Well Melissa it worked. Here I am updating my blog--poor thing it's like a very bad dating relationship. On one month, off two...on another two months, off for three. Anyways, thanks to Melissa my blog and I are back in contact.
So…here are the rules:
- Link back to the person who tagged you. Melissa
- Post these rules on your blog.
- Share six unimportant things about yourself
- Tag six random people at the end of your entry. (Or 4 if you're not popular! ;) )
Six unimportant things:
1. I've become a maniac on Outlook, especially when it comes to scheduling appointments. I love scheduling appointments--mostly with my friends who also use Outlook at work. It's like a special connection we have in our calendars, a small silver thread that holds us together in the vast nebulous that is the internet. Maybe my mild obsession stems from the fact that it's my window outside my cube. The portal that shows me I do have a world waiting for me to explore once the clock strikes 5 and I escape my gray cube prison with its constant computer humming and fluorescent lighting.
2. In the past eight months public radio and podcasts entered my sphere. I adore listening to them! This American Life = genius. Most of the time this show has such engaging stories that for an hour on Mondays I'm completely enthralled. One story told the tale of a family who moved into a neighborhood only to find out that their neighbor was crazy and hated them. So for years they endured him sitting outside his house yelling at them as they walked to their cars, burning profanity into their grass, shining his car brights into their windows, and taunting their children as they rode their bicycles outside. Any normal person would've moved, fought back, or at the very least hated him too! But this family pitied him. One day they found his trash in their yard and saw his credit card and bank statements...basically ammo to completely wreck his credit and possibly steal his identity. But what did they do? Boxed it up and kept it in their house. They also found letters from his children to his wife saying they want her to leave him, that he's an awful man...etc. The family grieved over his home life and chose to see the soul inside the man. His deep pain and not his outward manifestations of it. It made me stop and think about how I see people. Do I see their innermost being or the mask they wear, the protective armor that hides their pain.
3. I've become a fan of the audio Bible. I've listened to Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians on my way to work. Surprisingly it brings the human aspect of the Bible to light. Hearing someone read it out loud reminds me that these were letters written by normal people. The sound effects in the background only help bring you into the time period in which they were written. This morning I bought the gospel of John on iTunes and was delighted when they actually voiced all the parts with different actors.
4. Usually I'm not a big magazine person but this one Real Simple is simply awesome! Organizing suggestions, quick recipes, gift ideas, fast cleaning tips, money savers--totally a "Holly Homemaker" type of magazine--and since that is my goal: to be the best wife/mom I can be, I believe I'm going to enjoy my new subscription (once it arrives in July). :)
5. Walking -- it's my form of exercise and I'm proud of it. Finally after many days of feeling overwhelmed by the idea of exercise, months of trying jazzercise, weights, videos, made-up routines, attempts at accountability...I've discovered what I ENJOY doing and that is walking. For the month of May my company promoted, "Step up, step out, get moving!" and encouraged a competition to see which campus could log the most time walked. They gave one point for walking 30 minutes/day, 2 points for walking 60 mins/day, and .5 points for dragging someone along with you during that hour! Let's just say Dan graciously walked quite a bit with me this month! Two days left and I'm proud of myself. 20 whole days of exercise for the month, that's better than ANY OTHER FORM I'VE TRIED! Woohoo! Exercise you no longer intimidate me!
6. New York & Company is my new favorite store for work clothing. Kohl's and Target, don't worry you're right up there, but NY & Co has such cute things! However, it is one of those places that I'll wait until things are on sale, I still have issues paying so much for a piece of clothing that costs so little to make...
People to tag:
1. Katie S.
2. Faith K.
3. Jensey R.
4. Boundless --> a group of people
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Praying for you during this tragic time
It's tragic when a child passes away, but even more when it's a horrible accident. Maria was playing in the driveway when one of the Chapmans' sons drove up in an SUV. He didn't see her and accidentally hit her. She was rushed to the hospital and later died from injuries. The Chapmans had just celebrated Maria's 5th birthday eleven days ago, their eldest daughter's engagement and the graduation of their son from high school...and now they have to bury their daughter. Please keep the Chapmans and especially their son in your prayers.
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
And sometimes, for reasons beyond our understanding, she's gone before the clock strikes midnight.
Last night, as many of you already know, CCM artist Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Maria Sue, left us. Unexpectedly, the Prince tapped her papa on the shoulder and gently whispered, "May I have this dance?"
I can imagine the joy in Maria's eyes when she at last met her new Partner, when Jesus took her in His arms and spun her around the Ballroom, and as He shows her around the Castle, her new home.
May Maria's new dancing partner, the Prince of Peace, bring peace to the broken hearts of those who miss dear little Maria. And may we cherish our dances with the ones we love, while they're still with us.
Friday, May 16, 2008
My heart breaks for the Burmese...
Foreign envoys to see Burma delta
Foreign diplomats in Burma have said the military government has promised to take them on a tour of the disaster-hit areas of the Irrawaddy delta.
But the international community remains frustrated at the slow progress of aid to the region hit by Cyclone Nargis.
A BBC reporter visiting the area said there was little sign of official help, and foreign aid workers were banned.
A UN spokeswoman said Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had still not been able to speak to Burma's military rulers.
Michelle Montas told the BBC that the phone had been ringing but no one was picking up.
Official death figures from Burma - also known as Myanmar - have risen to more than 43,000, with nearly 28,000 missing, but the Red Cross and UN both say the toll could top 100,000.
Watch this video, it's so sad. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7402944.stm
No aid in delta
Shari Villarosa, the charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Burma, told the Associated Press that a group of diplomats would be taken to the delta region on Saturday.
"I have always despised this government, now I really hate them," Irrawaddy Delta resident.
It is not clear how much access the diplomats will have to areas outside the official tour route.
While envoys are ramping up pressure on Burma, the country's prime minister has said the emergency relief phase has already finished, and rebuilding is now beginning.
But the BBC's Natalia Antelava reports that the muddy banks of the Irrawaddy Delta are lined with white, swollen bodies and the air reeks of rotting flesh.
Nearly two weeks after the cyclone struck, survivors who have lost loved ones have no fresh water and just enough rice to get by, our correspondent says.
While the military government has put impressive effort into clean-up operations in the former capital, Rangoon, she reports, there was no sign of an aid operation as she travelled into the delta by boat.
Burma's authorities have welcomed aid donations from all over the world, but only a few foreign experts have been allowed into the country to help organise the relief effort.
'Time to save lives'
The EU's top aid official, Louis Michel, said he had not yet gained permission to travel to the worst affected area, the Irrawaddy Delta. He is due to leave Burma on Friday.
"I requested to go into the delta but was not allowed to enter yesterday. I am still hoping to go today," he told AFP news agency.
He said he had been taken to "a rather perfect, organised camp" near Rangoon.
Many relief workers are awaiting visas and most of those who have been allowed into the country remain confined to Rangoon.
Mr Michel said he had only been told his requests for more visas would be considered.
'Rebuilding stage'
Burma's military leadership has signalled it is not prepared to change its policy on the relief effort.
"We have already finished our first phase of emergency relief. We are going onto the second phase, the rebuilding stage," Prime Minister Thein Sein was quoted as saying by Burmese state television.
Top British diplomat Mark Malloch Brown lambasted Burmese authorities for not facilitating the flow of aid.
"We are way behind the curve compared to any other international disaster in recent memory," he said. "I cannot recall a relief operation where, at least the international response has been subjected to such delays."
Donors meeting
Large quantities of international aid are being delivered to the region and awaiting permission for delivery to areas hardest-hit by the cyclone.
A French plane loaded with 40 tonnes of rations was allowed to land in Rangoon on Wednesday and a naval ship laden with aid was headed to the country in the hope it would be allowed to dock there.
The Association of South East Asian Nations is due to hold a high-level meeting in the coming days that is expected to lay the framework for a broader aid donors conference.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross is due to launch an appeal for more aid two weeks after the storm hit.
Burma's military leadership has warned that those who hoard or sell aid on the black market will be prosecuted, amid international reports of misuse of some aid shipments.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7403997.stm
Published: 2008/05/16 13:50:49 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Foreign diplomats in Burma have said the military government has promised to take them on a tour of the disaster-hit areas of the Irrawaddy delta.
But the international community remains frustrated at the slow progress of aid to the region hit by Cyclone Nargis.
A BBC reporter visiting the area said there was little sign of official help, and foreign aid workers were banned.
A UN spokeswoman said Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had still not been able to speak to Burma's military rulers.
Michelle Montas told the BBC that the phone had been ringing but no one was picking up.
Official death figures from Burma - also known as Myanmar - have risen to more than 43,000, with nearly 28,000 missing, but the Red Cross and UN both say the toll could top 100,000.
Watch this video, it's so sad. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7402944.stm
No aid in delta
Shari Villarosa, the charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Burma, told the Associated Press that a group of diplomats would be taken to the delta region on Saturday.
"I have always despised this government, now I really hate them," Irrawaddy Delta resident.
It is not clear how much access the diplomats will have to areas outside the official tour route.
While envoys are ramping up pressure on Burma, the country's prime minister has said the emergency relief phase has already finished, and rebuilding is now beginning.
But the BBC's Natalia Antelava reports that the muddy banks of the Irrawaddy Delta are lined with white, swollen bodies and the air reeks of rotting flesh.
Nearly two weeks after the cyclone struck, survivors who have lost loved ones have no fresh water and just enough rice to get by, our correspondent says.
While the military government has put impressive effort into clean-up operations in the former capital, Rangoon, she reports, there was no sign of an aid operation as she travelled into the delta by boat.
Burma's authorities have welcomed aid donations from all over the world, but only a few foreign experts have been allowed into the country to help organise the relief effort.
'Time to save lives'
The EU's top aid official, Louis Michel, said he had not yet gained permission to travel to the worst affected area, the Irrawaddy Delta. He is due to leave Burma on Friday.
"I requested to go into the delta but was not allowed to enter yesterday. I am still hoping to go today," he told AFP news agency.
He said he had been taken to "a rather perfect, organised camp" near Rangoon.
Many relief workers are awaiting visas and most of those who have been allowed into the country remain confined to Rangoon.
Mr Michel said he had only been told his requests for more visas would be considered.
'Rebuilding stage'
Burma's military leadership has signalled it is not prepared to change its policy on the relief effort.
"We have already finished our first phase of emergency relief. We are going onto the second phase, the rebuilding stage," Prime Minister Thein Sein was quoted as saying by Burmese state television.
Top British diplomat Mark Malloch Brown lambasted Burmese authorities for not facilitating the flow of aid.
"We are way behind the curve compared to any other international disaster in recent memory," he said. "I cannot recall a relief operation where, at least the international response has been subjected to such delays."
Donors meeting
Large quantities of international aid are being delivered to the region and awaiting permission for delivery to areas hardest-hit by the cyclone.
A French plane loaded with 40 tonnes of rations was allowed to land in Rangoon on Wednesday and a naval ship laden with aid was headed to the country in the hope it would be allowed to dock there.
The Association of South East Asian Nations is due to hold a high-level meeting in the coming days that is expected to lay the framework for a broader aid donors conference.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross is due to launch an appeal for more aid two weeks after the storm hit.
Burma's military leadership has warned that those who hoard or sell aid on the black market will be prosecuted, amid international reports of misuse of some aid shipments.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7403997.stm
Published: 2008/05/16 13:50:49 GMT
© BBC MMVIII