Hurricane Felix

Looks like we’re in the centre of the hurricane dart board this year!

Although we were not directly hit by Dean, we did sustain significant damage especially to the south of the island. Some places still do not have electricity. We were lucky enough to have ours return within 48 hours of it being off. I was even back at work by the Tuesday… reluctantly of course!

The island is still in clean up mode. We lost a lot of foliage. Some people, as close to me as my immediate neighbor, even lost a part or some of their roof. We were very fortunate to only have damages to our awnings. The experience could have been a lot worse.

During the storm was scary. This one was different. We had a lot of wind and not as much rainfall. Even though you have some time to prepare for a hurricane before it actually hits… it’s like you still have to hope for the best because of the unpredictability.

So here we go again… Felix will probably bring us some rain. Another miss… too close for comfort for me but still thanking God.

Thank God for Closed Doors

We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong doorwe would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don't realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Anotherdoor closes; it forces us to change our course yet again. Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.

But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we "judge by the appearances." And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right. We have a very present help in the time of need who is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up road blocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying "Lord how could this happen to me?" We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn't He say that "No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?"

If you get terminated from your job - don't be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school. If that man or womanwon't return your call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go). I'm so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."

Psalms 37:23

The mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

Martina McBride - Anyway

Not many people are in to country music. I like this song not because of the style or the singer but rather the simplicity and applicability of the lyrics.

In my personal life I am making some decisions now and ordinarily I would hesitate pending the outcome… but there comes a point where you can’t sit around waiting on all the answers before you proceed… go ahead and do it regardless.

A friend in a similar situation also said on her blog… “Be careful not to let a good thing pass because it's not perfect...” Just do it anyway…

T - This song is for you and I!

Enjoy…

Martina McBride - Anyway
You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
It's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea, sing it anyway
Yeah, yeah!

I sing
I dream
I love anyway

Punctuation Prissy

I discovered another pet peeve of mine today…

Peeve #2
Thou shalt use the correct punctuation symbols.

Hey… I am not perfect. But when people constantly confuse using the accent mark (` - found on the same key as the tilde around the top left part of the keyboard) with a single quote (‘ – on the same key with the double quote) it peeves me.

They look alike but there’s a big difference. Please try to figure it out. Thank you!

Hurricane Dean

So now we’re bracing ourselves for the first major Hurricane of this season in the Atlantic region. Already it has begun to rain here. The eye, where the storm is the most intense, will pass over the south of our island… which is where I live. It’s already begun to rain.

I know how hurricanes can be. This is my fourth one for experience – Gilbert, Andrew, Ivan and now Dean. I’ve been blessed and fortunate to not have suffered in any of the first three which are major renowned ones. Let’s hope luck is still on my side with Dean. We’ve also had some tailwinds from others that I am not counting – simply a tropical storm. All a part of living in the tropics.

Of course some communication will be limited. We will lose electricity and all other associated lifestyle comforts including water supply. All we can do is be as best prepared as possible to face the inevitable. No control… just hope and a prayer.

To all persons being touched my Dean, I wish you luck and Godspeed. If you weren’t a religiously inclined person before… I think it’s about time to start.

God have mercy on us.

Pet Peeves

pet peeve

n. Informal

Something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation.
- Dictionary.com

I decided to write about my own pet peeves not in one long, ranting post but as an ongoing list. I’ll even give these kinds of posts their own tag.

Peeve #1
Thou shalt not tell me to calm down when I’m passionately making a point.

I HATE it when I am in the middle of being passionate about a point and people hitch a reverse and tell me to “calm down.” It annoys me to the core. You are not my psych and I am not a nut case. If I want to get excited… let me! That’s just how I am. Hearing those words is like driving at 100mph and suddenly slamming into a brick wall. I mean… wtf…

I know what you’re thinking… but please don’t say it. That’s the irony of this post even…

The Fragile Happy Home

On Friday evening I went to visit a close coworker of mine. She recently moved in to my neighborhood – literally a minute away. She invited me over to take a look at the place and to be in on a little sewing project another mutual friend is spearheading. However, what was supposed to be a fun and productive evening didn’t end up quite as planned.

A little background on my friend Ruth. She is a Jehovah’s Witness, a wife and mother to three children and on the brink of divorce while also diagnosed with clinical depression. Therein are all the problems. She moved from the family home to where she is now to get away from the horrible situation her husband created.

I just had to mention her real name because of its significance. While I might not agree with her on all her religious beliefs as a Witness, I admire her faith in her Jehovah. Just like Ruth from the Bible, she displays a wholehearted devotion to her God. She is all about living right – a good Witness life. In everything she includes her Jehovah. Always thanking Him. Always finding Him and His blessing in all situations. If ever I admired someone for their devotion, it is this woman.

Funny enough though, I have heard them say that when you decide to serve your God is when the devil tempts you more as a Christian than if you were pagan. Satan already knows he has pagans packed on the road to hell. So Christians are his challenge to get.

Her husband has been unfaithful in the past - over six years ago, and she forgave him. In fact, make up sex produced the last child. He has since faltered without regret. Even up until the point of the second infidelity, she was willing to forgive him. The final straw was when he was disfellowshipped. This is when a baptized Witness has been disassociated from the faith because of their decision to not seek forgiveness or right the wrong in their way. In Ruth’s eyes, her husband no longer loves Jehovah and so she can’t have those feelings for someone who has fallen from Truth.

As you can well imagine, being clinically depressed does not help in all this. Thank God we work where we do, otherwise I am sure she would be jobless by now with all the time she has taken off from work to get better, etc. Most things bother her. Crying a lot. She has a lot of migraines too.

She has not been sleeping in the same bed with her husband since a little before he was disfellowshipped. He has also been flaunting the girls in her face. He would call them and flirt with them in her presence. He also has been taking the children to meet one woman in particular who he also brought in to their home when she was away for a weekend visiting her parents in the country. The children are also placed in a precarious situation where they are almost keeping secrets for their daddy with regards to where they’re going and with whom. He even hit her in her back one day in front of their son!

This move was like a dream come through and the timing was impeccable in light of all that was happening. She would end up sharing half of a house would another Witness, also a divorcee and who has two children of her own. Great! Right? The children will be playmates for each other. The roomie will understand her plight too. A match made in heaven while sharing expenses too. Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel. She moved out on Monday right after he left for work. She was happy. It felt liberating. We were happy for her.

No matter how much of a failure her husband was as a spouse, she would never speak ill of him as the father of her children. She would always acknowledge how good he was as a daddy and how he placed them as priority. This, upon closer examination, needs some rethinking considering he tore apart their family with infidelity. So out of respect for him, she told him where she had his children. She also made it abundantly clear that she is not restricting him from seeing them. They will just need to communicate to make proper arrangements.

So the next day, he came to the gate to pick up the children. The following day he came in to the front door to wait. By the third morning he barged in to the house in the bathroom where she was taking a shower to have discussions with her. He clearly does not get the fact that moving out implies certain limitations. His actions of course upset Ruth and she went to the police to have them call him and warn him that he cannot impose on her new living arrangements like that. This man has no respect for other people’s space. The next step of course would be a restraining order which I sense she is reluctant to do.

So Ruth and her roomie share a lot in common – including the depression and a horrible husband. Turns out Ms. Roomie had a horrible divorce where her husband stalked her and it took a long while for her to get over it and start over. The whole scenario of the obnoxious husband brought all the memories rushing back and triggered the depression. So, after four days she explained how she felt and asked Ruth to leave. Talk about numbing. All this went down while I was there on Friday.

So the saga starts all over again. My friend Ruth is now on another hunt for a place.

I felt drained by the time I left that house. I empathize with Ruthy so much. I wish I could help. I was in tears before I left. My friend Deb and I just hugged and cried outside the house. Our hearts go out to all of them. Poor children. Their mothers are a mess. I don’t want to end up like that. That is some severe emotional abuse right there.

Just goes to show how fragile we are as people and the facade we call life. Hats off to these ladies. They have an envied inner strength. I can only hope when I grow up I can pull of life a little more stably. I can only pray.

Questions, Expectations and Answers

I think we’re all guilty of at some time asking something of someone and because of past experience or some influence, we’ve built up what we would like the response to be. Usually this expectation is something that will swing the question in the way we please. However, this is the remedy for disaster when we don’t get the response we would like.

What I would like for us to remember is that when a question is asked, that the response can be at least either of two outcomes – an affirmative and a negative. It doesn’t make the person who gives you an answer a bad person if they don’t respond in the way they expect you to. By virtue of the fact that you asked a question of them, you gave them a choice and they have every right to exercise any option they feel suits them.

Where does all of this come from? LOL Funny enough at work. I was in my little cubicle one day on the phone doing some research on parts I needed to get for my car. A guy from another department happened to come by my department, looked at my desk which is in clear view from the door, sighted some mangoes I had on my desk and proceeded to come by to stand right at my desk.

I didn’t put the call on hold because it was really important - a cellular phone call at that, and the person I was speaking with was in kind of a rush. This bold young man stands and waits by my desk no less than 2 minutes while I rushed through the call. After all his waiting earnestly has got to be important. At the end of the call, I acknowledge him, “Yes Ryan?” His response, “I can get one of your mangoes?” while pointing to the three fruits on my desk as if I didn’t know what a mango was.

I was in shock. You came in to my cubicle. Stood there for over 2 minutes within listening range of my personal call to come ask me for a mango? Could you not have left when you saw me on the phone and come back later to request it? Such gall!

“No…” and I feel no remorse. Had he not intruded on the little space I am given from 8am to 5pm like that I would have given him one. How rude!! It’s not an office but that 6’ x 6’ space is mine and is to be kept private no matter how open it may seem.

Needless to say I am in his black book. I am sure. But! I don’t care. Sorry.

There goes the months of good coworker relations shot to hell in 5 minutes. LOL Ah well….

Plight of a Plump Madame

*Warning... This could step on some toes...*

It’s funny how easily blogging is getting these days. Many things are happening and as I have thoughts about them I reach for Word® and just jot them down.

This story resonates with me because I was once in a very similar situation. I overheard this young girl at my office talking to another close co-worker of mine – close in desk proximity and close in relationship too, hence the overhearing.

Imagine being the “friend” to a member of the opposite sex to help them through some of the tougher times while they go through a breakup. We’ll call the friends Jack and Jill. Jill was very supportive of Jack while he went through a bad breakup. She was his everything really. A rock of support to help him through. During this time Jack and Jill became close and did things together and shared a lot together. They were evolving.

Jack then started to become a little distant. Jill wrote it off as him settling in to his new single life. Well settle in he did. Turns out Jill would glimpse Jack around her workplace often. He even came there on “business” once and after saying hello to Jill he went to another department. Jill called that department to speak with him and was given a little attitude by a member of that department. Jill found this very strange and even wondered if she was over-reacting. She wrote it off as just a bad day.

Anyway, Jill keeps seeing Jack come to her workplace and not even call to hail her. Jack calls Jill recently to tell her how much he is grateful for the friendship they have. He also sincerely hopes he is not doing anything to damage their relationship in any way. But he also has something important to tell her… Jack is dating someone from her workplace. She puts two and two together and knows exactly who it is. The same Miss Thing who gave her attitude and she confirms.

Jill is a nice girl. She is a plump Madame but overall a great catch. She feels hurt by the incident. Yet another skinny girl walks in and no matter how kind and sensitive the man is…

I know how she feels. As a full figured woman myself, our picking for mates are always limited. You’ve got to be real lucky to find a good catch. Otherwise it’s the dregs that are left for the taking. I must admit that I have not been unlucky in this respect but it doesn’t mean I didn’t come across my share of the jerks.

It’s like no one looks at personality anymore. It’s all about the figure. We didn’t ask to be fat. Everyone was not created with the same metabolism. Why do we suffer? Why do we suffer alone? Just sad. It’s almost like we have a contagious disease.

To all my fluffy sisters out there… hang in there. I feel your pain. Better must come. Look forward to the day when all the Jacks out there are in pain again and know that someday you’ll want me to want you but I will be with someone who wants me more.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

It’s true what they say… "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Isn’t life funny like that? Imagine trying to do something good and it backfires in your face. Well intended acts can have disastrous results. Just sad.

I’ve never felt like that statement was more appropriate than just now. Imagine being in an excellent mood and pretty playful. I overheard that a friend was going on some fabulous trip which sounded pretty exciting. It was told to a mutual friend. It isn’t a secret or anything like that. So I decided to ask about the impending vacation in a cutsie way so I could get more details straight from the source.

Me: So… what’s new?
I get a list of things…
Me: Good for you (Y)
Me: Nothing else...? *-)
3rd Party: nothing else came to mind
Me: lol
Me: Nothing else happening soon?
3rd Party: like?
Me: I dunno.
Me: Things you would find in a fortune cookie.
Me: Maybe you're gonna come across some money
Me: Or you'll find true love
Me: Or you'll travel
Me: Or you'll be happy
Me: Or... you know... those things!
Me: :D
3rd Party: havent had chinese in a while

So after that I just came out and asked the person about the travel plans and whether or not they wanted me to know… That conversation right there pissed them off and I was accused of trying to deceive them. Puhlease give me more credit than that. My phishing expeditions are a lot craftier than that. Hmph!!

Needless to say it shot my good mood to shit. I can’t believe how that backfired. It was supposed to be a fun moment. I was even bouncing in my chair. :(

After all of that… I am just pessimistic. Good thing it happened. I don’t need that kind of negativity anyway. Pfffffft… Totally put off.

I will take accusations when they’re even in near range of the target. But that one? Waaaaaaaaay off base.

Grown Up Stuffs

I think I am at the stage in my life where all the perfect little couples around the place that I know are getting married, having babies and doing the grown up thing. I am sincerely happy for them all. I am looking at 2 more weddings for this year and 2 more next year already with 2 babies on the way too.

Funny how life turns out though. Back in high school I used to be branded as one of the more mature (ha!) girls who would settle down fast and get married and do the mom thing with the picket fence a dog, cat and fish. I have the dog… does that count?

I distinctly remember my first boyfriend’s promise that I would be the first of my peers married and settled. I just threw that one on the pile of empty promises he made. Thank God he broke that promise though!! This he said while criticizing my best friend in high school for being immature. God was he a jerk.

Anyway… I now look at my life and I wonder if I have failed. I mean, hell I am only 24 but at this age people start looking at you and wondering what you’re doing with your life. I feel the pressure of the judging eyes and sometimes I just cave in and worry about my state too.

But you know… realistically… am I ready? I know of a 40 year old who just got married and was pregnant while preparing for the wedding. Neat huh? Having no one judge you for having a baby without being married at that age. She’s just happy as a lark marrying her doctor. She waited. Her career is booming. She’s settled and ready. More power to you. By that age I think I would have committed social suicide.

Even though I personally would not want to wait until 40 to have children it seems the best time when you’re prepared. You’re over lots of little issues and are on cruise control. I am the product of growing up with parents old enough to be your grandparents and I just wouldn’t want to be that way with my children. The generation gap makes it very difficult. Trust me. It’s not been all bad. Just difficult to come to terms with certain realities like they might not know their grandchildren. The morals from raising a child the old way are priceless though. In some ways it has allowed me to set my priorities straight when compared to people around my age.

Then there’s the other side of the spectrum… people getting married too young. While it does work out for some, it ends miserably for others. I know persons married in their early 20s who end up divorced years later for a myriad of reasons ranging from abuse to infidelity. I wouldn’t want to be there. Especially with kids in the middle.

There’s the middle ground kind of relationships too – less serious but definitely committed. Just having fun with that one person you can rely on. Those are cool too. Seems to be more where I am comfortable now too. Sharing the same interests –socially, emotionally, politically, economically, sexually, financially, etc. Breeding ground for the next phase of seriousness. This kind is really cool for young people. Which I was there... *sigh* Someday...

No one can dictate when you’re ready for a venture like this but yourself. I need to reassure myself of this and find my happy place in my situation.

Expectations

I know it’s been a long time since I have blogged. I just didn’t feel like to be honest. I imagine that this is pretty much how this will progress – on and off. Not very good for maintaining a good reader base but alas it cannot be helped. As an avid reader of a few blogs myself, I expect a regular update to be interested.

Funny enough the topic on my mind tonight is very similar… Expectations. That’s the general gist anyway. To be specific, what do we expect from the various relationships we have? Do we expect more than is humanly possible to give?

They say only siths believe in absolutes (for you Star Wars fans out there, w00t!). Either it’s black or white – no grey. Either you’re with me or you’re not. Isn’t religion like that though? When we sin, we sin against God and hence are not a part of his fold. But He is merciful and forgives when sincerely asked. If you don’t recognize the wrong to ask for forgiveness, then you’re not with Him. So is believing in absolutes so wrong?

When I get close to someone I usually give a lot of myself, my time, my resources, my emotions and in general my love and concern. Different levels of people get different combinations of the above and then some. But the dilemma isn’t really at selecting what level to bump someone up or down to… it’s that I expect reciprocation to the same degree.

Someone I thought I used to love once told me that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you expect, doesn’t mean that they don’t love you with all they have inside of them. You can’t make someone like or love you. And if all they have to offer to you is not enough then just move on.

But really… you can’t make someone like or love you? How true is that? If you keep giving to someone in the ways they need isn’t it human nature to gravitate toward that person who gives you that sated feeling? I don’t know… but anyway… I digress.

When you become so vulnerable in your relationships, you become sensitive to things that the person does to you. The more you care is inversely proportional to how much you let things not bother you. More caring = less impervious. So this increased sensitivity breeds all kinds of things if it gets out of control like anger, jealousy, resentment, alienation, etc.

These emotions are backward progressive because it ultimately will push someone away. Yet, we do them anyway. Why? Maybe it’s temporary insanity. Maybe you’re a glutton for pain. Maybe you figure if they go away then you’re making the cause of these emotions go away. Yet, when they’re gone, you miss all they brought to your life. Go figure.

So how do we prevent this altercation from happening? When we get close to someone do you expect them to just know that what they’re doing hurts you? Are they mind readers? How else will they know what they specifically have done really offended you if you don’t tell them? When do you tell them? Do you just let them figure it out? Do you wait until you have calmed down to tell them? What if you’re afraid that they won’t understand where you’re coming from because you just can’t explain it that well? What if you let them in to how you’re thinking and they end up judging you and hurt your feelings? Do we expect too much for them to just know us that well and figure it out?

I expect a lot. And I always get disappointed and hurt. Sometimes I just want to be and stay in my own little box. Been there and done that though and I don’t like it anymore than being hurt. Where’s my grey area then? I’m still learning.

*sigh*

The Cycle of Life

I happened across this poem by one of my favourite writers - you have got to be your own biggest supporter! *smile*

Enjoy! I would also appreciate it if you wouldn't reuse my work without my permission. Thanks much!

The Cycle of Life
Life is a conundrum, or so it may seem,
Being manipulated by a rigorous regime.
Caught in a web where everyone is no one,
We all suffer the same fate – like father like son.

Each vicious cycle, all guaranteed to end.
A fate that not even time can transcend.
Battered and bruised by the ravenous tide,
Subscription to Glory - access denied.

Lack of a conscience is a filthy perfume.
Hatred so innate, imbrued in the womb.
A curse that defies scruples and reasons,
The mob that rejects a Man For All Seasons.

Enslaved is the mind, heavily burdened by chains,
Wisdom is like venom coursing through your veins.
Like a whore at her wedding debauch and unadorned,
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Fate hangs in the balance and the more fear you display,
In the blink of an eye even predators can become prey.
Playing with life is The Most Dangerous Game,
The afterlife blazes and earth fuels the flame.

Bad Day

You Know You're Having a Bad Day When...
1. Your horn sticks on the freeway behind 32 Hell's Angels motorcyclists.
2. You've been at work 3 hours before you notice that your fly is open or your blouse unbuttoned.
3. Your twin sister forgets your birthday.
4. Your birthday cake collapses from weight of the candles.
5 When the doctor tells you are in fine health for someone twice your age.
6. It costs more to fill up your car than it did to buy it.
7. Everyone avoids you the morning after the company office party.
8. Your income tax refund check bounces.
9. The bird singing outside your window is a vulture.
10. People think that you're 40 and you're only 25.
11. Your blind date turns out to be your ex-wife/husband.
12. You put both contacts into the same eye.
13. Your mother approves of the person you're dating.
14. Your doctor tells you that you're allergic to chocolate.
15. You have to borrow from your Visa card to pay your Mastercard.
16. Nothing you own is actually paid for.
17. You start to put on the clothes that you wore home from the party last night...... and there aren't any.
18. The health inspector condems your office coffee maker.
19. You invite the peeping Tom in... and he says no.
20. The Gypsy fortune teller offers to refund your money when she sees your future.

Gas Prices vs ?

What if you were to buy a gallon of . . .
1. - Diet Snapple 16 oz for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon
2. - Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz for $1.19 = $9.52 per gallon
3. - Gatorade 20 oz for $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon
4. - Ocean Spray 16 oz for $1.25 = $10.00 per gallon
5. - Quart of Milk 16 oz for $1.59 = $6.32 per gallon
6. - Evian (water) 9 oz for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon
7. - STP Brake Fluid 12 oz for $3.15 = $33.60 per gallon
8. - Vicks Nyquil 6 oz for $8.35 = $178.13 per gallon
9. - Pepto Bismol 4 oz for $3.85 = $123.20 per gallon
10. - Whiteout 7 oz for $1.39 = $254.17 per gallon
11. - Scope 1.5 oz for $0.99 = $84.84 per gallon

Relationships - 20 Questions

I hear a lot of people talk about problems they have or have had in past relationships and then in turn question themselves to wonder, “Why can’t I find a good man / woman?”

What makes a good man or woman? Why can’t we all find one that’s good for us?

Not to sound a little cliché but you know how the grass is always greener on the other side? At what point do we really determine that the grass can indeed be much better over there? Do we wait until something drastic happens to know that there must be better? A kind of hitting rock bottom scenario. Or do we obsess over the little things that we wish we could change until we’re just fed up and move on to someone else that has other little things that we equally can’t stand? In the latter case, which is the greener grass at all? Or… do we just settle?

You ever see or hear other people’s experience and wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I have that too?” Maybe it’s just not your time and you’re still being prepared for who you’re meant for. Then how will we know when we’re done being prepared? And what of free will?

You know that phase where you meet each other’s representative when you’re new in to forging a relationship? So fake, isn’t it? But wouldn’t it be great if it was real and it lasted?

And what of soul mates? Do they even exist? Are we stupid to hold out for one?

Does it take some amount of maturity to embrace the flaws of someone you care about rather than bitching about what they are not? Is that the preparation they’re referring to?

When does this vicious cycle end?

How can you help being a cynic when you feel like you’re constantly being dealt a bad hand?

No Monday Blues Here

So I was reading someone else’s blog who was bemoaning the fact that today was Monday and the associated belly aching. For once I did not feel like that. Funny enough the beginning of the day didn’t foreshadow how it was going to end up.

I was late for work. Not by much – just 10 minutes, but late nonetheless. I hate being late… especially on a Monday morning. It’s my mom’s fault… she’d always drill it in my head when I was going to school that Monday mornings set the precedence for the remainder of the week. Hence everything should be as perfect as possible. So I guess for the remainder of the week I will be late but productive at work.

I got so much accomplished today - I fully deserve my pay. I had no time to twiddle my thumbs and be bored… I… liked it. Weird huh? I liked being busy at work. It felt so good. A million emails. Different tasks. And the best part? None doled out by HER! HALLELUJIAH! I have found my niche and I am holding on to it for dear life.

I like being in control of my work. Pacing myself. Doing things my way. I don’t need to dot my Is and cross my Ts like you Missy. If I want them slant, it’s just my style. Hmph… Gee… this wasn’t meant to be a rant…

I am looking forward to the next few months. I don’t know how one good day can change my outlook for the next few months but whatever works to get me motivated I will run with it.

Tomorrow’s another day and the only difference I want is to be on time.

My 24th Birthday Review

So the birthday came and went. I am older but I don’t feel much different.

I truly enjoyed the day. Since I have been at work no one has had a celebration for their birthday they way they did for mine. I truly feel special.

I was bought lunch. I don’t even know what it is called but it tasted great! I know it had chicken in it. Muh friends at work decorated the training room – purple balloons and tablecloth. The cake was also purple. I wonder why they think I like purple so much? Could it be because of the colour of my car? *smile*

The surprise is funny though… We were talking about uniforms for the company and they had this puke looking yellow like when you’ve had bad curry, as a choice for materials. I am saying it isn’t even a consideration because it’s so ugly so they wasted one of our options. Then my friends said that I should join then in the training room where they’re going to talk with the HR lady. So I was distracted and not looking for the usual signs of a plan and then SURPRISE! I was truly blown away when I walked in.

After work we went to chill at a co-worker’s house. I left and came home to have dinner with my family and my mom got me another cake and there was wining and dining. Small and intimate. That was another pleasant surprise. So I did the family thing and went back to my co-worker’s house for the night.

It was a good day overall. Lots of little things. Little phone calls from people I did not expect. Lots of people forgot too but it doesn’t bother me like it used to. I was too busy enjoying the people who did remember. That’s a more optimistic life for ya! I hope I can keep it up for the rest of the year.

I even had incidents where my day was almost ruined. But you know what? I tried to separate myself from people like that. I was determined to not have my day ruined and good going for me too.

I’m happy to be 24. It’s a vast improvement over the last few years even just for the first day. Thank God for another Birthday and I hope that the happy trend will continue for the rest of this year and for hopefully the many more birthdays to come.

Happy Birthday Eve

So I did my hair and my nails today. Not for any particular occasion tomorrow but just cause I want to look and feel pretty and feminine.

Work is interesting lately. I think I am holding my own so far and it’s been good. No more infringement on my brain space and work hours by Delegators®... yet! I know next week is already forecasting gloomy. I have some wheels turning on a few projects I am owning. I have my fingers and toes crossed on these. I need to make my mark at work and now is an awesome time to do it.


There’s this new girl at work though. I don’t have to directly interact with her but she gets on my nerves a little bit. I don’t hate her or anything, but she’s so nuff (read: inquisitive) and a bit obnoxious in the way she behaves. And the singing… I hope I don’t snap one day when I am in a bad mood. It’s like she’s been there for years and acts so friendly and in to everyone and so informal (read: borderline disrespectful) when she’s speaking to people who have some authority over her. And she’s loud! By golly do you need to SCREAM everyone’s name?


So tomorrow I have more work than I was counting on but I need to pull strings together. Hopefully tomorrow will be a good easy-going happy day for me… that’s all I ask.

Which Sex and the City Vixen Are You?

You Are Most Like Charlotte!

You are the ultimate romantic idealist. You've been hurt before, but that hasn't caused you to give up on love. If anything, your resolve to fall in love is stronger than ever. And it's this feminine optimism that men find most appealing about you. Romantic prediction: That guy you are seeing (or crushing on)? Could be very serious - if you play your cards right!

Which Sex and the City Vixen Are You?

Reality Check

I don’t know why I am on Cloud Nine today but I think I should descend for a bit. Usually when I am in a good mood it is setting myself up for a harder fall. Same concept as why your chances of survival decrease the higher the number of stories you fall from.

In all honesty I know I was riding the wave today because I am excited at doing things for people I care about on their special day. It might seem pessimistic but I don’t want to indirectly expect reciprocation and end up disappointed.

It’s just another day. No big deal. I don’t know why this is happening to me this year. For 7 years in a row I have taken in low key and it’s been just that… underplayed. Why will this year be any different? Go figure…

I best be careful I don’t descend in to the basement with this one…

It’s a lovely day today!

I am in an awesome mood. I guess the Birthday spirit abounds.

Today is muh friend Deb’s birthday and she’s as bubbly as me. Just one of the personality traits we share.

Tomorrow is a new found friend’s birthday too.

Thursday is a former co-worker’s birthday.

And Friday is the end of the week to end all birthday weeks. *grin*

Somewhere in between that I will fit in work.

He cares...

God is good. He answers prayers. Thank You, Jesus!
Amen.

Relationships

When people forge relationships they have certain rules that they implement either consciously or sub-consciously. I’ve come across a few rules from people I know and the most common one is don’t cheat. I would hope that that would be a rule in every relationship but apparently some people can live with a wandering spouse.

I am not saying I couldn’t forgive someone for cheating on me. I accept and understand that we are human and humans make mistakes. But to repeatedly commit such an act is beyond me.

I was having a conversation among friends last night and mentioned that a person we all knew was going through a rough time now with the passing of his mother-in-law. His wife is here for the funeral proceedings – she lives in the USA, while he makes life out here. It is not a secret that he has another woman out here who lives with him on a daily basis – except when the wife is around.

Posted proudly in his bedroom is also a nude picture of him and the matey (woman on the side) where he is playing with her nipple. Now funny enough I have to wonder about that picture… it is still hung up even though the wife is in town. I wonder if the wife has spent any time at his residence and perhaps that is the reason why it is still up on the wall… who knows.

In any event, due to circumstances beyond his control, he cannot return to the USA. So the only time when he and his wife get together is on one of her infrequent trips to Jamaica. Among the group, I was shocked to see how many persons were understanding of the fact that he needed someone out here and that the wife probably had someone in the States too!! Furthermore, they probably know about each other’s outsider and just accept it with an understanding that when they’re together they will be together like husband and wife and whilst apart they will get satisfied elsewhere.

Now I don’t know if I could subscribe to such a rule in my relationship. I would rather be divorced. Maybe that’s the immature side of me, but I just can’t deal with something like that. Surprisingly too, that someone in that conversation was actually someone whose number one conscious rule is also that cheating is unforgivable – yet he could understand the man’s life…? Go figure!

Another rule I have found in men is the hitting rule. One man I know says that if you hit him then and only then will he have to hit you back. This makes me wonder about those fortunate Hollywood stars who smack men across the face when they’ve said something cheeky. Another man I know says he won’t hit you back, but it could be the end of your relationship with him if you hit him – cause Lord knows he would be so pissed and bitch slap you in to the next century if you ever did that to him. Whoa…

I am trying to think of the rules I employ in my relationships. I guess I got homework and it also makes for another post.

Good cat?

So I got this cartoon via email this morning and it made my day.

Got to love the sense of humor of that cat!

Age Controversy

I intended to start off the week at work on the right foot. But that got sidetracked and I decided to constructively idle the first few hours away by reading the local papers. Interestingly enough I came across this article with a subject matter that has always sparked an opinion from me.

Conveniently, while channel surfing this weekend, I also came across a special on Anna Nicole Smith’s life: from Guess Model to Playboy Girl to wife of billionaire to 2nd time mother burying first child to paternity battle. What a life! But anyway, the most important aspect was her marriage to J. Howard Marshall.

It sparks the question in everyone’s mind when they see someone who is old enough to be your parent dating a much younger person, what the motivation for such a relationship could be. I honestly believe that people have different experiences in life that affects the decisions that they make. Even if it’s not for love or sincere feelings for the person – if each individual gets what they need from the union then it works for them. What works for them might not work for us – and who are we to judge? They probably feel the same way about the relationships we forge.

Based on my own life experiences – it is easy for me to have a friendship with someone much older. I am an only child to much older parents who could very well be my grandparents. In fact, I have 1st cousins who are old enough to be my parents.

My socialization as a child required far more maturity than a regular kid would need to display. There was no “Kids’ Table” at family functions, which meant that you needed to have good table manners, proper deportment and etiquette. It meant that to not be bored you had to wrap your mind around adult conversation to read in the context of big words and adult issues. It means getting a reality check about life before you had time to dream and fantasize.

Being raised this way clearly has its pros and cons. Childhood wasn’t all fun and fancy free because you learnt very early that there are consequences to your actions. Bottom line – it makes you mature. However, I am still a big kid at heart. I can have a discussion with a 60 year old about pension schemes and how the Government doesn’t really provide enough for senior citizens, and in the next breath I can be making spit bubbles with a 2 year old that just discovered how to use their tongue and lips to do so! Maybe when I am older I will have the “fun” I thought missed out on as a child and be wearing spandex at age 45 when things don’t hang in the place they are supposed to. LOL

At this stage in my life my needs for a relationship is pretty much a reflection of how I was brought up too. If I can get the stability, the love, the emotional support and the excitement I need from a 60-year-old man I wouldn’t care about his age nor what other people think. Age is just a number. On the flip side though, I honestly don’t think I can get that from the average 18 year old - he’d need too much of the excitement and wouldn’t be able to provide much of the stability. Such a one would have to be exceptional – maybe someone brought up with the same mindset. But at the end of the day, it’s still not taboo in my book.

Sometimes I think my open-mindedness will be my ruin.

First Post for 2k7

Sometimes things work a certain way and I am not too sure why, but I pray to GOD that someone out there knows why the things that happen the way they do, does – I’m sure.

So after reading that over and if you understand that sentence… let’s proceed. *smile*

I made a post explaining my frumpy mood and it disappeared. I am not sure how I tagged it as a draft but I was quite upset that it didn’t post. I was in no mood to do damage control and so I once again neglected my blog. I hope I am not this way as a parent… Needless to say I recovered the post and so I can now continue.

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

… Better late than never…

My holidays were eventful – but eventful in my own boring way. I told someone I met recently that I tend to be boring and his response was that your life is what you make it. He's absolutely right and that is profound to me. Thanks AH. For 2007 I will make my life how I want it to be and no matter how it is, it's clearly what I am satisfied with, otherwise I would do something to change it because no one else can but me.

My Aunt came to visit for Christmas and she ended up staying in to the New Year. It’s always great to have her around. So the entire season was about family for me and I really enjoyed it like that. We took a trip around the east coast of the island. Did dinners. Watched movies. Played Uno – lol which incidentally were some of the longest rounds of Uno I have EVER played. It took us about four hours to finish one particularly engaging round.

In the back of my mind I have been mulling around with thoughts of the New Year and what I would like to share with you. That post will come eventually. But in the mean time I got this via a friend of mine in email and I think it’s great advice to any and every one for the upcoming year - there should be at least one thing in there that we can work on this year.

Don't date because you are desperate.

Don't marry because you are miserable.

Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.

Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.

Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.

Don't dictate because you are smarter.

Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better.

Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.

Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.

Don't stagnate. Don't regress. Don't live in the past.

Time can't bring anything or anyone back.

Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr/Mrs Right.

Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr /Mrs Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.
Learn a new skill. Find a new friend. Start a new career.

Sometimes, there is no race to be won.

Only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.

To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.

Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.

Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.

Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.

Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.

Be true to yourself.

Don't commit when you are not ready.

Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it. Say those words.

Don't let the moment pass.

Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry. Love Deeply. Walk barefoot.

Dance with wild abandon.

Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself.

Don't wait for someone to take care of you.

You light up your life.

You drive yourself to your destination.

No one completes you - except YOU.

It is true that life does not get easier with age.

It only gets more challenging.

Don't be afraid.

Don't lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.

Don't lose faith in your God.

Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

All the Best for 2k7!

Am I a Grinch?

Apparently this is the explanation...

You Are Somewhat Mature

Although you may feel Grinch-like at times, it's just because you're worn out from the holidays. You get into the holiday spirit more than most people - and you truly enjoy celebrating with your family and friends.

Are You a Grinch?

Procrastination, Stubbornness and Perfectionism…

So I have not posted in a while but it doesn’t mean this blog is far from my mind. In fact it’s because I wanted my next two posts to be perfect why I have not already put them up. I am at the point now where I have overcome my stubborn attitude and decided to proceed with other things rather than waiting.

My tree is up and I am luke warm to it. Not that it looks bad… Just not how I wanted it to look like that other tree I saw. I wanted to show you guys a picture but my camera is not working. I called somewhere to get it looked at but that won’t happen before Monday.

My room is done. It looks okay. I like it. I have more to do. But it’ll happen… eventually. That’s another thing I need to take pictures of.

I am not particularly in a good mood. In fact I am feeling kinda blah and almost bah-hum-buggy. Not to mention untalented and unappreciated.

This too shall pass…

The Daffodil Principle

I found this story inspirational and I thought I would share it with my readers. Often times we look at struggles in our life and think that we cannot overcome. But if we take it bit by bit we can progress to complete the task. Read on…
___________________________

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "DaffodilGarden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years b before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world ..

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting.....
Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die...

There is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!

Things to Do

So the Christmas vibes continues and with it comes the happy homemaker syndrome. I have been toying with the idea of fixing up my room for a while. I need to inject some colour in to my life. All this almost came to fruition this weekend. However, due to inclement weather and closed stores it got postponed. So next weekend there will be painting and sewing and rearranging. Sounds like a lot of work but I am looking forward to it.

On another note – the Christmas Tree. So I went to Azmart and saw THE PERFECT TREE. I am so in love with it. It’s mostly red and gold and gorgeous. So I got this idea to get similar looking things to fix my tree up. At one point I was just tempted to buy the damn thing but J$50,000 is a little out of the budget. But I am so cautious to do my own tree now. I see what I like and if it isn’t even half way to where I want it to be I will be saddened and might even become obsessed about fixing it. LOL I guess it’s the perfectionist in me.

I came across this poem I thought was just so funny and I want to share it with you.

Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned -- the dark meat and white,
but I fought the temptation with all my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation,
the thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and handful of pie.
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all -- pass the cranberries, please!
Author Unknown

LOL Next year I need to talk about all the exercises to do to get the holiday weight off. I wanna put a count down to Christmas on here too… I am doing it with my MSN. *grin* Then a countdown to the birthday. LOL Need some more interactivity here man!

Anyway… Peace out!

Happy Thanksgiving

I know that the tradition of the American Thanksgiving commemorates back in 1621 when the pilgrims settled by Plymouth Rock in MA and the native Indians had a feast to welcome them. Since then the meal portion of that piece of history has exploded in to an excuse for stuffing yourselves (no pun intended) on turkey especially – so much so that the day has come to be called “Turkey Day.”

Thanksgiving is now always the fourth Thursday in the month of November for the Americans, but to my surprise on of the Presidents (don’t remember which) tried to move it to the third Thursday. Why? Because of “Black Friday.” Black Friday is the biggest shopping day in the States – even more so than the days before and after Christmas. Why the name Black Friday? Well it’s because at that time of the year most retail stores make the most profits and so they move from out of the red aka bankruptcy / functioning at a loss. I would think it should be called Green Friday – get it? Anyway… corny!

So President Roosevelt (I looked it up) decided that that would give retailers an extra week to make money. Plus this was all during the Depression and all of that so I guess he was trying to help the economy… it went on for about two years like that. However, the traditionists fought out that idea and it was reinstated and placed in the Constitution.

Anyway… enough history. It’s just fresh in my mind because I am home sick and watched this program on National Geographic called “Thanksgiving Unstuffed.” It was quite interesting. Y’all should check it out.

There is so much in life that we sometimes take for granted and just forget to give thanks for. Even though we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in Jamaica I cannot help but to reflect on thoughts of gratefulness that lingers with me on a day like today. Why? Simply because of the name of the holiday. And traditionally Christians give thanks to God at this time of the year for the food that they have at the close of the harvest.

So what would I like to give God thanks for? I thank God for:

• Life – the air I breathe, my beating heart, all my life functions
• Salvation – knowing that there is a better place somewhere out there than here where we struggle
• Family – even though they piss me off I still can’t live without them
• Mitchie (subset of family) – my dog; that guy makes me so happy
• Friends – extended family, for those who have come in to our lives and left an impression
• Love – to be able to love and to be loved
• Food – sustenance
• Home – more than just shelter, the people and memories make a home
• Health – aside from a little flu I can still see, smell (kinda), taste (somewhat), hear and feel
• My Job – even though I am a wits end with twits I have to work with
• Intelligence – to be able to make good decisions, to have logical thought and to use it to make money
• Technology – what was life like without a computer?
• Car – it’s such a good stress relief
• Jamaica – a beautiful little country that needs to work on its corruption issues
• Hardship – it builds character and makes us stronger individuals

As sucky as we might think life is sometimes, we have a lot going for us. What are you thankful for?

Where did the time go?

So I came across this site that asks you some general questions about yourself and to rate yourself on a scale with regards to some “pseudo-scientific” criteria. This is how I turned out:

My Profile:

• 40% Busy Bee
• 20% Cat Nap
• 40% Sloth

I have wasted…

• 15.1 Years getting some shut eye
• 2.1 Years making waves aka using the toilet
• 1.2 Years working for the man
• 2.6 Years chowing down on food
• 2.3 Weeks trying on sunglasses
• 7.3 Months playing videogames
• 1.8 Months caring about celebrities
• 3.2 Weeks trying on shoes
• 1.7 Months staring out the window

I am shocked by the sunglasses and the shoes bit. I love both! I have kicked the video game habit. I have been working a little over a year now. And my desk is right by a window… gee I wonder how they figured out that’s how my days go by. Hmmm…

Check out the site here!

So how much time have you wasted?

Happy Holy-Days

This Blog thing just doesn’t seem to be working out on too much of a frequent basis… But like a good friend, meeting after an extended period of absence you’re not hung up on the time apart but rather on playing catch up.

It’s that time of year when all the silliness and the revelry begins. I am in the mood, I have been in the mood for weeks now and I plan on staying in the mood all the way up until my birthday one month after the fact. That’s a lot of good times.

At my workplace the ratio of Christians : Heathens is actually 1:1… I am not sure what that implies but I sure hope that it doesn’t mean that you’re going to need Jesus extensively to be able to make it through each day here (there’s a story here but I will save that for another time).

Anyway, 75% of the Christians are Jehovah’s Witnesses (oi vey) … and in case you’re not aware, Birthdays and Christmas are big NO NOs for them. So our End of Year Festivities at the office from hence forth will be referred to as the “Holiday” activities. LOL

So one of the Witnesses I admire the most gave me this excerpt to read from one of their Watch Tower booklets. Essentially the reasons they don’t celebrate these superfluous occasions aren’t entirely so bad when I think about it. I can see where they’re coming from.

For instance… why only recognize that someone was born and that they’re special to you and give them obligatory gifts only once per year? Point taken. But for me, I use Birthdays as just another reason to spend time with the people I love and to treat them. Sometimes you get caught up with other aspects of life and at least you can play catch up on a dedicated day. What if you practice appreciation of the person all year ‘round? Then is it so wrong to do it also on their birthday cuz it’s their personal day? The day they came into existence. We should thank God for that day and thank God for giving them to us on that day. Doesn’t mean we’re going to forget them the rest of the year… it’s just that that day is THEIR special day.

Christmas. Pagans worship their Gods on special days and so Witnesses think that if we do the same we’re emulating pagan-like tendencies. Plus, we should put more emphasis on His death since it’s through the shedding of His blood that we can inherit Eternal Life. Also, December 25 isn’t even His real birthday anyway. And worldly people have commercialized that time of year. Alright… I would be biased if I didn’t admit that it is thought provoking for me why we know for sure what days to celebrate His Death and Resurrection on at Easter time yet still it remains a mystery – almost as if there is some divine plan to deliberately hide it from us even though we can surmise – and we are not sure when exactly He was born.

If our Holiday festivities include more emphasis on Family, Love and the fact the He was Born, is it wrong in the eyes of Jehovah/God? They say that the most depression happens around this time of year but what about people like me who are happy? Maybe the people who get depressed are misguided by what they expect to get from the holidays rather than realizing the true meaning of it all. So you don’t have a lot of money for gifts – give something from the heart or give your time. Wouldn’t that make God happy? Doesn’t it make us feel good having family around? There are people who find religious symbolism in the event – the lights everywhere reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World. And if all of that is at the core… what makes it so wrong?

He must have been Born in order to Die and ultimately be Resurrected. And if Pagans can put out so much for their many gods why can’t we do something to express ourselves in the way which is the cornerstone of Christian principles – Love.

It’s really funny though. I hear that when they used to call the End of Year activities at my office “Christmas Luncheon” or whatever it would never be supported by the Witnesses. But a simple change in name “Holiday Luncheon” has them all there and caught up in the cheerfulness of the occasion. Go figure…

I don’t feel convicted by enjoying Christmas. I love this time of year. More people are pleasant. The weather’s great! It should be Christmas everyday – a Holy-Day.

Most Wanted

So I found this really cool site here. You get to pretend like you’re a police sketch artist and generate your own face sketch. Make sure you send me your own drawings. I wanna see!

Version 1:

This is my interpretation of my face. I did muh friend D at work today and it looked so much like her. I think mine is not quite right but if I perfect it (with some help) I will update a more true version. It’s probably what I wish I looked like… more cute than I actually am. LOL

For those of you who know what I look like… what do you think? Way off? Almost there? Perfect? Holler and lemme know.

My Cubicle

This might be pretty stale by now but I still had to share it because of its appropriateness to my day today. I just stayed at work and surfed the net and chatted about all kinds of things – politix included!



My cubicle has a view though. I see everything/everyone that comes on the premises. But I don’t ever sit there nude… as tempting as it might be. LOL

Here's a picture of what my desk usually looks like on a productive day. *smile*

Pioneer Premier 6800MP

We had a little incident with one car this weekend where we had to replace the gas tank. Sounds scary but all of that effort was to avoid anything severe from happening. After dealing with the details on how to get that problem solved, I continued with my previous plan for installing my car radio.

A newfound long time friend of mine (such an oxymoron but I will explain it in another post) whose husband is a whiz in my opinion (Thanks again AC!) installed the receiver for me. So we spent the later part of Saturday evening buying the necessaries for the installation, pulling apart the dashboard, figuring out wires etc. I use the term “we” loosely cuz the majority of the time was with D and myself just watching and tending to the baby and chatting like we don’t already see each other everyday!! Oh yeh… there was this one point where I was reading the wiring guide and feeling quite ditsy cuz I couldn’t remember how to read circuit diagrams (and one as straightforward as that too).

So anyway, we ran out of time quickly and I had previously promised my parents to take them to Port Royal for dinner (me being in the mood too was a whole lot of encouragement as well). So I convinced muh friends to come along and we made a night of it. We just put the necessary in place and drove the car… of course enjoying the new radio! *smilez*


This radio is fab! I love it. It plays MP3s and WMA files and it’s pretty – the colour matches muh car! I am such a ricer at heart… Tons of features. And oh my goodness… what a difference a good radio makes! I spent the last two months dealing with the crappy stock radio in there that could only even play 5 radio stations and not so clearly. But this new radio with proper tuning gave new life to even the speakers I am planning on changing. Now it’s not such a rush cuz when I am stuck in traffic I can be entertained. Check out the specs here. I even saw matching tweeters at a store with a neon blue housing. That would be a little extreme though.

Dinner was great. It was also very late and muh parents were a bit peeved, but they got in to the mood of the evening when we all got there. Where we’re used to buying from ran out of fish so we settled for this other place where the ambiance was nice sitting on a deck over the sea but the food wasn’t as good but palatable. We almost didn’t go but AC – after all that work and convincing him to go out after being tired – was insistent that he got ready and we better find some place to take him to. LOL

It was so much fun just enjoying each personality! We didn’t do anything hype or anything but it was just like a big family with three generation groups having good, clean fun. The time went by so quickly. We spent about three hours out there and it felt like an hour. Even the wait for the food went by unnoticeably. So much for good company.

But the drive there… oh my goodness! I have not driven my car as far since I got it back in August. I had so much fun that I forgot I was supposed to give my friends to car to drive back to their home and I would go over the next day to continue the work. I was looking forward to the drive back. LOL The car handles nicely. And with the weight of three adults… it sat on the road! Yeh!

So we finished up Sunday evening lyming again and tuning car stereos – both cars this time. Had some good food from the multi-talented man (Dinner was great AC). And here I am back at work on a Monday dreading the week. But alas… the weekend was well worth it.