*
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Quote of the day
*
“Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect.”
This quote struck a cord with me, so I thought I would share!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Life Lessons from The Lion King
*
My husband and I recently took our four year old son to see the re-release of "The Lion King." That movie has always ranked high on my all-time favorites list, especially after seeing the Broadway production years ago. But since it has been out of circulation, its been years since I have seen it, certainly way before I had a son of my own.
I sat in the theater, with tears in my eyes, amazed by the subtle lessons that hit me for the first time...all because, for the first time, I was watching it as a parent. It was a whole different experience this time around. And so I wanted to share some of my feelings about it. Call it life lessons from "The Lion King." :)
1. Mufasa's sacrifice hit me like a ton of bricks when I watched it again. For the first time I could sympathize with the sense of desperation, the focused determination that nothing else mattered but saving his child. I know, I know people, it's just a cartoon, but as a parent I just totally GOT IT. Before becoming a mom I never understood exactly how easy it would be to make that decision, to sacrifice yourself for you child. But I get it perfectly now.
2. We parents must remember to "teach Simba a lesson." This line struck a cord with me, because I think that, as parents, we often forget to embrace the punishment, the scolding, and turn it into a lesson for our children. No matter how you discipline, it can always be a teachable moment. When Simba disobeyed and wandered off, Mufasa took the time to explain why he was mad, and was quick to forgive his child. Smart Lion! :) I need to remember this.
3. "Hakuna Matata" is great in theory, but just like in the movie, duty, responsibility, and LIFE eventually came calling...and that wasn't so bad. Because of the catchy song, I (and millions of others) missed the fact that Simba just used that motto to avoid growing up. Yet it was when he finally did "grow up" and go back to face his duty, that he was able to forgive himself and find some pride (no pun intended) again. Society is all about no worries, no responsibilities...but taking pride in being the kind of person who doesn't run away, that is what I want to teach my son.
The next two points are not about this specific movie, but are important non-the-less.
4. EVERY PARENT needs to, at least once, experience the moment of sitting next to their child in a theater, quietly observing their huge grin and uncontrollable giggles while they are completely focused and enthralled with what's in front of them, not even knowing that you are watching. My son's laugh and the way he just beamed pure happiness was one of the best moments of my motherhood so far!
5. We as parents should take every opportunity to look at the world through our young children's eyes. I discovered that 3D movies are a great way to do just that. My son loved the special effects, and so did I! At one point the grass and dust that Simba disturbs flies through the air. At the exact moment when, as an adult, I was ready to overlook the cool special effect, my son reached out his hands and tried to grab the particles that appeared to be right in front of our faces. When he did, something clicked in my head and I was actually able to really marvel at how cool it was! And how amazing it must seem to my 4 year old. Thanks for allowing me to appreciate that moment, my sweet boy.
Too many serious, deep thoughts about an animated movie? Maybe. But I don't believe so. After all, it allowed me to appreciate a moment in my life that would probably be forgotten otherwise.
My husband and I recently took our four year old son to see the re-release of "The Lion King." That movie has always ranked high on my all-time favorites list, especially after seeing the Broadway production years ago. But since it has been out of circulation, its been years since I have seen it, certainly way before I had a son of my own.
I sat in the theater, with tears in my eyes, amazed by the subtle lessons that hit me for the first time...all because, for the first time, I was watching it as a parent. It was a whole different experience this time around. And so I wanted to share some of my feelings about it. Call it life lessons from "The Lion King." :)
1. Mufasa's sacrifice hit me like a ton of bricks when I watched it again. For the first time I could sympathize with the sense of desperation, the focused determination that nothing else mattered but saving his child. I know, I know people, it's just a cartoon, but as a parent I just totally GOT IT. Before becoming a mom I never understood exactly how easy it would be to make that decision, to sacrifice yourself for you child. But I get it perfectly now.
2. We parents must remember to "teach Simba a lesson." This line struck a cord with me, because I think that, as parents, we often forget to embrace the punishment, the scolding, and turn it into a lesson for our children. No matter how you discipline, it can always be a teachable moment. When Simba disobeyed and wandered off, Mufasa took the time to explain why he was mad, and was quick to forgive his child. Smart Lion! :) I need to remember this.
3. "Hakuna Matata" is great in theory, but just like in the movie, duty, responsibility, and LIFE eventually came calling...and that wasn't so bad. Because of the catchy song, I (and millions of others) missed the fact that Simba just used that motto to avoid growing up. Yet it was when he finally did "grow up" and go back to face his duty, that he was able to forgive himself and find some pride (no pun intended) again. Society is all about no worries, no responsibilities...but taking pride in being the kind of person who doesn't run away, that is what I want to teach my son.
The next two points are not about this specific movie, but are important non-the-less.
4. EVERY PARENT needs to, at least once, experience the moment of sitting next to their child in a theater, quietly observing their huge grin and uncontrollable giggles while they are completely focused and enthralled with what's in front of them, not even knowing that you are watching. My son's laugh and the way he just beamed pure happiness was one of the best moments of my motherhood so far!
5. We as parents should take every opportunity to look at the world through our young children's eyes. I discovered that 3D movies are a great way to do just that. My son loved the special effects, and so did I! At one point the grass and dust that Simba disturbs flies through the air. At the exact moment when, as an adult, I was ready to overlook the cool special effect, my son reached out his hands and tried to grab the particles that appeared to be right in front of our faces. When he did, something clicked in my head and I was actually able to really marvel at how cool it was! And how amazing it must seem to my 4 year old. Thanks for allowing me to appreciate that moment, my sweet boy.
Too many serious, deep thoughts about an animated movie? Maybe. But I don't believe so. After all, it allowed me to appreciate a moment in my life that would probably be forgotten otherwise.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Nissan and The Art of Customer Service
I've noticed that my blog has started to reflect my mind....random and chaotic! I have decided that I am going to embrace this instead of fighting it, and in the spirit of that decision, I am writing today about:
customer service and automobiles!! :) I told you it was random.
For years now I have been lamenting over what I call the death of customer service. I believe that great customer service is an art, and that this art is truly dying. The adage "the customer is always right" has become a thing of the past. It is now the age of "I can't do anything for you." Nothing lasts, companies are about the bottom line and not about quality products, and customer service "reps" are given no real power to actually help customers. It saddens me, and frustrates me. So when I find a company that is actually trying to keep the "art" alive, I am always eager to give them my business, and to spread the good news! That is the main reason I now own a Mac, and why I tell people about it. They are not perfect, but I believe that Apple has one of the best modern day customer service setups around. For a long time it was the one and only company on my list. But I am happy to say that Nissan has recently been added!
I have only owned 3 cars in my life, and 2 have been Nissan. The little truck that was my first was as reliable as they come. I sold it after about 8 years and well over 120,000 miles, and not ONE trip to a mechanic for anything other than a checkup. I now own a Nissan Armada that has also been very reliable, save a recent issue with the brakes. I won't bore you with the details, mostly because I have no clue what they are, but I will tell you that when we took it to the dealer we discovered that it was a problem with the brake booster, and that we were only about 3,500 miles out of warranty (of course). The best part was that it was going to cost about $870.00 to fix. Ugghhhh.
My husband decided to look online before authorizing the work and discovered that this was a common problem in Armadas, so he decided to call the national office and see if they would be willing to cover some of the cost. Really??!!? I thought to myself, there is NO WAY they are going to help us. I was wrong.
My husband got in touch with a very helpful "case manager" who took down our information and said that she would talk to the mechanic at the dealership and see what she could do. Now, I will be honest, it took about 5 days to hear anything, during which I didn't have a vehicle, but the wait absolutely paid off. We received a call from the mechanic stating that Nissan was going to cover 100% of the cost!!!!! Seriously. 100%!
The next day we picked up the car, fixed (including some minor recall stuff we hadn't had fixed prior) and sparkling clean, and we didn't even have to pay the diagnostic fee. I was amazed that a major car company would be willing to at least look at the situation and try to remedy it. I am not naive...I realize that there was probably a manufacture defect involved, and that they took it seriously because brake issues = lawsuits, but I was still impressed by how little we had to fight for help.
I will tell everyone I know to buy Nissan, and I will be a lifelong consumer because of this. See, that is what companies don't seem to understand. The real purpose of great customer service is to show loyalty...and that as a result, customers will be loyal back. Everybody wins in the end.
customer service and automobiles!! :) I told you it was random.
For years now I have been lamenting over what I call the death of customer service. I believe that great customer service is an art, and that this art is truly dying. The adage "the customer is always right" has become a thing of the past. It is now the age of "I can't do anything for you." Nothing lasts, companies are about the bottom line and not about quality products, and customer service "reps" are given no real power to actually help customers. It saddens me, and frustrates me. So when I find a company that is actually trying to keep the "art" alive, I am always eager to give them my business, and to spread the good news! That is the main reason I now own a Mac, and why I tell people about it. They are not perfect, but I believe that Apple has one of the best modern day customer service setups around. For a long time it was the one and only company on my list. But I am happy to say that Nissan has recently been added!
I have only owned 3 cars in my life, and 2 have been Nissan. The little truck that was my first was as reliable as they come. I sold it after about 8 years and well over 120,000 miles, and not ONE trip to a mechanic for anything other than a checkup. I now own a Nissan Armada that has also been very reliable, save a recent issue with the brakes. I won't bore you with the details, mostly because I have no clue what they are, but I will tell you that when we took it to the dealer we discovered that it was a problem with the brake booster, and that we were only about 3,500 miles out of warranty (of course). The best part was that it was going to cost about $870.00 to fix. Ugghhhh.
My husband decided to look online before authorizing the work and discovered that this was a common problem in Armadas, so he decided to call the national office and see if they would be willing to cover some of the cost. Really??!!? I thought to myself, there is NO WAY they are going to help us. I was wrong.
My husband got in touch with a very helpful "case manager" who took down our information and said that she would talk to the mechanic at the dealership and see what she could do. Now, I will be honest, it took about 5 days to hear anything, during which I didn't have a vehicle, but the wait absolutely paid off. We received a call from the mechanic stating that Nissan was going to cover 100% of the cost!!!!! Seriously. 100%!
The next day we picked up the car, fixed (including some minor recall stuff we hadn't had fixed prior) and sparkling clean, and we didn't even have to pay the diagnostic fee. I was amazed that a major car company would be willing to at least look at the situation and try to remedy it. I am not naive...I realize that there was probably a manufacture defect involved, and that they took it seriously because brake issues = lawsuits, but I was still impressed by how little we had to fight for help.
I will tell everyone I know to buy Nissan, and I will be a lifelong consumer because of this. See, that is what companies don't seem to understand. The real purpose of great customer service is to show loyalty...and that as a result, customers will be loyal back. Everybody wins in the end.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Alexander - Truth
The truth is that I never shook my shadow
Every day it's trying to trick me into doing battle
Calling out "faker" only get me rattled
Want to pull me back behind the fence with the [cattle]
Building your [lenses]
Digging your trenches
Put me on the front line
Leave me with a dumb mind
With no defenses
But your defenses
If you can't stand to feel the pain then you are senseless
[Since] this
I've grown up some
Different kind of fighter
And when the darkness come let it inside you
Your darkness is shining
My darkness is shining
Have faith in myself
Truth
I've seen a million numbered doors on the horizon
Now which is the future you choosen before you gone dying.
I'll tell you 'bout a secret I've been underminding
Every little lie in this world come from dividing
Say you're my lover, say you're my homie,
Tilt my chin back slit my throat take a bath in my blood get to know me
All out of my secrets
All my enemies are turning into my teachers.
Because, lights blinding, no way dividing what's yours or mine when everything's shining
You darkness is shining my darkness is shining
Have faith in ourselves
Truth
Yes I'm only loving, only trying to only love
That's what I'm trying to do is only loving
Yes I'm only lonely loving feeling only loving
Till I'm feeling only loving
Ya say it ain't loving ain't loving my loving
But I'm only loving only loving only loving
Only loving the truth.
Recipe of the week: Green chili pulled pork
My husband and I are big college football fans...okay so we are big ASU fans. :) We always plan our day around watching the game on TV, and in the past always ordered pizza and wings or something like it for game days, so that I wouldn't have to cook.
This year, however, in an effort to save money and calories (15 lbs. down, by the way!!) I've decided to make game day, "crock pot meal" day! I've been scouring the internet for fun and healthier crock pot recipes, and every game day we are going to try a new one. We just started last weekend, and I have to say that the first recipe was a gem!!!!!! Green chili pulled pork, which I used to make tacos, was a super easy recipe and turned out to be delicious.
Its been a ton of fun trying to find new recipes that may be a little splurge (enough to feel like we are having a special game day meal) without all the calories. We have a whole list of recipes that we are going to try out, and I will be sharing the memorable ones with you guys!
This year, however, in an effort to save money and calories (15 lbs. down, by the way!!) I've decided to make game day, "crock pot meal" day! I've been scouring the internet for fun and healthier crock pot recipes, and every game day we are going to try a new one. We just started last weekend, and I have to say that the first recipe was a gem!!!!!! Green chili pulled pork, which I used to make tacos, was a super easy recipe and turned out to be delicious.
Green Chili Pulled Pork
1 small pork shoulder/butt
1/2 to 1 8 oz jar of green salsa ( I used about 3/4 of the jar)
1 small onion chopped
1 cup cilantro (washed) chopped
2 cans chopped green chilis (or fresh roasted)
Dump all in crock pot. Cook on medium all day. Serve as soft
corn pork tacos with mexican rice.
Could it be any easier?? I was lucky enough to get to use fresh roasted hatch chilis, and it was wonderful! I served it on low carb tortillas with fresh cilantro and tomato, and a little fat free sour cream. SO yummy! One word of caution, the recipe doesn't say how big to get the pork shoulder, and the smallest one I found was 7lbs! so I cooked it on high for about 4 hours then turned it to low for 3.
Its been a ton of fun trying to find new recipes that may be a little splurge (enough to feel like we are having a special game day meal) without all the calories. We have a whole list of recipes that we are going to try out, and I will be sharing the memorable ones with you guys!
September: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September is childhood cancer awareness month. Why should you care? Besides the fact that its killing our CHILDREN:
pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer in the US? Pediatric cancer kills more kids then AIDS, Asthma, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy COMBINED and the really sad part of this is that no one knows this. Doctor’s do not educate parents about this. And to top it off, pediatric cancer research gets the least financial funding. Please help spread this info and save our babies!!!
(taken from rockstarronan.com)
Please, Please, PLEASE take some time out to spread the word this month, and also please spread the word about Maya and her campaign to bring awareness to the world.
pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer in the US? Pediatric cancer kills more kids then AIDS, Asthma, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy COMBINED and the really sad part of this is that no one knows this. Doctor’s do not educate parents about this. And to top it off, pediatric cancer research gets the least financial funding. Please help spread this info and save our babies!!!
(taken from rockstarronan.com)
Please, Please, PLEASE take some time out to spread the word this month, and also please spread the word about Maya and her campaign to bring awareness to the world.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The best book my marriage ever read
I am not the kind of person who has shelves full of "self-help" books. However, I did get my degree in Psychology, and I appreciate those few select authors that really have something to say. Especially when it comes to relationships, because I firmly believe that marriage is the most difficult challenge most of us will ever face. Please don't misread...I love my husband and love being married, but I think that it is extremely hard to have a successful marriage that lasts. And by successful, I mean one that makes both people happy the majority of the time.
The absolute best book I ever read as a new wife was "Personality Plus for Couples" by christian author Florence Littauer.
Here is some info about it:
The two of you do and see things differently, but that doesn't mean one is right and the other must be wrong. Rather, as expert Florence Littauer shows, your differences are a matter of personality.
Personality Plus for Couples will help you resolve personality conflict and appreciate what's unique about your mate--and yourself! Using her proven principles from Personality Plus and insightful examples from other couples, Littauer offers husbands and wives:
* a personality profile test to identify their personality types
*the trademark characteristics of each personality type
* ways to resolve hot conflicts that arise between spouses
*what to expect if you marry someone of the same personality type, the opposite type, or a compatible type
Don't resent your differences--understand them! Allow and encourage each other to be who God created you to be, through Personality Plus for Couples.
Basically she breaks everyone's personality into 4 major classifications. They are melancholy, phlegmatic, choleric, and sanguine. Each one has positive and negative traits associated with it, and every person has some combination of these 4 (most have 1 or 2 that dominate). The book includes a test that you and your spouse take to tell you what traits are dominant in your personality.
But Littauer's real genius is that she explains how each personality tends to view certain situations, how these traits alter the way we perceive things, and how knowing what personality your spouse is helps you understand WHY they do what they do.
It is truly eye opening and marriage changing! It didn't change how either of us acted necessarily, but through this book we began to understand each other SO much better! It has helped each of us throughout our ten years of marriage, and I recommend it to every couple I know, whether they are struggling in some way or not ( since we ALL know the struggles will come at some point.)
Even if you are not in a relationship, Littauer's books are a great way to just understand yourself and your interactions with others. She has an original "Personality Plus" as well as "Personality Plus for Parents", which I think is another great resource, since it explains how each personality needs to be parented in a slightly different way. Give it a try!
The absolute best book I ever read as a new wife was "Personality Plus for Couples" by christian author Florence Littauer.
Here is some info about it:
The two of you do and see things differently, but that doesn't mean one is right and the other must be wrong. Rather, as expert Florence Littauer shows, your differences are a matter of personality.
Personality Plus for Couples will help you resolve personality conflict and appreciate what's unique about your mate--and yourself! Using her proven principles from Personality Plus and insightful examples from other couples, Littauer offers husbands and wives:
* a personality profile test to identify their personality types
*the trademark characteristics of each personality type
* ways to resolve hot conflicts that arise between spouses
*what to expect if you marry someone of the same personality type, the opposite type, or a compatible type
Don't resent your differences--understand them! Allow and encourage each other to be who God created you to be, through Personality Plus for Couples.
Basically she breaks everyone's personality into 4 major classifications. They are melancholy, phlegmatic, choleric, and sanguine. Each one has positive and negative traits associated with it, and every person has some combination of these 4 (most have 1 or 2 that dominate). The book includes a test that you and your spouse take to tell you what traits are dominant in your personality.
But Littauer's real genius is that she explains how each personality tends to view certain situations, how these traits alter the way we perceive things, and how knowing what personality your spouse is helps you understand WHY they do what they do.
It is truly eye opening and marriage changing! It didn't change how either of us acted necessarily, but through this book we began to understand each other SO much better! It has helped each of us throughout our ten years of marriage, and I recommend it to every couple I know, whether they are struggling in some way or not ( since we ALL know the struggles will come at some point.)
Even if you are not in a relationship, Littauer's books are a great way to just understand yourself and your interactions with others. She has an original "Personality Plus" as well as "Personality Plus for Parents", which I think is another great resource, since it explains how each personality needs to be parented in a slightly different way. Give it a try!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Never to forget
"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget."
— Arundhati Roy
— Arundhati Roy
Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love (Live on KEXP)
A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes
I screamed aloud, as it tore through them, and now it's left me blind
The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart
And in the dark, I can hear your heartbeat
I tried to find the sound
But then, it stopped, and I was in the darkness,
So darkness I became
The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart
I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map
And knew that somehow I could find my way back
Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too
So I stayed in the darkness with you
The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart
The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out
You left me in the dark
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight
In the shadow of your heart
Thursday, September 1, 2011
What can I say?
I haven't written much lately. I just haven't had it in me. Haven't felt like I had anything to say that really mattered. I have been reading several other blogs though. Sad, heart breaking stories...of a woman who suddenly lost her husband, of a young mom who recently lost her 3 year old son to cancer. Being a melancholy I have internalized each story and they have shaped my days. I hate that about my personality. I hate that I always feel other people's pain so intensely. Sometimes it is just too hard.
Being a woman of faith, I have prayed for these women, and thought about them constantly. Neither woman is a believer (based on what they have written) and have questioned why the God I believe in would take their loved ones. And I lay in bed every night wondering the same thing. Wondering about what (if anything) I, as a Christian, could say to someone in this position that would make any sort of difference, that would bring any consolation. I can only think of one thing.
I don't understand why bad things happen, why children get cancer, or fathers get taken away from their families. But I love my God and trust in him so much that I know that there IS a reason. I also know that he loves me so much that he understands when I get angry with him about the injustice of it. I know that when I get to see him, he won't mind if I have a few very tough questions for him to answer.
Not very uplifting or inspirational. Just the truth. I can't tell you why. I can only tell you that my God loves you very much, and that he hurts FOR you. He must be a melancholy too. :)
If you have a moment please take the time to read about "Rockstar Ronan" I pray now that his family can find peace, and that Maya's mission to change the world in Ronan's honor will be fulfilled.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Being a woman of faith, I have prayed for these women, and thought about them constantly. Neither woman is a believer (based on what they have written) and have questioned why the God I believe in would take their loved ones. And I lay in bed every night wondering the same thing. Wondering about what (if anything) I, as a Christian, could say to someone in this position that would make any sort of difference, that would bring any consolation. I can only think of one thing.
I don't understand why bad things happen, why children get cancer, or fathers get taken away from their families. But I love my God and trust in him so much that I know that there IS a reason. I also know that he loves me so much that he understands when I get angry with him about the injustice of it. I know that when I get to see him, he won't mind if I have a few very tough questions for him to answer.
Not very uplifting or inspirational. Just the truth. I can't tell you why. I can only tell you that my God loves you very much, and that he hurts FOR you. He must be a melancholy too. :)
If you have a moment please take the time to read about "Rockstar Ronan" I pray now that his family can find peace, and that Maya's mission to change the world in Ronan's honor will be fulfilled.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
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