Happy 5th

Kenny and I celebrated our 5th yr wedding anniversary 2 weeks ago. Our celebration was pretty low key. We just had a really nice dinner at a restaurant called "The Entourage". A few nights later, we hosted a Halloween Party for our friends. Most of our guests came in costumes and everyone had a blast taking pictures. I can't wait to do it all over again next year.

Pushing for "Pushing Daisies"

I have added a lot of new TV shows in our DVR but only a handful stood out for me. "Pushing Daisies " is one of those that I will very religiously keep watching. It's a gem of a fairytale and is such a joy to watch. In a landscape of redundant forensic labs and bloody cop shows, a little fairy tale is welcome indeed. Although it may have its flaws, it is sweet, very creative and quirky. Everybody likes quirky, right? ;-)

For some reason, the show reminded me of the movie, "The Big Fish".The characters are interestingly lush and well-developed. The actors are pretty good and convincing in their roles. I've recently heard that the show was picked up for the entire season so imagine my relief. It seems to me that a lot of fall shows which started out strong ended up being cancelled due to low ratings and poor viewership. I can't wait for the next episode. If you didn't get to catch the premiere episode, check out their website to find out what the show is all about. Give it a chance. You will surely get addicted to it too, guaranteed.

Remembering Luciano

Just some excerpts from the Yahoo news:

Luciano Pavarotti, opera's biggest superstar of the late 20th century, died Thursday. He was 71. He was the son of a singing baker and became the king of the high C's.
Pavarotti, who had been diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment last month, died at his home in his native Modena at 5 a.m., his manager told The Associated Press in an e-mailed statement.

Pavarotti's charismatic persona and ebullient showmanship — but most of all his creamy and powerful voice — made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since the great Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar.
"Luciano's voice was so extraordinarily beautiful and his delivery so natural and direct that his singing spoke right to the hearts of listeners whether they knew anything about opera or not," Metropolitan Opera music director James Levine said in a statement.
Fellow singer Jose Carreras called Pavarotti "one of the greatest tenors ever, one of the most important singers in the history of opera."
For serious fans, the unforced beauty and thrilling urgency of Pavarotti's voice made him the ideal interpreter of the Italian lyric repertory, especially in the 1960s and '70s when he first achieved stardom. For millions more, his thrilling performances of standards like "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot" came to represent what opera is all about.
"Nessun Dorma" turned out to be Pavarotti's last aria, sung at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Turin in February 2006.

Click on the above video to watch and listen to the great maestro performing "Nessun Dorma", my favorite aria. May he rest in peace.

Sleepers

What amuses me sometimes about my dogs (Lara hanging from the sofa, Sidney curled up in a ball) is their tendency to exhibit some really wacky and weird sleeping positions. I must have taken countless photos of them sleeping. Then, I got a bit curious about my own sleeping habits. My husband once told me that I move a lot in my sleep. I reckon I probably don't have a specific or favorite sleep position but here's an article about the most common ones. Let's see what yours is (or are) and what they say about you ;-)

What your sleeping position says about you ...

Foetus
Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. This is the most common sleeping position. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position.
Log
Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.
Yearner
People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.
Soldier
Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don't like a fuss, but set themselves and others high standards.
Freefall
Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. Often gregarious and brash people, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don't like criticism, or extreme situations.
Starfish
Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the centre of attention.

There are also effects of various sleeping positions on health. The freefall position is good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions are more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night's sleep. Lying down flat means that stomach contents can more readily be worked back up into the mouth, while those who lie on their back may end up snoring and breathing less well during the night. Both these postures may not necessarily awaken the sleeper but could cause a less refreshing night's sleep.

300 and More

"The world will know that freemen stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and that before this battle is done, that even a god king can bleed." This is my favorite line from this film. Although this movie came out in the theaters last March, it wasn't until 3 weeks ago that I finally saw it when the DVD was released. Boy, did I regret not seeing it on wide screen! Anyway, I was truly amazed at how great it was. Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" concerns the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world's first democracy. Whether you're familiar with the historical background or not, you can't help but be drawn into the story of these men's bravery. The characters were well acted and even if I didn't know much about Gerard Butler's body of work before, I think he's one of my favorite actors now. I can't wait to see his next movie. I give this movie two thumbs up!!!

Mandy's Umbrella

Just like what Mandy Moore stated at the beginning of this video, I'm not so much into the Top 4o music as well. I prefer to listen to music or songs that I happen to come across and like and not because they're being played over and over on the radio. But, I have to say that I like Mandy's cover of the popular hit song of Rihanna, Umbrella. In fact, I think I like it better than the original. Let me know what you think.

Bourne Again

We saw this movie recently and I must say it's even better than the first two Bourne movies (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy). The action is nonstop but not so over-the-top that the characters become "superheroes" or endowed with some superhuman abilities. The story kept to the plot and not muddled with so many subplots or surprise twists like how some movies are inclined to be. I have read the books a long time ago and I was truly thrilled when I found out a movie was coming out based on the Bourne character. I have to admit though that I wasn't so much in favor (at first) of Matt Damon playing the role of Jason Bourne just because I thought it should be played by an actor who's a bit older (like Daniel Craig or Clive Owen) but now that Matt Damon has gotten older and have some maturity in his face, his character is becoming more believable for me. He did a great job and deserved to be considered as one of Hollywood's best. Anyway, the movie is worth seeing and highly recommended.

Travel Advisory

A lot of readers of my travel blogs expressed interest in exploring Europe someday and although I am in no way a travel expert like Rick Steves and I've only been to a few places, I'm feeling rather inclined to share a few nuggets of wisdom to make their own journey easier and smoother. The best way to ensure a carefree and relaxing trip is to prevent problems before they happen. The more you learn about travel basics, the less likely you are to have difficulties.
Compared to those who have backpacked throughout Europe, our trips were on a slower pace and of shorter duration. Despite that, we still found ourselves wishing we did some things differently. Prior to our first trip last year, we read up on websites such as Lonely Planet that gave a lot of valuable information but we found the journey the best learning experience in itself.
Planning for a trip can be quite daunting and overwhelming but exciting as well. Just looking forward to seeing those new and foreign places will be incentive enough in getting the task done. Of course, your itinerary will be determined on the places you are planning on visiting. I would suggest looking up maps to determine their geographic locations and relative distances and to figure out transportation needs and transfers. You can also then plan on the length of time to spend on each places and the accommodations needed. Create your own time line or calendar so you can keep track of all the important information including flight info, fares, hotel addresses/tel #s, train departures and arrivals, train stations and fares, tour schedules and fees, daily itinerary, etc. Adhering to a certain schedule might not be your kind of spontaneous fun but it certainly keeps you on track so you'll be able to visit all or most of the places you want to see.
Choosing hotel accommodations can be a painstaking task. It certainly is an issue especially since the standards and rates might not be comparable with most US hotels. Unless you have someone's recommendation, it will be to your advantage to research and read up on reviews from other travelers. For us, we opted to choose from a fairly known chain of hotels, Accor Hotels, since we had an okay experience with them last year. They might still not be according to your standards but were generally commendable enough. Choose hotels that are within the vicinity of the sightseeing destinations and with easy access to public transportation. It's cost effective and adventurous as well.
Once you have all the travel details taken cared of, it's time to start packing. Yey! This also needs a lot of preparation. I would recommend making a list. Check the TSA website for the updates on restrictions. For a hassle-free and speedy security screening, follow the 3-1-1 For Carry-ons and the list for Permitted and Prohibited Items. I would also further suggest to wear slip-on shoes and to avoid wearing a belt with metal buckle or any clothing with metallic accessory to avoid any delay in going through those detectors. If carrying electronic devices, find out which ones need to be checked in and which ones need to be taken out of the carry-ons separately. That includes the laptop computer if bringing one.
When researching for last year's trip, the common tip we got was to travel lightly. Well, we really thought that we got it made since our luggage was about half the size of what we usually bring when visiting the Philippines. Na-ah! We still found ourselves having difficulties when we had to go through turnstiles and revolving doors and whenever we have to quickly get on and off the trains and buses. Some train stations don't have escalators or elevators so we had to haul our luggage up and down the flights of stairs. Poor Kenny had it really tough last year ;-( Despite having two wheels on my luggage, it became so heavy eventually and it felt like my arms were falling off from carrying it around. For this last trip, we invested on a couple of Samsonite 22" Spinner luggage. They were equipped with four wheels that can swivel in any direction for greater maneuverability. Instead of the usual two wheels, spinners have four on the bottom that can turn 360 degrees. Just like regular rolling suitcases, they can be tipped backwards and pulled but they can also be kept upright and rolled in any direction, making them particularly useful in tight spots. Pushing the bag sideways, for one, can come in handy in a narrow airplane aisle. Truly a great buy!
Since our luggage were just a size over the regular carry-ons, it forced us to not over-pack. It took a few trials of packing and unpacking to finally decide on what were essentials or not. Heeding the advice of travel experts, we brought travel size toiletries and made sure our clothes were easily mixed and matched as well as weather-appropriate (Note: regularly check the weather forecast of the places you're visiting). Although we originally planned on getting some of our clothes washed by the hotel laundry service, their steep prices (about $12 for a pair of jeans?) were so discouraging so we ended up washing them ourselves in the bathroom sink. Therefore, make sure your clothing pieces are easily washable and quick to dry. I would suggest washing dirty clothes upon arriving at the next location so you'll have enough drying time. Bring a small container for detergent and also use the hotel's liquid soap for washing. I'm proud to say that we never had to spend a single euro for laundry this time. Back to the basics (kuskos), ya'll ;-)
One other tip that I can't stress enough is picking the most comfortable and durable footwear possible. Traveling around Europe means a LOT of walking and most often on cobblestone streets and paths. Your feet will thank you if you wisely choose practicality over style or fashion. If they are a new pair of shoes, break them in first before the trip or you'll have painful blisters to deal with. Not the best way to enjoy your vacation at all.
Once you are all packed up, go through the checklist and make sure your travel documents are in order. Make two copies of your passport identification page to facilitate replacement if lost or stolen. Do the same with the debit and credit cards you're using. Leave one copy at home with a trusted relative/friend and carry the other with you in a separate and secure place. Also leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends at home so you can be easily contacted in case of an emergency.
One more thing that is important is to familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries you are visiting. While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. Knowing a few common phrases or words in their language can be helpful as well.
Hmmm... what else? I'm sure a lot of readers out there can add more to my list. Feel free to do so. It will be much appreciated, I'm sure. So, for those who are in the process of planning for their first or next trip, there's no need to stress yourself out. There's so much information out there. Don't forget to load up your Ipod with your favorite tunes, take as many photos or video footages and blog about your adventures if possible. It's always fun to read back on your entries and relive your journeys all over again. Happy trails, everyone!

Eurotrip 2007

Here's a link to the video that Kenny made from our trip to Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. Caution: It's a long one and a bit shaky on some spots but I hope you like it ;-) Thanks.

Click here to watch "Eurotrip-2007"

Parental Discretion Advised

Here's the link of the disturbing voice mail mesage that the embattled actor Alec Baldwin left for his daughter Ireland (with actress and ex-wife Kim Basinger) back in late April. I know this controversy had been played out in the media weeks ago but I just thought I'll make a post about it in this new blog and see if we can share opinions and "deep" thoughts regarding this (tabloid bait) matter. Of course, we're in no position to sit in judgment of the people involved and we don't really know all sides of their story but I'm just curious to know what you think.

Blake Fever

I know not all of you watch American Idol but I just have to share this video of Blake Lewis' performance last Tuesday. I think he did a pretty great and brave job in reinventing the Bon Jovi song "You Give Love a Bad Name" which showcased his singing and beatboxing skills. He made it through another week and I swear I'm really going to vote for him next time. Even if he doesn't win, I'm ready to buy his CD anyway. I know I'm beginning to sound like a star struck tween fan but what the heck ;-) Go Blake!

Lambs and Bulls

I recently posted an entry in my Friendster blog about the Virginia Tech massacre. In connection with that event, I'd like to share this article I found about school bullies. This is of particular interest to those of you who got kids or know people whose kids are being subjected to harassment in school or on the playground. I hope this will help guide you to deal with this issue so we don't have to hear anymore of another school shooting or killing sprees.
These are excerpts from:

The Book on Bullies
How to steer your child through the often cruel waters of adolescence. By Michele Santos

The profiles of school shooters Seung-Hui Cho at Virginia Tech, and Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold at Columbine High School, show a disturbing commonality: They were bullied by their classmates, sometimes for years. Virginia Tech gunman Cho was bullied in high school, former classmates say, because of his race and accent. Cho's family emigrated to the United States from South Korea. In class, other students laughed and said "Go back to China" when he spoke.

Although many children who are bullied don't act out against others, they are at higher risk for depression and suicidal thoughts than other children. If your own child has been victimized by a bully, know that you and your family are not alone. One in seven children gets bullied. We need to learn a lesson from this. All I hear is how are we going to stop it at the college level. But we need to rewind it and put our priorities in the mental health of children, and teach them to stop the cruelty before it escalates. The key to helping your child cope with a school bully is to believe him or her when they tell you about the bully. Take it seriously, and don't ignore your child; listen to the whole story.
After that:

Don't blame her. Explain that she's not alone—lots of kids get bullied for different reasons. Don't assume he did something to provoke the bully; don't say, "What did you do to aggravate the other child?"
Never tell your child to ignore the bullying; it's a serious problem and needs to be confronted. Often, ignoring the bullying can make it worse.
Find out when and where the incidents took place, how often they occur and how your child reacted.
Show empathy. Tell your child you're glad he was brave enough to tell you about it. Tell her you will think about the situation and take action.
Teach "bully-proofing" skills. Coach your child on assertive strategies. She can stand tall and, with a strong voice, say "Stop making fun of me" or "I want you to leave me alone."
Teach your child Borba's CALM approach—Cool down, Assert yourself, Look your bully in the eye, and Mean it.
Urge your child to stay with others. It's safer to be in a group, with the support of friends.
Tell your child to, if possible, avoid locations where the bully may be.
Don't promise to keep it a secret. You may need to report the bully.
Don't give your child all the responsibility for stopping the bully. You may need to take action by talking with a teacher or principal at your child's school. When you meet with school authorities, give plenty of facts about your child's experiences.
Talk regularly with your child and the school staff to see if the bullying has stopped. If it persists, contact school authorities again.
Help your child meet new friends outside of school.

For other tips, go to www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov .

Idology 101

For those who don't know, my husband and I are big American Idol fans although we didn't get to follow the show from the very beginning. It wasn't until Carrie Underwood's season when we finally jumped into the bandwagon since we got our DVR to record it whenever we can't watch it live. The big draw for us were the early audition shows where they mostly featured the really bad singers or the "attention whores". They whet your appetite enough that by the time they finally chose the top 24, you're ready to see and listen to better performances. I have my favorite picks (Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle) but as much as I plan on voting, I never once did. Maybe I will finally get to that phone for this season. Goodluck on that ever happening ;-)

Anyway, Kenny and I watched the last 2 nights of the AI show which featured their charity benefit / telethon called Idol Gives Back. Most of the remaining contestants' performance were okay but Kenny and I agreed that Blake Lewis' version of "Imagine", aJohn Lennon classic, was pretty good and heartfelt. Eh, I don't know what Randy was talking about when he gave Blake a not so glowing feedback. What planet was he from? Or better yet, what was he smoking?

As to their hyped shocking result (no one got eliminated), it wasn't really much of a surprise at all, at least to me. Although the show can be cheesy at times, I didn't think the AI powers-that-be would be too tacky to send someone home after they've asked viewers to be generous. I might say that other viewers were probably upset. They watched the show expecting to see someone sent packing and they didn't. Their thirst for blood wasn't quenched, I suppose. Duh!

My favorite among the performances of the celebrities was the duet between Celine Dion and Elvis Presley. Kinda eerie. How did they do that? I also liked Josh Groban's singing of You Raise Me Up. Kenny might not be a fan of his type of music but he liked the performance enough to be curious what his other popular songs were. That voice sure could pierce a hardened soul. I think it was him who got me off the couch to get online and donate. A voice like that is a beautiful instrument indeed, especially if used in the fight against poverty.

So how about you guys. Any AI fans (open or closet) out there? Who's your pick/favorite and who do you think is going to win? Here are the top 6 so far.

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Sexy Sunglasses

I just came across this cool video from youtube.com and I think it's really well done. It's a mash-up video of Corey Hart's Sunglasses at Night and Justin Timberlake's Sexyback. Oddly enough, it works. I wish I know more about video editing so I can do something like it. Check it out! It sure got me to dance ;-)

Pass or Fail

A few days ago, I was pleasantly greeted by the news via text message from my mother that my younger sister Emily passed the CGFNS exam. You bet I breathed a deep sigh of relief. As much as I have faith in my sister, the past few attempts had not been as successful as we had hoped. I know she was feeling the pressure to make it this time since this particular test had been costing us a lot of time and of course, money. It's the one obstacle that she had to overcome to take a step further towards a better future for her and her family. Now that she finally overcame it, a few more will be easier, I hope.

I really do look forward on having her here in Chicago. I long for those days when I can call her up on our days off and we can hang out together as friends and sisters. We were getting to have a better relationship just before I left the Philippines for the US back in 1994. She has since got married and now have 3 kids to be proud of. On those few visits I made over the years, we try to rekindle that essence of sisterhood but our time is always short. Our time on the phone is even shorter. Anyway, I sure hope things are going to run more smoothly from here on.

Survey Me

Hello, my fellow blogger friends!!! I found this fun survey at somebody's blog site. Feel free to take it and copy and post. It'll be an interesting way of learning more about each other. I'm looking forward to reading about your responses.

[Marital Status]	Married for more than 4 years now and going strong
[Shoe size]	6 - 6.5
[Parents still together]	My Papa passed away in 2002 but Mama is thriving
[Siblings]	Two other sisters and 1 brother
[Pets]	We have 2 Bichon Frises, Sidney and Lara
FAVORITES
[Color]	Black, but also favors pink and chocolate
[Number]	2
[Animal]	Dogs, definitely
[Drinks]	Stone sour amaretto, long island tea and the smoothies at Jamba Juice
	Good old-fashioned H2O, green tea
DO YOU
[Color your hair?]	Yes but have gone back to black
[Have tattoos?]	I wish... too scared of needles and getting AIDS
[Have Piercings?]	Ears pierced since childhood
[Cheat on tests/homework?]	I plead the 5th
[Drink/Smoke?]	Social drinker... does second-hand smoking count?
[Like roller coasters?]	Heck no! Unless you want to see a pukefest!
[Wish you could live somewhere else?]	Would like to live in a European countryside or somewhere in the Caribbean
[Want more piercings?]	I don't think so
[Like cleaning?]	Not if I can help it but I go on cleaning binges sometimes. Those are my Zen moments
[Write in cursive or print?]	Print mostly otherwise it's not as legible
[Own a web cam?]	Yes but seldom use it
[Know how to drive?]	Yes... like a maniac
[Own a cell phone?]	Gotta have one
[Ever get off the damn computer?]	I'm glued to it
HAVE U EVER
[Been in a fist fight?]	Nope... but I kicked someone's back when I was in Grade 6
[Considered a life of crime?]	Nope... unless my cellmate is Angelina Jolie
[Lied to someone?]	I'd like to think of them as "white lies"... ahemmm
[Been in love?]	Still am
[Made out with JUST a friend?]	Can't really say I did. Gotta be more than friends to do something intimate like that.
[Been in lust?]	Of course... I am a warm-blooded mammal
[Used someone]	I might have but for a good reason or with good intentions
[Been used?]	I don't mind being useful
[Been cheated on?]	Sadly, yes... what an old, sad fart
[Kicked someone in the nuts?]	I wish... got no balls in the first place
[Stolen anything?]	I plead the 5th again... it's one of those gray areas
[Held a gun]	Yep... fired it too... no innocent humans and animals were harmed.
CURRENTS
[Current clothing]	Casual; jeans and tees, jackets, Uggs
[Current mood] &..39;>
[Current taste]	For seafood and sushi
[What you currently smell like]	Like my dogs' coconut shampoo
[Current hair]	Straight and streaked.
[Current thing I ought to be doing]	Sleeping
[Current cd in stereo]	My own chill-out mix of songs featured in my radioblog
[Last book you read]	That was so long time ago
[Last movie you saw]	Borat
[Last thing you ate]	Matcha Green Tea Blast from Jamba Juice
[Last person you talked to on the phone]	Kenny
[Do drugs?]	Never... except OTC ones like Aleve and Motrin
[Believe there is life on other planets?]	I've wondered about it
Remember your first love?]	Vaguely... I was 11 years old, I think
[Still love him/her?]	As if! I can't even remember why... he's probably a priest now.
[Read the newspaper?]	I sometimes read the news online. I prefer reading about Hollywood gossip (my guilty pleasure... sue me)
[Have any gay or lesbian friends?]	nope
[Believe in miracles?]	I think... gotta believe in something we can't see
[Do well in school?]	I did okay esp in English but was a total failure at Math.
[Wear hats]	I wear skullcaps sometimes... I don't like a helmet head though.
[Hate yourself?]	Sometimes in my moments of weakness and bitchiness and when gaining more pounds... grrrr
[Have an obsession?]	It comes in waves and in short periods.
[Collect anything?]	I used to collect thimbles from places I've visited
[Have a best friend?]	Kenny tolerates my nonsense so I guess he's my BFF.
[Close friends?]	Got a few select close friends, old and new
[Like your handwriting?]	I could do better
[Care about looks]	When it comes to weight issues, I sure do...
LOVE LIFE
[First crush]	A boy from my second grade class
[First kiss]	Ahemmm
[Do you believe in love at first sight?]	I guess so...
[Do you believe in "the one?"]	Totally
[Are you a tease?]	When the mood strikes me
[Too shy to make the first move?]	I had my moments
ARE U A
[Daydreamer]	Sure am... that's my main pre-occupation
[Bitch/Asshole]	Can be when PMS strikes
	Can be bitingly so
	When PMS-free
	In disguise
	When in unfamiliar territory
[Talkative]	Such a chatterbox I am

Life's 10 Simple Pleasures

I didn't have to rack my brains to come up with simple pleasures I indulge in. They are mostly things or experiences that easily seem to make me smile and purr with gratification. Obviously, being in good terms with my husband and having fun times together bring me the most pleasure but since I'm being challenged to be creative and original, here's my list. In no particular order:
1. Getting in bed with freshly laundered and still-warm-from-the-dryer sheets (preferably with higher than 450 thread count sateen sheets). It just makes me look forward to snuggling even more.
2. Breaking a sweat after a good workout or yoga session. Same result from a power walk down a trail at some forest preserve. Even better if Kenny joins me.
3. Bustin' some moves at my favorite dance club, Neo. It gives me such an endorphin rush once the beat gets to me. It don't matter whether I'm a good dancer or not. Wish I can go clubbing soon.
4. Discovering some really great tunes or coming across some obscure and interesting songs on the net. I am such a download fiend when inspired by music.
5. Reading juicy Hollywood gossips from tabloids or watching celebrity gossip shows on TV. Forget CNN or whatever, I gotta have my fix about Angelina Jolie's life or I'd feel left out.
6. Nothing original with this but I have to include partying with or hanging out with my friends. We seldom see each other nowadays that it's always a treat to get together with them whether there's a special occasion or not.
7. Finding clothes that fit me well and hide the figure flaws. Most specially, finding pants that don't need to get hemmed (can cost a fortune!).
8. Getting to work and home without being caught in the traffic or rush hour. Enough said.
9. Catching up on my favorite shows on DVR on my nights off, sipping green tea or chai tea.
10. Cuddling with Sidney and Lara when they are at their best behavior. They truly made a pet or dog owner out of me with those adoring puppy eyes of theirs. I still can't take the licking though.

I guess that's it. Your turn ;-)

The Simple Life

Ah, the simple life! Who doesn't long for it, especially these days when life seems to get busier and more complex by the hour? In a culture that is summed up and symbolized by the superhighway - both asphalt and information! - who doesn't yearn to find an exit to a simpler way of life? I share those yearnings too but very few of us live lives that can be described as simple. In fact, we mostly make one or two basic choices that keep our lives out of control and leave us chronically rushed and dissatisfied. Simplicity doesn't come automatically. Not anymore. If we want a simpler life, we have to learn to make simplifying choices - choices that involve words like no and not now. We have to learn the simple art of enough is enough.
Unfortunately, the actual practice of simplifying our life can feel threatening. Saying no goes against our basic human territorial urge to acquire, get more, conquer, stock up. It goes against the dominant voices of our highly materialistic society. One cultural message that works against simplicity is the myth of More is Better. It involves the basic assumption that, in order to be happy and satisfied, we constantly need to acquire more, take on more, become involved with more and more. We buy into the assumption that we must constantly build our material base, acquiring ever more valuable or up-to-date possessions. It is built on the drive to "trade up" everything from vehicles to houses to computers to jobs in order to lead a more worthwhile life.
The most obvious expression of "more is better" is the shopping culture. There is so much energy taken up with hunting for new stuff, purchasing new stuff, bringing new stuff home, finding a place for it, then storing or getting rid of the old stuff to make room for the new stuff. Shopping has become a primary form of entertainment. We shop as something to do, to ease our anxieties, to replace the stuff we've thrown away or just grown tired of, and we shop for bargains in order to feel virtuous.
The myth of "more is better" applies to our activities as well. We complain how busy we are but our complaints are colored with a tint of pride in that very busyness. We tend to assume that the people with the most activities in their lives are the most important, the most valuable, the ones who deserve to be rewarded. No wonder we complicate our lives with so many competing activities. We also think that the existence of something new mean we must have it in our lives. We "gotta have it" in order to be happy, successful, and fulfilled. Unfortunately, much of the time, we feel we "gotta have it" now, even if having it means going deeply into debt.
Like most people, I lament that my schedule is just too full for me to do things I want to do in life. I realize that it is a lie. My time is mine to spend and invest as I choose. My life is a precious gift presented to me at birth. I am solely responsible to myself and to my Creator for what I do with this marvelous gift. Regardless of our circumstances, the simplicity or complication of our lives comes from our own choices, not from what the outside world imposes upon us. We can choose simplicity - by choosing what we include or exclude from our lives.