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

I'm still alive, but there's always tomorrow...

Obama went fine on Saturday. It actually helped that we went on late because of a football game.

Now, let's talk about election day. Seriously, another day of potential clusters. However, I am optimistic. I'm going to Nixon's party in St. Louis, and I'm very excited yet nervous about it.

This brings me to another thought. If you're a reporter, you always hope the person you're covering wins the race. It has nothing to do with bias because most of the time, we don't get to pick which watch party we cover (unless a reporter has covered a particular person/issue.) You always hope the person you cover wins because, honestly, it's no fun being at the loser's party. It's actually kind of depressing. So, if Nixon wins, don't take it the wrong way if you catch me smiling every now and then during our coverage. I would just be smiling because we're at an upbeat party. It's no fun trying to chase down people who are tired and peeved.

On a side note, I voted today. Absentee. It felt wonderful! However, I always pause about the judge questions. Do I want to keep who in what position? I started thinking...what's the alternative? And then, what happens to them if I vote no? I felt like I was being asked, "So, should this person keep their job?" Geez, guilt.

By the way, if you vote tomorrow, you can get a FREE COFFEE AT STARBUCKS and a FREE DONUT AT KRISPY KREME. Just wear your "I Voted" sticker!

One more side note. We used to have debates in the KY3 newsroom about whether journalists should vote. Some said we shouldn't vote because we need to always strive for objectivity. Others argued it's our responsibility to vote. Any thoughts? Clearly, you know how I feel! My argument is that I'm a person and a U.S. citizen first... a journalist, second. I especially take voting to heart because I am a naturalized citizen. It's pretty cool that I'm here to begin with!

The Obama Rally might kill me

Look, I don't mean to be a baby or anything, but I will be so glad when this election is over.

Though I'm thrilled (seriously!) that a presidential candidate thinks highly enough of Springfield to visit three days before the election, I'm pooped.

Tonight's rally will be terrifying for TV newsrooms all across the Ozarks. Why? Because he's speaking at Parkview High School tonight at 9 p.m. 9 p.m.!!

Terrible for news, really. Fox, for example, has a 9 o'clock newscast. That will be annoying for them. By the time they hit the air, Obama will likely be arriving late, as most candidates do, so you'll probably see a live report from someone at the top of the newscast who is clearly giving the "The-crowd-is-excited-Obama-is-late" liveshot. And at some point, the producer will want to go back out live to the speech when it starts. It's a killer for every producer because they have to watch the time to make sure the show ends on time.

And, it really doesn't get any better for the stations with a 10 p.m. newscast. Like I just said, Obama will probably be late. He'll probably speak around 9:15 or something...the reporters out in the field will be scrambling to feed something back. In KSPR's case, our reporter would have to drive something back because we can't edit in our trucks. However, I will be the one watching the entire feed from the station and then scrambling to cut something from our studio so that our reporter can stay out in the field to do the liveshot. And even then, there will be little time for a reporter out in the field to actually "report". How can someone? They'll have enough time to listen to parts of Obama's speech and then regurgitate some of it for the news.

It's rough.

I know things could be worse, and I'm not really complaining. Besides, some people thrive off of this stuff.

Me? I just get a lot of anxious feelings, headaches, and gas.

I'm just wishing this election was over already. Doesn't it feel like we've been going at this for years? Our election process is getting way too long.

Anyway, that's my issue with tonight, and just for the record, I talked with three people from different stations across the Ozarks and the state, and they agree with me. Hmph.