March 11, 2009

Happy Birthday to me! I guess it’s not right to sing to myself so I guess I will listen to my voicemails. I have quite a few but I hardly have time to enjoy the then because I am supposed to be packing my suitcase. In a few hours I am headed to the airport to catch a flight to Chicago. I am doing an event for Chicago 2016. Funny thing is, I can’t remember the last time I worked on my birthday. Usually I decline all offers unless it involves a celebration of some kind. Since I know they are trying desperately to get the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am willing to go to great lengths to lend my time and energy to the cause.  Today is also the day that tickets go on sale for the April Holmes Foundation “D.O. Something” Celebrity Fundraising Weekend. We are trying to help raise money to assist the philanthropic disability and obesity initiatives. So as you can imagine I am very excited about this.

 I get to Chicago and the second I step off the plane a woman greets me. I am totally caught off guard by this since usually the greeter is at baggage claim holding a sign. She and I are talking our way to baggage claim and she tells me about all the other folks that are involved in the commercial/short film presentation.  To my surprise, Jackie Joyner-Kearse, Bart Conner and Greg Louganis is involved. I immediately called my coach because he just dropped me off at the airport and never mentioned Jackie (his sister) being in Chicago.

 The shoot was awesome! I got the chance to sit with Jackie and talk with her for a while. The director’s name was Malik and you could tell he had a yard of remarkable credentials. I had so much fun laughing and joking with the entire film crew that other folks began asking if we knew one another prior to the shoot. Everyone in the studio presented me with a cake and sang Happy Birthday to me during lunch. Like I said, it was so awesome!

 Chris and Kiera from the 2016 staff took me out to dinner at this Brazilian Steakhouse. They knew I love steak and it was an outstanding conclusion to my day. I think I had enough meat to last me the rest of the month. I think the best thing I had was this garlic steak and this chicken wrapped in bacon.

 Well folks, that’s all for now. I’m headed to NJ for the next couple of days handling some business for my Foundation and visiting my family. I will write again in a few days. In the meantime, be blessed and be a blessing!

 March 17, 2009

Hey people! I had a wonderful visit with my family the past week, but I have to go to Washington DC now for the Paralympic Mentor Program. There are about 25 athletes from different sports coming together to do military and congressional visits to spread the word about Paralympics and the possibilities of folks with disabilities.

 When I got to DC I ended up catching a ride with Steve from KEEN instead of hopping in the SuperShuttle. I was excited when I got there because I knew I would see two of my favorite people from Paralympics Beth and Benecia. We have become the best of friends and even like sisters, except during business trips we barely get the chance to hang out and catch up on our lives.

 All the athletes attended a reception with the folks from National Park & Recreation Association (NRPA). I met quite a few new folks but also saw plenty of familiar faces. In between sipping on some wine, I signed a ton of autographs. Before going to bed I sat around with a bunch of the guys to share laughs and stories. 

 March 18, 2009

It’s me again and thanks for stopping by today! I was so sick last night that I thought I was going to end up going to the hospital. I am just coming off of a sinus infection and I could barely swallow last night and my right ear was killing me.  I ended up missing the meetings this morning. I took some meds and went back to sleep while the rest of the athletes went through briefing and media training.

 By the afternoon I was autographing several pairs of the Air Jordan 2009’s AH inspired for some of the soldiers that were injured in Iraq. I got word that a number of them were basketball fans and since they sacrificed their lives for our safety, I thought it would be a nice gesture. I ended up going to this public boarding school in DC with Beth. That was a wonderful experience and the kids were very receptive. I try my hardest during school visits to give those kids all that I have to give, so I end up leaving there drained. This time was no exception.

 Tonight we went to a reception on Capital Hill with some very notable government officials. I willed myself around the room to mingle with the other guests, but I was so tired it was unbelievable. I ate dinner in the hotel once the reception was over. A number of us sat around again tonight telling stories and laughing. We have one more day of this so I need to get to bed. Talk to you later, in the meantime, be blessed and be a blessing.

 March 19, 2009

Hey folks! This is my last day in DC for this summit and it is raining. When you’re as sweet as me, you think you’re going to melt in the rain. I talked to my mom this morning and she was finding me a husband again. She calls me pretty often telling me she found me a husband either from watching tv or meeting someone. Every time she calls I let her know I don’t need her help that God is taking care of that. It is truly a funny exchange. Anyway…

 I’m headed out to visit a few Congressmen and women today before I catch a flight back to San Diego. I have a speaking engagement tomorrow morning for an organization called K.I.T. Not sure what I am going to talk about yet, however I do know if I don’t get a good night rest, I will be struggling tomorrow. Well I have to run along. Talk to you later. In the meantime, be blessed and be a blessing.

 

 March 23, 2009

Hello people! Can I tell you that I think I am losing my mind! For the first time ever, I forgot to catch my plane. Yes….FORGOT! I am scheduled to do an event for the Hartford Insurance Company in Phoenix and when they called looking for me in the airport I was still sitting in SD. I apologized to Sandy & John and tried to hop on a flight. Instead I decided to take the five-hour drive in my car. Besides, KIT and I have not been on a road trip in a minute so what better time than now.  I grabbed some clothes, snacks and gas, and then hit the road. Luckily for me the event I was scheduled to appear at was not until 7am.

 The ride was so peaceful. It allowed me time to think, sing, talk on the phone and even update my Facebook and Twitter pages. Just as I was in Phoenix City Limits, a huge flash went off. Yes folks, those stupid roadside cameras caught me speeding. I think I was going like 70 something in a 65. That’s going to cost me a few dollars!

 By the time I got to the hotel all I could do was sleep. I arrived at about 2 am and I had to be in the lobby at 7. That’s all for now. Talk to you again later. Be blessed and be a blessing!

 April 1, 2009

Hello and thanks so much for stopping by and checking out what is going on in my world. Today I am sure plenty of you are playing cruel jokes on one another. My nephew Carlton is celebrating his birthday today and he would be upset if I didn’t give him a shout out.

 This morning a bunch of folks from the Hartford are coming to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista for a Paralympic experience. In other words they are going to go through a series of about four sports as if they had some type of disability. I am their hostess so this is going to be exciting.

 The folks started with trivia, and then participated in archery, shot put, and visually impaired running of 30 meters. The running was the most difficult because they were blindfolded and depended on one of their co-workers to guide them down the track with a lanyard attaching their arms. I’m sure they figured we were playing a cruel joke on them but it was so much fun. This was really a great team-building activity.

 The day concluded with a tour of the OTC. I think and hope they had so much fun. Now I have to go out to practice. Talk to you later. Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

 

April 13, 2009

Hey folks, it’s me again! I’m reporting from Chula Vista, CA today. I know it is so hard for me to keep up with myself let alone you all trying to keep up with me. I’m trying my best to report my movement here but please feel free to send me a friend request on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/april.l.holmes

Or on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/aprilholmes

I think because I can access both of these social media sites from my phone, they are so much easier to update. As you will see when you begin following me, I am very conversational on those sites.

 Anyway I am still somewhat battling hip flexor issues from my fall in Beijing. However, today I had a decent practice with minimal pain. My teammates all look great in their meets over the weekend so I think that really excited me to get out there and keep pressing.

 Over the weekend I went up to LA to a meet and saw Allyson Felix, Barry Bonds, Rickey Bell (from New Edition), Jackie Joyner-Kearse, and a ton of other track and field standouts at UCLA meet. I can’t wait until the end of May when I open up my season. Well let me keep dreaming about my upcoming season and go jog a few laps. Talk to you later folks! Be blessed and be a blessing.

 

April 25, 2009

Hey people! What a beautiful day it was in Philadelphia. The last weekend in April has been Penn Relay weekend ever since I can remember. It’s when the stars of track and field come together for an event or spectacle or track elitism. If you have never been, you are clearly missing out something. The hype is usually surrounding the Championship of America or the USA versus the World events. There are several thousand Jamaicans in the crowd and they are extremely confident that their natives are going to beat the USA teams. With their flags, food, and colors on, they pack the stadium and erupt in joyous taunting when their teams are victorious.

 I started off the event hanging with my family in the stands. However it didn’t take long for my cousin Dante and I to go down on the field where the rest of the professional athletes were. I introduced him to a few of the stars but since we are both track athletes, it was so weird to be in the crowded stands just sitting there.

 This was clearly one of the best Penn Relays I had been to. The weather, races, and crowd were outstanding. The US ended up winning most of the races. After the races were over, I headed out with my family and grabbed some crabs. We all sat on the deck at Aunt Bonnie’s and ate while telling stories. It’s always amazing to me how non-athletes can go to sporting events and come home so excited like they competed. That to me is one of the greatest joys of sports.

 Now I have to go over to the airport and grab a rental car. I am headed to Virginia Beach to my Godson CJ’s birthday party. Since my Godson Milan in NJ has never met his God-brother, I figured I would take him with me.  I think I am also going to take my nephew Benjamin and little cousin Zion. They are pretty good guys and sometimes I feel kids need a break from their environment to experience other things.

 Well, let me run along. I have to hit the road pretty early in the morning. Talk to you later. Be blessed and be a blessing.

 

April 27, 2009

Hey people, thanks for stopping by to check in with my world and me again.  The drive down to VA was great! The three guys and I got on the road about 5:30am and arrived in VA around 10. As a treat to them, I stayed in a hotel with an indoor pool so they could swim half the night. When we first got to VA we took a nap for like 2 hours. Then we were got something to eat and hit the mall so we could buy CJ some birthday gifts.

 CJ had a party at the bowling alley but they also had a jungle gym sort of thing for the kids to run around and climb on. They all had tons of fun and he got plenty of gifts. After the party was over, I invited Yolanda (CJ’s mom) and the kids back to the hotel to go swimming. They swam from about 6-11pm. They were having so much fun so I only managed to get them out of the pool once to order the pizza I had delivered poolside. Water has a medicinal effect on people that it makes you sleep so well, so they boys were out like a light.

 When we woke this morning, I let them make waffles at the breakfast station in the lobby. Since they were missing a day of school, I wanted to fill some portion of their day with education things. I took them over to the campus of Norfolk State University so they could see where I went to school. I showed them the dorms, introduced them to the athletic director, showed them the basketball and football arenas, library and even some classrooms. I even took a photo of them on the court so they can have it for their collection.

 On our way back to NJ, we stopped on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for some sightseeing. I gave them some quarters to use the binocular machines to see the ships and such. Then we walked along the pier as they talked to some of the folks that were fishing. Before we left, I told them to read some of the informational post to get a better understanding of the bridge history. They had such a wonderful time.

 I was in a rush to get back home because I wanted to rest and also watch the NBA playoff games. Besides they had to get home to prepare for school the next day. I have had a busy couple of days and headed back to CA soon. Talk to you later folks. In the meantime, be blessed and be a blessing.

 

April 30, 2009

Hey folks! I am sure some of you are wondering when I practice. Well, I actually practice about five days out the week but I figure since all I do is run, that would get pretty boring writing and reading about. So I just choose to leave that information out the story most of the times.

 I had a decent day at practice today. We had a late practice today so that gave me a chance to run around and get a few things done.  After running I went in the weight room for that workout. I had a pretty intense workout in there so I am sure my muscles will hurt tomorrow.  Either way, I’m sure defeat hurts worse so I will take the temporary discomfort of muscles.  I’m off to do laundry now so I can hit the road again this weekend. Talk to you again soon. Thanks again for all your love and support.

 

May 2, 2009

Wow, what a day this has been folks! Whenever I am headed out to do an appearance I am super excited because I get the chance to meet some new people. Well this morning Nike sent a limo to get me from my crib in San Diego. Almost the entire drive I talked to my friend DB. We talk often but we had a particularly playful exchange that was exciting.

 I got to the store around noon just in time for my appearance. This was proving to be view interesting since I was going to be the first time I had done an appearance with Nike instead of Jordan. They were so nice, helpful and conversational. We did a question & answer session for the people that came out to Sports Chalet to pick up their pre-race packets for the Santa Monica Classic 5K & 10K road races. Afterwards I took a few pictures with the people and signed some autographs. My friend Angie from college came by and bought her son to meet me. He was so adorable with this Kool-Aid smile. He asked me can I come to his house next time and had the nerve to tell me he could beat me running. Gotta love kids with confidence.

 Anyway, my one of my former training partners (friend) came from Oregon to hang with me for the weekend. After checking in the hotel and sharing a host of stories, Simi and I ended up going to some Caribbean restaurant to eat lunch. I didn’t enjoy my meal very much. We then went shopping. I am such a huge fan of linen pants in the spring/summer time but I didn’t buy anything. For dinner we went to this Italian spot near the Santa Monica pier and that was not tasty either. Simi and I joked around how bad our meal choices were for the day.

 Since I have to be at the start of the race by 7am, I need to get the bed. I am totally exhausted so I am sure I’ll sleep well. Talk to you later. Thanks for stopping by.

 June 2, 2009

Hey people! Thanks again for stopping by and checking on me. I will admit and apologize for not being very consistent with my blog reporting. The thing is I have been drugged by Twitter and Facebook and I can update them from my phone. So in the event you don't hear from me everyday on here, drop my other two properties and check out what I am up to:

www.twitter.com/aprilholmes

www.facebook.com/april.l.holmes

I also welcome you friend request on both those sites. We often engage in very entertaining conversation and my travel excursions are total amusement. Today I am in Germany with a meet scheduled for tomorrow. The hotel facilities and staff are wonderful. I will tell you that although I have never been on a cruise, my bathroom looks like it belongs in a cabin or something. The view from my room is a runner's dream, it's overlooking the track!

I spent much of today in my room trying to stay off my feet and relax a little. A few hours ago I went to the front desk asking for the nearest store so I could grab some snacks and drinks (the non-alcoholic version since I have to run tomorrow). Well the woman gave me directions and said it was a 10 minute walk. Knowing I needed to stretch out my legs a bit, I decided to hike it. Well, it took me like 20 minutes and I was walking pretty fast. I never did find the store she sent me too but I felt like a lazy American or something. I had a blister on my heel coming back and I didn't walk back...I CAUGHT THE BUS!!! That's right I wasn't being lazy, I was being cautious since I have to run tomorrow. 

Ok one last story then I am going to bed. My mom called told me I got a speeding ticket in the mail from VA that had to be paid by June 10, 2009, otherwise my license would be suspended. Well I called the township and ended up paying the $176 for the ticket. After I did so, I got the thinking....and thinking....and thinking! I believe that folks in professions that require you to act quickly or move faster than others, should be given a MPH grace allowance on the highway. For instance folks in track racing, bike racing, and car racing. I mean imagine how Danica Patrick must feel when she gets in her car in the highway and the speed limit is 55 and she just finished going like 200 MPH for like 2 hours straight? She must feel like she is walking or could be walking faster. I'm just saying....

That's all from me for now. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing my world. Don't forget to stop by the Twitter and Facebook pages on the daily and you can get up to the minute happenings on my goings-ons. Love you! Be blessed and be a blessing.

June 30, 2009

Hey people! Thanks for stopping by to see what is going on in my world. You are catching me at the end of a very busy weekend. On last Thursday, I spoke to the students of Cream Elementary School in Camden, NJ. On Friday, I was the keynote speaker at Brimm Medical Arts High School graduation. Then I jumped on a plane Friday afternoon and headed to Detroit. Once there, I traveled to Milan, Michigan to speak at Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility. After speaking there on Saturday, I was back on a plane that night headed to Philadelphia. On Sunday morning, I spoke for an educational service at Absury church in Woodlyn, NJ. As you can imagine, those places were very exciting, however, I am so tired.

Listen, please follow me on the following sites, so you can get up to the minute information on what I am doing and where I am visiting. Who knows, I may be in town near you and we can hang out or something.

www.twitter.com/aprilholmes

www.facebook.com/april.l.holmes

I would love to be your friend on both of those sites. Check me out there and I will chat with you again soon. Be blessed and be a blessing.

October 15, 2009

Hey people! I pray this message finds each and every one of you in great health and rich blessings.  As you can imagine (and probably know from FB and Twitter) I have been busy! That is still not a very good excuse for not writing on this blog. However, it is so much easier to tweet from my phone so please be sure to check that to learn my daily happenings.

Well, I changed the photos on the site. All this time I have been uploading new photos, not knowing they never showed up so you can see them. So if you look under the "social pictures" who I have met recently.

Since we last spoke, I have been heavily promoting both the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) and Chicago 2016. Just recently the IOC awarded to 2016 games to Rio instead of Chicago. While I congratulate Rio on their victory for the Games, I also congratulate the City of Chicago and it's people for putting up a good fight. They also created a legacy program called World Sport Chicago to encourage youth in their athletic endeavors. I met some wonderful people along that journey and I am still meeting folks through my BGCA intiatives. Every single day of my life, I worry about how we are going to help the kids. So both of these programs are near and dear to my heart.

I only have a few more weeks before the start of the new track season of training. Over the next couple of weeks, I have a few things going on with my Foundation. This Saturday, I will be in the Macy's in Cherry Hill, NJ doing an autograph session from 12-2. Every year Macy's has a program called Shop for a Cause whereby they allow non-profits to generate funds by selling discount coupons for merchandise. We also have the 2009 Blue Jean Ball coming up on Nov. 6 in an effort to raise money for scholarships for disabled individuals. Just a few months ago someone told me that only 30% of the disabled population are employed and/or have an advanced degree. I need to do my part in helping them with one or the other. So please come support one or both of these initiatives.

Well I guess I should run along now. I am starving plus I need to get some items checked off my "April-Do" list. Thanks again for stopping by. I promise to come back soon!