Dear Friends,
It certainly takes a whole bunch of people to raise Lili!
Thanks to a wonderful, young student-teacher in our school, I finally have my blog! However, it's still empty!
According to these little sentences that pop up every so often on my screen, my "browser" was not supportive, (who is Browser?) So, I went to my son's place. Thanks to him and his computer, whose browser seems to be in good health, I managed to transfer 35 old postings into my "draft" box. I was up till 1 am! so I'm sure you can appreciate why I do not have a "fancy" gratitude posting lined up for you this morning! Just a good old fashioned THANK YOU (a huge one, though) to all of you for supporting, encouraging and helping me to get where I was last night! (I feel like an Academy Award winner! So many people to be grateful to!)
Way in November, one colleague planted the seed in my head, many of you cheered me on, then came along another colleague who suggested I publish the postings. You continued cheering me on! The final push came yesterday, from yet another colleague, right after the fire drill. Later, I went to ask a friend for help, and there she was - my angel, the student-teacher who offered to help me. It was a sign, I had to accept! She gave up her lunch hour, I became a blogger!
Stay tuned for new developments! After all, you brought me so far, I'm counting on you to take me farther!
Have a fully developed day everyone!
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Gratitude Day 68 - A Fitting Circle!
Dear Friends,
I have a convoluted sense of belonging. Although social and sociable, I seldom feel I fit in. My father’s diplomatic career uprooted us every two to four years. I grew up under the influence of so many different cultures and people, that eventually I turned into an "eclectic duckling” my own family has a hard time recognizing and accepting. The most astonishing part of my past is that I have never returned to where I used to live. That leaves me with very few ties. I only have one childhood friend and one boarding school friend. The rest of my friendships (a handful) were formed in the last 27 years in Canada, which is pretty good! And that brings me to my gratitude of the day. On the weekend, I went to a gathering. From being a decade older than the oldest person in the room, to holding a little baby whose initial reaction to me is always crying, (What can I say, I make boys cry!) it all felt “right.” I belonged! Maybe it didn't appear so to an outsider, but peu importe! I felt at home. Why? I really don't know. Maybe it was the warm hospitality of the hostess, or the presence of down-to-earth guests, or the right amount of closeness and distance. Or maybe, I secretly had something in common with each and every one of them. All I know and care about is that it was a perfect circle and I was grateful it fit me!
Have a custom made day everyone!
Gratitude Day 67
Dear Friends,
Finally, the "hard working" Horse came through for me, zodiacally speaking!
My gratitude undoubtedly goes, yet to another APA meeting that chains me to my classroom desk for three hours! This time I was not "invited;" I went on my own free will!
While we are on the subject of "Report Cards," I'm also very grateful for keyboard, spell check, cut and paste, copy and paste, etc. Electronic report cards to teachers are like "fancy" appliances to homemakers! What did we ever do without them? Looking forward to the day when evaluation can be transmitted straight from my subconscious to parents' iPods!
Have a productive day and a long weekend everyone!
Finally, the "hard working" Horse came through for me, zodiacally speaking!
Imagine, it took only three uninterrupted hours to complete my Report Cards and I have been pussyfooting around them for ever! Well, technically they are not finished, but psychologically they are, if I say so myself! I will give them tomorrow, and then I own the weekend!
Living to impress - not my fault! Horse's characteristic!My gratitude undoubtedly goes, yet to another APA meeting that chains me to my classroom desk for three hours! This time I was not "invited;" I went on my own free will!
While we are on the subject of "Report Cards," I'm also very grateful for keyboard, spell check, cut and paste, copy and paste, etc. Electronic report cards to teachers are like "fancy" appliances to homemakers! What did we ever do without them? Looking forward to the day when evaluation can be transmitted straight from my subconscious to parents' iPods!
Have a productive day and a long weekend everyone!
Gratitude Day 66 - The Horse
Dear Friends,
Following along the path of Lunar New Year, last night I was reading about my sign - the Horse. Anything to avoid the report cards before the weekend! You should see how clean and tidy my closet and cupboards are!
Bref, I became very grateful for "print!" All this information being available over and over and over again! We can refer back to "print" as often as necessary, till we get what it says! Mind you, at times, it's not so good to have hard evidence of what have been said or done, but in case of the zodiacs, it turns out to be a blessing! Now I can finally stop blaming my culture and upbringing, or myself as my mother might suggest, and start pointing the finger at the real culprit - the sign under which I was born!
Bad, bad Horsey!
Have an enlightening day, everyone!
Gratitude Day 65e - Take Five
Dear Friends,
Today I'm giving my "analytical" brain, "intelligible" insights and "sharp" wit the Day Off!!! (obviously, not my sarcasm!)
Have a Happy Go Lucky Day, everyone!
Today I'm giving my "analytical" brain, "intelligible" insights and "sharp" wit the Day Off!!! (obviously, not my sarcasm!)
I'm grateful that last night I took time out of my busy schedule to celebrate the Lunar New Year with my son. With half my report cards giving me the blank look, I would say "busy" is an understatement! Nonetheless, I wore red, cooked up a sumptuous Chinese meal à la moi, and ate as many sweet tangerines as possible!
I'm grateful to be living in our diverse society. It gives me the opportunity to celebrate so many "New Years". One can never have too much good luck, health or wealth! Have a Happy Go Lucky Day, everyone!
Gratitude Day 64 - Dance!
Dear Friends,
I'm grateful my insatiable appetite for dancing is more inspiring than revolting! I must let you in on a secret! Dancing is not a manifestation of my hyperactivity or a proof of my expertise.
I was ten years old when my uncle got married. Towards the end of the evening reception, all the youngsters were encouraged to get up and dance (the grownups were tired of celebrating, but didn’t want to go home yet!) Somebody, I don’t remember now who, called up my name. As I was trying to figure out who was encouraging me to step on the dance floor, I heard my mother’s voice rescuing me “Lili doesn’t know how to dance! Let her be!” I returned to the sidelines. After that night, I often heard my name being associated with “stiff”, “wooden” “ungraceful!” After all, I was a tomboy!
A few years later, when I went to boarding school, I roomed with a couple of Iranian girls who were blessed with supple bodies and femininity, and they knew how to dance! Every night, I would do their grammar homework and in return they would dance for me, so I could mimic them.
When I returned to Iran, I shocked myself and everybody else! At a party, as all the girls were asked to get up and dance, all in our late teens now, once again my mother stepped forward to rescue me: “Leave her alone. Lili can’t dance!”
“Oh, yes I can!” I stepped forward and joined in.
Little by little the dancers moved back and formed a circle, living the dance floor to me and an uncle (in my culture all male relatives and friends of the family are uncles!) The thrill of a personal achievement combined with the fact that I knew everyone was watching in awe, and most importantly, my mother’s dropped jaw, made the experience next to none!
Needless to say my mother hates my dancing, “Too much, too much!” She always whispers. To her delight, my first husband didn’t like me dancing either.
In some sense my mother is right. I am an unskilled dancer. I cannot follow steps. I tried ballroom dancing, line dancing, salsa, belly dancing - zip, nada!
My obsession with dancing could be categorized as a manifestation of my rebelliousness, a personal triumph, the outcome of a public humiliation, prohibition, or perhaps a simple case of “I’ll show you!”
I’m very grateful to everything and everyone who made a “dancer” out of me! It has become my stress reliever! (I went dancing on Saturday!) Nowadays, I dance like no one is watching. It's a manifesto of my illusionary freedom!
Have a victorious day everyone!
Gratitude Day 63 - Reflections On Travel Log
Dear Friends,
Thank you for allowing me to share with you my “Bajo Los Cielos De Cuba” gratitude journal. It kept me warmer, a little bit longer!
I’m grateful the trip was far from a waste! I came away grateful for a "healthy" glow, a few insights and some somber enlightenment! As morose as it may sound, “love" (any kind of it) is not librating, but imprisoning. “Compassion" is not a virtue, but a handicap. “Living in the now” at all times, is impossible when you have a past, and anticipate having a future. “Going with the flow” is next to unfeasible when you are swimming in uncharted waters! Simplifying Buddah's teachings on "detachment" and paraphrasing Janis Joplin, you are never really free unless you have nothing to lose!
However, being who I am, I managed to squeeze in more than a few care-free hours, thinking only about “me” and how badly I needed this holiday and how well-deserving of it I was! I must admit, persuading myself, was as taxing as feeling unworthy of such indulgence!
Next time I go on a holiday of this nature, I will make sure either I take everyone with me, or I leave myself behind!
Until then, I remain grateful for the time and some "peace" in the mind to indulge in self-discovery. I shall continue to look for, and count my blessings whether I’m plowing through or riding a wave.
As I am tallying up my strengths and areas for improvement, I can clearly see that "Next Step" for me is to make an effort to remember the lyrics of a song I danced to mindlessly, with consistency. “It’s now or never, I want to live my life. I don’t live forever!”
Have a lively, indulging weekend everyone!
Allenby P.S.
Gratitude Day 62 - My last night in Cuba!
Dear Friends,
There is always a tug of war between who I should be and who I am! My culture, upbringing and of course my two year-old “grandma” status expect me to act a certain way. Although I’m not exactly sure how “that certain way ” will look on me, every so often I catch myself fantasizing about it!
The voices say "Grandma slow down!" I say "Go dancing girl!"
A few compatriots whom I used to call friends, are also urging me to embrace the "new" phase of my life! However, I don't recall having cancelled the lease on the "old" phase yet!
So naturally, the first night I went to “disco,” (at eleven o’clock) I was accompanied by some doubts. The lights were flashing, the music was loud and the cliental half my son's age!
If “acting my age” meant leaving the dance floor to the teenagers who were occupying it, and joining the adults in the piano bar, no chance! There was no way I was going to let seven nights of dancing slip away from me!
“Get in! They will get use to us!” I pushed my girlfriend in and took some ownership of the place! Not only the teen-agers danced with us and around us, but they also didn't call us "Ma'am!" I was so grateful to them for letting me behave "my" age!
As it stands, I’m caught somewhere between Sex and the City and The Golden Girls! My seven nights of dancing till dawn testifies to the fact that I shall not be "leaving" anytime soon or peacefully, for that matter! However, I’m sure one day when I'm finally "pushed" into the “next" phase of my life, things will be less blurry and confusing for people around me. Until then, I remain very grateful for my convictions, physical stamina and “joie de vie!"
Have an exhilarating day everyone!
Gratitude Day 61 - Cuba
Dear Friends,
Today at the pool bar, I overheard a woman pleading with her husband to try a “new” drink. “Honey, you can drink beer at home! You are on holidays for god’s sake, try something exotic!”
“Honey” did comply and ordered a Rum-Punch! However, a few minutes later he went back to the bar and got his usual drink!
“Honey” did comply and ordered a Rum-Punch! However, a few minutes later he went back to the bar and got his usual drink!
“Letting loose on holidays” is compulsory. I can see it everywhere here: young girls with skimpy outfits on the dance floor, older women at the dessert table and of course men, young and old, at the bars! It seems that everyone is here to indulge! From a variety of conversations that I overheard (accidentally) I gather most people have taken up new identity.
Is it then safe to say that our environment shapes and controls our behaviour? Is there a roaring lion/lioness in all of us, waiting to emerge once we step out of our controlled habitat?
This evening I answered my own question! There was a dance contest on stage. I debated for a while whether I should get up, there, in the dining room full of strangers, and make a fool of myself. What the heck, I’m on holidays, was my conclusion!
Since “vacationers” are cheerful, polite, kind (talk about TDSB character values coming to life) I thought maybe the new inspirational catch phrase should be “Live like you are on holidays!” Although it justifies boldness and indulgences, no one is behaving “inappropriately” even the teen-agers who are drinking illegally!
People are just allowing themselves to live outside the prescribed norm. They sure look healthier and happier for it!
Grateful to have had the opportunity for deeper analysis, I decide I don’t want to “keep calm and carry on” anymore, as it dictates on my water bottle and daybook! I want to live like I’m on holidays! It might not prove to be a practical “blessing” for the city, but for the time being I’m grateful for having assimilated and adopted the concept!
At least for today everyone, live like you are on holidays!
Gratitude Day 60 - Cuba
Dear Friends,
This afternoon I put my creativity to good use. Instead of running a monologue in my head, I decide to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.
Not very far from where I’m camping under the sun, a young man is putting on a “verbal” show to impress the girl on his left. He drops clever lines, she giggles! He leans forward, touches her arm, she giggles some more. What a farce! My jaded self is amused. I feel like cutting in and giving her the heads up that it’s all a fib, but then I change my mind. I believe every woman or man, should have the opportunity (at least once) to experience the “pleasures” of being chatted up!
This evening a grown-up version of the conversation I heard on the beach is taking place in the lobby bar. Guess who is the guest star?
As soon as I catch myself lowering my gaze and tossing a strand to the side, I realise, although I have become smart enough to recognise the "game," I’m still dumb enough to play it! What a blessing! Can’t help but be grateful! All I can say in my defence, is that same old nonsense sounds different in a less familiar accent!
Have an unwise, playful day everyone!
Gratitude Day 59 - Cuba
Dear Friends,
This morning before even I had a chance to open my mouth, my "Samaritan" friend decided to talk some sense into me!
“Ok. This trip was a ‘mistake!’ It’s too late now! We are already here and we can’t leave until Thursday!”
I remain silent, nodding my head in agreement. But, I’m quite aware that “guilt” is slowly tucking itself in the back of my mind to make room for “worry.”
I can’t help but think what if I get sick? What if on the way to the airport the bus turns over? What if there is a coup, a hurricane? What if the plane crashes? As I run out of my own “what ifs” I borrow some about my family.
No point in lying on the beach anymore. I go in to call a few people. I’m determined not to have a good time!
After spending the whole morning worrying, attempting to make calls, not getting through and worrying some more, I finally decide to calm my nerves by going back to the dessert table. Being grateful to tuck in some starch and sugar in my cells!
Have a worry-free day everyone!
Gratitude Day 58 - Cuba
Dear Friends,
I fell off the waggon and gave my friend an earful!
“I should have given this money to my son, or spent it on my granddaughters or flown to Paris to see my mother.” I lamented all morning.
“Shut up, already!”
Clearly my companion did not come this far to play my therapist!
So, I find a way to deal with my, from here on, “suppressed” guilt.
So, I find a way to deal with my, from here on, “suppressed” guilt.
I shall pay penitence by skipping dessert, the whole 32 kind spread out before my sweet tooth! I am grateful to be able to make a sacrifice.
Have a guilt-free weekend everyone!
Gratitude Day 57 - Cuba
Dear Friends,
As the magazines are literally losing their luster, smudged with beer dripping from my locks, and coconut oil from my fingers, my brain starts working again! The first superfluous guest that drops in is “guilt.”
I feel guilty for indulging, while one son might lose his job, the other all alone in Toronto and “Mama” feeling very lonely in Paris! Although my siblings and their families are all doing well, I also feel guilty for not taking up their invitation and spending my holidays with them. As I start sharing my thoughts with my travelling companion, she hushes me, “Enjoy the sun!”
How could I enjoy the sun? I wish everybody was here with me and the fact that they are not makes me sad!
The afternoon cloudy sky jolts me out of my melodrama. Nothing like a “tour de force” from Mother Nature to put things into perspective! Guess who is hopping back on the “positive energy” waggon as fast as she can say “dos cervezas per favour!” one for the head, one for the belly!
Have a nourishing day everyone!
Gratitude Day 56 - Cuba
Bajos Los Cielos De Cuba - Day Two
Dear Friends,
Today I realise how grateful I am for magazines. It sounds a bit frivolous; however given that it still is a lucrative industry it’s worth mentioning. I personally contribute a mini fortune to its sustainability. I love the glossy, colourful images of perfection. My first experience with print was at the age of four (back then we were allowed to develop naturally!) One day, my uncle, God bless his soul, presented me with two pop-up books; The Little Red Riding Hood and The Sleeping Beauty. They both had the most beautiful, shiny illustrations. I believe my first two books contributed to my love of flipping through magazines, the colour red and romance! It has also played a hand in my inability to “listen” and follow instructions! I have met very few fairy tale female “protagonists” who do as they are told. (I hear our great grandmother Eve, didn’t follow instructions very well either!)
Dear Friends,
Today I realise how grateful I am for magazines. It sounds a bit frivolous; however given that it still is a lucrative industry it’s worth mentioning. I personally contribute a mini fortune to its sustainability. I love the glossy, colourful images of perfection. My first experience with print was at the age of four (back then we were allowed to develop naturally!) One day, my uncle, God bless his soul, presented me with two pop-up books; The Little Red Riding Hood and The Sleeping Beauty. They both had the most beautiful, shiny illustrations. I believe my first two books contributed to my love of flipping through magazines, the colour red and romance! It has also played a hand in my inability to “listen” and follow instructions! I have met very few fairy tale female “protagonists” who do as they are told. (I hear our great grandmother Eve, didn’t follow instructions very well either!)
While I’m waiting for my “Devil” or “Hero” to rescue me, I shall continue lounging (instead of twirling my thumbs) and browsing through another magazine or two.
Have a relaxing day everyone!
Gratitude Day 55 Cuban Journal
Dear Friends,
I would have been very disappointed in myself and in my "creative forces" had I not been able to generate a few “gratitude” postings from my recent trip! Thus, for the next few days, I shall present you with my "Under The Cuban Skies" gratitude journal!
Please forgive the irregularity of the verb tenses and the tone of the narrator. Some entries were made on the spot, some were noted afterwards. As for my mood, it proved to be inconsistent, oscillating between different emotions.
Dear Friends,
I arrived to Super Clubs Breezes Varadero only a few minutes ago! I’m already lying on the beach, soaking up the sun and damaging my skin! The Cuban sky is blue, the Caribbean water warm and my Mojito icy cold! I’m relaxed, care-free and happy! So many blessings!
While I’m flipping through a fashion magazine, I come across an article about the benefits of beer for hair! Apparently its sucrose and maltose tighten hair cuticles. I am so grateful for all this “free” beer to soak my hair in! I would never buy beer in Toronto to pour on my head!
People do the most unexpected things when they are on holidays! I am thrilled to notice the coconuts and the papayas. I'm sure they are good for something as well!
Have a profitable day everyone!
Gratitude Day 54 - Happy New Year!
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
Thank you all for “worrying” about me going away and (maybe) falling under the spell of a yet another “boy” and tying up my creative energies! No worries! I’m good! While ago I gave my word to a very good friend of mine that I will not take up “projects” anymore! I haven’t broken my promise! Not that there weren’t any offers! Apparently a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky woman is attractive at any age! I even got a “hot tub” invite from a twenty year-old boy from Midland (obviously they don’t get out much in Midland!) The horrific part of the encounter was that for a split second, a split of a split second, I actually considered the offer! Thank goodness for gravity and its ravages!
This morning I am very grateful for MP3 player and to my son who downloaded for me the "explicit," "clubbin'" version of the songs I like. I thought if I want to remain "young," I should do as "young" do! As soon as I landed, still high on life, I welcomed myself to the 21st century by going to the Future Shop! What an invigorating exercise, blasting music in my ears! It has given my walks and workouts a whole new meaning! Unless a car runs me over before, I am definitely in line for 'hearing aids" in a year or two!
This morning, I’m also grateful to be back at work! And I’m not being sarcastic. As we all know, too much of a good thing too often gets boring after a while and loses its luster (so many miserable Rich and Famous!)
It’s working hard five days a week, nine months a year that makes the weekends and the little escapades soooooooooooooo delicious!
Have a deliciously satisfying day everyone!
Gratidute Day 53 - Holidays!
Dear Friends,
I know this is a long, very looooooooong posting! Well, it’s the Holiday Special! Read along while the students are partying or washing the desks (what else do you have to do, today?!)
“Bonnes Vacances!” What a beautiful phrase for a school teacher! I bet it sounds melodious in any language.
For the next 17 days, I will be grateful for many, many blessings.
Tomorrow, I’ll be grateful for “having cause” to run around taking care of last minute details, wait in long lineups, shop, curse, go to the bank machine, look at my balance and curse some more!
Come Christmas Day, I will be glad to cook, clean and pick up after my sons and granddaughters. A few times a year I can do it with a big smile and a loving heart full of joy! Even if the ex-factor (does ex come from expired?) the father of the kids is present!
Then I’ll be glad to let my “biological clock” do the awakening! I’ll be grateful to be able to stay up late and watch a movie without getting anxious about the passage of time. I’ll also be happy to run my errands on slow motion, grateful that I can drop out of the “race against time,” for a while.
On the 31st of December, I will be grateful for "all inclusive" packages under the sun! With Midnight Kiss running out of the picture, I'll be very happy to be amongst strangers from all over the world on New Year’s Eve. Since I’ll be sipping a double Mojito and smoking a Cohiba, my lips will be sealed, anyway!
Come January 01, 2012, I will be grateful for yet another “first” biting the dust, appreciating the concepts of hope, new resolutions, best wishes and intentions!
Upon my return, I will be happy to be home, safe and sound, enjoying the amenities of the free world. I shall recycle my pre-departure blessings!
On the 8th of January, once again, I’ll set my alarm, pack a lunch and rush to bed at 10 pm. Of course, I will have a "pang" somewhere in my body. But, once I turn off the lights and count my blessings, I’ll admit; LIFE IS GOOD!
PS. If at any given time “life” decides to interfere with my plans, I will adopt the “It can be worse!” mentality and carry on! I suggest you do the same!
Gratitude Day 52
Dear Friends,
Little by little, I’m beginning to think that manufacturers should pay me to write something clever about their products and weave it into my gratitude! I can look at anything, even what I don’t use, and perceive it as a “blessing.”
Last night, in preparation for my son’s Birthday party (quite odd that the child is turning 36 when the mother herself doesn't feel a day older than 30!) I took notice of all these time, space and labour saving gadgets! Take for example over-the-door hooks and racks. It does the job of two shelves or six hangers. If you place one on each side of the door you double the blessing. I am very grateful to my six coppery “leaf-motif” over-the-door hooks. No more bags, coats and scarves on the bed or on the floor when company comes!
Have a maximising day everyone!
Gratitude Day 51
Dear Friends,
First, came the membership to the gym. I was grateful! Then, came the personal trainer. I was more grateful! Then the trainer worked with me at home. I was even more grateful! But, now I’m so much more grateful! You ask why? Because my trainer is gone on holidays for three weeks! Life is good!
Everything that I have to do, chips away from my freedom. There are very few “have to do’s” in life that I like. Exercising and eating sensibly are two of them!
Have a liberating day everyone!
Gratitude Day 50 - Pains of Love
Dear Friends,
As we all know, life is full of “first times,” some exhilarating, some not very much so! Following a loss, the “firsts” develop a life of their own!
The last man who broke my heart was a house painter. Three years ago, he was contracted to paint the house of a family in the community.
Last night, I had dinner in that house! My hosts were never aware of the connection between their painter and their daughters’ teacher. I, however, always thought it was cool that my boyfriend was painting the house of the “President of my Fan Club!”
I’ve never heard walls talk before, but last night they did! It seemed they were looking at me too!
When I complimented the hosts on their beautifully renovated house, they said they had an amazing painter and then went on telling me all sorts of anecdotes, most of which I had already heard from the painter himself! I was having a “surreal” experience nested between two parallel realities, one in the past, the other in the present. I could sense the painter’s warm presence everywhere in the house. However, when, on my way out, I discretely brushed my fingers against an immaculately painted wall, it felt cold!
I left the “twilight zone” a bit unsettled, but most grateful to the K’s for acting as mediator-angels between me and my pain. What better place to exorcise the demons than in the heart of a respectful, kind family, surrounded by the unconditional love of my students?
This morning, I don't regret that ardour invading my heart a few years ago. But then, I don’t regret that mortal leaving my life, either. Surely, this is a blessing worth counting, just days before the “first” Christmas!
Gratitude Day 49 - Christmas
Dear Friends,
After a whole weekend of Christmas shopping, Christmas card writing, Christmas Turkey picking, Yule Log ordering, Christmas House Cleaning and Decorating, Christmas gift wrapping and a few Christmas “Cheers” with friends, I am exhausted!
Never a non-Christian has stretched herself for Christmas, to such extend!
I was born in Holland. My father’s job took us all over the world. Actually, I have worked at this school longer than I have lived in my parents’ country of origin!
Today, I’m very grateful to my parents for incorporating the cultures of the countries where we lived into our upbringing. We might have lost some of the Iranian traditions, to make room for the Europeans, but instead, I can truly enjoy the “hustle and bustle” of the festive season. It would have been lonely sitting on the sidelines!
Maybe my parents somehow knew that one day I will be a “Canadian” grandmother of two little Catholic girls!
Have a “multicultural” day everyone!
Gratitude Day 48 - Hats
Dear Friends,
I’m sure you all have days when you are simply in “awe” of yourself, but modesty silences you up! Well, no more! Let it be said, let it be written that it’s OK to admire oneself! Psychologists state that you can't love others, unless you love yourself first. I believe it stands true for appreciation as well. How can you appreciate others, if you can’t appreciate yourself? How can you express your gratitude to others, if you are not allowed to express it to yourself? I so want to love and appreciate others! Thus, today, I would like to congratulate myself for being me! Yesterday, I taught all morning (Data Management), went ice skating all afternoon (didn’t even fall), took the “Big Night Out” winners to dinner (genuinely had a great time), came back to school to attend “The Fate of Our School” meeting (packing our bags not necessary, yet!)
One head, so many hats!
One head, so many hats!
Have an awesome, self-proclaiming day and weekend everyone!
Gratitude Day 47
Dear Friends,
In reference to my “transformation” last night, I must say for me, half the fun of “going out” is “getting ready” to go out! In the olden days, when I had more time, energy and prospects, it was a spiritual ritual! Me, Myself and I had quite an affair with the mirror, witnessed by Merlot and some Soft Rock! Nowadays, no matter how straight the hair, strong the wine, loud the music and expensive the goods, my "liaison" with the mirror just does not produce the same thrill!
Regardless, I am, and always will be, grateful to the beautification industry! What an old gal like me to do without her little (maybe not so little) “make over” kit and “coiffeuse?!”
Have a beautiful day everyone!
Gratitude Day 46 - Mr. Quaker
Today I would like to pay respect to “Oatmeal!” If you are not allergic to grains, it can become your best friend. Aside from the obvious health benefits, it is deliiiiiiicious! It can serve you as breakfast, or dinner. (Yesterday I had it for lunch!) No wonder it has the word “meal” in it! You can cook it in milk and have it with nuts and honey in the morning or you can prepare it in chicken broth and have it with some sautéed onion and mushroom in the evening. The size of your spoon makes all the difference!
I love My Mr. Quaker! It’s hot, fast, cheap and doesn't talk back!!
And I’m grateful for that.
Have a comfy day everyone!
P.S. It also adds consistency to your soups!
Gratitude Day 45 - Alarm Clocks
Dear Friends,
This morning my alarm clock didn’t go off! Thus I woke up hour and a half later than I usually do! Talk about being thrown off!
Although watches and clocks have been around for ages, no one (except the Swiss, Rolex and Cartier) consider them as blessings! Where would we be without clocks, especially alarm clocks! Alarm clocks ring to “alarm” us against the dangers of waking up a body before it’s ready! I know people who, in fear of oversleeping, set two alarms!
When I was growing up, my grandmother, God bless her soul, lived with us. Every morning, she would unmistakably wake up at five and function as the “family alarm clock!” All we had to do was to let her know at what time we wanted to wake up.
Since “fifties” are the “new forties,” my innate alarm clock has not kicked in yet! In anticipation however, I shall gratefully go to the store tonight and by two, just in case!
Have an “awaken” day everyone!
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