"Boston has its Marathon... Pamplona has the bulls... New Orleans has Mardi Gras...San Francisco has Bay to Breakers." - Zazzle
photo via The winners from today...Ridouane & Lineth
Bay to Breakers is one of the world's largest & oldest footraces, held every year in San Francisco, California. And this year was the 100 year anniversary! And I say only in San Francisco can you have a race that features world-class athletes meshed together with every day people dressed up in wild & wacky costumes cruzin' along to simply have fun while jogging through the city. (12K) Like these guys below....:)
This is just a taste of what's walking around the streets of San Francisco right now as I type. Today I saw flash dancers, jelly fish, "fear the beard" giants fans (use your imagination with this costume) and yes I even rode the bus with a pack of Boy George(s).
I hope you are having a happy Sunday! Smiles, gia
P.S. This is just 1 more reason why I love this city!
Growing up I always wanted that fun underwear that had the days of the week printed on them. Do you remember those? My good friend Karen had them and I thought she was so cool. Today I stumbled upon these sassy, playful fortune silk boy short undies created by Fine lingerie designer Mary Green. I think I'm in love....
Today...
is for me!
is for dreaming!
is better than yesterday!
is for eating chocolates!
is for sleeping!
is for dancing!
is for my sweetie!
Which one is your fav? I wonder if you can guess mine? :) Happy Friday the 13th! Smiles, gia
Tobin & Justin flew in the front door a few minutes ago & said that they just met the coolest, cutest dog that I would have loved while riding home on the muni after school. "Mom, he's a French bulldog and he talks!" Excuse me did I hear you right....he talks? "YES! He talks you have to check this out!"
So I'd like to introduce you to... Taj the talking bulldog. Saying 3 of my favorite words. I love you.
Ok. How sweet is this? As a kid I always wanted to build a secret passageway that only I knew about. I think I still want one...hee hee :) Doesn't this look like so much fun?
How adorable is the baby hippo? And this quote? Ain't that the truth?!
bike pic - Something only a mother would do. t-shirt pic - LOL now that's funny!
Me & my beautiful mom. I ♥ the photo on the right with me sitting on my mom's lap.
The day Tobin was born. 8 years later...he still loves my kisses. HA!
I had a fabulous day with my boys today spending time together giggling & cruising around beautiful San Francisco. My favorite moment was when they both shared what they love about me as a person & a mother. Tobin said, "I love that you laugh out loud!" and of course I laughed as he said that and he said, "See, just like that!" Made my heart melt. l also had fun calling my mom to sing her my version of a happy mother's day song...she's probably wishing she'd enrolled me in singing lessons as a kid. :) I love you mom.
I hope all of you had a fantastic weekend & Happy Mother's Day to all of the rockin' mom's out there... Smiles, gia
Today is Justin's birthday...WOO HOO!! We're going to have a fun family celebration together this week with a little surprise thrown in (Shhh....). I have to say I feel lucky to be married to this rockin' guy....in my mind the board pretty much says it all. :) Here's a few pics of J doing what he loves...kiteboarding. Happy Birthday Justin! xo
If you've never heard of kiteboarding or kitesurfing you should totally check it out sometime. It's pretty amazing what people are doing with this sport & it's really incredible to watch. Have a fantastic Saturday night! Smiles, gia
What if the next time you order a coffee or pizza, pick up some groceries or walk your dog... you encourage yourself to find out just a little bit more about the people you cross paths with every day? Are you up for a fun challenge this week? HECK YEAH!
Here's an easy checklist to help you start connecting right away...
#1. Smile & Eye Contact. Duh? Right? But seriously these 2 easy things really help to create a welcoming, friendly vibe.
#2. Say hello BEFORE you order or check out. ALWAYS make a personal connection first before you ask for what you need. This one is a big one for me..it really lets the other person know that you acknowledge they're human and that they're more than their job.
#3. Ask a question. Typically something that you're genuinely interested in.
Examples...Any fun plans this weekend? Did you do anything exciting this weekend? On your days off what fun things do you get to go do? Look forward to? Enjoy?
#4. Listen first. Respond second. This is where you can really connect. When you listen you show an interest in what the other person has to say. So many people don't get a chance to be heard. You can be that person even if it's only for a moment.
#5. Share something about you! They've offered something and now it's your turn.
Example: That's so cool you had a karate tournament last weekend! I've always wanted to check one out. I love kickboxing, that's my thing. Thanks so much for sharing have a fantastic rest of your shift!
So you up for it? The challenge this week? To go beyond hello? I'm super excited to hear all about your stories & connections that start to happen for you...YEAH! Please share how it goes for you under the comments section of this post. Have a blast & happy connecting!
I love connecting...and I mean Love it with a capital "L". In fact I don't just love it, I crave it.
I'm extremely passionate about getting to know the people in and around me in my daily life. By building relationships, networking, meeting new people, reaching out & digging deeper, my life feels richer, more exciting and never boring.
Let me ask you this...
Have you ever wondered what the barista who creates your delicious cappuccino everyday does after work hours? Or how about the grocery store clerk at your fav market? What does she do for fun? Is the pizza delivery guy a master scientist or BMX racer? One way to find out is to begin by creating a connection and I'm going to tell you how...
Hello is a perfect place to start but what if you asked just one more question beyond hello? What if you found out just a "little" bit more? What might happen if you shared a little piece of you? How might that add flavor to your day? Or perhaps a business connection or future friendship?
photo via I'd like to share a fun and true story with you from a recent conversation that I had with Qui, one of the baristas at a local coffee shop hot spot. It went something like this...
Me: Hey there...how's it going? I'd love to order a mocha please...
Qui: Ok let me get that for you (starts making my coffee)
Me: Qui right? (If you don't know reading name tags help.. hint hint) How are you feeling today?
Qui: (kind of smiles cuz I use his name then replies) Tired.
Me: oh really? How come?
Qui: Had boring school last night.
Me: oh yeah, what are you studying?
Qui: Business (sounds super flat)
Me: Really? What do you want to do with that?
Qui: Move to LA (sounding much happier)
Me: Oh cool! I'm just curious...why do you need to have a business degree to move to LA?
Qui: I want to produce music videos and dance hip hop. (now really big smile)
photo via Me: Awesome you're a hip hop dancer! I love to dance too! Not that I'm a professional or even close to it but I just love to learn and dance whenever I can. (connection) Why do you need a business degree for that?
Qui: I don't. I'm doing it to make my mom happy....(laughs) But I'm already doing it...making dance videos, someone hired us. :)
Me: They did? Sweet! I'd love to see the videos sometime.
Qui: Here...He reaches into his wallet and pulls out a business card with the name of the dance & production company on it and gives it to me with a shy but proud little smile.
Me: Thanks so much I can't wait to check it out!
Qui then hands me my coffee, I sit back down to work on my computer and peek at the website. WOW. They're good. Not just good but FANTASTIC! I get goosebumps and zip back over to the counter and say, "Hey Qui you are guys are Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing what your so passionate about with me. Can't wait to see what unfolds for you....keep me posted. "
Qui: You're welcome. (he says in a very humble voice)...see you next time.
I walk away super excited because not only did I get my yummy mocha, but I also made a deeper connection with a guy I see all the time. He became more than just the person who makes killer coffee he's now the guy who makes coffee, to pay for school so he can continue to work towards his dream of becoming a dancer / music video producer in LA. How frickin' cool is that!
In fact I was so excited for Qui and his dream that I shared his video with the guy sitting next to me....and now so you know that I'm not making all of this up I'm going to share one of his videos with you. Meet. Qui part of The Movement Lifestyle. So that's what I mean by connecting... by just asking one more question... beyond the hello & how are you. It's incredible how something so simple can add to your life. So today I want to encourage you to give it a shot. Not sure where to start or how to really connect?
No worries check back here tomorrow for part 2....The Challenge.
Thank you to everyone for all of the b-day love last week & for celebrating with me online for my 1st ever virtual bash! Here's a few goodies (ie virtual gifts) & pics that were sent to me for my special day...enjoy!
bando signature scarf How cute is this scarf covered with beautiful hearts? (my fav) Thx Liana
ipad2 Ummmm....yes please! Thx SuzanneOMG so fun fun fun! Thank you Liana!
And b-day love from Glenda! Thank you! Such joy! :)
I had a fantastic b-day week celebrating with fam & friends and I also did a little boggie "ditty" across the Golden Gate Bridge by myself as a special treat...nothing like a little dancin' in the sunshine overlooking a beautiful city. Yeah! Perfect. Much Love....gia
