Merry Christmas!

When my news director told me he was giving me Christmas off, I screamed and then gave him a hug.

Don't get me wrong, I'm SO grateful to have a job in the career I studied, but there's nothing better than spending time with your family on the holidays.

Us news folks know how lonely it can be working on these special days- so when you get them off- you cherish every moment.

My little brother and I 

Christmas 2013

Foodies - bears - doctors

I never understood people who take pictures of their food.

Like dude, just eat your food. No one cares about your lasagna.

However, I HAVE BECOME ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

I find myself posting more and more pictures of my homemade creations.

Take this morning for example.

I started the day off with a bowl of steel cut oatmeal, topped with raisins, walnuts, bananas, cinnamon, and a drizzle of naturally grown honey I got at the monastery.

It felt like a crime not documenting it! 

Now I'm sitting on my couch eating frozen grapes- I didn't take a picture of them because they look like regular grapes, (not foodie-genic).

^that was so corny. 

Today I one-man-banded two stories on the bear that attacked a Longwood woman earlier this month.

FWC identifies bear responsible for attack of Longwood woman

My co-worker, Goose, filmed my "look-lives" which was a HUGE help being that my stories were airing back-to-back at 5 and 6 and I still needed to get interviews with neighbors. 

Yesterday I put together a story about last minute appointments. 

I pitched the story in the morning meeting- telling my coworkers about my adventures getting an eye appointment before the new year, (I needed to use my insurance money on new glasses before I lost it). 

Insurance changes cause backups at Central Florida doctor's offices

Interviewing Doctor Gideon Lewis 12.17.13

12-12-13

So grateful to have made it another year! 

I thought about petting Chad, but realized I would like to see my next birthday. 

Thank you to my family and friends for the beautiful wishes!

Longwood bears taken to new home at sanctuary after escape

Mangia, mangia!

STORY OF THE WEEK (and not because I got to stuff my face with Italian bread).

On Wednesday I drove out to Ocala and one-man-banded a story about an Italian bakery that has bounced back after multiple disasters.

As soon as I walked into Magnolia Bakery, the aroma of fresh bread comforted my soul and I felt like I was at home.

I interviewed owner Linda Castello, (her husband Sal comes in during the middle of the night to bake the bread).

Linda showed me around the bakery and introduced me to her father-in-law, Grandpa Michele (pronounced "Miguel").

He's straight off the boat from Italy.

He kept pinching my cheek and kissing my forehead.

After I told him that I'm half Italian he said, "youa looka Italian!" (That's the only thing I understood).

Ocala bakery thrives after multiple disasters

Grandpa Michele gave me loaves of bread to take home to my mother. 

I smiled and said I'd be coming back so he could teach me how to speak Italian.

Jake Morrison

I was sent to breaking news in Edgewater last night- our assignment editor was listening to scanners when emergency personnel began talking about pulling a 2-year-old out of the Halifax River.

As soon as my photographer and I got on scene, I spoke to the police officer who was parked outside the home.

I could see the grief in his eyes as he told me what happened.

My heart sank as I imagined the toddler's parents at the hospital as doctors told them there was nothing they could do to save him.

I ask that if you read this, please keep Jake Morrison's family in your prayers.

^ Click on the screen shot to see the story ^