From last week but I just like the way the word looks, when is the last time we used a word like this!

Word of the Day for Sunday October 16, 2005

lackadaisical \lack-uh-DAY-zih-kuhl\, adjective:
Lacking spirit or liveliness; showing lack
of interest; languid; listless.

Lackadaisical comes from the
expression lackadaisy, a variation of
lackaday, itself a shortening of "alack the (or a) day!"

"How to dump a man"

This was passed along to me, though what is posted below is edited! My apologies to my male readership, though hopefully you'll get a chuckle too!

HOW TO DUMP A MAN

Dear ________,

I regret to inform you that you have been eliminated from further contention as Mr. Right. As you are probably aware, the competition was exceedingly tough and dozens of well-qualified candidates such as yourself also failed to make the final cut. I will, however, keep your name on file should an opening become available. So that you may find better success in your future romantic endeavors, please allow me to offer the following reason(s) you were disqualified from the competition.

Check those that apply...

___Your last name is objectionable. I can't imagine taking it, hyphenating it, or subjecting my children to it.

___Your first name is objectionable. It's just not something I can picture myself yelling out in a fit of passion.

___The fact that our dining experiences to date has left MY wallet a little lighter, and YOUR pants a little tighter!

___You failed the 20 Question Rule, i.e., I asked you 20 questions about yourself before you asked me more than one about myself.

___Your constant e-mailing shows me you have TOO much time on your hands!

___Your legs are skinnier than mine.>>

___You're too short. Any son that we produced would inevitably be beaten up repeatedly at recess.

___You're too tall. I'm developing a chronic neck condition from trying to kiss you.

___I find your inability to fix my car extraordinarily unappealing.

___The fact that your apartment has been condemned reveals an inherent slovenliness that I fear is unbreakable.

___The phrase "My Mother" has popped up far to often in conversation.

___You still live with your parents.

___Although I do enjoy the X-Files, I find your wardrobe of Star Trek uniforms a little disconcerting.

___Your frequent references to your ex-girlfriend lead me to suspect that you are some sort of psychotic stalker.

___Your ability to belch the alphabet is not a trait that I am seeking in a long-term partner.

___I am out of your league, set your sights lower next time.

Sincerely,

Cruella Deville (hehehe)

Well, I spent the day home sick except for heading out to see the doctor.

After three hours on the phone with Dell, they are FINALLY pulling my computer back to their service depot. Hopefully, it will finally be fixed!

And when I came out of class tonight, it was POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOURING rain, complete with thunder and lightning.

Somehow, walking in puddles while getting soaked and trying to keep my school books from become soggy is not as fun as jumping in them with glee. I did walk in some big ones though -- I was already wet so why not!

On another important note, my super simple, compact (fits in my purse), lightweight umbrella can really hold its own. :)

Challenge...

As most of you know, each new school term or season if you will, I set the goal of learning/trying something new. Occasionally, I throw in a fitness challenge as well...

Something new ~ to execute the breast stroke without sinking in one spot in the pool by the end of December. I know how to do it, but I cannot get the rhythm right so I end up stalled in one spot, slowly siiiiiinkiiing. It's been a long time since I have gone swimming but something I much enjoyed as a child and teen... even having the honour of being the last person in the pool (yes, I know) during a high school swim meet. In order to help me become more proficient, I have enlisted the help of a special friend who used to coach swimming. Perhaps I will end up being his toughest challenge yet?


Fitness challenge ~ To be able to do two sets of twenty regular push-ups (no knees touching ground, no stability ball, no bosu ball) comfortably by the beginning of December. I can do ten right now so I figure if I add one or two each work out, I should be able to do it by then! I can do about forty or so with the stability ball and fifteen to twenty with the Bosu Ball which I just started using so will see how it goes!

Hmm, as I type this I think perhaps instead of the breast stroke challenge, I have the something new of going to work full time but also, I would have wanted to try the Thai-Bo Boot Camp class (90 minutes of aerobics!) for a while, so perhaps that will be my something new! In addition to the Cardio Salsa class I have been taking off and on the past few weeks!

"Test your wit"

For something you don't see everyday, check out the photo posted here. And if you're so inclined, enter the contest!

One year ago today...

I visited my previous, previous blog --- not the blogger one but LJ, yes LJ... and here is what I wrote one year ago today -- October 22, 2004 at 8:54pm. I think it's rather fitting for current circumstances...

a reminder to myself...
[Oct. 22nd, 200408:54 pm]
[Current Mood
hopeful]

For all the moments when I am discouraged,
For all the moments when I am scared,
For all the "can I do this"?
For all the "am I smart enough"?

Here is the answer:Yes, I can. All I have to do is do it. I am only cheating myself by not trying, by not giving 100%. Boys will come and go. Opportunties to volunteer,
work will as well. What matters, is giving 100% to what I want to find out.
Focusing is often difficult amidst everything else, but ask myself, what is more
important... Remember -- even if I find out that this is not what I want to do,
at least I did all I can TO find out.At the same time, remember to enjoy life,
relax and savour the experience

"I'll never find out all I can do, unless I do all I can to find out" - Brock Tully

And my newest occupation...

Hehee, with special thanks to Ronnie for the ubersweet (literally and figuratively) gift and to Poster Boy for altering my occupation...

t the bean counter is now t the m&m counter. :)

Week 2

Hey ya'll!

Thanks for all comments and for stopping by! :) I'm curious as to who has been leaving the witty anonymous comments! Please leave a name or alias -- at least then I'll know if you're the same person or not! It's always nice to know who is reading my random ramblings!

Anyways... so far work is off to a good and overwhelming start (I take lots of notes!) -- I read in the Minister of Finance's Report (BCYP of course) that there was a steep learning curve associated with the ministry. I wrote the same to the incoming Minister when I left parliament. On top of the bulletin board in my cubicle, I put my Minister of Finance nametag up to remind me. The job, much like being Min of Fin, has a very steep learning curve as one of the other associates told me recently. I've spent the past two years in school learning about accounting, accounting theories, tax etc but putting it into practice is much different! The journal entries are the same, though, I got very confused yesterday when trying to enter them into the computer (because it doesn't show debit or credit but rather positive or negative so have to remember the normal balance of the account etc.) But, the difference, in the controlled environment of school, we're given perfect information. Perhaps too much info to determine whether or not we know what's necessary to complete the problem, but all the info we need is there. At work, that isn't always the case, not only that but I'm having to use my own judgement in certain cases...hehee, our profs started us on developing "professional judgement" and now is only the beginning of lifelong development!... I suppose all the complexities are what makes it, and keeps it interesting!

I found out this week that we are allowed to wear Halloween costumes to work on the 31st. I am in need of suggestions -- the only two conditions -- it must be work appropriate and I need to be able to sit for the better part of 8 + hours. Suggestions welcome! I think I would like to be a fairy. Hehee...

Take care ya'll and enjoy the sunny start to the weekend.

t.

Sweet dreams. :) October 20, 2005

And in the end...

life is what you make of it.

Word of the Day: pelf

Word of the Day for Wednesday October 19, 2005 from Dictionary.com

pelf \PELF\, noun: Money; riches; gain;
-- generally conveying the idea of something
ill-gotten.

Pelf comes from Old French pelfre, "booty, stolen goods."
It is related to pilfer.

thoughts...

"Our greatest strength is not in never failing, but in rising everytime we fall."

During a conversation the other day, the topic came to exams and the nervousness that these cause. I shared with this person the insight a former instructor shared with our class about perspective and how he wanted us to not only prepare for our exam but to do something that there is more to life than the outcome of one exam.

Life is not about not knowing how to fail. I do not think that we honestly and truthfully set out to intentionally fail. In those instances, perhaps we choose to fail out of fear or lack of desire. But, do we really want to be a failure? Of course not. At others, failure comes from circumstance -- illness, deaths... We cannot always choose our outcomes, and failure unfortunately, is sometimes one of them.

Thinking that success is only determined by lack of failure in one's life is immature and misguided. True success comes from triumph inspite of obstacles, inspite of failure not because the path lacked any. There is greater strength, lesson and maturity in getting back on the horse so to speak than going through life, perhaps an honours student, or average, getting all the promotions or simply seemingly sailing through and never facing adversity, real adversity.

Until we hit that wall, or perhaps "rock bottom", and learn to stand again, we cannot know the strength, courage and spirit that lies within us.

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight" - Japanese Proverb

I like jumping in puddles.


Jumping in puddles is fun! =)

My Mom and I. October 10, 2005

First day of the new job...

I am thankful for moments like this and especially
for special friends -- friends who will sneak out of your
birthday party to buy lollipops and sparkly candles
(incidentally, my favourite) for an extra special surprise
when the cake came out. 

This is another from the visit to Muir Woods
and a favourite of mine. 

Lucky Charms. Hehee, seeing clovers always
reminds me of the cereal -- and the leprechaun.
This photo was taken in Muir Woods, California,
August 2005. I show all of my trip pictures to my
parents and Ronnie tonight and this one was well
received so I thought I would share it. 

Thought of the Day...

Here's my thought of the day...

Maturity cannot be learned nor taught, it must be (is) developed through experience.

To which, I should also add, emotional intelligence and academic intelligence -- two completely different things.


t.

I am thankful for...

This list could go on and on and on... I have much to be thankful for -- but some of the bigger ones and lil' ones too since last year. Feel free to add some of your own in the comments section too!

I am thankful for...

~ everything God has blessed me with

~ my mommy and daddy

~ dear friends, and especially when they phone or e-mail just to see how you're doing - the for no reason other than to remind you they are thinking of you calls and e-mails

~ finding my way back home (figuratively speaking)

~ being healthy again

~ that people notice I'm happier, healthier and more relaxed

~ that I know it too (and other things that come with that)

~ a simpler life -- and all the perspective, experience and strength that comes from previous challenge

~ getting to visit my family in California and seeing all the little ones

~ the job opportunities -- funny how I thought "what if I don't find one?" and all of a sudden it turned to "which one do I choose?"

~ having the opportunity to serve on Core, even for just a brief time -- 6 years in the making :)

~ our new SPYAC team!

~ making new friends!!!

~ hopefully getting to sit on Senate

~ volunteering on the downtown eastside -- to keep things in perspective and to remind me how blessed I am to have a loving family, food on the table and so much more

~ cleaning out my closet and realizing how much stuff I have that I do not need -- similar to the first time I helped at Camp Phoenix, it reminded me to think about what I really need before shopping etc.

~ seeing people donate their time and through that, part of their heart and self to truly serve others -- it inspires me to do more and humbles me to see people whose hearts are in the right place who want to make the lives of others better [I don't mean those who do it for self serving reasons (grad school apps etc) and then complain about it!] "We give little when we give of our posessions, it is when we give of our heart that we truly give."

~ meeting someone in passing who helped me see something special in me -- who helped me see me differently

~ all of the many, many people who helped me get from can I do this to bean counter in training -- and there have been many who have encouraged me and provided opportunities to learn more and gain experience

~ "adventure"

~ how wonderful my new co-workers at the detachment are and how supportive they were when I told them I was leaving after a month

~ the opportunities to give back to organizations that have given me so much

... Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families...

America's Top 10 Fastest Growing Jobs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! =)

Oh, and in other news, I finally got a new cell phone! Number is the same, but this one stays on :)

Enjoy the turkey, mashed potatoes and most importantly, the time to reflect on what we each have to be thankful for.

t.

Word of the day: (it's a short one!) onus

Well, today's word of the day is a short one!

Word of the Day for Friday October 7, 2005 from dictionary.com

onus \OH-nuhs\, noun: 1. A burden; an obligation; a
disagreeable necessity. 2. a: A stigma. b: Blame. 3. The
burden of proof.

My computer consumer report

Caveat Emptor.

Well, just under 3 months ago (June 21) I purchased the Dell Inspirion 600m. I have had nothing but problems ever since including a very condescending technical support person who suggested that I simply not use a feature of the computer that was not working. I bought from Dell because I heard good things about their products and service, apparently I got the lemon of the bunch.

The computer was defective out of the box, a tech support person and a friend who is a compsci grad fixed it over the phone. Apparently, the band-aid fell off and again, it's not working properly! Further, I set the power saving features to turn off the monitor after x-minutes of no use -- it does not work properly, while the hard disk is still running, the monitor won't turn back on! This is the feature that the service tech told me "well then just don't use it".... yeah, thanks. The on/off switch sticks (or something else is wrong with it) so it's difficult from this point to get it to turn back on. The past few days when trying to open applications on the desktop, the programs open slower than the Pentium 1 computer that I have had for 4 years -- and that computer has problems! Forget about trying multiple applications at once either -- the computer froze yesterday just with using MSN and internet explorer (I usually use firefox). Not to mention trying to re-start the computer! Further, the area just below the keyboard, where I suppose the processor is, heats up to the point that unless I'm wearing a long sleeves and a few layers at that, it is impossible to use because it's burning hot! I've had it on now for less than an hour and it's already hot through a long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt.

I called Dell Customer Care today and explained the situation. Having worked in a Call Centre before, and in customer service, I also apologized to her for being frustrated etc. She told me not to worry because she would be frustrated too! I was informed that outside of 30 days from the date of invoice, I cannot request a replacement or return -- well, the computer worked after the tech guy told my friend how to repair it over the phone, so why would I replace it. And the second tech guy, even if perhaps not so wise advice, I am relying on their expertise. I reminded her that it was THEIR technical support people that I dealt with. Along the way, none have advised me that I could send it in for repair -- perhaps that's just asking for too much quality service! Further, does that mean that they only expect their product to last 30 days? It's been less than 3 months and already defective so what faith do they have in their own product if they won't replace it.

I asked what my recourse is if the level two tech guy who will phone in a few days is unable to fix it. She said that I could then call customer care again and try to request a replacement but that they will look at the fact that I did not send it in to replace hardware. I informed her that I am an accountant, not a computer science graduate and how am I supposed know that it needs hardware replacement if their technical support people (they have it logged that I phoned) give me a band aid fix over the phone.

I'm sure that there are happy Dell customers out there but I would advise against purchasing this particular model or from Dell. A computer is a big investment and something that many of us, once purchased rely upon and perhaps buying something that you can try out in a store and take back to a person when there are problems is a much better way to go.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to my dear friend Laureen (aka elle-tee) who had her convocation ceremony today at Simon Fraser! YAAAH =D Hehee, can't wait to see what you do next and all the bestest to you!

Quotes

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."
~Helen Keller~

Sometimes, it can be easier to dwell in the what could have been, in the what ifs, than to take the step to explore what can be. Funny how we can be in the best of places (figuratively) and yet the loveliness is marred by distant memories. I suppose there will always be moments such as this but the happy moments well... this, one of my all time favourite quotes and something I always think about sums it up...

"We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what's wrong in your life, or you can focus on what's right. But whatever you focus on, you're going to get more of. Creation is an extension of thought. Think lack, get lack. Think abundance and you get more."
~Marianne Williamson~

And so, I leave with this...

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, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. 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 ~

May ya'll let your light shine and love the person you see reflected back at you.

t.

Gala dinner inside of the Museum
of Civilization. Gatineau, Quebec,
May 2005. 

Amy and I at Niagara Falls.
April 2005. 

A street in Byward Market,
Ottawa. May 2005 

Word of the Day: sempiternal

Doctor Dictionary's Word of the Day for Thursday October 6, 2005

sempiternal \sem-pih-TUR-nuhl\, adjective: Of never
ending duration; having beginning but no
end; everlasting; endless.

Sempiternal comes from Medieval Latin
sempiternalis, from Latin sempiternus, a
contraction of semperaeternus, from semper,
"always" + aeternus, "eternal." Synonyms: enduring,
eternal, everlasting, perpetual.

A couple of photos from my trip to Eastern Canada.
May 2005















View of a Government Building.

Supreme Court of Canada ~ I went on the
school group tour! :)

Janice and I at Tapenade ~ Charli's farewell.

Spring 2005.

With two dear friends. Jay, Kat, Pat at Jason's
birthday dinner. August 2005.

Word of the Day: Beneficence

Word of the Day for Wednesday October 5, 2005 from
Dictionary.com

beneficence \buh-NEFF-i-suhns\, noun: 1. The
practice of doing good; active goodness, kindness, or
charity. 2. A charitable gift or act.


Beneficence is from Latin beneficentia, from beneficus, "kind,
generous, obliging," from bene, "well" (from bonus, "good") +
facere, "to do." The adjective form is beneficent.

Jer. 29:11

So incredibly blessed to have been given new opportunities, a new outlook, new friendships, renewed ones, and a simple life.

So incredibly humbled by God's grace.

So incredibly amazed and thankful for it all.

There will be times in our lives where things get tough, very tough perhaps, and it will seem that God is far away and that we are alone. The difficulties just seem to roll into one another and the happy moments present, yet so much harder to see. And then one day, or perhaps just slowly, unnoticeable at first and growing quietly, renewal.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Word of the Day: Effulgence

I subscribe to Doctor Dictionary which sends me a word a day via e-mail.

Word of the Day for Monday October 3, 2005

effulgence \i-FUL-juhn(t)s\, noun: The state of being bright
and radiant; splendor; brilliance.

From Latin ex- "out of, from" +
fulgere, "to shine." The adjective form of the word is
effulgent.

Awww.

This is me with my mismatched earrings, make up
and the lovely flower arrangement from my friend. :)

(Oh, and my darker dyed hair!)

October 1, 2005

ballerina

The ballet was LOVELY.... absolutely magnificant, marvelous and of course filled with grace (even the male ballerinas -- is that what they are called?)

I bought earrings ($6 at Garage) to wear tonight... dangly ones. And, when I got home a little while ago and took them off, I realized that they are not the same! One is slightly longer than the other... that's what I get for rush trip and $6. I will take them back tomorrow. I had my make up done for free today at Clinique. =)

Unfortunately, I am sick. I caught the bug going around our office. Anyhoo, sleepy time. Hope ya'll are enjoying the lovely fall colours!

t.

Tutus.

When I was little, I enjoyed twirling around at ballet class and my favourite times were when we had performances because we got to wear little pink tutus.

Watching Karen Kain perform live was such a treat as a child and tonight, I am going to watch Swan Lake. :)

And while I no longer am a little ballerina, I still enjoy twirling like one :)