small town

Growing up in a small town taught me to rely on my neighbors, family and friends. I was taught about camaraderie and the success that can be attained by working together.

When I came to Brazil and started working for The Times, I was excited because I saw the same values here that I was raised on.

I genuinely love my job. My colleagues are always there when I need their input or advice. I have met many people in the community who have gone out of their way to help me and teach me about the activities that are taking place. I have come to think of Brazil as my home away from home.

I look at the community and the people in it as my family, yes there are some "aunts" and "uncles" that you try to avoid. There is the occasional "grandmother" that calls and rants about something that is happening three blocks away that I have no control over, but I listen and I try to help the best way I know how.

I have adopted this family, I have cried when they have cried and laughed when they laughed. I have done everything that I can think of to meet the people in the community and connect with them.

I call people to "get a story," but I don't consider it "getting a story." Instead I look at it as my way of trying to bring something to the attention of the community. Sometimes it is positive, sometimes it isn't. But I try and I work at it.

I make mistakes in my stories, I misspell names, forget a comma or something else. I'm not perfect, but even when people tell me how horrible I am at my job I still smile and listen to them and try to help them the best way I know how, even if I am crying inside.

So, if I call and I want to do a story please don't be rude, remember I am on a deadline and I want to do my little part to report the news. Even if some people feel it isn't newsworthy.