Sure there will be many influential bloggers and brands in NYC (I pity the poor soul who is in the Hilton NYC to vacation) but take a deep breath people. This is not a do or die place. If you don’t take it easy you will miss the best part of the conference.

Try to share…

• rooms. Not only is it cheaper it is a lot of fun.
• energy - volunteer if you can to get cheaper/free tickets. I also love volunteering so I can get to know people better as we work.
• your warmth – if you are giggling girlishly with your peeps and notice a blogger sitting alone – strike a conversation. Also be mindful if she wants to be alone.
• cabs. New York is many things but it ain’t cheap so buddy up to events.
• phone #’s. Trust me, there will be a swarm of people and you want to make sure you get to meet some of your buddies IRL (in real life). Quickie coffee catch-up is the best thing about any bloggy meetup.

Don’t care about…

• What you wear. Wear what you normally do – everyone else will get over the shock. The only one advice I would offer is wear comfortable shoes. Dress up if you want and dress down if you want, but the best dress you can have is confidence!
• Attending every session. In fact I would suggest choosing a few that you really care about and attend just those.
• Snotty attitudes (read my post of why big bloggers need to be nice to small bloggers). You paid your dues so you deserve to be there just like everyone else. Remember to be nice.
• Missing private parties. Will they be fun and have awesome swag? You betcha but you can have fun anywhere (if you let yourself) and most of that swag will be collecting dust somewhere shortly anyway. There are more than enough public parties and the best party is the one you have with your friends.
• Packing too much – leave space for stuff (and yes there will be stuff).
• Spending all your time listening to a company pitch. This is your time and you need to invest it as you see fit.

Dare…

• To be you. The benefit of being part of the blogger group is that, contrary to popular claims, there is no president of the group. Your blog, your way!
• To promote yourself. When you get sponsored you would talk up and push that brand, right? So to remember you are your brand. It cost you money to get to this conference, so in the the words of sweet Tim Gunn “Make it work“

I am sure I missed something and would love my girlfriends to pitch in.

PS: I will be volunteering at the registration desk so be sure say hi, you get a free hug if you bring chai/tea/coffee!

See, I am not angry with God (oh I am not happy too) but I need for a bit not to think about it. I pretty much questioned all things from a young child and never questioned God when we were poor, when my home burned in riots or even when my dad died, but I did when my mom suffered her first stroke. Somewhere along the line of feeling the unfairness of it all, to seeing a young woman who held her head up high lose her pride along with her bodily functions can put anyone’s faith to the test. I used to tell my mom that I wanted to die before her as I never wanted a life without her. When she suffered through more strokes I knew that I wanted to die after her. Yes I loved her and wanted her to live but I wanted to make sure that for every living minute on this earth that I was living to make sure I could take care of her.

So fast forward (really fast forward since she died less that 8 months after that first stroke) I figured out that reincarnation (which I believe in) also tells the tale of penance on earth being paid for past lives. I began to imagine my mom must have been some awful monster in her previous life to be paying for that now. So I made my peace and started my faith again. I am more in love with the ideals of religion than the methods to promote them. I have some friends who have jubilantly come over to celebrate some festival while not paying any attention to the fact that we are not sure where our next grocery items will come from. To me, religion is about loving and caring for one another and I really don’t care what religion you belong to; if you are kind that is what matters.

Then after moving to the USA and enduring job losses and eventually having my daughter diagnosed with Autism, I felt this is enough. Enough! I know I can draw strength from religion. But not yet. Not now. I don’t think I am ready. We don’t put our kids on a timeout to punish them, we do it for both parties to take a breather so they can deal with things better, with a clearer head.

I don’t hate God, I just know I am not ready to deal with God. Not yet!

Last year I was at a beach and was surprised to see a mom standing with her daughter buck naked rinsing off the sand from one of those outside showers outside the change room. I was finding it difficult to tear my eyes away and was trying hard not to walk up to the mom of what looked like a 5 year old girl to ask her to use the bathroom inside. I saw loads of people walk past and if anyone stared I did not notice. But it bothered me. Was I a prude?

I mean yes, I am a little careful with the swimsuits I choose for my girls, and though I opt for 2 piece (only for easy use of potty) I stick to non bikini styles. Being a mama to 2 little girls and growing up slightly conservative in dressing may be coloring my view but still, are moms not worried about peering weirdos? I also noticed on a few occasions little girls not having a top at the beach and just swimming in shorts. This time it was a kid I am sure around 8. My daughters are 3 and 5 and yet I doubt I have ever taken them out without their clothes covering top and bottom. Am I just being ridiculous in thinking that it is inappropriate?