So much for keeping up appearances

Okay...I'll admit it. Life got in the way, so I wasn't able to keep my promise all that well.

There's a lot that's happened since I first introduced (you) to this blog. I'll spare you most of the sordid details, but I moved - again.

I consider myself lucky...really lucky (did I already say this?). My pursuit for career-happiness has taken me on a rather long, drawn out journey. I grew up in Toronto, but got sick of the metropolis. I spent (on and off) five years studying in the nation's capital, Ottawa. A beautiful town. Conservative, yet very pretty. Even though I haven't been there in years, I contend it's a place I wouldn't mind spending my retirement years.

The year following graduation from broadcasting school forced me back to Toronto where I got my start in the business. I worked (for barely minimum wage), filling coffee cups and printers desperately hoping that I would move up the ranks. I did...eventually. I produced and wrote, but that wasn't enough. You see, I get bored very easily. I always need a new challenge. I applied EVERYWHERE. Because who doesn't dream of being a reporter or an anchor, chasing the stories, and getting up in front of a camera to break a really juicy story? Can you believe? NO ONE listened. Until a few years later.

At a time when most people were thinking about settling down and families, I moved across the country to "uncertainty". I lived in Edmonton for nine months before I was transferred to beautiful Calgary to...REPORT! I loved each and every moment of it. I learned so much in those two years. I used my time there to help me perfect my on-air performance and develop my "personality". You have to understand that I was that little wallflower that no one EVER noticed. I NEVER liked to speak in class. But somehow...I managed to find my voice...admittedly, a voice someone once said should never be heard. But that's all part of the past.

Living in Winnipeg was one of the best experiences ever. I met a wonderful group of people that I worked with that I now consider very close friends. I've learned so much from them (thanks Caroline and Kelly!)...I'm not sure they really know how much they're influence has affected me. It was a painful decision to leave. It was almost like leaving my family. But one that had to be made.

Now I find myself chasing another dream. I've just started a fellowship at NYU. I'll be getting a Master's in journalism in 18 months. I hope...sincerely hope...that this is the right decision. I'm living in the largest, fastest paced, and the most expensive cities in the world. It's all so overwhelming. The best place to do journalism...and learn some of the newest innovations this industry has to offer.

I'm so excited.

The adventure begins

Welcome to my new blog. As with every other one I've attempted to maintain, I will try to keep this as up to date as possible.

Disclaimer: I always try to edit. I hate imperfection and always strive for flawless work. But in case of the occasional boo-boo, I humbly ask for forgiveness.

Let me start by telling you what this blog is going to be all about. As the name suggests, it's going to be about all the "adventures" I have had and hopefully will have as a journalist. I think it's important that people get some perspective about what it's like to be a writer, producer, and/or a reporter. I might throw in some wise words of wisdom about things that are going on in the world and around me.

And don't be shy. I want you to comment. If you're angry, laughing, confused. I want to know.

But first...before that all begins...a little about myself.

I first had aspirations to become a news reporter at a very young age. I loved watching TV news, and often mimicked the reporters, news anchors, and weathermen (I use that term ONLY because men did weather at that time) I'd see on the tube. My mother used to flip every time she'd see lipstick marks on her mirror in the shape of little clouds or smiling suns. My appetite included the 6-o'clock news, documentary series, true crime shows, Inside Edition (remember that?!). Eventually, Entertainment Tonight made me believe I wanted to be an entertainment host/reporter.

All that got put onto the backburner. I got comfortable in a cushy job that paid well for a few years. But I'm the kind of person who gets bored very easily and very quickly. So, I went back to school to study broadcasting. I graduated with honours, patiently waiting it out for my break. A year after graduating, I got a job in a national newsroom. Sure, it wasn't what I dreamed of doing. Who spends all that money and time in school to fill printers, make coffee, and cater to other people's needs? But something my sister said to me stuck in my head. You gotta start somewhere. Cut your teeth and pay your dues. So I did. I tried not to complain. I didn't even say anything about the horribly low wage. It took a few years, but I eventually got somewhere that mattered.

I was in a few newsrooms, working behind the scenes. I love to produce, creating segments or newscasts from beginning to end. But I wanted to work for ME. I wanted my work to come out of my mouth - not someone else's. But no one would give me a chance. I had no on-air experience. I was too old. One of my instructors in college told me I should use whatever I had that would get me noticed, including my skin colour. So I did. And then, it's almost like someone was listening. I was given a chance to do what I always wanted to.

I moved to the other side of the country to chase my dream, unsure of where it would take me. Sure, I had reservations. What if I failed? What if I hated it? Or even worse, if they hated me? Despite my misgivings, I am one who will stick through until the bitter end. And I did. And I did great. I reported for a multicultural network, hosted my own entertainment segment, and even hosted a live, three-hour broadcast. But was that enough? Noooooo.

So I looked elsewhere. In the eyes of mainstream media, I was very green. I never anchored. I had two live hits under my belt. But someone liked me enough to take a chance on me. And after 18 months, I got itchy feet again. But not before I was able to add the words "reporter", "morning show reporter", "producer", and "anchor" to my resume.

In my short reporting career, I've lived in four different cities. I've met a group of very wonderful people and made a lot of friends. And I have a lot of great stories. If I didn't take the chances I took - especially at an age where people were worried about changing diapers, or down payments - I'd never have achieved what I did. I'd never have known what this sense of self-worth, this sense accomplishment feels like.

I consider myself a very lucky person, because if it wasn't for my career, I think I'd be a very boring person.