Last week (On The Flipside) I had a chance to sit down with Minnesota Viking Bryant McKinnie who just returned from a trip to Rwanda and Uganda. His journey was as part of a missionary trip with Pros for Africa, where he teamed up with other NFL players to bring aid to Africa. He had some great insight and invited me and the crew into his home for the interview.
We were also able to get some video clips and photos from his trip to build into the edit…so, you can watch it below. Usually I wait until I have all my segments to edit into one show, but for now I think I’ll just post them individually and also edit the full shows when I have all my content, so be on the lookout for that On The Flipside!!
I am SO HAPPY and PROUD to congratulate one of the newest members of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush – RACHEL (#24)! I have been working with Rachel since February, after meeting her during the Miami Pro Dance Convention I coordinated for Going Pro Entertainment. Following that successful event, she enlisted my one on one consultation services to fine tune her dance, flexibility, appearance, interview skills, etc… ALL the details for her to be audition ready! Rachel is a Miami Beach native who decided to head to the Bay Area to pursue both her dance and career goals (she’s an MIT grad – Chemical Engineering). I LOVE success stories and hers is one of pure dedication, commitment and heart to reach her goal. She certainly earned this well-deserved opportunity!! I’ll have to put her on as a “Sideline Distraction: On The Flipside” soon!
Once upon a time when I lived and worked in Phoenix, I was a host/reporter for a Friday Night High School (Football) Sports show called “Friday Night Fever.” Every week I would cover one of the ‘marquee’ high school football games and also do a feature segment on a standout student athlete…which I hand selected from dozens of nominations that would pour in!
Well, a couple weeks ago while I had Sports Center running in the background, a name and story caught my ear…that of Arizona State Univ. wrestler Anthony Robles…and I just knew he was one of my ’student spotlight” segments from 2005! Anyhow, this past weekend he became an NCAA champ and I just want to say I had him years before ESPN picked it up! LOL Really though, I love a story with heart, a person who strives for their goals, does whatever it takes to become the best at what they do and simply does not give up until they find a way to success! Well, it was evident in him 6 years ago, and the fact that he has had to overcome an extra obstacle makes his story all the more admirable. CONGRATULATIONS to Anthony on his latest achievement!
Anyhow, I dug deep in the tape archives, fired up the VCR and uploaded my Anthony Robles segment from when he was starting his senior year at Mesa High… Watch the flashback video below….
I was recently interviewed to be featured as a spokesperson for the inaugural “My Empowoment” campaign by the wonderful women of Social Esquire. My friend Jamila asked me to do an interview and I was very flattered that she wanted me involved. I think it’s a great cause and I applaud these women for taking the initiative to create this campaign! EmpoWOMENt: (verb; \im-pau-wimin-ent): to promote and embrace ones own self-actualization by using positive thinking to make change, through growth that is self-initiated, and never ending.
My Empowoment is an ongoing initiative to raise the awareness of issues facing women globally, and to financially contribute to non-profit orgnizations that benefit woment in need worldwide. This initiative is driven by the passion and desire of Social Esquire. Our goal is to make a direct positive impact on the female population, who suffer at the hands of injustice.
If you are interested in being a part of the Empowoment movement, please contact us at empowoment@socialesquire.com. Take charge, Take action!
Here’s the “interview” I did on Empowoment:
**Note – I am so much better at being the interviewer as opposed to the interviewee! lol
They also have a tweet-a thon- happening March 8, 2011! It’s a great cause…check it out!
“One Life, One Love, A Powerful You!” On March 8, 2011, Social Esquire will host a tweet-a-thon from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, to celebrate women’s “EmpoWOMENt.” We will also be honoring the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, by raising awareness about issues effecting women globally. International Women’s Day, celebrates the economic, political, and social achievements of women worldwide. EmpoWOMENt is an international grassroots initiative that encourages women to promote and embrace ones own self-actualization by using positive thinking to make change, through growth that is self-initiated, and never ending.
Our goal is to donate a $1 to a local and international charity, for every tweet that includes #empowoment. The local charity will be Honey Shine Mentoring Program (a program of Alonzo Mourning Charities, www.honeyshine.org), and the international organization will be the Global Fund for Women (www.globalfundforwomen.org). Each organization supports women and girls, who are experiencing challenges and difficulties, at different points in their life.
This will allow people worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to the betterment of women and girls, while also raising awareness.
A lot of people are always curious about what it is that I actually do (for a living), and there’s often no easy answer to this question because I don’t have typical 9-5 job and I don’t have one company that I do “work” for… My best explanation is that I am a TV Host/Reporter…and essentially that IS what I am! I graduated from SJSU with a Broadcast Journalism degree and have been working in TV for the past several years. These days, I’m a “freelancer”…meaning I work on a contract basis and sometimes I get called in for recurring (production) projects and other times it’s a “one shot” deal. So, my schedule varies and I will travel for different gigs, because that’s just how it is! Anyway, I completely forgot to tell my friends and family to tune into Lifetime this past weekend to see a couple segments I did for a show called “Here’s to Your Health.” The show focus’ on health-related issues and I will be doing field reporting for them. Well, luckily you can watch those segments (that aired this past weekend), right here….
Another project I have been working on, is as a video host for Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us websites…so if you’re online, don’t be surprised to see me on your computer screen soon, talking about toys and everything baby! Here’s a photo from the set where I’m hanging out with a T-Rex!
And — another behind the scenes shot in the “nursery!”
Today is my baby brother Adam’s birthday! He’s a LIBRA like me….and of course he adores his BIG sister!! Sure he’s been a pain in my @ss…but he’s growing up to be a fine young gentleman and I can’t believe he is 25!!! What??? Whoa…
He’s in the Air Force reserve…and he has 2 main passions in life… BMX… which I’ve seen his countless bumps, cuts and bruises, but he always continues to ride…
and his Subaru… He puts A LOT Of money into this expensive hobby, but he does a great job..very passionate!
BUT… I know he’s most proud of having 3 loving big sisters! See “us” like 5 years ago…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM! LOVE YOU LOTS BABY BRO!!
P.S. Yes ladies..he is SINGLE… so, not everyone line up at once, but he is taking applications.
Happy Birthday to my little (big) sister Adrienne! Yes, I’m older but in life she is noticeably “taller.” 29 years ago, 6 days before my birthday, she ended my run as an only child… and she’s been following me around ever since! j/k Her September 23 birthday falls on the Virgo/Libra cusp, so when I don’t want to claim her as a fellow Libra…I excuse her for having Virgo tendencies! lol
I am so thankful and blessed to have Adrienne as a sister. She is smart, kind & wise… AND no matter what, she is there for me. She is also a very talented designer and I love to brag about her whenever possible!
So, if you’re in SF, be sure to check out posters ADE designed for “Where Art Lives.” The life size posters are up all along Market Street. You can also see more of her work on her website http://adrienneaquino.com
Here we are circa 1984 with our baby sister Alison…
Three of my close friends have all welcomed new additions to their respective family’s in the past month…3 new babies!! So, I wanted to give them a warm welcome on my blog because I am so excited to meet them!!!
First up is Naomi Sky – 08.12.10, 8lbs 14oz, 20 inches long
Then came Kingston – 08.19.10, 6lbs 12oz, 19.5 inches long
Completing the “trio” of new babies is Jake – 09.10.10, 6lbs, 9oz, 19 3/4 inches long
Here’s a photo from the set where I’m hanging out with a T-Rex!
He puts A LOT Of money into this expensive hobby, but he does a great job..very passionate!
