That was the first thought that crossed my mind as I drove into town for the first time last Monday afternoon.
I had my apprehensions about accepting the job as the new editor and reporter for the Lakes District 亚洲天堂.
After all, I was being asked whether or not, at 23-years-old, if I was willing to pack up my life and leave the only place I鈥檝e ever called home to move to a place that I鈥檇 never been to before, and to be honest knew little about.
However, I decided the job and life experience was worth it, and my apprehensions have been eased over the past three weeks since I accepted the position.
First of all, a big thank you to Laura Blackwell and Kim Piper, both of whom have been patient and accommodating during my move up here, and over the course of my first week at the paper.
Secondly, to the people I鈥檝e met already, either at Mulvaney鈥檚, the Rotary Club or anywhere else that I鈥檝e stopped in during my short time here, thanks for being friendly to the new guy, I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l be seeing lots more of each other.
Finally, to the people in town that I haven鈥檛 met yet, I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l get to know each other sometime in the near future.
Now, over the next little while I鈥檒l be the one learning about all of you and asking the questions, so here鈥檚 a little about me. I鈥檓 a 23-year-old graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University鈥檚 journalism program, I graduated last May. This is the first journalism job that I鈥檝e had that has paid me to work, and it鈥檚 also the first one I鈥檝e had working for a community newspaper, so I hope you鈥檒l all bare with me as I learn the ropes.
I grew up in North Delta, a small suburb of Vancouver. On a good day you鈥檇 be able to drive from North Delta to Vancouver in 30 minutes.
On a bad day, and there are many bad traffic days, it could take you over an hour.
Needless to say, I won鈥檛 be missing the traffic.
I played many sports growing up, but like many I gravitated towards hockey. I played minor hockey for the North Delta Minor Hockey Association for 16 years.
Along with playing I鈥檝e coached and refereed.
So, for all those community members that are involved with 亚洲天堂 Lake Minor Hockey, be prepared to see me around the rink all the time.
This is the first time I鈥檝e lived on my own, so if you don鈥檛 know who I am after a couple weeks, just look for the guy walking around looking tired and stressed. I鈥檓 only half kidding.
A question I was asked frequently by friends back home was,鈥漌hat are you going to do up in 亚洲天堂 Lake?,鈥� and my answer was I鈥檓 not sure.
That鈥檚 the beauty of it, I鈥檓 coming in with a blank slate, willing to go out and try anything.
I鈥檓 excited to head to the local mountain bike trails, to get out and do some fishing and to just meet and talk to new people.
And as far as winters go, well I鈥檒l cross that bridge when it gets here, but more likely than not you鈥檒l find me out on the lake, lacing up my skates.
I鈥檓 excited to get my career started, but more importantly I鈥檓 excited to serve the community and write stories that people here are passionate about.
I only hope I can live up to the standards that have been set here at the newspaper by the people that work here, and who鈥檝e worked here. I look forward to seeing all of you around town.
