Doozo yoroshiku!

My name is Veronica Arellano. Fall 2010 will mark my 2nd semester as a Mass Comm grad student here at good ol' Texas State.

I graduated from Texas A&M University - Kingsville with a degree in Radio & Television production. As an undergrad, I spent my time DJ'ing for TAMUK's 91.1 The One and working with the campus television news channel. For now, I've hung up my DJ hat.

I'm pretty interested in viral campaigns and guerrilla marketing and would love Love LOVE to work with companies that do those kinds of crazy things. Doing something like that or working for Nickelodeon/Adult Swim/any cartoon network would be super cool for me. If any of those jobs required me to travel, I'd drop to my knees and thank Jesus for giving me my dream job.

Besides aiming for a Master's in Mass Comm, I came to Texas State to study Japanese. Growing up, I loved anime and never really thought about where it came from. However, when I graduated from high school, I began to appreciate all the other aspects the island of Japan had to offer and I've been hooked ever since.

When I'm not reading manga or watching an unhealthy amount of Korean pop music videos, I play with my two pups, Baxter and Bradley.

I've dabbled in HTML and CSS before and can work my way around code to a small degree. Lord knows I prefer straight up coding to Dreamweaver but I am eager to learn! I'm really looking forward to this semester since I had a pretty rough summer. Time to hit F5 and refresh!

Twitter: VeeFantastic

Hello All!

Hello Everyone,

My name is Christina Gulla and I am about to begin my second year as a graduate student at Texas State. I love graduate school and so far have met a lot of awesome people. I am 26 years old and live in Austin, TX. I am currently working as a Real Estate agent in Austin so if anyone needs help with buying or selling their home, let me know! I graduated from Texas State in 2009 with a degree in Mass Communication & Advertising and a minor in Psychology. I went straight into the graduate program to obtain a Masters degree in Communication.

I took Cindy's Issues in New Media Class this past Summer and absolutely loved it. It was by far my favorite class thus far in the grad program. Cindy is awesome and the class got me very interested in new media. I am really looking forward to this class and can't wait to meet everyone.

~Follow my personal blog at www.ChristinaGulla.wordpress.com

~Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/christinagulla (@ChristinaGulla)

Looking forward to Fall 2010!

PS---sorry this picture is so large. I don't know how to make it smaller! I will know how to do that by the end of this class :)

Intro

Hey everyone! I am a new guy to MC, and I am excited to learn your side of things. I graduated for University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with my undergrad in Recreation, and I am finishing up my last hours for my Masters in Recreation Administration and Management. This class is one of my electives that I have chosen because I believe that online media is so prevalent in todays society and in recreation. I am super stoked for class, since it will help me broaden my knowledge of this type of media, and it will help me be able to create more effective ways to promote, educate, and market my field. I look forward meeting all of you in class!

Intro Post

Hello everyone! My name is Yomali de la Cerda. I am new here to San Marcos so if anyone wants to show me the town, i'd greatly appreciate it! I've lived here for a whole 10 days as of today :) I just moved here from Brownsville, Texas where I did my undergrad in Communication Studies and Mass Media at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Most people don't know where my itty bitty home town is, so I usually have to say, "It's about 30 min from South Padre Island..." and many immediately know. I have to say it's quite a luxury living next to the beach... one i didn't appreciate until i moved away. Brownsville is also a border with Mexico which is also very interesting. But I digress...

This is my first semester as a Graduate student. I obtained my degree in May 2010 and decided I was not ready to stop learning and I jumped right into my master's. I took many media, advertising and other design classes in my undergrad and I was very intrigued by it all. I'm familiar with working most design programs but mostly InDesign and Photoshop. I figured this would be a great class to take for my first semester. I have done some website design as part of my assignments but nothing on a professional level. I am excited to learn how to work all these other programs!

In my free time I enjoying living my life as any other 22 year old. I enjoy traveling, working out, going out, golf, guns and such. I'm a secret foodie...or at least i try to be. I love trying all kinds of food. I'm sort of a female Andrew Zimmern, or at least i try to be. Since i just moved here, i'm currently unemployed (not that i was employed before..) but i am searching for maybe a little part time job for now, so if anyone has any leads...let me know!

Other than that, i'd love to get to meet new people since i just moved here. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and especially looking forward to the class and my first semester of grad school.

My facebook is Facebook.com/yomali which is the easiest way to find me and keep up with me i'm not much of a tweeter ahha I do have a twitter but I just use it to stalk celebrities... I know embarrassing and lameeee hahaha but here it is anyways @yomalers

k bye for now:)

Intro Post

Hi everyone! My name is Monique Ramos and this is my second full semester in Graduate School at Texas State. I graduated from Texas State in May 2009 with a BA in Mass Communication-Advertising and since then I have done a lot of internships and most recently I worked in the Marketing Department at Schlitterbahn. I took Cindy's New Media Issues class this summer and it got me very interested in New Media. I learned a lot of useful information and I look forward to learning more about HTML, Flash, Photoshop etc. Right now I basically know nothing about web design so this class will be a challenge, but I hope to learn a lot of new skills and broaden my knowledge of new media.

I recently moved to Austin and have been having fun getting to know the city better. After living in San Marcos for four years I needed a change. This semester should be very busy and fun! I am a GA for professor Lucy Brown who teaches Account Planning, and I am also very excited about my new internship at LatinWorks in the Account Service department.

Follow me on Twitter @ramosmonique

Can't wait to meet everyone!

Intro Post

Hey everyone, my name is Brittany Ervin and I'm in my second year of grad school. This is my second class with Cindy and I'm really excited about learning and honing many technical skills that are necessary with a new media concentration. I loved New Media Issues in the summer and took so much away from it. I'm ready to come back this fall and own Dreamweaver and Flash!
My background is in music, however, so for a very long time I wasn't immersed in Dreamweaver or Flash or CSS or any other such program but rather my instrument. While I love music and still play always, I am fascinated with new media and am so ready to learn as much as I can in this next class! I really want to get on the bandwagon with Flash and some of the other programs I haven't worked with before. I hope to incorporate music and my passion for it into my career and utilize the skills I acquire in these grad classes.

You can follow me on Twitter: @BrittErvin

See you soon!

Hello there. Julie here.

I took a class similar to this about six years ago with Cindy when she taught at UT Austin. I'm looking forward to this class because even though I've worked for a website (mySA.com) for the last five years and use basic HTML every day, I'm pretty rusty on the actual building of a website. And I'm sure I've forgotten just about everything I learned about Flash.

About me. Well, I kind of have a love/hate relationship with new media. Kinda funny when you consider everything. This is my second semester at Texas State in the Mass Comm grad program, new media concentration. Cindy seems to ride the ever-changing wave of new technology and media almost effortlessly with a joy and passion I admire, while I sometimes feel as though the wave is smacking me in the face and dragging me under. I love how new media is changing the way we get information, making it faster and more accessible. It's given voice to many of the voiceless and done a whole lot of good. But sometimes the extreme navel gazing that comes with it gets me down and I just want to unplug from everything. Which I take great pleasure in doing from time to time, letting the always-present wanderlust take over.

- Julie Ruff
@sapaws (work)
@txbucketlist (funky side project) (I'll probably use this one for class so I can curse like a sailor. Ayup.)

Intro Post

Hi everyone, my name is Kelly Gorychka and I'm in my second semester of the Mass Comm grad program. So far I have enjoyed it and am getting more comfortable being back in school again. I currently work full time for a tech PR agency in Austin that represents Dell. I manage Dell's business computing group that includes business notebooks, desktops, workstations, and desktop virtualization and security solutions. Between working full time and taking two grad school classes this semester, I'd say I am a little busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

As background, I grew up in the Austin area and attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where I played collegiate volleyball and wrote for the school newspaper. Upon graduation I ventured to Costa Rica for a two-year stretch and worked for an international healthcare consulting and management firm as a writer and PR/marketing specialist. On the side, I did freelance writing for a luxury tourism magazine and had the amazing opportunity to travel and experience life in top destinations throughout the country. And...as an added bonus, I perfected my Spanish language skills. I eventually moved back to Austin and began working for a boutique tech and healthcare PR / social media agency for about three years.

To make my life even more complicated, in addition to school and work, I am planning a wedding next April and my fiance and I will welcome our first puppy in October. I am very excited to think of the new skills I will be able to add to my bag from taking Online Media Design. Mostly, I am looking forward to learning how to code and master new design tools that I hope to utilize in my current career. And of course I am looking forward to meeting my new classmates.

You can follow me on Twitter @KellyGorychka

Introductory post

What's up everyone? My name is Ryan Fritsche. I'm 23 years old and I am entering my 2nd full year of Grad School here at Texas State University. I graduated from Texas State in May 2009 with a B.A. in Mass Communications concentrating in Electronic Media. I also came away with a Minor in Coaching Athletics which is where I originally thought that my heart would truly lie except I was not ready to give up the media aspect of sports. My current aspiration once I complete graduate school with my M.A. is to enter into the ever-growing world of Sports Information Directing. The best case scenario is for me to impress the Sports Info Department here at Texas State enough for them to offer me a job for the 2011-2012 athletics year.

Well, how about we go into a little bit more about me? Yes, I'm THAT exciting. Haha! I was born in Houston, Texas on May 26, 1987 and lived on the outskirts of the city limits for 9 years before moving to the suburb of Cypress in 1996. My parents and I have lived there ever since. I am an only child and I will admit that it really does SUCK!!! Rainy days sucked especially when all I had was Super Nintendo to keep me entertained. I graduated from Cy-Fair High School in May 2005 and never needed to look anywhere else but Texas State to pursue my college career for a possible job with ESPN upon graduation (that didn't work out).

I am a true sports fanatic and am really knowledgeable in the world of sports. I played football for 8 years and really enjoyed every moment of every down I played. I love my hometown teams (Texans, Astros, Rockets, Aeros (AHL Hockey Team) and Dynamo) but I also love teams that are outside of Houston. My favorite NHL hockey team is the Minnesota Wild due to the fact that they are the parent club of the Houston Aeros. I also enjoy watching the Pittsburgh Penguins for reasons unknown. My 2nd favorite MLS soccer team is the Seattle Sounders FC just based on the fact that their home games are enjoyable to hear during televised games. But above all else, I am a HUGE!!!!!! Boston Red Sox fan. Ever since about 2000 when the Yankees won their 26th World Series, I have HATED the Yankees with a passion and fell in love with the Red Sox due in part to Fenway Park and because of Nomar Garciaparra.

Aside from my fascination with sports, I enjoy listening to music (Rock, Country, and Eminem) and singing aloud in my apartment in Buda. You also might catch me jumping around my apartment while playing Guitar Hero every now and then (I'm a rockstar at heart even though my singing is something to be desired). I love to go on vacation to Colorado in the winter so that I can shed my Texas roots for a snowboarder's lifestyle for a few weeks. I also thoroughly enjoy going to Las Vegas because I've never come home with less money than I left with. I really enjoy the Craps tables and the beer pong tables at O'Shea's on the Strip. Greatest casino on earth as far as I'm concerned.

*deep breath* That's pretty much all about me and why I was placed on this Earth haha. I cannot wait to meet those of you I have not met just yet and look forward to seeing all of you whom I have shared classes with over the past year. Follow me on Twitter @ryanfritsche42

Intro Post

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Hopper. This is my 2nd semester as a Grad student at Texas State. I graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2009 with a degree in Communications & Journalism. I have worked for the Texas A&M Health Science Center since 2007 and become full-time upon graduation as a Technical Communications Specialist. Fortunately, they have allowed me to work part-time during Grad school just doing some web editing, design and maintenance of our departmental website. My job has opened the door to several opportunities and training which have allowed me to learn SO many cool things and meet lots of great people! :)

A little about me.....
Well I was born in Kingsville, Texas (way down south) and grew up in East Texas in a small town called Whitehouse. I spent my 1st year of college at Texas A&M Kingsville and then transferred to College Station to finish my degree. I absolutely LOVED being in aggieland:) That place will always mean something to me. I am VERY close to my mom and dad... they are my rock! My family is very important to me. I am one blessed girl! I enjoy being with my friends and family and playing with my sweet puppy Marley! :) I love to read, listening to music is a must and I love to sing. I am excited.... and scared ( I have to admit) about Grad school. I hope to one day have a job maybe doing some type of web design/development for a company/org/magazine....anything!


I took Dr. Royal's New Media Issues class this summer and LOVED it! I learned so much about the history of the web and the many issues facing new media today. I look forward to learning about Online Media Design and the importance of it. I also hope to advance my HTML and CSS skills and learn more things about using photoshop and dreamweaver. I know I will learn a lot from this class, I'm excited:)

You can find me on twitter @sarahatm2009 Follow me! :)

Introductory post

My name is Douglas Martin-Whitaker, and I am two semesters away from completing my graduate program of study, working toward a MFA in Mass Communication at Texas State University. I prefer to be called "Whit" (as a one-word moniker, like "Sting," "Madonna," "Prince," or "Liberace" - none of whom I resemble), as that shortens things quite a bit. The degree I am working on will be my third degree from Texas State University: I also hold a BA in German language and a Master of Public Administration. My MFA in Mass Communication should help with my transition into a career in radio broadcasting - something I have wanted to do since I was a kid.

Personal info? I tend to be over-analytical, as well as extremely focused (maybe I'm hypomanic?). I have a hectic schedule that keeps my life really busy - this fall I'll be working 60+ hours per week almost every week (and most weekends, too) in addition to doing my graduate studies and keeping up with household maintenance and domestic chores. I also teach a Christian apologetics class on Sunday evenings at church (http://calvarysanmarcos.com/) - all are invited!

As with most folks, I have this belief that higher education will somehow eventually lead to a more pleasant life, to include a successful career that involves doing more things I want to do. One of those things is (actually): Online media design (!), particularly as it contributes to the online presence for a radio broadcast station (or other media outlet). Though I am a "master surfer," there's not much demand for that as a job skill. I want usable, marketable online skills. This class - combined with its successor - should provide me with those skills.

My Twitter contact is @WhitTxState11. If you "follow" me, do it at a distance and don't act suspicious about it...

Hi :D

Hi everyone! My name is Nicole Martinez. This is my second semester of grad school at Texas State.

I work part-time at a search engine optimization company called SEO Launchpad, housed in Conjunctured, the first co-working space in Austin. I just started a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it! I am surrounded by young, creative entrepreneurs everyday and it is awesome.

In my free time, I enjoy blogging, swimming, and riding my bike, as well as spending time with my two dogs, Dude and Miley. I've also been thinking about training for a half-marathon, so if there are any runners out there, I'd love to talk to you.

I look forward to learning about web design & working with all of you. You can find me on twitter at @mipanator.

Online Media Design introduction

Hello, everyone.  I'll be taking Online Media Design this semester, so I guess I'll take this chance to introduce myself.

This is my first semester of grad school (I graduated from Texas State alnost two years ago), and I'm excited to be going back.  I love movies and videogames, and I write handheld videogame news and reviews for the Examiner from time to time, though I haven't written much lately (you can see my profile and links to my articles there at http://www.examiner.com/handheld-in-houston/doug-seliger).

I took Dr. Royal's introductory web design class as an undergrad, and I'm looking forward to building upon that foundation.

I'm on Twitter @Doug_S which I mostly use to post links to new articles or ask for suggestions for games to review, so hit me up.

Welcome to Online Media Design!

Hi everyone and welcome to the class. Here's a little something about me. I look forward to seeing you all in person next week!

I'm the instructor of the class, starting my 5th year at TX State. I got my Ph.D. at UT, and have been teaching Web design and online media courses for more than a decade. It's been interesting to keep up with the changes. I have a personal website at cindyroyal.com and a tech blog at tech.cindyroyal.net. I love live music, and have a music blog and interview show at onthatnote.com. I spend a lot of time online, but I also love kayaking and hiking around Town Lake. Can't wait to hear about the things you like to do.

My Twitter name is @cindyroyal, so check me out there, follow me and join the conversation!