Iron is Good for the Heart

When you look back at your life, whether it's 6 months, a year, or even 5 to 10 years.... Who were you then? What were your beliefs, your morning routine, eating habits, hair color? So many factors change over time. Whatever the changes, some of them can be monumental. Whether it's something devastating that turned your world upside down... Or something positive, I believe the outcome is the same: it changes your perspective on life, and the ones you choose to be in it- or the people who choose you.

Recently, someone came into my life that is proof of that. He set is mind to a goal that most people can't even fathom. It mentally and physically changed (and challenged) his life in ways I don't think he even expected. I've always been motivated and determined to make the most out of my life, but I think sometimes we focus on the wrong areas. It's not about the money (unless you now have a mortgage to pay!) and it's not about the perception from others... I believe it's about finding your passion and chasing it and following what GOD has planned for you. Of course this is much easier said than done. But when you see someone do it first-hand, it makes you believe that you can do it, too.

Below are some pictures that might explain this better...

Meet Taylor... the Ironman!

For those of you who don't know what that is (I didn't really either) it's a globally recognized triathlon with the following distances:

SWIM: 2.4 Mile

BIKE: 112 Mile

RUN: 26.2 Mile (Full Marathon)

Out of breath, yet?

Mercedes Full & Half Marathons

I had to walk 3 blocks from my car to the finish line and was out of breath...

Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon... where it all began several years ago!

Taylor is NOT in the teeny-weeny-bikini...

The other sport he competes in... Garter Grabbin'

What's next. #bringit

In 1 Year's Time

Writing this blog has really put into perspective just how much can happen in a short amount of time. This time last year I was about to start back at ABC 33/40... Little did I know it would lead to so much more!

A year later, I still love producing Talk of Alabama - it's my baby! I get to spend my day booking anything from a 5-star restaurant... To comedians like Sinbad...fashion experts... live music and a million other things! No day is the same on the show... And it's definitely taught me a whole different aspect of "rolling with the punches."

As mentioned in my last post, I recently started another position at the station as the traffic reporter for the morning show, Good Morning Alabama. As I am with any decision and change... I was definitely hesitant about taking on another responsibility... This time ON camera. I'm so glad I went through with it though, it's been a blast! I have a LONG ways to go... But everyday I feel a little more confident. I'm thankful I have positive and patient coworkers!

Besides work... I've had some other pretty exciting things going on. At the end of April, I become a first-time HOMEOWNER! As an HGTV viewer, naturally I thought looking for a house would be pretty similar to House Hunters... The realtor shows you a few houses, then there's an obvious decision! NEGATIVE. The process took longer than I expected and never did I experience a tension headache until I was faced with so many options. Eventually, I went with a house I liked from the start. It has a beautiful back deck, perfect for Pixie, and a BIG kitchen, perfect for cooking and baking! It's also a plus that I can pull into my garage and not have to hike up and down 3 flights of stairs. I'm still getting settled, but I love it already. Once it gets looking how I want it, I'll post more pictures.

These are all the updates I can type up right now... More to come soon!

"Love begins at home, and it's now what we do... But how much love we put in that action."
-Mother Teresa

I've gotten to meet and mentor several interns over the year, including these 2 VERY motivated students from Alabama - Chelsea and Leah. 

Flight Time Lang!

Shout out in Birmingham Magazine

First day on camera as "Traffic Jam Sam"

Group lunch at Mellow Mushroom... this was right after a FREEZING cold promo shoot for the Birmingham Barons

The new house!

The selling point for me, huge back deck!

HOMEOWNER!

Traffic-Jam-Sam

Next month will be TWO years since I moved back to Birmingham. It really does seem like yesterday I was cramming all my belongings into a UHaul and making the long drive from Oklahoma to Alabama. I was so excited to be moving back "home" and starting a new career. Little did I know... God had some major plans for me!

March 14th 2011: started work at ABC 33/40 as the producer for Good Morning Alabama

May 14th 2012: Started BACK at ABC 33/40 as the producer for Talk of Alabama

March 4th 2013: First day on camera as the new Traffic Reporter for Good Morning Alabama (along with still producing Talk of Alabama)

That last one was a REALLY BIG surprise and something I definitely was not planning!
When I was in college, my goal was to study broadcast journalism and be on camera. I had dreams of eventually replacing Erin Andrews out in the field, or Katie Couric on the news desk. While those are pretty big dreams... it's good to be realistic, too. I found myself on the other end of the camera, and absolutely loving it.

When offered the traffic position, I had to go with how I felt. I got in my car and immediately called my parents. I may be 25 years old, but I still confide in them. They try to stay neutral with big things like this, and not sway me either way, but I knew they felt the same way I did... excited!

This will be a whole new challenge... especially having to get in 2 hours earlier WITH my hair and makeup ready! I have a few weeks to train and learn the new graphics program, so hopefully I can be well prepared by March.

I will still be producing Talk of Alabama along with this new opportunity, I will just be getting into the station a few hours earlier, and leaving a little bit earlier.

I've prayed about this decision and feel God brought this to my path for a reason.... so why not take it?

Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them, or you stay afraid of taking them.
-Jim Carrey

A Lot Can Happen

You move, meet someone, leave a job, start a new one, cut your hair, change your views... a lot can happen in a year. Not all of those listed refer to me, but a few do.

This time last year I was working at a job I knew was temporary, just trying to figure out what was "next." There were several instances where I thought my life was going to lead one way, and it went the direct opposite. Some were positive changes, while others were negative. In a few instances, I knew better. It's easy to be influenced by the people you let in your life, and it's easy to ignore your conscious when you're temporarily happy.

The biggest lesson I learned in the past year was the only person responsible for your happiness is YOURSELF. It's ironic, because someone else told me that. It took getting hurt and let down to figure out that I had a choice, and that choice was me. It might sound selfish, but you have to put yourself first sometimes. Especially when you're more concerned about pleasing others. So if you haven't caught on yet, my New Year's Resolution is to stop worrying about what makes everyone else happy.

Before New Year's was of course Christmas! I was extremely fortunate to have the day off work. On Christmas Eve we aired a recording of Talk of Alabama that we had previously recorded to "look live." I even had some air-time on a story I did at a local train museum and it's "North Pole Express." It was a rush being in front of the camera! You can watch it here - but the link will only stay active for a few weeks.
http://tinyurl.com/av9wlnl


I may be 25, but I still spent the night at my parents house on Christmas Eve. Like many families, we woke up early, opened presents, ate and just spent a lazy day at home! You know you're getting old when your favorite gifts are a crock pot and a heart rate monitor.

I also had New Year's Day off thanks to the Rose Bowl Parade that aired during the show's regular hour. I was actually able to not only go out on New Year's Eve, but also stay up late enough to ring in the new year!

So much happened in 2012, I can only imagine what 2013 has in store. I used to have my life on a "timeline" of when everything was suppose to happen... but that's impossible. Timing is everything, but it's not on my watch... it's on His.

Happy New Year, everyone!

My story on "The North Pole Express" 

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Calera

What my mom got my dad for Christmas... Signed and everything!

 I love Him so much!

Me & my neighbor for a Tacky Christmas Party

Yes, she is wearing a wig.

Can't forget Pixie... she turned 3 December 30th!

That's a Puppy Cappuccino (whipped cream) she is eating!