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?