It's Back to School Already
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
I can’t believe it. Somehow it’s not only August, but this is my last week of interning and my first week returning to campus. At Daily Trojan, we have an Orientation Issue, or O-Issue as we call it, which comes out at the beginning of Orientation Week. Because it’s not only a much bigger issue that our normal daily ones, but also all the staff is just learning their duties and adjusting to their new positions, we start on it over a week before Orientation Week actually begins. Luckily, that also means we’re done with it early and get to go on a staff retreat to Palm Desert.
Eating My Way Through Downtown LA
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
If you asked me two years ago if I ever went to Downtown LA, or even really considered going there, the answer would be no. Living 40 miles outside the city, an hour drive on a good day, I didn’t often come into the city. And when I did, it was almost always to go somewhere on the Westside (I’m originally from Santa Monica and almost all of my family in California lives somewhere on the Westside).
Countdown to Move-In Day
By: Mollie Berg ‘16
This weekend, my sister and I went to Street Food Cinema’s movie in the park! Saturday’s movie was “Wolf of Wallstreet,” and we got to watch it on a huge screen in Exposition Park, right by the USC Coliseum. Along the side, there were probably about 15 food trucks with various types of cuisine—sushi, Mexican food, popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, seafood and other types of food you wouldn’t think were meant to belong in a truck! At the event, I met my friend from Daily Trojan (the sports editor) and my friend from past classes.
Summer Movie Nights at USC
By: Vanessa Wilkins ‘15
One of the coolest things about going to USC is all of the awesome perks they have for their students, even in the summer! My favorite summer perk is the free movie screenings that the USC School of Cinematic Arts hosts throughout the year.
My Greek Life
By: Mollie Berg ‘16
I never ever wanted to join a sorority. In fact, growing up, my family often made fun of the concepts of Greek life and sororities. So when choosing a college, I specifically looked into schools that socially were not centered around Greek life because I was so certain it was something I would never have wanted to be part of. When I finally chose USC, what I was most worried about was the vast Greek scene.
Summer Reading
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
As a kid, all I did was read and read and read, but somehow around high school, when books started being assigned for class and my schedule started filling up, I sort of stopped. Nowadays, I’ve realized that though it might take some effort to turn off a mindless TV show and pick up a book, it’s always worth it.
Dressing Up for America - and Community
By: Mollie Berg ‘16
I love the Fourth of July. One, it’s a long weekend (or a day off from work/school), so what’s not to like? But secondly, it’s one of those community/family-oriented holidays. Like Thanksgiving—just less turkey and more fireworks. To celebrate America’s independence (after all, that is what we’re celebrating right??), I met up with my family in Santa Cruz, CA.
Turning Twenty-Fun!
By: Vanessa Wilkins ‘15
Hi everyone! So…. June 26th was my birthday! I turned 21 years old, and I had such a fun day! My incredible mother flew in all the way from Atlanta to spend the day with me! I was really excited to see her because I always miss my mom when I’m at school or away from home.
A True Farm-to-Table Meal
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
My family is going away to Palm Springs for the long weekend on Friday, so we decided to have a Fourth of July family barbecue this weekend instead, but with a twist: We were going to pick the fruits and vegetables for the barbecue ourselves (procuring the meat on our own was a little beyond our abilities so we relied on Whole Foods for that part).
A Day in the Life of an LA Times Intern
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
As the excitement of my birthday, Fathers’ Day and graduation for both my sister and brother (middle school and college, respectively) fades away, I’ve slowly gotten settled into a routine. As great as it was to have so many celebrations, the last two weeks since coming home from Israel have been a little exhausting. Now that it’s my third week interning, I also feel like I’ve gotten the hang of it. Since I haven’t really talked much about it beyond my first day, I thought I’d share a little bit about what I do.
A Few Ways to Give Back Through USC
By: Vanessa Wilkins ‘15
I love giving back to the community. It is a quality that was instilled in me by my parents at a young age, and something that I always feel the need to do no matter where I am in the world. While game days are fun, and free movie nights are clutch, some of the most meaningful experiences that I’ve had at USC involve giving back to the community.
My SC Families Away From Home
By: Mollie Berg ‘16
This past Sunday, I went over to my friend Jennifer’s house to tan and hang out. First semester last year, I took a one-unit PE volleyball class for fun (which WAS) really fun, and I met Jen, who is one of the sweetest people I know. It turned out, we lived three doors down from each other in our apartment building, and since then we have been great friends! I ended up going to dinner with her family—her mom, dad, brother, two grandmas and one grandpa—at a really beautiful and delicious restaurant.
Meeting Steve Carell (Another Day on the Job)
By: Mollie Berg ‘16
Today at work, I met Steve Carell. He just came right up to me and said, “Hi, I’m Steve.” Duh, I know you are Steve. Like clearly…who else would you be? I’ve seen you in Little Miss Sunshine, The Office, Crazy, Stupid Love…and much, much more. Also, it shouldn’t be too surprising that he popped into the office; after all, Carousel Productions is his production company—and I do spend four days a week there buying time and reading scripts.
Exploring the Great Outdoors of L.A.
By: Mollie Berg ‘16
This weekend I experienced a weird phenomenon. It was Saturday morning, and I had nothing I had to do—no homework, no finals to study for, and no Daily Trojan meetings. It was strange, because never before had I been in Los Angeles on a weekend, with my car, with absolutely no engagements. I could do anything I wanted, and for the first time, I feel like I really got to know the greatness of the LA area.
First Day Jitters
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
As I arrived at the imposing Los Angeles Times building in downtown L.A. on Monday morning, I thought the feeling in my stomach was just nerves. After all, it was my first day at an amazing internship that I would be dedicating the majority of my summer to. When my hands began to physically shake and the butterflies in my stomach turned to full on nausea, though, I realized it might be something else: jet lag.