It seems like everyone is wondering about the situation between North and South Korea (and let's not forget the U.S., Russia, and China...)
Today, I talked with a friend of mine who travels to Korea two to three times a year. She said something like, "Normally, my concern level is at a 2. But now, it's definitely more." To me, that's saying something.
Then, just a few minutes after that, someone at worked asked me, "Have you talked to your family in Korea?"
Clearly, it's on a lot of people's minds... well, at least if they're American.
When I got off work tonight, I called my sister, Hyun Jeong. And like usual, she said she is not concerned. Not concerned? How can this be?
Then, I talked to her husband, Glenn. He said he was a little worried, but his voice didn't have the same urgency as the voice in my head. Really?
It has occurred to me over the years that South Koreans really don't consider the North to be a threat. They don't believe that the North wants to really go to war. They are used to crazy threats from Kim Jung Il and his regime. They even shrug their shoulders at a torpedo now and then.
It's unimaginable to me. My parents were so concerned when Jim and I went to Korea back in November... I can't imagine what they'd be thinking now.
I'm getting off subject a bit, but generally Korean people are so hard to understand. In one regard, they're super healthy with the way they nourish themselves. The food seems so healthy. Yet, when we were in Korea, people kept sneezing on each other and us during the height of swine flu. Jim was outraged! No one taught them to cover their mouths?
The same thinking goes for the tense situation over there. How can people ever get scared? They live next to an unstable country with a leader who's eccentric and aging. What does he care if he starts a war? The countries never signed a treaty to end the war in the 1950s. They just signed a cease fire. UH, HELLO?
I know South Koreans are just used to this kind of behavior from their naughty neighbors to the north, but it sure scares the daylights out of me. South Koreans are (again, generally) such happy, pinky-ponky people. I worry about their internal threat meters sometimes.
So... the last two weeks, I've played a game with myself. I've stopped buying groceries.
Why? Because I spend about $200 every time I go to Sam's, and I think--for what? Really? $200?! It seems crazy. I have enough basmati rice to last a year. The same goes for oatmeal.
I've had enough. Time to stop the insanity!
Just two weeks ago, I spent about $200 and was actually surprised. I was amazed at how out-of-touch I was with reality. I thought I had about $100 of groceries in my cart, but nope... it was double that. So, I decided I was going to start using what I had in my pantry.
How's it going? Well, tonight, I took my basmati rice and added butter, broccoli and cheese... next up, chicken sausage with basmati rice, onions, and olive oil. Not bad! I also gathered all of my veggies (potatoes, celery, carrots, onions, and garlic) to make vegetable soup.
Now, we're on a roll.
I make a bunch of food so that I don't have to cook for the rest of the week. I can eat the same two things all week long and so can Jim. I might make a bunch of tuna salad for him during the week, and then have one or two options for him for dinner. I do the same with me... usually, it's a cheese tortilla for lunch, soup or chicken for dinner. Our poor (future) kids... they're going to hate leftovers by the time they grow up.
The only problem with cooking late at night...is EATING late at night!
Anyway, I should add that in this game of ours, we can buy staples. Today after work, Jim rode the scooter to Dillons and bought $16 worth of groceries. Milk, eggs, bread and toilet paper. I think that's the first time Jim's been grocery shopping by himself since we've been married! Of course, I really think he wanted an excuse to ride the scooter...
This is a very important new project I'm doing at KSPR-- I hope it changes lives! PLEASE DOUBLECLICK ON IT BECAUSE IT PLAYS WEIRD HERE!
Meet Dalton, an intelligent, energetic and determined young boy with a charming smile!
This all-American boy loves sports, especially football and basketball. Playing outside is another thing he enjoys. Outside or inside, you will see Dalton playing with Star Wars toys, which are his favorite!
Dalton is in the second grade and does well academically. He is very smart and is especially talented at reading.
Dalton currently benefits from counseling, which will need to continue after placement.
Dalton’s caseworker prefers a two-parent family for him; however, all family types will be considered. A loving, structured home environment would be the most beneficial for this young boy.
In the future, Dalton wishes to maintain contact with his siblings. Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services. Call The Adoption Exchange for more information at 1-800-554-2222.
This is my nephew Won Hoo... in Korea, there's no such thing as flippin' the bird... so, my sister has no clue how bad this looks! But, it's still so cute!!
My sister wrote, "Now he knows that he is taking a picture." Ha! Lost in translation...
This fake yo-yo champ has been duping TV stations... even in Missouri. I laughed so hard watching the video... apparently in St. Joe, this yo-yo guy hit himself in the head and the groin!
Scroll through some of the video to get to the good stuff... and read this story. *UPDATE* Apparently, the Wisconsin station pulled the video, but I found another! This one from Joplin!
What do you think? Should I book this guy on KSPR News at 4?
Can anyone honestly pass up Askinosie Chocolate? Tomorrow (Tues.), they'll be handing out free cupcakes to kick-off their new line.
The first 100 customers will receive a FREE chocolate cupcake with chocolate butter cream icing! From there on, Askinosie Chocolate will offer more flavors including chocolate, vanilla, banana, and red velvet each Tuesday.
Can you say YUM!?!?!
Here's an OLD story I did on Shawn in 2007. A little embarrassed about the way I sucked down some chocolate, but whatever. It happened.
Is this a great idea? Is this a bad idea? Is this hillbilly or is this progressive? I've heard that we're actually behind in this movement.
If the city allows residents to own chickens, I hope only my good neighbors consider them. I have/had a couple of neighbors who can't/couldn't take care of their cats... they ended up pooping in my yard all the time and chillin' on my porch. Minnie thought their poo was "kitty candy."
And, I guess since I grew up in farm country, I'm kind of over it. My mom would tell me these awful stories of my strong, big-boned, great-grandmother chopping off a chicken's head and then plucking out all of the feathers so they could have something for dinner. I think she hated chicken for years.
Still, I also think having chickens and eggs would be kind of fun. Cost-effective? NO. But, kind of fun. And maybe a little smelly.
The woman in the story is a friend of mine. Actually, I hang out with her teen girls! Our connection is adoption, so the girls and I will get together a few times a year and do something fun. Last time it was Silver Dollar City!
Anyway, back to the chickens. I like chickens. We had some when I was a kid. I am all about sustainability. I just don't think it's for me... but again, you're talking about someone who killed off her garden a couple of years ago. I'm hopeless. I will, however, gladly accept some chicken eggs!
OTHER CHICKEN TALES: Chickens embarrassed me as a kid. How can that be? In high school, our mascot was a rooster. Seriously??? It was like I lived in a mocumentary--Asian girl grows up in a chicken town...with a rooster as a mascot. We were the Roosters and Chicks. You can imagine the jokes when we played ball against the Carrollton Trojans or the Lexington Minutemen. Try telling somebody your high school mascot was a rooster and see the response you get... that's all I'm sayin'. A former co-worker at KY3 (news producer and blogger Chris Replogle, a rival from Nevada) gave me the nickname "Rooster"... and it stuck.
One more story-- I once hit a chicken while it crossed the road. It was like a cartoon. A poof of feathers flew up in the air, and I couldn't see out my windshield for several seconds. I'm pretty sure I had two girlfriends in the front seat (someone always sat in between the driver and passenger back then--don't recommend it!) We screamed like any 16-year-old would... then we laughed. That's what happens when you live 15 minutes out of "town" and on a backroad. To this day, I still slow down over hills on backroads-- you could run smack dab into a chicken, a cow, a tractor, or much worse if you're not careful.
Have you ever heard someone say, "I wish people spoke American," and you wanted to say, "You mean, English?"
American and English go hand-in-hand to some people.
It's a feeling you might get from Tim James, a man who wants to be the next governor of Alabama. His latest political ad is getting some attention--
DISCLAIMER: I am ALWAYS careful when blogging about anything related to politics. I want people to know I'm interested in this topic--not the man in this ad nor his political affiliation.
My opinion? At first, the message seems a little bullyish, but I'm sure it would be a cost-effective measure. Printing out tests in a dozen or so different languages seems like it would cost taxpayers more money.
On principle alone, I think we need to remember we are a country of immigrants. Some of us have just been here longer than others. I recently visited Chinatown in San Francisco, and I thought it was so beautiful. I felt lucky to live in such a diverse country. I spent time people-watching and saw many who didn't appear to speak a lick of English. It didn't bother me. Why would it? Am I supposed to feel more entitled than someone else because I grew up speaking English?
When I visit Korea, I try to speak broken-Korean, but I don't make a big effort to learn that language. In fact, I'd prefer it if Korean people tried out their English on me. Boy, that's a big, fat, ugly American for you, isn't it? I know Korean people learn English at a young age, so I figure that's probably the way I'll communicate with Koreans. It's faster. Plus, English is everywhere in Korea--even on the road signs... and that country is super homogeneous, unlike the U.S. Can you even imagine if Americans tried to add another language to all U.S. road signs? Or the political ads that would come out in response?
Again, the argument could very well come down to money (with the above political ad.) I'm just sayin'...
I just got back from wine country with some of my college girlfriends. We had such a blast going to all of the different wineries, asking a million questions, and observing life on the West Coast.
Of course, the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. I would've shared my experiences as they were happening, but there just wasn't enough time. I actually attempted to tape a story for work, and it turned out to be a nuisance. So, I quit. I realized I'd rather just enjoy time with my friends and live life!
Anyway, we had a wonderful time... but here are some of the more funny, behind-the-scenes observations.
1. Hicks (for lack of a better word...) are everywhere. I posted this on my Facebookpage when it happened. I'm pretty sure he was from Napa because he had CA plates, and I just couldn't imagine him vacationing there. He spit so loudly... and he kept doing it over and over again. If you want to dip at the table, that's fine, but please be discreet! The fact that he was spitting on the floor was also ruining my appetite. I kept making up a story in my head-- like he's a "wannabe hick"... not even from the Midwest, but he wants to emulate what he thinks people are like here. Kind of like how we see Midwestern kids talk like surfers... or how a Korean pop singer will occasionally throw in an English word like "East Side" in their songs.
2. I don't care how trendy you are, how space-challenged you are, unisex bathrooms are creepy. I mean, it's one thing to have a unisex bathroom if it's a one-toilet stall with a locked door. It's really weird to have guys next to you in line... in the bathroom. Never in my life have I experienced that. And, by looking at the surprised faces of many of my bathroom mates, I'd say we were all in the same boat. I mean, what if I had lady business? Or, what if some guy had some heavy-duty business...and that bathroom was the only choice? WEIRD.
3. And, this is a funny pic of my underwear. Sounds weird to say, huh? My IMO (check her out in the post below) gave me underwear with a zipper on the crotch. She said I should wear it to hide money, especially when I travel. I almost died with laughter! I also laughed because she got an XXXL. I mean, I guess that could be accurate if we're going by Korean sizes. I'm like *Beyonce x2* when it comes to Korean sizes. I just look at those and hear my Imo's voice, "You put the money inside! It's good!" My uncle innocently suggested I put my phone in there since I lost it earlier that day... (insert joke.)
Today (Tuesday) was a sunny day in San Francisco, so I took the BART all by myself to San Leandro to visit my Imo (Korean word for aunt-mother's sister) and Uncle Stacy.
I wasn't going to meet with them if the weather was as bad as predicted--hail in some cases. Some parts of California even got snow this morning!
Anyway, I digress.
I learned today that my Korean mother and father WERE NOT indeed poor when my mother secretly placed me for adoption. Lack of income was a reason used in my file, and I kept that thought alive for the last 12 years. To me, it just made sense, and I never questioned it.
Apparently, my Korean mother had a lot of urging and pressure from my father's eldest brother. You see, my birth father and birth mother were the babies in their families. My eldest uncle on my birth father's side was a lot older-- when I met him in the year 2000, he was in his 70s. My birth father was in his early 50s. My uncle was a strong paternal figure for my Korean parents.
Anyway, my birth father's eldest brother pressured my Korean mother to have a son. I won't say much more than that, other than apparently he wasn't too pleasant about it.
My Korean mother was also superstitious. While pregnant, she went to a fortune teller. The fortune teller told her that her child (me) would not have a long life in Korea. Korean people tend to be very superstitious... but because my mother was still pregnant with me, she did not tell anyone what the fortune teller told her. (I knew she had gone to a fortune teller, but I thought that was after we reunited. I didn't know this influenced her decision to relinquish me.)
When she gave birth to me, she placed me for adoption in secret. She told everyone I had died. My birth father was away at sea, traveling between Korea and Japan for business. For some reason, I always thought he was a fisherman, but I don't think that's true either.
Nonetheless, my Korean mother felt she had no choice. I still feel so sorry for her because she must've felt terribly alone.
My Imo didn't know I was alive until I called her one day. I remember it being around the year 2000. I have a hard time understanding that because I got her phone number from my Korean family. I assumed she was given a "heads-up" about me calling... but tonight, my Imo said that she didn't know about me until then. So, either I misunderstood something, or that's really the truth.
Funny thing, my Korean mother and father were both so ashamed, but my Imo saw the good side. She said she told my mother that, "Michelle is a blessing." All of my sisters went to college, everyone turned out okay... and I was in the United States. A blessing, indeed.
And then... Stacy turned to me and said something like, "Yung (my imo) was upset because she would've loved to adopt you." My Imo then shouted, "Yeah!" It was as if she wholeheartedly agreed.
It was a simple statement, but it had just never occurred to me. Suddenly, a million thoughts rushed through my head... my brain was in overdrive. What would it have been like to grow up near San Francisco instead of rural Missouri? Would I know Korean? Would I have been me? What would my profession be? What would my parents, Charles and Sharon have done--who would they have adopted? Who would I be married to right now? Would I know I was adopted or would my auntie and the family keep it a secret? It's all totally plausible because Korean people tend to NOT be forthcoming... it's a cultural thing.
I told Jim, and it was a bit heavy for us. And, at the same time, as I left San Leandro, I felt a stronger connection to Imo and Stacy. They would've cared for me and loved me, for sure. But, I don't have any regrets, and I don't think they do either.
It also occurred to me that I have a greater responsibility to care for my Imo when she gets older. I am her only blood relative in the United States. She and Stacy don't have children... only a few nieces and nephews. They both are great people, and although I know they're happy, content, and competent, I worry about who will take care of them as they age.
The funny thing is that revelations can be small and seem insignificant in so many ways. At the same time, one sentence can trip you up for a few hours. Knowing my birth parents had the financial means to raise me seemed a little disappointing. Hearing that my aunt would've willingly raised me stunned me. It's not a big deal, but it is a big deal.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Finding birth family does not solve anything. It does not bring closure. It, in fact, complicates things and feelings. Sometimes I envy those adoptees who can still fantasize about their birth family and place them on a pedestal. They can still have dreams of being a "Korean princess", or a little Asian, orphan Annie.
At the same time, I wouldn't change a thing. My life has been so enriched, and it's forced me to take more pride in being Korean. I just told someone last week that I've spent more than half my life being embarrassed about being Korean... and I won't do it anymore. I won't let people tell me who I am. My life experiences make me who I am--whether it's from Charlie and Sharon or Won Gap and Hang Soon. Or my IMO... I am blessed, just like Imo said!
On a lighter note, check her out! She really cracks me up.
My brother-in-law got married this weekend! It was such a beautiful ceremony... and the bride was probably the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. Tiffany is super tall, tan, blonde, gorgeous... she looked stunning in her dress.
Jim was the best man, not surprisingly. What did suprise me, was his toast. There are very few times when a loved one blows you away... wouldn't you say? Well, Jim blew me away with his toast. He did such a good job talking about his brother, including their grandpa Joe, and talking about the things that make their brotherly relationship so special. It really did bring a few tears to my eyes. And I was shocked at how well Jim worked the crowd. I mean, nothing he does amazes me because that's why I married him, but I was surprised to see him look so at ease with speaking.
A BAD TRAVEL DAY
The wedding was Saturday. Fast forward to today--Monday. We drove back from St. Louis Sunday night, and like the dummy I am, I chose to stay up all night and take my time packing. This way, I could finish the laundy, do the dishes, and make Jim's lunches for the week.
Afterall, I'd sleep on the plane... my flight left at 6:15 a.m.
WRONG!
My flight was delayed because a light indicator was going off. We had to wait for a mechanic.
We waited. and waited... and waited...
Finally, the flight was delayed further. Then, it was just canceled.
Then, I got re-routed to Chicago, which meant I'd be in San Francisco about 8 hours than originally planned. Not happy.
Then, I went and ordered chili fries. I mean, I was up all night! It didn't matter that it was 7 a.m. to me... it's always 5 o'clock somewhere...
A few minute later, I heard a guy say to another that the plane had been fixed. Huh? So, I marched my butt up to the desk and asked... sure enough, it was. I asked to be re-routed to Denver because there were more flights available to SF from there.
Prayers answered.
There was a lot more drama involved, but I'm too tired. So basically, I got here at 1:30 p.m. rather than 10 a.m.
Only problem... my luggage didn't make it.
Still at 8:20 p.m. SF time... still not here. I took a shower when I came to the room, but I still had to put on my dirty clothes afterwards. Yuck!
That leads me to my next story...
A BAD-ASS BLOODY MARY
I am drinking one bloody mary. Not out of frustration, but just because I like the taste of them. Bloody marys remind me of my college days hanging out at a bar called Louise's West. Not only did they have the best bloody mary recipe, they also served it with a pickle.
This pickle has haunted me ever since. I always have to ask for a pickle and explain to the bartender and the people around me that it's really, really good.
In fact, if I have guests over at my house, I will serve them bloody marys and pickles. And they all agree it's pretty good.
So, that's what happened at Max's, the bar in my hotel. I ordered a bloody mary with a side of pickles... the bartender told me I was the first to ever ask for pickles. (Yes!) I like being the first...
Anyway, the bartender makes a pretty mean bloody mary mix-- I remember hearing lemons, limes, worcestershire, A1, pepper, and horseradish... but I can't remember the rest. To me, I think a good ingredient is Greek seasoning.
The bartender also told me to go to a bar called Zeitgeist. He said it's kind of a biker bar, but they have the best bloody marys. After reading a few reviews, I'm definitely up for it. Still wish I had my luggage, but I'm getting over it.
Openly racist Glenn Miller is running for U.S. Senate. And again, Mr. Miller is catching controversy... his political ads are airing across the state, and they should be shocking. But they're not.
What else would you expect?
I actually debated whether to even put this on here because I don't like drawing attention to it. At the same time, I think it's interesting.
I am always intrigued by people like Glenn Miller. Do you think he really believes what he's saying? I'd like to interview him.
Hate is such a terrible thing. I really hate hate. I could talk about this for hours, but I won't. Not right now. Instead, watch this story we did on him, by clicking here.
From a numbers standpoint, Missouri and Arkansas have more hate groups than most states in the U.S., according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. What I think is interesting is the number of Christian hate groups-- sounds like an oxymoron, right?
This is Joshua Sacco, a 5-year-old who delivers Herb Brooks' "Miracle" speech... it is freaking hilarious.
By the way, this was shown live on NESN, the New England Sports Network. Jim used to work there! He traveled to Japan with NESN to interview the "Babe Ruth" of Japan and other baseball greats. I loved watching his story, and it won an Emmy.
I've been invited to speak at Missouri State University tomorrow night to talk about why Asians rock (seriously) for Asian American Heritage Month. MSU likes to start celebrating in April, though the official month is May.
There are so many things I want to say about this. But, I really need to be tweaking my speech right now.
Like the video, there are really great things about being Asian American. First of all, I always thought of myself as being Americanfirst before my ethnicity. But, I do take great pride in being a Korean-born Asian.
I do wish more people in the Ozarks took pride in their backgrounds, that diversity was placed at a higher importance than we've seen in the workplace, schools, the community. I wish we had more business and community leaders who fought for change, ensured equality, and enlightened others about their differences. It is a struggle everywhere in this country, but since I live in the Ozarks, I'm focused on what positive changes can be made HERE.
It is a marathon, not a sprint. In the meantime, enjoy the YouTube video... and if you'd like, come hear me speak! Other great speakers will be there, too. Thursday night around 7 p.m. at Plaster Student Union, third floor.
Leaders from Fort Leonard Wood came to KSPR to share some valuable information-- for the first time in three decades, the military is changing the way it trains people. Working smarter, not harder, per se.
I love the military. I never had the kahonas to even consider joining, but I do have family members who are currently serving. And, of course, friends. Even if you don't want to get political, you should always support our troops!
And, I'm feeling very fortunate. They asked me to speak at the post in May for Asian American Heritage Month. Woot! Details to come.
If you're following the K2 debate, then watch my latest story (scroll all the way down.) I think K2 will eventually be illegal in Missouri, but for now, the bills are running their courses in Jeff City.
Representative Ward Franz from West Plains told me last night that a senate committee discussed his house bill. Franz's bill would make K2 a felony, and it would go into effect immediately. He says some people have complained to him of having rapid heart beats and high blood pressure from using K2. He says K2 should have harsher consequences than marijuana, simply because it's more dangerous. In his mind, he says it's definitely not comparing apples to apples.
On the other hand, there are arguments out there that say if K2 is banned, something else will take its place. A lot of K2 supporters say this is also an argument to make marijuana legal.
The truth? Don't ask me. There are compelling arguments for both. I think there's no question that kids shouldn't use it... but that's not the argument. Even the K2 supporters I've talked to believe K2 use should be limited to adults. Do alcohol and tobacco cause more deaths? Actually, yes... but, I just don't see how anyone can use that alone as an argument to keep K2 legal.
On a side note, here's what I think is interesting. I called local hospitals, and they're not tracking it. I've heard stories of people getting sent to the E.R. and doctors having no idea how to diagnose or treat it... but in the end, I think it's new enough that people can't make a great assessment about K2. Are lawmakers jumping the gun? Perhaps. Are users being too careless about what they're putting in their bodies? Maybe. We all know smoking anything is not good for your body...
Again, I think there are believable, credible arguments for both sides. But in reality, I can't see any lawmaker actually advocating for K2. If not for safety concerns, the fallout in the next election would be enough to stop a politician from supporting it. So, despite what anyone thinks, the decision will likely be made for Missourians before the majority of residents even know what K2 is.
I'm not prepared to give my personal opinion, but I do think it's fair, as always, to listen to both sides.
Check this out! Mike Scott calls it the dunk of the year.
It's Trey Starks-- he goes to Hillcrest. Watch as he jumps over another human being! What I can't believe is that he's not quite six feet tall. I want to see this kid in action! Go Trey! (Read more here.)
This thing has gone viral! Nearly 11,000 hits since 10:45 p.m. Sunday night (this was updated at 9:10 p.m. Monday...)
Another great Rittman find: Tae Yang is so dreamy. I think it's so cool that he sounds and looks like any other American artist, yet he's Korean! It's strange how some things transcend...
I really love Korean pop. Love it. Love it. Love it. I think it's funny how some artists will try to sing in English... and say things like, "east side, west side."
Nonetheless, I do have a new crush on Tae Yang. He is my b-boy forever.
Okay, this is in response to Nick! He asked where he can buy cucumber kimchi. He recently ate at my favorite restaurant, Soo's, and said he loved the cucumber kimchi.
Nick! You can buy cucumber kimchi at the Asian market just down Campbell. It's a little different than the kind you get served at Soo's... most of the time, it's stuffed. But it's still tasty!
courtesy thepauperedchef.com (This is the kind of kimchi you'll likely buy at an Asian food store)
You can also look for it at the Asian market on Glenstone. (I think near Glenstone and Bennett.) I also like to go to that one because it's convenient.
I always make my own cucumber kimchi. I think it tastes more similar to the one you can order at Soo's. It's super easy, you'll laugh at how easy it is! Click here to find the recipe!
Hope that helps, Nick! ...And to anyone who wants to try cucumber kimchi. It is honestly my favorite kimchi to eat, and overall, I think it's a dish that goes over well among newbies to Korean food.
In just a few weeks, I'll be jet-setting to California to visit a handful of my college girlfriends. We're all celebrating our 30th year on earth, and I can't wait to see them! We're going to stay in San Francisco and hit up Napa Valley while we're there.
(Tracy's missing in this pic, though it was her wedding!)
One of my girlfriends works on the business side of a prominent hotel chain, so she's getting us a great deal on accommodations. But, I'm going to go out a couple of days early so I can visit Imo and Stacy. My dilemma has been where to stay before the girls come out.
I typically like to use VRBO.com. I always tell everyone how awesome it is... but this time around, it was really hard for me to find something that fit me. Plus, I'll be traveling alone for the first time in my life! I mean, I've traveled alone before, but it was always for a convention or something, so it didn't really feel like I was alone. I want to be somewhere central, busy, and safe... plus, I want to be close to Union Square because that's where we're all staying once the girls come in. I don't want to lug my suitcase very far!
I found a great hotel! I'm going to be staying at Hotel Frank. Ever heard of it? It's a part of a string of Personality Hotels... I couldn't be more thrilled! The design is so beautiful.
I'll definitely take pictures when I get there. And, the best part... I got the room for $125 a night-- and I even upgraded to a suite! Ooh la la! I have a feeling that Jim will wish he could come on this trip!
If you go to a uber chic Personality Hotel, let me know and send pictures!
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- South Korea's Kim Yu-na has won the women's figure skating gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics -- and did it by setting a record. Photos: Women's Figure Skating Finals
South Korea's Kim Yu-Na performs during the women's free skating event.
Ms. Kim shattered her own world mark by scoring 228.56 points, more than 18 higher than her previous record. She is the winner of South Korea's first Olympic medal in the sport.
Mao Asada of Japan won the silver, but finished 23 points behind Ms. Kim.
Joannie Rochette, whose mother died four days ago, got the bronze, Canada's first women's medal in the games since 1988. American Mirai Nagasu finished fourth.
I just found this on my sister's Facebook page. I've never seen it before! I wanted to take pictures and document Jim's trip the ER in Korea, but I just thought that was too heartless (as his wife, I mean.)
But, I really wanted to record the memory for him! Korean people apparently go to the E.R. for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. My Korean family says people even go for colds, so they really pushed us into going.
Here's what happened. We got married Korean-style in Busan (also my birthplace.)
We then went to T.G.I.Friday's (really? An American restaurant?) Jim ordered a chicken sandwich. So did Glenn. Apparently, the chicken was not cooked properly, and Jim got terribly ill as we were returning to Miryang. He was vomiting uncontrollably and sweating... he was like that for a full day. We got really concerned later that night, and Glenn suggested we go to the E.R.
Surprisingly, the doctor spoke English very well. I enjoyed talking with him!
It was traumatic, however. While we were there, a family rushed in carrying a screaming little girl. She had something sharp in her eye, and the doctor couldn't get it out. I think they transferred her. She made the most gut-wrenching sound, and everyone was practically in tears listening to it.
I really liked going to the E.R., aside from Jim actually being sick. I saw my birth family in action, and that was so cool. Immediately, they took care of Jim. They all went to the E.R. in a caravan, and they patiently waited for the doctor to tell them what was wrong. It was such a strong family moment, and though it was an awkward time to be happy, I was overjoyed at how my birth family responded. They reminded me of Jim's family. There were so many of them running around and being supportive. I grew up in a small family, so the dramatics aren't quite there when two of us run to each others' side. Jim comes from a large family... and apparently, I do, too!
Anyway, if you ever go to an E.R. in a small Korean mountain town, it will be a really interesting experience. Ours looked like an urgent care center and NOT the E.R. we are used to seeing in the states. Jim got an IV, and after an hour or so, we went home. And this is the only picture we have of it!
KSPR's Gridiron Joel Girdner was creeping on the internet and found this picture of me and my sweetheart just now. Thanks, Joel!
If I remember right, this is after a tornado. I kind of think this was after a tornado hit the River Downs subdivision in Nixa. Refresh my memory... 2006? Those were the good days... I mean, not because of the tornado. But because Jim and I worked together.
I've been so busy these days that I haven't been able to blog. I'm in the process of testing products again, and if you have any insight, let me know!
1. iposture (gives you a buzz when you don't sit up straight!)
2. Haan steam cleaner-- I've always wanted to test these out!
3. Cooljamaz-- these are PJs that you're supposed to wear if you sweat a lot-- good for those who are going through menopause or chemo... we'll see!
4. I'm also in the process of testing out a Shutter cover (that's supposed to bring down your heat bills... ) but I don't know if it's going to make the Does It Work Segment.
These are a few that I'm working now... I think they're bigger and better than what I've previously. The monetary value has gone up significantly... so we'll see! I am going to do the stories a little differently this go-around, so I'll keep you posted on who will test them. But, in the meantime, if you have ideas, would like to volunteer to be a tester, or know a good product to test, leave a comment!
One of our keen producers, Larry Burkum, may have found out the secret the folks at JQH have been trying to keep under wraps until Monday morning.
Country music star Carrie Underwood may be coming to Springfield. In my opinion... if it's true, it would be Springfield's first major concert. Yes, we've had big names come before, like the Eagles, but they're not, um... current. (Don't be mad Eagles fans!)
If Carrie Underwood comes to Springfield, who's next? Please, please let it be Beyonce. :)
Anyway, read the story on KSPR.com-- but all I can say is thank goodness for screen captures!
This is my personal blog! I like to write about my family, friends, and passions. No hidden agendas, though I'm a crazy advocate for adoption. I'm here to make friends and peace, and I hope you do the same when you leave a comment!
Can anyone honestly pass up 
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