The OG Housewife of Orange County: Vicki Gunvalson "WOOHOO!"

On Tuesday night, Vicki Gunvalson from Bravo's hit reality show, The Real Housewives of Orange County, stepped into the studio (seconds after her quick conference call) and took part in the Tuesday night edition of CU@USC!

Vicki and I on the set of the show...WOOHOO!

She was fabulous to talk with and to be quite honest, I truly sensed a positive vibe from the woman! The other housewives always seem to be so irritated by Vicki's mention of "work ethic" and when I mentioned season 6, it seems as though Vicki's zest for the show has begun to burn. I got the idea that Vicki MIGHT not return to the show, or maybe there won't be a season 6 at all, hmm...

What's great about Vicki's role on the show is that she's the only original cast member left. One of my first questions I asked was about why she was still on the show surrounding herself by these women who she gets highly irritated by?! She explained how she doesn't have a choice when it comes to picking the new ladies and it's completely out of her hands. She has to take what she gets. Well that's definitely not reality but like any "reality" show today, it's clearly not reality and I thank Vicki for explaining that in her own words.

Now wait a minute...no one is FORCING Mrs. Vicki to continue to be a housewife on the show, so why is she sticking around if she claims to not like arguing and doesn't like ugly behavior? Well maybe this is it... Vicki considers herself to be the "momma" of the show and wants to hold a role for as long as she can handle one. Not only that, but the show also helps to publicize her COTO Insurance and University. The show is a huge help in generating in cliental and advertising the best of all three of her worlds....work, family and friends. I would probably stick around if I was in her heels too!

Vicki also mentioned her desire to want her own show! Hmmm...how many of you would watch Vicki if she landed her own show? Maybe the show can be called, "More Than a Housewife" just like her book!

Speaking of the book, the title sort of fits her persona on the show as she always talks about her strong work ethic and her willingness to work hard in order to afford the finer things in life...unlike the other ladies. Being more than a housewife says to the other ladies that she's much more than just fake boobs and nice things in life, she works too - OUCH!

I didn't get the chance to ask Vicki about Lynne's statement on the show, when her and the girls were at Alexis' house for the cooking party and Lynne said something along the lines of..." it's freakin hard living in Orange County!" How many of you think this is a ridiculous statement? Do any of you agree? What is it about Orange County that is so...hard?!

Well maybe I'll tweet Vicki and ask, I'll have to get back to you on that one. In the meantime, you can check out Vicki's book here: http://morethanahousewifebook.com/

You can order your copy NOW or check out where she'll be signing books next!

P.S. Vicki couldn't make the show a few weeks back due to the harsh weather and stiff traffic, but this time she was super early! We had Vicki on the calendar for a pre tape since she had to travel from a distance, but since she walked through those doors before 6:00pm we were going live at 6:30! I got the call to come in early, so I hopped in the shower, got dressed and rushed to the studio to do the live show.

I learned this week to BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING and be ready to go live at any time, gahhh I LOVE IT :)

Thanks for reading, until next time...

FIGHT ON!

MT

2010 USC Women's Conference

Yesterday marked the 2nd annual 2010 USC Women's Conference.

There is nothing more empowering. There is nothing more inspiring. There is nothing more captivating than being in the presence of 500 Trojan alumni women, who have all worked hard after college to make it in this competitive world.

We joined together yesterday at 7:30am to embark on a one-day journey, together.

To be one-in-a-few students who joined these women yesterday, it was enough to continue giving me the power to keep moving forward in the direction of my dreams. These women are not only hard workers in corporate America, they are wives and mothers. They understand what it takes to make it in their profession and balance the other important aspects of life.

I was honored to be in the presence of all the alumni, but one special woman in particular who I shared this day with was my very own mother, Carole. I thank my momma for encouraging me to take advantage of this opportunity to get up early and be empowered, it was an event right up my alley!

After checking in, getting our 2010 "Women's Conference tote bags" and enjoying a continental breakfast, all 500 of us gathered in Bouvard Auditorium on USC's campus. The introduction set the tone for a day filled with passion, drive and a room full of Superwomen energy! The first panel of women included: Sylvia Lopez (KCAL9 Anchor), Genoveva Arellano (Principal and Owner, Arellano Associates), Betsey Berkhemer-Credaire (Statewide President, NAWBO-California) and Louise H. Bryson (Chair of the Board of Trustees, J. Paul Getty Trust). While Sylvia lead the conversation, the other three answered her questions and gave great insight as to what they find are the key elements to look out for when discovering your passion and making a career out of it.

The big-picture message that they wanted each woman to walk away with at the end of the day, was to find that one thing that you really love, and make that what you shape your career around.

Throughout the day, more women took to the stage as they went to work in sharing their message with the crowd. As they continued to speak out on various subjects, I continued to jot down what seemed important and valid in my journey so that I could share with all of you...

• Cookie Lee (Founder and Chief Designer, Cookie Lee Jewelry) said that you need to make sure you create your career around your passion, so that when you feel low, when you are lying on your bed and you can't find the motivation to get up and work, that passion needs to be what propels you!

• Kathleen Allen (Professor, Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies) discussed how important it is to have options. She discussed the importance in having more than one source of income. If you are a professor, for example, write a book, tutor, do something that will generate side money, while creating a name for yourself.

• Lois Franel (President, Corporate Coaching International) shared her story in making it as a corporate coach. She pointed out the issues we don't even recognize in our daily communication with the world and tips on how to change our bad habits. She's an expert at how to go about branding yourself too!

1. Be a good listener, acknowledge what others say, then respond.
2. Remember that early speakers (classroom, meeting, etc.) come off as the most confident people in the room and leave a strong impression on the crowd. Be the first 2 or 3 people to answer a question or raise a valid point, always.
3. Write down what you want people to say about you when you walk out of the room, then apply actional behaviors in shaping this image for yourself.
4. Take your strengths and compliment them.
5. Let other people know about your brand, market yourself!

These are only 5 of some of the greatest pieces of advice I took away from the conference, teaching all of us a bit more about what we can do to be successful.

One last speaker who touched me and sent strong vibes of well-being to all 500 women after lunch, was Dr. Gloria Burgess (Author, Fonder and Principal of Jazz, Inc.). Dr. Burgess was the Luncheon Keynote speaker who silenced the room with her soothing voice and commanded the attention of the Trojan women with the wisdom in her words. She made sure to thank her parents for providing her with a foundation to build upon, reminding me the beauty in sharing the day with my own mother. I had the honor in meeting her at the end of the day, and she was just as gracious in our few minutes together as she was in front of the room full of Trojan women.

Thank you mom, thank you Dr. Burgess and thank you to the USC Alumni Association for hosting this special event. I hope to one day be a woman on that stage empowering the world in the same way these women have empowered me...

I hope you are empowered too.

Until the next adventure, Fight On!

Xo,

Megan

82nd annual Academy Awards!

I can't quite put the right combination of words together to explain what it's like to be a part of the Oscar coverage, but it's something along the lines of... a surreal opportunity.

Andrew Huse (videographer) and I headed to the Red Carpet for this year's 82nd Academy Awards and took part in the pre Oscar madness! A second year at the Oscars, and I must say it was a success.

This year, Andrew and I took the journey to the Oscars again and put our ideas to the test. Last year we were part of the 1st annual MTVu and Academy, "Oscar College Correspondent Competition," where we placed in the top three in the nation and headed to Hollywood to cover four days of pre-Oscar events. It was an opportunity of a life-time and since we were back on our own to cover the Oscars, I thought it would be interesting to get ahold of this year's College Correspondent semi-finalists and organize interviews with each of the three teams. Andrew set up his newest equipment, I prepared my questions and ideas of where I wanted to take the interviews and we headed to the pool deck of the Renaissance Hotel. I wanted this time with each team in the competition because I could not wait to hear how an opportunity that has opened so many doors for Andrew and I just one year ago, has also changed their lives. I learned that this year's Finalists, Terry Stackhouse & Zach Couson and Runners Up Rachel Berry & Christian Hartnett and Brandon McCaskill & Kiarra Hart, are some great broadcast journalists/video journalists out there who also know what they want in this lifetime, and that is so refreshing. We are so thankful that the Academy recognizes that this competition is a huge chance for students to get their feet wet at an event we hope to cover for major news/entertainment outlets in the future.

On Oscar Sunday, Andrew and I were back in action for the third day straight! We covered the pre-Oscar chaos on the Red Carpet in our formal attire. It was great to catch interviews with Entertainment Tonight's, Mary Hart, while also chatting with Lauren Sanchez, two of my fav anchors in the industry. We locked in our spots when the clock struck 2:00p.m. The celebs began to flood in and we had the opportunity to see the months of planning and preparation come to life. We caught a few stars in passing, interviewed Mo'Nique and other names in the industry, then headed to the Interview Room to watch the show live on big screen T.V.s set up for media access. We were surrounded by hundreds of reporters from around the world as we all worked quickly to blog, tweet, update websites and ultimately keep the public informed on what was happening behind the scenes during the show. Minutes after the winners received their Oscars, they entered the Interview Room to answer more questions from the media. It was great to hear what the winners had to say when all the stress was out the window and they finally held their well-deserved statuette!

At the end of the weekend, when the Oscars were said and done, I had a rush of excitement. The feeling of clear satisfaction in covering the biggest night in Hollywood makes two college students happier and more self-satisfied than any other feeling in the world. You know you absolutely love what you do when you expect nothing more but that feeling of accomplishment.

I love the hype, I love the energy, I love the culture of the Academy and I love the idea of taking my passion for broadcast journalism and practicing what I love...at the Oscars :)

Check back here for our coverage soon!

Fight on,

MT

Post 3: Two in One!

It was one of the busiest days of my life on campus yesterday morning, with midterm season here and meetings in session regarding my senior year rapidly approaching. In the back of my head, I knew I had 2 shows to tape starting at 6:30pm, so the day could not pass any quicker!

I arrived at Zemeckis, watched some clips of the work Carrie Preston has done, sharpened up on my facts and hit the pre production room to meet my guest.

Preston was a doll. She plays Arlene Fowler in HBO's hit series True Blood. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met and has a very grounded character. In the interview we talked a lot about what she had to do to make it in this world of acting in Los Angeles. She even mentioned after the show, how much she appreciated an interview that was focused on her advice and her journey; most interviews focus on her role in True Blood or her husband being Michael Emerson (LOST). Although she deeply loves both, it was great to switch it up!

Carrie went to The Julliard School, where she had the opportunity to really mold her craft. She knew at the ago of 10, that acting was going to be her life because loved being on stage. Her first movie she played in was My Best Friend's Wedding, where she was one of the sisters in the popular scene, "Say a little prayer for you!" Yes, she is THAT actress! The film came out in 1997, and thirteen years later she sat on the set of CU@USC to inspire young adults who look up to her work. It was an honor to learn from her!

Preston has been in many theatrical plays, films, even behind the scenes as a producer and director. She has her own production company, and her most recent work includes the gig on True Blood! Her character, Arlene Fowler, is a sexy Southern gal and waitress who Carrie has grown to admire. Although Arlene and Carrie have different characters, she admires Arlene for being a strong woman, strutting in 7 inch hills and for her strong work ethic in being a waitress.

One piece of advice Preston left with CU, was that she truly believes that the best way to make it as an actor is to learn the basic skills of acting. She says when you learn the skills, you will be prepared for all opportunities.

You can follow Carrie via Twitter at http://twitter.com/Carrie_Preston

or check out her website at http://www.carriepreston.com/Carrie_Preston/Welcome.html

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Directly after, The Cake Mamas hit the set, and we had such a great time! Janelle Copeland and Fabiola Gomez are the bakers who do incredible work right out their home. They are in the process of getting their own bakery and are currently looking for a contractor.

The ladies have a lot going on as their business is rapidly growing. Their story goes like this: Fabiola was married to Eddie, they had two daughters. The marriage didn't work out. Eddie is now married to Janelle, who is Fab's co-worker. Eddie and Janelle have 1 daughter. Together Janelle and Fab work out of Eddie and Janelle's home and they all have a great relationship. They are proud to set a good example for their three daughters on how to successfully blend a family. Fab even said during the interview, "it's normal to us..." A reality show is in the works for them and I am crossing my fingers the pilot gets picked up!

You can check out their amazing cakes, cupcakes and cookie designs at http://www.thecakemamas.com/ Put in your order for your next special event!

You can also become a fan on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cake-Mamas/90550989333?ref=ts

Well, this week's segments were great and I learned a little more about what I can improve on, as usual! I learned that the cameras can be on me at any moment during the interview, so it's always important to not make funny faces. I need to be more conscious of smiling and not allow myself to get too comfortable in front of the camera. My face can look lazy at times and no one wants to look at a lazy face!

Well that's a wrap for this week everyone, thanks for tuning in to Telles' Tuesday night wrap up...

Until next week, Fight On!

-Megan