Just last week, I was with a friend who was walking down a busy street in Los Angeles with her roll away carry-on luggage to catch a ride with me. Needless to say, we got many stares and I was secretly thankful that it was not me looking so awkward walking in the streets (although being next to her did not help either).

Who would have known that the following week, I would stroll right into a Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store in the plush Ball Harbor Mall with a carry-on luggage. I tried to keep my cool but I was in a rush to find a bathroom so that I could change, put on my make up, recharge my dead black berry, and  get ready for my book signing and the grand opening of Books & Books.

My flight from Los Angeles to Miami was a bit delayed and to make matters worse, I found out that my hotel was in the opposite direction and very far from my book event that evening. So, I had no choice, I drove straight to the mall– and did I tell you that I had never been to Miami either?

I found Saks at one end of the mall and went straight into the bathroom and opened my luggage….changed my clothes in the cramped space, recharged my blackberry batteries for 15 minutes, and put on make up and did my hair in the public space. A very friendly woman helped zip up my dress.  Voila! I was done, as horrifying and funny experience.  At least this story has a nice ending.  Ausbert de Acre from Assouline Publishers greeted me at the bookstore and said, “Angella, you look marvelous.” Oh….the book signing was a success!

I wanted to update everyone and tell you how amazing the IMPACT event in Portland was. The organizers of the event could not have been more gracious and welcoming and the ladies and the stories I heard at the event were so inspirational. What is also so wonderful is that this event raised more funds than last year’s, in spite of the economy.  As I look back on my experiences, what I value the most is the fact that I get to meet so many interesting people–it is as if I am enlarging my circle of friends. I will be posting some pictures of that night on my web site shortly.

This coming week will take me to the East Coast– thankfully to where the weather is warm and sunny! I will be doing a book signing at Books & Books in Bal Harbor and on Saturday morning I will be speaking at the Aventura Turnberry Synagogue. I have a chance to catch up with some friends too.  A short stay for sure, but it should be lots of fun.

I am most excited about my upcoming trip to Portland where I will be speaking to a sold-out event for the Women’s philanthropy division of the Jewish Federation.  To think that 400 of my books have already been sold before the event is quite unbelievable to me.  The theme of this event centers on people’s stories and how it impacts our lives.

While I was thinking of some points to share at the upcoming Feb. 8th event, it struck me–my maiden name is Maddahi.  In Persian, the word Maddahi means one who tells stories. So, it seems that perhaps I was destined to tell stories!

I will certainly update you on my month-long series of experiences and events.