I just found out that January 31 is Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day! Ain't it grand?

"Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak."---William P.Young


"Every tear you shed for something you WISH you had will only drown your soul in an ocean of sorrows."

OK, I'm not a Rachael Ray fan. But I do want to thank her for letting America know how to make the perfect hard-boiled egg.
  1. Put the eggs in the pot and cover them with cold water.
  2. Cover the pot. Turn on heat to high and bring the water to a boil.
  3. After a rolling boil, turn off the heat and leave the pot covered for 10 minutes.
  4. After 11 minutes, remove the cover and run cold water over the eggs until the eggs are cold.
Voila! Easy to peel, perfect egg.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."---Marianne Williamson

Bill, Bill O'Reilly. You are as self-absorbed as Palin.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Bill O'Reilly Defends His Nazi Analogies
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire Blog</a>The Daily Show on Facebook


...that family is not the name for a group of people, but the quality of relationships between them. Relationships grounded in mutual love, trust, caring and forgiveness. In all the ups and all the downs of life. Look closely, - who is really your family, and who in truth are just strangers in for the ride?


My co-worker Heather and 3 of her kids are all Harry Potter fanatics. (The youngest just turned one last month so give him time.) After my trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I showed them the wand I bought.
Their paternal grandparents went to the theme park a few weeks ago and bought them character wands. They finally got theirs yesterday. Heather said her oldest son told her before she left for work to remind me to bring my wand next week. I have been challenged to a wizard's duel.

Bring it on little children!


I saw this on a NY Times article: No problem is too big it can't be swept under a hug.

Everyone at the job, from patients to co-workers, have been sick. Today I was feeling congested and post-nasal drippy. C'mon Lani, fight the germs! Here's a thought from Dr. Christiane Northrup:

"We build our state of health every day through our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Our cells believe every word we say!"


You do not see things as they are. You see things as you are.

When you look, you see reflections of your being. When you listen, you hear echoes of yourself. If you don't like something about what you see and hear, no point in smashing the mirror, change who you are becoming.

Too bad for Gang Green, including this cute maltese. Jets failed in their bid to be in the Super Bowl.


I didn't know about the significance of 11:11 until my co-worker told me about it. She and her sister believe in angels and said whenever you happen to glance at the clock and see 11:11, the Spirit Guardians are trying to get your attention. It could be a series of other numbers as well, with different meanings. It doesn't even have to be clocks. It could be the license plate of the car in front of you, a page number on a book, an address, or other prompts. Since my co-worker told me about it, I had only noticed the time once.

Anyway, I spoke with my sister yesterday. And inevitably, the topic veered towards my father. After any conversation about him, I feel angry and discombobulated the rest of the day. Most of the time, I stay indifferent to him. But once those bad vibes re-surface, I get mad then feel guilty for feeling that way. Most of the time, I just accept my negative feelings and try not to dwell on the guilt. But yesterday, I just couldn't shake it. I went on Facebook and browsed through my yoga teacher's wall. She worships Shiva so of course I saw the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" in one of the message threads. (Although there's no direct translation, it means 'I bow to Shiva'---or to God. And to repeat God's name is to merge with divinity, to experience God.) When we were doing the 1008 Sun Salutations, she'd play a CD with this mantra. In my head, I started chanting. I started to feel better. I had been washing my mug then looked up at the microwave clock. Guess what time it was? 11:11. Thanks to the celestial beings!

Now if only I could permanently change how I view my father.

When I went to Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I sent out postcards to my sisters and friends. Lynn sent me a text saying she received it. I texted back that I hope she fed and sheltered the owl after its perilous journey. Here's what I got back:
"yep, it's still here, snoozing. 'ba, tagal din ng biyahe niya, hinarass pa siya ng Philippine postals owls, nanghihingi ng lagay."

And one more, which for some reason I imagined was voiced by actor extraordinaire Geoffrey Rush: "uy, you are owl prom hogsmid? you know Harry Potter? beri peymoos, ha?"

What a winter it's been! Another snowstorm. I'm imagining blue skies, picturesque green hills, a stone bridge, a dell with flowers, mill pond with swans,village houses, a solitary country road; "the sound of trees, the softness of the wind, the touch of grass"...



Lord of the Rings - Hobbiton (Matamata, New Zealand)

Thanks J.R.R.Tolkien!

from 1978:


Family Guy version:

This article from The Onion still cracks me up, weeks after I read it.

Memphis the Musical won the 2010 Tony Award. Here's one of my favorite songs from the show.

Although it pains me to hear Katy Perry say, "Baby you're a firework", I'm loving this song right now.




President Obama's speech at the memorial for the Arizona shooting victims. Needless to say,I was bawling. Brava Mr. President!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


I spent the morning of 1-1-11 doing 108 Surya Namaskaras. It was amazing because I wasn't feeling very well when I woke up, and almost didn't attend. But during and after the session, I felt so light and blissful. I spent the rest of the day watching Disney/Pixar movies that made me laugh and feel good. Little did I know that 1-1-11 was the start of the Year of the Angels.

At work, we got into a conversation about angels because a Colombian co-worker said that 1-11-11 is a good day, the time to think happy thoughts and to ask for things you want in your life. She explained that whenever you see the numbers 111 or 11:11, it means your angels are telling you that you're on the right path or a great opportunity is opening up for you. I found this article about the meanings of numbers.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to focus on positivity for one whole day, and to say Thank You.

(Speaking of thank-yous, thanks Lynn for this photo!)


Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik very eloquently spoke about the nation needing to do some soul-searching after yesterday's assassination attempt on Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. He clearly pointed his finger at the hateful rhetoric coming from right-wingers as the cause of the tragedy. Calling his state a mecca for prejudice and bigotry, he said "people tend to pooh-pooh this business about all the vitriol that we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech, but it’s not without consequences.”

“That’s the sad thing about what’s going on in America: pretty soon we’re not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people willing to subject themselves to serve in public office.”

Since Obama became President, I've always felt that racism was at the heart of the incendiary statements spewed out by Limbaugh, Beck, Palin, etc. How else would you explain the anger, the uncivil and undignified behavior, the hatred, the lack of respect for each other? The sad thing is that while politics will be at a standstill in the wake of this tragedy, everything will be business-as-usual shortly after.

Representative Giffords has a long recovery ahead of her. I wish her and her family the best. Condolences to the families of the victims, especially 9 year old Christina Taylor Green who was born on the day foreign terrorists attacked America. She was featured in Faces of Hope: Babies Born on 9-11. How tragically ironic that a domestic terrorist ended her life only 9 years later.

This was supposed to be a feel-good story but frankly, I found myself getting angry at Ted Williams's mother. I'm sure she's frustrated by his years of addiction, his jail time, etc., but all she could tell him was "don't disappoint me" or how he's embarrassed the family. Mrs. Julia was especially hung up on the "disgraceful" sign which got him all the attention anyway. Meredith pointed out that the sign was what helped turn Ted's life around. The old woman just couldn't or wouldn't acknowledge her son's good intentions and reversal of fortune. She might have been just being realistic but couldn't she act supportive for a couple of minutes on national TV?

Our family, especially our parents can really f&#* us up. Good luck Ted! I say there's a good reason you haven't seen your mother in years. You need love and kindness, not her pessimistic attitude and negative judgment.


"I think someone's compensating for his small government."---Stephen Colbert on John Boehner's new gavel.

Loved this comment on The Colbert Report's Facebook page: "Weep softly and carry an enormous novelty gavel."




I swear the new Speaker of the House has psychological issues. He's emotionally unstable. And he's third in line for the presidency?


...that you are loved and you are not alone. Know that you are surrounded by Divine Love. Like God, love is not visible. But that does not mean it is not there. You are loved.


Thanks Little Flower!

I read this article saying that we can only maintain 150 meaningful relationships. I currently have 243 "friends" on Facebook. I guess I need to weed out my list. Truthfully, I don't think I can even name 50 really close friends.

This whole social networking thing is an interesting phenomenon. My sister Lynn pointed out that since Facebook, texting has become the more intimate way to communicate with people. It's true. Most people, I just post birthday or holiday greetings on their walls. I send individual text messages to a select few. Actual phone calls? Also a thing of the past. Makes you wonder where we're headed.

I just took down my Christmas decorations, the few that I had. I always feel slightly down after I "un-decorate". It's funny how little things like that make a difference.

Anyway, the 2 long weekends are over. Christmas Day, I watched The King's Speech, which set me off on a Colin Firth-athon. Ended up watching the 2 Bridget Jones films, and Love Actually. I love him.






New Year's Day, I had the option to use a free movie ticket but there wasn't really a movie out that I wanted to see. Almost went to see Black Swan, because at least it's free and I won't feel bad if I hated it.

I decided to laugh and cry instead. And what has the power to do both? A Disney/Pixar marathon! Toy Story 1 and 2, Monsters, Inc. and threw in How to Train your Dragon and Despicable Me. I haven't even gotten to Toy Story 3, Up, and Pride and Prejudice yet.



Life is good.


Yes, I am a confused Catholic. This is a Buddhist prayer bead but the mantras are Hindu. With the new year, I just thought these mantras are good to keep in mind.

Om Sri Maha Laksmeiyei Swaha (To Lakshmi, goddess of abundance)

Om Aim Saraswatyai Swaha (To Saraswati, goddess of creativity)

Om Namah Shivaya (To Shiva, to destroy harmful thoughts and patterns to achieve your highest level of consciousness)

Om Gam Ganapatayai Namaha (To Ganesh, remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings)

Om Lokah Samasthah Sukhino Bhavantu (For everyone everywhere to achieve happiness and freedom, sharing light and love to all Beings)



















Holidays are over. I need a laugh.

  • Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know... the birth of Santa.---Bart Simpson
  • Calvin: Well. I've decided I do believe in Santa Claus, no matter how preposterous he sounds.Hobbes: What convinced you?Calvin: A simple risk analysis. I want presents. Lots of presents. Why risk not getting them over a matter of belief? Heck, I'll believe anything they want.Hobbes: How cynically enterprising of you.Calvin: It's the spirit of Christmas.
  • Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year.---Victor Borge
  • I never believed in Santa Claus because I knew no white man would be coming into my neighborhood after dark.---Dick Gregory
  • It is every little girl's dream to be The fairy on a Christmas tree. A wand in her hand, a smile on her face. And a tree in a most peculiar place.---Spike Milligan
  • If TV has taught me anything, it's that miracles always happen to poor kids at Christmas. It happened to Tiny Tim, it happened to Charlie Brown, it happened to the Smurfs, and it's going to happen to us. ---Bart Simpson
  • The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin.---Jay Leno
  • Let me see if I've got this Santa business straight. You say he wears a beard which hides his face, has no discernible source of income, and flies to cities all over the world under cover of darkness? You sure this guy isn't laundering illegal drug money?---Tom Armstrong
  • Bloody Christmas, here again, let us raise a loving cup, peace on earth, goodwill to men, and make them do the washing up.---Wendy Cope
  • Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.---Bart Simpson
  • Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.---Dave Barry
  • Let's be naughty and save Santa the trip.---Gary Allan
  • When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?---G.K. Chesterton
  • I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying "toys not included".---Bernard Manning
  • Did you ever notice that life seems to follow certain patterns? Like I noticed that every year around this time, I hear Christmas music.---Tom Sims
  • Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money.---unknown
  • What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?Claustrophobic---unknown
  • Oh for the good old days when people would stop shopping when they ran out of money.---unknown
  • One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly.---Andy Rooney
And my favorite one this year, except I forgot to write the exact quote and who said it: "Retailers said they had the greatest Christmas in years. I always thought the first one was the greatest."


 

Copyright 2006| Blogger Templates by GeckoandFly modified and converted to Blogger Beta by Blogcrowds.
No part of the content or the blog may be reproduced without prior written permission.