Book Tour: Tampa/CTN

Last week I headed to Tampa, Florida for the first time. My purpose for Tampa was to appear on The Herman and Sharron Show, and The Good Life with CTN's founder and president, Bob D'Andrea.

I started my trip the night before around my appearances. I arrived at the airport for my 6:30pm only to find out that my American Airlines flights had been canceled because of the bad weather in Dallas (I was flying from Austin to Dallas to Tampa). So I hopped on a Continental airline that was flying through Houston to Tampa. When we boarded, they announced that the flight was delayed...this would be fine except that my connection was tight. When I got to Houston, I rushed off the plane hoping that my new flight to Tampa hadn't left without me. It turns out that the crew for that flight was stuck in JFK, so the flight was delayed. Thank the good Lord. We left at 9:40pm...I got to Tampa after 1:00am. After picking up my rental car and driving around lost, I arrived at the hotel and got to bed by 3:00am. Did I mention that it is humid in Tampa? Humid but beautiful. Even driving at night I could see how the water glistening.

My call at the CTN studio was 10:30am. Eek!

Fortunately I got up and to the studio in time plenty time. I started with The Herman & Sharron Show. Herman and Sharron have been on CTN for twenty-eight years and married for much longer. Herman, who reminds me of Regis in every way, was a riot...he wore a Donald Trump shirt to commemorate the interview. We talked about Footprints in the Boardroom and how my faith influenced my experience on "The Apprentice."

After we completed the show, I met Bob D'Andrea, CTN's founder and the host of The Good Life. As we sat down to do the interview, Bob mixed things up and asked me about my "boyfriends". Ha ha. I have been asked a lot of questions during interviews but I can tell you that the question I would never have expected from Bob D'Andrea was about my "boyfriends." Those of you who visit my blog know that the part of my life I have figured out the least is the "boyfriends." Ha ha...Bob didn't let up either. He wanted to know what I looked for in a boyfriend. You will have to watch to find out how I responded.

All kidding aside, I had the opportunity to share with The Good Life viewers about the importance of faith and prayer in their daily life.

After the tapings were over, I headed back to the airport and left fair Tampa without any flight delays, cancellations, or weather issues...

Happy Fourth of July!!

-RXW

What Rox: Watch The Herman and Sharron Show on 7/12/07 check your local listings (The Herman and Sharron Show airs on CTN, SkyAngel, and INSP digital). Check back for information on The Good Life's air date!

5 Tips To A Healthy Lifestyle

As you know last week I spoke at The 50 Million Pound Challenge kickoff in Austin. I had a great time meeting the State Farm employees and sharing with them in their commitment to Give up the pounds. Not the Fight!

I applauded the participants for their dedication to a healthy lifestyle and shared with them my tips to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Here they are:

1) Food is all about moderation! It is okay to eat the food you love but eat it in moderation.
When you go out to restaurants, split your meal in half. Ask the server for a to go box and immediately put half of your meal away for later.

2) Exercise is meant to be fun! Find something you love.
Don't put any extra obstacles in your way. If you don't enjoy it, if the location is too far way, intimidating, etc. don't do it. Keep it fresh. Mix it up from time to time.

3) Have an accountability partner!
If you don't feel like working out on a certain day your partner can be there to push you. It can be a local or cyber partner. Be creative.

4) Journal! How will you know how far you have gotten if you don't know where you started?
I blog (obviously) but you can journal or write about your struggles, accomplishments etc. Take pictures as you get smaller and smaller.

5) Reward yourself for the little things!
Don't wait until you meet the big goal, delight in the small moments i.e. fitting into your skinny jeans, walking up the stairs without getting exhausted.

Special thanks to Arcillia Smith and her committee for their dedication to The 50 Million Pound Challenge.

Click here to listen to the speech.
-RXW
What Rox: The 50 Million Pound Challenge has already reached 287,010 pounds and counting. To join The Challenge or to see when the kickoff is coming to your area, go to http://www.50millionpounds.com/
Keep those pounds coming!

Intimacy

I am a creature of habit...especially on Sundays.

A typical routine on Sunday includes going to Untitled at 9:45, service at 11:15, and lunch with friends right after. This Sunday my typical "routine" was modified. I was asked to speak to the Singles (over 40) ministry. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. For some reason I can speak all over the country, but speaking to a group at my own church, Riverbend, can be a bit intimidating. Their topic for July is prayer and I was entrusted in kicking it off. Pressure! Additionally, my Sunday routine was officially out of whack...how could I possibly have a meaningful Sunday experience?

So rather than going to Untitled at 9:45, I went to service. I wanted a little inspiration before I spoke...the part of the message that hit me was intimacy...intimacy in your faith. After service was over, I rushed over to the Singles ministry.

As I was speaking to the Singles ministry about prayer and how prayer is simply a conversation with your maker, I realized that the topic of intimacy was in my message as well. I spoke on prayer and read some prayers I wrote in Footprints in the Boardroom and we talked in depth. And established that we all have certain routines when we pray. We pray at certain times of the day in certain ways.

But the one thing that I hope reached that group was this:

We spend so much time in life giving our relationships a shot of energy: married couples go to counseling or take vacations to rekindle the relationship; friends go out to the newest place or take dancing lessons.
We change up the way we communicate in relationships: phones, letters, texts...it keeps it interesting, current. And by changing up the routine those relationships become a bit more meaningful...intimate.

So why don't we do that in our faith relationship?
Why do we always go for the routine i.e. my Sunday routine?
And why do we always have the same conversation with God?

There is no reason to be afraid of changing our routine. We may find that praying at a different times of the day, in a different way leads us to a deeper understanding...intimacy.
Interestingly enough, my Sunday routine was totally our of whack this week, but the meaning was deeper...more intimate.

-RXW

Supper Underground Shhhh!

Have you ever been a part of an underground club? Let me guess, you would tell me but then you would have to kill me right?

Well fine, but I am going to break the silence and tell you about underground club I was fortunate to experience this weekend. It is called Supper Underground and it is exactly what it sounds like. Supper...Underground...well not underground, but on the hush hush. As it says on their vague website, "Supper Underground is a fusion of the intimacy of a dinner party with the ease of a restaurant. It’s the opportunity to experience delectable cuisine and meet new people in a unique and constantly changing setting. Supper Underground is a monthly dinner party that takes place in a different Austin location with different participants each month. Supper Underground guests enjoy a brief “cocktail hour” followed by a four-course meal with wine provided."

My friend Daniel stumbled upon Supper Underground last year and has been lucky enough to go to three of them now. So I was Daniel's guest at this month's Supper. When Daniel picked me up, the first thing he said was, "Okay Roxanne, there are rules to Supper Underground. Rule one: Don't talk about Supper Underground." I thought he was serious a la fight club, but considering the fact that in the year and a half that Supper Underground, which was started by a lovely woman named Hannah, has been in Austin the mailing list had grown to 700 people, I think I can talk about it.


We arrived at Progress Coffee whose owners Joshua and Sarah were kind enough close their coffee shop so that it could be transformed for the event. Each Supper consists of no more than 25 people, so the feel is quite intimate. We dined on food prepared by the resident Supper Underground chef, Tasso and his longtime buddy. Our four course meal consisted of:

• Chilled Roasted Corn and Avocado Soup
• Asparagus Salad with Shaved Parmesan and Lemon Vinaigrette
• Crab Cakes atop Purple Potato Puree with Wilted Greens and a Saffron Cream Sauce
• Espresso Creme Brulee

Okay now I want to leave the experience to your imagination so that you will be compelled to find an underground supper club in your area (and yes they are everywhere...Google underground supper clubs and you will be amazed by the amount of results). But I will say that I don't even eat crab but I absolutely loved the crab cakes. It was definitely a meal to remember or the food and more importantly the community. I want to tell you more, but you know, then I would have to kill you...

Bottom line, Supper Underground is the greatest event in your city that everyone is not talking about. Experience it for yourself.

-RXW

What Rox: Don't have an underground supper club in your area? Then start one.

Resale Shop

It is official. I completed my provisional year of The Junior League. Your provisional year in the league is very much like pledging--it gives you an overview of all that The League does to improve the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Now that I have learned about The Junior League I am placed into the community as a volunteer. My placement as we call it is at the Resale Shop. I am quite excited. As a provisional, I spent a lot of time in the Resale Shop working. Now as a member on The Resale Shop committee, I have the opportunity to learn more about the what goes on behind the scenes to make The Resale Shop such as success. The Resale Shop sells gently used clothes the community. But before you turn off, let me add that the Resale Shop isn't just another thrift store. All of the proceeds made at the Resale Shop go back into the community by funding the various grants that The League awards to groups like The Ronald McDonald House, Easter Seals, Family Eldercare, Habitat for Humanity, Austin Smiles, and the list goes on and on.

In addition to that, every month the resale shop gives foster parents credits to alleviate the costs of things such as clothing and shoes. You would be amazed how much foster parents can purchase for their foster children with the credits. [If you know of a foster parent in Austin, send them our way!]

I am excited about serving at the Shop. I can tell this will be a great year and an awesome placement. If you are in the area, come by and support the community.

What Rox: Sale days at the Resale Shop--Every third weekend of the month (Thursday through Saturday), clothes and sometimes more are half off at the shop...quite the steal and for a great cause.

Women and Money

Do you watch "The View?" I do. Yes it is true, I do. I have watched "The View" on and off since it started--through the trials and tribulations. And I have to admit that it has been pretty flat since Rosie left. But yesterday was a nice surprise. Financial guru, Suze Orman, who is insistent that we should be proud to say how much we make whether it is $5000 or $5 million, was the guest host. As a result the theme was about:

• female entrepreneurs; featuring the inventor of Spanx, Sara Blakely, who started with the $5000 in her savings account!)
  
• women taking control of their finances; featuring the answer to the book club, an investment club called "Chicks Laying Nest Eggs". Women around the country have investing clubs where they invest together,
• women's challenges in the business world; featuring Fortune Magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" and has been called the "First Lady of American Publishing". Cathleen Black, President of Hearst Magazines, oversees 19 of the country's top magazines.
  
• and "Hot Topics" where Suze Orman explained (much to Elisabeth's chagrin) why every marriage should have three bank accounts: His, Hers, and Ours; after all you have to prepare for a rainy day! (It is worth going to the website to watch. Click here and select "The View" under daytime. Scroll through to the clip entitled "Hot Topics: Separate Accounts."
  

I was riveted from beginning to end, not because there was fighting as we have seen all season long on "The View," but because each guest, each discussion was meaningful and empowering to women from stay-at-home moms, to recent college grads, to CEOs. It turns out the episode was a rerun, but I don't care, it was stellar.

-RXW

What Rox: When seeking a raise, the best time to bargain is before you even set foot in the door. Negotiate before you accept the job. Once you are there your boss is less apt to give you the raise you deserve. Don't be afraid to find out what your co-workers are making. How else will you know if you are getting your fair pay?

50 Million Pound Challenge -- Are you in?

This Wednesday I am speaking at the Austin kickoff for The 50 Million Pound Challenge presented by State Farm.

Spearheaded by "Celebrity Fit Club's" resident doctor, Dr. Ian Smith, The 50 Million Pound Challenge is an historic opportunity for African Americans to come together against a growing health crisis. Our challenge is to collectively lose 50 million pounds and reduce the very real risks that being overweight poses to our community.

Being overweight leads to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases.

The Challenge is free to join and provides relevant, timely, and helpful tips and guides to shedding those pounds.

I am truly excited about being a part of The Challenge because obesity is plaguing our society in all age groups. And the African American community is at a greater risk than most for the diseases brought on by obesity. As a Jazzercise instructor, I love assisting my clients as they reach their goals for healthy living. Being a part of The Challenge is an extension of that.

- RXW

What Rox: The 50 Million Pound Challenge has already 254,337 pounds and counting. To join The Challenge or to see when the kickoff is coming to your area, go to http://www.50millionpounds.com/
I would love to hear how your healthy living is coming along...

Simple Thanks

One of the things I love about my relationship with my father is learning from his perspective on life. Jeffrey (yes, I call him Jeffrey) has lived a full life with tragedy and joy. He lost both of his parents by the time he was in his mid-teens and grew up poor in Trinidad and Tobago, Through his faith and perseverance he moved to the United States, earned a PhD., and is an amazing professor and soccer coach. I could go on and on about what he had done and continues to do.

My father is my go-to person for my questions about life and faith. One day he and I were talking about prayer and my father told me that when he prays he doesn't pray for anything. I asked him for clarification on this. I mean surely if nothing else Jeffrey must pray for guidance or discernment, something, Right? Wrong. My dad doesn't pray for anything. My dad's prayers consist of thanks. Nothing more than thanks. I was amazed.

In Untitled this week we were talking about when we are thankful...during the obvious times right? When we get something we have been hoping and praying for, when we just miss crashing into a car on the freeway, when our nephew is born healthy, or when a loved one goes into remission. That is when we are thankful. But how about just getting up in the morning? What about being thankful for merely breathing? We forget about the mundane or routine because we have come to expect it. Who remembers the little things.

And the conversation with Jeffrey came right back to me. His prayers are mere thanks--for nothing but thanks.

I am working towards that...

-RXW

Remember the Alamo

An Austin institution is closing down! Well kind of...The original Alamo Drafthouse which has been named the #1 Theatre in America by Entertainment Weekly, is moving locations. The original location was tucked in the heart of Austin's warehouse district. But now Alamo is moving to sixth street (of all places) and expanding. Although this in theory is a good thing, I will miss the old locale. There are many Alamo locations, but the downtown/original Alamo hosts the unique events. The other locations merely show regular new releases. Where is the fun in that?

Some of you may be wondering what the Alamo Drafthouse is all about. Well in the words of Entertainment Weekly the Alamo Drafthouse is: "One of America's most fanatically unique movie-going experiences." And that is the truth.

Alamo is a full service theatre (with servers who bring food to your seat) specializing in off the wall movies from horror nights to random cartoons; to my personal favorite: THE SING-ALONGS!
Yes I said sing-along.

I personally have been to the following Alamo events to name a few: Moulin Rouge, Journey, Mickey Mouse Club (as in Britney, Christina, and Justin), and Trapped in the Closet (as in R.Kelly)--All sing-alongs, and the Saved by the Bell marathon.
In fine Alamo form each event includes props including waterguns, balloons, slap bracelets--whatever is necessary for acting out the show.

This Wednesday is the final night at the Alamo. I sadly will be out of town, but the "Last night at the Alamo Feast" includes a wrench for attendees to unbolt their seats and take them home with them. Eccentric?

Although I will be out of town for the last night, I did attend the last sing-along, thanks to my brother Daniel. Appropriately named, "The Ultimate Sing-along," the event featured songs from past Alamo Sing-alongs. During 99 Red Balloons, we blew up red balloons and bounced them around. As the audience sang to Purple Rain purple streamers were thrown all along. And as the show opened with Thriller four of the Alamo workers dressed like ghouls did the entire Thriller dance.

If you are in Austin, you need to check out The Alamo. The new location will open in September.

FYI: Monday's feature is the The Princess Bride Quote-Along.

Just in case my doctor is reading this, no, I did not sing one single note! Torture, I know, but I didn't want to strain my vocal chords. Off to Dallas today and to a special "Supper" tomorrow. I will share all next week.

-RXW

Get on Board with "Destination Joy"!

So last week I told you about the national aspect of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's "Destination Joy Campaign". This week I thought I would share with you how those of you who live in Central and South Texas can get involved with Make-A-Wish. It is simple! Sign up for the newsletter. Each month you will received an enewsletter from Make-A-Wish. The Enewsletter includes, wish stories and ways you can share the power of a wish, Believe me you won't want to miss it.

All Aboard Central & South Texans for Destination JoySM You and 10 of your friends have the power to grant a wish today! Destination JoySM presented by Lay's® is the Make-A-Wish Foundation's campaign to inspire and empower Central & South Texans to share their much-needed time, talents and resources to grant the wishes of the 333 local children a year who will be diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Currently we can grant 200 wishes a year, and we need your help to grant 333 wishes!!! Please ask 10 of your family, friends, and colleagues to sign up for the chapter Enewsletter, by forwarding them this email today. Help us reach 10,000 Central & South Texans via email each month with magical wish stories and ways they to can share the power of a wish®. I’m on board, Make-A-Wish! I want to help you reach your destination and bring joy to children in Central & South Texas! Sign me up for the Enewsletter Drive me to see 7 ways to help local kids needing the power of a wish

--

Sign me up for the Enewsletter

Drive me to see 7 ways to help local kids needing the power of a wish

--RXW

Go Rochie aka Dr. Rochelle!

Those of you who know me or read my blog (which means all of you) know that my little sister Rochelle is the apple of my eye. She is all things good in this world and I love her dearly. In fact if ever I think of going seriously wayward, I think of the example it would set for Rochelle and refrain.

Well as if the fact that Rochelle is smart, beautiful, talented, funny, caring, faithful etc., isn't enough for me to absolutely adore her, this week Rochelle gave me yet another reason for her to be my hero. Rochelle started med school! Her quest to be a doctor started when she was a little girl. The road hasn't been easy. There were so many roadblocks in her way: MCAT, classes, rejection letters, etc. All of the obstacles made it repeatedly difficult for Rochelle to reach her dream.

Honestly, I am weaker than Rochelle and would have quit by now. But Rochelle pressed on. She knew what she wanted and believed in her dream even when it was hard to believe in herself. I always knew she could do it if she wanted to. Well she wanted to and thank the good Lord, she has. And the tears that we shared and the defeat that Rochelle felt only makes her appreciate who she is, a med student, even more.

Rochelle reminded me of this: Life puts obstacles in our way as we quest for those professional goals. But if we remember that the obstacles only make us stronger. If we believe in ourselves, AND keep the faith, we can overcome anything and reach our dreams.

And now I get to call Rochelle...Doctor! (Yeah, I know she is in med school, but I figure I have the next four years to practice the term before it becomes a requirement.)

Love you Rochie...aka my hero

-RXW

Check Up On It!

When you are running around with work, travel, etc. it is hard to remember to take care of your body. In addition to exercising and eating well, check ups are essential.

So in an effort to keep my life in balance and maker sure that everything is working well, I had two count them two appointments over the last week. Do you want the bad news or the bad news?

First I headed to the ENT (ear/nose/throat) doctor. For a while I have felt like my voice hasn't been 100%. My symptoms:
- It physically hurts to talk when I am out in noisy areas.
- Loss of my upper singing range. (I am becoming an alto!)
- Gut feeling that something is wrong.

Unfortunately, my gut was right. I have nods aka nodules on my vocal chords. Nods are like callouses caused by vocal abuse. Basically I haven't been speaking correctly. I haven't been using my diaphragm.

I am on the path to repair by consciously using my voice properly, avoiding smoky areas, and getting a more thorough review of my conditions. My goal is to avoid surgery! Thus far the only surgery I have had was for my wisdom teeth.

Now for the other bad news. My second appointment was for my teeth cleaning. I have always prided myself on not having cavities. Twenty-eight and cavity-less! My sisters and I have always had great hygiene, but Rhonda and Rochelle both fell prey to cavities years ago. Not I! I was the victorious one.

Well...until now. My new dentist tells me that I need two fillings. The x-rays don't show cavities, but she is certain that the exist. All I can day is darnit! I tried to be upbeat as my dentist was telling me this. I told her that I was hoping to make it to fifty without cavities. She laughed and said that twenty-eight was impressive. I had a lot of questions because I am a newbie to the whole thing. I asked her if I could get silver or gold in my teeth. She looked at me mortified and I just started laughing. KIDDING!!

By the way, it is awesome that my new dentist is a woman! I love it.

All my dad could say to me when I told him was, (in his island accent) "Well Roxanne, look on the bright side...once you have a filling, those particular teeth can never get cavities again." Excellent. Dad. Thanks!

Bottom line: I know this isn't the happiest blog ever, but the moral of the story is...get yourself checked out. If you don't feel great physically it probably means something isn't right. Don't make excuses, just do it.
Cheers.

How old were you when you got your first cavity...and if you say you still haven't and you are older than twenty-eight, then I don't want to hear it!

- RXW

Community

Where do you find your sense of community when you aren't near your family?

I was reminded of where I find community last weekend.
Untitled, the young professionals group at Riverbend hosted an "On Location."

What is an "On Location" you ask?
Well rather than staying at Riverbend for an event, Untitled headed downtown to the Ale House for a night showcasing creativity. It was a featuring the amazingly talented musicians from Riverbend performing their original music. In addition to the music a comedy troupe performed an improv routine that brought the group to bellows of laughter.

What I loved about it more than the music and the improv was the sense of community. I looked all around the room and could see so many people talking and enjoying themselves and the atmosphere, and I just smiled--it felt like "home."

So many times we forget how important community really is until we no longer have it. And life can get in the way of that community. I love the fact that Untitled can be and is anywhere...whether that is at church on a Sunday morning, at an "On Location" downtown, or hosting a bowling night for the girls at the state home, the sense of community is always present. It is hard to lose that sense of community when you can go so many different places within Untitled, and find it.

What does your community look like?

-RXW

Attention Men: You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!!

As you know I went on a guyaitus (def. swear off men) 11 months ago. My guyaitus lasted for 7 months and in February I decided to go on a guyiet (def. lightly dabble in men in moderation but take none of them seriously). Well I have to admit I am at a loss. For all of my desire to be more cautious this time around you can't avoid everything.


Let me back up...I met a guy in March...we hit it off...I enjoyed his company...of course things were casual per the rules of the guyiet. He...let's call him Barry has just broken up with his girlfriend of about a year so he wasn't looking for anything serious. Perfect right? Ha ha ha. We hung out a couple of time and had a really good time. Great conversation, etc. But as we communicated via text message (yes this is the guy I told you about a while back) phone, email, etc., something was off. He was flaky about his correspondence with me. I knew something was wrong but couldn't quite put my finger on it. And since we weren't serious or even close to serious, I didn't worry about it.

Well after probably about three weeks of not seeing each other, we had dinner last weekend. I had forgotten how much fun I had with Barry and was reminded of that over dinner. We made plans for lunch the following week. As I was getting in my car to head to lunch, I got "the call." Something had come up and he was going to have to postpone probably about an hour. I told Barry that it was fine and he told me he would call me back. That was at 1pm on Friday. I am yet to get a phone call back from Barry! What is the deal?

It would probably be fine if that was the end, but the next day Barry and I were separately at the same event. I say "separately" because we weren't there together, but Barry wasn't alone. Barry brought his girlfriend. Yes I said GIRLFRIEND. I know this because she and others referred to the committed relationship between Barry and his girlfriend. Yikes! So basically, unbeknownst to me Barry and his ex got back together, or maybe they never broke up, I really don't know. All I know is that he and his ex insisted on hanging out with me at the event. Can you imagine with me for one moment how awkward it is to discover that a guy you were seeing has a girlfriend and in the same moment have to spend time with them as if everything was honky dory. Welcome to my world. It was so uncomfortable and disrespectful to me and to Barry's girlfriend. I am an adult, and I can handle news like "I got back together with my girlfriend." I wish that Barry had respected me and his girlfriend enough to tell me where things stood.

After the event, Barry texted me (I really do disdain and love the art of text messaging) to make sure I got home safely. That was a total cop out. Apologize! Bone up to your actions. But please don't beat around the bush.

I ignored the text but later texted him and called him out on everything. Do you know what his response was? Barry said that he thought I knew about his girlfriend and he didn't understand why it was a big deal since I am casually dating a few people. I will admit this brought out the lawyer in me!
A) I knew that he and his girlfriend were no longer...translation "off."
B) I am on a guyiet it is true, but I am only dating men that are single...translation=no wife or GIRLFRIEND!
How hard is that to understand?
All Barry could say was that he does NOT have a girlfriend. (Could have fooled me.)

Although I think Barry is a nice guy and I would could continue being his friend, I was really bothered by the lack of common decency. So many things were wrong with what he did:
- Knowing that I was going to be there, he could have told me the truth prior to the awkward and embarrassing encounter.
- Respect your girlfriend enough to treat her well and stop seeing other people.
- As Mr. Houseman (aka Jerry Orbach) said in Dirty Dancing, "When I am wrong, I say I am wrong." If you totally screw up like Barry did, admit it. Don't deny it. It makes you look worse.

Alas, these are my trials and tribulations related to dating. Do you feel my pain?

- RXW

Make-A-Wish's Destination Joy Kickoff

I just returned from the Chicago's kick of for the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Destination Joy Campaign presented by Lay's.

Destination Joy is a campaign to increase awareness of Make-A-Wish's mission. In the next four years 100,000 children will be diagnosed with a life threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish needs the help of everyone to make sure that those 100,000 children get their wish.

There are seven ways that YOU can help out:
1) Donate Cash
2) Donate Treasures i.e. frequent flyer miles, hotel points etc.
3) Donate Time & Talents (I will tell you next week how I am donating my Jazzercise talents to the cause)
4) Get involved locally (click here to find out more)
5) Get a Wish Star (available at Cold Stone Creamery)
6) Bid in the Online Auction
7) Shop to help (click here to find out more)

I was in Chicago for the official Destination Joy kickoff where I shared the message of Destination Joy with the media. The event culminated in Union Station around a wish for Christopher. Christopher's wish was to conduct a train. The awesome element beyond the fact that Christopher's wish was granted, was that Christopher conducted a train named after another wish kid, Ollie. Ollie's wish to conduct a train was granted several years ago. So enamored with Ollie, METRA (Chicago's transit authority) named the train after Ollie.






While I was there, I also met a wish kid, named Anna from Oklahoma. Like me, Anna was an ambassador for the Destination Joy campaign. To hear Anna talk about what getting her wish meant to her and her family was so touching--it allowed her to be a kid again and her parents had the opportunity to relax for a moment.

I encourage you all to get involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You will be happy you did!


- RXW


Check out this television ad reenacting a young boy's wish to be super hero Beetle Boy.

Rock Climbing

Have you ever been rock climbing? I love it and hate it all at the same time.

Without a fail every time I climb, I get about 3/4 of the way through and then wonder why the heck I decided to climb in the first place. I think, "I am not a big fan of heights! What am I doing on this wall? " And then I get tired and start to psyche myself out. Just when I think I want to quit, I hear the voice of a friend below. A friend that can see that if I just reached my fingers a little further and pushed up with my legs, I would reach the next grove easily. I can't see it because of my vantage point on the wall. But my friend can. And without the encouragement I probably wouldn't make it. But because I hear the voice telling me I can make it, I press on.

My friend, Andie has been struggling as of late and all I can do is try to be that voice below cheering her on. Andie and I met working on events for a non-profit. Although Andie lived a charmed life in a nearby small college town where she worked for the college 's development office.

Wanting something more from her life but not sure what, although admittedly there was the hope of being with a guy somewhere in the mix, Andie decided to take a job with the non-profit and move away from the comfortable life she lived. The grass looked greener and so Andie decided she wanted it.

A year has passed and Andie, happy Andie, is miserable beyond comprehension. You name an aspect of her life and I could tell you why it isn't going well.
The transition has been harder than she thought and it is weighing on her to the point where she wants to quit. As we talked this week, I gave her this advice:

Sometimes we leave our comfort zones only to find out that the new opportunity isn't that comfortable. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the grass isn't greener. That doesn't mean we should stop climbing the rock. I mean let's face it, if Andie went back to her old life, it wouldn't be the same. Life moves on without us...things change...a tree falls in the forest even if we aren't there to see it (you get the picture).

And sometimes we need a challenge to snap us out of an unchallenging life. Andie was coasting at her old job. She wasn't challenged, didn't have deadlines, and ruled to roost. There was nothing in her life enabling her to reach new heights. There was so much untapped potential.

Andie is so close to conquering these challenges. And aren't we all? So often we wonder if we can make it through, but that is because we are in it and can't see things clearly. We can't see that we are so close to reaching the next groove. All we need is a little faith and a voice telling us that we are so close as long as we just hang on.

-RXW

Fashion Trend: Pregnant or not Pregant? That is the question.

Have you noticed that there has been a major fashion switch this season? In past seasons tops and dresses were tight and fitted to accentuate the waist. But now tops and dresses are loose around the waist. In fact this season's dresses are shirt-like, baby doll, or an updated 1960s version of the loose fitting dress. (Think Goldie Hawn in her Laugh In performance.)

And oddly enough, as fashion becomes "loose" (in a good way), maternity fashion is getting tighter by the moment. How random is that? Probably not at all. I would take the loose over the tight dress because the dresses right now are so cute.

I for one am thrilled! Loose fitting clothes equals comfort! That said, I have tried on many dresses this season that made me look pregnant. It's like loose fitting suddenly means no shape.
Bottom line, if you are going to wear the loose fitting fashion, you have to make sure there is some shape. As tempting as it is to just pick up the dress in your size and head home, consider these quick tips first:



* Take the time to try on the garment. Although the dresses look amazing on the rack, this season's dress doesn't flatter everyone. And it is hard to predict who they will look good on simply by sight.


* Be adventurous. Why buy a black, red, white, or tan dress when you seize the Summer with a splash of unexpected color? Take a chance and try a blue, purple, or a pattern, etc.

* Don't be afraid to belt it. If the dress is doing nothing for your figure, don't take it home! But before you walk out of the store see if there is a belt you can use to change up the dress.

* Be comfortable. Ultimately your level of comfortably directly SHOWS! If you are tugging at your dress and looking forlorn, don't buy it! Only invest in outfits that empower you.


-RXW

What Rox: For adorable summer dresses, try Bebe.

A Spiritual Smack

Have you ever had a bad/weird/bizarre day that consumes you? Have you ever been smacked out of the funk of your bad day by unexpected kudos?

I most recently had that exact experience this weekend. I had a bizarre experience Saturday night...I found out that I was being deceived by someone I guess I trusted. And the way I found out was so public that I had to act aloof. ( I will explain all on Friday...believe me it is a doozy and is well worth the wait)

Naturally I felt embarrassment and hurt among other things. But the embarrassment and hurt didn't hit really hit me until I was driving to church on Sunday. I guess I was numb the night before. But I felt it on Sunday. I woke up super early on Sunday and got some work done before church. Of course I was a little sidetracked and ended up getting to Untitled Gathering a late. As I was sitting in class listening to the discussion about adult baptism, I must admit my mind wandered to my own bizarre experience. It's weird when you find out that the wool is being pulled over your eyes because you start to question your own discernment. So there I was wondering what if anything I had done to bring this bizarre experience about. Before I knew it the Gathering had ended and it was time to head to service.

As I was heading out of the room, I was stopped by a man who came to talk to me about Footprints In The Boardroom...I did a booksigning at my church, Riverbend on Memorial weekend. This gentleman had just finished reading Footprints, was touched by it and the impact it was having on his prayer life, and wanted me to come speak to the Singles class next month. Wow! Before I could even take in the magnitude of that a woman came up to me. She had just started reading Footprints and like the man was touched. I won't go into full detail about what she said, but by the end all I could say was thank you.

I felt as though someone upstairs was telling me to stop being so silly--stop doubting yourself! Experiences happen-- good, bad, bizarre, etc...we are meant to learn from them. Some experiences sting--but we can't forget the big picture. While I was sitting there feeling hurt and embarrassed, I forgot that I can make an impact that makes an embarrassing experience seem like peanuts. Hearing the impact that Footprints was making in people's lives snapped me out of my daze and back into reality. Who says that the smallest bad news always trumps a lifetime of good news? I happily object. I would like to think that the kudos I received was a little gift from God...a spiritual smack if you will, to snap me out of it.

Does anyone else out there need to snap out of it?

- RXW

Back in Business

It has been ENTIRELY too long since i have blogged. Combine a computer crashing, with travel, etc. etc., and that equals me being MIA.

Sounds like I need to work on my balance. Ha ha...which is the point of the blog.
I will write this week on a variety of subjects, but next week we are back on with a theme a day.
Monday: Spiritual
Tuesday: Physical
Wednesday: Professional
Thursday: Service
Friday: Social

So look out for tips, pics (as in pictures), and testimonials as we Find Balance together.

Cheers! No go back and watch American Idol!

-RXW

Jazzercise In Disney World/Lubbock Radio

So as I mentioned yesterday, I was in Orlando this weekend for Jazzercise's On Location Spring Break event. In addition to intense and fun workouts, I was featured as a speaker at the event: From The Backroom to the Boardroom. I have to admit that i was a little nervous about speaking at an event that where the everyone is there to workout. But Jazzercisers are wonderful and the speech went well.


What I loved about it was that it was my opportunity to thank Judi Sheppard Missett, Shanna Missett Nelson, and the entire Jazzercise community for supporting me throughout the entire Apprentice process. I shared my Jazzercise story and how Jazzercise tied into my Apprentice story. Being a Jazzercise franchisee absolutely prepared me for my experience on the show.

After my speech I visited with Jazzercisers and personally thanked them for their support.

When I returned from Orlando, I did a radio interview about my book with the Max, Jax, and Armen Morning Show on KZII FM in Lubbock, TX. Those of you who live in Lubbock can hear the interview on Monday April, 23.



I also did a book signing for Rare Magazine in Austin at Progress coffee shop on Tuesday. Good times.

Up next...I head to LA for The Apprentice finale. I will be a guest on FoxReality's Reality Remix hosted by Kennedy next week. Be sure to check it out.

-RXW

Jazzercise On Location: Spring Break

Last weekend I headed to Orlando for Jazzercise's Spring Break. Jazzercise Spring Break was a weekend of various exercise classes including a taping of the new Jazzercise routines. In addition to Jazzercising, I was speaking at the conference (I will tell you all about it tomorrow). I arrived on Friday ready to get an amazing workout. I was not disappointed. The event began with the taping of the new routines. We exercised for three and a half hours straight!

The new routines were awesome, I can't wait to teach them to my students. Some of the songs in the new sit include, John Mayer's Gravity (love it!), Joss Stone, Rihanna and Sean Paul, Corinne Bailey Ray, and more. By the time I left the class I was anxious for a little rest and relaxation. But I was at Disney World! My little sister Rochie flew in after her exams and joined me for the weekend. (More on that this week.)

The next morning I got up bright and early and took the Latin/Hip Hop dance class from Tim Roberts. Tim Roberts is an excellent dancer and choreographer. He has a way of breaking down a dance and teaching it parts...the next thing you know you have learned a whole routine while getting an amazing workout.

-RXW

Self Challenge Progress:

Workout Minutes:

0

1

1

0

6

Calories Burned:

0

7

5

3

0

What Rox: Looking for an alternative workout? Find a dance class in your area...take up ballroom dancing, hip hop, line dancing, or salsa. You can learn a new skill while having fun and burning off the calories!

Our Prayers Are With You Virginia Tech

I was sitting at my desk hashing out some projects with the television on in the background. All of a sudden I am glued to the television's breaking news about the massacre at Virginia Tech. I must admit at first I thought my ears were deceiving me. I was shocked silent. As I watched the news trickle out all I could do was pray and cry.

We have had a calm for so long that I think I was beginning to relax a little. My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives today. I also pray for the students, staff, and faculty of Virginia Tech. Their safe haven for knowledge has been shattered. I pray that y'all will heal as best as you can. Know that we are all mourning with you and supporting you.

God be with you...

-Roxanne

Text Messaging Is Not Your Friend

As y'all know (yes I say "y'all"...I live in Texas) I recently hung up my guyiatus (guy-hiatus) status in and replaced it with a guyiet (guy-diet). Here is a little progress report.

The guyiet status is going quite well. I am not taking it to seriously, but i am allowing myself to meet and get to know guys without getting distracted or derailed by them. But just because I have a sense of stability in that dating realm doesn't mean that I am suave by any stretch of the imagination. What I am about to tell you is simply embarrassing proof of this...

So for several weeks I have been emailing light banter back and forth with one of the guyiet guys. I see this guy, we will call him "Sanjaya," on a regular basis and we have good dialogue. I will admit that at first being new to the guyiet realm, I didn't even realize that these emails were anything more than friendly follow up. But then the emails turned into text messages along with outside validation, and I realized that there might be more to it.

I can't say that I know Sanjaya well, but what I do know of him has been impressive thus far. Well Sanjaya's texts had somewhat of a recurring theme, "we should hang out...often, soon, again, etc." I guess I was feeling bold because that is all that can really explain my next move. And I have to take a step back because 'move' sounds like a game and that wasn't my intention. But I was growing a little impatient (which my mom has always told me I have a problem with) with the constant "we should hang out" and the nonexistent, "hey do you want to go out on X date, at Y time to Z? So when I received the text, "Maybe we should hang out soon!," I took it upon myself to respond with a, "It depends...are you ever going to actually ask me out? :-)" I will admit that when I hit send, I felt empowered. I felt like I was standing up for womankind everywhere and making a statement...If you want to go out with me, then ask.

My empowerment felt real but was short-lived. As I was sitting down for dinner the same night I sent my text for all womankind, I looked at my phone and realized that the text hadn't even sent. It said "failed." Zoinks! Even though I try not to believe in signs, I wondered if this wasn't a sign, a second chance, a note to Roxanne not to send this message! But defiant as I was, I resent the text. My Red Aids Awareness Razr tried as hard as it might, but then said again, "text failed...check the number...and try again." Rats! I am a persistent young lady, so my persistence prompted round three...again failed. Round four? text failed.

I switched to my Treo and gave up on texting my the Red Razr. I sent the text once and it failed and then sent it a second time. Sucess! Whoo hoo. If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it does it make a sound? Likewise, if you send a poignant text and it just sits in your outbox, is it really poignant?

All of a sudden, Sanjaya replies to my Red Razr, "you have sent me abt 12 duplicate messages." Doi! And then my Treo lights up: "you sent me a dozen on from this phone too." NOOOOOOOOO!!! The wind just whirled out of my sails. No longer was my message a classic statement for the ages or a witty response prompting awareness. My message had become Chinese water torture. Ahhh...
I did what I could, I laughed at myself and the situation and simply wrote. "ha ha...I am mortified...all I can say is opps (sic)." Opps??? How about "oops" Roxanne. Even my response to the embarrassing moment was equally embarrassing.

When I called and told my friend Meghan, she verified that she too has received a slew of duplicate text messages from me. I don't know if it was a virus or my phone company choosing to have a little fun, but what I do know is that of all of my text over the last year, this was the one I least hoped would be polluting his inbox. Oh well. Bottom line: Text Messaging Is Not Your Friend--you don't know if they were actually sold, sent, who received them, how many times they receive it, and the list goes on and on.

My solution? You roll with the punches. I am not afraid to embarrass myself...maybe it is part of my charm. Yeah, that is it. ;-)

Have you done anything ridiculously embarrassing?

-RXW

What Rox: Life is too short not to laugh...lighten up.

Jazzercising for A Good Cause

Last September, I was sitting around thinking about ways to impact my community with my talents. During this thought, I happened to have a discussion with my friend Donna who also owns the largest Jazzercise center in my region. The two of us came up with the idea to do a Jazzercise event benefiting the local Susan G. Komen For The Cure affiliate. Two heads became four, and Dona, Judy (our district manager), Terri (instructor extraordinaire), and I soon were on a five week mission to pull of the Jazzercise For The Cure event. The event was a hit with, founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett and Kenny Harvey as our special guests and more than 350 participants raising nearly $50,000 for the fight against breast cancer.

This year we are motivated to build upon last year's events. We started meeting a few weeks ago, five months before the event as opposed to five weeks! Our first step was to focus on ways to improve the event. Once we made a list of improvements, we focused on who the event would benefit in 2007. This week we met with eight charitable organizations in our district and learned more about their purpose and impact on the community and the world. I was impressed and in awe of these organizations.

Choosing just one organization as the beneficiary of the Jazzercise event will be hard, but I am confident that we can't really make a wrong choice.

What I love about this event (and I will tell you more about the event and the planning process as we move forward) is that we really do capitalize on what Jazzercise embodies, fitness, friendship, and fun, to raise funds to help a worthy cause.

Look for our progress on Thursdays (aka service day).

-RXW

Book Tour: Austin Easter & Sirius

My Easter Sunday started nice and early. Before heading to church, I stopped by KXAN NBC in Austin for an interview about Footprints In the Boardroom with morning host, Jenny Hoff. KXAN is my hometown NBC affiliate. While I was on The Apprentice they followed my progress and covered my viewing parties. It was great to go sit down with Jenny and talk to the Austin community about Footprints.

Yesterday morning, I joined Lorri & Friends on Sirius radio. I spoke with Lorri and Scott about Footprints and the surviving the business world with your faith intact. The interview was live at 6:45 A.M. I honestly think that I sounded like my father sans the accent! It was just one of those mornings where herbal tea can't wake up your voice. ha ha.

Next week I will be doing a book signing in Austin at Progress Cafe sponsored by RareMeet/Rare Magazine. If you are in Austin, come out and join me from 6-8pm!

-RXW

What Rox: You can listen to my interview on Lorri & Friends here.

Time For New Shoes?

It's kind of funny...as a Jazzercise instructor I am always getting new exercise outfits, but I often forget about my exercise shoes. If you are like me and you exercise indoors, your shoes look as pristine 5 months down the road as they looked the first day you got them. Because exercise shoes don't look old, it is easy to forget that they can wear out.

Worn shoes don't absorb the shock of exercising and can cause the majority of weight-bearing injuries to the ankles, knees, hips and lower back. If your shoes are soft of squishy, it is time to replace them. If you exercise 3-4 times a week, you should replace your shoes every 3-4 months. Less active exercisers should replace shoes every six months.

Don't forget to check and replace those shoes, your lower body will thank you for it!

-RXW

Seder

When I was in law school at Michigan, my friends invited me to a Seder meal. At the time I didn't even know what a Seder was. Unfortunately, I had a prior commitment and couldn't make it. Since then I have always I wanted to participate in a Seder. Four years later, I got my chance. On Good Friday, I went to a Seder meal put on by the Sunde's, the leaders of Untitled the young professionals group at Riverbend.

A Seder is an interactive retelling of the enslavement and subsequent Exodus of the Children of Israel from Ancient Egypt. Each step of the Seder has symbolic meaning and the ceremony is for all ages. During the Seder, we recited several prayers, sang, and took of the following elements from the Seder plate:

A small bowl of salt water
Parsley sprigs
Three Matzah
A bowl of kharoset (a paste like substance made by combining nuts [walnuts], fruit [dates, apples, bananas or any others in any combination] and some fruit juice or wine)
A bowl with a scoop of horseradish.
Four glasses of wine

Also present on the Seder table were:
A hard boiled egg
Lamb Shank
A candle
Bowl of water
A cloth

The entire experience was amazing from the perspective of the meaning of Passover, all that the Israelites endured, and how it all plays a part in the history of Christianity.

Participating in a Seder meal two months after visiting Egypt made it even more meaningful. I just climbed Mt. Sinai, touched the burning bush, saw the Red Sea. To actually read and participate in the retelling on that story with the vivid memories of Egypt in my head was surreal.

If you have the opportunity to partcipate in a Seder this year or in the future I highly recommend it.
- RXW


What Rox: Interested in having a Seder? Check out 30-Minute Seder.com.

Open Mic Night

Have you ever been to an "open mic" night? I went for the first time this week. My friend Nate recently moved down to Austin to be the guitarist in Riverbend Church's Resonate Band. But Nate is also a singer/songwriter and typically has gigs throughout the week. Until he gets gigs rolling in Austin, Nate goes to open mic night to perform. So I headed to BD Reilly's to hear him sing.

No I have heard that open mic nights are hit and miss, but I can attest to it first hand. I mean it is like American Idol for songwriters! Some are really good and some would not make it past Simon's wrath. The first guy who played thought he was quite the musician and would not stop singing. Typically each person sings three songs. But after song three, Bucko (that's what I called him) started singing a fourth song. Painful!!


Nate was up next. And he was great! He can sing, which is a plus. But I am bias so whatever you can listen for yourself. Click here.

The next guy kind of sounded like Seal which was a nice surprise, but he kept telling us how great he was...that simply isn't endearing. Sigh. He sang a Coldplay song. So it was like Seal singing Coldplay while telling us how awesome he was. A jumbled mess. He should have just sang Kiss From A Rose and kept quiet. Oh but wait, that would have been karaoke. And suddenly the line between Karaoke and "Open Mic" night became very thin.

Before the line was completely crossed, a young lady got up and sand. She was brought us back to where we needed to be, Jewel-like guitarist with her own songs. Phew.

Overall I would highly recommend going to an "Open Mic" night near you, they are entertaining and more importantly it is great to support your local artists. For all you know you may see the next Alanis...

RXW

What Rox: Here is a list of the Top 10 Open Mic Nights in the country. Click here.

Spring Cleaning = Service

Spring is the time of year that we all get enthused to clean! Lately when I look in my closet, I get frustrated because it is so cluttered. So this weekend I am going to go through my closet and get rid of the clothes I don't need. I want it out of there...and I want to do something meaningful with my belongings.

At Riverbend, the young professionals group, Untitled has been focusing on the ryhthm: "Have two. Give one." What better time to implement this rhythm than in the Spring? Instead of giving our items away, (which I do year round and strongly believe in), Untitled has been selling the items on Craigslist/Buffalo Xchange/etc. With the money that Untitled has raised we will find meaningful ways to directly impact the lives of those in need.

I am a little behind, only now being home to go through my closet, but I am determined to do it. Better late than never right?

So we are halfway through the process and by the end of this month, I will let you know what the impact has been on those in need and those in Untitled.

- RXW

Book Tour: Houston & Austin

I rolled into Austin to serve as keynote speaker of the Baylor Women's Council of Austin luncheon (held at the Austin Country Club). The Baylor Women's Council's general mission is to connect promote fellowship among its' members. But more specifically, the Council which just celebrated its' first anniversary, is working towards an endowment that will go towards scholarships for Austin college-bound to soften the costs of tuition. The first scholarship was presented to a young Baylor student at the luncheon.

After the award presentation, I spoke about Baylor, The Apprentice, Footprints In The Boardroom, and where I am headed now. After the presentation, I signed books and caught up with friends I hadn't seen in quite some time.

Next stop? Houston...well sort of. I appeared on Mark Dildine's, "The Friday Show" on KAFR Houston. Mark and I talked about Footprints and the blend of faith and business. Congratulations to Jack, Leonard, and Tommy, who were the eighth caller (each hour)
and won a signed copy of Footprints.

-RXW

Workout Outdoors

Ah Spring is finally here and unless you are up in Michigan, snow is a thing of the past. Now is a great time to add some variety into your workout routine by enjoying the outdoors.

For me that means running Austin's Townlake. Running is not my favorite way to exercise, but with the weather as nice as it is, even I can't resist spending time outdoors. So I run alone or with some friends around Townlake and enjoy the fresh air, the wind, the scenery (no I have never seen Matthew Mcconaughey running Townlake, although everyone and their mother has) and center myself.

I challenge you to find a way to exercise outdoors this Spring. Whether it's running, biking, hiking, water skiing, canoeing, etc., take advantage of the weather. Besides, running outdoors is much more challenging than running on the treadmill.

Don't forget the sunblock!

-RXW

-----
Self Challenge Update to date:
Workout Minutes: 00681
Calories Burned: 03910

Have you been logging your workout minutes?

Easter Through a Grown Up's Eyes

Christmas is holiday I think I have always understood. I just got it. Maybe it was because every year we would have a Christmas Program (I was often in charge of the program ;-) where each of us would sing, play the piano, or act out songs we had prepared exclusively for the program. The night would culminate with my father reading the Christmas story out of the Bible. Then we would pray and begin the gift opening. All of the festivities were fun, but they also helped me understand what Christmas really means.

Easter was also a big deal in our family, but it was celebrated differently. When I was young, my mother used to sew our Easter dresses. I remember watching her each night work on our dresses. I so looked forward to trying on a sleeve or being measured for the skirt because I couldn't wait for Easter to be here and my dress to be made. I remember a yellow polka-dotted dress in particular. I loved colors so my mom sewed a little rainbow patch right at in the middle of the sailor collar. I loved that dress. I loved the Easter egg hunts, the patent leather shoes, and looking at hats that all of the women would wear. And although I think that somewhere in all of that, I knew we were celebrating Christ's resurrection and our salvation, I mean after all we would say, "He is Risen." "He is Risen Indeed," the magnitude of Easter hit me in a different way.

I don't know if it was because the Easter musical we were singing in choir really spoke to me or what, but it was like a reminder of the heart of matter, or rather the depth of the matter. Maybe it was because I was older and closer in age to Christ when he died than I had ever been. At the time the song The Glory of the Blood by Avalon hit it home for me. The heartbreak that Christ's followers and really the world felt when he was crucified, and the jubilation felt when he rose are things I have tried to but do not think I can possibly fully comprehend. But I try to. I try to imagine what it must have been like for all involved.

And that is how I connect with Easter...it is easy to get caught up in the eggs and the hats and the Easter dresses, but somewhere in all of that, just try to imagine what it must have felt like to be there. And try to remember that because of Easter we have been set free.

Happy Easter!

-RXW


What Rox: If you are in the Austin area, I invite you to visit Riverbend Church this Easter season. Good Friday: 8:00PM The Shadow of the Cross --Musical performed by Riverbend Choir. Easter Sunday: Services at 8:30AM, 9:45AM, and 11:15AM.
Hope to see you there.

Across the Pond

Last week I shared with you all my philosophy on dating and my most current phases, guyaitus and guyiet. Thank you for your responses, suggestions and additions to my list o' guidelines. They were quite helpful.

This week I thought we would talk about friendship. As a single women in my twenties, quite important. I am not married or in a serious relationship, so my support base comes from my (family and) friends. You know the drill...you go to college, make some great friends, and then you all choose a path. Some like me, continue on the single journey. Others get married and go down that path. Although you still are friends, it is natural to gravitate towards people who are in the same stage of life with the similar situations.
When I moved to Austin post-law school, I was blessed with a group of friends (fellow law clerks)who like me had just graduated from law school. It was like an instant support system. At then end of our year at The Court, most left Austin, but four of us, J (Jennie), Casey, Paul, and I stayed. The four of us started law firms together and shared the ups and downs, highs and lows of which there were plenty, together.

One time at dinner nearly two years ago, we made predictions about who would be where first, ie. married, move out of Austin, etc.

I can't remember who was right, but I am reporting with bitter sweetness that Paul is moving across the pond. Paul is moving to his firm's London office to work on hedge funds. It is a great opportunity for him and I am truly excited. But I must admit that I will miss him. Paul and I became good friends from day one. I told him that he looked like the guy (not Balki) from Perfect Strangers. Paul had no idea who I was talking about. Like a good attorney, Paul began researching this Perfect Strangers character...Larry. Within in 24hours, I got an email from Paul with a slew of Perfect Strangers links. I admit I was scared...who was this guy? But that was the beginning of a close friendship. Paul and I have given each other the hard truth when needed, laughed together, shared loss and pain together. And now he is leaving.

I had dinner at Maudie's last night with Paul...his last Tex Mex meal. How someone could leave queso and avocados behind? I have no idea. I will miss my buddy Paul...he's a nice guy. But I know that we will remain friends. And more importantly I know that people coming and going is a major part of this stage of life I am in.

Cheerio Paul! (I think they say Cheerio in London.)

-RXW

What Rox: The Texas Embassy Cantina is one of the few places where you can get Tex Mex in London. The restaurant is located at the site of the original Texas Embassy (Texas was its' own country from 1836 to 1845.). If you live in or around Texas, the food leaves a lot to be desired. But if like Paul, you move to London indefinitely or you just get tired of British food during your vacation, definitely head to The Texas Embassy.

Woman of the Year: Go Charmaine!

During my trip to Nashville, Rochelle and I met up with Charmaine, my Apprentice cast mate.
As we were catching up, Charmaine shared with me that she has been nominated for Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This motivated me to find out more about what Charmaine is doing for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and about the society's mission.
If you are in Nashville, look out for Charmaine's upcoming events supporting the society.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.


As a Women of the Year nominee, Charmaine has developed an campaign to raise money for LLS. Here is how you can help:
Charmaine has been nominated as a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Woman of the Year". Find out more about these and other blood related cancers at www.lls.org

Help Charmaine with her fundraising campaign! Click HERE to submit a tax-deductible donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Already donated and still want to contribute? Help Charmaine with her major fundraising event scheduled for this spring. You can help by offering your goods or services for the event. (Silent Auction Items, Food & Catering, Printing, Entertainment, Venues, and Ad Sponsorship (placement at Golf Tournament and/or Gala).

Check out the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society near you a LLS. Good luck Charmaine!


What Rox: If you are in or near the Nashville area, you can also support Charmaine by purchasing a discount card for the hottest restaurants in Nashville including Cabana, for a minimum donation. The cards give you awesome discounts and through your support you are helping out the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. How great is that ? Look out for these cards around the city.