Thursday, April 30, 2009

Just Wondering (Part II)...

Just wondering, what about Beth Chapman and Miss Piggy?

Just Wondering...

Just wondering if anyone else saw a resemblance between Baby Lyssa from Dog the Bounty Hunter and Bart Simpson?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Misunderstood Introvert

I think that introverts are misunderstood and are often labeled negatively. I fall into the category of being misunderstood as I tend to be labeled a snob, bitch, grumpy, and unfriendly.

Many people need interaction for validation. They need to be around people to feel accepted, appreciated, and wanted. I definitely don't need interaction with others in order to feel like I belong, and quite frankly, I try and stay away from it. It's not because I think I'm better than the group or think that my time is too valuable to waste (which, is often times how I feel anyway) but, the plain and simple explanation is that I'm an introvert.
It's challenging being an introvert in an extroverted world. Here are 10 misunderstood ideas about introverts.

1) We're Loners
(No, we're not loners. We tend to be more reflective and thoughtful first, and then we can talk openly. Loners just don't share at all and want to totally be alone.)

2) We're Losers
(I might be a loser in other ways, check out my "Loser" entry, but being an introvert doesn't make me a loser.)

3) We are highly self conscious
(I'm not the life of the party or like to draw attention to myself, but it's ok if people look at me. I just look at them and say, "What, you jealous?") (I'm just kidding)

4) We tend to be shy & quiet
(Being a fundraiser has actually been a positive for me. I have a pretty easy time striking up a conversation. If, and, that's a big IF, I'm particularly interested in someone, I love to ask them questions, listen to their stories and learn more about them. Honest...No really...I do!)

5) We're hard to get to know
(Well...this actually might be true. I generally hate to get to know people.)

6) We are moody
(I think emotionally unstable introverts tend to be moody, but not ALL of us are. I tend to be moody, so, there you go.)

7) We're super rigid
(Introverts are just controlled & organized, that's all.)

8) Introverts are really pessimistic
(I think we're just honest. If your new haircut looks bad, I'm gonna say your haircut looks bad and that you should go to a new stylist. Why lie and tell you that it looks fabulous when it really doesn't?)

9) We're not changeable
(If you show me a better way, I'm amenable to change...but this whole Obama "Change We Can Believe In" crap is a no go.)

10) We're not responsive
(If you piss me off, believe me, you will get a response from me!)

The View

We went to the symphony to see Poncho Sanchez, legendary latin jazz band leader.

The music was cool, but my view was not so cool. $83 and this is what I stared at all night. This seriously might be the biggest head I've ever seen.


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

First & Last


"In this way, the last shall be first and the first shall be last..." Matthew 20:16

Doing the right thing and serving God in this world is tough. I like to think that God places me in certain places & situations for a reason. I'm not sure what the reason is at the time that I am in them, but there is a reason for my suffering.

Take work, for instance. Talk about suffering in a secular world. Surprisingly, it's not the materialism that I'm struggling with, but it's more of a pride issue. I keep on wondering why it is that the people who declare that they work so hard, and yet don't do anything, are the first ones to get credited and recoginized for work they didn't do. They are the first people to advance ahead in the work place even though they aren't as competent as they appear.

It's like people boarding a plane. The people who sit in the rear have to suffer being all the way in the back and are on the plane the longest. The people who are sitting toward the front of the plane (in coach) get to get off first. The front of the plane doesn't deplane last, nor does the back of the plane get to deplane first.

There's a parable about the laborers in the field. There's a group of guys who worked all day long and got the same amount as the guys who worked for only an hour.

My first reaction is "What the * ?!? How is that fair?" But, my reaction really should be one of humility. I should be assured that I am doing my job to the best of my ability and have the right attitude rather than be jealous or prideful of others who are receiving credit. Eventually, we will receive the proper credit for our works and that service, whether it be in the secular world or for the Lord, should be our primary objective. My reward for my loyalty and dedication to my work may not be receiving the recognition that I deserve. What God's will is for me and my work will always be right, just, and fair. I need to keep on being completely obedient. He cares for the humble..." (Psalms 138:6 NLT). From the world's viewpoint, subjecting myself to authority means that I WILL suffer, but I need to remind myself that the truth of God is that when I submit myself to His authority in my life, I will be blessed .

Proverbs 29:23 says, "A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor."

**Sigh**The struggle continues...

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Stink Eye

I'm really good at giving the stink eye. Sometimes, I'm giving the stink eye and I don't even know it. I can't help it...it comes automatically when I'm annoyed. I like to pull out my eye daggers if I sense that someone is completely incompetent, too. This look can speak volumes without saying a word.

Believe it or not, I have gotten the stink once or twice in my life. Ok...many times. If I dish it out, I need to learn how to take it too, right? The meanest stink eye I've ever gotten was in Cincinnati at the symphony. We were at a special reception after the concert and this older Caucasian woman gave me the coldest, meanest stink eye ever. She made chills go up and down my spine.

So, what's worthy of the nasty glare we call the stink eye? Here's my list:

Stink Eye #1) If you make me repeat myself for a third time, you're gonna get the stink eye.

Stink Eye #2) If you give me the stink eye and I catch you, I'm gonna give you the stink eye, too.

Stink Eye #3) You're in line at Starbucks talking on your cell phone AND trying to order coffee AND trying to take out your money AND trying to type on your BlackBerry. You're definitely getting the stink eye.

Stink Eye #4) You make like you're totally swamped at work, but you really don't do anything but simply take up space and my tax paying dollars. Believe me...I'm giving you the stink eye.

Stink Eye #5) You cut me off while I'm driving. Not only am I giving you the Stink Eye, but I'm also giving you the finger.

Stink Eye #6) You talk or your cell phone goes off in the movies. I'm giving you a slight head turn stink eye, because I'm afraid of getting kicked in the back of my chair if I give you the full head turn.

Stink Eye #7) You cut in line and board the plane when you know your seating row hasn't been called yet. (Most of these people tend to be men...or foreigners).

Stink Eye #8) You send me ridiculous amounts of forwarded emails. Yes...I can still give the stink eye through the computer.

Stink Eye #9) You make me wait simply because you like to be fashionably late. Not only will you get a glare, but you'll also need to put up with my attitude. I hate people who are late.

Stink Eye #10) If you continually interrupt me while I am speaking, you're gonna get the stink eye.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

My New Goal


After lamenting about being a loser because I haven't accomplished any of my goals on my list, I decided to add one more goal. This goal, while some might claim it could be the most difficult to accomplish, is really the most important.

My new goal is to be a nicer person.

My goal for the next 30 years is to be a nicer person and to do this, I'm going to have a better attitude, be friendlier, and have less expectations of others. Here's my list of what I will do to be a nicer person:

Be Nice Goal #1) I will try to avoid thoughts of wanting to "accidentally" trip or slap someone that I don't like.

Be Nice Goal #2) I will bite my tongue and hold back from telling someone to shut up when I can't stand their irritating voice.

Be Nice Goal #3) I'll vow to not purposefully aim my car towards a cat on the road.

Be Nice Goal #4) I promise to limit thoughts of wanting to poke someone's eyes out (or my eyes) because I can't stand the sight of them.

Be Nice Goal #5) I'll do my best not turn the other way when I see someone that I don't really like or don't want to talk to.

Be Nice Goal #6) I will actually take the time to listen to what someone has to say rather than pretend I don't hear them (or, pretend I'm actually listening to them when I'm really not.)

Be Nice Goal #7) I'm going to smile with joy rather than smile with a smirk.

Be Nice Goal #8) I'm going to give less stink eye.

Be Nice Goal #9) I will offer to hold the elevator door open rather than press the "close door" button when I see someone rushing to make the elevator.

Be Nice Goal #10) I won't laugh at someone in front of them...I'll hold it in and wait till I can call my best friend to tell them all about it. Ha!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Why God, Why?

I must say that I do a lot of my thinking during meetings. Probably not the best time for my mind to be drifting elsewhere, but, oh well. If it weren't for meetings, I wouldn't have a blog. In one of my meetings today, I started asking myself, "Why God? Why Me? Why am I here?" (As a side note, in no way am I pondering the deep question of "Why am I here on earth?" It's more shallow than that. I'm simply asking, "Why am I here in this meeting?")

This then led me to asking myself, "If I could ask God a few questions when I get to Heaven, what would they be?" Here they are:

#1) What is the purpose of you creating alligators?

#2) Where are you?

#3) Why are we here?

#4) Why are some people so mean?

#5) What took you so long to take me away?

#6) Why do women suffer so much more than men? Yeah we ate the apple first, but geez...menstruation, childbirth AND menopause?!

#7) Don't you wish you could just shut people up when they whine and complain too much to you? Actually, you don't have to wish, you just could shut them up. Why don't you?

Why Pay Taxes? Geithner Didn't.


"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
- Benjamin Franklin

Another thought on the theme of death and taxes is Margaret Mitchell's line from her book Gone With the Wind, 1936:"Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them."

It's tax day! Thank goodness for Turbo Tax as I was able to complete my taxes and ship them off online in a matter of hours. It's so simple to do it online, it makes me wonder how anyone could have done it manually!

As I sat diligently for 2 hours completing the step by step turbo tax online, the question that kept popping into my mind was, "Why do I pay taxes? Tim Geithner didn't and look where he is now...he's our Treasury Secretary!" If he doesn't pay taxes -- and he's essentially in charge of the IRS...do we all have to remain compliant? Just thinking out loud.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Sparky's Human Peeves

A few weeks ago I wrote about my pet peeves. You remember, right? Tardiness, State Workers, Nose Pickers and Loud People were on the top of my list.

Here's a list of Sparky's Dog Peeves (or any other dog) about Humans:

Dog Peeve #1 - Blaming your farts on me
(Yours are silent but violent. Mine are loud and proud.)

Dog Peeve #2 - Yelling at me for barking
(I'm a dog...I bark. You're a human, you talk.)

Dog Peeve #3 - Taking me for a walk and rushing me
(Whose walk is this anyway?!)

Dog Peeve #4 - The tricks you make me do that involve balancing food on my nose
(This stresses me out!)

Dog Peeve #5 - Any haircut that involves bows, ribbons, or bandanas
(Now you know why we chew your stuff when you're not home.)

Dog Peeve #6 - The fake fetch throw
(Is that the best you can do???)

Dog Peeve #7 - Taking me for the "Big Snip"
(Now you wonder why dogs freak out when we have to go to the vet.)

Dog Peeve #8 - Getting upset when I sniff crotches
(We don't do handshakes, so this is the next best thing.)

Dog Peeve #9 - Dog Sweaters
(We have fur for a reason...so we don't have to wear those dumb sweaters.)

Dog Peeve #10 - How you act disgusted when I lick myself
(You're just jealous!)

Dogs are the boss...you don't see them picking up human poop, do you?

I Can Only Imagine

It's been 7 months since Dale passed away. I think about her every day. She was my friend, my mentor, and the only person I knew who radiated Jesus' love in a pure and graceful way.

Losing someone as close as Dale has taught me many things and reminds me that life is fleeting. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that it really sucks that she's gone, but how selfish am I to not be happy and comforted in knowing that she's dancing with and for the Lord and free from this craphole we call "earth."

I'd also be remiss if I didn't say that I get really irritated sometimes when people say, "There's a reason why she passed away so suddenly. " Trite or insensitive, things like "I know how you feel," and "Call me if there's anything you need," or the kicker, "At least we know it was God's will." While most people who say this mean well, I'd prefer to just not hear it. No one knows how I feel with Dale's loss, nor do they know God's will for why He took her when He did.

What I do know is that I could not have endured such a loss without the assurance that eternal life is through salvation in Christ alone. I know that she is with Jesus & I am comforted by this knowledge & pray that others know of God’s love & His gift of eternal life in Him.

I always thought that those I love would be around till I got old and gray, or at least until I got a little older. While I'm still a little miffed that she's gone, or when I am overcome with sadness, I remind myself of one of Dale's favorite songs, "I Can Only Imagine." She no longer has to imagine what it would be like to walk next to Jesus or what she'll see when she's in Heaven. She's there.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Loser.

The other day I realized that in a month, I'm gonna be 30! 30...geez...10 years ago I thought that sounded so old. Throughout my 20's I looked forward to turning 30, but now, the more I think about it, the more I feel like a L-O-S-E-R.

When I turned 21, I made a list of 10 goals that I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 30. I've accomplished NONE of them.

So, as I fall deeper into depression and wallow in my sorrows of being THE biggest loser, I'll share with you my list of things I didn't do.

1) Get my Graduate degree
(I've tried, and tried, and tried...aaarrrggghh!)

2) Run a Marathon
(One of these days...Maybe I'll set my goal as the oldest woman to run a marathon...I think that's 85.)

3) Get Married
(I hope to get this one done before I turn 40.)

4) Start my own business
(I guess it would have helped to pick one of my 70+ entrepreneurial ideas and just run with it.)

5) Travel Internationally
(Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Paris, India...**sigh**)

6) Buy my own place

(Perhaps this is the year with a $8,000 tax deduction for first time home owners)

7) Retire
(Not gonna happen within the next 30 years, either)

8) Start an art collection...of my own art
(So many things to draw, so little time)

9) Travel to all 50 states
(24 down and 26 to go...i'll knock off Wyoming this May)

10) Write a book
(Everyone else is doing it...why can't I?)

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Would've, Could've, Should've

I was sitting in a strategic planning meeting for four hours today. During that time my mind drifted and various thoughts popped into my head. Occasionally, I'd think, "Man, my butt hurts," then, I'd shift cheeks. Of course "What the hell am I doing here!?" crossed my mind, too. Then, I thought..."Instead of being here, what else could I be doing with my life?" So, here's my list of what I would be doing, could be doing, or will do (one of these days) with my life.

1) I'd open my own business
(I'm not sure what kind of business, but I have a running list of 70+ entrepreneurial ideas that I can't seem to get myself to do as much as I want to. The other requirement is that I can work from home.)

2) I'd become a full time student
(I LOVE being in the classroom and learning...as long as I don't have to take any tests.)

3) I'd go to culinary school
(This would so be worth all the weight gain.)

4) I'd volunteer
(There are so many organizations that I wish I could volunteer at full time like the Humane Society, church, HBA, the Art Academy, etc.)

5) I'd be a personal shopper
(Instead of spending my money, I'd help others spend THEIR money :-) )

6) I'd be working out
(Instead of 0-2 times a week, I'd go 0-3 times a week.)

7) I'd go into teaching
(If I liked kids and didn't mind correcting papers, I think I wouldn't mind teaching)

8) I'd be an artist
(I love drawing and I wish I would spend more time pursuing one of my passions.)

9) I'd rethink about getting into the "non-profit" world
(Sometimes I wonder if taking a lower pay is worth the mission that you're working for. My theme song should be "For the Love of Money" by the O'Jays...you know, the song from "The Apprentice.")

10) I'd sleep all day...just like Sparky
(I'm such a lazy ass that this trumps #'s 1-9)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

It's OK to say NO!


"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5)

Sometimes I wonder if I get caught up in doing too many things. I like to get involved in many different projects. Whatever gets me excited and pumped up, I'm gonna be there and give every ounce of effort to make whatever I'm involved with a success.

Lately, though, I've been having a bad attitude and it hit me like a ton a bricks. I over commit myself to projects & events, put in a lot of effort, and when everyone else on my committee doesn't meet my expectations with their quality of work, I get irritated and tend to be VERY critical.

The Bible says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (Ephesians 4:22 NIV)

My inner disposition and how I treat others is so much more important than trying to make people happy by getting involved with all sorts of activities. My attitude and actions should be Christ-like and Christ focused...not ME-focused...and I've learned that I need to choose wisely about what activities and committee's I decide to participate in and remind myself that it is OK to say NO.

Fascinating People

I attended a lecture tonight with Richard Parsons, the Chairman of Citigroup and former Chairman and CEO of Time Warner. He's the member of President Obama's economic team and has many prominent connections including the Rockefeller Family, Mayor Bloomberg, and Rudy Giuliani.

One of the cool things that I like best about my job is that I get to meet many interesting people like Richard Parsons. So, it got me thinking...what other fascinating people would I like to meet? Here's my list...of living people only...and the first question I'd ask them or what I'd say to them.

1) Michael Jackson
(Why did you cut off your nose?)

2) Tiger Woods
(Can you give me private lessons?)

3) Billy Graham
(How do you know that there's a God?)

4) Evan Williams
(How do you continue to come up with so many ingenious, entrepreneurial ideas?)

5) Harry Connick, Jr.
(Will you compose and play a song for me? Oh, and also include it in your next album?)

6) Oprah
(Why do you make it so damn hard to get tickets to your show?)

7) Stacey London
(You can make the oddest shaped people look fabulous! Can I PLEASE take you shopping with me?)

8) Suze Orman
(Will you help me, girlfriend?)

9) Jerry Seinfeld
(You're the funniest person ever)

10) Rachel Ray
($40 a day?! Are you freaking kidding me?! I know you wouldn't REALLY order the cheapest thing on the menu if you weren't doing a show called "$40 a day")

Sunday, April 5, 2009

The Evolution of Ann Taylor

Everyone that knows me knows that I like Ann Taylor. I used to work there for nearly 7 years because I couldn't get enough of the clothes. Nothing could keep me away from the 40% discount I received. I loved the classic look and clean lines of what Ann Taylor USED to be.

Since I left, though, it's almost been a struggle for me to get back into the store to shop. Not because I'm never at the mall, but because the store has been going downhill.

No longer will you see classic suits and dresses like the ones pictured above. Even the quality of the clothes isn't what it used to be. I understand that retailers need to cater to those who keep up with the trends, but what about the people whose conservative taste and longing for the elegant & classic look can no longer find ONE thing to buy?! It's way too trendy and at their price point, the age group that they're trying to fit can't afford to buy the clothes! I would much rather go to Banana Republic and buy something at regular price because the quality is so much better, than get something on sale at Ann Taylor.

It's not surprising why sales have been way down.

Loud Mouth


I finally figured out what it takes to survive at work. I need to have a loud mouth. Being Asian doesn't help me much because I was brought up thinking that I need to keep my mouth shut and my head down. I've learned, though, that that doesn't get me very far.

I need to be like the others that I work with. Some people that I work with, they have no shame in proclaiming to others how hard they work, how much others loooove their work, and how many brilliant ideas they have.

Any opportunity they have to "one-up" someone else, they take it. Every chance they get to get their digs in to make you feel like what you do is not as important as what they do, they seize it. And, any time that they have to make colleagues think that we could never have managed without them, they remind us. More importantly, they let those around them know when others praise them for their work.

In fact, they are praised ALL the time. Why? Because they aren't afraid to open their mouth.
I finally figured it out. I don't know why it took me this long. In order to get ahead, I need to be a loud mouth, too.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Once You Go Black, I Mean Mac, You Never Go Back

I feel like I'm still living in the dark ages. I recently opened a Facebook page (only to deactivate it 2 days later because I hated EVERYONE seeing who I was talking to and what we were talking about), I learned what Twitter was a few weeks ago, and now, I am entering my first entry using a Mac.

I love it!


Why is it that ALL Mac users look so cool? I feel so unbelievably cool as I sit on the couch and type. (I know...call me "dork.") I'll be signing up for some tutorials at the Genius Bar next.

It's like being on a first date. I'm checking things out on here, figuring out what I like (love the feel of the keypad for starters) and what I don't like (menu bar changes as you change applications). But, it's the start of a beautiful relationship and perhaps one day, just like the road to marriage, you find the one you want to be with forever and you never look back.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Snip, Snip, Snip


People say that you can never have too many friends. On Facebook, everyone wants to be friends with everyone. The goal is to become "friends" with as many people as possible.

One thing I've learned as I get older is that it's OK to outgrow friends. We age, we meet new people, our tastes and interests change, we get married and we simply outgrow our old friends.

So, my question is, how do you know when it's time to breakoff old friendships that aren't fulfilling and worthwhile? I like the analogy of "snipping people off of your tree." Here's the list i've made of determining when it's time to prune the tree and snip off the old branches (i'd also like to add that I don't have an open door policy when it comes to friends. Once you're snipped, you're snipped. So, I really do think long and hard before I take out my shears):


Snip #1 - When the friendship is a One-Way street
I learned that the friendship is not worth it when you're the only one doing all the phone calling, emailing, remembering to send birthday cards, etc.

Snip #2 - Lack of respect
Chances are, if your "friends" treat you with a lack of respect, they'll continue to do so the longer you stay with them.

Snip #3 - They're just simply annoying
I seem to attract a lot of annoying people. I initially want to be friends with them, but, they either turn out too loud, too self-absorbed, or too dependent on the friendship.

Snip #4 - They're Unreliable & are full of excuses
Having a friend who's unreliable should be added to my list of pet peeves.

Snip #5 - When you go out, they NEVER bring their wallet
Or, how's about this --when the bill comes, they're either slow to pull out their wallets thinking that you'll take care of it or, they leave enough money to only cover their portion (tax & tip not included).

Snip #6 - They're racist
I'm totally cool with having friends who differ on religion or politics, but call me a derogatory name and I'll snip you off so fast, you won't even know what hit you.

Snip #7 - They steal from you
This needs no explanation.

Broken Promises


It hasn't been a hundred days yet and our President has already broken a promise. Do you remember in New Hamshire on the campaign trail where he made the promise that the "Public Will Have 5 Days To Look At Every Bill That Lands On My Desk"? How many days did the public have to look at the nearly 1100 page, $787 billion dollar Stimulus Bill? Oh...about 24 hours. You want a list of more broken promises by Obama, check out www.politifact.com and take a look at the Obameter.