Jschool Student Blog » Reija

My internship week- the one and only

Reija — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:52:51 +0000

I went down to Sydney and Marie Claire magazine and all I got was the flu. I knew that my internship was going to be either a fabulous experience or a complete disaster. It turned out to be the latter. I could have been in a regional newspaper getting bylines like all the others but instead I was stuck doing office work. Yes I know office work is inevitable in journalism but I went there wanting to learn how a monthly magazine is done instead of being asked if I knew how to use a copy machine. (If someone doesn’t know the answer then shame on you for even thinking I couldn’t know how to use a copier!) Working for a fashion magazine is nowhere near as it is shown on movies or TV reality shows. Only the part that the workers are being bitchy is true. There is no glamour, offices in skyscrapers with class doors, fancy cocktail parties everyday or free bags and clothes from the designers. If you want that, well then I think you should just keep on daydreaming. It is a harsh environment.

My tasks, besides taking copies, was to do research for the few stories they actually did themselves in the magazine. Most of the feature stories they buy from freelancers. I was told to Google the subject they gave me, like overeating and detox diets (hopefully they don’t publish those in same issue..), and to print out what I found. Now, that was something that shocked me. I don’t know if I’m an old fashioned kind of journalist but if People magazine has published a story, that doesn’t mean it is true. I also rewrote one article from the UK edition they bought to be published in the Australian edition, that’s how they work. And that was it. I honestly wish I had exciting stories to tell about the magazine, but sadly that’s all folks. Or at least I left the internship with that impression.

But I did get some great story ideas just looking at the people who worked there, so the week wasn’t a complete waste. And I now have a more clear idea of how I want to be involved in fashion journalism. I know the week goes to my ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ box but at least I know what it is like to work in a mainstream fashion magazine.

I read the latest issue of Marie Claire and it wasn’t the same anymore. The illusion and glamour were gone.

My very interesting week

Reija — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:43:46 +0000

So my first internship week turned out to be another holiday week for me. The Sunshine Coast Daily couldn’t take me so instead I was supposed to go to Brisbane News for three days. After my first afternoon they didn’t need me anymore… how nice. But the one afternoon that I did was very exciting. Brisbane News fashion writer Lizzie needed help with picking up frocks to a fashion photo shoot. So when she called me and asked if I was available for that day I didn’t need to think twice if I already had some plans, those plans could wait. I headed to their office in Bowen Hills to meet Lizzie. We got some fabulous dresses from the shops at Whitegarden shopping centre. The photo shoot took place at a rooftop over looking the city. As I was helping the camera woman to make the dresses look more fluffy by keeping the hem up, and helping the model to change her outfits and helping out with lighting I really knew this is what I want to do. I did realize that already when I was covering the Brisbane fashion week a month ago, but now I felt it even more strongly. Well, of course I do want to do more than just hang on to a dress but you know what I mean. When I was looking at the model working with the camera and doing her pose I really felt how the coke I’d had just before the shoot was making me fat right in front of me, never felt so fat in my entire life…

So because that is all I’ve experienced so far from my internships I want to tell you how the rest of my week went ’cause now it’s getting interesting. I fell in love… with a pair of shoes. This is a really tragic story with a happy ending. I first saw them when my dear friend needed help picking up some presents from a mall. It was love at first sight! They fit perfectly and looked like they were born to be on my feet. But I couldn’t dare to buy them. (I just had spent way too much money for my new clothes to be worn at my Marie Claire internship next week.) So I put them back on the shelf and left. I felt horrible, I needed to cheer myself up so I went to my favorite jewel shop and bought this absolutely gorgeous bracelet. But that night I could not sleep, the shoes were haunting me.

The next morning I got up really early, around eight, because I had received an email about a 90 percent off fashion sale that was happening on Elizabeth street that day. (I’ve registered myself to get info about those kind of important events in Brisbane.) But that particular sale was a disappointment. So I went to that same shoe shop to try on my new love for one more time. And this time I bought them. They go really good with my new bracelet… And of course they had a very nice offer when you buy one pair you get the next half price, I don’t even need to tell you how that ended… Let’s just say my shoe collections is looking much better now.

Few months to go.

Reija — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:30:02 +0000

Every time I spend some time abroad I come to realize what a great place my home country is.

Australian seems to be so far behind in so many things and they are most patriotic people I’ve ever met. (Except maybe American) It makes me appreciate more my country and where I come from. Australia is such a big place and there is so much to see and do. And the people here should be proud of it. It just makes me realize how unique my country is with its long history, weird language and a population just under six million. (And yes, the reindeers too.) It is a strange thing how different we people are, even though we share the same sun and moon. Maybe it is true that you have to go far away to see close. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve met some great people here whom I’m going to miss and I’ve had a great time the past six months and the few months that are left are going to be awesome. But I have to be honest here: I can’t wait to sit in an airplane and a flight attendant announces: “Welcome to Finland.” I will freeze my ass off but I will be at home.

Paradise city

Reija — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:13:22 +0000

I had a chat with my brother before moving to the Land Down Under. We knew where Australia was but we didn’t have any idea about the people who live here. We were making jokes – do these people even know anything about themselves? We saw headlines in newspapers like “Who are we?” and the next day “Do we still know who we are?”. So I travelled two days to find out and it was worth it. And, my brother, I can tell you this: these are the most friendly and easygoing people that I’ve ever met.

Jschool must be the best school I’ve ever gone to. I enjoy the lessons and I’m learning so many new things, including the funny Australian accent. And my classmates are one of the biggest reason swhy I anxiously always wait for the next school day.

My dad asked me last year could I possibly try to stay in one place more then a year and I said no. But now I’ve changed my mind. Dad, I think I’ve found the place. Like they say in the song:

” Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and…” well in my case ” the boys are pretty.” (Paradise city by Guns ‘n’ Roses)