Saying Good-bye

Saying good-bye is never easy when you care about the people you're leaving.
Today is my last day at Fox Carolina.

Last night, as the 10 o'clock crew was leaving, everyone was saying good-bye.

And it made me really sad. But this morning, I find myself glad to go.

me and the Fox girls

So, it is bittersweet. I'm just glad my days of working third shift are over.

I am leaving Sunday to look for an apartment, then I will be back to get my things.

This Sunday is my last Sunday at my church.

That's going to be really hard. But I pray God will give me a good church family when I move.

my friends Lori and Christy

Matthew 18:20

Someone sent me an email that had this picture. Isn't it great!
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Does this count?

Just a Few More Days

Jill and me at Paris Mtn.

I'm wrapping up another day at work--and that means I only have three more days at Fox Carolina. I am going to miss several of the people I work with. I am also going to miss my friends that I've made over the last two years in Greenville.

I got the greatest surprise this past weekend. My roommate from Southeastern, Jill, called me Friday and told me she was coming to visit! She flew in Friday night and stayed all weekend. It was so good to see her!

It was a weekend of surprises. I was at church Sunday, sitting with Jill, of course, when Olivia and her family showed up! They said they wanted to surprise me since I am leaving next week. I felt so popular this weekend, with everyone showing up to surprise me like that!

My first day at work in Chattanooga isn't until June 16th. That gives me time to find an apartment and move my things. I may even try to go home to Gordo for a couple of days before I start. We'll see.

I am excited about the move in many ways. The thing I'm most excited about is sleeping at night and working during the day. I won't know how to feel. I haven't done that in more than four years. I really hope that I'm able to get back to loving what I do. I've just been so burnt out lately. I will be the producer of the 5p news, which means I will work 9am - 5:30pm nearly everyday. Isn't that awesome? And Chattanooga is a lot like Greenville. So, I'm really hoping I love it as much as I do here.

Short Hair

Well, I did it. I went short again. I got my hair cut yesterday, and I absolutely love it. It had just gotten so long and bushy--I have thick hair, so it was in real need of a thinning. But, as I told my sister, I am really sad that I found a stylist just as I'm leaving. I've been looking for someone to cut my hair for two years, and I've had several bad haircuts in the process. At least I'm going to Chattanooga with nice hair!

Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure

Nobody puts baby in the corner. If you've watched dirty dancing, you know that famous line. Well, last weekend I got to see where the "practice lift scene" in that movie took place(see left). I went to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, North Carolina last weekend. We rode a boat on Lake Lure--and went hiking at Chimney Rock.

I was so proud of myself. I hiked a moderate to strenuous trail to a waterfall. And I've paid for it with sore muscles ever since--but it was lots of fun. And the waterfall was beautiful. Thanks Olivia, for cheering me on the whole way! I would highly recommend this trip to everyone. It's so beautiful! Here's some pics:

The Best Place to Live

Relocate-America.com chose Chattanooga, Tennessee, as the third best city to live in. That's notable for me, since it appears I am moving to Chattanooga the beginning of next month. I've been offered a job there as a dayside producer, and I decided to take it! That means no more night shifts for me, thank the Lord! It's bittersweet, though. I absolutely love Greenville. I hate to leave it (greenville was voted number 4 in the best places to live). I have so many friends here.

If you're looking to move, you may want to know what the best cities are! So, here's the list:

1. Charlotte, N.C.
2. San Antonio, Texas
3. Chattanooga, Tenn.
4. Greenville, S.C.
5. Tulsa, Okla.
6. Stevens Point, Wis.
7. Asheville, N.C.
8. Albuquerque, N.M.
9. Huntsville, Ala.
10. Seattle, Wash.

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/105075/Charlotte-Named-Best-Place-to-Live

I think it's interesting--I live in Greenville, I used to live in Huntsville, and I'm moving to Chattanooga. Charlotte is currently 1 1/2 hours from me, as is Asheville. So, for those of you who don't live in the south, you may want to move! Most of the top 10 are good ol' southern cities!

A Sad Anniversary

Today marks one year since my co-worker, Joe Loy, was killed while covering a story. He was shooting an accident on the interstate, when a truck caused a van to go out of control. The van hit Joe. They still haven't caught that driver of the truck. Joe caught the accident on his camera moments before he was killed. The sad part--if South Carolina required drivers to have license plates on the front of our cars, then they could catch this person. I really wish all states would make this requirement.

Covering the news isn't a safe job. It can be really dangerous. I mean, we are sent to the highways, we are sent to murder scenes, and standoffs. But Joe loved his job. And he knew the risks.

As I get ready to move again, I feel an overwhelming sense of grief. For the first time in my life, I am happy where I live, and I really don't want to move. But I am so tired of working third shift, and I am so tired of putting up with egoes from other co-workers who think they've arrived. I am just thankful I got the opportunity to work in a top 50 market. That was my goal, and I made it. And truthfully, I wish I could stay in Greenville. But i'm so burnt out, it makes me hate what I do. And I don't want to feel that way. I want to go back to a time when I thoroughly enjoyed it--when I got excited about going to work.

I went on an interview Friday. I really liked the people I met, and the station as a whole. And the good thing is it would be a daytime shift. It's a 5p newscast. Waiting to hear back from another company. It's good to have options.

So, as for now, I thank God that he's taking care of me. I was so afraid I wouldn't have a job to go to, but things are looking up. Thank you, Jesus. Maybe it's the Lord's will that I move somewhere else. I am just so tired of moving. I've been in this business for 5 1/2 years and I've worked at four different companies in four different cities. I just want to find a place to settle down, and buy a house, and meet someone, get married, and have children. That is my next goal.

JBQ Regionals

Last night, we got back from JBQ regionals. For those of you who don't know what JBQ is--it stands for Junior Bible Quiz. It's for kids ages six to 12.Well, our kids from our church were number one in the state of South Carolina, so they went to regionals to compete against teams from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. There were also a couple of other teams from South Carolina. The competition starts Friday and ends Saturday afternoon. Our kids came in second place in the flight(division), out of six teams total. I was so proud of them. And one of our kids was first place individual quizzer in the flight. I am the assistant coach for the team, and I have had so much fun with these kids!

Now, I am exhausted, so I am heading to bed.