tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69781790526562907662024-03-12T19:16:17.803-07:00Stop. Listen.Be happy, smile more, spread love! Take advantage of every moment you have been given... live and breath LIFEMissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-26284521138635742952011-12-13T21:19:00.000-08:002011-12-13T21:22:23.504-08:00Flat-lining<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKNn63CfMc3TTgxvUoFOKwVAlyYkj0oXPGYVvWf2treMlnVI3-kXlQjB4rDGevXSZlfghLN6AeayeVmn9Hb12Vv7xwywZ0oj-pHu58SIrmOoiOalM8heQrb3qFUATLHclvw5zyeT0zfEZ/s1600/20070717_electrocardiogram_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKNn63CfMc3TTgxvUoFOKwVAlyYkj0oXPGYVvWf2treMlnVI3-kXlQjB4rDGevXSZlfghLN6AeayeVmn9Hb12Vv7xwywZ0oj-pHu58SIrmOoiOalM8heQrb3qFUATLHclvw5zyeT0zfEZ/s1600/20070717_electrocardiogram_18.jpg" /></a> I watched New Year’s Eve the other night. While lacking in
substance, one of my favorite lines in the movie:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>“What would you do today if you knew you wouldn’t fail? Now
go do that.” </b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is something to think about. It’s easy to get wrapped
up in the <i>“what ifs”</i> and not take a chance on anything. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The twins I babysit on occasion were playing outside the
other day. One of them fell down. As he laid there our conversation went
something like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>“What do you do when you fall down?” asks E<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>“I fell down!” said R<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>“R, when you fall down you get up stronger than before!”
says E with energy, holding up her arms in victory pose.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>R stands up.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>“So what do you say?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><b>With some coaxing he says, “when I fall down I get up stronger
than before!” complete with victory pose. </b></span><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A new day always dawns regardless. Life never promises to
always be easy and if it were, would we appreciate it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear L-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life was really simple and then somewhere down the road it
changed. The slow sinking in of reality and the taking of responsibility began
to represent the loss of youth and innocence. It’s the little setbacks and how
they were handled that helped to shaped the person you are today. Right now
I know you’re asking the question why. Dear L, don’t be afraid to open yourself
and feel right now. DO it because it is hard. Don’t hold it inside, you find a
way to let it out even if it’s tough. Because how you feel when you do let it
out is how you’re feeling inside right now. Just because you ignore it doesn’t
mean it isn’t still there affecting your outlook on life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take an ECG machine for example which represents the rhythm
of your heart. Up and down, up and down. Imagine that up and down representing
your life – You’re feeling great about your life when it’s up and you’re
feeling down about your life when it’s down. But imagine flatlining and feeling
nothing. Life is meant to be lived and felt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time heals everything and I know you’ll pick yourself up and
be stronger for it. Cause that’s just who you are. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yours truly,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Xoxo,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Em</div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-30827365899421638322011-12-11T09:45:00.001-08:002011-12-11T09:54:24.884-08:00The Eyes are the Window to the Soul<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxmBnLabz8JIgkC_kxp03hjxCQ_9EFnyQi3e8t54o5clYnpn0IEJfnF-Cg65DC0AvQv9WltozHcQM25bZVtMr17nWEL8pH1jFfW-QSiALedG80Em7ANC9O5ph30EIrzyMjeMGHgc1oNvX/s1600/kittykat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxmBnLabz8JIgkC_kxp03hjxCQ_9EFnyQi3e8t54o5clYnpn0IEJfnF-Cg65DC0AvQv9WltozHcQM25bZVtMr17nWEL8pH1jFfW-QSiALedG80Em7ANC9O5ph30EIrzyMjeMGHgc1oNvX/s1600/kittykat.gif" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The eyes are the window to the soul and intrinsically I
think I can understand you at that level. What if the moment we woke up instead
of thinking about our day and ourselves we asked the simple question of “what
am I going to do to help someone else today?” Often, the shoes or videogame we
absolutely had to have NOW – is forgotten 2 months later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a Starbuck, a few years ago, I made eye contact with a
middle aged blonde woman standing in line to order her coffee. She smiled the
biggest chance smile I’ve ever seen. Not one of those ‘’oh no! we just made eye
contact!” Q<i>uick smile, look away. </i> No, she made direct eye contact and smiled
beautifully. I’ve never forgotten the simple act of a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How many times a day do we close our eyes and ignore something
we CAN give? Something that would take only 5 minutes. 5 minutes of your time
could make a difference in someone else’s life. Sometimes it is as simple as a
3 second smile- but other times it is not that simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because the truth is, even taking 5 minutes to help someone <b>if it is out of your
way</b> is something people won’t often do. Now take a decision that involves you sacrificing
something so important to you (example, changing your lifestyle etc...) for someone else. How often does THAT happen? We
see broken people everywhere in our lives but do we care? Do we care at all?? Do
we care enough to let go of ourselves and do something? Or are we content to
only think about ourselves and our happiness? The definition of selfish according
to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1: </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself<b>:</b> seeking
or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard
for others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dear R-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You have people in your life who love you so much. But it’s
not enough, is it? I know what you really want and it makes me so sad because
it’s impossible for me to give you that. I will always be there for you though. <3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yours truly,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Xoxo,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Em</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is <i>SO</i> worth watching:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UWHJ6-YhSYQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com0Washington, USA47.7510741 -120.740138645.0187141 -125.79384959999999 50.4834341 -115.6864276tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-71486507389563271882011-12-08T18:55:00.000-08:002011-12-08T19:46:57.843-08:00A Letter to Myself<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;">Dear Current Blues,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><b>R</b>ona- I miss you so much right now. And knowing you are returning to Europe and I’m stuck here in America breaks my heart.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;"><b>H</b>anna- I miss hearing your Finnish accent and all your amazing stories. You inspire me to do crazy things.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;">Love you so much!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;"><b>A</b>nne-Lise, Mischa, Csenge, Princess, Milda, Rebekka, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;">Linda, Marie-Eve, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola;">and everyone else who made my DK stay unforgettable- you all are amazing and I want to see you soon!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><b>G</b>od- I think it’s so amazing how you planned everything and how you know absolutely everything. Even when life doesn't seem to be going well I can trust in you completely. My prayer right now is that you increase my faith where it’s lacking.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><b>M</b>y Family- I’m so thankful for you all. I've been rediscovering how fabulous it is to spend time with everyone and become reacquainted. Megan, it’s so great to see you again!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><b>E</b>mily - by the time tomorrow rolls around you are aren't allowed to feel blue anymore.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;">Yours Truly,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;">Xoxo,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: large;">Em</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-52546514411752790772011-06-08T05:07:00.000-07:002011-06-08T05:07:16.213-07:00Sushi and Happiness<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxBb_gvthdj6MeBy9jPkvQpsonX-doo94G8R0phByp9KFi0t2YxS-EPrIN7yVG1sXLgYC-b1JhVAB0OUA_AruUuACBsSLNl3KWiOin2L882jYT5wzfgIPyfQdOMUM6uXCs_jTXs4bG1Cz/s1600/sushi.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxBb_gvthdj6MeBy9jPkvQpsonX-doo94G8R0phByp9KFi0t2YxS-EPrIN7yVG1sXLgYC-b1JhVAB0OUA_AruUuACBsSLNl3KWiOin2L882jYT5wzfgIPyfQdOMUM6uXCs_jTXs4bG1Cz/s1600/sushi.gif" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> Tonight my host mom and I are making Sushi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awhile back I went to a running sushi restaurant which begs the question, are “running sushi” restaurants common? It’s an intelligent concept- instead of your waiters and waitresses running around bring you your sushi, your sushi is running to you. How convenient. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I googled running sushi they came up with running sushi Copenhagen/NYC etc…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so maybe not so well known. Oh FYI, no smoking in sushi bars even if it’s allowed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just last night I was forced (you know who you are) to put wasabi straight on my tongue. It wasn’t as hot as I expected. I think I’m slowly numbing my spicy sensors. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I enjoy asking people I’ve just met to sing their national anthem. . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It kind of makes them do a double take, like “whaaa? Really?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it appears to causes them to panic a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple evenings ago I met up with some friends at the beach. We shared a bottle of wine, chips, and great conversation. As we are all sitting around the clouds are getting darker and darker and we realized we were in for a big rain storm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First came the lightening though. There was something alluring about sitting next to the ocean, watching the sky grow dark, and seeing the flashes of lightening. It would have been wrong to leave any earlier than we did. Reality hits you around the same time as a rain drop though. And then when it’s no longer just “a raindrop” you start wondering why exactly you felt you had to stay 20 extra minutes. It was a great night though – and no beach visit is complete without a swim. My friend Hannah and I went ahead with that. It soon began pouring and on the way back the bus driver took pity on us as we flagged him down at a stop light. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Last weekend I was in Gothenburg, Sweden with a friend from the Netherlands. We had the pleasure of couchsurfing with a guy from Germany who was a really nice guy. Whenever you see a new location for the first time you really have no idea where to begin sightseeing. The beauty of Couchsurfing is that you see things and parts of a city you would not see if you met up with someone living there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">“If you want to be happy, be.” Leo Tolstoy<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">A great quote due to its simplicity and truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Xoxoxoxo <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Em<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGIIkeOP2sAI3I681yfEre8Hk4KJTHDToUKcKd98AKHV3OWsOIGo0HJ1dIC7GxD8JGmEbzOc6diDgNhs-V0IssjkhyoBvKpyHo-YN8TP9W-CdnTS2_MQR-YuSeM_sQNO92f3FATAwd_sz/s1600/yeah+yeah+yeah+yeah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGIIkeOP2sAI3I681yfEre8Hk4KJTHDToUKcKd98AKHV3OWsOIGo0HJ1dIC7GxD8JGmEbzOc6diDgNhs-V0IssjkhyoBvKpyHo-YN8TP9W-CdnTS2_MQR-YuSeM_sQNO92f3FATAwd_sz/s400/yeah+yeah+yeah+yeah.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">From the beach night, left to right we have: Miss Hungary, Miss Philippines, myself, and Miss. Iceland. :DD</span></div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-91404423744330605522011-02-21T13:03:00.000-08:002011-02-21T13:03:39.296-08:00quick brief updateWell the month of Febuary has been sorta crazy... and I really kind of fell off the face of the blogging world until I got a comment from <a href="http://avidlyuneventful.blogspot.com/">Dull Boy</a> saying something about January 31st. It's been forever! I do have some good excuses though. ;)<br />
<br />
In the beginning of Febuary I had to leave my host family because it really was not working out. And I have to say, in the last 2 weeks I've been much happier then I was in the 2.5 months spent with my first host family. I was able to find a second host family who is living around Copenhagen. So now I'm close to the big city! It's made it much easier to meet people and it's made life a bit more fun. My current host family has 3 children. 2 boys- 7 and 11 and 1 girl- 4. They are all fantastic and very sweet! The 11 year old boy speaks English which is quite a relief. And he's quite the comedian actually.<br />
<br />
So beyond moving (my goodness i acquired way too much clothing) and adjusting to a new family.... I just spent the last week in Paris! I made sure I saw the most important sights like... the Eiffel Tower etc... and it was a great experience.<br />
<br />
So now that I am learning the routine in my second host family, I should be able to blog like I used to.<br />
<br />
xoxoxoxo Em<br />
<br />
p.s. someone just named there daughter Facebook. I think I'm going to name my daughter Twitter.MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-61244685696121211642011-01-31T04:18:00.000-08:002011-01-31T04:18:39.278-08:00January 31stHappy Last Day of January!<br />
<br />
So I realize it's been a long while since I've updated my blog. Life over in Denmark has been just a bit crazy lately. ^_^ crazy in a good way though.<br />
<br />
I'm still going to Danish Language classes and so far- so good. I do realize I'm the worst in the class but I'm working on the remedy. I will say, in general I pretty much zone everything I hear- out. So having ''danish'' tv in the backrground to help me get used to the language is a bit unhelpful because I don't pay any attention to it anyway. So despite being here for 2+ months I don't know near as much as I should. However, one of my classmates I sit next to DOES know her Danish and she's totally the best at helping me out when I need it. So I'm not completely drowning! The whole class is taught in Danish so you really do have to pay some attention. Soon I will be speaking in Danish. And things have been clicking better and better each time I do go to class. So it's definitely helping!<br />
<br />
The weather here is getting very cold. I've seen snow flurries floating around when I'm on my way to school. I am looking forward to seeing Denmark in the Summertime. I hear it's nice and I'd like to believe it. And I just recently heard how much daylight Denmark gets when it's not winter and I can't wait! Sounds like the sun doesn't really go down till 11ish and comes back up at 4ish. I know my Mom would live here now. ;)<br />
<br />
I went to Copenhagen last weekend and met up with four other au pairs from Finland, Germany, Poland, and Iceland. It was a nice get-away. :D And somewhat profound to be in Denmark with 4 girls from countries other then Denmark. All here working as au pairs. I take the train about 1.5 hours to get into Copenhagen so it's not something I do all the time. Transportation here is super expensive! But going to Copenhagen is worth it. :D<br />
<br />
Copenhagen's Fashion week is coming up. I don't know if I'll be able to participate but it sounds like fun. I'd love to see a runway show someday and I'm sure I will.<br />
<br />
And now the kids will be back soon- I'll update with a real post next time! :D This was just a pseudo post because it's been awhile and I don't have time to really put thought into what I say.<br />
<br />
Take advantage of this being the last day of January and do something absolutely crazy!MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-45913122550648417042011-01-20T07:55:00.000-08:002011-01-20T07:55:06.427-08:00Budapest, Coffee, and Wine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I had my first real European adventure this last weekend. Around the end of December I decided it was time to start touring the European countries around me- I really didn't have a preference as to where I was going to go, I just had to be able to afford it. Fast forward two weeks- Budapest, Hungary. Absolutely beautiful city. There's an energy to it that I really like and I have a feeling that it has something to do with the many coffee shops everywhere. You see, the coffee culture hasn't hit Denmark yet. I'll give them 10 years. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Honestly- I love being in Denmark but I don't quite understand how a coffee addict like myself ended up in a country with no Starbucks. The only Starbucks that exists in my area is in the Copenhagen airport. How much do you want to bet that I had a ''real'' coffee before my flight? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">If you ever have a chance to see Budapest, I'd definitely recommend it. Here's a couple pics of me in Budapest that my photographer friend took. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DSC_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DSC_0252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DSC_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DSC_0300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">To get back home I had to take almost every form of transportation available besides a boat. 3 metro trains, 2 buses, one plane, and 2 trains. Sunday was a long day. :D</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My home state is Washington and I just want to give a shout out to our wine there. Apparently it MUST be good because they served it at Obama's big State dinner where none other then Jackie Chan attended! And of course, the Chinese President Hu Jintao... And from the Washington Examiner:</span><br />
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<blockquote>"Obama repeatedly stressed that he is seeking "a level playing field" for U.S. companies doing business with China. The White House has been pressuring China on economic issues that include monetary policy and trade imbalance."</blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">That's all very well to want a level playing field but in my opinion, when you owe someone a large sum of money you pretty much lose your chance at a level playing field. Just saying. It is a nice picture to dream about. However, I don't think the Chinese politicians like Americans too much. I seem to recall Sha Zukang saying just that at one point. I think he had too much to drink before he said that though- but I can't quite remember. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">But all of that really won't matter by December 2012 seeing as we will all be dead.. Or at least George Lucas thinks we'll be dead. At least we have until 2012- Dr. Kermit Gosnell made it so quite a few wouldn't ever even have the chance of dying on 2012. From philidelphia.cbslocal.com we have:</span><br />
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<blockquote>“I am aware that abortion is a hot-button topic,” said District Attorney Seth Williams. “But as district attorney, my job is to carry out the law. A doctor who knowingly and systematically mistreats female patients, to the point that one of them dies in his so-called care, commits murder under the law. A doctor who cuts into the necks severing the spinal cords of living, breathing babies, who would survive with proper medical attention, is committing murder under the law.”</blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I really don't care what your opinion on abortion is... the whole thing is really awful and I hope he gets the full extent of whatever they can give him when it comes to the law. </span>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-90108875055642303672011-01-05T01:58:00.000-08:002011-01-05T01:58:12.760-08:00Winter Reflection Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM3fFFh3mlvnEhnhftK8Lhp35MJBFMdp-IzKRDM1RChVuHyy_wnP8S83Pj4WLj_Sq2M_sknc0hd-oRinrHL26k-A5KyuXXiEBcf7w5wNNP2jTzym_3OjAHq_VLNBZVlfPjK_4OK1DuHq3/s1600/Winter+Reflections.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM3fFFh3mlvnEhnhftK8Lhp35MJBFMdp-IzKRDM1RChVuHyy_wnP8S83Pj4WLj_Sq2M_sknc0hd-oRinrHL26k-A5KyuXXiEBcf7w5wNNP2jTzym_3OjAHq_VLNBZVlfPjK_4OK1DuHq3/s400/Winter+Reflections.png" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i>Two</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">U</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nderstanding vs. Agreeing</span></span></span></i></div></div></div><div style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></i></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">***********</span></i></div></div></div></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">The other day I was loading the dishwasher and the silverware caught my eye. I have always wondered and I STILL want to know what is the proper way to load silverware. A lot of people load ''face'' side up and I don't understand that for two reason- 1) When the clean forks/knives/spoons are used, essentially someone's grimy fingers have been all over what you are about to put in your mouth. 2) When you are unloading you are more likely to ''accidentally'' stab yourself with the face up knives then if they were face down.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">So, do you load silverware ''face up'' or ''face down?" And why? Because in my experience I see more people loading it face up then face down. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">That being said- usually I don't think any less of a person who puts silverware in the ''wrong'' way but sometimes in life we automatically think people who do things in a different manner then what we are used to are doing things the wrong way. And it's easy to get annoyed because they are obviously just not getting it! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And you can face something like that two ways. One- get extremely frusterated (which sometimes there is no way around that one). Two- make a choice not to get extremely frusterated. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Sometimes people do things differently and instead of automatically pushing the way you do things onto them- first, understand why they do what they do. Not always, but usually, there is a reason for it - even if the reason seems silly at least you are aware of it. Second, there's always something you can take away and learn- even if it's "I will never ever do that." Three, if you criticize and tell people how wrong they are- they will not listen to you and you will lose any sort of positive influence. And why should they listen to you? You have succeeded in raising their defenses. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">So in conclusion, sometimes open communcation and being willing to compromise just a little makes all the difference in the world. You can actually walk away learning something that you wouldn't have if you had not been willing to see another's view point. And I did not say agree. Understanding and Agreeing are two completely different subjects. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">***********</span></i></span></span></div>And not to rehash everything over and over- I have taken the liberty to copy and paste a section from an <a href="http://www.hawaiireporter.com/pelosi-obama-hawaiian-vacations-come-to-an-end-but-taxpayers-left-with-the-bill">article in the Hawaiian Reporte</a><a href="http://www.hawaiireporter.com/pelosi-obama-hawaiian-vacations-come-to-an-end-but-taxpayers-left-with-the-bill">r</a>. I found the breakdown of what the money was spent on to be interesting:<br />
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<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Obama’s trip to Oahu has proved much pricier to state and federal taxpayers.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In a <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hawaii Reporter</em> story published last week, some of the cost estimates included:</div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Obama’s round trip flight to Hawaii via Air Force One: $1 million (GAO estimates)</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mrs. Obama’s early flight to Hawaii: $63,000 (White House Dossier)</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Housing in beachfront homes for Secret Service and Seals in Kailua ($1,200 a day for 14 days): $16,800</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Costs for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel: $134,400 ($400 per day for 24 staff) – excluding meals and other room costs</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Local police overtime: $250,000 (2009 costs reported by Honolulu Police Department)</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ambulance: $10,000 (City Spokesperson)</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TOTAL COST: $1,474,200</strong></li>
</ul><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">UNKNOWN COSTS</strong></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rental of office building in Kailua on canal</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Security upgrades and additional phone lines to private homes where Obama and friends are staying</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Costs for car rentals and fuel for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Surveillance before the President arrives</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Travel costs for Secret Service and White House staff traveling ahead of the President</li>
</ul></span></blockquote><br />
Beyond the Obama's though- let's explore your cellphone. Police now have the right to search through your phone if you are arrested. I don't even think it matters what you are arrested for- they still have the liberty to go look through all your emails/text messages/ etc... I find that somewhat disturbing. Not because I have anything to hide but because it's an invasion of my personal property. So, go ahead and start password protecting your cellphone. You never know when it might come in handy.MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-9699450065737914462011-01-02T08:11:00.000-08:002011-01-02T08:11:08.800-08:00Year 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/banner_new_year__2011_vector_adobe_illustrator_cs4_eps_design_element_tutorial_1291935652-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/banner_new_year__2011_vector_adobe_illustrator_cs4_eps_design_element_tutorial_1291935652-1.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Happy New Year everyone! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it." </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">— L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Same can be said for 2011- so let's make it a good one! Take advantage of it being a new year and instead of writing a list of everything you want to do better/new/differently - start doing them! We don't get to the top of the mountain if we spend all our time planning on it. Sometimes you just have to go for it, one step at a time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b><i>Finances: </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So this month in my au pair household we are trying something new. We have a set amount we can spend on grocceries for the next 3 months. We are in competition with another family to not spend more then that. But how exactly does one keep track of everything they spend? That question had me thinking today because I will most likely be the person responsible for keeping track of where the money goes. On my last computer I had the program Quicken which can be fantastic if you are really into finances and keeping track of things. My current computer does not have Quicken and I was thinking of something a little bit simpler because all I'm doing is keeping track of receipts. Today I started looking online for a bit of help and came up with a solution. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.clearcheckbook.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">www.clearcheckbook.com</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">It wasn't my first choice but due to living outside the USA I couldn't be picky. A lot of free software has restrictions as to where it is used and living in Denmark makes it difficult to find something. This site allows you to log how much you spend or receive in particular categories. All I need it to do is keep track of groceries and it looks just about perfect for that. I'll still have to investigate it more though and try it out. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Now, the first part to tracking and saving money is usually finding out what you are spending it on. Often times it's the little things that add up- kind of like, going shopping and buying a bottle of water while you are out. It doesn't cost much, but multiply it by how many times you do that a week, x52 weeks. So the first two weeks of January will likely entail finding out where the money goes. The second two will be used to figure out how to cut back. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">One other site that looked interesting was: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://money.strands.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">https://money.strands.com/</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">You can't use it outside the US as far as I know- however it would have been my first choice. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I don't think my host family and I are the only one's who could learn how to become more money concious. I read a quote the other day which talked about the Obama's Christmas vacation costing us about $1.5 million. OUCH? Like really? Maybe we all have to try to do things a bit less expensively. A few less trips to Hawaii.... a few less golfing days.... but hey, you're only president/president's wife/president's kids for a few years, so why not take advantage of it? And have you ever noticed how much easier it is to spend someone elses money and how you usually think twice when it comes to spending your own money? Maybe if they pulled the money out of their own pockets they would spend less. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">CHEERS for the new year!</span>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-83176314743816267192010-12-23T10:06:00.000-08:002010-12-23T10:06:21.240-08:00Merry Christmas!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> Today I watched the movie Chocolat. As I sat their staring at scene after scene filled with delightful chocolate (along with Johnny Depp) I knew for sure the story had to have been written by a woman. Joanne Harris to be exact. I don't think a man could have come up with a story where chocolate is central to the plot. However, despite being caught up in the chocolate, there is a quote in the movie that stood out to me as worth remembering:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, by what we resist or who we exclude. We have to measure our goodness by what we embrace, what we create and who we include" </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">— Chocolat</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">What do you embrace?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">What do you create?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Who do you include?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Don't forget to just enjoy spending time with the people you love and don't forget the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. I wish you all a merry merry Christmas!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">We all remember when "Hey there Delilah" was on every single radio station 100 times a day... For awhile that was great until it was too much. Here's another Plain White T's song worth listening to:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JWiwuiT58Yc?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JWiwuiT58Yc?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-45162697451038094492010-12-21T09:30:00.000-08:002010-12-21T09:30:13.904-08:00Winter Reflection One <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM3fFFh3mlvnEhnhftK8Lhp35MJBFMdp-IzKRDM1RChVuHyy_wnP8S83Pj4WLj_Sq2M_sknc0hd-oRinrHL26k-A5KyuXXiEBcf7w5wNNP2jTzym_3OjAHq_VLNBZVlfPjK_4OK1DuHq3/s1600/Winter+Reflections.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM3fFFh3mlvnEhnhftK8Lhp35MJBFMdp-IzKRDM1RChVuHyy_wnP8S83Pj4WLj_Sq2M_sknc0hd-oRinrHL26k-A5KyuXXiEBcf7w5wNNP2jTzym_3OjAHq_VLNBZVlfPjK_4OK1DuHq3/s400/Winter+Reflections.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i>One</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ife has a way of stealing our dreams.</span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></i></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">***********</span></i></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> When I was little I used to believe anything was possible. The only reason I didn't get an A in class would have everything to do with not trying hard enough. And then came the day where I really did try as hard as I could and I didn't make that A. Depending on your childhood you find out that life isn't easy early on. One of the most honest portrayals of discovering life and it's hardships is listening to Taylor Swift's new cd, Speak Now. She's incredibly honest in her lyrics and it's heartbreaking! But we all go through the process of discovering life is painful in some way or another at some point. And sometimes we can pick ourselves up and move on easily but other times it takes longer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">It's easy to let life dictate how you live and what you do. Sometimes we can let our past experiences stop us from believing in what we perceive to be the impossible- or, we can step up and do something about it. One of my favorite quotes is:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><i><b style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars.</span></b></i></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">We have to take chances and sometimes our destination isn't what we originally expected. And it's ok to make mistakes- we all do. It doesn't matter where you've been, the only thing that really matters is what you do today and tomorrow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">You can do or be anything you want- just depends only on how hard you're willing to work for your dreams. And no one else can decide what's important to you. So next time someone tells you that you can't do something- don't forget to believe in yourself.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">***********</span></i></span></div><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/snowflake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/snowflake.jpg" /></a> Adjusting to life in a different country has been difficult-- and I go through my ups and downs. It's strange to think of how fast my first month's gone by though! And my host family is fantastic; they've definitely made me feel incredibly spoiled this Christmas season. I am starting to go back to being myself and that is nice. So to kick start the new season I've decided to start posting my "Winter Reflections"-- similar to my Fall Confessions. <br />
<br />
Winter weather in Europe is causing a bit of a problem for a lot of people with travel plans! So if you're thinking of flying or taking the train you might be facing a few delays. It hasn't snowed for the last couple of days in Denmark but we still have quite the pile up from the last big snow storm.<br />
<br />
I am thankful that my neighbors don't have a singing santa though- I love Christmas music but that would be over the top. So we can all tip our hats in sympathy for the N.J. residents who have to live with Christmas carols 13 hours a day. There really is only two things to do in a situation where someone won't turn off their Santa.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>One: </b>Steal it or destroy it in the middle of the night</span><br />
<b>Pro:</b> No more music<br />
<b>Con:</b> Not a very nice or Christmasy. There is a possibility Santa's owner might have camera's watching and then you're in trouble<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Two: </b>Get your own singing Santa and let the duets begin</span><br />
<b>Pro: </b>Maybe the neighbor will turn their Santa off<br />
<b>Con</b>: Can you imagine having to live with two Santa's that won't shut up?<br />
<br />
One the positive side- it is almost Christmas and Santa's days are limited ;)MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-63097067917681389092010-12-11T04:38:00.000-08:002010-12-11T04:38:44.509-08:00What to do with the money.... The month of December can be crazy for the average family; parties to attend, people to see, gifts to buy, houses to decorate, cookies to make, and traditions to keep. It is supposed to be "the happiest time of the year" but a lot of people are relieved when January rolls around and life settle back to normal.<br />
<br />
And we spend a lot of money on Christmas too! In the states Christmas shows up earlier and earlier every year. Right after the end of October stores pull out their Christmas decore, the trees go up, and the great season of commercialism begins. For a different perspective on what we could be doing the Christmas season check this video out:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
A friend posted that on her blog and it made me sad! It's terrible when you really see the numbers.<br />
<br />
In NYC they are enacting a new tax called the Crash Tax. How the crash tax works depends on whether or not an emergency vehicle is called to the scene of your accident. If it is called to the scene and you are injured or your car catches fire in the accident you will owe the city almost $500 USD. If it is only a car fire and you are not injured, it will run you up $415 USD. If you get into a car accident but you aren't injured, you will have to pay $365. <br />
<br />
Let's first think about how much we pay our firefighters. <i>A lot, check.</i> And now let's think of how much we pay them in retirement fees. <i>A lot, check.</i> And now let's get more complicated and think of the difference between being fiscally responsible and fiscally irresponsible. <i>Ouch, check</i>. Our national debt is in the trillions, which in my book, points towards fiscal irresponsibility. Perhaps an alternative to the crash tax would be to try being fiscally responsible and stop "punishing" people for getting into accidents. It's a funny world when our government spends our money liberally and then turns around and charges us for getting into car accidents. <br />
<br />
So moral of the whole story, it's important to be fiscally responsible. Note to self, stop buying clothes. Oh and, just so you know, you will get your suitcase confiscated at the airport if you decide to bring elephant tails, dried hedgehogs and chicken blood into the states. Just saying.MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-63816376541550908552010-12-03T04:49:00.000-08:002010-12-03T04:49:53.944-08:00Hot Chocoolate<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/December016-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/December016-1.jpg" width="320" /></a> Stop.Listen has now entered the 21<sup>st</sup> century!! This is good news! If you have facebook it is completely free to take a couple seconds and click “Like.”<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/StopListen/152350468144218?v=wall" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;">So please share the love!</span></span> <span style="color: black;"></span></a> Thanks!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s still been snowing and snowing here lately and since I have not had to go anywhere, I love it! I've included a pic of the latest dumping. Right now it looks absolutely beautiful outside because the sun finally came up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of my favorite winter traditions back at home is hot cocoa. I have memories of sledding and playing outside for a couple hours and then coming inside for a cup of cocoa with marshmallows on top- more the better. I’ve tried different kinds of cocoa from the store but nothing beats my mom’s recipe. It’s easy to make and you can cut down or double the size depending on how many people you are entertaining. It's delicious!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Quick and Easy Hot Chocolate</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4 c powdered milk<br />
¼ c +1 T cocoa powder<br />
1 ¼ c cane juice crystals<br />
pinch of salt<br />
10 cups water<br />
2 cups milk, half n half, or cream<br />
<br />
In a large stock pot combine everything except the milk. Stir with a wire whisk and heat on medium until all is very hot and dissolved being careful not to boil. Remove from heat and add the milk. Serve in mugs with a few mini-marshmallows on the side</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: green; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/December007-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/December007-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Christmas in Denmark </span><span><span style="color: #20124d;"> </span> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the United States usually the gift and stocking tradition is based on Santa coming down your chimney and bringing you your gifts, ho ho ho. It’s different in Denmark though. Starting the 1<sup>st</sup> of December the Christmas stockings are put up and every morning the kids awake to see what “the Elves” have brought them. Kinda cute.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My previous TSA post was only talking about airports and such. It sounds like Big Sis wants scanners and TSA checkpoints at bus stations and other various public places. I think we have a bit of a problem... how is treating US citizens like criminals really helping? Obama did promise more jobs and such, so maybe this is his way of helping that one out. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And that's Emily reporting to you from Denmark</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-83240548987750757122010-12-01T11:38:00.000-08:002010-12-01T11:38:32.547-08:00Denmark<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DenmarkNov2010014-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DenmarkNov2010014-1-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">So it’s time</span> I shared more about Denmark. December is crazy busy for the typical family because this is the Jule season! So it’s now time I started talking about Denmark’s uniqueness! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>First, let’s go over the pate. During my first weekend in Denmark I asked what the dish was and everyone told me pate. It’s sometimes sold in a pan that looks bit like meatloaf, but a lot smaller. One usually puts it cold on toast- I did that a few times over the week. The taste wasn’t too bad yet I couldn’t quite place it. The actual Danish name of the dish is liverpostej, which is pronounced something like Loobastah. I never saw the spelling, just heard it spoken. At one point, I finally had a chance to ask my host mom what it was. Come to find out it is a pig liver dish. Next time it was served I tried it again but somehow I wasn’t able to eat it… I’ve never liked liver and now that I know what pate is, I will be eating a lot less of it. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> One of my favorite songs by The Killers is Spaceman. As I was listening to their album this afternoon, I started paying attention to the lyrics. At one point the song goes like: </span></span></div><blockquote style="color: #cc0000;"><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The song maker says, "It ain't so bad" <br />
The dream maker's gonna make you mad </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The spaceman says, "Everybody look down" <br />
It's all in your head</i></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Sometimes it makes no difference what is going in your life, often how you feel has everything to do with perspective. Adjusting to some of the Danish culture has been a bit challenging and having one of my favorite Holidays spent away from my family, while hearing about all the fun they had was difficult. As I was sitting there amongst strangers I felt a bit lost. But in a way, that was my choice. I think it’s easier to feel sorry for oneself than to step outside one’s comfort zone. We really are victims of our own perspective. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DenmarkNov2010064-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/DenmarkNov2010064-1.jpg" width="191" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Rice Pudding</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b><span>Is delicious! The pudding itself is not that sweet but it’s served with a cherry sauce on top- which is delicious. It’s usually a Jule Tradition to place a whole almond into the dish and stir it around. Then, the person who finds the whole almond in his/her bowl gets a present that is normally at the table. I participated in that last weekend and it was fun. I’ll share the recipe next post. It’s yummy! Usually it's made for the evening before Christmas. Interestingly enough, Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December instead of the 25. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>And that’s Emily writing to you from Denmark. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Gas is around $8 USD per gallon. Ouch. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>One last note- it's been freeezing cold here these last few days and we have quite a bit of snow to show for it. Will be interesting to find out how much we do get before it stops!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br />
</span></span></div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-39136382985272347262010-11-28T04:41:00.000-08:002010-11-28T04:41:22.768-08:00The Fourth Amendment<div style="color: #444444;">I'm going to preface this post with the US Constitutional Amendment 4</div><div style="color: purple;"></div><blockquote style="color: #444444;"><i style="color: purple;">The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.</i></blockquote><div style="color: #444444;">I am all about safety and I don't want another Sept. 11. But how far is too far? </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
I had to go through TSA security in order to fly to Denmark. A bit apprehensive because of all the negative issues I had been hearing previously on the news. I went through the usual- put everything on the conveyer and get it scanned, take off your shoes, jackets, and walk on through. I was leaving the US though, not coming into it. It might have been different if that was the case. I didn't bother to just wear a bikini. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
Are the whole body scanners actually beneficial? They can find about as much as the previous usual detection machines. And if someone really wants to sneak something dangerous in- hello folks, this is the 21st century. If they want to, they will find a way. And it's fact that the body scanners can't detect everything. They cost over $100,000 US dollars too. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
In addition, there's enough news stories circulating so I won't go into how the full body scanners are misused by those operating them...</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
So what are your options if you want to not subject yourself to walking through the "naked scanner?" </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br style="color: purple;" /><b style="color: purple;">a. Accept a fine of a substantial amount of $$$$<br />
b. Subject yourself to an intrusive pat down</b><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: purple;">Option A: </span><br />
Well, not everyone has 10,000+ US dollars floating around, so that might be a problem. <br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: purple;">Option B: </span><br />
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has received more than 900 complaints over the "pat down" procedures used by the TSA. I think we should say TSA loosely because they are the ones performing the action. Our Government is in charge of the TSA though, so these procedures are accepted and 'required' by our Government. And on a side note, the government is supposed to be for the people. So in essence, the pat down procedures are something we the people have accepted as ok unless we all come together and say "no."</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
If you want to see excerpts of complaints and what the people think of their personal "pat downs" check out this link. http://www.prisonplanet.com/tsa-tyranny-aclu-receives-over-900-complaints-in-one-month.html It's disturbing. Prisonplanet is an excellent source of news. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
One particular complaint that I find highly disturbing is a woman who complied with the body scanner and was then pulled aside because she was wearing a panty liner and they needed a female TSA agent to insure that's what it was. So from the age a young woman starts menstruating she's in danger of some perv sticking their hands down her pants to make sure it's really a panty liner when going through security. That is what I call an unreasonable search. And that is just one of the complaints. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">And we all know, that random 14 year old American girl is carrying a bomb in her pants. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
And the TSA does not appear to sensor who they hire much- it doesn't matter if you have a record of stalking and harassment, you'll still find a job with the TSA. Ew. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
Besides that, let's talk about the health aspects of these "pat downs." Apparently the TSA don't change their gloves. Germs love things like that. So from one person to the next, to the next, to the next, TSA is spreading all the love. How nice. </div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
Newsflash: the government is supposed to work for us. Not us for them. We vote these people in office and we vote them out. Having an incredibly invasive pat down because the TSA agents ultimately want you to find the experience uncomfortable so you'll subject yourself to the humiliating body scanners really finds the bad guys. Yes, that 6 year old kid is a terrorist. Go ahead and feel him up.</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
When our persons are being unreasonably searched and we are supposed to sit back and say it's ok, it has gone too far. <span style="color: purple;">And please don't forget, silence is a form of acceptance. </span></div><br style="color: #444444;" /><span style="color: #444444;">And that's Emily reporting to your from Denmark</span>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-9680088448367973252010-11-26T00:13:00.000-08:002010-11-26T00:13:08.183-08:00Giving Thanks This last week has been spent adjusting to my new life in Denmark. In the spirit of Thanksgiving wich has passed- I am going to share a few things I am thankful for this Holiday Season. <br />
<br />
<ul style="color: #351c75;"><li>My Mother</li>
</ul><br />
This Thanksgiving I had the pleasure of showing what Thanksgiving is like in the United States. I made the whole traditional meal from start to finish for 15 people in all. I now believe in myself. I will never do that again though- next time Thanksgiving rolls around I'm going to go out and buy a pie and maybe a bottle of wine. Cheers!<br />
<br />
I have no idea how people, in the past, prepared Thanksgiving dinner without Mother's or Google. I would have died. I was on skype regularly asking my mom about how to cook a turkey and all the little details like timing... So thank you Mother!!! <br />
<br />
As for Google - I had to be converting recipes from cups to grams and MLs... and Farenheit to Celcius. Stressful? Slightly. Just glad I know how to cook!<br />
<br />
And let's talk about Pumpkin. It has not come to Denmark yet.... and so 6 hours later and about 10 stores we managed to find 3 little decorating like pumpkins. I now appreciate pumpkin sold in a can. <br />
<br />
<ul style="color: #351c75;"><li> My new family</li>
</ul><br />
I am in Denmark working as an au pair... and before I began my trip I wasn't sure what to expect with the people I would be staying with. They are all fantastic though. I feel comfortable and right at home, so that is nice! The kids are lovely and even though they don't speak much English, I am starting to learn danish words! I have a terrible memory so learning day to day danish words and practicing daily makes it easier to recall later. <br />
<br />
<ul style="color: #351c75;"><li>The freedom we have in America</li>
</ul><br />
I love my country. - Growing up in the US you don't always truly appreciate what you have because it's just normal! But it truly is uniqe! And other countries are not like the US. It is sad that we want to become more like other countries and lose what was fought so hard for... The US is kinda like the Ugly Duckling, right? One day we will wake up and realize the Swan that's been in front of us the whole time. <br />
<br />
I could go on and on because once I start counting the things I'm thankful for, I find there is always more. And more. <br />
<div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
So Happy Thanksgiving a day late- but remember, it's never to late to give thanks. :) </div><br />
I have been to one hospital in Denmark and the thing I found the most interesting was the footware worn by the Dr's and Nurses. I'm a girl and I love shoes so it's not totally weird to pick that one out! They were sandals and crocs. With socks. Haven't seen that in the US! <i>Sandals and socks are a fashion faux pas!</i> Would you not agree??<br />
<br />
Last - bathroom light switches are on the outside of the bathroom door. <br />
<br />
And that's Emily reporting to you live from DenmarkMissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-36375871508624140642010-11-16T16:00:00.000-08:002010-11-16T16:00:59.113-08:00in transitI thoroughly enjoyed reading all the responses to my last post! They were insightful- so thanks for sharing your opinions! I'll get back to them as soon as I can!!<br />
<br />
I'm in the process of moving to Europe, so the next time I post I'll be reporting to you live from Denmark! Packing and preparation have left me quite busy! Let's just say sleep sounds wonderful and people should not be allowed to leave packing to the last minute! Staying up late and leaving early in the morning is a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
I also haven't been reading blogs lately but I am sure that will change when life settles a bit. <br />
<br />
Stay warm and safe!MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-74819512968594868222010-11-10T20:28:00.000-08:002010-11-10T20:32:33.802-08:00Reality is<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/Caden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/Caden.jpg" width="275" /></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> I didn’t major in economics I majored in accounting. I don’t really understand exactly how the economy works but I do know this, if you don’t work you don’t eat. I know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. It’s as simple as that- unless it’s complicated. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Complicated is when governments give handouts and people begin to feel as though they are entitled them. Complicated is when people begin to think that they should still eat even if they don’t work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I don’t think that welfare in general is very beneficial to society as a whole- it usually turns into a mooching system. And when you’re getting something for nothing, why would you want to work or want to better yourself? I won’t deny that people genuinely need help at times but I don’t think free government handouts without restrictions are the answer. I don’t even think free government handouts with restrictions are the answer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<b>Let’s talk about where the money is coming from- there’s nothing free so someone must be paying for it. Right? Let’s try a multiple choice for this one.</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">A. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> It grows on trees behind the White House</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">B. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> The government has their own private Genie that grants all money requests </span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">C.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> um…. Money? It’s just there!</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">D</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">. It comes from the people out there working jobs.</span><br />
<br />
If you answered A, B, or C you’re living in an alternate reality and I want in! If you answered D you might actually be doing alright.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Yes, the money that the government hands out is our money. In my last post I mentioned how the government funded the ghost billboard. I concluded that I liked beauty and if it weren’t for the governments in our world funding art projects, we would sadly be lacking in some beautiful landmarks. However, perhaps the government should work on the trillion dollar debt we have first???? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Here’s a link to a the <a href="http://oddhammer.com/tutorials/debt_clock/">National Debt Counter</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Let’s turn our attention to fixing a bit of the welfare problem. Let’s look at what the British Government is doing.</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Cameron: "We're doing more than any other Government to help people get back to work. That's our part of the deal. Now those on benefit need to do their bit. The message is clear. If you can work, then a life of benefits will no longer be an option."</span></blockquote><i>Should it ever have been an option?</i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Why would one ever let a system of handing out money get to the point where one is blindly handing out money to people who really don’t need it? If your sister asked you for money once you might oblige. Twice, well let’s see… what is she spending her money on? More than once or twice- depends on how much you like handing your money out. It might come to a point where it is uneconomical to keep handing out your money. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Well governments are handing out your money. And they aren’t worried about economics. Perhaps they are becoming worried. The British Government is now implementing a new unemployment benefits system.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">If you are unemployed and you refuse to apply for appropriate jobs or neglect to go to mandatory community work, you lose your job seekers allowance for</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><b>Three months for a first offense</b></li>
<li><b>Six months for a second offense</b></li>
<li><b>Three Years for a third offense</b></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Hello! And welcome to my world. If you don’t work you don’t eat. And if you’re sitting at home when you are perfectly capable of applying for a job somewhere- perhaps you need to wake up to choice D and stop living in your own alternate reality.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Cause at some point- someone’s going to ask where the money is and you won’t know. Truth: it’s not there.</span>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-75013545094150808622010-11-08T21:17:00.000-08:002010-11-08T21:17:49.041-08:00My Secret<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I have something amazing to share with you all. I am a coffee drinker and I drink a lot of coffee. But at some point, I think everyone who drinks coffee eventually comes to a point in their day where they have had enough coffee! It could be the caffeine, it could be the taste, it could be that you are just tired of it! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bUw9lfvpGjesJa7Y6_h1i_F78FxNglOJYvbl-his1G9aGBml4Otae_c03nh1CtQWxr3DuedJIj6b1I34exHimJL_qvZo_VJqBBLCyfDZPHVPmRrZXA9ufy_M0vnPvwVcaeuqNPbBhq-A/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bUw9lfvpGjesJa7Y6_h1i_F78FxNglOJYvbl-his1G9aGBml4Otae_c03nh1CtQWxr3DuedJIj6b1I34exHimJL_qvZo_VJqBBLCyfDZPHVPmRrZXA9ufy_M0vnPvwVcaeuqNPbBhq-A/s320/starbucks.jpg" width="275" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">A die-hard coffee drinking fan like me has a hard time admitting that. And sometimes you still want something to drink! Well- I usually will go for a chai tea drink! I love chai tea lattes, chai tea, and chai tea. At Starbucks a chai tea latte is about 4 US $ ++ if you order a grande. It almost makes you choke to have to hand that over. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Enough of that- </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Go up to your barista</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Ask for a chai tea (just a plain regular chai tea bag in hot water)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Ask for 4 pumps of Vanilla Syrup</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Ask for 1/2 inch of soy milk</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I spent $2.11 on my drink tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was sweet, delicious, and warm! And not overly sweet either. The perfect comfort drink if you are out and about. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Hope you enjoy! It's cheaper than a latte and only a bit more expensive than just ordering regular tea. <3 <3</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">I spent my weekend with friends in Seattle and had a fantastic time! Because I'm getting ready to head out on my European adventure, I think I held this event as extra special. Good friends are hard to come by. <3 <3</span></div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-79209918468217001752010-11-01T17:07:00.000-07:002010-11-01T17:07:00.358-07:00Please, Get Over Yourself<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b>Happy November </b></span><br />
<br />
Just yesterday I was in Southern California swimming in the ocean and now it’s time for the winter clothes, hot drinks, and boots! Lately, I’ve been feeling quite out of the news loop. I really do hate when that happens. That being said, there are some interesting things going on and I wanted to share a little bit.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">#1. Boston’s own “Mary had a little lamb who followed her to school”</span></i></b><br />
<br />
Dan brought his horse to school in honor of Spirit Week and even went so far as to dress up like a medieval character. Big mistake. Bringing ones horse to school is as bad as showing up to school with a gun. Maybe if he had concealed his horse he could have gotten not just suspended, but also arrested. We should be deathly afraid of horses. They may want to eat us, someone else could have gotten to them first causing them become zombie horses. Run.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">#2. Bucket List item 1</span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span></span></b></i><br />
<a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/billboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/billboard.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Ghost Billboard. It’s made out metal and nothing and it looks awesome. I do hope to see it one day and I’m thinking when I get back from Europe, it shall be one of my road trips. I would definitely try to see it in the Fall or Winter time. So yes, my tax dollars went there. That being said, I'm not too upset. If the government didn't commission some art projects, we would not have the Golden Gate Bridge.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">#3. Oh please, get over yourself. </span></b></i><br />
<br />
Woman in Michigan advertised for a roommate at her church. She asked that the room mate be a Christian. One civil rights complaint later, I’m sure she wished she hadn’t put the “Christian” into her ad. Really?? Really?? A person is not allowed to specify what they want from a future roommate? All those non-Christians feeling left out, please, do get over yourself. If she had specified that she wanted a female would all the males be feeling left out? If I want an freakin’ Christian roommate I should be able to ask for one. That’s my right and if you can’t handle it, I’m sure there’s a bridge close by.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">#4. If you live in the US</span></b></i><br />
<br />
Don’t forget to vote! We need your votes more than ever right now. I dreamed about President Obama last night and I couldn’t decide if it was a nightmare or just a bad dream. And if you don’t have convictions to vote you don’t have license to complain. Again, get over yourself.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">#5. The Times</span></b></i><br />
<br />
Life’s looking pretty bleak right now for a lot of people. Friend’s of mine are sending out application after application after application for your basic jobs and they aren’t having much luck. I’m thankful I don’t have to worry about jobs and job searching for the next year but I do sympathize! It is going to be an interesting next two years.<br />
<br />
And that’s Emily reporting to you live from Sk- Washington.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Current Music Addiction: Slash: if you like Rock n’ Roll you’ll be right at home </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iWQQYgacS98?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iWQQYgacS98?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-30159897786047650612010-10-25T18:29:00.000-07:002010-10-25T18:29:26.781-07:00Fall Confession Four<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img height="98" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/298/8E1D4D415C115B51B8585A32D85974E5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><i>Four</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> am a Shopoholic</span></span></span></i></div></div></div><div style="color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">***********</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"></span></i></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I really connected with the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. Clothing speaks to me! It tell me I can make an amazing outfit and sometimes I can. And other times… </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9b3a52; font-weight: bold;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">***********</span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I remember two years ago in the Fall, finding this brown dress for sale. I had to have it (partially because it <i>was on sale...</i>). I wore it once during Thanksgiving 2008 and ever since then it was dubbed “My Thanksgiving Dress” I think the idea was to wear it every Thanksgiving. Due to my up and coming trip, I’ve been going through my closets and throwing away a lot. I pulled out the dress and tried it on. It’s hideous. No other words to describe it. And yet I couldn’t just throw it away. That would be ruining my thanksgiving tradition that I skipped 2009...</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I threw it away. Hideous won. But that’s how I am with all my clothes and shoes. I have way too much and yet I never have enough. That was the case until I stopped working. No money to throw around really changes one’s perspective.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What I have found interesting is “clothing” stories in the news. Like, beach towns in Italy banning women from wearing clothes they deem inappropriate. Mini skirts are ok though... So I suppose that means the bikini is in trouble. I think that would be a buzz kill if someone went to Italy for sun and beaches and wonderful tans and got arrested or fined instead. And by the way, this is all for guarding against “anti social” behavior. Hmmm, ok. But I really dislike having other people dictate what I wear.</span></span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">The definition of Anti-Social used in this situation is basically someone who doesn't conform to the norms and laws of their society. I can see how that would be a problem but what I can't understand is why the people, who dress in ways that would attract unwanted attention, don't see the potential problem. However, that being said... I haven't heard anything in the news to make me think Italy had a big problem. They must if they're making such a deal about it. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">And those are my jumbled thoughts brought to you after a 10 hour day of school from Sk, Washington. </span></span></div><div><br />
</div></span></i></div></div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-40229918823921399622010-10-22T13:25:00.000-07:002010-10-22T13:25:52.554-07:00Such is Life<a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/BenBoisClock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/BenBoisClock.jpg" /></a>Imagine a life where time meant nothing. <br />
<br />
This is not an apology- I truly have had no opportunity to write a post OR check out everyone’s blogs! Time spent on something besides school/eating/and sleep has become a luxury. I decided that in order to take my 5 exams (3 midterms/2finals) and regular coursework by the end of October so I could graduate, I would have to make some changes. I quit my job and I began studying.<br />
<br />
Have you noticed how much our lives are subconsciously defined by the clock? What time one has to be at work/what time one eats/what time one sleeps. I stopped living by the clock and began waking up at 2am and going to sleep at 5-6pm. I drink an amazing amount of coffee but I accomplish mountains of homework. I am usually able to study till 4pm with minor breaks. Current thought on my mind “Live to die another day.” I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced so much stress. My dreams are plagued with things like World War 3.<br />
<br />
They say “ignorance is bliss” I disagree! Why? Because one’s mind is always active. And whenever you don’t know something that you think you should know… you’ll come up with all sorts of scenarios and what ifs. The push to get my school finished is due to leaving for Europe soon. I am super psyched about that.<br />
<br />
All of the above is why I have not been visiting your blogs lately. I know that will change as soon as I am in Europe and settled. I’m thinking of starting up a Facebook page for my travels and life in a different country. Soon!<br />
<br />
And it’s that time of year… where the weird and wacky becomes second nature and nobody thinks twice. Or actually maybe they do… In Florida one neighborhood awoke to headless animals all over the road. Ewwww. Waking up to sunshine, nice. Waking up to fresh coffee, REALLY NICE. Waking up to headless animals, not nice. What are you doing for Halloween?<br />
<br />
My Halloween is probably going to come and go without my notice. Such is life I suppose. Next Halloween I’m going to host an epic party.<br />
<br />
And that’s Emily reporting to you live form Sk-Washington.MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-69210622960773980712010-10-05T20:05:00.000-07:002010-10-05T20:05:56.304-07:00Fall Confession Three<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img height="98" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/298/8E1D4D415C115B51B8585A32D85974E5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><i>Three</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">have control freak tendencies.</span> </span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></i></div></div><div style="color: #9b3a52; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">***********</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"></span></i></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I think I fully realized it one night when driving home from some event. I stopped the car and ordered my sister out. I told her she could just walk home. In my defense, it would only really have taken her 12 minutes. There was absolute silence and she didn’t budge. I have no memory as to why I did it except that she made me mad. And I was the driver. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I’m also a perfectionist. I sometimes think if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I know there’s a correlation between perfectionism and control-ism. It’s not a good thing! I’m just thankful I have the next few years to work on improving that factor. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9b3a52; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">***********</span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9b3a52; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9b3a52; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"></span></i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> was awarded two blog awards in the last couple days!!! Thank you </span><a href="http://bigdealtome.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Jess</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> over at It's a big deal to me, for the Versatile blogger award! Thank you </span><a href="http://www.stephsstoryemporium.co.uk/Site/Home.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Steph</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> over at Influence, for the One Lovely Blog award! </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">My next post will include the awards and the recipients. Thank you Steph and Jess; I feel honored to have received not just one blog award, but two! </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wilders</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"></span></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">BTW, I’m pro Wilders. In America we have(had) freedom of speech. Which is something that many people lost their lives over. Sadly, that is becoming a thing of the past. People are going into hiding on their own dime because they say(draw) something that offends extremist groups. That’s not right. Has tolerance gone too far if people are fearing for their lives? Should we be tolerant of people who won't accept us unless we conform to what they believe? Are they being tolerant of us? Excuse me if I do not understand. I know Wilder’s is extreme in some ways but how do you really fight extremism? If you don’t at least equal the opposing sides passion, you are bound to failure. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">And that’s Emily reporting to you live from Sk- Washington</span></div></span></i></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></i></div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-83178565005748595592010-10-03T19:10:00.000-07:002010-10-03T19:11:09.805-07:00To Stay Away or Not to Stay Away?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRzZzwjI4mQ9VOBr2f2BdhbZQt4cF-yPAVA35dQgZL3QGA0sIpUZ6Fc92i21qgMUizp_cIywhOVXGueLVt2ZbsQSbmNZDdZK_g5LTob5VxzstHGbewKklN-eY3i6u7BhgulYvLOCvK26A/s1600/Wall-Street.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRzZzwjI4mQ9VOBr2f2BdhbZQt4cF-yPAVA35dQgZL3QGA0sIpUZ6Fc92i21qgMUizp_cIywhOVXGueLVt2ZbsQSbmNZDdZK_g5LTob5VxzstHGbewKklN-eY3i6u7BhgulYvLOCvK26A/s320/Wall-Street.preview.jpg" width="320" /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>E</b></span><b>ur</b>ope is on a terror alert at the moment. They say to be extra cautious if you are in France or Germany. They almost go so far as to say “Stay home” if you are an American traveling to Europe. I wonder how many people decide to not go on a trip because of a terror alert. It’s easy to think ‘oh, that would never happen’ if you aren’t around situations like that.<br />
<br />
Suppose you lived with situations like ‘frequent terror alerts’ you might think people traveling to Europe (because they planned their vacation way in advance) are slightly insane to come if they have a choice! Then again, this begs the question, should one allow themselves to be stopped by everything that could go wrong? Or just live their life trusting that when it’s their time to go, it’s their time to go.<br />
<br />
However, it’s stupid to do things you know are stupid because of the assumption that “if I don’t make it, I wasn’t meant too.”<br />
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On a side note, when 9/11 happened people stopped flying places. You could get tickets at ridiculously low prices because airlines just needed passengers. I suppose something has to happen- something that one might feel is extreme enough, in order to actually take someone’s advice and just stay home.<br />
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And that’s about where I am at. I’m not leaving for Europe November. I don’t think I would cancel my ticket unless something detrimental happened that I felt had a 74.3679% chance of affecting me. And if something did happen before I flew out, after it’s happened, is that the end? Nobody wants to jump back in the stock market after it crashes- until they know/can assume it’s going back up. But it’s those that are willing to take risks that might make a killing out of just throwing their money in there, even when the majority of people might be hesitant.<br />
<br />
People who were taking advantage of cheap tickets were probably pretty psyched. It’s really expensive to fly places.<br />
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****<br />
The other day I studied. And for a change of pace, I studied some more. After several hours of this, I decided to head out to one of my favorite coffee shops and walk around for a bit. It was lovely! As I was driving back, I chanced to see something that slightly concerned me.<br />
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On the right side of the road, pulled off, there was a man and a woman. They were gazing, all perplexed like, at a super nice and shiny motorcycle. What I found most unusual was that the couple looked like they were in their 80s.<br />
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Like…. “<i>Honey, what is this thing?”</i><br />
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I want to be someone who is still going out on motorcycle rides in my 90s. I will start by putting “Take a ride on a motorcycle” on my bucket list. As I have yet to experience that, I think I should start before getting excited at the thought of “Heading out in my 90s!”MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6978179052656290766.post-70716362014067732952010-10-01T07:26:00.000-07:002010-10-01T07:26:51.333-07:00Lord of the Flies<a href="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/eur_g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii92/Missemy07/eur_g.jpg" width="196" /></a>Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
There is a new development in my life at the moment- it appears I am headed to Europe in November. Details to follow! Let's just say, I'm super psyched and excited. If you all have any travel tips, please let me know! This will be my first time in Europe.<br />
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Because of the *above said trip* I am having to work overtime to finish my school. I have two classes that really just take time. Think- Advanced Accounting and Auditing. Auditing is easy but time consuming! Sadly, this means my time spent on blogger will be limited. However, I will post as often as possible! And, I will have a *real* post up here as soon as I have a chance! <div><br />
</div><div>I've also decided it's time to write myself a bucket list. There are two blogs I've found that I enjoy and that seems to be their focus. Definitely inspiring! Speaking of finding blogs, I want to give a shout out to this amazing blog that I recently stumbled upon. <a href="http://www.danoah.com/">http://www.danoah.com/</a> . If you have a chance to check it out, do so! He's an incredibly honest blogger and what he says usually holds a lot of truth. And, my google reader is filling up! I've been finding lots of cool blogs lately. I think it has everything to do with 20sb. haha </div><div><br />
</div><div>I realize what I'm about to say is *old news* considering I read it 2 days ago. Apparently there was this 12 year old kid who spent time around a particular neighborhood harassing it. One woman, 68 years old had enough- after the police left, the kids came back. According to cbs2chicago.com, harassing = "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">McCoy said the boy had been breaking windows, breaking items on Matthews' shed house, and setting her garbage on fire.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> "</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">Well, she pulled out a gun and shot after the kids. One of them did get it in the arm. I think she was perfectly well justified. You're never too young to be a bully. I know 3 year olds who have to be taught that being -sweet- is a good thing. And to not 'hit your brother' because at that age they need someone to teach them manners! How would they know what's acceptable or not? That reminds me of Lord of the Flies. That's a chilling and disturbing book. It does paint an interesting picture about children and what can happen if left unattended. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div>According to the article, the woman has her neighbors siding with her and she's not charged with anything. I think it's sad that it ever had to come to that point, however, what would YOU DO? Obviously she called the cops and of course, the kids just ran. Now, the parents to the arm shot kid are saying their boy is a nice boy! And he would never do something like that.... blah blah blah. I'm assuming if he was running wild, they probably didn't spend much time with him, nor did they know what he was up too. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It's an unfortunate event, however, I'm sure that boy will take that lesson with him. If I was shot at, it would be like the cold slap of reality- even if I wasn't hit. I'm just thankful that nothing worse happened- and that the boy can walk away thinking twice next time he decides to go burn another lady's garbage. Or throw bricks into her house. She was ALONE! And 68 years old! </div><div><br />
</div><div>And that's Emily reporting to you live from SK- Washington</div><div><br />
</div><div>*Just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who has commented, is following, or is reading- You all are the best!!* </div>MissEmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11647153220387399532noreply@blogger.com14