Well that was a FAIL.

I wanted to write for 30 days straight and I miss day 2. Nice one. Lucky for me it takes only 21 straight days to form a habit. So, I can start now and still form this writing habit before my next vacation! We'll just forget that the whole "31 days" blog ever happened. It'll be our little secret.

"If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow."
Louis L’Amour

Well said, Louis. Well said.

I'll turn on the faucet and you'll all be drowning in a torrent of prose unleashed up in here! Starting...tomorrow.

30 Days

You’ve heard of that FX network series 30 days? It’s puts a person or group of people in a situation that they would never have found themselves in, and see how they handle it for 30 days. It all started with the sociological experiment by Morgan Spurlock (who also happens to host the show) that resulted in the documentary “Super Size Me.” Well, I’m going to conduct my own little 30 day experiment. Basically, I'm going to write in an entry in this blog for 30 days straight.

Alright, it might not be as sociologically intriguing as making an avid hunter live with and as a vegan for 30 days, but it’s my way of forcing myself to keep writing. And wouldn’t you know it? 30 days from now happens to be the day we leave for vacation. What perfect timing!

Well, aanywaay....



I took another step towards my “Trip to Japan” goal today. I’ve started teaching myself Japanese. So, Konichiwa, otomo-dachi-suckas!! I’m even going to teach myself some Katakana as well. It shouldn’t be too difficult. I did take one semester of Japanese back in the 90s and did fairly well. By the end of the semester, I was able to read the lyrics from some of the Japanese songs at the Karaoke bar. So, I think this is something I can learn on my own.

Check out my fancy little widgets I’ve added to my blog – the “Japanese Word of the Day” and a little Koi fish pond. I think I’m turning Japanese. I really think so.

31 Days to Paradise

In exactly one month from now, I'll be basking on the beaches of Hawaii. Where I'll be gathering more material for this blog, along with seashells, lava rock and ancient talismans (Is the correct plural here talismans or talismen?).

Alright, I know, taking anything off these islands are strictly taboo. We all remember what happened to poor Greg Brady who wore that idol around his neck during the surf contest. I will not be risking that.

The last time I was in Hawaii was August of 2008. Here's the blog of the time we were there to visitKona and Maui. However, that trip was just Brian and I. This time we are bringing my 15 year old daughter, Spencer and our 8 year old son, Trenton. It will be there first time in Hawaii.

We will be spending the first night at the JW Marriot Ilhilani, Ko Olina Resort in Oahu for one night. Then two nights in Waikiki. Then we'll island hop over to Maui for 3 nights at the Marriot Maui Ocean Club.

Needless to say we are all extremely excited. Yes, Spencer squealed, as 15 year old girls are wont to do, and then danced with delight when she first found out. She also had no qualms about missing 3 full days of school and knowing she will need to catch up on all her honors and AP classes. Yikes!

So, What's the Strategy?

I’m going for a Social Media strategy…blogging, tweeting, yelping, picasa-ing. I’ll be using this blog to document my steps to obtaining this trip…learning Japanese, taking a Flower arrangement course, becoming a pro at origami…In the meantime, I’ll also be blogging about my own trips, restaurants, points of interests, etcetera, etcetera, ad infinitum…

So, I guess what I really need are some followers. That way those judges will know that the things I'm writing about are actually being read. But hey, one step at a time!! This is only my second blog entry!




So, you! Yes You!! The random person that just happened onto the blog by clicking the wrong link on Twitter. Let me know in the comments what else I could do to get ready for Japan. And yes, I’ve already taken a course in Sushi making, so I’m good there. Oh, and while you’re here…become my first Follower and you will win the right to have your pic/icon right here on the right border of my blog for all (or as of now, none) to see!!

My Trip to Japan

I know it’s a long shot, but hey, you can’t win anything you don’t try, right?
Ugh, there goes the negativity again…Starting off this whole blog with “I know it’s a long shot.” My husband always warns me about prefacing things with negativity. Like “I know it’s past the 30 day return policy because it’s been 31 days, but can I please return this?” Yep, that’s me. You’ll probably learn a lot about me in this blog, and I’m ok with that. I’ve got a trip to Japan at stake. So here it goes.

Basically, Japan’s National Tourism Orgainization has proposed an initiative to give away 10,000 flights to Japan to increase tourism since the industry has been hurt by the Tsunami and on-going Nuclear Radiation threat. Of course, this is all pending examination and approval from the government. But, I’m not going to think negative here, remember? They will definitely be giving away trips and I’m going to try to snag four to bring my family.

So, stay tuned!!