Category Archives: Yoojin Cho

Yeah okay. The headline may be slightly misleading since I am dipping back into LAST week thoughts as well. Bear with me though. I am still trying my best to do a much better job with blogging.

So what I’m thinking about this week…

1. We start with solar eclipse.

Today, we turn the time back to almost two weeks ago, Monday, August 21st. The day of the Great American Eclipse! And rather than keeping you in suspense…

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Our friend Caroline captured that time lapse video on her phone. While it is difficult to fully capture what we saw, felt and experienced, I think that’s is one of the most descriptive presentations of total solar eclipse. 

It began at a turtle pace just after 1 pm in Greenville, SC. When we first looked up – using our certified, protective solar eclipse glasses of course – we noticed a tiny little sliver of the sun looking as if just a little bit of a dark grey dot is stuck on the top right corner. 

Once we hit 1:30, then we really started noticing a difference. At this stage, it was fascinating to see different shadow cast on the ground. When you crisscross your fingers, normally you would see squares on the shadow, but check it out! They are little crescents instead. 

Then inching closer to 2:38p. Total soclar eclipse! 

I can’t describe in words the eerie every feeling we felt. It did get darker. But not like a sunset. It was more like when you know in movies something terrible happening is imminent because it’s suddenly getting darker and colder. Yes, it was true! When scientists tell you the temperature drops during a total solar eclipse, yes, yes it does. 

Then the seconds leading up to the totality were simply breathtaking. A crescendo of ooh-ing and ah-ing from everyone around you. Then seeing the “diamond ring” when the moon is almost completely covering the sun. Then the corona of the sun. 

All I can say now is – 2024 eclipse, here I come! 

2. We do a 180 here… a shocking exposure to casual racism.

I’m not sure if this requires any scene-setting explanation or description, other than to post my tweet that got thousands of retweets.

You hear a man using a racial slur to describe MLK Jr.

Now, a full disclosure. I did NOT know that was the content of that tweet until my phone started going into an overdrive mode with twitter notifications! 

I recorded several clips on my phone during that interview. While rushing to get a preview looklive done and head into the courtroom, I picked a video at RANDOM to tweet. Of course the one I tap without listening to it is that video. 

Anyway.

I’m saddened this kind of racism continues to exist. That’s all. 

Off to a strong start! Just one day after publishing my first post in forever, I am actually following up with this second post in two days. 

I’m still working on what to call these weekly updates, but here’s what I thought of for now. 

What I’m keeping close to my heart this week.

1. My birthday!

I had to work on my actual birthday, but we still made the best out of it and went out to dinner here in Charlotte. 

After work obligations, we drove out to Asheville. Definitely a gem of a city in western North Carolina! 

The first night, we saw Waxahatchee at the Grey Eagle and ended the night with a night cap of tater tots smothered in cheese at the Vault. (Hey, we were hungry!)

We stayed at a dog-friendly Airbnb, so our Dobby Dog tagged along for just about everywhere we went. So thankful for a dog-friendly city! Most patios in Asheville welcome well-behaved doggos with open arms. While we sometimes question Dobby’s “good behavior,” he’s pretty good 85% of the time. Minimal begging and minimal barking.

Whenever we come back from a trip, I’m always amazed at ourselves. We eat so much. But who can refuse good food? We’re so glad we were able to try 12 Bones, Rhubarb and Sunny Point Cafe this time. Of course, Asheville being Asheville, that’s just a fraction of all the drool-worthy grub options out there. But I gotta say, we did pretty well! 

2. Dogs! (And friends)

Our good friend brought her dogs out to my liveshot location today. And look how adorable one of her pups is!

Especially since tomorrow is “clear the shelter” day at many animal shelters across the country, it just reminded me how lucky we’re to have these ever-loving creatures.

3. People I’ve met; my experiences

And the goodness of dogs leads me to this – how blessed I am to have had opportunities to attend a global educational institution like Boston University and subsequently meet so many amazing people from different countries, backgrounds and circumstances.

I don’t need to re-hash what happened in Charlottesville this past weekend, nor do I need to mention why neo-nazism and white supremacy shouldn’t have a place in our society.

Instead, I just want to express my gratitude for people who appreciate diversity and embrace diversity.

Much like how dogs can be ever-loving, I believe we humans can be ever-loving as well.

(Bonus Dobby pic)

Yes! You heard it right. (And, yes, I realize my last two posts both said ‘I promise to write more here, yet YEARS went by without me doing anything. I have no one else to blame but me, obviously).

So.

That’s why I’m hoping I can try something new to keep myself accountable, and once again dedicated, to my Yooj(in)______ page.

We’ve gone from Yooj(in)Boston to London to Martha’s Vineyard to western MA to now, Charlotte. 

I don’t know where the time has gone, but here we are, in 2017. I’ve been in Charlotte for more than 2 years already. I regret not having been able to document all the great adventures and experiences I’ve had here thus far.

So I’m taking this from some podcasts I listen to often – Pop Culture Happy Hour and NPR Politics Podcast. They have segments at the end of their podcasts “what’s making me happy this week” or “what you can’t let go of.” The hosts and guests talk about one thing that’s making them happy or one thing they can’t stop thinking about. 

I thought doing something like that would 1. really hold me to writing a post each and every week and 2. a great way to recap my weeks. 

Here’s a little preview of what will be included in this week’s post that I will write tomorrow or over the weekend. Each week, I’ll write about 2-5 items, articles, life events, food items, etc. that I’m loving or thinking about. 

I’m looking forward to this revival and hope you are too!

About three months ago, I packed up all my shoes and clothes and drove for 12 hours. Destination – Charlotte, North Carolina. 

After three wonderful years in western Massachusetts, I wanted to take the next step in my career and start reporting for a bigger audience in a bigger TV market. After a whirlwind of phone interviews, several flights and in-person interviews, I landed in the Queen City. 

And to sum up my experience so far in the new city?

1. I went from the constantly-20-degree arctic tundra to record breaking heat and humidity…
2. So many breweries in Charlotte! 
3. Love the fact that many restaurants with patio here welcome your four-legged fur friends and bring out water bowls for them too.
4. I met Cam Newton!!! (Don’t worry Cowboys and Pats, I still like you guys)
5. Waking up at 3:30am is tough! Yes, 3:30. In the morning. Well, in the middle of the night? I had to say buh-bye to my evening newscasts and now I encourage people with wake up with us on channel 14! 

I say this every time, but I will do a better job at keeping up with this blog to bring you more Charlotte updates!

(See! Hi Cam!)