Monday Morning Mantra - 11/3

Good morning everyone!

I thought it would be fitting to kick off this week with a quote from Michelle Obama - a woman whom I deeply admire. This week don't let fear hinder you from doing great things. It's often the one thing that holds you back.

"You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. We just weren’t raised that way." - Michelle Obama

Have a fearless week!

Nicole

PS - I'm off to the Obama rally in Manassas tonight! Woo-hoo!

Back from New Mexico and Fall Fun!

I'm back from New Mexico and I agree with Dorothy, "There's no place like home!" It felt so good to be back in Maryland with my fam. Traveling is great - seeing new places, meeting new people - but I love being home in my comfy socks and bombarded by Nerissa's hugs. :)

Before I left, I'd planned to show you guys some pictures of the family and I at a fall petting zoo last weekend. I didn't get around to it so I'm sharing them with you now. As you can see, we had a ball!

Make sure that you get out and enjoy the fall season. Warm apple cider, pumpkin patches, and apple picking are sure-fire ways to warm your soul!

Love,

Nicole

Who Needs a College Degree?

As you know, I'm in New Mexico this week at Healthy Teen Network's 29th annual conference. It's been non-stop since we touched down. In fact, this morning, we were frantically stuffing bags, and someone commented, "These are the times you wonder why you even got a college degree!" Here I am with a BA and a Master's so I can certainly relate.

I stumbled upon this article online and thought it was interesting. It gives you a glimpse of the 10 most popular degrees and what they're really worth. See if your degree is listed!

And here's a pic of New Mexico. I'm going to pretend that I took it myself, but in actuality, I haven't stepped foot outside of this hotel for the past three days. Typical conference. I also left my camera at home so Donte could take pictures of Riss in her costume on Friday! (My first Halloween away from my baby!!!)

Nicole

Monday Afternoon Mantra - 10/27

Hi everyone!

I'm in sunny Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is why the Monday Morning Mantra is late today. I've been traveling since 7:30 AM, and my attempts at logging on to the Internet were extremely unsuccessful. However, today's mantra is extra special and will certainly get you through your week. Your dreams may seem far off, but don't let that discourage you - it's the journey and the experience that makes it all worthwhile!

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."
—Louisa May Alcott

I'll be writing from New Mexico all week as I'm here for Healthy Teen Network's 29th Annual Conference. I just missed Senator Obama, who was here yesterday. Darn!

Have a great week!

Nicole

Egrams to Break STD News???

Just got back from Massachusetts for the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy Conference (which was great), and I was shocked to hear about this new idea - egrams to let your partners know you've been diagnosed with an STD! All of my friends in the adolescent health field should really appreciate this.

Apparently inSpot.org has been offering the free egram service since 2004. People are telling their former partners to get tested for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. The ecards apparently take the edge off of that uncomfortable phone call or face-to-face conversation, and experts say that it might be more effective in getting people into treatment.

I'm definitely one for doing whatever works, and I see how the egrams can be more effective, but I can't imagine the shock/fear/embarassment of getting one of these things. Yikes!

Have a great weekend!

Off to the MAOTP Conference!

Tomorrow I leave for the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy Conference where I'll be giving the keynote. I'm really looking forward to the event because MAOTP is doing some great work for youth, and I'm originally from up North (I was born in Stamford, CT and lived in Massachusetts until I was 12). I always enjoy going back up to New England, especially in the Fall!

I wanted to share with you the video I'll be showing to the group because it's so awesome and powerful. There are so many lessons in this story - it's just amazing. Please check it out, and I promise you will be inspired!

'Til I return!

Nicole

"Green Jobs"?

The "green" craze is everywhere, and it's a good thing. I've even started to make the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, and I can't wait for our new recycling bin to be delivered within the next few weeks (sad but true)! I'm also trying to convince my husband to buy green cleaning products from now on because they do the job just as well.

So I was excited to hear about "green jobs," which are basically jobs that would result from the switch to alternative energy sources like wind, solar, biomass, and other fuels. I'd thought so much about the positive effects this would have on the environment, but not really the economy. California is a great example of the potential - by investing in energy efficiency, they've created 1.5 million jobs and increased payrolls by $45 billion.

Exciting stuff. I'm thinking about ways NicoleInk can get in on this action!

For energy-saving ideas, click here!