The two most powerful words.

I have been very fortunate in my lifetime that I have had several people that I can look up to different ways, either physically, mentally and/or spiritually.

Recently, I met a new person to add to my list. I never thought she would challenge me as much as she has. I thought I had my life all together. I have a good job, my health, loving family, and clearly the unconditional love of my dog so what more did I need in life.  The more and more I talked to her, the more I realized I have no clue what I am doing with my life. I was basically living in a state of content and comfort.

 I was going through the motions of life. The zeal and excitement I once had somehow disappeared.

Together we discovered my biggest weakness is my confidence. I had not realized that I had spent so many years serving others and pleasing others needs that I had neglected my own. I had failed to build myself up. It has always been natural for me to be personable and approachable so naturally others sought me out when they needed something from me and I did because I like pleasing people. That caused me to neglect myself.

The fear of failing had made me lack my confidence.

It all started when I told her the story of how I entered a 5k many years ago. The last half mile, I was followed by an police escort as they were clearing the road again for traffic because I was last. Yeah,  I am pretty sure I could have died of humility that morning. I realized since that event I hadn't really wanted to begin new adventures in life because I was afraid of feeling that same sense of failure. I didn't want to push or challenge myself because I was afraid of coming in last again.

I am still not sure how she did it, but now I don't want to fail her because she has truly helped me be a better me. I have never felt more confident of who I am and what I am capable of.  Don't get me wrong, it is still a work in progress and I still don't know what I am doing with my life, but I loving every minute trying to figure it out. Living in comfort was just plain boring.

I would have never imagined putting myself out there and going on so many first dates in the last year. None of them have ended up with a ring on the finger but each one thought me more who I am and what I wanted in life.

I would have never imagined have imagined that last week I ran a 5k in 36 minutes which is huge for me. I thought I was going to throw up afterwards but that is beside the point. 

I would have never imagined the inner strength that I have inside of me. I have caught myself speaking up without hesitantion, standing up for what I believe in, challenging others and even mentoring again.

The beauty of it all, having gone through that slump helped me recognize how powerful the little things in life are that so many of us take for granted.

With confidence I can say I am a better person because I know she will always be on the sidelines cheering me on.  Today I say, "Thank you" to one of my newest fans. When was the last time you sincerely said "Thank you" to someone help you be a better you.

How to lose a girl on date one.

I have to admit, it has been an interesting run the last year when it comes with first dates. The excitement of meeting someone new, wondering if they are going to be the one and figuring that perfect outfit that will make you feel confident has been a theme lately.

Unfortunately none of them have stuck around to call them relationships, but each one has taught me something and would like to share them along. 

1) Women don't like to feel like a therapist. If you are meeting someone for the first time, its good to not lay it all out there in the open on date number one. Somethings are best to kept a secret for a while. Bringing baggage on date number one is not always a great idea. We don't need to hear about all your sob stories in an hour or two. No one likes to feel like they need a drink just to relax. 

2) Don't friend zone it. If you are interested in a woman make your time with her intentional. Eventually we will lose interest and start seeing you as a friend and get super frustrated that nothing happened and second guess everything you do. If you like a woman, let her know. Don't hang out with her, but date her. Go on dates! If you don't the relationship will get so confusing that eventually nothing will happen since intentions were never direct.

3) Don't quote chick flicks. Even if your favorite movie is Pitch Perfect and you love Glee, girls want a man. They want a man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and know a thing or two about mechanics or lawn care. Even though we live in an era where women want to feel equal to men, woman deep down want a man to treat them like a Princess/Queen. Open the doors, give us compliments, and don't have your friend set up the date, be a man and call the girl and set up the date. We want man to step up and be pursued.

4) 46 minutes late really? I still wonder sometimes how I stayed that long waiting for the guy. I remember sitting at the bar, lost all my lives on candy crush and texted a few friends and still a no show. I must have been really hungry. If you are going be late, make sure the first thing you say is not "Did you get us a table?" Apologize and you better have a good reason to be 46 minutes late on a first date. Be on time, shoot even get there early. Pull out the chair, order a drink if you know the girl's drink of choice. This goes on a long way and shows you were anticipating this date.

5) "So how as your week?" I ask. He responds with "Oh man, on Tuesday it was so cold that my breathalyzer would not start my car." Ummm so yes, that is a red flag and if you want a woman to turn around and lose interest that is a great phrase, but if not please have a good story about how it was a wake up call and how you are trying to be a better man not that "It's kind of sad I got my license back and have it in my car, it was kind of nice just drinking and making people drive for me." Yeah that happened. 

6) So how many men have you been with? Yes, I was asked that on date number two.  I knew what he was looking for and he wasn't going to get anything from me with that direct of a question. Plus his response to my answer was not very gentleman like. If you want to date a lady then be a gentleman.

7) If you are not interested just tell us. One of my biggest pet peeves is when they stop calling. Did I say or do something wrong? Why hasn't he contacted me? We are big girls and can put on our big girl pants, so just tell us.

8) Don't ever make a woman hangry. If you tell a woman, they are going out to eat, guess what that woman went through at least 5 outfits to find the perfect one and planned out what they were going to eat and has been hungry to eat that meal for a few hours so don't make her hangry by not showing up or canceling. Never mess with a woman and her food.

These are just a few real life examples I have gone through lately. So if you want to lose a girl on date one, follow these simple rules.

Who Saved Who?

This little baby saved my life. 

When I first this Rat Terrier, I was in a phase in my life where all my friends were either married or in a serious relationship.  Goodness, many of them already had one child. I was working 50 hours a week which caused me to gain weight.  I was unhappy and considering to quit my job and stay with the parents til I found a new one. 

Until one special day on June 27th 2010. 

I was out shopping with my dad doing errands.  I have always been a daddy’s girl.  (Which is why I think I am single because I have always tried to find a man like my father, but that is a another topic in itself.)

We went to Petsmart because like father like daughter he owns a fish tank and so do I. We needed filters, so we can replace the old dirty olds and the pumps can do their thing and clean the water.  It just happened to be an adoption day at Petsmart. 

For those that have never walked into a Petsmart in the summer on a Sunday or Saturday this is quite common, but I like to set the stage and make this special day even more meaningful.

 I have always wanted a dog, but I knew having a dog came great responsibility.  I figured, I am 26 now I can take care of a dog. 

Growing up, I saw a movies and tv shows where Lassie always saved the day. Or Free Willy and Flipper gave companionship to a human.  Come on, everything you see is on tv is right so of course my life would be complete if only I had a pet. 

I walked over to the center of the store and looked around and suddenly made eye contact with the cutest little dog you will ever.  She was giving me a look that only a dog in need does. She was calling me to take her home with me.  I said, “That’s the one.”  Look at her! My dad must have had the same feeling because he said lets talk to your mother. 

I knew working 50 hour week, I would need my parent’s full commitment as well because I could not care of a dog on my own.  

We convinced my mom to come to Petsmart to see the pretty little doggie.  She walked into the store very hesitant and walked straight into that cage.  My mother’s eyes truly did start to tear up.  I had not even pointed out which dog I wanted to adopt. 

Needless to say, 300 dollars later I had a dog in the car, cage in the other and a bag full of food, treats, collar and leash.  I was ready to go.  

I would not recommend a dog for everyone that is feeling lonely or need some sort of meaning in my life.  I mean my friends are now all married and now on baby number two. I cannot remember the last time I have slept in because she wakes me up every morning to take her out.  In the initial cost of 300 seems like a piece of cake considering how much vets fees and dog food costs.  

However, I love the feeling knowing when I come home my little baby runs down the stairs and wags her little tail waiting to see me.  I love the feeling that when she is scared or nervous she runs to me for protection. I love seeing her front paws up in the air wanting me carry her and put her on my lap. I love the feeling when she falls asleep on me while laying on the couch. 

Yes, I saved her and adopted her, but let’s be honest she saved me and has taught me what unconditional love could look like.

Deepest Darkest Secret

I have a love/hate relationship with confession. Yes, that's right CONFESSION!  There is something
about saying out loud your sins, mishaps, mistakes, and regrets it just stings.

I know there are many people in my life that don't understand the beauty of confession and I am not here to convince you here otherwise, but solely want to give you a viewpoint how it is to go to confession in the 21st century.  Its not like the old black and white movies where you go to a dark box and you hear a scary voice of a man and he tells you "That's it? Are you sure?"

For myself, when I do something wrong, I am have guilt written all over my forehead. I dislike myself for saying/doing whatever mistake I just did. I dwell on it and after I while I feel the need to say it out loud and seek advice on whatever mistake I did. Let's play the game, would you rather seek advice to someone who also makes mistakes like you or would you rather seek advice to someone who is representative Christ? I am not saying seeking advice from friends is not good because I do it all the time, but sometimes you need to get down to business.

Reasons why I go:

1: Ever heard of humility?
I do this daily as I am far from getting a VIP pass to heaven, but I am trying my best. I am a complete wreck mentally, its not a joy ride, but I stress out about the mere thought of telling my sins out loud to God (the funny thing is He already knows them, so whats the big deal) It is a humbling experience each time. Saying my sins out loud is a wake up that I have some changing to do if I want to get back in the game.

2: White as snow
Remember when you were an child/adult and you were baptized in the white gown symbolizing purity. I heard once that when we sin, we dirty our white gown. Let's be honest by the time I get enough courage to go my gown has holes, dirt and stains. Going to confession you are able to bleach that gown of yours! The best part is, confession is there for you as often as you would like it thus you can get bleached as often a you! You will feel all so fresh and so clean.

3: You will lose ten pounds
Okay, not really, but a weight has been lifted off your shoulder, you can now smile with a true genuine smile. Your sins have been forgiven! Believe it or not, but when someone tells you "I forgive you," thats powerful stuff right there.  A priest is not just there to listen and give penance, but to help us live a better and fuller life so seek that advice that you need.

So why confession, I want to get to heaven and I believe the best way to get there is to be the best person God created you to be; so why not enter with a humble heart, white as snow, and a few extra pounds off your shoulder.

(If you are still wondering why I believe in actually confession instead of just talking to God in prayer, ask and I will try to explain as best as I can)

The Trophy

I have been part of this organization at work now for around a year and half. Its called Toastmasters (toastmasters.org) Its a group of individuals who come together to learn more abour themselves and build on their confident skills as leaders.

Here is my latest speech, enjoy!

Jacqueline "first place" Hernandez is not really my middle name, but let me tell you about a time when I felt like a million bucks.

I have been an active member of Toastmasters for around a year and half now and its common to receive emails or announcements about area or district contests in the area.  My first thought every time is, "Are you kidding me, I am nervous enough at my own meetings, why would I torture myself and go somewhere and be judged by even more talented people."

I don't remember how or when but somehow I volunteered to participate in the area contest to compete in table topics. I figured all I had to do with limit my um and ah and speak from one to two minutes on a random topic they present, so how hard could that be.

Luckily, I received a friendly reminder the week of and my hurt heart sank to the floor while I read that email.

"What the heck, have I done to myself. Am I really doing this?" The contest was only 5 minutes from where I live and it started at 9:30 am so I could still sleep in a little.

The morning of, I kept telling trying to figure out excuses to bail, such as, it was the first Saturday all year where the high was going be in the 70s and the next day snow. There was no way, I was going to spend it indoors in a library listening to speeches.

Needless to say, I was there 9:30 am sharp and hoped I had remembered to put on some deodorant before I left the door. With the exception of 4 of us, the median age was around 55. I was completely out of comfort zone. People had name tags, binders, pads of paper and were ready to go.

I signed in, filled out the paperwork and quietly waited for instructions. I kept seeing everyone so relaxed and socializing with each other and knew today was going to be an experience.

Each speech was beautifully presented with perfect body movements, lack of notes, great eye contact. I knew when it was my turn to talk all eyes were going to  be on me and didn't want that attention whatsoever.

It was 5 til 11 and the toastmaster announced there was a break. "What a break? I want this contest to be over. I will not be able to compete with these amazing individuals that I have just heard." I thought.

Table topics was the last portion of the contest so the anticipation was literally killing me and all I knew was keep your arms down because you will be sweating like a pig. I was feeling like the individuals in the 90s sure commercials "sure, sure, sure, unsure, unsure, unsure.

I had the privilege to begin the contest. The toastmaster said my name and I walked up and shock her hand and she said the magic words I had been waiting for all morning, "Jacqueline Hernandez, social media Jacqueline Hernandez"

I had it in the bag, what kind of 30 year old doesn't have an opinion on social media.  I was confident and sure during that minutes and even spoke past the one minute mark.

That morning ladies and gentlemen I received my first trophy ever. First place my friends. I won't tell you how many people I was up against because that will spoil the story.

This trophy is a symbol of many firsts to come as Toastmaster has truly enabled me to have the confidence I had buried inside of myself.

I am not perfect my any means nor does this mean I will join each contest that occurs in our area and district, but I am grateful for the experience that Toastmaster provided me that morning and I am a proud member of this organization.

What are you running from?

It has been many years since I wrote down my thoughts on a blog, but here goes....

I recently started training myself to run and there is a reason for this but that is for another post. While running, it has come to my attention that what I have been truly running from in my life the last few years is myself.

There comes a point in your life where you have to start taking care of yourself and for me that came recently when I realized I was turning 30. I have focused majority of my 20s on others and their well being, pleasing others, and I have not focused on what I am supposed to with my life.

Today, I ran the most I have ever ran without stopping in 2 years, it was only a mile, but this mile was a milestone.  I felt the wind around me, the sun shining, and a path that seemed endless. I conquered something that I never thought I could do. What kept me going was, "Jacqueline, you can do this!" So  I ran until the app I was using said I could walk again.

This evening, I ran into a friend that lately when we do see each other gives me a hard time on why we haven't hung out.  I went up to her twice and was getting a cold vibe from her when finally I stopped her to catch up.  However when catching up, within 5 minutes, she had made comments, such as "I am glad you are actually alive." "So your job has supposedly kept you busy." "So baseball season is coming up so I am gonna probably gonna even see less of you." A few eye rolls later on her end, and I spoke up. I was straight and told her I don't appreciate being talked to like that when friendships takes two people.

Tonight, longer story short, I gave a guy my number. Crazy, I know?!?! There's always a first in life.

Why, you ask am I telling you all this? The old Jacqueline would have given up and never kept on running. The old Jacqueline would have ever stood up for herself. The old Jacqueline would have left the night thinking, man I wonder what would have happened if I gave that guy my number.

Stop running from the fear of striking out. If all you do is stand at the plate and you never swing because you are too nervous, you will just strike out and never have the opportunity to hit a home run.

I am not saying my actions today were perfect, but tonight I can go to bed knowing I have no regrets and I am proud of that.

Run as fast as you can and make sure you ask the Lord for the strength to keep on running.  I still don't have all the answers and still don't know what I am doing with my life, but I do know is with HIM all things are possible. 

Why in a hurry?

A classic song from Alabama called "I'm In A Hurry(And Don't Know Why)" has been really hitting home lately. The lyrics go something like this.

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Lately, I feel like that is has been the story of my life the past month.  Just going from one appointment to the next. I have to pencil in to make phone dates with my friends to just catch up.  When did we have to schedule times to just catch up on the phone. Whatever happened to just dialing the number and tell your friend a silly story and then move on with my life.  Nope, I don't even have time for that.

Even quality time with my parents need to be scheduled and we share the same roof. My dog and are together for 8 hours of the day and 7 of them are sleeping.

I cannot remember the last time I just stopped and took a deep breathe and relaxed.  When I am heading to bed, I am thinking about all the things I have to do tomorrow and the day after and what will my weekend hold, will I just be able to sit around and be lazy or do I have another social event to attend. And if I am not thinking about the future, I think did I do enough today or did I waste too much time doing pointless stuff.

When is the last time I rested? Well let's see when is the last time I prayed?  The question that many of us do not like to face.  When is the last time we scheduled time for prayer? Or should we even have to.  He is my best friend, right. 

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 He cares for more than I can even imagine; He even tell us 

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 Why do I not listen to my own thoughts. I know the answer to my hurry, I am afraid of the silence. I am in a hurry to get things done because the more and more I do, the less and less I have to be.  Ever just stopped and just be for a second. In order to believe in yourself you just be.  Just be in a state of being. Allowing Jesus to become part of your daily life. Allowing Jesus to teach me who I am and teach me to be well me.  Not just when its convenient, but rather every second.

Thank you Jesus, for my job. Thank you Jesus, for my health. Thank you Jesus, for my family.  Thank you Jesus, for my friends.  Thank you Jesus, for wireless internet.  The list goes on. 

But none of these things are mine they are His.  He created us and knows that is best for us.

Luke 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his  span of life?

I need to stop being  in a hurry and just be. Be satisfied with my day and not grow anxious.  I mean all we really need to do is live and die.  So why live worrying.

I am not alone and neither are you.

(Pardon, the one year absence...but I am back for a while at least)....some thoughts I had today....

Today, a coworker told me that my clock is ticking and I shouldn't be so picky.  At least once a week I hear from someone, you should date so and so.  Getting older and having most of your friends already married and having children does make you realize that maybe these people are right my clock is ticking. But great news, I am not alone and haven't been for a while.

So this is the part where you think I have suddenly started dating and I found my vocation, but you are wrong.  Not dating and still no vocation.  I am as single as ever, but still not alone.

Because I am loved by the man who will never stop loving me and is by side 24/7.  Which if you think about it, kinda scary because I am a sinner, but that is a different story.  I could be brought down by all the chick flicks, love songs, and what people tell me, but I am not alone.  I have my best friend by my side each and every day.  Right now as I am typing this, Jesus is here.

I know I might be stretching this post a little too far, but this is all my single peeps out there, you are not alone and do not let media or anyone else convince you that you are.  If you can imagine a little more with me, your guardian angel is even by your side.  So this in room right now with me, I have my dog, my angel, Jesus and about a dozen fish, so not alone.

The point of this post (and I know I haven't written in a while) is to make you think and not feel discouraged and lonely.  You are never alone, HE IS WITH US. So people stop thinking my life is miserable and I am lonely because I am not.  Currently I am happier than I have been in a long time.  Why you may ask? Because started up a daily prayer life again and starting talking to the guy you loves me and knows me better than anyone else.  

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." It's amazing that if you put all your energy in our Lord, everything doesn't seem to matter and you have a sense of inner peace.  I will be honest, this peace might only last 5 minutes and you might start getting caught up in the worries of this world, but you have have to pulled right back in into this peace.  Trust in the Lord!

I was listening to the radio and a popular country song from Sugarland came on called Stuck like glue and it made me start to think...

"Absolutely no one that knows me better
No one that can make me feel sooo gooood
How did you stay so long together?
When everybody, everybody said we never would
And just when, I start to think they're right
That love has died....

There you go making my heart beat again,
Heart beat again, Heart beat again,
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it and do it one time?
There you go pulling me right back in, 
Right back in, Right back in
And I know-oo I'm never letting this go-ooo

I'm stuck on you....."

Friends, that is the description of my on and off again friendship with Christ. This world truly does not allow me to live a life with Christ.  We are so caught up with greed, jealously, anger, sins of the flesh, judgment to just name a few that we cannot see the purity of life.  The Bible even tells us that only the pure of heart shall see our God. (Matthew 5:8) It is no wonder that so many people live a life without Christ because there is a lack of purity in this world.

When you are caught up in this peace and love of the Lord, you do become a little bit like a child and you have a sense of innocence.  You begin to have the faith of a child.  Faith that is so real and innocent. Faith of a child is complete abandonment to Him, our Savior.  Children are weak and need their parents to protect them, to feed them, to nourish them.  We need this from our Lord everyday to have this peace in our live.  Matthew 18:3 "Truly I say to you, Unless You turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens."

People do say its impossible to live a life with Christ and might even laugh at you if you tell them you are never alone, but HE continuously pulling us right back in, right back in and we should never let go.

Some days I don't feel like trying
Some days you know I wanna just give up.....

It's a hard life to live against what culture is telling how to live, but if we all lived for what makes feel good, then we could never experience TRUE JOY.  I do want to give us because what makes me feel good does feel good, but will only last for a while.  But living a life with the man who never knows me better is worth it.


I am not alone, I am with the one who knows me better and this love has not died, He is pulling right back in each and every day.  I am truly blest and you can be to.


 

Why do we put salt on the roads when it snow?

Salt makes the snow melt right?  But why. Come on, now, you must have wondered this questions before.  Those big trucks come down the load and plowed as much snow and from the rear they are leaving salt mixture and magically you can drive on the road again.  But people always say, try to stay away from brigdges and over passes because those dangerous.  Why are bridges so dangerous?
It's actually pretty simple.The salt forms a brine on the roadway that melts the snow and ice. What is this brine a combination of moisture and salt.  As cars drive through this brine it breaks the bond allowing slush to form and then those giant plow trucks can do their job later and plow the slush out of way.  The bad new, the colder it is outside, the longer it takes for this process to take into effect. 

"Temperatures, time of application, weather conditions and the type of road surface, are among the many variables that can affect the success of deicing. For instance, at 30° F salt is five times more effective than at 20° F." Morton Salt assisted me in learning this simple trick.

The next topic, why are bridges more dangerous.  Road surfaces make a differience on the success of deicing.  Each surfaces absorbs heat differently.  Asphalt for example aborbs lots of heat.  That is with driveways that are pure asphalt, are easiser to clear out. However bridges are mostly built by steel and concrete not asphalt. There are two ways for heat to escape from above and below, while in road heats can only escape from above. Bridges do not absorb heat as fast making them less effective and having a less success for deicing.

I hope you learned a lot. So now that this new wave of snow came into my area.  I now know to avoid bridges and why I love salt on the roads, because I would rather drive on slush any day. Thank you for all those individuals who plow the streets of America!   

• Great site to learn more about why use salt on raods, check out: http://www.usroads.com/journals/p/rmj/9712/rm971202.htm
  

What is a cubicle?

People have been asking me lately, "How's work?"  I try to explain to them what I have been up to, but it always seems to go back to my cubicle.  It's hard to explain my job since I learn and do something new everyday.  The insurance world is always changing. 

So what is a cubicle, you might ask?  Well, for me, it's where I spend most of my days, (for some rare reason, I feel like bursting out in Fresh Prince of Bell-Air lyrics).  But in all seriousness, a cubicle is where I spend around 7 to 9 hours a day, working.  It's a home away from home.  It's decorated enough that when people walk by, they know a little something about me.

According to our good old friend, wikipedia,
"A cubicle, cubicle desk or office cubicle is a partially enclosed workspace, separated from neighboring workspaces by partitions that are usually 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) tall.

A cubicle's purpose is to isolate office workers from the sights and noises of an open workspace, the theory being that this allows workers more privacy and helps them to concentrate without distractions. Horizontal work surfaces are usually suspended from the partitions of cubicles, as is shelving, overhead storage, and other amenities.

Cubicles are often seen as being symbolic of the human condition of working in a modern office setting due to their uniformity and blandness.

The term cubicle comes from the Latin cubiculum, for bed chamber. It was used in English as early as the 15th century. It eventually came to be used for small chambers of all sorts, and for small rooms or study spaces with partitions which do not reach to the ceiling

An office filled with cubicles is sometimes called a cube farm. Although humorous, the phrase usually has negative connotations. Cube farms are often found in high-tech companies, but they also appear in the insurance industry and other service-related fields. Many cube farms were built during the dotcom boom."
 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubicle)

So I have always wanted to live in a farm, and now I can say, I do, I live in a cube farm.  Who would have thought that a suburban girl like me, would live in a farm.  We all have our own special gifts and personalities, but all trained to do the same thing, bring GREAT customer service to our clients. 

So for all those fellow cube members. Take pride in your home away from home and decorate your cubicle. Don't let the stereotype win, cubicles are not bland or uniform.  Give your cubicle some character and make it a home.

How to set goals?

I always thought it was funny, that we spend all this time and energy talking about new year's eve that each day is it's a brand new day.  I do guess we can start referring to 2010 instead of 2009, but seriously what is the big deal?  People ask, "What are you going to give up or what will you do this year?" Then people's response is, "Oh, for the new year I will start or give up, so and so." 

Don't get me wrong it's good to set goals, but does anyone really know how to start goals and how do we even keep goals.

This post will be about goal setting.  I am the first to admit, I need goals.  I need goals as much as the next person, but I know I need them.  I love having a list of goals and the sense of personal accomplishment that I completed a goal.  So what is a goal? How do you go about achieving one?

In my previous employment, I was taught, when we set goals, we must set SMART goals.

• S - Specific
• M - Measurable
• A - Attainable
• R - Realistic
• T - Timely

When I set goals, I always ask myself,

• "How will this effect my personal, spiritual, physical, or professional life?"   In where I am in a my life right now, those are the four areas I want to be held accountable in, so I try to list one to two for each category.  
• "What do you ultimately what to accomplish in your life? How will these goals help you achieve this?

For instance, I want to renew my prayer life and start praying more often to Jesus, so I want to pray the rosary three times a week and will be consistent by beginning of March 2010. 

• S - Specific -- praying the rosary
  
• M - Measurable -- three times a week
  
• A - Attainable -- Do you have 20 minutes three days a week to pray the rosary? Yes or No?
  
• R - Realistic -- Can you actually achieve this goal? Yes or No?
  
• T - Timely -- give yourself a due date so you know if you are living up to this goal.
  

So now you are thinking okay, I can set some SMART goals for myself. The next step is accountablility somehow. Make a chart or find a good friend to assist you. There is no sense of setting goals unless you plan to achieve them.  The only way to achieve goals is to start goals. 

So what is preventing you to make this year count. Think about setting and starting some SMART goals in your life and achieve them. I am telling you there is nothing more exciting then knowing you are on the right path for success. Let's be honest, no one knows you better than yourself, so you will know if you are cheating.

Some helpful links:

• http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/smart-goals.html
• http://www.goalhappy.com/
• http://goal-setting-guide.com/7-goal-setting-tips.html
• http://www.mygoals.com/content/goal-setting-article-002.html
  

How to keep score on a baseball score card?

1 - Pitcher; 2 - Catcher; 3 - 1st Base; 4 - 2nd Base; 5 - 3rd Base; 6 - Shortstop; 7 - Left Field; 8 - Center Field; 9 - Right Field

You might be thinking, okay what does all those numbers mean? Well, one of my favorite things to do at ball games is to keep score. At first, I wanted something to do with my dad and thought, he knew how, he could teach me. Now, I have realized that people don't keep score as often as they used to. People are more for the entertainment and the in between innings prizes and contest that they forget that we paid to see baseball. It helps you truly become a baseball fan. It is not easy, but fun. To be honest, practice makes perfect. After one game, you should be able to keep score on your own

I could attempt to teach you, but rather, here are a few links to help guide you.

• Best Tutorial online that I found --> Baseball Score Card
• Free Score Card Download --> Free Baseball Score Cards  

Do you know..the tradition of wedding cake?

It's summertime and that usually means wedding season. Yesterday, I attended the wedding a friend from college and the Catholic priest talked briefly in his homily about the beautiful tradition about the cutting and feeding the wedding cake.

Did you know that:

• In the Roman times and for a few centuries, cake was crumbled over the bride's head to ensure her fertility. Women, would than rush to get the leftover that fell on the floor to receive extra insurance, I guess. 
• When the cake was cut, the wife and husband would feed each other the cake as a symbol of their mutual commitment to each other, from sickness to health... No matter what the circumstance they would be there for each other to feed each other, either spiritually or physically.  What a beautiful symbol! It should be done with elegance, but I guess our culture has made it into fun and games.
  

So tell your engaged couples about this rich history and if you are a women, I dare you to rush and eat the crumbs.
Pictures and information were taken from: How to cut Wedding Cake and The Wedding Cake...history, custom, and tradition

Do you know...the difference between a moutain or foothill?

I recently took a trip to Colorado and I have to admit, I love that state. I cannot believe how beautiful seeing those foothills or mountains can be.

I have always been in a state of denial and deep down knew those mountains were foothills.  I have never had enough time in my vacation to see the landscape, but my goal for next year is to take a few days off work and go climb one of those foothills.  I am midwest girl, we have to start small.

Wordnet says a foothill is "hilly land on the lower slopes of mountains."

So what is the difference between a foothill and mountain, so you can sound super smart to all your friends.

"You know it, when you see it" apparently. Some say its anything lower than 1000, but that is not proven. Seriously, I know. I read this article, it might help explain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Do you know...the meaning of a godparent nowadays?

This past weekend, I joined the ranks of many and became the godmother.  I cannot tell you how much I love this little boy of mine. He is so precious!  I cannot stop thinking of him and keep thinking to myself, seriously how I sinner on my own be help another soul to heaven.  While standing watching this little baby became a child of God, my heart leaped with joy and I was so excited to suddenly help his parents pray and teach him about the love of God.

So I started thinking, where did all this come from, the tradition of godparents.  So I did myself a little research.

In the early Christian church, BAPTISM was only intended for adults. Their "godparents" were witnesses and vouched for the person's commitment, as expressed by the Latin legal term sponsor. As early as the end of the second century, baptism for infants appeared in Christian communities; the practice was believed to chase away the evil spirits present in every newborn baby. At the end of the fourth century, Saint Augustine enforced the rule of child baptism. At the time, parents were their own children's godparents. Between the sixth and eighth centuries, as child baptism became more widespread in Europe, the idea spread that for a child to have a spiritual rebirth, it needed to have new parents. Godparenting by parents was abandoned and even forbidden by the Mayence Council of 819, a law that endures to this day. A spiritual relationship, quite distinct from a blood relationship, is therefore created. The Church gives a it very specific religious goal: to ensure the Christian education of the child. (http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Fa-Gr/Godparents.html)

....the principal responsibility of a godparent is to give witness to the Catholic faith by his words and actions. When it concerns a child, he must be ready to accept the responsibility of being a part of the godchild's life for the remaining of his/her life. A godparent must have his eyes fixed on the Lord, believing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. [Jn. 14:6] Not only must he believe it, he must be prepared to share his belief with his godchild. (http://www.catholicdoors.com/courses/godpar.htm)

For more information about the Catholic understanding, click on this link. 

If you are a godparent out there, give him/her a little call and say hello. Offer up something in your day for him/her and give God thanks for LIFE! Gosh, I just love my little godson!

What is a shuttlecock?

Okay, in all seriousness, all joking aside what is a shuttlecock?  Well, it's that white and orange featherball thing used in the game of badminton. Do you know that the shuttlecock can be traced back to the 5th century BC in China!

I don't have the skill nor patience to play this game, but living in Kansas City, I have been real familiar with the shuttlecock. The famous Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City has a courtyard named the Kansas City Sculpture Park. In 1994 giant shuttlecocks covered that park and remain there today. They are true symbol of Kansas City yet no one really knows the them of those birdie things.

Shuttlecocks created quite a stir. Letters from those who loved its bright, fresh form and welcomed its challenge to the status quo appeared in the Kansas City Star along with articles, letters to the editor and editorial cartoons charging that it was "not art" and calling it a "giant waste."  

Oldenburg and van Bruggen imagined shuttlecocks as pieces of a game played by giants. It consists of four monumental "birdies" arranged on a 22-acre "badminton court" with the Museum as the "net." 

The information above was gathered from the nelson-atkins.org You can read more if you wish, but let's be honest its a good trivia question and now you know the answer.

For more information go to Wiki and History of the Shuttlecock

Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers...

I received this e-mail from my mother today and we all need fun story to help us out a little bit. So yeah, enjoy!

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

How to know when eggs are good or bad?

Let's be honest, how many of buy a carton of eggs and they sit there and we forget about them and they are way past the date on the carton, and we think, well how bad can they be? Well, this is a simple trick I heard a year or so ago. I can't remember who told me, but I cannot take credit for this.

1. Place one egg in a bowl
2. Pour some water in the bowl, enough to cover the egg at least three inches
   
3. If it floats, its a bad egg, so throw it away. If the egg stays on the bottom of the bowl, you are dealing with one pretty fresh egg there. However, if you have an egg that decides to stand on one end, it's still okay, but you should use it ASAP.

Don't ask how I know this, I just do. So enjoy the eggs.

These are some random facts I have come across:

• Older eggs make better hard-boiled eggs because they are easier to peel.
• If the ANY egg is kept out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, yeah you should thrown them away.
  

How to know when your meat is rare, medium, or well done?

I will be honest, most of the random knowlegdge I know is because of my dad. He teaches me a whole lot and I teach him a few things in turn. We make a pretty good team.

Recently my dad got a new grill for his birthday so we have been grilling a whole lot lately. He taught him this neat trick about grilling meat.

Let's say you want a piece of meat a certain way, touch a part of your face to see if feels the same way as the meat.

• Chin = Rare
• Nose = Medium
  
• Forehead = Well done

Give it a try next time you are grilling, you can please everyone you are grilling for. We all know that people like their meats differently, so yeah a quick trick for ya.

Do you know...when the audience wave was started

So this past week I went to a double header baseball game! There wasn't a better way to spend the day during the summer in my opinion. Yes, it would have been nice if either team would have won the game, but that wasn't the case. Half through the second game there was a man who wanted to start the the wave. The fans really got into it. The whole stadium got into it. That I don't think anyone was paying attention to the game anymore. The wave continued on for at least ten times without stopping. I was shocked and did have a blast.

So I thought to myself who came up with this stuff. Who decided it would be fun to get people to stand up from their chair and wave their hands in the air? I mean seriously if you think about it, it is a funny concept. So I googled it and wikipedia told me this...

• Some claim that it was created (by chance) at a National Hockey League game in Canada in 1980, and introduced to a wider audience (intentionally) in October 1981 at a Major League Baseball game in Oakland, California, and at an American football game in Seattle, Washington.^{[citation needed]}

• The wave is also believed to have been created in Vancouver, British Columbia by a marketing campaign for the local soccer team the Vancouver Whitecaps, in which they got the crowd to perform this for a commercial in which their slogan was "Catch the Wave."^{[citation needed]}

There are other reports that claim that in the 1960s, in Monterrey Mexico, during a game between Tigres and Rayados, the wave was created in the half time. The crowd was anxious, and the organizers were doing games and throwing football balls as presents in the half time because players took a lot of time returning to the field. That made people start doing the wave.

Whatever its origin, by the mid-1980s the practice was widespread throughout North America. Finally, it gained worldwide notice, and the specific name Mexican wave, during the FIFA Football World Cup in Mexico at the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, 1986.

Looks like too many people want to take the credit, so we will never know!

"Today, the wave is generally seen during a lull in the action on the sports field, as spectators seek to amuse themselves to fend off boredom. There is some controversy as to when the wave is appropriate to perform during a sporting event. Some feel that the wave can be performed at any time, and is often done so for either entertaining the audience or distracting the opponent. Others feel the wave is only appropriate when the home team has a sizable lead such that the opponent has little or no chance of winning. Still others feel the wave is always disrespectful to the home team athletes and should never be performed."

I am not sure how I feel about this. However, I would semi agree it was a little disrecpectful when we stopped paying attention to our hometown boys. But, they should play better ball if they want us to cheer for them right? Thoughts???

(Of course this is a wikipedia, audience wave, so you can believe it or not)