Truth be told, I have been suffering from writers block this extremely short week. This is probably happening because I know these articles I am currently writing are the last to be written this year and also because I took some time off early in the week for Christmas.

Looking back at the countless words I have typed, many interviews conducted and places I have gone to gather the news, is far beyond what I expected to have done this year.

Some interviews have been fun, and others sad. Some assignments, like the resent tragedy of the father shooting his family, will stay in my heart forever. I can’t believe I have only been working in this newspaper for two years. It has been a learning experience for me. This year was also the year I got promoted to general manager of the newspaper.

I was also a part of the 15th anniversary of the Matagorda Advocate. An honor I will cherish forever.

I have gone from just writing articles and working layout, to taking care of an entire operation, including its budget.

In my second year of my Inland Press Association fellowship, I have traveled to Chicago for several annual conferences and to Florida for the Key executive’s mega conference.

I have even managed to tear my meniscus on my way to a conference and learned the true meaning of friendship between the program’s fellows.

I have also excepted that no matter where I go or what I do, someone telling me “off the record” comes with being in the media. And I am OK with that. As long as you are there to share the news with me and allow me to write them, that won’t bother me. This year I have covered numerous assignments that never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever cover.

This year, like the one before, I covered many important issues in the county. I went to Austin to attend several water meetings with the LCRA, several assignments regarding the nuclear power plant, the proposed coal plant in the area, murders, crimes to fun assignments such as covering a school’s 100th day of school or a high school drama performance.

It has been very humbling to have met and known so many people who opened their heart to speak to me and welcome me into their home. For that I am very grateful.

I am so happy to have been a part of 52 issues of the Matagorda Advocate. Being a member of the Fourth Estate has allowed me to live the dream I’ve always had, and that is to be a paid writer!

So as I type my last words for this year's issue, I am going head on to 2012 and ask: What do you have in store for me? Bring it on, I am ready.