My very last sad day

Today is strange.

For one, I'm saddened. Today is my last day at the paper and it feels surreal. I'm looking at these people that guided me through everything these past few months, joked with me about crazy small town sources, life in Indiana, how much they all dislike Marion in one way or another and the state of journalism.

I had a good talk with the business reporter here, Brett, about how things are going in journalism. Since two editors left the paper, we haven't found editors to replace them - but the kicker is, he told me they've eliminated a huge chunk of staff but are expected to do at least 50 percent more the workload. Designers are the first ones being ditched (they always were the unsung heroes.)

I don't know if I could ever leave the business. I am far too deep in this love affair with journalism to leave. Of course, I have yet to be out of a journalism job.

I think I'll miss the reporters the most because they're the ones that taught me the most (besides Tricia and Andrea). AJ, Mischelle, Brett and Maribeth all welcomed me with open arms when I came to the paper. I think AJ put it best when she said "you know how to treat an intern by having been an intern yourself." It was a sigh of relief having come into a city I've never been to, having my first internship and knowing only one person.

I believe I've made friends in all of them and they're a talented group. I hope that none of them will be victim to the state of the business.

My last day at the paper was nothing like I expected. I received a thank you card from the entire staff with sweet notes and a gift card to Starbucks (which is amazing :) ) I really did want to cry, but I forced myself not to.

The executive editor also offered a job opening to me after college, which was flattering to me. It's the icing on top of the internship cake I was looking for.

Today was amazing - I couldn't have asked for more.

-Joan