Updated pictures of my apartment!

Christmastime

This week has been an interesting one at work for sure. I don't really want to publicize my complete feelings about it on the Internet, but we did experience layoffs at work that touched someone I worked with daily.

During the last couple months, I knew this was going to happen. At times it didn't feel real and others it felt like it could be me. But it was a learning experience you can't get in any classroom, for sure.

It compounded the overall sentiment of pessimism that has been the subject of small talk and the nightly news. And I'm finding it ironic that the holiday season is upon us.

It's ironic because it's a consumer-driven problem. People aren't spending because the "economy is bad" but it's so slow because people aren't spending!

I wish I could do my part by spending but my budget will be the same no matter what the economy is like.

So needless to say, I'm not feeling the joy of the Santa Claus/materialistic Christmas, but I have been feeling the joy of the true meaning of Christmas through my favorite hymns: O Emanuel and Adeste Fidelis.

And thank you Mom and Kimi for the little bit of Christmas cheer I now have in my apartment.

A different perspective

Some pictures I took on my walk today:

Is it really November?

I've almost been in Wausau two months now and I feel like I'm settling in and learning a lot about reporting (even if it's the hard way sometimes).

I've had fun hanging out with the reporters from work. Yesterday we all dressed up for Halloween. I was Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's (a couple people guessed it). I'm bummed we didn't take pictures though.

At work, I've gotten a few neat assignments. I went down to Madison to learn more about the Wisconsin National Guard. They're deploying 3,500 soldiers to Iraq in February - the largest operational deployment since World War 2.

I also got a ride in a fire truck! Here's the story:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810290517

Another cute story about fire safety:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081011/WDH0101/810110580

I went trick-or-treating (sort of):
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811010763

I watched as others raked leaves:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810270350

And I saw bowls signed by Jon Bon Jovi, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810270348


Some pictures of my living room. I have a couch donated by family friends.






























This is my reading area in my bedroom.

Stories

I'm on the night shift now so I'm learning how to navigate police, fire and breaking news. It's a little nerve-wracking but I figure it's only going to get better with experience.

The best way to tell you how I've been doing is to show you what I've been doing:

Rosh Hashana
-I ran into Donna at the Barleyfest today. She said I did a wonderful job and a lot of people at the synagogue liked it too. That's the kind of thing that keeps me going!

Teacher of the Year
-the managing editor told me this story meant a lot to some people. His children go to the same school.

Halloween costumes

Corn maze

Food pantries
I talked to the people using the pantry. It made the current economic crisis hit home for me.

Empty bowls

The real world

Hi everyone!

Everything is still going well up here. I'm getting up to speed at work. There's so much to learn!

This morning, I went on a tour with the Visitors bureau. We took a motorcoach bus around the whole area. We visited a world-famous art museum, a historic mansion, went backstage at the downtown theater and rode the ski lift down Rib Mountain. The colors of the trees reminded me of Life Savers.

I didn't take any pictures of my trip today but I thought I'd put some pictures of the inside of my apartment. I definitely want to get some picture of the fall colors up though, maybe next week.

In the last post, the first picture was from the top of Rib Mountain. The second picture was the view from my porch. The third picture was taken right outside my apartment. Rib Mountain is in the background.









My living room.











I keep some of my special keepsakes on my dresser.











My Coca-Cola-themed kitchen!

My New Home

Hi all,

Thanks for reading my new blog. I'm doing well here in Wausau. My first day of work was good - I love being in a newsroom!

I have promised pictures, so here you go. I'll get some up of the inside soon. I am unpacked and it feels more like home now. Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone!