Magical Moment 476, "The Best Advice Ever"

Yesterday, I sat on the couch, clutching a tissue as Oprah dished out her final pieces of life advice on her last show. Feeling inspired, I went to my computer to endow my own wisdom upon whoever wants to read it...

So here it is. My 10 best pieces of life advice:

1. Jump out of an airplane

Don't go out of your way to do it or anything, but if someone walks up to you and says,

"Hey, I'm gonna jump out of an airplane now. Why don't you join me?"

And you don't have a pressing obligation any time soon, then just do it. It'll be fine and you'll forever be glad you did when it's over. Plus, you'll have bragging rights for life. I still brag about jumping out of airplanes. See? I'm doing it right now.

2. Don't let your laundry pile up

It took me 28 years and an apartment with no washer and dryer to figure this one out. See, the more laundry you let gather, the more you have to wash at one time. Remember that feeling in pre-school when you realized that 2 apples put together with 2 other apples made 4 apples?! Whoa. Mind blower. Kinda like that.

3. Take up running

It clears your head, gives you a sense of accomplishment, and makes you feel like you can take on the world! Also, it burns lots of calories and keeps you thin.

4. Get a dog

It is my personal belief that having a dog is preparing me to raise a kid in the future.

Dealing with noise? Check.

Unconditional love and affection going both ways? Check.

Potty training? Check.

How much more difficult can a kid be?! (If you're a parent, feel free to throw large, sharp objects at my head now).

5. Smile and be friendly to the Dunkin Doughnuts Guy

After a while, he'll have your coffee ready before you even order it. He'll get your cream and sugar just right. And when you're short a few cents, he won't mind.

6. Occasionally binge on Doritos, Chinese food, and chocolate

It'll keep you from drinking. If you feel that horrible the next morning from eating all that junk, just think how much worse it would be if it was too many martinis. Ugh.

7. Read children's books well into adulthood

They take less time. They always have meaningful, life-applicable morals. And they have bright pictures of cute, little bunnies.

8. Learn how to change a tire

That way, when someone else says they don't know how to change a tire, you can make a big deal because you know how to and they don't. Ha! Also, if you ever get a flat tire, you'll know how to change it.

9. Be Prepared

Keep wet wipes in your purse, an atlas in your car, and pre-plan a come back for every creepy pick up line imaginable. A guy once asked me that icky, old line, "Are you a natural red head?" And I said nothing. But thanks to the charm and class of the New York City subway system, I was given another opportunity a mere 2 months later and this time I was ready. With seemingly razor sharp wit, I replied to that creepy guy, "Are you naturally bald?"

And finally, the best advice ever...

10. Watch Oprah when they start airing the reruns. Or just buy the DVDs. And take notes. She has way better advice on life that I'll ever be able to give.

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do not endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le...

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty. And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-...

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