Bye Bye Bear . . . For Now.

My life has changed from long days at the office, to constant travel. I love it, but it has forced me to make some difficult decisions. Namely, I made the decision to send my sweet yorkie, Bear to stay with my mother in AZ. Because I didnt' want to board her, Bear has stayed with friends every time I left town. Although she is a trouper, the home-hopping has taken its toll. I mean in some ways Bear's home-hopping has helped her socialize with other dogs and children. But during her home-hopping, Bear contracted fleas and got into pills. After dealing with the guilt attached to those two incidents, I realized that although my schedule isn't going to slow down any time soon, Bear needed stability. So when my mother visited me Austin in visit, Bear went home with her to AZ. It is best for Bear to stay with someone who loves her almost as much as I do.

Bear came to church with me every Sunday (after all she is a holy dog), greeted my Jazzercise students as they walked into class, hung out at Anna Maria's boutique while I was shopping, and sat in her bag patiently as I dined with friends. As much as I miss taking Bear around Austin, hanging out with my girl on the couch, and experiencing her excitement every time I came home, I know that it is best for Bear to be with my mom . . . for now. In the meantime, I miss her like crazy!!
- RXW

Roxanne on the Runway!

Tonight was the 2nd Annual Fashion on 5th event benefiting Easter Seals and I agreed to be one of the models. As a 5’3 bowlegged, flat-footed woman, modeling has not been something I have been had a lot of practice doing. But I was happy to model for a good cause. My one hope was that I didn’t fall. I am a clumsy girl. I have been known to trip just to trip. So imagine my pensiveness about walking down a runway. As much as I enjoy Sex and The City, Carrie’s dive on the runway was not something I wanted to reenact.

I modeled a gorgeous dress from Anna Maria’s boutique. My fellow models were the lovely Meredith, Kelly, Ashley, and Natalie. I met up with the other models for hair and makeup this afternoon. When we arrived at the salon we were called back one by one by the stylist. My stylist, Willow was a gem. She and I jammed to the radio and remembered the days of C&C Music Factory and Ce Ce Peniston (do you remember when the bear/monkey like automated Chucky Cheese/Showbiz pizza characters used to sing Sweat?) By the time my hair was finished Willow and I swapped contact information and favorite karaoke songs and locations.

Showtime in less than an hour . . . . I arrived at the venue and stepped into the mass chaos of backstage. Backstage was alive and bustling with people changing, hair being styled, and makeup being touched up. I learned that I was the FIRST person in the lineup! Me the first person? Eek. That meant if I tripped, fell, or even sneezed on the runway, I would set an awkward tone for the whole show. Lovely! Bobby Bones from KISS FM’s Bobby Bones Morning Show was the emcee for the event. I was happy that Bobby was emceeing because I knew that if I fell, tripped, sneezed, etc. Bobby would make fun of me and all would be okay.

Thankfully, I had nothing to worry about. I walked the runway with my 5”3, bowlegged, flat-footed self and didn’t fall once. Victory!

Personal reminder: Take delight in the small things.
-RXW

Spa Day!

Make over time! I had the pleasure of being featured in Tribeza magazine’s InSalon. InSalon is exactly what it sounds like. I had a day at my favorite salon, Salon 505 the Day Spa, in Austin, Texas. I started out by getting a facial with Lucy Nunez. I have been going to Lucy since I moved to Austin. Normally my facials are quiet with the waves of the sound machine crashing in the background. Within thirty minutes I am fast asleep.
This time I was laying there with mud on my face with Kelley, a fantastic reporter with Tribeza asking Lucy questions about papaya and enzymes, and a photographer named Faustino snapping pictures. I learned more about the process of facials than I ever wanted to know. I am happy to report that when the facial was over and they all left the room so I could change, I fell asleep. I don’t know what woke me up, but when my eyes finally did open up, I looked around wondering where everyone had gone. When I opened the door, they were all waiting outside for me. Fortunately they were packing up and chatting and didn’t realize that I fell asleep. Oops!

After the facial, we went downstairs to the hair and makeup area where Brenna did my hair and makeup as I jammed to the pop music on their satellite radio. The photo shoot was next. Faustino shot me in two dresses. The white dress that is featured on the front page of the article is actually one of my aunt’s pieces. My aunt, Charmaine Mills is an amazing designer and I was excited that Tribeza wanted to use her piece for the shoot.

All together I was at the salon for six hours of pampering and fun. Be sure to check out the Tribeza.

-RXW

Goodbye Intern Megan

I went to dinner last night with my sweet friend Megan, also know in Austin as “Intern Megan” from my favorite morning radio show, The Bobby Bones Show. Megan and I met through our work with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and hit it off immediately. Megan and I have become great friends over the past few months and I feel blessed to have met her. Tomorrow, Megan is moving to Virginia Beach to start a new chapter of her life. Although I am truly excited for her, I am going to miss her like crazy.

So last night was Megan’s goodbye dinner at Cantina Laredo. Her friends and coworkers, Sara and Lunchbox joined her sister Erin, and me to celebrate before Megan headed out of town. We toasted Megan, chatted, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company. And for a moment, I forgot that at the end of the dinner I would have to say goodbye to my friend, for now. That made the night a little somber, but I know that I will see Megan again soon. Some friendships are only meant to last for a brief moment in your life. Other friendships span across different chapters and stages of your life. I know in my heart that Megan is a friend I will have through the years. And so this is goodbye for now, but not forever.


- RXW.

LA Part 2

After my ordeal arriving in LA, the Power of Voice Speaking Summit my trip to the City of Angels went well. The summit gave me an opportunity to meet people from all fields of expertise who speak to audiences around the country. I met internet marketing guru Tom Antion, New York Times bestseller J.L. King, and WNBA Champion Fran Harris. As someone transitioning from a more traditional field, it was beneficial to learn about their experiences in the business.

I stayed in LA an extra day to spend time with my sweet friend Allie. Allie (I call her Alibaba) and I had dinner with Marla, one of our producers and friend from the show. We also went to the live taping of Rockstar:Supernova with Tammy. I must admit I haven’t ever watched the show but, I enjoyed ever minute of it. I saw Mark Burnett for the first time since our finale. We jammed to the music and laughed at the banter between the contestants, Dave Navarro, and the members of Supernova. Even more interesting was watching the show on TV three days later. That’s right, the show is taped on a Sunday and airs on Wednesday. There is a lot of banter that doesn’t make the network cut. Special thanks to Steve for making that experience happen.

My trip ended with a short stop in Phoenix to visit my family including my nephew who is eight months and change. He is so adorable! Rejuvenated and rested, I headed back to Austin and back to work.

I speak at the Baylor Business Network Luncheon tomorrow.

Be sure to check out my interview with Bryce.

LA Part 1

Last weekend I was in Los Angeles for the Power of Voice Speaking Summit put on by Norma T. Hollis and Speakers Etcetera. It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the speaking circuit and meet other professional speakers. I flew into Los Angeles Thursday night because I was due at KJLH, Stevie Wonder’s radio station for an interview early the Friday morning.

Well apparently a water main broke just outside my terminal. As a result there was 2 ½ feet of water in the road and the arrivals area turned into a parking lot. My crafty taxi driver drove through the short term parking lot shaving a good forty-five minutes off what ended up being a one hour ordeal. If felt sorry for my dad because he is the type that will check on his daughters until we have safely arrived at my final destination. I must have talked to him at least three times during the taxi ride which would have normally taken twenty minutes. So my dad stayed up until 12:30 am. Thank you Dad!
More on the conference and my trip to LA soon!

-RXW

Jazzertogs Photo Shoot

The Jazzertogs Fall 2006 catalog is out!! I was honored to model in the Jazzertogs (the Jazzercise Apparel line) catalog and I am excited that the issue if finally out. (See May 30, 2006)
The pink top I modeled in the catalog benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 10% of the profits will benefit the Austin affiliate.
The catalog is available internationally at your local Jazzercise centers and online at, Jazzertogs. Thank you Joan Marie and Mary, for making the catalog look amazing. Special thanks also to Judi Sheppard Missett and Shanna Missett Nelson for being so generous with Jazzercise’s donation For the Cure.

Also, be sure to check out my most recent Inside Pulse interview with Leslie!
I think you will enjoy it.

Kimberly's Day

Today is officially Kimberly’s. Kimberly’s day was supposed to be a day of celebration and pageantry. Kimberly is a vibrant,12-year old Wish Kid suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. Make-A-Wish Foundation refers to the children whose wishes are granted as “Wish Kids.” Kimberly’s wish is to be a beauty queen. Her wish was to be granted this weekend through the Texas State Beauty Pageant.

As you know, I am an Ambassador for Make-A-Wish. I was bestowed with the honor of assisting with Kimberly’s wish. I was scheduled to meet Kimberly and her family at the airport and take them via limousine to their hotel. Later, I would sit down with Kimberly and give her pointers about poise and stage presence. I also arranged for Miss Austin, Sheena Monin to meet with Kimberly and share some pageant secrets. It was going to be an exciting weekend.

Unfortunately, two days before Kimberly was to arrive in Austin, Kimberly’s health took a wrong turn and she was hospitalized. Kimberly’s doctor would not release Kimberly to travel or compete in the pageant.

Kimberly, I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Know that today is YOUR DAY in Austin, Texas as decreed by Mayor Wynn and you are my beauty queen.

I look forward to meeting you when you get better so we can make your wish come true.

All my love,

Roxanne

A Sister Tradition

I decided to extend my trip to New York and meet up with my little sister Rochelle. Rochelle just finished her first set of classes in medical school and is enjoying her break by spending time in New York and Arizona.


Rochie and I have a tradition of going to B. Smith’s for macaroni and a plethora of cheeses every time we are in New York. Our tradition started four years ago when Rochelle and I joined my father in New York for one of his nerd conferences (he is a statistician). Rochelle and dad couldn’t find any restaurant that they both liked. We were walking down the street looking for a restaurant they could agree on, when we stumbled upon B. Smith’s. As we read the menu my father and sister both found entrees they liked. Hallelujah! Well the menu descriptions didn’t do the entrees justice. It was hands down our best meal we had all week. As Rochelle and I were still talking about the macaroni and plethora of cheeses months later, we agreed that we would come back every chance we got.

I also have a happy Apprentice memory tied to B. Smith’s. Allie, Sean, Tammy, and I ate at B. Smiths the night before Sean moved over to Gold Rush. We had a nice dinner and celebrated our good times together. For me B. Smith’s equals good times. This trip was no exception. Rochie landed in NYC on Monday night and went directly to B. Smith’s where I was waiting patiently. As I was sipping on an orange ginger margarita (you should try it), waiting for my sister, I spotted B. Smith at a
nearby table. At first I was hesitant to go over and introduce myself, but then I couldn’t help myself. I had the pleasure of meeting B., “Mr. B. Smith,” as he called himself, and a business associate. B. was as amazing as the food. When Rochie arrived B. came and introduced herself and treated us to dessert, bread pudding, which is divine.

Rochelle and I had a great time in NYC. I am glad I had a chance to spend time with Rochelle before she heads back to med school. I love that girl!
-RXW

THE HAMPTONS

I spent my first weekend in The Hamptons. Well that isn’t entirely accurate. I mean there was that one trip with the ladies of Sex in the City, but that doesn’t count.
The purpose for my inaugural trip was to attend the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s Art for Life Seventh Heaven Benefit. The event was hosted by Russell Simmons, co-founder of the foundation. The foundation provides disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure to the arts and provides exhibition opportunities to underrepresented artists and artists of color.

The event was amazing! Since the theme was Seventh Heaven, most people wore blue. Donna Karen, Raymond J. McGuire, Susan Sarandon, & Tim Robbins were honored for their contribution to the arts. The night included a luxury silent auction and live auction, live entertainment, and a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck with an array of the toppings. The event was a huge success raising well over a million dollars for the foundation.

Although I went to The Hamptons for the benefit, I was also invited to attend the VH1 Save the Music party held the night before at Jaci and Morris Reid’s house. Unfortunately, my novice Hamptons status did not prepare me for the traffic jam from the City to the Hamptons. By the time I arrived the VH1 party, had ended. Bah!
I did make it to the after party where I danced the night away. Next time I will be sure to get on the road a good twelve hours before the party starts!

More on my New York trip tomorrow.

Austinites, be sure to check out this month’s Tribeza for my In Salon feature.