I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase ‘nice to meet you,’ repeated on my first day. My name is Monique Massiah and I am Rocky View County’s new community reporter.
My first day on the job could be called a bit hectic. I was so excited to get to work and start taking photos, that I kept glancing at the front page, imagining what kinds of neat images I could cover in Rocky View County.
I came in a bit early and lugged my big camera into the office. You know that quirky feeling you get when you know absolutely nothing and you’re thrown into the middle of things? Well, that’s how I felt for the first hour that morning as everyone knew who I was but in return I struggled to remember three out of 10 new names. I got a quick tour around the office and shook a few hands and then we were off.
It’s always difficult moving to a new community or taking up a new job in a different space but, despite a few jitters, I got back into the swing of things pretty quickly.
I’m originally from Calgary, but for the past four years I have lived in rural Saskatchewan in a community called Maple Creek.
It’s a small ranching town of 2,500 people living in the south of the province nestled within the Cypress Hills region. Summer in the hills is filled with rodeo season, barbecues and Roughriders football games. Winter gifts the town with an unlimited amount of curling nights, visits to the hockey rink for shinny, and cross-country skiing through the forest.
After my first day at the Rocky View Weekly, I got a dozen calls from my old friends back in Saskatchewan. They all peppered me about my first day back in Alberta and working in a city. They also challenged me on the merits of Alberta’s football teams and then shamed me for daring to leave.
I’ve already had the chance to jump in the car and visit Beiseker’s municipal council. Talking to everyone at the office was like being back home in Maple Creek with their friendly small town feel. It was kind of funny to see the old Alberta-Saskatchewan rivalry is alive and well. I admit I was a little dog about being Saskatchewan green.
Getting out and exploring Rocky View County is now my top priority. Coming to the new office in Airdrie, I’ll have to get used to not having a coffee on the patio at work in the morning, but then again I won’t have to worry about cougars or coyotes prowling around as the first rays of the sun hit the concrete outside of the news office either.
I’m sorry in advance for saying this, but I’m a winter and hockey season kind of person.
As we speak I’m counting the days until the first snowflake falls and summer time is long gone.
Growing up in the City of Calgary about 30 years ago, I remember when people used to hop in the car and take a quick Sunday drive over to Airdrie.
Although I’ve missed a bit of the summer season I can’t wait to jump in my car and explore my new back yard in Rocky View County. I love rodeo season and travelling to every small-town rodeo on the circuit.
Hopefully it won’t be too cold this winter to get out and see minor hockey talent.
For these first few weeks I hope to visit every small community in Rocky View County to simply discover the place and introduce myself. If you see me on the street feel free to shake my hand and tell me about your day. I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase ‘nice to meet you,’ repeated on my first day. My name is Monique Massiah and I am Rocky View County’s new community reporter.
My first day on the job at the could be called a bit hectic. I was so excited to get to work and start taking photos, that I kept glancing at the front page, imagining what kinds of neat images I could cover in Rocky View County.
I came in a bit early and lugged my big camera into the office. You know that quirky feeling you get when you know absolutely nothing and you’re thrown into the middle of things? Well, that’s how I felt for the first hour that morning as everyone knew who I was but in return I struggled to remember three out of 10 new names. I got a quick tour around the office and shook a few hands and then we were off.
It’s always difficult moving to a new community or taking up a new job in a different space but, despite a few jitters, I got back into the swing of things pretty quickly.
I’m originally from Calgary, but for the past four years I have lived in rural Saskatchewan in a community called Maple Creek. It’s a small ranching town of 2,500 people living in the south of the province nestled within the Cypress Hills region. Summer in the hills is filled with rodeo season, barbecues and Roughriders football games. Winter gifts the town with an unlimited amount of curling nights, visits to the hockey rink for shinny, and cross-country skiing through the forest.
After my first day at the Rocky View Weekly, I got a dozen calls from my old friends back in Saskatchewan. They all peppered me about my first day back in Alberta and working in a city. They also challenged me on the merits of Alberta’s football teams and then shamed me for daring to leave.
I’ve already had the chance to jump in the car and visit Beiseker’s municipal council. Talking to everyone at the office was like being back home in Maple Creek with their friendly small town feel. It was kind of funny to see the old Alberta-Saskatchewan rivalry is alive and well there as well as I got a little dog about being Saskatchewan green.
Getting out and exploring Rocky View County is now my top priority. Coming to the new office in Airdrie, I’ll have to get used to not having a coffee on the patio at work in the morning, but then again I won’t have to worry about cougars or coyotes prowling around as the first rays of the sun hit the concrete outside of the news office either.
I’m sorry in advance for saying this, but I’m a winter and hockey season kind of person. As we speak I’m counting the days until the first snowflake falls and summer time is long gone.
Growing up in the City of Calgary about 30 years ago, I remember when people used to hop in the car and take a quick Sunday drive over the Airdrie.
Although I’ve missed a bit of the summer season I can’t wait to jump in my car and explore my new back yard in Rocky View County. I love rodeo season and travelling to every small-town rodeo on the circuit. Hopefully it won’t be too cold this winter to get out and see minor hockey season.
For these first few weeks I hope to visit every small community in Rocky View County simply discover the place and introduce myself. If you see me on the street feel free to shake my hand and tell me about your day.
