how will they know...(a thought)

day 182

...if a person never tells someone what kind of impact they have had on them how will they ever know...for that moment they touched their life in a way that will not be forgotten and will always be thankful for...

...to you it was nothing but to them it was everything...

...so in the end when it is over, they should know for at least that moment, that chapter in their story, they are thankful..."

<3 CT"

Friends with Benefits...

day 181...

...now come on don't go there...you know me better than that...c'mon, i would never blog about it...(everyone breathe i am so kidding)...

i did, however watch the movie...(the clip is ehh-ok...)

...a story of two people who want to be friends and indulge in extracurricular activities every once in awhile with no strings attached...and its not all about the sex it is the fact that they have formed a relationship with each other where they have fun, laugh, listen, and are completely honest with each other...so naturally they fall for each other...

...i loved it...but know its not reality...they would have ended really hating each other, or messing with each other way more than they already are...and being that they are that good of friends you wouldn't want the physical, non-emotional to be the basis of your friendship anyways...i would love to have a guy friend where together we are completely comfortable around each other and can share anything...but unless there is absolutely no physical attraction there is no way this is possible...what do you think? Dylan (Justin) & Jaimie (Mila) in real life could happen?

<3 MB 

part 2...of the wonderful world of women...

day 180...

now ladies, before shaking your head & getting all miffed...life is about laughing; especially when it comes to laughing at ourselves when we know its the truth...so just read & enjoy a good laugh...

**ps the picture is hidden, if you click on it, it will become larger so you can read it; i can write a blog; but i am not a techie**

<3TS

an elephant never forgets...neither do women

day 179...

...so the older we get the wiser we get right, well we all would like to think so...

i have become wiser due to recent conversations...which leads me to the this blog post...

this is a very true statement on all ends, i mean I cannot speak for the elephants however, being a part of the female species, i know we never forget...now as you are shaking your head and your boo is saying i know I was right...I want you to think about all the times you have gotten into argument/discussion with anyone, especially your significant other...then fast forward to days/weeks/years later...another argument/discussion...you bet your prada shoes your memory will be primed to recall every detail from every discussion from years prior, i don't even care if it was 20 years before, our brains retain information like it is intelligence for the CIA...

you will start pullin' comments out (even if they don't pertain to the discussion) like, "remember when you said i didn't know what i was talking about." "remember when you said i couldn't cook like your mom." "remember when you left your shoes on the step and i tripped over them and i specifically told you don't put them there & that is why i'm upset, you never listen."

...we, females are shaking our head, thinking, i don't do that..i have never done that, when in the back of your head you just did it yesterday...and your boyfriend is now thinking, this is ohh so familiar...how does she remember all that stuff, when most of the time during our argument I can't even remember why we arguing...

so yes ladies, we have this small indiscretion, but you have to also remember that we also hold on to and remember the good things...like when we are sick and they make us soup, or if for no other reason but just because they bring us flowers or send us a card...or they sit through a play when they would rather be playing with their boys...or when they stare at us and say, "what girl"...

it's just at some moments when we need ammunition we know where to pull out the weapons of mass destruction...& then you better watch out...but, hey we still love you ;)

<3 DE

"...leave the gun, grab the cannolis..."

day 178...

...well at every turn there is a good mob movie...well at least there should be...and if you haven't seen one; i suggest you get on it...otherwise i will make you an offer you can't refuse ;)...

so of these mob movies...what is it...the ones that make the book (well my book;)...

The Godfather (even though i am not a huge fan of the 3rd, & the 2nd is my favorite, but each one is so worth it)...

Mobsters...think lucy luciano...

goodfellas...funny, like funny how...?

bronx tale...

...& there are so many more...casino, untouchables, scarface, donnie brasco and more...& remember...

“My father taught me many things…keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”  (the Godfather)

<3 LK

"the kissing hand"

day 177...

my love for children's books grows as i have found a new one for the book shelf...i find it amazing how children's books can relate to us as adults...for example...the kissing hand, by audrey penn tells the story of a little raccoon, chester who is afraid to leave home to go to school...so his mother plants a kiss in his hand and explains that she will always be with him no matter what & that if he takes his hand & presses it to his cheek, it as if she is there with him...chester feels better and heads to school...and at the end the roles are reverse...chester grows up and is ready to leave his mom...so...

"chester took his mother's hand in his own & unfolded her large, familiar fingers into a fan.  next, he leaned forward and kissed the center of her hand."

"now you have a kissing hand too," he told her.  and with a gentle "good -bye," and "i love you," chester turned and danced away."

mrs. raccoon watched chester scamper across a tree limb and enter school.  and as the hoot owl rang in the new school year, she pressed her left hand to her cheek and smiled.  the warmth of chester's kiss filled her heart with special words.  "chester, loves you," it sang.  "chester loves you."

so as i journey to & fro... know that you too have a "kissing hand" & i love you!

<3 KA

isn't it funny when you needed the most...

day 176...

...& you think you can't handle it any more, a peace (God) shows up & your whole attitude changes...

...when you are running late, and you hit every green light...
        ...when you are having a sucky day & someone sends you a funny message...
...when you think that there is nothing else good in the world, you see the good in your nieces & nephews...
     ...when you need $5.00 and you find money in your car...
...when you can't fall asleep & then your mind is clear and you rest...
     ...when a curve ball is thrown at you and instead of getting smacked in the face you duck the other way...

& on nights when nothing makes sense...this pops up on your FB feed & of all the 'news', the nothings and the somethings, this was one that was left for you to catch a glimpse of...


"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  (Matthew 6:34)

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:6)

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27) 


so maybe it happened for a reason ;)...or just maybe someone upstairs knew that you needed a little something that would calm your mind, bring peace to your soul, and rejuvenate your heart...just maybe...


<3 GS

What if the world stopped and there was no texting

day 175...

(yes i fell asleep, and i almost got up to write but then my bed looked so appealing so i gave in & passed out; so as a result you get one in the middle of the day, aren't you so lucky)...

so what better topic than that of texting, ohh yet again...i know we chatted about the texting game...but this is a whole new topic...where would be if we didn't text if are only mode of communication was an actual conversation...

would you talk to as many as people?

would you keep in touch as much you do now with so many people?

would you be able to have short/quick conversations with your family?

on one hand it is so beneficial to quick say hi, or ask if someone wants this or that without interrupting your flow but on the other hand it has consumed our lives...we are constantly waiting for someone to respond...or having full blown conversations via text...

who knows, it could be me just babbling on texting b/c i am actual super lame at it...oh well chuck one to lameness & move on...

<3 GA

"everything happens for a reason..."

day 174...

...& it does otherwise i might lose my mind...

...a very long long time ago, a very wise woman (yes, my mother), taught me that everything happens for a reason...that life has moments for the good, the bad and the ugly...& they all happen for some reason, crazy as whatever reason it may be; but there is a reason...

...there is a reason God gives us certain people in our life at that exact moment when we need them...He gives us moments when our hearts are forever smiling, and then there are the moments when life makes no sense at all, and all you want to do is scream your head off, or drop to your knees and cry but some where there is a reason...

...maybe the reason is to help you become a better version of you, maybe it is to help you be stronger, or for you to realize that this is not the worst thing that could happen, and life can be a whole lot suckier...or maybe it was just b/c you needed a good cry or a good laugh...or maybe God was saying slow down & open your eyes...maybe it strengthened your faith, or even caused you to change the way you look at faith & life...maybe for some greater purpose that you may never understand you are in that moment, & no matter what even though in the back of your head you know it has to make sense, there is a part of you that thinks that is a crock of sh#* & you are just about to give up; when you here a familiar voice in your head that says, there is a reason...be patient...have a little faith, let go & let God...

lives happen for a reason, so all the little happenings within a life, no matter what they are, only make that life that much more meaningful...

<3 KB


"...for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance, a time throw away stones, and time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and time to lose, a time to keep, and a time to throw away, a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace..." (ecc. 3:1-8)

Remember the FaceTime commercial...

day 173


And your heart melts...

And I witnessed it this week...sitting waiting to get my oil change first thing in the morning and around the corner was a mom facetiming with her little girls, she was latino, and speaking spanish...and kept calling her daughters, miha (sorry don't know spanish but i am pretty sure it is a term of endearment)...& her little girls would ask when she was coming to see them...the whole conversation like the one above made my heart smile...

technology advances us into a place where now the actual physical distance will stand in no one's way to be able to see another person's face...all i have to say is AHH-mazing...

<3 KS

Remember doodling...

day 172

...remember how much AWESOME it was...

...in class you would draw all over your notebook...your name, maybe the boy you were crushing on, or it could quite possibly be just a random drawing, could be something inappropriate (maybe if you were a boy;), could be just words...doodling was the way i stayed awake & it was the closest thing i could get to coloring during class as a big kid...so here is my work of art from tonight's class...
...brought me back, & LOVED IT...

<3 AB

Card Project Update...

day 171

...i know you were wondering about it...so let provide you with a quick update...yes i am about to complete 171 cards as of this evening...i would be a liar to say if they always went out on the correct day...HOWEVER to date i have 171 that i have completed...i am extremely pleased with it & now have found it my personal goal to finish strong no matter what....

my cousin is fascinated by this project...and always asks me how it is going and how people react to these cards...well i must say i have been surprised...i have received oodles of kind words in return...i am and still not expecting to hear anything back from people...that wasn't the point, the point was to say, "thank you for touching my life...thank you for being you...i am a better me b/c of you...you literally make my heart smile..." when i do receive a note back i am floored and humbled by their words and some times feel overwhelmed with love & peace...my favorite is to hear that it came just at the right moment...i like to make people's day a little bit brighter...& that is what i hope each and every card does do...it provides hope when all seems lost, it provides happiness when there is so much sadness, it provides peace when you are struggling, it provides a smile when there seems as if there is nothing to smile about...it provides love, it provides faith...it provides a hug & a kiss...& it has made me appreciate life even more and surrounds me with so much happiness and overfills my heart with blessings...

the power of words lasts forever...until 172

<3 LK

wedding date...

day 170...

...i love the movie "the wedding date"...the story line makes me smile...some of thee most amazing lines are in the movie...a great hopeful romantic movie....

here is a clip that basically sums up why I LOVE this MOVIE...

& a quote or two for you....

"I'd rather fight with you than make love with anyone else."

"And I think I'd miss you even if we never met."

"Well thank you for including me in this timeless feminine ritual. Here's to the husbands who've won you, the losers who've lost you, and the lucky bastards who've yet to meet you."

"Who's going to buy my Hoo-Ha a drink?"

TJ: [sees Kat with Jeffery] Oh my God! Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! Top Kat! Ooooh! Where the bloody hell have you been? I have gynaecologists that call more often.
Kat Ellis: You have more than one gynaecologist?
TJ: You have to play them off. Otherwise they think your easy
TJ: [turns to Jeffery] Hello asshole. Listen, since you dumped my cousin brutally, and without cause, you won't mind if I just steal her away will you? Thanks 

<3 DS

dear my future person...

day 169...

(part 2)
...yes, i feel it only fitting that i write a part 2 to this...since i might ;) have some other things i am seeking out...now stop shaking your head, this is not the only reason i am not taken...there is a whole list of other fun qualities...so here i go...

dear you,

i know i can be a pain...and there will be times where you will want to kill me...but please, please no matter what always communicate with me...i want to be your person that you come to no matter what...i want to know all the good, bad, & the random...b/c i plan on you being that for me...b/c i never want you to feel like you can't talk to me, or can't say what you need to say...if we are going to be in this, we must do it together...it sounds simple, & that is what i want it to be for this, is to be simple...no complication of trying to figure out what you want or what you need...just always promise to talk to me...

hugs...
 -me


<3 CK

do you remember when you graduated...

day 168...

it was 2000 and i had no clue where life was going to take me...

tonight i attended the graduation of my little cousin, well she isn't that little but it was over 10 years ago that i graduated from high school and she was 8 so it's a weird how much time has gone by...b/c i feel like i just stepped out of high school...however we move & go and live....& of course, we discover and realize...'ohh the places we will go'...

Congratulations!
Today is your day,
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains, and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do 
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sites! 
You'll join the high fliers!
who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to says so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lunch
wuth an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself 
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're dark.
A place that could sprain both elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you should go in,should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quaters? Or maybe not quite?
Or go around and back and sneak from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused 
that you'll start in to race
down long and wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most usless place

The Waiting Place...

...for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where boom bands are playing.

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not.
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

And when you're alone, theres a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go
though the whether be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though you arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many stray birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with you left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent garanteed!)

KID YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Alenn O'Shea
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So... get on your way!
(dr. suess)




<3 AN 

on tonights like these....

day 167...

i have to smile...and thank God for people that are in my life...

tonight i had the pleasure of meeting up with some fabulous friends...we decided (well i did) that i needed to see these friends outside of special functions...where you might get a quick chat here and there but not a real good conversation...as i have mentioned over & over (probably to the point of annoyance), each moment we are blessed with is such a gift & those people we get to have in those moments are an even greater gift...so when opportunity presents itself, take advantage of that moment and those people...

the stars aligned and we were able to meet up, and it was so awesome...it was nice to sit and laugh and talk...and eat and laugh some more...it was so wonderful to be among people who fill my heart with love and happiness...each one of these ladies are connected to each other in so many ways but aside from the required connectedness, we have a different connection we are friends...true blue friends, honest to goodness friends, & those friends come around every so often in a lifetime & tonight i got to celebrate my friendship with them...& once again my cup runneth over & my heart is smiling...


ps...we are t-minus 2 months until i turn the big 3-0...cray cray right...

<3 MH

my purpose for you...

day 166


Purpose (part 2)...a closer look...

...but then their are more specific purposes that i am blessed to be a part of...there are many reasons, and there are seasons for everything under heaven...but most importantly he has a purpose for all of us...often we don't know and there are occasions where he makes us aware...where he needs to work through us to get to others....maybe it is me thinking to much of it or me thinking to highly of me...but my purpose might very well be to....peace to those who are searching for it, laughter/happiness to those who have sadness, to be the light when all they see is darkness...and to some times most often than not to just be...

*for happiness, forgiveness, letting go (l)...*peace-- for bringing you closer, for letting go of anger (j)...*always knowing in their heart the love and light of christ (agljagf)...*realizing worth comes from within (j)...*faith can and will move mountains (c)...*that you are on his side, its ok to let go, and anger is only emotion to replace hurt (t)....*trust in his love, always to forgive (a)...*trust, believe, and hold on (n)...*just as you are getting to know you get to know him (k)...that he has a reason, be truthful with everyone including you...and that he has made you, so love you (m)...*all you have to do is live in this moment & trust that everything in that moment is all you need (d)...*believe and for friendship btwn him and you and me (j)....*accept u for u, be patient (s)...she is in his hands just as you are....and when you are sad, angry or hurt so is he, he will wait with open arms when you are ready...he knows you are hurting (m+)...*its ok to be sad, hurt or pissed, he or I are not walking away....and when you are ready he will be waiting as if you had gone no where (j)...*to just know u, be patient, that life is happening all around you, just pace yourself, and allow yourself some peace (d+)...*we are going places, just be patient and believe (a+)...*know you and be you (t)...*that you can/will fall in love again only to experience a happiness like only he can provide and maybe that a great friendship is where we are supposed to be and function as, & that's ok (t)...

So maybe at this point this is what my purpose is...under His guidance, i fulfill my purpose for you & you & you & you...

<3 LG

have you found your balance...

day 165

or rather do you ever find your balance...

we balance on our check books, we balance our tires, we balance on one leg, we balance so many things our life...however are you or will you ever be completely balanced; where all aspects of your life are on the same field...

i am not sure this is possible...i feel as if to live life one must always be constantly trying to find that balance...if not life becomes boring...so if your professional aspect of your life is going well, does that mean your personal life is a little unbalanced...it could be, and i think you have to become ok with sometimes not finding the balance or even being unbalanced at times...

recently i started taking classes, along with that i am still working my job...the class is about 45 minutes away, two times/week...on top of that there is also just life stuff, now i am not sayin' call me a personal assistant cause i'm so cray cray busy, but life continues to happen whether we like it to or not...this week, in particular has been weird busy...& i keep saying to myself i have to find a balance, when i do that i will not feel like my head is going to spin off in to fifty different directions...in reality what i am sayin' is i have to adjust me for this schedule, a balance, no not necessarily b/c i can admit i suck at balancing, i tend to gravitate to what needs to be done or needs my attention & neglect everything else...usually it leaves me way unbalanced, but i think it is almost as if God is saying, you paying attention, are you living in this moment...maybe after a few freak out moments, deep breaths, send up some prayers, i find me in my world of unbalance & i do what i can & make it work for me...& the rest i leave til tomorrow...

...life can be a balancing act or it can become the perfect imbalance where you learn to function ever so gracefully....


<3 GD

Procrastination will be the...

day 164

death of me...

i am, i think, one of life's biggest procrastinators...i have no idea why...but i have always been...
a project is do in 2 weeks, i am doing it the night before or hell even some times the day of when it is due...i am going on a trip and need to pack, no i cannot do it ahead of time i have to do it the morning of & usually minutes before i go...i have something that needs to get done; it is getting done at the last possible minute...why do i do this to myself...so i can feel a sense of being overwhelmed...do i like the pressure of having to rush to get it done...or do i just not give a rat's a*# one way or another and know that it will get done...i have no idea, & if you have a clue let me know...& will i change or will this be my kryptonite...???

maybe i should figure this out before i head into the next decade...

and since i know, am i better off now that i recognize this is a problem...

i guess i should get back to not doing my homework...oy ;)

<3  JS

Les Miserables

day 163

i messed up & fell asleep, yet again...so here is a little les miserables 25th anniversary...which is AHH-mazing..."Bring Him Home"

 (yes i realize that this thee lamest post ever; however with the above video i will have redeemed myself)


<3 JB

only an arab will understand...

day 162...

...we all know there are those things that are generally associated with your culture/background...& as it is in good fun...we must laugh...to give people a good example of my lebanese lifestyle, i always say, the movie, "my big fat greek wedding..." that is pretty much sums it up...for example...

ok...so i don't have any movies called my big fat lebanese lifestyle...however i do have a few things that by being lebanese (arab) you will totally get & then laugh....enjoy...

...every sunday afternoon of your childhood was spent visiting your grandparents & extended family...
   ...you've experienced the phenomena of 150 people fitting into any 50 square feet for any family function...
   ...you were surprised to discover the FDA recommends you eat three meals a day, not seven...
...you ate KIBBEE and Rice for dinner at least three times a week, & every Sunday...
    ...you grew up thinking no fruit or vegetable had a fixed price & that the price of everything was negotiable through haggling...
...you were tall as your grandmother by the age of seven...
     ....you thought nylons were supposed to be worn rolled to the ankles...
...you were hit at least once with a wooden spoon...
    ....you thought every meal had to be eaten with a hunk of bread in your left hand...
...you learned to play backgammon before you went to school...
     ...you can understand Arabic but you can't speak it...
...you have at least one relative who came over on the boat...
     ...you grew up calling the bathroom the shushmee...& you only had one...
...you have at least one relative who wore a black dress every day for an entire year after a funeral...
    ...you have relatives who aren't really your relatives...
...you drank utick before you were a teenager...
       ...your grandparent's furniture was as comfortable as sitting on plastic...WHAT!...you were sitting on the plastic...
...you thought that talking loud was normal...
      ...you thought cookies & baklava were common at all weddings...
...you thought everyone got pinched on the cheeks, & that you kissed/hugged everyone you know...
       ...your mother is overly protective of the males in the family, no matter their age...
...there was a cross in every room...
    ...boys didn't do house work b/c that was women's work...
...if you were to bring a boy/girl to church with you, it automatically meant you were getting married...
     ...you called squash, "Coosa."
...you have at least one irrational fear or phobia that can be attributed to your mother...
   ...when attending a social function, you must ask the question, "are we related?" before flirting with them...
    ...you will drive down the road & jam to arabic music...
...you have a cousin or family member that owns one of the following, a restaurant, a convenient store, jewelry store or rug store...
     ...you & your family use the phrase, "i got a guy..." very often...
...you leave a party & are still there 30 minutes later saying good bye...
    ...you think being on time means showing up an half hour-hour late...


<3 LH