Long Weekend Ahead

A three day weekend ahead....

Although I hemmed and hawed about driving for about a total of 16 hours, it will be great to see my grandson Chris.

He and his dad will be celebrating their birthdays next month, so I decided to take them out for sushi.  Now mind you, there are some crazy names for these sushi places in Santa Cruz....but one cannot deny the good tasting food.

There is Pink Godzilla....they have a sushi bar and what I believe is called tatami rooms.  These are shoji door enclosed rooms where you sit on the tatami mat and under the table there is a hole in the floor - a place to dangle your legs.  If memory serves me right, the exterior of the restaurant is painted pink...DAH!

My personal favorite is Rumble Fish in Scotts Valley.  They also have a sushi bar and bento box meals, along with Udon or Ramen (for lack of a better name that has escaped my mind) noodles.  I love the Tempura - both Shrimp and vegetables.  Their Tempura is perfect...not too doughy.

Having said that, my son-in-law prefers a more authentic Japanese style restaurant.  It is very small and always crowded.  Again, my memory is "out to lunch," because for the life of me I can't seem to remember the name of this restaurant.

Speaking about Tempura (notice the sly segue), here in Las Vegas, I love Makinos.  They make a parsley Tempura that is quite good.

Anyway....back to the 3 day weekend.  I've spent the last 2 days in preparation.  First, I had to track down a cord for my IPOD that has a special auxiliary spot in my new car.  I went to Best Buy - they didn't know what I was talking about.  I showed them the picture.  They sent me to Fry's - the salesperson recommended that I use the adapter to work the IPOD through the radio station. 

Now if you have ever gone on a long drive....you know that you have to constantly change the radio station to avoid the static noises or style of music, and to pick up the current city's signal....this solution defeats the purpose.

I went to the Apple Store and they had no clue what I was talking about!  HELLO.....you guys designed this "puppy"!

OK....now I'm getting determined.....how about the Toyota parts department?  They must have it!

WRONG!  They actually sent me to a Scion dealership across town.  They contacted that dealer and reserved it for me and they agreed to honor the price to match the cost from Toyota.  When I get there,  I learned that they were hoping that I wouldn't show up because now they have to find this cord in the section of warehouse that has parts that are being returned to the factory. 

A hundred and five dollars later....I have purchased a cord for my IPOD!  YIKES!!!  Now this baby is unique because it has covers for those parts of this cord that goes into the IPOD and the auxiliary covered receptacle.  AWESOME....on my radio screen the names of the artists appear.  Now mind you, I should keep up with the latest in technology...because it is so much easier than trying to change selections from the IPOD while driving.  I am in heaven!

Now all that is left is to pack.  I've got a list a mile long of things I need to take.  You really don't realize how many items you need just to get yourself ready.  Now I can see if I was going to be gone for a month....but let's be realistic!  I am going to arrive around lunch time on Saturday and I have to cram time in with visiting then it's back on the road on Monday by lunch time in order to get back home so that I can get to bed and be "bright eyed and bushy tailed" for work on Tuesday.

Am I crazy?  Yes, OMG....yes .....love for and from the grandkids.....that is sheer heaven!

Have a great weekend everyone......be safe and may you be surrounded by the love of family!

"Life is a Verb"

I've just begun reading a book called "Life is a Verb" by Patti Digh.  There is a saying that goes "never judge a book by its cover."  We understand this to mean....don't judge a person by looks alone.  This is sort of a positive connotation to a negative viewpoint. 

In this particular instance I have to beg to differ about that saying.  Usually when I choose a book I first become attracted to the cover.  Of course you can always find me in the self help section of the bookstore.  This is not about wanting to fix myself...but rather to get answers about why we think the way we do.

"37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally."  That is also on the cover.  When you open the book it has wide margins....places where the author encourages you to write notes.  She calls it conversing with the author.  Already I am in love.  This is a book I will treasure.  This book is so beautiful, how could I think of defacing it with notes in the margins?  In grade school we were taught....no brainwashed..... into thinking that this act would be damaging school property.  So this is something to ponder on.  Now I'm torn between defacing school property and conversing with the author.  Such a colossal dilemma!  Going to have to "noodle" on that a bit.   

At work we have a half hour for lunch and usually I use that time to read.  But this is not that kind of book.  This book is more of a "take the time, sit down and savor the great mysteries of life" kind of book.

Now....here is where I get stuck.  When something is too good.  I want to save it for when I can devote time to really delve into it with everything I've got.  Well, guess what?  That time never happens.  It never comes.

Yet another thing to take a look at.  It makes me feel like Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind."  Tomorrow is another day!

OMG am I doomed to just read "quickie" books?  No....don't go there.  You can do this....you can do this!  Gosh....it feels like a scene from a story about a first date. 

Will keep you posted about how the date went, whether it never got out of the gate or whether it crossed the finish line!

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July to Everyone!

A day of independence from British rule, a federal holiday celebrated here in the United States commemorating July 4, 1776.  This day is usually filled with parades, flag waving and lots of fireworks.

This morning when I woke up, it occurred to me that this being a day of independence, how did I want to celebrate it in order for it to have meaning in my life?  This doesn't take away from the fact of how important the men and women that serve our country in the military are to us.  In fact, it is the opposite....it is to look within ourselves to see how we can individually stop the suffering of the world by beginning with our own suffering.  If everyone of us started working on our own issues, wouldn't that have an impact on world peace....well you get the picture don't you?

Simply put, if something in our lives makes us sad or unhappy....what do we do?  Well I don't know about you, but I think about it and think about it....then brood about it....sometimes even beating myself up about it.....UGH!  Enough already!

So today I am choosing to just let it go.  I am choosing to do something different.  I am declaring my independence from all that worry, and fretting that only leads me to more worrying and fretting!

Instead, I am choosing to stop feeling sorry for myself and learn to let it go.  It's funny how this has been coming on recently and the telltale sign has been in my recent choices of books to read. 

In addition, it is thanks to a man that I am so grateful to, who at this stage in our friendship showed me why I repeatedly went back for more of the same verbal abuse from him.  I didn't recognize it as abuse.  I really thought it was because he cared about my future.  It was he that started me on the path of self-awareness.  It was he that helped me to realize that I was just numbly going through life. 

However, I am now declaring my independence from him today.  I realized that I was buying into all the negative thoughts he had about me.  Just a form of self-abuse on my part.  I pray for him....because at this stage in his life he is angry and battling for more time.  Something that is beyond his control.  I wish him Peace, much Love and Appreciation.

According to the book....The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living by Gary R McClain and Eve Adamson, as mentioned in my earlier blog article, NOW is what it is all about.  I am choosing to make NOW very precious to me.  Not worrying about the future, not regretting about things in the past....but NOW. 

How can I make NOW more wonderful?  Little things like planning what to eat for lunch makes every day more meaningful.  I'm finding that I enjoy my home more when I am at home.  I'm finding that I enjoy my work more when I am at work.  I'm finding that I enjoy meeting friends when I am with friends.  I am in the NOW more now and finding that I am savoring all of it NOW!

I invite you to become more aware of your NOW....now. 

Happy 4th!

YIKES....It's a Scorcher!

There's no doubt that summer has arrived here in Las Vegas!  We are experiencing temperatures over 100 degrees.  Today's high was 114 degrees according to the weather forecasts.

Imagine getting off work and going into your car and driving home.  First I have to put on gloves just so that I can touch the steering wheel.

Normally, I don't like turning on the A/C in my car because I love driving with the windows down, my hair blowing in the wind and my favorite radio station playing those oldies but goodies music.  I love singing at the top of my lungs to the music!  I pity the people in the other cars that have to hear me singing....but oh well....it is so much fun singing along to my favorite songs.

Well, not even 5 minutes in the car....now picture this, I have my gloves on, the windows down, the A/C off......believe it or not, my ankles were on fire!!!  They were burning up from the heat!  Now how can my ankles be burning up?  How is that possible?

I had to give in and turn on the air conditioning in my car.  I drove past some people that still had their windows down....those brave souls.

Well....it is time to hunker down and stay indoors this weekend because the temps are supposed to go even higher.  I'm told that the record for this part of Las Vegas is 117 degrees.  We are expecting these temps over the weekend.

One year I forgot and left a small plastic bottle of hand sanitizer in my car and that darned thing melted!  Or, how about when you burn your fingers from your car keys when you remove it from the ignition?  Don't even mention the metal part of your seat belt.  These are all hazardous items in scorchers!

Everyone plans to go out early tomorrow and get their business done and then come home to their A/C cooled home.  My co-workers talked about their power bill being over $300 a month.  Now having your A/C go out can be life threatening to some who live here.  Those companies that service air conditioners are just raking in the cool cash!  Did I just say "cool"? 

This is certainly the time to wear the skimpiest clothes or better yet.....just go "au naturale."



Oops.....my bad....sorry for using this poster....Barenaked Ladies Alanis!  It just seemed so appropriate!  No plagiarism intended!  All in fun!

I'm in Korea

Lately my friends that love to watch Korean dramas as much as I do....well the code phrase is "I'm in Korea."

What that means is that we are glued to our computers or televisions and don't bother us. 

We've all come to agree that in order to have a successful drama series, the utmost important ingredient is.....the leading man MUST be handsome! 

We swap movie titles.....and when we know what movie the other person is watching....we relive the story.  Some of us re-watch the movie several more times.

This past Saturday, my friend Danna and I were having a sushi buffet lunch.  We were at the Makino Restaurant here in Las Vegas and stayed there for 3 hours eating, talking, and laughing.  The table next to us changed guests 3 times. 

We laughed because her friend was watching Secret Garden.  This is the Korean TV series, not to be confused with the movie or the classic novel.  It is a beautiful series.  The actor in this movie is
Hyun Bin.

 

 

What is amazing about this actor is not only his good looks, but how he draws you in with his facial expressions. 

 

He also starred in My Lovely Sam Soon, Snow Queen and Ireland. 

 

Being in Korea has no boundaries.  Women and men of all ages and ethnicities watch these dramas.  My friend Shirley has a Jehovah Witness church member that watches.  His wife says that he watches all day!  Danna is Samoan.  My aunt in Hawaii is Portuguese. 

 

That's the danger about Being in Korea.  You have to pace yourself otherwise chores don't get done.  The day passes and it's night....way past your bedtime. 

 

There is a newly coined term or neologism that depicts this rapid growth in popularity of the South Korean culture since the 1990's.  It is called Hallyu.  This flow of culture could serve to prevent anti-Korean sentiment, perhaps re-unify Korea and who knows.....achieve world peace and prosperity. 

 

Some of us are afraid to start watching these dramas because we know that nothing else will get accomplished.  It is a really serious Drama Fever.  Now that is where I tune in....at www.dramafever.com.

 

Watch at your own risk!

 

How to Be a Gracious Bitch

Someone shared this funny story with me today and I want to share it with my friends all over the world!

 

How to be a Gracious Bitch

 

 

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching.  Nothing could dampen her excitement - not even her parent's nasty divorce.

 

Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!

 

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new, young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother!

 

Jennifer asked her father's new young wife to exchange it, but she refused.  "Absolutely not!  I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it," she replied.

 

Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart.  I'll get another dress.  After all, it's your special day."

 

A few days later, they went shopping, and did find another gorgeous dress for her mother.

 

When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going to return the other dress?  You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it."

 

Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear.....I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night BEFORE the wedding."

 

(NOW I ASK YOU - IS THERE A WOMAN OUT THERE, ANYWHERE, WHO WOULDN'T ENJOY THIS STORY?)

 

Women are like phones:  They like to be held, talked to, and touched often.  But push the wrong button and your ass is disconnected!

 

Women are Angels:  And when someone breaks our wings.....we simply continue to fly....on a broomstick.  We are flexible like that.

 

OKAY, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO SEND THIS TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS WHO DESERVE A GOOD BELLY LAUGH.  YOU COULD ALSO SEND IT TO SOME MEN WHO WOULD APPRECIATE THIS.

 

Here it is....hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!  Go in Peace!!!

 

 

 

 





Reading Books

My new work schedule allows me a chance to read during lunch.  I'm not your basic cover to cover reader....unless it is a Danielle Steele quick read.  I've been a fan of her books for many years.  Except for the fact that she takes a different picture of herself for every book, that's the only way I can remember whether I've read a particular book she has written.  A couple of times I've even purchased a duplicate book because I failed to check out the back cover picture.  Oops.

Another secret about my reading habits.....most of the time I don't remember what I've just read.  I hate that!  I take notes, I re-read, I even have my favorite phrases pasted to the wall above my computer.  In my next life, I would love to have a better memory....or would I?  Hold that thought.  I'll get back to this later.

But anyway....back to my new faves in reading.  I've just completed reading The 18 Rules of Happiness by Karl Moore.  These kinds of books call out to me on Amazon.com. 

The next book is more like a reference book.  When I was a full time student two years ago, art history courses opened a whole new world for me.  Asian art history and Medieval to Renaissance art history courses seemed like travelling the world, something that is on my bucket list of things to do.

In keeping with that, I am reading The Handy Art History Answer Book written by Madelynn Dickerson.  It is a book filled with quick summaries of art facts.  Things like...How can you recognize "a Michelangelo"?  Or What is the significance of the recumbent Buddha?  Now this is my kind of reading....short and sweet.

The third book that I am dabbling with is called....The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living by Gary R. McClain, Ph.D., and Eve Adamson.  When it comes to Zen....I am, no doubt....the ultimate idiot!  Is it any wonder that I purchased this book?

An excerpt from page 6 goes like this...."Although many say Zen defies all definitions, we would define it with one simple, short word:  now.  Now?  What about it? you ask.  Exactly." 

It goes on to explain....."Yet despite the wealth of guidance, inspiration, and philosophical suppositions Zen has inspired throughout history, it still comes down to this:  now, right now."

There is a small box to the left of the above paragraph that is labeled:  Caution Monkey Mind.  It goes on to state....."What's so bad about thinking?  Nothing at all.  Yet becoming so engaged with your thoughts that you forget to live in the moment or allowing your thoughts to cause you suffering are surefire ways to miss the truth bus.  How can you fully manifest each moment of your precious existence if you are letting your thoughts or feelings torture you?"

So getting back to my desire to return in my next life with better memory.....Hogwash...Bull Cookies! 

NOW.....ONLY NOW! 

As the song goes...."Ooo...precious moments."

I rest my case!