In many of my spiritual readings the phrase “do the work” invariably shows up.
It was not until I was well into the Abraham-Hicks material, attending workshops, listening to hundreds of hours of recordings that I realized exactly what the “work” is.
The work is to get happy now. That is the work. Find the joy in every moment.
Look for it. Seek it out. It is always there. Always. Just look a little longer. Allow your senses to linger just a little longer and you will find the joy, and when you do you have done the work.
That’s it. That is all that is ever required.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Day 6
Poached eggs for breakfast.
Chicken salad for lunch.
Swordfish for dinner.
Snacks included the usual veggies plus nuts.
Raining as usual. Taught my Sunday beading class of three enthused little girls.
On their way out, one of them said, “May I give you a hug, because you are so wonderful!” Naturally, they all came back to give hugs. What a wonderful exchange of energy that was. I hope that spontaneity does not get beat out of them.
Chatted with two of my friend and my bro today as well. I love when people call to share their joy! It just adds to mine.
Chicken salad for lunch.
Swordfish for dinner.
Snacks included the usual veggies plus nuts.
Raining as usual. Taught my Sunday beading class of three enthused little girls.
On their way out, one of them said, “May I give you a hug, because you are so wonderful!” Naturally, they all came back to give hugs. What a wonderful exchange of energy that was. I hope that spontaneity does not get beat out of them.
Chatted with two of my friend and my bro today as well. I love when people call to share their joy! It just adds to mine.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Day 5
Today I prepared boiled eggs with grilled tomatoes topped with mozzarella for breakfast.
Followed by grilled salmon, romaine lettuce and radish salad with homemade pesto.
Dinner was garlic grilled chicken breasts with spinach and mushroom stirfry.
I have not eaten this well in ages!!!
This style of cooking and eating is very becoming indeed.
In other news, I was perusing the New Yorker and read that Dr. Heimlich has performed the Heimlich maneuver once in his life!
The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda Ca, does not have a library.
The territory of Tokelau has a population of 1600 and is made up of tiny remote islands.
I read these useless things, and I thought you should too!
Finally, “The best thing to happen to Great Britain in the past decade is the increasing profusion of ways to get the hell out of the place.” Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, April 24th 2006.
If I lived there, I would want to get out often as well!
Followed by grilled salmon, romaine lettuce and radish salad with homemade pesto.
Dinner was garlic grilled chicken breasts with spinach and mushroom stirfry.
I have not eaten this well in ages!!!
This style of cooking and eating is very becoming indeed.
In other news, I was perusing the New Yorker and read that Dr. Heimlich has performed the Heimlich maneuver once in his life!
The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda Ca, does not have a library.
The territory of Tokelau has a population of 1600 and is made up of tiny remote islands.
I read these useless things, and I thought you should too!
Finally, “The best thing to happen to Great Britain in the past decade is the increasing profusion of ways to get the hell out of the place.” Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, April 24th 2006.
If I lived there, I would want to get out often as well!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Day 4
It’s the fourth day of my new diet, and so far so good. I feel extremely well and I have no cravings for the white carbo. I eat a variety of foods all day long and the biggest surprise is how delicious food taste.
It is delicious to eat nuts in minute amounts versus fistfuls.
Tonight we had oven roasted vegetables with grilled swordfish, which was to die for!
I am now sipping on a cup of black tea. Still cannot get use to the herbal crap...
It is delicious to eat nuts in minute amounts versus fistfuls.
Tonight we had oven roasted vegetables with grilled swordfish, which was to die for!
I am now sipping on a cup of black tea. Still cannot get use to the herbal crap...
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Day 2
This is going well food-wise. I am enjoying all the things I am eating. I am tired a bit more, but I suspect my body is having to use its own store for energy by now, and so it’s not exactly happy at this point. I expect to feel much better by tomorrow, if not now.
I was out gardening today, and did miss having a cold beverage other than water!
I am thrilled that I love to drink hot tea, as this is my habit now – the sipping of tea- when I feel the need to reach for something more.
I was out gardening today, and did miss having a cold beverage other than water!
I am thrilled that I love to drink hot tea, as this is my habit now – the sipping of tea- when I feel the need to reach for something more.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Day 1 of South Beach Diet
I started the South Beach Diet today with the support of a few friends. The only thing I have to get use to is eating six times a day versus once or twice.
Other than that, this is easy!
Today I’ve eaten eggs, kippers, bell peppers, cucumbers, cheese, chicken and romaine salad, grilled mozzarella, stir-fried zucchini and grilled swordfish, along with 3 liters of water. Now, I’m enjoying a cup of green tea and enjoying some free time.
Other than that, this is easy!
Today I’ve eaten eggs, kippers, bell peppers, cucumbers, cheese, chicken and romaine salad, grilled mozzarella, stir-fried zucchini and grilled swordfish, along with 3 liters of water. Now, I’m enjoying a cup of green tea and enjoying some free time.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Lighthouse for wellbeing
I attended the Abraham-Hicks workshop in Tarrytown, N.Y. yesterday.
It was a hoot! I always have a good time there, but yesterday I was so delighted to meet the effervescent, Esther Hicks. She is so beautiful, cheerful, and full of light that I was glowing too.
I posted the very first review on Amazon.com for their book ‘The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent.’ On December 13th 2005. As a result, I was delighted to have her autograph it for me. Esther said that Jerry reads every single review and every letter of appreciation they ever receive.
At the San Francisco workshop last year, Andre got to meet her and she autographed his Well-Being cards and the Ask And It’s Given Book.
I was also delighted to meet Jeanie from the office in San Antonio, since we always chat a bit on the phone, whenever I call for merchandise.
The A-H material resonates with me like nothing else does, so it is easy to see how all of this is such a huge part of my life.
I have to say that being a member of an online group of like-minded people really rocks as well.
We talk about all the good stuff we appreciate in our respective lives.
When not so good stuff is happening, list members will guide each other to better feeling thoughts, all the while reminding us of how wonderful we are!
Move over Dr. Phil we are no longer telling it like it is, instead we are telling it like we want it to be! We are after all creators and co-creators.
We have not heard enough of how worthy we are.
We are still seeking to justify our beingness and our deservedness.
Our loved ones, remind us often enough but we don’t really believe it in our core and that is what Abraham is wanting us to know in a powerful mega- wattage kind of way.
We are worthy onto ourselves.
Justification is not needed. Identification is not needed. We are born worthy. We are worthy beings.
I didn’t have any pressing issues to discuss with Abraham, but I thought if I was called upon (and they had me stand up three times and didn’t pick me) I would ask them, “How can I come to your dimension and talk on endlessly? As you are always inviting us to do?”
I did not get to ask them that consciously, but I realized today that the A-H yahoogroup serves that purpose in a powerful way. We do talk on endlessly there about things, which are important to us. The best part of course, is when someone (usually Connee) posts a quote from Abraham that is specific to the question or subject at hand.
What I actually like the most is that there is no end to any of this. It continues to evolve and expand, just as we are.
Life will always be satisfyingly unfinished.
It was a hoot! I always have a good time there, but yesterday I was so delighted to meet the effervescent, Esther Hicks. She is so beautiful, cheerful, and full of light that I was glowing too.
I posted the very first review on Amazon.com for their book ‘The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent.’ On December 13th 2005. As a result, I was delighted to have her autograph it for me. Esther said that Jerry reads every single review and every letter of appreciation they ever receive.
At the San Francisco workshop last year, Andre got to meet her and she autographed his Well-Being cards and the Ask And It’s Given Book.
I was also delighted to meet Jeanie from the office in San Antonio, since we always chat a bit on the phone, whenever I call for merchandise.
The A-H material resonates with me like nothing else does, so it is easy to see how all of this is such a huge part of my life.
I have to say that being a member of an online group of like-minded people really rocks as well.
We talk about all the good stuff we appreciate in our respective lives.
When not so good stuff is happening, list members will guide each other to better feeling thoughts, all the while reminding us of how wonderful we are!
Move over Dr. Phil we are no longer telling it like it is, instead we are telling it like we want it to be! We are after all creators and co-creators.
We have not heard enough of how worthy we are.
We are still seeking to justify our beingness and our deservedness.
Our loved ones, remind us often enough but we don’t really believe it in our core and that is what Abraham is wanting us to know in a powerful mega- wattage kind of way.
We are worthy onto ourselves.
Justification is not needed. Identification is not needed. We are born worthy. We are worthy beings.
I didn’t have any pressing issues to discuss with Abraham, but I thought if I was called upon (and they had me stand up three times and didn’t pick me) I would ask them, “How can I come to your dimension and talk on endlessly? As you are always inviting us to do?”
I did not get to ask them that consciously, but I realized today that the A-H yahoogroup serves that purpose in a powerful way. We do talk on endlessly there about things, which are important to us. The best part of course, is when someone (usually Connee) posts a quote from Abraham that is specific to the question or subject at hand.
What I actually like the most is that there is no end to any of this. It continues to evolve and expand, just as we are.
Life will always be satisfyingly unfinished.
Friday, May 19, 2006
I got it!
This morning I am up early gazing out my window. It is a bit quiet, not as many singing birds, but there is the sound of the rain and the woods are drenched with the grey blue skies above.
I love that I can look out into the woods from my windows. It is a real treasure, it feels magical but a better word for me would be aligned.
And it occurs to me that once you truly, truly feel the joy and appreciation for every single thing/event in your life you will be abundant in material wealth. There is absolutely no question about it. Once your dominant vibration becomes appreciation and joy all abundance will follow. Must follow.
The joy is surprisingly quiet. Sometimes I clap and shout 'YES' and other times, I am quietly pleased and delighted and there is just a whisper of, "thank you".
I say this even when I am experiencing non 'feel good' things. I am appreciative of the experience because it forces me to focus with more clarity on what I do want. Before, my focus was sloppy, so I got stuff I didn't want.
My only work is to feel good. I get that, I really do.
I love that I can look out into the woods from my windows. It is a real treasure, it feels magical but a better word for me would be aligned.
And it occurs to me that once you truly, truly feel the joy and appreciation for every single thing/event in your life you will be abundant in material wealth. There is absolutely no question about it. Once your dominant vibration becomes appreciation and joy all abundance will follow. Must follow.
The joy is surprisingly quiet. Sometimes I clap and shout 'YES' and other times, I am quietly pleased and delighted and there is just a whisper of, "thank you".
I say this even when I am experiencing non 'feel good' things. I am appreciative of the experience because it forces me to focus with more clarity on what I do want. Before, my focus was sloppy, so I got stuff I didn't want.
My only work is to feel good. I get that, I really do.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Becoming
Lately, I have been spending more time alone than with other people.
It has to do with the fact that they are always ready to talk about what happened or what is happening.
I find it boring because it doesn’t really help either one of us to get somewhere else.
I’d much rather talk about what can happen, or what we would like to happen.
Becoming, is what we are.
We are evolving beings or becoming beings, either way we are not static.
Change is the only thing that is constant and yet we find ourselves wanting to talk about and lament the same old, non-working issues, day in and day out.
I enjoy talking about the future.
It gives me something to aspire for. It also makes it easy for me to focus on manifesting exactly what I want. What Is, just muddies the waters, especially if I don’t like What Is.
Focusing on the solution is more rewarding than focusing on the problem.
Thinking of things I would like to embrace or become is like another breath of fresh air.
It has to do with the fact that they are always ready to talk about what happened or what is happening.
I find it boring because it doesn’t really help either one of us to get somewhere else.
I’d much rather talk about what can happen, or what we would like to happen.
Becoming, is what we are.
We are evolving beings or becoming beings, either way we are not static.
Change is the only thing that is constant and yet we find ourselves wanting to talk about and lament the same old, non-working issues, day in and day out.
I enjoy talking about the future.
It gives me something to aspire for. It also makes it easy for me to focus on manifesting exactly what I want. What Is, just muddies the waters, especially if I don’t like What Is.
Focusing on the solution is more rewarding than focusing on the problem.
Thinking of things I would like to embrace or become is like another breath of fresh air.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Unconditional love
Unconditional love is continuing to love someone else no matter what they think about me.
Unconditional love is saying no to a request, which I am not aligned with, even though I know the person is going to change the way they feel about me.
Unconditional love is wishing someone else the best, even if I never hear from them.
Unconditional love is severing a relationship with someone in this physical life, knowing his or her IB and mine are one.
Unconditional love is knowing we will always have our differences when we focus through our own individual filters, and not letting that get in the way of the fact that in reality there are no filters.
Unconditional love is waiting for someone to make the next move in a relationship and being okay with their decision no matter what.
Unconditional love is caring about how I feel, so much so that I am not willing to compromise my well being for someone else.
Unconditional love is saying no to a request, which I am not aligned with, even though I know the person is going to change the way they feel about me.
Unconditional love is wishing someone else the best, even if I never hear from them.
Unconditional love is severing a relationship with someone in this physical life, knowing his or her IB and mine are one.
Unconditional love is knowing we will always have our differences when we focus through our own individual filters, and not letting that get in the way of the fact that in reality there are no filters.
Unconditional love is waiting for someone to make the next move in a relationship and being okay with their decision no matter what.
Unconditional love is caring about how I feel, so much so that I am not willing to compromise my well being for someone else.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
I remember
I remember ...
My mother loved me, her world.
My father loved me, his dream.
My home loved me, its 'supreme'.
I remember ...
I prayed with the blooming dawn,
I played with the glowing sun.
My life, the nectar fun.
I remember ...
I sang with the twinkling stars,
I danced with the floating moon.
All lost, alas, too soon.
I remember, I remember, I remember.
by Sri Chinmoy
My mother loved me, her world.
My father loved me, his dream.
My home loved me, its 'supreme'.
I remember ...
I prayed with the blooming dawn,
I played with the glowing sun.
My life, the nectar fun.
I remember ...
I sang with the twinkling stars,
I danced with the floating moon.
All lost, alas, too soon.
I remember, I remember, I remember.
by Sri Chinmoy
Friday, May 12, 2006
I am just a man in a silly red sheet
I was surfing the web earlier and came across the phrase “I am just a man in a silly red sheet” in more than a few blogs.
Some people changed it to read, “I am just a girl in a silly red sheet.” Nevertheless, the ‘red sheet’ thingy was confounding me.
I first noticed it on my brother’s webpage and alerted him to it. I thought he had a typo and meant to say ‘silly red shirt.’
I decided to see what this meant and came up with some stuff I was previously ignorant about.
For example it is part of the lyrics of a song named ‘Superman’ and in fact, has nothing to do with Superman the movie!
Turns out I have heard this song many times before, but have not really listened to it.
The next time I hear it, I will be sure to listen.
Some people changed it to read, “I am just a girl in a silly red sheet.” Nevertheless, the ‘red sheet’ thingy was confounding me.
I first noticed it on my brother’s webpage and alerted him to it. I thought he had a typo and meant to say ‘silly red shirt.’
I decided to see what this meant and came up with some stuff I was previously ignorant about.
For example it is part of the lyrics of a song named ‘Superman’ and in fact, has nothing to do with Superman the movie!
Turns out I have heard this song many times before, but have not really listened to it.
The next time I hear it, I will be sure to listen.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Your work is just to be in love with your work
This quote reminds me of how I felt earlier on today, when I was inspired to create four sets of matching jewelry pieces.
It was such a joy to be completely immersed in the projects and when I looked up, it was only 11:35 am. Usually it takes me weeks to complete all of these projects.
I suppose this is what happens when I take myself out of the equation.
More and more I am getting the concept of living in the Now. Enjoying what’s happening Now. Thinking of what is happening Now or what I want to happen later. Not looking back, not regretting, not ifing, not shoulding, not coulding.
We really make such a big deal of our lives sometimes, and while it is a big deal, it really ought to be a big enjoyable deal.
Back to this fabulous glass of freshly squeezed lime, lemon and orange juice with just a sprinkle of Grand Marnier and Kettle One.
Ah yes, did I mention that Life Is Good?
It was such a joy to be completely immersed in the projects and when I looked up, it was only 11:35 am. Usually it takes me weeks to complete all of these projects.
I suppose this is what happens when I take myself out of the equation.
More and more I am getting the concept of living in the Now. Enjoying what’s happening Now. Thinking of what is happening Now or what I want to happen later. Not looking back, not regretting, not ifing, not shoulding, not coulding.
We really make such a big deal of our lives sometimes, and while it is a big deal, it really ought to be a big enjoyable deal.
Back to this fabulous glass of freshly squeezed lime, lemon and orange juice with just a sprinkle of Grand Marnier and Kettle One.
Ah yes, did I mention that Life Is Good?
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The naked truth
Did you know that William Shakespeare coined over 1700 words?
Here are some of the phrases he also coined:
· Eaten out of house and home
· Pomp and circumstance
· Foregone conclusion
· Full circle
· The makings of
· Method in the madness
· Neither rhyme nor reason
· One fell swoop
· Seen better days
· It smells to heaven
· A sorry sight
· A spotless reputation
· Strange bedfellows
· The world's (my) oyster
· It’s Greek to me
Yes, William Shakespeare also coined the phrase ‘naked truth’.
Here are some of the phrases he also coined:
· Eaten out of house and home
· Pomp and circumstance
· Foregone conclusion
· Full circle
· The makings of
· Method in the madness
· Neither rhyme nor reason
· One fell swoop
· Seen better days
· It smells to heaven
· A sorry sight
· A spotless reputation
· Strange bedfellows
· The world's (my) oyster
· It’s Greek to me
Yes, William Shakespeare also coined the phrase ‘naked truth’.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Prayers
Prayer
I want to write about what prayer means to me. I know that it means different things to different people, and I also know that the word itself evokes different feelings in others.
For me, prayer requires imagination and a feeling of gratitude or appreciation for things, which have not yet materialized or manifested.
There are no ceremonies or rituals involved. In fact, I don’t believe they have any thing at all to do with my actual prayer other than to create a tranquil environment.
Believe it and then see it is my personal method of praying.
Everything that exists, originated in imagination, so by the same token, anything I am asking (praying) for must first exist there.
Therefore I say unto you, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe ye have received them and ye shall have them.”
Asking for what I want with the feeling as if I have already received it brings it to me faster. This is when I say, “My prayers have been answered.”
Praying with an attitude of gratitude, or giving thanks for something as if I have it already, causes that thing to materialize.
I want to write about what prayer means to me. I know that it means different things to different people, and I also know that the word itself evokes different feelings in others.
For me, prayer requires imagination and a feeling of gratitude or appreciation for things, which have not yet materialized or manifested.
There are no ceremonies or rituals involved. In fact, I don’t believe they have any thing at all to do with my actual prayer other than to create a tranquil environment.
Believe it and then see it is my personal method of praying.
Everything that exists, originated in imagination, so by the same token, anything I am asking (praying) for must first exist there.
Therefore I say unto you, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe ye have received them and ye shall have them.”
Asking for what I want with the feeling as if I have already received it brings it to me faster. This is when I say, “My prayers have been answered.”
Praying with an attitude of gratitude, or giving thanks for something as if I have it already, causes that thing to materialize.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
2 mango martinis and a banana split
What a blissful day it was today!
I went to the fish market to get some cod, scallops and shrimp. As I drove there, I noticed how blue the skies were, and the flowers on the trees and the green budding leaves on others. The grass appears greener,
The daffodils as well as the tulips are all vibrant in colour.
Back home- I chucked the seafood in the fridge and pulled out my lounging chair. It was too beautiful a day to be indoors. Too precious to be doing gardening chores too, so I just sat on the lounger and read, napped and read in that order for the best part of the day.
I chatted with a friend in California for an hour and then I reluctantly decided to start on dinner.
Today we had mango martinis, codfish cakes, Chili Relenos, watercress salad, and Pico de gello for our meal. All made from scratch. Photographs were taken of these delicious dishes and will be posted when I am not so wiped out by those martinis.
After dinner, I caught my current favourite sitcom-‘Everybody hates Chris’.
I am quite enjoying ‘The Holographic Universe’ and I would recommend it to those who think Abraham-Hicks lack evidence…
To tell you that there is no such thing as random or coincidence- I first came across Fred Alan Wolf in the movie, “What the Bleep”. The next time I saw him was in the movie, “The Secret” http://thesecret.tv/, which was the first movie, I ever purchased and watched on the Internet.
He showed up again in http://www.monday9am.tv in “something for nothing”. He was also mentioned in The Holographic Universe. I love how this all comes together! Can there be any doubt that we are all interconnected or that we are all tapping into One Mind?
I went to the fish market to get some cod, scallops and shrimp. As I drove there, I noticed how blue the skies were, and the flowers on the trees and the green budding leaves on others. The grass appears greener,
The daffodils as well as the tulips are all vibrant in colour.
Back home- I chucked the seafood in the fridge and pulled out my lounging chair. It was too beautiful a day to be indoors. Too precious to be doing gardening chores too, so I just sat on the lounger and read, napped and read in that order for the best part of the day.
I chatted with a friend in California for an hour and then I reluctantly decided to start on dinner.
Today we had mango martinis, codfish cakes, Chili Relenos, watercress salad, and Pico de gello for our meal. All made from scratch. Photographs were taken of these delicious dishes and will be posted when I am not so wiped out by those martinis.
After dinner, I caught my current favourite sitcom-‘Everybody hates Chris’.
I am quite enjoying ‘The Holographic Universe’ and I would recommend it to those who think Abraham-Hicks lack evidence…
To tell you that there is no such thing as random or coincidence- I first came across Fred Alan Wolf in the movie, “What the Bleep”. The next time I saw him was in the movie, “The Secret” http://thesecret.tv/, which was the first movie, I ever purchased and watched on the Internet.
He showed up again in http://www.monday9am.tv in “something for nothing”. He was also mentioned in The Holographic Universe. I love how this all comes together! Can there be any doubt that we are all interconnected or that we are all tapping into One Mind?
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Holographic Universe
I just saw the "Turn Off Your TV" week headlines, which started this week. I am amused. Really. For one thing, I grew up without TV initially, and when we did obtain one, I was far too engrossed in reading to give it up for a black and white fuzzy screen.
Nowadays, we have premium channels and all the HDTV that is available, and still, I will not give up my books for it.
Besides reading, I have taught myself jewelry making and beading, painting, embroidery and cross-stitch, faux glass painting, stenciling, scrap booking, card making and a ton of other stuff, which has not yet been named .
Some TV shows are interesting to watch such as 60 minutes, some episodes of The Sopranos, the early episodes of South Park, some PBS shows and a few highly entertaining movies. I watch for amusement and information not necessarily together.
Surely we do not need a "Turn Off Your TV" week to watch less TV. The interesting shows could be seen in less than 2 hours per week. So my big question is what exactly are people watching for so many hours to make it such a media alert?
Back to reading The Holographic Universe by M. Talbot.
Nowadays, we have premium channels and all the HDTV that is available, and still, I will not give up my books for it.
Besides reading, I have taught myself jewelry making and beading, painting, embroidery and cross-stitch, faux glass painting, stenciling, scrap booking, card making and a ton of other stuff, which has not yet been named .
Some TV shows are interesting to watch such as 60 minutes, some episodes of The Sopranos, the early episodes of South Park, some PBS shows and a few highly entertaining movies. I watch for amusement and information not necessarily together.
Surely we do not need a "Turn Off Your TV" week to watch less TV. The interesting shows could be seen in less than 2 hours per week. So my big question is what exactly are people watching for so many hours to make it such a media alert?
Back to reading The Holographic Universe by M. Talbot.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Some things I know intuitively
Death is nothing more than a shifting of consciousness;
The energy of the individual being, is always with us.
Nothing is ever lost in the universe. Everything including every thought that has ever been, still exists.
There is no such thing as a co-incidence. For example my bank is trying to persuade me to invest in a mutual fund they are touting. This means more than 5% up front fees for the bank. I procrastinated because I am not feeling aligned. Today, the first thing I ‘happen’ to encounter online, is an article cautioning against that very thing!
According to Abraham-Hicks, "Procrastination is nothing more than your physical realization that you are acting too soon- that some mental alignment is in order. So procrastination is not a bad thing. It is the realization that the Universe has not yet sufficiently aligned the Energy." 2/8/91 Woo-hoo!!!
The energy of the individual being, is always with us.
Nothing is ever lost in the universe. Everything including every thought that has ever been, still exists.
There is no such thing as a co-incidence. For example my bank is trying to persuade me to invest in a mutual fund they are touting. This means more than 5% up front fees for the bank. I procrastinated because I am not feeling aligned. Today, the first thing I ‘happen’ to encounter online, is an article cautioning against that very thing!
According to Abraham-Hicks, "Procrastination is nothing more than your physical realization that you are acting too soon- that some mental alignment is in order. So procrastination is not a bad thing. It is the realization that the Universe has not yet sufficiently aligned the Energy." 2/8/91 Woo-hoo!!!
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Bartering, eating, reading and blissing
I already subscribe to my local chapter of http://www.Freecycle.org, which is great for giving away stuff, but I find that I am wanting to trade my skills for those of others. http://barterzilla.com/ looks really promising. It is a newbie compared to
http://westernmass.craigslist.org. I am hoping that barterzilla really takes off.
Last Saturday we discovered a new Indian restaurant called Bollywood Café in Shrewsbury, across from Indian Café. The food was extremely tasty and everything was hot and fresh. We returned earlier today for lunch and were quite disappointed.
I guess it was the chef’s day off today, as the food was obviously prepared by his assistant or even the servers. It was that tasteless. Everything looked good, but lacked the balance of spices and flavours that is so unique to good Indian food. Even the kids in the restaurant were misbehaving. I guess they know what good food should taste like.
Next week we are checking out Indian Café next door…
Yesterday it was seventy degrees here, and today it barely got up to fifty. I liked it though, as it was the ideal weather in which to read ‘Angels and Demons’ by Dan Brown. It was completely unputdownable.
I read it in six hours straight. Now, I am about to read Da Vinci Code. These books were so popular for the last two years, that I was not inspired to read them before now.
I am planning to fill in the bare patches of my lawn (due to rocks) with clover. I think it is very beneficial to the soil and will look really good in the summer.
Clover has so many blessed advantages; I am surprised it is not in widespread use.
I am now going to prepare a pot of tea and settle down for even more blissing.
http://westernmass.craigslist.org. I am hoping that barterzilla really takes off.
Last Saturday we discovered a new Indian restaurant called Bollywood Café in Shrewsbury, across from Indian Café. The food was extremely tasty and everything was hot and fresh. We returned earlier today for lunch and were quite disappointed.
I guess it was the chef’s day off today, as the food was obviously prepared by his assistant or even the servers. It was that tasteless. Everything looked good, but lacked the balance of spices and flavours that is so unique to good Indian food. Even the kids in the restaurant were misbehaving. I guess they know what good food should taste like.
Next week we are checking out Indian Café next door…
Yesterday it was seventy degrees here, and today it barely got up to fifty. I liked it though, as it was the ideal weather in which to read ‘Angels and Demons’ by Dan Brown. It was completely unputdownable.
I read it in six hours straight. Now, I am about to read Da Vinci Code. These books were so popular for the last two years, that I was not inspired to read them before now.
I am planning to fill in the bare patches of my lawn (due to rocks) with clover. I think it is very beneficial to the soil and will look really good in the summer.
Clover has so many blessed advantages; I am surprised it is not in widespread use.
I am now going to prepare a pot of tea and settle down for even more blissing.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Panama Canal Cruise - April 3rd- April 13th 2006
April 3rd
After an uneventful flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, we taxied to Port Everglades for 15 minutes and another twenty minutes later we were on board our ship - The Coral Princess- 1:30 pm.
From our house to our cabin took a total of 6
Hours. Not once did we have to wait, not even for our luggage. What a great start to a great vacation!
Cabin A220 has its own balcony, which affords us views of the ocean. Right now I am typing these notes from my bed while looking out into the ocean and listening to the water swish by.
Feels good to be here.
Our cabin mates to the left are an English couple and to the right an American couple who loves country music.
We met with Jerry, our cabin steward from the Philippines. We alerted him to our personal preferences: feather pillows, pitcher of water, ice and fruit each day and then off we went for lunch on the Horizon Deck.
Turns out the Horizon Deck is just above us. We like the proximity to all this food!
Enjoyed a delicious lunch of grilled salmon.
Muster Station Drill or General Emergency Stations Drill took place in the Princess Theatre or one could watch it on TV in the cabins.
We were instructed on how to wear the life jacket and where to go.
On the Celebrity Cruise to Alaska we actually practiced the drill in real time. It was much more fun!
Ft. Lauderdale Sailaway on the Lido Deck with B-Sharp Duo was fun. The Cruise Director made sure everyone was in high-spirits for this.
My personal preference for a sail away is San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The ship sailed 2 hours later than schedule, which we were assured, would not delay our arrival in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
We went to the Lotus Spa and signed up for daily use of the Thermal Sanctuary Suite, which contained saunas as well as heated mosaic lounge chairs.
Dinner is in the dinning room with late seating for us.
We have four couples at our table.
It is nice to come together for the common goal of having fun!
The waiter could not find any hot sauce or Sambal for me, so they are going to get their chef to prepare some.
Right now though, it is very pleasant and relaxing to sit here with the gently rocking motions and watches the water.
The air is balmy, the skies are blue and I can truly feel the difference from whence I came. The air is softer here.
Day one closes with us sailing towards Jamaica.
Tuesday April 4th-
At Sea Day
Breakfast in the Horizon Court- Buffet style.
The pineapples were excellent! Coffee was also pretty good. Such a huge variety of food, but I am a coffee person in the morning, so I’ll wait for lunch…
We strolled around the ship for a bit, before enjoying the Thermal Sanctuary Suite where I promptly fell asleep on the on the heated mosaic lounge chair for thirty minutes or so. Then into the steam sauna for another twenty minutes and back on the chair…
Ah yes, life is good.
Lunch in the Horizon Court followed by games in the card room and Afternoon Tea at 3:30 pm.
I love afternoon tea on a cruise.
It is very relaxing and enjoyable as I get to meet all sorts of wonderful people who all have nowhere to go and all the time in the world to sit and chat.
No one looks at a watch, or speaks into a cell phone.
It is so refreshing to see others really enjoying life.
8:15 pm
Now it is time to get dressed for our first formal dinner.
This is always exciting as everyone dresses up in gowns and tux for a fun evening of fine food and celebrations.
The hot sauce was presented to me. It turned out to be medium hot very tasty chutney. They promised to work on it some more.
The Princess Theater featured “A Salute to Broadway” which was fun. The theatre is huge and the production is professional. We recognized the lead dancer from the Mercury (cruise to Alaska).
I met up with him later on, and he confirmed my suspicions.
“Wild Bunch Party” in the Explorers Lounge was not my style; all line dancing, which is too conformist for me. I am too much of a rebel for this type of entertainment, so we strolled over to the Universe Lounge where it was better, but alas bedtime won over at 12 midnight.
April 5th
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Pleasant sitting out in the forward deck and watching our slow arrival into the port.
We got off a few hours later. Walked to the tourist village, which was over priced and over rated.
This is an extremely poor island where we were constantly hassled for money.
Walked into town and bought bottled coke from Trinidad, rum from Puerto Rico, Scotch Bonnet peppers sauces and Cocoa from Cadbury.
The exchange rate is $US 1.00 = $60.00 Jamaican.
The grocery store clerk, a kid who packed our purchases was very polite and did not beg for money so guess what? We gladly tipped him.
We made our way back to the ship where we did our Basking Rituals, which consist of two hours in the Thermal Sanctuary Suite followed by Afternoon Tea, Games, and chatting with shipmates.
Dinner was a Caribbean theme of which I enjoyed the flying fish and coo-coo the best. Pepper Sauce was not an option, however I had my own, thanks to a bottle of scotch bonnets, which I purchased in Jamaica.
Akos improved upon the Sambal which was better than the night before.
He promised to work on it some more.
April 6th
At Sea Day
Andre was fortunate enough to witness the sunrise this morning. We had a sit-down breakfast this morning, in the formal dinning room as opposed to the Horizon Court where Buffet is served.
More Basking Rituals…
I went to a lecture on pearls in the wheelhouse lounge but fell asleep for all of it. Not bad for a holiday.
When I awoke it was lunchtime and I had samplings of the Mexican Cuisine. The fried chicken breasts in cornflakes batter were particularly good.
At 3:40 we went to Afternoon Tea where we met with a lovely couple from New York. It was their first cruising experience. We shared our comparisons with Princess and Celebrity.
At 4:45 we checked the Horizon Court for Pistachio Ice Cream but it was already closed. We found instead, some amazing avocado sandwiches and some desserts, which were quiet, irresistible. (Yes, we are here to eat and bask)
Returning to our suite, we played a round of domino on the balcony until 6pm.
In the Princess Theatre we saw Claire Gobin perform on the violin.
Dinner was fun. I like our table, especially Don and Margaret.
We caught the magician who was funny. He performed in the Universe Lounge, which I really like. It is filled with couches or sofas and loveseats. Very posh and cozy and yes, I always fall asleep there.
The waitress asked me what I wanted to drink and I said, “Not right now” and she being Thai and brand new to the job, pulled out a pencil and pad and proceeded to right the name of the drink down!
I had to explain to her that Not Right Now is not a drink, it just means no. Needless to say, I crack myself up at that for a long time.
April 7th
Panama Canal
Woke up very early, breakfasted and watched our ship as well as the Galaxy manoeuvre their way into the first three set of locks in the Panama Canal. Incredibly fascinating and exciting to be a part of.
Boarded our Panama City Tour a few hours later with our magnificent tour guide Giovanni and our driver Tony. I initially expressed a desire for fresh mangoes, and Tony sighted some on a tree. He promptly pulled the bus over, climbed on top of it and picked me some mangoes.
Panama is a dirt-poor country, which is full of litter as well as abandoned buildings and begging children. Giovanni and Tony did make this tour one of the main highlights.
We enjoyed a few pre dinner cocktails on our balcony before going to dinner, which was an enjoyable affair.
They didn’t have a “Being Together” Anniversary to celebrate so we called it our 18th WA which was observed with a fabulous dessert made up of a mini sponge cake with a delicious chocolate filling and covered with dark chocolate icing. Yum!
We went to bed soon after since we had to be up at 6am.
April 8th
Costa Rica.
Beautiful. The most breathtaking country I have ever seen. The land is a lush green and bountiful.
We drove for 3.5 hours to the Irazu Volcano, which is a crater, filled with emerald colored water. The area is so peaceful. We saw all kinds of plantations on the way to Irazu. We even saw a sloth, monkeys and other creatures of the wild.
We stopped for lunch, which was local and delicious.
Stewed beef, rice and steamed vegetables, with black beans served on a banana leaf, followed by rice pudding for dessert. We finished off with freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee.
I loved the mountains, all the fresh air, all the bountiful, luscious fruits and vegetables I saw on the roadside stands, in the market place and in store fronts.
We have just now sailed from the port in Limon, Costa Rica on our way to The Bahamas.
I am sitting on the balcony typing these notes and thoroughly enjoying the balmy air along with my rum and coke.
Dinner in the dinning room was a delicious affair. We enjoyed tasty meals and desserts.
Tropical Night Party was great fun. Andre was a part of the musical chairs event. This is where the guys are up for grabs by the women. Andre sort of won this contest. I looked on with the judges.
Sunday April 9th
At Sea Day
We did a whole lot of Nothing. Woke up at 10 am, went for a workout, yoga and more Blissing Rituals
Lunch was pineapples followed by Afternoon Tea where we met another Canadian family from Ottawa and Calgary.
Dinner was very good and so was the Tiramisu.
We watched the Princess Dancers perform Salute in the lovely Universe Lounge.
April 10th
Grand Cayman.
We tendered to the Grand Cayman, where we went to the Butterfly Farm for 45 mins and then onto 7-mile beach for 2 hours. We had the beach all to ourselves and that was wonderful. The water was cool, clear and very inviting.
We walked to Singh’s Roti Shop, where we had some of the best dalpouri we have ever had anywhere.
We also met a Trinidadian couple that worked as photographers on the Galaxy.
They were with us in Panama and did the same route we are doing. They promised to email us photos of the Coral Princess going through the Panama Canal.
We embarked at 2pm and went for the hot tub, swimming pool, and steam sauna.
Afternoon Tea was refreshing as always. Met some folks from USA. The Tea Service staff is impeccable.
I really enjoy and appreciate the tea on this ship.
It is one of the most unhurried affairs, and I get to meet great people all the time.
Found some good ice cream in the Horizon Lounge as well.
Played dominoes on our balcony before taking a siesta before the evening events.
The Sambal was made by an Indian chef and it was very good! I asked for the recipe.
Tuesday April 11th
Costa Maya.
I walked into the fishing village from Tequila Beach and saw massages on the beach being advertised for $20.00 for forty-five minutes, which I did and it was the best massage I had ever experienced.
I spent some time browsing the shops which all had the same merchandise.
Returned to the ship for Blissing Rituals…
Wednesday April 12th
At Sea Day
Today is our last full day at sea. We had a lot to do, friends to meet, seafood buffet to sample, the cakes display where the desserts were the best of the whole cruise.
We also saw Sarge perform. He is a multi talented comedian.
This day went by in a whirlwind of activity.
We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. I loved how people had time for each other, and did everything without cell phones and watches. Everyone we went was enthused and thrilled to talk about his or her lives and shipboard experiences.
Thursday April 13th
Disembarkation was the fastest and smoothest operation ever. We were out of there in time to catch an earlier flight to Boston.
In our house by 4:45 pm, 8 hours from the time we left the ship to the time we arrived home.
We had the best weather throughout our entire cruise.
Then again, we always do.
Cruising is our choice for vacations. We like doing a whole lot of nothing.
After an uneventful flight from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, we taxied to Port Everglades for 15 minutes and another twenty minutes later we were on board our ship - The Coral Princess- 1:30 pm.
From our house to our cabin took a total of 6
Hours. Not once did we have to wait, not even for our luggage. What a great start to a great vacation!
Cabin A220 has its own balcony, which affords us views of the ocean. Right now I am typing these notes from my bed while looking out into the ocean and listening to the water swish by.
Feels good to be here.
Our cabin mates to the left are an English couple and to the right an American couple who loves country music.
We met with Jerry, our cabin steward from the Philippines. We alerted him to our personal preferences: feather pillows, pitcher of water, ice and fruit each day and then off we went for lunch on the Horizon Deck.
Turns out the Horizon Deck is just above us. We like the proximity to all this food!
Enjoyed a delicious lunch of grilled salmon.
Muster Station Drill or General Emergency Stations Drill took place in the Princess Theatre or one could watch it on TV in the cabins.
We were instructed on how to wear the life jacket and where to go.
On the Celebrity Cruise to Alaska we actually practiced the drill in real time. It was much more fun!
Ft. Lauderdale Sailaway on the Lido Deck with B-Sharp Duo was fun. The Cruise Director made sure everyone was in high-spirits for this.
My personal preference for a sail away is San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The ship sailed 2 hours later than schedule, which we were assured, would not delay our arrival in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
We went to the Lotus Spa and signed up for daily use of the Thermal Sanctuary Suite, which contained saunas as well as heated mosaic lounge chairs.
Dinner is in the dinning room with late seating for us.
We have four couples at our table.
It is nice to come together for the common goal of having fun!
The waiter could not find any hot sauce or Sambal for me, so they are going to get their chef to prepare some.
Right now though, it is very pleasant and relaxing to sit here with the gently rocking motions and watches the water.
The air is balmy, the skies are blue and I can truly feel the difference from whence I came. The air is softer here.
Day one closes with us sailing towards Jamaica.
Tuesday April 4th-
At Sea Day
Breakfast in the Horizon Court- Buffet style.
The pineapples were excellent! Coffee was also pretty good. Such a huge variety of food, but I am a coffee person in the morning, so I’ll wait for lunch…
We strolled around the ship for a bit, before enjoying the Thermal Sanctuary Suite where I promptly fell asleep on the on the heated mosaic lounge chair for thirty minutes or so. Then into the steam sauna for another twenty minutes and back on the chair…
Ah yes, life is good.
Lunch in the Horizon Court followed by games in the card room and Afternoon Tea at 3:30 pm.
I love afternoon tea on a cruise.
It is very relaxing and enjoyable as I get to meet all sorts of wonderful people who all have nowhere to go and all the time in the world to sit and chat.
No one looks at a watch, or speaks into a cell phone.
It is so refreshing to see others really enjoying life.
8:15 pm
Now it is time to get dressed for our first formal dinner.
This is always exciting as everyone dresses up in gowns and tux for a fun evening of fine food and celebrations.
The hot sauce was presented to me. It turned out to be medium hot very tasty chutney. They promised to work on it some more.
The Princess Theater featured “A Salute to Broadway” which was fun. The theatre is huge and the production is professional. We recognized the lead dancer from the Mercury (cruise to Alaska).
I met up with him later on, and he confirmed my suspicions.
“Wild Bunch Party” in the Explorers Lounge was not my style; all line dancing, which is too conformist for me. I am too much of a rebel for this type of entertainment, so we strolled over to the Universe Lounge where it was better, but alas bedtime won over at 12 midnight.
April 5th
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Pleasant sitting out in the forward deck and watching our slow arrival into the port.
We got off a few hours later. Walked to the tourist village, which was over priced and over rated.
This is an extremely poor island where we were constantly hassled for money.
Walked into town and bought bottled coke from Trinidad, rum from Puerto Rico, Scotch Bonnet peppers sauces and Cocoa from Cadbury.
The exchange rate is $US 1.00 = $60.00 Jamaican.
The grocery store clerk, a kid who packed our purchases was very polite and did not beg for money so guess what? We gladly tipped him.
We made our way back to the ship where we did our Basking Rituals, which consist of two hours in the Thermal Sanctuary Suite followed by Afternoon Tea, Games, and chatting with shipmates.
Dinner was a Caribbean theme of which I enjoyed the flying fish and coo-coo the best. Pepper Sauce was not an option, however I had my own, thanks to a bottle of scotch bonnets, which I purchased in Jamaica.
Akos improved upon the Sambal which was better than the night before.
He promised to work on it some more.
April 6th
At Sea Day
Andre was fortunate enough to witness the sunrise this morning. We had a sit-down breakfast this morning, in the formal dinning room as opposed to the Horizon Court where Buffet is served.
More Basking Rituals…
I went to a lecture on pearls in the wheelhouse lounge but fell asleep for all of it. Not bad for a holiday.
When I awoke it was lunchtime and I had samplings of the Mexican Cuisine. The fried chicken breasts in cornflakes batter were particularly good.
At 3:40 we went to Afternoon Tea where we met with a lovely couple from New York. It was their first cruising experience. We shared our comparisons with Princess and Celebrity.
At 4:45 we checked the Horizon Court for Pistachio Ice Cream but it was already closed. We found instead, some amazing avocado sandwiches and some desserts, which were quiet, irresistible. (Yes, we are here to eat and bask)
Returning to our suite, we played a round of domino on the balcony until 6pm.
In the Princess Theatre we saw Claire Gobin perform on the violin.
Dinner was fun. I like our table, especially Don and Margaret.
We caught the magician who was funny. He performed in the Universe Lounge, which I really like. It is filled with couches or sofas and loveseats. Very posh and cozy and yes, I always fall asleep there.
The waitress asked me what I wanted to drink and I said, “Not right now” and she being Thai and brand new to the job, pulled out a pencil and pad and proceeded to right the name of the drink down!
I had to explain to her that Not Right Now is not a drink, it just means no. Needless to say, I crack myself up at that for a long time.
April 7th
Panama Canal
Woke up very early, breakfasted and watched our ship as well as the Galaxy manoeuvre their way into the first three set of locks in the Panama Canal. Incredibly fascinating and exciting to be a part of.
Boarded our Panama City Tour a few hours later with our magnificent tour guide Giovanni and our driver Tony. I initially expressed a desire for fresh mangoes, and Tony sighted some on a tree. He promptly pulled the bus over, climbed on top of it and picked me some mangoes.
Panama is a dirt-poor country, which is full of litter as well as abandoned buildings and begging children. Giovanni and Tony did make this tour one of the main highlights.
We enjoyed a few pre dinner cocktails on our balcony before going to dinner, which was an enjoyable affair.
They didn’t have a “Being Together” Anniversary to celebrate so we called it our 18th WA which was observed with a fabulous dessert made up of a mini sponge cake with a delicious chocolate filling and covered with dark chocolate icing. Yum!
We went to bed soon after since we had to be up at 6am.
April 8th
Costa Rica.
Beautiful. The most breathtaking country I have ever seen. The land is a lush green and bountiful.
We drove for 3.5 hours to the Irazu Volcano, which is a crater, filled with emerald colored water. The area is so peaceful. We saw all kinds of plantations on the way to Irazu. We even saw a sloth, monkeys and other creatures of the wild.
We stopped for lunch, which was local and delicious.
Stewed beef, rice and steamed vegetables, with black beans served on a banana leaf, followed by rice pudding for dessert. We finished off with freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee.
I loved the mountains, all the fresh air, all the bountiful, luscious fruits and vegetables I saw on the roadside stands, in the market place and in store fronts.
We have just now sailed from the port in Limon, Costa Rica on our way to The Bahamas.
I am sitting on the balcony typing these notes and thoroughly enjoying the balmy air along with my rum and coke.
Dinner in the dinning room was a delicious affair. We enjoyed tasty meals and desserts.
Tropical Night Party was great fun. Andre was a part of the musical chairs event. This is where the guys are up for grabs by the women. Andre sort of won this contest. I looked on with the judges.
Sunday April 9th
At Sea Day
We did a whole lot of Nothing. Woke up at 10 am, went for a workout, yoga and more Blissing Rituals
Lunch was pineapples followed by Afternoon Tea where we met another Canadian family from Ottawa and Calgary.
Dinner was very good and so was the Tiramisu.
We watched the Princess Dancers perform Salute in the lovely Universe Lounge.
April 10th
Grand Cayman.
We tendered to the Grand Cayman, where we went to the Butterfly Farm for 45 mins and then onto 7-mile beach for 2 hours. We had the beach all to ourselves and that was wonderful. The water was cool, clear and very inviting.
We walked to Singh’s Roti Shop, where we had some of the best dalpouri we have ever had anywhere.
We also met a Trinidadian couple that worked as photographers on the Galaxy.
They were with us in Panama and did the same route we are doing. They promised to email us photos of the Coral Princess going through the Panama Canal.
We embarked at 2pm and went for the hot tub, swimming pool, and steam sauna.
Afternoon Tea was refreshing as always. Met some folks from USA. The Tea Service staff is impeccable.
I really enjoy and appreciate the tea on this ship.
It is one of the most unhurried affairs, and I get to meet great people all the time.
Found some good ice cream in the Horizon Lounge as well.
Played dominoes on our balcony before taking a siesta before the evening events.
The Sambal was made by an Indian chef and it was very good! I asked for the recipe.
Tuesday April 11th
Costa Maya.
I walked into the fishing village from Tequila Beach and saw massages on the beach being advertised for $20.00 for forty-five minutes, which I did and it was the best massage I had ever experienced.
I spent some time browsing the shops which all had the same merchandise.
Returned to the ship for Blissing Rituals…
Wednesday April 12th
At Sea Day
Today is our last full day at sea. We had a lot to do, friends to meet, seafood buffet to sample, the cakes display where the desserts were the best of the whole cruise.
We also saw Sarge perform. He is a multi talented comedian.
This day went by in a whirlwind of activity.
We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. I loved how people had time for each other, and did everything without cell phones and watches. Everyone we went was enthused and thrilled to talk about his or her lives and shipboard experiences.
Thursday April 13th
Disembarkation was the fastest and smoothest operation ever. We were out of there in time to catch an earlier flight to Boston.
In our house by 4:45 pm, 8 hours from the time we left the ship to the time we arrived home.
We had the best weather throughout our entire cruise.
Then again, we always do.
Cruising is our choice for vacations. We like doing a whole lot of nothing.
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