Unfortunately, I know too many talented, smart people who are sitting home unemployed or underemployed. Oh, if only they would blog! Launching this website has made me quite marketable. In one case, I was hired for a teaching gig within 24 hours of sending out my initial query email, which was amazing. I’ll bet some [...]
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After a 17-year haitus, I’m a full-time reporter again — but in an edgy new, tech-driven world that is giving me a second chance at finding more of myself. I still can’t believe that this is actually happening! Last weekend, we launched Newsday for Westchester at NewYork.Newsday.com. The mission is to cover news in the suburban [...]
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An editor-friend recently threw down a challenge. “Unless you have something really special, a blog post should be about 300 words,” she said firmly. Ouch. As queen of the 650-word blog post, I felt criticized. But then, I got inspired. Let’s hear it for writing tight! Being super-concise way is super-hard. In fact, it’s easier [...]
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At last, my daughter Gabi and I are at JFK, waiting to board our 9:55 p.m. flight to Paris. The entire day was a mad blur of finishing stories for work, squashing everything into my carry-on luggage, straightening up the house and getting the animals ready for the pet sitter (needed to organize their food [...]
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Forgive me if I sound a little sentimental on this early Sunday morning. But I’ve been sitting in my pretty kitchen with some hot tea and the Sunday paper. The TV is tuned into the white noise of a local news station as I read stories that make me fall in love with journalism all [...]
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I am SO ANNOYED. When will people get this straight??! If you’re an immigrant to this country, then you’re first generation. If your kids are born here, then they are second generation. The logic is very clear… If you call yourself first-generation American, then what happens if your immigrant parents become American citizens? If you [...]
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My daughter got into Seventeen magazine for a second time! In addition to the great photo shoot, Gabi has learned some essential life skills. Yay — at age 16, she’s becoming more entrepreneurial. As you might know, Seventeen uses readers as models. Ooooh, dangling a wholesome peek into every girlie-girl’s favorite fantasy is such a brilliant [...]
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Here’s the headline: I found a way to survive my first month as a full-time, 21st century journalist. Despite overwhelming exhaustion and personal chaos, punting is helping me to make progress. Actually, I have no interest in Sunday’s Super Bowl game or the half-time ritual of watching the (hopefully) funny commercials that cost millions of [...]
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At colleges everywhere, the spring semester has sprung without me! But at least my former students are still around. Some even send nice notes that are great examples of ways to grow as writers. When they email, I weep tears of joy — which is more pleasurable than the frustrated sobbing that comes with grading [...]
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As we all know, embracing technology is key to both personal and professional success. Note the key word: “Embrace.” Absolutely, passion makes a difference. But if you’re not feeling the love for tech stuff, this post might offer you both help and hope. The information below is about Apple’s One-to-One membership for Mac training. I [...]
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This is only my second full week as a full-time reporter. Yes, very exciting. But getting back in the game after 16 years is exhausting too. So when I saw my shrink this morning, I was relieved to learn that my feelings are normal. There’s even a special phrase to describe my experience. Work hardening. [...]
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Wow, reorganizing the crap in my house got done just in time. This is my first week on the new job and honey, work has been insane! But I am holding it together because at the end of every day, I am collapsing in a home that has a sense of order. Now the question [...]
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Well, it finally happened. This morning was the last day of the semester for my NYU journalism class. Now that it’s over, I am out of the teaching business. Starting Jan. 1, I’m back to full-time reporting. So the goodbyes today with my students were extra bittersweet. And I wasn’t the only one who left [...]
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Tonight I went on a private tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The entire evening turned into one of those rare, perfect evenings in Manhattan. The magic began when I found street parking (free!). Then I walked into the Met (free!) to enjoy beautiful art, smart conversation and a nice reception. The Met had invited [...]
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The good news is that I just landed a full-time journalism job! As for the bad news: I have given up all of my teaching gigs. At least, for now… I guess you want to hear about the job first. Early next year, Newsday, one of the country’s leading newspapers, is starting up a hyperlocal news [...]
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