If the buildings don’t fascinate you in Portland, then the forest and vegetation all around will. For today’s activities the Burges Journalism staff and I went to the Columbia River Gorge, just outside of Portland.

If you recall my previous blog, we come from the desert in west Texas. So, in that sense imagine the awe I felt standing before a waterfall that was over 100 ft. tall. Everything around me was so green and filled with life, unlike the dead grass that I always have to sweep off of my porch in El Paso.

After lunch, we all made our way to the convention center, where we would all register and get our nametags. We weren’t the only ones; journalism students from all over the country could be seen heading in the same direction. When we saw a cluster of other students, my friends and I would shout “journalism!” and give a thumbs-up. Most students shared our enthusiasm, but others did not. Oh well.

We quickly registered after entering the ballroom, but we weren’t ready to leave right away. I still had to enter one of our newspapers in the convention’s “Best of Show” contest. We got 6th place last year, and I’m hoping to improve. But I know that I’ll be content, regardless of the outcome. However, it never hurts to win…

Not sure why i know this but the Portland JEA/NSPA convention is my 40th.

I took my first group to the spring convention in Tuscon back in 1986. What a great time we had. The funkiest part was the BBQ and rodeo in “Old Tucson.” Although they are now scattered around the U.S. from Boston to New York to Texas, I still keep in touch with almost all of them.

A group of 15 teenagers left Springfield, Missouri (the global headquarters of Bass Pro Shops), at 5 a.m. to head to the Tulsa International Airport. Why? Simply stated, Springfield is just too rural of a town to fly out of on the way to Portland.

Every year journalism students from across the country attend two NSPA/JEA National conventions that take them to new cultural experiences. This year Portland, Oregon was able to provide the “green” side of life. From an airport that provides an open and natural environment, to a bike friendly, urban, substance filled downtown area, Portland has something for everyone. Here are the top 5 things we like about Portland so far.

Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore and let me tell you, the grass really is greener on the other side. If you have a bucket list, I highly recommend adding “sit in the window seat on a flight into Portland, Ore.” The mountains and valleys are greener than a St. Patrick’s day parade in downtown Chicago.

We started off the day by getting semi-lost in the outskirts of Portland — in an area where apparently children do not eat. At every restaurant we went to a sign that said “NO MINORS ALLOWED” was posted. My traveling group is highly concerned for the children of Portland.

You may barely be able to see me in this picture, but here I am standing outside the Oregon Convention Center just hours before the JEA/NSPA convention is to begin. I’m so excited!

I am looking forward to walking around the convention floor and visiting all of vendors who have come here to talk to people just like ME. I am also anxious to attend sessions that will teach me new and cool things to take home with me to use in our school’s yearbook.

What began as a frantic morning has ended in a quiet, peaceful night after a fun-filled day in Portland, Oregon, home of the 2010 JEA/NSPA spring convention. Three photographer friends and I are sharing a two-story hotel room, and our hotel is only a few blocks from this amazing city’s convention center, where I will be spending much time over the next few days.

Anyhow, I told my parents last night that I had already packed all of my things before I went to sleep. But I lied. Of course, being an average 18-year old HS senior, it was only natural that I put off most of my packing until the next morning.

Whoa, it’s been a looonggg day! The seven of us and our adviser had to be at the airport by 6:30 for an 8:05 flight. (I don’t even get up that early for school.)

We had to transfer planes in Los Angeles but we weren’t there very long. When we were finally over Portland, it was crazy! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much green in my life. Living in El Paso, all we ever see is brown. The Portland airport was HUGE!

Ah, my first blog ever! Well anyway, I am the head photographer from Burges High School in El Paso, Texas, and in my experiences in journalism I have found ways to open doors for my future career.

Last year, the JEA conference taught me a lot and I look forward to this year’s convention. Yet first, there was the long trip from our border town of El Paso to Portland. The long trip all the way up to Portland from El Paso has got to be one of the most exhausting trips I have made.