Where's the sparkle???

I'm not a completely messy person. My my house, like everyone else's gets messy. And it seems like the busier I get the messier my house gets. So lets just say that I have been very busy lately. So most of my Saturday was spent cleaning my house. Now I'm not just talking about picking up my clothes and bills that are scattered througout the house. I am talking about DEEP, under the surface, music blaring cleaning. I don't think you understand people I got down on my hands and knees to scrub the floors!! I picked the moss out of my plants with a fork (you know from all the Portland moisture.) I mean I cleaned this weekend!!

And after I was done I was exhausted but I was so proud of myself. I spun around taking in the clean smells, the apartment in all its glory and sparkle . . . Wait . . There was no sparkle.

"WHAT! NO SPARKLE!?! My house is supposed to sparkle after I spent hours deep cleaning it!!! June Cleavers house sparkles when she cleans it!!! WHYYYYYYY????? It's not fair!" (This was the inner monologue that went on inside my head)

So how come her house sparkles and mine doesn't? Does your house sparkle when you clean it? I feel very disillusioned.

See the sparkle in this kitchen?

Mine does not sparkle like this

AHH MY EYE!!!

For most the day the whole world seemed off. I didn't know why. Then midday, maybe three-ish I looked at the white board outside of my office and across the narrow hallway and it hit me!! I was not seeing clearly. I closed one eye and then the next and sure enough the right eye was very fuzzy. So I took my right index finger stuck it in my eye and drug my contact from far left outer space to the center of my eyeball and Voila! I can see!! I can't believe I've gone practically all my work day with a sideways contact!

P.S. I had much trouble trying to figure out how to spell voila. It was quite humorous trying to Google the word and use the dictionary. You should have seen some of the spellings I came up with, vwhalla, wiola, vwalla, all sorts of things! You know those crazy French words!

Happy Valentines Day

Yeah Yeah I've heard it. Valentines day is a fraud. It's a waste of time and energy and its only for the marketers to make money. Blah blah blah. While I do half believe this and I'm sure Americans spend millions of dollars on useless Valentines stuff, I don't hate Valentines Day.

I think that Valentines Day is fun whether you are single or with someone. Last year I spent Valentines Day with a group of 15 or so single ladies. It was so fun. We had food and games and I didn't even think about being single. (But I was also comfortable with my singleness)

Here are some things I hate:

• Calling it V-Day

• The large crowd in the Valentines card isle. Seriously people just pick a card and get out of my way! Yesterday when I went to get a card for someone special I had to navigate and weave in and out of people to find a card. I feel like I had to end up settling because I just couldn't take the people that were parked/camped out in the card isle.
  
  

Today on my way to work I noticed a large a popular pizza chain (I would say their name but then I would feel obligated to put a link) with Valentines stuff out front. It seemed odd to me that a pizza chain would be selling things like flowers and bears. And it couldn't have been a vendor who was selling outside their store, because there was no vendor in sight. And here is another strange thing; there was this HUGE bear on the table that was holding these flowers (that's not the weird thing) but it was raining! Can you imagine coming home to your wife with this soaking wet, flower holding bear? "Happy Valentines Honey. I hope you enjoy squeezing the water out of this HUGE bear I got for you!"

And call me crazy but I've noticed the color red more today!

Happy Valentines Day!

He IS Here!

Here in Portland we have been blessed with SUN! Sun brings many other things also. The squirrels have been running about, I pass bicyclists on the way to and from work and I can now see the glorious Mt. Hood.



I was thinking about how great and beautiful Mt. Hood and the other mountains/hills that surround this area really are. I was happy to see them as it had been so long. And I thought to myself about how I had forgotten about them. I mean I've known all winter that they were there but since I couldn't see them I wasn't thinking about them.

Very often my relationship with Jesus and God the Father is like this. I can't see them so I forget they are there. I know in my heart that they are, have always been and will forever be there, but I just mentally forget sometimes. Why do we do that? What is not seen in forgotten. Just like some old clothes shoved under the bed that I have forgotten I own.

Realizing this in myself has made me sad and frustrated with myself. I thought about how in order for me to remember, I mean really remember and know that the mountains are there even in the winter time I would have to consciously make a choice to think about them. I would have to think about them in order to remember them. I feel this can be applied to God. Sure I think about Him and go to church and pray, but I don't take enough time to know that HE REALLY IS THERE. I'm not sure at this time how to accomplish "knowing he is there" and making Him real in my life. Maybe it is prayer, maybe solitude , maybe I need one of those cheesy Jesus pictures. (sorry if you're offended by the comment or the picture below)

Insightful Morning

Typically on my way to work I am consumed with getting there. I ponder which way will be the quickest and have the least traffic, what I need to do as soon as I get there, what the day holds for me and WHY IS THIS CAR IN FRONT OF ME DRIVING SOO SLOW!!!!

This morning however, was a breath of fresh air. As I sat in traffic I watched two men working on a car together on the side of the road. The two men were working so cooperatively and I admired them as they demonstrated teamwork, friendship and comoradery.

As I pulled to the side of the road to let a hurried fire truck go by, I was not irritated by the loud sirens but thought about the men inside who were off to save the day! Hopefully they would put out the fire, saving a home and some lives. I wished them luck as they went whizzing by.

I pulled up beside a Fedex truck at the next light and was inspired by the thought of millions of packages being delivered far and wide. I thought about those taking their children to school and others headed off to work. I wondered what all of their days had in store for them. What days tasks were these individuals focused on? How long did the individuals at the bus station have to wait for their ride to arrive?

As I pulled into the office I noticed the "power-men" high above me and was thankful that they were working on the lines, because I know how irritated I get when the power doesn't work properly.

As I unlocked my office door I was covered by a great peace. I was not stressed out over the day that had just begun. It felt so good to reach far beyond myself and into the lives of others. At least to for several minutes stop being consumed with myself and notice others around me.

Happy Groundhogs Day! (And Random Thursday!)

Ok I know I haven't posted anything about anything in a long time. But Groundhogs day deserves the time to post!

So today is Groundhogs day. This year the groundhog has seen his shadow, which means there will be six more weeks of winter. (I however choose not to believe this.) Ever since the tradition has started there has been a 39% accuracy rate. Since 2000 the groundhog has seen his shadow ever year. To see every year go to the Stormfax Weather almanac page

Some History

The tradition started in the 1800's in Punxsutawney, Penn. when friends would go looking for groundhogs. The group of friends soon became "the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club." February is the Groundhog month because it is midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. For more great info go here: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/groundhogday1.html

Also FYI, a groundhog is also called a woodchuck and is a member of the squirrel family. Remember the woodchuck riddle?

How much wood would a woodchuck chuckif a woodchuck could chuck wood?He would chuck, he would, as much as he could,and chuck as much wood as a woodchuck wouldif a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Here are some fun groundhog songs I found! For more go to: http://ourworld.cs.com/DonaldRHalley/ghdsongs.htm

Spring Is Coming

Tune = Jesus Loves Me © 1990 by Don Halley

Spring is coming, this I know

For the groundhog tells me so

The snow is deep and it's ten below But he did not see his shadow
Yes! Spring is coming

Yes! Spring is coming

Yes! Spring is coming The groundhog tells me so

Joy To The World

Tune = Joy To The World © 1991 by Don Halley

Joy to the world! It's Groundhog's Day! May he glad tidings bring

Let every cloud get in his way

So that we may have spring

So that we may have spring

So that, so that we may have spring

May you all have a happy Groundhog day and a merry 6 more weeks of winter!

Random Thursday: Food for Thought

Another Random Thought! I am a three second rule kind of girl (unless it's toat, butter side down, or pizza topping side down!) In college I was a 10+ second rule. Ironically enough it is probably safer for the 10 second rule now, than it was in college. So where do you fall (when your food falls!)?


Picture found on USA Today's website

Delurk

Ok, So while I was lurking on someone's blog (I'm not going to add a link because I am scared they will find me!!) I read that it was delurking week. Which means that you should post a comment. But this is as close as I can come to delurking; is to admit that I am a lurker. All you can get from me now, is that: I AM A LURKER!! To my fellow bloggers, maybe someday I will break my bad habit, but I am just not ready!

Random Thursday

1. 105.1 the Buzz does this thing called Random Thursday. Listeners just call in and report any random thought that they have. It is quite entertaining. Here is my random thought on this Thursday. I would like to be a plastic surgeon, just because I think it would be fun to draw on people. You know how they draw lines indicating where to cut. But I guess when I have these urges I could go over to the Graul Household and their children would be happy to oblige and let me draw on them! So I guess I won't be a plastic surgeon after all.
   
   
   
   Here is some more random thoughts related to plastic surgery and the way we look: these were found on USA today's website
   
   1. You can buy a pair of jeans, pantyhose or walking shoes that promise to reduce the appearance of cellulite, that cottage-cheese-under-the-skin gunk that women get in their thighs.

   2. You can go to a tanning salon that uses a solution infused with "cellulite fighters" to "reshape" your figure.

   3. You can smear on glosses that claim to temporarily puff up your lips by irritating them with chemicals and spices.
   
   
   
   How interesting! And Happy Random Thursday!

   
   

Christmas Day

Me, my mom, my stepdad and the dog (OT)

Christmas Quiz

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Mmmm...hot chocolate. Every year I think I am going to like egg nog, so I have some, but never like it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them around the tree?
He just sets them out. And then stuffs the stockings also.



3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
No lights at my house this year. And no tree.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Depends. If I find some and if I'm around someone I want to kiss.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
I didn't this year.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Rolls

7. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What Truth? I think I was really old. My parents had to sit me down and tell me about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and everything else. And I didn't believe them. I had them explain how this happened . . . and how this got built and, and and ... see #12

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Growing up we did family gifts on Christmas Eve and Santa gifts Christmas morning.

9. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him?
Whatever kind I make!

10. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it, when inside looking at it, or snowboarding. Dread driving in it.

11. Can you ice skate?
Yes (Ever heard of Kristi Yamaguchi, I'm not her, but I can skate)

12. Do you remember your favorite gift?
One year my parents built me a treehouse. It was the best surprise ever! They planned it perfectly. We were gone all day, while it was being built then they parked in our lower driveway so I would not see it when we got home. Then Christmas morning I had tools under the tree and was very confused, until they took me to see my very own TREEHOUSE!

13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Family and friends

14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Dessert! My dad makes the best fudge n the world!

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Every year my mom gets me an ornament. When I was little I got to pick out my own, but now she gets me a daughter one.

16. What tops your tree?
An angel, she beautiful!

17. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving?
I get Really excited about both!

18. What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum, When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum, On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum Me and my drum.

19. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum!!

20. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving. It is just the one holiday that is about being with family and being thankful!

The Meaning of Life

I recently saw the movie I heart Huckabees I had heard good and bad things about the film and decided to check it out for myself. Overall it is a good film that raises many interesting and thought provoking questions. If you have not seen it this is the premise: Existentialism. A man hires these “existential detectives” (Dustin Hofman and Lily Tolman) to investigate a man that he “coincidentally” ran into three times, this sets off a serious of events leading to finding the meaning of life, figuring out purpose and connection, and how to solve the worlds problems. If you haven’t seen the film you may want to but, film watcher beware there are some explicit scenes and some severe bad language.

So existentialism! If you are not familiar with this concept this is a BRIEF overview of what it is: Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes our freedom to choose what to make of our circumstances. It revolves around a process of searching for the value and meaning in life. The view on human nature is that humans are in a constant state of transition, emerging, evolving and becoming. The focus is on self-awareness, freedom and responsibility, creating identity and establishing meaningful relationships with others, as well as searching for meaning and purpose. The concept also deals with anxiety as a condition in living and the awareness of death and nonbeing. (adapted from Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy notes).
Existentialism is the questions such as “who am I, and who do I want to be?” “Are humans and the events around us all connected?” “Are we alone in this universe, just floating atoms?’ and “does anything really matter?” I think it is human nature to ask and ponder these questions and I think it is healthy.

Here is my answers to these questions at present time (but if we take into account the philosophy of existentialism we will remember that Humans are never steadfast but constantly recreating themselves through new experiences and projects.) I do not believe that we are here on random, nor do I believe everything is random and meaningless. I believe that I am here for a purpose; to do God’s will. (Isn’t that a cliché answer and phrase?)

I think that God has a plan for me, however I do not think or believe that it is as specific as what I am eating for breakfast, or that he cares about which way I travel to work (although by random “coincidence” or the “divine hand of God” I have missed accidents that I have not know about by traveling a different way and by being earlier than usual.) I know for sure that I am meant to love and serve God with all my heart, soul and mind. And I know that I am to follow Him no matter what. Ultimately how I follow Him is up to me (at times I may be called to go or do something specifically, or I may be lead to independently choose). Through serving Him I am “transitioning, emerging, evolving and becoming.” He is my creator, my sculptor, my savior, my all.

I also do not believe that Humans are just randomly bumping into and against each other. Others are here for the same purpose I am; to serve God and to serve each other. As I look back I can point to people and tell you the specific reason they were in my life. I can name series of events in my life that have occurred for some reason that at the time I did not understand but now know the purpose the event(s) served and how it has effected me. I could go on and on about what it means to be human.

I know not everyone has the same viewpoint as me and if you actually got though this meandering I would love to hear you thoughts, comments and views on human nature and existential philosophy.

The Meaning of Life Pics

I tried to include these in the last post, but had great difficulties. Enjoy!

Gym Meandering Part II: Hip Hop

So the other day I took my first hip hop class at the gym. This was my first hip hop class ever. Now, I have taken actual dance classes before and I have rhythm and know a few things about dance, but hip hop is a whole other world!

The first half of the class was spent “learning” the routine. I say “learning” the routine, but I was the only one who was learning it. The rest of the class had been a part of it from the beginning. So the rest of the class had already learned the dance and was very good. Now, I wasn’t terrible, overall I got the dance but I wasn’t very good either. The hardest part was the shoulders. I don’t know how our instructor moves his shoulders like that. It reminded me of the PUMP kids and their amazing talent to dance and move in ways that I just can’t. (Anyone who saw Julie and I challenge the dancers at PSP in 2002, know what I am talking about.)


So anyways I stuck with the dance but every now and then I would get lost (especially when we danced to tempo!) When I was lost I would result to just jumping around, moving my body and throwing my arms around (nice picture, hun?) At one point the instructor commented on my improvisation and joked that he would include it in the routine (whoops! Everyone can see what you do in the big mirror in front!) Anyways, I had fun in the class and got a work out and was able to release some energy. After the class the instructor induced himself and told me that I did very well. What? He told me that they had been working on the routine for 5 or 6 weeks now, and I did very well for just jumping in. Well at least there’s that!

Funnies!

Many of you know that I am a huge fan of corny jokes. Here are some good ones that were sent to me from a friend! In my opinion these are some of the best!

1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?

Unique Up On It.

2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?

Tame Way, Unique Up On It.

3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest?

They Take The Psycho Path

4. How Do You Get Holy Water?

You Boil The Hell Out Of It.

5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?

Dam!

6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too long?

Polaroids

7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?

A Stick

8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?

Nacho Cheese.

9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?

Subordinate Clauses.

10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?

Quatro Sinko..

11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?

Spoiled Milk.

12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?

Frostbite.

13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?

A Nervous Wreck.

14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?

Anyone Can Roast Beef.

15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?

Right Where You Left Him.

16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?

Because They Have Big Fingers.

17. Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?

Because It Scares The Dog.

18. What Kinda Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?

Sanka.

19. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?

Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.

20. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver?

A Bad Golfer Goes, Whack, Dang! A Bad Skydiver Goes Dang! Whack.

Gym Meanderings Part I

*DISCLAIMER-some of the comments made in this post are stereotypical. I am merely making observations NOT judgment calls. If you are at all offended by this post I am sincerely sorry.*

Recently I joined the gym. A good and healthy thing to do in my mind. But it has occurred to me that I am not a Gymite. The definition of a Gymite is as follows:
Gymite verb, adj. Noun Someone whose spare time is spent becoming trim, slim and “beautiful.” They live to go to the gym and can’t wait till the next time they get to go to the gym to hang out with all of the other Gymites. They would define themselves as health conscious. Gymites are “with it,” they take their vitamins and research all the latest health articles and frenzies. I am not one of these people.

My first gym class was titled “Powerflex.” I was running a few minutes late, but from past experience with class you could just jump right in. When I got to the class it had already started and everyone was already set up and I quickly realized that I could not “just jump right in.” Each "Gymite" had more equipment then I knew what to do with. They had their mats (one cushy for laying on and one flat for the equipment to lay on (don’t ask me!) They had dumb bells and a stair and a bar (you know the long ones used for bench press and the likes) and they had different increments of weight for the bar.

I did not let any of this discourage me. So I spent the first 20 minutes or so running around the gym like a mad woman gathering all of the necessary supplies. I built my stair and guesstimated to what weights I would need, and got two mats (one for my equipment and one for me!) I did all this while the Gymites, who were trying to enjoy an evening of Powerflex, watched and occasionally flashed dirty looks. Once I got ALL set up I joined the workout only to realize that some exercises I did not have the proper weight (either too much or too little) so I was continually running back to the corner which held the weights and guesstimating how much more of less weight to get. The whole class continued this way until I had huge pile of weights and dumb bells lying on the flat mat (and think I got the best work out just by running around to set up and then put it all back!)

My Blog

Two years ago en route to China I met a man who introduced the blog concept to me. (Here comes the bunny trail story) This man and I talked the whole flight and he not only introduced me to the blog concept but also lifted my spirit and eased my nerves as I prepared to be in China for the next four months. As I told him about my trip he told me that I should create a blog to post stories and pictures for all my friends and family to keep up on my journeys. I said to him “what is this strange blog thing you speak of ?” And hence my first knowledge of the blog world.

As you may have guessed I did not set up a blog while in China, nor when I got back. And now two years later I can hardly go anywhere without hearing the world blog. I quickly realized that just about everyone I know has a blog and there is a whole blogmunity! I have become enthralled with blogs, reading them whenever I get a spare moment and work (sshh don’t tell anyone!) And for several months now wherever I go, whatever I do I eventually think up blog topics. So I have been writing them down and just now am starting to present them to blogrld (aka blog world). So I am very glad to finally present to you my blog!

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