Time to explore

Tomorrow is my last day at the Creston News Advertiser and my time here is ending much like how it began – with a giant leap of faith.

Ten years ago, my (now ex) husband was looking for a new teaching gig after having spent a number of years in the substitution pool. He had lost his contract, and with each year that passed, English teaching jobs in California became more seldom. At the time, California was amid a financial crisis and teachers in our district were laid off in droves year after year. In 2011, when it was projected San Diego Unified would “pink slip” another 1,600 teachers, I knew it was time for a change.

When I arrived to Creston in the fall of 2012, I found it challenging to find work. There were plenty of jobs available, but none in my field and few I felt I had it in me to do. While I respect the necessary work of all those employed in factories, ag, retail, etc., jobs in those sectors seemed to be the most available, but it wasn’t exactly my life’s goal to do those jobs. Other jobs I found, I neither qualified for nor did they pay what I believe to be a fair wage.

Because I know what I’m capable of, I began applying for positions out of my scope or experience – such as the role of an editor at Shaw Media. I applied, interviewed, but ultimately did not get that job. However, not long after that interview, Stephani Finley called me and asked if I’d be interested in becoming a reporter. It was never something I thought of doing, but it sounded interesting.

CNA

Larry Peterson, easily the most seasoned writer at the CNA, asked me if I’d be writing a final column before I go. I thought about it prior to our conversation, but I didn’t want to gloat. It’s not that I’m off to greener pastures  – I’m just taking off to grow my own grass.

But the more I thought about it, my time at the CNA has been quite remarkable.

I started at the CNA as a staff reporter in the fall of 2012. I am not a trained journalist, but my greatest strengths are having a natural curiosity about the way the world works, the gift of gab, an inherent drive to understand, a burning desire to learn, and a relentless work-ethic. My “weakness” isn’t that I have the attention span of a squirrel, fall asleep when I sit still, which is true. I just bore easily. Understanding all of this about myself is what has made life at the CNA a perfect fit for me – the work never stops and no two days are the same. One day I could be taking photos at an all-school play, the next I could be sitting in court covering a murder trial.

Growth

My first story was a preview of Creston High School’s production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” I struggled stringing that together. But last December, Judge Thomas Murphy told me my coverage of the Seley murder trial was one of the most accurate and well-written continuous coverage stories of a trial he’s read. He’d know, he was there, too. That compliment, again, is remarkable.

My journey at the CNA is remarkable because I never saw myself as a writer. Actually, I’ve despised it most of my life. I barely passed English Language Arts in middle and high school. I dropped out of high school early in my sophomore year and entered the workforce instead. I eventually graduated through a home-study program, earning a diploma. I passed English 101 in college on my third attempt, and earned the bare minimum GPA to obtain my B.S. How I was able to work my way up to managing editor and become an award-winning journalist isn’t by the grace of God as much as it was just really hard work, hands-on experience and incredible mentors.

I’m not exaggerating when I say the CNA has the kindest staff and management. Those in the editorial department that trained me were wildly passionate, so it was hard not to be, too. They were also damn critical of my work, which made me better. Many tears were shed, sometimes with my face pressed to the newsroom floor. The grind of being a journalist is not for the faint of heart, but because of the kind of people I work with, I’ve wanted to show up for them every day. But it’s time to start showing up for myself.

Next

When I put in my notice a month ago, I didn’t really have a plan other than it involved making bagels. If you don’t know, I’ve been moonlighting as a baker since the June of 2021. Over the past year I’ve grown my “cottage bakery” business, licensed my home kitchen, and now distribute through three cafes and one grocer. Thank you to all who have made this possible.

I’m still working out what my future looks like. I have many things planned, but most importantly, I have a son who keeps asking, “Do you want to go explore today?” and I want to tell him “Yes.”