Link to Entertaining post

http://guitargirl08.blogspot.com/2009/12/25-things-i-have-learned.html

For those who need a laugh.

Awesome Gifts!

Bonnie and my friend Emily gave us some very festive gifts that she got while in China! Pictured is some Chinese tea and currency:

And a scroll of my name, gorgeously painted.

She also gave us some chocolate-coated items...reminds me how much I love the sweet & salty factor of choc. covered pretzels...

Fear

Things people fear:

1. Rejection
2. Public speaking
3. Insecurity
4. Failure
5. Performing
6. Criticism
7. Disappointment
8. Reality
9. Non-conformity
10. Being alone

Why do we live lives dominated by fear? Fear is a negative emotion quite outside of reality. It conforms us into people we aren’t. It convinces us that we are helpless, disables us, takes energy from our lives, and makes the smallest task seem insurmountable.

I must introduce a new and completely basic thought: fear or confidence is our choice, and we must form a habit of confidence. Another thought: when you lack confidence, pretend. Nobody can tell, least of all you.

I am the sort of person who naturally feels like an inexperienced, timid kid. To combat this, I make a habit of putting my head up and walking at a fast, confident pace; hence, I have been told that I look aristocratic, or even arrogant. I’m five feet tall, and yet I intimidate people. Instead of acting the way I feel, I act the way I would like to appear to feel.

Secret: if you make this a habit long enough, you actually will become confident.

Yarn Shop

While they were here, Richard and Candy took me to Lake Erie and Marblehead. While we were there, we found this little yarn shop that I insisted on visiting. Here are some photos:

Pictures From Tammy's Visit

My sister and her kids came to visit in September. Her friend Candy (now my oldest brother's fiance) also came. We had a fabulous time together. And I finally have time to get some photos posted:

The bunch of wildflowers Candy picked for me. :)

Candy holding my nephew Eliyahu's head.

Eliyahu with his ever-present stuffed doggie named "Dog." He is drawing circles in the stones.

We head out for a walk together. L-R: my nephew (Yehoshua), sister (Bonnie,) niece (Ruth) and Candy.

The fresh Mexican salsa Candy helped us make. Jalapenos and cilatro!

Making the salsa. Bonnie thought the cilatro smelled funny...but what does she know?

My adorable little niece, baby Ruth, with Bonnie.

Ruthie picking raspberries. ;)

Yehoshua stirs the pudding.

I miss them all...we had campfires and made s'mores, entertained the nephews with remote controlled toys, and had late-night talks on the porch swings. :)

Early-morning Photography

Due to my recent premise that getting up in the early-morning hours and practising the piano is good for the soul, I have officially seen every sunrise for a week.

This morning, I couldn't resist photographing the sunrise and the fog. So here it is...or they are:

Ponchos and things of life...

Recently, I thought it looked like rain. So I got out my emergency poncho, and it didn't. I then tried to fold it back up, which did not bode well because I do not fold things very knackily.

I do want to take it out and wear it on a windy day while I'm taking a bike ride. I will look like a yellow balloon.

The Victorrrrr

Coming in at 22 votes, Justin West is the conqueror in what has become a fierce battle for the scarf. I offer sincere congratulations, and a long scarf will soon be in progress.

Those of you who happen to know me personally are aware of my tendency to say potentially demeaning things, but only in jest. Justin has been a constant casualty of this, which he bears with excellent composure. Because he is likely tired of being beat up, I will use this post as an opportunity to say something nice. Just don’t get a big head, okay kid?

I met Justin at Heidelberg University, where I am an informal member of his piano class. Despite the fact that I am a little high school kid – not to mention geek – he seems to have befriended me. He, along with several other students [including The Critically Acclaimed Defender of Truth, Joe Homan], also teaches me music theory.

Justin is usually semi-dressed-up, and wears a variety of interesting vests. He is studying composition, and is very dedicated to music. He is an intrinsically happy person, and loves riding his bicycle on assorted adventures. He has a great ability to be friendly, and even if he always arrives twenty minutes late, people have to forgive him.

In short, kudos on your victory, Justin. You are uniquely fabulous.

Because I am without a good picture of the aforementioned Justin, I now add a picture stolen from facebook:

Guest Blogger, Anyone?

I would like to have a series of guest posts, if possible. Anyone interested?

My Contest Comes to a Fatal End

Needless to say, my contest has become hopelessly cacophonous, what with minions getting involved and et cetera. I really didn't think people would fight it out so fiercly for a simple scarf. In any case, I now end my contest, and will count votes with discretion. Any that I deem likely to be fraudulent will be discounted.

Photos!

On the Saturday of Ashley's stay, we visited The Kingwood Center. It includes a massive old mansion, much of which can be toured, and acres of flower gardens and green houses.

A closeup of a flower with raindrops:

Some kind of ornamental cabbage??

Ashley and me in the cactus greenhouse.

Looking toward the entrance:

Cactus in an awesome pot:


A decorative fire hydrant

We happened upon a wedding party, taking pictures. I zoomed in and got one from a discreet distance. :)

A lovely peacock that was roaming the grounds:

A fountain, obviously:

A lily pond:

A delightful daisy:

Stone staircases:

An apple tree growing over a wall:

Teapot and cups growing plants:

A view of part of the mansion, an arch overgrown with ivy:

A stone lion overlooks a fountain:

The jungle-like environment of the greenhouse:

One of my favourite trees:

A rather fun plant: