Friday, February 19, 2010

Come on Over...


Hey, Everybody!!

As of February 1st, all my blog posts can be found here on my super new website.

Please, stop on by! I'll be posting exciting Sporty Saturday interviews, CHANGE UP (SCREWBALL Series: Book 2), events with the KidLit Authors Club, a new author crew I'm joining, more Book Club interviews (including an exclusive with Kristin Walker, author of A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL) and all the inside scoop leading to the 2011 release of the Pretty Tough Series (Penguin/Razorbill).

Thanks so much for stopping by and see you soon! ;)

Hugs,
Keri :)
http://www.kerimikulski.com

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

FREE!

I have exciting news!! :) As a thank you to my SCREWBALL readers and in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, you can now download the entire CHANGE UP (SCREWBALL 2) novel for free here.

Enjoy and Happy Wednesday!! :)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Whatever Wednesday: Amazing!

Did you watch the Hope for Haiti Benefit last Friday? What did you think?

This performance by Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono, and the Edge blew me away. :) Amazing.




Happy Wednesday! :)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Sporty Saturday Spotlight


sportyspotlight3

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on twenty-two year old kayaker and skydiver, Samantha Brunner. Check out Samantha’s interview below where she shares what it’s like to compete in kayaking, how she balances school and sports, and much, much more.


Name: Samantha Brunner 0907ee77-a13f-4c2a-8391-60f471760619s


Age: 22


Sport(s): Pro whitewater kayaker, but I also skydive and like most outdoor sports


Hometown: Memphis, TN


High School/Middle School/College: I am currently a student on full scholarship at the University of Memphis. I graduate in May with a bachelors in Exercise Sport Science, then its off to Physical Therapy school


How many years have you been kayaking? I have been paddling for about 6 years.


What was your fave sporty moment or memory?


The first time I ran a creek that I had to fully memorize. The small creek was so consistent that I had to remember all of the lines because there was no time to stop in between rapids. This made me learn to trust and rely on myself.


What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?9671c6af-94fa-4877-a6ac-13ec82b2c6e0l


To trust myself. Kayaking, for me, is all about pushing your physical and mental limits and learning to trust yourself. Only you can truly know what you are capable of, nobody else can tell you that. Kayaking is a way in which I learn what I am capable of; it helps me become a more independent person and puts a lot of life’s experiences into perspective.


What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?


Always be a team player. Getting down the river is a group effort. Your friends depend on you to know your skills as much as you depend on them to know theirs. Also, to always be respectful and truthful. Also, kayaking is a pretty poor sport, so you have to learn how to work to make the bigger trips worthwhile and how to do them within a budget. With that being said, I have learned to be able to put a lot of work and preparation into my trips to make them work and be beneficial for both my sponsors and myself.


What have you learned about teamwork?


It is the only way to be successful, you can’t do everything all by yourself. Everyone has something to bring to the table and is better at something than you are. It teaches you when to lead and when to listen.


How do you balance school and sports?


Haha, that’s the hard one. I know that school is more important and I have the rest of my life to kayak. Being in Memphis makes me a weekend warrior when it comes to kayaking. I plan my major trips around my breaks in school.


List the sponsors that you currently have:


Pretty Tough, Jackson Kayaks, Stohlquist Waterware, Keen Footwear, Kavu Clothing, SnapDragon Sprayskirts, Gaia Paddlesports, Grateful Heads Helmets, Freestyle Watches, H2O Audio, Zeal Optics, Colorado Kayak Supply


How do you plan to use your sport to influence others?


When I get out of Physical Therapy school I plan to start a non-profit, whitewater kayaking camp to fight childhood obesity and eating disorders. I find that kayaking is not only enjoyable; it can be a great motivator to get into shape. I want to show how fun kayaking can be and I think that when one is having fun it is easier to be motivated to stay active.


What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)


Haha, I think it would be to dress up. So much of what I do requires pants and flats or sneakers (not that I’m complaining) so when I have a chance to have a date night with my boyfriend, which comes once every few months haha, I like to dress up. I’m usually “one of the guys” so this helps remind me that I’m not always. Also, I kayak in waterproof mascara which makes me pretty girlie ;)


Thanks, Samantha! Best of luck with your amazing career.


Do you or someone you know want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.


Happy Saturday!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I Love You, Grease 2

The other night I caught my all-time fave childhood movie on VH1. Nope, it wasn’t ROGER RABBIT, a Disney princess movie, SUPERMAN, GREASE or even PRETTY IN PINK.


It was… GREASE 2.


Grease 2


At five-years-old I wanted to be Stephanie Zione. I even bought big hoop earrings (clip-ons), cut bangs, begged my mom to make me a Pink Ladies reversible black leather jacket, sang and danced to Cool Rider (I was real bad), and chomped on Bubba Hubba bubblegum like a cow chewing grass. While Sandy from the original GREASE was quiet and nice and girly (except at the end), Stephanie had edge. Stephanie had attitude. Stephanie liked motorcycles, being on the back of one, and bad boys who rode them.


Yes, my parents were worried about me.


And to this day every time I watch GREASE 2, I fall in love with it all over again.


grease 2 - 1


Stephanie, I still heart you.


How about you? What was your favorite movie?


Happy Wednesday!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Sporty Saturday Spotlight

sportyspotlight3

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on fourteen-year-old BMX racer and road cycling mountain biker, Mary Mae Duarte. Check out Mary’s interview below where she shares her fave BMX moment, how she balances school and sports, and much, much more.


Name: Mary Mae Duartemary-sporty saturday spotlight


Age: 14


Sport(s): bmx racing and freestyle road cycling mountain biking


Hometown: Riverside, California


High School: Citrus Valley High School


What’s your fave sport? bmx racing


What was your fave sporty moment or memory?


My favorite moment while racing bmx was when I finally jumped for my first time.


What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?


Never give up! And once that gate goes down keep it pedaling!


What have you learned about teamwork?


When you’re all together we all equal as one person. Nothing will be able to happen if one person doesn’t get along with someone else.


How do you balance school and sports?


My dad makes me finish all my homework before I can go anywhere or do anything!


Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?


My favorite male would have to be Brian Deegan and my favorite female is Danica Patrick! (:


What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature

question)


HA OMG! The girliest "things" I LOVE to do are get my nails done, go shopping, make sure my makeup is perfect! haha (:


Thanks, Mary! I agree. Danica Patrick is amazing. Best of luck with your sports career.


Do you or someone you know want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.


Happy Saturday!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A Penguin Present

Last Friday my tribe and I took our annual birthday day trip to Atlantic City. Although we left with empty pockets, my daughter gave me the best present ever.


penguin

She said I'm always talking about Penguin so I must really like them. :)


How about you? What was your best birthday gift ever?


Happy Wednesday! :)