Unexpected holiday cheer
As a reporter, often I see a lot of the bad in the world — crime scenes, murder trials, and fatal car wrecks to name a few. However, there are moments in life that make you stop and realize there is still good all around you. I recently had one of those moments in an unlikely place — the Lufkin Starbucks drive-through. I was on my way to work, with just a few minutes to spare, so I wheeled my Honda Civic in to get my last-minute caffeine fix. As soon as I heard the words “Welcome to Starbucks,” I ordered my usual — a grande non-fat white chocolate mocha. As I waited for the car in front of me to finish up their business at the window, I noticed the barista explaining something to the driver and pointing toward my car. My first thoughts: Did they run out of coffee? Is their credit card machine down? All thoughts were focused on how the aroma of my morning wake-up may never get into my hands.
I pulled up to the window, and as I handed the lady my debit card, she said a customer already took care of it for me. I was shocked. She said the driver two cars in front of me had paid for the two cars behind her. The mystery giver told Starbucks to tell the drivers, “happy holidays and God bless.” I would have paid-it-forward, but there were no cars behind me. It was a blessing, a really exciting moment. It may sound silly, but when I’m nearing the end of the work week coffee is a must, and it was amazing to think someone out there cared enough to buy my a.m.-happiness. As I sipped my hot coffee, I thought about the person who had changed my morning the entire 20-minute drive to work.
I called everyone I could think of to share the good news because to me, it was more than just a nice East Texan buying my good morning. It made me realize that we should spread that same holiday cheer not just around Christmas, but every day. I can’t explain how much it meant to me, and I’m still looking for a way to pay-it-forward. To that person out there, if you ever happen to read this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You changed not only my morning, but gave me a fresh outlook on life. I’ll never forget that random act of kindness, and now I will work harder to look for the good in everything. Regardless of life’s obstacles, there are always individuals out there that care. A cup of coffee, a kind word or even a smile — you never know what people are going through, so why not spread the holiday cheer all year. Happy holidays!
I’m back & with a job
It has been a long time since I posted, but I have an excuse – I am now employed! Almost three months have passed since I graduated from UT Austin, and I’m now a video journalist for KTRE/ABC-9 in Lufkin, Texas.
I have to admit, it is quite the change moving from the big city in Austin to deep East Texas, but it is a change I’m thrilled to make. I grew up in East Texas, so it’s nice to be only two hours from my family rather than four. I guess I’m just a city girl going back to my country roots.
I absolutely love my job. I get paid to do a job I love so much I would do it for free (that is if I didn’t have bills to pay.) In almost two months I’ve gone from being apprehensive about a new job with new faces to wondering how I could ever get by without the incredible friends I’ve made at the station.
I think the best part about being a reporter is that each day is a new day and you never do the same thing twice. I have already been back to Austin to cover Angelina County Day at the Capitol, I have ventured out to Livingston twice to talk to East Texans about gaming legislation in Texas, I traveled out to Houston County to stand on 200 acres of ash where the U.S. Forest Service conducted control burns, and made my way to Crockett to tell East Texans where the Federal disaster relief funding for Hurricane Ike is all going. However, I’m only just beginning and I hope to report on many more great stories and to always use journalism to help make East Texas, or wherever life may lead me, a better place.
I promise to do my best to post often, but you can watch my stories at ktre.com.
Time Running Out to Get FEMA Help
The Daily News in Galveston says if you still need FEMA aid you better act quick. Jan. 12 is the final day for renters, homeowners and business owners to register with FEMA. That’s one week from today. Read the full article here.
Indiana: Ike Volunteer Opportunity
a NEW year
Hi everyone,
I hope this year proves to be a better year than 2008 for all of us, especially for the victims of Hurricane Ike. I hope and pray this will be a wonderful year, full of rebuilding and restoring that which has been damaged and lost. As always, if you have anything you would like me to look into feel free to leave a comment. Have a blessed 2009!
Hurricane Ike Hurts Texas Lottery
The Dallas Morning News reported since the last fiscal year, revenue from Texas Lottery tickets dropped $45 million. Although the decline in lottery ticket sales reflect a larger trend in the national economy, state lottery officials say Ike is largely to blame. Go here for the full article.
Christmas in Flames at a San Leon Shelter
The Houston Chronicle – As if Hurricane Ike did not already do enough damage to the small fishing town, Firefighters think a dried Christmas tree started the blaze that ruined a San Leon women’s shelter. Read the full story here.
Image via Google Maps
Half Price Books to the Rescue
Half Price Books will be partnering with Keep Texas Beautiful to replant trees. The Houston Business Journal says the book retailer is giving the organization at least $15,000 to launch the “Replant Texas” project to replace those trees lost or damaged in Hurricane Ike. Read the full article here.
Image via KTB.org
Pay Cut Planned for Galveston City Employees
The Houston Chronicle reported that to prevent any immediate layoffs, a 3 percent pay cut is in the cards for Galveston city employees. Police and firefighters from the Hurricane Ike devastated island should expect to take the same cut as well. Officials say employees should not expect it back any time soon. Read the full article here.
