One more hour a week

Aww boo.

"There's a happiness that comes from healing"

- Ty Pennington (Team Leader, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition)

Z equals...

Here's the solution to the puzzle and a new one.


Have a great weekend.

t.

Find the missing letter (the same letter for all 4 words) that completes
each scrambled word
below:

-RECEN
-YCHTE
-RETMI
-PALTE


Answer
to November 23:

What two words, formed from different arrangements
of the same six letters, can be used to complete the sentence
below?

The guard at the archaeological site __________ the area
very carefully, as the Viking ___________ had never been
excavated.

The answers are minded and midden.

If x = ... and y =... then...

Time for another puzzle:

What two words, formed from different arrangements of the same six letters, can be used to complete the sentence below?

The guard at the archaeological site __________ the area very carefully, as the Viking ___________ had never been excavated.


Cheerios!! (Mm, the honey nut kind)

t.

Perhaps it's the little things, seemingly insignificant, yet significant in their own right that help us to restore our faith and heal our hearts.

Nothing of grandeur, just something small and simple, yet offers the same release as if some moumental event had occured.

This morning I went to YP's AGM and Senate meeting...

I'm a member of the board (Senator) now.... :D


Blessed to have the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me so much, blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of such an amazing organization.



t.

GO VOTE TOMORROW!



Whomever you choose, or even if you choose to spoil your ballot in protest, or vote for one guy, gal or two, a whole slate, a mayor, a trustee and a couple of councillors, whatever, it's your choice but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE exercise your right, and fufill your responsibility!


Thank you.

t.

Something to wrap your head around...

YAH! Our lil' Mensa puzzle group is back up and so, with special thanks to a dear Sushi Master who is busy enough without doing this for us, I leave you with this... Solution will be posted in the next few days.

Also, I took down Steve Job's speech until I can figure out why it's throwing the formatting off. If you want to read his speech, you can find it here.


Enjoy!

t.

The explorer found a very rare lizard. It was quite large. The head was nine inches long, the tail was three times as long, and the body was twice the length of the sum of the head and tail lengths. How many inches long was this lively lizard?

Just do it.

Nike made millions off this slogan -- well, and apparently off Air Jordans -- but I digress... There's something though about the underlying message that should not be dismissed as another corporate gimmick. Well, it may have started off this way, but it means so much more.

How often have we heard others or ourselves in moments of "I can't", "I'm not good enough"... Replace the self-doubt with "just do it"... Picture Michael Jordan's image embossed on those shoes of soaring through the air, ball poised to score the 3 point shot... And what do you get, a very expensive shoe and a very rich athletic apparel company. Yes, but the concept Nike has used to make its billions off of should be something that tell ourselves everyday.... Not to be like Mike, though appealing to some, but to "do it".

How many times have we told ourselves, "it's not something I'm good at", or "S/He's smarter than I am"... "I'm not - tall, prettier, skinny, capable, strong, intelligent, quick - enough" replaces, I can. Granted, there are those with natural skills or aptitude... Height making the basket that much closer, small stature making gymnastics easier, a natural ability for numbers, a lack of squeamishness in the face of blood... But just because a person is faced with one of these barriers, it doesn't mean they can't. So s/he doesn't become an olympic gymnast, but can still turn a fine cartwheel, or a prominent linguist but can still converse in four languages... Why, because somewhere along the line, s/he stopped to try, stopped to take a ballet lesson, run track in school, read a prominent academic publication to learn more about a topic of interest...

In the process of trying we may fall, face obstacles, setbacks and sometimes, it may seem easier to quit. A favourite quote of mine by Brock Tully, a local author and speaker, says "I'll never find out what I can do, unless I do all I can to find out". First, we owe it to ourselves to let our light shine, to discover all the we can do and all the power and potential that we posess. So that when this life is coming to an end, we are not left wondering... "What if?", "could I have?" And if we do not discover all that we can do, we may deprive the world of the cure to cancer, the next great novel, a sportshero, a coach who inspries a lifetime of "I can", inspiring mentor, loving mother or father, teacher who goes the distance, grandmother next door who comforts,... Born into a world of opportunity, whether middle class, struggling or wealthy, born into a time where limits are endless...

Think you can't? Just do it.

In the "meantime"...

just have to live life....

one day, each day...

smiles, tears, laughs...

just have to live.

Diagnosis...

Thanks for all the get well tips! It turns out it's a sinus infection...

Rather funny when the doctor looked into my ear and said "that's got to hurt"... I sat there rather perplexed thinking perhaps he thought he had poked me or something but then he explained what the instead of my head looked like and I understood!

Purple hats.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before itmelted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's."More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it . live it and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.

I hope you all have a blessed day.

lest we forget

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Grr.

Last week, during a quick lunch hour walk around the block, I made a donation for a poppy outside of a local grocery store. I had so much admiration for this veteran, standing outside in the wet, cold weather balancing the little plastic box with poppies in it on little more than a cement stand used to prevent cars from running into the store. How amazingly humble and a simple yet incredibly powerful reminder of the sacrifice that was made and continues to me made by those who choose unselfishly, bravely and heroically to put themselves in harm's way for others...

I put my donation into the little box, and looked up at the man... Left side right, I wanted to make sure.... M'am he said, motioning to me and taking the poppy, when you put it on, do it like this (shows me to stick the pin back through the poppy). Thank you.... (wanting to stop and talk to him more but running late getting back from lunch)...

I pinned the poppy exactly the way he told me, and inspite of pulling my coat on and off, smushing it under my desk, or putting my seatbelt on and off, it has stayed perfectly in place.

And then this is what makes today's headline. GRR.

Women get more from jokes?

A new study shows that women enjoy humour more than men!

Your Fashion Style is Girly

You dress to look beautiful and show off what you've gotDresses, skirts, heels... whatever it takes to turn headsYou love feeling like a girl in any settingEven your workout clothes are cute and feminine!

What's" Your Fashion Style?

You Are A Lily

You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist.People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you.You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words.Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize.

What Flower Are You?

Funny, that as of late, I have thought of this more and more... after finishing my designation of course and working for a while....

You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)

You're logical, driven, and ruthless.You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Meatball Pizza

Unusual and uncompromising.You're usually the first to discover a new trend.You appreciate a good meal and good company.You're an interesting blend of traditional and modern.

What's" Your Pizza Personality?

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Very popular, one of you is not enough.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

Life is better lived when lived for God.

Life is better lived when lived with God.

May He bless and keep each one of you. May you find comfort, joy, rest and peace in Him.

Weekend update...

Well... the weekend that was supposed to be filled with church fall market, joining Ron for a birthday party, going to Storyeum with Ray (or at least lunch), studying AND cleaning my room has instead been filled with sleeping, sneezing, coughing and kleenex!

The cold got even worse, yuck... but yah for my body trying to fight it for so long!

I finished my first compilation at work this week... I thought I had completed it but when one of the more experience associates was going through it, noticed I had missed a few things that I wasn't aware I had to do for a first year file... which meant also having to re-do that T2 a few times... It felt really great when I handed it in for review though!!

I was also given a review engagement to work on!! :) EEK!

Well, that's all for now... lots to look forward to this coming week...

... getting rid of the cold
... Jesse Manibusan concert on Thursday night
... sushi/asian lunch and Jacob shopping with Chelley! YAAAAAAAH! Have a safe flight home sweetie!
... SPYAC meeting on Saturday at Francis' -- we're going to have afternoon tea complete with lil' sandwiches!
... visiting Jon and LGC on Sunday :)
... St. Paul's mass

and of course getting lots of studying done!

Take care ya'll!

t.

Middle of the week update...

Well, let's see, Monday morning, I showed up for work wearing exercise pants, sweater and running shoes with my hula girl costume in tow... only to find out that it was a lil' joke on the new staff!! But, we all dressed up. I had to take the skirt off though as similar to Hansel and Gretl leaving a bread crumb trail, I left a trail of grass! So, I spent the day in an outfit reminiscent of my community centre days -- complete with flip flops! YAH!! :)

Monday evening, my Mom and Ronnie came over to help hand out candy with my Dad and I. I had the family in Hawaiian theme with leis and my dad and Ronnie wore hawaiian shirts. I would have to say that Ronnie was the most festive in his outfit complete with board shorts on a cold night! There were some very cute little ones who came to the door. Though, there were a few that did not say "trick or treat" or "thank you", some even with parent standing behind them!!

Instead of carving a whole pumpkin. My dad carved a few small (mini) pumpkins out and I put tea lights in them and lined them up in the walkway by our doorstep... like small mini lanterns - I thought it looked pretty!

Tuesday morning, I discovered that I had driven over a screw so had to get the tire repaired before going to work. I'm just happy that I discovered it close to home rather than having a flat on the bridge!

Other than that, been a pretty low key week, school, working lots since I have been assigned a lot of work and one of the assignments has a short deadline. I was also given my own file this week to work on without a senior directly supervising me -- after only 3 weeks! It was challenging, but I am nearly done!!

Last Saturday, Ronnie took me a black tie/halloween costume dinner! It was lovely and I was impressed by the organization, ethusiasm, and really neat fundraising ideas. They sold balloons to guests and each balloon had a chance to win one of three prizes including a $1600 pearl necklace won by a gentleman at our table. His wife look thrilled! Everyone who bought a ballon got a mug for participating. There were also door prizes and a silent auction. Fundraising auctions are one of my favourite things! So, I opted for this instead of a balloon. Donating money to a good cause, getting something neat and just the bidding and anticipation to see if I have the winning bid! And, I did!! I bid on gift certificates to Richmond Centre and Ann Louise Jewellers... and had winning bids for both!

Well that's it... going to take it easy this weekend, clean up do some studying and rest up -- I have to get rid of this cold once and for all!

Stay warm.

t.

"God has a positive answer"

I received this via e-mail a few weeks ago but just got to opening it now.... Not as much time for e-mail this days so I go through it a bit more slowly. The layout is much nicer in the e-mail but the message is much more important than the presentation. I hope you will all find something that will help make your day a little lighter and the darker days a little brighter.

God has a positive answer:

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke
18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew
11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16
& John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II
Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman
8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John
1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your
cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I
Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake
you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Happy Halloween!

Happy (belated) Halloween!

I hope that you all enjoyed the festivities and the lil' goblins and pumpkins and princesses that arrived on your doorstep.


:)

t.

p.s. I went as a hula girl, with a big sweater because our office is cold. More on that later.