As I near my 30th birthday, I can't help but think of how I've spent my 30 years on this planet. I was a chunky baby, covered in rolls. I went to elementary school and played all sorts of sports. I spent my high school days in the music department every chance I got. College aged Megan was introduced to the world of radio.
Although I was born in 1991, I have always had a love and connection to anything 1980s. One of my favorite movies? Top Gun. My favorite singer? Paula Abdul. Favorite art supply? Puffy paint. I've always got the Sirius XM 80s on 8 channel on. I should have been an 80s baby.
One thing has stayed true though. I'm always 100% me. Who is Megan you might ask? I figured I'd use this blog as a way to tell you all about my last 30 years.
I was born at 4:10 AM on the hot and humid Tuesday August 6, 1991. I was my parents first child, the third grandchild for my mom's parents. I was born at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, New Jersey. A few days later, my parents brought me home to our apartment in South Orange.
Baby Megan, 1991
After my mom's maternity leave was up, she went back to work and I went to my grandma's house everyday. Grandma and I spent time doing all sorts of activities. She would take me to the zoo, the library, and on many walks. Being the only grandchild that she cared for at the time, we had quite a bond. A few years later, I welcomed two playmates into the club, my baby bother Daniel and my cousin Allison.
The three of us were quite the troublemakers. Being the oldest, much of the trouble was due to my ideas, but the three of us were the best of friends. Being the ring leader of the pack, often anything I did, the two of them wanted to do too. But I was also lucky enough to do "big kid"stuff that they couldn't.
Megan, age 3
By the time I was heading to preschool, I was ready and excited to take on the world. However, I didn't know that meant that I had to leave my mom and dad. I cried everyday at school and often times, my mom would have to sneak out the door after I was busy with an activity. My days spent at Aquinas Academy were filled with memories from being an alter server, performing in the winter Christmas concert, learning to be a Girl Scout, and so much more.
By the summer of 2003, my mom and dad had divorced and we were on the move. We sold our home in Livingston, and headed off to Morris County's, Long Valley. We moved in late August and were introduced to the school system a few days prior to its opening. Making the transition from parochial school to public school was a huge eye opener.
Life at Long Valley Middle School was not easy. I was teased and picked on mercilessly. I had no friends. I hated everything about my new town and my new school. It wasn't until the tail end of seventh grade that I met my two friends, Susannah Greaves and Corinne Morcom. They were the very first people who were nice to me and we became inseparable.
Seventh Grade, 2003-2004
I was lucky enough to attend high school at West Morris Central. The Wolfpack is one giant family. While times have changed, I still take pride in my alma mater. I took so many different classes while I was a student. I became versed in the language of German, I sang in the chorus, I even realized my goal of becoming a cheerleader.
West Morris Central was also a challenging place to be. I took rigorous classes and probably cried in the hallway more times than I can count. However, if I'm ever in New Jersey on a fall Friday night, you can catch me singing the fight song at a Wolfpack football game.
High School graduation, June 2009
After graduation, I headed off to Rochester, New York to join the ranks of the Nazareth College Class of 2013. To say I was miserable would be an understatement. I hated life at the school. I stopped eating and became extremely homesick. My parents came to visit me almost every weekend. I knew I wouldn't last four years at the school so I looked into transferring.
When I stepped on the campus of Mitchell College for the first time, I knew I had found my place. The crisp New England air brought me so much joy. I truly figured out who I was supposed to be. I fell in love with the art of journalism and became so invested in internship opportunities and learning as much as I could about the realm of communications.
I graduated in May of 2013 with my BS in Communications. Not wanting to be outdone, I started grad school in January 2014 and earned my MA the following December from Sacred Heart University. I knew I wanted nothing more than to get into journalism and that's exactly what I did.
Sacred Heart Commencement, May 2015
I started interviewing for jobs as soon as I graduated with my MA and I was fortunate enough to land my very first journalism job with a local newspaper. I worked my butt off night after night, covering as much local news as I could. It began to take it's toll on me and I knew I needed a change.
I began the conquest of becoming a freelance writer. I wanted the ability to work for as many different publications as possible. I did just that and became so inspired by my work and drive. Suddenly I was thrust into the life of being the best journalist I could be. I knew I wanted to move up in the field but I never thought it would come to me the way that it did.
In 2018, I met with another client to add to my freelance writer list. However, this wasn't just any meeting. The particular company wanted me to become their editor. I was scared to jump into a job that I knew nothing about, but I took the leap of faith. To this day, I'm the editor in chief of My Life Publications. It's nothing short of wonderful.
My first journalism award, November 2019
I'm an award winning journalist with a passion for what I do that can't be reckoned with. I'm a hard worker, with a fierce drive that pushes me constantly. I'm a good friend who has everyone's back. I'm still a kid at heart that loves her passions with a vigor that can't be shaken. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the last 30 years have been an incredible ride. I can't wait to see what the next 30 have in store.
Happy Birthday beautiful girl. I'm proud of you.
Signing off,
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