I'm a HUGE fan of Pink!

 I have been a huge Fan of Pink! since about 2000! The first time I saw and heard her, I knew she'd be around for a while. Her part in the song "Lady Marmelade" for the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge may have been small, but it left a big impression and was the beginning of her amazing career. 

She has softened her image a bit over the years, but she's still edgy and is a positive role model for girls and women. 

She's not afraid to sing her mind, speak her mind or show off her tattoos. She's talented, but yet down to earth. She's a superstar, but yet, she looks approachable and nice. She's a mom-one who rocks! She went outside of her comfort zone and trained to dance on ropes for her last concert tour. Just amazing.

Her lyrics are often gritty and deal with a variety of subjects from taking pills (Just Like a Pill) to overcoming issues (Try) to striving to be perfect growing up (Perfect) to growing up in a less than perfect family (Family Portrait) to trying to stay sober (Sober). Her words are real and hit home for many of her fans. She has inspired millions with her songs and lyrics. 

I will always be a huge fan of hers. I can listen to her songs over and over and enjoy them all-everytime. Someday she will be considered a legend and voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She absolutely deserves it-Rock On Pink!!!

My Dream is to Blog for the Huffington Post

Yes, I want to blog for the Huffington Post. This has been a long time dream of mine. With school behind me, I think the time is right for me to pitch an idea to Huffington. First, I have to do my research and really analyze the content and format of the blogs they publish. Then I have to fine tune my pitch to them. Right now I read a lot of their blogs and follow a lot of their blog writers on Twitter.

One of my professors writes for the New York Times and has contacts in the Huffington Post, so I may ask him for a bit of help. Last fall when I took blogging class, we had a field trip to the New York Times in New York City and it was fantastic being there. Sometimes our blogging class goes to Huffington and one year they got to meet Ariana Huffington herself. Very cool!

For me, it would be an honor and a personal achievement to blog for Huffington. I enjoy reading many of their blog, particularly the ones that pertain to family, motherhood and adoption.  For me, it would solidify my status as a communications professional. I have some interesting stories to tell, and hope to touch people's hearts and minds with my words. If anyone reading this has ties to Huffington or can give me some solid advice, please contact me. I would really appreciate it.

Dying with Dignity-The Story of Brittany Maynard

I was moved when I read the story of Brittany Maynard and her fight to end her life on her own terms and die with dignity. Watching the 6 1/2 minute video of her story is difficult. Hearing a young, vibrant girl tell us how she is choosing to die surrounded by her family is painful to watch, and I don't even know her.

Some will say she's brave, some selfish. Who am I to judge? I never had to deal with a family member with a terminal illness, so I can't imagine how difficult and painful it is to watch your loved one slip away day by day in front of your eyes and watch them suffer in the process.  I, personally, don't think I would opt for such a choice. As a mother and a daughter, I would opt to live out my days as God intended, even if death is eminent.

On Monday, Maynard launched a video campaign with Compassion & Choices, an end-of-life advocacy nonprofit, to share her story. Only six as states - Washington, Montana, Vermont, New Mexico and Oregon, have laws allowing for such assisted death.

Brittany's campaign will make more people think about dying with dignity. A young, attractive, vibrant young woman will raise awareness for this movement, it's a shame her life was derailed with a terminal cancer diagnosis. I can only send my prayers, to her and her family. May God give them the strength to face the weeks and months ahead. I hope she doesn't suffer and is at peace. It sounds as if she is at peace with her decision.

MyFitnessPal

A New Year's Eve at Goal!

I love the MyFitnessPal app and website. They are great. It's free, easy to use and you can incorporate exercise. You can have friends on MyFitnessPal and even sync devices like a FitBit. The site is easy to navigate and I love the community boards. I go to the success stories community and read a few success stories every day to keep me motivated. Many people have had success using these tools. What I like about it the most is it's easy to use with your smart phone or mobile device. Everything I enter or scan is already in the database and it's there correctly. It makes it so much easier. You can adjust your calories, goal weight, percentages of carbs, protein, etc. Many nutritionists recommend it as a way to tracking your calories and food intake.

I did join Weight Watchers this summer. I went to three meetings and did not have the time to go. I didn't like their app at all and I didn't like they way they counted points now. Foods that were high in protein were less points and those that had carbs were more points. Many times I scanned a food and it wasn't in the database or was in with incorrect information and I had to manually enter it. For $43, I expect better. The meetings were OK. I loved sitting with and seeing my friend Lori, but I had heard all the lectures before. In the late 1990s, I WAS a leader at Weight Watchers. See the picture of me, back in the day, looking great. OK, I was still in my 20s and that does help, but I really loved the original WW points program. They have now tweaked it so many times, I think they messed with a good thing. Don't get me started on how they claim fruits are free and you can eat as many as you like-no points. That's BS. Fruits have calories! That's why people on the new program are losing slower or not at all. I even know some people that are gaining.

If you want an easy, healthy toll to help you lose weight, I highly recommend checking out MyFitnessPal. I'm hoping to report back to you in a few months that I made progress and am on my way back to goal weight!