My First Meme: Shiny Happy People

I must admit, I'm not the biggest fan of memes, but every once in a while I come across one that doesn't require me to be funny or witty (Thank God). For those of you not familiar with the phrase, a meme describes a concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet. Many of you may have been tagged on Facebook to complete a meme before, i.e. "25 Things About Me" meme.

However, I was pleased when I was recently tagged with the Shiny Happy People meme by Karin at CafeBebe. It seemed harmless and fun!

The challenge: Name a song that makes you happy – a song you would listen to if you needed a sudden injection of happiness. Post an image that makes you smile, it can be anything – a silly photo, an image taken from the internet, anything at all that puts a smile on your face (and isn’t too rude!)

So here goes nothing...

My song choice would have to be none other than Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." For those of you who have had the opportunity to join me for cocktails at a bar/club, you know that I light up whenever this song is played, almost as if I was possessed. Although, I may not have the best singing voice, I find myself singing along giving it everything I've got, as if I should have been the one Journey asked to join the band as the new lead singer. Move over Arnel Pineda!

"Don't Stop Believing" by Journey simply puts me in a good mood and I always have a HUGE smile on my face whenever I hear it.

The above photo makes me smile for several reasons: 1) These two trendsetters featured above are MY parents 2) This matching couples outfit was completely my father's idea 3) The trend actually picked up three decades later - Couple Matching Outfits by International Designer Clothing and Fashion Blog.

Oh bless them.

Thanks for making me smile Karin! So it looks like it's my turn to tag someone and that lucky person is my dear gal pal in New York, Melissa at Single Gal in the City. Looking forward to your post MB!

It's Official! Time to Start My Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Training (San Diego)

I'm not sure if I should be thrilled or nervous about the above letter. When I first entered the lottery for the New York marathon two years ago, I didn't think I'd actually get selected to run it, but I did. So I ran the marathon with only one goal in mind - to FINISH the marathon!

I suppose my goal for the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is to beat my previous time of 4 hours 30 minutes. Although my fitness level isn't what it used to be, I'm definitely going to give it my best shot. Looks like I'll be saying goodbye to chicken tikka massala and cocktails. On second thought, let me rephrase that. Looks like I'll be cutting down on chicken tikka massala and cocktails - much better!

This is an old course map from a previous SD Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Apparently, this year's course is BRAND new and designed to include a variety of signature attractions in San Diego, my hometown.

Pancake Day....is just around the corner!

Growing up in America, we didn't celebrate Pancake Day like they do here in the UK. The idea behind Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday) is for people to indulge in things they would have to forgo during lent, such as fat, butter and eggs - all the ingredients you need for pancakes!

To help prepare parents for next month's celebration, my colleagues (Fleishman Hillard) and I invited parent bloggers and their little ones to join us for a Pancake cookery class with TV and radio presenter, Emma Forbes.

Here is a little preview of how the event went today...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(Disclosure: I currently work for Fleishman Hillard and Tate & Lyle is currently a client. Fleishman Hillard collaborated with Tate & Lyle to host the blogger cookery event in London)

A special thanks to Tim Atkinson, Karin Joyce, Hannah Gray, and Emma Forbes for schlepping all the way to London in such awful weather.

Thanks to those of you who tuned in to our first Live Webcast @rosiescribble @caroljs @clareybabble @makedomum @jumblymummy @clairelancaster @bestem @SarahJLCooper @Georgeous1 @7david7 @genevievevarela @muertemaria

It's all about #PancakeFun with Lyle's Golden Syrup!!!

BTW - The fire alarm actually did go off for five seconds...but this time it wasn't my fault! :)

A New Mommy!

After 19 long hours of arduous labor, a 7.14 lb baby boy was born in San Diego on January 2, 2010. Meet my first nephew, Chase, along with proud parents, Rosario and David.

Congratulations David and Rosario! Chase is a lucky child to have been born to such loving and caring parents who love him unconditionally. May he be strong and handsome like his father, and filled with compassion and talent like his mother.

It is a momentous occasion for my entire family. Chase is the first child to be born "second generation" after my parents immigrated to America almost 30 years ago. My parents are officially grandparents! (Perhaps now they will get off my back for a while - only one can hope!)