Jackson Free Press

Today is my last day here at the Free Press. Tomorrow I have to go back to Oxford for my final year at Ole Miss. I've been in the office today fact-checking and revising, and I've also been wondering around the rooms remembering what I've been doing here for the past three months. There's the classroom where the interns had our classes with Donna and is also headquarters of the CCU (Cold Case Unit to you - t-shirts are forthcoming!). There's the Fly room where I would bug Stephanie while she was putting together purses and scarves for a new fashion spread. It's also where Lisa and I got ready for our brush with fame in the fashion shoot (My mom actually asked Donna to get her a blow-up of the Jackpedia issue with me on the cover, and I was dying of embarrassment because isn't it a little narcissistic to have a three foot tall picture of yourself in your house?). The editorial room where I spent ninety percent of my JFP life transcribing interviews, proof-reading, making edits and cold-calling strangers for this and that. It's also where I sang songs from Dr. Horrible to Maggie, Sage and Vince (they may have actually blocked this part out) and where I got to chat with other interns about Jackpedia and the Freedom Rides and what movies were coming out that weekend. The over-flow hallway which, while quieter, was a good place to get work done and get to see what's going on in the other parts of the office (Oh, my God, we have a kitchen?).

I'm having a hard time believing that I won't see these people for a long time, some of them maybe never again, and I just wanted to say how grateful I am to everybody here that taught me and became my friend. And I'm grateful to everybody who reads the paper and the website for letting me tell you stories all summer. Goodbye (for now). We'll see each other again one day.

Previous Comments

ID

133461

Comment

We miss you already! Come back soon!

Author

sage

Date

2008-08-22T13:38:37-06:00

ID

133482

Comment

My eyes are a wee misty :( Lauren, we will TRULY miss you! don't be a stranger. (And who says you can't have a fierce 3-foot poster of yourself hanging in your home? Own it!)

Author

maggie

Date

2008-08-22T15:48:03-06:00

ID

133616

Comment

Lauren, I truly enjoyed the honesty and wit in each of your blog entries. In your honor, Lauren: [img]http://rlv.zazzle.com/cold_case_unit_shirt-p2357061416810994932fx6_325.jpg[/img]

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-26T11:17:18-06:00