Weather girl? No, but I’ll give it my best shot

Kari trying out her “Weather Girl” skills

I’ve learned through various life experiences that the biggest obstacle when trying new things is often you.

Sure, many of the things I’ve tried haven’t gone smoothly, or even the way I had envisioned them, but I gave it my best shot and learned something along the way.

That lesson rang true during a recent trip to New York City where I crossed one of the many must-do activities off my list: The NBC Studio Tour at Rockefeller Plaza.

I never imaged the tour would end with me reading a teleprompter and navigating in front of the green screen as the weather girl. Instead of shying away from the opportunity, I was one of three volunteers who took the three-minute newscast challenge.

After a few pointers from the NBC Pages who led the tour, our newscast was underway. I waited for my cue and when it was time, I put my best foot forward to give that day’s weather forecast.

Did I point in the wrong direction on the green screen? Of course. Make a few funny faces trying to read from the teleprompter? Absolutely. But I got through it.

I felt a sense of accomplishment after I finished my weather forecast and I now have an appreciation for what news anchors go through everyday. Reading from a teleprompter, making sure hair and makeup are in order, navigating the green screen —- the list is endless. I’m just glad I didn’t follow in the steps of Today Show reporter, Mark Potter, who swallowed a bug on live television.

It was only after the newscast was over that I found out it had been recorded and would now be playing for everyone in the gift shop area! Even still, my brief moment of celebrity reminded me of how important it is to move out of your own way and try new things.