Thank You Big Country!!!

To all of the friends I have made in the Big Country,

Wow. Usually blogging comes naturally to me but this one I admit is a struggle.
First and foremost, I want to thank you for the past three years. Reporting and anchoring for KRBC has been a dream come true. I came to Abilene right out of college expecting to come here and just gain experience in the television business. But, it didn't take very long for this place to turn into "home". The people I have met, the friends I have made, and the family I have gained make it difficult to leave.
However, as an aspiring journalist it is time to move on to the next great job opportunity. For me, that will be at a new TV station in Lexington, Kentucky.
There are so many people I owe big thank yous to for helping me learn, to grow, and even become a better person. I have enjoyed sharing your stories and bringing you the news every day at 5 o'clock. I have also enjoyed being a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization in Abilene and coaching youth cheerleading while living in the Big Country. I will miss my "Little Sister" and my cheerleading teams dearly.
The three years I have worked at KRBC have flown by. I am lucky to have worked alongside such amazing people at the station. My co-workers have become family and it will definitely be hard to say goodbye. I also want to thank my boss for seeing potential in me and allowing me several platforms to take advantage of at KRBC.
While I will no longer be bringing you the news, I will not be a stranger to the Big Country. I am engaged to an Abilene man and his family resides here in the Big Country so I will be back often.
Again, I want to thank you for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours.

Sincerely,

Brittany

My Eating Habits During the Work Week are Weird

So, I am totally one of those people that eats on the go; many times in the car. Today, I picked up Subway and had about 15-20 minutes to eat before my scheduled interview. Instead of sitting inside the restaurant (like a normal person) I pulled into a random parking lot off of a south Abilene street. It was just down the road from where I had to be, so it seemed like the perfect spot. What prompted me writing a blog about it is the reaction the neighbors gave me. Just across the street from where I was eating inside the car, some residents were returning home (probably to eat lunch). The way they looked at me, I got the impression they thought I was a creeper; peering into their homes. I really wasn't though. I was minding my own business, eating my Subway sub, and listening to music.
I have another confession. This is definitely not the first time I have seen this reaction, and it's obviously not my first eating in the car experience. I frequent several dining spots in town (including the car parked in Redbud Park). I am obsessed with time management. I've learned with my crazy schedule of reporting and anchoring; you've got to do what makes the most sense and can save the most time. As my producer, Mark Moseley loves to mock me "not much time for lunch, not much time to stop and breathe". Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a complaint blog. It's more of a laugh with me blog.

'The Voice' Auditions in Abilene=Huge Success!

Judging any kind of competition is typically a tough job but when you have to judge 130 different singers based on their vocal skills...well let's just say it's a whole new toughness. I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of people confident enough to sing in front of a theater full of people.
As I was talking to some of the contestants tonight, it was funny how most of them were nervous to talk or do an interview on tv but yet allow them to sing their hearts out, no problem! I am the complete opposite. I never could have stood before a theater, let alone a room full of people and sing. I admire those that had the confidence to perform tonight.
Having to keep my back turned towards the singers until I had already given them a score was also really challenging. Now I know how Christina Aguilera felt having the urge to turn around the chair, but not being able to until a decision was made. Tough stuff.
I am really excited for viewers to get the opportunity to vote online and help send five people from Abilene to have their shot at being on the next season of 'The Voice!'

Wiener Dogs Galore

Last nightI had the opportunity to judge the 2011 Rescue the Animals Dachshund races. It was my first wiener dog race. The turn out was amazing! I still can't get over how many dachshund's live here in Abilene!
Before the races, the dogs were judged on a variety of categories. The contestants cracked me up. I love how into it the owners get and I can't wait to be a dog owner again, myself (when I have the time). Here's some of the pictures I snapped from the event. Enjoy!

Troubled by Toddlers & Tiaras

Okay, so I have to admit that several months ago I got sucked into TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras. It was an accident, really. I was never a pageant girl and I didn't know anyone that was when I was growing up. I think I initially was fascinated by the families that were so sucked into the crazy lifestyle of pageantry (at least it appears that way on TLC).
For the most part, I laughed off the stereotypical pageant mom's. The over-dosing of the girls with pixie stix before a pageant irritated me, but other than that I had the attitude, "to each his own".



However, after watching the last episode I was heart broken. There are a brother and sister pair, Braxton and Alaska. The mother and step-father were absolutely awful. They did not treat their kids equally. Both the boy and girl were put in pageants. The mother and father continuously complimented Braxton and always neglected and even put down Alaska. I felt awful for the little girl.






She was not only beautiful, but she seemed to be a great kid. Regardless, no child should be treated the way that they treated Alaska. To really understand the scope of just how bad these parents were, you'd have to watch the whole video. While Braxton typically wins the pageants they both enter, this grand finale he did not and his sister won. Of course, the parents ended up adoring her because she won. It was awful. I couldn't get over that having a title was what made a mom love (or at least show love) to her own daughter. I know you're probably thinking, why did you keep watching if you thought it was so awful. The best I can explain is that it's like a scary movie, you want to look away at certain parts but you also don't want to miss anything.

http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/toddlers-tiaras-season-4-videos/

The Love Bug is Biting

So, if you keep up with my blog you know that I am happily engaged and wedding planning is in full-swing. But, my own wedding is not the only planning that is going on in my life. Two of my closest friends (both from college) are also engaged and getting married in 2012!!! I am so excited for them and us just to be able to experience all of this stuff together.
So, I am going to be a bride first, a maid of honor second, and a bridesmaid third but all before the end of 2012. : )

Here is Mary and her fiance, Andrew. Mary lives in Florida and is going to school to be an elementary education teacher. She is amazing with kids and will be a great Mom one day! Mary and I met in college by fate. She moved into the empty suite next door to me my junior year. We instantly clicked. We both cheered in college together for the Barry Buccaneers. We were pretty much inseperable from the time that we met. We coached cheerleading together, traveled together, and became part of each other's families. Honestly, Mary is like a sister to me. I am an only child but she definitely filled that role. Her family is like my family and visa versa. It's so nice to have a friend like that. Mary is spontaneous and free-spirited. She has always been a good friend and is always fun to be around. I was honored when she asked me to be her maid of honor. : ) Believe it or not, I have never met her fiance, Andrew! He is in the Army Florida National Guard. So she is having to plan on a wedding on her own while he is Iraq. As her maid of honor, I wished I lived closer to be more of a part of her planning. But, I know it will all work out and the wedding will be even more meaningful since they have had to have a long distance relationship for so long.



And here is Jamie and her fiance, Scott. They live in New York. Jamie is an event planner. She is amazing at what she does, but luckily in college she thought she wanted to get into broadcast radio and we had most of our classes together. Jamie, also known as "Roomie" because she was the first roommate I ever had. (I'm an only child so that is a big deal) ha. Jamie and I met before freshmen year of school in a program that the university offered to introduce all the newbies. We instantly became friends and even kept in touch in the weeks leading up to starting college. It was so comforting knowing someone before entering that chapter in my life. We have so many memories throughout the four years of college but even after. Jamie is such a caring and honest friend. She is also a ball of fun. Again, I have not met her fiance, Scott either. Unfortunately, that is what happens when you live far away from your college friends.



These two girls mean the world to me and it really does make me so happy to see them so happy too! I have to be honest though, one of the the reasons I am most excited for all of these weddings is for us to all be together and to meet these two Romeo's of my friends.

P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if I have to update this blog with two of my other closest friends getting engaged. (I'll refrain from details because I don't want to jinx it) But, I'm telling you, the love bug is biting. But at the same time, I also know we are "at that age" when it's all about the weddings. In a few years, we'll be planning the baby showers and all that fun stuff. Believe me though, I am in no rush. I think I'll enjoy the wedding festivities for now! Cheers to my fiance and my good friends and theirs!

Saying Farewell to a Dear Friend

For many of us here at KRBC, we move to Abilene to jump start our career in journalism. My journey began 2.5 years ago and a week after I started, Maria Oliver (KRBC's former weekend anchor/weekday reporter; most recently assignments manager)started too.
We instantly became friends. We were probably each others first friends here, since the first week is just a lot of adjusting. It was so nice to have a close friend so quick after moving to a foreign place. Maria helped make that transition easier for me.

We have had so much fun together and made so many memories over the past 2.5 years. Today is her last day at KRBC and in Abilene. She is moving on to Alabama for the next adventure in her life. While, she will be dearly missed. I am really happy for my friend. I know that Maria and I will continue to be friends no matter where we live. Best of luck to you, Maria. : )