Spring!

    Hello! This is a beautiful week! Our snow is gone and spring is here. Alhamdullilah. I have also had some fun articles this last week. First, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture given by an Israeli journalist. I also met him, because my professor was hosting him, so I asked a few questions as well. The lecture was basically proof that the more I learn about the Middle East, the more I see that everything I once thought I knew is wrong. But that's OK:)
   Next, a fun article about how BYU beat University of Utah in a tense academic exchange last weekend. And who doesn't enjoy that?

Pythons, Portugal, Publishing, and Syrian Refugees

        First and foremost, I want to introduce the Syrian refugee article, which was about a month in the making. After many rewrites and some frantic last-minute interviews, the article was published, and it even made it to the print version! Also, just for the record, the fun thing about this article is that it's my story, too.
      Next, the BYU publishing article. Surprisingly, this was one of my favorite articles to interview for. This was a bit intense since I got the story, did the interviews, and wrote it all in about an hour and a half. I got to talk with some fascinating people and hear some great stories. I also made sure to publish the all-important presence of cookies at an event---I know what will bring out an audience!
      The Portuguese ambassador's visit was another exciting event to cover. I got to interview with one of the international vice-presidents, who was very kind. I learned a little about how BYU and the Church develops these important international relationships.
    And, drumroll please---the front page article, above the fold, in today's The Universe! Mormons hunting pythons with their bare hands were featured in The New York Times, and now the story has come back to where it belongs---their Alma Mater.