Happy New Year!!

I hope you all have a safe and happy new year...and I hope that 2007 is the best year yet!

My top 10 things of 2006...aside from the givens: friends, family, health

10) The Green Machine (newly discovered today)
9) Grey's Anatomy dinner night with girly friends, my boyfriend and sometimes Greg
8) Soo's Korean Restaurant, the kalbitang is my favorite
7) Guitar Hero II (I totally kick ass...on medium)
6) YouTube
5) Blogger
4) my new laptop
3) Being in GO magazine this year, and then going to the GO party where my boyfriend stole my thunder
2) Going surfing in Hawaii and not falling off the board
1) A new found sense of peace, don't know why it's happening...

my space. i guess.

So, I gave in and started a myspace page.

Why?

That's a good question.

So many of my friends started one, and you have to have one to check out their pages.

I was a little worried at first since we've done so many weird stories about myspace...nonetheless, I gave in.

Call me a hypocrite.

It's okay.

http://www.myspace.com/themichellesherwood

Merry Christmas or something

Someone wants to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Abduction, The Megumi Yokota Story

This has won just about every documentary award out there this year, and it sounds like it will be the one to see:

This is the story of a 13-year-old Japanese girl who never returned home from school. That was November 1977. Years later, her parents found out the truth: she had been abducted by North Korean spies!

ABDUCTION points to one of today's biggest human rights and political crises in Asia - the abduction issue, is one of the major untold stories behind Japan and North Korea's tense relations, a key factor affecting nuclear talks.

The LA Times calls it "Extraordinary! Spine-tingling!" and a work of "Narrative Mastery!"

Opens January 12, 2007 in New York City:
CINEMA VILLAGE, 22 E. 12th Street, New York, NY, (212) 924-3363

And we should hope, The Moxie???

For more info, visit: www.abductionfilm.com

MY LAST ROSIE POST (unless she apologizes)

Asian Leaders Angered by Rosie O'Donnell's 'Ching Chong' Comments
Monday , December 11, 2006
By Sara Bonisteel

NEW YORK — Note to Rosie O'Donnell: Stick to singsong.

"The View" co-host is in hot water for using the expression "ching chong" to describe Chinese people talking about Danny DeVito's drunken appearance on her show.

"The fact is that it's news all over the world. That you know, you can imagine in China it's like: 'Ching chong … ching chong. Danny DeVito, ching chong, chong, chong, chong. Drunk. 'The View.' Ching chong," O'Donnell said on a Dec. 5 episode of "The View."

The statement didn't sit well with John C. Liu, a New York City councilman, who fired off a letter to "View" co-host Barbara Walters.

"The 'ching-chong' bit is not a trivial matter," Liu told FOXNews.com. "It really hits a raw nerve for many people in the community — many like myself, who grew up with these kinds of taunts. We all know that it never ends at the taunts."

Liu isn't the only one offended.

The Asian American Journalists Association called O'Donnell's comments a "mockery" that gives "the impression that [Asian Americans] are a group that is substandard to English-speaking people."

Liu said his office has received complaints from around the New York area following the appearance. He directed his letter to Walters instead of O'Donnell because as producer of the show, he said, she ought to know better.

"It's just stupidity, and it's stupidity that justifies a response," Liu said of O'Donnell's behavior, adding the comments came "from someone who has been indignant herself when it comes to comments made by other people where she has perceived it as being negative against a particular community."

In November, O'Donnell made up with Kelly Ripa, co-host of "Live With Regis and Kelly," after accusing her of homophobia for pushing Clay Aiken's hand away from her mouth on the program.

O'Donnell remains unfazed.

"She's a comedian in addition to being a talk show co-host," Cindi Berger, O'Donnell's spokeswoman, said in a statement. "I certainly hope that one day they will be able to grasp her humor."

On Dec. 8, O'Donnell wrote in her blog "it was not my intent to mock." She clarified her position on Dec. 10, calling the bit "comedy."

"I do many accents and probably will continue to," she wrote. "My mom in law impression offends some southerners. What can u do? I come in peace."

O'Donnell is not the first comedian to raise the ire of the Asian-American community.
In 2001, Sarah Silverman told a joke on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" that had the punch line "I love Chinks."

The NBC program issued an apology to Guy Aoki, the president of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, following Silverman's appearance.

Liu is still waiting for an apology for O'Donnell's comments.

"I think an acknowledgement that it was a mistake would be very much appreciated by the community," he said.

Rosie rips on Ripa

Here's the clip on "The View" that started the scuffle.

This is why Rosie appears to be hypocritical because she is sensitive to one group of people and not the other. You can judge for yourself.

Rosie O'Donnell Makes Fun of Chinese People!

The Asian American Journalists Association has responded, saying: "We feel strongly that it is our responsibility to call attention to what we consider a mockery of the Chinese language and, in effect, a perpetration of stereotypes of Asian Americans as foreigners or second-class citizens."

Rosie's response (in basic terms, according to the NY Post): "Asians need to lighten up."

I find this personally appalling because Chinese people don't speak in a "ching chong" dialect...there is no humor in this.

As an Asian person who got this kind of crap from kids all through elementary school, I find this incredibly troubling and irresponsible for this woman to get on national television and do this...especially when she prides herself on being a gay activist.

Just a few weeks ago, she accused Kelly Ripa of being homophobic after Ripa and Clay Aiken had an uncomfortable exchange on "Live with Regis and Kelly". Aiken, who was filling-in for Regis, put his hand over Ripa's mouth as she was speaking. Ripa was obviously upset, and she responded with something like, "That's a no-no...I don't know where your hands have been..." Rosie about lost her mind on "The View" shortly after, and that's when she accused Ripa of being homophobic. In response to O'Donnell's accusation, Ripa said that she was insulted, partly Aiken would not have put his hand over a man's mouth...meaning that Aiken must not have respect for women--it's interesting to watch on YouTube, if you've got 5 extra minutes--


Otherwise, I'd like to end with this statement: Rosie O'Donnell is a disappointment. So is The View.

Work at KY3!

If you think you know a thing or two about TV news, then you might just make a good fit at Ky3! How fun would that be?! Ahem, Brad H...don't you want to come back to Springfield?

1) Anchor/Reporter - closing date Dec. 29th, 5pm. Start date: Jan. 2007

2) Weekend Anchor/Reporter- closing date Dec. 29th, 5pm. State date: as soon as practical

3) Morning producer- closing date Dec. 29th, 5pm. State date: as soon as practical


If you're interested, contact Sarah LeMoyne, Human Resources Coordinator--

KY3, Inc.
999 W. Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65807
phone: 417.268.3096
fax: 417.268.3361
email: jobs@ky3.com


KYTV is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All jobs are contingent upon passing security clearance (I'm guessing that's a drug test.) You also need a valid MO license, yada yada yada.


**You can find more info on job searches like, http://www.tvjobs.com/**

KY3's Jerry Jacob announces his resignation RE-DO

See the announcement for yourself! This is the first goodbye of many.

***I had a technical glitch and deleted the video from the original post. Blogger wouldn't let me recover it, so I had to repost...at least, me thinks that's how it went.***

Anyway, I left up the original post (without the video) so you can read the comments!

Continued gripe for the roads!!!!

They are still horrible!!!! One of my co-workers broke a bone on the ice. That's all I'm saying.

KY3's Jerry Jacob announces his resignation

See what some people in the industry are writing about him or saying to him: http://www.medialine.com/ubb/NonCGI/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000051

Jerry Jacob and Tim Tialdo are moving on from KY3

Now ready for public consumption---

Jerry says the palm up means "surrender"

What is he trying to say?

After 12 years, Jerry Jacob is leaving KY3.
He's joining the Army in hopes of becoming a field medic.
Our news director made the announcement this afternoon.
Jerry will say goodbye on January 5th.

If you want to wish him well, you can e-mail him at:

jjacob@ky3.com

*******************************************************

Tim Tialdo, KY3 Weekend Anchor

Tim Tialdo is also well on his way out the door.
He will leave at the end of December to pursue other interests in the market.
He will be the new face of the Ozarks CW!

So he'll still be around, just not like he is now...

To send him well wishes, email him at:
ttialdo@ky3.com

That's half of our men who are on-air!

Gripes about the icy roads!

Okay, the roads are ridiculous. I live on a well-traveled sideroad (huh?) in Springfield...but it is completely frozen. My car slid as I came home from work last night...and I was only driving 5 miles an hour. My neighbor ran into a light pole on our block! Maybe someone can help me out...should someone (ahem, the city) attempt to clean up other roads besides the main drags? Talk amongst yourselves.

Ozarks man acts as Santa's helper

This is the story of a man named Dave Bowmaster. With the help of organizations like the Salvation Army and Crosslines, he makes dozens (this year about 220) of wooden toys and sends them to less fortunate kids across the world. You could say it's his holiday tradition--he's been doing it since 1994. Since then, a lot of people have volunteered to help paint the toys, but he's starting to think he needs to recruit a "younger" person to do the woodworking. Know any 30-somethings who may want to help out? Up close, the wooden toys are pretty cool. They're durable and timeless...I really felt like I was in Santa's workshop. Dave works at Anpac in Springfield, so if you would like to help him, look him up!

Missouri roads are covered with snow and ice

The roads are so bad in Missouri right now because of the recent winter storm. I-44 was gridlocked in two areas on Saturday--some people were stuck in traffic overnight from late Friday to Saturday afternoon. It was insane! Black ice is definitely a problem on the side roads...I fell flat on my back this morning. It hurt, and I thought I broke my wrist. Anyway, you might want to check the road conditions before you go out. I think the main roads are okay, but just in case.

In MO: 1-800-222-6400
In AR: 1-800-245-1672

Grammar check

I am not perfect. I do not pretend to be perfect.

I'm tired of hearing, "The sheriff's department says they have no suspects." OR "The guy that saved the boy's life lives in Springfield." OR "Whenever we arrived for work, we were upset to see the snow."

Does anyone see anything wrong with these sentences? I mess up now and then, but doesn't anyone know basic grammar anymore?

10 die in fire in Anderson, MO

Right now I am sitting in a hotel in Neosho, trying to catch up on the day's events surrounding the deadly fire in Anderson. In case you don't know, 10 people in a residential care facility died after a fire broke out Monday morning. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt says authorities are treating it as a crime, though no one is willing to confirm at this point that it is, indeed a crime.

KY3 was the first TV crew to go live at the scene on Monday afternoon. The building was still smoldering, family members were still coming to the scene for information, and one by one, television crews from across the area and the country came to cover the story.

It is truly sad. I try to avoid words like "tragedy" because even if it's obvious that it is one, it's not really my place to call it that. But what human being wouldn't? 10 people, 9 of whom were residents--and likely physically or mentally challenged--couldn't survive on their own, much less in a stressful situation like an intense fire. It is sad. If you pray, please do so for the survivors, the town, and the loved ones left behind.

See you on TV in 4 hours.

update: to see all of the stories about the fire, go to http://www.ky3.com/news/4766311.html

Ozarks Marine becomes paralyzed after getting vaccinated

Here's the story of a young Ozarks man who grabbed my attention. His name is Josef Lopez, and he's just 20-years-old. Just about a week before leaving for Iraq, he got a small pox vaccination. These are not mandatory by the military, but apparently, they're advised. His reaction to the vaccine is so rare, that doctors at a naval hospital told him they had only seen three other cases like his in the past decade...and to top that, the CDC reports that out of every million people, less than 55 will have a serious reaction to the vaccine. Here's his story:

Chinese Adoption on Thanksgiving REDO

This is a story that aired on KY3. It is about a couple who brought home their little girl from China the night before Thanksgiving. The proud new parents are Tracy and Ann Nix...the little girl is Hanna Marie. It is always so great to see how families become families! Enjoy!

Chinese Adoption on Thanksgiving

Okay, let's try this again. See if you can watch the story now...it's reposted above.

Thankful

So, today I went to the doctor because I've been really jittery. I thought maybe I was showing signs of early diabetes or something because it's been happening when I eat. Plus, I think diabetes runs in my biological family--not really sure, the translation was sketchy. My doctor said it was probably stress and lack of sleep. I am thankful...because that is easily solvable.

Here's a thought this Thanksgiving...this is a list compiled by the Willard School District.

The top 10 things that make students thankful this year, are:

#10 air and water
#9 a clean chair
#8 janitors
#7 broccoli salad
#6 My prisbole (that is kidspeak for Principal)
#5 food
#4 remote controls
#3 pets
#2 our teachers
#1 Mom and Dad

*Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent of Schools
Willard, MO

Adoption Talk!

The International Adoptive Families of SWMO has asked me to share some of my personal stories concerning my adoption. They asked me to talk about my visits to South Korea and my meetings with my birth family. I encourage adoptive families to go--not for me--but to meet other adoptive families.

We're meeting tonight (Sat. Nov. 18) at 6:30pm at the Pathways Methodist Church on Dale Street in Springfield, MO. (Formerly the Dale Street Church)

The above picture is me. Notice I didn't have a name, but a number. A social worker named me Hyun Sook Park, sometime after this picture was taken.

A nationwide hotline number may have saved a MO child

This is a story I wrote and aired on November 13th. It's concerning a glitch with the child abuse and neglect hotline number, and Missouri's inability to communicate with its surrounding states. If you have an opinion, please leave a comment.

Most of Missouri’s child abuse investigations start with people calling a state hotline. More than 50,000 people pick up the phone each year to make a report. It turns out, however, that many other people can’t get through if they try to call the child abuse hotline.

"Life is quite a bit different, and it will never be the same,” said Connie Hardin. She never hurt her 18-month-old granddaughter, Jaycee, but she feels partly responsible for the toddler's death last May. It's a guilt she lives with "every day, every single day," she said.

Hardin suspected Jaycee was being physically abused. “We felt like something was not quite right,” she said.

But because Hardin lives in northwest Arkansas, and because Jaycee lived in southwest Missouri, Hardin says she didn't know exactly how or where to report her suspicions. First, she says, she called the Arkansas hotline number from the phone book. The call taker told her that she had to make the report to Missouri's Department of Social services and even instructed her to call Missouri's toll free hotline. Hardin said she did – seven or eight times.

But every time she called, she heard this recorded message: "The number you have dialed cannot be reached from your calling area."

The call didn't connect because the toll free number only works within Missouri. So, if you live in Arkansas, you can’t use the number (800-392-3738). This could pose a major problem for people because Missouri has eight states that touch its borders -- Tennessee ties that number--but no other state has more.

There is a long-distance number for people outside of Missouri to call (573-751-3448). Workers with the Department of Social Services in Jefferson City say it's been in place for decades.

"You can contact your hotline for your state and they should be able to give you that number for the Missouri hotline,” said Celesta Hartgraves, an executive for DSS.

But it turns out the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services didn't know Missouri's toll hotline number. A call taker at Arkansas’ child abuse hotline only had Missouri’s toll-free number, the one that doesn’t work outside of Missouri. Ky3 called all of the other seven surrounding states. Only two -- Iowa and Kansas -- gave us the right number to call (573-751-3448.)

Hardin says getting the wrong number left her helpless.

"All hope was severed; I couldn't get through," she said.

Hardin did get through, but only after she called and made face-to-face visits with both Arkansas and Missouri authorities. When she made the report in July 2005, the Missouri Children's Division investigated and found no evidence of abuse. Hardin says she never knew that because no one from DSS contacted her. At that point, the only thing she did know was that she was disgusted with the system, and it mader her weary of reporting any future suspicions.

“I feel bad about that, and I'll always feel bad about that,” she said.

Jaycee died 10 months later from a blow to her abdomen that was so hard it tore her small intestine. Her stepfather, Joseph Frye, is awaiting trial for her murder.

“It’s too little, too late,” said Hardin.

Hardin feels like she could've prevented her granddaughter's death if Missouri's DSS had a better hotline system. She hopes, by telling her story, it can save the life of someone else.
"Get better protection for the children in the state of Missouri because, to me, that will at least mean that Jaycee's life meant something,” she said.

Hardin says better protection for children should mean having a toll-free number that works from anywhere. Leaders of Missouri's DSS say they will explore ways to change the hotline number, because it's their job to provide what's best for children. DSS, at one point, did have a nationwide number, but it was cancelled because people were calling the number when they should've been calling another one. DSS said not only was that delaying child safety but it also was costing the state money. If Missouri reinstated the nationwide number now, the cost would be based per call, which DSS says is roughly seven cents a minute.

To watch the actual story, click here: http://www.ky3.com/news/4635356.html

ANOTHER MARVEL OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY!

Darin is so freaking cool!!!!

In plain language, he sent me a Korean version of my blog, and everything that's attached to it. I am so computer illiterate, this totally blows my mind!!!

Plus, this is so exciting for me because hopefully I can communicate with my sisters.

Darin, you are my new best friend. I'm not kidding. THANK YOU~!

Michelle Sherwood - Korean Edition

Creepy but Cool!

I recently found this website, and we've been playing on it at work ever since. It's called SitePal, and it is basically a paid service that puts a talking head on your website. You can get it to say anything, like George Carlin's seven words you're not allowed to say on television. It's a little creepy, but it's so cool. And even more fun, you can make the voices speak in accents ranging from English to Korean to Greek to Spanish...There's a free demo, try it out:

http://www.oddcast.com/sitepal/


1) Click on "try demo"
2) Click on "record" (underneath the talking head)
3) Click on "text to speech"
4) Type in what you want a computer-generated voice to say!

THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

If you work in a newsroom, you put in extra hours. It comes with the territory. It is nearly 2:30 am Wednesday morning, and half of our newsteam is still working. Why you ask? We're still waiting for some numbers, duh.

I actually covered Amendment 2 this election--that is the stem cell initiative. It looks like it's going to pass, but just 15 minutes ago, we were wondering if the vote was too close to call. At one point tonight, the difference was only 755 votes. It has been a controversial issue, no doubt. Stem cells are two very powerful words that have evoked emotion, excitement, confusion, and debate these last few months and in particularly, these last few days. This one really came down to the wire.

Elections, good times, good times. I hope this makes sense...my head is spinning. By the way, what a close race between McCaskill and Talent! Very interesting night! I hope you exercised your right to vote. There is always debate in our newsroom whether journalists should vote...

THE MOVIE BORAT

The movie "Borat" opened in theaters across the U.S. today. Normally, I don't rush out to see movies the day they open, but this one was an exception. The movie has received unbelievable reviews across the board. One critic called it a "cult comedy that will likely endure and mature like an Airplane! or a This is Spinal Tap."

In case you're not familiar with Cohen's work, he is Ali G, of HBO's "Da Ali G Show."

Anyway, the movie is hysterical. Here are the first four minutes of it, but don't judge the movie by that. The funniest stuff happens in the middle of the movie, and by that, I mean roll-out-of-your-seat-crying-funny.

BORAT AT A SUPERMARKET

Deleted scene--

GO PARTY

I just want to say that the guys over at Whitaker Publishing know how to throw a great party. I went to the GO party for Halloween, and it was incredibly fun. Good food, good band, good times. In fact it was so fun that I had to go home at 9:30 pm. If you have the chance to go to one, it's absolutely worth the $5. I spend more than that for a hot tea and a muffin. www.springfieldgo.com

PROTEST FOR SEX TRAFFICKING REPORTS

This is being sent to all of the AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association) members:

Korean Americans' Protest of SF Chronicle Sex Trafficking Series Yields Results

AAJA acknowledges the impact community initiatives have on media coverage.
A four-part series, "Diary of a Sex Slave," recently published in the San Francisco Chronicle has caught the ire of members, friends and supporters of the Bay Area's Korean American community. The article by Meredith May, chronicles the life and experiences of a South Korean woman who was lured and forced into prostitution in San Francisco by sex traffickers.
Community members said that the article about one individual "gave disproportionate emphasis to a small immigrant segment of the overall Korean American population in San Francisco and California, the vast majority of whom are well-educated professionals and hardworking families." They also said that the series includes many cultural inaccuracies and paints a distorted picture of Busan, South Korea - the hometown of the article's main subject.
More than 40 Korean American organizations and individuals signed on to a letter-response to the series, demanding a public apology from the Chronicle. The open letter, published in Asian Week, (see link below), was also printed by the San Francisco Chronicle in its editorial and opinion page. Community representatives also met with the paper's management and editorial staff to present a list of demands. AAJA asked San Francisco Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein to comment on the meeting with the community representatives, and he had this to say.
Links
Asian Week: An Open Letter to San Franciscans
Coalition statement and demands
Asian Week: Emil Guillermo: Sex Not Necessary to Be Slave to Immigration

To read the whole series, go to: http://www.sfgate.com/sextrafficking/

ADOPTION FAIR THIS WEEKEND

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting a child, there's an adoption fair on Saturday in Springfield.

Here are the details:
Cox Health Center South
October 28th
Foster Auditorium and meeting rooms 1-3
9am to 1pm

About 15 adoption agencies will be on hand.

SKATELAND WAS KIND OF SKANKY

Me, rolling with the small fries

So I went roller skating on my birthday...and now I know why my friend says she won't drop off her kids at the skating rink on a Friday night. First of all, I love skating. I haven't done it since the sixth grade, when I lived for the snowball and the limbo. Two of my coolest moments were winning the limbo and skating the snowball with Jeremy Hamilton (an 8th grader.) Awesome.

Anyway, skating is hard these days. I thought I was going to fall. I was afraid to skate backwards. The kids whizzed by me, and I thought they were going to blow me over. Yet the hardest thing to endure at the rink was...watching the kids. I was shocked by their appearance and their skanky behavior.

First of all, I was surprised by the music choice. "London Bridge" by Fergie, "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake, and "Money Maker" by Ludacris are all great songs, but I would expect to hear them at Icon rather than a rink filled with middle schoolers. I mean, c'mon, don't you think Jessica Simpson or JoJo is a little more age appropriate?! Anyone ever heard of Hilary Duff?! Girls were wearing short shirts, tight pants, and dancing in the corner like strippers (no offense to those who work as strippers.) Even one of the workers told us that Friday nights are kind of rough, and that we should come back for Family Night.

I'm not knocking Skateland. I think it is a great place for fun. But seriously, how do we influence our kids so they don't feel like they need to act this way? And how do we teach young women that it's not okay to degrade themselves? I don't mean to sound old, conservative, or uncool, but when did kids stop going to the skating rink to skate?

Jim and Michelle, looking old and out of touch

I SPY PINK EYE

I've been absent for a few days because I've been beat down with a number of things: pink eye, an upper respiratory virus, and windburn (no kidding). Apparently, pink eye is going around. It has caused havoc in the newsroom since we all share computers, edit bays, equipment, etc. One of my co-workers had pink eye a couple of weeks ago, and I blame him for my absense. Anyway, I've never had pink eye before. It hurts. I have it in both eyes, but my left eye is much worse. At least today I can open them; yesterday I was flat on my back.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

Ahhhh, Friday the 13th is coming up. It is supposed to be an unlucky day, the kind Michael Myers comes to get you, kind of day.

I think it is more spectacular and creepy because Friday the 13th happens to be in October, therefore making it the scariest day of the scariest month of the year.

Good news, though. Nasa says that on Friday the 13th in April 2029, millions of people will see a point of light that will glide across the sky faster than many satellites and will be brighter than most stars.

The reason I like the 13th of October? It is my birthday. This year, though, it feels more like an annoyance...I guess that's another sign of becoming an old bitty. People stop feeling so happy on their birthdays because they realize they're getting older, and things stop working like they used to. My brain, my body, it's all going downhill.

BLOGGER QUESTION

Does anyone know how accurate stat counters are? I check my recent visitor activity occasionally, but some of the entries don't seem right. For instance, there are some people who are supposedly logged on to my blog for 23 hours at a time. Does that sound right? And it seems like one minute I'll have just a few page loads and then the next, like 50. Can someone help me out?

NORTH KOREA AND NUCLEAR DEVICES

As of 11:40 pm, October 8th:

South Korea's official news agencies are reporting that North Korea has performed a successful nuclear test.

A South Korean seismic monitoring center also confirms tremors felt at the time of North Koreas alleged nuclear test. They say they were not natural occurrences. This would be North Koreas first ever nuclear weapons test.

North Korea said last week it would conduct a nuclear test as part of its deterrent against a possible United States invasion.

Last Friday the United Nations Security Council issued a statement warning North Korea not to do the test. Also, a UN statement says if nuclear tests were conducted it would jeapordize peace, stability, and security in the asia region and beyond.

***The closest experience I had with North Korea was going to the DMZ, or the demilitarized zone. It is basically the place where North and South Korea meet. I remember walking through the area feeling scared. (We had to sign waivers basically relinquishing the US of any liability in the event of being maimed, shot or killed. Afterwards, we went to a massacre site where North Korean soldiers had once ambushed American troops.) Soldiers from both the North and South were standing silent and tall with their guns. I stood at the top of a hill where I heard eery propoganda-opera-type music and saw these white, Hollywood-type signs in the distance--both used to apparently entice South Koreans to cross the border. I saw the propoganda village North Korea built to give the appearance of being a rich country, when actually no one lived there at all. But something I will never forget was walking to the bottom of an infiltration tunnel and seeing a young (18 or so) South Korean soldier standing on guard with his gun at a metal door with a small glass window...then seeing an equally young North Korean solider on the other side. At that moment, I remember feeling sorry for the boys because they had to stare at each other all day as enemies, even though they were cut from the same cloth.***

THE BACHELORETTE AND THE BULL

Larissa

My good friend Larissa is getting married in two weeks, and she had her last hoorah Saturday night. It was a doozy.

We started downtown and ended up on the south side. But somewhere in between here and there, we went to Midnight Rodeo.

Huh? What?!

First of all, I am no stranger to cowboys. I grew up in Cass County Missouri. My high school mascot was a freakin' rooster. I even wore Wrangler jeans and Justin boots--ONCE. But I had wiped all of that from my memory...until last night.

Now, I'm not making fun of cowboys or country music. It's just that sometimes I question men who wear tighter jeans than me. What's up with the super tight black jeans anyway?

And what's up with that bull at Midnight Rodeo? I have to admit, it looked kind of fun, but there was no way I was going to ride it. At least Stephanie had the bullballs to try.

A GOOD READ

You may recognize the name Gregory Holman because he is the editor of 417 magazine. If you read the magazine, you know he has a lot to say...

Well, now you can read more of what's on his mind: http://gregoryholman.blogspot.com However, please note, his blog is a personal one, just like mine.

Greg is such a fun and insightful person...I think you'll enjoy his blog! I've also posted a link down at the bottom left corner of the page...

ONE QUICK QUESTION

Is there a bloggers meeting this Tuesday?

OMG, I AM AN OLD BITTY

My best friend Lucy

My best friend's little sister started classes at our old alma mater, the University of Kansas. This is huge.

Lucy, Franny, Michelle

So, I decided to take a vacation day and head to Lawrence, Kansas. Honestly, Lucy and I were ready to party like we did before we legally could. However, there was a problem. This weekend we discovered that we are old bitties.

I can't believe it.

After two cocktails (with cheap alcohol in plastic cups), we pootered out.

I woke up the next morning with a hangover-feeling because I had been up for 22 hours the night before (thanks to the ungodly hours I work at KY3.) Lucy woke up equally crappy because she didn't get her normal 8-hours-of-sleep.

Old bitties.

It is rather fun getting older and wiser, but it was such a comical and yet, enlightening weekend.

When Lucy's younger sister Franny was 10, she used to put on my shoes and tromp around my dorm room...now she's schooling us on what goes in college! I hope she enjoys these next few years at KU because one day she'll realize she's too old to go back---

WHO'S HASSLIN' ME?

I am so angry! Someone posted an ad as one of my comments! What?! I really don't want to give credit to some knucklehead, but I just had to chat about it.

Please tell me if this has happened to you!

Anonymous said...
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3:18 PM

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE MOON FESTIVAL

There's a holiday in Korea called Chu'sok, basically the Korean version of the American Thanksgiving. In case you were wondering, it's celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar moon. (got it?!)

Most people call it the "Harvest Moon" festival.

On the morning of this very important holiday, Koreans perform an ancestor worship ritual and offer them food made of new crops to show thanks.

The holiday is also celebrated in other countries like China and Vietnam.

Anyway, there will be a small get-together at Phelps Grove Park on October 6th to celebrate. I believe it will be mostly attended by international adoptive families, but I think the more the merrier. I will definitely show my mug for a good time and good food...under the full moon! By the way, lucky red paper laterns will be available for the kiddies to carry in a traditional lantern parade! If you have traditional dresses, this is a good time to wear them! I have a hanbok, but, ahem, I think I've grown out of it...

Here are the details:

Friday, October 6
5 pm – 8 pm
Phelps Grove Park, Springfield.

Potluck dinner in the Pavilion, then everyone will be served Mooncake with Chamomile tea

CAN YOU JUGGLE? DANCE? DO MAGIC?

I don't know if we mentioned this on KY3, but NBC's show America's Got Talent will hold open auditions in Branson on Sept. 25th at the Chateau on the Lake.

The line starts at 7am.



The background:
Simon Cowell and the producers from American Idol teammed up with NBC to find the hottest variety and novelty acts from across the country. Regis Philbin is the host. Judges are David Hasselhoff, Brandy, and some British guy named Piers Morgan.

Mimes, magicians, animal acts, acrobats, ventriloquists are just a few of the acts they're looking for...wonder why they picked Branson????!!!

I hope I get to cover this Monday. For more information, click on the link below:

http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/apply/index.shtml

BLOGGERS MEETING

Okay, so I went to the bloggers meeting last night. I was the only person there with breasts. I had a great time hangin' with the boys, but I think women bloggers need to unite! Now I know what Snarling Marmot and Granny Geek were talking about.

I believe the meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Patton Alley Pub...help me out, is that right?

xoxoxo

SORRY FOR THE ABSENCE

Okay, I've neglected the blog this week. A lot of things have happened! Laurie is now officially out of the news business and on to her next adventure at Cox. I already miss her.

I went to Tulsa on my days off to volunteer for Dillon International. I am trying to put a video together for the agency's birthland tours. Very exciting...

Besides that, my friend Hannah recently sent me a picture of me with some birds. I'd like to think of myself as a parrot whisperer--

REPORTER GETS BEAT UP ON AIR

I saw this a couple of days ago on MSNBC. You couldn't pay me enough to get beat up on-air like this. XETV-6 Reporter John Mattes was doing a real estate scam story in San Diego when he became the story.

It's bad enough to get all bloodied-up on television...but to add insult to injury, the guy who opened the can of whup-ass later went on national TV and called the reporter a "disturbed man". I guess that means he's not sorry:

You'll be sorry if you don't watch the video--you have to double click on it, and it will redirect you to YouTube. Tell me what you think!! Did the reporter do the right thing or do you think he should have hit back? Tough call! Legal advice, anyone?

ATTENTION LOCAL NEWS JUNKIES

Jim Van Dillen, Laurie Patton, Jim Hankins

If you haven't heard the scoop already, Ky3 Crime Reporter Laurie Patton is leaving. This coming week will be her last. She is leaving the news business after 8 years to work for the Cox foundation and to start her own company, The Life Story Company (see the links section of the blog.) Please fell free to send her well-wishes at lpatton@ky3.com, but hurry, she won't be able to check it after Friday.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT--

My oldest sister, Hyunmi, got married. Isn't she a beautiful bride?

Ahem, I have two more beautiful, single sisters...

MY STORY

The Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network has ever so graciously posted a link to my blog on its website, and I am so glad to hear from people all across the country with adoption stories! Thank you for your emails! I love to hear about your experiences...

therefore, I'd like to share mine with you...the quick version, at least!

I was born in Pusan, South Korea, and came to the United States when I was six months old. These are my parents, Charles and Sharon:

I love them so much!

I know Korean children have found permanent homes in the states since the 1950s, but I really feel like my parents were ahead of their time when they adopted me 20-some-odd years later. They worked and sacrified to give me the world, at least as much as you can in small-town Missouri.

Anyway, when I was 18, my parents surprised me with a trip to Korea. I went with Dillon International, the agency I volunteered with for four years (www.dillonadopt.org). The trip, called a birthland tour, catered to an adoptee and his or her family. Not only did we travel the country to get a glimpse of the culture, we also stayed at the Eastern Social Welfare Society where we held newborns awaiting homes in the U.S. We visited an unwed mothers' home, and saw our own adoption files, too.

I was adopted through Holt International (www.holtintl.org), so when I had some free time, I went to the agency's office. One day, I even had the privilege to eat with Molly Holt, the daughter of the agency's founder, Harry Holt. We had pizza! What an amazing woman.

I did say this is the short version, right?

Anyway, I wasn't expecting to meet my birth family, but I did a few days before I left the country. It was overwhelming. My Korean parents are still married, and I have three biological sisters--two older, one younger.

I thought it was pretty interesting since I had no idea of my background, but it's not near as fascinating as the story that landed me in the states--this is what I was told:

My Korean parents were not doing well financially in the 70s. They already had two toddlers and were expecting their third (me). My birth father was a fisherman, and he went away to work. He and my birth mother hoped for a son. It's a cultural thing, sons traditionally bring more honor to a family since their role is to take care of the aging parents.

When my Korean mother gave birth to me in a free clinic, I guess she felt desperate. She relinquished me and told my birth father that I had died. When he returned, he consoled her, and almost immediately she got pregnant again. However, she kept her secret for 18 years, until the summer I made my way back to my birthland. Isn't that crazy?

We're almost at the end...this is longer than I thought.

How did it all turn out?! My birth father was shocked, but in the end, he apologized to my Korean mother for putting so much pressure on her to have a son. I suppose my birth mother finally felt relieved...and they were both extremely grateful to my parents, Charles and Sharon, for "raising such a happy child". I was ecstatic to learn that I had sisters, but at the same time I was incredibly sad to go through such a life-changing experience without my parents. They were a wreck back in Missouri! The international phone bill was more than the value of my current car, which really isn't saying that much, but c'mon!

My dream is for my parents to meet my birth family. Charles and Sharon are just too dang old to take a long flight and then walk all over Korea. My mom has bad knees, my dad has a bad back, and he's had a long and hard year recovering from brain tumor surgery. On the other hand, it would cost a fortune to bring my entire Korean family over for a visit. So, if anyone knows how they can meet, give me some ideas!! Please!

My sisters are all wonderful women. My Korean parents got back on their feet and were able to put the girls through college. They're single and workin' it! They are a blast, and there's not a day goes by I don't think of them. We can sort of communicate because I took two years of college Korean, and they learned English in school as well.

So that's my story! If you can believe it, it's actually WAY longer. But I talk for a living, what did you expect?! Thank you for all of your stories, please send me more and post them so we can all share!

CNN ANCHOR LEAVES MIC ON IN THE POTTY---

But that's not the worst of it.



CNN Anchor Kyra Phillips spoke "potty talk" in the bathroom, too. CNN and Ms. Phillips have since apologized for upstaging a presidential speech. Watch and listen here:




As a reporter, I've always been told to assume that my mic is hot (meaning that it's on.) It's easy to forget that saying, though...What do you think?

FOR THE GOOD OF THE BLOG--

What can I say, my friend, George is watching out for the blog. You may recognize him if you live in the San Francisco area because he's a reporter for Channel 11, the NBC affiliate: http://www.nbc11.com/

Before that, he worked at the NBC affiliate in Kansas City.

Anyway, he tells me there's a new push by the Korean American Chamber of Commerce to try to create a Koreatown District. Very interesting! Doubt you'll see anything like this in the Ozarks--

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/15348740.htm?source=rss

CALLING ALL FAMILIES--

THIS WAS A POSTING ON THE KOREAN AMERICAN ADOPTEE ADOPTIVE FAMILY NETWORK'S WEBSITE--

Dear Adoptive Families:

Hi, my name is Terry O'Brien. (Very Irish, right?) I'm a Korean adoptee from the US. Right now I live in Seoul and am working for a Korean homestay organization. We recruit and send Korean high school students to the US who want to improve their English and experience and learn about American culture. Believe it or not, Korea is number three on the list of countries which send the most exchange students, right behind Germany and Brazil. Last year there were more 5,500 Korean high school exchange students in the US.

This year there are so many that we're having trouble finding enough host families to host our students. That's why I'm here in the forum. I thought this would be a perfect place to ask because hosting a Korean high school student would create a unique and wonderful dynamic in the home of a Korean adoptive family. Everyone would benefit: the Korean high school student, the adoptee, and the adoptive parents.

The Korean student would learn about American culture and the adoptive family and the adoptee would learn about Korea. They would discover many differences of course but also discover firsthand where the unique bridges lie. It may help to resolve identity issues for adoptee, although at first I suspect it will be a little uncomfortable for him or her. But eventually I think the Korean and adoptee will see a little bit of themselves in each other. A true understanding of the other is the goal I have in mind.

For the adoptive parents, it should also be a learning experience. They will see firsthand what makes a Korean Korean and an American American. This will help them to be more aware of the "Korean' inside their adopted son or daughter and help them realize that being racially blind may do more harm than good. The confluence of nature and nurture will also become more clear as they will see how culture and parental upbringing influences personality. Awareness and sympathy can really help with raising a Korean adoptee.

Well enough theory. If any family is interested, I urge you to contact me as soon as possible because I need to find around 30 families before Aug 31st, 2006. This homestay program will last for 10 months and the the Korean high school student will attend a regular school, public or private or Christian while on the homestay. Thank you for considering this unique and once in a lifetime opportunity. If you decide to take this opportunity, I know it can only have a positive effect on your family.

Yours Truly,
Terry http://us.f604.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=terryoe@fastmail.fm

WHDH Meltdown

Maybe you've seen some of our newscasts when our anchors say, "We apologize, we're having some technical difficulties." But this video is brutal. Even the #1 station in Boston has its problems now and then.

WANNA EAT?

WHO: Professional Asian Women
WHAT: Dinner
WHEN: September 10, 2006. Sunday. 7pm
WHERE: Mr. Yen's Restaurant
WHY: Why not?

This a meet and greet for all professional Asian women in the Ozarks.

I will be there along with some great women like Thuy "Twee" Dam of So You Boutique, www.soyouboutique.com, and hairstylist Larissa Kim, of The Alley. This is a wonderful way to get involved with the ever-changing face of the Ozarks! Please RSVP, just leave a comment on the blog or call 268.3254! BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS!

FREE WI-FI IS NOT FREE

I recently shelled out a pretty penny for my computer. In fact, it is now worth more than my car...though that's not really saying much.

Still, I cheaped out and refused to buy wireless internet. Why, you ask? Because I live close to downtown. Since the city has so graciously wired the downtown so it can be wireless, I thought refusing to buy internet service in my home would prompt me to get out of my house and get into the community.

And it has. As I write this now, I'm sitting at a table at the Mudhouse. I spent $5.03 on a refreshing Mango Mania Jet Tea and a big cookie. Multiply that by 30 days...and you get $150.90 a month. I wonder if I should have bought the dang service.

Oh well! I suppose it's priceless to be this cool by yourself in a coffee shop with a laptop. Joke.

Hague Treaty has impact on international adoption

Dillon International, headquartered in Tulsa, is temporarily not accepting applications for the Guatemala adoption program to prepare for the effects of the Hague Treaty.

There are a lot of things going on in the world that seem to be putting a stall on international adoption, at least with Dillon. The agency does this to protect prospective parents from a letdown.

Here are a few short answers:

• Applications will be accepted from Haiti when the political problems are resolved.
• Applications will be accepted from Korea when Dillon is in need of families for healthy infants. All agencies in Korea and the US face this same dilemma. Right now, the agency needs special-needs children from Korea.
• Applications from Guatemala will be sent after the agency prepares for the effects that the Hague Treaty may have on the future of Guatemala adoption

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to Dillon International: http://www.dillonadopt.com

KIMCHI AND RICE AND EVERYTHING NICE

So here's to an unexpected, but nice outcome of the blog: new friends to eat kimchi (pronounced: kim-chee) with over at Soo's Korean Restaurant. It is hands-down my favorite hanguk shikdong (Korean restaurant) in Springfield. I highly recommend you try it out, even if you're adamant about not eating "Asian food"...more than likely, you'll like the pulkogi (it's BBQ Beef and a Western favorite...and my boyfriend practically licks the serving plate.)

What is kimchi, you ask? Basically fermented food. Some type of kimchi is served at every meal. Sounds gross but is really good. Only downfall if you eat too much: fermented farts

My favorite: oye kimchi (cucumber kimchi)

Check out this fermented food phenomenon at: http://www.kimchi.or.kr/eng/main.jsp

Show-Me Swingers

A conservative Christian group sent us a heads up about this, wanting us to stop this...as if we could or would do that. That aside, I think it makes interesting blog news: there is a full-on swingers convention going on right here in the Ozarks. right now. at this very second. woh.

Apparently, the group, Show-Me-Friends, is taking over a hotel...the website says it only as room for 400 couples! Only!

The website is http://www.showmefriends.com

Your hosts are Debi and Larry.





Debi and Larry have rules, though...(The following misspellings or other errors are not my own.)

SHOW ME FRIENDS CONVENTION RULES

1) NO MEANS NO. The word no is upon itself a complete sentance and needs absolutely no further explanation.

2) PUBLIC NUDITY: Absolutely no nudity in public areas. Nudity needs to remain in the privacy of your rooms.

3) PUBLIC SEX: Absolutely no public sex. Again this needs to remain in the privacy of your rooms.

4) COUPLES ONLY: This event is for couples only

5) ILLEGAL DRUGS: Our lifestyle is legal,drugs are not. Anyone caught with illegal drugs will be removed.

6) AGE: Because alcohol is present everyone must be at least 21 years of age. Everyone in attendance must also have a valid photo ID

7) SMOKING: Smoking is allowed except in those areas of the resort and resort grounds designated as "non-smoking".

LOCATION: The location is NOT to be given out to anyone

9) FIGHTING: Fighting will not be tolerated. 1st offense is removal from the event

10) RESORT RULES: Please be respectful of the resort rules and their property.

11) CAMERAS: No cameras or recording devices will be allowed at the dances. This includes camera phones. During the day at the pool etc camera's are allowed as long as you have permission of the person you are wishing to take a picture of. DO NOT take pictures of anyone that you don't have permission from. If this becomes a problem we reserve the right to have everyone put their cameras away

12) ALCOHOL: Anyone deemed to be excessively drunk will be asked to go to their room to sleep it off for a first occurence. A second occurance will result in removal from the event.

13) WEAPONS: No weapons of any type are allowed at anytime.

As if you haven't ALREADY seen enough of me--

--there's more. My new friend, Amy, interviewed me for her blog, the snarling marmot. She's really welcomed me into the blogging world, and I appreciate it! I just like the post because she says I'm young and hip. I must have her fooled...check her out!

http://www.snarlingmarmot.com/

DON'T FORGET...

...about the playdate in the park. It's now.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12th, 10 AM-NOON
Living Memorial Park, 4405 S. Glenstone, Springfield

This is a popular get-together for adoptive families with young children. Please bring drinks or snacks to share!

Directions: Exit James River Freeway on Glenstone exit, go south to Republic Road, and turn left at the sign for the Nature Center.

I'm hooked!

(picture from ESPN.com)

I want to do a story on noodling. If you noodle or know someone who does, please let me know. I think it is so interesting...

definition: the practice and sport of fishing for catfish using only one's bare hands. Also known as grabbling, graveling, hogging, or tickling, or handfishing.

Only five states in the United States have laws explicitly permitting handfishing: Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee; and since 2005, Georgia. *Missouri* has an experimental noodling season in 2005 on sections of three rivers, from June 1 through July 15.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

Laurie Patton sent me this cool video, but then I did some digging, and found out that this band is having the best week ever on VH1! Very cool group. They mostly play in the UK, but they're playing in Hollywood in late August...so for now, you'll probably have to watch them on-line. I think you'll enjoy this. Makes me want to work out in a whole new way...

My fellow co-worker and blogger

Many of you know David Catanese (on the right.) He's the political reporter at the station, but he's also my friend. Our desks at work sit head-to-head, so when we're both in the building, we have only each other and our computers to look at, so we chat. Anyway, he is the only on-air journalist who contributes to our political blog, so check out what he has to say! I hear he has an exclusive today....
http://ky3.blogspot.com

One good reason I started this blog--

I wanted to keep a working journal about my friends, my family and my job...and really, that's an easy filler day-to-day. But I also have a hidden agenda...to inform, discuss, and keep track of events surrounding adoptees and minorities. I was adopted, and sometime I'll share my story...but long story short: I have volunteered for Dillon International, an international adoption agency, since 1994...and believe that post-adoption services can make a difference in the life of an adoptee...I still volunteer for Dillon, and every few months, we'll have an informal, informational meeting. Almost every time the room is full of potential moms and dads, interested in adopting babies from Guatemala, China, Korea, Vietnam, Haiti, and India (to name a few countries.)

Anyway, there is a group in the Ozarks that is growing leaps and bounds...as more families from Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas adopt internationally. Korea was the first country to really start the trend, but now kids are mostly coming from China...

Many of the adoptive families in the Ozarks get together under this group to share their experiences and make new friends...It's called the International Adoptive Families of Southwest Missouri, and the group has an event coming up!

There is a Playdate in the Park, SATURDAY, AUGUST 12th, 10 AM-NOON
Living Memorial Park, 4405 S. Glenstone, Springfield

This is a popular get-together for young kids and their parents. Please bring drinks or snacks to share!

Directions: Exit James River Freeway on Glenstone exit, go south to Republic Road, and turn left at the sign for the Nature Center.

THE OZARK EMPIRE FAIR 2006

The best and worst values of the fair

My new friend, Meg, and her jug of Barq's rootbeer. It cost her $3.5o, and she thought she was buying some exclusively-made-for-the-fair-rootbeer. Scroll down, and you'll see that I got a way better deal for two more quarters...




My airbrushed back tattoo cost $4.00. It was definitely the value of the night...c'mon, I look like Nicole Richie! But Asian, and fatter. Next year I think I'm gonna get one on my neck--

The fare of the fair

Okay, so I'm not a big "fair" person, but nonetheless, I always seem to make it out to the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield. And just like always, I spent a small fortune. I actually saved money this trip because I went late at night when my friends and I could do some negotiating. Anyway, here's the rundown:

$6 parking
$8 adult admission
$1 for picture with a clown (talked down from $3)
$1 for a dart toss at a balloon (the vendor said it was Ladies Night)
99 cents at the basketball toss (I let him keep the $1)
$3.50 for a jug of root beer
$4 for a cool back tattoo (pictures above)
$ 1 for two corndogs (talked down from $4)

IF YOU WENT, HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND, AND ON WHAT?

My Best Friend

Someone "anonymously" posted a comment as to why there is no picture of my best friend. Well, her name is Lucy, and she is a defense attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, but she can practice law in Kansas and Missouri. I would know, I wrote her a recommendation to take the bar exam. She is truly an amazing woman, and I guess "anonymous" can rest easy now...