Dear 18 Year Old Me

As part of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge

3. Dear 18 year old me. Write a letter to yourself when you were 18. Be sure to tell yourself what to do more of, what to do less of, and what you have to look forward to in the next few (or several) years.

Dear Sabrina,

Well, let's see. You've had a pretty good life so far, so have that to be thankful for. And I promise, it only gets better from here. Granted, you will be thrown some curve balls along the way but it's how you deal with them that makes life so much easier.
Always remember where you came from. Family is the most important thing and you have the best one. Every family has their drama and fights but always remember they aren't going anywhere and life is too short to be mad. Remember mom's words "always be patient, you're going to get where you're going eventually. Don't stress and take a deep breath" and take on life with dad's carefree and forgiving attitude, being there for the ones you love. Remember your bond with Marina and Nicholas. Siblings fight all the time and the past is the past, mend fences and love with the big heart you have.

Being diagnosed with psoriasis is a hard thing to learn—but things could be worse. Even though there is no cure for this auto-immune disease, dealing with it in the right way will help you out in the long run. Be patient. You will be able to make a difference while having this disease by becoming a NPF mentor and help more people than you know. Hang in there, it gets better.

College will be the best time of your life. Scary at first, like every new experience. But tackle it with the confidence you have. You will change your major SEVERAL times, but you will eventually find something you are great at. Join a sorority and you will make a difference, meet some life-long friends and your future bridesmaids.

You will meet the man of your dreams. It's not going to happen fast, so don't get frustrated. And throw away your plan of "I'm going to be married by 25 and have 2.5 kids by the time I'm 30" Be patient (starting to sound like a theme, huh?). When you meet him, you will know and he will change your life in so many amazing ways. He will be the strong and confident, unique and caring and the most handsome man you know. You will learn how to compromise, be financially organized (yes, it's possible) and love him unconditionally. Yall's marriage will be the happiest most exciting time in your life to date. You will also live in some really cool places with each other, rely on only each other and learn how to take on life together.

You will also have the best job out of college, interning (and eventually being promoted) at a reputable PR agency. Look to her as your mentor because everything you learn from her will give you the confidence you need professionally to do some amazing things.

Be better at receiving constructive criticism and becoming more proactive. You will learn time management skills and how to prioritize the many projects in your life.

Continue to be the kind-hearted, sweet, smart, forgiving, confident person everyone tells you, you are. Love unconditionally. Be patient. Everything happens for a reason. Be thankful everyday. This life is what you make it and will be the best one you can live.



This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

My blog is being turned into a TV show!

Ha, I got your attention! It really isn't being turned into a TV— don't we all wish we were on TV for a little while?! This is my second blog post, so read on :)

2. My TV Show. Your blog is being turned into a TV show! Congrats – you’ve
earned it. In fact, you get to co-write it. Write about the TV show based on your life or blog.

Eeeekkk, I thought the book titles were hard. I can't tell you how many times I've heard in passing, conversations with friends, FB updates "my life should be turned into a reality show" or wow, that is definitely reality TV show ready.... Everyone wants their 15 mins of fame. And if they say no they don't, then they're lying!

Now, back to my TV show. I would love the TV show to incorporate all my book titles, hehe! Basically chronically my life as a twin, the good and the bad (definitely some drama for the ratings); my family dealing with the health scares of my parents; my diagnosis with psoriasis which was in high school—like high school isn't rough enough on a teenage girl, I now had to deal with a disease we knew nothing about—then later going on to become a National Psoriasis Foundation volunteer mentor; my sister getting her first teaching job; my moms cancer treatments; meeting my husband (add in some ups and downs) and then our marriage(lasting longer than 72 days, mind you. Too bad, Kim K!). Then a season finale can be that Chris accepted the job to be the Mauitime Art Director and we move to Maui!

Season starts off with us living in paradise and chronicles the tough times—no job for me or friends for awhile, small place, planning our wedding, adjusting to a completely new island lifestyle, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous(can you say Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Josh Radnor, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban?) and the good times—Chris excelling in his job, being honored for his design work, meeting life-long friends, visiting breath taking places and everything else in between. Shots back home to include my sisters promotion at school; brother moving to Colorado; updates on my parents; Chris's brother graduating high school and starting college. Season ends with Chris accepting another job to become the Associate Art Director at the Seattle Met Magazine! Surprise—time to move, again!

Next season starts off with our new life in a COMPLETELY different city. Going from living in tank tops, swimsuits, shorts and flip flops to jackets, scarves and rain boots; handling the death of a very close friend; still no job for me; public transportation; moving expenses; new puppy; one year anniversary; family visits; planning and leading my first event; learning a new city and the list goes on.

So there you have it. No, I haven't given this any thought..... what would your TV show be like? I'd love to hear!

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

National Health Blog Post Month

Earlier this week, the National Psoriasis Foundation, with whom I am an volunteer mentor, posted this:

Calling all bloggers and aspiring bloggers: It's National Health Blog Post Month! Let's make sure everyone knows about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis! If you feel up to the challenge, sign up and blog about your experiences with psoriatic disease. It's a great way to tell your story - and teach others about these diseases.

I love being apart of the NPF and helping as many people as I can. Not to mention I love blogging about my experiences, whether it's health updates, psoriasis tips and advice or just the adventures Chris and I have here in Seattle. So I LOVE this challenge and encourage any bloggers, aspiring bloggers/writers to take up the challenge as well.

I am three days behind, so I will post all four posts today to get back on track :)

This is part of the Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Prompts.
Nov 1: Titles of my future book. Say you’re writing a book about your life, community, condition, or Health Activism. Come up with 5 working titles and a quick book jacket synopsis.

Not a lot of people know this but I have always dreamed about writing a book about my life, corny, yes I know. I've thought about writing it about my life and being a twin; about planning a wedding and all the things people don't tell you; my life-long battle with psoriasis and my parents health conditions; becoming a health consultant..... But with all the silly books and reality TV show books, why not me? To come up with a title is kind of hard but here goes:

1. It Takes Two, Babe

You can choose your friends, but you definitely can't choose whether you're going to be a twin or not. Live their journey with them through birth, elementary school-college, boyfriends and bad jobs, fights and first time big-girl jobs and moving and marriages with an everlasting bond that can never be broken.

2. Your First Dress Is The One: What They Don't Tell You About Planning Your Dream Wedding, Secrets Revealed

Yes, it's true. I heard everything in between from "the first dress you try on will be the one" (it really was); there will be things that go wrong (my ring bearers didn't have a pillow while walking down the aisle!) to many more. These are real secrets, revelations and pet peeves from brides planning their dream wedding. Some names have been changed to protect the innocent or guilty—however you read it.

3. Overcoming Battles, Being Patient

My 76 year old father overcame a triple by-bass at age 70 and prostate cancer(1999) and was in remission for 10 years, then it came in 2009 and is still in treatment but doing great; my mother battled through Uterine Cancer at age 60 and won; I have been a long-time sufferer of psoriasis, an auto-immune disease that appears as red, scaly flakes on the skin, and has no cure; my mother in-law fought through a triple by-pass. Through everything I have learned that things could always be worse and that nothing helps cure anything better than patience, friends and a good laugh.

4. Healthy Food, Healthy You

Eating healthy isn't just about, you guessed it eating healthy, it's about wanting to eat healthy and change your life for the better. Receiving my AFPA Health and Wellness Certification has given me the strength and motivation to want to help others change their life for the better. Healthy food equals a healthy you, and I equip you with the simple knowledge it takes for you to understand the simple equation of your life.

5. The One Year Itch, Surviving a Marriage The Right Way

I don't have to tell you the divorce rate for you to understand the sanctity of marriage. I have been married for a year now and it has, by far, been the best year of my life. We always heard it's the one, third or seven year itch that's gonna test your marriage. Well, the one year didn't get us so bring it on three and seven! I'll give you our advice and tips on having the best marriage you can have while surviving the ups and downs life throws at you.

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

New York Pizza & Bar Announces Grand Opening of Queen Anne Location

MEDIA CONTACT: Sabrina Skiles for New York Pizza & Bar
281/217/0242, sabrina@lucky11studios.com

New York Pizza & Bar Announces Queen Anne Opening 11/1 and 11/2 Asking for Canned Donations

WHO: New York Pizza & Bar offers gourmet New York-style pizza, burgers, pastas and specialty martinis opening in lower Queen Anne.
The Downtown Food Bank provides canned food, clothing, baby supplies and hygiene products to the elderly, homeless and working poor within the Pike Place Market and downtown Seattle communities.

New Queen Anne location features:
5500 sqft with a 2500 sqft bar
FREE underground parking with exclusive elevator access directly into the restaurant
Outdoor Patio that will open in the Spring
Private group areas of up to 25 people

WHAT: At the media only soft opening, media and guests will be able to indulge in complimentary food while being the first to see the brand new location of this highly anticipated new addition to the Queen Anne neighborhood.
Media and guests will also have a chance to speak with NYP’s new General Manager Ed Grandpre, a staple in the Seattle Restaurant scene; and a representative from the Downtown Food Bank.

PUBLIC GRAND OPENING: NYP opens its doors at 11 a.m. on Nov. 2 for regular
business!

For more information about NYP, please visit newyorkpizzaandbar.com. You can also find NYP on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/newyorkpizzabar or follow NYP on Twitter @NewYorkPizzaBar and pikeplacemarketfoundation.org/index.shtml

WHY: All guests attending the NYP Queen Anne Soft Opening and Public Grand Opening Nov. 2 are asked to bring a variety of canned donations such as tuna, chilli, soup, fruits or vegetables. At the end of each event, the Food Bank will distribute the donations where they are most needed in the community. The more attendees from the area, the more donations the Food Bank receives.

WHEN: Tuesday Nov. 1 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Media Only
Wednesday Nov. 2 11 a.m. Public Grand Opening

WHERE: Lumen building at 500 Mercer, across the street from the Seattle Center

HOW: To RSVP to the soft opening, media please send an email with the number of attendees to Sabrina Skiles at sabrina@lucky11studios.com by Oct. 30.