Happy New Year

I love the new year... It is a time to reflect and prepare for the future. I have spent the last year starting new ventures.. moving on.. taking risks... losing lots...gaining tons.. and I have made a ton of friends in the process!! I hate new years resolutions so I will just call these a list of things that I hope will make 2009 a year to remember!

1. Diversity my business... I am trying to not get burned out on insurance!
2. Travel more.. learn more...
3. Learn a new language
4. Move to a new country
5. Play music more
6. Enjoy my family and friends more
7. Live my life.. like I am dying tomorrow.

Here are some pictures from my trip so far. Enjoy!

Christmas in Dallas so far....

I decided to come to Dallas for a week before Christmas so I could spend time with my family and friends before I left out of town for work... Here are some of the photos so far from my trip to Dallas..

Christmas in Dallas

My brother finally graduates and more holiday parties!

Well.. I am so happy to say that after three and one half years of college my brother finally graduated this past weekend from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. I know.. I know this isn't that long but it seems like forever.. My brother is such a free spirit and never really took school as seriously as my sister and I so, finally my brother is out of school and will have to go back if he plans to get a job worth anything in this economy!

I have also added pictures from another holiday party in Austin.. enjoy.. I have been to four holiday parties and counting!

The beginning of the holiday parties

My favorite holiday of the year would have to be Christmas.. My dad said that growing up he would love the anticipation of Christmas but to be let down the night of Christmas.. I have always felt the exact same way.. This is the beginning of my holiday season with some photos of some of my best friends from college.. I more commonly call "The Girls!" I have many more pictures to come.. The season just started!! Enjoy!!

Happy Thanksgiving...

I was in Dallas spending Thanksgiving with friends and family and I just want to spend this post saying, Happy Thanksgiving and I hope that everyone had a joyful and very peaceful Thanksgiving! Here are some pictures from my Thanksgiving in Dallas...

I am not talking about that Election!

I am so happy that Obama won the election but I have to be honest I am totally exhausted talking about it everyday!

So, I am going to take a break from talking about the political history that taking place around me to talk about something completely unrelated to anything going on or will it make a impact on our country but it is something that I am kind of proud of!

One of my many talented friends is currently writing a book on social etiquette for the professional woman.. Sounds funny but between the four of us we have come up with a list of things that people have totally forgotten since we now have the use of technology at our disposal! Below is a short list...

1. One baby shower... regardless of the number of babies!
2. If you receive a text message - don't call I am sure there is a reason why you received the text message and not a phone call.
3. Don't assume that your schedule is more important than your friends - If plans are set don't ask to change the plans to fit your schedule.
4. Don't text a conversation - Just call, if there is no answer leave a message.
5. Don't invite yourself - If you didn't get a invite.. There is a reason, don't make it uncomfortable for everyone.

Here are just a few you will have to wait for the book!! It will be in limited release here in Austin but, I will let you all know when it hits the stores... Hopefully I will get a shout out in the book... #1 was mine!!

Holidays?!!

Anyone who knows me.. knows that I think that Christmas is to die for.. love that holiday, Thanksgiving...a great reason to eat...Valentine's Day..Why was that day invented? Father's Day.. Why is that a day anyway? I tell my father that I love him everyday.. Mother's Day... Same thought.. I tell my mother that I love her everyday as well...Which leads me to Halloween... This is a crazy holiday, all of the money spent for one day which has nothing to do with anything of importance..Another reason for Target, and Wal-Mart to make yuppie parents to drop loads of cash on their three month old who won't remember the day anyway!! Enjoy and Happy Fall!!

The credit crunch hits home....

Well I have to be honest I never thought that the credit crisis would be anything that would really affect me.. I mean I have great credit, I pay my statements on time and carry very low balances.. So, when the announcement was made that American Express and Bank of America were slashing limits for the customers who used their cards for everyday expenses I never thought that would apply to me...

Well guess what it did!! I am a small business owner and I don't want to use my cash so occasionally I use my credit so that I have cash on hand and to my disbelief Chase Bank lower my limit.. So, if anyone knows me they know that I have a low tolerance for this kind of inconveniences so, I called to get to the bottom of this and this very nice and lovely woman explained to me that not only could she not raise my limit but I was the 75th phone call she had gotten in the last two hours from a small business owner ranging from payroll needs to needing credit to get inventory for store fronts.. She stated that we were all in the same position great credit but out of luck because the government thinks that it is a better idea to fuel the big businesses that got us into the mess opposed to assisting the million of small business owners who are currently fulling the economy and who will continue to fuel the economy long after this mess is over.

The only thing that I have to say to the government is this... Instead of giving more money to the money grubbing wall street businesses with ethical morals as prevalent as a tiny stain on your shirt we should help small businesses like me who thrive on ethics and the growth of businesses in a way that is good for everyone.

I am thankful for....

For the last two weeks it is easy to get caught up in the mess that is going on with our financial crisis and crashing economy... and as a small business owner I am feeling the pinch with the credit crisis but, yesterday I was speaking with one of my friends and she was so excited to receive her favorite magazine.. Real Simple and she mentioned a really simple idea in a world of chaos we should really take time out to and make a list of the things that we are thankful for and I want to push everyone to take a few minutes to write down what you are thankful for!!

Here is my list below:

My family
My supportive friends
My business
My friends who own businesses - they help me stay sane when times get rough
My entrepreneurial spirit
My part time job
My ability to play the violin for cash
My mentors that have helped me
My new jazz trio

Where there needs to be a clear separation of politics and business

Sunday is pretty ritualistic for me I get up around six in the morning so I can start the day answering emails from around the globe then I finally roll out of bed an hour later to start reading through the linkedin, facebook and twitter and I can't help but to notice how people could mix such a private matter like politics and commingle that with business networking sites. I don't know about you but, as a woman the last thing I need against me is my personal political beliefs! I spent most of the morning why anyone would want to make their life more difficult as a small business owner in this unstable economy would want to upset some potential new client with rants about your personal political beliefs. A word to the wise... Keep your political thoughts to your closest allies don't mix it with your business life.. It has no place there!

I can't wait for the State Fair of Texas

One of the greatest things about living in Texas and fall.... It is of course college football season but more importantly it is the beginning of the State Fair of Texas.. I love walking around with the cool autumn breezes and the smell of smelly fried snacks and candy apples... I love Dallas around this time and I can't wait for opening weekend... So, stay turned because pictures will be up shortly of me stuffing my face full of fair food before I leave again for Bahrain!!

Oh... by the way my foot has finally healed and the top layer of all of the dead skin is completely off and I finally have my foot back and the color finally matches the rest of my body finally!

The saga with my foot...

So I am sure everyone is aware that I was bitten in Bahrain about a month ago and now my foot in finally peeling and no longer darker than the rest of my foot. I love traveling and I have learned tons from this trip... First, I no longer have health insurance in the United States of America and Second, I realized that I am allergic to just about every foreign bug on the planet... It did teach me to plan. Since I am the world's worse at planning.. I just go.. I just do... I will no longer do that!!

Memories..Missing Centenary...

A week ago I went back to my Alma Mata to visit for an alumni retreat and I couldn't help but to feel a little sad about the whole entire visit. It was the first day of classes students were walking around campus with not one care in the world, but what to wear to rush parties, classes and how you were going to sneak that bottle of jack daniels into your room later.

I just forgot how great this place was, it was great community, great friends, great times with lots of laughs and love. It was funny to step back and look at how the campus has grown - how much nicer is it.. I guess my years of paying tuition paid off for the students that go there now! and the people who I went to school with, we are all older, happier a little wiser and much easier to stomach!

This weekend just reminded me how a small liberal arts school in the middle of the city in a small but growing town is and will always be the greatest place to go to school on earth!

Olympics and the Summer...

I am so happy that the Olympics are finally over... I think! I mean the more I think about at least this was interesting programming, I am so tired of people walking around in the normal lives and as we sit week after week watching this. The only question I find myself asking is "are we so bored in our own lives that we find the lives of other more interesting?"

I have to admit I didn't watch the Olympics until the recently and I can't help but to get sucked in and cheer for the home team!! I am also a sucker for the tantrums that these adults seem to do when they loose! I can't believe that grown people can not control their emotions enough in order to not like a complete nut around the world!

I am also a little sad because summer is coming to an end.. I love the sun, beaches, "Funday Sunday"... It is all just a little sad for me that summer is coming to an end.

Seriously??

The United States of America - I love this place I mean a person can come here almost penniless and in ten years time become one of the richest person in the world. So, for all accounts this is a pretty great place to live but, when I read that the US is forbidding the NBA for negotiating with the Iranian basketball player because he is Iranian national I thought okay that makes sense.

Let's think about it.... We will educated tons of foreign nationals to become scientist, engineers and all sorts of other professions that could potentially become a threat for the US but we won't allow someone to play a brain-dead sport to make way too much money. What is the government thinking?!!

It was the best of times.. It was the wrost of times..

I can honestly say I had the best time in the Middle East this time now don't get me wrong I always have a great time over there but, this time was extra awesome!! However, like all good times some bad ones to follow. Here is the only thing that I have to say no matter what is going on in your life DON'T FLY DELTA!! They have the worst service, the loose clothing, the tear up luggage, they tell you it will take them eight weeks before you get the money back... Overall DELTA SUCKS!!

Enough of that... I love Bahrain... It is a small resort that is surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the men there are to die for and they totally treated me like a queen!! Which I loved!! It is the best of everything in the region, weather, location and people..

Dubai... Clubbed my ass off and I let tons of men take care of my foot.. Oh, I forgot to mention.. I was bitten by something in Bahrain.. The doctor in Dubai thought it was a mosquito or a spider! The doctor in Austin said the SAME thing can you believe that.. No needles, no surgery... just rest and relaxation..

Oh.. by the way.. I didn't run in to the King of Pop while I was in Bahrain!

Posted some photos.. enjoy!

HM Risk Group - Has finally landed!

I am so exicited. My business was mentioned yesterday in the Insurance Journal and the Daily Insurer blog. I usually don't like to write blogs in the middle of the week but, this just couldn't wait!!

Enjoy and thanks for all of your support!!

www.dailyinsurer.blogspot.com

www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2008/07/28/92269.htm

Think outside the box.. people

So.. I found myself this morning watching television.. I am not sure why... but my interested peaked when I found again another group of men who have never done anything in the world other than give their opinion talk again about my man Obama!!

Let's get one thing straight when are in changing times and it is about time people stand up and say Jessie Jackson is a nut and we won't stand for it and it is okay to be smart, lived a normal life jumped careers and run for president and black!! I am so happy to see that 200,000 Germans stood outside to hear a man speak in a language they barely understand!

People the world is changing and you can sit in your little box that you have created for yourself in the United States of America and move around meet some new people and get out of your comfort zone and most importantly vote for a black man!

Forbes list strikes again

Here I am this morning doing what I do most Saturday mornings.... Going through every major newspaper and internet newspaper sites and I came across the Forbes List - best places for young professionals. Okay so, I am a young professional mind you and half of the places are either way too big to find your way around the place or likely to find half the city engulfed under a large body of water from a hurricane.

1. Houston, Texas - are you kidding me? I was just in that city yesterday - let's put it this way.. I love Houston for all the reasons why you would hate the city.. Too big.. too much traffic...too many scary looking people... and I don't mean that in a good way - I mean I live in Austin so scary people are a way of life around here! I just mean it is way too hard to get around the city, way to hard to meet people.. how is that good for any young professional

2. San Fransisco, California - what young professional do you know who is not living way beyond their means in one of the most expensive places in country? I love San Fransisco but, who can afford to live there and have somewhat of life??

3. Any Place City, Florida - yes... sunny... lovely... hurricanes?? tons of them why in the world would you want to risk having to restart your life every two years?? I have friends who live in New Orleans and I don't get that either? so...why in the world would anyone want to live there??

So.. here are my thoughts on Forbes list... They totally missed the mark with this one.. I actually found this list funny.. since some of these places are also on Forbes Riskiest Real Estate Locations list!

Enjoy!

A habit I will never keep up!

Okay so I would normally never do this... Put up two post in one day but, my very good friend Amanda sent me this link this morning and I thought I could do all of my single girlfriends a favor by putting it on my blog. For all of us out their single maybe everyone is secretly green with envy to be like us!! Enjoy!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/opinion/06dowd.html?em&ex=1216094400&en=3b698bc80f2cbe26&ei=5087%0A

Cry Me A River

So not to long ago I had someone contact me because they needed a singer for their wedding. I usually say "no" to these request because I really don't sing, I play the violin but, for some reason I agreed to the request. She asked if I could record myself and I agreed and here is what I sent to her. Now the one thing that I actually do is preform the violin for weddings. I just preformed a really cute and small wedding for these incredibly young couple. I have also added the wedding collection that I send to brides. I actually enjoy playing the violin it is nice escape to the everyday world!

Enjoy!

If you are in Austin.. Please Help Me!!

So for some strange reason I thought a great way to network and meet women like me would be to join the Junior League. Little did I know that the Austin Junior League was unlike any Junior League in the world so, I need the help of you my friends. I need to donate $150.00 worth of clothing to our resale shop and being the neat freak that I am I have already cleaned out my closet for the year... So, here is my plea... Please send me anything you have that you would consider "gently" used and I will gladly pick it up!! Thanks a million and I hope everyone is having a super day!

Why I will never purchase another designer handbag in America

Okay.. Again, I am reading another book which has gotten me thinking about the quality of items that are imported into the United States of America. Yesterday, while I was celebrating the holiday I found myself in a great local bookstore here in Austin, Bookpeople. It is a independent bookstore and totally defies the retail corporate book world, which is something that I can totally identify with and appreciate.

So, I picked up this book Deluxe: How Luxury lost its Luster by, Dana Thomas here is the book in a nutshell, Ladies stop wasting your money on Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton because you are purchasing a quality handbag made in Italy but, rather a knockoff version of that handbag from the 1950's for the China look a like for the same price!

I would like to look at it this way, if you are going to buy a knock off why don't you just buy it from Chinatown instead of the snotty lady at the Neiman Marcus counter?! Oh and by the way the reason that they had to start using China is so they could keep up with the demand of "Middle America" women like you and me making modest incomes and wasting it on "quality" items made in China!

Ladies here is some word of advise go ahead and continue purchasing your expensive handbags but, believe me I will no longer look twice at your China made, Gucci handbag money that could have been better spend, buying Indian silk, and having a suit made by that Italian tailor!

I hope everyone had a very happy 4th of July!

The books that changed my life!!

Unless you have been under a rock for the past few weeks or if you simply haven't talked to me.. I have been raving about two books that I have completely falling in love with.

First, Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin my new friend here in Austin turned me on to this book! Here is the book in a nut shell, if you want to be a skinny bitch the way to paradise is not to cut out crabs, workout like manics, smoke, drink lots of coffee and mixed cocktails, and eat tons of meat. It is simply to eat right, meaning no meat, cheese(which is so hard for me right now. I love that stuff!), lots of veggies and fruit, out with the refined sugars and sweeteners that includes Splenda, which I loved because I was liked most American duped into believing that was better that the alternative. Anyway, you have to pick up the book it will completely change your life and your eating habits. Trust me!

The second book is Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, this book helped me on so many levels it is so hard to explain but, I am sure if you read the book you will totally understand what I am talking about. I will not ruin this one for you, please take some time out of your busy lives ladies to read this one!

Well, I have rambled enough for one evening. I hope everyone around the world has a very Happy and Safe 4th of July and as an insurance agent I have to remind everyone to make sure that you shoot of your fireworks in the country!! Stay away from the crowded city street.. Geez!

My New Video

So.. Here it is my new promotional video of myself talking about my new business... We didn't have the million dollar budget so, please be kind with the comments.

So... I finally told my friends!

I have been completely been missing in action for a couple of weeks at a time and I have the friends who for some reason can always tell if there is something new going on.. Well.. I finally decided to spill the beans this weekend and tell them that I am working and opening up a business in the Middle East... The looks were all the same.. Some were shocked...some were surprised and some were none to shocked or surprised at all.. So, there it is if you can't find me.. call me on skype.. hmriskgroup because you can surely find me there and you can of course find out all about my travels here!

I love these pashmina scarves!!

So, I have searched high and low and I have finally found the best Kashmir scarves in the world. Ladies like me would die to have scarves like this and we think that because we have spent $300.00 that we have the real deal - well I am here to tell you that I have them and for half the price and you can rest assured that it is not that crap from China!! Give me a call if you want one!!

All the way to the Middle East...

Here are some pictures from my very first trip to Dubai. Not at all like what I expected.. Mainly because I was getting my information concerning the Middle East from sources like CNN... Go figure!

My First Trip to Erbil, Iraq

I am opening a new insurance brokerage in Erbil, Iraq which is actually Kurdistan. I had a wonderful time and the region is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and the people are equally as wonderful. Although I ate like a pig I lost 10 pounds!! The food is so much better over there!! Everyone should visit Iraq at least once in your life.

The real deal - Persian Rugs

I always have something going on and this time isn't any different. My last trip to the Middle East I came across the man in the Middle of Erbil selling the most amazing Persian Rugs. They are handmade, and signed by the designer! I got them at a great price and I am passing the savings to you and most importantly it will bring much needed commerce to the region. Please pass along to your friends and please let me know if you are interested in purchasing!

Okay.. This time I am really going to do this

So, I have attempted to have a blog now.. Oh, three or four times and each time I failed miserably at it. Well, I have decided that time I am going to put in some following through!! So, here it is my first blog and so far so good. I am off to a new start. Format is simple - my life, your comments.. my life some more!!