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  • Writer's pictureMosaic 2018

Day 4: June 14, 2018 - Manasi Garg


It really does seem like each day we spend at Mosaic just becomes better and better. We started off the day as usual, of course. Sal arrived at the newsroom with stacks of heavier-than-usual newspapers and distributed them, explaining that they were heavier because today there was a special feature on the Warriors win of the NBA finals and the subsequent parade. There were some murmurings and appreciative nods, but everyone was still a bit sleepy.


Then Richard, promptly after picking up a newspaper, announced that it was “thicc with two c’s” and I knew the day had begun. We burst into laughter, then fell back into silence, busy drinking in both our apple juice (the orange juice was too orange, according to Lindsey), and the day’s news. We didn’t have a news quiz today, so everyone passed, which was good news.


However, we noticed that we had a few missing faces. Mya, Berenice, and Benji were accounted for- our two photographers were at the unveiling of a new rollercoaster at Great America, and Benji had an interview. But what about Fernando? Unfortunately, Sharon had some bad news- Mosaic’s very own Kendrick would be taking some time off, as there was a death in his family. Takuto, we truly hope that you are doing okay, and that you know we all have your back.


Although we were saddened to hear that, we continued on throughout our regular workday, and as we chatted, our spirits quickly rose again. Many of us also had interviews scheduled at different times of the day, and everyone was rushing in and out or furiously typing away at their computer.


At around 11, some of us decided that we wanted some coffee. There was only one problem- none of us actually knew how to use a coffee maker. Thankfully, Joe came to the rescue, and I think we learned our most important lesson today- how to make coffee.


After we finished stewing our Peet’s Dark Roast beans, Benji, Richard, Meena, and I each poured ourselves a cup of strong black coffee. I took one sip and immediately dumped in half the bottle of creamer and 3 packs of sugar, while the other three simply enjoyed their glorified bean water. We stood around and talked for a bit, examining the “thicc” stuffed gnome and stroking his chest hair. Yes, we did have its consent to touch it. Don’t worry.


Soon, we went back to work, then broke for lunch at around 12.


At lunch came probably my favorite experience at Mosaic so far. Everyone who wasn’t out and about gathered around one table and, while devouring our food, we had simultaneously the most and least meaningful conversation I’ve ever had. Topics ranged from our world perspective to our experiences and the lessons we learned to sharing some of the most intimate details about each other.


A lot of us shared things about ourselves that no one else or very few other people knew. And we did that because, although it had only been 4 days, we trusted each other. This is going to sound emo but, to quote Benji, “Man, I love you guys!” And, to quote myself, “It’s only been (insert number of days) days, but I feel like we’ve been friends for years!”

We also teased Perla about the pile of olives that had accumulated at the side of her salad. Seriously, we should write an article entitled “Perla Fails.”


Our conversation was so fascinating, and it’s something that I don’t think I could have had with any other group of people.


After lunch, as per usual, we went back to work. Honestly, a lot of us found that talking to each other was much more interesting than our stories. Sharon and Maya definitely reminded us a couple of times to stay on track for our deadline. (Whoops!)



At one point, Rob was flying a drone around the newsroom. It turned out to actually belong to Brian Nguyen, a Mosaic alumnus from 2011 who gave us some quick photography and reporting advice. Not gonna lie, it was a bit strange to have a drone just hovering over us while we worked.


Then, at 4, Maya gave us a presentation on how to write a news story. We discussed new terminology, like the difference between direct and delayed leads, and what a “nutgraf” is. The only thing missing from the presentation was where the word “nutgraf” originated from- it cracks me up thinking of professional journalists using the word nut to describe a part of their story.


Overall, today was a great day. I am very much looking forward to all the new memories we will make and all the new stories that are coming up. Tomorrow is the deadline for our first drafts, so I know it’s going to be hectic, but we have each other’s support to push through.

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