five on friday :: faq about oprah

i was getting a sandwich the other day at one of my favorite sandwich places and the lady taking my order noticed my sweatshirt with an "o" on it.  she asked if i graduated from the university of oregon.  i said, "no, it's actually from the oprah show."  she gave me a surprised look and then asked me a bunch of questions.  the same questions i've been hearing and answering over the last few days.

so here's the answer to the 5 most frequently asked questions.

1. how did you get tickets?
bobby works for a film production company and the publicist for them worked on something for the oprah show.  when i heard those words i had to ask, do you think he can get me tickets?  i figured it was my last shot at going. thanks allen for making this little dream come true.  it really meant a lot to me.

2. what did you wear?
this trip came about so suddenly and we had to pay for the flight and the hotel, not to mention all of the items on the boys' packing lists that we needed to buy.  so there was no room in the budget for a new outfit.  the email from the show suggested that we wear bright colors.  which makes sense when you look at the past shows that everyone is dressed in vibrant, solid colors.  i had the perfect outfit in my closet and after watching the show last night, it didn't really matter what i wore.  you couldn't even see me.

that's the back of my head in the middle.  my sis is to my left.

3.  did you get an ipad, australian vacation or a car?
no.  there was no surprise giveaway.  no big reveal.  the only thing under our seats was a box of tissue, and believe me i thought about taking that home.  but we really did walk away with full hearts and gratitude for having the opportunity to be there.  (ok, but after seeing the makeover show where everyone got a michael kors bag, diane von furstenberg scarves and tory burch sunglasses plus a makeover, i did feel a little cheated.  just saying.)

4.  what was the topic?
it was unforgettable guests.  people from the past 25 years who had made an impact.  watching the first family talk about their heartbreak over missing their mom broke my heart.  i remember watching that show when it first aired and feeling so much sadness for those kids. it was tough seeing them in real life and feeling their pain all these years later.  the girls from rwanda sat right next to us and we exchanged words for a moment.  and then the mom with cancer who made the videos for her daughter.  having a daughter of my own i could feel the desperation to want to share so much with her.  it was a tough but touching episode.  one that made me think about cherishing those everyday moments, living life fully and the impact that the decisions you make have on your children.  i walked away with so much.

5. what was it like?
it was pretty incredible.  i have been a loyal viewer for a long time.  it has been a part of my everyday for as long as i can remember.  i watched the episode where she wheeled out all the fat she had lost.  i watched the episode where tom cruise jumped on the couch.  i watched the episode with oprah and gayle's road trip adventures. i read many of the book club selections.  i was a fan.

i was touched by so much of what i saw.  i had an aha moment that changed my life during one show.  it literally made me see something that had happened in my life in a totally different way. i've had fun watching her shows. and oftentimes would say to my sister or friends "did you watch oprah yesterday?" i know that she is criticized by many people, some right here in my house, but i believe in the intention: to change people lives in a positive way.  so to be sitting there in those seats, it was pretty amazing.

this experience also taught me to never lose hope.  imagine with only 5 shows left and i get tickets.  that was incredible.  seeing oprah was being a part of television history.  i've been around celebrities before, it used to be my job.  and i completely understand the concept that they are just people.  but oprah is someone i saw everyday, not just once in a while in a movie or tv show.  she is like a friend, just with billions of dollars and an empire.  when she walked out on stage i guess i was filled with excitement to have made it there and to see that person in real life. it was unforgettable.  and i will miss it when it's over.  so i felt lucky, privileged and honored to be there.

wishing everyone a happy weekend!