having my cupcake and eating it, too

Well, I'm back at work in full swing, with two shoots under my belt already.  And as many of you read on Facebook, I thought I may have lost my touch... But unbeknownst to me, reporting is like riding a tandem bike; as long as your cameraman is on board and willing to help you steer, you won't fall off.


I am already feeling so much better about being back at work, because I really do have the coolest job.  I met some incredible people yesterday, and have several more lined up for the rest of the week.  Monday's show will include my story about Mary-Lu Zahalan, a Juno-nominated singer/songwriter who is not only the head of Sheridan's performance program, but earned herself the very first masters degree in the Beatles (note: my first reaction when Connie told me about the story was, "why is a story about a degree in beetles interesting?" to which Connie replied, "No, THE Beatles").  We ventured across Sheridan's Oakville campus (a LOT bigger than you'd think) and met Mary-Lu and her quirky performance class, two of the students belting out a mash-up of Britney's "Boys" and Gaga's "Boys, Boys, Boys".  Mary-Lu is a music teacher that everyone should have - beautiful, worldly and smart as hell with a cool rocker edge. 


Tuesday's show will include my story about a little Vegan cafe in Burlington called Kind Food.  Ken and Kelly Childs (their name says it all... they're just about the cutest couple you'll ever see) own this gluten-free bakery/vegan cafe/foods and juice bar, and their story is really incredible.  The most shocking thing I learned is that Ken, now a full-out vegan, used to own a STEAKHOUSE!!  He credits Kelly with "saving" him (sounds dramatic, but when you put those lifestyles side-by-side, it's beyond true), and says he's never felt better or been happier in his life.  I became a vegetarian almost a year ago, and after meeting the Childs', would definitely consider trying a Vegan lifestyle.  I tried some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted, including a raspberry-chocolate cupcake that I would have SWORN was full of sugar - you'd literally never know it was actually good for you.  And I did my stand-up in one take (make sure you watch that one 'cause I take a huge bite out of the cupcake and get it all over myself - classic)... I had the urge to shout out, "I'm BACK baby!!", but without my Friends trivia girls around, it wouldn't have made much sense.


Today is Mateo's birthday, and while it hurt me to leave this morning, I made time this afternoon to go home for a quick lunch to see him.  I think I'm going to get this balancing thing under control, and I'll be able to enjoy both parts of my life.  A good friend wrote me an email recently, that said:

"In going back [to work] you are showing Mateo that you are a whole person and that while he is the most important part of your world, your work is also part of you.  You are giving him an excellent role model in how to balance your life with work and family.  When Mateo is ready for a girlfriend he’ll choose a girl who is strong, smart, compassionate, generous and beautiful inside and out…just like his Mom."

I can't tell you how good that made me feel... and it's almost as though a switch turned on for me.  I can do this.  I can be a journalist, and I can be Mommy.  And I can do both well.