K-A-T-I-E!!!

While most little girls were playing with their Barbies and baby dolls, I was dressing up and playing "Katie Couric". 

No joke. 

For as long as I can remember, I've had a fascination with the news, 20/20, and the Today Show. 

So, it's no surprise then that my old next door neighbor and I would dress up, pull over chairs or stools, and put on news programs for our families or neighbors or stuffed animals. I admit, we were odd kids, but pretty darn awesome at the same time.  

I'm not sure what it was about Katie that first captured my attention, but I can always remember having a deep admiration for her and her work. 

If you asked me when I was younger who I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd tell you Katie Couric. If I could switch places with anyone for a day, it'd be Katie. 

Yes, I became a teacher, but there's always been a little inner journalist inside me wishing she could burst out. Since I know that teaching is where God has me (and I love it!), I have to feed that little inner journalist bits and pieces where I can (like being on the news this time.... and this time)!

I was quite saddened when Katie left the Today show. I'd watch her on the CBS evening news on occasion, but it was never the same. So, I was thrilled when she started her own talk show. She could finally be herself again--laughing and joking and crying and being real with people. Perhaps that's why I love her so much. She's real. 

When I heard earlier this week that Katie was coming to LA to film a few shows, I was ecstatic. I tried all week to get tickets. I was put on the waitlist, then they were sold out, then I was back on the waitlist--I was dying! Finally, yesterday, the status changed from waitlist to available. FREAK OUT!

So, Mom and I drove down to Hollywood late last night, woke up FAR too early, stood in line anxious and excited, and finally got seated in the studio. I was loving it! 

I had a slight freak out when I saw Katie for the first time. She came out, thanked us for coming, and explained how they'd be filming the show that day. You could just tell that she truly loves what she does. She's so fun to watch! Will.i.am and Zooey Deschanel were the special guests--and both were incredible. We got to take home both of their new CDs! LOVE free stuff! I was seriously so sad to see it end. It was such a fun experience! 

I suppose we'll just have to go see her again when we travel to New York next. Ahhh shucks! :)

Be sure to tune in and watch our episode on MAY 8th on CBS! If you're looking at the audience we were on the very right hand side in the 3rd row. Mom's wearing blue and I'm wearing bright orangish. 

ENJOY! 

Highlight Reel #4

We'll be wrapping these reels up before too long, but for now, enjoy highlight reel #4, brought to you from days 7-9 of our adventure!

Day 7: This day began (and continued) with a six hour bus/walking tour. We saw everything! I'd highly recommend the free walking tours and almost free bus tour to anyone in or traveling to NY! Click here for more information (if you click on the bus tour link, you'll even see our picture)! Our day was completed with our first Broadway show--Sister Act! We LOVED it!

 Central Park

 Washington Square

In Brooklyn, with the skyline behind us 

 A memorial at Trinity Church right by Ground Zero

Sister Act!

Day 8: This day began with brunch with Graham in Greenwich Villiage (so fun!), continued with seeing ONCE (the best show ever!), and was completed with Cannoli (my favorite!). 

 Don't we look snazzy? 

 This is Steve. He won the Tony for best actor. He's taking a picture of us with MY PHONE! It was awesome. ;)

Cannoli is my favorite in the history of ever. 

Day 9: This day started EARLY with a trek to the Today show (we got some mighty good air time), continued with a tour of the NBC Studios where I played weather girl again (we have the video if anyone cares to watch it), and ended with NEWSIES (love the dancing!)! 

 Yup, we're ridiculous. 

 Here I am with Savannah. So cool!

This is in the NBC Studios. Love!

Newsies!!!

I hope you enjoyed these highlights. Stay tuned for the last highlight reel tomorrow!

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be...

When I was asked this question as a child, I gave many different answers. Here are a few in alphabetical order (because I can't figure out their order of importance):

Actress
Ambassador
Astronaut
News anchor
Pilot
Teacher

How did these dreams and aspirations originate? Well, they say I was a bit dramatic (actress); I wanted to travel and see the world (ambassador--although I'm not even sure how I knew what an ambassador was as a child. It was probably all that news and 20/20 I watched); I loved learning about space (astronaut); the news was my favorite TV show (news anchor); I love(d) being up in the sky (pilot); and my mom was a teacher (teacher).

I sometimes wonder how teacher won out. At first glance, it seems like the least exciting profession listed above, and it was never at the top of my list growing up--it was just what I always knew. I know I decided against actress and news caster because I am quite competitive by nature. These careers are all about competition, and I didn't want to fail. I decided a life of trying and failing or trying harder and harder to get ahead wasn't for me. This isn't to say that I couldn't have done it, but God led my heart away from it (and I was never a great actress--let's me honest).  I certainly admire those that are actors and news anchors--those that toughed it out and succeeded. The ambassador route was never taken seriously because I didn't really know what they did or how to go about becoming one. During high school, I realized that science wasn't my strength, so I ruled out pilot and astronaut. It seems as if teacher won by process of elimination.

Ultimately, I know that it was God's sovereignty that led me into this profession. It was His spirit that led my heart to choose this path as opposed to another, but I still sometimes wonder how my life would be different had I chosen a different career path.

I still look at that list with an element of longing. They are still the dreams of my childhood...

Fortunately, I have gotten a slight taste of what some of these careers may have been like:

Actress: I did it in high school and loved it. I act in front of my students every single day. That'll have to do.

News anchor: I did get to be on the news a few times, and I had a blast (but I've been told to stick with my day job).

Pilot: I do get to fly a helicopter sometime soon. I'll keep you posted on how I like it. :)

Now if only I could get a taste of what being an ambassador or an astronaut would be like, my childhood dreams would be fulfilled. :)

And who knows, maybe God has something else lined up for my future! I'll do the very best I can with where He has me now, and keep my mind and heart open to His plans for my future.

What were your dreams as a child?? Answer this question for me: When you grow up, what do you want to be???