yay

He loves taking care of people

I love working on fun profile stories....

Wow.

A couple weeks ago I interviewed a guy about an award he's in the running for with the Domainer's Choice Awards. It was a fun story to write, even if domaining is rather like Chinese for me. But what isn't fun is going to check out whether or not there are comments and seeing that someone is bringing up the part where apparently the guy was in the blotter at some point for possession.

People make mistakes and learn from them. People shouldn't always be judged by the things they've done in the past or the mistakes that they have made. If they did, I probably wouldn't have the job I have today nor would I have made it to college and been with Food Lion for so long.

But to judge them on a public forum and remind them, and everyone else, of the mistakes that person has made in the past... I never thought I would have seen it.

Today's story

After holiday bargains abound

The best part...

The best part of this job is, without a doubt, waking up and seeing that not only did the article you worked on yesterday run, but also the one that you worked on last week or so that you completely forgot about :-)

All quiet on the Western Blvd. front

White Oak grad a finalist for best domain publication

This Christmas

This Christmas was the first year I didn't spend Christmas Day with my family, because I was at work all day. In all reality, however, it was without a doubt the first Christmas I did all the things I wanted to do.

I've always wanted to visit the Soup Kitchen on Christmas Day, and the USO. And I've always wondered if there were people with the last name Christmas.

This Christmas, I went to the Soup Kitchen and the USO. And I met a Christmas family.

The Christmases were without a doubt some of the kindest people I've ever met. Sure, it was Christmas and they didn't know me. But they seem like the kind of people who smile constantly and just love life. More people should be like that.

Meet the Christmases

USO greets and feeds 'family'

Smiling faces served at soup kitchen

Holiday travelers hit the trails

The Holiday Season

Since the last time I blogged, there hasn't been too much going on. I've had a few stories published though:

Today: A Blue Christmas

Yesterday: Developer donates 6 acres to Richlands

Dec. 20: The healing power of music

Dec. 21: A chance to share smiles

Dec. 19: Jacksonville High part of top academic program

So, it was fairly slow last week. Today's Christmas Eve, and right now I'm sitting in the office. I just turned in my story on last minute and am waiting for it to be copy edited and what not. Who knows, maybe the guy I really want to talk to over at the airport will call back... doubt it, but you never know.

I'm working tomorrow, Christmas Day, but I really don't mind. I'll be going to the USO and the Soup Kitchen, it looks like, to cover their Christmas Dinners. I've always wanted to see what their Christmas is like, so I'm excited about it.

Anyways... that's it for now, so until next time....

Going back to my roots...

Today was the first day in a long time that I went to Jacksonville High School for any reason other than picking up my brother or dropping off a newspaper for Angela Garland, my old journalism teacher at JHS who is now an assistant principal.

(photo from the Onslow County Schools website)

Today, I went to do some interviews about the high school receiving it's International Baccalaureate accreditation.

My first reaction was that it was much smaller than it was when I roamed the halls, despite it being only four years ago when I was half way through my senior year. Then I walked into the main office where I had to check in. There, it felt like I had never left.

I was greeted by the secretary, Mrs. Lemnah, with a big smile while another went to get Mrs. Garland for me. Then the hugs began. As well as the cries of "I'm so proud of you!"

There are few people I respect more than Mrs. Garland, with the exception of my mother, grandmother, Timmi Toler, Frank Gullotti and Marty Marshburn since they are right at the top of the list as well.

You see, Mrs. Garland knew me when I was a different person than I am now and never lost her faith in me, even when I lost faith in myself.

So, I spent the morning interviewing Laura Rumbley, the IB coordinator, and Susie Barrett, the principal, about this program.

The more I learned about it, the more I wished that it was there when I was.

Overall, it was amazing to be back at JHS, even if it was just for a couple hours, and rarely do I drive by without remembering different things that happened there. I just hope that they enjoy the article as much as I enjoyed being back there.

Today's articles
Jacksonville man in finals of TV contest for Christmas decorations

Salvation Army is $10,000 richer

Going postal adds up to long lines

The joys of writing...

There are many wonderful things about writing. There's the joy of narrating the story that is in your head onto the screen and then into the paper for others to read. Then there's the ability to meet all kinds of different people and learn about all kinds of different things. And, of course, there's the joy of hearing about the articles you wrote.

Sunday I was talking to a girl I worked with at Food Lion over the summer, and she was telling me about her day. Apparently, she got bored at work and grabbed a copy of the Daily News from the rack. Well, she began reading the article at the top of the page. Then she went on to the one below it. Then she was skimming it all randomly, and saw my name as the by line.

She was telling me that when she saw the by-line, she went and got Penni, the Customer Service Manager who is our boss, and showed her. Then they showed every one else they could get to listen to them and read it. "We're all so proud of you," she said.

That alone made my day.

Then today, I went into the first Food Lion I ever worked at, and was talking to my old Assistant Manager.

"Girly, I saw your front page stories. You'd better be excited because I am!" she said.

It just keeps coming. My journalism teacher in high school, my old vice principal and principal and teachers, my family, my friends.... everyone is so supportive and I am so very grateful to all of them.

When I took this job, I gave up being editor of the Pine Needle at UNCP, and I was very worried that my family and friends would not understand why I would want to take this position. Then I was worried that my friends at school would be upset that I left them. But everyone has been absolutely wonderful. "You seem so happy," they all say.

And the truth of the matter is I am.

Even on days like today when I was busy from the time my assignments were handed to me until the time I clocked out, I absolutely love this job. I was up too late last night and up too early this morning, at least for what I'm used to, but I made it through the day, smiling and loving the information I was learning and would have the ability to share with the readers.

More importantly, one gentleman reaffirmed the part of life where there were actually still kind hearted people in the world. It's amazing, it truly is.

My articles

These are the articles I've written since I came back to town on Dec. 5. I had assignments in my hand before my boxes were in my house, and it's been non stop. But I love it!

Dec. 16:
Sharing spirit of the season (Front page!)
http://www.jdnews.com/news/christmas_53840___article.html/andrews_snook.html

Wreaths honor sacrifice (Front page!) http://www.jdnews.com/news/wreaths_53841___article.html/air_fleagle.html

Kings arrive bearing gifts http://www.jdnews.com/news/stanton_53842___article.html/kings_road.html

Dec. 15:
Holocaust survivor tells her story: (FRONT PAGE!)
http://www.jdnews.com/news/abramson_53833___article.html/father_students.html

Northwoods goes global:
http://www.jdnews.com/news/class_53828___article.html/grade_lesson.html

Dec. 12:
Downtown group sees progress in city revitalization:
http://www.jdnews.com/news/downtown_53784___article.html/museum_woodward.html

Dec. 11:
Tuesday: Elizabeth Lake now history: (FRONT PAGE!)
http://www.jdnews.com/news/lake_53764___article.html/hansen_water.html

Dec. 10 Man donates his father's uniform to Naval Hospital http://www.jdnews.com/news/tanner_53732___article.html/uniform_hospital.html

Dec. 9 Musical call increases cash http://www.jdnews.com/news/kubica_53724___article.html/army_salvation.html

Dec. 8 Thunder shows its soft side
http://www.jdnews.com/news/hospital_53704___article.html/thunder_rolling.html

Dec. 7 Hope fills the night with light
http://www.jdnews.com/news/hospital_53687___article.html/danford_onslow.html

Also check out Timmi Toler's column. I had a cameo, lol.
http://www.jdnews.com/articles/moped_53813___article.html/earbuds_music.html

From Dec. 10

If I didn't already love being a journalist, today would have sealed it. Today, I knew I had to work on one article, but I didn't count on their being an entirely new twist to another article I wrote last week that hadn't run yet. So, I spent a good portion of today talking to residents around Elizabeth Lake and visiting the lake so I could see it for myself. This is what I saw:

I've driven past Elizabeth Lake on many occasions, and always meant to go there one day and just LOOK... it's a shame that today was the first time I did, since there isn't much left to it.

On another note, I also got to visit new homes that are being built in downtown Jacksonville. They're being based on homes found in Charleston and Beaufort, S.C. It's a shame they're wayyyyyyy out of my price range!!

Life is great. I am absolutely loving being in Jacksonville. It's so nice to be able to hang out with old friends (Bucky, Joshy, Kevin, Kristen, Marty) and see family (Frank, Laura, mom & Will). It's just NICE. I love being around the dogs again and being able to drive to the beach and walk around. I just LOVE it!

And on that note.... I'm laying down and taking a MUCH NEEDED nap! The downside to being back around friends is that I'm up 'til the wee hours of the morning... and unlike all of them, I also have to be UP in the morning. LOL. I guess that's the upside to NOT being a journalist, sleeping in daily.... but I wouldn't trade this for any thing!

From Dec. 7

There are very few professions that allow someone to learn new things and meet new people on a daily basis. I'm glad to say that journalism is one of those that do. Today, I can honestly say that I experienced a few new things and met quite a few good people.

Today, I turned in three stories, two of which I covered today. In short, from about 10 a.m. 'til 4:30 p.m., I was on Camp Lejeune with the exception of about two hours. But it was without a doubt the most amazing experience I've had yet.

This morning, I covered a donation ceremony at the Naval Hospital. A jacksonville resident donated his father's crackerjack uniform to the hospital, so there was a ceremony in remembrance of him and the rest of the service men and women who were at Pearl Harbor. It was a real nice ceremony, and I was glad to have been a part of it and to have shared his story (and his father's story) with others. It was just a great feeling to be there and to share that experience.

This afternoon, I covered Rolling Thunder's toy ride and wreath laying at the Naval Hospital. It was amazing to see (and hear) so many motorcycles, some with the stereotypical crazy-scary looking biker, with toys on the back and a few with wreaths on the front. It's great to meet people who break the stereotypes that everyone suffers from, and the men and women of Rolling Thunder certainly do that.

When I got back, I finished up another article (well, added to mostly since, let's face it, I'm really not up to date with what's going on in Jacksonville) and wrote Rolling Thunder, did the captions and headed home.

It's Friday night and while I had plans to drink with a friend, and I did do some of that, I'm def about to put my exhausted ass in bed and call it a day, LOL.

From Dec. 6

So, I've been working at newspapers for approximately seven years... well, in January it'll be seven years. Generally, I've gotten an assignment and had at least a few days to take care of it. So, when I talked to my friend at the Daily News, I was figuring it wouldn't break me too quickly...

Yesterday, I went in to do my paper work and get my first assignments... both of which were due tomorrow...

Today, I turned in one of the stories due tomorrow and another that I got assigned this afternoon. Tonight, I finished the second one that's due tomorrow since tomorrow I have two more to work on, so far. Then Saturday, I'm working on a profile of a band and a preview.

I wasn't really thinking I was going to hit the 40 hours a week that come with full time... but based on today, I'm fairly certain that not only will I hit it, but I'll be creeping into OT... hopefully not though.

Today I worked on and off from 9:30 this morning 'til 9:45 tonight (Yes, Paul, I wrote more when I got home... I should have stayed there and harassed you). The exact time would be 8 hours and 47 minutes. I know because I have to keep up with my time until I'm in the system again. LOL. Keep in mind that an hour and a half was spent at Odyssey Tattoo, about 30 minutes eating, then 30 minutes doing laundry. So, in essence, I've done nothing but work, eat, chores and mutilate my back today.

Now, I'm waiting for Kevin and Marty to get off work so we can hit the Kettle. YAY! I am DYING for food... and sleep. Sleep would be great too...Tomorrow I'll be on Lejeune most of the day, then it's writing and writing and writing... I'm kind of hoping nothing else pops up, if for no other reason than I desperately need to unpack. haha.

God knows, I sure do love this job though... There's nothing better than getting to spend your days getting to know different people, all of which are interesting, and share what you learn with others...

So, in short: I'm busy as hell, but loving every minute of it... Esp. considering I'm not having to drive all the way to Sneads Ferry to make a couple bucks less. ;-)

Welcome to my world..

I've been blogging for about seven years, but normally it's just about the day to day drama that is my life. Now, I've decided to blog about the love of my life: my career.

I've been reporting for seven years. I joined Listen Up!, the teen page of the Daily News in Jacksonville, NC, when I was 14 and have been non-stop ever since. I wrote for the Cardinal at Jacksonville High School, and eventually became graphics editor. I interned at the Topsail Advertiser the summer after my freshman year at UNCP, and this fall I was editor at the Pine Needle at UNCP. I would be this spring, but I was offered a full time position at the Daily News and took it.

I honestly think I can credit the Daily News for most of my passion for journalism. This place, and the people who work here, are amazing. There's a great vibe and there's always someone doing something.

Then there's the job itself. I can meet new people and learn new things every day and, for someone who is horrible at sitting still and gets bored very easily, that's an amazing thing.

Writing has helped me find my way through the years, and I love to learn about others, so this career is pretty much a perfect match for me.

The next few posts are going to be copied from my MySpace account, so bear with me. I just want to fill you in on who I am and what I do.