This version of the Henry Hype has me looking back on 2018, and all of the changes that it brought.
Obviously, the biggest one for me was packing up my belongings and driving across Canada to start my position as reporter here at the Nouvelle.
It was a nerve-wracking experience to leave my friends, family, and hometown behind to move to rural Alberta to start my dream job in the field I wanted to be a part of so badly.
Within my first six months of being here, I’ve photographed and written about some amazing events I’d never even considered, or heard of.
I covered the rodeo, went to a gun range, got down in the mud at Mudfest, learned a ton about the oil industry, met Hayley Wickenheiser, interviewed Clayton Bellamy, and spoke to some potential first-round draft picks at the World Jr. A Challenge.
I’ve learned a surprising amount about subjects I never even thought about before coming to the Lakeland, and I’ve even started to enjoy hockey. (If you knew my family, you’d understand why this is noteworthy).
For me, 2018 was all about change and the unknown. I’m not a big fan of either, so embracing my move out here did take some time.
But, once I make my mind up about something it takes a lot to change it.
I dove head-first into everything that made Bonnyville different from my hometown, and slowly got used to what’s it like to live in a small rural Alberta community.
While I still get lost quite a bit, I don’t rely on my GPS nearly as much anymore, and people have slowly started to recognize me out at events. I understand some of the slang, and I’ve even used it correctly from time to time.
Bonnyville has become my new normal, which I didn’t think would happen as quickly as it did. I adjusted to living on my own, and couldn’t be happier with where I’m at currently.
I wouldn’t change what 2018 brought me, but I’m glad to be saying goodbye to one year and hello to another.
I’m nervous about the new possibilities it could bring to myself, my loved ones, and those around me. But, I’m also excited about all of the new things that could unfold.
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, so my hopes and well wishes are all that I bring into 2019 with me.
