Turn off the lights and let the world continue to shine

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, I am taking part in Earth Hour-a global event in which millions of people will turn out their lights to make a statement of concern about our planet and climate change. I want to invite you to join, too! Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour got started just two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Last year, more than 50 million participated and the lights went out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few. Even Google's homepage went black for the day! In Israel, President Shimon Peres personally turned off lights in Tel Aviv.

This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger-already 250 cities in 74 countries have agreed to take part including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville with more signing up every day. Around the world cities like Moscow, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Mexico City will turn out their lights.

But Earth Hour isn't just for big cities-anyone can participate. To get a better sense of the event, check out this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjWD8pbK5t8

Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and free. I hope you will join me for this amazing event. To sign up, visit http://www.earthhourUS.org where you'll learn more including ways you can spread the word about Earth Hour, plus creative things to do when the lights go out in case you need inspiration!

We want the US to turn out more lights than any other country in the world during this historic event so please pass this note along to anyone you think might want to take part. Let's all turn out and take action on March 28 at 8:30 pm.

It's been a while....

Soooo Sorry!! I have be so crazy on the new site, but crazy in a great way. Have you had a moment to take a look?? As the New York Bridal Fashion Examiner, I've been meeting with designers, vendors, and if there is a bridal event in NYC, I'm there. I do feel like Carrie Bradshaw (yup Sex and the city is playing in the background on my tv) of the bridal world. As I tell people, I don't claim to know everything, but I'm having a blast while I share what I do. If you would like, you can subscribe to the page AND you don't have to be a New York bride to benefit from the tips. So stop by, share the link with your friends and I'm always looking for new things to write about, so send me a note or post if here.

Oh my gosh...do you remember the piece I wrote "Miss Patty" back in December? Well, it was submitted and accepted to be a part of an anthology book being prepared by Sloane Kettering Memorial hospital. While going through treatment I met a wonderful woman Judith who is my writing coach and is helping me write my book (which I've got to write some chapters this week - I know, I know!!). She is in charge of this evening for cancer survivors and their families and she asked me if I wanted to be a part of the evening and reading. So I submitted 3 pieces - 2 were accepted and Miss Patty will be read - by - an actor (she won't tell me who, says it will be a surprise. My dream would be Maya Angelou to read it - I would simply be over the moon, but I don't think it's Maya) that night at the event. So I will absolutely keep you posted on that as I get more information.

What else is going on?? Like so many people worldwide, still interviewing, looking for a 'real gig', trying to keep my spirits up and not stress about it. That's difficult for someone like me who seems to 'worry' about everything and everyone. I am trying to limit that, but some days it's just too hard. When I think about the bonuses that were given out at AIG, and OH MY GOD...Bernie Madoff having the NERVE to ask to be let out of jail until his sentencing...What $3000 bottle of wine are you drinking?? You have taken life savings of people - including some of your own family, and you want to be let out of jail to go back to your $7M appt? I think the judges were right to make him stay in prison. I don't think there is any reasonable person who thought they would allow him to be out - flight risk or not. A part of me wants to feel sorry for him, but I just can't. He deserves what he gets and he should be glad that the lights are on and cameras are watching him 24X7. Bernie when you do bad things, bad things will happen to you. He created this reality and sadly he will have to live in it.

The only other thing that has left me a bit sad (and I didn't know her personally, but have seen her around the city) was the death of Natasha Richardson this week. She and her husband Liam Neeson were so sweet to people that recognized them. I think the great thing about living in NYC is that we are so used to seeing celebrities that we are rarely shocked if you see one in line at the bank or supermarket. Like I said I didn't know her personally, but it touched me. I really hope that her family and friends are surrounded by her memory and are comforted that she isn't in pain.

I know, kinda sad way to end the blog this week huh? You know what...it's almost 1am and I really can't think of anything else to write so I think I'll leave it here.

This next week will be a good one - I can feel it! I wish you a GREAT WEEK and I'll see ya again soon.

Capture the moment with a smile

This is a very special week for me for a lot of reasons. First, it’s the first week that I’m another year older (dear God, I hope wiser), and I’m feeling good. Secondly, I’ve been able to check off a lot of things off my list of 25 things to do…

As you may have seen, I’ve officially become a ‘published…actually columnist’. YEA!! I am now the official New York Bridal Fashion Examiner at www.examiner.com. What does that mean? I write about anything/everything that has to do with weddings and bridal fashion. For me it’s fun. I love any reason to get dressed up, even though I don't do it often enough. NO, not necessarily am I walking around town in a bridal dress (that would be crazy, even for me), but I do go to a lot of events and have the opportunity to interview people who may be interesting to my readers. While it’s a p/t position, it really does take a lot of time to do the work, but I enjoy it. I’ve actually received some positive feedback, and I hope I get better as a writer. Hey, one never knows where this can lead right?? So click on the link - OFTEN!! Even if you're not living in NY, you can take advantage of some of the tips I'm going to post.

I have a busy week coming up – Tuesday, I’ll be on the Mike and Juliet show, Rachael Ray show on Wed, and bridal events Wed. and Thurs nights. In between all that, I’ll still be looking for a job and who knows…maybe writing will become the new career. Hmmmm. Ok, so with these 2 additional shows, I only have 2 more to go to and still more than 1/2 the year left. EASY!!

One of the 25 was to ‘capture the moment’. We were really lucky in NY this week as it snowed and we had the first ‘real snow day’ in a long time. I spent time in Central Park photographing the park and the people in it. As I walked around in the peace and true quiet of the park, with the snow falling and the wind blowing, I felt so peaceful. Then you hear the squeals of children as they sled down the hills in the park and it was magic. I was really lucky that I was able to ‘capture their moment’ of pure joy; having fun and not minding the cold. Sooo much fun and it made me think – it’s times like snow days when you really want to have a child (or just act like one). You can be an adult and still find the moments for a snowball fight or making snow angles under the guise of ‘playing with your child’. If you don’t have children, then it’s ok to let your ‘inner child’ come out and play – no one will think your strange.

I wanted to change someone’s life this year. Not just my own, but I wanted to have an impact in someone life. So I found the perfect opportunity and will be doing it on Saturday March 7th. What am I doing?? Being tested to see if I’m a bone marrow match for someone. Why? Well, when I was little, my maternal-grandmother lost her sight. I always wished that someone would donate their eyes so she could see again and I remember thinking that if I could ever make a difference, I would at least try. So this is being done in honor and memory of my grandmother, Charlotte Green. I don't know if I'm a match, but you won't know until you try right?

Jasmina Anema is a 6 year old little girl that I don’t know. What I do know is she is already in the fight for her life. She is suffering from a rare and especially fatal form of leukemia that will probably kill her soon if she doesn’t’ get a bone-marrow transplant. My heart goes out to her for several reasons, including the fact that she is adopted, and has no siblings so finding a donor match is really hard for her. What makes it especially difficult is that in the national donor bank, African-Americans are underrepresented in the network. When I looked at her big brown eyes I just couldn’t not do it. I’ve already been a registered organ donor (for 10 years already), and want to feel like I can do something. The test to be a donor is really easy (a simple and pain free; just a swab of my cheek cells) and won’t take any time at all. Let’s put it this way, for the amount of time it will take (5 min), if it could help – why not? I may adopt a child one day and if this was my child, I would want, as many people as possible to offer to help if they could – wouldn’t you?? So if you are African-American and want to make a difference, call the national donor bank in your area for more information.

Finally, I did take a picture with someone famous “Chase” - my artist. I’ll spare you – cuz I don’t like it, but he’s famous and I did take my picture. I’ll work on having a photo with someone else famous at another time.

A very good week – and you know what…I’m happy for the first time in a LONG time.

I did it - I jumped in the deep end of the pool and just pray I don't drown. What did I do, I applied, was accepted and now am a full-fledged published writer. YEA!!!
Check out the latest news written by yours truly. OK, click on the word "NY BRIDAL EXAMINER", or on the link at the right hand side of my blog...

I don't claim to understand all about marriage even though I have a good model to follow - my parents, but I do know how to throw a party. One of my former part-time jobs was as a bridal consultant for a large department store here in NY so this is a part of where I'm taking my expertise and where I feel I can offer advice to these brides, grooms and anyone who wants to throw a wonderful party.

So check it out - send me your comments, feel free to ask questions and I'll be happy to get back to you. This is just another way to look through "Lisa's Lens".

Yes I'm slowly checking off my list of things to do and I'm really pretty proud of my self. Ok, so I've got a lot to write and have to get started. See ya soon.