A year in review

Hello there! I'm going to turn a new leaf in 2009 and begin blogging faithfully (or at least a bit more regularly) once the new year starts. I think I'll be changing the name and theme of this blog as well.

But before looking ahead, here's a look back at the year, in photos. The photos piece together a pretty eventful year of change, stopping, starting again, firsts, lasts, big moves across the country and small steps towards growing. I'm starting from the present and working back to the start of the year, which was oh so long ago.

I can hardly believe so much has passed during this year - I went from graduating to being jobless to being jobful (I made that up). And that's just the skeleton - these photos put some meat on those bones.

My first Christmas away from home, in Barstow.

Ikea threw up in my living room.

The nuts and bolts of it.

My new room - it looks bare here, and has since improved in looking more home-y.

The first breaking of bread in my new home.

On the road, from Atlanta to Barstow.

Checking out the Jamestown Sun in North Dakota.

A walk in the park while in Savannah, visiting Leah.

Chef Liu's one night.

Heej and I after our first 5K together.

Rhoda and I discovered we share the same birthday.

Meeting Jessie for an afternoon romp around downtown Chattanooga.

Picnic lunch at Chastain Park while Grace was in Atlanta, avoiding Hurricane Ike.

Lee and Mike got married.

Watching the Olympics while in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

My AJC mentor, Eileen, and I reporting on a radio show interview.

A random and beautiful night at Spring Hall with oodles of free drinks and goodies.


Hanging with Emory friends during the summer.


First time visiting Jessie's family in Oak Ridge.


I went on a solo hike.

Fourth of July at Centennial Olympic Park, where Grant performed.

Moving into 1413 was one of the biggest events of the year.

Saw a cool exhibit at the High Museum.

Grads!

Checked out the Botanical Garden for the first time.

Lots and lots and lots of ACF, with Lydia and Jane.

Visited my cousin Sam in New York.

I got new glasses last January. Not that big a deal.

But now, they remind me a little of Sarah Palin glasses....doh!

So long, 2008.

2009, we await!

Winter wonderland

It snowed in the desert today, more specifically in Barstow. Check my first video for the Desert Dispatch right here.

Another day, another chapter

Hello from sunny California! I completed my second full day of work today and I'm glad to be turning in for the night soon. I think my body forgot a little bit what it's like to be busy. I don't think I've been truly busy since college or maybe a bit this summer during a particularly intense work week. Anyway, I'm happy to be working, to be busy, to have a schedule, to be starting this all.

I know I'm not suppose to blog about work (per a few recommendations I've received) but I'll just give a brief summary. My co-workers are super down-to-earth, which I love. My boss is fairly laid back and let's the reporters work independently. I found an apartment that's less than 10 minutes from work, so that's definitely a blessing. And today, I actually started sort of making friends.

Overall, it's starting to feel less scary out here. I'm out in the middle of nowhere (note: this is not hyperbole in my case), but at least I'm starting to get to know some of the people here.

I'm excited about my job duties, which will have me primarily reporting on education and the military (Fort Irwin, a large military training base, is about 40 minutes away and is a large chunk of the people here). There are two school districts, and today I scheduled a meeting with the superintendent of one of them just to introduce myself to her as the new ed beat reporter and learn more about the district.

Oh, one bad thing was yesterday I had to sit through a 4 hour city council meeting. I'm not even covering government, but I had to tag along with another reporter just to go to observe. It ended almost at 11:30 pm. It was way past my bedtime. I wanted to crawl under the uncomfortable chair I was sitting in and close my eyes.

But other than that, things are pretty aok....

On another note, I'm still deciding just what to do with this blog. I want to continue blogging, but I need a change in direction. Any suggestions are welcome!