I’m no stranger to the blogosphere. I’ve contributed to several here and there over the last few years mainly because they were my friends’ and it would be good writing experience, and partly because it occupied my time. To some, blogging is a completely strange and new medium, which they have yet to grasp or simply read and enjoy. To me, a girl who has had Internet access since the fourth grade, blogging is practically second nature and an important outlet for expressing thoughts and information.

You may be wondering, “Well who is this Jana girl, anyway?” Fair enough. I’m considering this the first opportunity to introduce myself to you if we haven’t already met.

I, as the sub-head text suggests, am a true Valley native. My family still owns the house I spent all of my 22 years in and there are little to no signs of that changing any time soon. Growing up I was relatively insensitive and unaware of my surroundings, but over time my neighborhood changed. It’s still changing. I noticed it more and more each time I would return home for holidays and summers when I attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for journalism. I’m not particularly saying change is bad, because it’s not. It’s inevitable, really. Simply stated, things have changed.

As a young Valley professional who admits she is becoming reacquainted with the area, I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredibly interesting people and have ventured to new places in and around the ABE area. Since moving back here, I’ve felt rejuvenation in my attitude toward this place I call home. More so now than ever before, I feel the need to be a part of my community and support sustainable business. Trying new restaurants and shopping at the mom-and-pop shops has become increasingly appealing. Perhaps it’s because I’m older and can finally appreciate it.

This weekly blog is a glance at the Valley through my eyes. I believe I’m fortunate enough to have grown up in a loving and supportive household thus garnering manners, knowledge, and social skills I strongly believe so much of today’s youth are lacking. That’s another blog topic, though. Those skills have ultimately helped me land this job and have allowed me the opportunity to write this blog so I hope you’ll join me next week and the many weeks after that to catch a glimpse into my thoughts and the similar thoughts of that of my generation.