Quiet Reflections

I love this quote:

"Time is not measured by the passing of the years, but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves."---Nehru

As of late, I've been in a reflective mood. The anticipated changing season (seriously, where are you spring???) is a contributing factor to my mood, but I believe that much of it comes from what had occurred to me during the winter. So, what kind of mood are you in as of late?

New Bedroom Lighting

I've forgotten to mention that the last few days have been wonderful spring-like days. The temperatures have been in the mid-40s to low-50s. In my neck of the woods, that is spring weather. The sun has come out and the sky is blue (not a mucky gray). It might be the weather and it may just be the passage of time, but I've been feeling good on the inside and like my old self again. So, I just wanted to share the DIY moment I had for today.

For some time, I've been wanting to change out the overhead light fixture in my bedroom. The original light fixture is generic and found in most homes today. Yes, it's practical but not very stylish. So, I purchased these white globe light fixtures from IKEA (yes, still somewhat generic, but not as generic as the existing light fixture). I wanted these globe fixtures to be put in my living room, but since my ceiling isn't all that high (average height, but definately not cathedral-high), I thought the IKEA light fixtures might be installed in my bedroom and my guest bedroom.


I don't want to go into too much detail as to how I was able to install my new overhead light fixture (FYI: read instructions, take pictures, and have with you a home improvement book). Yet, with some gumption and following instructions (yes, instructions with IKEA products are too vague, that is why I suggest having with you a home improvement book and taking pictures of how the original fixture was wired), I was able to install the new fixture and have it working too. What do you think of it? I like it very much, although I can see some people complaining that it might be too low. The light fixture is slightly over the feet of the bed, so it's unlikely to hit someone on the head. I think it adds some flair to the bedroom.

Prints with a Cause

[Birds in the Bush, by Susan Schwake; image from theworkingproof.com]

Hi all.

I hope you are doing well in your neck of the woods. I came across this blog and wanted to share this information with you. As you must be aware by now, Japan is in need of severe help (e.g. earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, tsunami, nuclear radiation). You can purchase a print from this website (http://www.theworkingproof.com/) and all the proceeds will be given to "Médecins Sans Frontières, who are currently in Japan assessing the post-quake needs, setting up mobile clinics, and focusing on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and victims suffering from chronic illnesses." The website, The Woking Proof, also sells other artwork prints, in which proceeds are donated to various organizations. Please check them out too.

My Thoughts . . .

The weather here has been okay. Much of the snow is beginning to melt, but it's still cloudy out and sometimes there's snow. So far, we've only gotten flurries and not another major snow storm. I'm so ready for winter to end.

However, I'm not complaining sooo much. Yes, it may be cold here, but it doesn't compare to earthquakes and tsunamis. My thoughts and wishes are with all those in Japan, Hawaii, and everyone in/near the Pacific Ocean and are being affected by the tsunamis. I hope most have evacuated the coastal areas and have found some kind of shelter.

I Love My Neices and Nephews!

I love my little ones. They are so cute and I love spending time with them. However, at the end of the day, it's great that they get to go home with mom and dad.

Thank You, Friends and Family.

As a few of you may already know, I've been going through a really tough time right now. Of course, the sub-zero degree weather and the snow is not helping me stay positive in any way. Work has been keeping me very busy and has been physically demanding (e.g. lack of sleep). At the same time, two significant relationships in my life have ended, causing a huge emotional toll on me. To say the least, I'm a wreck.

I am ready for a new beginning and for a new season. I don't know when it will happen, but I will emerge stronger than before. I must also thank those who have listened to me, offered me lots of support and advice, and have given me so much of their time. I just want to say "THANK YOU." I really would not have been able to get through this really tough period of my life without you.

Thanks

Yes, the Christmas holiday just passed and 2010 is quickly coming to an end. This year, especially this year and at this time, I have been counting my blessings and wanting to say thank you.

I want to thank my family members, especially my sisters, for their love. To all my friends out there, who actually read this blog, thank you for your friendship and for your support. Lastly, to one special friend who continues to look out for me, even from my own family, thank you for your generosity and for everything you have graced upon on me. I love you all with all of my heart.

What's Another Five-to-Eight Inches?

So it took me an hour to ride the bus home, but much of it was a delay caused by an irrate passenger who spat on the bus driver (although, the passenger stated that she spat on the bus transfer and not on the driver). The snow started slowly coming down in the late morning and probably won't cease for another couple of hours. It's predicted that Minnesota will get around five to eight inches of snow by midnight. After having gotten twelve to fifteen inches of snow, five to eight inches isn't too bad.

This weather is making tonight's Monday Night Football, between the Vikings and Bears, exciting. During the blizzard two weeks ago, panels of the Metrodome caved in. Tonight the game is at the U of M's TCF Stadium, the first time in about 29 years that the Vikings have played outdoors in Minnesota. Also, the field has no warming technologies implanted in the field, so the field is hard like a rock. Wowser!!!

Books of 2010

The following are the books I remember reading this year. I feel as if I fell short of my goal of reading at least twelve books per year, but I will add more as I try to recall what I read during the 2010 year. I admit that I really need to keep better track of the books I read.

1. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
2. Tongue: A Novel by Kyung-Ran Jo
3. The Beijing of Possibilities by Jonathan Tel
4. Black Flies by Shannon Burke
5. The Women of Brewsters Place by Gloria Naylor
6. French Dirt by Richard Goodman
7. The Candy Vendor's Boy by Beatriz de la Garza

Blizzard-Like Condition

OMG!!! Minnesota got so much snow today (and yesterday), that it's ridiculous. Parts of the state, including my neck of the woods, got between 12" to 18" of snow. That much snow is outrageous, but mix it with gusty winds and you get blizzard-like conditions. Driving this morning was intense and I was glad to get home safely. Having lived here for the last eight years, this is the worst snow storm I've seen. Someone commented that this snow storm could rival the snowstorm of Halloween 1991. Who knows. All I hope is that this is the first and last BIG snowstorm of the season.