Where am I?  What day is it?  The past couple weeks have been incredibly exciting and extremely hectic. Between Tuesday and Saturday of last week I was in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Last week I got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and walked into the wall because I thought I was at the previous night’s hotel.  As I am writing this, I am sitting on a plane headed back to the JFK airport.  All this traveling can be incredibly fun, but a little disorienting.

Among the many exciting things that I have done over the past couple weeks: the Olympians show on Oprah, a taping for Nickelodeon’s World Wide Day of Play, NFL Total Access, Good Day LA, Tonight Show and Access Hollywood to name a few.  I must say that the coolest appearance so far has been taping the Rachel Ray show. 

As most of you know, I love to cook.  All the knowledge I have in the kitchen has come from either magazines (Cooking Light, Bon Apetit, & Gourmet) or the Food Network.  Rachel Ray has a ton of different shows, which I have watched for years.  Of all of her shows, my favorite has got to be her daytime show “Rachel Ray.” 

The food in the green room was hands down the best green room food ever!  Usually you’ll get some snacks like vegetable crudités or various fruits, but the food staff at RR takes catering seriously.  When I arrived, I got a platter of various culinary delights: mini turkey hoagies, prosciutto wrapped shrimp with arrabiatta sauce, fennel & cucumber slaw, and mini cherry pieswith homemade whipped cream.  As excited as I was to do the show, I almost wanted to stay in my room and pig out. 

The actual segment on the show was so much fun. Rachel’s easygoing style of interviewing puts you at such ease and makes for a really enjoyable experience. While we were talking we cooked corn chowder which, coincidentally, is one of my favorite dishes.  Rachel was so welcoming and a pleasure to meet. She’s just as upbeat in person whether the cameras are on or not.  I had a great time doing the show and you guys should check it out in a week or two.   

With all this flying you have to stay entertained while on the plane and I’ve already seen everything United Airlines has to offer.  Knowing this, I downloaded season 1 of Gossip Girl to keepme busy. I’ve been reluctant to watch that show, but I’m desperate and have watched practically everything else!

Funny little side-note: After taping the RR show, I was about to leave when I heard the New Kids on the Block were in studio to do another taping.  When I was in first and second grade, I was obsessed with NKOTB and had all their dolls, lunchboxes, pillowcases… you name it!  They were my first concert.  The booker of the RR show asked if I would be interested in meeting them so I did.  I have a really funny picture with all of them wearing my Olympic medals. The introduction got awkward very quickly because “Oh my God, I lovedyou guys back in 1989” is probably not the best thing to say.  I didn’t actually say that, but when the original pop boy band is now in their late 30’s and early 40’s, and you were obsessed with them 20 years ago, it gets a little weird.  They were all really nice despite the situation’s awkwardness. 

Where am I?  What day is it?  The past couple weeks have been incredibly exciting and extremely hectic. Between Tuesday and Saturday of last week I was in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Last week I got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and walked into the wall because I thought I was at the previous night’s hotel.  As I am writing this, I am sitting on a plane headed back to the JFK airport.  All this traveling can be incredibly fun, but a little disorienting.

Among the many exciting things that I have done over the past couple weeks: the Olympians show on Oprah, a taping for Nickelodeon’s World Wide Day of Play, NFL Total Access, Good Day LA, Tonight Show and Access Hollywood to name a few.  I must say that the coolest appearance so far has been taping the Rachel Ray show. 

As most of you know, I love to cook.  All the knowledge I have in the kitchen has come from either magazines (Cooking Light, Bon Apetit, & Gourmet) or the Food Network.  Rachel Ray has a ton of different shows, which I have watched for years.  Of all of her shows, my favorite has got to be her daytime show “Rachel Ray.” 

The food in the green room was hands down the best green room food ever!  Usually you’ll get some snacks like vegetable crudités or various fruits, but the food staff at RR takes catering seriously.  When I arrived, I got a platter of various culinary delights: mini turkey hoagies, prosciutto wrapped shrimp with arrabiatta sauce, fennel & cucumber slaw, and mini cherry pieswith homemade whipped cream.  As excited as I was to do the show, I almost wanted to stay in my room and pig out. 

The actual segment on the show was so much fun. Rachel’s easygoing style of interviewing puts you at such ease and makes for a really enjoyable experience. While we were talking we cooked corn chowder which, coincidentally, is one of my favorite dishes.  Rachel was so welcoming and a pleasure to meet. She’s just as upbeat in person whether the cameras are on or not.  I had a great time doing the show and you guys should check it out in a week or two.   

With all this flying you have to stay entertained while on the plane and I’ve already seen everything United Airlines has to offer.  Knowing this, I downloaded season 1 of Gossip Girl to keepme busy. I’ve been reluctant to watch that show, but I’m desperate and have watched practically everything else!

Funny little side-note: After taping the RR show, I was about to leave when I heard the New Kids on the Block were in studio to do another taping.  When I was in first and second grade, I was obsessed with NKOTB and had all their dolls, lunchboxes, pillowcases… you name it!  They were my first concert.  The booker of the RR show asked if I would be interested in meeting them so I did.  I have a really funny picture with all of them wearing my Olympic medals. The introduction got awkward very quickly because “Oh my God, I lovedyou guys back in 1989” is probably not the best thing to say.  I didn’t actually say that, but when the original pop boy band is now in their late 30’s and early 40’s, and you were obsessed with them 20 years ago, it gets a little weird.  They were all really nice despite the situation’s awkwardness.