van Eijk is a former Modesto resident, and is also now in Amsterdam.
He talked about the chance to witness Netherlands in the World Cup finals.
"As for the Netherlands in the finals, that was a bit of a heartbreak! There was an electric atmosphere standing amongst the 140,000 or so people in th Museumplein in Amsterdam watching the game on Sunday and when Spain finally capitalized, the energy was just completely taken away. " said Eijk. "There weren't even cries of despair--it was more just an eerie silience and it continued that way through the city."
By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net
Twittter: @SuzannePhan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
World Cup and Netherlands: We catch up with some Californian fans
In a crowd of thousands here in Amsterdam, I managed to find a few locals from Northern California.
In Rembrandtplein aka Rembrandt Square, I bumped into Paul and Gina Gamble and their daughters. They were visiting from Oakland. After visiting several different countries, they made a stop in Amsterdam just in time for the World Cup Finals.
"It's bringing the country together," said Gamble. "It's a spirit that is beautiful. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to celebrate the true spirit of international competition--football. It's not about money. It's about national pride."
Gamble and his family have been in Amsterdam for four days.
Here's a video clip from Gina Gamble.
************
Meanwhile, I connected with Julie Tam of Grass Valley via the internet. She's a student of UOP and she's in Amsterdam for the summer for an internship.
"I am working as an Intern for the non-profit Aflatoun, an organization that promotes children's financial education all over the world," said Tam in an email.
Here is her take on the big game.
"I had the amazing opportunity to see the final game at Museum Plein, a park here in the city, with 20,000 other people. Everyone was wearing orange, dancing, and cheering; there was so much energy. I have never seen so much national pride! At the same time, not everyone there was Dutch," said Tam. "There were people from all over the world in Amsterdam on Sunday to support the team. The collective disappointment when Holland eventually, dare I say unfairly, lost was heartbreaking. I really wanted to see the team win. Even though I am not Dutch, Amsterdam has become like home to me. I guess you could say I caught the "orange fever"!"
Abram van Eijk is a former Modesto resident, and is also now in Amsterdam.
He talked about the chance to witness Netherlands in the World Cup finals.
"As for the Netherlands in the finals, that was a bit of a heartbreak! There was an electric atmosphere standing amongst the 140,000 or so people in th Museumplein in Amsterdam watching the game on Sunday and when Spain finally capitalized, the energy was just completely taken away. " said Eijk. "There weren't even cries of despair--it was more just an eerie silience and it continued that way through the city."
By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net
Twittter: @SuzannePhan
Facebook: SuzannePhanNews10
Saturday, July 3, 2010
10 more random newsy and non-newsy things about me
JULY 3, 2010
1) I come from a family of teachers and engineers. My grandfather was a teacher (after he spent his early 20s in Vietnam as a print journalist). Many of my relatives were teachers. And then, the rest of my family--virtually everyone single one of them is... an engineer. :)
2) If I was no longer reporting, I'd still want to do something similar--documentaries or something photography-related. In my next life, I think I'd like to be be a teacher.... or maybe a doctor.
3) One of the most profound places I've been to in the world: Varanasi, India--considered the holiest place in Hinduism. It's where people bathe, wash their clothes, and pour their loved ones ashes in the the Ganges River; where the caste system is still visibly evident, and where cows and cow patties are everywhere.
4) My grandfather spent 15 years in jail/re-education camp run by the Vietnamese communist government. He is a man of amazing principles.
5) One of my uncles--before he passed away from cancer-- was a Buddhist monk and spent time in a monastery in Burma.
6) One of the most unusual stories I've covered: Heaven's Gate mass suicides in Rancho Santa Fe--north of San Diego.
7) One of the most amazing stories: flying in a helicopter with the National Park Service and two bear cubs over Yosemite National Park; Landing in the snow and watching crews return the orphaned cubs to the wild
8) Stories I covered with the biggest media turnout-- even garnering international interest : Scott Peterson trial, Laci Peterson murder investigation; Heaven's Gate Mass Suicides
9) I skipped 6th grade.
10) I love milkshakes, creme brulee, chocolate chip cookies, and all desserts in general.
1) I come from a family of teachers and engineers. My grandfather was a teacher (after he spent his early 20s in Vietnam as a print journalist). Many of my relatives were teachers. And then, the rest of my family--virtually everyone single one of them is... an engineer. :)
2) If I was no longer reporting, I'd still want to do something similar--documentaries or something photography-related. In my next life, I think I'd like to be be a teacher.... or maybe a doctor.
3) One of the most profound places I've been to in the world: Varanasi, India--considered the holiest place in Hinduism. It's where people bathe, wash their clothes, and pour their loved ones ashes in the the Ganges River; where the caste system is still visibly evident, and where cows and cow patties are everywhere.
4) My grandfather spent 15 years in jail/re-education camp run by the Vietnamese communist government. He is a man of amazing principles.
5) One of my uncles--before he passed away from cancer-- was a Buddhist monk and spent time in a monastery in Burma.
6) One of the most unusual stories I've covered: Heaven's Gate mass suicides in Rancho Santa Fe--north of San Diego.
7) One of the most amazing stories: flying in a helicopter with the National Park Service and two bear cubs over Yosemite National Park; Landing in the snow and watching crews return the orphaned cubs to the wild
8) Stories I covered with the biggest media turnout-- even garnering international interest : Scott Peterson trial, Laci Peterson murder investigation; Heaven's Gate Mass Suicides
9) I skipped 6th grade.
10) I love milkshakes, creme brulee, chocolate chip cookies, and all desserts in general.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
World Cup. In Spanish.
JUNE 19, 2010
I have my mom to thank for first putting me in Spanish class in 3rd grade--when all I wanted to do after school was go to gymnastics class.
After years of Spanish classes in high school and college, after numerous Spanish immersion programs in Mexico, and after spending last summer in Guatemala, I have a really strong love of the language and Spanish-speaking countries. Also, my younger brother and I were raised by a Spanish-speaking woman (I consider her my "surrogate mom"). And, I grew up in in San Diego where the Mexican border was just 10 minutes away.
Now, given a choice of watching World Cup in English on ESPN or ABC...or on Univsion, I'll pick Univision.
You don't have to speak Spanish to enjoy the game on Univision. It's such a universal game, a simple sport. Whether or not you understand the langauge, it's just awesome to experience the passion of the commentators and the fans.
Really, there's just a few words you should understand in Spanish:
1) GOOOOOOLLLLLLLL. no explanation needed. ;)
2) La pelota= ball
3) Otra vez= again
4) Sigue! or Adelante! = go ahead!
5) juego= game
I have my mom to thank for first putting me in Spanish class in 3rd grade--when all I wanted to do after school was go to gymnastics class.
After years of Spanish classes in high school and college, after numerous Spanish immersion programs in Mexico, and after spending last summer in Guatemala, I have a really strong love of the language and Spanish-speaking countries. Also, my younger brother and I were raised by a Spanish-speaking woman (I consider her my "surrogate mom"). And, I grew up in in San Diego where the Mexican border was just 10 minutes away.
Now, given a choice of watching World Cup in English on ESPN or ABC...or on Univsion, I'll pick Univision.
You don't have to speak Spanish to enjoy the game on Univision. It's such a universal game, a simple sport. Whether or not you understand the langauge, it's just awesome to experience the passion of the commentators and the fans.
Really, there's just a few words you should understand in Spanish:
1) GOOOOOOLLLLLLLL. no explanation needed. ;)
2) La pelota= ball
3) Otra vez= again
4) Sigue! or Adelante! = go ahead!
5) juego= game
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
What are you reading? My favorite reads.
JUNE 15, 2010
It’s summer and a chance for a lot of people to catch up on their summer reading.
To borrow from NPR’s “Three Books” theme:
My Three Favorite Travel Writers:
Paul Theroux. Love his book: Riding the Iron Rooster—about his travels through China by rail. Train travel is the best way to see any country.
Anthony Bourdain. Actually, he’s both a food writer and travel writer. Bingo. My two loves.
Lonely Planet. Anything by Lonely Planet. The Travel Book. Travel guides.
My Three Favorite Picture Books:
Griffin and Sabine—By Nick Bantock. Always have loved the series.
Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like—By Mercer Mayer. Loved his artwork ever since I was a little girl. One of my favorites to read to students.
Guess How Much I Love You—By Leann Marie Henry. So sweet. My favorite book to give for baby showers.
My Three Favorite Children’s Books:
The Phantom Tollbooth--By Norton Juster. Fun writing.
Where the Red Fern Grows—By Wilson Rawls. I still get choked up.
??? Will have to think a little while longer.
My Favorite Book to Give/Share:
This I Believe (NPR series)- The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women
It’s summer and a chance for a lot of people to catch up on their summer reading.
To borrow from NPR’s “Three Books” theme:
My Three Favorite Travel Writers:
Paul Theroux. Love his book: Riding the Iron Rooster—about his travels through China by rail. Train travel is the best way to see any country.
Anthony Bourdain. Actually, he’s both a food writer and travel writer. Bingo. My two loves.
Lonely Planet. Anything by Lonely Planet. The Travel Book. Travel guides.
My Three Favorite Picture Books:
Griffin and Sabine—By Nick Bantock. Always have loved the series.
Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like—By Mercer Mayer. Loved his artwork ever since I was a little girl. One of my favorites to read to students.
Guess How Much I Love You—By Leann Marie Henry. So sweet. My favorite book to give for baby showers.
My Three Favorite Children’s Books:
The Phantom Tollbooth--By Norton Juster. Fun writing.
Where the Red Fern Grows—By Wilson Rawls. I still get choked up.
??? Will have to think a little while longer.
My Favorite Book to Give/Share:
This I Believe (NPR series)- The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women
Thursday, June 3, 2010
10 Random Newsy and Non-Newsy Things About Me.
June 3, 2010
1) Sunrise—my favorite time of day. But my favorite shift to work (and I’ve worked them all) is the nightshift--which starts at 2pm.
2) 1 year. How long I worked the graveyard shift--starting at 11pm and finishing at 8am. I was a writer/production assistant. It was one of my first jobs in TV news—15 years ago.
3) 6 years. How long I spent working the morning shift or some form of it—starting at 2:30am and ending by noon.
4) Mexico. My favorite country to visit.
5) 17. How many countries I’ve been fortunate to visit.
6) 7. The age I got a concussion after my dog ran me over on the sidewalk.
7) Medias de seda. One of my favorite cocktails. It translates into "Silk Stalkings" and is a popular drink from Mexico City.
8) Oriana Fallaci/ Christiana Amanpour-- women journalists I admire.
9) "Harvest of Hope"--documenting a day in life of a migrant worker; "30th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon"- stories/series I worked on and will always remember.
10) Uganda- where I’d like to go next in the world…after Norway. ;)
1) Sunrise—my favorite time of day. But my favorite shift to work (and I’ve worked them all) is the nightshift--which starts at 2pm.
2) 1 year. How long I worked the graveyard shift--starting at 11pm and finishing at 8am. I was a writer/production assistant. It was one of my first jobs in TV news—15 years ago.
3) 6 years. How long I spent working the morning shift or some form of it—starting at 2:30am and ending by noon.
4) Mexico. My favorite country to visit.
5) 17. How many countries I’ve been fortunate to visit.
6) 7. The age I got a concussion after my dog ran me over on the sidewalk.
7) Medias de seda. One of my favorite cocktails. It translates into "Silk Stalkings" and is a popular drink from Mexico City.
8) Oriana Fallaci/ Christiana Amanpour-- women journalists I admire.
9) "Harvest of Hope"--documenting a day in life of a migrant worker; "30th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon"- stories/series I worked on and will always remember.
10) Uganda- where I’d like to go next in the world…after Norway. ;)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
How much information is too much to share?
MAY16, 2010
Several stories this past week have really got me thinking about security and privacy.
A Carmichael man I interviewed talked about how his community mailbox had been targeted by thieves six times since the beginning of this year and how he has spent $1000 to protect himself from identity theft--on LifeLock, home surveillance equipment, etc.
My colleague Will Frampton did a story on Spokeo.com and how much of our seemingly private information is actually public and can be exposed on such websites.
As reporters, our job is to dig up information- names, phone numbers, addresses, names of relatives, driving records, criminal records, and the list goes on. It's amazing to see how much information anyone can find---for free-- if you are savvy enough. I don't want to give away any websites, search engines, or resources...but I have started going through and checking what is actually out there on myself.
While many of us are sensitive about such data, we continue to expose ourselves in other ways through social media.
Facebook and Fan Pages, LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare, Blippy, Blogging, Google profiles and the list goes on. I will admit, I've tried them all as I continue to learn and evolve into a "digital journalist." Going through a recent job transition in the past year (like so many others) has forced me to remove my blinders and really embrace social media.
It has been trial and error for me. But in many ways, it's such an important learning experience I'm sure others are also sharing.
Here are a few stories I've done for News10 that touch upon social media.
Foursquare
Blippy.com
Blogging-- Women vs. Men
Co-Working
20days20causes
Tweetups
Job Seekers Turning to Social Media
As many social media consultant/strategist buddies have reassured me, it's about putting yourself out there-- in a way that you feel comfortable. It's about building relationships, about engaging in conversation, about sharing....not just broadcasting.
"It's not megaphone, but mega-listen," says Jeff Marmins of the Social Media Club.
And when it's time to connect with others you've met on Twitter at Tweetups, "It's two parts social, one part business," says Sacramento Tweet-Up Co Founder Alejandro Reyes.
Occasionally though, in all this sharing online, there are the mishaps.
BLIPPY (via twitter):
blippy Doing a deep dive into our data from January/February today. Unclear if that data still exists in google cache, but we're going to verify. 9:31 AM Apr 24th via web from Palo Alto, CA
ughh. RT @joshdmorg Their whole concept is a "security issue" RT @greerkarlis: @rww Blippy how they'll deal with this security issue 9:38 AM Apr 23rd via web
Blippy Users' Credit Card Numbers Exposed in Google Search Results - http://ow.ly/1Cgrf
FACEBOOK:
Facebook conference opens with controversy http://sfg.ly/ceTJI1
Facebook Instant Personalization = instant ire http://sfg.ly/daAzHQ
I'm left wondering again, how much information is too much to share?
I'd love to hear from you. Email me your thoughts at: sphan@news10.net or connect with me on Twitter: @suzannephan.
****
Read more…
Several stories this past week have really got me thinking about security and privacy.
A Carmichael man I interviewed talked about how his community mailbox had been targeted by thieves six times since the beginning of this year and how he has spent $1000 to protect himself from identity theft--on LifeLock, home surveillance equipment, etc.
My colleague Will Frampton did a story on Spokeo.com and how much of our seemingly private information is actually public and can be exposed on such websites.
As reporters, our job is to dig up information- names, phone numbers, addresses, names of relatives, driving records, criminal records, and the list goes on. It's amazing to see how much information anyone can find---for free-- if you are savvy enough. I don't want to give away any websites, search engines, or resources...but I have started going through and checking what is actually out there on myself.
While many of us are sensitive about such data, we continue to expose ourselves in other ways through social media.
Facebook and Fan Pages, LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare, Blippy, Blogging, Google profiles and the list goes on. I will admit, I've tried them all as I continue to learn and evolve into a "digital journalist." Going through a recent job transition in the past year (like so many others) has forced me to remove my blinders and really embrace social media.
It has been trial and error for me. But in many ways, it's such an important learning experience I'm sure others are also sharing.
Here are a few stories I've done for News10 that touch upon social media.
Foursquare
Blippy.com
Blogging-- Women vs. Men
Co-Working
20days20causes
Tweetups
Job Seekers Turning to Social Media
As many social media consultant/strategist buddies have reassured me, it's about putting yourself out there-- in a way that you feel comfortable. It's about building relationships, about engaging in conversation, about sharing....not just broadcasting.
"It's not megaphone, but mega-listen," says Jeff Marmins of the Social Media Club.
And when it's time to connect with others you've met on Twitter at Tweetups, "It's two parts social, one part business," says Sacramento Tweet-Up Co Founder Alejandro Reyes.
Occasionally though, in all this sharing online, there are the mishaps.
BLIPPY (via twitter):
blippy Doing a deep dive into our data from January/February today. Unclear if that data still exists in google cache, but we're going to verify. 9:31 AM Apr 24th via web from Palo Alto, CA
ughh. RT @joshdmorg Their whole concept is a "security issue" RT @greerkarlis: @rww Blippy how they'll deal with this security issue 9:38 AM Apr 23rd via web
Blippy Users' Credit Card Numbers Exposed in Google Search Results - http://ow.ly/1Cgrf
FACEBOOK:
Facebook conference opens with controversy http://sfg.ly/ceTJI1
Facebook Instant Personalization = instant ire http://sfg.ly/daAzHQ
I'm left wondering again, how much information is too much to share?
I'd love to hear from you. Email me your thoughts at: sphan@news10.net or connect with me on Twitter: @suzannephan.
****
Read more…
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