My cat Scooter is small and quick, and she comes in four different colors.

Now, she's not sea blue or metallic green or raspberry, but she is mostly black.

As I've said before, I'm not very original when it comes to pets' names, with Samson, of course, being an exception; however, call it karma, providential intervention or just plain good luck, but I now have two scooters.

As the crowd began to assemble at the Greenville High School cafeteria for the trip to New York, I kept looking around at the familiar faces.

It made me really proud to be a member of this group, but I was even more proud of being a Greenville native and resident. I don't care if it does sound corny; it's true.

After signing my life away with all of the paperwork, we finally began to board the buses.

I was ready to get this show on the road, no pun intended. The next thing I know, I'm walking next to Regina Herring Gorum.

When we were kids, we were the only two Regina's in the entire city of Greenville, so that bond was quickly rekindled.

"That woman is waving at you, Regina," she said to me, and, sure enough, I look up at the first bus, and I see Lisa Parker Cortez waving wildly trying to get my attention.

I thought to myself, "Self, you're about to be on national television, and you're surrounded by some close high school friends.

If you ever want to be able to walk the streets of Greenville again with your face showing, you'd better behave."

To which my Self responded, "Okay, just be on the lookout for the hidden cameras they told us about in those papers we signed.

I'd hate for you to have to move away so soon after you just got back."

Once on the bus, Regina Gorum and I began practicing our 'game-show faces' that we might need to use.

There was the 'surprise' face, the 'shocked' face, the 'teary-eyes plus the fanning-with-the-hands' face. (That one was reserved for winning a really big prize.)

Finally, there was the 'I can't believe she just did that' face.

With that last one, we suddenly remembered the possibility of a hidden camera and quickly straightened up.

So much for maturity and grace.

That was not my only concern, however.

I was really hungry.

I sheepishly admitted that I had a pack of peanut butter crackers in my purse because my mother made me bring them in case I got hungry on the plane.

I kept telling my mom how I felt like Fred Sanford bringing a sack of chicken wings on the flight before Lamont found out and made him put them up.

Of course, Regina Gorum did have Pop Tarts in her suitcase, so I figured we were covered either way.

By the way, the food they served us on both flights and in New York was wonderful.

Needless to say, that pack of peanut butter crackers made it back to Greenville.

Once in New York, it was a whirlwind adventure.

When we got to the studio, some of us were asked questions, in between the taping of the show, in order to win gift certificates.

That was a lot of fun. I must say that Dr. Kathy Murphy makes me totally ashamed of myself.

After watching her do 25 military push-ups, I immediately wanted to join the YMCA with the aspiration of signing a contract with the World Wrestling Federation, just like Lita and the former China.

And, after all is said and done, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

I would like to congratulate all the participants and winners on the show; but, to me, Greenville is the biggest winner.

By the way, until I get the hang of riding my new scooter, please don't run over me.

After describing the scooter to Samson, my 21-pound tomcat, he suggested that I attach a small sidecar on mine so that he can ride with me.

He wants to feel the wind in his fur, too. Yep, life is good.

Regina Grayson is a reporter with the Greenville Advocate.

She can be reached at 334-383-9302, ext. 126 or via e-mail at regina.grayson@greenvilleadvocate.com.