By Vanessa Balintec

After a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Brampton (longer than it should have been – I made a few mistakes along the way) my mom grandma and I all piled out of our cars. The scenery filled with trees and lakes was a comfort during the ride but once my grandma rushed to the washroom and my mom started unpacking my luggage it finally sunk in that the trees and the lakes would be my new regular view.

“Are you sure you’re ready to be alone?” my mom asked sitting on my new single bed. Coming from a big family filled with screaming kids and cousins she thought I’d be wanting to come back home the minute she left.

“Of course I am.”

My name is Vanessa Balintec and after this summer I’ll be entering my third year of journalism at Ryerson University. I love everything involving literature and journalism and if you ever catch me outside it’ll be when I’m trying out a new exercise or going for a hike. And even though I’m looking forward to my own space I actually will miss home (that’s for you Mom and Dad).

Working for the Haliburton Echo and Minden Times is a perfect opportunity for me to explore my passion for travelling and meeting new people. All my life I’ve lived in big cities close to Toronto surrounded by loud cars and tall buildings. If I got lucky sometimes I’d be able to look up into the sky and pick out a few stars through the light pollution and clouds. This summer I’m looking forward to becoming a member of this community making a big breakthrough in my career and finally being able to spot more stars.

I’m excited to immerse myself in the community grow as a writer and bring new stories and ideas to the Echo and Minden Times. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity and I can’t wait for what this summer has in store.

If you’re sitting on a great story idea or just looking for a new friend feel free to shoot me an email at vanessa@haliburtonpress.com.