"You wanted to know. Don't turn over rocks if you don't want to see the pale creatures who live under them."
White Oleander, Janet Fitch
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Books & A Challenge
A family member asked me for book suggestions and I thought it would be fun to post my reccomendations. Let me know what you have read below and enjoyed (or disliked) and what books you love.
Books That Are Awesome (in no particular order)
Love in the Time Of Cholera
Fear of Flying
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Road
Blindness
The Time Traveller's Wife
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Red Tent
Bel Canto
Middlesex
Life of Pi
Gone With The Wind
The Eyre Affair
A Farewell To Arms
Books You Likely Have Not Heard of But They Are Great
The Book of Lost Things
The Shadow of The Wind
Short Stories I Like
The Yellow Wallpaper (Gilman)
The Long Walk and The Mist (S. King)
Teddy, Franny, and a Perfect Day For Bannana Fish (J.D. Salinger)
a
Summer Challenge:
I challenge any of you (in Calgary) to read ALL of the following books that relate to women's issues this summer and then come together to discuss. If you are going to attempt this challenge please let me know so I can re-read them as well.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Fear of Flying
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
The Red Tent
Happy Reading
Books That Are Awesome (in no particular order)
Love in the Time Of Cholera
Fear of Flying
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Road
Blindness
The Time Traveller's Wife
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Red Tent
Bel Canto
Middlesex
Life of Pi
Gone With The Wind
The Eyre Affair
A Farewell To Arms
Books You Likely Have Not Heard of But They Are Great
The Book of Lost Things
The Shadow of The Wind
Short Stories I Like
The Yellow Wallpaper (Gilman)
The Long Walk and The Mist (S. King)
Teddy, Franny, and a Perfect Day For Bannana Fish (J.D. Salinger)
a
Summer Challenge:
I challenge any of you (in Calgary) to read ALL of the following books that relate to women's issues this summer and then come together to discuss. If you are going to attempt this challenge please let me know so I can re-read them as well.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Fear of Flying
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
The Red Tent
Happy Reading
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Finding Your Voice
When my 3rd daughter was around 1 year old she would chit-chat non-stop. The fact she knew no words meant nothing to her because she had a lot to say. I was jokingly complaining to my mother-in-law about the constant chatter when she said “She’s finding her voice”. I loved the way she said that! Finding your voice not only implies the sound your body can make but the capacity to let your thoughts and feelings be known, to express yourself fully.
Most adults reading this have found their physical voice. You can make noises verbalize thoughts but have you truly found your ‘voice’? In order to find your voice I think you first need to realize who you are and who you want to be. Let that marinate for a minute. If you are a Christian that also involves thinking of whom God created you to be.
Let me give you an example: one person may decide to attend every function they are invited to in order to show the person that invites them that they are valued. Another person may decide it is ok to say no to functions in order to have a balance of quiet nights also. Neither method is right or wrong, but the point here is the intentional thought process of making your decisions. Figuring out who you are involves looking at your priorities and making decisions accordingly rather than just making the decision that will make others around you happy or making decisions according to what is easiest at the moment.
Once you figure out your path ‘finding your voice’ begins to include vocalizing who you are. You will decide how you will treat others verbally, how you will communicate your decisions and how you will verbalize your thoughts.
Sure you might be talking today but have you found your voice? Are you speaking intentionally? Do you know why you make the decisions you do and do you have the courage to voice your true self?
Most adults reading this have found their physical voice. You can make noises verbalize thoughts but have you truly found your ‘voice’? In order to find your voice I think you first need to realize who you are and who you want to be. Let that marinate for a minute. If you are a Christian that also involves thinking of whom God created you to be.
Let me give you an example: one person may decide to attend every function they are invited to in order to show the person that invites them that they are valued. Another person may decide it is ok to say no to functions in order to have a balance of quiet nights also. Neither method is right or wrong, but the point here is the intentional thought process of making your decisions. Figuring out who you are involves looking at your priorities and making decisions accordingly rather than just making the decision that will make others around you happy or making decisions according to what is easiest at the moment.
Once you figure out your path ‘finding your voice’ begins to include vocalizing who you are. You will decide how you will treat others verbally, how you will communicate your decisions and how you will verbalize your thoughts.
Sure you might be talking today but have you found your voice? Are you speaking intentionally? Do you know why you make the decisions you do and do you have the courage to voice your true self?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
TV show of the Week
TV show of the Week
Battlestar Galactic (the re-imagined version)
Frack - It's good!
I don't think any other tv show has felt as much like a movie as this one
Special thanks to Patrick who loaned us his disks. We've been enjoying them for weeks.
http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newbat.htm
Battlestar Galactic (the re-imagined version)
Frack - It's good!
I don't think any other tv show has felt as much like a movie as this one
Special thanks to Patrick who loaned us his disks. We've been enjoying them for weeks.
http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newbat.htm
SEARS sucks
Last year Chris & I bought a new washing machine from Sears. Within less than a month the computer that runs it completely crashed and they gave us the option of taking a floor model to replace it. So we did. I've never loved the machine, it had a few minor hitches but I had run out of options and figured it would last me at least a few years.
Today, it fell apart - litterally. The giant rubber piece you see when you open the inside broke right off along with some metal rings. Also, my laundry twisted all around it and I'm not certain yet if any of it was ruined.
The machine is ONE MONTH AND 13 DAYS past it's warranty. We bought a SEARS appliance because we figured it would be a quality appliance and if we ever needed to have it fixed the service people would probably be great. Never again. The lady on the customer service line just told me it was "bad luck" that it broke because this never happens. Interesting eh? The part supposedly should have lasted 8 years and for us it lasted one year, one month and 13 days. I don't think I can trust Kenmore appliances any more.
This is just a rant and a note of warning. Avoid SEARS appliances or you might have "bad luck" also.
Today, it fell apart - litterally. The giant rubber piece you see when you open the inside broke right off along with some metal rings. Also, my laundry twisted all around it and I'm not certain yet if any of it was ruined.
The machine is ONE MONTH AND 13 DAYS past it's warranty. We bought a SEARS appliance because we figured it would be a quality appliance and if we ever needed to have it fixed the service people would probably be great. Never again. The lady on the customer service line just told me it was "bad luck" that it broke because this never happens. Interesting eh? The part supposedly should have lasted 8 years and for us it lasted one year, one month and 13 days. I don't think I can trust Kenmore appliances any more.
This is just a rant and a note of warning. Avoid SEARS appliances or you might have "bad luck" also.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Let's Talk Turkey . . .
Soup & Sandwich Contest – Sandwich Qualifications
Let’s talk turkey or steak or whatever meat you are planning to include. We should have some general consistency as to what we agree a sandwich is.
Wikipedia Definition
A sandwich is a food item made of two or more slices of leavened bread with one or more layers of filling: typically meat, or cheese with the addition of vegetables or salad. The bread can be used as is, or it can be coated with butter, oil, mustard or other condiments to enhance flavor and texture. In North American usage, sandwich may also refer to what is more commonly referred to in the rest of the world as a hamburger.
Missy’s Definition:
A sandwich includes
Bread – or a bread like item. For instance, it can be a bun, pita, etc. as long as it is starchy and can be held in your hands
Meat – Sorry but seafood and pork has been eliminated. Also, hamburgers are not included in my definition. You can however use grilled meats, pot-roasted meats etc.. You can even go as far as serving sloppy joes because I think they would fit in the category.
Cheese – I think cheese is going to be essential if you want to go for the win. If however you think the best sandwich does not have it well, that can be your choice.
Condiments – This is where you can have tons of fun. Go for it. This section is really up to you.
Let’s talk turkey or steak or whatever meat you are planning to include. We should have some general consistency as to what we agree a sandwich is.
Wikipedia Definition
A sandwich is a food item made of two or more slices of leavened bread with one or more layers of filling: typically meat, or cheese with the addition of vegetables or salad. The bread can be used as is, or it can be coated with butter, oil, mustard or other condiments to enhance flavor and texture. In North American usage, sandwich may also refer to what is more commonly referred to in the rest of the world as a hamburger.
Missy’s Definition:
A sandwich includes
Bread – or a bread like item. For instance, it can be a bun, pita, etc. as long as it is starchy and can be held in your hands
Meat – Sorry but seafood and pork has been eliminated. Also, hamburgers are not included in my definition. You can however use grilled meats, pot-roasted meats etc.. You can even go as far as serving sloppy joes because I think they would fit in the category.
Cheese – I think cheese is going to be essential if you want to go for the win. If however you think the best sandwich does not have it well, that can be your choice.
Condiments – This is where you can have tons of fun. Go for it. This section is really up to you.
Preperation:
- You must make your own sandwich. No fair going to Earl’s for take out.
- You must make enough for the judges to sufficiently try the sandwich and for all the spouses of contestants and judges to have a taste.
- You can prepare things ahead of time. For instance if you want to make it a chicken salad sandwich it would be silly to make it all at my house but your spouse must verify that you in fact personally made it (with no help from your spouse).
- Soups are completely free-style except of course for the meat restrictions.
You better start practicing! See you at the contest!
Also, let me know if you have any food allergies we must be sensitive to.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Under The Sun
"Everything Is Meaningless Under The Sun"
I (along with everyone reading Alex’s site) was challenged with the idea of a new human and how they would discover their purpose on earth. To see my original answer on his site please check out this link.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5535536712276271103&postID=1801650307102979362
While typing my original response I was struck by a similarity to Ecclesiastes in the bible. Ecclesiastes is my number one all time favorite book of the bible. I encourage all of you to read it today (it is after all not very long). If you don’t want to bother please at least read the intro in you NIV student bible. I really can’t answer Alex’s challenge better than Ecclesiastes does or trust me, I’d try.
It probably feels like I'm giving all of you homework but it's like reading poetry.
I (along with everyone reading Alex’s site) was challenged with the idea of a new human and how they would discover their purpose on earth. To see my original answer on his site please check out this link.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5535536712276271103&postID=1801650307102979362
While typing my original response I was struck by a similarity to Ecclesiastes in the bible. Ecclesiastes is my number one all time favorite book of the bible. I encourage all of you to read it today (it is after all not very long). If you don’t want to bother please at least read the intro in you NIV student bible. I really can’t answer Alex’s challenge better than Ecclesiastes does or trust me, I’d try.
It probably feels like I'm giving all of you homework but it's like reading poetry.
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