When I met Mike Kim and learned his story I was blown away. This was a guy who had a successful financial planning business.. had a new promotion.. a bright future ahead and he have it all up. It was a decision he made after a visit to China. It was originally just to see the country.. the Great Wall among other things. Then he met a girl who changed his life. She was 16.. from North Korea.. and had been sold across the border to a 50 year old Chinese man as a sex slave. After his return to the US Kim decided to return to the border and with friends help North Koreans find their freedom by using a modern 6,000 mile underground railroad to escape. Here is his story…
May 18th, 2013
Escaping North Korea
May 18th, 2013
The Little Chocolate Shop that Could
Here’s a story about two Korean-American sisters who pursued a dream to keep their family together. Ginger and Frances Park founded DC’s first chocolate shop more than 30 years ago. Behind the sweets is a beautiful story of survival, strength and heritage.
Loved telling their story!
May 16th, 2013
Asian Pacific American Special on NBC4!
Mike Kim helped North Koreans escape through a modern day underground railroad that runs through China, Laos and Thailand
I am so excited about what’s happening this Saturday. At 10am (following our show!) NBC4 presents it’s Asian-Pacific American Special. It’s 30 minutes jam packed with stories that will get you thinking and above all inspire! You will walk away having learned something guaranteed!
Ginger and Frances Park are two sisters who started DC's first Chocolate Shop more than 30 years ago. But behind the sweet treats.. is a story inspired by survival.
Along with tackling some big cultural issues like immigration.. the show will venture into something for everyone. There’s plenty for foodies to get excited about and music fans get ready for a great one-on-on with Richard On of O.A.R.!
We also take a close look at local Asian Americans who are changing our community and the world. One of the stories I contributed is about an Arlington man who’s tourist trip to China turned into a life long mission to help an oppressed people. Mike Kim gave up his successful financial business in the US and moved to the North Korea-China border to help North Koreans escape. This after discovering a 6,000 mile modern underground railroad. His story is heart-wrenching, fascinating and gives one hope. It even caught the eye of some of Hollywood’s biggest producers.
Don’t miss this great show hosted by Eun Yang this Saturday!
Tune in at 10AM after News4 Today on NBC4!
May 16th, 2013
Adorable infant shoes
While I was doing a story on mommy bootcamp I couldn’t help but notice some adorable baby shoes on the shelf. Come to find out a local mommy makes them. There are all sorts of designs and fabrics so I asked about them. Kelly Edwards is the creator of Poco Bella Designs. She’s from Leesburg too. I ordered Bob a couple pairs… one for the summer and another for the Fall. They just arrived and I cannot get over how precious they are!
May 13th, 2013
Tickled Pink 2013
With three weeks left before I’m scheduled to pop I was a little nervous about jumping on stage for a fashion show. However, I knew it would be a forgiving crowd because the Tickled Pink Mother-Daughter Tea is all about being a momma! The Lilly Pulitzer fashion show is one of my favorite events. It benefits Children’s Hospital and always draws the best crowd. For the third year in a row we walked the catwalk. Adora even waved to the crowd and did a twirl at the end of the runway! Thank you to everyone who came out to support! Photos by imijphoto.com and Kipp Burgoyne
May 11th, 2013
Morning show shower
It was more like a lunch.. but that’s how us at News4 Today like to celebrate special moments. It was very sweet to have my dear friend Eun organize a little get together to toast baby Bob. The crew met up at Cactus Cantina for some guac, chips, fajitas and fun. We even had a couple of Bob’s future “boys” drop in. Thank you to everyone for all the support.. I’m gonna miss you guys while on maternity leave. I’d like to say I’m not gonna miss the hours I’ll likely still be up during those ungodly hours on feeding duty!
May 8th, 2013
Visiting Lincoln’s Cottage
One of the originals. A signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation
I love history. When I saw a Groupon to visit Lincoln’s Cottage at Soldier’s Home I snatched up two tickets for me and my dad. My father is retired military and a Civil War junkie. Lincoln lived in the cottage next to where wounded soldiers were recovering for a quarter of his Presidency. Historians say the experience added to his sorrow during the war.. as it was a daily reminder of lives lost and a fight that seemed far from over. It was also a retreat though.. being a few miles from the White House downtown. Here.. he could get away from crowds lined up to meet or talk with him.
The tour lasted about 1 hour and unlike other museum or house visits (Monticello, Mount Vernon) there is really no furniture in the house. Instead.. the tour focuses on what happened in each room, guests who visited the President and above all the conversations had that reflect Lincoln’s character.
One of the civil war era cannons
A life size statue of Lincoln
May 6th, 2013
First visit to “Four Sisters”
What I love about my girlfriends.. they love not only to eat.. but they like to try new places and foods! This time we chose the highly talked about Four Sisters at the new shopping center in Merrifield Virginia known as the Mosaic District.
We started off with a few orders of Goi Cuon (Fresg garden shrimp & pork rolls) and Cha Gio (Crispy Pork Spring Rolls). Being pregnant.. I was really loving the fried rolls this time around. Might I add.. there was not one roll left– they went like hot cakes.
Thank goodness we had our friend Vi with us. She’s Vietnamese and knows all the dishes and helped us order. I stuck with my traditional favorite.. the Beef Pho. Some of my girlfriends ventured out and tried the Caramelized Fish Claypot. Lettuce Wraps were popular too. Some of my girlfriends brought their kids.. and chicken fried rice was a good choice for them.
Check out my 6 second Pho… courtesy Vine!
The space was perfect, parking was easy and free! Really enjoyed the staff who were friendly and attentive.. especially for a big party like ours. As for pricing.. not bad: Dishes ranged from $8- $15. Apps started at $4.25.
Jackie, Catherine with Juliette, Angie, Sumita, Alex, Vi, Kelly, April and Kere with Leighton
May 2nd, 2013
Anxieties of “having a boy”
I’m getting close.. 1 month away from meeting baby Bob. Anxieties are starting to kick in.
1) The diaper change! (I have yet to google/youtube the technique)
2) How wild are little boys really?
3) How’s Adora gonna handle this?
Must admit the joys of shopping continue. Despite what I was told.. I was able to find some pretty cool threads for the little guy!
