Proud

"Following her pinning, 2nd Lt. Mary Jo Ford is hugged by her father David Ford (right) during the BYU Army ROTC commissioning ceremony in the Crabtree building on the campus of BYU, Thursday, April 22, 2010."

Sometimes getting to an assignment is more of a challenge than the actual shooting part.

Following my first assignment, I pulled up to my next one. But I quickly got a call from my editor with a change of plans. I needed to get over to BYU to cover a Army ROTC commissioning ceremony.

The one problem was that it was already 11 a.m., and the ceremony started at 11 a.m.

After speeding over to BYU through traffic I was already about 15 minutes late. I then tried to find parking, but with multiple graduations going on at BYU, that seemed to be an impossible task.

After moving a cone which was for "Cap and gown pickup 15-minute parking only" and parking my car for other reasons, I attempted to call the reporter multiple times.

I had no idea where I was going since the assignment was filled with convoluted information.

With no avail, I ran to the nearest building. I asked someone and they told me such-and-such building. Ran over there. Nothing. Asked again. Was told a different building. Ran there.

Well, after a handful of suggestions and locations, I was clear across campus and clear out of breathe. Oh, and an hour late.

I didn't have much time to work, so I made due with what was in front of me. Not to mention, I totally forgot to bring an extra battery. I had five percent to work with.

Alas, was happy with this moment. Why?

There is nothing like making your parents proud. It was evident that Mr. Ford was more than pleased with his daughter;s accomplishment, especially since she was following in the family's military background.