Red Cross Red Tie Event 2010 by Christine Peake

The Red Cross Annual Red Tie affair at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, was their biggest one yet! An astounding $275,000 was raised this year with the help of peakPRgroup. 500 lucky guests dined on a gourmet dinner donated by DaVinci pasta and prepared by celebrity chef Nick Stellino,  Jada Pinkett Smith received her Crystal Cross award with a moving speech in which she said "Where the Red Cross, we are there." She then got into the mood bidding during the live auction, in which she won the board and surfing lesson from Big-Wave Champion Garrett McNamera & Surf Star Warren Metcalfe.  Fergie was obviously thrilled when she outbid another guest for the the Sears provided Kenmore Elite Kitchen and the Dinner/Tour at the Firehouse. Guests left clutching their heavy gift bags filled with L’ANZA hair products, Oxylent vitamin drinks, Electrolux sets, and Red Cross T-shirts to always remember this amazing evening. Photography by André Cohen.

Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith

One Hope Fondation's Jake Kloberdanz and Will Smith

Christine Peake and son Oliver

Josh Duhamel and Fergie

Fergie strikes a pose

The cast of HawthoRNe with Jada

Keith Zubchevich and wife Nancy O'Dell

Christine Devine and finance Sean McNabb

American hero, astronaut Buzz Aldrin

Dr. 90210's Robert Rey, MD, MPP and wife Haley

Happiness Times Two

Happiness is an elusive, but not unattainable state of bliss.  This week we are publishing two distinctive, yet oddly similar essays on how happiness feels inside.  The first is by our editor, Masha Chernitskaya, and reflects a teen's understanding of the thrill and shock of finding happiness.  The second work is from 2004, by Christine Peake, and reflects a mother's epiphany of suddenly finding the gift happiness in a period of self-reflection.  We hope that the juxtaposition of these two inspirational works brings happiness to our readers.

                         Happiness

                       by Masha Chernitskaya

Happiness is a shooting star bolting about in your body on golden wings. It lies deep down in your soul, waiting to burst out at the right times. It waits while the sea of sadness flies by. While the nest of nervousness shoots up like a lightning bolt. It waits and waits. Suddenly it comes up your body then bursts into flames.

                              Happiness

                        by Christine Peake

I had an epiphany today, I sat on my door step feeling the Ocean breeze blow up the Avenue in which I lived. Nothing spectacular happened. The sunset was not as amazing as usual. But I felt something I had not felt in a long time. I felt content. I was truly happy.

I asked myself, "Is anybody happy?"

"If they were, would they know it?"

My son was playing in his toy ravaged bedroom with his two new friends. The neighborhood was quiet aside from the occasional jogger. Plus the screams of happiness and Peter Pan playing in the background.

I'm not quite sure when I stopped laughing loudly I think it may happened in my teens, it could have been younger, I have either simply forgotten or chose to forget.

Childhood is a heated cauldron of family feuds and reconciliations. Hearing my Mother sob as she searched for an impossible solution to her debt and the struggles of raising five children alone.  comforted only in the knowledge that my father was an asshole. He became a bigger one when he gave all his time to his new family and newly adopted children, or so I thought.  Because I found happiness in a relationship with an incredible woman, Joan. Sometimes you think you're losing a parent, when in actual fact, I was gaining one. I never understood things then, but of course, being a kid, I knew it all.  I became the 'surrogate daughter' of all my friends parents in Grammar school as I SEARCHED for the ideal family that I thought I was entitled to.

I planned my escape, my exit out of my home. I strove for a life without struggle. I made a solemn promise to myself that I wound NEVER be a single parent. NEVER, no matter what. I yearned for the picket fence. I would never sit on the fence. No, not me, I would go and find the fence.

I left the north of England and headed to London, here in America everybody heads to Hollywood or New York.

Life changed quickly in London, I succeeded in a modeling career that came so easily to me that I never really appreciated it. I SEARCHED for recognition. I felt a false sense of success as I was recognized in the street and received fan mail, many of which I never even answered.

I then came to America, here I SEARCHED for LOVE.

I found it.  He died. Leaving me his beautiful son.

I could ramble on forever in my self serving "feel sorry for me" attitude that has consumed me for the past four years (grief also played a part, but I have chosen to let that go along with the insecurities).

I now have a beautiful gift and a heart that is over flowing in gratitude to GOD for my blessings.

I have stopped SEARCHING. The search is over.

I now know that that which we search for is sometimes so distracting that we fail to see the simple gifts of love and joy that are placed in front of out eyes everyday.

My SEARCH is over.

I have a child, a home, friends, a job with a great boss, a great school to take my son, and friends to share my good fortune.

It is not where I thought I would find happiness. But sometimes we look too hard.

It takes years to find happiness. You can search and search. But I will tell you this one thing I have learnt.

If you find it within yourself, it appears everywhere.

I wish YOU luck on your search. Until next time, "don't look too hard, you may miss it."

Eco-friendliness fact for the day

This April 22 is Earth Day 2010.  Please celebrate it by doing something for our planet.  Recycle, attend an Earth Day Event in your neighborhood, or use green products.  Amazon, one of our sponsors, has put up a special website, the Earth Day 2010 Store.  where you "can learn about green solutions to make every day Earth Day."  Also, they have a site that contains a large selection of green and sustainable goods called Amazon Green.

Happy Easter From My Teen Topix

Happy Easter from everyone at My Teen Topix!

Poetry by Peake

Poet Oliver Peake is back with a new poem.  The Tree Outside deals with a teen's feeling of not being understood or acknowledged by their parent.  It's a universal emotion that is shared by almost everyone growing up in today's busy culture.  But his mother, Christine Peake writes a poetic response to her son, The Root Of It All, that deals with her own painful childhood and the undying love and devotion she has for her son, Oliver.  My Teen Topix is extremely proud to publish one of the greatest poetic communications between a mother and son.  Thanks so much to the Peakes for the raw honesty of these poems.

The Tree Outside

By

Oliver Peake 
 

You see me constantly

But you never acknowledge me

You never notice my luscious bark

Or my branches that sway with wind

But I can’t do anything to make you notice me

You may think I am just a tree

But I’m more

More than your average tree

I’m the tree outside

Who notices you everyday

The tree who watches you grow

The tree who notices everything about you

But

I’m just a tree

To you

 Christine and Oliver

The Root Of It All

By

Christine Peake 

My dearest seed,

My newest leaf,

My branch….

My only belief

I clutch to you, in despair,

The nails I climbed in my violent past,

Hardened into the bark

To swing on in chance,

My childhood dance,

To reach the greatest heights

To ignore my childhood fights

Achievement I sought

Only you would last.

I shall not care

For anyone, only you my son,

When the branches are bare

Bloom in my arms with nature’s charms

Never questions did you ask?

At Autumn’s task

To climb the tree.

Nature gave you,

 To me,

Seasons disappear

The swaying of the branch,

The heart beat I hear,

My son,

We Know. 


"This Is It" A DVD review

By watching “This Is It,” it became obvious to me, that in order for Michael Jackson to achieve the high quality of the music and dancing in the documentary, he and his crew had to work extremely hard. The film was directed by "High School Musical" director, Kenny Ortega. Everyone involved in the rehearsals had to be there long hours and none of them got any time to themselves.  Each song and dance routine had to be repeated over and over again until it was just right.  All the dancers knew that Michael Jackson was a perfectionist, so they were prepared for anything that he threw at them. Even though the dancers had to work very hard they wanted to do they’re best and were encouraged by Michael Jackson’s work ethic. Michael Jackson inspired not only his fellow coworkers to push their limits,  but he also inspired thousands of other people to strive for excellence in music.

The film was interesting to watch, as it also gave an insight into how Jackson made his music videos.  Many of his videos used high technology, such as green screen, computer graphics and prosthetic makeup.  The auditions for the dancers and backup dancers were especially interesting because each dancer had a different reaction to dancing for Michael Jackson. Some were nervous, some were excited and some were down right scared.  I like this movie a lot because it included hard work, great technology, and loyalty to the King of Pop.

The DVD contains an extra hour of video not seen in theaters, and a number of featurettes about the rehearsals.

Eco-friendliness Tip For The Day

If you purchase the Demi Lovato duet with Joe Jonas, "Make A Wave," from iTunes, all proceeds from the song go to help environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.