I have a million names, and it's a running joke among friends. 

Maybe a million is an exaggeration.  I really just have a few. 

The truth is, I was born with the identification number K79-2461.  Shortly after that, I was given the name Hyun Sook.  When I moved to America and became a citizen, I was re-named Michelle Sherwood.  Then, for professional reasons, I took my Korean mother's maiden name and started going by Michelle Li.  And, legally, I have another name because I'm married to a Polish guy. 

Wow.  I just re-read the above paragrah, and I realize I sound like a crazy person.  Please tell me I'm not!

Anyway, I came across this on the Internet, and I'd really like to share it with you.  Adoption is a huge passion of mine.  I mean HUGE.  I have just accepted an invitation to speak in Washington D.C. on Capitol Hill this April to discuss international adoption.  I can't wait!

So... this is a small, yet big part of my former (and current) life.  I'd love to hear from people about how to get involved on the East Coast!

What a great time!  There were so many eager students at Tuesday's media panel at UNCW.  It looks like we were really holding their attention!  Ha!

Thanks to Jennifer Chin at UNCW for putting on the event!  And also, it was really cool to meet 98.7's A-Webb and News 14's Julie Fertig!  My Sunday night co-anchor, Colin Hackman was also there... he did such a great job!  Many thanks.  Fun night. 

Oh, and the best story of the night?  When the students asked about our craziest stories.  Adam told us he talked a girl out of committing suicide.  He said she requested her "last song"... and though he felt he wasn't qualified to help her, he felt obligated!  What an amazing story!  And, I bet you thought he only played music.

My newest fascination is with a fairly new site that just so happens to be connected to WECT.  It's called Save Here Cape Fear... and it's saved me a TON of money!

Basically, you bid on gift certificates from local companies.  I recently paid $11 for a $25 gift certifcate from Front Street Brewery!  I also won a Wilmington Water Tours gift certificate worth $50.  I think I paid $10 for it!  It will be perfect to use the next time my family comes to town.

I hate to give away my secrets, but I really love the website!  I told someone about it the other day, and they've already started bidding... there aren't a ton of auctions going on yet, but I'm hoping the site will catch on and grow.

I want to be nice, but I hope I DON'T see you on the website--especially if you're bidding against me!

I was so excited when my new friends, Vicky and Alison, asked me to go to lunch at Kabuki. 

Let me back up.

Vicky, Alison and I are in the Asian American Journalists Association together.  Vicky is the president of the North Carolina chapter and writes for the Star News.  Alison is a reporter for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.  They are great!  Very sweet, funny, smart and pretty.  I am so glad they are helping me get reacquainted to Wilmington.

So... they recently suggested going to Kabuki.  Apparently, it's a Korean-Japanese restaurant (and, if I remember correctly, it used to be a Korean BBQ place.)  It's kind of in a little nook off Oleander Road, but it's definitely a good find!

Anyway, I give it a major thumbs up!  The bento box lunch was HUGE and only cost around $8.  They even had dolsot bibimbap (dul-soot bee-bim-bop... my husband's favorite)... though all three of us ordered the bulgoki (Pic #2.)  

I'm ready to go back, ladies! 

2002 News team---UNITE!

When I first met Jeremy Godwin... he was 19.  I was a whopping 22.  He was a photographer and a full-time student at UNCW.  I was a fresh-faced reporter who just moved a million miles away from home.  I thought, "Who's this overachiever working full-time at a TV station?"  He probably thought, "How long will it take me to train this new reporter?"

Funny thing is, I learned a lot from Jeremy.  I think I can recall him yelling at me for rolling cables improperly, I'm almost sure we got into a fight on how to pronounce places like Top-SAIL Island... or CAR (Kerr) Avenue... but what I really remember is all the laughs we had.  I was only here for a few short months, and Jeremy was kind enough to invite me to his family's house for the holidays.  I'm pretty sure we went to a pig-pickin' or two as well because I remember being like, "What the heck is a pig-pickin'??"

Jeremy and I were a team... reporters and photographers really do have a special bond!  *As I write this, I'm thinking-- oh yea, I married a photographer!  But, that's a different kind of story.

Shortly after I left Wilmington to take another job, Jeremy was promoted to reporter.  Now he's doing other great things outside of the news industry.  Still, though, it's great to be back and catch up with old friends... especially since we are getting kinda "old"! 

Oh... and ladies... he's single!!  Don't let that mustache get away!

(By the way... what's up with the pink girly cab?  Jergo and  I wanted to go for a ride but resisted.)

It was such a gorgeous day.  I got an email from my new friend and WECT-WSFX reporter, Veronica Macias... Next thing you know, we newbies were on our way to Myrtle Beach! 

We stopped at the nearest Starbucks (thanks, Mom for the gift card!)  We asked the barista where to people-watch and ended up at Broadway at the Beach!  That's where we saw tons of people and at least three news vans.  We spotted our sister station, WMBF, and then, I spotted anchor Danner Evans!

Danner is the main anchor at WMBF... and just as important, she's a former Jayhawk.  Danner and I both went to KU when Roy Williams was the coach.  Of course, both KU and UNC have won national championships since the big switch!

Anyway, tomorrow, thousands of people will be running a half and full marathon in Myrtle.  Tonight, runners were hitting the pavement, too-- I swear, we were in traffic for an hour!  But, it was definitely worth the trip down and back.  What a fun day!

It was so much fun hosting Lunch with an Author!  There are so many talented writers in North Carolina!  I guess this state inspires people...

We had such a great, intimate lunch... and I think organizers will try to have another luncheon in a few months.

Anthony Atkinson, Michelle Boyajian, Wanda Canada, Nancy A. Collins, Nan Graham, Ann Ipock, James J. Kaufman, Celia Rivenbark, Bertha Todd and Jody Lynn Smith were all fabulous!
 

We thought this was a little interesting... and a little funny since no one got hurt.

Someone lit a rack of clothes on fire at the Walmart in Monkey Junction.  Then, a woman yells, "Get an extinguisher!"  Though, it's mistaken for "Get a Steeler's shirt!"  We giggled over it for a bit.

I just thought this was cute.  My mom sent my Valentine a week ago, and it just got here!  What the fuzz?!

But, this reminds me of being in college.  Or when I lived in Wilmington nearly a decade ago.  My mom sent a card...and a gift card from Walmart.  I'm sure her theory is that I'll use it for my staples.  Notice the little sticky note she put on the giftcard to let me know how much it is! Funny lady.  I love her.

Stuff like this never gets old... even when you're in your 30s, you still need your mommy! 

Very exciting!  Encore's Best of Wilmington was tonight at Level 5 in Downtown Wilmington.  I'm so new... I didn't even know it was happening until my news director asked me to go!  "Uh, sorry boss, I don't want to go to a party," is what I didn't say.

I wanted to go yell for our "team", but I also wanted to support WECT anchor Frances Weller.  She's really the best, and she won the award to prove it!  She's quintessential Wilmington, with all of the charm and generosity that goes along with this beautiful area.  She's really great.

Fran also made a funny...  Earlier in the night, the emcee joked that Frances could *slip-in* a beer before the evening news!  (P.S.  Next time, I won't wear gray pants.  So much for that hot mess!)