TOP THINGS OF 2008

I always like to sum up my year in a blog post. Why not? (Here's 2006 and 2007 in a nutshell...)

By far, this has been the best year of my life. And thank God, because the last couple have been pretty crappy. I can't even remember why they were crappy... I mean, I didn't have anything majorly bad happen, but I recall being in, oh, let's say... a 4-year-funk or something.

Anyway, there are given things that go unmentioned on 2008's list, though they're very important (ie: health, family's health, having a job, etc.) Nonetheless, here goes:

10. This was probably one of the most significant things that happened in 2008, but it was also one of the worst. That's why I'm putting it on the bottom: saying goodbye to Jasmine. She was the best girlfriend... and dog. Ask anyone, and they'll say how smart and quirky she was. You could put a treat on her nose, and she would just sit there and shake her butt from excitement until you said, "okay"... then she would throw the food up in the air and catch it. She was a big rottie, but she was also a big baby... and I never met anyone who didn't love her.

9. Discovering Facebook. Sounds kind of lame to have on my list, but I didn't really want a FB page. Now, I'm on it everyday and catching up with old friends. LP was right: FB is not that bad. It's low on the list, but still important.

8. Being recognized locally... and Jim on the Daily Show. Thanks to GO Magazine and Q102 this year... they made me feel so special.
And then, there's Jim was on the freaking Daily Show... he called this work!








7. Getting in shape. I may have griped a lot in my bootcamps, but whatever. I can actually do push-ups, I ran my first 5k this year, and I know I can be more active if I want. Which reminds me...Kate, I miss you!




6. Working at the Park Central Library. I never thought I'd have a second job on top of my full-time job, but you know what? I really enjoy it.

The people in the library district are wonderful, creative, and intelligent. And, it's really given me a new perspective on the community the district serves. I am proud to be involved with it.



5. Working at KSPR. At first, it was a truly difficult adjustment... not because of the job itself, but it was hard to leave something old for something new. And honestly, I was surprised and heartbroken to learn that some people were not very supportive of my decision to be a part of a new opportunity. This year has been much better, and I'm the happiest I've been since moving to the Ozarks in 2003. Plus, have you heard? We were #1 on election night...and our ratings are steadily increasing to help make us the fastest-growing station in the area. Not very many people get the chance to be a part of so much exciting growth.

4. Buying a house. My friend Joanna (who also bought a house in 08) says she gets it, now. She understands why buying a house is so cool, yet frustrating...why you put your heart and soul into it...and now, I get it, too. We love our house, we love our neighborhood, we love our stranger-kitties, and we love being able to walk or ride bikes with ease from our house to downtown Springfield to Tea Bar and Bites and Zen 3. Who wouldn't?

3. Being more in touch with my birth family. I am so relieved, excited, and balanced now that I am in near-everyday contact with my sister Hyun Jeong through Twitter and Blogger. I can't wait for her to marry Glenn (a white guy from the upper Midwest!) That means she helps balance out the Park Family-- two girls married Korean guys... two girls will marry, um, whities. My kids will have something in common with her kids, and our future as a family just became more real. I really like Glenn; he seems creative, smart...and cute! I just know those two will have a lot of great adventures ahead.



2. Going along with #3--my nephew was born this year! Won Hoo (Hae Ssal is his nickname, which means sunbeams.) He is the cutest little baby I've ever seen. Honestly. Let's be real. He's the first grandchild on the Park side. He belongs to my sister Yeoun Jung and her hubby!


1. Getting married. I know everyone says their significant other is the best--but they're lying! I love you, Jim! I am so excited about our future! The wedding was pretty kick-ass, but the marriage is so much better!

New Blog: CHEAP! **UPDATE**

Check out a great new blog by my friend, Marina! It is called CHEAP!

First of all, she is one of the most friendly, pretty, smart, and thrifty people I know. When I say thrifty, I'm not sure I'm using the right word. She doesn't appear to waste a thing--she makes her own cleaning supplies, she recycles practically everything, and she is just very conscious of the materials in front of her.

She's also very awesome at design. I begged her to make my wedding invitations, and if you got one, you know they were cool. Remember the spinny-thing? If I can find it in my moving boxes, I'll post it sometime.

Anyway, the focus of her new blog is how to make the best use out of something...and still look darn good doing it. Trust me, she knows what she's talking about!

Check her out! Click here!

**UPDATE** KSPR's Joanna Small did a story on Marina on New Year's Day! Great for resolutions! http://www.kspr.com/news/local/36987389.html

Stranger-Kitties are Fun Kitties.

We love our new neighborhood, and when we get some time, we'll post some pictures of our new house. We live in the Rountree Neighborhood in Springfield, which is my most favorite neighborhood in the Ozarks.

Why? It's quaint, it's charming, it's old... and it has stranger-kitties who like to be fed.

I guess they're not actually stranger-kitties because we know they belong to our neighbors Ken and Julie... but the entire neighborhood actually helps take care of them. I hope they catch any mice running around our house!

Anyway, we know one is named Charlie (he's the one with the white and gray face.) Another is named Lucky. We forget the rest of their names, so we call one Mama... and then call the others ones "kitty". It seems to work.

And they go nuts over Tuna. I feel like a cat whisperer, but Jim is the one who really loves them the most. He pets them and lets them come in the house... it's weird since he's more of a dog lover!

My Nephew as Pooh Bear! From Korea with Love!

Look at Won Hoo (a.k.a. Mr. Sunbeams or Hae Ssal) as Pooh! My mom sent these to my sister Yeon Jeong for Christmas... and then my other sister Hyun Jeong posted the pics on her blog.

417 Bride: Destination Hawai'i

Check it out! I wrote an article about destination weddings in 417 Bride! Read about my experience and of course, some faux paus!

Melissa Yeager update! She's running away!

Me, Cara Connelly, and Melissa Yeager

My friend (and former KY3 buddy, former WIBW-er, former KUJH-TVer, former KJHKer, and former Jayhawker...) MELISSA YEAGER is training for a half-marathon!

She even started a new blog detailing her experiences--it's definitely worth checking out! http://prettyinpinkrunningshoes.blogspot.com/

If you know Melissa, you know she loves PINK! You must read her story about why this year is the year to run... and what princess she'll be in this special race!

Good luck, Melissa!

Thank you, Leigh and Bryan.

I wanted to take pictures of some of our gifts this year (Jim let me open my present early--it's a new camera!) We want to Thank our peeps!

Jim as the Main Country Elf!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Jim and Michelle as ELFS!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

SHOW ME your MUG on KSPR!

WE are all terrible for getting a kick out of others' mug shots.

But I was watching a story on CNN about bad mugshots (by Jeanne Moos), and it made me laugh. It also reminded me that the Ozarks has its own MUGSHOT GALLERY, courtesy KSPR, click here to get your kicks!

By the way, I have to brag for a second... our sales team told us that *KSPR* is officially the fastest-growing network in the Ozarks. Our shining example is our 4:30 newscast, which grew 800%... that's right, I said 800%!! You can't make this stuff up. I'm thrilled to be a part of this experience--it's so refreshing to be a part of something like this. Thanks to everyone who has shown their support!

Economy Scrooged Me This Holiday.

It's been a while since I let a week go by without a post. I'm tired. Who's with me?

We're not celebrating the holidays with presents this year. Why? Because it's too darn expensive!

I bought Jim something, but I can't tell here, otherwise, he'll read it and find out. However, I did decide to make some "gifts in a jar". I checked out a book at the library, and then I made jars of cookie dough with it. It's a really cute gift, and it was made with a lot of TLC.

My friend and former roommate, Megahn, turned me onto this concept when she sent me a book from this series that had recipes for instant drinks (like hot cocoa, coffee, etc.) It was such a thoughtful gift, and I was so excited because she sent it to me in the mail!

I'm also making a few breads this year, but I really haven't found much time to do that either with the house-buying stuff.

Anyway, Happy Holidays.

I rode my bike to work today

I just moved, so things have been really crazy. It's hard to keep up wih anything! And I have a weird shoulder/neck pain that will not go away, and I think it's a result of stress. Anyone, anyone?

Also, I'm not making time to work out, and I am really kicking myself for that. I need Mark Millsap and Dave Dade. :( It will happen...

In the meantime, I rode my bike to work today. And it was awesome.

I didn't wear a helmet (can't find it)... and I rode on the sidewalks (illegal)... but you know what?! I made it in six minutes!! I live THAT close now.

Oh, and I need someone to back me up on this. I put a kickstand on my fairly expensive TREK bike. The guys at A&B Cycle looked at me like I was crazy when I asked them to do it, however, I think I'm a genius. Everyone wants a kickstand... I just know it.

ABC #1 for November ratings period

ABC wins its fourth November sweeps

Final figures: Averages a 3.2/9 in adults 18-49

By Toni Fitzgerald
Dec 2, 2008
Media Life Magazine

ABC won its fourth consecutive November sweeps period, but this one was a squeaker.

The network, buoyed by the season finale of “Dancing with the Stars” last Tuesday, finished with an average 3.2 adults 18-49 rating and 9 share for the four-week period that ended last Wednesday. CBS finished a close second at 3.1/8, according to Nielsen numbers released yesterday by ABC.

The sweeps month is used by local stations to set rates for advertisers, and ABC had won the last two by wide margins after tying with CBS in 2005.

This year the network rode a big “Stars” finale on the second-to-last night to guarantee victory, despite finishing behind CBS on the final night of sweeps.

NBC placed third at 2.8/8, Fox was fourth at 2.7/7, and the CW was sixth at 0.9/2. The latter will finish behind Univision, but final numbers for the Spanish-language network, which rose year to year among total viewers, weren’t available at press time. MyNetworkTV and Telemundo also saw viewership rise.

It was hardly a cheery month for any of the Big Five broadcasters, though, with all seeing declines compared to the same period last year.

Some of that can be attributed to the presidential election, which disrupted schedules in early November.

But a good portion also reflects the lackluster development for this season, in which CBS’s “The Mentalist” and Fox’s “Fringe” have been the only really hits of note, and the latter’s strength is based mostly on its lead-in, “House.”

ABC saw the biggest declines versus last year among the Big Four, down 14 percent from a 3.7/10. CBS was off 9 percent, from a 3.4/9, and NBC down 13 percent, from a 3.2/9.

Fox fell 13 percent, from a 3.1/8, and the CW dipped 18 percent, though it performed much better when its now-canceled Sunday night schedule is taken out of the equation. Among the network’s target women 18-34 and adults 18-34 on weeknights, the CW rose double-digit percentages.

The declines simply continue a pattern seen on broadcast over the past few years as viewers adopt new patterns of television watching. Part of the erosion can be attributed to the increasing number of digital video recorders, as these numbers reflect only live-plus-same-day viewing.

When seven-day DVR playback is factored in a few weeks from now, the decreases will be much smaller.

Too, viewers are turning to cable and other forms of entertainment, including watching some network shows online. This has also sapped broadcast ratings in recent seasons. Five years ago, NBC won sweeps with a 4.4 rating, 1.2 better than ABC’s winning average this year.

Seasonal Depression: WINTER BLUES

(This was the best pic available from google. How terrible is this?!)

I have the winter blues.

I am so tired.

I feel so heavy.

I need sunlight.

Anyone with me?

Thankfully, my friend Alan suggested I get a coffee over at the Coffee Ethic. It perked me up a bit, but now I'm coming down...

Whitney Scott Gets Engaged on Air!

Wow wow weeza! Whitney Scott got engaged to her beau, Justin...ON AIR! Click here to see!! And grab a Kleenex!

They are such a cute couple... CONGRATULATIONS! Send Whitney your own well wishes by clicking here.

Korean Word of the Day: Pangu (Pahn-goo)

The Korean Word of the Day means farts. "Egads! Why would you be so crude?!" you might ask...

Well... here's what made me think of it today.

I was in a public restroom this afternoon, and a lady sat down next to me... and I swear, it was like a scene from Dumb and Dumber.

I always giggle a little when someone toots in the next stall. I mean, why can't they do the toot-n-flush? I always respect those folks. This woman could've been having a really bad day, but I think she was enjoying it too much. There was way too much pride in her deep pangus...plus, she was talking to herself a bit. I was laughing and gagging all at the same time.

One Good Lookin' Buck...

...and I'm not talking about my brother-in-law,

though he's not bad looking...

This is Jim's brother Ryan and his 9-point buck (I think.)
He did it with a bow!

More Pics of Mr. Sunbeams

Read about National Adoption Month!

Can you pick me out on this cover?

The Greene County Medical Society has published a great journal this month on adoption in celebration of National Adoption Month.

While adoptive families face the same everyday trials and tribulations of a traditional family, they are often compounded by additional issues--medical needs, socialization skills, adaptation and bonding behaviors (taken from Dr. Victor Pace, who adopted Becca in 2007. She's also the cute little girl in the top middle pic on the cover!)

I also wrote an article about the ever-changing experience of adoption. Closure? What's that? You can also see me in my 1980s-something-sailor-dress, and I think that alone is worth reading.

Other topics included in the journal:

• The negative impact of institutionalization
• Caring for the adopted child: the role of the primary provider
• The adoptive home study
• Special needs international adoption
• Dreams can come true
• International adoption--Russia

Anyway, check it out if you can!

Asians and Toasters

Two things.

#1 First of all, I said this about a week ago on Facebook, but I'm really enjoying being apart of the new oppressed minority.

So far, it's been pretty fun. Yesterday, someone said something weird about Asians in front of me... and I would've said something, but then I thought, "Why bother? We are the new oppressed minority!"


Anyway, if you don't know what I'm talking about, CHOCOLATE NEWS on Comedy Central recently declared Asians as the new oppressed minority. Now that Obama is the President-Elect, blacks are no longer the most oppressed! You may be asking yourself, "Why Asians?" After all, we are stereotyped for being smart, good at math, and exotically exotic. I don't really want to repeat David Alan Grier's reasoning, but it has something to do with a misnomer concerning the Asian male anatomy.

#2 Has anyone been to Toasters Breakfast Cafe?



I was pleasantly surprised! I was working at the PRK when my stomach yelled, "FEED ME!"... I gave them a call because they were close in proximity. I told them I wanted a breakfast sandwich to-go since I would be taking it back to the library. It took less than five minutes (not an exaggeration), and it cost about $2. I quickly glanced at the menu, but I don't recall anything being more than $3 (despite the above picture I found on the Internet.) Even omelets were like $2.75--and they're open late night! My kind of place. I'm a new fan.

Text Flirting with Strangers

I texted work to let them know that I would be coming in late Friday...and I nearly got a date out of the ordeal.


MS to Ron Davis: I'm going to go ahead and drive some dryer balls out for a girl to try and then shoot it this weekend...i'm going to be at her house at 10, and then i might swing by sams for the luncheon to get some bulk rolls, plates, forks...

Ron Davis: Who is this

MS: Sherwood! I was just telling u so i don't have to comein, then turn around and drive out to this girls house

RD: Who is sherwood i thnk u have the wrng numbr

MS: Sorry then

RD: Who r u lookng 4

MS: Ron davis, maybe i mistyped, but u were in my book as rd...who is this?

(at this moment, I send a text to another number I have for Ron, and he reponds: K!)

fake RD: My name is Dana dont knw a ron davis but i hope u have fun r u at least cute oh my initalrr dr

MS: I only know one dana and he is a dj

fake RD: Nt hm last time i looked iwas definatly nt a guy

MS: no response

fake RD: Any way u have my numbr maybe we cn chat again

***END SCENE***

Observation: A girl took an opportunity to make a new friend (or possible date?) during a mis-text. You go, girl! But, for real? How about NO... I won't chat with you again because you're a total stranger! This seems kind of weird on the end of the girl. What if I was some pervy-perv dude, looking for some sweet action? I want this girl to be 15 because it seems like a youthful, harmless thing. It would be more creepy if she was 35. But I guess I was a little shocked at her boldness! Funny!!

Wedding reception pics courtesy Jeffrey Sweet

I can't sleep right now, so I might as well put my time to good use. We just got our wedding reception pictures back, and I think they're great! Jeffrey Sweet took them...man, he's awesome! These are just a few of the pictures... if you were there and you want to order some, I'll give you the website where you can purchase them on your own!

Election Hangover

I think everyone by now must have an election hangover. My Korean sister, Hyun Jeong, asked me if I was happy about the election, through Twitter. (That's the best way to talk with her because it's immediate through our cell phones. I love it.) She told me that her fiance voted for Obama and then she asked me, "What about you? you like McCain?" I'm wondering... does she assume I voted for McCain? And why would she assume that? Is it because I live in SWMO? Surely she doesn't know the political make-up of Missouri, but her fiance, Glenn, may have told her something about the Midwest.

Anyway, I don't know how I will respond to her just yet, but I do have some thoughts/questions...and am wondering what other people think.

1. How did Missouri lose its bellwether status? Bummer, I kind of liked saying that MO was always right. Missourians voted for McCain, though it was pretty close betweeen Obama. However, the interesting thing is that many McCain supporters opted to choose Democrat Jay Nixon.

courtesy LA Times

2. Is the world setting up Obama for failure? It's like the new South Park episode (Jim makes me watch.) I mean, is it possible for Obama to accomplish all that he says? He's still one man. When I was in STL for election night, everyone was cheering in the streets and honking their horns for hours. It was really kind of neat, but at the same time, I was thinking, "Are they going to be dissapointed later?" When you put someone on a pedestal, they are bound to fall off, right? Hmmm...



3. Will any of this actually change my life? I mean, I am in the middle class. We just bought a home, and we make too much money to get any grants (why?!) but at the same time, we watch our money. We're not at the top of the food chain or anything... We are on a tight budget like many Americans, and I still plan on keeping my job at the library because 1) I really love it, and 2) it helps pay the bills. Just because we elected a new president and a new governor doesn't mean that I'm going to start taking baths in Evian water.

4. I feel sorry for my friend, Dave Catanese. What is he going to do with himself now?

OBAMA WINS!

We knew the election would make history. Now, I'm wondering what the outcome in Missouri will be. In 100 years, there have only been four incidents when voters DID NOT vote for the same party governor and president.

Election Night, Baby!

Chat with me: Michelle's Facebook page and read updates on KSPR.com