Sleeping in Public...

I was listening to my favorite radio as usual and the topic of 'Sleeping in Public' came up. I must admit, I am one of those who would  likely sleeping in the public.  In fact, this reminded me when I was in high school and college.

“Um … I don’t feel like going to church today.” That was my thought on that very Sunday. In fact, probably on most Sundays, but I went any way. And I was late as always, and as I expected, there wasn't any seats left in the church so I stood at my usual spot, against a pole while attending the mass.  Without realizing it my eyes were closed then I was awaken right after the priest was done with his preaching. Timing was always crucial as if I knew it in the back of my mind when was the time to be up :-)

The other day, I met my husband's coworker who apparently graduated from same college as us. He said that he saw me quite often in the library, he paused. Then he said, "But, most of the times, you were sleeping on your desk instead of studying." Laughing. Very true, indeed! I can sleep anywhere, name it and in any position --standing, or sitting. 

One time, after a quick nap at my office, I logged back in to my computer. In no time,  my ex-boss pinged me and said, "Are you awake now?" --Yeah ... yeah... :-)

Anyway, whatever I did is nowhere came close with this video that I am about to share it with you all ...

I hope you found it entertaining! Now the question is --Have you slept in the public before?

Until next stop,

Journey of Life

Is That How It Started …

As I was watching the world went by on the beach during our camping trip. I have noticed couple incidents within 30 minutes of each other. A boy was saying this to his mom, “I want to pee.” –His mom said something and pointed to the lake. Then the boy reported back after a bit, and his mom gestured his to shush. –Interesting.

Then, I saw another girl said in a louder voice that she wanted to go to bathroom. Her mom, again, pointed the sea. Then the girl shouted, “Um .. I really didn’t need to go to bathroom,” and put her finger on her lips–more interesting, I said to myself.

Those moments have fed this mind of mine and here we are at our stop. I wondered if this is how a lie gets started? For convenience purposes, which seem to be quite innocent, are we teaching our children, our next generation, to lie and okay them to do something improper, not abiding the rule?  I am not even sure if we realize the price that we are paying for being convenience.

Here is something to think about, are we willing to trade our conveniences with something that contradict with what we have been trying to teach since day one?  “Yeah, it never fails to amaze me how a single lie can undo an entire lifetime of good. (Aiden)” ― Sherrilyn Kenyon, Upon the Midnight Clear

Um ... I wonder --Is that how a lie is started …

Until next stop,

Journey of Life

First Camping Trip –My Family

This long weekend, we had our first family's camping trip. It has been awhile since we camped. I believe we have gone to camp for about three times or so in the past with our friends. And this time was our first camping trip on our own. As always, I did all of the planning ahead of times, from booking camp ground to finding out what we needed to bring. My hubby was responsible for our menu. Let's see, he bought fish, chickens, filet mignons to a surprise dish–lobsters, my favorite.

It was unfortunate that we arrived so late –9:30 pm. We wanted to leave earlier but my girl didn’t want to ditch her class even though we have suggested otherwise. Leaving at 3:30 pm, as you can imaged sent us directly to the jam packed traffic –taking 2 hours longer than expected. As we arrived, though we were greeted by dark sky, we still managed to find our tent site in one single swoop. Setting up tent was a piece of cake, wow you think. Well, my hubby downloaded the video from youtube and with the guide from the computer, my hubby and my girls setup the tent. I was too busy with unloading stuff and arranging them accordingly.

After all of the setup were completed, the girls and my hubby were busy trying to start the fire, getting ready for our fabulous dinner –fish barbeque and yam… As the night got dimmer and serene, we decided to turn ourselves in. That was our first night at the camp and it was freezing!! So cold that I couldn’t sleep well -- between turning and tossing, I managed to sleep a bit here and there. The worst of all, wanting to visit the restroom in the middle of the night.

The sun was high up by the time we had our brunch –over easy eggs, and ramen were the menu of the day. Then we headed to the beach for fun time. The girls had so much fun pedaling the boat while my hubby was chasing them for photo time. I, on the other hand, had my quiet moment, observing the lake and the people surrounding me.

Before we knew it,  time for dinner had approached –I wondered, if camping is all about preparing for food and surrounding the camp fire :-)  Having said that, at this very camping trip, I have noticed something interesting --how four of us managed to work so well in a team to overcome our challenge in making our first camping trip a lasting and memorable trip. Seeing how the girls and my hubby put their heads together in setting up the tent, starting the camp fire and how we always manage to entertain each other, as if the whole world belongs to us and only us. We are quite content just being together, no matter where we are.

As we gazed at the sky, the surrounding camp sites, the full moon, our captivating, and warm camp fire and when our eyes met, all of the sudden our hearts were filled with the warmness of the camp fire. In that very moment of my life–I am convinced that we are destined to be a family in this lifetime.

Until next stop,

Journey of Life

Journey into the Abu Simbel Temples ...

Located near the border between Egypt and Sudan, an approximately 167 miles form Aswan, you would find the Abu Simbel Temples. Abu Simbel temples comprise of two temples that were built by Ramesses II for himself and for his wife, Nefertari. In fact, he was the only pharaoh that had built a temple dedicated for his queen.

What so special about these temples you ask ... Well..they were carved out from two big solid rocks. Check them out!

Temple built for Ramses II

Temple built for Nefertari, Ramses II's queen

During the year when the Egyptian built the high dam, the Abu Simbel temples were at the risk of being submerged in the water, so the UNESCO and Egyptian government have joined effort in relocating the temples to their current location, Philae island --piece by piece. Um ... who says that you can't move a mountain? --Well almost, two huge rocks were disassembled, moved then reassembled back like their original, almost!

Abu Simbel temples after the move

Philae island

The front of the temple

Hope you enjoy this journey visiting the Abu Simbel Temples and wish you a nice weekend!


Until next stop,
Journey of Life

Are you selfish?

What a fun nite at our toastmaster meeting last night! We had a contest going on at our clubs to pick the best speakers and the best evaluators to represent our club to compete in larger audiences. I opted to be the Chief of Judge --just because. It was an interesting experience to be one, though it was not what I had in mind :-)

But, what I like to zeroing today is how the last speaker has captured my attention. Yes. He was funny but the topic that he has chosen --Selfishness, is quite an interesting one, I said to myself. He won the 2nd best speakers due to the nature of the contest --humorous speech. He was quite entertaining but the winner was definitely well deserved one, leaving us teary --from laughing so hard. .But the topic of 'selfishness' --has definitely lasted longer in my mind.

During his speech, the speaker made an argument, in fact a very convincing one, stating that we are one way or another --selfish.. Either we are more selfish or just about right. He argued that whatever gestures that we had made whether gift giving, donating to charity, tending our family, giving our best to our loved ones might be, we would always receive something in return --mentally or physically. Be a satisfactory feeling, being proud or having something to brag about --having our children go to the Ivy League school perhaps :-)

I remember having so many thoughts flashing thru my mind thinking that 'No, I am not selfish,' not until he mentioned that there are some emotionally rewards --satisfaction, happiness, being respective, being loved .... you got my point. Really! I guess I am a bit selfish and  here is what the Dalai Lama has to say about human beings and selfishness.

"Human beings are not intrinsically selfish, which isolates us from others. We are essentially social animals who depend on others to meet our needs. We achieve happiness, prosperity and progress through social interaction. Therefore, having a kind and helpful attitude contributes to our own and others' happiness."

Hope you enjoy our stop today visiting the subject of 'selfishness'.'

Until next stop,
Journey of Life

Self-Help for Skeptics

Just when you thought that you are hopeless ... half empty is your life philosophy. Think again!
Recent article on the Wall Street Journal revealed that there is a hope to the pessimists. We are more than capable of training our brain to think positive even though we were wired otherwise.

Each time when you are about to think how dreadful your life is ... think about something that you are thankful for --for every one negative thought you have about yourself, think about five positive things that you are proud of.

In the articles, the author, Elizabeth Bernstein, mentions another method that helps is spending some of your time when you are down by helping others. The result is quite impressive, in fact, it is a method that is used by psychologist or psychotherapist to help depression patients to  regain their happiness. The author also mentioned that as part of the way to help lessen the negativity is to vent outs as well.

Property of the Wall Street Journal, illustrated by Jim Haynes

Another way is to keep track of your accomplishments and happy moments, when time needed, flip through those moments and in no time, you will find yourself back --the positive ones. She listed more examples, such as, a lady who celebrated her recovery from long depression by making herself valentine card. Each time when she looks at the card, it reminds her that she has pulled through a difficult moment in her life.

Some people even talk to themselves briefly --using the voice that was used to scold themselves when they were not doing their best, the very same voice would comfort them, just like a friend would do, giving support to friends in need..

Some people are collecting fan cards, letters and emails that were sent by clients or friends, and when difficult times hit, reading them would boost up their confidence and happiness.

Need more reasons? If we don't love ourselves, who else would! With that in mind, make sure to train our brains to think positive and when need be instead of being harsh on ourselves --self compassion is the way to go!

Until next stop,
Journey of Life

Ladies First ...

As I was driving into work this morning, I tuned in to my favorite radio station. Why you ask –favorite that is! Well … if I ever running out of idea on what to blog, I tell ya … I can always find some interesting topics from that radio station. And today is the day (not that I have nothing to write about but I found this topic very amusing :-))

The male host was asking this question to the female host this morning, he went like, “How do you feel being treated like a lady?”  Before the female host answered, he further explained the reason behind his question was. He was in an elevator with a lady and he was standing closer to the door. As the elevator stopped. this male host stepped back and letting the lady to step out first. "The lady looked at me in this weird look," he said. He then gestured the lady by saying “Lady first.” And guess what the lady did and said? –Hold on to that thought.

He was saying that he is one of those that still does the following –opening door, pulling out chair for ladies. Coincidentally, this morning as I walked into the double door of our office building. I saw one man went in and he was about 50 feet from me or so. As he walked in, he kept the door open waiting for me. I was impressed (as I didn’t expect that since I was still quite a distance away,) and quickened my steps and thanked him for his kind gesture.

I am not sure how others feel, I felt like this gentlemen who has opened the door for me was polite and I really appreciate it. Did he need to do it? Of course not but the fact that he did it, I truly appreciated it.
Now you must be wondering what did the lady did and said. Ready?

She stomped out (angrily) and said, “pleassssseee … what year is this?!”  I thought to myself, “Wow! What an interesting reaction.” I am not sure why she reacted that way and I probably will not ever understand. So, I thought I share this with you and perhaps someone would light up my ‘light bulb’ :-)

Property of dr-senbest.blogspot.com

I hope you enjoy this little true tale …

Until next stop,
Journey of Life