To say I love living in Cerritos would be an understatement. I've lived here since I was three and wouldn't mind calling it home for the rest of my life.
I am a product of the ABC School District, starting in 2nd grade at Palms Elementary, then jumping over to the G.A.T.E. program at Leal Elementary, moving on to Tetzlaff Middle School and finally graduating from Artesia High. After having my daughter I went to Long Beach City College and transferred to the University of Southern California where I received a B.A. in Communication.
Looking back at my childhood, I think the writing was on the wall that I'd end up with a career as a storyteller. When I was a child my parents had to force me to stop reading and go to bed. So that's when I'd whip out my handy dandy emergency flashlight and read my book under the covers. I've always been mesmerized by the power of the written word, appreciated the impact of one's voice, and been enamored by the beauty of images and life captured on film.
While too busy dreaming of becoming a T.V. reporter in college, I made the dumb mistake of thinking all I had to do to was get my degree and jobs would fall in my lap like leaves in November. But reality checked in when all the jobs I wanted required a degree AND a resume reel -- something I didn't have. So that's when I hit the ground running and began reporting at several local city stations throughout L.A. County. For more than two years I did it for free, spending my weekends in a small dark edit bay, editing my own sports and news packages. I honestly had no clue what I was doing, but slowly osmosis swept in and I started to get it and frankly, I was addicted to it.
I knew that if I wanted to make it into the TV big leagues, I'd have to move to a small town and start from scratch but instead I decided to stay local and picked up paying gigs as a freelance anchor/reporter at a few local stations in my area. I didn't get rich doing it, much to my parents' dismay, but I was doing what I loved and it never felt like work. And though I enjoyed the freedom of freelancing, I knew I eventually had to grow up and find "a real job."
So in 2007, I accepted a position as the overnight police beat reporter for City News Service -- the largest regional newswire service in the country. I worked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mon-Fri in the LAPD Parker Center newsroom they say was haunted. And in that dark and dirty newsroom that was always filled with inexplicable noises, I spent more than two years plugging away and breaking news throughout L.A., Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. I hated the hours, I'm not going to lie, but the job and my editors Jacques and Calvin taught me more about journalism than five years of college courses ever could.
During my time at CNS, I broke some of the most notable stories in the Southland, including the slaying of the first LAPD SWAT officer, the big rig tunnel explosion on the I-5, and the late night suicide of murder suspect Kazuyoshi Miura inside the Parker Center jail. But lest I forget the best thing about the job ... the 20 pounds I lost living like a vampire. Yep, and when people asked what was my secret, I simply told them to work the graveyard shift full-time. It's seriously the best diet. Ever.
After getting married in the summer of 2009, I decided to reacquaint myself with the living and stepped away from my post at CNS. Over the next six months, I discovered a passion being behind the lens, specifically as a portrait and wedding photographer. My husband Tommy is my second shooter and together we spend our free time capturing the most joyful moments in people's lives through our business as MarieSam Sanchez Photography.
When I'm not busy working and decide to come up for air, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our daughter, watching sports -- Go Lakers, Go Trojans -- and traveling to different corners of the earth. If I had it my way, I'd spend the rest of my life making videos like this: Where The Hell is Matt? and taking a billion pictures along the way.
In a gist, I'm a simple gal with a love for people and new experiences and if there's one thing I need in life, it's the tight knit circle I call my family. Oh and the internet, because I'm totally addicted to checking my email.
So whether I'm sitting at a computer working on the latest Patch article, in front of the camera or behind one, I love the ability to tell a story through my voice, pictures or words. Communication is my life and I feel lucky to have found a line of work doing what I love to do.
<b>Your Beliefs</b><br>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
<b>Politics: </b>I vote for whoever is right.
<b>Religion: </b> I believe in God, I always have and I'm grateful each day for all the blessings in my life.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>: Public Safety. Maintaining high academic standards throughout the school district. Home maintenance and property values.
Individuals should "start early and create the habit and discipline of investing on a regular basis," says Edward Jones financial advisor Tho N. Ngo.
Don't forget to pick up your sweetheart that lovely bouquet! Luckily Cerritos and Artesia have plenty of florists to choose from.
The organization invites the public to attend a night of fun and fundraising at the 20th annual Monte Carlo night on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Artesia D.E.S. Hall in Artesia.
Just one lunch truck in the neighborhood this week, but it packs enough deliciousness to bring you lunchtime bliss.
After being married for nearly 64 years, Raul and Ida Avila sit down with Patch and reflect on their keys to sharing a love that lasts a lifetime.
The 48-year-old songstress was found dead in a room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday afternoon.
Love your sweetheart? What better way to show it than with a little Valentine's Day love on Patch?
The Cerritos Sheriff's Station reminds residents to conduct the “exit check” by looking at all doors and windows before you leave the residence. Close them and lock them.
A two-car accident left portions of the intersection blocked for more than 30 minutes Saturday night; a pregnant woman was transported from the scene.
It's your price at the pump heading into the weekend of Feb. 10-12.
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) introduced House Resolution 525 to declare the week of Feb. 6 – 10 “National School Counseling Week.”
Lisa Corona of Cerritos was arrested Thursday along with two others for helping generate fraudulent bills for a non-profit organization in Carson that aids victims of domestic violence.
Lidia Ramirez, who was driving on the wrong side of Artesia Boulevard in Cerritos when she crashed head-on into a pickup truck, could face thousands in fines and jail time for her second DUI offense.
Kohl's in Cerritos will be awarding $50 giftcards to two local youth volunteers; those winners are eligible to win regional and national scholarships of up to $10,000.
Filipino fusion, ice cream sandwiches and yummy fried potatoes. Here's what you can expect at the weekly Food Truck Rally at Cerritos High School for the evening of Thursday, Feb. 9.
The organization's first bowling fundraiser was held at AMF Cerritos Lanes on Saturday, Feb. 4.
Do you or someone you know have what it takes to earn the title of Miss Cerritos?
The Dons believe that Darin Owens, who was one of 55 applicants up for the head coaching position, will help put the school's flailing football program back on the right track.
Best flowers? Best prices? Best creative arrangements? Tell us where your favorite flower shop is in the Cerritos-Artesia area.
Stumped on what to get that special someone in your life for Valentine's Day? Let this handy guide from the Los Cerritos Center help you say ... I Love You.
