Saturday, August 27, 2016

My Favorite Apps: From Apple to Android, #SocialMedia #Entertainment #Travel #Technology #Food and more!


I am reminded of the first time I told my mom to go to the App Store, and she said sure- what’s the address?  My, my how times have changed- most of us could not be found without our Smart Phones (Apple, Windows or Android) permanently affixed to our hands.  I for one am a huge fan of putting it down when there’s a place and time to be “present” ala the dinner table- but for those times where we can explore the wonder which is app world, my good friend Janet Schijns- Verizon's Global Channel Chief and fellow Chic and Geek #TechNerd recently posed a question on FB asking what our fav apps are?  I started to respond and pumped the breaks... I decided that I have WAY TOO MANY  many favs, I might as well write a blog and sort by category!  Some of these you probably know and love, others might be new (or present a new use for an old classic)- in any event hope you enjoy!

Entertainment: 


I love a good book – a real paper book- I miss the days of sitting in the aisles of Barnes and Nobles immersing myself in reading and drinking a Starbucks smack on the middle of an aisle floor.  As a technology early adopter and enthusiast I am remiss to say I have not yet fallen in love with virtual books (I have yet to give Kindle and Fire a serious try) but there is a variety of other tech ways to take in a plethora of other forms of entertainment from theatre to your home.  There are a variety of apps in this category- but these are the ones that keep me entertained when not reading my legacy but oh so delicious books.



·         Net Flix- I may never need cable or Dish- ever again.  Although I haven’t bit the bullet yet and completely severed ties- when our cable went down I was SHOCKED as to how many of my fav TV Series, movies, and kids shows are readily available.  Old school cartoon favs for Brooklyn and Cali, Orange is the New Black for Mommy, and hundreds of documentaries for Daddy and I- Tony Robbins – I am not your Guru my most recent fav.  Not to mention Cooking Shows like Cup Cake Wars, Home Shows like Property Brothers and so much more.  The only down side is they don’t always have my classic favs- and I would not be able to watch the Oscars, Tony’s, Super Bowl etc- #FirstWorldProblems but also a good excuse to go to a party and make it a social event, no?  Everything else gets Chromecasted or Apple TV’d from my phone to one of our TV’s around the house.

·         You Tube- So we have all watched it for the funny cat videos, and snickered when Charlie Bit his Brother’s finger but YouTube is more than enjoyable, original videos .  For Jay, my husband, - it is “mr fix it” where he can watch a how to tutorial and be a handyman extraordinaire and save hundred if not thousands of dollars (true story from cars, freezers, to dryers and more!).  For me, it is a way for me to watch music videos of all my fav songs – classic or yesteryear.  Plus the how to’s for make up and hair are on point! Everyone is a YouTube star, and some really make it big- such as my fav Jenna Marbles as she shares her random thoughts- sometimes vulgar, but always funny. Also- a great way to share our own content- so video upload your original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube… who knows, you may be the next “You Tube Stars”!


·         You Tube Kids- When you have children- and are cautious of what they watch I would recommend You Tube Kids.  YouTube Kids app is designed for curious little minds to dive into a world of discovery, learning and entertainment; Filtered by you, and parent & child approved.  Our personal favorite is Baby Bum videos – classic nursery songs, plus educational learning like colors, numbers for our 2 year old Brooklyn when alternating with Sesame Street and Elmo’s World.  Plus it’s ad and commercial free.

S   Snap Chat- Snapchat lets you easily talk with friends, add moments throughout your #RealLife day (exciting
or uneventful) as well as view Live Stories from around the world, and explore news in Discover. Their tag line, "Life's more fun when you live in the moment!" A super fun and silly way to send a quick photo or video to friends, and of course there are the absolutely addictive SnapChat Filters See my daughter Brooklyn and I  for exhibit A.  From a business perspective Snapchat is bringing behavioral targeting, or advertisement based on data gathered from user activity, to the app in the near future- creepy or helpful - you decide.  Personally, if you are going to advertise to me anyway, I much rather see things I might be interested in (a win win for both of us).


·         IMDB- These days as a mom of two at and under 2, I often watch more drive ins than movies.  But when I am going to the movies, or selecting what to watch- the International Movie Data Base- is the world's most popular and authoritative source (self-proclaimed, but I agree) for movie, TV and celebrity content.  As you will tell throughout this blog I am a huge fan of crowd sourcing and reviews.  Removing outliers, you often receive some great feedback, new genre fav recommendations, actor histories, and rankings on what is worth watching when there is not enough hours in the day to watch “all the things”.  Plus, I love watching movie trailers to get hyped up and find the closest theatre and movie times from one convenient app.



Photography/Videography:


  So it is no surprise I adore visual photo tools such as Facebook and Instagram- which I like to think of artistic virtual scrapbooks and time lines of my life.  In fact from the second Jay and I started dating- our first date, our proposal –skydiving video, our engagement our world travels, our wedding, the birth of our children and their FB pages starting from within the womb- every moment is captured.  I wish I could see my grandmother or great grandmother’s timelines from the time they were young women- their thoughts, their life, their love story, their struggles their journey in this crazy thing called life.  My social journey is my gift of my legacy, my children, and their children.  Plus, after relocating to 7 different cities before the age of 30, it is a wonderful way to stay connected with all of my friends and family around the world.

My secret passion is photography- others who do it professionally, and my attempts to do it myself with the same passion and magic.  I may not always have my DSLR Camera, but I always have the convenience of a phone handy with pretty darn good quality photos compared to previous versions.   I love apps who allow me to capture every day moments and make them artistic, magical or just plain fun. Of those here are some of my fav…



·         Photofy- Actually started by my friend Hazel Flores’s husband- this has become a world phenomenon.  Photofy is a super-easy photo editing app for consumers and businesses that combines all the features you need in one app: Templates, Filters, Light Effects.  A great way to capture months, moments, and decorate your images with fun flair.

·         Picstich- Sometimes I want to upload a ton of photos, and well, sometimes I just want one cohesive image to capture the day.  During those times- I love Pic Stitch because it quickly combine multiple photos into one beautifully framed picture! Be creative and get all the angles, capture all the looks, see all the faces together in one shot (And post on Instagram and share on FB, Twitter, and Tumblr of course! ;)).

·         Flipagram-  When you want to be creative, I love to create a Flipagram -especially for my fav people’s birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions- Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. Flipagram helps bring your cherished moments to Life! You can create short photo video stories with your photos, videos clips, and favorite music.  Share some memories with someone you love, extra special and customized more than a generic Card.

·         PicPlayPost- If you can’t decide between photos, and videos- why not do BOTH? Over 10 Million users have discovered this simple way to create captivating stories with photos, videos, GIFs and music.  PicPlayPost makes it easy to combine different types of media into a collage you can share to your social networks. Share your daily workout, summarize your vacation, video collage selfies, fashion and beauty tips, and your musical range in an acapella collage.

·         I Movie- So this one is strictly for fellow apple-aholics (sorry Droid fans)-  Make Amazing  movies.  No film school required.  A great movie is right at your fingertips. Simply choose the photos and videos you want to use. Then tap and swipe to edit, add effects, and create a soundtrack. With a 64bit architecture and 4K support on iPhone 6s and iPad Pro, iMovie makes moviemaking faster and more entertaining than ever.  iMovie is designed to take advantage of the beautiful 4K video you can shoot and edit on your iPhone 6s. In fact, it is so powerful you can smoothly edit two streams of 4K video to create effects like picture-in-picture and split screen; and 3D Touch lets you speed up common iMovie tasks.  Than watch it all in full-resolution 1080p HD viewer.  I devices- once again making the complicated oh so simple, and beautiful. I recently made one for our Cisco Talent Show- stay tuned for that share.


Food:  


I love food- all food- from Michelin Three Stars to "questionable" Street Meat and every local delicacy in-between.  Out of 75 countries I have only gotten food poisoning once- and it was a rogue ice cube that took me out. There are some great apps I rely on locally or globally to help advise, find specials, and recommendations- they are as follows...


·         Yelp- Reading and leaving reviews for extraordinary food and services I often turn to Yelp.  Local crowd sourced user Reviews and Recommendations of Top Restaurants, Shopping, Nightlife, Entertainment, Services and More.  I especially like the menu recommendations and tips on child friendly (Schmoo inclusive) vs. romantic (Schmoo Free Date Nights)- or searching a craved cuisine like Italian, Chinese or miscellaneous a certain mileage (or what’s closest)  from where we are standing when we  get hangry (hungry +angry J).

·         OpenTable- My Go To for quick and easy Online Reservations- I need a table of 4 – in this city- what times are available and what are the reviews (but I usually check that on Yelp first).  OpenTable is an online real-time restaurant-reservation service. Make online reservations, read restaurant reviews from diners, and earn points towards free meals- as my uncle Joe would jokingly say- “if it’s free, it’s for me- give me three”. According to the company, it provides online reservations for about 31,000 restaurants around the world and seats about 15 million diners a month.  Word of warning- if you are going to cancel- don’t forget to cancel your online reservation on OpenTable or you get dinged. 

·         Swarm – formerly known as Four Square is the fun way to geo tag into a place – restaurant, airport, gym and more.  Swarm turns every day into a game! Earn prizes and compete with friends based on the places you go. Jay and I jokingly competed to see who would wear the crown by checking in more to our home… for all intents and purposes, and a happy marriage – it was a tie (wink wink #LonglivetheQueen).  You can also see when your friends are hanging out nearby.  The reason I list it under food is a surprise bonus that some restaurants give you a free perk just for checking in.  In fact, I have gotten awesome free desserts, appetizers and glasses of wine!  Plus some people leave funny reviews, like- make sure to check out the delish bread pudding- you can die a happy man, or stay away from the extremely questionable “meat loaf surprise”.

·         Pinterest- is. Life. From DIY home projects, motivational quotes, tips and tricks to food and drink.  It could fit into many categories but my primary use for it is recipes.  As a reformed cook book collector addict I have saved money, time, and diversified my cooking skills by turning to pinterest for new take on classics, decadent holiday treats, festive food art- especially Christmas and Halloween, and healthy options such as 21 day fix meals to work it all off (wash, rinse and repeat).  I love the simple steps, that every recipe has a picture and that there are so many new and exciting uses for food.  For example- every time I bought a butternut squash my go to recipe was soup. Thanks to Pinterest I took the same ol’ and transformed it into a delish butternut squash and spinach lasagna- a surprising take on a classic, and a huge hit at Brooklyn’s 2nd Birthday party!  When there is a school fundraiser, or party- this is where I turn.  I will give an honorable mention to my other favs for recipes BuzzFeed’s TASTY videos are a quick and easy way to leave your mouth watering, and Epicurious is delicious refined recipes- Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33000 recipes!

·         Groupon/Living Social- For me it is a tie between Groupon and Living Social for most things (Dining, massages, concerts), but for some reason when it comes to food I tend to gravitate towards Groupon- but our relationship is not exclusive.  A great way to discover and save on 1000s of great deals at nearby restaurants, spas, things to do, shopping, travel and more.  Perhaps it is because Groupon is available in 28 countries and countless cities, and  Living Social has 70 million members around the world.  Some tips and tricks, I tend to sign up for the local deals when I have a tripped plan-for ex going to Chicago, I sign in and cancel after trip is completed,  so I can count on local deals in advance.  Even if it’s a short commute away (ie NYC for us) I always leave it populated for a good deal and an excuse to go home sweet home.  Another tip, should you find yourself at a restaurant- type in the name and see if they have any deals… if they didn’t require reservations in advance to use,  it is often a great last minute way to save some bucks- and room for dessert.

News & Media:  


What can replace your News Paper- sans paper cuts- check out these News Worthy Apps and never miss a thing!  

·         Flip Board- Flipboard created a new type of reading experience on mobile, one focused on engaging the reader with the most exhilarating stories of the day and a magazine-style aesthetic. Hundreds of publications are now available on the news reader, and Flipboard offers a generous amount of topics, whether you’re into technology or entertainment or anything in-between.

·         Buzz Feed- BuzzFeed has it all: the news you want now, the stories and quizzes that our constantly buzzing on your social networks, and the recipes – YUM- do they make you hungry, or what?  Oh, and of course the hilarious life tips you didn’t know you needed.

·         Mashable- THE source for digital culture, breaking news, innovation, inspiration and entertainment.  What was the most notable things that happened on Jimmy Fallon, Sports, Media, politics- Don’t miss it with a first glimpse and a morning read of Mashable you will have plenty to talk about what’s trending in a variety of subjects.

·         Twitter-  Twitter has a  plethora of uses from social connections to business networking- but one of my favorite uses is to see what’s trending.  Today, when someone sees or hears of something from politics to natural disasters they quickly tweet and retweet until it becomes a trending topic. With a click of the mouse the world’s news has never been more connected than it is today.

Financial:  


Working at one of the world’s most secure Internet working Companies, I realize the concern some people have putting their finances in the cloud.  Recent events have showed certain things can be hacked (celebrity selfies and retail customers would agree)- nothing is 100 % guaranteed, but there are two tools that I personally trust for my finances, as highly safe, secure and extremely beneficial in terms of financial knowledge and planning.

·         Mint- free, web-based personal financial management service for Canada and the US.  Safe and secure Mint allows you to manage your money, pay your bills and track your credit score.  Mint takes security extremely seriously and understands some people’s trepidation to share personal bank information.  In response, Mint.com recently introduced a service aimed at helping consumers reach their long-term goals that doesn’t require the entering of any financial account information.  I personally feel safe- and helps me keep track of credit, loans, banking, rental properties, all in one sweet banking stop.  If you still have concerns, read this fascinating article by the NY Times on If You Should Trust Mint? 

·         Credit Karma- Helps provide easy-to-read credit reports and personalized score insights Tools & tips to help you understand your financial situation.  Plus it gives you free credit monitoring and can help you spot potential identity theft!

      Bank XYZ- I have two banks- and two apps and honestly have non returned to a bank since getting them.  Transferring money, depositing checks, paying bills are all done in a matter of seconds from my secure, and convenient mobile banking.

      Pay Pal- PayPal is the faster, safer way to send money, make an online payment, receive money or set up a merchant account compared to checks and money orders.  Paying my nanny, handy man, or collecting rent, or buying something on Etsy I do it all from there simply and easily. 

Travel: 

Everyone who personally knows or follows Jay and I know we are huge fans of World Travel- or travel in general.  After exploring 75 countries, countless states and cities- here are some of the tools of the trade we cannot live without!




·         Hotels.Com- We use it- everywhere we GO.  The company has 85 websites in 34 languages, and lists over 325,000 hotels in approximately 19,000 locations. Its inventory includes hotels and B&Bs, and some condos and other types of commercial lodging.  Even if it has only one apartment for rent in Belarus- we were never disappointed in the accommodations, reviews- and for every 9 stays your tenth stay is free based upon the average of the 9 prior hotels.   I have tried other sites – I always come back.

·         Kayak- KAYAK, is a fare aggregator and travel metasearch engine operated by the Priceline Group. It searches hundreds of other travel sites at once to find the information you need to make the right decisions on flights, hotels & rental cars.  It even tells you the ideal times to buy or wait.  The only downside is not all airlines are on their site (IE other low fare competitors such as Jet Blue, and Southwest etc.)

·         TripAdvisor - World's Largest Travel Site (Made in America). 200 million+ unbiased traveler reviews. Search 200+ sites to find the best reviews on where to go, eat, or stay!  A live interactive forum- my fav part as we globetrot is looking at the top 10 recommended places to go!  The way we travel right now is to see as much in as many places as we can, in as little time as possible.  Stack ranked we can hit off the most popular places to visit, dine, or experience a specific place-  A wanderlust dream come true!

          Navigation:


Some people have great spatial relations and can look at the sun and know where to go, others get lost in the Aiport Parking Lot.  I am closer to B- so when in doubt I use the following logistical apps.

       Waze- Waze is the world's largest community based traffic and navigation app (More Crowd Sourcing). Join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info (construction, accidents, road work delays, police etc) , saving everyone time... and speeding tickets.;)

       MapQuest- when driving, walking, or paddling across from Hawaii- I  find driving (sometimes creative) directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions from this creative and accurate app.  Plus you can geo-search and find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels.

       Tile- This is more of a Life hack but in order to drive anywhere you need to first need to find your keys!  Tile app key finder tracking device used to find lost keys and locate keys, phones, luggage, ...With a melodic sense of victory you can once again find your keys and your way.

       Uber- Growingup in NYC with the iconic stream of Taxi Cabs outside your door is nothing new but Uber raised the bar, and spiked the competition. They are finding better, cleaner, friendlier, nicer ways for cities to move, work, and thrive. Download the app and get a ride in minutes. Or become a driver and earn money on your schedule- without paying hundreds of thousands for a standard yellow cab monopoloy - which refuses to pick you up, or deliver you (safely), price gouges, and does all this with sub par vehicle conditions.  I would happily choose an uber any day!

Retail: 


I love Shopping. Cliche? Sure, but it doesn't make it any less true.  I love stores, Home Imrpovements/Goods- SuperMarkets/Specialty Foods, and a vast unending array of Clothing. I love a variety of clothing and styles.  Brands, No Brands - Bohemian Chic, Romantic, Sporty, DRESSES (I have a whole closet dedicated to dresses)- Shoes- All. The. Shoes.  So picking one app for clothing or shoes would be much too difficult, plus I feel that all depends on your personal style...but one thing I think we can all agree on is a deal! So here are my fav tools for retail deals.


·         Amazon- Everything I buy from tires- books, movies, music and games along with electronics, toys, apparel, sports, tools, groceries and general home and garden items comes two days free shipping from Amazon Prime.  There might be a slight higher cost with prime (I usually don’t notice one) but when time is money, and shipping- especially weekend shipping cost big bucks- I choose two days and free.  This is especially true with a busy working mom of two who remembers she has to send last minute presents! Plus, I actively use the QR Code reader when I go to places to price check- even Walmart!  Most of the time, people price match- so if Amazon is cheaper, I get the same price from them; and if they don’t price match I click purchase and anxiously await it in two days for free.

·         CartWheel – I grew up with a great aunt who we would visit every Sunday.  My job she assigned me was to scour the Sunday Newspaper and clip her coupons.  Well, fast forward 25+ years later since Danica, my beautiful stepdaughter became a Target Employee, I have reinvented my love of a deal and coupons.  With a Target card I get 5% off every purchase (debit or credit) + Manufacturings coupons + Cart Wheel + in store deal discounts I on average save $200 on every supermarket trip.  Target’s Cart Wheel App is especially helpful because you save on the things you already buy whole new spin on coupons. Find & share the best deals in all your favorite categories: grocery, baby, apparel, health & beauty & more - a .  You can select from hundreds of discounts ranging from 5% to 50% off, and add them to your personalized cart.  Plus, it then uses an algorithm to make suggestions on things “you might like” based upon previous purchases and sends you an email weekly.  Extreme Couponers watch out, every dollar counts and 200 buck-a-roo’s is not too shabby!

       Etsy- A virtual global marketplace is a world of vintage and handmade goods.  More than a million independent sellers from everywhere are right here.  Etsy handles and protects every transaction, so you can shop with confidence.  If you want to find something unique, and extaordinairy- Etsy is your place.  Examples of things I have bought- both girls hand-made christening gowns, cake toppers, leather personalized and engraved luggage tags, birthday posters, special  wedding decor, jewelery and so much more!


Health & Wellness:


 Born with a rare heart condition I have always taken fitness, health and wellness to heart - literally and figuratively.  Also having family members with depression, and anxiety I know the importance - sress relief, and endorphin creation fitness can give you to combat these things naturally.  With that said, these are some of my fav fitness tracking tools.

       Withings Scale- The revolutionary new scale that takes your health to heart.  Get to know a scale that coaches, rewards, and records all data automatically. And with tools at hand such as trend screens and nutrition tracking, you can set smart analytics to a healthier, happier, more self-aware you.  PS This was my Valentine's  gift to Jay! #HowRomantic

      Apple Watch/FitBit- You name it, I've worn it (Jawbone, Apple Watch, FitBit, Polar etc)..Apple Watch and FitBit are my fav because you can Track Your Sleep, Calories & Steps, All in One Device (Apple Watch being a more robust device, but JawBone being more stylish (IMO). Honestly, without a heart rate strap I have worn three at once and feel all are slightly off from one another so I am not sure who is the best source of "truth".  Maybe V2 for AW and V3 for FB will be even better. The FitBit has come leaps and bounds from the fist versions which I either lost from unclipping off my clothing, or a casualty of the washing machine and forgetfulness.... I like it MUCH better as a colorful discreet bracelet, and the battery life is 3 x's as good as Apple's Watch  #TheBestisYettoCome

      MapMy Run/Walk GPS Running, Jogging, Walking, Workout Tracking and Calorie Counter extraordinaire. Start running/walking and track and map every run with MapMyRun. For every mile you go, you'll get feedback and stats to help you improve your performance- plus the occasional applause to cheer you on and celebrate victories.

     DietBet- Perfect for anyone who needs some extra motivation to lose weight, DietBet is the fun way to get fit—and get PAID to do it. DietBet is a brand new way to lose weight and it works! Their challenges have helped 150000+ people lose weight and win over $6 million dollars- I personally have won several hundred and found it helps me saty accountable and fun to do as a challenge alone, or with my friends and family or strangers who share the same goals. #GetFitGetHealthyGetHappy

Games:


 Although I do not have the time to play that often, there is a little board game lover which lingers on in each of us.  Living in remote Albany, I get to play with my mom, family, friends and strangers some of my fav classics when I have the time and pick up in a day or two if I do not.  I also run an Employee Engagement Quarterly Bracket competition at Cisco –friendly competition and an opportunity for people to meet new colleagues and friends no matter where in the world they sit.



·         Words with Friends- Words with Friends is a multi-player word game developed by Newtoy, Inc. Players take turns building words crossword puzzle style in a manner similar to the classic board game Scrabble.  It really tests and enhance your language skills for a broader vocabulary –especially if you guess and are delightful surprised when you come up with a unique new word.

·         Trivia Crack- Trivia Crack is a mobile app that allows users to compete against friends and people around the world. Modeled after popular games such as Trivial Pursuit, Willy, the Spinner Wheel will select one of the 6 categories for you from sports, entertainment, science, geography history, and art.  Whoever has the most knowledge and useless knowledge wins- addictive and fun.

·         Song Pop- If you love music and/or movies this is another simple and fun trivia game.  Challenge your friends or play with other music fans.  Hear song clips from thousands of ORIGINAL artists in over 300 genres of songs and of movies.  Guess the artist or song faster than your friends.  If you unlock more songs, more playlists open and you become a true music master (at least at Guessing if not Singing J)!  For Song Pop- Today’s Hits to Classic Rock, Country to Rap and Hip-Hop, Young Pop Stars to Indie and Latin Hits, Collections for every decade: 2000s, 90s, 80s, 70s, 60s and more!  Plus New music & playlists added every week to keep it fresh.


·         Movie Pop- From the same makers of Song Pop- Fresh Planet challenges if you are a huge movie fan. Get some buttered popcorn and turn down the lights! Guess clips from some of your favorite movies and send challenges to your friends or fellow movie fanatics.  Choose your favorite genre of movies with thousands of titles to play with from classics to today’s blockbusters.  Y”ou want the truth? You can’t handle the Truth…The little things in life, there’s nothing bigger...  There’s no place like home”- with this app! 

LifeStreaming:


As a fan of life streaming I love all tech apps- but especially those that make my life simpler or more memorable.  There are tons to choose from, but this is my personal fav.

      TimeHopTimehop helps you celebrate the best moments of the past. It's like #tbt every day! What were you doing a year ago today? Two years? Three years?    I especially love watching what I did on my birthday/holidays/our anniversary each year, remembering special moments with loved ones (and fur kids) I love and miss or have lost, Jay and my travels, and watching the girls grow before my eyes.  Enjoy, re-share and celebrate  the cherished memories of life.  As Dr. Seuss once said,  'Sometimes you will never know the value of something,until it becomes a memory.

I hope you give some of these apps a try.  Comment below and let me know what you use, like, or alternatives you might recommend. Have an App-filled day… but remember to turn it off and be present when it counts! 

My Favorite Apps: From Apple to Android, #SocialMedia #Entertainment #Travel #Technology #Food and more!


I am reminded of the first time I told my mom to go to the App Store, and she said sure- what’s the address?  My, my how times have changed- most of us could not be found without our Smart Phones (Apple, Windows or Android) permanently affixed to our hands.  I for one am a huge fan of putting it down when there’s a place and time to be “present” ala the dinner table- but for those times where we can explore the wonder which is app world, my good friend Janet Schijns- Verizon's Global Channel Chief and fellow Chic and Geek #TechNerd recently posed a question on FB asking what our fav apps are?  I started to respond and pumped the breaks... I decided that I have WAY TOO MANY  many favs, I might as well write a blog and sort by category!  Some of these you probably know and love, others might be new (or present a new use for an old classic)- in any event hope you enjoy!

Entertainment: 


I love a good book – a real paper book- I miss the days of sitting in the aisles of Barnes and Nobles immersing myself in reading and drinking a Starbucks smack on the middle of an aisle floor.  As a technology early adopter and enthusiast I am remiss to say I have not yet fallen in love with virtual books (I have yet to give Kindle and Fire a serious try) but there is a variety of other tech ways to take in a plethora of other forms of entertainment from theatre to your home.  There are a variety of apps in this category- but these are the ones that keep me entertained when not reading my legacy but oh so delicious books.



·         Net Flix- I may never need cable or Dish- ever again.  Although I haven’t bit the bullet yet and completely severed ties- when our cable went down I was SHOCKED as to how many of my fav TV Series, movies, and kids shows are readily available.  Old school cartoon favs for Brooklyn and Cali, Orange is the New Black for Mommy, and hundreds of documentaries for Daddy and I- Tony Robbins – I am not your Guru my most recent fav.  Not to mention Cooking Shows like Cup Cake Wars, Home Shows like Property Brothers and so much more.  The only down side is they don’t always have my classic favs- and I would not be able to watch the Oscars, Tony’s, Super Bowl etc- #FirstWorldProblems but also a good excuse to go to a party and make it a social event, no?  Everything else gets Chromecasted or Apple TV’d from my phone to one of our TV’s around the house.

·         You Tube- So we have all watched it for the funny cat videos, and snickered when Charlie Bit his Brother’s finger but YouTube is more than enjoyable, original videos .  For Jay, my husband, - it is “mr fix it” where he can watch a how to tutorial and be a handyman extraordinaire and save hundred if not thousands of dollars (true story from cars, freezers, to dryers and more!).  For me, it is a way for me to watch music videos of all my fav songs – classic or yesteryear.  Plus the how to’s for make up and hair are on point! Everyone is a YouTube star, and some really make it big- such as my fav Jenna Marbles as she shares her random thoughts- sometimes vulgar, but always funny. Also- a great way to share our own content- so video upload your original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube… who knows, you may be the next “You Tube Stars”!


·         You Tube Kids- When you have children- and are cautious of what they watch I would recommend You Tube Kids.  YouTube Kids app is designed for curious little minds to dive into a world of discovery, learning and entertainment; Filtered by you, and parent & child approved.  Our personal favorite is Baby Bum videos – classic nursery songs, plus educational learning like colors, numbers for our 2 year old Brooklyn when alternating with Sesame Street and Elmo’s World.  Plus it’s ad and commercial free.

S   Snap Chat- Snapchat lets you easily talk with friends, add moments throughout your #RealLife day (exciting
or uneventful) as well as view Live Stories from around the world, and explore news in Discover. Their tag line, "Life's more fun when you live in the moment!" A super fun and silly way to send a quick photo or video to friends, and of course there are the absolutely addictive SnapChat Filters See my daughter Brooklyn and I  for exhibit A.  From a business perspective Snapchat is bringing behavioral targeting, or advertisement based on data gathered from user activity, to the app in the near future- creepy or helpful - you decide.  Personally, if you are going to advertise to me anyway, I much rather see things I might be interested in (a win win for both of us).


·         IMDB- These days as a mom of two at and under 2, I often watch more drive ins than movies.  But when I am going to the movies, or selecting what to watch- the International Movie Data Base- is the world's most popular and authoritative source (self-proclaimed, but I agree) for movie, TV and celebrity content.  As you will tell throughout this blog I am a huge fan of crowd sourcing and reviews.  Removing outliers, you often receive some great feedback, new genre fav recommendations, actor histories, and rankings on what is worth watching when there is not enough hours in the day to watch “all the things”.  Plus, I love watching movie trailers to get hyped up and find the closest theatre and movie times from one convenient app.



Photography/Videography:


  So it is no surprise I adore visual photo tools such as Facebook and Instagram- which I like to think of artistic virtual scrapbooks and time lines of my life.  In fact from the second Jay and I started dating- our first date, our proposal –skydiving video, our engagement our world travels, our wedding, the birth of our children and their FB pages starting from within the womb- every moment is captured.  I wish I could see my grandmother or great grandmother’s timelines from the time they were young women- their thoughts, their life, their love story, their struggles their journey in this crazy thing called life.  My social journey is my gift of my legacy, my children, and their children.  Plus, after relocating to 7 different cities before the age of 30, it is a wonderful way to stay connected with all of my friends and family around the world.

My secret passion is photography- others who do it professionally, and my attempts to do it myself with the same passion and magic.  I may not always have my DSLR Camera, but I always have the convenience of a phone handy with pretty darn good quality photos compared to previous versions.   I love apps who allow me to capture every day moments and make them artistic, magical or just plain fun. Of those here are some of my fav…



·         Photofy- Actually started by my friend Hazel Flores’s husband- this has become a world phenomenon.  Photofy is a super-easy photo editing app for consumers and businesses that combines all the features you need in one app: Templates, Filters, Light Effects.  A great way to capture months, moments, and decorate your images with fun flair.

·         Picstich- Sometimes I want to upload a ton of photos, and well, sometimes I just want one cohesive image to capture the day.  During those times- I love Pic Stitch because it quickly combine multiple photos into one beautifully framed picture! Be creative and get all the angles, capture all the looks, see all the faces together in one shot (And post on Instagram and share on FB, Twitter, and Tumblr of course! ;)).

·         Flipagram-  When you want to be creative, I love to create a Flipagram -especially for my fav people’s birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions- Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. Flipagram helps bring your cherished moments to Life! You can create short photo video stories with your photos, videos clips, and favorite music.  Share some memories with someone you love, extra special and customized more than a generic Card.

·         PicPlayPost- If you can’t decide between photos, and videos- why not do BOTH? Over 10 Million users have discovered this simple way to create captivating stories with photos, videos, GIFs and music.  PicPlayPost makes it easy to combine different types of media into a collage you can share to your social networks. Share your daily workout, summarize your vacation, video collage selfies, fashion and beauty tips, and your musical range in an acapella collage.

·         I Movie- So this one is strictly for fellow apple-aholics (sorry Droid fans)-  Make Amazing  movies.  No film school required.  A great movie is right at your fingertips. Simply choose the photos and videos you want to use. Then tap and swipe to edit, add effects, and create a soundtrack. With a 64bit architecture and 4K support on iPhone 6s and iPad Pro, iMovie makes moviemaking faster and more entertaining than ever.  iMovie is designed to take advantage of the beautiful 4K video you can shoot and edit on your iPhone 6s. In fact, it is so powerful you can smoothly edit two streams of 4K video to create effects like picture-in-picture and split screen; and 3D Touch lets you speed up common iMovie tasks.  Than watch it all in full-resolution 1080p HD viewer.  I devices- once again making the complicated oh so simple, and beautiful. I recently made one for our Cisco Talent Show- stay tuned for that share.


Food:  


I love food- all food- from Michelin Three Stars to "questionable" Street Meat and every local delicacy in-between.  Out of 75 countries I have only gotten food poisoning once- and it was a rogue ice cube that took me out. There are some great apps I rely on locally or globally to help advise, find specials, and recommendations- they are as follows...


·         Yelp- Reading and leaving reviews for extraordinary food and services I often turn to Yelp.  Local crowd sourced user Reviews and Recommendations of Top Restaurants, Shopping, Nightlife, Entertainment, Services and More.  I especially like the menu recommendations and tips on child friendly (Schmoo inclusive) vs. romantic (Schmoo Free Date Nights)- or searching a craved cuisine like Italian, Chinese or miscellaneous a certain mileage (or what’s closest)  from where we are standing when we  get hangry (hungry +angry J).

·         OpenTable- My Go To for quick and easy Online Reservations- I need a table of 4 – in this city- what times are available and what are the reviews (but I usually check that on Yelp first).  OpenTable is an online real-time restaurant-reservation service. Make online reservations, read restaurant reviews from diners, and earn points towards free meals- as my uncle Joe would jokingly say- “if it’s free, it’s for me- give me three”. According to the company, it provides online reservations for about 31,000 restaurants around the world and seats about 15 million diners a month.  Word of warning- if you are going to cancel- don’t forget to cancel your online reservation on OpenTable or you get dinged. 

·         Swarm – formerly known as Four Square is the fun way to geo tag into a place – restaurant, airport, gym and more.  Swarm turns every day into a game! Earn prizes and compete with friends based on the places you go. Jay and I jokingly competed to see who would wear the crown by checking in more to our home… for all intents and purposes, and a happy marriage – it was a tie (wink wink #LonglivetheQueen).  You can also see when your friends are hanging out nearby.  The reason I list it under food is a surprise bonus that some restaurants give you a free perk just for checking in.  In fact, I have gotten awesome free desserts, appetizers and glasses of wine!  Plus some people leave funny reviews, like- make sure to check out the delish bread pudding- you can die a happy man, or stay away from the extremely questionable “meat loaf surprise”.

·         Pinterest- is. Life. From DIY home projects, motivational quotes, tips and tricks to food and drink.  It could fit into many categories but my primary use for it is recipes.  As a reformed cook book collector addict I have saved money, time, and diversified my cooking skills by turning to pinterest for new take on classics, decadent holiday treats, festive food art- especially Christmas and Halloween, and healthy options such as 21 day fix meals to work it all off (wash, rinse and repeat).  I love the simple steps, that every recipe has a picture and that there are so many new and exciting uses for food.  For example- every time I bought a butternut squash my go to recipe was soup. Thanks to Pinterest I took the same ol’ and transformed it into a delish butternut squash and spinach lasagna- a surprising take on a classic, and a huge hit at Brooklyn’s 2nd Birthday party!  When there is a school fundraiser, or party- this is where I turn.  I will give an honorable mention to my other favs for recipes BuzzFeed’s TASTY videos are a quick and easy way to leave your mouth watering, and Epicurious is delicious refined recipes- Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33000 recipes!

·         Groupon/Living Social- For me it is a tie between Groupon and Living Social for most things (Dining, massages, concerts), but for some reason when it comes to food I tend to gravitate towards Groupon- but our relationship is not exclusive.  A great way to discover and save on 1000s of great deals at nearby restaurants, spas, things to do, shopping, travel and more.  Perhaps it is because Groupon is available in 28 countries and countless cities, and  Living Social has 70 million members around the world.  Some tips and tricks, I tend to sign up for the local deals when I have a tripped plan-for ex going to Chicago, I sign in and cancel after trip is completed,  so I can count on local deals in advance.  Even if it’s a short commute away (ie NYC for us) I always leave it populated for a good deal and an excuse to go home sweet home.  Another tip, should you find yourself at a restaurant- type in the name and see if they have any deals… if they didn’t require reservations in advance to use,  it is often a great last minute way to save some bucks- and room for dessert.

News & Media:  


What can replace your News Paper- sans paper cuts- check out these News Worthy Apps and never miss a thing!  

·         Flip Board- Flipboard created a new type of reading experience on mobile, one focused on engaging the reader with the most exhilarating stories of the day and a magazine-style aesthetic. Hundreds of publications are now available on the news reader, and Flipboard offers a generous amount of topics, whether you’re into technology or entertainment or anything in-between.

·         Buzz Feed- BuzzFeed has it all: the news you want now, the stories and quizzes that our constantly buzzing on your social networks, and the recipes – YUM- do they make you hungry, or what?  Oh, and of course the hilarious life tips you didn’t know you needed.

·         Mashable- THE source for digital culture, breaking news, innovation, inspiration and entertainment.  What was the most notable things that happened on Jimmy Fallon, Sports, Media, politics- Don’t miss it with a first glimpse and a morning read of Mashable you will have plenty to talk about what’s trending in a variety of subjects.

·         Twitter-  Twitter has a  plethora of uses from social connections to business networking- but one of my favorite uses is to see what’s trending.  Today, when someone sees or hears of something from politics to natural disasters they quickly tweet and retweet until it becomes a trending topic. With a click of the mouse the world’s news has never been more connected than it is today.

Financial:  


Working at one of the world’s most secure Internet working Companies, I realize the concern some people have putting their finances in the cloud.  Recent events have showed certain things can be hacked (celebrity selfies and retail customers would agree)- nothing is 100 % guaranteed, but there are two tools that I personally trust for my finances, as highly safe, secure and extremely beneficial in terms of financial knowledge and planning.

·         Mint- free, web-based personal financial management service for Canada and the US.  Safe and secure Mint allows you to manage your money, pay your bills and track your credit score.  Mint takes security extremely seriously and understands some people’s trepidation to share personal bank information.  In response, Mint.com recently introduced a service aimed at helping consumers reach their long-term goals that doesn’t require the entering of any financial account information.  I personally feel safe- and helps me keep track of credit, loans, banking, rental properties, all in one sweet banking stop.  If you still have concerns, read this fascinating article by the NY Times on If You Should Trust Mint? 

·         Credit Karma- Helps provide easy-to-read credit reports and personalized score insights Tools & tips to help you understand your financial situation.  Plus it gives you free credit monitoring and can help you spot potential identity theft!

Travel: 

Everyone who personally knows or follows Jay and I know we are huge fans of World Travel- or travel in general.  After exploring 75 countries, countless states and cities- here are some of the tools of the trade we cannot live without!




·         Hotels.Com- We use it- everywhere we GO.  The company has 85 websites in 34 languages, and lists over 325,000 hotels in approximately 19,000 locations. Its inventory includes hotels and B&Bs, and some condos and other types of commercial lodging.  Even if it has only one apartment for rent in Belarus- we were never disappointed in the accommodations, reviews- and for every 9 stays your tenth stay is free based upon the average of the 9 prior hotels.   I have tried other sites – I always come back.

·         Kayak- KAYAK, is a fare aggregator and travel metasearch engine operated by the Priceline Group. It searches hundreds of other travel sites at once to find the information you need to make the right decisions on flights, hotels & rental cars.  It even tells you the ideal times to buy or wait.  The only downside is not all airlines are on their site (IE other low fare competitors such as Jet Blue, and Southwest etc.)

·         TripAdvisor - World's Largest Travel Site (Made in America). 200 million+ unbiased traveler reviews. Search 200+ sites to find the best reviews on where to go, eat, or stay!  A live interactive forum- my fav part as we globetrot is looking at the top 10 recommended places to go!  The way we travel right now is to see as much in as many places as we can, in as little time as possible.  Stack ranked we can hit off the most popular places to visit, dine, or experience a specific place-  A wanderlust dream come true!

Retail: 


I love Shopping. Cliche? Sure, but it doesn't make it any less true.  I love stores, Home Imrpovements/Goods- SuperMarkets/Specialty Foods, and a vast unending array of Clothing. I love a variety of clothing and styles.  Brands, No Brands - Bohemian Chic, Romantic, Sporty, DRESSES (I have a whole closet dedicated to dresses)- Shoes- All. The. Shoes.  So picking one app for clothing or shoes would be much too difficult, plus I feel that all depends on your personal style...but one thing I think we can all agree on is a deal! So here are my fav tools for retail deals.


·         Amazon- Everything I buy from tires- books, movies, music and games along with electronics, toys, apparel, sports, tools, groceries and general home and garden items comes two days free shipping from Amazon Prime.  There might be a slight higher cost with prime (I usually don’t notice one) but when time is money, and shipping- especially weekend shipping cost big bucks- I choose two days and free.  This is especially true with a busy working mom of two who remembers she has to send last minute presents! Plus, I actively use the QR Code reader when I go to places to price check- even Walmart!  Most of the time, people price match- so if Amazon is cheaper, I get the same price from them; and if they don’t price match I click purchase and anxiously await it in two days for free.

·         CartWheel – I grew up with a great aunt who we would visit every Sunday.  My job she assigned me was to scour the Sunday Newspaper and clip her coupons.  Well, fast forward 25+ years later since Danica, my beautiful stepdaughter became a Target Employee, I have reinvented my love of a deal and coupons.  With a Target card I get 5% off every purchase (debit or credit) + Manufacturings coupons + Cart Wheel + in store deal discounts I on average save $200 on every supermarket trip.  Target’s Cart Wheel App is especially helpful because you save on the things you already buy whole new spin on coupons. Find & share the best deals in all your favorite categories: grocery, baby, apparel, health & beauty & more - a .  You can select from hundreds of discounts ranging from 5% to 50% off, and add them to your personalized cart.  Plus, it then uses an algorithm to make suggestions on things “you might like” based upon previous purchases and sends you an email weekly.  Extreme Couponers watch out, every dollar counts and 200 buck-a-roo’s is not too shabby!

Games-


 Although I do not have the time to play that often, there is a little board game lover which lingers on in each of us.  Living in remote Albany, I get to play with my mom, family, friends and strangers some of my fav classics when I have the time and pick up in a day or two if I do not.  I also run an Employee Engagement Quarterly Bracket competition at Cisco –friendly competition and an opportunity for people to meet new colleagues and friends no matter where in the world they sit.



·         Words with Friends- Words with Friends is a multi-player word game developed by Newtoy, Inc. Players take turns building words crossword puzzle style in a manner similar to the classic board game Scrabble.  It really tests and enhance your language skills for a broader vocabulary –especially if you guess and are delightful surprised when you come up with a unique new word.

·         Trivia Crack- Trivia Crack is a mobile app that allows users to compete against friends and people around the world. Modeled after popular games such as Trivial Pursuit, Willy, the Spinner Wheel will select one of the 6 categories for you from sports, entertainment, science, geography history, and art.  Whoever has the most knowledge and useless knowledge wins- addictive and fun.

·         Song Pop- If you love music and/or movies this is another simple and fun trivia game.  Challenge your friends or play with other music fans.  Hear song clips from thousands of ORIGINAL artists in over 300 genres of songs and of movies.  Guess the artist or song faster than your friends.  If you unlock more songs, more playlists open and you become a true music master (at least at Guessing if not Singing J)!  For Song Pop- Today’s Hits to Classic Rock, Country to Rap and Hip-Hop, Young Pop Stars to Indie and Latin Hits, Collections for every decade: 2000s, 90s, 80s, 70s, 60s and more!  Plus New music & playlists added every week to keep it fresh.


·         Movie Pop- From the same makers of Song Pop- Fresh Planet challenges if you are a huge movie fan. Get some buttered popcorn and turn down the lights! Guess clips from some of your favorite movies and send challenges to your friends or fellow movie fanatics.  Choose your favorite genre of movies with thousands of titles to play with from classics to today’s blockbusters.  Y”ou want the truth? You can’t handle the Truth…The little things in life, there’s nothing bigger...  There’s no place like home”- with this app! 


I hope you give some of these apps a try.  Comment below and let me know what you use, like, or alternatives you might recommend. Have an App-filled day… but remember to turn it off and be present when it counts! 

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

An Open Letter to Matt and Melissa Graves, I am so Deeply Sorry for the Loss of your Son Lane

My heart is breaking, and I cannot stop crying.  I do not know you, Matt and Melissa Graves, I was never blessed to meet your sweet boy Lane, but I was up all night thinking about you and your family.  I have never laid eyes on you- but I cried -uncontrollably as if you were a close friend or family hearing the news that your precious angel was ripped from your family by a predator.  As I sat on my couch last night watching CNN in the background facing the devastating back to back tragedies this week in Orlando- the young talented and up and coming singer from the Voice Christina Grimmie killed after a concert at the Plaza Live Friday night. The gunman killed himself after shooting her. Then the devastating tragedy when early Sunday, a gunman killed 49 people and injured more than 50 others at the Pulse nightclub- and I listened to each of the survivors ask why them, and each of their families speak about their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, loves- taken because of hate, intolerance, and plain evil. Then- wallowing in the sadness of humanity your story came on.  A family, just like mine- set to vacation at "the Happiest Place on Earth" Disney World with your family.  I imagine myself there, in your shoes... waking up early exploring the Disney Parks which is always a long day of fun and excitement for the whole family.  I picture you there tired, relaxing by the lake with your precious family.  I imagine my daughter Brooklyn, who is also two- and how happy she would have been after seeing Mickey and friends, and the joy she has playing in the water. I imagine the content feeling you have as a family being together, cherishing these memories- a lifetime dream of every child- and a joy to so many around the world... and then I imagine the horror that unfolds next- and I cannot breathe.

I cannot see what you saw, I cannot feel the fear and horror your family experienced.... but I cannot get the image replaying in my imagination out of my head.  I cannot imagine the next few hours sitting in your hotel room- replaying every single moment of "what ifs" and what you would do over if you could rewind time...but, you can't.   I shared your story on my facebook page and wept as I tossed and turned and could not find the ability to sleep thinking of you and your torment- thinking of your precious baby boy- and thinking of my own children and what would I do if I was in your shoes.

I woke up today, to see most people, like myself were in horror and empathetically sending prayers to your family...I was saddened, shocked, and frankly, irate to see how people chastised you on social media- saying "if only you would have watched your kids".  As if they are perfect, as if they have never made a mistake, as if they had never wished they could turn back time.  I was not there, I do not know your story or all of the details, I can't help but go through every scenario in my head- having multiples - trying to comfort one, watching the other, trying to relax after an exciting and tiring day, trying to get a "terrible two" to listen, ... I can't even go to the bathroom without walking back to the walls being colored, maybe you were trying to get them out of the water; or maybe you had the innocent presumption You were right there next to your child- watching them-so everything would be fine, but it wasn't.

People point to the signs that were posted (none mentioning risk of alligators- just warnings not to swim).  Honestly, if I myself was at a 5 star resort in Disney World- I would think only that the signs were there to prevent drowning without a lifeguard present, or avoid liability of law suits-- I myself might have gotten in the water after a hot day in the Floridian Sun, or thought, "we are right here, watching them, what could go wrong?" Media says it is the first time it has ever happened there. Maybe that makes me ignorant, or naive- but no one could have predicted that.  For the people who sit on their high thrones of couch perfection - an outsider looking into your life, and your family - with a magnifying glass casting judgement- YOU are the perfect parents, with perfect children, and YOU have never made a mistake...doubtable, but sure if you want to believe that... but for the rest of us- who are not "perfect" I certainly being one of them - we ALL make mistakes and some are silly things we can look back and laugh on and others- such as this are not so fortunate, and you have to pay the ultimate tragic price. Kicking you when you're down is not only unnecessary, it's cruel- and those people -they do not speak for the rest of us- I am SO SORRY and you're  NOT alone.     I don't even know if you saw the sign, I don't even know if that matters- you cannot change anything, although I am certain you desperately wish you could.

I understand they recovered Lane- and you will now have to go through laying your two year old son to rest, explaining to your older children he will not be coming home.  You will never see him get married, you will never see him graduate from HS and College, you will never see him realize his dreams- all the things that you plan on and imagine the day they place your child in your arms after being born.  You lost your baby boy, just as the parents of those who lost their 49 innocent children.    This has been a devastating week for Orlando, for the United States, and for each of you and your families.  I wish I could turn back time, I wish I could undo this hurt and pain you feel, I wish I could bring your baby boy back- and all of the recent victims. Nothing any of us say or do can bring them back.  I send you- all of you- my deepest condolences, I send you my prayers, I send you my hope for peace.


Friday, October 16, 2015

Does it take being "Mean" to get ahead?

Today, I read an interesting blog by my friend Amy Katz of Channel E2E From Entrepreneur to Exit "Mind if I B*tch a Bit"  (click here to read



Firstly, as Vice-Chair of CompTIA's Advancing Women in IT Community, I am very happy to hear your feed back about our community and posts.  We absolutely try to bridge the gap and create an equal playing field and opportunities for men and women alike.

Thank you for bringing up a very Interesting perspective which is often discussed within our communities and members.  Let me begin by saying, of course women tend to be outnumbered in the IT field (significantly), in fact in the last 10 years women entering a career in IT has not only plateaued, but declined.  We hope to change that through mentorship, advocacy, and conversations such as this.

Sheryl Sandberg discussed a similar topic in her book "Lean In" whereby women who act a certain way are perceived as "mean" or b*tchy, while a man who perceives in the precise same way is celebrated for his leadership.  Is it in fact the women that is being "mean" or just the perception of a strong authority that is misunderstood.

Personally, some of my best mentors have been senior women in leadership.  Why?  They get it.  They recognize my efforts, hard work and support me - not because I am a woman, but in spite of it.  It is absolutely necessary to have champions who can mentor and guide you throughout your professional career (no matter the stage or experience, we can always afford to learn something new).

Were the women you aforementioned directly told those quotes, or was it their perception?  Let's examine some options- what if a man and woman leader felt the same way about promoting the individual- but she voiced her opinion and he did not. Is this now considered constructive criticism?  Or perhaps it would have been more helpful to provide clear actionable items on how she might improve her perception to get ahead.  Or, maybe it would be best to say you disagree and would love the opportunity to prove you don't have to be mean to be talented, determined, and successful... or maybe it's time for a skip level.

It is my honest opinion that the more women support each other, the better it will be to share perspective, insight, experiences, and support.  However, as men are typically the majority it is equally important they too take an active role to understand that regardless if you are a man, or a woman, you can be successful with the right encouragement and opportunities.  It is not too often I hear of a man being promoted because he is kind, or a woman being looked over because she is too nice, or not mean enough.  These stereotypes (real or imagined) are the very road blocks which inhibit the success of individuals and the overall organizations.

Regardless of your chromosomes we all potentially can be great contributors.  There is an absolute proven statistical benefit to having diversity in the work place, and unique ideas to help the company grow and become successful- as well as target an audience who is also diverse.  It is the hope that some day we will not be judged by our gender, but by the person we are, the history we have built our success  on, and the opportunity for the future of what we can contribute.  It is the hope that managers can look past these things and encourage you to be your best, and support you on your journey by being fair and kind wouldn't hurt :).


I would love to know your thoughts and perspectives- please share them here...

Thursday, July 9, 2015

A Tribute to my Mom and Our Mediterranean Cruise



My mom is my hero.  She is AMAZING.  She is one of six children, and grew up in poor 1st generation

 Immigrant family in Brooklyn NY.  My grandmother, a loving, church going, sweet heart of a woman got sick.  My grandfather- not such a nice guy - decided to put his children in an orphanage rather then take care
of them.  The oldest ran away, second went with a friend, and the rest stuck together as best they could.  My great aunt upon finding out, quit her job and took them out of the home, and raised them with her husband until my grandmother got better. My aunt lived on a farm in Long Island and couldn't have children- so she always said Babci (Grandma in Polish) had enough kids for them to share.  She had warm dinners, play time, church time, study time, and best of all plenty of love.

 Many of these qualities became the core foundation in our very family as well.  My mom was forced to grow up at a very young age, and be a rock for her family, her mother, and eventually me...
When my grandmother got better she moved the kids back to Brooklyn.  I always wondered what would have happened if they stayed in farm life (funny to think of Long Island a huge metro suberb of NYC as a farm- but those were the times).  Nevertheless my mom was 13 when she met my father who was 16.  He had troubles, and although she loved him and thought she could help him- he became abusive.  My mom did not want me to grow up in that environment and got divorced and we moved back to Brooklyn where she raised me by herself as a single mom since I was 8 months old.  I don't say this with shame, but with pride that she had enough courage and faith to leave a terrible situation to give us both a better life. 
 I was the first in my family to attend and graduate from College. My mom worked for the Board of Education for 24 years helping children from Pre K- HS with drug prevention, violence prevention, gang prevention etc.  Recently a student of hers became a FB friend... he was a "bad kid" who always was in trouble.  My mom loved him the most.  She helped him, listened to him, and redirected him.  He now serves in the US Military and thanked my mom.  He said it was because of people like her he is where he is today, selflessly defending our country.  Just one example of the thousands of lives my mom has touched. 


  My mom moved to NC and has continued as she calls it, "doing God's Work" helping the elderly- especially her favorite- Mildred who is 98.  My mom adores her, and the feeling is more than mutual.  My mom although she no longer takes care of Mildred still visits her buddy.  My mom has always sacrificed for everyone, putting herself last.  Her needs, wants, and desires have been put on hold so she can help everyone else around her. 

My mom has longed dreamed of going to Greece.  She talks about it all the time, like some far away dream that one day... someday might get realized. 


Well for those of you who follow my story, you know I have been blessed to travel to 60 countries now, most of which with my darling Husband Jay... but the first trip I ever took out of the country was with my mom and grandma when I was 13 on a cruise - 7 days at Sea and then off to Bermuda!  It was a magical land of turquoise blue water, and I longed for more.  At  Sweet 16-  My mom asked me what do you want for your birthday?  A party?  A car (even if she couldn't afford it... it really wasn't necessary since I was NYC kid).  "No "I said, "I want to go somewhere...".  "Okay" she said without hesitation- "Where?".  Italy! I replied,  Are you nuts she said?  Well maybe, but why not.  It was my 16th, my mom's 40th and my grandmother's 65th Birthday- and I was born longing to travel the world.  Especially our home country!  So- we went! It was the trip of the lifetime, and changed my life!  I cried when I left... and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life exploring far away lands, eating foreign food, listening to exotic new languages and music, and immersing myself in "strange" and wonderful cultures. 



Well, I am super excited to finally,after all these years repeat that trip of 3 generations- but this time my mom is Grandma and Brooklyn will once again go Globe Trotting and have nothing but pictures to remember ;).  I am taking my mom on her dream trip and then some!

We are starting in a surprise destination, and then heading to Barcelona, Spain to being a Mediterranean Cruise!

 Indeed this will be a dream vacation for all of us :)

 


Sat, 08/08/15 Barcelona, Spain
View general port information
Muelle Adosado
Puerto De Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
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Check In 1:00pm-5:30pm
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progressive Check In Times
7:00pm
Sun, 08/09/15 Marseille (provence), France 7:00am 5:00pm
Mon, 08/10/15 Genoa, Italy (for Milan) 7:00am 6:00pm
Tue, 08/11/15 Florence/Pisa (livorno), Italy 7:00am 7:00pm
Wed, 08/12/15 At Sea
Thu, 08/13/15 Valletta, Malta 7:00am 4:00pm
Fri, 08/14/15 Sicily (palermo), Italy 7:00am 2:00pm
Sat, 08/15/15 Rome (civitavecchia), Italy
See Travel Summary For
progressive Check In Times
5:00am 6:00pm
Sun, 08/16/15 Naples, Italy (for Capri & Pompeii) 7:00am 6:00pm
Mon, 08/17/15 At Sea
Tue, 08/18/15 Crete (heraklion), Greece 9:00am 6:00pm
Wed, 08/19/15 Rhodes, Greece 8:00am 5:00pm
Thu, 08/20/15 Kusadasi, Turkey (for Ephesus) 8:00am 5:00pm
Fri, 08/21/15 Santorini, Greece
Tender Required
wheelchair Access Limited
7:00am 6:00pm
Sat, 08/22/15 Athens (piraeus), Greece
View general port information
4:00am
              






 Many places I have never been to myself!  It will be my first time in France, Malta, Turkey, Greece and Sicily (where my ancestors truly are from!).  I am so excited to have this experience with my wonderful and deserving mom... although I will miss my amazing husband as this is the longest I would have been away from him since we got married.  You know what they say- absence makes the heart grow fonder (as if that is even possible for Jay and I :)).

  I cannot wait to share the food, pictures, and best of all cherished memories with my mom and Schmooberry (aka Brooklyn).  It willl be an exciting journey and becomes more real the closer we get.  Time to pick excursions and prepare for all the fun!  Stay tuned for pics and stories :)  Also, if you have been to any of the destinations please comment on any and all "must sees" :) Thanks!