The benefits of cinnamon gum

 I just learned this week that I chew 149 sticks of gum a week. That's about 21 a day. And that's also leaving out the 2 packs of Bubblicious . I'll admit, I have a gum addiction -what's your addiction?

Are We There Yet?

September Challenge: Worst. Trip. Ever.

My worst vacation experience would have to be Las Vegas. And don't get me wrong, I adore that city. Two years ago, I went with mom and two brothers. Because nothing says, "we're tight as a family" like standing under a poster of scantily clad dancer.

In the evening, on our way to Blue Man Group, my mom decided we should take the bus from the Luxor to the Venetian. The problem was we got on the wrong bus. The bright lights of the strip faded from view. We began to head southward, down past the freeway. My mom demanded that the driver stop the vehicle. And surprisingly, the bus driver listened. He dropped us off in the middle of the intersection on the freeway.

I immediately knew trouble lay ahead as adrenaline became my best friend. We hustled across the street and darted into an under pass. Which was the residence of a ton of homeless people. There were no streetlights, my mom and I were cloaked in darkness. Cars were screeching above us and used needles for substance abuse poked at our sneakers.

My mom's eyes widened as she saw the make-shift cardboard homes. She grabbed a rock and turned into this momma-bear 'cuz no ones gonna mess with her and the cub.

I, however, was more nervous for her than for me. I've spent a night on skid row, so a few freeway underpasses were a breeze. Skid Row-I'm not talking about the band.

Anyway, some man, offered my mom a 'cabbie' and she eagerly jumped at a cab ride. I grabbed her arm and said, "Cabbie's slang for something you don't want. Keep moving, don't look down. Just move."

We arrived at the Venetian safely. To this day, I know we both were lucky not to end up like the CSI victims.

P.S. Kudos to Janiel for figuring out the title of this month's challenge. And double kudos to both Maegan and Janiel for the help with my post.

Rainy days with Russo

While I was out shopping, I saw a double rainbow. A sign of good things to come. Too bad, that seconds later, I knocked over yet another display with my freaking-big purse.

U.S Army Ranger

According to the U.S. Army website, a Ranger is a highly trained soldier. A Ranger's specialized skills enable him to be employed in the most dire of situations. You wanna make your dream happen? You gotta fight like a Ranger. The road to your dream will be exhausting. You need people at your side to support you. In training, a Ranger is told to always look after your buddy. Find your support system. There's gonna be pain and self doubt when pursuing a goal. You've gotta push through the exhaustion. At Ranger school, there are days when the soldier will get only 3 hours of rest. Sometimes their bodies and mind are pushed so hard, they fall asleep while standing up. Ranger's call that 'droning.' There's no droning when fighting for your dream. When in the battlefield, not giving up is a matter of life and death. You cannot worry about tomorrow. If you do, you won't make it. Just focus on today. Work hard, like a Ranger.

3 cheers for Melissa

Our dear writing friend, Melissa Hernandez Seron Richardson has been entered into a photo contest~ We are so excited for her as this pic is the shiz nit.

Go vote for her 'cuz in Melissa's words, "Discovery Gateway brings joy to kids of all ages."

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147879665222844

How poker skills help you acheive your dreams

When writing, we are spending our life and energy on a gamble. We're essentially gambling on ourselves. Every day I wonder, will I succeed or won't I? And the fact of the matter is, you can't listen to the random (negative) musings of the mind. To succeed, you have to go all in. You can't hold anything back-the pain, money, swollen fingers, tears. As a dreamer, you have to believe you are worth it. You have to go all in on your goal. If you don't take yourself seriously as a champion, who will? Go all in. ~Make it or Break it~

So This is Writing a Novel

August Challenge: Writing a novel

Ten years ago, I saw myself as a fashion buyer. Shopping for a living? In my mind, there couldn't be a better career. First step was my internship with Disney. I nailed my interview. A summer in Florida, so there.

But then life happened. I fell in a hole while hiking with my sister and snapped my foot in half. My brother joked that if you touched even an inch of the skin my foot would jiggle like jello.

So began my road to writing. Although, I didn't see the path forming yet.

I had to have a metal screw placed in my foot to hold the bones together. Nine months later, I had yet another surgury. This time on a hernia.

I wish I could say that I handled the trials well. But I didn't. I fell into a heavy depression. The one thing that saved me was writing. What's so funny is that I am the girl that always fell asleep in English class. But now, words are my lifesaver.

Most days, I am content to sit at the computer and edit my story to Death. The journey more often than not is a joy to me. Oh, who the world am I kidding? Lately, I have been peeved at my story. To the point where I just stare at the closed laptop. I know where the plot is going, I see it like a movie in my head. But lately I have been too riddled with fear to care.

Yes, I realize that my voice is a gift. One that I don't take lightly. I know that my manuscript will one day be on a bookshelf--right next to Janiel's and Maegan's novel. Okay, maybe not right next because paranormal romance is in its own wacked-out section of the book store.

When that day happens, I understand that I will need to give back and big-time. Because writing saved my life. Literally.