Suzanne_Marques's Blog

Junior Achievement students at Prisk Elementary in Long Beach holding up "11" for the camera.

On Friday, I had the chance to speak in front of a junior achievement class at Prisk Elementary.

While I was speaking, I thought it would've been nice while I was in school to have a reporter come to my class and say, "Hey!  You're just like me!  You can do this too!"

I was a cheerleader in high school, on student council, hosted our assemblies and pep rallies, and won a few public speaking awards.  Yet, there was moment that almost made me lose confidence in my future. 

Every student has a school counselor who advises you on your class schedule to prepare you for the next step after graduation.  You can choose to do the minimum to graduate, take the track for junior college or the advanced schedule to attend a 4-year university.  Even though I took all of the appropriate classes for the university track, he recommended I attend a junior college.  I didn't understand why, when I worked so hard and had decent grades?  When I asked him why, he looked at me a little perplexed and exasperated.  I felt small. 

I remember questioning my self-worth.  Shouldn't I want to be the best?  I had always been taught to go for the biggest thing and let the chips fall where they may.  I went home and told my parents what the counselor had told me.  They just rolled their eyes and told me to blow him off.

A few years later, after I had graduated from USC and was producing KNBC's website at 21, I ran into that counselor at a Downey High basketball game.  He congratulated me on my success and I couldn't resist reminding him of the moment that nearly made me lose faith in myself. 

He gave me that same perplexed look. 

I wanted him to know that adults can make or break a child's dreams.  Thank God I had parents who always had faith in me.  What about students who don't have that support system?

I know every bright student in the class I visited at Prisk has the chance to achieve their dreams.  I hope every child in every classroom believes if they have a passion they can go for it.  Try like hell to achieve it and don't let someone else tell you what you should expect of your life.

We had an American Idol style performance.  She sang, Take Me Out To the Ball Game.  The whole class joined in for a sing along.

This little sweetheart played reporter for us!  Bravo!  I wouldn't have had the guts to do that in elementary school.  I was VERY shy. 

She sang Yankee Doodle Dandy.  The whole class joined in.  We had a patriotic moment.  :)

Signing headshots for the lovely students.

My little stars of tomorrow!

Nothing puts me in the mood for the heat like a good old fashioned lemonade stand.

I was driving home from LAX Sunday when I saw this lemonade stand near my home.  I think it's good karma to stop at every kid-run lemonade stand... especially when they're in your neighborhood.  Support your community!  :)

I was tired & grouchy when I spun my car around, but once I drove up, I was met with toothy girly grins asking me whether I wanted, "Sweet or tart?"

What were they raising money for?  They giggled, "No reason!"  They just wanted the experience.  Good enough reason for me. 

By the way, I got the sweet & it was delicious.

26-year-old Danica Patrick is the first female winner in IndyCar history!  She won the Indy Japan 300 with just over two laps to go in the 200 lap race. 

Patrick finished nearly 6 seconds (technically 5.8594 seconds) ahead of pole sitter Helio Castroneves.  Remember when he won Dancing With the Stars?

When she got out of the car, tears were streaming down her face.  The first thing she said to the ESPN interviewer was, "I feel like a wuss crying, but it's been a long time coming. Finally ."   I love that soundbite.  She's always asked... "When are you gonna win?  When are you gonna win?"

It's her 50th career IndyCar start.  50 time's a charm.  I'm so proud.

The last time she took the checkered flag was in 2002, when she won the Professional Division of the 2002 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

One day before I turned 16, my dad took me to an empty lot in Norwalk to teach me how to drive a stick shift.  Before that day, the closest I had come to being behind the wheel was the simulator at Downey High School. 

The simulator was a little booth with a video screen, not unlike other booths I've heard of where you watch questionable videos.   It featured an ancient 60's video featuring surprises like balls popping into the street and children chasing after them.  The best part was the steering wheel about 24 inches in diameter.  It was kind of tough.  I used to imagine it being a big gold lowrider. 

So back to learning to drive.  I imagined sitting comfy inside a big friendly Chevy Impala.  My father put me inside his Mustang 5.0 with the tightest stick shift I've commanded to this day.  Why not a Honda, dad?  You can tap the stick into place.  With the 5.0, I had to grip the stick, and force it to change gears with my noodle arms.  The clutch was no easier.  I got a cramp in my left leg just trying to get it to work without stalling.

Because my dad was a former race car driver, I had a handsome reward once I I learned how to shift gears without stalling.  We drove through puddles, did spin outs and sharp turns.  It's a lesson that haunts me to this day....

When I turned 16, I got 4 speeding tickets and nearly had my license suspended.  I was chasing the thrill I got in that abandoned lot.

I did get that thrill the same year, when a driver slammed on their brakes while I was cruising down Brookshire.  I slammed on mine too (still have never gotten into an accident like that, defensive driving people!)  but forgot one of the tires in back was a donut.  That 5.0 spun around in a 180 so fast, I was facing the driver behind me in a flash.  I was scared, but it was thrilling!  I'll never forget that feeling!

So let's get to the point already, if it hasn't already been humming underneath....

I love fast cars.  I can't sit & watch an entire race on tv, but if you've ever been to one in person, you know what I'm talking about.

I love the rumble of the cars that rattles your bones, the screeching sound of the engines - idling! - that makes my heart race, the elation when the cars whiz by, the thrill when a race car makes a pit stop.

My parents raced in the 60's and 70's at tracks all over SoCal.  They are quick to remind me it was back when you could have an average job & pinch pennies to buy a Sunbeam and even a Porsche.  Nowadays, it takes serious dough for the kind of racing they used to do.

One promising aspect of racing is drifting.  I don't know much about it, but when I did the preview for the Long Beach Grand Prix, they were the cool crowd.  Young,  fun, driving souped up cars that you also see on the street.  From wikipedia, I learned one of the first Drifting competitions was held over a decade ago at Willow Springs Raceway.  My parents used to race there & that's where I attended racing school.

My mother just informed me that she quit racing when she found out she was pregnant with me.  :)  My older brother informed me she often beat my dad in time trials by a second.  A fact my dad doesn't bring up, but I hear from anonymous sources that he's secretly proud.

I really need to take racing lessons again.  Serious ones.  Can't wait.  Go to my album for photos from our LB Grand Prix Preview Day!

Below is a photo of me & Tanner Foust.  He's a drifter who did stunt work in Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift.  He took me for my first ride drifting!

Me & photojournalist Julio Duran having too much fun.

Photojournalist Brett Babcock really wanted to get inside the Indy Car.  So did I.  When we learned the seat was molded to the driver's body, we didn't ask to try it out... darn!

Me and Wilmer Valderrama.  He's so cute and always a gracious interview.

Brett Babcock rode in the pace car & filmed too.  He's a trooper! :)

Julio Duran has the big camera.  He got some great shots!

Mazda unveiled a new Le Mans car.  It's wicked!

Who isn't moved when hearing Dr. King speak?  The closest I've come to him (aside from watching videos and hearing his sermons on the radio) was visiting his birthplace in Atlanta (501 Auburn Avenue).  Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church is just a few blocks away. 

It's a magical place, intimate & old.  The first time I walked in, it felt sacred and special.  When I heard people sing, I felt a part of things, a part of history. 

It's where Martin Luther King Jr. was baptized as a child.  He was ordained a minister - at the tender age of 18! -  after giving a trial sermon to the congregation at Ebenezer.  I'm sure he was a force to be reckoned with even as a teen.  He became copastor with his father in 1960.

Just eight years later, he was killed and his funeral was held there.

I was lucky enough to cover Coretta Scott King's funeral while I was reporting in Atlanta two years ago.  Thousands of people lined the route from the funeral home to Ebenezer.

Just sharing a few moments with you...Do you have any special moments that relate to him? 

Ok, so maybe the title could take us in several directions, but my story today just kills me!.  A pregnant mother-to-be wakes up in the middle of the night complaining of labor pangs.  So it's off to the hospital.  Her husband's cousin offers to drive, daddy-to-be hops in the back seat with her & they are driving to the hospital.

But her pain is so strong, she says - as I'm sure most women in labor say - just get me to the closest hospital!

A moment later, she can feel the baby's head.  Ok, I won't even get graphic here, but I'll say, thank goodness it happened so fast for her.  I can only pray labor is so quick when I have a child.   I've heard some women are in pain for hours just praying for the baby to be born.

Then she announces this to her male passengers - the baby is crowning.   I can only imagine.  (How fun would it have been to be a fly on the wall, gals?  Guys think cramps are bad enough! )

I applaud the men for stepping up.  The cousin pulled over the car and called 911.  Her husband hopped out of the car & helped deliver the baby.  Talk about a real man.  Bravo!!!

I saw the video shortly after baby James was delivered.  When the firefighters took the newborn to an ambulance to clean him up, daddy first watched over his (undoubtedly exhausted) gal as she was wheeled into an ambulance.  Then he went to check on his son & tears were running down his face. 

The image stays with me.  The firefighter asked him if he was dad & he said, "Yes" with such emotion and conviction with that one word, it brings tears to my eyes when I replay it in my head. 

It's moments like these that make my job so precious.  I love a story with such raw emotion and excitement that it makes you appreciate life and human goodness.

I had the chance to meet one woman saved by the firefighter who was killed in the explosion.  Brent Lovrein saved her and two of her coworkers.

Her name is Janet and she just turned 21 a few days ago.  I can hardly call her a woman.  She's a girl who just entered adulthood. :)  

She celebrated with a birthday party this past Saturday, but her most precious gift was recieved yesterday.  A firefighter saved her life, but lost his own.  What a bittersweet series of events.

When I went to meet her at her home this morning, she looked tired, weary, in shock.  Janet took me through the events that happened.  She had heard a boom or bang while she was working.  She went outside and noticed some businesses nearby were closed.  She was on her lunchbreak so she went to Quizno's.  That's when she began to smell gas. 

She was going back to work when she asked firefighter Brent Lovrein what was going on and what to do.  He told her to go back into work and stay inside.  Janet says, he pushed the door closed on her and moments later there was the blast that claimed his life.  She told me all of this in a bit of a haze.  I could see as she spoke, her brain was still working to process it.  (Does a person ever?)

I asked what she was doing before we arrived at her home.  She says she was looking up information on the web about the man who saved her life.  Our cameras rolled as she found Brent Lovrein's photo on the LAFD's news blog.  She whispered she knew those eyes, as her own filled with tears. 

This is when her emotions began to hit her.  She said she felt like an organ recipient.  How an organ donor gives of themselves... something that's impossible to repay back.  It's a bond only normally felt by mothers, fathers and their children. She feels he is connected to her.  Someone who didn't know her made sure she was safe as he risked his own.

May her life - which has really just begun - be lived to the fullest.  May she celebrate his gift of life. 

I would not be where I am today without the help of mentors.  God bless the generous people who have helped me along my way.

I'm know they were busy with their own lives, trying to get their work done when I would ask them questions again and again.

So when my childhood friend Bethany Stirdivant asked if I'd like to be a mentor with The Story Project, I was all about it!  Pay it forward!

Ok, not to get all sappy, but it's true that helping others is so rewarding.  I spent a few hours with a group of the most intelligent, spirited, outspoken, curious and lively kids I believe I've met in a long time.   I've posted some photos of them.

After my brief visit, memories flooded back of all of the senior reporters, producers, teachers and friends who gave me such valuable advice & criticism that I know I would not be where I am today without them.  Here's to mentors!

She works with the Story Project, enlisting creative talent to work with middle and high school students.  Media professionals from the film, television, and music industries inspire literacy by sharing stories while inspiring the kids to share their own.

The goal is to bolster self-esteem and enhance reading and writing skills.  They're working on creating a documentary or music video... they haven't decided which... These kids are going to be superstars! 

Arizona senator John McCain is in the Southland. It's his first visit since securing the Republican nomination.

With all of the attention that Senators Clinton & Obama have been getting, I was surprised to discover the latest Gallup poll shows McCain in the lead. Maybe it's because Democrats' votes are split, there are several ways of breaking it down, but he just hasn't been in the news as much, so he's been kind of flying under the radar. (It's raining McCain! Have you seen that video yet? Once is enough, ha)

Senator McCain will be making a big push to promote his public image in just a few days. It's called the Service For America Tour. He'll be traveling to Virginia, where he went to high school and then to Florida where he trained as a Navy pilot.

Ok, enough of that, Let's get to the good stuff. The controversial stuff! The Iraq war.

I'm sure just reading that brings up a flurry of emotions one way or another. , Maybe both ways, which can be more frustrating at times.

Warning: another poll here. Don't shoot the messenger! Gallup found that regarding the war, American voters view McCain as the candidate most capable of handling the situation in Iraq.

54 to 40 percent over both Obama & Clinton! What do you think?

I'm posting this on Good Friday.  Spring is also here! It's also the second day of the Persian New Year.  So many changes.. the weather is warmer as well.  Don't you just feel different?  I feel great. 

The Persian New Year is called Norooz - meaning the dawn of a new day. Yesterday, I spent the first day of Norooz with a lovely family. They patiently taught me the traditions and rituals of the holiday.

Families normally spend 13 days making the rounds to homes of loved ones, visiting, sampling tiny delicious Persian pastries and drinking endless cups of Persian tea.

Here in LA, families don't have that luxury, so it's shorter, but just as special. My favorite part was talking to the family's daughter, Pegah Ebrahimi. She is independent, vivavious and being girls, we gossiped about current fashions.

In Tehran, women are supposed to wear head scarves and cover their bodies. I learned young women are pushing the boundaries by wearing just a scrap of flimsy scarves - often with cutouts. Their hair is often dyed, ratted & spiked into wild bouffants, outrageous makeup. Tight pants tucked into boots.... I love it!  Go ladies!  Way to fight back against suppression.

My favorite part of the holiday - aside from the goodies - was the Haft Sin table.

It's set with seven dishes on display.

sprouts : symbolizing rebirth

wheat germ pudding : symbolizing affluence

senjed, which is fruit from an oleaster tree : symbolizing love

garlic : symbolizing medicine

apples : symbolizing beauty and health

sumac berries : symbolizing (the color of) sunrise

vinegar : symbolizing age and patience

Happy spring holidays! :)  Happy Easter too!

Could you imagine a tornado sweeping through downtown LA?  Of course not.  And the people who live in downtown Atlanta feel the same way, because there has never been a tornado recorded in Atlanta's history.  (They started keeping records in the 1800's.)

I lived in a high-rise just outside of downtown, on the 14th (really 13th floor.  No one labels the 13th anymore).  I was never concerned about the number of my floor.  I feared tornadoes.  I remember your regular storms... when the wind would howl and lightening would crackle on the horizon with intensity I've only seen in the South.

I never did experience a tornado at my condo in Atlanta.  Lord knows I covered the aftermath of several as a reporter.  I'll never forget the words people used to describe them.  The sound.  Like a freight train at your window, your house shuddering, shaking to its foundation.  Then suddenly the wind starts to win.  Windows are blown, roofs ripped off, chairs and televisions sucked out your front door.

Now, let's go back to talk of downtown LA.  The difference between Los Angeles and Atlanta is that SoCal is very spread out.  Even if we talk about destruction in downtown LA, unless you live or work there, you may never see it.  Except on tv.

But for Atlanta, downtown is the heart of the city.  The one major freeway cuts through the center.  It's impossible to avoid it and you wouldn't want to.  It's a lovely sight. 

Today, I'm looking at photos of my old home and can't believe the destruction.  Bricks, glass, debris, uprooted trees litter the streets.  The Georgia Dome & CNN Center are beat up,  Centennial Olympic Park is a mess.  Headstones were toppled at historic Oakland cemetery.

I know we're here in LA & Atlanta's across the country, but I thought I'd try & bring a sense of what they are going through out there.  It's like they've been socked in the gut... or had them torn out feels dramatic, but more appropriate to say.  They've declared a state of emergency & I'm hoping for a speedy recovery.

With the Vanity Fair party canceled, Elton John's Party was the place to be!

He throws the ultimate Oscar viewing party.  He passes out ballots to everyone.  You make your picks & the winner gets some over-the-top prize.  But who cares about prizes when you're rubbing shoulders with celebrities, watching Elton John perform at the piano like he's in your living room... with Mary J Blige!  Prince never did show up (but some of his dancers did).   He was throwing his own party though.

So who looked gorgeous?  Paz Vega & Heidi Klum took my breath away.  Heidi changed out of her beautiful red gown (that she wore at the Kodak) and wore a short white & silver number.  Talk about party dress!  She was smokin & I'm sorry I have to photos here. :)

Ok, I'm sure you've heard enough about fashion & dresses.  Let's get to the dirt.  I love behind the scenes gossip. :)

Sean Penn breezed by us & didn't even give a wave - shocker.  We have shots of him sitting inside with Petra Nemcova getting cozy... hmm...  He did just break up with Robin Wright....

I held an Oscar for the first time!  An Oscar winner was kind enough to let me hold it.  It was heavy as everyone says. 

Herbie Hancock was there just proud as a peach.  This is his year!   Petra Nemcova and I had a moment.  She admired my dress because wee were both in yellow.  Mine was Banana Republic though, & hers was custom Versace or Narisco Rodriguez.  She is stunning up close.  I yelled to Stevie Wonder & told him I love him.  He loves me too if you were wondering. :)

One of my favorite parts is listening to the auction hosted by Sharon Stone.  She knows how to milk people.  I sit in awe as the amounts go from ten, to twenty, to fifty thousand dollars for trips, art, jewelry... Must be nice.

Normally they have buckets of ice water & soda sitting out for us, but Elton's waitstaff brought us Evian & Red Bull on trays.  When the carpet closed for the show, they brought us out pizza.  I was rejoicing.  Sure, uests dined on steamed sole, canapes & tiny scrumptious chocolate desserts inside - but we didn't buy the tickets and - when you're hungry, you are hungry!  I had a slice of hawaiian pizza. A big one with canadian bacon and pineapple. 

Did you notice it was a gold carpet?  I matched it.  There was serious camoflauge action happening.  Thank goodness for the plum drapes.  Oh wait.  I had on plum shoes.  How big of a fashion faux pas is that?  Oh wait, lots of celebs wore red on the red carpet.  Nevermind.  Loved the red trend btw.

If you saw my story on the air, Mario the bouncer gave a little wave.. remember him?  He's awesome by the way.   If I ever need protection Mario is my back up.  We're bff now.  (Best friends forever.)  We were hanging out at the party!  Go to my photo album for photos!

Chandeliers, black and draperies, gold beaded curtains... the Grammy's red carpet celebrating 50 years.  And boy, was it a scorcher.  Mylie Cyrus said it best.  It's hot, but it's awesome.

The Grammys is a marathon.  Standing on the red carpet from noon to 5pm.  I drank 3 waters and 3 diet cokes.  Note to self: skip the stilettos.

One of the first to arrive was Tia Carrere.  She was working the Hawaiian look in a flowy teal dress and dripping gold jewelry.  I loved the flower tucked into her hair. 
She was nominated for a best Hawaiian music Grammy, but lost.

Color was big on the red carpet... Fergie and Colbie Cailliat wore bright yellow dresses.  I sported a short orange frock too.

Corinne Bailey Rae wore an electric blue dress (Luella I believe).  It was covered in little plastic flowers.  She said she saw it on the runway in a different color and had made in an electric blue.  Must be nice.

Melissa Joan Hart walked (okay,waddled) down the carpet - 9 months pregnant! - She said she's due in a few weeks.  She was there with Her husband, Mark Wilkerson.  He's in the band Course of Nature & was nominated for a Grammy.  I think he lost out though.  He was up against the Foo Fighters.... they rock the house!

Hayley Williams from Paramore was the quentissential first-timer.  So cute!  In the middle of our interview she kept noticing all the craziness that one gets used to after being on a few of these red carpets.

Kermit the Frog and Pepe the Prawn (Muppets) were interviewing stars for the Craig Ferguson show.  It was a big hit amongst the celebs.

Ringo Starr.  I was starstruck when I saw him.  I didn't know what to say!  I kept thinking.. I'm talking to a Beatle... A Beatle!!!

There's always a bit of the crazy and unexpected.  Chris Brown looked like the Candyman in a white suit with red piping.  Cyndi Lauper's hair was twisted into a jumble of big blonde locks in a style straight out of "Sweeney Todd."Fantasia was working a modified mohawk with the sides dyed white.  It was different...

Amy Lee from Evanescance sported her signature goth look, but those eyes.  They are an icy blue like I've never seen.  Beautiful.

Paul Wall showed off his diamond studded grill.  He had a sidekick with him (Johnny Dang).  They started a company called Johnny the Jeweler in case you want to buy your very own.

Wolfgang Puck had on his trademark white chef outfit, holding out a gold record like a pizza.  It was made of chocolate and looked yummy.  Too bad he didn't have samples.

Soulja Boy danced down the red carpet with a few minutes to go...  He wasn't doing the Soulja Boy, but kind of skipping and dancing around.

Fergie breezed by us and when asked who she most wanted to see?  Kanye West.  Loved his acceptance speech by the way.

Carrie Underwood swept by us but looked impeccable as always.  Her makeup always looks flawless.  How does she do it?  I want her makeup artist's number.... stat!

I was standing inside Rick's Tavern on Main in Santa Monica when I saw Kina Grannis' video play during the Super Bowl.  My eyes welled up.  I felt such pride.  I know it was in big part thanks to Fox11 viewers who voted for her after seeing her story!

Winning the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest means she has a record deal with Interscope!

I can't wait to hear her songs on the radio.

Congratulate her on her blog: http://www.twoweeksforkina.com/blog/index.html

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