Blogher 08 Conference Recap I --- Many Thanks!

To say that I had a wonderful time in San Francisco for the Blogher Conference is a big understatement. Up to this day, I still can't seem to write about it. And all these oozing of excitement is probably why it took me this long to write about it. First of all; I was able to hang out with friends that I am now even more attached to. I’ve also met so many that have begun to touch my life already. With all this, I am thankful!

To start with, I was fully sponsored by Hakia, the new super power semantic search engine. Airfare, Hotel, Conference fee, and even some fun money were graciously taken care of by them. The funny thing (funny good) is I kept in touch with Hakia’s President /COO (Melek Pulatkonak) since last Blogher’07 and approached her to sponsor me for this year. As you can see, Blogher Conferences has brought me my lucky stars. I know I’ve said it way too many times, but if not for Hakia – all I am about to tell you here would not be possible. So again thank you Hakia. And most especially to Melek!

Then there were other great people that I came to know. Bonnie Gray (owner of justpeachybaby.com) opened her heart and so it was easy for me to dig deep inside and share my story with. Annie Salyer (Hairclippy.com owner) whom I have wanted to meet for a while now and enjoyed sitting and talking with at the SVMoms party. Kim Modolfsky (http://www.hormonecoloreddays.blogspot.com), another Chicago Mom whom I always enjoy talking to. Ana Picazo (http://bonggamom.blogspot.com), another Filipina Mom whom I enjoyed meeting for the first time. And of course many other SVMoms that I had a pleasure in meeting for the first time as well. The fun and sincere camaraderie felt good. I loved every minute of it. Thank you guys!

But my thank you(s) would not be complete without mentioning the 3 very significant mom blogging friends whom I enjoyed this SF trip with in a deeper level. I can imagine in comparing orthopedic shoes and dentures with this bunch one day. Although I will of course lead the pack in shopping for the walker or cane first since I’m much older than them. Amy (ParentSphere.net), Steph (AdventuresInBabywearing.com), and Arianne (ToThinkIsToCreate.com). Lots of laughter and even some tears were shared, and I will treasure them all. Thank you Amy, Steph, and Arianne.

Here are some pictures I took from my iPhone on our very first night in SF (which also happens to be my birthday).

We were so tired that we giggled about everything. Apparently the very pregnant Steph brought her prosthetic arm with her that night. Just kidding. Her arm was getting in her way all night. haha.

Amy and I looking like we're partners? Uh no...we're not into each other that way. hehe Although, Amy looked like she was flirting with me here... NOT! Amy whose creative mind is always buzzing with ideas is definitely a partner in brainstorming. You will see more of us on future projects together. Zip...not sayin' anything more.

The very beautiful prego and her partner Arianne...Ok, they're not into each other that way too. But boy, our pictures do look a little too close don't you think? Steph is the most positive and honest person I know, and Arianne definitely the most passionate on issues that her heart feels so strongly on. I admire your strength girl! Both are extremely awesome writers/bloggers.

And last but not least --- Can someone tell us what this pregnant girl ordered? Lol. We were laughing so hard because when we were trying to figure out who ate what, the bill was written in Thai. Steph looked rather confused and excited at the same time... Good times!
So -- this is just to start with....more Blogher Conference recaps in the following days.

A quickie

I have yet to write about my Blogher conference recap but it is another beautiful day here in Chicago and decided to watch the boys' tennis lesson. My 5 yr. old love the part where the instructor ask them to run around and race to pick up balls. I should try that technique at home! LOL.

Lake Michigan is a beauty to behold that I wish to capture and share with you. But my incredible iPhone can only do so much. This is the first time I'm blogging via cellphone. Woohoo.

On SVMoms + Katie Couric's video message

I belong to a great group called Silicon Valley Moms Group that owns the syndicated blog I also write for which is ChicagoMomsBlog.com. There are now over +200 writers/bloggers in the group and has 9 very lively sites under their belt ( Silicon Valley, Chicago, DC Metro, NYC, New Jersey, Deep South, LA, and The Rocky Mountains) that has attracted lots of media lately. And here some more exciting news for me to share with all of you.

• MomViews.net and I have been given an opportunity by the SVMoms Group to coordinate the product sponsorships to give-a-way to all their writers/bloggers on our very own SVMoms The Night Before Blogher Event - A party to meet-up before the huge conference the following day. Meaning swags! Ooooh swags! This is now the 3rd month since I've delved in a lot of hours making it happen and I am excited to see it end. Click here and here to see how Jill (SVMoms co-owner) is handling all the shipments in Silicon Valley as I arranged with the product sponsors.
  

• Have you heard of the latest Moms Road Trip yet? A group of 5 mom bloggers also from SVMoms Group driving and documenting their trip from DC to SF just in time for the Blogher conference. You should go and check out their site. I bet it will be a riot to follow their 7 day trip.
  

• And If you haven't heard yet, Katie Couric of CBS Evening News frequently writes for the NYCMomsBlog.com which is also a sister site in the SVMoms group. And here is a video with a few words to Silicon Valley Moms Group mommy bloggers and our mom road trippers:

Tres Cool! High five to my SVMoms sistahs!

Aaaaar! Mommy Pirate talkin'....

Avast Ye!I've been pirate talking since yesterday and wrote about it in the ChicagoMomsBlog.com so Lass, go yonder now and read me pirate adventure!.

Or else, I'll have you dance the hempen jig from your dungbie! hehe...

Also read here for some pirate definitions...

By the way, I've disabled comments on this posting. Please bring your comments with you at my actual article in Chicagomomsblog.com

Learning something new

I took a fancy in learning how to use a real camera. A real camera as in a Nikon D700 (drool)! My artist / graphic designer - extraordinaire older brother took the time to explain what ISO and aperture means. How to focus, when to focus, what lens to use, etc… I got into the whole thing and took lots of picture as I learned along the way. I have to say that that camera is spectacular in so many ways. Here are some pictures I took below:

Not too bad don't you think?





And check out by brother's recent photos here - they are absolutely beautiful!

I Knew I Was Being Watched

You just know when there is something weird going on. Am I just being paranoid? I decided to ignore it and go about my day. AsI was getting ready to clean up and organize their bookshelf this morning...

I found what I will just call thing 1 and thing 2 tucked in between the Dr. Seuss books.

It wasn't a cat in a hat or anything like that, and thank goodness it wasn't a rat! (ok, rhyming will stop here.)

They were but 2 miniature cars with watching eyes! Yes, EYES! So now little cars, scurry along and stay in the box where you belong (along - belong - I didn't even think hard on rhyming that one. Promise. No more rhymes.)!

They may look cute, but I've been seeing these little buggers everywhere in my house and it is starting to annoy me. It came in a pack of dozen and since I bought them for the boys, I have no one to blame but myself.

Coincidentally, The Mom Bloggers Club chose me to be their Mystery Mom Blogger. Apparently, I am being watched. Hehe. Thanks MBC! And thanks to Ann for letting me know.