Survivor- Fans -vs- Favorites
May 17th, 2013
Rarely do I talk about television shows on here- but sometimes something happens and I just can’t help myself. I will admit that there are not many reality TV shows that I follow- The world seems to have become inundated with them and most of them are just flat out crazy, but Survivor is different, at least to me.
I’ve followed it since the very first season. The season where Richard Hatch walked around naked- and Rudy- the ex Navy seal stole my heart at the age of 72 years old. I’ve watched every single season- I’ve cheered with some of the victories, and yelled at some of the seeming injustful moments. It goes without saying that Survivor has a piece of my heart.
Several years ago- I had the opportunity to sit down for a while and chat with J.T. one of the million dollar winnars. He was able to answer some of the questions for me that I had always wondered about- including sharing a little insight on some of the players that I really had to know what they were ‘really like’. I’m happy to say that J.T. was just as sweet in person as he was on the show- and since I met him in a one-on-one environment- outside of the spotlights and hooplah of television- I felt I really got to see a piece of the real guy and what his life really is like now- post Survivor.
This season was no different.. I watched every week and actually found that this season had quite a few players that I found myself really rooting for. Rarely is there more than two that I want to win- but between John Cochran- Malcom- and Brenda, I couldn’t decide. I even liked Dawn and wouldn’t have minded her winning, but honestly- I was THRILLED to see Cochran win.. When I heard the first three votes- I knew that he had received every single vote to win. I admit- I cried. I felt his joy- the full-circle moment for him of watching the game as a teenager- and not only playing the game that he’d written his Harvard thesis on- but coming back the second time and winning.
I’ll admit that being on Survivor is a dream of mine.. Have I tried out? NO, and I don’t plan on doing so- the reason why- HUGE spiders.. I would get voted out the first week because they’d want me to stop screaming everytime I saw a spider. Plus after hearing some of the behind the scenes stuff– it probably wouldn’t be just the spiders that scared me. There are lots of creepy crawlies in the jungle.. and also stinky people- neither are a good combination for me :)
So I’ll sit on the sidelines and continue to be a fan- cheering my favorite player (or players) in hopes of them playing the perfect social and strategic game and walking away with the cool million.
September isn’t that far away- Blood -vs- Water. That one has me intrigued.
There in Spirit
May 17th, 2013
I was thinking the other day that Father’s Day is just around the corner. Quite often my brother and I go together for gifts for our parents- but since he’s been busy- I’m on the quest for finding something. I like to find something that diddy will find useful, so I’ve been asking mom a few questions about what he needs and checking out reidsupply.com for tooling components. I’m sure between the two of us we’ll be able to narrow it down- then I can place the order and have it shipped to my brother, since he will be there for Father’s Day and I won’t. I’ll be there in spirit though- and that counts too, right?
Cinco de Mayo
May 5th, 2013
Happy Cinco de Mayo!! It wouldn’t be a celebration without none other than some freshly made gaucamole! Ok- I’ll admit- I didn’t actualy make this ‘today’. I made it earlier in the week when I popped into a local grocery store and they had a ‘guacamole kit’ on sale for 1.69. I was a skeptic- especially since said kit was wrapped in cellophane and I couldn’t tell much about the avocados other than they were ripe. How ripe- well that was the question.
I planned to pick up a couple of avocados anyway- but since they were a dollar each- I thought I may as well go for the kit- since it included two avocados- plus everything else I needed for guacamole. I put it in my cart and off I went to finish the rest of my shopping.
When I got home and opened said package- I was pleasantly surprised- everything was fresh and when I sliced into the avocados I was blown away. I think they were the pretties ones I’ve ever seen in my life (and that’s saying something)!
So two avocados, garlic, onion, lime, a chili and tomato all in my little packet and made a perfect batch of guacamole. The chili wasn’t hot- so I did add some more ‘heat’ to kick things up a bit- plus I added a tiny bit of salt. Delish!
So much so- that I had it for two nights in a row, and the fact that Marcel doesn’t care for guacamole was in my benefit.
Ole!!
Thoughts on a Spring Day
May 1st, 2013
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how some things happen in our lives that can stop us in our tracks- and at the time we may tend to ask “Why” or even “Why me” when in the midst. I’ve noticed that it depends on the perspective in which we ask those questions as to whether we get an answer.
I know- you would think- that “Why” or “Why me” would be a pretty simple question, but that isn’t always so. As I’ve learned over the years- intent and perspective are literally everything.
Two people can have a similar experience, but yet walk away with completely different perspectives on what just happened. How, you may ask? It all comes down to whether you are open to learn or simply looking for yet another reason to be victimized.
We are not what happens to us. Moments in time- good things, bad things- ‘things’ in general do not define who we are- UNLESS we decide they do, and it’s in those moments that we become attached to that ‘story’ and allow it to define us.
SO when something happens- if we ask Why me- but yet are open and think.. ”OK- there has to be some sort of lesson here, and it’s up to me to recognize and learn from it’ then chances are we will find the ‘silver lining’ the little tidbit of sunshine in an otherwise bad situation that will allow us to grow and come through on the other side stronger than before. It’s like water to a seed– with just the right amount of water and sunlight- that seed is going to grow in spite of the circumstances.
On the flip side of that coin- the same thing can happen and if we have the mentality that nothing is ever good in our lives and that everything always happens to us- “the victim mentality” – we aren’t going to be open to trying to find the lesson in the situation because we are too busy being a victim and letting that become part of our story and the ‘woe is me’ factor.
It doesn’t mean that we don’t have that feeling of ‘ugggh’ but it means we allow ourselves to feel that- we recognize that it is a moment- that it shall pass- and that it is indeed happening to teach us something, even if that something is patience, compassion or even love. Sometimes, as I’ve learned recently- the lesson is in just pausing and listening to your body- and that even though society tends to tell us that we always need to be on the move- always doing and that being ‘still’ is not where we need to be- that sometimes the biggest answers come in the form of pausing- and just doing nothing.
Percpective- it’s everything, and even in the most painful of moments- there is a lesson.
Do you look for the lesson, or are you stuck in letting those moments define you and allow you to live in the victim role? Remember, the choice is always yours.
April Showers- Bring May Flowers
May 1st, 2013
I was talking to mom last night and she and I were both talking about how we couldn’t believe that April had flew by and now we’re entering May. One-third of this year, gone. I’m still stuck somewhere in Febuary I think. The month of Tax deduction and compiling everything for tax day has passed, and with a blur- I might add. April was the busiest month thus far for me, and I don’t mind. I’ll admit though, I’m happy to see the warmer temps- (we had snow on Easter) and sunshine. It’s given me a lot more energy and I’ve become a lot more active.
I’m excited about what the rest of this year has to offer. Marcel and I are working on vacation planning and some home improvements. So much to look forward to.
Life’s Too Short
April 29th, 2013
. Things have been going at warp speed here and all has finally come to a slower pace today. I look back on April and can’t figure out how it flew by so quickly, but there were so many great moments and good kinds of ‘busy’ness. I said goodbye to my last order of the month today and now planning for May.
At the end of the week, Marcel and I too a long anticipated trip to the north for a night away and to spend time with dear friends. It didn’t quite work out as we had planned as he turned sick and ended up at the hospital with a nasty case of flu but we still had some great moments and fun in spite of him getting sick.
He’s now on the road to recovery and it’s me that’s feeling a little under the weather. I guess there is a downside to the beauty of Spring! Ahhh Choo!
I saw this sign at a sweet specialty coffee shop when we were in the north and I just had to take a quick shot. After all- it’s true.
Spring is Here
April 20th, 2013
Spring has finally sprung here in the land of Never and along with that has been blue skies and sunshine.
I’m finding that in addition to my busy schedule as of late that I am bustling with energy which in turn has me attempting to cram more fun and living into each day.
I’m working on finding a balance to fit all the good stuff in. I’ve found that creating a schedule has really been helpful in other areas, so I am thinking I may need to start scheduling everything- that way if it has a time, then there is no reason not to get it done.
I’ve also heard a lot of great reviews on the FitBit and I’ve decided that I’m going to take the plunge and order one. I think it will really give me the accountability and the push that I need to get my fitness goals working for me again.
I’ve missed this space. More updates and news coming soon!!
Buzzing By
April 12th, 2013
In spite of having a really good schedule going on that’s keeping me up-to-date and even ahead with work, my social life- including my online presence has been lacking (with the exception of Facebook and Twitter). This week has been one of constant going here and there- and it has paid off in spades. The event I was a part of earlier in the week went really well and it looks promising for even more opportunities coming my way.
The temps continue to every so slowwwwly rise- and in spite of the rain over the past couple of days, the coming week promises sunshine and REAL Spring temperatures- actually in the upper 50′s to lower 60′s. Combine that with some sunshine and you’ve got a recipe for perfect weather!
In other news- in spite of all the great things happening around here- I’m also working on adding more time into the scheduled programming for blogging and other things. Marcel finished his month long school today and that means next week he’s back to his regular work schedule- which also means I’m back on my somewhat regular schedule.
I have so much to tell- but right now I’m being paged to watch Duck Dynasty and there’s no way I’m about to miss that little dose of sunshine and family fun!
Bursts of Purple
April 2nd, 2013
Yesterday Marcel and I drove up after a visit with friends and I saw in the midst of the bushes that had gone into hibernation for the winter, a burst of color. A splash of vivid purple and I knew this could only mean one thing- Crocuses.
I grabbed my iPhone and handed Marcel my handbag- and headed towards the bushes so I could capture this beautiful moment that assures me once again, Spring is on its way.
Couple this with sunshine and gorgeous blue skies and sprinkle in some time with good friends, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect.
Today- I’ve spent some time working with gum paste- sculpting to be precise for a cake that I’m going to be making. My schedule is pretty tight the next couple of weeks, so I’m trying to squeeze in my sugar crafting whenever I can. It’s a process since things need to dry- but I made good progress today- Tomorrow more.
Keeping Up
April 2nd, 2013
Sometimes towards the end of the year last year- I stopped watching the news. I know, I’ve gotten flack about not being ‘with the times’ from quite a few people, but truth is, I want to be able to control what kind of ‘stuff’ goes into my head. Some most of the news is quite negative and I just decided not to listen. Of course, with eliminating the news also meant that I would be missing out on other news worthy things- such as the Dow Jones and NASDAQ. I’ll admit that I don’t know much about trading, but I do like to follow what’s happening and have learned quite a bit from friends that I have who actually work in the business. To the point that I did start doing my own research on the trend in penny stocks and even on the Tim Sykes challenge. With all the uncertainty in the market, plus with all the ups and downs on Wall Street these days, so many people are actually investing in penny stocks and turning a pretty good profit. To the point of having me actually considering trying it too. I don’t have any intention of investing large amounts of capitol, but I think it would be interesting to invest a little and see where it takes me. What do I have to lose?
It’s one thing I do miss about the news, but like most things- there’s always an app to help keep me up to date. What did we ever do before smart phones and Internet?
