Why are kids so mean?

I did a story back in Chattanooga about a High School girl with cancer. I'm going to call her "Dana" in this blog because I don't want to reveal her name without her permission. Anyways, Dana was a sweetheart. Unfortunately, (for me anyway) I never had the opportunity to meet her. I had to anchor the 7pm news the day her story was to air and well, we had to send a photographer. I remember going through the footage and editing the story and just thinking how amazing this girl was. A high school girl with cancer.. I can't imagine. I can't imagine going through cancer in general but especially high school. High School is hard enough as it is.

So anyway, her grandmother sent me this post on Facebook recently:


thankful today that "Dana's" teammates all have her back, when the student fans from Oliver Spring were making fun of her and calling her a boy, saying ugly things to her on the court, they stood up for her. Not the way I wished for her season to start, but so thankful she was able to play. She has been blessed with some coaches who love her no matter what and teammates, she considers her dearest friends.

I can't tell you how angry this made me. This poor girl is struggling for her life and you have audacity to make fun of her? I just don't understand why kids are so mean. The bullying, the name calling it's got to stop. I was always made fun of as a kid. I wasn't pretty, I was short, I had a squeaky voice.. the list goes on. I was strong enough to brush it off (for the most part) but not everyone is. I know Dana is strong enough to brush it off but it doesn't mean this should happen. 

I'm happy Dana has great friends to stick up for her and fight for her when she can't. But, I'm just angry. I can't help it. If it was my way we would all go to her next game and hold signs for her. No one deserves to be treated this way.. No one. 

New Job, New City

Well.. I'm almost finally settled in here in Huntsville.

I must admit.. I basically just threw all our boxes into the guest room! But, it will do for now.

But, now comes my worst nightmare yet most exciting dream. I get to start all over and decorate my house. Some days I think it's the biggest pain.. others.. I think it's so exciting. Maybe I think it would be more exciting if I had an unlimited budget. Alas, I don't. Not even close.

So.. insert Pinterest. It really helps me gather my ideas and keep track of them. You can follow my board of new home decoration ideas here: http://pinterest.com/jillianucf/things-for-our-new-home/

As a journalist, one of the hardest parts of moving is getting acclimated to a new city. Figuring out where things are, making new contacts, etc. So, as I figure out that part I must say this city is beautiful. The leaves are such rich, brilliant colors right now. The mountains are so beautiful.

Anyway.. I have a huge list of restaurants to eat at here! Feel free to add anything you think we should see or do!

I Can't Leave Chattanooga Without Doing....

Ok, here's the start of the list. I'm expecting it to grow as you all give me ideas! I've done a lot of "touristy" things here but there is a ton I haven't done as well. Give me all the ideas you have!

Warning: I work the next 9 days in a row and I only have 11 here left. It's going to fly by but I'm going to make the most of it. Not sure I'll accomplish much of my list but I will try.

Here it goes:

1. Eat at Aretha Frankenstein's one last time.
2. Visit Snoopers Rock at Prentice Cooper State Park ( Thanks to @garit1 on Twitter for the recommendation)
3. Play Disc Golf at the new course in East Ridge
4. Watch the sunrise over the mountains. (Thanks to @GM533 for the tip)
5.  Go 4 wheeling in the mountains
6.  Go horseback riding in the mountains (Ok, Jonquil! We must do this now)
7. Take a trip with the Chattanooga Ducks!  (Good idea, Heather)
8. Ok, Ok people.. I'll eat a Krystal burger.
9. Take pictures of downtown, Main Street, and anywhere and everywhere else. ( I have a love for photography and want to capture the beauty of this city. Any suggestions where to go?)
10. Lunch at the Perfect Cup in Dalton one last time (The North of Heaven smoothie is AMAZING)

Embarking on a New Journey

Hey All,

I have an important announcement to make.

I am starting my final 2 weeks at WDEF today. I accepted a position in Huntsville, Alabama at WAAY as an Anchor/Reporter.

Finding the words to explain my feelings seems impossible. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Chattanooga and Dalton. As I look back at this incredibly journey, I've learned more than I could have ever imagined. I've met and worked with some of the most amazing people, covered some of the most fascinating stories, and grown as a person and a journalist.

Most of all, I've had the support from our viewers. The emails, Facebook messages, and Tweets have encouraged me throughout these past 2 years. I feel like I have a huge extended family now. Thank you for that.

For the past 2 years I have called Chattanooga home. I'll miss this city. I've grown very attached to everything about it. Nonetheless, it's time for a change.

I look forward to staying in touch with each and everyone of you. Always feel free to say hi!

Thank you for everything Chattanooga!

Can I cry yet??

Ok.. This is a subject most people in Chattanooga probably don't care about. But, it's an important one to me so you'll just have to deal.

This hockey lockout is killing me!!!

For those of you who don't know the collective bargaining agreement has ended.. For now, there is no hockey. The players say they want to play.. the owners.. well.. the owners say they want more moola. Hockey is my life. Aside from my job, my wonderful family, friends, and boyfriend. My parents bought me a Slingbox for Christmas last year just so I could watch EVERY SINGLE GAME!!!

When I was in high school I painted my room (much to my mother's dismay) silver and blue. Yes, I am that much of a Tampa Bay Lightning FREAK! My awesome brother painted the Tampa Bay Lightning logo on one of the walls. It was my heaven. It was the perfect place for all my hockey pucks, Vincent Lecavalier jerseys, plus all the other memorabilia I have. I worked at a hockey rink all through high school and most of college. My life was hockey.. it still is just in a different aspect.

For my birthday this year my whole family came together for a wonderful night of Tampa Bay Lightning hockey. It was the perfect gift. I went to an Atlanta Thrashers (WHO?) vs TBL game when I moved to Dalton. Why I applaud them moving back to Winnipeg is a different story that results from that experience.

What football is to most people, hockey is to me. I yell at the tv and jump up and down when we score a goal. I think everyone of my neighbors thinks I'm crazy. Some of my friends do too. Heck, I think my boyfriend thinks I'm nuts because of it. ( 5 1/2 years later I think he's used to it.) But, what am I going to do without my hockey?? I've dealt with this lockout of sorts before. I hate it. It's not a fun time in my life.

I wish people would stop being greedy and just play. Hockey players probably make less than any of the professional sports. It's not fair.. I can argue this and I will but not here.

Even if you don't care about hockey.. watch this video. Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher "throwing" the first pitch at the Tampa Bay Rays game. I truly hope this isn't the only hockey I get this year. Withdraw doesn't make anyone a nice person.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/20320954/video-lightning-coach-guy-boucher-shoots-out-first-pitch-before-tampa-bay-rays-game

This is a Christmas gift I received last year. Vincent Lecavalier doll. OBSESSED!

 The new St. Pete Times Forum.

 All decked out in Tampa Bay Lightning gear outside of CNN!!

Just Hangin' Around

All Summer long on Prime News we've showcased some great places to get a little "crazy" in Chattanooga. From sky diving to an aerial class. Needless to say, I don't think there was one thing I wouldn't try. I'm all about new things and I think we should all venture out of our little boxes now and then.

With that said, I tried my first aerial class. I'm a former cheerleader and dancer so I didn't have a lot of reservations about this class. But, I must admit I was intimidated by the silks. They look like super long ribbons hanging from the ceiling. You can see a lot of aerial stuff in Cirque Du Soleil and things like it. They had a couple using silks on America's Got Talent this season.

With a small group of us from Channel 12 we headed to Chattanooga Aerials. The studio also serves as a dance company. It's an awesome building! Anywho, we did a short warm up and got right to it. We started on trapeze and then moved our way to the silks. Once you get used to it, it's a blast! I felt like a little kid again. Amy is a great instructor.. and seriously, so is her 7 year old daughter. It felt great to do something active that I actually enjoy. You know.. as much as I love my boot camps.. it's just not as fun as this. You don't feel like you're working out. I did wake up SORE today.. in case anyone is wondering. But, it's a good sore and I'm not going to complain.

What else do you recommend I try here in Chattanooga that's "out of my box?"

Mandy and I posing for the camera in a "star" pose!

Bargain Shopper 101

Like I said previously, I'm a huge fan of sales. I love to shop but I rarely have money so I always head to the sale racks.

I recently was at Kohls where I found some great deals.

I've posted a picture of my receipt and items. The cashier kept laughing at me. I had a 20% off coupon, $10 gift card, and $10 in Kohl's cash. Talk about heaven.

I've been eyeing that gray skirt for weeks. It's so cute but I wasn't going to pay $40 for it. Yes, I'm that cheap.. And broke. So this was the perfect time. It was an extra 30% off :) Yay!

Since, I'm a one man band most of the time my outfits have to be comfortable. For those of you who don't know, I carry all of my own equipment. Tripod, camera, and microphone. If I'm going to carry all that I can't wear super high heels or things that move around a lot. It limits my wardrobe but I'd much rather be comfortable!