WJI Blog 2022, May 25 PM - Malls, Editing, and Dutch Dancing

It's day five but I only know that because someone told me. Twelve-hour days and homework at night, broken only by short lunches and dinners, gives time a warped feeling, blurring all the days together.

Today, thankfully was a bit different from the mix of lectures and writing projects. We were dropped off in the middle of Sioux Center, Iowa to practice our observation skills.

It was fun to get off the campus and explore the little town, from its homey coffee shops to tiny mall and Dutch bakery. It’s a Wednesday afternoon, but the mall and surrounding shops provide plenty to watch, little children munching pastries, teens buying clothes, and a group of old ladies chatting in the café. After we have filled our notebooks, we head back to Dordt to write them up and share with the class.

Then were headed to the media room to go over filming and getting ready for our own stand-ups for tomorrow. Many people skip dinner or eat quickly to get back to the media room and start pulling clips for their package. Editing movie clips is a long process, heighted by our inexperience and the fact that there are twice as many people as computers. Thankfully the room is open 24 hours, so we should be able to make the deadline, at least that’s what we are told reassuringly.

After dinner, we have news games, and then Lee Pits comes in and gives us a demonstration of Dutch dancing in the full traditional attire, wooden shoes and all. It’s become a tradition for Pitts to introduce the night’s assignment in a fun costume and intro, last night he was Robin (from Batman) and before that Mr. Rogers. It’s a funny bit that almost makes me forget how long the day has been and how much I have left to do. After the dance Pitts gives us a speech in fluent Dutch translated impeccably by Les.

Then we split into groups to edit our Tulip Stories, then its free time for the rest of the night. It’s about 9:27pm and many head to the media room to work on editing clips or take their laptop and go over their script for the morning.

I take my laptop and start this blog post which is due in a few hours. I don’t like this ending but the lights in the room and hallway are shutting off and I still need to head to the media room, and memorize my script, so this needs to end. I’m hopeful that I’ll have more energy tomorrow for the long day and night. It’s unlikely, but who knows, I might even remember what day it is.

- Katelyn Rafferty