Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2009


I used to be one of those people that made a long list of resolutions to prepare for the new year. I would stick by them all, diligently, for a month, at the most, and then beat myself up for the rest of the year for not following through with any of them.

Something changed for me this year! I realized that everyday, in fact, every moment is a chance for a fresh start. I seem to get more accomplished, learn more about me, and am overall quite happier when I allow myself to start fresh everyday, not just every year.

Don't get me wrong I'm very excited about the new year, just like I am about everyday! I can't wait to see what opportunities are going to unfold!

I would like to wish all of you a very happy, healthy, and wonderful 2009!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Musical Monday

On shuffle today:

KISS--Calling Dr. Love




Whatcha been listening to? :)

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you, and yours, peace, love and happiness. :)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Yay Me--I am a Non-Smoker!


I'm giving myself major kudos! Today, it's been five years since I've smoked a cigarette.!

I had a health professor who said that after five years of quitting (smoking, drinking, drugs...etc) people were less likely to return to the addictive behavior. So, in my mind, this anniversary is sort of a milestone.

Honestly, at the time, I didn't think I was ready to quit, nor did I really want to. But I was super sick; sick enough that I wasn't even wanting to smoke, so I decided to give it a try.

I quit cold turkey.

The first year was the worst. I literally felt like I had lost my best friend. (It's weird how addiction works.) I kept a few smokes in my car, for about that long...just in case. I was very depressed, but I never gave in.

I guess, after that, I considered myself a non-smoker.

The next few years were hard, but not as bad as the first one. I was in college, then, and with the stress of exams, papers, and such, smoking was still very tempting. However, the cravings, and bouts with anxiety were becoming less frequent. Sometimes, and this is still the case, the smell of cigarette smoke was nauseating, and other times it was wonderfully seductive; like embracing a long lost friend. Still, I never gave in.

Now, it's much easier, and the cravings are almost nonexistent. There are times, though, where I desperately miss smoking. Periodically, I wish that I was one of those people that could just have a cigarette once in a while; maybe while drinking. But I'm not. I know that once in a while would quickly turn into a pack a day, so I restrict myself from even one puff. And on most days, I'm ok with that.

The health benefits, from quitting, have been amazing. I can breathe so much better now. Also, my chronic cough has disappeared entirely.

Today, I'm quite proud of myself for never giving in! Five years, and counting....


pic

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

An Award and Updates to My Blog Roll

Yay...Psych Babbler has given me the Butterfly Award! I love this one! :) Check her out..she always has something interesting going on. She is also one of the newest additions to my blog roll.

All new additions are listed below.

Over Cups of Coffee

Sandwich Flats

I'm Going Slightly Mad!

Awake & Dreaming

The Mind of Spaz

Monday, December 22, 2008

Musical Monday...Christmas Addition

Here are a few tunes from my rocking Christmas collection. Enjoy, and let me know what you've been listening to. Do you have any cool Holiday music you can recommend?

Guns N' Roses
-- White Christmas


Skid Row
--Jingle Bells


Warrant--Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Winter Solstice

Today marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. I wasn't sure exactly what that meant, so I found a little information, here.

Longest Night of the Year

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, “sun” and -stitium, “a stoppage.” Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.

I especially like that after the winter solstice days begin to become longer and nights shorter.

Below is a poem that I thought fitting for the longest night of the year!

BLESSED BE THE NIGHT

Twilight is a time for sharing - and a time for remembering - sharing the fragrance of the cooling earth - the shadows of the gathering dusk -

Here our two worlds meet and pass - the frantic sounds of man grow dimmer as the light recedes - the unhurried rhythm of the other world swells in volume as the darkness deepens -

It is not strange that discord has no place in this great symphony of sound-
It is not strange that a sense of peace descend upon all living things -
It is not strange that memories burn more brightly - as the things of substance lose their line and form in the softness of the dark -

Twilight is a time for sharing - and a time for remembering - remembering the
things of beauty wasted by our careless hands - our frequent disregard of other
living things - the many songs unheard because we would not listen -

Listen tonight with all the wisdom of your spirit.
Listen too with all the compassion of your heart, lest there come another night when there is only silence.

A great and total silence.

(Winston Abbott)



Friday, December 19, 2008

Restless


That's how I feel today! My head is in the clouds...

How are you? Any plans for the weekend?








Pic

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Sarah's Smash Shack


How cool is this? I think VERY, and that's why I'm sharing it with you!

First, let me say that I LOVE to throw things! I'll admit it -- I'm an emotional thrower, and when I'm sad, angry, or frustrated, you will see things fly across the room. (Phones are my most common victims.) Also, aside from throwing, I like to kick...but that's an entirely different story.

So, let's get back to it -- Sarah's Smash Shack in San Diego is awesome! Admittedly, I've never been, but had I known about it when I lived in close proximity -- you would have seen me there quite often!

At Sarah's Smash Shack, not only can you throw stuff -- you can BREAK it. In fact, that's the point! You can break alone, or with a group of friends. They are prepared with many "break room" options.

Bring your own stuff, or choose something from their menu! Plates, glasses, vases...

They even have markers, so you can write on things before you break them!

Also, there are MP3 player hookups in each room. I imagine that the whole smashing things experience gets even better when you're listening to your own music!

Thought it couldn't get any better than that? Well so did I, until I read that you can take your broken pieces home, or, even better, donate them.

Sarah's Smash Shack will give your pieces to local artisans, art therapy programs, or other organizations for student projects.

Ok so, if you couldn't tell -- just the existence of this place makes me very happy!

I'm contemplating creating my own smash shack in my garage. :)



pic taken from here

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Note From The Universe

I love this:

For those who don't yet understand themselves, Jessica, it's impossible that they might understand you.

Impossible.

I understand you,
The Universe


Don't let their choices offend you, their words hurt you, or their actions upset you, Jessica. And as you come to understand them, try not to laugh once they get cranked back up.


You can get notes from the Universe too--sign up here.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Musical Monday




Barenaked Ladies--Falling for the First Time.

On shuffle this morning. For me, it's hard to pick a favorite Barenaked Ladies song, but this just may be it. :) Let me know what you've been listening to.

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Getting Light, Giving Light, and a Smile

First, I would like to thank Kimmy for giving me this beautiful award! I'm so honored. Please go visit her, as she does a wonderful job of inspiring people, and spreading her light to all!






Next, the Salvation Army. A wonderful organization that helps many who are in need. I try to give to them, when I can. If you would like to join me, just donate to my virtual kettle. It doesn't have to be much; every little bit helps.

They have many great ways to give. My friend, Fortune Cookies, wrote extensively about the Angel Tree Program. The program is an awesome way to help disadvantaged children celebrate the holidays.

Last, but not least, I posted at Smiley Tissues. It's sure to make you smile, so go visit!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Musical Monday

Iced Earth--God of Thunder off the album Tribute to the Gods





This is a cover of my favorite Kiss song, done extremely well! Listen, and tell me what you think. Also, tell me what you've been listening to! Either here, or on your own blog. If you do your own post, remember to come back and let me know.

Happy Monday! :)



----------------
Now playing: The Cardigans - Lovefool
via FoxyTunes

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A Free Bus Ride For Me

The nicest thing happened to me today! While I was waiting for my morning bus, a woman came up behind me, and handed me her prepaid bus pass. I was taken aback, at first, because I couldn't figure out why she was giving it to me. (I already had my money in hand, ready to pay the driver) The women explained that the pass had enough money for one more day, and she had already received her new one in the mail. She could have used it for the last day, but decided to give it to me instead. I gushed and told her how awesome she was.

With the economy so crappy these days, even an extra $6...helps out so much. Just another reminder that there are good people in this world.


*Update* I wrote most of this post earlier....then I started feeling gloomy/blue. (not about the post, of course) When I came back to it, reading it made me feel a bit better...just knowing that I was the recipient of a random act of kindness made me feel good. So I would like to say thank you, once again, to the anonymous woman who decided I should receive her bus pass, this morning.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Musical Monday

Guns N' Roses--Street of Dreams


Yes, I have been listening to other things this week, but, truthfully, not much. lol
Tell me what you think of this one from Chinese Democracy.

Also, I want to know what you've been listening to!

Happy Monday!