Its a New Year

There are many ways to welcome in the new year. There is the traditional and standard way on January 1st--also called the Gregorian Calendar.  It works, and gets everyone on the same page. 

Did you know the Chinese New Year just happened the same day as St. Valentine's Day?  We are now in the year of the Tiger.  There are 12 animals assigned to each year.  The animals cycle, so someone that is 12 years older than you has the same animal sign.  Last year was the year of the Ox.  James is an Ox. Next year will the the year of the Rabbit.  I am a Monkey. 

I had lunch in a Chinese food restaurant last week, and the place mats had the personality traits of people born in those years.  If you have an opportunity you should look up the year that you were born and your assigned animal.  Do the traits fit?  For James & me they fit us almost exactly.  There was just one trait per sign that was the exact opposite of how we behave.

Today is my 30th birthday.  I am starting my New Year today.  Today's date is 30/1 (just for me & my birthday twins- of course)  The last day of my year will be dated 30/365. 
As with any New Year the question of what I am going to be resolute to do or be is forefront in my mind.  Can I make New Year's Resolutions today?  (Yes, of course you can-- you are, after all, pretty AND smart!)

Resolution 1:  Don't yell.  I was once told that if I had a super power it would be my voice.  I could yell or scream you into submission. Certain members of my household have let me know that this is not my best attribute.
Resolution 2:  Be patient with my husband.  He is an Ox, and if you read the description you know that can be a mixed bag.
Resolution 3:  Call my dad at least once a week. I am a grown up now, and its really not important to keep the number of initial phone calls equal. 
Resolution 4:   Be mindful of others. I love to gossip!  Enough said.
Resolution 5:   Be mindful of and for myself.  There is a lot to do this year.  This list is long, and I have to keep up my strength, physically & mentally.

When does your New Year begin?  Are you going to resolve to anything new?

Do You Believe in Karma?

Do you believe in Karma?  Well, I do.  Here is my anecdote of karma in action from Saturday.  James and I were getting breakfast at Einstein's, and I saw a mug that I really liked.  The mug was $2.49, and the first cup of coffee was free-- $0.99 after that.  The order taker had rung me up for the $0.99 refill.  When we got down to the cashier I corrected her and paid the extra $1.50.  Well, honesty pays.  On our way home from our errands of the day another driver caught our attention, and told us that our back tire was low on air.  We were saved about $80 for a new tire! 

I think my honesty made everything line up, so I wouldn't be out the cost of the tire.  I hope being nice and honest is something that makes you happy.   This type of situation happens often to me.  I know because I am aware when strangers are nice and kind.  Reminds me of a carpenter from long ago.  I hope that you find joy in being nice and honest.  People are just waiting to return the gesture.

This Week's Morning Prayer

Every week there is a Morning Prayer that is spoken aloud during Sunday service. (One, among many. Obviously.) Sometimes I cut them from the bulletin, and place them in the little notebook that I carry in my purse. This prayer made me laugh, and I really like things that make me laugh. So, instead of putting this little treasure in my purse, I have taped it to my computer monitor at work.

Here is the prayer that was said in Sunday service yesterday:

Bake of us, O God, a bread of worship. Take this Sunday morning crust of the week and, through your blessing, let the yeast of the Spirit rise. We bring our crumbs of courage, pita of prayer, kolache of listening, and the tortilla, challah, rice cake and naan of our diversity to be shared, so that our community may truly become the Body of Christ in this place and for all your world. Amen.

Have a laugh today. I hope your day is great, and don’t forget you’re pretty & smart.

Challenge:  Who can tell me what the picture is instructing?
1.  It's not a lanyard.- Thanks Rick for playing!
2. It is how to braid!  Thanks Jennifer D.! 

The picture is specifically how to make a challah loaf.
 

D&C Lunch Bunch

Almost everyday I have plans for lunch. There are about 7 co-workers that are in my lunch bunch, and there are at least 3 of us that go everyday to eat together. Our group is very diverse. We have Dudes & Chicks. Some of us have kids & some of us don’t. Some of us are natives, and some of us are transplants.

As my time runs short I am taking time to snapshot the great times that I am having with these people that I have become friends with. I am sure that we will all remain friends, but we will never spend the amount of time that we have had since working together.

Yesterday there were 4 of us that went on out for our daily bit of fellowship. I happened to be the only chick there, and I was the only one without kids. My friends were telling me about what it is like being a dad, and what fun they have with their kids. I truly saw joy and bliss in their faces. It was really a great scene.

My wish is that James and I are able to share this kind of love for our children with the world one day.

Rumor disclaimer: I am not now expecting a kid. Just wanted to share this heart warming vision to the masses.

My Last Days at Work - Part I

Have you ever had a last day at work?
I have been out of college for about 7 years, and I have been lucky enough to have always had a job. I have moved on from two (about to be three) jobs in my professional career.
My first last day of work was by my choice. I was really unhappy in with the environment that I worked in, and I really needed to get paid more. I put myself out there, and found another job in about a month. I knew that the day I put in my two weeks would be my last day, so I was prepared. My co-workers were a little perturbed that I was leaving, but none the less I went on.
My second last day of work was not by my choice. When they laid me off my boss let me work all day while she was waiting for the HR representative to show up. When the HR Rep finally showed up they called me in, and let me go. They stood over me while I cleared out my desk with tears streaming down. I didn’t want to face my husband. I really take my financial contribution to our household seriously. It really was a slap in my face, and it took me several months to gain my confidence back. If I had to sum up my second last day of work I would say it was awful.
I am soon approaching my third last day of work. The Spanish Overlords that has bought the company I work for has decided that my department has got to go. We were told about 4 months ago, and there was a target date. Now I have been given my sever date. February 19th is my third last day of work. I imagine it will be like the end of a long running sitcom.  You know that the characters will move on, but the audience will no longer be able to observe it. 
I have had a lot of time to be prepared, and I hope that the universe will let me be fruitful in my job search. The main point is that I know. I know that I will be leaving, and I won’t be finding out the day it happens. I am thankful that I have developed the friendships that I have. I am thankful that my managers have appreciated me. I am thankful that I won’t have any regrets about moving on from this place.
My future is bright, and the reason I know this is because I am pretty & smart.

Help Haiti

Reposted with permission from http://onhillstreet.com/ (Thanks Hil! You're pretty & smart.)

Here’s what we can do while sitting at our desks with our accessible doctors and blessed lives …

1. Pray.
2. Look at your favorite charitable organization’s website – are they collecting funds for Haiti?

If you are looking for a place to donate, remember that the United Methodist Church sends people everywhere. They are in Port-au-Prince and can use your donations. Donate here.

Epiphany 2010

Today is the 15th anniversary of my grandmother’s passing. This is the picture that was in the paper last year (I would say the photo was taken in the 1970’s). I was 14 when she passed. I was about to turn 15. Now 15 years later I am about to be 30. It feels like she just passed, and it feels like she passed a lifetime ago.
Ruby Helen Maxwell Jordan died too young, too unknown, too loved to have left me. I need her and I have cried for her until my heart is about to fall from my chest.
About 3 months ago I went to her resting place. I went to tell her about all the things that she had missed. She told me she knew everything that I had told her. I went to tell her that the pain of her absence was too much to bear. She told me to let go and have peace.
I find peace in knowing Grandma is still guiding my decisions, still coloring my judgments, still letting me know what being loved feels like.