Goodbye '09

Well, today is the last day of a somewhat great year for me. I'm excited to see how 2010 turns out! I've never really made New Years resolutions before, but I do have a goal for this new year - trying new challenges: auditioning for films, jumping off a bridge, and staying positive even when facing inevitable rejections from agencies. Rejection won't let me down though, because I've learned this year that I bounce back quickly. I can't wait to work hard to reach my goals, hang with new friends, and set out for an adventure of a lifetime! I feel it's going to be a great year for me [smiles].


Some tips to help keep your resolution(s), whatever that may be (not in any particular order):

-Be flexible. Know that life changes things instantly, so of course you may have to tweek some things and be ok with it along the way. Don't let it discourage you!

-Keep a record of your accomplishments. If it's dieting for example, log what you eat in a journal since it sucks having to write down slices of cake, some candy and cookies. It's a visual reminder of how well you do.

-Imagine reaching your goal and the steps it will take. You have to be realistic, so the best way to go about that is having a plan and deadlines. Back when I was naive on the subject, I thought being in a film meant moving to LA and "getting discovered." Not at all!

-Let someone know your goals. It's crucial having someone you trust help keep you accountable and encouraged

Well, now that all's been said, have a Happy New Year!

If You Like Pina Coladas...

... and getting caught in the rain, if you're not into yoga... drats! Song is now in my head, but moving on. Wrigley's Orbit brand gum recently released a Pina Colada flavor. How does this affect you? Well, Orbit is my favorite brand of gum not only because they really do deliver on their promise, "For A Good Clean Feeling, No Matter What™" but it's also sugar-free! If you weren't aware, sugar is energy for the bacteria that forms plaque on your teeth. The acid created by the plaque causes a cavity if left unwashed by saliva or by teeth brushing. By chewing gum after meals, you stimulate saliva, the mouth's natural defense against tooth decay. The Wrigley Science Institute™ has conducted research for three years now, and have discovered these added benefits to gum chewing:

• weight management (by chewing gum to control cravings)
• stress relief
• increased alertness, focus, and concentration

If you're not an avid gum-chewer, maybe you should start! They offer a wide selection to choose from, and have had some interesting ones lately (like Citrusmint, Bubblemint, Positively Pomegranate, etc). I was rather dubious to try this one since Pina Colada is not a typical flavor I would request, but to my avail, I was surprised at the perfect amount of sweetness and flavor it inflicted on my tongue. Unlike some gums where your mouth feels like you ate something, this one leaves your mouth feeling fresh, like you popped in a mint!

For more info on Wrigley's gum, or their research, copy/paste link: http://www.wrigley.com/global/index.aspx

Kia Ora!

Hope you all celebrated a lovely Thanksgiving, with plenteous leftovers, great family moments, and a break from work/school/whatever. Wow, December already? I wasn't really in the mood for the green and red Christmas decorations following Halloween. I'm usually festive, but I guess I feel Thanksgiving should get more credit than it does. The fact that people were sitting outside stores on the Tuesday night before irks me. I feel like they totally missed the purpose of this holiday, where we take one day out of the year to reflect on being thankful and unselfish. Ironically, Black Friday is the opposite, yet affiliated with it (why you wanna shop at 4am anyway is beyond me...). When I first heard “Happy Turkey Day” years ago, I thought it was really cute, but then my mum pointed out that it takes away what we should be reminded of. It's also a prejudice statement, as some people don't even eat turkey. Anyway, my family usually goes around the table each year taking turns stating what we're thankful for. Well, this year, I'm thankful I consider my [immediate] family to also be my great friends. That wasn't always the case, and it feels amazing to have them on "my" side. Makes life easier when you get along too, doesn't it? Finished my evening with late-night pie snacking and a big round of Scattergories – such a fun game!

Ok, so I didn't exactly want to start on a note about Thanksgiving, and you're probably still subconsciously wondering what "Kia Ora" means... or why my blog is called Nekkid Kiwi! I've been wanting to blog for some time now, and had a hard time coming up with a title. Working titles like "Tuesdays with Norrie" was an option but I felt it wasn't original (plus I wanna blog more than just Tuesdays).

Q&A:

Why do you want to blog? I want to improve my writing, similar to what freewriting does. I love writing, and my brother suggested I start one like his roommate did, and his roommate reaped the benefits of it. I also get to know myself better by pondering and contemplating issues for the sake of jotting them down later to share (like my journal, but that's not meant for sharing); I get to form opinions, keep an open mind (it was pretty closed growing up), and let people get to know me via cyberspace

Why "Nekkid Kiwi"? Because I'm kiwi and I'm usually naked... just kidding (I am Kiwi though). Like a peeled fruit exposing its juicy insides to the world, is me Brenda, being vulnerable and revealing my juicy thoughts and opinions to you.

What does Kia Ora mean? Pronounced key-ah-or-rah, it's a form of greeting New Zealanders say and should know. Was derived from the Maori language originally meaning “be well and healthy.” I've eskimo-kissed a Maori chief while saying this!

BTW, feel free to comment on my posts. More about me later – I didn't want to crowd my first blog :-)