The Latest Archive

2011′s Favorite Things

– December 31, 2011Posted in: Jeanette-isms, The Latest

Many times, it’s the little things that keep us humming along and sometimes, there are bigger discoveries that we make along the way that work their way into our life for just a reason, season, or sometimes, a lifetime. These are just a few of the things that have tickled me this year, some discovered this year and others simply still relevant from previous years. Having visited the Himalayas and two races this year, some “project-specific” items inevitably made their way onto this list. I discovered some of my favorite snacks via my nutritionist and am celebrating the umpteenth year in a yogurt addiction. The things that are “non-things” are part of the fabric of my lifestyle and the Mac Red lipstick is a part of the ensemble on my nights out! If you’re looking for ideas, this is a great place to start…the following list most surely is a reflection of the opinions of the writer, moi!

BEAUTY & FUN:
LOL/WTF/LMAO/OMG Wines: These wines are hilarious, clever, and inexpensive! The wine itself is comparable to something like the Yellowtails in that they aren’t anything off-the-charts, but the entire line covers most of the major wines and the concept is trendy, a conversation starter, and fun! I bought these for fun holiday gifts.

MAC Red Lipstick:
This was my first foray into red lipstick and boy did it open up a whole new door for me! Bold and bodacious! Go into a MAC Store, try it on for the day, and see if you don’t go running back for it AND the matching lipliner the next day!

Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT or Mac Highlighter: We’ve all seen how the stars have the beautiful eyes that look bright and glowing…well, this is how they do it. This product will wake your eyes up as soon as you apply it. It’s expensive, at about $40, but I found a good substitute in the Mac Prep+Prime highlighter. Check ‘em out!

PROJECT-SPECIFIC:

NIKE LunarGlides: the right running sneakers make ALL the difference during a race. These were my Godsend!

Adidas Climawarm running pants: You need the right pants so that you’re not 1) tugging at them while you’re running 2) in pain the next day because your pants weren’t supporting your muscles 3) at a loss of where to keep your keys, gum, card, etc. These keep you warm, have a girdle-like affect around your legs, and just make you look fast!

Garmin Watch: Ideal running conditions include being as light and hands-free as possible. This watch gives you your pace, mileage, and total time, leaving your hands free to pump away!

Icebreaker gear (bra, shirts, underwear): I needed all sorts of merino wool gear for climbing the Himalayas and this was great stuff!

FOOD:
Frozen Yogurt: I realized that I have an addiction when I redeemed my reward for spending $50 on fro-yo. I don’t discriminate: Yogurtland, Pinkberry, Red Mango, 16 Handles, Phileo Yogurt, Berrywild, mom and pop imitations…they are all delicious! I have trouble passing by a frozen yogurt store without going in. One day, I ate frozen yogurt on 4 different occasions, simply because I kept passing them!

Almond Milk & Go Lean Kashi: Ever since I discovered this combo, it’s been my breakfast of choice. I love it! low calorie, high-protein, and most importantly, delicious! I would just have this on auto-order if I could!

Soy Crisps: this is a guilt-free and actually healthy snack! You can get about 10 grams of protein in a bag and it’s less than 150 calories and most importantly delicious! These are not to be confused w/ rice crisps or baked chips which have no protein…go soy! Get single serving bags and try all the flavors!

Trident Tropical Twist Gum: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had someone who I was talking to compliment me on my fruity fresh breath! And I’m a fan of function as well as form, so you better believer that this gum delivers as well! This gum lasts longer than any other one that I’ve chewed. I chew it when I run, workout, teach, or need fruity fresh breath! Try it!

I NEVER LEAVE WITHOUT:
Beggars Purse: This is always a hit amongst friends and cashiers alike! It’s where I keep my money (cards don’t fit) and the older it gets, the more authentic it looks! It’s at the MOMA Store and I bought it myself after seeing one of my customers pull one out!

Lululemon Bag: This bag holds my laptop, gym gear, food, and basically a full’s day worth of necessities without making me look like a bag lady! I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on this bag, use it practically everyday, and it has lasted me for about 3 years. It’s a miracle of a bag…seriously.

Business-card sized subway maps: Yes, I’m a city girl at heart, but I am not too proud to whip out a subway map to ensure that I stay on track and this allows me to do it discreetly! You can print some great things on the back and this one has the address to a church I’ve gone to. So, many times, I’ve give the whole map (and church flyer) to strangers who have asked me for directions!

Baby wipes (flushables): The advent of baby wipes for adults has changed the lives of adults across the world, I am sure! Even Tyra banks talked about it on her show! It’s gotten to the point where I carry my own little carrying case because I committed to using these for life. I didn’t get one of these decorative ones, but oooh, I think I might now!

NON-THINGS:
Vintage Shopping: I cannot tell you how many incredible pieces I’ve picked up from Housing Works, Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet. These are all places to which I owe my Marciano dress, Zara dress, Calvin Klein dress, London Fog trench, and countless other items that I would have never been able to afford. Thank you!

Clothing Swaps: Don’t sleep on these! Organize one with your friends or find a way to get into one so that you can get clothes for free! I owe my fur-lined leather jacket and countless adorable pieces to these memorable events!

Books: There are so many amazing books out there and the good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to build your personal library! I’ve even bought so many books from here to send to friends because I wanted to share great reads with them! See here and Buy here!

Restaurant.com/ 8coupons.com: You get a bill for $100, then you hand over a coupon to the waiter for $50, and you’ve basically paid $25 each for an incredible steak dinner at one of the top Steak houses in New York City! And then with 8coupons or by checking in periodically, you can snag these certificates for only $1 or $2 as opposed to the standard price of $25. It’s a great secret!

Social Media: Twitter/Twitpic/Wordpress/Facebook: As wary as I was of social media before I signed on, it has been responsible for a lot of connections, of the personal and business sort, in my life. If managed in a way that it is efficient and effective, which looks different for everyone, you can stay in control of it and reap many benefits!

Optimum Movie Rewards: If you’re a Cablevision customer, get this! You can watch movies for free on Tuesdays and half-price every other day! I owe my movie knowledge to having this service!

Starbucks Member Rewards: If you’re a Starbucks drinker, get this! You get free refills on your coffee and every few coffees, you’ll get a coupon for a completely free drink and then you can buy that delicious drink in a Venti size cuz it’s “on them!” It’s free and there is no catch, so just grab one from the counter at your next coffee purchase!

I just realized that I could go on and expand this list into news stories, inspiring people, great events, recipes, and more intangible items that were part of my 2011, but that would make this article way too long for your taste, I’m sure! Those things will have their own dedicated entry so that for now, you can enjoy this light and fun list of things that you can go out and grab yourself. I wish I could send you a basketful of all of these items Oprah-style, but that will have to wait…maybe in 2012! Thank you!

2011 Men’s Health Urbanathalon & Inaugural Brooklyn Marathon

Jeanette

– December 31, 2011Posted in: Health & Wellness, Jeanette-isms, The Latest

Several years ago, I came across this race and petitioned all of my friends to get on board with me. And then I balked at the $100 registration fee and backed out myself! Then, the following year, they weren’t doing it in New York again! The next year, again, no New York. Finally, this year, 2011, it was back! And I was ready! I signed up for the Urbanathalon and the Brooklyn Marathon straight away because I wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip through my fingers again and I had a loose plan to use these races to raise money for the school in Nepal I had helped! So, there I was, all signed up and ready to go! That’s the crucial first step necessary to commit yourself and get the ball rolling, not unlike booking the plane ticket of a trip. I operate on a “Bite off more than you can swallow, and then trust that God will help you chew” mentality. And so, not having ever done anything like this or having the proper running gear or having the time to train did not phase me in the least. All I knew was that I wanted to do this and so, I took it one step at a time. Just like when you’re driving, you never see the whole road, but as long as you have headlights lighting the first few feet of your path, you know that eventually, you’ll get to California!

And so, my next steps included training, therapy, and gear!

TRAINING:
A combination of the NIKE Running Club, the NY Running Company, the iMapMyRun App for my Droid phone, Hal Higdon’s book, Marathon, and just general surveying and researching were responsible for building a strong training regimen for me. I knew that most marathoners followed marathon training schedules and so I decided that this would be the best way to structure my training. And since the Urbanathalon would take place in the midst of my marathon training, I was killing two birds with one training regimen! The week I returned from Nepal, I had already begun running w/ the NY Running Company just to get in the mix with the right people, information, etc. I ran with this club and the NIKE running club, simply to give me more scheduling options. Someone put me on to Hal Higdon’s book Marathon and in here, I found my marathon schedule! I inputted all the runs into my calendar and was looking at three weekday runs (5-8 miles each) and one Saturday run (13-20 miles) every week. The long runs are the ones in which running partners are so necessary. It’s physically and mentally so helpful to be flanked by runners when you get to those double digit mileages.

It stuns me when I think about running an average of 13-16 miles on Saturday mornings during the course of my training. I remember the first time I hit 16 miles, I thought that my legs were going to give out. The girl I was running with was going for 18 and I was gung-ho, ready to rev, right behind her. But I was all bark and no bite, as I started waning after 13 miles, whining by the 14th mile, sputtering at 15, and literally limping by the time I stopped at mile 16. I told her to keep going, save herself, as I needed to recover and walk the last two miles. It took two miles for my legs to feel again and I suddenly understood the concept of training your feet and legs to simply endure such impact. The second time I hit 16.5 miles, it was part of a 19 mile run and I just couldn’t do it anymore, once again! My legs were jelly as I rounded the 16th mile and I just had to walk. The funny thing is that I had an appointment scheduled for when I estimated that I would be done running. So, in order to maintain that time, I had to take a taxi back to Niketown, the start and finish point! I always laugh about people carrying metrocards w/ them when they run, just in case, but now, I get it!

My life really started changing once I was well into my training. I started thinking about running as a means of transportation. When running 8 miles on a regular basis, so many places suddenly fall within the circumference of your running regimen. I don’t remember how it began exactly, but I started combining my training run with appointments for that day. For example. I ran to Hoboken to meet girlfriends for pizza. One day, I ran from 42nd St to 34th St to get my nails done and then ran to Mott St to get a facial and then ran to 21st St to take a spin class. With my little pocket on the back of my pants to hold my credit card and metrocard, I was unstoppable! The craziest undertaking was when I ran to Hackensack to get my hair cut…9 miles away! I arrived to all these places sweaty, but not stinky, and giddy off of the unorthodox intersection that I had found between life and training!

Another reason why long runs are important are simply to learn what works for you through trial-and-error. Every detail counts when you’re going to be at something for 26.2 miles! For me, I learned that my must-haves are: an ipod shuffle, proper running pants (w/ a pocket in the groove of your lower back), proper sneakers (love my Nikes), gloves (w/ a key holder are great), a mile-tracker (my Droid works, a watch is better), a headband (since I had bangs), and if running to a specific and unfamiliar address, the navigation function of GoogleMaps.

THERAPY:
I tore ligaments in my ankle two years ago. I hate to admit it, but it’s true when people say that your body’s “never the same” after certain injuries. I wasn’t going to let that stop me from signing up for these races, but I also had to be smart and manage my limitations. I started visiting the physical therapy office in my gym when I felt pain after an 8-mile run one day. Andre instructed me to stop running for a week and even entertained the thought of my not running the Urbanathalon. I rejected that notion violently, but agreed to pause running for one week. After reassessing the situation, we settled on a regimen of daily ankle-strengthening exercises and weekly physical therapy visits, concluding with Andre wrapping my ankle in preparation for my next-day long-run. I was grateful for the graciousness and attention that I received from West Sides Sports Med. They were truly instrumental in my success, physically and mentally. I was wailing during a portion of all my visits, as Andre would massage deep into the scar tissue on my ankle, but coming from Chinese descent, part of me took solace in the belief that the pain signaled progress!

It’s so important to be verbal about something that you want to glean information for. I must have spoken about needing therapy or recovery and lo and behold, someone recommended the reflexology spa that would soon be responsible for helping me recover after my long runs and both races! While I was putting my body through all this trauma, it really helped, both mentally and physically, to have someone tend to the resulting inconsistencies and imbalances. Again, I was in serious pain during this time. I would be squirming as the massage therapist would knead the pressure points in my foot that corresponded to muscles in my back, hips, legs, etc. I had white-knuckle grips on that chair, but it was good, it was all good!

GEAR:
I knew that I needed a the right gear. And I knew it wasn’t going to be cheap. But being Chinese and a creative, I didn’t exactly have the money or the mentality to throw all my money into this personal project. I bought gear on a need-to basis little by little, but can say with confidence, that there is value in the right gear. Pockets in your pants, pants that support your legs, gloves that keep your hands warm, underarmour that keeps your body warm, the right hat that keeps your head warm, sneakers that become an extension of your body…all of these things make a difference in the comfort of your run. If you are tugging at your pants, have no tunes in your ears, have cold fingers, have cold air seeping under your hat, you are going to be miserable. You want to get these things squared away so that your energy can be economized for the important thoughts…like running! I am grateful to my friend who hooked me up with the pair of Nikes I used for everything. I am grateful to my roommate to took me shopping for my prize pants on the eve of the Urbanathalon. I am grateful to all the salespeople who helped me buy my gloves, hat, etc that made all the difference in my run and are not must-haves in my running ensemble.

THE URBANATHLON:
I came in 2nd place in my category, female women from 30-35! I was in great shape for this run. I remember flying past so many people and just feeling like I was on fire, it was incredible! The adrenaline rush was nonstop and the energy was electric amongst all the runners in Queens on that forboding Saturday morning (it was raining and by the end of the race, snowing!) I was definitely giddy from the beginning and you can tell in my video as I interviewed friends pre-race.

I know for a fact now that I’m someone who loves doing these adrenaline-charged events. This year will surely bring more races, another Urbanathalon, perhaps a triathalon, and perhaps one of those mud runs! I was literally fist-pumping my way through many parts of the 9-mile run because I was comfortable and my music was good! The obstacles were a challenge for me and I’m grateful that fellow competitors were so gracious as to give me a boost and help me over every one of those walls I had to climb over! The monkey bars required three attempts for me and even on the last one, the supervisor just let me scoot past after having completed most of it. The stairs at Citifield were fine, save for the bottleneck effect of all the runners squeezing into the skinny aisles between the bleachers. There is a lot of upper-body training that I need to do for the next Urbanathalon and strategies that I can employ for certain obstacles. But I was running safely, staying conscious of my ankle, and I made up for any deficit accrued during the obstacles during the running portions. All-in-all, an awesome, awesome experience that I can’t wait to do again! Especially since I’ve qualified to be in the first wave of runners next time! woohoo!

THE BROOKLYN MARATHON:
With the Urbanathalon behind me, I couldn’t rest just yet. I still had to continue my marathon training as the Brooklyn Marathon was less than a month away. What was so great, however, was that I was confident now about the marathon. I now thought of myself as real runner, a real athlete, a competitor who could hold a candle next to other competitors! This was new for me, as I had only run cross-country in high school and a few races here and there prior to this. Of course, I consider myself a fit individual, but I never quite considered myself a “runner”…until now! I remember that I only had one opportunity to hit the 20-mile mark during my long run and I never did it. It’s recommended that every runner run up to 20 miles before embarking on a marathon. This is considered the perfect mileage in order to train adequately without over-training. The adrenaline of race day will easily close the 6-mile gap between your training and your goal. For me, however, due to scheduling constraints and a lack of running partners, I went into the marathon with only 16.5 miles under my belt. It was nerve-wracking!

As I mentioned before, one motivation for my running these races was to raise money for a school in Nepal! This is what I did the night before the marathon. It took a lot of time and effort, but it was the vision that I had for this marathon, so I’m glad that I followed through. What’s great is that somewhere between Temples In Training and Run for Nepal and future races, I believe that this effort doesn’t have to end with me! So even though I only raised $200, which will grant two students tuition, more money can be raised upon this platform!

So, the Brooklyn Marathon, in short, was not the greatest experience. I finished, but it took me about 5 hours and I overshot the finish and ran about a mile extra, which was mentally defeating and frustrating. I also shot out of the gate way to fast, dooming myself by mile 7 for a painful remaining 19 miles. It was definitely not what I had bargained for. What I took away from this is that I have to learn to pace myself to run at reasonable pace from start to finish and also have to complete more miles during training in order to prepare my legs and feet for such extensive running. I also realize that a marathon is not such a cardiovascular challenge for me, as I’m running slow enough to carry on full conversations. So for the next one, the ING New York City Marathon, I would definitely like a group or partner to just keep myself occupied, as boredom is actually an issue for 4 hours! My goal, in 2012 is to either qualify for the ING Marathon via lottery or charity or run 9 races in order to qualify for the 2013 ING Marathon. And then, I will run it under 4 hours! Mark my words!

Tags: Jeanette Eng

Run for Nepal!

Jeanette

– November 20, 2011Posted in: Christ-inspired, Jeanette-isms, The Latest

You donate. I run. Together, we help Nepal!
Please watch this video and help change the world!
And then tweet, like, & re-post it please!

Tags: charity, God

Think Different.

Jeanette

– October 8, 2011Posted in: Inspired, The Latest

Apple.com homepage: Tribute to Steve Jobs

I found out that Steve Jobs died on Wednesday, 10/5/11, when a stranger on the M23 gave me the newsflash off his iPhone. It didn’t really hit me, however, until l decided to scour CNN.com the next day and stopped at the Fifth Ave Apple Store today, four days later. Upon scouring CNN, I re-watched Job’s commencement speech at Stanford University’s graduation. Stunning. Please watch it here.

It is from this speech that many of his famous quotes were extracted that wallpapered Facebook upon his death:

“You’ve got to find what you love.”

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle…keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

“…I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘no’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose…There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life…Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”

“And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish”

These are just some of his excerpts, but I could easily paste the entire transcript here and not feel it to be redundant. This man is easily the Einstein/Edison/Etc of our day. Everybody…Every..Body..uses Macs, ipods, iphones, ipads…all of it. These products dramatically affected our lives. But it’s not just that. Job’s story is one of triumph o’er adversity and following one’s dreams if I’ve ever heard one. He is a life story of exceptions to the rule: dropping out of college; inventing Apple out of his garage; being fired from Apple, his own company, his own invention!; revolutionizing music players, revolutionizing phones, pressing on through his bout with pancreatic cancer…this man is the living example of the Japanese proverb: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”

From an article in the Daily News on Friday, 10/7:
“He was Steve Jobs and he was what we still want America to be, a guy who came out of a garage in Los Altos, Calif., with his buddy Steve Wozniak and his big ideas and changed the world so much they talk about him with Einstein and Edison and Henry Ford. He was Apple Inc., and iPods and iPads, and iTunes and Pixar Animation and phones that are like home entertainment centers, the guy who did the most to take the world and put it in the palm of your hand – or the tip of your fingers. And Jobs said something along the way that was as smart as any gadget that came out of his imagination, something that spoke to all the dreamers like him: ‘it’s not the consumers’ job to know what they want.’ He changed the world and he touched the world”

I was at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store today and it was really incredible to read the personal messages that people wrote to this guy: messages on post-it notes, messages on apples, messages in all languages, messages from all corners of the world, messages on iPad boxes, heartfelt notes of thanks and remembrance. People held up their iPads with the video of a candle flickering. Flowers graced the foot of the memorial. Artlcles of the fateful day served as a timestamp amongst the memorabilia. There was a reverence for this man in front of the Apple store this morning and “iAdmire Steve Jobs.” Thank you.

Let me tell you the “Sierra Trading Post” Story.

Jeanette

– September 29, 2011Posted in: Inspired, Jeanette-isms, The Latest

This is one that keynote speeches are made from ya’ll, so kick back and prepare to be inspired! So, it’s all self-explanatory in the screen shot here, but I’ll just get you up to speed before you dive in. I went to the Himalayas in August to trek and volunteer at a school. I needed a TON of gear…everything from UV-protecting, sweat-wicking, insect-repelling shirts to energy bars. I came back with some items to return, both in-store and online. One of the sites that I purchased from was Sierra Trading Post. I did not know it at the time, but during my trip, learned that Sierra Trading Post is actually a Christian company! A Christian outdoor/camping gear online retailer?! How does that work, exactly? I was intrigued, impressed, and interested. This little nugget of information made its was back to me while I was chatting w/ customer support about their returns process, which, true to form, is extremely gracious! So, please read below to see how God turned a typical customer support call into a REAL conversation…I think you’ll find it amusing!

My chat window w/ Sierra Trading Post Customer Support

So, I wasn’t able to capture the next few lines of conversation, during which I explain the method behind my madness, that I have a similar mission here in NY w/ Actors InC. The rep then offered to “forward my comments onto his supervisor for further review” (doncha just love their professionalism!) and I played along, exclaiming, “Sure, connect me with the owner!”

Well, be careful what you wish for! Yesterday (about a week later,) I received an e-mail from the founder/owner of Sierra Trading Post. Here are some excerpts from Mr. Keith Richardson!

“Dear Jeanette: Thank you for the nice compliments you shared with Sierra Trading Post. It means a lot to me when a customer takes the time to let us know that they appreciate our company. I really appreciate it when a fellow believer writes to me. If you haven’t done so, I invite you to check out the Founder’s story. It gives the rationale behind my business philosophy…Best regards, Keith Richardson, President, Sierra Trading Post”

I was stunned. A simple customer service chat had led to this. I think that this story speaks for itself because I can’t even begin to break it down. Be bold. Take chances. Speak your mind and do so respectfully. Be proud of your faith and let it speckle your conversations as you so feel called to. Think big because God is supernatural, meaning he goes beyond what our natural minds might conceive. ie: I may be thinking “this is a fun customer service chat conversation.” God may be thinking, “I’m going to have Jeanette and Keith meet each other.” This is the type of story that you cannot deny God is a part of.

And, so, as Francis Chan talks about in his book, Forgotten God, take chances! Chan says, “I love to put myself in situations in which I know that without God, I’ll be screwed.“ He acknowledges that such may be strong language for a pastor, but that best expresses how he feels! And do you know why he loves this? Because he wants to be able to say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God was a part of that situation. He wants his life to be a time line chock full of accounts in which God swooped in and worked miracles, moved mountains, and created breakthroughs.

A life full of amazing stories that can only be justified by the hand of God? I want that too. Don’t you?! Go get it!

Tags: God, inspiration

“Our Idiot Brother”…A Pretty Smart Movie.

Jeanette

– September 18, 2011Posted in: Inspired, The Latest

Paul Rudd plays a character who chooses to only see the best in people, situations, and life in general. Rudd’s character is through and through, trusting, optimistic, and innocent. He lives with a childlike joy and untainted appreciation for life. He doesn’t lie his way out of sticky situations, fudge the facts for personal gain, take advantage of people, or partake in anything that isn’t “right.” And while this may not immediately strike you as radical, his character is ostracized by his family and even jailed as a direct result of his honesty. And thus earns him his title as the family “idiot.”

Our Idiot Brother

His family, I believe, represents us, the average human being. And when portrayed against the backdrop of Rudd’s purity, their crooked ways become glaringly apparent. Now, they aren’t criminals or anything…just people willing to compromise their values to make room for other priorities…something that has come to be accepted in today’s society. Rudd’s sister exploited an interview subject in order to produce a “hot” story; his other sister had a one-night affair; an officer conned him into selling him weed, etc, etc. In each scenario, the status quo behavior side-by-side with the moral response. Over and over again, Rudd took the noble route, the road less traveled, more uncomfortable, and according to everyone else, “idiotic.” I appreciated the reminder that this movie attempted to express.

I challenge you to imagine a typical day of yours and how many times you may mask your true feelings, lie, cheat, or even think bad thoughts. I understand that taking the high road is often uncomfortable, but I also believe that you benefit in the long run and/or are more at peace with yourself for doing so. And the movie portrays the same. Rudd’s family was on the path to misery and it was only due to his intervention that their worlds were rocked in the right direction and they found true peace in honesty.

Honesty is the best policy…not idiotic at all!

There is power…in Christian Women In Media

Jeanette

– September 16, 2011Posted in: Christ-inspired, The Latest

Megan Alexander, oftentimes seen on “Inside Edition” stood before us last night at the Christian Women in Media Dinner and did not begin spouting news stories or “stories from the front lines” or behind-the-scenes gossip. No. She got up and quoted 1 Peter 3:15: “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. but do this with gentleness and respect…” She brought us back to her humble beginnings in San Antonio, where she had to first make a decision as to whether or not she was going to be “Megan Alexander, the Christian, or Megan Alexander, the fun, quirky, hip tv host of “Good Day, S.A.!” She decided that she was going to be Megan Alexander, the Christian, and never looked back. She struck the balance between thriving in a secular industry and striving inspired by God.

Megan gave us homework, as well. “Do good work,” she said. She went on to explain that especially in New York City, where the sharpest minds are, it is essential to be able to hold your own. And she doesn’t believe it’s the case that Christians are not welcome in the industry, but rather that they are not “in the mix,” and so she instructed us to us to get in the decision-making chairs, get in the meetings, and be in the rooms where things are happening. In addition, she stressed the importance of building long-lasting relationships. “See relationships as ends in themselves,” she offered, noting the radicalism of that in a city where everyone wants something from someone.

Christian Women In Media

She encouraged us to fight. “When you’re proud and you know that something is right, fight for it.” Alexander fought for a pastor to be featured on “Good Day S.A.” and ended up having a hand in one of the show’s highest-rated episodes. She fought for an interviewee’s testimony that included mention of God because she knew that it was crucial to the story…and for a greater purpose. Her final message to us was to “master our crafts” because we can “preach the gospel, and use words when necessary.”

Last night was incredibly encouraging because in a room full of producers and reporters and hosts and writers and singers and creatives in the media industry, we shared the ultimate bond: love for God. And so, in every success story, credit was given to Him. In every piece of advice, reference was given to seeking God’s guidance. Punctuating every powerful moment was a sealing prayer. It was like a networking party where everyone worked for the company, God Inc!

I’m a devour-er of inspirational information, whether I have to read it, hear it, attend it, or travel to the Himalayas for it, I always have an appetite and aspiration for greatness. And to be around women who possessed greatness in the industry as well as in God was awe-inspiring. I took away from last night that God and media can not only co-exist, but are actually complimentary!

Tags: msny

the Nepal Diaries: Day 1 (of 30)

Jeanette

– September 12, 2011Posted in: The Latest, Travels

JULY 22, 2011 [transcribed from my travel journal]
My journey to Kathmandu:
Newark > fly 8 hours to Zurich > layover for 4 hours > fly 7 hours to New Delhi > layover for 8 hours > fly 1 hour to Kathmandu!

I’m going to be laying over for almost as long as I will be flying for! What a crap deal! But what can I do? I pushed purchasing the tickets until I had raised the money and even then, my busy schedule forced me to have Danielle purchase my tickets for me!

But onward. Today was such a crazy day, even leading up til takeoff. I can’t believe I didn’t even get a chance to breathe until I sat down. I know that I couldn’t have done it without Mom…she totally pulled through for me. She didn’t get critical of me, but just jumped in and started helping. I watched Limitless, Lincoln Lawyer, Just Go With It, and Hall Pass…all pretty good! I’ve really enjoyed my flight. Zurich airport was pretty scenic and so is Delhi; very clean and modern! I think I slept for 2 hours in Zurich, a few hours on the flight to Zurich, and most of the flight to Delhi. I probably got a full night’s sleep and it’s been about 22 hours by now since I first took off. Th e Swiss Air food was impressive. “Snack” was pizza and ice cream and chocolate! And dinner was Indian rice and veggies and potatoes; not shabby at all and piping hot!

So, Tish said that I’m going to touch these people and I’m going to grow so much. Josh said I’m in for the adventure of my life. Kal said I’m making a difference in this world. Pastor George has been praying for me. Pastor Adam says this is going to be a great trip for me. Auntie Sandy came out of the blue and supported me, as did Mari and so many others. I’m riding on the wings of all my supporters right now. It’s by God’s grace that I’m even here right now, not having forgotten any crucial items, not having over packed, having slept, eaten, and traveled well. Thank you. Almost there!

Tags: God

OMG, FNO, GR8T TIME, PIX 2 COME!

Jeanette

– September 10, 2011Posted in: Jeanette-isms, The Latest

Translation: Omigod, Fashion’s Night Out, Great Time, Pics to Come! That title is homage to the ridiculous overuse of acronyms in our society today! Everything seems to be getting the abbreviation treatment and once you’re part of the social media sphere, you understand why; what with limited space and character allotments within which to express yourself. But honestly, is it then necessary to continue to use the abbreviations in spoken conversation and/or long articles!? My belief is that if you don’t actually pronounce the acronym (ie: asap/ay-saap) or spell out the acronym (ie: r.s.v.p), then you should say or write out the entire word when possible. It’s just awkward to read DWTS or ABDC because the reader literally has to translate it back to Dancing With The Stars or America’s Best Dance Crew, defeating the purpose of acronyms making life easier.

Fashions-Night-Out-NYC-2011

Anyway, enough of that! The purpose of this article is to rave about Fashion’s Night Out, not gripe about the demise of the English language! I’m going to write about FNO from the pedestrians perspective…not as an authority on fashion, not as a socialite with exclusive access, not as even a fashionista…just as an ordinary New Yorker with an appreciation for good, clean, drama-free fun in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Well, let me set this up by saying that Fashion Week is usually no different for me than the other 51 in the year…as I’m sure is the case with most New Yorkers. I mean, let’s be honest here: if you aren’t a model or a designer or somehow involved with covering Fashion Week, then what can you do? You know it’s happening, you read the articles, you watch the tv blurbs, you may even walk by Lincoln Center and smell the couture yourself, but that’s probably as close as your non-designer manicured paws will get! Which is why the geniuses who invented FNO are also sweethearts! Because now, everyone who is no one can finally be someone for one night of Fashion Week! Everyone gets their fairy-dusted New York moment! I am so impressed with the mayhem that is Fashion’s Night Out within just three years of its existence.

Every participating store or pop-up store seemed committed to outdoing their neighbor in extravagance, music, giveaways, and just altogether fabulous-ness. It’s the cosmopolitan version of the suburban houses secretly competing for the best Christmas decorations. And we, the consumers, are fortunately caught in the crossfire! And so, as one wanders the streets of the Meatpacking district or Soho or Madison Avenue on that fateful day, one will be showered with free gifts and invitations to enter store after store, wherein he/she shall be greeted with a signature drink and/or hors de voures. Music, usually live, will entice you to sway to and fro through the isles of clothes and activities might even be planned to entertain you if you should choose to keep the purse strings tied.

On several occasions, I felt as if I was transported into a club. One store went so far as to create an outdoor barbeque scene on their property, complete with astroturf. Free mascara, free ice cream, free lollipops, free pop chips, free drinks, free drinks, and did I mention, free drinks? What a night out. This is just as good as the Halloween Parade in NYC and I never thought I would say that. Go to Fashion’s Night Out next year and enjoy your glass slipper moment…it’s free!

Tags: manhattan, new york

My Yoga Shoot @ Kripalu

Jeanette

– September 7, 2011Posted in: The Biz, The Latest

I was in Lenox, MD for the past two days for a yoga shoot…my first formal yoga shoot! I can hang w/ the heavy hitters now and claim my yogi title confidently! Some things that stood out about this gig:

Behind-the-scenes!

Opportunity: grab every one! I learned of this shoot through a Crunch Gym email network of instructors and answered it just days before leaving for Nepal with the realization that I wouldn’t be able to attend the casting, but with the hopes that my photos could still make an impact. Come to find out, a week before my return, still Nepal-side, I receive an email inviting me to shoot w/ them! They wanted to direct book me! Yay! Of course, I was interested and two weeks after returning, I find myself in one of the most reknown yoga centers in the picturesque Berkshires, striking yoga poses for Kripalu paraphernalia!

cute sign at cafe!

Divine Appointments: believe in them! At 10pm on Monday night, soon after arriving at Kripalu, I am standing at the elevator which will take me to my room, when I feel an uncanny recognition for the man standing next to me. I say to him, cautiously, “You look familiar….” And (thank goodness), he echoes the sentiment. Within a minute, we realize that we had met at CanDo, a gym near my home and that we had discussed private spin instruction for him. He had even given me a ride to the city once, as I worked there and he owned a restaurant there! And here we are, standing in a darkened hallway of a tucked-away yoga retreat 4 hours into the countryside! “What in the world was he doing here!?,” was my first and most insistent question. He was “retreating,” as is the desire of many there. We caught up and I realize that this could not have been a coincidence. God wants me to reach this man somehow and make something happen. This is the second time this has happened this month with someone and I believe that it is an indicator that greater plans are at work and I get to be a part of them!

Scrutinizing myself!

Kripalu (yoga/wellness centers): They exist! If you’re like me, you may have formed some sort of preconceived notion of yoga/wellness centers as being super healing-centric, overrun w/ modern-day monks, militant in their control, etc. Well, it’s not entirely inaccurate! My first exposure to this place was that my accommodation was back-to-basics in an almost dormitory setup, complete with a community bathroom! And I noticed that the few people that I passed in the hallways made no attempt to interact. The next morning, I started the day with a SILENT breakfast! I noticed a lot of “mindful eating” and “meditating over the food.” And as I read Kripalu’s paraphernalia, the general message was always of centering, alignment, self-awareness, healing, harmony, self-inquiry, etc, etc. And in speaking with people, I realized that many spent months here on a path of “self-inquiry!” It was wild!

Kripalu silent breakfast!

Kripalu lunch!

Kripalu nutrition: Whole Foods on steroids! The one thing I could get used to about Kripalu was the food! Most places have healthy options. Here, healthy is the only option! Breakfast was amazing, boasting Indian kichari (a dish made of mung beans, basmati rice, and Indian spices!) poached eggs over leeks!, baked grapefruit (w/ clover honey and cinnamon!), organic peach soy yogurt w/ toppings options such as raisin sauce!, gluten-free bread with peanut butter made from dry-roasted peanuts w/ skins!, and a selection of teas that would make any tea-lover swoon! What a treat! And lunch was no step down! We’re talking generous turkey burgers, portabella mushroom burgers, tempeh, roasted veggies galore, Indian dal soup, a basics bar, a sandwich bar, a salad bar w/ greens that I hardly ever see! In order to try everything (the only option, really), I had to make a wrap to go! I felt like I had a free ticket at Whole Foods. A very good thing!

cast and crew!

Relationships: make them! One of the reasons that I’ve been enjoying my shoots more lately is because of the relationships that have been formed from them. I used to shy away from being too social during shoots, fearing that it was not the “kosher” thing to be the Chatty Cathy! Well, either it started been accepted or I stopped caring because I’m all over everyone at every shoot now! When I leave every shoot, I want people to know that they can continue to connect w/ me via social media, at my spin classes, at my workshops, at my runs, at church, etc, etc. I’ve picked up some very important relationships from shoots, personal and professional, that have gone on to reap valuable harvests! I believe in the philosophy that “Strangers are friends that you just haven’t made yet” and try to operate with this open mindset rather than burying my nose in a book or my laptop or my Ipod (a common sight on sets.) God also has designed for us to be rivers through which he can flow through to bless others as well, and so I believe this goes hand-in-hand!

Yoga: do it, love it! I have been doing yoga for years now and yesterday I was in good company for a yoga lover: amongst a shoot full of yoga teachers. I was honored to be the only one from a modeling background as opposed to a yoga background! Our shoot was essentially a verrrry long yoga class! We were led through poses, we “ohhhhmmmed,” we were talked through meditations…it was all very peaceful and dare I say, centering!? I was reconnected with my enjoyment for yoga, (especially with the fit bodies around me as testament to its benefits!) and I’m definitely going to make time in my schedule for more yoga in addition to a retreat back to Kripalu!

To see all the behind-the-scenes pics, check out the Gallery!

Tags: The Biz