Sunday, August 24, 2008
Redeem Team lives up to its name
Well folks, there you have it. After many uncalled fouls, the Redeem Team was able to pull through to win and reclaim the gold medal in Beijing 118-107. Spain had some great shots and strategies, but in the end, Team USA came out on top.
Great job, guys!! Fantastic job Mike Krzyzewski! Go Duke!
And now, it's time for bed.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Olympics = sleep deprivation
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching the Olympics. But maybe just a little too much. Is it really worth staying up past midnight? I do have to say that it was definitely worth watching Michael Phelps break records and win eight gold medals; watching Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win gold medals in beach volleyball back-to-back for two straight Olympic games; and watching amazing gymnists, rowers, tennis players and such. There have been some incredibly amazing moments.
But never have I been so exhausted in my entire life - except for the time that I was working 60 hours a week for three months (at one point) this year. Six-hours of sleep is definitely not enough for me to fully function. My ideal sleep time? Nine hours. Nine hours of...I don't feel tired in the morning and can go all day without a cup of coffee. Nine hours of...I'm ready to conquer the day and excel at it. However with the Olympics going on I have been getting between five and seven hours of sleep.
Needless to say the Olympic games will be over fairly soon; and as saddened as I am to see it all end this year I am glad that I will be able to go back to some sleep normalcy.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A blissful birthday massage
On Friday, I went with my friend Lauren on a date -- a massage date. We were both actually celebrating our birthdays (my belated, her early). My husband was really sweet and got me a gift certificate for my 25th birthday. Definitely one to remember.
Never have I been so relaxed and transformed into a different place (mentally), perhaps heaven. At least it felt like it could have been. I was relaxed, so much so, that I almost fell asleep. How could that be? The swedish massage did it for me.
It would be great to get a monthly massage. But for now, a yearly one, especially for my birthday, will do it for me.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Rest
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Too many burdens, worries and so little time. Never enough time to rest. Is that really our humanity? Thank goodness for the mandatory holidays; otherwise, would we ever give ourselves time to relax?
Merriam-Webster defines rest as: 1: REPOSE, SLEEP; specifically: a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities 2 a: freedom from activity or labor b: a state of motionlessness or inactivity c: the repose of death 3: a place for resting or lodging 4: peace of mind or spirit 5 a (1): a rhythmic silence in music (2): a character representing such a silence b: a brief pause in reading 6: something used for support
Do you know what Friday nights feel like to me? If you’ve ever gotten a massage, it’s the peacefulness, quietness and happiness that come about; although I really wish it could be a Friday ritual to actually get about an hour long massage or so, or maybe simply once a month. Wouldn’t that be nice! J
Friday nights are as refreshing as an ice-cold glass of water on a scorching hot day; and as you drink it you can feel the water filtering down inside of your body as it soothingly says, “aahhh!” It’s the satisfaction knowing that Sabbath is here and I don’t have to worry about work until Monday. It’s the happiness knowing that I can put off doing laundry until Sunday! It’s definitely the freedom from activity or labor (as Merriam-Webster puts it).
Once I know that Sabbath is here I can truly enjoy a day off and do things that will lift my soul spiritually – whether it’s meeting up with friends or being out in nature. Even reading a book Sabbath afternoon can be quite refreshing.
I am so thankful that I’m an Adventist and have been given the privilege and right by God to have a day off to rest. We can’t be workaholics all of the time. We all simply need some time to rest and definitely take some time off for ourselves to get some sanity and a little more perspective and clarity.
Rest
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Too many burdens, worries and so little time. Never enough time to rest. Is that really our humanity? Thank goodness for the mandatory holidays; otherwise, would we ever give ourselves time to relax?
Merriam-Webster defines rest as: 1: REPOSE, SLEEP; specifically: a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities 2 a: freedom from activity or labor b: a state of motionlessness or inactivity c: the repose of death 3: a place for resting or lodging 4: peace of mind or spirit 5 a (1): a rhythmic silence in music (2): a character representing such a silence b: a brief pause in reading 6: something used for support
Do you know what Friday nights feel like to me? If you’ve ever gotten a massage, it’s the peacefulness, quietness and happiness that come about; although I really wish it could be a Friday ritual to actually get about an hour long massage or so, or maybe simply once a month. Wouldn’t that be nice! J
Friday nights are as refreshing as an ice-cold glass of water on a scorching hot day; and as you drink it you can feel the water filtering down inside of your body as it soothingly says, “aahhh!” It’s the satisfaction knowing that Sabbath is here and I don’t have to worry about work until Monday. It’s the happiness knowing that I can put off doing laundry until Sunday! It’s definitely the freedom from activity or labor (as Merriam-Webster puts it).
Once I know that Sabbath is here I can truly enjoy a day off and do things that will lift my soul spiritually – whether it’s meeting up with friends or being out in nature. Even reading a book Sabbath afternoon can be quite refreshing.
I am so thankful that I’m an Adventist and have been given the privilege and right by God to have a day off to rest. We can’t be workaholics all of the time. We all simply need some time to rest and definitely take some time off for ourselves to get some sanity and a little more perspective and clarity.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
This week's new dishes
Grilled Tofu with Asiago and Walnut Pesto
Fresh Strawberry Milkshake http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_36618,00.html
Skirt Steak Fajitas with Lime, Chili and Roasted Tomatillo Sauce
Lemon Spaghetti
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Food, Gas prices
What’s up with this economy? And in the situation that it’s in, so much for my dream of cooking with the best fruit and veggies, as it seems the prices aren’t getting any lower.
In addition, I can’t believe how much higher gas prices have gotten within a month. How much more of this insanity will we take?
Airlines and airfares have gone beyond what we have expected. We’re definitely not getting our money’s worth. Some airlines are charging more for window seats than middle seats; other airlines are charging at least $2 for soft drinks. Have we gotten desperate for money? Or do we now look more into bargain hunting than before? It looks like “cheap” is in. In any case, it doesn’t seem like food or gas prices will be dwindling anytime soon. How unfortunate and upsetting.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The greener the better, Napa Valley
The greener the better. Sounds like it's becoming some sort of a new epidemic or something. It's not just for vegetables anymore, because the greener, the healthier, but it's revolutionized itself into keeping our environment and lives into a healthier state of being.
Napa Valley has become a haven for rest and relaxation for many and it's not just because there's a lot of wine around.
To me, Napa Valley has become a home and a place to which I hope to come back and retire. (Maybe it'll even be affordable enough for us to buy a house...but that's just wishful thinking). It brings all sorts of memories (because I went to school here for five years) and new experiences to which I can't wait to add to my non-existant checklist. The weather is pretty great --as good as it can get living in California. Today we had 90+ degree weather. It's supposed to get into triple digits later this week. However, we normally have awesome weather.
So what makes this wine country a haven for rest and relaxation and an incredible place to live?
You can't deny the gorgeous views from spring through fall, when a sprig of grapes here and there in early spring turns into miles of wine grapes. Although the smell of wine grapes can be mesmorizing and almost sickening around September/October, it's quite an experience to be surrounded by millions of grapes that make Napa Valley the incredible place that it is.
So far, living in wine country has been fantastic. It's really great checking out the mom-n-pop places as well as going out to eat at a few new and inexpensive places. Even though at times I dislike driving 30 minutes to work each morning, it's really exciting and relaxing seeing rows and rows of green grape vines. Who knew that green could be so pretty? If you get it just right, the many colors of the sunset combined with luscious wine grapes makes for spectacular views.
People come from all over the world to get a breather in this area. Even locals get relaxation. Some go to spas, others drink wine. I like driving through the valley and trying to capture the views through my camera as best as I know how. There's something about driving, getting a little exercise and seeing new places that gives me a renewed spirit. Somehow the few hours that I spend outside gives me energy for the rest of the week.
It's comforting to know that there are people who care so much about the environment so much so that the phrase recycle-reduce-reuse has taken on a whole new meaning. If we learn how to take care of what's around us, places like Napa Valley can continue on and renew other peoples' spirits.
As I drive home from work I am reminded each and every day that God is incredible. He created and designed everything that is around us...all that we can and can't see. After all, He did tell us to take care of ourselves and the environment.
A few weeks ago at church the pastor was talking about what it meant to be green; and he wasn't just talking about the environment. The following phrase stuck with me ever since it was put up on screen:
Create in me a green heart oh God.
If that doesn't take on a new meaning, I don't know what does.
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