Journalism: An Emotional Business

I thought I would take time to write about something many may not know. Working in the news business can be an emotional rollercoaster. Much like police officers, we are often the first on the scene, seeing terrible tragedies, and have to report it on the evening news. There's no other way to say it, only that, it can really get to you sometimes.

In June we had a number of celebrities pass away. I actually had the chance to meet Ed McMahon once during an MDA Telethon and take a picture with him, so technically I can't say that I didn't know him. I just didn't know him well. We also lost Farrah and Michael on the same day. It was Friday. We got a bulletin in the newsroom that said "Michael Jackson was hospitalized". That was it. My first thought was "he probably fainted". He seems to push himself to the limit. The next bulletin came about 10 minutes later and it said Michael had a cardiac arrest. My heart sank. I knew it was not going to be good. 10 minutes later, TMZ.com reported that Michael was dead. I was stunned and I believe so emotional from a week already consumed with death. I immediately started texting close friends of mine to tell them the news.

I know that everyone has their own opinions about Michael. I believe he was a true entertainer that spanned so many decades. My little sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters is 15 years old. She was devastated. All of my friends my age...devastated. My 83 year old grandmother...devastated. Michael's music touched so many people's lives. I cried that day for an icon whom we lost so suddenly. May he rest in peace.

That brings me to today. I witnessed a horrible accident on 277 that left me so shaken, I could not bring myself to anchor the news tonight. A tanker of some kind slammed into a pick-up truck, spinning it. It seemed to go right thru it like a train. A child was ejected from the truck and there were maybe 2 adults and 2 more children in the truck screaming. It was all I could do not to break down. But I did anyway. A nice man at the scene moved my truck out of the road across the street into the gas station parking lot. I started crying and he gave me a hug and told me everything would be alright.

My heart hurt so much for this family, for the child I saw lying on the ground. I went to work an emotional wreck and my good friend and boss came to take me home. I bowed my head, closed my eyes and raised my hands in prayer for this family when I got home. Grateful that my own family is safe and sound tonight. Praying that this family will be okay. Realizing that sometimes we all take things for granted, especially life, the most precious thing of all.

Gym Mania

So for those who don't know, Dapper (as we like to call her) is an avid gym person. So we've been working out at the same time and it is really hard. Lots of cardio, lots of weights, more cardio and then the sauna.

But I guess I ask for the pain. I show up every day for more. If you see me on the news and I look like I'm in pain, now you know why.

I'll have to get some pictures of us sweating it out at the gym. Now that's really a sight.

Until next time,

kyna

Biggest Loser

It has been the most amazing 3 weeks. We kicked off our biggest loser series and I got a chance to meet some really nice people.

I really enjoyed sharing their stories with viewers and getting to know them. Everyone is working so hard and they are getting some great training from Leroy and Sherrie at Gold's Gym.

Everyone is staying so motivated. It has been emotional for some of our competitors, but they all are a team and it shows.

I'm really looking forward to next week. We get to meet up with them again and film them working out, and then they weigh in again on Thursday. Be sure to watch for the stories that air Tuesday and Thursday nights at 10pm.

Our photojournalist Danielle Reeves has been doing a wonderful job putting these powerful stories together.

Again, it's been a great experience. I'll keep you updated along the way!

Kyna

Money Savers Challenge

Well--what a week!! We had to try to make it on $15 for the whole week. It was actually a good learning experience and a chance to bond with my co-workers.

I got a chance to fix a few dishes for my co-workers. One of them was a tri-color rotini pasta with honey mustard dressing and honey turkey. The other was something my husband showed me: brown rice with plump juicy raisins, brown sugar and cinammon, served warm.

It may sound crazy but it tastes really, really good. I ate this for three days, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The whole team ate it and loved it!!!!

I think the most fun doing this series of stories was really the entire experience.

Heading out the grocery store, trying to decide what we were going to get, and just our overall strategy. You can see from the smiles on our faces that we meant business...in a good way!!

Check out these couple of shots of Michelle (aka Dapper). She is fiercely competitive.

Look how stressed she gets trying to make sure she stays under $15 bucks!!!
Randy, well now that's another story. He's pretty competitive too, but he stays cool, calm and collected. Check him out!!

And Downing, well now, Downing really took this serious. He had it down from the beginning. Check him out in the grocery store.

Overall, this was a blast and really great experience. Send us your comments. We'd love to hear from you!!!

Kyna

Fit Camp Style: Behind the Scenes

When I first started this fit camp about 9 weeks ago, I had no idea what I was about to do. I had always done some type of exercise, but over the years, it gets harder to find something to keep you motivated. Someone just happened to mention to me one day that they were working out at Dyess Air Force Base at 4:45am! Then a few hours later, I ran into someone else who said the same thing. I thought, this is a sign. I immediately called and emailed and called again. I was lucky. Camp had just started and I only missed the first day, which was introductions. Mica and Kris, the instructors, let me in an already packed class. The rest as they say, is history. I made it thru the first 6 weeks and I didn't miss a single day!

Beth, who I'm hugging, is one of the first people I met at camp. She is so awesome and encouraging. I really thrived from her energy. She has a great story to tell and I just admire her strength. She is also one heck of a runner. Thanks Beth for everything!

Mica, with the whistle, is one of the dynamic duo!!! I can't even begin to describe her energy. It's something you just have to see for yourself. I can tell you that she is more than just an instructor. She really cares about people and it shows. She is a real inspiration.

Kris, red hair, big smile, is the second of the dynamic duo. She is also the nutrition Queen. Besides that she is so incredibly motivating and sweet. You're thinking, "why me" when she is putting you thru all that pain, but then afterwards, you really, really appreciate it. Thanks Mica and Kris for everything!

There are other pictures above to give you an idea of what we do in fit camp. The first thing you do every morning when you hit the door is drop and do 25 pushups. (They love, I mean love pushups!!). Next you start jogging around the gym until the whistle blows. Stretching is next, followed by whatever they have in store for us that day. That's the thing. Every day is different. You never know what kind of exercise you'll be doing.

You may recognize City Councilman Anthony Williams in one of the pictures (aka: Big Daddy). He's in a group doing one of their other favorite workouts: the Booty Bounce. Wow! The first time I did that I stopped and started and stopped and started. Now I can go the entire 5 minutes or so. It still hurts!! But I'm getting better :)

Something else really cool is that you are teamed up with a partner to help keep you on track and you're on a team. I mentioned in my story that no one is left behind. That is so true! Oh, and wait until you see how we celebrate birthdays!!!

You see the big smiles on people's faces. Obviously they're doing something right, and they are. Fit Camp is pretty awesome. If you're interested, they have a camp every 6 weeks. And there is also a PM class at 4:45pm. They're also starting a walking class so visit their website for more information, or ask me, and I'll try to get some answers for you.

Thanks to everyone for letting us bring the cameras in!!! You guys are great! I'll see you in fit camp!!

Send me your comments. I'd love to hear from you!

*What: Fit Camp: 6 weeks

*Where: Dyess Air Force Base

*When: 4:45am or 4:45pm (1 hour class)

*Cost: $70

*Information: http://www.keepmovin.us/

Something New

Ok, so I've finally stepped it up and gotten a facebook account. This is a totally new and weird experience for me. I know most people have been doing these social networking sites for years, but I'm really pretty private so this is very new to me.

When I first logged on, I didn't know what to expect. It was like wildfire. All the emails that you get of people asking to be your friend. I can see why people like this thing. You can really find a lot of old friends, catch up with your everyday friends and just be social. My boss told me that it's very addicting. I see what he means.

I don't check it quite as often as some people I know (which is all day and all night long), but I do check it one or two times a day.

I've even loaded some pictures of my family on there.

Anyway, if you see me on there, say hello. I'm still learning how to use it, so if I don't respond right away, it's probably because I'm still trying to figure it out :)

Until next time,

kg

Sick and Gardening

Well I've been sick for the last week really. I tried to self-medicate with over the counter medicine. Thera-flu worked ok, but whatever I had seemed to be like pneumonia-like symptoms. I definitely needed something much stronger. I finally went to the doctor (and I'm glad I did). The doc gave me a shot (not so nice, and in a not so nice place), some strong cough medicine, and an antibiotic.

Two days later, I feel much, much better. Still not 100%, but going to the doctor was definitely the right thing to do.

I feel like I've been cooped up for so many days, that I actually went outside and did a little gardening in the sun. That was really nice and relaxing. I know we will probably get another freeze before April, but I just couldn't resist the nice warm temperatures. I really miss seeing a little color in my flowerbeds and pots, so I planted away.

Petunias are some of my favorites. I hope they last!!!

Until next time..

kg