A new beginning

I can't believe it, today is my last day at the York Daily Record. I have worked for Media News Group since Sept. 2, 2003. I think people have gotten used to seeing my face. I was really surprised at the reaction of some of the readers I came in contact with over the past 8 weeks since I gave my resignation letter. They were going to miss me. You see, we journalists usually only hear from readers when we make a mistake and they want to rub it in. It was flattering to say the least.

I have had good times and bad, for sure. I realize that a lot of people think I am making a stupid move -- leaving a flexible job as a food writer, a job many people envy. Apparently, these people don't realize that every job, even this one, has its negatives. And if you haven't read the news - which wouldn't surprise me because that's why this business is weak - newspapers are struggling. I am not jumping ship because of that.

The funny thing is, I've always wanted to teach. I was getting recommendations letters from my J school professors to go back to school for my teaching certificate. But like a good little college graduate, I decided to try out this thing we call journalism. And here I am, 5.5 years later, still trying it out. I loved this job at one time, but it's always been in the back of my mind to teach. I love school and I love kids. And just because I am teaching doesn't mean I can't still write. I couldn't teach while I was writing.

Nate was so encouraging and (thank goodness) financially supportive enough for me to be able to make this move. And my family and friends know that I am a hard worker and no matter how uncertain my teaching career path is, it will work out. So, they support me, too.

I'll keep you updated on my teaching adventures. I am sure I will have great stories to tell, just like I did when I was a journalist.

I'm getting nervous

I don't know how many times I have told myself that life shouldn't revolve around money. But I think God placed a computer chip in my brain at birth that is constantly on high-alert for financial things. I think I should have been an accountant.

Anyway. As many of you know, I am leaving my journalism career in two weeks to return to school (which costs $1,762 per class..yikes). Between substituting, waitressing, freelancing and whatever else I can scrounge up, I am going to be working many more than 37.5 hours a week like I do now. Yet, I still won't be making as much as a I make right now. It's freakin' scary. I keep trying to override the computer chip that says, "it will never work." Nate and I have gotten used to a comfortable budget of spending whenever and however we want (within my frugal reasoning and his practicality, anyway.)

But I try to remind myself that it's not money that buys happiness. It's heart and following it and being passionate about what you do. I have a huge heart, and I want to use it. I love to write and I will always have a special place in my heart for my time doing it. But, I keep reminding myself that it wasn't meant to be my life's blood and a 40-year career.

So, even frugal Nicki (who my brother-in-law-to-be says can pinch a dime from two pennies) realizes that no matter how much money you make, save, spend, etc., you can put aside the paycheck and know and trust that everything will work out.


I say that, but every night before bed, the mental calculator punches away numbers. Then I pray and the calculator is silenced. Thank goodness for that.

My first personal blog

I am not sure how long this will last, being that I blog for work and spend most of my day writing and researching, but I always find so many things I want to write about in my life, that just don't fit on the FlipSide Blog.

So here goes nothing.

I like to read, cook, run, swim, bike and relax. That in conjunction with work takes up all of my time. I do like to sew and do lots of other crafty things, but I just can't seem to find the time. If I do, I'll share my projects. Right now, I am getting used to being a wife. Being married is great, but it takes more time than you think. I like to cook, so I can share recipes. I also like to exercise and like to talk about my latest challenge.

I am not as complicated as I used to be in high school or college. Thank goodness. Nate, my husband, helps me see how silly complication makes me look. And drama, I think I should have been an actress. While I don't like gossip and rumors and being the "cool kid," I swear I should have been a soap opera actress. After watching my wedding video, I saw just what my family and friends were talking about. My expressions are off the charts.

I love chocolate and turkey subs and have an obsession with sushi. The name of my blog describes me. I am ordinary. Nothing crazy or odd. Just Mrs. Nicki S. Ordinary.