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After spending six weeks living the ultimate American dream in California, anyone would think retuning back to the rainy suburbs of England would be a complete come down. Not for me! From sunshine, surf and shopping to the sounds and scenes of the British summer, I’m Nadia Emam, reporting for ´óÏó´«Ã½ North Yorkshire!

Who would think that an anonymous phone call at 5am whilst up in the peaceful, pristine Lake Tahoe would, three weeks later, have landed me with the opportunity of fulfilling any budding journalist's dream. Honestly, it was like a yoyo effect of good things happening to me. It was the perfect way to end my amazing travels to the USA; knowing I could come back to my home county and represent it with creativity and well, just brag about how NY is clearly the place to be this summer!

It was Bristol that was first hit by the 2008 Blast bug, with the two day training course bringing together a congregation of my fellow young reporters from all over the UK. Some had left their home towns as early as 4.30am that morning to be there.

I got the luxury of staying in the hotel the night before, so fatigue wasn’t going to drag me down. Unfortunately though, this did mean I came second in the ‘who woke up the latest contest’, losing out on a mini box of Frosties.

What a cool bunch

The excitement and anxiousness of the new 'Blastees' created a refreshing atmosphere in the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Bristol centre. People seemed to be attracting each other like magnets, wanting to make new friends and share their enthusiasm for the arts. It was only a couple of days, but by the first night everyone was acting as though we had known each other forever. It just shows you have to be cool to be a part of Blast!

After a long and caffeine endorsed trip back from Bristol, I am thrilled about having the opportunity to be involved with such a brilliant scheme. The North Yorkshire reporter is here and ready for action. Bring on the summer!

Nadia Emam