Steve-O!

What fun! Steve-O from Jackass came on the show today. Jeff and I had a blast interviewing him and I even got him to show us his back tattoo. This job may be crazy and stressful at times but nobody can deny how fun it can be :)

Birthday Time!

Sometimes it's the simplest of moments that is defining.

For me last night for my birthday dinner sitting at the table surrounded by the people
who love me most it came to me.

After months of confusion, uncertainty and a deep nagging feeling that perhaps I had made the wrong move leaving the comfort of Eugene, it all came to me that this was it.

Being able to spend a birthday close to home and be with the people who I love the most I suddenly knew that my decision was the right one. Sure I had many wonderful birthdays in Eugene and I will always cherish those memories ...but what was missing was family and now I have it.

Once the thought came to me it was easy to know what to wish for when blowing out my birthday candles...and that is exactly what I did..

Comfort

Working at Channel 7 feels more comfortable everyday. Today I planned a wonderful surprise lunch for our morning show producer Ellen. It was so nice to have several people from the station show up and wish her a great birthday. Things have changed so much in the last few months. I went from complete stress and sadness from leaving Eugene to finally starting to settle down and make friends here. It's a very good feeling. Tomorrow after the show I am going to head down to the Twin Cities to spend my birthday with my family. We are having a little get together at my house with some of my closest friends. It doesn't get much better than that. Now I have a job I love and am close to my family. I still miss Eugene a lot but things are starting to look a lot more hopeful :)

Happy Change

It's been a very long time since I have posted but I wanted to give everyone a quick update. I am finally settling here in the Cedar Valley and starting to feel more comfortable by the day. It's been a hectic few months with many emotions and changes in life. Though I miss Eugene daily, at the end of the day I know that I made the right decision for me both personally and professionally. I am proud of myself for taking this big step --one that feels like it will lead me to many new adventures in my life. I have faith this step will bring me something very exciting not just professionally. I plan to keep you all posted.

Looking Forward

It's late and I cannot sleep. Seems as though my schedule is still on Eugene time and I cannot bring myself to fall asleep even though my entire family is in dreamland. Next week I start my job! I cannot wait! It was very nice to have two and a half weeks to relax and spend with my family before starting work but now I am beyond ready to start my new adventure. My first day on air at KWWL will be October 24th which is just over a week away. This is a interesting time in my life. I am very excited to start at a fresh station with endless possibilities but I still miss Eugene and my old friends.

It's funny how I am not going to go back though it feels as though I am just on a vacation with my family and will hop a plane back to Oregon at the end of it. The last few weeks have been such a whirlwind and I must say I am proud of myself for being as strong as I have while saying goodbye to a place that I Loved with friends who I deeply cherish and care about.

Eugene was amazing and I will always hold a special place for it in my heart but I knew that it was time for me to go. I had advanced all I could at the station and had fallen in a very predictable pattern that had continued for too long. Comfort can be a very good thing but when you stay in it for too long you cease to grow. Despite amazing viewers, several people who cared for me greatly and dear, dear friends--I made a choice for me. I made the choice to go.

NO it was not easy. I had several moments of regret and many nights laying awake wondering if I had made the right decision. I think deep down I have come to terms with this--that you never quite know if it's the right decision but you must take the risk and the chance. I needed to do this for me or I would always wonder "what if"

Several people have told me they feel as though my life is going to "fall into place" very soon. I don't know if that is true or what exactly that even entails but I do know that I am proud of myself for taking this step and am going to continue to look forward..to what the future holds.

Waterloo/Cedar Falls and the in-between time

Life is good. I mean really, really good. Yes, these past few weeks I have had a range of emotions mostly sadness however, things have turned a page in the last couple of days ever since I got to Minnesota.

My last few weeks in Eugene were very bittersweet. I dealt with my final show with Seth, my final show EVER and saying goodbye to good friends who have become more like family. It is certainly not easy to leave a place you love so dearly behind but now that I have and I am back home in the midwest I am feeling like a brand new person.

I have so much to look forward to! I start my new job at KWWL on October 19th with my first day on air being October 24th! I also found out today that the "Today In Iowa" show I will be co-anchoring just won a regional Emmy Award! I am so excited to work with a talented group of people and a station with such talent and rich history.

These days at home are so rare for me. I have nothing to do and it feels amazing. My car is still in Eugene and I am waiting for it to get shipped here so in the meantime it's lots of relaxing, catching up on emails with old friends and eating my mom's delicious home cooking! I cannot wait to move to the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area and start my new life. I feel so very blessed for this opportunity and to have my family three and a half hours away makes it even sweeter! Please continue to follow my journey!

Change

These days I am dealing with change.

It's the scary word that starts with a C and has turned my life upside down. I never knew how attached I could get to a place and it's people until I was forced with the option of leaving. Yes, in case you have not guessed by now; I am leaving Eugene and have taken a job in Eastern Iowa at a fantastic television station, KWWL.

The emotions are intense.

Happy to be wanted and the chance to further my career with a talented group of people but also such extreme sadness to leave all that is familiar and comforting. The impact of this decision will be felt in so many ways and so many times--but deep down I hold the reassurance that is IS indeed the way my life is supposed to go. I hurt mostly for the wonderful friends and loyal viewers who have supported me for so long. I know what people say --that your true friends will always be in your life but the fact remains that nothing quite stays the same.

I also have great excitement. A new challenge awaits and I cannot wait to have new adventures and meet new people that I will also grow close to. It's the in between time that is the hardest.

One of the quotes that has helped me deal with this is the following:

"Those who want to be in your life will always find a way--the rest will only find excuses"

I find this comforting when I think of the close relationships that have developed in recent months. That indeed at the end of the day those who really want to come visit, call, maintain contact or generally be in my life will always, always find a way to do so.

A Website I LOVE!

I would strongly suggest to any of my fabulous female friends to check out the website

singlewoman.net

It's full of inspiration, fun and Mandy Hale's "Dash of Sass"

I thought today's was especially inspring and wanted to share it with you!


Courtesy: singlewoman.net

Quote of the Day:

"If the guy you’re dating doesn’t seem to be completely into you, or you feel the need to start ‘figuring him out,’ please consider the glorious thought that he might just not be that into you. And then free yourself to go find someone that is." ~Greg Behrendt

The Single Woman Says:

When a man wants to be with you, truly wants to be with you – he’ll be with you. Simple as that. There won’t be excuses, angst, drama, explanations, apologies, other women, shadiness, uncertainty, if’s, and’s or but’s about it…HE WILL BE WITH YOU.

When a man is truly feeling a woman, he will make a way. Ain’t no mountain high enough or valley low enough to keep him away. Period. End of sentence.

Sassy ladies, if a man's being shady with you, choose TODAY to cut him loose! A true diva is too busy walkin' on sunshine to chase a man in the shade!

Fox News @ 10 Pay it Forward Challenge!

When was the last time you did something nice for a perfect stranger? Before you answer that think carefully about the question. A totally selfless act for someone you have never met before and have nothing to gain anything from? Well...... what are you waiting for? :)

This week I had a special challenge for my lovely Fox News @ 10 viewers! I called it the "Pay it Forward Challenge" I asked people to go out, do something selfless and then share the story with me!

The response was overwhelming! From viewers on my facebook page to emails in my inbox I was humbled by the generosity of everyone.

Here are a few of the stories I got.

At the grocery store - an elderly man rode one of those store carts up to his car - I waited in my car until he was done unloading it, got out and offered to drive it back to the store for him. He was very appreciative.

I bought my neighbor breakfast :)

I remembered today as I was going thru the starbucks drive thru. I covered the car behind me and a good tip. I found myself trying to drive away quickly, as i didn't want the car to hunt me down. Yesterday I introduced myself to my neighbor and bought her lunch

Sometime ago, we stopped at our favorite coffee stand. I'm a beaver, my wife a duck. An older couple (like us) pulled into the other side of the drive by with beaver flags on their car. I told the gal in the coffee stand we would pay for the coffee for the beavers. She told
the other couple as we were starting to pull out. The look on their
faces was pricless as they strained to look through and see who would
do such a thing. You never lose when you pay-it-forward.


These are just a sampling of the messages I got! Imagine how one act of kindness can press forward? My example from today is one of them.
I stopped to buy coffee and bought one for the person behind me.

When I got to work one of our reporters said loudly in the newsroom "Sombody bought my coffee today" Turns out she had gone to the SAME coffee stand as myself but the person who bought her coffee was A MAN.! I would like to think that me buying coffee for one person spurred several others to do the same! Today is a blessed day

The Little Things

Like a sunny Friday morning in Eugene with good friends, lots of laughs and a general sense of happiness. Remember the little things because one day you might wake up and realize they were the big things...

Thought for they Day

Rapunzel tells us one thing about love climbing the highest tower becomes less difficult if someone at the end gives you reason to hold on.

Love My Friends!

Coming back from Minnesota had a bit of sweetness in it though. I was greeted at the airport by my friend Kari and a big huge "Welcome Back" bouquet! It took the edge off of missing my family and made me smile.

When I got back to my apartment, I saw that Katie had left it sparkling clean as well! SHE also left me a dozen yellow roses to greet me. I felt blessed that is UNTIL I got to work.

LOVELY FLOWERS FOR ME


Katie is the biggest prankster I know and just look at what she did to my desk! I cannot believe she spent all that time just wrapping things ..it must have taken her hours! It was maddening but made me laugh! Oh friends...you never cease to amaze me!

MY DESK WAS SARAN WRAPPED!


EVEN THE COFFEE MUGS WERE VICTIMS!

Some Bitter Some Sweet

As I sit here reflecting on my week in Minnesota I realize that I always come back to Oregon with the same feeling. It's always bittersweet and contemplative. Back to the job I love and the friends I miss but, with a heavy heart as I miss the family and friends I leave behind. Though I always know I will come back soon it doesn't change the fact that I am far away from them again.

The week was fun, interesting, mesmerizing, surprising and overall just what I needed to re-charge my batteries...

Minnesota..I miss you already.

Thought of the Day

Really LOVE this one!


“You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months overanalyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could've, would've happened...or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move on.” ~Tupac

Thought for the Day

What's truly meant for you, you won't have to grasp too tightly. True love makes your heart sing, not cling.

"Love Shrinks"

I just finished an amazing book that touched me in many ways. The book "Love Shrinks" is a profoundly moving account of a marriage counselors unraveling of her own marriage. In the book she chronicles all the reasons she decided to stay in her marriage for as long as she did even though deep down she was deeply unhappy.

The book is divided into separate sections in which she headlines "Why I stayed in my marriage" and lists memories and wonderful times that kept her from getting a divorce while other chapters focus on her daily struggles of living the life of her and her husband being more like roommates than lovers.

Her writing is simple yet emotionally charged. It's truly a love story of freedom and the ending will bring tears to your eyes. I haven't read a book I loved so much in a very long time :)

How true is it that we stay in relationships for too long for all the wrong reasons? Perhaps you are comfortable or hoping things will get better or maybe you stay for those good times which become scarcer as time goes on. Whatever the reason this book will open your mind and your heart.

Here is a review of the book
"A relentlessy honest portrayal of what a marriage looks like that should end but doesn't, where the couple should hate each other but don't. With wit, charm and intelligence, Sharyn Wolf examines the reasons she stayed stuck; the old wounds and unmet needs that kept her attached when she should have let go. Love Shrinks is for anyone who has stayed in a relationship too long for all the wrong and yes, sometimes, right reasons. You'll cheer when Wolf finally breaks out. And just maybe it will remind you of someone you know."—Susan Richards, author of Chosen by A Horse

Rhody Fest!

Can you spell Rhodedendron?

The annual Rhody Festival in Florence, Oregon celebrates this beautiful flower and brings the town together.

Here is what a website I found has to say about it:

The Rhododendron festival celebrates the wild rhododendrons that thrive along the Oregon Coast and officially begins on Friday evening with the Rhody Pageant to crown "Queen Rhododendra." The festival includes a wide variety of fun and events throughout the weekend include parades, flower show spotlighting specimen rhododendrons grown by coastal inhabitants. car show, arts and craft fair, 5K run, carnival and much, much more.

Katie and I headed out bright and early Saturday morning for the festivities and I had no idea what to expect. I never expected to have such a blast! The Rhody Parade brought out tons of the colorful flowers along with floats and tons of performances. Here are some pictures from the event:

The sunshine came out shortly after this picture was taken right in time for the parade!



Florence has a ton of antique stores and Katie snapped this shot of me being totally silly. What a great time! My new friend "Mr. Zebra"

Zumba!

It's sweeping the county and the world and I gotta say that I too have jumped on the Zumba bandwagon! I LOVE the workout! The music is great and it's like one big dance party. Honestly, if you LOVE to dance and want to get in shape, then Zumba is the thing for you. Right now my gym, Eugene Swim and Tennis only offers in on Wednesdays but I try never to miss it! It's a blast...have any of you tried it?
I am really trying to get in shape and so far this is my workout schedule

Mondays: Step class
Tuesdays: Yoga or treadmill workout
Wednesdays: ZUMBA
Thursday: Treadmill workout
Friday: Rest day or Treadmill

It feels great to be getting in shape!

I'm Back

A couple of months ago I decided to stop blogging. I am not sure if it was the fact that I thought nobody was reading, or that I just felt like I was putting myself out there too much or what but I simply stopped.

I didn't think too much of it until I got a tweet from a viewer who asked me why I wasn't blogging anymore. It gave me pause. I honestly didn't think anyone was really reading it. He went on to say that everyone he knows reads it. Wow. Of course this could consist of just a couple of people but I have to remember why I started in the first place which was to find a way to share my life with others.

I suppose being a public figure I feel at times I am bordering on "too personal" when it comes to what I write about but then again when I think about it, the things I share come straight from my heart and I have received positive feedback from many of my inspirational blog entries. I think I will keep it up for now and see what happens.

Happy Reading and I am back.

Love you Nani

Everyone remembers where they were when 9/11 happened and I will always remember the moments of learning about my dearly loved grandmothers death.

It was friday night and I had just gotten home from work. I was bustling around in a good mood since it was Friday and then I checked my phone. My little brother had left me several messages telling me to call him right away...that is how I found out.

I sat in shock for several moments and then the tears came. My nani was a big part of my childhood and the only grandparent I was ever close to. She lived with us for several months and years in Minnesota and I have so many fond memories of her. She was hilarious! Joking and laughing in punjabi about things that were as X-rated as you could imagine and I cannot think of a single person who did not love her instantly when meeting her. She was close to my best friend Pam and even my friends who couldn't speak her language loved her. She had a presence that was larger than she was. She survived many things including losing her daughter a couple of years ago and surviving stomach cancer. We had many long talks together about life and she was there when I needed her most.

She used to call me "thee" which in punjabi means daughter and loved old songs and movies. She was an amazing person..she got married at the age of 13 and went through so many things.

I have a picture in my apartment of the two of us together that I will always cherish. I love you and miss you nani...thank you for all the good times.

Amazing Hair Oil

Wanted to tell you guys about a great new product I have found to leave hair shiny, silky and Oh-so sexy! You must try The Macadamia Natural Oil™ line of professional hair care products

My sister recommended it to me when I visited her in Minnesota last week and I knew I had found one of those amazing beauty products

The bottle costs about 14 dollars at beauty stores and the line includes shampoos, conditioners and a hair mask.

The secret is in the special Macademia nut oil that offers a light and silky sheen to hair, especially hair that is dry, treated or color damaged.

Give it a try, you will be GLAD you did

Release Your Attachment

It's a constant struggle for me to release that which is something I desire so badly. This article helps me keep my focus.


Think about something you have gotten easily. You were probably somewhat relaxed, and didn’t get upset every time something didn’t go exactly as planned. You stayed in the flow, and knew everything would work out ok. Positive expectation and a relaxed manner will really go a lot farther than obsessing about every little twist and turn your life takes. Life is full of twists and turns, and they often lead to something better, but only if you believe it and stay in the flow.

Someone in my life once said about attachment, “It’s like being attached to a sunset, and getting upset when it is over. Why? It will rise and set again.” Even if you don’t know when something will happen again, if you believe it will and stay relaxed, then it will come back to you. This happens in my garden a lot. In the past I obsessed over getting certain plants to grow and flower, and I was most often unsuccessful. Due to my many gardening failures, I just relaxed. I watered when I thought it needed it and fertilized on occasion, but I stopped obsessing over how many flower buds were on each plant and what else I could do to make my plants flower more prolifically. Of course, once I stopped this, flowers started popping up everywhere! Of course, I didn’t neglect my plants and I made good choices for my zone and the individual plant’s needs, but I just let my plants grow at their own pace. Now they are rewarding me beautifully, and I am most appreciative.

Take time now to think about areas in your life where you are and have been successful. What emotions and attitudes did you have? How can you translate that over to areas where you still haven’t gotten everything you want?

Also remember, everything happens in its own perfect time. If you haven’t yet gotten what you are desiring, acknowledge that you may be sending negative vibrations, and that it may not be the perfect time. Relax, have faith, and go with the flow! Send positive thoughts towards your goals. Keep them pure with positive energy, instead of cluttering up your goals with doubt and negativity. You always want to feel good about what you are wishing for.

My life is flowing along at the perfect pace for me. I relax, go with the flow, and enjoy life! I love the journey and the destination and release attachment to the outcome. I have fun no matter what I'm doing!

Fox News @ 10 is on Facebook!

Hello fellow bloggers! I have been so lazy at the blogging and promise to get better! I would like to urge you all to follow my new facebook page! When you "like" it you will be able to get all the updates from Seth and I about breaking news, weather alerts and random fun stuff too.

You need to search for

Natasha Chughtai Fox Eugene

then hit "like"

and you are done!

See you on Facebook

Asian Celebration 2011

I had a wonderful time at this years Asian Celebration! It's always so much fun to see the amazing lion dancers and the Portland Taiko drummers perform!
This year we did something special and had a moment of silence for Jack Harsongkram and Connor Ausland, two boys killed on the Oregon coast a few weeks ago. Here are some pictures from the event.


I emceed with Liz from Mix 94.5. It was her very FIRST time at the Asian Celebration.




New Friends





With Kayla, she performed an Indonesian Dance!

Carlita!

It is SO fun to see old friends like this last weekend when I got to see my old pal and co-worker Carla Castano!

She is working in Portland now and continues to be one of the most talented, aggressive reporters that I have ever worked with.! We got together and had a wonderful time --I miss her! Here is a picture from her visit!

Fun Times

Could I be facing a mid life crisis at 31? Sometimes it darn well does feel like it. I say this mostly tongue in cheek but on days when everything is overwhelming, cloudy and the end is nowhere in sight it can certainly seem this way.

Life however holds unlimited amount of hope and I am seeing these in small but significant ways. These days there is a lot of possibility in the air. It's exciting! I am making a lot of changes and working towards my future and while the unknown can be a little scary, I have stopped fearing change :)

For a long time I was stuck in a rut and going through the motions letting life come at me and guide my course. Now I am taking charge and making my own plans that are not based upon anyone else or any different circumstances.

It's also a fun time. I am getting out, having fun ...Making new friends and exploring new places. I got rid of a futon that I had for years the other day and opening up my space has also opened up my head. Funny how something small like that can make a big difference :)

Have a wonderful day and wonderful weekend. I will be at the Asian Celebration and I would love to have you come join me!

A Heckuva Good Book!

Ok it's book time! And have I got a fun one for you! I had a wonderful time at the Eugene public library yesterday and it was one of those days where I just happened to score all around! I have had mediocre days (couple good books, a couple duds that sit on your shelf and gather dust) and downright bad days (every single book you pick up bores you to tears within the first few pages) but, yesterday every book I saw was PERFECT FOR ME!

I wanted something light, funny and an easy read and I found it. It's called "Breakup Babe". I know it sounds cheesy and lame but, it's actually beyond hilarious. I stayed up till 3AM reading it. Its a true story about a Seattle thirty something who gets dumped by her boyfriend of two years and starts a blog to help her deal. Her writing is witty, easy and clever and it's hard not be amused by her experiences in the dating world. Here is an excerpt from the book


Sunday, August 11, 2002
12:58 PM Breakup Babe

Hello, my name is Breakup Babe. Tomorrow I get to go to my new job at a large Seattle software company, where my office is right down the hall from the man I thought I was going to marry, who just lied to me, cheated on me, and then dumped me on my f*cking a*s.

That was the paragraph that started it all. I had no idea that starting a free weblog called Breakup Babe would change my life. It was just something to do to keep me sane. But what I’ve learned in the last year is that things never turn out how you envision them. When your life cracks open, like mine did, you’re messed up at first, and because of that, you do stupid things, but you also grow and change in ways you couldn’t before. Then, suddenly, you’re a lot closer to “happiness” than you were–even though “happiness” looks different now from what it did when some creepy-crawly bastard broke your heart.

But let’s start at the beginning, shall we?


And it just gets better from there! I would highly highly recommend this book if you just want a good laugh!

REACH Helicopter!

I had another wonderful day of shooting Upbeat stories for my series "On The Upbeat with Natasha Chughtai"

The BEST story we shot yesterday was going up in a tiny REACH helicopter to see how the medics transport sick victims to hospitals. These guys are really really heroes! They fly all over the state picking up critically ill victims that they transport to hospitals in the golden hour. I had a wonderful time going up in the chopper and learning all about what these guys do! Here are some pictures from yesterday!

WITH MY PHOTOGRAPHER LOREN RUARK


WITH THE REACH TEAM, PILOT, PARAMEDIC AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

Asian Celebration!

I am excited to be part of another year of the Asian Celebration here in Lane County. I emcee the annual event every year and LOVE the great food and friends I meet along the way.



This year the theme is "Nurturing Traditions"

I just shot my promo for it and will post it soon but, I hope that you will join me February 19th and 20th at the Lane Events Center in Eugene. Admission is four dollars.

Enjoy a colorful cultural festival February 19 & 20, 2011 featuring more than a dozen Asian heritages through non-stop performances, food booths, Asian marketplace; cooking, crafts, and martial arts demonstrations; a fine arts exhibit; children's activity room, game room, and so much more! Hours: Saturday 10 am-7pm; Sunday 10 am-6pm. Admission is $4, free for ages 12 and under.

Weekend Bliss

Who doesn't wait for the weekend and rightly so, it's a time to relax, rejuvenate and recharge those batteries! I had a great one this time around. Friday night I got to spend time with good friends and went to a lovely local winery on Saturday. Today was my favorite day of all though, I got the chance to relax and go to one of my favorite places, the Eugene public library! I also cleaned my apartment from top to bottom-it's completely sparkling now. I even scrubbed down the cupboards in the kitchen. It feels so good to be in a clean and organized place. I am also sharing some pictures that were taken of me last week at work by my former intern Ryan. He brought in his state of the art camera and snapped these shots.

Here is just one of my sitting at the news desk!



Laughing up a storm



Before the show!

Just At The Right Time

I bring up Mike Dooleys notes from the Universe again and again because they are truly amazing and wonderful bits of love that can benefit your life.

If you want to sign up go to Tut.com (they are free)

In the introduction for one of his books he instructs readers to flip to any page in the book randomly and see how it applies to them specifically. Amazingly the notes that he sends out have different meanings to me on different days. Sometimes he is so spot on that it is scary.

Is this coincidence or another one of Gods Winks? Take yesterday for example when I really really needed to hear this.


It wasn't ever supposed to hurt, Natasha. You weren't ever supposed to cry. And I never dreamed you'd sometimes feel so helpless.
Yet, as things have turned out, lots of folks have trouble getting out of bed on cold, dark mornings.
Anyhow, Natasha, should there also be the occasional pain, tear, or touch of sadness beyond that, please realize these were anticipated, bargained for, and even sought after. As each would illuminate your resiliency, prove your strength, and help you blast through every flimsy notion that would otherwise keep you from seeing that even now I hold you in the palm of my hand and that all things are possible.

Such a deal,
The Universe

Yep- that's not just random

The Small Voice

Where you are right now .. It's exactly where you're meant to be. Trust the process.

Oh how true is this saying? But, how many of us actually believe it. It's so so hard when are in the thick of things to see that perhaps it is best for you. That God is showing you a lesson or making you stronger or paving the way for something bigger and better to come into your life. I see this now as truer than ever. Have you ever taken time to listen to that small still voice inside of you. The one that when you ask a question comes bubbling to the surface but we shove aside?

Call it what you will, intuition, Gods voice or something but if we listened to it more it would guide us and teach us.

It's up to you to listen..About a week ago I asked God for a sign about a decision I was grappling with and now I have it. Though the sign may be painful it's a sign you are on the right path in life. For those of you who feel as though you cannot ask the Universe for what you want, I urge you to try it. Every single time I have--the answer has presented itself in one form or the other.

Ask and it's given. As hokey as it sounds it has come true over and over again in my life.

Skype!

Skype! Where have you been my entire life!

A friend of mine suggested I use it and after a simple download, I was ready to go. The instructions are very simple and it's quite user friendly. I was able to add a friend in Denver and my family as well. I was a little concerned as to how the quality would be but, it's amazing! I can talk in my normal voice and don't have to yell and it was no problem.

I was so excited to skype with my family. The whole family got together and we talked for about an hour. I was able to show them my apartment, pictures and even some new clothes that I recently bought. I Love SKYPE! I cannot believe I didn't know about it or experiment with it before--it has literally changed my life and for a news orphan who is far away from everyone she loves, it is a true miracle! And to top things off it's FREE...! Whoo hoo...find of the YEAR!

When God Winks

What are your thoughts on coincidences? Most of the time we don't think of them as anything but that--a mere coincidence. But what if they were much more? What if they were "Gods Winks" to you. A way of telling you whether you were on the right path?
Think about it--if you were God and you wanted to communicate with humans without words how would you do it? How about coincidences and signs? This is the subject of a facinating book I am reading now called "When God Winks" and it explores this theory.

Think about these coincidences in life.

On 2002, Seventy-year-old twin brothers have died within hours of one another after separate accidents on the same road in northern Finland. The first of the twins died when he was hit by a lorry while riding his bike in Raahe, 600 kilometres north of the capital, Helsinki. He died just 1.5km from the spot where his brother was killed. “This is simply a historic coincidence. Although the road is a busy one, accidents don’t occur every day,” police officer Marja-Leena Huhtala told Reuters. “It made my hair stand on end when I heard the two were brothers, and identical twins at that. It came to mind that perhaps someone from upstairs had a say in this,” she said.

In 1930s Detroit, a man named Joseph Figlock was to become an amazing figure in a young (and, apparently, incredibly careless) mother’s life. As Figlock was walking down the street, the mother’s baby fell from a high window onto Figlock. The baby’s fall was broken and Figlock and the baby were unharmed. A year later, the selfsame baby fell from the selfsame window, again falling onto Mr. Figlock as he was passing beneath. Once again, both of them survived the event.

Have you had a God Wink Today?

A is for Ashram!

ASHRAM! Do you know what that is? I am learning so much about them while reading "Eat Pray Love" which I am sure by now you are getting sick of me talking about. The book is fantastic. Little nuggets of wisdom and purity wrapped inside a story that is both compelling and achingly sad. I want to write like Elizabeth Gilbert! Her words are simple but crafted together so well. I learn not only from her story but also the way she writes. Her style is basically pretty damn amazing.

I love the part where she travels to India. She spends her days inside the quiet solitude of an Ashram- a place of worship where she meditates for hours and has many experiences that bring her closer to God.

Reading this delightful book makes me want to book a one way ticket to India and become a complete devotee, staying in an Ashram forever where I can process all these thoughts that go through my head. In stillness we see things we can never see in haste. I try to take moments of stillness everyday but, it's the type of stillness one can achieve when the only goal you have is to sit in silence for months.

Maybe I should put this on my bucket list? Visit an Ashram..hmmm..something to ponder.

Mani Pedi Fun!

Sometimes you feel so down that few things can cheer you up. I have been kind of down in the dumps lately and so when my good friend and co-anchor Seth Wayne suggested we go for mani-pedis, I jumped at the chance.

Something about being pampered and sitting with your feet plunked into a hot tub of water with someone else doing all the work is just so relaxing and rejuvenating. I even got a flower painted on one of my toes. It made me realize that I really need to pamper myself more. If I don't do it for myself, well then who will?

Check out my toesies! I had my fingers painted the same color!

Delicious Black Bean Tortillas

I made these last night and today and they are low calorie, high fiber and delicious and nutritious for you!

What you will need

1-can black beans
1-can diced tomatoes with spices
2- Low carb, high fiber Tortillas, you can find these in the tortilla section in Albertsons
Pinch of salt
pinch of cumin
pinch of cayenne pepper
Tapatio or some sort of hot sauce

Directions
Heat up a saucepan and add black beans and tomatoes,
stir until warm, add cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne
Heat until the mixture is thick and not much liquid is visible
Spoon onto tortillas roll up and enjoy

Fiber powerhouse, low calorie and will keep you full for hours.

Weight Loss Blues

Why oh why is losing weight so hard?


It seems the only way I can ever succeed is to starve myself to death and then end up gaining it all back in a moments weakness like last night for example. I had done so well all day, low carb, low calorie, feeling like those skinny size 2 jeans would fit me in no time -and then, all of it gone in a moment of sheer gluttony. It was as I was driving home from work and the thought of a taco--just one from Taco bell was almost too much to bear. I couldn't STOP thinking about it and it was almost like the drive thru pulled my car right into the lot. ! Grrrr.

Two tacos and a lot of fire sauce later I stared guiltily at all the wrappers and condiment packets on my couch and let out a loud sigh. Losing weight---HOW HOW HOW? :)

I will get there someday. I did it before but, it was pure resistance and about 800 calories a day. Besides the light headed ness and feeling like faiting on a daily basis, I did alright. I know what you are thinking if you are reading this-totally unhealthy. :)
Alas the journey continues.

On another note I do allow myself a cheat day every week and that was last Saturday. The highlight came in the form of a delicious Oreo cheesecake from Sweet life ...Yummmm...Wouldn't life be great if one pill provided all our nutritional needs and we didn't have to worry about the come hither pull of oily pasta, cheesy pizza or a batch of crisp steaming hot french fries....

I better stop talking about it before I make another bad decision...

So True...

No one ever gets tired of loving. But everyone gets tired of waiting, assuming, hearing lies, saying sorry, and hurting.

Football Madness and More!

It's the BIG huge BCS game today and the whole town feels like a ghost town. Businesses closed early, bars are jam packed and everyone is cheering on the DUCKS including me! It's amazing how much this city gets into the local team and I think it's pretty awesome but, I must admit that being at work is a bit of a relief. I don't have to worry about driving or dealing with any of the crazyness--in a way it's a relief.

I woke up this morning feeling a bit strange. I had gone to sleep reading the book "Eat Pray Love" and it's message is so powerful. I loved the movie and the book is even better. I love the concept of waking up one day and taking charge of your life. Deciding that enough is enough and you are going to put yourself first. It's a powerful reminder that we all have a choice as to what we decide to do in our lives. We can choose to be happy or choose to be sad. We can choose to stay or choose to leave.

You can't lose what's not yours, keep what's not yours, or hold onto something that doesn't wanna stay.

Read this off of twitter today and it seemed especially true. I need to apply it more to my own life and situations but, I also have a quiet hope in my heart that I am moving through the stages I need to go through to heal and move on with my life..I'm proud of myself for the accomplishments I have made and the ones to come.

GO DUCKS

Latest Anchor/Reporter Reel

My latest compilation of my work

Thoughts of the Day!

Continual, petty criticism is the mark of a small mind; you have to be little to belittle. ~John Maxwell

Today: Stop renting your confidence from everyone else & start OWNING it. Aren't u worth the investment?

There's nothing to fear about rejection. It's either God's protection or a nudge in a better direction.

It's the charm & grace of a strong woman that makes her unforgettable.

Healthy Eating

So it's day two of my healthy eating plan and I must say in only 48 hours I already feel much different than I felt just two days ago. I have more energy today than I normally have for a weekday and it feels great. This morning I scrambled up three cage-free organic eggs and paired them with two slices of multi-grain 40 calorie toast. I may have added a little bit too much salt but, the end result was delicious and kept me going till about 3PM where I had a bowl full of broccoli and couliflower for lunch. Dinner tonight will be more black beans and more veggies. It's delicious and I am looking forward to meals more than I have ever before! Carbs while not ALL bad really do weigh a person down and can spike blood sugar levels out of control. I recommend starting this program if you want more energy throughout the day and also to lose weight or kick start a weight loss program. This weekend will be tough but, I am already planning out my meals including black bean tortillas and maybe some homemade soup!

One thing is for sure it's time to start eating healthy. I have spent far too long eating complete and total crap! :)

Healthy eating in 2011--bring it ON.

Black Bean Power

Last night was fun. I came home after a long day, snuggled into my warm jammies and did the most nerdy thing I could think of, read a book and research things online. As some of you know I have been trying to curb carbs and eat healthy and I found several articles online to help me reach my goal. The last few months have brought on some emotional eating that needs to stop! Time to take charge. I have decided to incorporate the following into my meal plan. Though I don't have much to lose I also enjoy the energy rush that comes from eating food such as the ones I will be incorporating into my meal plan over the next few months. Staying AWAY from white pasta, white bread and anything starchy.

Breakfast---egg white omelettes, salsa, and two slices of 40 calorie toast

Lunch---can of stewed tomatoes with hot sauce, half a can of black beans , or cut up veggies with low calorie salad dressing

Dinner--some lean protein and more black beans,

Why so many black beans you may ask? They are a nutrition powerhouse! Full of fiber and low in calories they will keep you full for hours! In fact, I still feel like I could burst from my breakfast which included mixed vegetables with black beans. They are also easy, you can grab a can for under a dollar at any grocery store and full of flavor if you add the right spices to them.

Just read this!

Black beans are not only low in fat, but they're also quite filling due to their high fiber content. This makes them a satisfying way to reduce hunger cravings which can lead to unhealthy splurges; and at only eighty-five calories for a half-cup, they're not likely to pack on the pounds. They're also a good source of protein to satisfy hunger and help maintain energy levels.

Also a ton of water. I have found that drinking Propel flavored water is a delicious way to get my water intake and feel like I am drinking juice! Drink water it's the best way to feel full. I will keep you all updated on my weight loss progress!

Another New Years Picture!

This is going to be a great year!

2011-Bring it ON!

It's 2011 and it's hard to believe. A year can seem so long and so short at the same time. Everyone always jumps on the resolution bandwagon when the new year hits but, few of us take the time to analyze what we really want. What are you looking for? What dreams do you have and more importantly what would you feel inside if you already had what you wanted?

Tonight on Fox News @ 10, I plan to share some of my goals for this year and they include but, are not limited to:

Curb the carbs--eat healthier
Organization--a clutter free life
Learn to play the guitar--have ALWAYS wanted to do this
Pay it forward, random acts of kindness---bringing about good to those around me

In my life I am faced with a decision that could bring me immense happiness but fear is holding me back from many things. How do you face those fears? One thing is certain--the decision we make determine the lives we lead. Make sure those decisions are good ones.