Check out this game. It's a real test of your spatial intelligence.
I'm terrible at it, but it's fun.
http://www.girlsgogames.com/game/Magic-Pen.html
This particular game everyone can enjoy. The rest of the website has a bunch of games for girls, that include dress up and make overs. Milan got me into it.
Let me know what level you completed and how many shapes it took you.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Virtual House Tour
After living here for 2 1/2 years, I finally got motivated to really organize the house. Between giving away a ton of unnecessary items, and being creative with storage, we now have a place for all our belongings. I even painted, and am beginning to decorate!
My next project is to paint the hallway. I want to bolt a chalkboard, a magnet board, and maybe a felt board on the wall at Filip's eye level. That way, it will be very convenient to teach him letters and shapes any time I have his attention.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Carmen
We saw 'Carmen' with Milan at the Frederick Cultural Arts Center last night. Well, half of it. I thought it was going to be dressy, because it's an opera. So I wore a dress, and Jr wore a suit. However, you can be pretty casual going there. Some people were even wearing shorts!
Filip really enjoyed the show, especially when the ladies came out to sing. He was very well behaved, but he was getting a little excited about the music. He started coughing alot (on purpose) to the music, and I quieted him down. However, while he wasn't making any noise, I noticed the usher, a frowning old lady, standing right at our row watching him. He coughed once more, and she immediately told me to remove him.
I sat outside with him, until Jr and Milan came out. We decided to go, because we were there for 2 hours already, and the show was only half over. I didn't think it was worth having someone sit outside for the next two hours while the others watched.
We walked to the coffee shop and stayed there a little while, before we went home. Then, we played dice while watching School of Rock untill 1am.
It was a pretty good evening anyway.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Party
Our last guests just left from our dessert party we had today.
I was not sure if anyone would show up. I sent out 30 invitations, but I received no positive RSVPs. It's not because we're not cool enough for anyone to reply yes to my party invite. I believe it had to do with the invitation itself being a little confusing. Instead of sending out three separate invitations for the series of parties I'm having, I put all three dates on to one invitation. I figured that would give everyone an opportunity to choose which date they can make. However, I think the result was that people didn't know which one they were supposed to come to, and therefore did not feel obligated to respond.
So now I know to send out separate invitations.
It turns out that four people did come over, but not due to the invitations. Also, my two nephews were here. So our kitchen was full, and we had a good time. I made cream cheese cookies and an apricot tea cake. Then we played dice and watched Napoleon Dynamite. I even sold some products.
Next Friday, I'm scheduled to have another dessert party from 6pm to 9pm. Again, I have not received any positive responses, so let me know if you want to come. We'll be eating really good dessert either way!
I was not sure if anyone would show up. I sent out 30 invitations, but I received no positive RSVPs. It's not because we're not cool enough for anyone to reply yes to my party invite. I believe it had to do with the invitation itself being a little confusing. Instead of sending out three separate invitations for the series of parties I'm having, I put all three dates on to one invitation. I figured that would give everyone an opportunity to choose which date they can make. However, I think the result was that people didn't know which one they were supposed to come to, and therefore did not feel obligated to respond.
So now I know to send out separate invitations.
It turns out that four people did come over, but not due to the invitations. Also, my two nephews were here. So our kitchen was full, and we had a good time. I made cream cheese cookies and an apricot tea cake. Then we played dice and watched Napoleon Dynamite. I even sold some products.
Next Friday, I'm scheduled to have another dessert party from 6pm to 9pm. Again, I have not received any positive responses, so let me know if you want to come. We'll be eating really good dessert either way!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Surviving
I was thinking about taking some kind of 'survival' class. It should be something that teaches you what you can eat and take advantage of in an emergency, or a survival situation.
I think it would serve as a good reminder to not take the level of comfort and security my life has now for granted.
Also, we live in a society that discourages improvisation. Just check out gadget catalogues.
Worse still, are parenting magazines and catalogues. I believe those are why American women feel compelled to carry a gigantic diaper bag for every possible 'necessity' a baby will need when you take them to the mall. Not to mention gigantic strollers with SUV brand names that convert from a car-seat carriage to a big kid stroller and have many other features.
There's nothing wrong with getting these things (most are gifts anyway). It's just that these items, designed to make your life easier with baby, kill opportunities to develop the art of improvisation.
Even cookbooks discourage just using what food you already have in your kitchen. You have to go out shopping for a bunch of special ingredients for just one Rachel Ray recipe.
I'm not saying we should live a life devoid of things that make it easier or more enriched. That would be foolish. However, it would be wise to have the skills necessary to live without.
We can't guarentee that the measure of security and comfort we have now will continue indefinitely.
I think if I took a survival-type class, I would actually learn what going 'back to basics' means. Also, I think it will help me realize what things I really need to live. That should bring more security than any gadget can offer.
Let me know if you have any suggestions as to what kind of classes I should take, or books to read.
I think it would serve as a good reminder to not take the level of comfort and security my life has now for granted.
Also, we live in a society that discourages improvisation. Just check out gadget catalogues.
Worse still, are parenting magazines and catalogues. I believe those are why American women feel compelled to carry a gigantic diaper bag for every possible 'necessity' a baby will need when you take them to the mall. Not to mention gigantic strollers with SUV brand names that convert from a car-seat carriage to a big kid stroller and have many other features.
There's nothing wrong with getting these things (most are gifts anyway). It's just that these items, designed to make your life easier with baby, kill opportunities to develop the art of improvisation.
Even cookbooks discourage just using what food you already have in your kitchen. You have to go out shopping for a bunch of special ingredients for just one Rachel Ray recipe.
I'm not saying we should live a life devoid of things that make it easier or more enriched. That would be foolish. However, it would be wise to have the skills necessary to live without.
We can't guarentee that the measure of security and comfort we have now will continue indefinitely.
I think if I took a survival-type class, I would actually learn what going 'back to basics' means. Also, I think it will help me realize what things I really need to live. That should bring more security than any gadget can offer.
Let me know if you have any suggestions as to what kind of classes I should take, or books to read.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Balance Ball (again)
Today I went to the gym for the first time in months. I have hardly been doing anything for strength training since I had been there last. Even so, I was strong enough to do 2 sets of leg lifts with my legs straight out! This is the first time I have ever been strong enough to do that. I always had to do it the girly way, and just lift my knees up.
I totally believe it's because I sit on a balance ball at home instead of a chair. It's been strengthening my core without me even knowing it!
This is my second endorsement for sitting on a balance ball. It's like effortless exercise.
I totally believe it's because I sit on a balance ball at home instead of a chair. It's been strengthening my core without me even knowing it!
This is my second endorsement for sitting on a balance ball. It's like effortless exercise.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Conformity vs. Non-Conformity
I've written on this subject in my other blog before, because I find the subject very interesting. Also, I find that I need to be reminded of this principle in my own treatment of my life from time to time.
It is my belief that being a non-conformist has limited value in comparison with the limitless value of conforming to a standard, image, life-style (whatever) that one has chosen to be the best course for them.
I had a friend who liked a popular TV show 'before it was cool'. He got disenchanted with the show as he saw it was growing in popularity. By the time it was a household name around the world, he had completely lost interest in watching it. He expressed annoyance, because he had really liked the show, and now "all these 6-year-olds" are watching it and he's sick of it.
I have had similar feelings about interests I would of had. Somehow, it's just not that appealing when you realize you're not the only one into it. The price of giving into this feeling, usually requires sacrificing a pursuit you may have enjoyed, or would have enriched your life somehow.
Whether it's unique or not, we all want to establish some sort of identity. Simply rejecting the most popular course with a view to being unique, ultimately defeats it's purpose. Remember the expression "All you non-conformists act the same". There is much truth in that statement. Haven't we all known someone who said "I was into this before it became popular"? As if that statement separates them from the rest of the people doing pilates, watching spongebob, owning an ipod, flipping a house, or playing texas hold-em.
Of course, most people are doing all those things with no thought of being unique, or 'becoming part of the masses'. They are simply doing something they enjoy.
For those of you interested in setting yourself as 'different from the rest', I recommend embracing conformity. Only take care to be selective as to what you conform.
Selective conformity is not to be confused with conformity with 'the masses'. The latter is simply succumbing to peer pressure, and becoming like whatever happens to be surrounding you. Unless of course, you have decided that what surrounds you is the best course to take to promote your own happiness, salvation, image-whatever you are promoting. It that case, it will be excessively easy to conform, as it takes little decision-making effort. However, no one will notice that you're unique, and you will experience little growth as a person.
A 'selective conformist' is free to pursue any course they want without reference to how popular or unpopular it is. The more you conform to a standard, the more unique you become, as it takes more effort to conform.
If you conform to proper grammer and spelling on an instant messenger or an online community board, you'll be different from most (depending on the community).
I noticed on poetry boards that poems that do not require a set pattern to follow, are more popular to write than one that requires conformity to the rules to define it as a certain type of poem. Hence, the popularity of 'free verse'. Simply adhering to the original rules will set your poetry apart from alot of writing. Many people write Haiku, however fewer people conform to the amount of syllables each line is supposed to have. Making sure you have the 'correct' amount of syllables in your Haiku, will separate your writing from alot.
Most people conform to traffic laws, yet how many people conform to all the laws? Simply obeying all the laws will make you unique.
Conforming to a high moral standard, in speech and action, is going to set you apart from most pop culture.
The nice thing about using conformity to become unique, is that you get to choose just how different you want to be. It all has to do with how well you follow the rules. The more you follow them, the more unique. The less you follow them, the more in common you have with others.
Another factor you can use to your advantage is the passage of time. The longer you spend following the rules, the more unique you become, as that takes a great effort.
To illustrate: 10 years ago, my Mom bought me some very standard looking floral-print luggage as a graduation gift. It's very nice luggage, and now floral-print is very out of style.
Having a bag that looks different than the rest is very convenient when you're traveling. Most bags on an airport conveyor belt are solid black. Every once in a while, someone tries to be different, and has red luggage. Even though the majority of luggage is black, a red bag owner cannot guarentee that they are the only one with a red bag. Someone else has thought of having a red bag to make it easier to spot, just not everyone. They are just in the minority.
However, no one would have bought a standard floral bag 10 years ago, trying to make sure their luggage looked different than the rest. I kept the luggage, and now, no one has floral luggage any more. It's unique, simply because of the passage of time.
So in the end, be selective about what you want to do, with a mind for the future. Then do it very well. Over a period of time, you will be different, with something valuable to show for it.
It is my belief that being a non-conformist has limited value in comparison with the limitless value of conforming to a standard, image, life-style (whatever) that one has chosen to be the best course for them.
I had a friend who liked a popular TV show 'before it was cool'. He got disenchanted with the show as he saw it was growing in popularity. By the time it was a household name around the world, he had completely lost interest in watching it. He expressed annoyance, because he had really liked the show, and now "all these 6-year-olds" are watching it and he's sick of it.
I have had similar feelings about interests I would of had. Somehow, it's just not that appealing when you realize you're not the only one into it. The price of giving into this feeling, usually requires sacrificing a pursuit you may have enjoyed, or would have enriched your life somehow.
Whether it's unique or not, we all want to establish some sort of identity. Simply rejecting the most popular course with a view to being unique, ultimately defeats it's purpose. Remember the expression "All you non-conformists act the same". There is much truth in that statement. Haven't we all known someone who said "I was into this before it became popular"? As if that statement separates them from the rest of the people doing pilates, watching spongebob, owning an ipod, flipping a house, or playing texas hold-em.
Of course, most people are doing all those things with no thought of being unique, or 'becoming part of the masses'. They are simply doing something they enjoy.
For those of you interested in setting yourself as 'different from the rest', I recommend embracing conformity. Only take care to be selective as to what you conform.
Selective conformity is not to be confused with conformity with 'the masses'. The latter is simply succumbing to peer pressure, and becoming like whatever happens to be surrounding you. Unless of course, you have decided that what surrounds you is the best course to take to promote your own happiness, salvation, image-whatever you are promoting. It that case, it will be excessively easy to conform, as it takes little decision-making effort. However, no one will notice that you're unique, and you will experience little growth as a person.
A 'selective conformist' is free to pursue any course they want without reference to how popular or unpopular it is. The more you conform to a standard, the more unique you become, as it takes more effort to conform.
If you conform to proper grammer and spelling on an instant messenger or an online community board, you'll be different from most (depending on the community).
I noticed on poetry boards that poems that do not require a set pattern to follow, are more popular to write than one that requires conformity to the rules to define it as a certain type of poem. Hence, the popularity of 'free verse'. Simply adhering to the original rules will set your poetry apart from alot of writing. Many people write Haiku, however fewer people conform to the amount of syllables each line is supposed to have. Making sure you have the 'correct' amount of syllables in your Haiku, will separate your writing from alot.
Most people conform to traffic laws, yet how many people conform to all the laws? Simply obeying all the laws will make you unique.
Conforming to a high moral standard, in speech and action, is going to set you apart from most pop culture.
The nice thing about using conformity to become unique, is that you get to choose just how different you want to be. It all has to do with how well you follow the rules. The more you follow them, the more unique. The less you follow them, the more in common you have with others.
Another factor you can use to your advantage is the passage of time. The longer you spend following the rules, the more unique you become, as that takes a great effort.
To illustrate: 10 years ago, my Mom bought me some very standard looking floral-print luggage as a graduation gift. It's very nice luggage, and now floral-print is very out of style.
Having a bag that looks different than the rest is very convenient when you're traveling. Most bags on an airport conveyor belt are solid black. Every once in a while, someone tries to be different, and has red luggage. Even though the majority of luggage is black, a red bag owner cannot guarentee that they are the only one with a red bag. Someone else has thought of having a red bag to make it easier to spot, just not everyone. They are just in the minority.
However, no one would have bought a standard floral bag 10 years ago, trying to make sure their luggage looked different than the rest. I kept the luggage, and now, no one has floral luggage any more. It's unique, simply because of the passage of time.
So in the end, be selective about what you want to do, with a mind for the future. Then do it very well. Over a period of time, you will be different, with something valuable to show for it.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Melaleuca
I'm thinking about joining Melaleuca. It's another multi-level marketing company. It's alot easier to join Melaleuca than Herbalife, but there's a much smaller profit margin. I just want to sign up to get products that Herbalife does not offer.
The local co-op is so over-priced for things like natural laundry detergent and household cleaners. Melaleuca sells these things at much lower price, and you make money if you get someone else using them.
Let me know if you want to try some products of their's. You can buy some stuff under my account when I sign up.
The website is www.melaleuca.com
The local co-op is so over-priced for things like natural laundry detergent and household cleaners. Melaleuca sells these things at much lower price, and you make money if you get someone else using them.
Let me know if you want to try some products of their's. You can buy some stuff under my account when I sign up.
The website is www.melaleuca.com
Too Much Nutrition
Alot of people ask me what this little bump on Filip's eyelid is. It's a calcium deposit. It dosen't hurt him. Usually, you just let it run it's course until it goes away. Unless, it gets bigger and bigger and swells his eye shut. Then, you have it surgically removed.
He's still nursing, and I have been taking a calcium supplement 3x a day. I stopped doing that.
I think if someone else asks me about it, I think I'll hand them a card that refers them to this blog.
He's still nursing, and I have been taking a calcium supplement 3x a day. I stopped doing that.
I think if someone else asks me about it, I think I'll hand them a card that refers them to this blog.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Trip to Beach
We just got back from Rehoboth Beach yesterday. It was a nice 5 day trip. Going to the actual beach only took up a small fraction of my time there. I spent alot of the time catching up on reading and personal study. I'm happy to have finished the Larry Elder book I was reading, as well as my books about squirrels, deer and rabbits. So now I know alot more about forest creatures, as well as what's wrong with American government and society. Also, I read 10 chapters of the bible, and studied one chapter verse by verse, not to mention my other study projects. It was a rather productive vacation.
Now I'm back home in our un-airconditioned house in 100 degree weather, with a baby that wants to sit on my lap, with his head on my chest, despite the heat.
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