Blogging While Brown 2012 - 5 Reasons I'm Happy I Went

This past weekend I went to a blogging conference called Blogging While Brown. I have to say that I couldn't have had a better experience for my first blogging conference.

I should mention some background. While I've got a lot of "blogging friends" or "internet friends" (as Husband J says), most of my real life friends have no interest in social media (outside of Facebook), don't understand Twitter and think my blogging is my cute little activity. :) I have to admit that I was looking forward to the conference because I'd be surrounded by people who understand what it's like being an internet content creator (it ain't easy!).

While I've been able to meet a variety of great bloggers, in my past blogging life I've often felt like the only one or one of very few Black or Latino bloggers writing about certain topics (like travel!).  That's not a bad thing in and of itself, but I believe in the fact that a variety of perspectives and visual representations of diverse people should be present in all forms of media including emerging media like blogs. My choice to go to Blogging While Brown ("BWB") was not only about learning more about blogging in general but also to get inspired about my role as a blogger of color in an online world that often sidelines us (just my opinion, of course).

Since I often think in lists, here are 5 reasons why I'm glad I went to Blogging While Brown:

1. I met a really nice down to earth, friendly, diverse group of bloggers.
I've not always heard the best things about blogging conferences. I've often heard from some people that the atmosphere can be cliquey, impersonal or just downright unwelcoming. I have to say that I was able to meet so many cool people this past weekend. The conference was small enough that I could have multiple conversations with people throughout the weekend but large enough that I still didn't meet everyone. Bloggers came from all over the country (shout out to my new Jacksonville, Florida  friends!) and wrote about everything from relationships and beauty to health and politics. Some folks had been blogging or writing professionally for years, and others were new to blogging. It was nice to get perspectives from all levels of experience.

Me with Erika Kendall of A Black Girl's Guide to Weight Loss, a great blog about health, exercise, body image, food justice, weight loss and more. Girlfriend has over 72,000 Facebook followers! Talk about reach!!

2. Many of the well-known and successful bloggers openly shared themselves and their experiences. 
I've often heard that when some bloggers hit "the big time", they are not so friendly at conferences like these. Yet at Blogging While Brown, many of the the most successful bloggers with well-known sites were very friendly and accessible. Case in point, one of my favorite bloggers, Patrice Grell Yursik, of the blog Afrobella.

I was such a fan girl when I met Patrice. I'm very happy that she posed with me. 

I started reading Patrice's blog years ago when looking for resources for my wedding blog for Black women with natural hair (i.e., not chemically straightened). While not the first natural hair blogger, she's really the first in that niche to translate her blogging into bigger opportunities. She has partnered with M.A.C. to produce her own shade of lipgloss and has also live tweeted from the red carpet at the Oscars. She's really taken her blogging to another level. She was so nice to me, super down-to-earth and really honest about her experiences during her panel (I missed it, but followed the tweets on the BWB conference hashtag).


3. I learned new things that will help move me forward as a blogger (and even some things I didn't think I needed).
I thought I knew a little about SEO, but I learned a ton about it from Luvvie Ajayi's SEO 101 panel. The panel on blogging and brands was probably the most helpful for the future, and I really liked the honesty of the panelists representing advertising and public relations firms (Big shout out to Jennifer Polk, VP at Edelman Digital, for our nice talk during the conference). Moral of the story for that branding panel: be genuine, honest, and ethical when dealing with public relations agencies and brands. I'll probably never want to publish a book (just being honest), but I thought many of the issues discussed during that panel were important in understanding how to export your blog to another medium. I would have loved a TV panel that talked about more than television news because I think many bloggers can become more than guest talking heads (TV hosts maybe?).

The "Your Personal Brand: It actually IS all about You" panelists from left to right: Adria Richards, Scott Hanselman, and Luvvie Ajayi 

4. The conference paid attention to important social justice issues. While many conferences focus on monetization, branding and content creation, I really did appreciate the fact that the conference emphasized the importance of blogging in moving forward social issues and alternative narratives. From addressing AIDS to community organizing, the conference tackled subjects that are affecting communities of color. I'm working on an online project that has nothing to do with travel or food, and this inspired me to move it forward because the conference reinforced to me the need for vital socially conscious and relevant information online.

5. I never knew what to expect from the engaging speakers and my fellow attendees.
From the hysterical presentation by Scott Hanselman and Luvvue Ajayi, which had me rolling on the floor to the Twitter haterade and in person interrogation of the founder of Media Takeout, Fred Mwangaguhunga, there were definitely parts of the conference that kept you on your toes and laughing in your seat.

Damon Young of Very Smart Brothas. I check out this site from time to time and enjoy the insight. I LURVED his T-shirt. :)

While the conference was great, here are some things I would change:

1. It's not cheap. Although the conference was valuable, it was not cheap ($250 before late registration). Most blog conferences aren't though, so I can't say that BWB was out there in terms of costs. They did include breakfast and lunch both days though. Speaking of food....

2. I'd love more healthy food options for breakfast and lunch. A crudite plate wouldn't be so bad. Some fruit? Help a sister out. ;)

3. I would have liked to know what speakers were going to discuss in the panels beforehand. While I didn't need a full outline, sometimes knowing what was going to be discussed would have helped me make a decision about breakout sessions beforehand.

I have a feeling the conference will be farther away next year, and I hope that I'll be able to attend again some time in the future. I was definitely re-inspired and felt energized about blogging in a way that I haven't been in a long time. At the very least, the conference made me understand my little voice here is important, even if I don't have the hits, Facebook likes and Twitter followers that others say I should to feel important and valued as a blogger.

A big thanks to my fellow conference attendees and to the conference organizers for a stimulating and fun weekend.

Hiatus

Hey, y'all!

I know that I came back, threw up a teaser full of Argentina pics, and then haven't posted all week. I'm taking a little bit of a blogging hiatus. This is actually all my fault because I just didn't plan well enough in advance to make sure that posts would be coming forth as I make some moves. Don't worry; things are good. :) I'll hopefully be popping up here and there in the next few weeks, and hopefully with some surprises. Allow me a few moments to be cryptic.

I hope all is well where you are.

Love,

T

Uencounter.Me

Hey, all!

I don't know if you've noticed it yet, but there is a big, orange badge on the left side of the blog now. Yours truly is now a featured blogger on a site called Uencounter.me. What's that? Well, it's a new site that is essentially a virtual pin map with a social twist.

I love maps. Sometimes I just look at them for the fun of it. You all should be used to my dorkiness by now, so this should not come as a surprise. I used to have a great map connected to my personal Facebook profile, but after one of the many Facebook changes, it went away. Now I've got one that won't go away. I can pin many of the places, I've been with descriptions of what happened there and who accompanied me. I can follow others who are pinning the places they've been or lived and even join discussion boards.

I think Uencounter.me is such as great idea is because it's not just a map but a way of connecting to people. There is a section where you can search for your long lost friend from camp or that person you met while traveling years ago. Plus, there is also a section to THANK people. Imagine getting a chance to say thank you for the first time (or even the second time) to someone who's touched your life. Essentially, Uencounter.me is a way of virtually connecting through the places we've been.

If you click on the badge, it will take you to my pins, which have links to my blog posts. It may look like I've only got a few, but if you narrow the map to very local and specific places, you'll see that I've got about 40 pins up so far with more to come. Feel free to check me out there, and become one of my "links." I warn you that Uencounter. me can become addictive. :)

Happy Weekend!

P.S. Disclaimer: I have received no funds to be a Uencounter.me featured blogger or write this post. The day I start making funds off of blogging, I'm going to write it in big, bold letters because I will be soooo happy. :)

To DSLR or Not to DSLR

I am going through an internal debate that many bloggers and amateur or wanna-be photogs probably do at some point. I'm considering whether or not to get a DSLR camera. These bad boys are NOT cheap. Not in the least. Therefore, it means that I am going to be hemming and hawing over the decision to invest in a "fancy schmancy" camera as I'd like to call it.

While I enjoy using my "point and shoot", it occasionally bugs me. When you blog primarily about food and travel, you want the pictures to be as inviting as possible. I'm occasionally surprised at some of the shots I've ended up with like this:

From last year's wedding anniversary dinner. Check out the rest of the meal here.

Or this:

In Cappadocia, Turkey - no photo editing. Not too awful, right?

At the same time, occasionally I'd just like a little more camera power. I'd love to be able to take more pictures in settings with low light (Restaurants at night have mood lighting). I'd love to be able to get crisper photos. I want a little more, and I feel like you guys deserve more, too. Oh fine! Who am I kidding? I also have blogger envy. I want my pics to be pretty, too. (Insert pouty face)

My current camera

At the same time, I realize that it's not just about the camera. It's also about the technique. Is this just an issue of me getting more out of the camera that I already have? Do I need to learn about some of the manual settings on my point and shoot? They do actually exist. I'm not sure how to use them, though.

Here are some of the issues holding me back from making the DSLR plunge:

1. DSLRs are pretty big.

Did I mention that I am lazy? A DSLR may turn me into a pack mule, and I swear there is a cottage industry out there just for camera bags. Since I walk everywhere, especially when I'm at home and often when I'm traveling, the thought of adding yet another bag to my shoulders doesn't really seem so fun. I want a more powerful camera, but do I have to sacrifice my shoulders to do it? I like to throw my current camera into my purse or travel day bag, and just go. Plus, I find a big camera can scream "TOURIST", and sometimes I just want something I can hide away quickly when in certain places.

A cloudy day at Copacabana Beach. I liked not having the big "Look at me" camera in Rio.

One day after reading one of my favorite food blogs (especially for food photography), Cumi & Ciki, I recently found of out about micro four thirds cameras designed by Olympus and Panasonic. They have the power of a DSLR but are more compact and can fit suped up lenses just like a DSLR. I've been loving Cumi and Ciki's pictures now for months, and I was completely sure they were using a big honking DSLR. Nope. I was shocked when they revealed that they have been using an Olympus EP-3.

Olympus EP-3. Pretty, isn't it?

There's a nice write up on the relatively new Olympus micro four thirds Pen line here.

At the same time, I'm sure if you add a good lens or a special flash that might negate the weight issue, so maybe a micro four thirds camera might not be the answer?

2. Cost

Uh...retailers are not exactly giving these cameras away. Even the Olympus EP-3 isn't exactly cheap (EP-3s are actually the top of the line for Olympus micro four thirds cameras, so maybe it's not a good comparison). I recognize that to get more out of technology, I'll need to invest in it, but even I get a little nervous about big purchases (Don't shake my hands after I buy an international plane ticket. My palms sweat). Most DSLRs start at about $400 USD for older models but can go above $1,000 USD. I'm DEFINITELY not spending $1,000 USD on a camera unless I'm changing my name to Annie Liebovitz. Even $700 still makes me cringe a bit.

A Nikon D5100, another camera option

This Nikon D5100 above is retailing for about $650 USD for just the body.

3. Sweating the technique

As I mentioned above, if I'm going to invest the money, I guess I need to invest the time to learn how to use an expensive camera correctly. I know that buying a DSLR doesn't make you an expert photographer overnight. I've seen some pics taken with DSLRs, and let me tell you that I don't know if I really saw much of a difference from "point and shoot" quality.

Does this mean that I have to invest in a class or spend more time that I might not already have (or make sure that I free up the time) to learn how to use my future camera?

4. Everybody's got a favorite.

Sometimes I wish I could get a straight answer about which camera to buy. There's no right or wrong answer because everyone's got a favorite. One person swears by Canon, while another would never give up their Nikon.

So, I ask you, my lovely online community, do you own a DSLR? What brand? What you do like most about your DSLR? What do you like least about it? Any words of advice for a camera buyer? Anyone own a micro four thirds camera? I have to admit I might be leaning towards one of those....

Olympus Pen EP-3, Nikon D5100

101 in 1,001 Days

Happy New Year, everybody!!

I know that many of you are starting off the year and this week with resolutions. I sorta don't do resoutions anymore but primarily do goals. I feel like you can start great habits at any time, but I do like to set goals at the beginning of the year. At the same time, I recognize that setting too many goals for one year can be overwhelming. I don't know about you, but last year flew by so quickly. I looked up, and it was Thanksgiving!

A while back I had read about 101 things in 1,001 days lists from some blogger friends. I thought it was a great idea. I specifically like the fact that I don't have to finish everything in one year. I have over 2 1/2 years to do them. The last time I made a list like this, I thought it was really helpful in figuring out some of the things that I want to do for myself more often or will help propel me forward. Some of the goals are easily reachable and others are things that I am hoping I can accomplish. In general, it was harder to come up with 101 things than I thought. Who knew?

Anyway, here's my list. They're annotated 'cause I'm verbose like that. :) Are any of these on your list of goals for this year? Does anyone out there have a 101 things in 1,001 days list? By the way, I didn't include all of them. In some instances they are marked as private.

Start Date - January 1, 2012

End Date - September 27, 2014

Food, Cooking, Eating & Dining

1. Bake a pie from scratch including making my own crust

2. Bake brownies from scratch

3. Master a cake recipe from scratch

4. Master a cookie recipe from scratch

5. Learn to make an omelet (I've never made an omelet!)

6. Make my own ice cream

7. Take a knife skills course (I really need to learn how to chop and dice better!)

8. Buy all fruits and veggies from the farmers' market for two months (0/2)

9. Use up beans, spices and other special items in “pantry” (Do you have those dry goods that you need to finish off? I do!)

10. Cook at least one Caribbean food dinner once per week for 6 months (0/24)

11. Eat a meal in each of NYC’s five boroughs in one year (I usually eat in three of the five but the Bronx and Staten Island will be a challenge! Any recs in those boroughs?)

12. Eat only raw foods for one day (It can't just be living on salads either)

13. Leave a 100% tip

Get Organized

14. Back up photos and video that are on my laptop (I know, I know....)

15. Revise/create a will (There's kinda one in existence, but....)

16. Create an organization system for physical addresses, e-mail addresses and business cards

17. Get my own personal stationary (I have some but not with my hyphenated married name)

18. Sell or donate wedding dress (I've been married for over two years! I should be ashamed of myself. It's not like I was in love with my dress.)

19. Scan old photos

20. Prepare an emergency kit for the apartment and for personal use (In case the world ends in 2012 :))

21. Create 10 Itunes Playlists, of which 2 must be for running (0/10)

22. Clean out that godawful drawer under the sink (You know you have a drawer like that, too)

Fun

23. Learn to knit

24. Take a beginners capoeira course

25. Take a modern dance class workshop (I've had my eye one one for a few months)

26. Attend a ballet performance

27. Attend a live music event once per month for a year (0/12)

28. Go to an art museum or art gallery once per month for a year (0/12)

29. Go to a professional American football game (I've been to pro "soccer" games before)

30. Start and run my own fantasy football league (I love fantasy football a little too much. My team was horrible this year!)

31. Do a book reading project with at least 5 assigned books for 2012 and 2013 (0/2) (I started the project for this year yesterday. I'll be sharing soon)

32. Get a facial

33. Do something special on 12/12/12

Health & Fitness

34. Learn how to do pilates and add it to my workout routine

35. Go to the actual gym at least 3 times per week for 6 months (0/72) (I have no problems working out regularly. HOWEVER, when it's winter, I will find every excuse to pop in a workout video and not go to my gym, which isn't even that far away in the first place. I'm bad, and I don't want to waste money.)

36. Run 1 hour on the treadmill

37. Run a 10K

38. Run a half marathon

39. Get mile time under 10 minutes (I'm slow but at least I'm trying)

40. Run on the street two times per week for 4 months (0/32) (Running on the street makes me feel self-conscious. I don't know why.)

41. Find out my blood type (Again, this is a bit ridiculous that I haven't done/don't know this.)

42. Do a Reset Week once per quarter for a year (0/4) (I actually started one yesterday. I'll explain what that is in a separate post)

Personal (These are definitely TMI)

43. PRIVATE

44. PRIVATE

Financial

45. Quarterly finacial meetings with Husband J for the duration of the 1,001 days (0/8)

Travel

46. Travel internationally alone again (I have some ideas already, but I am not sure where or how yet)

47. Travel with BFF

48. Do a volunteer travel trip

49. Go on a weekend ski trip

50. Visit family in Toronto, Canada

51. Visit three U.S. states I’ve never been to before (I must leave the airport and driving through does not count)

52. Do Trip Advisor reviews for all hotels I’ve stayed or will stay in from 2011 until the end of the 1,001 days

53. Renew/re-obtain my Antiguan passport (This is a whole other story)

54. Play mas in Antigua's carnival

Personal Development

55. Get a makeup lesson (I can barely apply makeup correctly...barely)

56. Get a better camera (DSLR or otherwise) and learn how to use it

57. Print and frame an engagement and a wedding photo

58. No internet for a weekend

59. Write a hand written letter to a friend just because

60. Send hand written notes to 5 new people that I meet while networking + follow-up within 6 months

61. No TV for one month (It's easy to do this during the summer when nothing is on anyway)

62. Do Happy Black Woman’s 31 Day Reset (This is a great blog, and it's not just for Black women. It's for anyone who is into personal development, goal setting, entrepreneurship and living life authentically. Check her out!)

63. Do a language exchange (for Spanish or maybe Portuguese?)

64. Write 5 year goals

65. Write 10 year goals

66. Write a personal mission statement

Buy

67. Buy a designer dress or outfit (Why not? I don't own anything designer)

68. Buy sexy lingerie :)

Helping Others

69. Find a volunteer program to participate for one full cycle or however long the organization requires me (Volunteering has been such a big part of my life over the years, and during the past few years, I haven't done anything. That needs to stop).

70. Join the board of a small non-profit

71. Get involved in a local community civic group

72. Buy a composter and start composting on the balcony

73. Do an anonymous favor/donation that will personally affect one person or family

74. Donate books that I don’t want or need

Family

75. Take my goddaughter somewhere at least once per quarter for a year (0/4)

76. Work with goddaughter to find a summer program/activity/job each summer until she finishes high school (0/3)

77. Call or e-mail my cousins at least once per month for a year (0/12)

Professional

78. PRIVATE

79. Join a professional network/professional group in my interest area

80. Beef up my profile on Linked In

81. PRIVATE

82. Continue training for my secret project (That's the only way to describe it)

Blogging & Social Media

83. Redesign Try Anything Once

84. Learn Wordpress (I feel like one of the few people in the world who doesn't use Wordpress or at least know how to use it)

85. Do at least 20 blogs posts in one month for TAO

86. Find 10 new travel or food blogs that I like and be active an commenter on those sites

87. Attend at least two different blogging conferences (0/2)

88. PRIVATE

89. Reach 2,500 Twitter Followers (Eh...why not? I'm actually not THAT far from this, but it hasn't exactly turned into blog traffic, so yeah...)

90. Do 31 Days to a Better Blog exercises

91. Learn Google + (Am I the only one that doesn't get it?)

92. Post on Tales of a Thirty-Something Nothing at least once per week for a year (0/52)

93. Have a reader meet-up (Would anyone in the NYC area be interested?)

94. PRIVATE

Spiritual

95. PRIVATE

96. PRIVATE

97. PRIVATE

98. read through the Bible completely within a year (I've done it in 14 months and not 12)

99. PRIVATE

100. practice stillness/meditation 2 times per week for one month (0/8)

101. Fast for clarity one month (eating only one meal per day) (I've done this before and I have to admit that it was a very powerful month for me)

Set any goals lately? If you have a 101 things in 1,001 days list, I'd love for you to post a link to it in the comments, so we can encourage each other!

Moving Towards 2012

Is this really my last post of 2011? Wow...

While it's been an odd year for me personally, I've been really happy with lots of things related to the blog this year. I'm glad that I was able to add some on-location vlogging to posts (check the vlogging label on the left); and despite my occasional hatred of Facebook :), I've been happy with the growth of Try Anything Once's Facebook page. Plus, I feel like I've gotten to know many of you through your comments, blogs and tweets, and that has been quite fun. You all are a funny, encouraging and fascinatingly diverse group of people.

I looked back on what I wrote year-end last year, and I did accomplish some of the things that I wrote about in that post. I did a lot more entertaining at home (we entertained three times plus hosted Thanksgiving dinner), and I stopped whining about my blogging frustrations. :)

Here are some blog-related goals I'd like for next year (I figure if I write this out I'll do it):

Be more helpful to you all. I think many of you enjoy the travelogue posts and restaurant and eating stuff, but I would like to offer up more valuable information here. I don't do more posts offering up tips because I often feel as if I might sound preachy or be stating the obvious. I think you all are super smart and well-informed already, but perhaps I can add a little perspective next year.

Be a better Facebooker. I'd definitely like the TAO Facebook page to be a place where you an access more content and be more informative to you.

Conquer my fear/procrastination re: baking. When I don't want to do a certain activity or when something stumps me, I procrastinate. I procrastinate for other reasons too, but these particular reasons apply to baking. I don't need to become the second coming of Betty Crocker, but I would like to be able to bake something from scratch that doesn't taste like cardboard.

Be a little more provocative. I'm still working on this one, since I didn't really do this at all this year. Blogging is my happy space, but there are some things that I'd like to get off my chest. I'm not talking about rants but just things that need to be said and topics that I'd like to explore more here on the blog.

I want to thank all of you who publicly follow the site (I see you there on the left column); those of who subscribe to the blog through RSS feeds and various blog readers; those of you who follow me on Twitter; and those of you who have joined me on Facebook. I appreciate your continued support, comments and readership so very much!

I am wishing you all a year of peace, health, discovery of new places and new tastes, and, most of all, a discovery and knowledge of what brings you joy.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Hello, everyone!

Well, this will be it from me before the height of the holiday season (I'll be back next week). I hope everyone has special plans with loved ones and friends this year. I'll be headed up to New England to celebrate with Husband J's family. Apparently, my niece, Baby J, is walking and talking up a storm, so it should be fun.

On Sunday, I should hopefully be sitting down to a table that looks like this.

Also, if anyone wants to save a latke for me, please do! Happy 5th Day of Hanukah! Next year, I want to go to a Hanukah party. Any New Yorkers care to give me an early invite for next year?

I'm loving this fabulous, modern menorah!

If anyone is gearing up for Kwanzaa, I do urge you to check out the Kwanzaa Culinarians site, which is chock full of engaging articles. I'll be sure to let you know about my contribution to the site next week.

Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

1. Christmas dinner; 2. Modern menorah

Kwanzaa Culinarians

It's the holiday season, and that includes Kwanzaa, too! I'll be joining a group of bloggers of African descent in a project we're calling Kwanzaa Culinarians. Starting on December 26, the first day of Kwanzaa, a participating blogger will present a recipe reflective of the African diaspora and write a little something based on that day's corresponding Kwanzaa principle. I'm very excited to be a part of this illustrious group. I'm also nervous to essentially be writing a recipe. THAT should be interesting. :)

If you're interested in learning more, check out the Kwanzaa Culinarians site. I'll be sure to link to my post during Kwanzaa.

WeVerb 11

Hey there!

Just popping in to say that I am participating in a project called WeVerb11, which is a way for folks to reflect online about the past year. I get fairly reflective in December anyway. I will be writing based on a daily prompt throughout the month on another blog that I have but I don't update as often. It's a much more personal blog, and I feel kinda whiny on it (I don't like to whine). Feel free to join me over there for this month. This blog will have the usual travel and food stuff.

I hope you're enjoying the weekend. I had my first ever holiday party yesterday. I enjoyed seeing so many old and new friends. I made mac and cheese from a recipe created by Pattie LaBelle. Here's a link if you're looking to make mac and cheese some time soon.

Back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I shouldn't be blogging right now. I should actually be cooking, but I wanted to make sure that I whipped out a post to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to those of you celebrating today.

I was thinking about the idea of passing the baton this week. My mother-in-law and godmother will both be here today. I know that they have both put a lot of blood, sweat and tears over the course of the last 30 years to make sure that Husband J and I had nice Thanksgivings. I'd say that some of the first things that I am thankful for are FAMILY and happy holiday memories. I let one bring a dessert and one is bringing a side dish, but that's it. They've done their time, and I am forever grateful to them. It's now time for them to rest ('cause I ain't. I am sooo tired) and enjoy their later holiday years. I'm happy to accept the baton and the opportunity and the ability to be able to create new holiday memories for my still very new family in its various forms. Thanks to my Mom (who is still baking. I'm not there yet completely), my godmother and my mother-in-law for their hard work. I got this now (I think. Y'all need to pray for me that Fred II, my turkey, comes out okay).

(source)

Fred II is supposed to look something like this by early afternoon. No pomegranates though.

This year has been an odd one, but even with all of the weird, annoying, stressful things that have happened, I am so very thankful for all of it. I love the concept of being refined through our trials. I already see some better things about myself having gone through some of the things I have (vague alert!).

I am super thankful for Husband J 'cause he keeps me going even if I was soo jealous that he got to sit on the couch and watch his DVR'ed shows last night. Marry a partner who can cook, everyone. ;) Just kidding, sweetie!! Love you!

Lastly, I am thankful for you all. I have to admit that there was a moment a few months ago, when I wanted to stop blogging. I think it was the same day that someone said something over e-mail (or was it a tweet?). They said that I had inspired them in some way to get out there, to see something new, to experience something different. As much as I do this 'cause I enjoy it, I do it so that people will dream a little bigger, even if it's just by seeing some pretty pictures on a screen about some faraway place. I just want to say that I am thankful for you all, my little community here on the interwebs. Thanks for keeping me going.

Anyhoo, this is way too long, way too much stream of consciousness and probably because I am waaay too tired. :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Help Me

Hey folks,

See that picture up there on the left right underneath by blog header? If you're interested in the story behind the picture, you can read the post here.

It's time for a change. Here's where you all come in. Help me pick a picture. Which one of these is your favorite? Feel free to pick more than one. If you do, please mention your first or second (or even third) choice.

Thanks a bunch!

T

#1

#2

#3

Ask Me (Almost) Anything

Have you ever been a part of a conversation that is super one-sided? The person drones on and on, and you can't get a word in edgewise. Well, that's how I've been feeling about the blog lately. A whole lotta me talking and not much else. I know that this is a blog, but I do want to make this space more of a conversation with you all.

Sooo I've decided to just leave the comments section open for your questions for me. The questions can be about food, travel, or even about me. I'll answer personal questions within reason. :) Depending on the question, I may turn it into a post and will give you the credit as the source/inspiration. I know that there are forums/processes for this like Formspring. I think I have an account on there that I don't even check anymore (and never really did).

Okay, fire away.

If I don't get any questions, I'll just assume that you all are out there nodding and smiling happily. :) (Oh come on, you know you do it sometimes!)

T

My 7 Links

The lovely Oneika of Oneika the Traveller has tagged me for the My 7 Links project that has been circulating among travel bloggers lately. This requires me to go through my archives and share with you some of my favorite/memorable past posts. This was much harder than I thought, but I'm going to give it a try.

1. My Most Beautiful Post - Is it Spring Yet?

It was the end of February, and I was missing warm weather. I posted some pictures of Antigua to remind me of the beach, warmth and sun.

2. My Most Popular Post - Musings of a Wannabe Ski Bunny/Regarding Health

I'm not sure if popularity is based on page views or comments, so I'll let you know about both posts that fit that description. When I checked out my all-time most viewed posts, I was shocked to see that it was a post about my longing to go skiing. I've never been and hope to go someday (whenever that is....). I have no idea why this posts get hits. The most commented post that wasn't me feeling sorry for myself was my post on healthy eating and exercise. I'm definitely not a model of perfect health, but I try. :) I'm glad so many of you were moved to comment.

3. My Most Controversial Post - Antigua Me Come From: Life Outside the Resort

In my opinion, I don't really think I've written a controversial post on this blog yet. I've got a few in mind, and I hope to write them soon. This post voiced my frustrations with many tourists' perceptions of the Caribbean (especially people who choose not to leave their resort) with a special emphasis on Antigua, my native country. There's a whole life on the island outside of the confines of an all-inclusive.

4. Most Helpful Post - Any post about hotels/see the health one above

This was hard. I feel bad because I don't really feel like most of my posts are particularly helpful. Please let me know if you think otherwise. I would like to think that my hotel reviews help someone out there. Often helpful hotel reviews are pretty general without relevant specifics, non-existent or without accurate pictures. I think I need to get better in providing useful information here.

5. A Post Whose Success Surprised Me - Tourist in My Own Town - DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Park

Who knew that writing about one of my favorite Brooklyn parks, lobster rolls and ice cream would garner so much interest? Not me.

6. A Post I Feel Didn't Get the Attention it Deserved - So What Happens When There's a Revolution In Your Next Travel Destination?

Another hard one to figure out 'cause there are so many.....JUST KIDDING!! No really, I was hoping that my post about me mulling over the various issues regarding our eventually cancelled Egypt trip would garner a little more discussion. For me, it was the first time that world events were playing a pivotal role in my travel plans and at the time Egypt was front and center in the media.

7. The Post I'm Most Proud of - Up in the Air Over Cappadocia

I was really love the pics in this post, and it was the first time that I was able to incorporate edited video. I made that video after a lot of procrastinating (I usually procrastinate when a task seems overwhelming for some reason), and I'm proud of how it turned out considering I'm still very new to video editing. I also really feel like this hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia is probably one of my most favorite recent travel memories. I really enjoyed sharing it with you all.

So that's it. If you're a long-time reader of the blog, can you remember any post that you really liked? What would like to see more of on the blog?

Travel Challenge, Day 1 - My Favorite Place(s)

The lovely Deidre of Vai Via blog is encouraging a few fellow travel bloggers to join her in the Travel Challenge. It's 15 weekdays of blogging based on some prompts related to travel. I thought I'd join in since I've never really done something like this before or discussed some of the topics in the prompts on the blog. Let's see if I can keep up. :)

My FAVORITE place that I've visited? That's way too hard! I think I've liked different places for different reasons. At each favorite place, I've experienced something unique, or it's changed me in some way. Here are some of my favorites and why:

1. Favorite First - Italy. It was the first place I'd been in Europe and really the first place I'd ever been outside of going to visit my family in Antigua. It was a high school trip for the Latin geeks like me (I studied Latin for six years. I embrace my geekiness.). This was in 1993, and I haven't been back to Italy since. I need to go back :(

Piazza Navona, my favorite piazza in Rome. My first travel memory is eating gelato here and ogling my future Italian husbands. :)

(source)

2. Favorite "I could live here" - South Africa. I spent four months living in South Africa in grad school doing an externship (whatever...it was an internship with a special name). Specifically, I lived in Cape Town and worked for a legal organization there. My research and policy focus was on women's rights as it relates to customary tribal law (yeah, I know. A little esoteric). I LOVED South Africa, and I miss it very much. I can't even begin to put into words how much I would love to go back. The history, the beauty of the country, the realities of blending cultures and languages and within the backdrop of a history of years of repression made it a truly fascinating place to be. My time in South Africa also made me realize that I could live in another part of the world and be happy there. I was really ready to stay.

This is where I used to go power walking after "work". :) I lived a few blocks from the water in a neighborhood called Sea Point.

(source)

I would love to talk about South Africa on this blog, but I have no digitized pictures. Any advice on how to take my regular pics and turn them into digital ones? I have a feeling about how (scanning, right?), but I'd love to hear from you all.

3. Favorite "I'm not in Kansas anymore" - Morocco. I've never been to the U.S. state of Kansas, but I'm sure I would think it's as exotic as Morocco (no really! I would!). Parts of Morocco made me feel like I was in a place devoid of the influences of modern technology or European/North American ways of living. Plus, I was there during Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting, which added another element to how I experienced the country.

My pics from Morocco are jacked up, too. :( I'd love to talk about the trip here. Maybe someday. If you want to hear about Morocco, bug my BFF to send me some of her pics, and I'll be sure to write about it. Her e-mail is.....just kidding (Well, not really. What's up, BFF??!!)

A street in the Medina (old city) in Fes-al-Bali

(source)

Also, I think Turkey has become one of my favorite places as well. Months later, I'm still thinking about it. I think New Orleans was my favorite U.S. city.

I think that's too many favorites, so I'll stop here. :)

What has been one of your favorite places to visit?

Here's Deidre's Favorite Place

Happy Birthday to.....

My Blog!

I know that I've already mentioned my 100th post, but I can't believe that I've been writing this blog for a year as of today. I'm still not sure what I want this blog to be, but I do know that I love doing this. It's my happy place in a year that has often been a little trying for me (Don't worry. It's all First World problem stuff. Like I said, health and family are cool, and that is what truly matters). I've gotten some nice opportunities and "met" some people with whom I share some interests and that has been really rewarding.

If you can't tell, I really do enjoy sharing the things I experience with you all. I am so very appreciative that you take the time to read the blog given the fact that we are bombarded in our daily lives with so much content.

I know in the past that I've been disappointed with certain aspects of my blogging experience. I still have my blogging insecurities (i.e., no one reads; no one cares; my pics are crappy; my posts are too long...HEE! :)), but I'm slowly letting go of all of that. Part of me thinks that I should write about other things (my most commented post in the past year has nothing to do with food or travel), but then I wouldn't be true to whom I am and what I hope to convey. If anything, I hope I have inspired at least one person to move beyond what they know and experience every day to search out new foods, cultures and people. Life is an adventure, and I don't believe you need to necessarily fly half way around the world to learn that. Seeking out the things that make life fun and exciting should be an integral part of how we live our lives.

Anyway, here's to another year (or more!). Thanks for joining me!

At Niagara Falls

A Random Friday with a Side of In 'N Out Burger

Hey, everyone!

Thanks for the great response to my last post. In honor of your great comments, I actually dedicated my workout on Wednesday to you! I ran at a faster rate on the treadmill, and I took 10 lbs off of the assisted dip machine (that 10 lbs makes a difference...ouch!). I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing what they can to stay healthy.

If you have not noticed, I now have a Facebook page for the blog. Feel free to click the link denoted by the letter "F" on the top right and/or like my page by clicking right there on the right. I'd love for you all to join me over there. I am in the process of making the Facebook page better and becoming more interactive with you all. I hope to include more pics and perhaps more video that I might not put on the blog there.

Did I mention In 'N Out Burger in the title of this post? Oh yeah! By the way, I do find it ironic that I just talked about health and am now talking about In 'N Out Burger. Moderation, everyone! ;) This will probably be my only fast food burger for the year, so it should at least be good.

When I was last in L.A. I was a hard core pescetarian, so I couldn't really enjoy In 'N Out like I should have. I was not going to miss tasting it on this trip. Anyhoo, I got off the plane in Los Angeles and was able for the first time in a long time to feel WARM wind on my face. After being cheap on my five hour cross-country flight and not buying the $8 sandwiches offered on the plane, I was totally ready for lunch. Luckily, Big Mitts, my friend and tour guide for our trip, lives VERY close to an In 'N Out. Score!!

A Cheeseburger Animal Style (with sauteed onions + extra sauce)

French Fries

Favorite parts of the meal:

Sauce + the Onions i.e., the animal style in general

Worst part of the meal:

The fries

Okay, some brief general observations:

1. This burger was definitely good. I felt like the elements didn't gel well together though. Parts of it were downright freezing cold, and the burger was sorta kinda just warm. I like my food (especially mass cooked meat) to be pretty warm when I get it. Am I being picky?

2. In 'N Out is rather good burger, BUT is it life changing? I'm going to have to say that I don't think so. I think it's a great FAST FOOD burger, but I have tasted better burgers in general. I think I'd rather save my red meat points for elsewhere, if I've got other options. Plus, I know that they must put the worst things ever in them, but Mc Donald's fries cannot be beat. These In 'n Out fries were a little soggy, and I longed for some more crunch and salt.

3. I think given In 'N Out's price, it's a great deal for the quality of the burger.

So what do you think? What are your feelings about In 'N Out? Did this East Coast girl miss the mark? Maybe I went to the wrong In 'n Out location? Do you have a favorite fast food burger option in your city or town that isn't Mc Donald's or Burger King?

Happy Weekend!