Excited, Nervous And Happy These Days!

So many wonderful things are happening lately.  I'm a bit afraid to talk about them here, scared that I may somehow jinx them from coming true. 

Yet it's hard to contain my excitement and nervousness too.  I've been interviewed by a local news publication about my cookbook.  Their publisher also wants to do a photo shoot with me, possibly next week.  I'm thrilled and terrified!  I just know I'll wake up with a pimple on that morning of having my closeup.  Or I'll run right smack into the wall and bruise my nose again, just like I did last week when I stood up from peeing on my toilet.  (Um, yeah, wish I was making that up but I'm not!!)

Hahaha!  I can't believe that I'm even news-worthy.  Me?  Mandy?  Just plain Mandy.  It must be a slow week in the news or something.  But I'll take the opportunity to share my story and my book with others!

I've already had the honor of being featured in my Louisiana hometown's newspaper a few weeks ago.  That was thanks to my dad writing a letter to the editor about me reaching a lifelong dream of mine.  Since that publicity, my parents have written to every food network and talk show host that they can find!!  My mom is standing up in church and in shopping malls practically giving speeches about me and holding up my cookbook.  It's amazing and humbling.   I just can't express how grateful I am to have parents who are so supportive, so loving and so proud of my achievements! 

The funny thing is that I was just sitting down yesterday in a bagel shop wondering about my future.  I overheard a conversation two tables over from mine.  A sales rep, one that I presume works for a local radio station, was pitching broadcast advertisting ideas to the bakery's manager or owner.  As I listened to the lady's perfectly rehearsed speech, I wondered if I could ever give a sales pitch like that?  I wondered if I could sell myself and a product or company in the same poised, confident manner that this smiling woman nearby did..... 

Then a few hours later, a reporter called me at home.  She began asking me questions about my cookbook, what made me write it and how I went from using packaged foods to cooking from scratch.  Suddenly I was spewing out words and babbling non-stop about my writings and misadventures in the kitchen.  LOL!  I guess I can give a sales pitch, at least one about myself and a product that I care about (my book).

Even though I'm not sure what is next for me....even though I'm not exactly doing what I thought I would be at this stage in the game (and at my age), I keep thinking about the song lyrics by music artist John Mayer. I've been listening to his "Continum" CD all week long.  I've hitten the repeat button on this tune a dozen times:

"Pain throws your heart to the groundLove turns the whole thing aroundNo, it won't all go the way it shouldBut I know the heart of life is good"


Those words keep echoing over and over again in my head.  I know the heart of life is good.  I've had struggles, disappointments and failures in the past.  But my life is good.  And I know that the heart of my life has always been a wonderful thing for me.

Therefore my only resolution for 2011 is to remember those words.  And to keep living that sentiment each day! 

Cheers!