Things that make me giggle...

Lately our world has been cluttered with depressing storylines, quickly increasing gas prices, apocalyptic weather changes, and intolerance. I'm not discounting the importance and direness of these issues but instead I am, thanks to my generally cheery outlook, in dire need of a laugh once in a while to help restore my faith in the world. Below are some examples of things that make me giggle...

I hope these musings bring a smile to your face, happiness to your heart, and put a spring in your step. Just remember that whatever is going on will get better through patience, positive thinking, and time. Peace, love, and Equality for all. 

Off we go to the Acuario

Last weekend Brad and I ventured to Dallas (with his parents in tow) to celebrate our engagement and spend some quality time with the familia. As a part of the weekend, we decided to take a trip to Dallas' little known gem, the Dallas Aquarium. Neither Brad nor his parents nor my mom had ever been and I was dying to go back since they finished their reconstruction. Needless to say, it completely exceeded our expectations. Here are a few pictures of our ramblings through Dallas' own "rainforest"...

Hard to believe this is indoors...

Super cute Marmoset!

All I kept thinking was "Never smile at a crocodile, Never tip your hat

and start to talk awhile..."

Tortugas

Crouching Howler (no hidden dragon though, at least to our knowledge)

Brad and I al fresco pero adentro

Ginormous crab!!

It's almost like he's saying "Mr. Demille I'm ready for my close up"

Thank G-d there's glass between us

My favorite part Brad wouldn't let me take him home though!

I told him that he could live in our swimming pool :) Still no dice

All in all it was great day. We got to see some beautiful creatures and walk a lot. Later on that night the familia met up for dinner to celebrate our engagement and make plans for the future. And today as I write this post I'm so fortunate to be celebrating our one month anniversary of being engaged. Until next time, Peace, love, and positivity!

Prince Charming finally stopped and asked for directions...

On this road we call life each day brings us different destinations, stops, and people we meet along the way. I've been lucky enough to have a journey filled with great adventures, friends, experiences, and now love.

This time last year if you would have told me that I'd be in a relationship with such an amazing guy I wouldn't have believed you. However, whether it was by chance, luck, or g-d's plan we met and are planning a life together. 

On Sunday, April 27th, the love of my life surprised me by asking me to marry him. The proposal was simple, genuine, and from the heart. It was everything I had wished for and more. I thank g-d for bringing him into my life and can't wait to start our life together. And just like all my fellow Princesses, my prince has finally come...Someday my Prince will come

Tips to Living a Charmed Life...

'Stumbled Upon' This post at 'Live The Charmed Life'

And I  loved it so much,  I just had to share it... 

You see, when we’re born we see the world in an uncomplicated way. We know what we need, and we ask for it. We like nice people, and we don’t like mean people. We sleep when we’re tired, we eat when we’re hungry, and we stop eating when we’re full.

As we grow older, we eat and drink to console ourselves, rather than addressing what’s bothering us. We overwork to avoid close relationships, rather than finding people we can trust to form strong bonds with. We hold grudges, play games, spend more than we make, want things we don’t need, and we get too far away from our basic human needs. In other words, we complicate things.

Here are 100 ways to uncomplicate it... 

1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds

2. Get up 30 minutes earlier so that you don’t rush/get a ticket while driving too fast/have to explain why you’re late/get fired

3. Get 8 hours of sleep per night so that you think more clearly

4. Stick to your budget

5. Start saving and investing every week, no matter how little you can spare

6. Balance your checkbook

7. Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Cultivate closer relationships with fewer people.

8. Don’t try to do business with everyone. Identify your target client and take very good care of them.

9. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years

10. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others

11. Stay home this Saturday, and finish off that nagging chore that you need to finish

12. Kiss and make up

13. Make a weekly menu, and shop for only those items at the market

14. Ask your grandparents the best way to uncomplicate life, and try it for a month

15. Fill up your gas tank when it’s half full

16. Don’t drink alcohol when you’re tired, sad or mad

17. Pay your bills on time

18. Get an annual physical examination

19. Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children. Studies show that more marriages last, and fewer kids use drugs, when these words are spoken every day.

20. For just one day, imagine everyone’s intentions are good because most people’s are

21. Give away clothes that haven’t been worn in two years

22. Throw out clothes that are in disrepair, and can’t be mended

23. When you have a conflict with someone, talk it out. Don’t let it turn into more than it is.

24. Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities

25. Tell the truth

26. Don’t cheat

27. Don’t steal

28. If you’re holding on to a ridiculous grudge, let it go

29. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn’t become too large a chore

30. Do your best at work, or at school

31. Don’t eat when you aren’t hungry

32. Eat when you are hungry

33. Be yourself

34. Say no unapologetically

35. Cook simple meals

36. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses

37. Pay off your car before buying a new one

38. Organise your desk at the office

39. Change your smoke alarm batteries when the clocks spring forward, and again when they fall back

40. Organise your important paperwork

41. Take only half the clothes that you planned to take with you on holiday

42. Help your children with their homework every night, and have an open dialogue with their teachers

43. Have white sheets and white towels in children’s rooms/bathrooms, because they’re easily bleached

44. Spend your time with nice people

45. Avoid drama

46. Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving

47. Turn off the television/video games/computer; they’re time consumers

48. Don’t engage in office politics

49. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people’s backs

50. Do the dishes right after dinner

51. Never go to sleep angry

52. Ask nicely for what you need and want

53. Walk 10,000 steps per day to help your heart

54. Do 20 push-ups before speaking in anger

55. Leave work at work

56. Don’t befriend anyone that isn’t trustworthy

57. Don’t envy others

58. Have your oil changed

59. Take vitamin C BEFORE you catch a cold

60. Don’t work more than 8 hours per day

61. Weed your garden weekly

62. Wash your car weekly

63. Have a spring cleaning month every year, and do one room at a time

64. You don’t need to be best friends with work colleagues, but build respectful partnerships

65. Don’t drink and drive

66. Don’t look for reasons to be angry or sad, look for reasons to be happy. You’ll always be able to find plenty of each.

67. Be friendly with your neighbours

68. Return emails and phone messages promptly

69. Schedule in free time

70. Don’t procrastinate

71. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it

72. Be more flexible when you’re able to be

73. Forgive and forget. End of story.

74. Break the consumerism habit…put a three month moratorium in place on buying anything not deemed a necessity

75. Start your diet on September 1, rather than January 1, so that you won’t also have holiday pounds to lose

76. Take care of any health issues or concerns

77. Have your tires rotated

78. Have your brakes checked

79. Have your eyes checked

80. Don’t let your imagination run away with you

81. Let go of perfection in others

82. Let go of perfection in yourself  

83. Don’t try to help those that refuse to help themselves

84. Find a way to reduce your commute to work

85. Have an alloted amount of worry time per day/week, that you strictly abide by

86. Drink more water

87. Eat more salmon

88. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill

89. Wear your hair in a classic, easy to care for style

90. Finish what you start

91. Wear classic clothes and shoes that never go out of style

92. Create a daily routine

93. Have a 1, 5, 10 and 20 year plan for your financial and life goals

94. Slow down

95. Eat out less often

96. When you ask your husband which outfit looks best, thank him for his answer and wear the one he liked rather than focusing on why he didn’t like the other one

97. Allow your children to grow up

98. Clean out your garage, and donate anything that hasn’t been used in the past year

99. Stretch every day

100. If a relationship is over, let it go

Taking a minute to appreciate some of the world's wonders...

I know that there are countless blogs out there that showcase some pretty incredible pictures however this post is dedicated to some of the places I want to see and others that I've been lucky enough to visit...

Ever since I took my first Greek and Roman Mythology class I have had a deep love and appreciation for Greece. I hope to visit within the next couple of years.

One of the oldest and most beautiful synagoggues in Europe

The mystery and energy of Stonehenge have always intrigued me...

Memories of my last summer in Tampa and dinner at the

beach with my mom and grandparents

Downtown KC at sunset with the full moon already in the sky

Masada at sunrise

Seeing Nature's beauty through the trees at the Dallas Arboretum

Proof that you can find serenity in the middle of a busy city

La Habana, Cuba...yet to visit but once I do I know

 that the void I feel in my heart will be filled

My own piece of heaven in Acapulco

Some of the most important people in my world, without whom

I would not be the same

Me and the person who completely changed my world

and helped me to understand what true love is

These are just a few of this Jubana's journeys...stay tuned for more travel tidbits...In the meantime Stay Classy

Stumbling upon some advice from somewhere...

Advice from...

ONE.

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO.

Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE.

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR.

When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE.

When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX.

Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN.

Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT.

Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE.

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.

In disagreements, fight fairly. Please No name calling.

ELEVEN.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN.

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN.

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN.

Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN.

Remember the three R's:       Respect for self;       Respect for others;       Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY.

Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE.

Spend some time alone.

---

This came around anonamously, identified as from a "Chinese Tantra Totem" - One definition of a tantra being a statement of principle or religious practice and collections of such principles and practices. It's origins are probably from south Asia such as India and may have followed Hinduism and Buddhism and other related belief and practice systems into East Asia including China. I haven't verified any origins for these sayings. I don't think most of them are unique to China or Asia. Certainly some have existed in western culture for a long time. (They are even older than me) Some are probably ancient. Some, such as the 'smile when answering the phone' are at least modern variations if not actually recent. But they sound good. If you live this way life will seem happy.

 
To the humor index.
This page last updated 2002/07/24

Contact Jerry McAllister -- by Email:

Chick Flicks, fairy tales, and dating...

Growing up I loved fairy tales. What little girl didn't? I would crawl into my Abuelo's lap, beg him to tell me a story, and hang onto every word, losing myself in the fantasy until he finished. No matter which story or the outcome, I grew up believing that I was a princess and one day, once I was grown, I would meet my Prince...When we're young we are innocent, idealistic, and more open to the possibilities of what life might bring...We believe in fairy tales, magic, far away lands, and that good will always conquer evil, no matter the odds. As we get older we become jaded. We forget.

Let's review the standard fairy tale formula, for old times sake...
1 Part kingdom far away
Add one fair maiden
One witch, stepmother, evil entity
A heavy dose of magic, fairy dust, fairy g-mother, etc
2 cups of romance
2 cups of evil, conflict/strife
1 Handsome Prince
And stir it all together
The Final product? Happily ever after

You and I both know that life...well, it doesn't happen like that, no matter how many romantic chick flicks, cheesy sitcoms, romantic novels, or lifetime movies Hollywood throws together. Why?? Because dating is not that simple. As much as we would like the happily ever after, it doesn't just magically happen. And after awhile, the broken promises, hurt, games, fighting, and the waiting gets old. Why do we insist on playing games? Is it to try to relive our childhood? If so, is it really worth it if it's at someone else's expense? Why can't we just be honest with each other about how we feel?

Life and love aren't perfect, wake up people, it's not supposed to be. With every experience, every relationship, every break up, every person we meet we are changed. If things were perfect and idyllic we would never learn anything and life would have no meaning. No matter how difficult or horrible the situation, everything happens for a reason and while it may be hard to see why this very moment...you will in time and you will be better for it. Create your own fairy tale, so your love life hasn't been perfect, so what? Learn from your past, make the most out of your present, and look forward to an even brighter future.

Think I'm dreaming? Idealistic? Overly optimistic? Maybe. But I'll take my chances with fairy tales...My Prince Charming, despite my own doubts and fears, has shown up, and I know that the end has completely and totally justified the means. It's cliche, but it doesn't make it any less true, there is someone out there for you and when it's right you will have no doubt in your mind, or your heart. In the meantime, here's my advice to my single friends out there, don't stress...just let go and let the universe take care of the rest. Enjoy your life and do what makes you happy because they're going to show up when you least expect it ;)

Barbie and Ken up to their old shenanigans....

Barbie and Ken: Back together on Valentine's Day

Life, Love, and other series of events...

I have always believed that my life has been a series of random events brought together to form my destiny. When I was younger I would agonize over strained friendships, heart breaks by mean little boys, lost opportunities, and other difficulties that came my way. Until I graduated from High School I never truly understood why things happened the way they did. I finally began to put together the pieces of the puzzle. No matter how difficult or confusing the situation, things did happen for a reason and although I didn't understand why at the time, I would eventually see that it was for the best.

Once in college I didn't really date, I crushed a lot but never really found anyone of substance. I would occasionally question why everyone around me was paired up but then I realized that my energy was meant elsewhere. Not everything was always perfect and things didn't always work out the way I had liked but looking back some of my greatest memories come from the friendships I made, organizations I was a part of, and the leadership positions I held. Each experience helped me to grow and develop as leader and a person.

In my Post college years I have continued on my search to find myself. I've made and lost several friends, worked at a couple different places, and lived in a few different zip codes. I've felt happiness, sadness, disappointment, anger, you name it. But no matter what I pressed on and took every moment in stride, even if it took me longer than I would have liked. When I moved back to Kansas after graduation and a short period of time in Dallas, I made some great memories with old a new friends, reconnected with my love of Lawrence, and survived some pretty ridiculous winters. I like to call this period of time the post transition. When the cold became too much to bear and I found myself dreaming of palm trees and breezy beaches I knew that it was time to move on. Thanks to a friend at the time who had moved to Florida, I was able to find a new job at a local college.

In a matter of weeks I had moved over 400 miles away from my friends and family to a brand new place. Tampa had promised a time of rebirth and renewal. The first year was great as I made a ton of new friends, loved my job (the majority of the time), and lived 15 minutes away from the beach. As time passed, the work became less of a passion and more a burden, the cost of living more expensive, the guys became more and more self absorbed and shady, and I knew that I no longer saw myself living in Florida. As with many situations in my life, like a clockwork, and almost when I had given up on finding a new job, my brother texted me to let me know that the Hillel at A&M was hiring and I should apply. I was a little hesitant at first, especially since who the hell lived in College Station other than Aggies??? Unbeknownst to me I would shortly become one of them. I call this period of time in my life the Renaissance.

In moving to College Station I knew a total of two people, my brother and a mutual friend who had helped to persuade me to relocate. It was great living in a college town again, usually little to no traffic, lived super close to my job, and I was less than 2 hours away from my sorority sisters in Houston. The dating scene as you could imagine was pretty dismal, however I as usual, had my fair share of crushes, some almost terminal you might say. I had tried jdate, match, eharmony, you name it! I even let my brother set me up with one of his fraternity brothers, oy to the vey. Things were getting very frustrating and everyone kept putting pressure on me to go on these second dates with these subpar prospects, however my internal compass always kept me on the right path. I focused on grad school and my job which usually kept me very busy and started to plan a long overdue trip with two of my best friends to Acapulco. Once again, getting frustrated with stupid cupid's lack of aim, I gave jdate one last chance. Hearing from another sleezebag basically did me in and I decided to cancel my membership. However, somehow fate stepped in and sent me a message, literally. Upon logging in I noticed that I had a message. He seemed, sweet, endearing, and most importantly, sane, so I responded. Who knew that because of one e-mail, especially from Jdate of all places, I would be so ridiculously happy today. As many of you know, I am no longer at Hillel and am now working for Texas A&M. It wasn't an easy decision but I can safely say that it was the best decision I have made in a long time. I'm not sure what the universe has planned for me next but I promise to keep you updated, as always. Lastly, remember to be good to each other.