After three - 15 hour days, a couple less than desirable motels, and witnessing the first major snowstorm of the year to hit northern Ontario, I can safely say no one has ever been as happy as I was to see "Welcome to Alberta".
After three - 15 hour days, a couple less than desirable motels, and witnessing the first major snowstorm of the year to hit northern Ontario, I can safely say no one has ever been as happy as I was to see "Welcome to Alberta".
Moving away from family and friends is never easy, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to start my career in journalism at the Bonnyville Nouvelle. Growing up in Hanover in western Ontario, I've always wanted to stay in a small town. When the job posting for the Nouvelle popped up I can remember thinking "it's perfect".
I will admit that I couldn't have made the move alone. Thanks to my boyfriend and our dog Shelby, I had the best travel companions to sing along to the radio with on what felt like a never-ending journey. If it weren't for my mom driving out here with a U-Haul full of our stuff, we would probably be sleeping on the floor.
Since I will hopefully be seeing most of you at various events and functions around the area, I'll tell you a little about myself.
In June I graduated with a Journalism: Online, Print and Broadcast diploma from Loyalist College in Belleville, ON. While completing my studies, I got my first job in journalism as a reporter for two of Belleville's local radio stations. They taught me everything I need to know, from covering fundraisers to city council meetings. Following the radio stations, I got the opportunity to intern at the Canadian Living magazine in Toronto.
Outside of journalism, I am a huge animal lover. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, horses...I'd even have a pet polar bear if I could. I'm not ashamed to admit my boyfriend and I are those "crazy dog people" who take their dog everywhere. And yes, our 90 lb. Rottweiler does wear pink sweaters, booties and gets a Timbit every time we go through the Tim Horton's drive thru (which is a lot more often then you'd think).
Music and dance are also passions I have not grown out of. After dancing for 10 years in a few different disciplines, I have had to resort to games like Just Dance.
I still continue to play piano though. I don't think there's been a Christmas in the past 15 years that I have broken out The First Noel or Jingle Bells.
I am excited to be starting this new adventure. Already, the people in Bonnyville have been so friendly and welcoming. I had no idea what I was getting into when I agreed to move here, but I couldn't have picked a better area to call home.
