Stephanie Sandoval's Blog

There’s a lot of discussion about the Dakota Fanning movie HoundDog, shown at the Sundance Festival this week. In the movie, the 12 year old actor’s character is seen being raped. Her mother was reportedly on the set when the controversial scene was filmed. Dakota has stated publicly she’s proud of the film and hopes it raises awareness about sexual assault.

While, I have not seen the movie, I question showing a 12 year old character being raped on film. I understand the free speech and free expression argument. But, is exposure and involvement in such a violent sexual act in the best interest of a young girl, regardless of how mature she may appear or whether it’s “just acting”. My gut feeling is, no.

I can not wait to see the new Arizona Science Center exhibit! It’s Gunther von Hagen’s Body Worlds 3: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies. When it opens on January 26, we will be able to view REAL human bodies preserved in a process called Plastination. Entire bodies, organs, blood vessels and more will be on display. What a fascinating and rare glimpse inside our bodies! Blood vessles injected, and the tissue taken away so we can see how it looks and works! It’s like taking an anatomy class WITHOUT all the homework.

As we slip out of our annual New Year Resolution to get healthier, I can’t think of a better way to stay on track, than seeing what our body looks like internally! Okay, even better would be to run from my house to the exhibit, but THAT’S not going to happen!?! :)

The exhibit has traveled through other cities prior to Phoenix. Anyone seen it?

I’m sure I’m not alone in confessing, my planning for my weekend begins waaay before the official whistle blows at 10:30pm on Friday night! And with the weather we have this time of year, the options are endless! Parks with the family, the zoo, biking...even household chores outside aren’t bad with good weather.

But, when the cloudy, rainy stuff moves our way, it leaves me at a loss! What to do with a toddler and hubby in tow! We’re so spoiled with winter weather in the valley!

So, I’d love to hear some family fun suggestions for days when the blue skies take a break!

It’s disappointing to hear and read reports questioning why the Missouri boy, Sean Hornbeck did not try to escape. He was found last week, four years after being abducted while riding his bicycle. Reports state his alleged abductor, Michael Devlin, worked two jobs and Hornbeck did not attend school, leaving many hours when the, now 15 year old was left unsupervised. Additionally, police say he had taken on the last name of his alleged captor.

Let us not forget, this little boy was only 11 years old when he was kidnapped, a very impressionable time in a child’s life. One can assume his alleged abductor manipulated and brainwashed the child to gain psychological control. I would argue a psychological prison is far stronger than a physical one, especially for children.

Anything that can be done to protect our children is a step the right direction. And part of that protection is to not fall into the trap of blaming or questioning the motives, decisions, or opportunities of abducted children.

I met so many friendly and interesting people over the last two days at the Marathon Expo! Thank you to everyone who came by to say hello! And I wanted to send out a final Good Luck!

I remember the nerves all of you first time marathoners are likely feeling on the night before the big day! The last minute advice I have for you is:

1. Don't let starting line excitement get you out the gates too quickly! It's okay to let people you pass you by. Pace yourself from the start, or you WILL feel it later!

2. Don't try any new shoes from the expo!!! Stick the the old ones you've been training in!

3. Hydrate...hydrate...hydrate!! If you feel thirsty...it's too late!

4. Dress in cheap layers. You will ditch them on the side of the road.

5. Don't forget to clip those nails on the ol' piggies...or you will end up losing a nail or two!!?!

6. Stick to the same breakfast you've been eating on your training runs. Race day is NOT the day to experiment!

Above all...have fun! Remember...you are running 1 mile...26 times! Short, digestable fun runs! :)

My thoughts are with you and all the excitement you will experience on Sunday!!

Every year when the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon rolls around, I can’t help but think of 2004. The first year of the 26.2 mile tour through the East Valley!

Like many of you I’m sure, there are a few experiences crystallized in my memory from my first and only marathon. First, my father traveled from Houston to run the marathon with me! What a great Daddy/Daughter experience! As I write this, I still have a picture of us with our medals around our necks on my desk.

Secondly, I WILL NEVER FORGET the torturous trek up Papago Mountain, mid-way through the race! There were people lying on the asphalt, others throwing up, the majority walking... all while a Native American drum was rhythmically pounding in the background. Thank GOODNESS this was taken out the the 2nd year!?!

Around mile 21, I remember a sign that read “Less than 1% of people in the world will ever -Attempt- to run a marathon!”. The woman who held it was cheering on everyone. But in that moment, she might as well have been talking only to me!

In mile 22, I’ll never forget the couple who saw me running, and yelled, “We’ve been praying for you! You can do it! Only a few miles to go!” I still get a lump in my throat thinking about this couple who, to this day, I still do not know!

And as I crossed the finish line 4 hours and 50 minutes later…I was embraced by my husband, parents, and friends. I remember feeling such gratitude for my health, to be able to run the 26.2 and an indescribable feeling of accomplishment! Feelings I will re-live again…someday, when I have another 6 months to train!?!

I’d love to hear more 26.2 stories….got any?

So, it’s said, “there’s no crying in baseball!”…but what about anchoring?

After watching a moving story this week about a little girl born profoundly deaf, who was able to hear with a cochlear implant, I was overcome with emotion on the air. Essentially, unable to compose myself coming out of the story.

I understand, part of an anchor’s job is to be able to take in the gravity, drama, or levity of a story and still deliver information clearly to people watching. You know, maintain some composure and decorum. But, to be honest, I simply had no control over my emotions in that moment.

Let me just say, I’m blessed to have a healthy, happy little guy. But, I found myself seeing the face of my 17 month old little boy in that story. Imagining how I would feel if that were my child. And in all honesty, delivering the news feels a little different since becoming a mother.

Last week, I went out on a story about 2 small boys, one my son’s age, whose home caught fire and left them displaced, with no clothes, no toys and no cribs. The same day, a little boy climbs out the window of his home and drowns in the pool. Also last week, a 1 year old little girl crawls out of her mother’s car and is accidentally run over by her in front of her sister’s school.

Then on Tuesday…finally a wonderful, exceptionally-written positive story about a child. One that makes you want to rejoice in the developments of this little girl and the new life her family will experience with her hearing! The result? A teary-eyed, choked-up...frankly, rather embarrassing moment on-camera.

Simply put, it just tough to keep it together sometimes.

It's always fun when people take the time to come up and say hello when I'm out and about. Usually I hear "You're the news lady", "I love watching Fox 10", or "Just You Watch The Best!" But, also ranking high on the list of Top 10 most frequent comments is, "You look so much taller on TV!?!"

All right, let's just debunk the myth! I am a whopping 5'2" ...on a good day (without the heels).

But, this has gotten me thinking. Is "you look so much taller on TV", actually the politically correct way of saying, "you're pretty darn short in person"?

I'm not sure, but at least I can shed some light on the 3-D truth about your 2-D tube!