Category Archives: teaching

Our eight page #newsletter went to print!

I am safe in the universe and all life loves and supports me. Thx LH.

I am safe in the universe and all life loves and supports me. Thx LH.

Hey! How are you guys? Thanks for stopping by. Today I’m sharing with you a project that my graphic students have just completed. My awesome co-teacher and I asked each of the 20 students to write an article on whichever subject they wanted, be it sports, music, technology, whatever.

Then came the corrections and the layout. It took us about a month to do and I’m certain we can find errors in this but it is a student project. It prints onto A3 paper which is European large size copy paper and then folds in half. If you can imagine taking two large pieces of glossy paper then printing on both sides.

Then flip it horizontally and fold in half. Put the center pages inside. It’s like a mini book. It comes out in eight pages. Get it?

I’m making it available to you for free here for your reading pleasure. Hope you like reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Julie

It’s 5 megabytes so make sure you have the hard disk space before downloading! 

Clicking here now will begin your free download. Thanks for reading!




#jbuliesblog supports #oohlabra w/@ideavillage at #NOEW2013 @silverlinecrm 18 Mar Wonderful job! Congrats @OohLaBra on #Leader $10k @salesforce @silverlineCRM Challenge!

How can you show your support? By sharing on pinterest, facebook or twitter. Thank you.

How can you show your support? By sharing on pinterest, facebook or twitter. Thank you.

Congratulations Lisa!

jbulie’s blog would like to extend a huge well earned mega congratulations to hardworking real life sister, Lisa, at OohLaBra.com. Lisa McKenzie is supported by family and friends when awarded the first prize for the sales challenge presented by multinational player Silverline.

In March of this year there was a conference for entrepreneurs called NOEW that stands for New Orleans Entrepeneur Week. I was thrilled when my sister called me a few months ago to tell me that her company, Ooh La Bra was selected as a finalist for more than three contests as the most innovate product. That call put her into the top five contestants as an entrepreneur.

In the following months, I watched my sister practice her pitch down to the last detail, including hair, makeup, market share and future projections.

Lisa McKenzie with her partner Susan Bopp, and members of the Salesforce and Silverline teams at yesterday's "Salesforce Challenge". Ooh La Bra was awarded the top prize of a customized software application, valued at $10k. Thank you Salesforce and Silverline!

Lisa McKenzie with her partner Susan Bopp, and members of the Salesforce and Silverline teams at “Salesforce Challenge”. Ooh La Bra was awarded the top prize of a customized software application, valued at $10k. Thank you Salesforce and Silverline. #NOEW2013

She’s truly amazing to watch as her friends can attest.

To read more about the contest, follow my twitter feed by clicking here.

Right after winning she was contacted by ABC to be interviewed. You can read and see the interview by clicking here.

http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=91064&sitesection=wgno_newswithatwist&VID=24656069

Here’s the official press release.
Global Corporations, Investors, Startups to Convene in New Orleans for 5th New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

PR Newswire | February 25, 2013 | 12:52 AM EST

National business executives, entrepreneurs, MBAs, and globally renowned venture capitalists will meet for the 5th Annual. New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, NOEW, on March 16-22, 2013 to share best practices and celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Event headliners include Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of Aspen Institute,  Hamdi Ulukaya, President, Founder and CEO of Chobani Yogurt and Dana Mauriello, Director of New Business Opportunities for Etsy.

Additionally, representatives from Fortune 500 companies, the most prominent venture capitalists, and notable entrepreneurs will be participating, including:

  • Lisa McKenzie: Founder, President of Ooh La Bra
  • Jim Coulter: Founding Partner, TPG Capital, L.P.
  • Donna Fenn: author; contributing editor, Inc. Magazine
  • Nick Friedman: Co-Founder, College Hunks Hauling Junk, College Hunks Moving
  • Patti Greene: Professor Babson College; National Academic Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
  • David Hall: Revolution Ventures
  • New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu
  • Mary Matalin: Political Consultant
  • Kathryn Minshew: Founder, The Muse
  • Wendell Pierce: star of HBO’s hit show Treme
  • Bridgette Sexton: Google for Entrepreneurs
  • Margaret Spellings: Former U.S. Secretary of Education; Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Advisory Council
  • Alan Weinkrantz: Global PR Expert
  • Tina Wells: Founder, Buzz Marketing; Huffington Post blogger; Black Enterprise columnist
Lisa McKenzie, Founder and President of Ooh La Bra an amazing person. We support her as she is a finalist at NOEW2013.

Lisa McKenzie, Founder and President of Ooh La Bra an amazing person. We support her as she is a finalist at NOEW2013.

New Orleans has one of the most dynamic and engaged entrepreneurial ecosystems in the world and NOEW is its premier showcase event. NOEW is hosted each year by The Idea Village, a 12 year old nonprofit that identifies, supports, and retains entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. The week-long event is the culmination of The Idea Village’s nine-month Entrepreneur Season, attracting thousands of attendees.

This year, NOEW is expected to gather 3,000 of the nation’s most innovative business leaders, financiers, entrepreneurs, and students to support New Orleans entrepreneurs through over 55 events.

Highlights include Capital Pitch Competitions, which will award prizes ranging from $100,000 to a personalized, guided tour of Silicon Valley’s investment community, and an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Summit that will engage global partners to discuss best practices for sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystems.

All seminars, workshops, and keynotes are free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

These events range from one-on-one counseling sessions to specialized workshops on legal and marketing practices. Registration is open at http://www.ideavillage.org

SOURCE The Idea Village

Twitter Facebook Faceoff ► Which one do you prefer? #ff @jbuliesblog

Hello!

I’m thinking about my friends clicking in here from all over the world. How awesome is the world wide web? Shout out to the www.

Hello World Wide Web.

Today I’m talking about twitter and how hard it is to understand as least for someone like me.

Please tweet or pin. Thanks!

Please tweet or pin. Thanks!

I’ve had some great great comments on my facebook page. Facebook rules by the way. Twitter, well, it’s new all new to me.

Go facebook, go!

I got comments about how to use twitter since it’s such an enigma for me. David Letterman figured it out by getting a laptop and one of his techies to turn on his twitter page so he can update it during the show.

If David Letterman can do use twitter, certainly I can do it too, right?

Are you like me? Curious about new technology?

Keep a journal. Really. It's lovely.

Keep a journal. Really. It’s lovely.

First step. I try to google twitter tips. You know what I get? More questionable information.

So for you, my friends, I’m offering you here from jbulie’s blogs, that’s me, @jbuliesblog. Please follow me on twitter, my

Top ten reasons why I prefer facebook to twitter.

1) Because I can’t figure twitter out.

2) Because one of my favorite artists, Nev, has about 22,000 twitter followers, so obviously, he rules.

3) I added a so called twitter expert to my friends list and tried to follow his instructions. He’s on my facebook account, check him out, 21 year old millionaire. Really. ;)

4) Apparently, I need to fork out cash to automatically to add friends according to the automatic instructions.

5) Nearly all articles I have read about twitter say how people don’t like twitter.

6) Celebrities are thriving on twitter. I love celebrities. I’m following them all. I can’t figure out twitter. I’m not a celebrity. Let’s do the math A + B = C No twitter followers over here, yet!

Yes. Please.

Inspired choices. Yes. Please.

7) Writer fell asleep. No number seven. Shout out to Apple and the ipad.

*8) The boy genius expert advised me to use his software to add all followers of a famous person, well, there is no add all followers button. I can’t even believe I spent time looking for it. Can I have my two minutes back?

9) Someone out there knows how it works. Now I am back to square one. I know my friends on facebook say leave it alone, but I cannot deny it is a big presence in social media.

Stop thinking about it and just do it.

I’m no social media expert, and in fact, I’m going back to being a mom and wife. It’s much more satisfying. Lots of hugs and kisses, and unexpected words.

Your turn. Going the extra mile here kids.

11) What is your take? Do you like twitter? Do you use twitter? Is it basically another social media network? Is it a cell phone application? The people who are bloggers with lots of twitter followers, do you think they did it by using automatic applications that tweet for them?

As always, thanks for following. I ♥ my readers. You guys are awesome. Hope your day is beautiful and filled with love.

Thanks for leaving your comments. I appreciate them.

Happy Simple Life ✩ I seem to have misplaced my social networking strategy. ✩

Hey guys. If you are new here, welcome. If you are one of my return visitors THANK you so much for following my blog. :) You guys ROCK. I have the best blog readers IN THE WORLD.

t h a n k  y o u  v e r y  m u c h {smile}

just a little bit of fun ~ it’s okay you know.

It’s been quite a day here. All things are new and lovely. a car, a job, two new schools, bugs, a really big spider, card games, friends, a painted wall at our baseball field.

t h a n k  y o u  v e r y  m u c h {another smile}

I think the highlight of my day was seeing my two boys walking together to get their backpacks to come home from school.

They have the same walk. Sometimes I would swear they are twins separated by three years. I loved hearing my elder son giving my younger son advice.

My little guy walked out of school declaring We didn’t learn anything! I think his high hopes were quickly let down. My big guy explained the rules of the game. On the first day, you don’t learn all of the letters. On the first day, you just play. On the other days you’ll just learn one or two letters.

I could have melted. They both have their lists of things to bring and it is LONG. It seems to never end.

{later}

I was greeted today by my kids after their school with hugs and kisses. I mean a lot of kisses. They told me they learned things and you could see that they truly had a good time. It’s such a relief as a mom to know your kids are happy. Later we played bball. I love my baseball games. I was born to be a baseball mom. I never miss a chance to cheer my team on. That is when I’m not distracted by my friends. ;)

My job is going well. Teaching in this country is competitive, hard. I love it with my soul. They say you have to rule with an iron glove. I just concentrate on being strong. I could tell you stories that even I don’t believe in regard to comments I’ve heard in passing. But I wont.

t h a n k  y o u  v e r y  m u c h {ha ha!}

Just a quick question for you. I’ve noticed that most of my commenters on my blog are either blog owners or paid relatives. Is that a hint? Just kidding. I’ve gotten the most amazing comments from my readers and a lot of times people write to me on facebook. The one I loved most recently was a funny girl who said how my blog made her think and moved her.

Well. I also made one of my best friends cry. Sorry about that. I just want to let you know that your comments are important to me. As a blog writer, we work for comments but not all the time. Sometimes we are happy to know you are reading and hopefully smiling.

Hope this post finds you happy, lovely and in love. Smile. Believe in yourself. Have integrity. Forgive someone. Practice random acts of kindness.

L’unica che si riesce a rendere l’italiano cool. :) RM

Julie

All things beautiful and kind.

Were men and women meant to live in harmony together?

Somewhere, out beyond all ideas of right and wrong doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. Rumi

Why are men and women so different? Why do men love things that are dangerous and women love things that are sweet?

I live with three men. I grew up with three women. I can’t get over how different we are although sometimes we seem so similar.

Did God seriously divide the two of us at birth? Were we truly one being as the zen picture of the two swimming circles show?

My boys like adventure films, action, shooting, guns, trains, airplanes and playing sports to name a few.

My girlfriends and I like shopping, kindness, cupcakes, decorating them, dressing up, clothes, hair and nails.

How in the world are we supposed to live in peace if we are so strikingly different?

Field Trip to Garda Lake

Field Trip to Garda Lake

I’m having a hard time these days saying goodbye to my students. I’ve gotten numerous comments from my readers, family and friends who have told me they can see how close we have become. It happens every year, I can’t help it. I love my job. I love being able to watch the kids grow.

The truth of the matter is that they are the ones who make me grow.

One day, I took two of my students to the center of town shopping. They would hand me t~shirts to try on. I would hold up a shirt and get the teenage big eyed face lights up yes, or the opposite eye rolled absolute no.

all things beautiful ♥•*¨*•✩♥

One day, I brought my two boys with me on a theater trip to the town center together with my class. The Italian professor gave me huge compliments. My boys deserved them. They behaved so well, just smiled, had fun and were part of the group. I particularly remember watching the theater performance from the box in the balcony. I had gone up there with my two boys to rest because there was a red velvet couch.

Slowly but surely my students spotted me, and came to keep me company. In the end there were nine of us in the box and my boys on their laps. My boys sat forward with their arms crossed, chin on their arms watching the entire theater performance. It was magical. ´¯`»¸¸.·☆

We have five more days together before we part ways. It this what it means to be a mom, wife and teacher?

 

Swim away from the cake — updated motivational technique.

Hi friends. Welcome.

I am putting every ounce of myself to becoming a better blogger, writer and communicator.

Swim away from the cake!

More importantly is that I am trying to make a positive change in life.

Thank for visiting if this is your first time here. Welcome back visitors, feel free to leave comments, I truly appreciate them. 

What motivates you?

My best friend kicks my bum in tennis and probably anyone elses. When we were playing at university we were great partners. We spent our time between matches actually doing cartwheels on the court.

We were paired up with a couple of strong guys who were so serious about tennis. One day our coach pulls us aside and assigns us new partners. Not those guys, Not those guys, we chanted — they’d kill us at tennis.

Sure enough, we  found fantastic new partners, the super strong guys.

I’m building bridges here.

Stay with me folks. There IS a reason I’m telling you this.

The reason is this. I like to find what is behind someone’s motivation. Is it someone who comes over, puts your hand on your shoulder, smiles, and says good job, or is the person who gets behind you and yells ‘DO IT!’?

Ti voglio TANTO bene.

Ti voglio TANTO bene.

When I was on swim team in high school, my sister was my best motivator. She’d follow me back and forth across the lanes and scream ‘Go, Go!’ Her coaching strategy was swim toward the chocolate cake and away from the shark.

Just pretend

Be a kid and pretend you are the best. Walk across the room at this moment as if you have a cape on your back, I don’t care if anyone’s watching — all the better. Our mind will literally follow suit.

When my best friend and I were back playing singles tennis, she’d say Julie  — You’re going down with such conviction, I had no other choice then to believe here. Guess what? She usually won. She still does.

The point is, get out there, do your best.

Go! Go! Just get out there and do it! Be the positive change you want to see. That’s all we can ask, isn’t it?

Have a positive mental outlook and a strong belief that you can win. If you don’t believe in yourself, well then, I do. Go!

Have a nice day and thank you for visiting.

A #Blogger #Blogging about her #Blog {and such.}

Hello friends. Good to see you. New visitors welcome.

It’s another beautiful day. There is a smell of fresh brewed coffee. The kids are playing and the sun is shining. I live out in the country surrounded by fields of vegetables and orchards.

Because of what is called the lowlands, in the morning there is a nice white fog that extends the distance. It looks as if God painted a huge moving glorious postcard.

Sometimes while I’m driving to work, I see this white fog after a snow fall. It’s quite magical actually. It reminds me of the scene in Narnia when Lucy enters into the magical forrest.

I’d have to say it’s my favorite time of the day when you are between two places, home and work, just looking at the countryside, watching the birds take off. I see the same man jogging rain or shine.

Figure it out, figure it out, if you don't know how to do it, figure it out.

I notice the colors of the old withering farmhouses. I try to think of words that describe the soft colors of Italy.

The best words that I can come up with are soft butter, avocado and peach. Most of the old buildings are crumbling. I dream that I rebuild the home into a villa. Then I think, no, why would I do that? It’s so beautiful just the way it is.

The anticipation for spring is so strong, your hearts and minds start to see flowers. It’s a thrilling moment when the same snow covered field one day blooms. As we drive past fields of flowers, our family likes to say the colors, pink, pink, yellow, red, white, look, there’s purple.

Foggy mornings turning into sunshine days. Yeah!

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. Emmerson

It is nice to have you here with me. When I was just a little girl hum Doris Day, I wanted to be a published writer. I bought the beautiful empty diaries with angel covers. The first entry on the first page was always exciting with the anticipation of what I would write.

Life presents us with the solutions we are looking for.

As I write, I think of the people who have come across my words. Is writing crazy? Is it the same as talking to yourself in the mirror? If so, or, if not, even if people comment, the actual ACT of writing is me talking to me, right? Or is is you? See the confusion? I do. It’s ok though.

Be awesome. Be authentic.  Be inspirational.

Zero to Blog the film, the movie, the ebook

My ebook, Zero to Blog has been a journey of it’s own. I feel like the book wrote itself because it is information presented in a clear way to help people get their blogs on line.

I painted these for my sister. I see them when we Skype.

As a blog writer you have to figure it all out. I like that though. As my Uncle says, Figure it out, figure it out, if you don’t know how to do it, figure it out.

I suppose I watched too much TV and thought there was an actual book launch party. Maybe there are. In my real life, it didn’t quite go that way. The book launch party idea was to have a giveaway and a book signing. Well, it’s a digital book.

No bookstore. No signing. Or, digital bookstore online books signing party!

Beautiful just the way it is.

Now it’s your turn. I would like to know what you are working on. What is your favorite time of day? What images make you happy? What are ways can you describe color? What does your commute to work look like?

How do you sell your work. What has worked for you?

Thanks for stopping by, your comments are welcome.

i ♡ u

Jacqueline Kennedy throwing the bouquet at her...

Image via Wikipedia

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. ♡ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Sent from where I’m at.

I’m thinking back to a few months ago before I used facebook and before I had a blog. How simple was life then? I see how the internet is changing our lives. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Like my dad once told me, You can’t stop progress.

I’ve always been big on computers and technology. Couple that with me being a bit of a book worm and not too bad in school and that I like to read everything I can get my hands on. It only makes sense to start a blog and work on social networking.

While I was on vacation I had the pleasure of getting away from the computer. I think that was necessary. Necessary to see what I didn’t want to become: someone who spends his or her life infront of a computer screen. I want to live.

I’ve made some decisions and I’ve made some changes.

I’m spending way less time on the computer and much more time outdoors with my family. I just sometimes look outside and listen. That doesn’t exclude the fact that I love to write, to share and to connect. I like to watch my kids play. :)

♡ A house is a home with a soul. ♡

Blogging is a strange new place for me, lovely, yet newish. Let’s say I was a purist. I would write just for writing’s sake. Because I love to write. I also love to connect. I love that feeling when I am relating to people who read this and I hear back from them.

I like the comments. I love your comments. I think about them. I can’t believe how wonderful it is to communicate so fast and free. If you were far from home before email, you’d know what I mean.

Do we define ourselves by what we write? Or by what people say to us about our work?

I thank God for my teacher who told me on my first essay I wrote when I was a little girl that it was excellent. I wrote it in my journal and I’ve kept it. I’ll look it up for you if you’d like.

Today I got back an essay I wrote yesterday. I did it in one night and Mrs. Lannes gave me an "excelent." ;)

"excelent." ;)

Is it just me or is there a lot going on? Did someone say popcorn?

How do you organize or categorize life? I just do what comes naturally to me and that is to write it down to try to make sense of it all. Then I can come back to it later and say, yes, that is exactly what is going on, what I have to do.

On my list.

Two big things right off the top. One is back to school on Tuesday. It will be the first time in six years that my two sons will be at the same school. {Wipes sweat off of brow.} That should make my mornings a little bit simpler.

New website in the works.

My husband is a cook and a masseur. He liked my blog so much he asked me if I could make one for his business. Sure.

Here it is:

So I did. It’s super cool and I love it. I have it in the fine tuning stages, but soon all of you can see exactly where we have our little shop. I’ll get information in there for how to get there, store hours, pictures of the four little rooms. It’s a Day Spa he runs with his mom and their assistant. It’s cute. You guys will love it.

The house

Our house is a blessing all the way around. I don’t think one day goes by where I don’t thank God for having a house.

The Italians are much different then Americans when it comes to staying close to home. That’s just my opinion.

Our house needs attention ♡

It’s a 100 year old house that we have restored. If we leave the house for a week, it seems unrecognizable. I can’t get over how something like a house that seems like it is just walls, a roof and floors seems to be a living creature. Houses have their own souls. If you leave them alone, they’ll mesh with their surroundings.

The reason I’m telling you this is because I find our house needs constant love and affection. Just like my husband, myself, my family, my friends and my work. You have to give of yourself if you want your life to thrive.

Again, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong in the past.

I have been working on changing light bulbs, retouching here and there, adding some plaster if needed, buying things that get old and need replaced, refurbishing what I can and constant sorting of things. Everything has a place. Little hands seem to like to move them. Or perhaps there are night time sock and shoe parties where I’m not invited?

Hope this post finds you happy, lovely and in love.

Julie

‘Let’s eat Grandma!’ or ‘Let’s eat, Grandma!’ Punctuation saves lives.

Hi guys and welcome back to my blog. Thanks for dropping in.

Do you often check your stats?

I was humbled when doing my internet research and came across blogs that have a reported reader base of 300,000. I was so excited about my first 1,800. I went into the kitchen and told my husband. He was lovely and supportive. He said Julie, give it a chance, you have only just started.

Time to reflect.

Time to reflect.

He’s absolutely right.

I am reminded to thank God for my many blessings.

I spend a lot of time figuring out the basics, how to choose a picture, how to get my categories and my archives visible.

There’s a lot of behind the scenes work going on that I don’t know if my reader is aware of.

Here’s a little award going to the behind the scenes workers at this blog. Someone needs a little love and appreciation today. Smattering of applause.

Some people added me to their lists of blogs they like to read. This brought new visitors. Thank you. It is a nice friendly surprise ~ sort of like a present you didn’t expect.

More Readers Comments.

I set you free now and every moment.

Be young. Go ahead do something impossible. Could anything be more sweet?

Most comments are super supportive and positive. Thank you! A guy left a comment saying anyone who writes their biography in the third person is a dork. I deleted it. I reserve that name for me from people I truly love like my sister, my husband and my best friend – who by the way also call me Mutt, Monkey, Jules, Julie Bulie and JB.

Each Word You Say Represents Who You Are

Often when my younger students use questionable language, I sometimes give them a tiny note, a wink and a smile.

Give.

They told me in person It’s not our fault.

I told my sweet and smart students I’m going to buy you a shirt and write It’s not my fault on it for the amount of times I’ve heard that. I love that they have added me to their facebook accounts and include me in their lives. Hi guys! :)

They gave me a couple of toys to play with at school: a spinner top, a stand up Winx as big as my index finger and a poofy top Cars pen.

Smiles. Silliness. Wonder.

Just how cute this is? Wouldn't this make a great gift?

Everything is going to be okay. Really!

Life is Participation.

I walked into class and some of my students noticed I got a new hair cut. They gave me compliments. I think were sincere. Although at the moment my hair is getting really long.

I’ve learned so many things from people and living lately. I would say the number one thing I have learned is how to be a nicer person. I mean it. I surround myself by lovely people and I thank you for being here right now in this minute reading these words. Hi! Welcome.

I’m Still Smiling.

I received a ton of stuff from my loved ones. Thank you so much. They continue to spoil me. I don’t know what I have done to deserve such wonderful treatment but I try to be humble and thankful.

My kids got a lot of clothes, toys and candy. I get love.

We talk about health, not smoking and going the extra mile – and flossing. how knowledge will make you a better people. We talk about how making decisions now effect the rest of our lives.

Miro. Love it!

Miro. Ha!

I feel privileged to be a writer and a teacher, to talk to them and to you too. I’m also enjoying every beautiful minute of this glorious day. Thank you.

I know I got through to my class because they got real quiet and started listening, eyes transfixed. We talked about health we talked at length about existentialism, fatalism and Christianity and dreams. They get it. Kids are smart. They are our future.

As always, I hope this finds you well, happy, lucky and in love. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read and visit. Have a great day.

Julie

Be inspirational. Be inspired. Note to self: Try harder. And smile. Everything is going to be alright.

A Sweet Afternoon ~ Semi Abstract~Fine Art Canvas print

Bl❀ggity bl❀g bl❀g.

Hi friends and welcome back. Nice to see you. Welcome new visitors.

Hello Africa! Hello Asia! Hello Europe! Hello Australia! Hello Canada! Hello south America and above all hello U.S.A! Did I leave anyone out?! Hope not!

What motivates you?

Key kitty kitty kitty. That's me talking again to my cat. : )

Key kitty kitty kitty.

My best friend kicks my bum in tennis and probably anyone else’s. When we were playing at university we were great partners.

We spent our time between matches actually doing cartwheels on the court. Sometimes we’d do them during matches. :)

One day our coach pulled us aside and assigned us new partners. Not the Chinese, we chanted. They’d kill us at tennis. They were serious players.

Sure enough, my best friend and I found ourselves paired up with fantastic new partners.

I’m building bridges here.

Stay with me folks. There IS a reason I’m telling you this.

The reason is this.

I ask you, What motivates you most? Is it someone who comes over, puts your hand on your shoulder, smiles, and says good job, or is the person who gets behind you and yells ‘DO IT!’?

Can I let this go? Will I let this go? When? Now.

Oil Painting I made for my BFF.

When I was on swim team in high school, my sister was my best motivator. She’d follow me back and forth across the lanes and scream ‘Go Julie!’ Her coaching strategy was swim toward the chocolate cake and away from the shark.

The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

I prefer swimming towards the chocolate cake. But I think both motivators will work.

When we were back playing singles tennis, my best friend would look me in the eye and with a sly smile say You’re going down.

She’d say it with such conviction she would win! I think this is called psyching me out.

She’s an awesome tennis player.

The point is, get out there, do your best, don’t be afraid of things that are new, go towards your goals and model good behavior hopefully doing cartwheels inbetween.

Have a nice day and thank you for visiting.