If you don’t know Daniel Tosh, you’re missing out on life. Daniel Tosh is by far, the funniest person I know. Seriously, I KNOW him. Well, maybe I just watch his show — Tosh.O — follow him on Twitter and am a fan on Facebook. But if he wasn’t famous, we’d totally be friends.

So this is his deal. He’s got his show on Comedy Central. Right now, the second season is over. But you can watch him on Comcast On Demand (assuming you’re a Comcast customer). You can also stalk him out on DanielTosh.com, follow his blog and get show updates on the Comedy Central website.

He’s hilariously random. On Tosh.O — kinda like Talk Soup, but not really at all — he shows all these random video clips and cracks jokes. I’m trying to think of a good one to explain, but I don’t want you to think I’m a mean or racist person. That’s exactly it though. He’s pretty offensive. But the good thing is that he offends everyone equally, so it’s all ok. In fact, I like his Asian jokes. (I’m Filipino so I can say that.) Here’s an example — he had all these clips of Asians Doing Christopher Walken Impressions.

Recently, he had this whole thing on Surprise Trust Falls.

That’s all I got about Daniel. You gotta see it for yourself.

Daniel, if you’re reading this … and you just might be (because you have nothing better to do) … if you want to be in my wedding, you totally can. You can dance down the aisle in the church, and you can carve the roasted pigs at the reception. Actually, there are two more groomsmen than bridesmaids, so there is definitely a place for your somewhere. LMK!

Photo from DanielTosh.com.

Last night was a great night to TweetUp. Special thanks to Chef Mark Smith of Tortilla Press (Collingswood, NJ) and Tortilla Press Cantina (Pennsauken, NJ) for hosting our fun night!

What’s a TweetUp?
A TweetUp is when Twitter friends meet up in person. TweetUps can have a theme, an agenda or just a designated date, time and place.

Host your own TweetUp.
Pick a date, time and place. For this TweetUp, Dawn Bricker and I spoke (actually tweeted) with Mark and got his “ok” to host at the Tortilla Press Cantina. We picked a date that worked for all of us, and moved quickly with promoting the event.

Get the word out. Similar to our last few TweetUps, we assigned the hashtag “#SJTweetUp.” Adding the hashtag (“#”) makes the subject SJTweetUp “searchable” on Twitter. So, you can search for “#SJTweetUp” or click on “#SJTweetUp” within someone’s tweet to find more information or people that are tweeting about that subject.

For example, some tweets to promote tonight’s event were:

@AllThingsGwen: #SJTweetUp tonight at @TortillaPress Cantina – Pennsauken, NJ. You’ll meet @dawnbricker @chefmarksmith and many others! http://ow.ly/1dbqv

@kdevito: Tweetup Tonight: #SJTweetUp RSVP here: http://twtvite.com/c4jbaa #SJTweetUp #twtvite

@EileenOBrien: South Jersey friends join me & @allthingsgwen for margaritas at #SJTweetUp tonight 6-8 pm @TortillaPress: http://ow.ly/1dbqv

Communicate and RSVP. We used Twtvite to get the word out and keep things organized. It was easy to type in the event details and include our hashtag, #SJTweetUp. From there, we included a link to the Twtvite within our tweets — similar to http://ow.ly/1dbqv or http://twtvite.com/c4jbaa in the examples above.

Plan event logistics. We brought name tags — so people could write and “wear” their name and twitter name. We also brought index cards so we could collect names and contact information. That way, we could all contact each other after the event.

Other than that, we just had fun with it! Awesome food, fun tweople and a great night out!

Thanks to everyone that came out:
• Gwen Recinto | @AllThingsGwen | Facebook – Fit Friends
• Dawn Bricker | @DawnBricker | DawnBricker.com
• Mark Smith | @ChefMarkSmith | ChefMarkSmith.blogspot.com
• Bill Duhart | @BDuhart
• Lisa Grant | @JerseyGirlCooks and @JansBoutique | JerseyGirlCooks.blogspot.com
• Eileen O’Brien | @EileenOBrien | SirenSong.SirenInteractive.com
• Alexandra Harcharek | @aharcharek and @afoodcoma | AFoodComa.com
• Judy Moriarty | @realestatechick
• John Howard-Fusco | @EatingInSJersey | Facebook – John and Lisa are Eating in South Jersey
• Lonnie Rivenbark | @Fuddster | Fuddster.com
• Bill Ivory Larson | @Movie123Man | DeterminedToSucceed.com
• Nicholas DeVito | @NJDeVito | NicholasDevito.wordpress.com
• Katie DeVito | @KDevito | KKDevito.wordpress.com
• David Gorgos | @DirtyGert
• Bill Wilhelm | @Bilhelm96 | Lightfare.blogspot.com and VividElegance.com

John Miller is a sweet, articulate and friendly person. I met him on twitter, and we hit it off immediately. I’d say we have similar values and we both care about others — and we’re kinda quirky in a fun way! In fact, when I asked him to send me a picture, he sent one where he’s dressed as a sheep for Halloween. I love it! John says the picture “expresses his oddness.”

Read about some of his life experiences and how they’ve made him who he is today. He’s an ambitious and caring blind individual with a passion for life that’s sure to inspire you!

ATG: What do you do “for a living?”
John: Currently, I torture myself by attending graduate school for rehab counseling and psychology. My ultimate goal is to find a way to bring people with disabilities and travel together.

ATG: What’s your favorite childhood memory?
John: My first airplane trip, which was from Charlotte to Los Angeles. We were headed out there to compete in an event called the Braille Institute Olympics. We trained for months, but were still slower runners than most of the other athletes there. I didn’t care though, as I got to meet some celebrities and visit Magic Mountain amusement park.

ATG: Have you ever been discriminated against or treated poorly for being who you are?
John: I was once denied a chance at employment when the hiring person heard that I was blind. She told me and my job placement specialist to turn around and leave because “he can’t even see the screen!” This was before we even pulled into the parking lot.

I know it’s something I should have fought, but I lacked the advocacy skills to do so at the time. It gave me a taste of how cold and cruel some people can really be.

ATG: What do you believe in?
John: I believe there’s ultimate goodness in people. Despite me mentioning how cold and cruel some people are, I have actually had many more positive experiences.

ATG: What are your life goals?
John: To gain a real sense of independence for myself. Then, I’ll reach out to help others do the same.

ATG: What do you do to “de-stress?”
John: Turn the volume way up and bounce around! You’d be surprised at how getting your blood flowing can change things. I admit that if things are looking particularly bad, I might crawl into bed either for a short nap or an early crash. I think the first method is actually more effective.
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Hello, Friends! I’m wishing you an awesomely healthy and energized week. Hope you like this “mixed tape” I put together — just for you! Feel free to comment or add your own suggestions. I have more mixes coming soon.

1. “BOYZ” – MIA
2. “American Boy” – Estelle
3. “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas
4. “Make it Clap” – Busta Rhymes
5. “I’m a Hustla” – Cassidy
6. “Do it to It” – Cherish
7. Love Lockdown – Kanye West
8. “Bonafied Lovin’” – Chromeo
9. Shawty Get Loose – Lil’ Mama
10. “King of the Dancehall” – Beenie Man
11. “Jook Gal” – Elephant Man, etc.
12. “Calabria” – Enur
13. “Get Me Bodied” – Beyonce
14. “Long Way to Go” – Cassie
15. “D.A.N.C.E.” – Justice

Photo by massdistraction.

The first movie I ever saw in the theatre was Karate Kid. It’s one of my favorite memories. My big brother, Mike, and I went with my grandma and got a big tub of popcorn! Looking back, I’m not surprised that that was my first movie. Martial arts was always around me.

We grew up watching Bruce Lee movies — Enter the Dragon, etc. — and since I liked whatever Mike liked, we watched karate movies over and over again on beta and VHS. I can remember tagging along to Mike’s karate classes. My dad would pack a chicken leg wrapped in tin foil for me. When I got hungry, he’d wrap the bottom of the drumstick up with the foil so I could eat without making a mess.

At family parties, I showed our cousins that I could do a straddle too. We were the Recinto kids — Mike with his junior black belt and Bruce Lee hair cut — and me, just doing whatever he was doing.

So, it’s no surprise that Mike has a karate studio of his own now … and I work there. Actually, I really started getting into it in 1996 — because of Mike, of course! Billy Blanks came out with Tae Bo and changed the karate/kickboxing scene in a big way — just like Karate Kid did in 1984. Mike was in college and working at a karate studio; he and another “Sensei” began the kickboxing program at the studio. They encouraged me to come do the classes, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I’ll never forget the day that Mike was like — go teach abs. I had NO IDEA what I was doing … but I just did it. Afterwards, he told me that I should have counted the sets, etc. I laugh about it now — that’s such a simple thing — but I had no idea.

Now, here I am. I’ve been teaching kickboxing and other classes for ten years! I love it. It’s a way for me to be creative, energized … and a leader. As you know, Mike has his studio, and we’re a team. More about this later — all the community work and fundraising we do through the studio — but I’ll just say, I love my life, I love teaching and I love my big brother!

To take one of our karate or kickboxing classes, call Amerikick Medford at 609.714.2212.

Photo by David Michael Howarth Photography.

It’s been exactly one week and a day since I got let go from my full-time gig. I’m no longer an “account executive” in a marketing department, and I’m no longer in the financial services industry.

“Account executive” doesn’t actually describe the work that I did. I didn’t have an account, but I surely had a lot of internal “clients.” I’d say I was a copywriter. I wrote for the internal and external newsletters … among other things. It was a good experience, and so was my work at my position before that (in a marketing department in the healthcare industry).

At both of these places, I met some of my closest friends — and my two mentors. At both places, I doubted myself as a writer (pushed through it, obviously!), and I was challenged all the time. I loved it! These experiences are what makes me who I am today. I got affirmation about what’s important to me, and clarity on how to live a life with passion.

Here I am
I cried in the car driving away from my old job. I called my fiancé, my mom and my best friend. And, during the hour drive to teach my kickboxing class, I “got over it.” Life is about change, and opportunities are out there for me. I haven’t felt bad about myself or gotten emotional about it since. Why? Because I did my best and have no regrets. It’s like Don Miguel Ruiz says:

Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

My current goals
I just want to keep learning and keep myself challenged. I want to meet more people and keep helping others. I want to be creative, energized and do what I’m good at.

I want to teach as many exercise classes as humanly possibleand show off my “Gwenergy.” I want to keep motivating other people to be healthy, and I want to inspire them. I’ll also get a personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

As far as writing, I’ll keep up my blog, write for other blogs and publications and work with as many editors and writers as I can.

From there, I’ll take my time finding work. I want the right thing! Ideally, it will incorporate fitness, healthcare and social media.

I’m not worried
This is all meant to be. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished, and how things have fallen into place. I’m excited for new opportunities!

Photo by worldmegan.

Yesterday, my fiancé SERIOUSLY asked me if I knew about Imelda Marcos and her shoe collection. Then he told me it must be a Filipino thing. I just looked at him … really? OF COURSE I KNOW IMEDLA MARCOS. We’re Facebook friends, and my parents have been calling me Imelda since the beginning of time!

I love shoes. I have LOTS. But now, I go for comfort AND style. The days of crushing my feet into a size too small — and wearing stilettos for hours are LOOOOONG gone. (No more swollen chicken nugget toes!) I’ve just gotten smarter with my shoe collection … and the shoes I own now are strategic purchases.

Barely heels. I had an ex-boyfriend who was 6′ 5″! When we went out, I swore I looked like his adopted Asian child at 5′ 1″. So I wore ridiculous heels and ran to keep up with his long stride! Of course, I was 24 or so, so my feet could stand the pain.

Comfort brands. I’m all about Privo, Reiker, Keen and anything you can buy at The Walking Company or Benjamin Lovell. They’re more expensive, but they’re worth it. I got into Privos because I used to get pains — pre-stress fractures — in my feet from jumping and plyometrics from teaching kickboxing.

Sports-specific. I invested in good pairs of running shoes from the Princeton Running Company and Haddonfield Running Company. I wear stability shoes — good for most runners, but best for mild to moderate pronators, light or female runners weighing less than 180 pounds and moderate-mileage runners who average about 15-30 miles per week.

Casual always. There’s really no point in getting dressed, right? I wear sneakers as much as I possibly can, and pick sneaks that have a little “give” and aren’t narrow. I love my Sauconys, Asics and Puma.

Good sole. I can’t wear flat flats. I need support! Again, my Privos are the bomb, and I wear them pretty much every day.

My advice is this: Buy what you want, wear what you want … but try not to waste your money on shoes that just “look” good. Get shoes that serve a function and are fashionable! Since you’re standing, walking and exercising, you want to make sure everything — from your nose to your toes — are aligned the way they should be!

Photo by Sarah and Mike …probably.

There’s nothing better than the “real” thing. Especially when you’re talking about fresh, authentic Mexican food. You can get “all that and a basket of chips” at The Tortilla Press in Collingswood.

The food’s received accolades from magazines, tv stations and customers alike, and the menu offers something for everyone — including many vegetarian and gluten-free selections. According to the restaurant’s owner and chef, Mark Smith, their most popular dish is honey lime scallops: “It’s been on the menu since day one and our customers rave about them.” Their most popular appetizer is their fresh-made guacamole — my favorite!

Some of the restaurant’s offerings include an award-winning chipotle peanut BBQ pork platter, coconut habanero shrimp and chicken and cheese entomatadas. Everything is based on Mark’s own twist of Mexican classics. “I always loved Mexican food, but the chains always disappointed me.” Mark’s been cooking for nearly 30 years, in hotels, country clubs and with his own catering business. The Tortilla Press has been open for eight years.

My Favorites
When I go to the restaurant, I like to check out the daily specials. The soup of the day is always delicious, and I love the fish and seafood dishes. Otherwise, my favorites are the chicken fajitas. Mark has even made empanadas —especially for me! They were amazing!

Their Specials
On any day, you can get — and take advantage of — something special. On Mondays, you can build your own burrito — and get a whole meal —for just $12.95. “Date Night” is Tuesday, where a couple can enjoy a two three-course meals for $38. On Wednesdays, it’s “Here’s the Beef” — an eight ounce filet mignon with two sides and a salad — for $15.95. They also offer an early-bird brunch, weekend brunch and twilight menu.

Going Green
You can also count on The Tortilla Press to be “green.” They use biodegradable take-out containers; recycle bottles, cans and cardboard; use fair trade organic coffee; offer complete vegetarian and vegan menus; utilize sustainable fish from NJ whenever possible; and continue to forge strong bonds with local farmers.

For more information, visit The Tortilla Press website. Be sure to follow the restaurant on Twitter: @TortillaPress.

A version of this blog post was featured on NJMyWay.com.

The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves. – Helen Keller

Photo by Michael Tienzo.

Today, Billy and I hung out on South Street for FIVE HOURS. It was so much fun! We went into the stores, bought a few things and ate! I ended up scoring big. Billy got me three shirts from cheesesteaktees: “illadelph,” “PHILL – then a pic of Rocky with his gloves up” and “ill” — in the “Phillies” logo font. He got a “Paddy’s Pub” shirt — just like “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.”

I love South Street. It’s one of my favorite places, especially since there are so many good stores. It was kinda sad because a lot of places were out of business — Guacamole, Get Happy, Abeline and our favorite taco place, Lucky’s. But, there are a lot of new cool places now.

Oh, I have lots of South Street memories! Macko’s, Jon’s, the TLA, the palm reader, Lorenzo’s, Johnny Rockets … I took a lot of pictures …

Also, Billy and I are getting our engagement pictures taken on South Street, probably in March. He told me he’s not “picture person” and he’s not going to be into this photo shoot! I told him, ok, fine. The save the dates will have just my picture then! (Hahaha!)

Here are some pictures from today … I took pics of everything I ate with my camera phone, so those aren’t here

Enjoy my favorite sites and bites!

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