It's my birthday today!!! YAY!!!
I am now officially 28 years old.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Subway Preacher
Let me start by saying that I really hate when people on the subway preach religion to people, beg for money or sell little knickknacks for money. I just want a peaceful ride, well as peaceful as one can get being squashed in standing like a sardine on a dirty (sometimes smelly, sometimes hot) subway.
This morning, I actually got a seat (lucky me). At the next stop after mine, this lady got on. I would never have noticed her, I didn't notice her until she started singing. I looked over to see who was rude enough to start singing on the subway, disrupting all of the other passengers. Before I could see who it was, I started thinking to myself that the lady had a really good voice. It surprised me but I actually wanted to hear her better. I could barely make out any of the words over the subway noise. I found myself wanting to get to the next stop so that I could hear her better. But before we got to there, the lady stopped singing and started talking. She began talking about G-d. As I said before I HATE, HATE, HATE these type of things. But... her voice was so beautiful - strong, clear with a hint of a Caribbean accent - and for some reason I felt drawn. She didn't say - believe in G-d or else. She didn't say - you must pray or else. Her message was much more. Her message was just to believe. She said that you should just believe. If you don't believe then just look at yourself - there is no other human being that could create another human being (well fine, besides for conceiving and giving birth but you know what she meant). Look at how we went to bed last night and were able to wake up this morning, because there are other people who did not get that chance. We couldn't be here if G-d didn't let us. We are here now but we don't know what was here before. She said to turn to G-d when you are going through tough circumstances.
At the next stop, she got off and I was left with my thoughts. Maybe it was her mesmerizing voice, maybe it was her confidence but it also was her message. She didn't condemn anyone for what they do, how they do it or why they do it. She just said to believe.
This morning, I actually got a seat (lucky me). At the next stop after mine, this lady got on. I would never have noticed her, I didn't notice her until she started singing. I looked over to see who was rude enough to start singing on the subway, disrupting all of the other passengers. Before I could see who it was, I started thinking to myself that the lady had a really good voice. It surprised me but I actually wanted to hear her better. I could barely make out any of the words over the subway noise. I found myself wanting to get to the next stop so that I could hear her better. But before we got to there, the lady stopped singing and started talking. She began talking about G-d. As I said before I HATE, HATE, HATE these type of things. But... her voice was so beautiful - strong, clear with a hint of a Caribbean accent - and for some reason I felt drawn. She didn't say - believe in G-d or else. She didn't say - you must pray or else. Her message was much more. Her message was just to believe. She said that you should just believe. If you don't believe then just look at yourself - there is no other human being that could create another human being (well fine, besides for conceiving and giving birth but you know what she meant). Look at how we went to bed last night and were able to wake up this morning, because there are other people who did not get that chance. We couldn't be here if G-d didn't let us. We are here now but we don't know what was here before. She said to turn to G-d when you are going through tough circumstances.
At the next stop, she got off and I was left with my thoughts. Maybe it was her mesmerizing voice, maybe it was her confidence but it also was her message. She didn't condemn anyone for what they do, how they do it or why they do it. She just said to believe.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Movie Review
Over the last two nights, my husband and I watched the movie The Kite Runner
. It is a movie adaptation of a book
of the same name. It is a really good movie except that it is a little sad and disturbing at points. At some points I just wanted to go into Andrew's room, scoop him into my arms, hug him and tell him that I will never let anything bad happen to him. Overall I do recommend this movie if you are the type that can deal with some disturbing scenes.
. It is a movie adaptation of a book of the same name. It is a really good movie except that it is a little sad and disturbing at points. At some points I just wanted to go into Andrew's room, scoop him into my arms, hug him and tell him that I will never let anything bad happen to him. Overall I do recommend this movie if you are the type that can deal with some disturbing scenes.
Beautiful Story
I just saw this someplace and wanted to share it. I have seen it before but do not know where it originated. If anybody knows please tell me so that I can give proper credit. I try to speak to my parents and in-laws a few times a week (once a week at a minimum if things are very busy) and to see them about once a month (most times it is more). I know that isn't great but it is what we can do. I especially try to make an effort because I want Andrew to know his grandparents. I hope that when my son (and any future children, G-d willing) is grown, he will make an effort to keep me in his life and his family. So without further delay:
After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. 'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said,'I would like that very much.'
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.* * *She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said,as she got into that new white van. "They can't wait to hear about our date".
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant,was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,"she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let mere turn the favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching upon recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
"How was your dinner date ?" asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,'I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a mother is boring ....somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'....somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery....somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ..or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.
After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. 'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said,'I would like that very much.'
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.* * *She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said,as she got into that new white van. "They can't wait to hear about our date".
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant,was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,"she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let mere turn the favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching upon recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
"How was your dinner date ?" asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,'I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a mother is boring ....somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'....somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery....somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ..or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
WW Weigh-In
I just got back from my Weight Watchers meeting and I lost another 3.8 pounds (this is over 3 weeks, see my previous post). This brings my total weight loss to 17 pounds, which is my 10% goal. At WW, your first weight loss goal is 10% of your starting weight and when you reach this you receive a key chain. At the end of the meeting, our leader announced my achievement and gave me the key chain. I am the first one in my group to achieve this goal. I am really excited and feel that all of my hard work is paying off. Now if only I could find the time to exercise...
My Cutie Boy
Andrew's babysitter took this picture of him a while ago (when he was first learning to sit up) with her camera. I think that Andrew looks really cute in it and it is pretty good for a camera phone.
The Messy Affair
Last night, I gave Andrew some chicken soup (with veggies) and beef stew for dinner. After a few spoonfuls of the soup he just burst out crying. Real tears coming down and everything. I could tell that he really wanted to be held so I quickly unstrapped him, picked him up and cuddled him. I have no idea what brought on the crying. (I know that the soup wasn't too hot since I am pretty neurotic about that.) Once Andrew was safely in my lap I decided to try and feed him a little more because after all he did not eat enough before. So with the bowls on the highchair tray and Andrew in my lap I started to give him some more. He ate very nicely. He ate some more soup, and some carrots and turnips from the soup (no chicken because he gets personally if I try to feed it to him and will then proceed to not eat anymore since he doesn't trust what it is) and then a potato and a drop of beans/barley and meat from the stew. In the middle, as he often does, Andrew tried grabbing at the plate (the one with the beef stew luckily) so I cut up a few pieces of the potato and put them on the tray so that Andrew could feed himself a little. He was doing fine this way (with me pushing a few bites into his mouth myself) until he decided that he needs to take it directly from the plate. He pulled the plate and put his hand into the stew. He was just grabbing and then shoving things into his mouth. Needless to say it was a big mess. Then he toppled over the soup bowl (the highchair tray has a rim so at least the spill was contained). After grabbing at more of the stew, Andrew (my little neat one - now where did he get that from) decided that he did not like the mess on the back of his hand, so he started rubbing his hand on the side of the highchair to clean it off (so some got onto the rug but I cleaned it up quickly before it could get mashed in). After I thought that he had ate enough and that there was a big enough mess I called my husband to bring us some paper towels. I washed off Andrew and the tray and picked up the pieces from the floor.
Later Andrew got to have his desert - baked apples, which he really loves.
So yeah there was a big mess, but we had fun and Andrew looked to cute. If only I had thought (and had clean enough hands) to take a picture at the time...
Oh well, I am sure things like this will happen again (and again, and again...)
By the way, while I am talking about food - does anybody have some good recipe ideas that I can make for Andrew (he is nine months old)?
Later Andrew got to have his desert - baked apples, which he really loves.
So yeah there was a big mess, but we had fun and Andrew looked to cute. If only I had thought (and had clean enough hands) to take a picture at the time...
Oh well, I am sure things like this will happen again (and again, and again...)
By the way, while I am talking about food - does anybody have some good recipe ideas that I can make for Andrew (he is nine months old)?
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