As it is almost the Fourth of July, our country's Independence Day when Thomas Jefferson was finally finished with the Declaration of Independence - which was no short, quick task, I thought that it might be fun to look and see what other significant dates in history symbolize days of freedom and independence:
Australia : January 1, 1901 from the United Kingdom
Azerbaijan : October 18, 1991 from Soviet Union (I jotted this one because I love saying its name, and it's the day after my birthday)
Bahamas : July 10, 1973 from the United Kingdom (man, looking through this list, TONS of places, specifically smaller islands, belonged to the UK ... who remembers their history?)
Belgium: October 4, 1830 from the Netherlands - Belgian Revolution
Brazil: September 7, 1822 from Portugal
Central America - numerous countries including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala on September 15, 1821 from Spain and Mexico
Greece - March 5, 1821 from the Ottoman Empire
Lebanon - November 22, 1943 from France (interesting, in the middle of World War II)
Mexico - September 16, 1810 from Spain - not recognized, though, until September 27, 1821!
Trinidad and Tobago - August 31, 1962 from UK
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
On Change
I was thinking about some changes in my life - some big ones, little ones, even changes that I don't know are happening. Change is probably the one thing you can depend on in life, so I thought that this would be an interesting 'research' topic. Looking through some quotes, every single one seemed 100% true, but I thought that I would share a few. (The first is from my memory after watching a great, touching movie that has stuck with me for the longest time.)
Change can be so constant, you don't even feel the difference until there is one. - Life as a House
The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. - Charles Dubois
Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" - George Bernard Shaw
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. - Leo Tolstoy
The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers. - M Scott Peck
Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
We know what we are, but know not what we may be. - William Shakespeare
Change can be so constant, you don't even feel the difference until there is one. - Life as a House
The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. - Charles Dubois
Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" - George Bernard Shaw
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. - Leo Tolstoy
The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers. - M Scott Peck
Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
We know what we are, but know not what we may be. - William Shakespeare
When life hands you lemons...
So everybody gets some lemons in life, meaning everybody gets dealt some tough cards. (It's interesting to think of as many plays on words as you can for getting a raw deal... hmm... future project?) Anyways, one of the most famous is: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. However, for the longest time, and I am not sure where exactly I heard this, my motto has been:
When life hands you lemons, say, 'I like lemons, what else ya got?'
This may just seem like a smartass remark, but if you think about it, any answer makes sense - depending on your personality. Making lemonade is a sensible thing to do, doing what you can with what you have. Asking what else ya got, could be taunting, egging life on, or it could be learning to appreciate what you're given, even sour make-your-eyes-squint-and-mouth-pucker lemons. Even such a little phrase leaves room for such huge interpretation...
When life hands you lemons, say, 'I like lemons, what else ya got?'
This may just seem like a smartass remark, but if you think about it, any answer makes sense - depending on your personality. Making lemonade is a sensible thing to do, doing what you can with what you have. Asking what else ya got, could be taunting, egging life on, or it could be learning to appreciate what you're given, even sour make-your-eyes-squint-and-mouth-pucker lemons. Even such a little phrase leaves room for such huge interpretation...
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Rainbow ...
William Wordsworth (1770-1850): an English poet who played a major role in the Romantic Movement. I find him to be one of my favorite poets, and I can also credit one of my favorite poems to him. I thought I would share it with you, as today, I saw a rainbow that brightened my day.
My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began,
So is it now I am a man,
So be it when I shall grow old
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man:
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
There are so many topics of discussion in this poem, so much that I could explain and describe (especially since I did an in-depth study and presentation of this poem in my high school AP literature class.) However, I think that you just have to appreciate this poem at face value, since it really hits you as truth, inspiration. I would rather not ruin this poem by beating it to death. If you think of nothing else while reading this poem, consider 'The Child is father of the Man'...
My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began,
So is it now I am a man,
So be it when I shall grow old
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man:
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
There are so many topics of discussion in this poem, so much that I could explain and describe (especially since I did an in-depth study and presentation of this poem in my high school AP literature class.) However, I think that you just have to appreciate this poem at face value, since it really hits you as truth, inspiration. I would rather not ruin this poem by beating it to death. If you think of nothing else while reading this poem, consider 'The Child is father of the Man'...
Create
Create:
To cause to exist; bring into being.
To produce through artistic or imaginative effort: create a poem; create a role.
To cause to exist; bring into being.
To produce through artistic or imaginative effort: create a poem; create a role.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
pay-off
So it was really funny actually. In my last post, I put up that it was Valentine's Day in Brazil. At work today, there is a woman who works there that has been practically everywhere, and I believe she is actually from Brazil. Has houses in tons of different countries. And she brought in this Incan dish for us to try, and she mentioned something about Brazil. And I piped up, 'Oh Monday was Valentine's Day in Brazil!' and she looked at me in amazement and was like 'Oh no I forgot!' and said how her husband is in Egypt and she forgot to say anything about Vday.
She became so interested in me, hehe, and asked if I had a boyfriend from Brazil. Unfortunately, no. I don't think the boys there need to look elsewhere...
But that was just a fun little situation. This plethora of useless information comes in handy!! Turns out it isn't useless ...
She became so interested in me, hehe, and asked if I had a boyfriend from Brazil. Unfortunately, no. I don't think the boys there need to look elsewhere...
But that was just a fun little situation. This plethora of useless information comes in handy!! Turns out it isn't useless ...
Monday, June 12, 2006
Celebrate!
I was just taking a look at some different events going on today, and stumbled across what other countries celebrated today - it's hard to remember that our holidays aren't the same everywhere!
Kinda funny to see. Interesting - Valentine's Day in Brazil isn't Feb 14th ... so ... I thought that it was supposed to celebrate St. Valentine, whose day is 2-14 ... but ... hm I am perplexed. Any answers?
Well, Happy Birthday to the Queen in Australia... and hurray for the Philippines, let's go set off some fireworks. It's a similiar day in Paraguay - Chaco Peace is basically celebrating the signing of a treaty to end the Chaco War (Chaco being a province of Argentina).
Anyways, just a few tidbits of info for ya.
Celebrate!! (Who cares if it's your country's day?)
| Chaco Peace | Paraguay |
| Independence Day | Philippines |
| Queen's Birthday | Australia |
| Dia dos Namorados (Valentine's Day) | Brazil |
Kinda funny to see. Interesting - Valentine's Day in Brazil isn't Feb 14th ... so ... I thought that it was supposed to celebrate St. Valentine, whose day is 2-14 ... but ... hm I am perplexed. Any answers?
Well, Happy Birthday to the Queen in Australia... and hurray for the Philippines, let's go set off some fireworks. It's a similiar day in Paraguay - Chaco Peace is basically celebrating the signing of a treaty to end the Chaco War (Chaco being a province of Argentina).
Anyways, just a few tidbits of info for ya.
Celebrate!! (Who cares if it's your country's day?)
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Simple Life Lesson
Life Lesson # 1253.58 = Keep your legs, arms, and coats inside the 'vehicle' at all times
So, I am reminded of this time when my best friend and I had just left the ice skating rink (barely alive and a lil bruised), and were walking to the car which was parked by this giant sledding hill. These guys were packin up their discs and sleds, and i had the ingenious idea to ask them to borrow their sleds for a run down the hill. They agreed after a few winks and we trudged up the snow-covered mountain. Then we were flyin down the hill on their discs.... except the next thing I knew I flipped and was somersaulting down the hill the rest of the way.
.... Lesson: do not wear a long coat that can get caught under your sled/disc!
Needless to say i was covered in snow, cold, bruised more, and quickly gave the sled disc back to the guy.
just remember these life lessons! i love you all and want you to live :-p
So, I am reminded of this time when my best friend and I had just left the ice skating rink (barely alive and a lil bruised), and were walking to the car which was parked by this giant sledding hill. These guys were packin up their discs and sleds, and i had the ingenious idea to ask them to borrow their sleds for a run down the hill. They agreed after a few winks and we trudged up the snow-covered mountain. Then we were flyin down the hill on their discs.... except the next thing I knew I flipped and was somersaulting down the hill the rest of the way.
.... Lesson: do not wear a long coat that can get caught under your sled/disc!
Needless to say i was covered in snow, cold, bruised more, and quickly gave the sled disc back to the guy.
just remember these life lessons! i love you all and want you to live :-p
Friday, June 09, 2006
Re 6-6-06
So when you think about it, (oh and if you didn't notice, the world did not end on tuesday), it really wasn't the right date. 06/06/2006? Why the hell is a 2 in there? If the date really was symbolic of the apocalypse, it would've happened long ago on June 6, 666. Or it will happen in another 4,660 years. But anything for a good movie and some good freaking out... I hope you did pay your bills and went to class/work.
action
Thou shalt not stand idly by.
Duh! If you want something done, get it done. Laziness may pay off now, but hard work (or any work for that matter) pays off in the long run. Don't sit around and be bored if you don't want to - go out and do something. It's better than feeling the stale air of boredom. And it really doesn't matter what you are accomplishing, whether you are watching a movie with a friend or taking a walk around the block. Just a breath of fresh air or some good company does a world of good.
Action is involved in every part of life. It's just up to you what kind of action you are going to partake in - active or passive. (ha, active action...) But no really, there are some days where you just need to do nothing - but it's when you know that you are actually doing nothing which makes it feel so good and relaxing. Yes a fine line between doing nothing and doing nothing. ;-)
P.S. On the other side: One of my favorite phrases/excuse for being lazy and feeling good about it is the opposite of what I said above: Hard work may pay off in the long run, but laziness pays off now.
It all depends on your mood =) Just do not complain if you feel that you did nothing and are going to pay for it. I will tell you that I am a 99% procrastinator, but I still get everything done even if it is at the last minute, and I totally accept that I procrastinate.
Duh! If you want something done, get it done. Laziness may pay off now, but hard work (or any work for that matter) pays off in the long run. Don't sit around and be bored if you don't want to - go out and do something. It's better than feeling the stale air of boredom. And it really doesn't matter what you are accomplishing, whether you are watching a movie with a friend or taking a walk around the block. Just a breath of fresh air or some good company does a world of good.
Action is involved in every part of life. It's just up to you what kind of action you are going to partake in - active or passive. (ha, active action...) But no really, there are some days where you just need to do nothing - but it's when you know that you are actually doing nothing which makes it feel so good and relaxing. Yes a fine line between doing nothing and doing nothing. ;-)
P.S. On the other side: One of my favorite phrases/excuse for being lazy and feeling good about it is the opposite of what I said above: Hard work may pay off in the long run, but laziness pays off now.
It all depends on your mood =) Just do not complain if you feel that you did nothing and are going to pay for it. I will tell you that I am a 99% procrastinator, but I still get everything done even if it is at the last minute, and I totally accept that I procrastinate.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
PS
PS In case you forgot, the world is apparently coming to an end on Tuesday: 6-6-06 ...
So if you have any late bills, fret not!
.... juuuust kidding ..... pay your bills! keep up your correspondence! invade not!
But when you think about it, all the symbolism that comes from numbers is kind of interesting. Six being evil and the sign of the devil, seven representing unity of the world and God, perfection, forty being pretty symbolic as well. Now I remember learning for maybe a day in my high school religion class, but this would be a fun research topic. Now that I finally have some free time. So if I find anything exciting out, I will fill you all in and keep you updated...
... provided that the world does not end on Tuesday. ;-)
So if you have any late bills, fret not!
.... juuuust kidding ..... pay your bills! keep up your correspondence! invade not!
But when you think about it, all the symbolism that comes from numbers is kind of interesting. Six being evil and the sign of the devil, seven representing unity of the world and God, perfection, forty being pretty symbolic as well. Now I remember learning for maybe a day in my high school religion class, but this would be a fun research topic. Now that I finally have some free time. So if I find anything exciting out, I will fill you all in and keep you updated...
... provided that the world does not end on Tuesday. ;-)
Helpful Hint #1
So, I just recently arrived back home from my brother's wedding. Had some homework for my online class due by midnight and worked on that for a bit. My roommate informs me that her bathroom is wet on the floor, so I go into check mine. Well, I set foot on my floor and immediately slip and fall half-way, banging my hip into the door. If you can picture it, a nice sheet of water is spreading across the floor. Now, we called maintenance, but they got there after we had fixed it. However, he said that he was impressed since most people would have just watched the flooding go on.
The worst part of the matter was, what to do with the water on the floor? We did not have a mop. And maybe one crappy towel. Not enough. So my tip to everyone out there, even if you do not think you will ever need it, is to have a mop on hand. Even if you never use it, it is always better to have one than to be without it, as we have learned this lovely evening. (And even more important than the mop is a plunger. Now that is just detrimental to your health to be without.)
Oh adventure...
The worst part of the matter was, what to do with the water on the floor? We did not have a mop. And maybe one crappy towel. Not enough. So my tip to everyone out there, even if you do not think you will ever need it, is to have a mop on hand. Even if you never use it, it is always better to have one than to be without it, as we have learned this lovely evening. (And even more important than the mop is a plunger. Now that is just detrimental to your health to be without.)
Oh adventure...
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