WHSV TV3 Wedding!

Since leaving WHSV TV3 three years ago, it seems as if the only time my Daybreak & WHSV family see other is during weddings!!!

This weekend, the most adorable couple- Julia & Josh became Mr. & Mrs. Knight!

Julia was stunning & the most adorable bride!!! And bring a meteorologist, Josh must have pulled some strings! The wether was perfect! Congrats to the lovely couple!!!!

It was so nice to see my WHSV TV3 Family again!!!!!! We also missed our "dad" - our former News Director Ed Reams- who kept in touch with us via twitter, fbook & Instagram!

Boy! Does he have an eye for talent or what?! Look how his hires are doing now! ;) he gave us a chance, and we're showing the world what we're made of! We're not even close to being done :)

- Yuna Lee

Dreams Do Come True

I've realized many of my dreams have come true... no, not the dreams I had as a child- to become a CIA agent, marry in college and have 4 kids before I'm 24.

I get paid to do what I love. I graduated from UVA despite a few bumps along the way. I became a morning news anchor and producer, working with the most incredible people I know- who are all so successful. We all helped transform a good morning show into a fresh new "best morning show in VA" that is still top notch compared to most I've seen. My accomplishments so far are in thanks to people who supported me and saw my potential from the beginning. I have to give credit to all those people who helped me launch my career, when all I had was determination & a "Minnie mouse voice."

I am now in Ohio, fortunate to be working for the #1 CBS affiliate in the country learning the ropes of reporting so I can make myself more valuable as a news personality.

I've accomplished most of my childhood goals - the life, the job, the big house... with the exception of four kids and an ice skating rink in the middle of my bedroom (5th grade architecture blueprint).... but I needed to make new goals- ones I'm holding close to my heart :)

After all, what's life without living, without dreams & challenges to constantly improve yourself :)

Oh, my bucket list (separate from dreams & goals) is always growing and most things on the list involve food & travel!

Below... The quote I live by...

WHSV reflection

YUNA LEE

WHSV

can't believe it's been a year and half...

So much has changed!

BEHIND THE SCENES - My work at WHIO TV

BEHIND THE SCENES

Yuna Lee, WHIO TV, Reporter & Anchor

I remember making endless DVD copies for my grandmother, sending them to Korea. 

She loves to see the progress I make in my career =)

I have not put a sample of my work together in more than a year...

so I thought, now is the time! =) 

Here's a small compilation of my work at WHIO so far!

(hope my former bosses are proud of me!)

I'll have to sit for hours to put a DVD together for my grandma =)

Yuna & Michael WEDDING Part XIV- Guests (Television)

Yuna Lee & Michael Doc Thompson

WEDDING PART XIV

Amazing Guests; Television

As some of you know, I started my television in West Palm Beach

The Former Morning Show Producer at WPBF, Kelly, Griese, is still one of my very good friends and she came to my wedding with her beautiful mother!  It's funny met again in Virginia, when she now works in Indianapolis (which is only 3 hrs from where I am not in Dayton, OH!)

(just realized she is not pictured here.. okay- will be in the next blog!)

Also in attendance to share our special day- my Friends from WHSV, ABC Affiliate in Harrisonburg, VA

WHSV's General Manager, a woman who is a true inspiration & great motivator, Tracey Jones was also one of my readers (because I adore her & her southern accent)

My WHSV Family, Daybreak Crew, came to celebrate with us!

Ed Drantch, former New This Morning & Noon Anchor now is  covering more breaking news as a reporter in Buffalo!  He flew down, along with former Morning Meteorologist, Mallory Brooke who now works covering more severe weather in Portland, Maine!  Morning Reporter, Amanda Crawford now moved to Omaha Nebraska to be closer to home!  Morning Meterologist Josh Knight (& beautiful girlfriend), Morning Anchor, Tom Dempsey & Meterologist Aubrey Urbanowicz also came! and thanks to former Chief Photographer Justin Unger (who now makes amazing commercials) was our videographer!

It was so nice to see everyone, again!!!!!

My best friend, Mellie, always says it's funny watching us TV people, because we all have so much to say and are true characters. LOL

BEHIND THE SCENES - Social Media Obsession GIFT!

BEHIND THE SCENES

WHIO TV

YUNA LEE, REPORTER

(note the facebook & twitter logos)

3 years ago, I got in trouble for "Facebooking" too much in the Newsroom

2 years ago, my boss told me I needed to stick my iPhone in the freezer (yes, Rachel McAdams)

1 year ago, my eye doctor told me my cornea was deteriorating because I was losing sleep

(obsession w news & social media - the culprit)

Today, I have a facebook & twitter logo next to my Super (the "talent graphic') because I earned it!

Ha! Finally something GOOD comes out of my obsession with Facebook & Twitter!

Is it worth it?

YES!

 (except the cornea portion)

to tell you the truth,

i just wanted to brag about the new supers we have at News Center 7

Facebook Me!

Goodbye WHSV... My Last Day as Daybreak Anchor/Producer

A surprise Goodbye.

Thank you to my Daybreak Family for this farewell...

esp Ed Drantch who put this goodbye together

I miss you all

unforgettable WHSV moments

"Don't talk about what you have done or what you are going to do."



- Thomas Jefferson


TJ would be dissappointed in me AGAIN...
because I am going to talk about my past...
my past three years
and a few of my fondest memories at WHSV

Memorial Local Stories I've covered at WHSV

Daybreak's Severe Storm Team Coverage

Virginia's Historic Winter Blizzard

 Flooding Spring 2010

Fallen Local Firefighter, Roy Smith

Jogger Killed in DUI Hit and Run

Search for Missing Morgan Harrington 

Virginia General Assembly

Virginia's Immigration Law

Closing Rest Areas (& reopening them)

Banning Synthetic Drugs including Spice/K2/Bath Salts

Ask the Candidates Interviews

Ask the Delegates/Senators Interviews

Ask the Governor/Lt Governor/Attorney General Interviews

Exclusive Interviews w/Candidates & Elected Officials

Presidential Election 2008

Daybreak Local Heroes Segment

Homeschooling & Unschooling Series

Memorial Appearances

Rockingham County Fair Lawnmower Race

Shenandoah Speedway Bike Race

Judging Beauty Pageants (including Ms. Wheelchair VA)

Hosting WVPT Kids' Book Festivals

Hosting March of Dimes 'March for Babies'

Celebrity Chef at the Celebrity Chef's Auction

High School Commencement Speech

Mitch the Tiger visits WHSV

Winning First Place @ BBQ Contest

Toy Convoy

Stuff the Bus

Stuff the Truck for the BR Food Bank

Circus Ringmaster 

Harlem Globetrotters Half-time Game

Valley's Pet Idol (played the role of Paula)

Annual Christmas Parades

Winning "Best Morning Show" in Virginia

My Last Week at WHSV

"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." 

- Thomas Jefferson

TJ would be so disappointed in me

***

Daybreak Friends...

the time has come...

 too soon, too fast, too sudden

i am not prepared to say farewell

but it's time...

this is my last week at WHSV TV3 Daybreak

***

I have been stalling this announcement... because this is truly the most difficult thing I've had to do since I moved & fell in love with the Valley 3 years ago.

It was exactly three years ago when i was researching WHSV and the Valley, right before my interview at WHSV... I learned that Harrisonburg was dubbed the "Friendly City" and until this day, I have never doubted that.  The people.. make the Valley beautiful.

I will miss everything the Valley has to offer...

Especially YOU... 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend my mornings with you.  You have welcomed me into your homes and you have been a great part of my life.

I am grateful for your support and continued viewership, making WHSV TV3 Daybreak the top-rated, award-winning morning show.  

You have made Daybreak the morning show it is today.  It is one of the most interactive morning shows I've ever seen... It's all because of our Valley viewers.  You are quick to inform us, contact us and be a part of Daybreak.  I will miss chatting with you every morning... from weather.. to politics.. to breaking news... and least but not least, FOOD!

I appreciate every chat, email, phone call and facebook messages.  I hope I continue to hear from you- even if I'm a few miles further down the road.

I am moving to the Miami Valley in Ohio.

I will be working for the CBS affiliate in Dayton.

This move brings me closer to my ultimate career goals... and also my fiance.  We are getting married late Winter

I still have my house and family in Richmond so I will be visiting often.  

I will be in the Valley frequently... 

Plus, my wedding dress is from right here in the Shenandoah Valley =)

When you see me out and about...

Please come say Hello.


Also, please keep in touch with me on Facebook

Yuna Lee's Facebook 

I will make my formal announcement on the airwaves on Daybreak this Thursday.

I would also like to thank the entire staff at WHSV

I've never worked with such a large group of amazing GOOD people, who work hard and understand what team work is all about.

It starts at the top with the most amazing General Manager, Tracey Jones.  She is a true inspiration.  I have much admiration for her.

I am so grateful for the potential my News Director, Ed Reams, saw in me.  He took a chance and provided all the opportunities for me to grow and to become the news anchor/reporter/producer I am today.  

Tracey and Ed trusted me and gave me the resources to make WHSV TV3 Daybreak a recognized show throughout the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. 

From the bottom of my heart, I thank Tracey and Ed for the opportunity to work at WHSV, but most importantly... for encouraging and supporting me throughout the years. 

To the WHSV Staff, including Promotions, Production, Creative Services and Sales, News, Administration & Engineering.  Thank you for your part in making WHSV a wonderful place to work.  I cherish the friendships I've made here at WHSV... I promise to keep in touch!

To my WHSV TV3 Daybreak Family, I could not have made it without you.  It's been three years as a family.  The news on air is nothing even close to what we really go through every day.

We are family.  You will truly be missed.

I trust that you will continue to keep me a part of Daybreak, especially in your hearts =) and I have no doubt that Daybreak will only CONTINUE to grow as the Best Morning Show in Virginia!

We have surely been through a LOT...

from creating our own Backyard Farm with Chickens at the WHSV Studios (LONG story).. to bringing in tigers and cows inside the studio... to interviewing the elected officials who represent the Valley (local, state and federal) to hold them accountable... to interviewing residents in the Valley who tell us their stories... to supporting our local businesses (wineries on the top of the list?)... to racing each other in lawnmowers in front of THOUSANDS of people... to having a cake made... that looks just like us! to "reaping" the benefits and getting lost in the teleprompter... to transitioning into HD... to ALWAYS being the FIRST reporters live  during breaking news... to our "secret" sources who feed us breaking news overnight... to our lovely roadtrips to cover stories most important to our viewers... 

we've investigated, we've researched, we've reported...

we've been to shootings... explosions... deadly accidents... deadly fires... plant explosions... massive layoffs... to the Capital...

but we've also been... bitten by tigers... kissed by cows...  loved by ZhuZhu...  tripped by wires... hit by snowballs... hiccuped by shocker burgers... kicked out of airports (ok, escorted out numerous times)... 

we were always more than coworkers on a morning show

we were and are... family

my Daybreak Family

in no particular order

Boots, Ed Drantch, Chris Maragni, Mallory Brooke, Orva Crawford, Amanda Crawford, Dave Mekler, Andy Myers, Tom Dempsey, Josh Knight, Karen Molloy, Austin Crable, Lorilee Victorino, Sarah Sager, Keith Jones, Herb Lee, Billy Morgan, Sarah Robarge

Goodbye for Now

BEST MORNING SHOW in VIRGINIAI! yep, that's Daybreak!!!

BEST MORNING SHOW IN VIRGINIA

it's right out of the beautiful shenandoah valley!

yep, it's WHSV TV3 Daybreak!!!!!

This weekend was the VAB 74th Summer Convention

(Virginia Association of Broadcasters)

I spent the weekend at Virginia Beach

(i will blog about the Hilton later.. you'll want to read it!)

My News Director, Ed Reams, and I were there for the "BEST MORNING SHOW" category...

Many of the beautiful women in our Sales Department were there for the convention.

WHSV TV3 Daybreak was (for the very first time) nominated for Virginia's "BEST MORNING SHOW"

as you can imagine, Ed and I were nervous during the Awards Dinner

After the delicious Filet Mignon & Crabcakes

it was time for the awards ceremony to begin!

I was so nervous...

I needed a little break w/ Erin & Anissa

what a gorgeous day!

As we were enjoying the view,

Ed & Lisa texted me...

they were starting!

I was happy to learn...

my old news radio station WRVA (Richmond)

won several awards!

as our sister station WCAV!

After.. what seemed like 10 years...

they finally got to the BEST MORNING SHOW category for 2010

(it was called second to last.. so you can imagine how nerve-wrecking it was!)

BEST MORNING SHOW nominees...

WHSV (us!!!!) v. WBBT (Richmond)

The winner is...

WHSV TV3 Daybreak!!!!!!!!!

It was a surreal experience!

You should've heard our table!!!!!!

So many hugs & cheers from all of our beautiful sales associates

Ed & I were extremely proud of our station and morning show!

WHSV TV3 Daybreak recognized as Virginia's BEST MORNING SHOW!!!!!!!!

Let the twittering begin!!!!

(oh, and it did!!!!)

they didn't allot me 10 minutes for my thank you speech

so here it goes

special thanks to

General Manager, Tracey Jones

News Director, Ed Reams

Asst News Director, Kay Norred

My Daybreak Director, Boots & our Production Staff

My 2010 co-anchor, Keith Jones

My 2010 NTM anchor, Ed Drantch

My 2010 Meteorologist, Mallory Brooke

My 2010 Daybreak reporter, Sarah Sager

all of my co-workers & sales team!!

thank you for the support & believing in me!!!!!!

(now i really want a sat truck)

note to advertisers...

I'm told Daybreak has been sold out for weeks...

even before this award!

now, you can only imagine.. that will happen now...

book your commercials friends~! =)

last but not least...

all of our viewers who wake up with us every morning!

when they found out we won... many of them wrote-

"we knew Daybreak is the best! now, Virginia knows!"

it's that type of support & loyally

that has made Daybreak #1!!!!!

our viewers wake up with us

chat with us.. and keep us going!

oh... another last but not least

I must thank GOD =) of course!

WAHOOOOWA Orange & Blue!

in the UVA on WHSV Daybreak this morning!

we're wearing Orange & Blue to support two key issues today!!!!

VA Gov. Bob McDonnell has announced Orange & Blue Days

on the days the UVA Baseball Team plays in the College World Series!

He's encouraging all VA Businesses to Participate in Showing Support for UVA...

while helping Virginians affected by the Deadly April Tornadoes & Severe Storms

to donate...

click here

https://payments.vi.virginia.gov/donatenow/

here on Daybreak

we are in full support!

WAAAHHHOOOOWWAAAAA~!

BEHIND THE SCENES... but "it's so hard... to say goodbye... to yesterday~!"

a bittersweet day at WHSV

feng shui time

we're saying goodbye to the old

and hello to the new

it's like the Boys II Men song...

"it's so hard~~~ to say goodbye~~~~ to yesterday--ayyy-hayyyy"

now that our state-of-the-art studio is automated and brand new

we are "cleaning house" and renovating our newsroom

 which i always thought was nice, except the disgusting old carpet

(the carpet many Pets of the Weeks have enjoyed, if you get my gist)

so we're throwing it all away

goodbye old cameras, operated by production assistants

(they look like star wars characters)

apparently, no one else is sad, except me

goodbye old.. what are you?

as we clean and make space

for new monitors

new carpet

new desk

new... newsroom

something my news director has been planning for months

as he throws everything away

from old television sets.. to maps.. to

things we can't figure out

to make our newsroom as state-of-the-art

as our new studio

whsv, HD and automated

2012 Presidential Race ~ Campaign Season in Full Swing

Do you see a President Here?

Are the Republicans slated to take 2012?

courtesy: AP



boy do I love Campaign Season!

BEHIND THE SCENE~ ciao standard def!

 after months of construction, training & extra hours at work...

we say goodbye to standard definition

&

hello to HD (high definition)

what does that mean?

that means you will be able to see every single blemish

but thanks to ashleigh...

our HD makeup consultant...

hopefully the transition will not be too painful on the eyes =)

actually, the quality of the video and audio will improve dramatically

including our very new bumps/stings & opens!

(this just means, our quality of graphics will improve greatly!)

it's bittersweet

i will miss talking to our camera operators...

they will be replaced by very expensive moving cameras

instead... our camera operators will run them from master control

i do welcome the change...

but i will be the old ways...

goodbye standard!



thank you, OJ Simpson

i am fascinated with the U.S. Justice System

the past few weeks...

i've been glued to the news, insession & research

on the Casey Anthony Murder Trial

(im sure my twitter followers have noticed)

it all started with OJ Simpson

i was hooked

i admired greta van susteren & marcia clark

i made sure my mom tape recorded every single day of the trial

during the maryland snowstorm, all i did was watch the trial live

i thank the OJ Simpson Trial for my love for news and the legal system

and i believe that's why i'm here today

as a news journalist

 sleeping 2 hrs a night

because of my obsession for these court cases

and today

i await Day 2 of the Casey Anthony Jury Trial

after an amazing & explosive Day 1, full of shocking accusations

unbelievable strategies by the Defense

and an emotional opening from the Prosecution

the Valley's WHSV, best in Virginia?

WHSV TV3 Daybreak

is up for the "BEST MORNING SHOW" of 2010

 in the Commonwealth of Virginia!

we are either the winner or runner-up.

i'm very happy that our station in the Valley

is being recognized throughout the entire state!

but what makes Daybreak so special?

the support, obviously!

it's really the Valley, giving us SO MUCH SUPPORT and LOVE

the Valley who always turns us on- to keep you safe & informed

our viewers give us the fuel

to make Daybreak the best

thank you so much for watching!!!!!!!

special thanks to... 

our General Manager, News Director & Asst News Director

Daybreak Director, Production Staff & News Staff!

Go Team!

2010 Daybreak News Team-

&

2011 Daybreak  News Team-

wonder if we'll match today

sometimes

you just get the memo

good morning winchester's elyse

getting a Facelift

you turn on WHSV and you see black?

how about green? is the video blinking?

is the audio inaudible?

please excuse us...

it's just a part of our amazing facelift!

WHSV is going HD

(high definition, in case you live under a rock)

and our efforts to bring YOU better news...

may cause a few little difficulties here and there

but do not worry

the news personalities (i.e. ME) are not going to be replaced by robots

and yes, that was really a question a viewer had for me! =)

instead, the quality of our video/audio/etc will just be better!

we will transition into HD in June

get ready!!!!!!

BEHIND THE SCENES- newsroom dancing

how do i tell ed drantch...

that it's not friday?

the little gardener

as you know,

WHSV is looking to give a gift

it's called the Children First Good Neighbor Gift

one of my favorite ideas for the gift

is a "Little Farmer's Market"

turns out

my agriculture roots go way back

at least an attempt to help grandma garden

at any rate

happy birthday to my grandma 

and all the other mother's out there 

(including my very own of course)

=)