Personal connection - what you can't get from the internet

True story - it happened on Monday:
A client called in asking about a Princess cruise that she saw on line on our website, but wanted more details about the ship, the itinerary, and the price. I told her I would put the package together and email her all the details. Great, right? Yes, of course right. So, I did the legwork, sent the email and then received a reply.

This is a direct quote from the email:

"Can you tell me if Carnival has any special rates right now due to the ship that sunk a few weeks ago?"



I thought to myself....how to reply to this question? I should say that the cruise price BEFORE taxes was $424 per person = about $61 per person per day. How much better of a rate can you get?

But, even before the price, this customer asked about Carnival, because she knew that the owner of Costa Cruise lines was Carnival Corportation. Carnival Corp ALSO owns Princess, the cruise line she was asking about, not to mention Holland America, Cunard, Seabourn, to name a few more.
 
This all leads back to the fact that she called my agency for advice on something she couldn't really get on line, but from a professional in the industry. Knowledge is power, and as much knowledge that is available on the internet, there is still a need for conversation.
 
The story actually gets better. The itinerary that she is looking at stops in Curacao. I advised her via email that from a historical perspective she really needs to stop at the Synagogue on the island. That is the oldest operating Synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. To which she replied via email:
 
"OMG are you serious about the Synagogue? That will totally convince my hubby to go. He is jewish and I know he woudn't want to miss that. Neither would I!!! Thank you so much for letting me know this. That is fantastic".

I believe in the internet, I use the internet, heck, I spent more than half my day infront of a computer every single day. I order online, Chapters, Amazon, Itunes, I used ebay for the first time a few months ago. It is a normal way to shop in the world that we live in today. But it doesn't replace the human conversation.
 
I was looking for a specific book and saw the price on line - $8.75. I was driving home from work and thought I would just go in and buy the book at Chapters. In the store, the book was $17.50 which was the price on the back cover. When I found the salesperson and asked about the price differential, her reply was "well, online we have to compete with Amazon". In the store, you can ask for help, guidance, someone's opinion, "did you read this, what did you think"....at home staring at the screen, you are on your own. I did end up ordering the book on line, because I ended up with 2 books for just over what it would have cost me for the one book instore.
 
Another true story:
About a month ago, I was at a family get together and the topic of travel came up. "We have a week off next week, what's a great spot?". Great question, I had recently been selling quite a bit of a name branded hotel in Punta Cana that has 15 pools, 11 restaurants, casino on site, huge spa and fitness facility, golf AND a $1500 resort credit you could use while you were there for a week.

This intrigued them, they went home and looked at the website for this resort, I provided them with dates and rates, and they booked.
 
I just followed up with them in a welcome home email. I received a wonderful long reply describing the resort, the food, the spa, the amenities. Now, they were travelling with an infant, so some of the amenities that they "may" have used if they didn't have their baby with them, they didn't use. But it sounds like they took advantage of what was on the property and really had a good time.
 
The real story is that they could have found this resort online on their own, of course...BUT they asked a professional their opinion and based on that, did their homework, made their own conclusions, and then decided to book.
 
Another direct quote from the email:
 
"Thanks so much or the recommendation and booking! We had an amazing time."



That is really what I needed to hear. It makes it all worthwhile.
 
Thank you for hanging around to read my stories and my life the way I see it. It really makes a difference to me!
 
Have a great day everyone!
 

Reflecting

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about 2011, and how I really wanted this year full of ups and lots of downs to end. I even commented to a friend the other day that I was really looking forward to ending this year and moving on to 2012 and hopefully a better year. 

This friend, who is very wise and highly respected by me, replied to my email and kindly kicked me in the butt with a reality check. I hope this person doesn't mind if I quote directly from the email, but I am going to do it anyways, because I think it has a purpose.

"The truth is, "years" don't bring us good or bad. Life is life. There will be bucket list moments. There will be deaths of those close to us. There will be medical diagnoses. This is all part of life. If you have diabetes on December 31, 2011, you will have it January 1, 2012. The year doesn't change that, and it doesn't change anything else."

The email went on to talk about all the amazing things that were part of my life in 2011 - an amazing trip in the spring to California and Vegas, and then another trip to Vegas and then of course my most recent bucket list trip to see the tree in New York city. And there are so many more moments that are not just travelled related, like having my niece sleep over at my house for the first time last week. My amazing birthday party, where almost 75 people came and celebrated on a very snowy February night, my 40th birthday.

I am putting all of that into perspective and thinking that maybe 2011 wasn't that bad afterall. I have had some experiences that have helped me learn and grow, personally and professionally. My full potential isn't even realized yet. I am just starting to realize my potential and hopefully see brighter lights in my future in 2012.


So, tomorrow I am going to end 2011 singing and dancing in my seat to Hair at the Royal Alex. Last year I ended my year singing and dancing with Pricilla Queen of the Dessert. I think it is a great new tradition that I have started...I wonder what will be in town for new years 2012? Who knows....next year has yet to be written.

Happy new year everyone. Be safe and happy and most of all next year...healthy!

Oh Latke, how we love you.....

For several weeks now, everyone is gearing up for the holidays that are upon us this coming week. Whether you are putting up your tree, or finding your lights to your menorah, it is a frenzy state of preparing. It really doesn't matter if you are preparing for your Christmas dinner or making your reservation at your favourite Chinese food establishment, we are all looking forward to celebrating this week.

This past weekend was the start of what can be deemed Latkefest 2011 (sounds good, doesn't it). Many people celebrated this past week with their friends and family for the start of Chanukah which begins officially tonight.

The latke....a potato pancake....and round patty of yummy goodness of fried potato and onion. The treat that we all love, that is time consuming to make, but tastes and smells oh so good. How could something so good, be so bad (because it is fried). And yet....everyone partakes because it is tradtion. Traditions are the fabric of our lives.

How you make them is interesting as well....some puree the potato, and others shred the potatos by hand (my way). But no matter how you make them, they taste oh so good.

For those who have been asking for the recipe I use, here it is:

Potato Latkes:

(yields about 2 dozen)

6 Potatoes, grated (pureed, whatever your pleasure)

1 small onion, grated

3 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 c. flour

1 tbsp. oil

2 tsp. baking powder

Oil for frying

Grate potatoes and drain well. Blend in remaining ingredients. Drop from a spoon into hot oil and brown on both sides, turning only once.

**NOTE: depending on where you are from, you may opt for different toppings - apple sauce, sour cream, salt and pepper. You could be a traditionalist and eat them plain. Usually the one who makes them has to "taste" a few as they come out of the skillet. (wink wink)

No matter what you are celebrating this week and the weeks to come, enjoy. It is a time for family and friends and we should always remember that.

So put on your yarmalke, it's time for Chanukah....Chag Samach everyone!!!

turn up the volume and enjoy your music video of the day!

Paying it forward...the follow up story....

Back in November I wrote a post about paying it foward at this time of the year. I told you about an idea that a friend of mine had about collecting gift cards for the Hospital for Sick Kids so that parents/children could benefit in a different way than recieving a toy or a financial donation to the hospital.

My Hadassah chaper embraced the idea and at the annual Chanukah party and gift exchange we received $140 in gift cards to give to the hospital.

One of the chapter members happens to be going to the hospital this wednesday and wanted to bring the cards there and asked if I knew where they could be dropped off. Seemed easy enough to find out....or so I thought.

That started me on a two hour mission to find a LIVE person to speak to at the hosptial. I was finally able to reach someone in that division and when I told her what we had done and what we wanted to bring to the hospital she thought it was an amazingly gracious gesture.

She actually said, "we have SOO many toys, and this is something that there is a need for, and people don't think about doing something like you have done".

I told her that I wasn't worried about the holiday crunch time, because our donations were a year round benefit and she agreed.

If you know any business or organization that is looking to do some sort of fundraiser during the year, think outside the box, a little goes along way!

happy holidays everyone!!

Lisa and the magic tree

Do you remember the story of Jack and Beanstalk? How Jack threw the magic beans out of his window and the next day the beanstalk appeared at his window? The tree at 30 Rock was like my magic beanstalk.

We were in a cab on our way to the tree and we were coming across 49th street and almost at Rockefeller. The traffic was very heavy and there were people everywhere. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the glow of an angel. I am not making this up, the sky was glowing from the brightness of the tree and the angels that are all over Rockefeller Center.

I said to the driver - STOP HERE! So we paid and hopped out of the cab. As I walk towards the glowing light, I was almost nervous about seeing it. And there it was.....

I was without words. Yes, the person who always has a story, a thought or an opinion, was without words. I was actually choked up. It was so beautiful, that there isn't a picture that could do it justice. You just have to see it once in your life. I just stood there and took it all in. The briskness of the winter air, the glow of the angels, the lights, the size of the tree. It is 75 feet tall. So, if you live in a house with 10 foot ceilings, look up, look way way up and you can imagine how tall the tree is.

Of course, me, Pam and what felt like the whole universe was trying to have the same experience that I was having, so taking photos was very difficult to do. I did what I could, but I will also tell you that the memory will last for a very long time.

We lingered with the crowds, being bumped and pushed around so that everyone can try to capture the same shots. It is like a bob and weave between people trying to take pictures. We looked at the line of people waiting to skate, and then we got up close to the tree. Standing and looking up at it was again another perspective of its beauty. From far away it was like an oasis, and from close it was a giant. A giant beauty. Long beautiful branches with twinkling lights all over, and a star as bright as can be at the top.

On Monday morning we went back to 30 Rock to see the tree in the daytime. It was equally as awe inspiring in the day light as it was at night. And once again, I was choked up by the experience. Thankfully, the crowds were not as crazy in the daylight so picture taking was much easier!

As I have said before, my professional life has allowed me to create amazing life experiences for myself. This past weekend was one of those life experiences.

Dreams do come true

Hi everyone,

If you are a friend of mine on facebook, by now you know that I made a lifetime dream come true this past weekend. I have been very fortunate in my adult working life to be a travel consultant. It has taken me around the world and back again, and to think that a short one hour flight away there was an amazing dream that had not yet come true for me. Until now.

If you are a friend of mine off facebook, you may know this hidden (or not so) fact about me. I love New York. I love all shows filmed in New York. I love movies that are filmed in New York, all of it. If there is a RomCom movie on, even if I have seen it 100 times, I am in - Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've got mail, Serendipity, Annie, Maid in Manhattan, Uptown Girls, too many to even put here - you name it...you will find me watching. 

In fact, I also love chick lit books, and if I pick up the back of a book and it talks about the lead character living and/or working in Manhattan, I buy it. I haven't always enjoyed the book, but the references to the city I love are worth the buy in.

Bucket list - made famous by the movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman - saw two men fighting life threatening illness. One man took another on a journey of life experiences that everyone should see or do before they die. Sounds good, doesn't it? I was a work conference last week and was told that the estimated cost of the experiences they had was $250,000. That is not something the average person can do.

But what can the average person do? Well, funny enough, in today's world, put your question in the form of your status update - "Would really like to make bucket list dream come true - to see the Rockafeller Christmas tree - who's in?" and thankfully, someone said they were in. I have thrown out a lot of travel suggestions before and people always "want" to be in, but for whatever the situation, they can't be all in. But as luck would finally be on my side, my friend worked it out and we were on our way to the Big Apple in December!

And so it began. On September 26th we booked the tickets and hotel to make it happen.

If you followed me for the weeks to come you would have seen that I changed my facebook profile picture every day until the week I left. Challenging huh? For almost 70 days I changed my picture to reflect on the city that I love. One friend mentioned that it was like an Advent Calendar counting down the days to Christmas. One friend mentioned the photos were making her jealous because she loves New York as well.

I know that making dreams come true quite often comes with a price tag attached to it. I am lucky enough that this one dream had a price tag that I could manage and therefore make happen for myself and my friend.

When is a chocolate chip not a chocolate chip?

Well, that I have found out is easy - a chocolate chip is not a chocolate chip when it is the no name brand from Sobeys...that's when.

And I found this out - how you may ask? I will gladly share with you this very important piece of chocolate chip purchasing detail.

Last weekend I was coming home from a friends house late at night and realized that I had wanted to make cookies for a friend of mine...so, where do you go - Sobeys open 24 hours. All I have to say is they compensate for their staff's 24 hour a day wages by the prices that they charge in that store. WOW!

I normally ONLY by either PC decadent brand semi sweet or Chipits semi sweet chocolate chips. I had already seen the Chipits at No Frills earlier that day for $7.19 for the largest bag they had. Forgot to add it to my cart and realized I didn't buy them half way to my friends house.

The SAME bag of Chipits was $9.99 at Sobeys. Really? I couldn't pay it....but in retrospect should have paid it, because I bought this bag of no name chips for $2.49 and then of course, had to buy the good stuff for $7.19 so I paid almost the $9.99 to get what I wanted. I digress....

I opened the bag last week....and tasted the chips....really, were these even real chocolate? I had already thrown out the bag and put them in my choco chip jar (yes I have a jar for my chips) so I can't tell you what these were made of, but I can tell you that I dumped the whole jar in the garbage. They were NASTY!

So, now I have my chipits (the PC ones were sold out) and the holiday baking can begin. I know that I have a few houses I am invited to over the holidays and I was hoping to get a jump start to holiday baking. It hasn't happened yet, and I am out of the town this weekend...so next week it is.

Here is a fool proof Chocolate Chip cookie reciepe:

2/3 cup of soft butter or margarine (do NOT use becel)
1/2 cup of white sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

1 and 1/2 cup of flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
6 oz pkg of chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped nuts if desired.

Method:
Blend butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.
Sift dry ingredients together and stir into batter.
Stir in chocolate chips and optional nuts.
Drop from teaspoon onto an ungreased baking sheet about 2" apart.  (I use a spray for the tray).
Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes
cool slightly before removing from tray

Additional Notes:
- for softer chewier cookies, bake shorter amount of time - my oven works out to about 7 1/2 minutes.
- you can make the dough and add all kinds of different things into the cookies to change them up - I have done white chocolate chunks and dried cranberries, skor bits, raisins and pecans.
- you can also melt chocolate and at it to the blended wet ingredients before adding the dry.

Enjoy....oh yeah, btw...the freeze well and are VERY GOOD to eat frozen! Seriously, don't knock it 'til you try it....

Sweet dreams y'all................