Nearly a week after the controversy, she stands by her words. And she should. Patton did not say anything different than what my mom has said to me, a Princeton grad, and my sisters (Harvard and Columbia alumnae). “You went to all these Ivy League schools, why didn’t you find a man?” she would ask. Forget the B.A, M.S., M.Ph. and JD…my mom wanted her daughters to get their Mrs!

Patton and my mom have a point. I am not getting any younger, any beauty I may have will just continue to fade and child bearing will only become more difficult. Also the older you get, the smaller the pool of eligible bachelors.

Post college, it was excruciatingly difficult to find a man who was equally intelligent and ambitious. And I was not looking for a man who went to Princeton or one that even had an advanced degree. I was looking for a man who could put a sentence together or name the vice president (you would be surprised how many cannot).

At Princeton, I was surrounded by men who were intelligent, had traveled the world and will become leaders in whatever field they choose. Some of those men became my dear, lifelong friends. There were times in my mid 20s when I would ask myself, “why didn’t I date and marry one of my Princeton guy friends and live happily ever after?”

The reason: I was not ready.

Eight years out of college, I am much happier with the woman I am today than the girl I was at Princeton. You have to be happy with yourself before you can be happy with another person. How many 22-year-olds are completely content with who they are and how their lives are going? In college, I was not Type A, I was Type A+. I stressed about every imperfection in my life. I whined and complained when things did not go my way, constantly anxious about grad school applications and wearing the right clothes. It has taken me years to realize all that worrying and stress was a waste of time.

Like Patton says, Princeton women are capable of figuring out the career stuff. The man/husband stuff is much harder for some of us. Including myself. It took years of networking events, happy hours and even online dating before I finally found a good guy. One who is smart, kind, can write a sentence, loves to read books, try new foods and travel. Would it have been easier if we met and fell in love in college? Maybe. One thing Patton forgot to mention is nothing good in life comes easily.

So to the Princeton women I call my sisters and the daughters I may, or may not, have, there are great guys at Princeton. But your prince may not be a Princetonian. Maybe he will be. Just embrace college; the friends you make, classes that challenge you, and the amazing lives ahead of you. Everything else (maybe even a relationship) will fall into place.

I came to Providence as the first one-man-band reporter hired in the market. I shot and edited two stories daily in addition to delivering live shots. I was a “trailblazer,” (that’s the word people would use when I started to get frustrated with the overwhelming tasks).

Less than two years later, I was promoted to weekend anchor. A job I LOVED. It was great to report during the week AND anchor. It was even better when anchors took time off because then I got to sit in the big chair during times when most people watch the news (does anyone other than news people watch weekend news?)

In four years, I traveled to Virgina to cover devastating tornadoes, went to Super Bowl XLVI to cover the Patriots (while shooting and editing 20 packages by my self in one week…not to mention the early morning and late night live shots), and covered Mitt Romney on election night. I loved the opportunities WPRI gave me, but it was time to move on. Though I made Rhode Island my home, I still had the itch to be in a bigger city, or one day, make it to my hometown of Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love did not come calling this time around, but New Haven did. And it seemed like a good opportunity: bigger city closer to friends and family. Though it was hard to get off the anchor desk at 11:30 Sunday, December 30, 2012, I did it. Took the leap, and hope that this new chapter in my career will take me right where I am supposed to be.

It has been a busy first week and here is a look at some of the things I’ve worked on. I’ll continue to blog and update my readers (Mom, Dad) on my progress.

Snow Day good for Ski Mountains

One Million in Food Donation to Connecticut Food Bank

Chief named for embattled East Haven Police

Stratford School named for Sandy Hook Teacher

What to do with the Sandy Hook School Building?
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/fairfield_cty/newtown-holds-public-meeting-over-fate-of-sandy-hook-school#.UPie_GeOF60

View Our Events Calendar Check out what’s happening this week.

On-Air Style

WRPI reporter Nneka Nwosu shows off her fashion sense

Nneka Nwosu Reporter/Anchor at WPRI-TV Photo by Corey Grayhorse

Nneka Nwosu
Reporter/Anchor at WPRI-TV Photo by Corey Grayhorse

http://providenceonline.com/stories/Nneka-Nwosu-WPRI-style-profile-Providence-Monthly,1915

Michael Heiman/Getty Images

There’s nothing quite like Super Bowl media day…blinding lights, overeager journalists and throngs of sexy presenters yearning for a chance with the stars.

From Molly Qerim and ESPN beauty Jenn Brown to former Miss Nevada USA 2008 Veronica Grabowski and Rebeca Rubio, sexy women have become a crucial part of the pre-Super Bowl festivities.

The NFL and their fans are quite appreciative.

Let’s take a look at who is ready to cause a stir at this year’s media day.

Things could get dicey.

Lauren Lowrey

A hard worker and beautiful, the ultimate catch.

She’s likely updating her Facebook status right now.

Image via Lauren Lowrey

Lyndsay Petruny

A reporter for essentially everything New England Patriots, Lyndsay Petruny may not seem excited about her entrance into the Indianapolis locker room, but you can be sure her fans are ecstatic.

There’s a confused smile in there somewhere.

Image via @LPetruny

Maria Menounos

Deion Sanders may have found the perfect rebound to estranged wife Pilar.

Sexy presenter Maria Menounos seems quite eager to make his acquaintance.

Image via @NYPost_Hubbuch

Marisol Gonzalez

She may have first garnered attention for competing in the Miss Universe 2003 pageant, but Mexican stunner Marisol Gonzalez is causing jaws to drop in Indianapolis with her breathtaking wardrobe.

Heads have been turning since her arrival.

Image via Busted Coverage

Nneka Nwosu

She may not be a household name just yet, but Princeton grad Nneka Nwosu has the passionate smile to attract any audience.

Most fans will certainly remember her name following Super Bowl XLVI.

Image via @NnekaNwosu

Lindsay Soto

A host and reporter for the NFL Network, Lindsay Soto is no stranger to the gridiron.

Nor is she experiencing eager paparazzi for the first time.

Image via @WorldofIsaac

Ciara

Oh, you can bet Ciara is at Super Bowl media day, ready to search for her favorite stars.

On second thought, they’ll be searching for her.

Image via @NYPost_Hubbuch

Ines Sainz

This just in…Ines Sainz still loves the spotlight.

Apparently the Azteca Deportes journalist wasn’t scared away from the gridiron following her run-in with the New York Jets, considering she’s fully ready for media day.

However, she’s adjusted her wardrobe a bit.

Image via Marty Caswell

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1046700-the-lovliest-ladies-of-super-bowl-media-day/page/6

I was not just a sprinter on the track, but a sprinter in life. I am very fortunate that for the most part, everything in life has come quickly to me. Natural athletic ability made me good at just about every sport I tried, school was a breeze and I was able to get into the best college in the country (shout out to Princeton University).

Before you think, “this girl is so full of herself,” and quickly click away, I must add that not everything has come easily. Learning foreign languages was always a struggle for me. Even grasping my parents’ native language from Nigeria was a challenge. Sure I can understand when they speak and when I am spoken to, but ask me to construct a sentence and forget it! Spanish is another language fue muy difficile (is that correct)? I got my first C on a paper in a high school Spanish class. At first, I could not understand why. I made flash cards and memorized vocabulary, so why didn’t I get an A? The reason is learning a foreign language takes more than just memorization and quick retention for a test. It takes practice and persistence. This was a hard concept for me to grasp as a teenager, even as a young adult.

So, I quit Spanish senior year of high school and had to take Spanish 101 in college. I used the same memorize-for-the-test approach and was able to get by. Apparently, I thought I was good enough to take my Spanish skills to study abroad in Spain. I was not. I realized after six years of Spanish classes, I could barely speak the language! But in Spain, I was forced to speak Spanish 24/7. During the summer abroad, I slowly picked up the language. Everyday, I got a little better, then a little better, then a little better. A slow pace, not a sprint.

Fast forward eight years later, and I am still learning to pace myself. The half marathon was a good example of that. Instead of running a lot right before the race, I spread out my training over three months, making sure to incorporate short and long runs and get used to running in the heat. (Note to self: next time, I should also practice running in the rain because there was a torrential downpour the day of the race). Still, no matter how much you train, practice, prepare, and pace yourself, you never know what obstacles you will face. But, if you really give yourself time to learn and grow, you can handle whatever challenges life throws at you. I once read somewhere that luck is when opportunity meets preparation. And preparation, I have learned, takes time.

Life really is like a marathon, and not a sprint. I just celebrated a birthday and promised myself that during this year, I will remind myself that just because I am a natural sprinter both on the track and in life, it is OK to pace myself.

It has been five years since I graduated from Columbia. I got my master’s in one year, so I really did not spend that much time there. However that one year, or ten months to be exact, was a significant part of my life. I did not realize this until I went back for my reunion. Reconnecting with my professors, classmates, and meeting current students reminded me of how much I love the profession and the people who work so hard to inform the public. I loved every minute I spent at Columbia and feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful institution. So, thank you, Joseph Pulitzer, for everything you did for me and the journalism profession. And with that, I leave you with this quote from Mr. Pulitzer himself:

“Our republic and it’s press will rise or fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself. The power to mold the future of the republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations,” – Joseph Pulitzer

Benjamin Franklin’s timeless words. I have always found him to be inspiring: “a penny saved is a penny earned,” “an investment in knowledge pays the most interest.” Great reminders that perseverance and patience have their rewards.

I needed those reminders this week. However, it is difficult to remember to stay focused and keep striving when it seems everyone around you is making personal and professional strides while you remain in the same place. This week, I learned of a friend who just got a national on-air job, another with an interview for the job of a lifetime, and another with a great relationship with a man that only seems to get even better every single day. I trully am happy for them and was genuinely excited when I heard their good news. Any of my friends will tell you, I am always their biggest cheerleader, biggest believer, biggest supporter.

And though cheerleaders are always smiling and perky, it is exhausting to keep it up. Sometimes, I want to  leave the sidelines, run in the middle of the field and have everyone cheer for my touchdowns of professional and personal success. Why can’t I be the one doing the Dougie in the end zone while the audience claps with sheer glee? I wonder if this is how NBA or NFL cheerleaders feel…

Things may not happen when I or you want them, but Ben Franklin was right. Diligence is the mother of good luck. No one gets anything just from luck…that luck comes after years of sacrifice, hard work, and believing in oneself. Today, I am diligent. One day, I will have my good luck and will no longer be sitting on the sidelines.

Story link: wpri.com

Story link: wpri.com