Mia Hamm will be making an appearance at the San Diego County Fair this Tuesday, June 21st at the Dannon’s “Live Your Active Culture” Booth. Hamm will be there to be setting a “Soccer Goal Record” for fair attendees to break for a chance to win a prize. I had chance to talk with Mia in a conference call where we talked about soccer, promoting a healthy lifestyle, San Diego and her favorite Dannon yogurt flavor. ___________________________________________________________________ Mia Hamm: Occasionally, It was always fun when I played. But I played at a much higher, competitive level. I love getting out and kicking around the with my kids. I just did a camp in Dallas...Trying to stay involved in the game and just share kind of my love and passion with as many young kids and especially girls as I can. JB: My kids are 9 and 13, a girl and a boy. Both my husband and I work, what are a couple of tips you can give for a busy family to stay active? JB: What are your favorite healthy activities in San Diego? JB: ...I know that San Diego is basically the playground of healthy activities...You just need to get out there and have parents encourage their kids to be active. JB: Thank you Mia for being a role model and taking the Dannon Live your Culture Pledge. Come see Mia Hamm at the San Diego County Fair on Tuesday, June 21 from 1pm-3pm at the Dannon “Live Your Active Culture” Booth located near “Livestock Way” and take the Live the Active Culture Pledge.
Mia’s favorite flavor of Dannon:
“I really like blueberry, I’ve always liked blueberry and their new Greek yogurt is really good too... ___________________________________________________________________
Jennifer B (SecretsInSanDiego): Do you still play soccer for fun?
MH: I think as much you can do together and that may be hard, but even if that is you with you with your daughter or you with your son.You know I was just doing a camp and saw how many parents out there would just kick around with their kids. I thought that was great. Even before practice... I think that time together is just as important for your physical and mental health. When you think about it your connecting with your kid, you are not telling them what to they should be doing or hey its time to go grab your stuff, did you do your homework? Your really not doing the strict part of parenting you’re more like spending time together. Growing up those are the moments I remember the most. I mean we would drive cross country and stop at camping grounds because there was 8 of us. Those were the times I remember. Going swimming there. Having my dad throw me in the pool, my mom paying pickup soccer with my siblings. Nothing really organized, just so much more kind of organic.
JB: Sounds great, sounds like you were a busy family as you were growing up.
MH: When I went to San Diego, I was playing (soccer), in 2000, we trained for the Olympics so we were down at the Olympic Training Center. So would come into Downtown San Diego usually for fun to go to a nice restaurant...and then with the WSA coming in and playing. I was talking to my mom about this cause she’s from the Los Angeles area so when we would come and visit she had friends in San Diego. I’ve been to San Diego Zoo growing up and SeaWorld. I’ve been to Coronado Beach, I’ve been down to PETCO (Park) with my husband playing professional baseball, we’d go down there... what a beautiful stadium. Beautiful area of the city. I was able to take my daughters there too...We also went down to Seaport Village. I have a picture of my daughter with a little parakeet on her arm... We are just walking around there with the girls. When their one and half or two it is like the most exciting thing for them...
MH: There is no excuse in San Diego for not being active. I’m here with my parents in Texas right now and it is going to be 105 degrees today. So in San Diego your like its raining, or its way to hot or way to cold it is pretty much near perfect there.
JB: So there’s no excuse to go out there and be healthy
MH: You pretty much said it, Jennifer!THE DANNON LIVE THE ACTIVE PLEDGE:
Monday, June 20, 2011
Mia Hamm Is My New Role Model
Smart and Final Cattleman's Finest Event
I find it hard to decide what to eat for dinner. I covered the Smart & Final Cattleman's Finest Event last Saturday and they helped me discover simple recipes to use on my grill at home. New Country 95.7 was there to promote Cattleman's Finest and to give prizes out. Here is my coverage of this event. Grilling up my summer with submitted recipes is probably the best thing I should do, since I am so undecisive. For your chance to win a $50 Smart & Final Gift Card and Webber Q220 Grill visit Smart and Final's Grill Up your Summer Contest (One winner per week from 6/15/2011 to 7/15/2011). All you have to do is vote on your favorite recipe and enter the contest. Disclosure: This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Buying a Dog Charm from DogCollarCharms.com
Purchasing a Dog Charm from DogCollarCharms.Com was quick and easy. The Step by Step instructions and ease of upload made making the charm for my dog a 5 minute process. I think if I were to do it again I would use a photo editing site such as Adobe Elements to embed words in the photo. The site was user friendly and the variety of framing colors really worked well for the color of my dog's collar. Below are screenshots of my order process.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
My New Love XOJane
(Kind of Satire-Kind of True)
This Blog XOJane ( http://www.xojane.com/ ) is genius. It is from the brainchild of old-school teen magazines "Sassy" and "Jane", Jane Pratt. Jane who is a few years older than I am wrote an article, "Yes, I'm Exactly Twice As Old As When I Started Sassy -- Want To Make Something Of It"? I guess that makes her...(38???). I was 13 when I started subscribing to Sassy. I had libraries of teen magazines. I wouldn't throw them out. I eventually got rid of them. After all, I'm trying not to be a "pack-rat" or a "hoarder" (I think it runs in my family). But if I was, I would have these glorious memories of what it was liked to be pranked, vintage Maybelline ads, articles on how to date a guy dresses like Kurt Cobain, maybe even read an interview with Kurt Cobain himself. Damn my non-packrat tendencies. Why am I writing this muse to this new finding? Because I am bored out of my mind. My job right now is ideal for a high schooler. I do nothing but answer the phone, make coffee and occassionally send out a Fed-ex. But I won't complain,it has been like a vacation away from home. I guess I could do things like I am doing right now like write about things, maybe do real work like write about trends in Social Media, master the game of Empire Avenue or work on getting my own Social Media consulting business up or a job that utilizes my skills, but right now, I am reading XOJane. I am intrigued reading the posts on putting various items in my water to make it "not taste like water" and why the American Idol boys should stop staring at me through the TV. I especially like the articles "I can't date you unless you own a smartphone". Give these Gen A/Bers something to look forward to. If they are not on Foursquare, don't date them, if you can't track their whereabouts then what's the use. These are the tips that make XOJane a keeper. After all, I could be writing a white paper on the future of Social Media, why Angel Investors invest millions in dud start-ups or perhaps brush-up on my QR code art.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
oh the people the places you'll go, the people you will meet
Life can bring you surprises. I always have to say take the high road. Don't sweat the small stuff. Read the fine print. Learn from your mistakes. God knows I am human. I think we all are. Sometimes, people forget to treat people with dignity and respect. I was talking to someone and they spoke of someone who just had their birthday. I asked how it was. The person said that it was small and intimate. From the conversation I take that the guy doesn't have many friends who care enough to go to his party. I told him, that was maybe better because you can have a conversation etc... The reality is that this person burned bridges and just simply didn't have people in his life. I don't want to burn any bridges. I think people would generally understand that if there is a reason to forgive that you should. Life is too short to be bitter and to take jabs at people. The first inclination is to, but at the end of the day, you do what is in your heart. I am happy in my skin. My core values are true and I have to learn that those core values are different from person to person. My main value is if you say you are going to do something, you do it. If you can't, you let someone know. This is why things falter. But yes, we are human and sometimes this is not done. That is where talking about it and moving on comes to play. Forgive and set your next steps in life. I can tell you right now my friends are my family and my family are my friends and they are priceless. Don't put a price on your friendship. In the end it will backfire on you. Just give what you got and let it flow. We have one life to live. Make it count. Be genuine and the rest will follow.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
My crazy ride
In addition, to this stint back into college, I took on a big feat by putting on an all-day event. Social Media Camp San Diego at Sony. How did this happen? Social Media Club relaunched earlier this year and I wanted to be a part of the San Diego's chapter and boy did I. This event wasn't a mixer. (though we also threw a great Afterparty at Urge Gastropub - Thanks @Eraj for sponsoring/planning). It was an all-day event/conference. Social Media Camp required gathering sponsors, speakers, coordinating volunteers, working with Sony's talented team with logistics/food, selling tickets, PR/Marketing the camp, schedule making and keeping everyone happy day of the event. It was done. I had a great team, I mostly worked with this extraordinary, multi-talented phenom Richie Edquid. He brought his entourage of volunteers and his brother Vincent was my calm. I am grateful for both of them and Richie taught me that quirky is good. Though I have to admit, yesterday was a bit surreal, maybe this is how real life is supposed to be. Event planning is a lot of spinning components. I actually enjoy doing this even though it is stressful, and I might of looked like I hadn't got any sleep yesterday, but that adrenaline kept me going. I think the rewards outweigh the stress. I got to meet some amazing new friends. I don't think camp will never take on a better meaning. I saw people walk away with Klout T-shirts, Mayhemstudio's #TwitterMaster T's, USB keychains and even Sony Bloggies. My friend won a Bloggie and his response "It was the best Saturday ever". He drove up from the OC. But what was even more rewarding was all this sharing of knowledge and people having lightbulbs go off in their heads. Those nuggets of information is why I decided to take on Social Media Camp and in the end it was well worth my months of planning and dedication to this project. Crazy as it was, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Lastly, my job woes are sutured temporarily. I did get a full-time gig, for the moment. I can now say I work for a publishing company. My dream was to work for a magazine when I was a growing adolescent. Why? i can't answer that. I subscribed to Seventeen, Teen and read all those fashion magazines. I guess it was this glamour appeal. I actually interned at San Diego Magazine while I was in college. I put together media kits, wrote form letters and laminated advertisements for their clients. Ok, sure sign it wasn't all that glamourous. My last project in Integrated Marketing was to do a plan for Time Magazine. Again, not glamourous. This time around again not glamourous, I am surrounded by years of Sports Illustrated, Swimsuit issues and Golf magazine. Would be a glamourous if I played golf or cared who the final four was. I think the glamour of this gig is that a subscription of In-Style lines the top half of my desk and I can read this while working. I did get lucky and it pays the bills for the moment. Nice boss, not a corporate atmosphere and I can eat Lean Cuisines for lunch. Not bad but not the dream job.
Ok, enough of me, what about you? How crazy is your ride?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Quick and Easy Room Makeover using HP Wall Art
HP Wall Art is a unique way to quickly change the look of a room. My daughter wanted to design her own wall and after I set up the dimensions, she looked at the templates colors and themes that were available using the Nickelodeon characters. Next we waited a few weeks and the Wall Art came to our delivered to our door with the detailed instructions and supplies. The key to putting up the wall was to watch the instructional video on the website. It took a couple of hours of prepping and a couple of hours of putting up the wall art but it was well worth the transformation.
Before the Wall Art:
Here is an animoto video with the photos I took of the process:
<p>Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.</p>
And here is the video of my daughter creating the initial wall art:
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Life Revisited
I posted back in July about having your face on a Life Cereal Box. Well here is the finished product.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My Obsession with Bacon
What is the deal? Ever since Christmas, I have been looking at bacon recipes and making bacon for the kids for breakfast. I don't really love bacon. It's ok, it is something I can do without. Maybe, it is the people with the passion of bacon that I see everyday that has influenced my recent obsession? I am not sure. Maybe it is the fact, I purchased bacon flavored gumballs for my son's Christmas stocking? I am not one to admit my fascination for bacon. But it has been taunting me lately. I did have R-Gang's Bacon and that was some good bacon. They even have a chocolate-bacon sundae. Don't get me wrong. It is good to like something. It makes you want to talk about it, like I am in this post. I just bought a two pack of "Premium Middle Cut Maple Bacon" from Costco. This stuff looks like the cadillac of bacon. There is Bacon Bingo taking place every Wednesday in January at El Take it Easy. Yes, I am thinking of going next Wednesday. Ok, let me obsess alone or maybe not. Any takers?
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Oh 2011- What will you bring?
So yesterday, I bought some lottery tickets. Oh yes, they say if you don't play you don't win. The pipe dream of some may be a reality to very few. Why not me. They say the odds of winning the big thing is a gazillion to one. But I guess if you played the "Lost" numbers last night you would of won $150. I didn't play the "Lost" numbers and gave my $10 to the pot of whatever. C'est la vie. I guess that is why they call it gambling. If you never try, you will never know. Which brings me to this thing called life. In 2010, I went on a gazillion job interviews. More or less to see what's out there and the pressures of family life to get a paying gig. In retrospect, all these fails were a good thing. It got to me to learn about myself...what I want, what I definitely don't want, the robotics of the interview process and ignoramous questions they ask - I am finished with this. I feel like that episode of the "Middle", where he spews out the stupidest answers just to show how stupid the questions are. That brings me to doing more reading in 2011. I just finished Chris Guillebeau's book "Art on Non-Conformity." I think this book solidified that I am not a conformist and I don't want to be someone's bitch for the rest of my life. But at the same time, I know myself and know if the right opportunity came along, I would want to learn from it. So I think 2011 for me is going to bring discovery and risk taking. Last year, was the year of observing. I currently am re-reading (because I have a short-term memory) "The Four-hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss. From what I read so far, both the Art...and The Four-hour Workweek compliment each other. I am getting the notion not to waste time doing things I don't want to do and simplifing my life will be a good thing. Life is to short to do stuff you don't want to do. If you can live within your means and find that happy place, why not? I think that is what 2011 has in store for me.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
My Christmas List
Last weekend, I attended my husband's holiday party at the boss' house. My husband's boss' kids were the helpers and the 8 yr. old asked if I wanted to see his Christmas List. I said, "sure." The kid showed me his list with about 6 items. Nerf gun, magnetic balls that you can shape, spy camera...etc. I thought "How Cute" and said to him, "Santa will definitely deliver this year". Oh, my childhood memories, I have so few and don't remember this Santa thing at all. Well for me, it's not too late. This brings me to this post...If that little boy can have a Christmas list, why can't I? I have a list for everything else. My goals, my errands, my groceries- Why can't I have a christmas list too. I give myself permission to make a list. I know that this is one of those things that will go by the wayside, but whatever, it's out there, so here it is.
1. Sony NEX-5
Love this camera, I like the compactness and the features of a DSLR. Also, it is sleek and well designed. I am all about well-designed.
I think I have graduated from the point and shoot- too many trips with mediocre photos, it is time for the upgrade.
2. Toms Shoes
You buy a pair and they give a pair to someone who needs shoes. I hear they are comfortable as well. I am all about getting and giving at the same time.
3. Ipad
I am waiting for the v.2 but I can't wait till I can ditch my laptop for another portable device.
4. Peace
The days of bickering and fighting makes me sick. I just want everyone to get along. So if I had a pick of anything off of this list, I would pick this.
There I did it. All the things I want for Christmas. Yes, they are just things. I have the basics...family, friends, food, shelter and my computer. What more do I need?
Image credit:
1.letsgodigital.org
2.freshpeel.com
3.inc.com
4.myspace
Friday, December 03, 2010
Death to Hammy
Always sad to see something go- knowing a pet is a life to is hard to take in. Sometimes, I have to remember that the circle of life exists and everything is not forever. Things evolve and changes occur whether you want them or not want them to. Today, is a good reminder of this - RIP "Billy Bob" as my daughter properly named our grey rodent passed away in his sleep. I found him this morning, in a still lump of fur in the corner of his cage. The hamster that I once tweeted bit me. The hamster who was lost in our house for an hour (I had to tear up a room to find him). I admit, I was not fond of this hamster. However, It did teach a lesson to my kids. The lesson of responsibility. Feeding and caring for an animal is not hard but it is that conscious effort of knowing that creature depends on you. Those things are now in the past. I forgive you hamster. The days of cleaning that hamster cage are gone. No more annoying squeaky wheel sounds. The hamster lived his full life. No more torture from my dog who loved him...played with him in his hamster ball, till I needed to separate them (see video). He was approx. 80 human years old (2 real-time years). My daughter is still in school so she still does not know of this event yet. I still remember all the passages of my pets. It happens, I am sure she will remember this day as I will.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Giving Thanks
Again, I am up at 3 o'clock in the morning, got a sore throat going on and a lingering headache but thoughts rush in and out of my head. Surfing the web, I see all these Black Friday ads and a story of a person already camping out to get god knows what. Anyways, my thought at this moment is that even though I am not feeling 100%, I am thankful for these things.
1. Family- Through all of the good and bad times, I am thankful I have immediate and not-so immediate family. It is good to have people around that care for you and that I can care for.
2. Friends- Again, even though my friends are not my blood, they are like my family. All the people I encounter and become friends with are special and that I am thankful for.
3. My Dogs- I love my dogs, they are funny and do crazy off the wall things. I am fortunate to have the ability to have 3 crazy dogs to call my own.
4. My Health- Again, I can get a headache or a cold now and then but am glad I am able to seek any care that is needed to alleviate any bad things that may happen to me.
5. My thoughts- I am thankful that I am able to express myself through blogging or through the social networks. If there is a bad meal to be had, I am thankful I can express. If there is a good meal to be eaten, I am thankful I can tell people about it. If there is anything I want to share, I am glad there are outlets for me to do so.
6. Shelter, clothing, food etc... - I need to remember that I am thankful that I have these basic necessities for living. I also need to remember to give back to those that need these items.
As Thursday approaches, I am happy to share my Thanks to you for reading my thoughts. What are you thankful for this season?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Taking a pulse
I went to an all-day seminar where there were many fields of small business. The seminar was a comprehensive overview of social media marketing. I got to meet a handful of folks; they were accountants, pet walkers, and other small media/ad agencies. I am pretty sure a lot wanted to know how to do B 2 B social media, which is totally different than B 2 C social media. But it was hard for me not to be curious what everyone did. While mingling, I glanced at everyone’s nametag, many of them customers of the hosts of the event. But then I remembered from something I saw on the Tedx SD twitter stream. Don’t ask what you do; ask what you are passionate about. I took the line and asked a fellow attendee. “What are you passionate about?” And she said, “Well, I do two things” I work for a designer and but I am passionate about yoga.” Later, I found out she was also a “happiness coach” from her business card that she gave me. I looked at her card and said, “oh you’re a yoga instructor and happiness coach”, and I was intrigued. She knew I was kind of taken back by the presentation from the seminar; in my opinion, the presenter was throwing out everything but the kitchen sink. As someone who is familiar with Social Media, my opinion was while the seminar/workshop provided lots of information; it also provided a lot of inaccuracies. While the buzzwords were thrown out there (conversation, engagement, relationship) and lots of stats, there was no ok…let us start and see the big picture, there was no taking a pulse of the audience (lots of B2Bs rather than B2Cs there). The seminar missed a lot of points on the “social” in social media but instead he taught that social media was another component of marketing. “If you know marketing, you know how to do social media”, was something I recalled. I think that is what left the bad taste in my mouth. Maybe I am biased but it takes skill and passion to use the social media tools out there and to have a virtual conversation. I held my “finger (tongue)” on my twitter stream much of the time I was there, but I know some things had to be tweeted. All was not lost. I learned that I knew the Gap / Facebook Places Case Study better than he recalled it. Also, reaffirmed not to believe everything I hear. PS. Google is a good fact checker.
I did take away from this conference was I was relieved when the designer assistant slash yoga teacher slash happiness coach said that I looked happy. In actuality, I was a bit steamed. Maybe it was an affirmation that I was happy knowing social media wasn’t just marketing.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
My Viva Elvis Experience
Last Month, I was fortunate to go to Viva Elvis through the BlogWorld/Cirque du Soleil partnership. Viva Elvis is unlike any other Cirque show. All the Cirque shows are all different but I haven’t seen the music of a Rock n Roll star in a Cirque show yet. This show pays tribute to the King of Rock n Roll in so many ways, my senses were on overload (in a good way). Dancing, singing, jumping, acrobatic moves, a live band and the costuming were excellent. I liked the screaming girls and the video montages playing homage to the King. Many of the numbers were based on his songs and each one had a different tone.
Watching Viva Elvis made me wish I was a teen to appreciate the fan base Elvis had while he was alive, you could truly feel the love for him in the air. The middle-aged couple next to me was singing along, you could tell they were the real Elvis fans. Yet, the modern day twist to his music made it easy for the younger crowd to appreciate his prowl ness. If you are ever in Vegas and are looking for a great show to see, I highly recommend Viva Elvis. Tip: sit towards the front of the Theatre and have a chance to grab a really cool Elvis Scarf that falls out of the ceiling at the end of the show. Viva Las Vegas and Viva Elvis.
Disclosure: Cirque provided tickets. Thanks Jess Berlin and Jamie Helmick for organizing.
Image source: Cirquedusoleil.com
Sunday, November 07, 2010
GAP's Facebook Places Promotion
Thursday, October 21, 2010
In Case you Find a Dog
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Pre-Blogworld Preparation
So here are things I need to have done and hope I don't forget to get ready for my road trip tomorrow:
1. Have enough food in the house- Not for me but for my husband and kids. I am not sure when the last time my husband stepped foot in a grocery store. This weekend is Soccer Snack weekend, I had to buy enough oranges, fruit snacks, Gatorades, Rice Krispies treats for 15 people. Also, bought some staples like milk, mac and cheese, throw and the oven and go lasagna and Top Ramen (Bachelor food).
2. Bring trail mix, snacks, water for me- I tend to forget to eat when I am running around Vegas and I am truly on a budget when it comes to food. So having this stuff stashed in my room and my purse will be handy for those food emergencies.
3. Packing clothes- Arrgh, I hate packing. Luckily, I am not flying so I can pack hair products. I also tend to pack too light. I have to remember that what you wear in Vegas, you don't necessarily wear in San Diego. I have to find clothes to step it up a notch. This may not happen, but at least I am making a conscious decision to try. Shoes...remember flats are your friends. Heels are the devil.
4. Hangover drugs- I don't plan to drink a whole lot but the dry air and all the walking may trigger my nasty migraines. I'm bringing extra strength headache medicine.
5. Quarters- for my slot machine fix. It's Vegas- I need to live a little.
6. Get my electronics in order- chargers, laptops, cameras...
7. Business cards- So passe' but I guess they are needed.
I have a feeling Twitter will have a bunch of #BWE10 mentions this weekend. Hope to meet some new people. learn a little and have some fun. See you all to tomorrow Vegas!
Friday, October 08, 2010
Ramblings
Monday, September 27, 2010
Little Discoveries
