July 2008 - Posts
I'm currently reading an interesting book my mother gave me, called, Now, Discover Your Strengths. In a nutshell, the book talks about the misconception that working on your weaknesses, becoming a more well-rounded person, is the secret to success. Learning to identify your strengths, and then sharpening those strengths, is the real key. Did you know that only 20% of people feel they use their strengths in their jobs on a daily basis? Interesting.
After I finish this book, I'll be reading this one: First, Break all the Rules.
Same author. He must really like commas, or, dramatic pauses. Did you catch my subtle attempt at humor, there? Oh, and, just there, too. And there! It's never-ending!
Above my desk at work:
Between what happens to us and our response to what happens to us is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In those choices lie our growth and our happiness.
I read it many times a day, and you know what? I think it really helps.
I've been listening to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People on audio CD while I work, and on the days I commute to the office. Sure, a lot of the information is common sense, but how often do we see that common sense is not always common practice.
I really enjoyed his commentary on principles. Here's what he had to say, in a nutshell:
Principles are natural laws. They are not based on social values, however popular those social values may be.
In a sense, we are not in control. The popular social language is to "take control of your life", that "you are the master of your own destiny" when in fact we are NOT in control. Principles are in control. Now, if we accept that, and follow these principles, then in that sense we are in control. But that is in a "humility" sense, because it respects that principles ultimately govern, not social values. *We* control our actions, but the consequences that flow from those actions are controlled by principles. Principles live on forever. Situations change and a practice no longer applies, but the principle always applies. They are universal, changeless. Societal values don't govern. Principles govern.
Here's an example. In school, did you ever cram for a test? Sure, you can cram, and pass the test, but you probably didn't learn much. Now imagine trying to cram as a farmer....Not working really hard at the end of the summer to bring the crop in, but slacking off all summer, and then trying to complete the entire farming process at the end (the planting and sowing, and then reaping the crop). It can't be done. And that's because farming is governed by natural laws that can't be controlled. Make sense?
That's my deep thought for the day.
"As a society, we're overinvesting in real estate. We build (and buy) too many extra-large homes. McMansions, if you will. They use too much energy, and their carrying costs, including mortgage payments, absorb too much of Americans' incomes, limiting the ability to save for retirement and other needs. We think everyone should become a homeowner, when many families can't or shouldn't."
Taken from this article.
I got quite a surprise that I wasn't expecting when I got my mail today. There was a thick package from Carolina Veterinary Specialists that I wasn't expecting. I started walking back to my apartment, and carefully opened the package. I pulled out the bubble wrapped item and immediately started to realize what it was. It was a ceramic circle with Stevie's name stamped across the top, and an imprint of his paw in the middle. I just started crying as I was so overwhelmed by this unexpected gift. Included with the package was the following handwritten note written in a sympathy card:
I'm so terribly sorry for the loss of Stevie. He was such a wonderful kitty with an amazing attitude through everything. I wish we could've done more for him, but I hope you are comforted by your memories and in knowing you did all you could. It was signed by Claudia McFadden, his oncologist. There was also a note from the vet technician, Shauna. It read: I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. Stevie was such a fighter and you did everything you could to keep him happy. You made the best decision possible for him. Stevie will be missed by us all. My thoughts are with you during this tough time.
How awesome is that? It meant a lot to me. It was hard to see his familiar paw print (he had such big paws) but I am so happy to have this precious trinket.
Last night, for Saturday Movie Night® I watched the sequel to National Treasure, with Nick Cage. It was the same formula as the first, and all around a nice family-friendly entertaining movie. If you try not to worry about plausibility of some of the things in the movie, you should find it pretty entertaining... And it was funnier than the first one.
I can't believe it's the last day of my vacation already! 
I'm going to just relax and take it easy today, although, I do have to shop for a baby gift for a co-worker, but other than that, chilling is the order of the day.
My search on Monster.com today for a position as a "Domestic Goddess Extraordinaire" was met with the following response:
We're sorry, but we couldn't find any jobs that match your criteria.
For better results, try broadening your search.
I really think I would be selling myself short if I took their advice and "broadened" my search.
Alas, with no prospects, I must return to work on Monday. I know it's unbecoming of a goddess extraordinaire, but I feel I must pout now.
Vacation is almost over. *Sigh*.
I went to the pool with the kids yesterday and it was great because there were only a handful of residents poolside. Interestingly, earlier in the day I read an article about swimwear no-no's and I witnessed the most startling violation of all.
A woman at the pool, who was incredibly corpulent, was wearing a string bikini about 4 sizes too small. I've never seen anything quite like it. And don't ever wish to again, thank you very much.
The kids had a sleep over friend last night, and we had a jam session out on the patio (we have 4 guitars, a keyboard and drumsticks, so we were able to man a pretty good 4 man band). We were supposed to go to Emerald Point today, but the kids are saying they want to go to the movies instead to see either Dinosaurs Alive at the IMAX theater, or the latest installment of Indiana Jones. It's probably going to be an afternoon of Wii, if I can find one today....And, of course, more swimming.
My mother emailed this to me this morning. It gave me a good laugh:
THE
NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and either take music
or dance
classes.
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids;
keep his assigned house clean,
correct all homework,
and complete science projects,
cook, do laundry,
and pay a list of 'pretend' bills
with not enough money.
In addition, each man
will have to budget in money
for groceries each week.
Each man
must remember the birthdays
of all their friends and relatives,
and send
cards out on time--no emailing.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor's
appointment, a dentist appointment
and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient
visit per child to the Urgent Care.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes
for a social function.
Each man will be responsible for
decorating his own assigned house,
planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable
at all times.
The men will only have access to television
when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs,
wear makeup daily,
adorn himself with jewelry,
wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,
keep fingernails polished and eyebrows
groomed.
During one
of the six weeks,
the men will have to endure severe
abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings
but never once complain or
slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings,
church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or
a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids
each night
and in the morning, feed them, dress them,
brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be
required to know all of the following information:
each child's birthday,
height, weight,
shoe size, clothes size
and doctor's name.
Also the child's weight at birth,
length, time of birth,
and length of labor,
each child's favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear and
what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island
based on performance.
The last man wins only if...
he still has enough energy
to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win,
he can play the game over and over
and over again for the next 18-25 years
eventually earning the right
To be called Mother!
After you get done laughing,
send this to as many females as you
think will get a kick out of it and
as many men as you think can
handle it.
Just don't send it back to me.... I'm going to bed.
This video is so touching. The background is two British friends saw a lion cub for sale, cramped in a cage, and felt sorry for it. They bought it, but as it got too big for their flat, they worked with some people to reintroduce it into Africa. A year later, they went looking for the lion to visit it, but they were told it was now the head of a pride, completely wild, and wouldn't remember them. The video shows footage of when they had the lion in their care, and then what happened when they found him in the wild a year later.
We had a great time at Riverbanks Zoo yesterday. Going on a weekday is definitely the way to go. We got stuck in a thunderstorm, but believe it or not, it made it even more fun. The thing that was so great about this zoo is that you get much closer to the animals than at other zoos.
WOW! I can hardly believe Tristan is 11 years old already. Where has the time gone?
Today we're going to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. It's 90 miles, which isn't too bad at all. I forgot my laptop at work on Friday, so I have to head up there to pick it up, and then we're hitting the road.
I'm thinking about taking the kids to Emerald Point for the day on Friday.
Last night I experienced an evening of awesomeness.... I went to see The Dark Knight. It's too dark for the kids, so I went solo. This movie was fantastic! It was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
It was INTENSE. It had a great script. And I think it was *the* best Batman movie of all time. It was a 9.7/10 with almost 24,000 votes on imdb.com right now. That's virtually unheard of. In fact, it has over taken the top spot on the best 250 movies of all time list. WOW.
It took me awhile to get to writing about our mini-vacation last week to Atlantic Beach. We had a really nice time. We stayed at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Ocean Front Hotel for two nights, and then stayed at a time share in New Bern on Lake Neuse for two nights. It was nice and relaxing. We went fishing one evening and caught several sharks. I can't believe how strong and muscular they are even when they're small. We also saw a couple of weddings on the beach, went out to eat, and visited the NC Aquarium, which was quite nice.
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