An Oprah Adventure

Just this past week I was able to check off as COMPLETE an item on my "things to do before I die" list... going to the Oprah Winfrey Show! Being die hard fans, my friends, S1, S2 and S3, have always always always wanted to go. Whether it was fate or luck (actually, more like God's willingness), through her friend's friend (who is a senior producer at Oprah), S1 was able to secure us four tickets at the October 9 taping! As soon as we heard we got tickets, the first question on our minds was "What are we going to wear??!" (which turned out to matter more than I could ever have expected).

On the early, crisp morning of October 9, my three S friends and I departed from the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel for Harpo Studios at 6:20am, when it was still dark requiring our taxi driver to use his headlights. Our excitement was fueled with our adrenaline (cuz it certainly wasn't caffeine which I craved so much). After what seemed to be a loooooooong looooooong cab ride (really, fifteen minutes), we were dropped off right in front of the Harpo Studios flagship sign, where several ladies were already standing there taking photos.... exactly what we had in mind. After snapping a few shots, we scurried into the studio through the "Audience Entrance" doors.

We walked in and checked our coats, checked in our names, checked our lip gloss, and of course, went through security check. Security check there was even more rigorous and scrutinizing than going through airport security. At least you had the Expert Traveler lane at Chicago Midway that you could whiz through if you knew the rules... At Oprah, everyone was required to submit their handbags, leaving it to gloved personnel to rifle through as they pleased. They eventually removed all our cell phones, blackberries, cameras, and even the random pieces of paper I had printed out with my flight info, the back of which had my copious notes from a work conference call I participated in the day before. (Uh, I thought, that's material, non-public information, subject to SEC disclosure restrictions...) Everything that had any potential of "recording" any part of the Oprah show was stashed into a sterile ziplock bag, traded in for a claim check. After security check, we were directed upstairs in a waiting area, each of us holding a blue card with a number and simplified release language requiring us to consent to their use of our taped appearance forever and forever, and in whatever manner or forum they chose.

In the waiting area, we sat and sat and sat, waiting... Every once in a while, an elderly seating assistant would quiet down the rumble of the crowd and announce how the anticipated seating would work, noting that groups of 25 would be called by their numbers, but some groups may be called at the beginning by names --- those called by names were part of the production of the show, she indicated.

We sat some more and waited some more, watching clips of previous Oprah shows on the monitors mounted on the walls. There was the guy that lost a couple hundred pounds who got a Porsche. There was the one of Oprah getting her ears pierced. And of course, there was the one where she gave everyone in the studio audience a car. (Why couldn’t we have been in that audience??)

Finally at about 8:25, they started calling groups by names. Hudson, Wentner, Cooper,… after about 15 names, we heard what we were listening for… “S1 and her party please!” That’s us! That’s us! We leapt up off our seats and walked downstairs to enter the studio. We were elated!

When I walked into the studio, there was a sense of familiarity that overwhelmed me. I’ve never been inside before, but I felt like I’ve been there numerous times. I had spent almost an hour a day there, Monday through Friday (except repeats and summer hiatuses) over the past I don’t know how many years… The studio looked much smaller than it did on television. The stage was adorn with big wide digital screens, all filled with photos of Maria Shriver. The rumors we had heard that Maria Shriver was going to be on the show had been confirmed. I was a little disappointed with the topic, as I had seen Maria Shriver a dozen times before at our company events and the Annual California Women’s Conference. But still, I was at Oprah!!

Inside the studio we were met by several producers manually seating each party. “How many in your party?” a nice-looking brunette in her mid to late 40s, all dressed in black, asked. “Four” we answered. She said “This way please,” turned her back and led us down the steps towards the stage --- and to our surprise and delight, to the very front row, just inches away from the edge of the circular stage.

“I have two seats in this row,” motioning to the front row, “and two right behind it.” My S friends and I looked at one another in disbelief that we were about to be seated so far up front, trying hard to contain our excitement and to keep from bursting into our signature holiday party “we’re getting presents” clapping. She looked at the four of us and said, “I’m going to put my two bright colors in the front row. The yellow and the orange.”

Hallelujah. Yellow, that’s me! I thought. To think that morning I had taken off my yellow button-down sweater to consider wearing a periwinkle cardigan. Thank the Lord I stayed with the yellow.

As instructed, S1 and I took the two seats in front, with S2 and S3 right behind.

The seats were comfy --- cushy, definitely like a nice theater where a symphony was being performed. But it was also cold inside the studio, with a draft blowing right above us. But of course it didn’t matter.

After all 300+ seats were filled, the same producer that sat us in the front row stepped up on the stage to “warm” us up. She talked to various audience members and showed us how to speak with the mike if spoken to… always stand up and wait until the mike on a long stick gets to you. Finally, she announces the guests that were going to be there… Maria Shriver! Gloria Steinem! Billie Jean King! It was a show about women empowerment. Not the most exciting guests in my opinion --- it just made me think, huh, what kind of a giveaway would that bring??

After the “warm-up” producer left the stage, we knew we were just moments away from seeing in person the big celebrity we flew half way across the country to see. Then suddenly, in walked a nonchalant and barefoot Oprah Winfrey, with a pair of very high black stilettos in hand. The audience leapt to its feet and roared with applause.

“Hello Everybody,” Oprah said and then just holds up her shoes and says “Ridiculous! Just ridiculous!” showing us the 4+ inch stiletto heel. She proceeded to talk about her shoes and how she was not going to walk in them. “I’m going to make Maria walk over to me…she’s going to do all the walking. I’m just going to sit down, wear them and look cute.” (I couldn’t believe Oprah was about 10 feet away…)

Within minutes, and without us even noticing, Oprah launches into the show in her “I’m just another person in your living room” conversational tone, and taping begins. She makes a few introductory remarks and shows a taped feature of Maria Shriver. Oprah was smooth and articulate. Not once did there need to be a retake.

For the next hour or so, we watched Oprah tape 6+ segments. In between each segments, she would be in conversation with her guests. Occasionally, her producers would go talk to her (or wait by her side to talk to her after she finished her conversation with her guests) to consult with her. Her makeup and hair people (I don’t know if it was Reggie) touched her up every once in a while. But there was no doubt, she was the queen of the stage. The presence she commanded couldn’t even compare to anyone else, not even the First Lady of California. Indeed, she truly is Oprah.

After the taping, Oprah kept her guests on the stage and launched into another 10+ minute conversation that was to be posted on Oprah.com. To us, it was like an encore performance; just glad we got to sit there for another ten minutes to soak it all in.

At the very end, after all the taping, she acknowledged a few folks in the audience, including Billie Jean King’s entourage and Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Rashida. Then Oprah graciously, yet detachedly, thanked the audience for coming to the show, waved a gratuitous wave. And then off came her shoes, and she walked off, stage right.

Show was over. Despite the fact there was no giveaway, or the fact that the show would probably have been one of those shows I skipped over with my fast forward button had I watched it at home, I was so happy. So happy that I was able to go to the Oprah show and to share the unforgettable experience with my three good good good girlfriends. The memory is the true takeaway that no giveaway could replace. (OK, maybe that’s not so true had I gone to an Oprah’s Favorite Things show!;) )

Thank you S1, S2 and S3 for an amazingly fun trip to Chi-Town. And thank you Oprah for bringing us together. (And by the way, the show airs October 16. Let’s hope I don’t do anything embarrassing if the camera so happens to be on me!)

Proud Parent

Having no kids, I have the luxury of having some extra time on the weekends to find new pasttimes or for those who know me best, to lounge around and watch TV, while surfing Facebook of course. We just finished landscaping our garden and had two big planterboxes put in, so I set out to look for my green thumb and took a whirl at planting some vegetables and herbs.

After two months of daily watering, TLC and an occasional chit chat with the plants, I now have some huge zucchini plants, some sprouting tomato leaves and a box full of thriving basil, cilantro, parsley, chives and arugula. Who would have thought how exciting it is to see little sprouts growing out of the soil from pinches of the tiniest seeds and growing into full leafy greens. These plants are truly my babies that I brought life to... couldn't be prouder of how well they have grown up!

There comes a time when you have to send your kids off to answer their calling. Today, the first of my babies graduate... and I proudly introduce to the world my first (and only so far) almost perfect zucchini and a harvesting of basil and arugula.

Congratulations to my first babies that produced a very tasty batch of basil-arugula pesto to go with a small fragrant plate of panfried zucchini.

Backyard Bliss. Marital Bliss.

Last night, my husband and I spent our first Fourth of July as a married couple at our first “BBQ” on our first use of our new patio furniture in our newly landscaped backyard. Although the temperature was dropping from the warm 70s earlier in the day and a bit of a breeze was picking up, Mike and I enjoyed hot dogs (roasted on a tiny little BBQ on loan from his parents) and Costco chicken next to two candle votives that wouldn’t stay lit. Towards the end of the night, the fireworks from Jack London Square were visible to celebrate America’s 232nd birthday. It was one of the nicest nights I’ve ever had with Mike since we’ve been together, and I’m glad it was just the two of us.

The fireworks in the sky led to fireworks in my own heart. It’s moments like last night that make me realize how lucky and happy I am. After almost one year after we were married in Santa Barbara, I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to have such a good and kind husband. Mike is the kind of man that will pick just the right greeting card that makes you look forward to the card more than the gift. He’s the kind of man that will get out of bed to get you a glass of water (and not complain about it). He’s the kind of man who’ll always come when you yell for his help. He’s the kind of man that does something for you before you even think of it. He’s the kind of man you’re glad to have by your side when your landscape contractor is acting like a weasel. He’s the kind of guy that let’s me playfully call him Gogol. (Namesake) He’s the kind of man I had always hoped to marry.

Here’s to our first Fourth of July, Honey! I’m looking forward to many more fireworks with you.

Mike and I recently returned from our vacation in Europe, where we spent the last few days in the beautiful (and rainy) city of lights --- Paris! On the first day of our trip, we wandered around the streets of St. Germain, and stopped off at this very inviting corner bakery/cafe. As soon as I stepped in, a huge wave of familiarity hit me like the wave that turned over that poor little boat in The Perfect Storm. I realized it was the same bakery I went to on the first day of my first ever trip to Paris five years ago... I had stepped into Paul's. What are the chances that I would unintentionally wander in the same place on the first day of the only two trips I ever took to Paris??

Paul's is a magnificent bakery filled with the most delicate croissants, the most delectable viennoise pastries and the flakiest pain du chocolats! The tarts are impossible to choose from as they all look so enticingly appealing. And the long line of French patrons out the door confirmed that Paul's indeed had some of the very best baguettes and brioche that Paris has to offer. What a baker's dream!!!

At Paul's, we enjoyed some egg crepes for our petit dejeuner, with a rich cup of cafe creme. (Why does the coffee in Europe taste so much better than ours??) Topped off, with a slice of pear custard tart for me and a slice of blueberry tart for Mike. Would it be too corny to say Oooh la la??!?

Unfortunately, I was only able to sneak in a couple photos inside the bakery, as the lady cashier with the peppermint striped apron shooed me off with a windshield wiper index finger, going "Nooo!" With the lens cap back onto my Nikon D200 and a frown that had yet to be turned upside down, all I could think of was to find a kinder bakery that would allow me to take pictures --- photos of quintessentially French pastries!

Hmmmm....who would be so kind????

He says, she says... very different!

Tonight we watched Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston's movie, The Break-up and frankly, it's not as bad as all the critics say! I liked it, and even my boyfriend (who didn't want to see it) gave it a "B"!

I think the reason I liked it was because it was such a relatable topic. It's really true when they say men and women think differently, which is usually why there are arguments. Without giving the movie away, the crux of VV and JA's characters' disagreement surrounds what JA wants from VV and how VV just doesn't get it, which is a common theme in many relationships.

Women don't like to have to ask for everything from their men... women want their man to just want the things the woman want without having expressly asking --- even if they say the complete opposite. Call it passive aggressive or whatever, but that's just how it is. If a woman says she doesn't need flowers, men should understand that that means to the woman, flowers aren't practical and are not necessary all the time --- HOWEVER, it is still nice to have every once in a while because it is romantic and a nice surprise. Most women will never say "yes, please bring me flowers," they want men to WANT to bring them flowers! There is no logic to that --- relationships are not logical, they're built on gut and emotion, and perhaps a little mind-reading... perhaps that's why men and women differ so much, because men are always looking for logic.

Here is some interpretive guidance to help you men out there...

If you ask a woman "what's wrong" and she says "nothing" --- pursue it because 90% of the time, something is wrong and she wants you to drag it out of her. Ask at least seven or eight times (and simultaneously think hard about what you could have done wrong!)...

If you ask a woman "what she'd like" and she says "it doesn't matter" ---- of course it matters! She doesn't want to force her choice on you, but she wants you to choose what she wants. So put yourself in her shoes and make your choice what you think she would want.

If a woman goes off somewhere or does something by herself, make sure you TELL her you'd like to do that with her or go with her, if it's OK with her. (Don't ASK her if she wants you to go with her or do it with her, cuz the obvious answer will be no because she doesn't want to force you to do that.) She'd rather you want to do that with her or want to go with her on your own, without having to be asked. Women don't want to nag men because we know you don't like that. But don't make us nag you!

Bottom line, men ---- stop trying to be logical! Spend your energy learning how to think like her.

I'm looking for a bike!

Last year, my boyfriend and I ran our first half marathon and for me, it was quite an accomplishment! We trained for about two and a half months, which allowed me to turn in a respectable time (at least by my standards), and finished without needing too much recovery time. We're thinking about doing another one this year, but are still unsure. Training is really time consuming and tough on the legs and knees. And let's face it, I'm getting O-L-D!!!!

As an alternative to running, we're looking into cycling! My boyfriend already has two bikes and was an avid cyclist before. For me, I just started shopping around --- my last bike was a so called "ten speed" when I was in ninth grade. Who knew how complicated bikes are now!?! Ultegra and 105s! Carbon frame or carbon fork! Thick tires, skinny tires! Disc brakes?? Felt! Giant! Cannondale! Specialized! Novarra! K2! Scott! Where is a girl to start?!?

Who knew that a "cool" bike has no kickstand? Who knew it's not cool to have handbrakes at the top of the handlebar? Who knew pedals are sold separately? Who knew you actually have to hop off your seat when you stop to balance yourself? Who knew you actually have to be pedalling to shift gears??!? There's so much to think about... (and hey, do you HAVE to wear a helmet?)

Well, we're going to shop around some more over the next few weeks... I just hope I find one that comes in a cool color!

Stay tuned....

this is the name of my baking business that I have yet to launch. my friend sherri came up with the idea of the name and I thought it was kinda catchy. "where did you get that cake?" someone might ask --- "from my friend annie!!" see how catchy??

so far I have a name, a domain name that my boyfriend reserved for me (with nothing on the website except something that says it's under construction) and an off-and-on dream. that dream is usually more "on" on weekend mornings when I'm spending it with the fn ladies: ina, rachel, giada and even paula! (but never sandra cuz she's just a big cheater.) ina went from being a budget analyst at the white house to caterer and owner of her specialty food store ---- she went from doing something she didn't like to something she loved. well, I'm halfway there!! I'm currently doing something I don't like so much...compliance at a bank! :( certainly doesn't make me leap out of bed in the mornings like baking does....

i LOVE to bake! there is nothing more satisfying to me than putting the finishing touches on a cake ---- it's perfection when that cream cheese frosting swirls out of that star tip onto the cupcake; it's bliss when your offset spatula smoothly spreads that icing on top of a layer cake; it's pure satisfaction when you unmold that chocolate tart from the tart pan that creates those even ridges ---- I can go on and on!! I'm getting all tingly inside... [she shivers.]

what am I going to do with my friend annie?? I dunno. will it become of anything? what would I make? what would I sell? would it sell? will I lose my love for baking if I'm forced to do it everyday? will I overcome my aversion for risk?

stay tuned.....