Hand in my Pocket

Throughout our lives it serves us well to take a look back and give thanks.

This year has flown by and in looking back, I feel so blessed. This past October marked my third year with The Weirton Daily Times and I can honestly say I love my job more than ever.

I remember when I first saw the advertisement for the position (which I cut out and kept) I thought to myself "I have to do this." I sent in my application letter and resume and some samples of my work. I'll never forget that phone call I got from Sue; it was like my dream come true.

I was so nervous at the interview, which I'm sure they saw because I'm not very good at hiding how I feel. After talking with her and Craig for a little while, I was asked to take a test. Did you know they give you a writing skills test upon applying here? It was a little long because they ask you to find misspelled words, punctuation and grammar errors and take several statements and arrange them into a story with a beginning, middle and end; which is not always easy, by the way.

I was even more nervous after I got a phone call asking for a second interview at the Herald-Star with Ross. I didn't even know where the Herald-Star was and nearly missed my chance by being late. They gave me the run down on the job and what would be expected and asked if I had any questions... when you read about interviews they always tell you to ask at least ONE question. Mine was so silly at the time but it was all I could come up with... "Will I have to dress up everyday?"

Haha.. Sue told me "casual nice" and to me at the time that meant I would have to be dressed up everyday. Prior to that, I didn't even have any nice clothes and you wouldn't catch me without jeans and a hoodie. But thanks to our local Salvation Army, they hooked me up with some funding to get some clothes for the job and for that, I am ever so grateful.

On my first day, Craig took me down to meet some city officials and showed me how to get police reports. Then I sat at the office trying to look productive, something I still do sometimes, when my first photo op came!

I walked a few blocks up the street to the intersection of Lee Avenue and Orchard where a moving truck hit a fire hydrant causing come flooding in the intersection. I remember walking up to the police officer and telling him who I was and what I wanted, which he approved and gave me the info. I walked through the water and across the street where I thought the best angle was and when I got back, Lynnellen (who is now living in Hawaii and is missed dearly), showed me how to put the picture in the file and how to write a cutline... it seems so simple now, but then it was a bit scary.

Doing this job has really brought me out of my shell. Most people probably don't even remember the shy girl I once was... I barely remember. This job teaches you to be confident in who you are and what you do because you have to be able to walk into a room full of strangers and begin asking questions and taking pictures.

There are still certain things I don't like covering.. it usually involves other people's losses or misery. The other day I took pictures of an accident where the man had to be cut out of the vehicle and later died from the injuries he sustained... I always feel bad about taking pictures of things like that because I know I wouldn't want someone to do that to me.

But, in life and in work you have to take the good with the bad.

I'm now going into my fourth year and I hope to be able to do this job for a very long time to come. I owe a big thanks to my co-workers and the entire newsroom for their help and guidance throughout my time here. However, I have a few special thank yous to give out to The Weirton Daily Times staff as well as a few other former employees.

First, I must thank God. I appreciate everything I have been provided and hope to be able to pay it forward.

Craig, thanks for trying to keep me on track and toned down when I get passionate about something. I know it is not an easy job.. my mother shares your pain. Summer, thanks for always offering good advice and a new point of view on so many different things. We've had many laughs together and I hope there are more to come.

Lynnellen, thank you for helping me become the journalist and woman I am today. I learned so much from you and I am eternally grateful. You have been another mother to me as well as my friend and now matter where you are, you're always here with me. I miss and love you so much!

Sue, Ross and Alex thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. I am 25 years old and I am living my dream thanks to you. This really is the best job in the world.

I must also say thank you to those of you in the city that have helped me along my way; city employees and officials that have helped make my job easy and interesting; business professionals and organizations that do so much good in the community and make it all worthwhile; and finally, my friends and family for the love and support.

We are now getting ready to volunteer for local organizations and preparing for the holidays; it's very exciting. People are going to complain about the cold and the snow... I won't. There is enough love in my life and in this community to keep me warm even through bad weather.