Extreme Makeover is Coming!

I think this is going to be so cool. The family is within 30 miles of Springfield... who is it? Keep it a secret, otherwise ABC could back out!

1) Thousands of volunteers are needed to do anything from construction to pass out water.

2) The producers say between 10 and 15,000 people will attend the "big reveal"... where do those folks come from?

3) There will be a spectator area. Tailgate, anyone? JK.

4) The local folks need to raise $70,000 to help the family with their mortgage-- go online (click here) for details.

5) A little tidbit: The show's producers told the builder that they were impressed with generosity in the Ozarks. When the builder and the producers met for the first time, the builder already had 70% of the house donated. Sam Clifton from Millstone Custom Homes says the number is closer to 90 or 95% currently.

Reporter Assaulted? or Reporter Assaulted!

This is from a station in Las Vegas. Two things: 1) Why didn't the producer get out of the live shot earlier? 2) Did the reporter think he couldn't be seen? 3) Was it necessary for the anchors to then talk about it?

Mark "Maverick" Sager on KSPR

I had to confront a convicted killer this week. It was a little intense for my liking, but it was inevitable (since we were at the same place at the same time.)

Mark "Maverick" Sager was convicted of manslaughter in 1977 for the death of a 14 year-old Missouri girl. The case is an interesting, difficult read. The injuries to the teen were horrifying. Sager's response was also chilling.

Fast forward to 2009: Mark was known around the Indian Point Marina as "Maverick". He told people he was a former ATF agent. Authorities say he carried a gun, a radio, a pager, a phone, and handcuffs on his belt. He even outfitted an old car with lights, sirens, and a radio. He assisted law enforcement with cases as well.

That is, until deputies became suspicious. After running a background check on him, they arrested him for impersonating an officer. That was this week.

At the time I encountered "Maverick", I was not aware of the extent of his past conviction. Had I been informed, I may have asked some harder questions. Or perhaps, I would've walked the other direction, out of fear. I was concerned that maybe I had taken it too far by waiting for him and following him out to his car.

I don't want to think about it anymore. I just hope he doesn't watch the news. Or read the internet. Or visit Springfield.

Tracy's Beautiful Wedding...and My Musical Debut

A dear college friend got married this weekend. My friend Tracy married Matt... and now they are on their way to Maui--the same place we honeymooned!

It was a beautiful wedding in downtown Oklahoma City. The Cathedral was gorgeous, but more importantly, the bride was stunning! I was a complete wreck because I was so nervous. Tracy asked me to sing (she asked last year at my reception, I think...) Although I was glad to do it, I was afraid I would mess it up and ruin her wedding. I learned the Latin about three weeks out, and it was fine... but I had to sing it in a lower key so that my voice wouldn't crack.

I am happy to report that all went well with the singing... and I hope I can do it again! All I need is a little liquid courage, and I can do it. I'm not proud of that fact, but hey, it beats coming in dead last at your first high school track meet. (Long story.)

It makes me want to cry thinking about my college friends because I don't get to see them enough. And as soon as a big event like this is over, we all go back to our normal lives. Often, we lose touch until it's time for another big event. Eventually, though, I'm afraid we'll run out of big events... isn't that what happens when you get old, buy a house, have kids, work a lot? I hope not. The plan is to do something in celebration of all of our birthdays this year, since most of us will be turning the big 3-0.

Anyway, this wedding was the end of our summer-wedding-marathon...and it was a great way to end it!

For anyone who knows us, this was a tribute to Tracy-- the glow stick dance. Rush 1999, perhaps?

The song was Red Alert by Basement Jaxx. "The way you shake, shake, shake!"

KSPR Earns Recognition in 2009

A big thanks to The Turner Report for commenting on KSPR's continual progression.

I know, I know... here I am talking about work on my personal blog... but often, work is pretty personal to me.

I can't say it enough. KSPR continues to be a great experience. It's challenging and very rewarding. I've been fortunate to have an endless amount of opportunities there, and I think we're making good on our promises to viewers.

Jim (my husband, who is the chief photographer at KY3 and KSPR) tells me he likes the "vibe" we have over at KSPR... and I would agree. Even my former KU professors said they liked the feel of the newsroom because there wasn't any "fake anxiety"... not sure what that means, but when my former professors tell me I have a good thing going, I believe it. They hear complaints from former grads practically every day...and they've taught there for several years!

Anyway, long story short: KSPR has been very fortunate the last two weeks to receive recognition from the Missouri Broadcasters Association and the Kansas City Press Club.

KSPR received four MBA awards and four awards from the KC Press Club/Society of Professional Journalists. The neat thing about SPJ is that KSPR competed against stations in Kansas City and Wichita. And of course, everyone in Missouri sent in material for the MBAs.

Yay, go team!

I'm really proud of our station, like a proud mama bear... I don't want to jinx KSPR, but I am just happy to see hard work pay off. We are on a long journey, but this is a nice pit stop!

What's Happening...

I haven't been posting very much since Minnie ate my camera. We want to buy a new one, but we don't want to spend more money.

Anyway, a lot is going on.

1. Got my braces. or Bray-shes on Tuesday. My teeth hurt a little, but it's more just like an annoying feeling because something is on top of my teeth. Invisalign is awesome, though. Love it. Call Dr. Rosen in SGF. Sometimes you can watch me on the news and I'll have them in. Usually just the topical promos, though... not the newscast.

2. Going to another wedding this weekend. This time, it's Jim's cousin Emily! We can't wait! Even Minnie's going to make the trip with us.

Next weekend, we're off for Tracy's wedding in OKC... and gasp, I'm singing!

3. We won a party at Fox and Hound. So, if you're hungry and want free food, DM me.

4. My mom took her first plane trip by herself! She was so nervous on Thursday... but she landed safely, and all is right with the world.

5. Minnie is at least 65 pounds now, and she really likes our neighbors. I think this is a good thing, but I feel sorry for our neighbors. Minnie needs constant affection.

6. I am back to sewing. Which reminds me, you should check out SHE'S CRAFTY! Anna re-taught me how to sew, and I'm also taking one of her classes! You should take them with me!

7. OH, and the biggest news of all: MY SISTER HYUN JEONG GOT MARRIED!!

I just found out a few days ago. Originally, we were supposed to go to Korea for the wedding in the fall, but I guess they needed to get married sooner in order to live together in Korea. I'm so happy for her and her new hubby, Glenn. Now, if I could just get them to move to the states, that would be awesome...but I really want to go visit them first!

8. OH, and another thing... my little nephew, Won Hoo, had his 100th day celebration... and I forgot. OMG. Terrible auntie. BTW, Yeoun Jung is preggers again!!

Tracy's getting married!! And odd lessons learned.

I just had the most awesome weekend ever with a bunch of college friends...and new ones, too!

My friend Tracy is getting married in three weeks, so a bunch of us celebrated in Monkey Island, Oklahoma. We went out on a boat (where everything's better), shadow danced, and sang karaoke with a couple of cowboys.

Her family friends were incredible. They always kept us entertained and well fed! And Tracy's mom is adorable. Very sweet!

Anyway, we learned a lot of things this weekend that are worth sharing:

1. Never leave your keys on the back of the toilet.

2. Your keys, as heavy as they are, will flush down the toilet.

3. It's a good idea to keep a spare set of keys in your car in case you do flush your keys down a toilet at a gas station.

4. RSVP literally means: répondez s'il vous plaît

5. "If You Seek Amy" by Britney Spears is code for: F-U-C-# ME! Woh!

6. Bedazzled jeans are still not in fashion.

7. Never let your friends allow you to sleep at a bar. (Poor random guy)

8. Pear Absolut and club soda don't exactly taste good together.

9. Obey the speed limit. (My warning ticket was a nice souvenir, though.)

10. Good friends need to hang out more often.