A Valentine Eve - Random Act of Kindness

Today’s Random Act of Kindness … Valentine’s Eve day, I was at our local Wal-Mart along with a third of the town's population, searching for that perfect little Valentine’s treat. While exiting, a gust of wind stripped a heart-shaped balloon from an elderly lady’s hand. The helium was not fresh, so the heart-shaped balloon bounced wickedly along the ground. I ran forward with the cart trying to trap the balloon, but it escaped. Leaving my cart behind, I went running after this wild balloon. It danced, I danced. It swirled and I swirled, we spun and we dashed. Huffing and puffing, panting and laughing, I jumped high batting it back to the ground as the wind hurled it once more. I heard the elderly lady cheer as I finally grabbed hold. As I held the balloon, I noticed the highly amused audience that had gathered. I could do nothing but laugh harder at myself to hide my total embarrassment. Carefully I handed the balloon over to its owner, knowing I looked like some crazed lady chasing a balloon in the parking lot. The woman gently touched my arm and thanked me. I looked her in the eyes as she told me that this special balloon was for her husband’s grave and she didn’t know what to do if I didn’t catch it. My heart sunk and skipped a beat as the laughter from the audience faded. This evening my heart smiles because I gave that extra effort and sacrificed looking like a buffoon to make this Valentine’s brighter for a complete stranger.

Random Act of Kindness with a Twist

Yoga might not appeal to a person that seems as flexible as a two-by-four. Who would want to make spectacle of themselves by attending a Yoga class without the ability to touch your toes? The thought of a Yoga class gave me nightmarish visions, because yes, I am the two-by-four. I started hearing more and more people talk about Pilates, curiosity was evident, however, every person that spoke passionately using the word Pilates were undeniably health and fitness freaks. You know the type; tall, skinny, great posture and you never-ever see them eat a dessert. Yes, that type! Pilates and Yoga became taboo.

Random acts of kindness drives my everyday life. Whether it is picking up something that someone else dropped, holding a door open for a stranger, and sometimes it’s a much bigger act. Random acts are rarely returned, but that is not the point. The gain is how good it makes you feel. Unexpectedly I received a gift for what was a random act of kindness. A one hour private Pilates session and the appointment was already made for 11:00AM on Tuesday. No wiggle room there, I had to go or be rude! Not knowing what to expect or what to do, I went. Yoga, I still haven’t tried, but this Pilates “thing” I haven’t stopped going! Once a week or more, I attend a session. It has improved my flexibility, strength and posture. Personally, my lower back no longer aches every day and I noticed I now have incredible balance. Adding Pilates to my weekly exercise routine has given me amazing results.

A reward for a random act of kindness is rare, especially a full hour Pilates session. This note from me to you … is a random act of kindness. My goal is to entice you to attend a Pilates class, even if you too are a two-by-four.

Add As Friend - Follow Me

Approximately eight years ago, I was introduced to social networking. My Space and Facebook took our schools and our teens by storm. Our teenagers and our preteens were sucked into their computers checking status updates and “friending” everyone they knew and meeting online people who became their “friends”.

My son and I were surfing around Facebook, reading some newly posted status and uploaded pictures. We clicked through the images of his classmates, laughing at fun pictures of embarrassing moments caught on camera. One more click and total silence flooded the room. My son, stood up and walked away embarrassed. I was left with the images, as they burned into my brain.

Uncertain about telling the girl’s mother about the pictures, but at the same time assuming her parents knew nothing about them, I decided it was necessary to snitch. As a parent I would like to know if my teen, or pre-teen, posted pictures on the world wide web that may incriminate or expel them from school. Approaching the mom was awkward, but necessary. I found out that the mom knew about the pictures, in short, she told me, “to fuck off.” She informed me it was only an empty bottle of Jack Daniels and her seventh grade daughter was just having some fun. Wow! .... Wow! Her final words to me, “mind your own fucking business.” What an introduction to social networking and the ignorance of parenting. Lesson taught!

The irresponsible youth, and the ill-advised or uncaring parents can ultimately destroy lives. Knowing how to "work" the social networking products is what makes them amazing. Be aware, universities and future employers can peek at their future students and employees social networking pages, or “walls”. This helps the secondary schools, universities, and the corporations decide who they want representing their institution. Don't let that little lock symbol and little privacy button fool you. They can view your "Friends Only" accounts.

If adults can get "slammed" on social networking sites, think of the devastation it can have on young teens. Facebook has an age minimum requirement of thirteen, however I have FB "friends" that are younger. Twelve year-olds are updating their “single” and “in a relationship” status every day. The next post is a new updated profile picture of them kissing their new significant “in a relationship” partner. I’m curious wondering if any of the parents are monitoring these updates. Don't get me wrong, I love social networking. My Facebook "friends" and my Twitter follower’s rock! Eight years ago my kids who "let me" peek at their friend’s “walls.” Now I have my own account and my kids were crazy enough to accept me as their “friend.” I don't snoop or “stalk” walls, but I do enjoy commenting on updates on my News Feed, this helps me stay connected to my Facebook "Friends". I use Twitter because I love to read and learn from all of the tweets. I don't have a lot of personal contacts on Twitter, but I do love reading tweets, especially inspirational quotes, and I could spend hours checking out people's blogs if I had the time.

So, add me as friend or follow me on Twitter. I encourage positive tweets and status updates, whinnying comes with it, but people in this world need encouragement, inspiration, reinforcement and as well as well wishes. I urge you to share optimism, it can go along way!

Life Lessons

“We can draw lessons from the past, but we cannot live in it” ~ Lyndon Johnson

In life, everyday there are lessons learned. If you evaluate each lesson, you can hope for improvement as a person. Realizing the experience is a mechanism, it will allow you to engage in a life with rewards. If you ignore them, your life lessons, it could possibly cause stupidity and ignorance. Wouldn’t you want to embrace your failures and succeed, rather than settle for mediocrity?

When is the time to reflect and time to acknowledge life lessons? I will use myself as an example. I’m one of the hardest headed, stubborn people I know. Lessons learned had to be walloped across my head before I realized the lesson being taught. Yes, now is the time to reflect and realize that your everyday occurrences are your life lessons. Take what you can, digest it but make the experience your own! Two or more people can share an experience however they’ll end with different synopses. Embrace each lesson because it’s so easy to let them slip by.

Lessons of Lies and Truths! I learned early in life that keeping track of lies, impossible and too complicated, so telling the Truth prevails! Another lessons learned, another experience taken. Why do so many people lie? Are people too ignorant to see that they are ultimately teaching their kids to lie? A lie told, is a disappointment for all.

We can recall the bumps in the road, or the walls we hit, and the trials and tribulations of our youth. Recently my youth’s actions were slammed in my face like a ten pound snowball being thrown by a major league pitcher. As a youngster, I was a shy, extremely reserved, and I had very little confidence. Then I was tossed into the ring, a real show ring, there I was trained as well as the horses I rode. My instructor was world renowned and under her instruction I won multiple championship titles. Being a champion, did that caused an uprising of a teenage monster? I started questioning myself, and my actions of my past. Was I a little teenage bitch? I was quiet, very competitive, and was disliked by other competitors because I 'cleaned house' most every time I entered the show ring. So was I, you know, a bitch? I was the type of person who practiced continuously, most of my teenage life I put aside, to excel and be my best at riding horses. My trainer empowered me and my competitive nature and talent did the rest. My twelve year old niece came to live with us six months ago and I found myself saying these words; "You may be the princess but I am the queen." The equestrian lessons I learned, priceless! My social behavior, maybe in question, however my recollections of the countless lessons are invaluable, inside and outside of the show ring.

Today’s challenge would be to convince my niece not to take the hard road, and to avoid brick walls. Passing on my life lessons, tools that will help her succeed and vault her into becoming the wonderful young lady that she has the potential to be. Using life lessons to help someone else, seems nearly impossible. Some things you simply have to learn for yourself. Sometimes you just have to learn from hitting your walls.

A new life challenge seems impossible since teenagers seem to have it all under control. Here are a few quotes I’ve collected: “You don’t understand” followed by “but it won’t happen to me” and then the final and my least favorite teenage quote “I know!” Teenage boys, almost a piece of cake, but teenage girls are a whole other cake recipe all together. Angel Food Cake vs. Devil’s Food Cake

"Develop success from failures." ~ Dale Carnegie

The last thing we want is for our children to fail. We can guide them, teach them, but they need their own hills to climb and even tumble down. We can only pick them up, dust them off and let them continue on their own life journey. As we sit, hoping and praying, that they succeed.

Write What I Know!

Sitting and watching middle school basketball games is my Saturday activity, now that I'm guardian of my twelve year old niece. Every game this season, I sat on the cold hard bleachers cheering for her, while she cheers for her team. I sat and observe people, parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and friends, who attended the game. It's been years since I sat and watched a middle school basketball game. My oldest son played basketball through his senior year of high school and even considered playing at the University of Central Florida. I would have loved to see that since right now UCF has a 12-0 season record, but I regress, back to middle school basketball games.

Game after game, I've been listening to parents fuss at the referees. The shouting escalates to screaming. Soon parents start yelling at coaches and then yelling in the direction of the players. I'm wondering if anyone takes into consideration that the players are only twelve to fifteen years old. It is inconceivable that parents are screaming at the kids!

I have watched parents actually stop the coach before the locker room, both at half time and after the games. I assume the parents are complaining about the coaching or that their kid was not getting enough playing time. I assume this because of the parent’s body language. However, it’s not only the parent’s bad manners I am observing. After attending every middle school game this season I witnessed the opposing cheerleaders cheer "Miss It" while my niece’s middle school team attempts free throws. Really! Is this acceptable behavior? Is it the parenting or coaching?

I know that sports have changed. It’s simply; terrible sportsmanship that I observed. Our society IS what we teach! And that is What I Know!

Give it the One-Two Punch!

Just when you thought no one knew,

no one remembered or no one cared

...

You find that one little token,

one little thought

...

somebody remembered,

someone cared!

A bag was placed around the Darlington School's Silver Lake

in Honor of

...

Let's take-out Cancer,

Beat it...

-

Fight it with everything we have!

This Pilot's Packing

Recently I read a Blog listing tips for traveling successfully. Being a pilot’s wife, one would think I had traveling down to a science. No I don’t, but I believe my pilot husband does! Funny how people assume the spouse knows the details of the occupation held by their partner. When I travel, I typically travel for leisure which involves traveling with children … alone!

The first tip: Enjoy the journey to the destination as much as you will enjoy the destination itself.

This author apparently is not traveling with kids! Packing games, books, computers, iPods, Game Boys, DS’s, the list goes on … trying to occupy and help distract them from the fact they are sitting, touching one another, in a closed “container” for hours and hours. “You are in my space” will come out, not like adults, kids do not hold back! If the plane happens to have the TV built into the seat in front of them – I just want to say sorry in advance to the poor souls sitting in that seat - the games are touch screen, need I say more? But the plane ride is not the most stressful part of the journey. It is in-fact passing through SECURITY.

Problem #1 Security insists that everyone hold their own boarding pass. The likely hood getting through the whole security process and the child still possessing his or her boarding pass is simply mind blowing.

Problem #2 A parent’s eyes must travel from one kid to the next, keeping our possessions guarded, and taking shoes off, grabbing enough bins for shoes, computers, games and junk while the people behind start grabbing bins and start trying to pass us, while frustrations sets in. Scrambling to find the little bag of “liquids” and place it in the bin. If you fail to do this you might be “stripped searched” on the other side!

Problem #3 To add this to the mix; one of my children has a Medtronic Reveal “device” in his chest. OK first never, EVER call it a device in an airport! He must hold his Medtronic Card along with his boarding pass and enter a whole new line by himself. While I can see, but cannot hear, the security guards talking to him, they point to the back of our line and try to dismiss him. He holds his Pacemaker card up higher and then he receives strange looks as they finally read the card and take him past the line of scanners and continue to the area for a complete search.

Problem #4 This is the point where timing is everything. The plan is to get through the metal detector scanners at the same time my son does with his “Pacemaker”. I don’t like one of my children, being frisked and patted down while I am preoccupied with rustling two other children, our stuff, shoes, boarding passes and then repacking back packs. My eyes continue traveling from each child, now in two locations. TSI people questioning computers, lotion baggies, location of boarding passes and they want to see my ID again! While hearing, “Mom, he just cut. Mom they are cutting line. Mommmmm”

Problem #5 The lacking of total patience, may cause extra attention. Now that I must look like I want to slap the Security person, they decide to hand search our bags. Directing us over to another table, we now have items spread all over like a yard sale; while continuing to gather shoes, computers, baggies, cell phones, back packs and yelling instructions to the kids. Now the questions come from the TSA man that I just can’t believe: “Why do you have two computers, an extra backpack and two baggies of ‘liquids’?” Annoyed I snapped, “YOU have my third child, pointing over my shoulder, I have his things!”

Problem #6 This process took so many security guards away from their command post … my question would be: Did that cause or permit a “bad guy” to pass by security?

Lately I traveled alone for the first time in … oh maybe 21 years. I have to agree that I tried to enjoy the journey to my destination as much as I could. Even though I hate sitting for fourteen hours, I met some really neat people, read, listened to uninterrupted music, watched a movie and took a cat nap or two, taking advantage of my time alone. Besides my butt being incredibly sore the journey was, I guess I could say, enjoyable. Passing security was certainly a breeze childless. However, while going through the process I was able to observe some very interesting procedures. Because the fact that my husband is a pilot I couldn’t help but notice the airline pilots being scanned by security. They were showing their badges, bags being inspected and even opened then searched. What could the pilots be carrying or sneaking on the plane? What struck me is when I noticed one of the captains being searched. He was padded down and then the security guard used his wand and waved it over every inch of his body. As the pilot held out his arms I noticed he was packing. So really, what was the security guard looking for if the pilot was carrying a gun? Would a wand really find something worse than a gun? Will they take his razor away if they find one in his bag? A pilot – they are tested, licensed, certified, researched – but what do I know, I’m just the wife of one! However, my common sense was still fighting with this patting down and wand search of this captain which he is obviously licensed to carry a gun. In my opinion wasn’t his biggest weapon, the actual plane itself? Wondering what TSA’s guidelines could possibly say that they needed to wand a certified licensed pilot carrying a registered gun?

Next Tip – Leave your “comfort” Zone at home …

Hawaii 2010

Bolting off with a minutes notice I found myself on a plane to the big island of Hawaii. A teaching photo shoot at a beautiful location - I couldn't resist!

My student became ill and I found myself alone with no car for excursions and no money to join any tours. So I decided to walk! Walking for miles, hours to explore my surroundings. Finding myself window shopping at every local art shop and booth in Kona. Meeting local artists and loving their work. Now refreshed and reflecting on the islands beauty.

Good for the soul, the heart and the mind! Aloha

A Place I Call Home

A place I call home –

The seven mountains roll and three rivers run

Hundreds of church bells ring.

History runs deep – into the deep deep South

In a place I call home –

Never have I seen the snow cover my backyard

A dusting or a frightful freeze

And only Black Ice haunts our winding roads

On the way to the place I call home –

Iridescent

Breathtaking

Brilliance

Covering the place I call home

From Sand to Grass

Focusing on a cheap statue of a strange horse with very long ears, I began to sink deeper into the car’s seat. Missing my old school, friends, palm trees and the sun shining. We left the surf, surfers and beach bunnies for farmer boys and ‘not so many’ Daisy Dukes. Wishing I didn’t have to get out of bed today. Starring back at me in the mirror, a dude so out of place, I flipped my blonde hair out of my eyes and made my way down the cold dark hall looking for my locker. Feeling eyes following my every move. It was easy to realize, I’m different. The guys looked as if they have been taking steroids since birth and wore old t-shirts with GA Bulldog Football decals. I wore my regular everyday surf shorts, flip flops, button down shirt and guitar pick necklace. Girls glanced and giggled, guys starred and growled as I let my hair slightly fall back over my eyes. Recognizing that, this surfer dude has been left on the beach without a board.

Now at Butts County Middle School, next year … Butts High? My old friends can never know! I will have to change my Twitter name, never ‘friend’ anyone here, the fear that someone would post “Go Butt High” on my Facebook wall. Who was allowed to name this county after the Butts family and who was the moron who made the mascot a Jack Ass? How many jokes can one take, unfortunately I will find out! My new Facebook status will have to read: Just sitting on my Ass, in Butts County. Or my last Tweet on Twitter will read: Get off my Ass I’m stuck in Butts County. They will be climbing all over my ass with jokes.

To Read More: Please send a request

Little Rocker Zane

Little Rocker Zane

@RockerZane

When you tell a young child they can do anything …

Adding heart, dedication, passion,

and mix in tons of practice and patience …

Their dreams might come true …

Well, they believe you.

Dare to dream!

A PEACE of Mind

Fourteen year-old freshman collapses and nears death for no apparent reason after completing his first season on the varsity soccer team. Healthy, strong and young didn’t fit what was happening. A split second, as the world spun fast and time stood still while Brody flirted with fatality.

What if I wasn’t with him? What if I didn’t witness this episode? The “what if’s” will always haunt me. Brody was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and later had heart surgery. His appearance is no different than any other teenage boy. No one would know he has a medical issue, that HCM is the leading cause of cardiac sudden death in young people. Now driving increases concern to the equation. Stressed, worried sick about his safety I turned to the internet and found American Medical ID and ordered one for Brody. Wearing the American Medical ID bracelet I have the peace of mind that the proper medical attention will be attained promptly.

www.americanmedical-id.com

Turning Back the Clock

Making the most of dealing with skin cancer, I am having a little fun with skin product experiments. Exhibiting new scars on my face, neck and ears, I made myself a walking “lab rat” for products that claim to work miracles. Trying to turn back the clock and take away some of the abuse and neglect I have caused my skin. The past six months I have researched and tested thousands of dollars worth of skin care products. Here are the first of my personal reviews on products that were first recommended to me:

StriVectin®

StriVectin-SD® & StriVectin-SD Eye Cream

Pricey but has WOW - Diminishes fine lines

Within two weeks of using the StriVectin eye cream I saw fewer lines around my eyes. My foundation and/or powder didn't clump in any way in the small lines or creases that remain around my eye area. I saw change, a more youthful look, after using this product for about a week. The first week I applied the SD formula to the back of one hand. This past summer I had an accident scaring about 1/3 of my hand. In just a week the SD formula faded the scar some but what I did notice remarkably, was my left hand appeared to be five years younger looking next to my right hand. The wrinkles were disappearing! I started applying the SD formula all over my face and hands after that!

Bare Escentuals - San Francisco

RareMinerals™ Blemish Therapy

Heals Conceals Plus - Gentle formula

Blemish Therapy takes away any oily looking spots or areas. Best if used after applying moisturizer (I like Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer together because if feels like your skin can breath - no clogged pore feeling) but before makeup. It does have an odor, but once you apply your powder or concealer the smell goes away and the finished look is well worth the little odor!

RareMinerals™ Renew & Reveal Facial Cleanser

I wish I had this product my whole life! Gently exfoliates and leaves skin feeling fresh but not stripped! It started out very messy, however once I learned to wet my face and hands first, then pour/sprinkle powder into palm of wet hand, mix gently with two fingers, then apply damp powder to face and massage in gently. It will feel somewhat like thick soft powdery paste. It sounds bad but feels wonderful.

RareMinerals™ Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer

Soft Skin - Light Weight

This is a wonderful product that really enhances the RareMineral line. It goes on light, no sticky or heavy feeling. In just minutes after applying my face feels smoother and softer.

bareVitamins - Skin Rev-er Upper

Vita Thirsty Skin

When your skin needs a little vitamin booster, this will quench the thirst. I use this at least once a day and after a few days my face felt revived and refreshed.

Buffing Brushes The Essential Collection

Brushes home or on the go

Useful! The container is great. I use both ends keeping my larger and smaller brushes separate. The collection has a good variety of brushes for nice and easy applications.

MD Skincare Dr Dennis Gross

Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Serum

Can’t do without

The first feel of this product is amazing. Knowing I am treating my skin to some well deserved Vita C was a plus but after a few uses I couldn't go without! I can really feel it "feeding" my skin. I feel it is important after applying this product wait a couple/few minutes and then apply moisturizer as well.

The Fight Is On!

A new fight has entered my life. After battling the diagnosis and treatments of my son’s HCM heart disease, I decided it was time to make my own doctor’s appointment. The one I had missed and then postponed for over a year. That dreadful physical that no one I know wants to waste their time with. I had no idea of the importance of that once-a-year physical until now. I disclosed, to my physician, a scab that was next to my ear, because I kept catching it with my hair brush so it would not heal. After examining the area, I was quickly referred to a skin cancer specialist. You guessed it … the fight is on!

Traveling through several web sites like WebMD and MedicineNet (which are great!) sometimes you can learn a little too much. I had read and heard previously that about 90% of skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds and approximately two million people are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and melanoma every year. But what I didn’t know was that one person dies every hour from melanoma.

I felt queasy sitting in the waiting room thinking of what was to come. Appointment’s were kept weekly, two stage two basal cell carcinoma’s and two stage two melanoma’s were found on my head and neck. My third MOHs surgery was to remove my second melanoma was to be taken. This one was from my neck and each was in a two month time frame. My neck was probably one of the scariest, although every time I go – I am always a bit anxious – but I had just heard of a close friend of an aunt who suffered nerve loss after surgery in the same area of the neck. Lucky to have caught it in stage two but still sick to my stomach, shaking in my shoes, were my only the feelings on the inside. Questioning the surgeon about my neck and he reassured me, surgery took place as scheduled and the healing process began. Scars on the surface can be covered by makeup and treated with vitamin lotions, but removing this cancer, I will fight it and if any new ones that show up they are in for a duel.

Running into my family’s living room my seven year old eyes wild with excitement and my smile lit my face as I saw all of my aunts and uncles filling the seats. A surprise visit! What was the occasion? I didn’t care. I was seven and it looked like Christmas! But what I didn’t know was … my grandmother had just passed away. Cancer had won, she had lost the fight.

My grandmother, several family members and a few dear friends have passed away because of cancer. Now even more close friends are engaged in this fierce battle … Cancer! Fear, sadness and grief over comes me when I recall the day that I was caught by surprise in my family’s living room. At the innocent age of seven when cancer personally became an unspeakable and terrifying word. So the shaking, the apprehension of a “little skin cancer” outpatient surgery still seems to shatter my soul because of the memories and fear of that cancer that lay deep within.

My Biopsy Tests:

First a local anesthetic is injected, and then the doctor performs a deep shave biopsy – the spot is shaved off with a razor blade. Area heals in just a few days and they send off the tissue to a lab for results.

My MOHS Surgery:

I read that the Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest cure rate for basal cell. I never found that positive reinforcement for Melanoma, however I took the advice of my doctors and trust the tests of the lab that results of the last biopsy are cancer free.

Mohs surgeons remove the minimum amount of healthy tissue and totally remove the cancer eliminating all tumor roots. The technique – sections of the tissue that are removed in stages and sent to an onsite lab for slide preparation and study. This process is repeated until no tumor cells remain in the microscopic sections and the area is tumor free. At this point, they reconstruct the tumor site. My surgeon cut a flap of skin from a surrounding area and folds it over the wound. The surgeon then sews the skin in place for a fast recovery with little visible scars.

FYI: The A, B, C, D’s of Melanoma:

A=asymmetry

B=border irregularity,

C=color variability (brown, black, gray, pink)

D=diameter of (often) greater than ¼ inch

A Special thanks to: www.sephora.com

This company has introduced me to the best products to help restore, freshen, enhance and smoothen to create a healthier-looking skin, while protecting my skin from more damage that can happen with everyday living.

A Nation Needs Our Help

Listening to, reading and watching the news today, and the past few days, just tears at my heart. To see and hear about the devastation of Haiti’s earthquake is surreal. The catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake striking only 16 miles from Port-au-Prince Haiti’s capital January 12, 2010.

Several years have passed since I first walked the streets of Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Arriving on our family’s sailboat at Port de Cap-Haitien we walked the streets, saw the sites (Cathedral Notre-Dame of Cap-Haitien, Citadelle La ferrierre) and later traveled by bus to Port-au-Prince to visit the capital and tour the country. I actually don’t remember Port-au-Price that well. What I do remember, as if it were imbedded in my brain forever, is the bus ride, the people of Cap-Haitien and the smells

.

The local’s of Cap-Haitien watched my every movement. I might not have totally understood why they were staring at me. Was it because I was a young white girl? All the locals were dark skinned, or was it because I had clothes on my back that bright in color and they hadn’t worn from years of being passed down from family members or not being washed with clean water. It could have been my long blond hair that was shiny clean and bounced with my every step. It could have been my skin that was dirt free and smelt like some botanical garden because of the shower and soap I had and used that morning. I hoped and prayed that my facial expressions were well hidden because the stench of the streets made my stomach very queazy. It was hard not to plug my nose or cover it and my mouth with my shirt to help stop the gag reflexes I had from the continued smell’s coming from the streets, the water and the people.

The bus ride was unforgettable. It could have been because it was the oldest bus I had ever seen, or the fact that while traveling across the country we hit every bump with a bang. No working shocks on a bus will cause one to fly into the air and be jolted which caused massive headaches for everyone. By the end of our journey we had sick stomachs from the bus movements and the disgusting odors, aching heads, soaked with sweat from the heat and sore arms and muscles from holding on. What I will never forget however … the gorgeous countryside and ocean views with perfect weather, and the Nations incredible history.

Haiti, now hit by a devastating earthquake which had little to begin with, has nothing – too little left.

I am proud of Americans today as I see friends, family members, famous people, rich people, middle class people, and people who have even suffered loss themselves are giving in some way to help Haiti.

Photo: Haiti Market Place 2008 by RuthAnne Anderson

My Twitter Tips!

Twitter Tips, How to Twitter and Twitter lingo and Dictionary

RuthAnne Anderson 7/23/09

Follow on Twitter @Twitter_Tips and @TwittPro for more helpful Twittering tips!

So Many Friends have asked me about Twitter. What, How and Why that I decided to write out my own tips on how to use Twitter.

If you’re using Twitter, you know it’s more than what people are having for breakfast. It’s more like “conference call using IM”. Link sharing, conversation, personal connections that break the ice before in-person meeting, & professional networking. It’s like having another phone on my desk in a different form.

If you’re just getting started on Twitter, you’re probably a bit overwhelmed and looking for a few ways to help optimize your experience.

Getting Started

User Name: Use your real name and a picture on your profile. It lets your followers know that there’s a real person behind the profile. You may use a business name for your Twitter name, but they can work if you have a real picture. In general, use a name related to your real name, other made up names can smell spammy to the casual observer.

Your bio should be real. Followers want to know who you are. Make sure you write something meaningful so others can learn something about you. A bio is your introduction as a person, not a 160 character “elevator pitch”. Sales pitches may turn followers away, especially if they think they’ll get pitched if they follow you. Personally, I don’t follow people who don’t have a bio or if they only have a Tweet or two posted, unless I know them personally and they just started Twitter. Bios are important and are searchable.

If this is purely a business account, the bio should be a description of your company.

Home page is Where Tweeting begins

· Status: Update your status and view tweets from people you follow in 140 characters

· Find People: Search for people to follow.

· Search: enter key words of your interests to find other people or topics and this will return tweets by people who have used these words. Then Look at their bio to see who they are and who their followers are. If you like what they Tweet about or who they are Click the follow sign to follow someone

· Following and Followers listed on Home Page Click to see who you are following or who is following you

· Read your tweets

· Profile page: Your tweets, You can see the tweets you have made here.

· Reply to other people’s tweets

· Click on @your name and you can see who mentioned your name or RT your Tweet. The @ symbol sends a reply. This symbol before someone’s name sends a reply that goes to their ‘reply’ tab. E.g. @Aruthanne

· Click the reply symbol. This will place the ‘@’ symbol in the status update box before their name. Then type your reply.

Following and Being “Followed”

You can search Twitter for people you know by entering their name, or any related word or description. Example: Photographer or photography. Twitter also has an option to search the contacts you have on Gmail, Hotmail, AOL and some others. If you have Facebook and go to FB Applications (Twitter), your FB friends now Twitter friends will appear. You can also select to update your Status on Facebook at the same time as Twitter on this application.

As you follower people and like what they are Tweeting, check out who *they* follow and connect to others in their network. That’s one way to build your network, and the people you follow will follow you back, most of the time.

If you start following tons of people, Twitter is very likely to mark you as an account with spam potential and suspend you. It’s not a race. Follow a handful of people, get to know them, grow from there.

A note about follower numbers: the philosophy is that more is better. I follow people who are personable, talkative, and multifaceted. They do more than talk about their business or drop link after link. If someone “unfollows” don’t worry. Each person’s has who they want to “listen” to Tweet. I “unfollowed” someone because I really didn’t care what they ate every meal and when they left the computer to go to the John. Too bad because the information, on occasion was good, so I found out who they were getting the information from when they RT - ReTweeted and dropped their name in by using this RT @NAME and I looked at the info on @NAME and started following them instead.

Consider following people as reaching out and shaking hands, connecting individually rather than just an accumulation of numbers. It’s not a popularity contest. It’s a communication experience.

Participating

Twitter like a conversation (because largely that’s what it is). There’s no “right” way to use it and your own purpose will emerge over time.

Twitter is conversing with other people. It’s sharing web links that are interesting or useful, personal or business. Your shared links are much more likely to get attention – yours web site or others- if you’ve spend the time to build the relationships with your “followers” before you ask people to Click Your Junk.

Participate – Tweet! Don’t beg for followers - if you’re interesting and interested in others, followers will show up. Talk, share, contribute and above all, have a little fun. It is the best way to build relationships and a community on Twitter.

The Twitter Lingo

Tweet: A post to Twitter - text only, 140 characters maximum (including spaces). If you’re just learning to use Twitter, start by posting your tweets from the box at the top of the page that asks “What are you doing?” Notice that while you type your post, the character counter (the number above that box, to the right) keeps track of how many characters you have left. When done, click the “Update” button - and your post goes live on Twitter!

Tweeter/Twitterer: Someone who uses Twitter. Once you Tweet you are now a Twitterer!

Follow & Your “followers” When you follow someone on Twitter means you elect to see in your timeline the tweets that they post. Your “friends” are the people who you follow (get updates from). Twitter lists this in your profile as your “following” statistic, but “friends” is the more commonly used term. Your “followers” (aka, your “posse,” “tweeps,” or “tweeple”) are the people who have chosen to see your tweets. TIP: You can click on any user’s stats to see who they follow and who follows them. This provides perhaps the best way to find people to follow: When you find a particularly interesting or relevant Twitter user, go to their personal page and click to see who they’re following. You can then choose to follow some of the same people directly from that list

@ replies: At Reply, or "@reply": A direct tweet sent to another Twitter user. This symbol precedes people’s “handles” or screen names on Twitter when a tweet is directed at them. Want to reply to someone’s comment? Start your tweet with @ so they’ll know your reply is meant for them. You can track your own replies in the “@ Replies” tab on your Twitter page, or many of the Twitter clients will do so automatically for you. CAUTION: Using @ replies to get someone’s attention isn’t completely reliable. Users can configure their account to see @ replies from no one at all, only from their friends (people they’re following), or from anyone.

RT: Stands for “retweet” and means that the tweet is being reposted from someone else. If I retweet something of yours, that means I’m passing it along for others in my network to see. When you see a tweet that starts with these letters, it means that the person is passing along something that someone else wrote. Many of the third party applications have a one-click button to retweet a post. Tweet Etiquette by "RT" and "@[username]," to give credit to the original poster.

Hash Tag: The "#" sign. Allows Twitter users to group tweets by topic, making it easier to search particular conversations using Twitter Search. You may often see tweets that end with a hashtag, or a pound sign followed by a term, such as #conference. The purpose is to keep track of tweets that are all part of a single subject, event, or topic. If you head to Twitter Search and type in the full hashtag, you can track all the tweets related to that term. You don’t need to do anything special to use a hashtag, just make one up and tell folks to use it if you want them to tag their tweets for your event or discussion.

Link: Including a URL in your tweet.

link shorteners: Twitter’s 140 character limitation makes posting big links impossible. So you’ll see shortened urls from services like TinyURL, Bit.ly, is.gd among others. They take a long URL and condense it down to a short version. Again, clients like TweetDeck have this built in, but you can use the web versions as well, many of which have a bookmark button you can use in your browser.

DM: This stands for Direct Message and is Twitter’s version of a private message. If you DM someone, you send the message directly to them and no one else can see it. To send one, type the letter D and a space followed by the person’s Twitter name (or use the Direct Messages tab on your profile page). The recipient of the DM needs to be following you for the message to go through.

Favorites: If you “favorite” a tweet, it’s like your bookmarking it for yourself. You can see your favorites on a separate tab on your profile, and others can see them too.

User. Typically this means an individual person with a Twitter account - but appearances can be deceiving. Some Twitter names are used by organizations or publications (such as NYTimes), or by groups of Twitter users (such as COtweeters, a communication channel for Twitter users in Colorado). One IBM engineer even has a Twitter account for his house.

Timeline. A series of tweets displayed on a Twitter page. When you refresh the page, new tweets appear at the top of the timeline and older tweets scroll down off the bottom.

Personal page. Every Twitter user gets their own page where all their tweets are archived in a timeline. If you click on the username of a person who posted a specific Tweet, that takes you to their personal page.

Short URLs. You can include links in your tweet simply by posting the complete URL, including “http://” - but you only have 140 characters total to work with, and some URLs are very long. Fortunately there are free online services that will create short, permanent “redirect” URLs that can replace long URLs. Three popular ones are snurl, tinyurl, and urltea. They all work basically the same way: You enter the long URL, and the service generates a short URL that you copy to your computer’s keyboard. You then paste the short URL into your tweet.

How to Speak Twitter

A TWITTER GLOSSARY

Dweet: Tweet sent while drunk

MisTweet: A tweet one later regrets.

SnapTweet: A tweet that includes a photo taken with a cell phone, uploaded to Flickr and posted to Twitter via snaptweet.com.

Twittcrastination: Procrastination brought on by Twitter use.

Twadd: To add someone as a friend or follower.

Twaigslist/Twebay: To sell something on Twitter.

TwinkedIn: Inviting friends made on Twitter to connect on LinkedIn.

Twittectomy: To remove someone from the list of people you follow.

Twitterati: The A-list twitterers everyone follows.

Twitterfly: Twitter's version of a social butterfly, marked by the extreme use of @ signs.

Twitterlooing: Twittering from the bathroom.

Twitterpated: Overwhelmed with Twitter messages.

Twittfeinated, Twigged Out, Twired: To be so hyped up on twittering that you cannot sleep