Kim Karalekas

I was recently interviewed about my thoughts on new media…a topic of interest, one could say. Here are my musings:

“How does social media influence your international education job?”

As the New Media & Research Assoc. at API, social media plays an active role in my position. As many of us use social media as a main source of communication, research, etc., a significant portion of my time is dedicated to creating, managing and monitoring our online presences.

“How did you get into social media?”

In 1992, I created my first e-mail address, began blogging in 2001, created a Facebook profile in 2005 and signed up for Twitter in 2007. I studied advertising with a focus in new media, creative research and strategy. During this time, I spent a year researching social media infrastructures and developed a new social media model to support our converging online/offline communication behaviors. I’ve held various internships and jobs in the field and was one of the contributing authors to The Project 100 (a collaborative book on marketing in the era of social media). I suppose you classify me as a digital native, but the truth is, I’ve always been interested in the relationship between and convergence of humans and technology!

“What is one social media tool you cannot live without now?”

As there are so many social media tools with such different purposes, it really just depends on the end result I’m looking to achieve. With that said, one tool I’ve really found useful is Google Analytics. I’ve learned quite a bit about online behavior via analytics tools.

“What is one thing you wish you knew about social media that would have made getting involved with it easier?”

There are a handful of insights I’ve picked up over the years.

Authenticity: Be yourself, be genuine, be transparent, be interesting, be entertaining and if you do make a mistake, acknowledge it…we’re all human!

Collaborate/Connect: How can you collaborate with people in a meaningful way? How can you make it easier for people to communicate with one another?

Details: Don’t be hasty! Though the message may be brief, take time to think through what you are saying. Before publishing, take a breather. Read. Re-read. Then click send.

Measure: There is so much to learn by monitoring analytics. Quantitative results are important but don’t forget about qualitative results!

Research: Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, Digg, Skype, Blogspot, MySpace, WordPress, Flickr, Slideshare, Ning, Flickr, Delicious. Whew! Just because it’s available doesn’t mean it should be used! Make sure to research before diving in – watching, reading, listening, collecting, and conversing. What are people saying? What are people looking for?

Strategy: Of course it’s necessary to understand the functions of new media, but it’s just as important to understand people’s motives for using these platforms. New media will come and go, but human behaviors and patterns will always be around.

What do you think is social media’s biggest impact has been on international education?

The web was originally created to display static documents – more of a monologue model. However, the web has evolved into a dialog model, where social elements have been incorporated. Now, people are not just looking to “experts” for answers, but crowd sourcing their respective social networks for information.

It’s important to remember that social networks are not new. We’ve formed social circles for thousands of years. Social media merely adds an online element to our offline worlds.

With this said, I believe incorporating sociability into communication strategies has been the biggest impact social media has had on international education.

Why do you continue to use social media?

As long as the relationship between technology and people continues to evolve and my curiosity remains, I’ll continue to use social media. (:

Kim Karalekas is the New Media & Research Coordinator at Academic Programs International (API), specializing in online user experience, research, brand strategy, new media & web development. Away from work, she enjoys salsa dancing, playing the violin/piano, and geocaching. To connect with Kim: @API_KimK I  http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkaralekas Ikim.karalekas@apistudyabroad.com

About 438 years ago when we were kids, my mom would say: “Don’t get me any Christmas presents – I have everything I need!” I remember thinking: “Wow…I really wish I could say the same thing & actually mean it.” I thought it was so amazing that my mom was so content with what she had. I really really really wished I could be content with what I had. It’s not that I wasn’t content…it was more that the excitement of opening a bunch of presents on Christmas morning got the best of me…as hard as I tried, I couldn’t help wanting presents.

Fast forward to 2007. Study abroad. I was allowed 1 suitcase and that was it. How was I to fit 4 months of living into 1 suitcase? FML is what I was thinking.

But I somehow did it. And at the end of my 4 month study abroad, I realized I was completely content with 1 suitcase worth of stuff. And in fact, I was even more content than before because I didn’t have to spend time maintaining all of my stuff. I got to use this time to enjoy life. I lived in a room that wasn’t mine and had my suitcase with my stuff on the floor. It was perfect.

When I came back to the states, I made a decision: I never want to have more belongings than what I can fit in my car.

In 2009 I moved to Austin. I cheated and brought 2 suitcases worth of stuff, as this move was indefinite. Everything else was left behind and none of it was missed.

So now it’s 2011, Christmastime, and retailers are going crazy. Black Friday makes me sad as I am reminded of how gluttonous Christmas has become. I googled “What is Christmas?” and this is what I found:

“The annual Christian festival celebrating Christ’s birth, held on December 25″

So, Christmas is celebrating a birth. Of jesus christ. So, how does celebrating jesus translate to buying mass quantities of gifts for people who are not jesus? I’m not a Jehovah’s Witness, but I do wonder how excess and gluttony have become such a large part of this holiday season. I wouldn’t say I subscribe to a particular religion, but I will say I subscribe to common sense, educating myself, and  holding myself to the morals and values I’ve established. And with this said, to me, our society’s current Christmas traditions/behaviors/expectations don’t correlate with the original reason for a Christmas celebration.

I’m not suggesting we stop giving gifts at Christmas. In fact, I’m suggesting we give gifts year-round. I give a gift when I see something that I know someone will like, whatever time of the year it might be. This is the point of a gift. The reason behind buying a gift should not be because December 25th is rolling around.

David & I did not give each other gifts this year. And I am so happy about that. I couldn’t have said this and meant it when I was a kid, but today, I really can say this and mean it. Of course I still enjoy receiving gifts – I’d be lying if I said I didn’t – but I enjoy receiving gifts when they arrive unexpected and with meaning. For now, I have what I need and that’s enough. And although I might not have a ton of stuff, I am completely content. Why? Because to me, stuff just doesn’t bring value and long-term happiness.  The stuff that’s worth it to me? Memories, experiences, time with friends and family. 20 years later and I finally get it.

We should all begin our days reading this:

I ended up listening to a contemporary christian radio station the other morning. Not because I listen to contemporary christian music, but I wanted to sing along to christmas tunes and contemporary christian radio stations are gold mines this time of year.

“Silver Bells” came to an end and it was time for a commercial break. Before the commercials, there was a PSA-type announcement from the radio station saying something to the effect of: Christmas is a special holiday because jesus christ, our lord and savior was born. It’s not about the presents or materialism, but about rejoicing and celebrating jesus and this glorious day. So let’s make it a point to think about jesus alot and spend lots of time worshipping with our christian family and friends, because Christmas is about jesus, not presents! 

Immediately following this PSA was a commercial for Fred Meyer, Jared Jewlers and a slew of additional retailers promoting last minute Christmas sales and extended store hours for last minute shoppers “to get those final presents for everyone on your list!”.

Anyone else find this a bit incongruous?

Driving through town the other day I came across this complete random and out of place ugly sweater sidewalk sale. Aside from the general weirdness I thought was so great, I most appreciated the unnaturally massive stuffed barney advertising the sale.

I really love reading. However, with so many life distractions, I’ve unfortunately put reading on the back burner more often than I’d like to admit. However, I’ve made it a goal to spend more time reading. Actually I’ve made it a goal to spend more time doing stuff sans technology. I will be the first to say how much I do love my technology…but I do love my IRL hobbies as well. I’m in the midst of reading 4 Hour Workweek. Perhaps this book will give me tips so I can be more efficient both on and offline.

Only in Texas. Need I say more?

When I worked at Old Navy 4 years ago, I could fit into a size small. I am more or less the same size now; however, now I can’t fit into any women’s sizes as sizing has increased so drastically. The small, medium and large tags stayed the same…the clothes are just bigger now. I’d say an Old Navy small today is probably the size of an Old Navy large cerca 2008.

Aside from the feeling of annoyance for having to shop in the kids section if I want to shop at Old Navy…I really just feel sad. If you gain weight, you get bigger clothes, if you lose weight, you get smaller clothes. Clothing companies shouldn’t make clothes bigger without changing the label. I presume this is done so people will have false hope that the bathroom scale is wrong and they actually didn’t gain those extra 20 pounds…impossible if they haven’t gone up a size at Old Navy!

Lame.

I tried this dress on at Old Navy. It’s a size small but it looked like I had tried on a garbage bag with head and arm cutouts. I put the hanger in the pic for size reference. Fail.

So speaking of gaining weight, I made some sweet treats that WON’T make you gain wait, if consumed in moderation. 85% dark chocolate topped with either banana, peanut butter, or died cranberries.

The end.

This month’s Google Places power user event was held at Alamo Drafthouse.Thank you Google, per always, this was an awesome event.

Pre-movie Alamo crowd warming activities/entertainment. I will never look at Ovaltine and/or mashed potatoes the same way again.

They showed “A Christmas Story.” It was the first time I had seen the movie AND I managed to stay awake during the entire thing…nothing short of a Christmas miracle! It was a cute movie!

Unfortunately this picture was taken after the movie, or else the milkshake would have looked a bit more pleasant. I’m not a huge milkshake fan, but this was perhaps one of the best milkshakes I’ve consumed.

The flavor was strawberry balsamic…or some similar sweet & savory combo. When I ordered, I figured it would be one of those really gross tasting foodie combos that foodies eat not because it tastes good but because it is original and unique and different…just like them.

AKA, something I probably would find le gross. But no, it was le delicious.

Gracias a Google & Drafthouse! (:

I woke up this morning to find this message waiting for me. I’ll be honest – it made my morning. And now I am off to write my own letter.

So I found your senior pic you gave to me! while i was cleaning my car and I just wanted to drop in and say


1) you are a fantastic person!


2) I am so grateful for your friendship (even though we have not really talked in forever)


3) I feel like I owe you so much because you were one of the best friends ever at writing me on my mission and you will never really know how much I appreciated that and loved getting every single one


4) You are seriously so great! so dedicated! and just one of those people that is not afraid to go for it!


5) I look up to your determination and hard work at doing things, it always seems like you just got the whole world figured out, and what you want from life, and how your going to get it.


6) because of these great qualities you are one of those people that when I think about how to make my life and self better i think about you. and try and be just a little bit more like you!


7) today someone from Brazil wrote me a letter thanking me for my work and stuff down there and it made me feel so great that I wanted to pay it forward, and I hope this made you feel great too! because you are! the end!

I never thought I’d visit Kansas, much less visit Kansas two times in two weeks. …but I did. And this is what I experienced:

Alot of flat land. However, I must say that overall, I saw quite a bit more greenery during my two Kansas trips than expected.

The schools I visited in Kansas have beautiful architecture. Who knows why, but when I was younger, I always pitied kids who had to go to school on a campus with those ugly industrial looking buildings, rather than buildings like these, with the beautiful ornate design.

So, this was the hotel where I stayed during the 2nd Kansas trip. It was a super nice hotel that A. seemed too nice of a hotel to be right off of a college campus for the price and B. also doubled as a: tanning salon, had terrance bars, observation decks, and last but not least, a subterranean night club, AKA “The Cave”.

A view from one of the observation decks:

Traveling is wonderful, unless you’re talking about maintaining a workout routine. I’m not one of those hardcore people that MUST workout every day…but after sitting on a plane all day or not really moving much during my work day there…I feel antsy and know I won’t sleep well if I don’t get some sort of physical activity in. So, on my trip to Lawrence, I decided to walk to dinner rather than drive.

The walk between the hotel and the downtown area was quite pleasant. I walked through a neighborhood full of old houses with so much character. I presume this was now housing for college students. It reminded me very much of the neighborhoods around UO.

The downtown is very cute…quaint I might even say. Lots of old little stores and restaurants, lots to look at and observe.

I ended up eating at an Asian noodle shop, Zen Zero. It was DELISIH! My only complaint is the serving size. It was so ridiculously huge – probably could have been about 5 meals. It really makes me sad to waste food…I suppose this is why I usually try ordering off the kids menu…the perfect amount of food, overeating and/or wasting food doesn’t occur…win win.

Regardless of my portion qualms, the food was delicious. I ordered chicken pad thai. Yes, this might sound boring, but alas there is a strategy behind my food ordering. My theory is this: If I get something different each time I go to a new restaurant, it’s impossible to fairly compare restaurant cuisine. It’s necessary to compare apples to apples. SO, when I get thai food at a thai restaurant, I always get the chicken pad thai. Burger place? A plain burger without onions. Pizza? A plain cheese pizza.

And on that note, here is my chicken pad thai:

After dinner, I continued my walk back to the hotel. Like I said before, there were lots of neat little stores to check out along the way. Such as this t-shirt shop:

After the t-shirt shop, I stumbled across this Greek restaurant, The Mad Greek. Like any other normal Greek person, my eyes of course light up as thoughts of gyros, dolmathes, tiropita and baklava infiltrated my brain.

At first I was sad that I did not see this restaurant first. (first world problems?) Then I stopped being sad because I knew I would be in Lawrence for another night and could come back. OPA!

Continuing along with my food critic theory above, I ordered a traditional gyro. It was delish. Wish they had kid size gyros…but I think when you’re Greek, kid size portions of anything (even for kids) do not exist. In fact, I think asking for anything smaller than an unnecessarily excessive portion of any type of Greek food might be considered blasphemy.

The next morning I was happy to find  The Juice Stop. After all the great food I had consumed in the previous two days, I was ready to detox and get back to my regular diet of primarily fruits & veggies. It’s not always the easiest to find these things during travel, so opportunities like The Juice Stop I snag immediately. (:

So there we go. Kansas experience, done & done.

I really really really really really hate running. I’ve never liked running. I don’t get any pleasure out of running. It’s bad for knees. It’s bad for joints. It makes me get out of breath. I feel like I’m wasting time…I could be salsa dancing instead! Being sweaty grosses me out. It’s not something I can do past age 40, if I haven’t already blown out my knees before that point.

So, then why in god’s green earth did I run a 5 mile race a few weeks back?

Well, the idea popped into my head about a month before the race and went something like this: “Hmmm. I should do something that’s A. out of my comfort zone and B. something I don’t think I can do, just to prove myself wrong.”

As I was not able to go home for Thanksgiving ($600 plane ticket home? Sadly, not in the budget!), why not run 5 miles instead? And no, not a 5K. 5 miles. At this point, I don’t think I had run more than 5 miles combined in my 24 years of life. I knew this would be an interesting race.

So I trained almost every day for the next month. I did not enjoy the running but I did enjoy knowing I would be tackling a challenge. Meeting a goal.

Most runners set distance or time goals. My first goal was to finish. My second goal was to complete the race without getting a side stitch, “an intense, stabbing pain under the lower edge of the ribcage.” Side stitches are most likely caused by stretched ligaments between the diaphragm and liver. Makes sense, as the impact and jolting of internal organs from running is far more intense than from walking. One way to overcome side stitches is to establish a certain breathing pattern – there’s quite a strategy to it! (Strategy? One of my favorite things! Maybe running isn’t so bad…). To spare you the details, let’s just say I spent most of the race coordinating breathing with my strides. (This actually takes far more coordination that expected). The happy news is…I finished the 5 miles sans side stitch.

Playlists. Intended for runners to get pumped up, motivation, keep the adrenalin going, etc. I presume the type of music in runner playlists usually looks something like: Black Eyed Peas, OutKast, Queen, Rihanna.

My playlist? Not so traditional, but def. got me pumped up and adrenalin was flowing. I’d say my playlist theme was something along the lines of “Classical & 90′s pop”. A sampling:

Lalo, Symphony Espanole

Bach, Allegro Assai III

Ari Hest, Caught Up In Your Love

Warlock, Pavane Capriol Suite

Gavin DeGraw, Chariot

Bloch, Concert Grosso No. 1

Portugal The Man, The Dead Dog

Evita, High Flying Adored

Houston County, I Can’t Make It Rain

Skee-Low, I Wish

Shai 360, One Love

Salt N Pepa, Shoop

LFO, Summer Girls

Stuck In The Middle, Can’t Help Falling In Love With You

So there you go. And now some visuals from the event.

Pre-starting line. Took us more than 10 minutes to make it past the starting line once the race began!

Lots of people dress up for the TT:

I love this sea of people!

5 miles of barefoot running? Holy cow.

Wouldn’t be a true Austin event without a live band. Not sure if these kids were an official Turkey Trot act though…

Perhaps more recycling bins would be good next year!

Finishing! The clock says 1:22:55 but I finished more near the 1:10 mark. As there were 21,000 runners, I wasn’t able to pass the start line until a little more than 10 minutes into the race!