Today's News

I like collecting happy memories, thoughts of good people making a different in the world, one small act at a time. That being said, enjoy:

Giving Someone A Chance

http://www.viddler.com/embed/70d1d214/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=48017121&disablebranding=0

Soccer in Hawaii

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/son-fulfills-mom-s-dying-wish-201759507.html

And on another note, an interesting article about the effects of aspartame:

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2012/10/06/aspartame-damages-the-brain-at-any-dose/

Gratitude Weekly Thoughts: v4

Being able to laugh at myself :)

You know those mornings that you can't just help but laugh? Well, this morning at 5am I realized that I forgot to pack workout pants. My two options were pajama bottoms and jeans, neither of which were even on the spectrum of being ideal. Well, luckily my friend who I'm staying with had to get up freakishly early too and I was able to borrow an actual pair of workout pants from her. *thank goodness!* My workout went great, I got my butt kicked. I changed in the bathroom at the gym and when I got to work I realized that my tank top was inside out. Wow :) Just one of those mornings I guess, too tired to notice, good thing I realized early in the day.
*update: I also sprayed myself in the mouth with perfume, causing me to laugh/ gag and then I couldn't stop laughing :) 

I love that I actually LOL'd while watching Project Runway (yay for free online videos!!). Hearing Tim Gunn say "You built a loom!" was priceless. Anyone else still watching PR? I love this show and it's one of the few shows I can watch over and over. I'm not dead set on rooting for just a couple people yet, but I have my favorites. I was kind of sad this week though because this look wasn't the one I would have chosen to win.

I am glad that they have replaced Michael Kors. He was ok but I felt the last couple seasons he could never make it, and I like what Zac Posen has had to say (this season and when he's been a guest judge). What are your thoughts, world?

Fun pictures from this past week:

I love this girl:                                                                 I love flowers!

We do not have cable so Sunday night was a treat, we got to watch a large portion of the Grammy's! I love these quotes from the show:

"I want to thank my wife – who I don't normally associate with Iran." -Ben Affleck, giving a nervous shout-out to wife Jennifer Garner, while accepting his Best Picture award for Argo

"I had actually been committed to play Margaret Thatcher, and Meryl was Steven's first choice for Lincoln. And I'd like to see that version." – Lincoln Best Actor winner Daniel Day-Lewis, musing on switching movie roles with presenter Meryl Streep during his acceptance speech  

I have been looking for a long time, but I was finally able to get a reusable tea cup at Starbucks!! An advantage I didn't even think of is that there is so much less condensation because it is double-walled.

This cat cracks me up. The only problem is that when she sleeps so cute I want to hug her and end up waking her up :)

Last night, I got an amazing gift and I'm still in shock. My wonderful friend B gave me her old coach purse AND matching wallet! Holy bananas, can you say "Christmas in February!" I'm stoked and have already moved my stuff into it. I LOVE purses, especially Coach :)

Spelling In A Crowded Room

So, we all know that on Facebook (I think more so than Twitter) there is the ever present battle of wits regarding spelling. I admit I've blocked friends I've known for a long time so I do not have to read their illiterate posts. I'm forgiving when it comes to spelling errors but when someone writes like this:

...well..... it gets old, quick.

I know mistakes happen, and you can generally tell when someone is writing bad on purpose. But wow, sometimes it is impressive. I am a flute teacher and tutor (all subjects) and I there is a learning curve. It's sad to me that people just do not care and they may not realize how it can impede earning potential jobs.













I admit, I would like to do this to the posts and signs I see around town:











That being said, I received an email from a 'recruiter' type person. Within his email, I noticed that this person wrote "loosing finer skills" instead of "losing." Maybe, this person emailed me a unique email, however, I doubt it. When I replied I asked my questions and ended my email with "Also, not to be rude, but your email says 'loosing .......' but it should be losing." In his reply back to me, he answered some of my questions but also commented that first impressions are important. I don't want to put the entire email here but long story short, there was no reason to comment on first impressions, was this aimed at me? Was my reply rude? I tried to make sure it wasn't, and figuring that his message would be sent to other people in the future. I highly doubt that the description of his 'life story' would be retyped anew for each person he contacts...... Either way, I hope I did not offend him but it does say something to me about the first impression of him I received.

If A Pope Walks Into A Room

So... this whole thing about the Pope resigning is big news. I won't say what I think on the matter but I thought the math was interesting. How crazy is it that no one has resigned from the post voluntarily since 1294, that's a LONG ways back!

"The German, who in 2005 was the oldest man to be elected pope in almost 300 years, will now become the first pope to resign his position since Gregory XII in 1415 and the first to have done so voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-benedict-shock-resignation-taboo

Weekend Fun

I LOVE weekends, but really, who doesn't? One thing I really miss during the week is finding this girl, in her random spots around the house, sleeping.

Beautiful view from the SBCC track in the morning

Who wouldn't love looking for this bundle of fur?

I'm guessing if they named the nail color "brussel sprout green" it wouldn't sell as well LOL

I got Sicily a red pepper toy and she LOVES it!

Love Starbucks and these mugs :)

Treats from my flute students

Gratitude Weekly Thoughts: v3

Weekly Quote: A mature person is one who is does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all-knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity. ~Eleanor Roosevelt (from "It Seems to Me" 1954) 

Monday, 2/4: Helping a man who was hobbling receive his coffee and morning breakfast at Starbucks ** Smiling to my coworkers even though I'm exhausted from my commute and receiving smiles in return ** my tutoring student

Being over the age of 12 and still getting a kick out of this song/ scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vifVEg7NepI

Tuesday, 2/5: Found a quarter! ** productive practicing session

Wednesday, 2/6: long walk at lunch ** slightly warmer office


Thursday, 2/7: Crazy, entertaining dreams you remember ** another long walk at lunch ** kindness of Sbux baristas asking if I'm ok after seeing me limp (I'm fine) ** beautiful weather in SB ** being visited by a cute baby! ** rocking out in the car ride home

Friday, 2/8: Cuddling and playing fetch with Sicily ** treats from my students (two in one day, one is Girl Scout cookies!) ** students meeting their weekly goals ** being asked to teach music theory ** smooth sailing on the drive home 

Gratitude Weekly Thoughts: v2

Weekly Quote: "Gratitude is the memory of the heart." French Proverb


Weekend Happiness, 1/26-27: Having laundry in our condo ** strong nails ** queen sized bed with room for WALKING around it ** living close to a Costco ** not waking up to an alarm ** Will and Grace humor ** 

Monday, 1/28: Starting my day with Nirvana ** being able to LOL when medical paperwork gives me a paper cut ;) * welcoming back students ** my 9 year-old tutoring student telling me that I was his "best friend in the world"
Tuesday, 1/29: Starting the day with a workout ** good company ** Starbucks ** heat in my office for the first time since I began in March 2012 **
Wednesday, 1/30: Early-morning workout buddies ** beautiful views from my workplace
Thursday, 1/31: Having an allergist who really cares about your well-being and doesn't try to fix you with a bunch of drugs **  a painless flu shot ** found $5! ** weather warming up, yay 70 degrees!
Friday, 2/1: Not having to get up extremely early ** a great recording session with a good friend and musician **