It’s a little rough around the edges, but that’s kind of the point.  You’re probably used to seeing these attached to a microphone.  Like this:

“Intense Team Coverage” faces or “Get me back inside NOW” faces?

I am honored to have my own flag to keep, but it’s also a sad milestone.  It means I’m leaving WNEP.

I got my mic flag on Friday when several co-workers took me out on the town to say farewell.  Our Chief Photographer, Paul, orders shiny new mic flags to use in the field when the old ones are looking a little worn.  He keeps the old ones to present to out-going reporters as a souvenir.  As he always says, “If we like you and you leave, you get one.”

My last day of work is tomorrow.  (Yes, the same as Pope Benedict.  I’ve started telling people we’re going to switch places.  You heard it here first.)  I had planned to write a goodbye post on my last day, but I decided instead to write it today.  Tomorrow will be emotional enough.  I’ve already lost it several times as I’ve started to say good-bye to co-workers.

I’ve done a little bit of a farewell tour, since two local radio stations asked me to visit one last time.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rocky and Lissa on 98.5 KRZ…

…and DiRenzo and Prospector on ROCK107…

and it was so nice to have the chance to say goodbye.

I’ve trained the next official Taste Tester, Michelle Rotella…

Michelle takes over the Taste Test next week!

…and notes filled with well wishes have been popping up on my desk.

Working here at WNEP has changed me in so many ways.  It’s certainly made me a better writer and reporter (though I have so much still to learn), but it’s also helped me grow up.  In the past five years, I’ve learned how to tell a story and really make it interesting.  I’ve learned about how the world works and what it takes to survive in it.  I’ve learned how to be sensitive… that interviews aren’t just soundbites.  They are people who will continue living their lives when we pack up and go.  I’ve learned that the truth is always out there, whether officials tell it to you straight or not.  I’ve learned to trust my co-workers, many of whom have become treasured friends.  (Those pesky “treasured friends” are making this goodbye thing almost unbearable.)

I don’t know yet what lies ahead for me professionally.  Whatever that turns out to be, (television or otherwise) I know I will take the lessons I’ve learned from Newswatch 16 with me as I forge ahead.

Fortunately, this is not goodbye to the blog!  My bridal shower and bachelorette parties are this weekend, which I am more excited about than I can express in words.  In fact, there are many exciting things on the horizon.  This just one of those times in life when I have to close one door before I can open another.

I sure hope there are some wheely chairs in the hallway so I can have some fun while I’m waiting!

I hadn’t either, before last week. I’ve now solved one several times, thanks to these elementary school students.

These fourth graders at Fairview Elementary School in Mountain Top have spent part of their school year learning the math behind the Cube. Their teacher, Jimm Zabiegalski, has been teaching them the algorithms that will solve different sections of the Cube without messing up the sides you’ve already solved!

Yes, I said algorithm. I had to ask one of the students what that is. Low point of my week right there.

But shooting this story was a blast, and it will air tonight as part of our 16 Salutes series on WNEP. Some of these kids can solve it in less than 90 seconds!

Mr. Z sent me home with a Cube and the algorithm worksheet (way to send the reporter home with homework!) so I could try it myself. It was frustrating at times, but three days later…

…I had done it! I just sat there and stared at it for a minute. Then, I jumbled it up and started over again.

Mr. Z says the cube is a symbol for other challenges in life. If you do your research, try different methods, or just look at something with a different perspective, the solution will appear eventually. It’s an attitude that is hard to hold onto sometimes. But since I met these kids, I’ve been trying extra hard to remember the lesson they taught me.

I feel as though I have several “Rubik’s Cubes” in my life right now. Unfortunately, there are no algorithms for the real world. But I will keep working at it until all the sides click. I have faith that they will eventually.

Ok, I’ll admit I wasn’t that surprised… but that doesn’t make them any less appreciated!

Papa Dish let me in on his Valentine’s surprise for Mama Dish: a dozen brownie batter donuts from Dunkin.

Well THAT looks like a good idea. If only I were around to help eat them.  (Did you know in the 1800′s doctors advised their patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for a lost love?  True story.)

If you haven’t seen it yet, Google has a fun Valentine’s Day animation… which also pays homage to the inventor of a classic carnival ride. Read all about it here!

I’ve never been one to go all out on Valentine’s Day, but I’ve never been “anti-Valentine” either.  (Full disclosure: I didn’t have any red or pink in my closet this morning, so I went to Target and bought a pink shirt.)  While some call it a “Hallmark holiday,” I do think it falls during a miserable time of year when many people can use a little cheering up.  Whatever you do to celebrate, I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love… or at the very least, chocolate.

In the midst of a hectic and frustrating morning, I stopped to look closely at the snow on my porch:

I had never seen individual flakes so clearly before! I used Instagram to punch it up a bit:

Even in my least favorite season… there is beauty to be found. I hope you find some in this frigid weather!

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 17,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

It’s one of my favorites.  This year I actually got a little choked up during Linus’ “…what Christmas is all about” monologue:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”

Linus is quoting Luke 2:8-14, by the way.

I’ve been trying to really enjoy this holiday season, especially after Friday’s senseless shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.

Image via abcnews.go.com

I am not a mother, (not yet, anyway… it’s in the five year plan) but I cannot imagine a more painful thing than to lose a child in such a horrific way.  Every morning since, I have gotten out of bed and thanked God that my loved ones are OK.  For those families in Newtown, Connecticut, Christmas will never be the same.  So with every cookie I eat, every ornament I hang, every gift I wrap, I am thankful.

My shopping is done (I think) but I have lots of wrapping and organizing to do.  The long holiday weekend will be filled with hosting, driving, and visiting.  It will also be filled with eating, praying, unwrapping, and laughing.  It will not be filled with working, for which I am especially grateful.

When things do start to get hectic, I like to think of another line from Linus:

“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.”

Image via squidoo.com

I hope your Christmas season is filled with lots of love!

I felt better almost instantly. This holiday season is a busy one, but I am looking forward to a long holiday weekend (I managed to get off Christmas Eve and Day!) and finding the time to get the rest of my Christmas shopping done. We are also sneaking in meetings with priests and florists. I can’t believe the wedding is in less than four months! Maybe that’s because I’m in denial.

For now, my goals are to worry about one (and only one) thing at a time, and to get our cards out before Christmas. It’s the little things.

Who needs a float when you have a live truck?!

This was my second time walking in the parade, and what a glorious day it was.  About a dozen WNEP employees (and some offspring, too!) handed out candy, while a production crew aired the whole parade live.  Even our mascot, “News Cat” was there.

Raegan Medgie and “News Cat”

It was really fun for me to see some co-workers outside of work and catch up in between candy tosses!

The News Gals: Amanda Kelley, Stacy Lange, Lara Greenberg and Michelle Rotella

A few years ago, it was bitter cold and VERY windy for the Santa Parade.  We were wrangling the Snoopy balloon, which proved to be a challenge with numb hands and high winds.  Because the weather was so nice this year, the streets were packed with smiling people.  I loved seeing all the kids!

Approaching the Mall at Steamtown

Sadly, I missed the Santa himself.  No worry.  This past year has given me more gifts than I could possibly ask for.  The parade was a great way to kick off the holiday season.  Friends… candy… and a Santa hat… instant cheer!

Happy Holidays!

A few weeks ago I was asked to attend an event at Quinn’s Supermarket in Archbald.  Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy decided to make an appearance on the very day the event was to be held.  So, the pumpkin painting contest was rescheduled for yesterday.  I was there as the judge!

It was a difficult choice to make because the kids took their art very seriously!  In the end, I chose an expertly-painted scarecrow pumpkin which belonged to a young lady named Caitlin.

Great job, Caitlin!

A budding artist if I ever saw one!  Thanks to everyone who came to hang out for some fall fun at Quinn’s yesterday!

Seems like I lucked out when I voted around 1:00 p.m. this afternoon. I walked into my polling place and had two people in front of me. I heard the poll workers asking for ID so I had mine out and waiting when it was my turn. I asked the guy in charge if it’s been slow. He said I came at the perfect time. Things had been slammed since the polls opened at 7:00 a.m. Just after lunch was their first chance to breathe. I was voter number 413.

Tonight, as it usually does, promises to be an interesting one in the newsroom. I’ll be stationed at Kathleen Kane’s headquarters in downtown Scranton. If she’s elected she will be the first woman elected Attorney General in PA, and the first democrat elected to the position.

She is heavily favored to win over her Republican challenger David Freed. You have about two more hours to cast your ballot if you haven’t already. Even if you don’t consider yourself a politico, there’s no denying politics are exciting on election night. We’ll be on the air on WNEP2 from 8:00-10:30 p.m. Then of course there’s Newswatch 16 at 11:00 on good ol’ WNEP.