May 20, 2010: What's A Girl To Pack?

She's held up her end of the deal.

"She" is Rodneisha.  My amazing 9-year-old Little Sister in the Big Brother Big Sister program.  If you've been following this blog, then you know we were matched up last June and and been having great adventures, talks, and bonding ever since.

This is one smart girl.  The kind of kid who loves to learn and read for the simple joy of it.  We've had a deal since last September:  She produces straight A's and 2 semesters of honor for 4th grade and we will take a trip.  Honestly, it was kind of a set up.  The chances of her pulling that off?  About the same as the sun coming up tomorrow.

She called me today as I was about to board a plane from Washington DC, heading home to Atlanta.  She made it!  She was honored at her end of school assembly and indeed has pulled the excellent grades and honor roll that we know she is capable of.

So we're off.  Next month we'll head to San Francisco.  It'll be Rodneisha's first time on an airplane.  Her first time seeing the ocean.  I'll be sharing out adventures with you right here on this blog, on Facebook and on Twitter.

First order of business is figuring out what to pack.  We made a list last weekend as we dined on burritos.

After we got through the necessary clothes, the following conversation ensued:

Me: So do you know what the word "toiletries" means?"

Rodneisha: (With horrified look on her face.)
No.

Me: Don't worry, we're not packing an actual toilet. No, it's the word that means everything you need to bring for the bathroom.  What do you think you should bring?

Rodneisha: (big relief on her face.) Oh, that's easy--my toothbrush!

Me: Great.  Anything else?

Rodneisha: Uh, toothpaste?

Me: Good choice.  Anything else?

Her sweet 9-year-old face looked at me blankly.  She was stumped.  Toothbrush, toothpaste.  That was it.

I went to do that adult thing---helping her think of everything she forgot, when I realized, she actually had about covered it.  Her real life big sister will braid her hair before the trip, so she won't need brush or shampoo or anything.  No makeup, lotions, none of the other equipment and goo we ladies seem to tote along for our beauty and comfort.

A toothbrush.  She's set.

I have great daydreams thinking up all the ways I can expand Rodneisha's world and help her grow.  It's good to remember there are some parts of her life that are perfect just like they are.  Explaining that one day she won't want to leave home without a ton of stuff?  Think I'll keep that one to myself.  When your beauty regimen requires just a toothbrush--that's a moment that should be cherished.

May 11, 2010: A Kagan Nomination

Lots of phone calls, email and tweets yesterday.

Any relation?

As in am I related to Elena Kagan, President Obama's new nominee for the Supreme Court.

Alas, no.

I have no stories that begin, "Oh, you have no idea how wild and crazy Cousin Elena was growing up...."

News reports say that she grew up on New York's Upper West Side.  I don't remember being related to any of those Kagans.  As far as I know, my father's family, those Kagans, came through Milwaukee. My grandfather, Jack Kagan, moved onto Southern California by the early 1930's.

Congratulations to Elena and her family of Kagans.  Hopefully, she'll do the name proud!

May 9, 2010: Chick-Fil-A Is Taking Reservations

Chick-fil-a.

Do you know it?  Do you love it? 

For those not in the know...Chick-fil-a is a Southern institution.  A fast food chain built all around chicken.  It's the chain that actually created the chicken breast sandwich that you now see in just about every restaurant in America. 

It's run by the Cathy family which likes tradition.  So, there a few things you can count on just like the sun coming up in the morning: your sandwich will come with pickles, your milkshake will rock your world (especially peach! Yowza) and you can spend all day trying to figure out how they cut their potatoes in that ridge-y way.  Oh, also, they're always closed on Sundays.

Yep. Not a lot changes at Chick-Fil-A.  But they are about to add a new menu item.  A spicy chicken sandwich.  What's the big deal, you ask?  Lots of fast food restaurants have spicy chicken sammies.  Well, like I said, not a lot changes at Chick-fil-a.  And the company is doing  smart thing--turning the debut of the sandwich into an event.  That's where reservations come in.

You can be among the first to try the new sandwich and get it for FREE.  We enjoy the free, yes?

All you need to do is go to this website.  Make your reservation for an EXCLUSIVE premiere tasting of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. From May 31 - June 5, Chick-fil-A is giving a limited number of FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwiches to customers who make a reservation.  Choose your preferred Chick-fil-A Restaurant location and time.
The Spicy Chicken Sandwich will be added to the menu on June 7.

That's why you would make a reservation for Chick-fil-a.

If you go for it, you'll have to let me know what you think.  I'll be trying it out myself, as well.  By the way, Chick-fil-a doesn't pay me to plug their restaurants or food.  Just doing what I do here in this space--sharing what I love, find intriguing, and what I'm thinking about.  Today,  I'm thinking about that spicy chicken sandwich.

May 7, 2010:  Wanna Hang Out With Me For An Hour Or So?

I had a nice visit this week with Lin Schreiber.  She's hosts a great show on Voice America focusing on reinvention. 

Uh, yeah, I've lived a thing or two with that theme in mind.  We talked about reinventing yourself after a big loss, finding your inspiration, and what my own journey has been like.

You can hear Lin and me here. I pop in at about 4:00 minutes in.

It runs about 50 minutes or so.  Enjoy however much you have time for.

May 4, 2010: Animal Lovers Roll Up Your Sleeves

I know so many images from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are hard to watch, especially for animal lovers.

You can sit there and shake your head or you can do something to help.

I found a great listing of ways animal lovers can volunteer and help out on the Orlando Sentinel's website.

Check out how you can help rehabilitate wildlife or make donations to organizations that are geared up to do good work.