My dad is not perfect and he knows it. He’s never been the ‘know it all’ dad. He’s never claimed to always know best either. That’s what made him special. He was always the first to joke around and always the last to leave when you most need help. He never was one to impart deep philosophical diatribes; what he dished out instead was a lot of common sense and straight forward advise. I’ve always appreciated that. It’s probably the reason that I am growing old with the tendency to appreciate straight forwardness and simplicity and common sense. And I kind of like that, still.

During my teenage years, my sisters and I came to live with my mother here in the U.S. along with our step-father. Our relationship with him was tentative at first but slowly developed into mutual respect and understanding. He always introduced us sincerely as his daughters and soon we also saw him not as a ‘step’ to anything, but just as a father. He loved people and he loved to travel. As I grow older, I take that gift from him; that of wanderlust and living life in the moment and for accepting people for who they are, nothing more and nothing less .

Then there’s the father of my daughters. He has been the kind of dad that if you measured your future beaus against him, you will be looking for a boyfriend for a long time. He adores his daughters and only want what’s best for them. He is raising them to be strong and independent women. He spoils them and yet makes sure that they stay evenly grounded. He makes sure they feel secure and safe and most of all, he is proud of them. Embarrassingly so, according to the girls. He would boast and talk of his girls every chance he gets, and he does love to talk to he gets a lot of chances to boast

I was blessed to have so many wonderful fathers in my life. These are just three of the immediate ones but I have always been surrounded by men who showed me everyday what it is to be a father in every sense of the word. To all my uncles, cousins and friends, I wish you all a HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Continue doing what you do to influence and nurture the children in your lives…

I am no stranger to driving buzzed. I’ve done my share of them, I am ashamed to say. When you’re young and think you can do anything, driving buzzed is not unusual; sometimes it is even a badge of honor of sort. Forward a few years later, I’m older, a little wiser and more importantly I am now a mom and I realize what an idiot I was!

I was lucky I never got caught driving buzzed or, god forbid, got into an accident. Some of my friends were not so lucky though. A number of them were cited for driving under the influence and some got into minor fender benders. However, I remember at least two incidences when catastrophic events/accidents occured and my friends were never the same after that. One is paralyzed for life and the other is now mentally impaired. Sure, people will say, it could have been worse; they could have died or worse, killed someone. Regardless of how you look at it, buzzed driving IS drunk driving!

With another holiday looming, St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow and you know how we all love a reason to celebrate! And there is nothing wrong with celebrating, my mother has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for as long as I can remember and she’s not even Irish! Anyway, as a public service announcement, here are a few things to remember when you’re celebrating and are out and about for this holiday or any other holiday:

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE DANGERS OF BUZZED DRIVING

• Designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

keep in mind that in 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.

Global Influence is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had ‘only a few’ drinks. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please watch this important video about the financial and personal repercussions of getting a DUI: http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/sign.php#video

It’s a new year on the other side of the world, so to all my friends and loved ones, no matter where you are, I wish you the best in the coming year. HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And if you’re somewhere that’s not cloudy or foggy like it is here in N.C., you may be able to see the Blue Moon. No, it’ won’t blue, it’s nothing that dramatic. It will look just like the full moons you’re used to, what makes it special is that it is the second full moon this month. So if you’re up to it, at midnight, when it is at its brightest, go outside and howl at the moon and welcome in the new year.

Here’s to a prosperous and joyful 2010!

I haven’t updated much lately because already, the holiday schedule at home and at work are staking claim on my time, leaving little time for blogging.

I am getting ready to go get some last minute things at the store then home to begin the Thanksgiving feasting. I wish you and your families a

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!