Happy Black Friday?

Let's Play a Game -
How many people went black Friday shopping? 

How many people bought something made in China? 

How many people bought something made in the USA?

How many American's are worried about the economy and jobs in the USA? 

How many people bought something they really didn't need?

How many people bought items even when they have dollars of debt?

I do not pretend to know the answers to these question but it annoys me to know end knowing that there are probably many people who fall into all those categories.

I guess I am really wondering if that Black Friday purchase is worth it. 

I wonder what the rest of the world does on Black Friday. Do they even care that in the USA people are shopping all night long. Trying to get 'deals'. 

Even weirder how would it impact the USA if we did not have Brown Thursday, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday.

I am not trying to be mean about the holiday season but just ask questions to make people think!

Happy Halloween?

Well this year I did not get to carve a pumpkin. I was actually thinking about all the uses for pumpkins and who the heck thought of carving one? Why not carve a pineapple or watermelon?

Personally, I really like pumpkin pie. 

I have never understood why it is part of Thanksgiving instead of Halloween. 

Last but not least I was thinking about the millions of dollars of candy we share with kids buy 'on-sale' and just generally provide ourselves with sugar overload. 

What wold happen if instead of all the trick-or-treaters getting candy we got them fruits and vegetables? Or maybe a company like Jamba Juice could just put on a mass promotion for the best costume. I guess for me when I was a kid it was always about the costume.

This post is in part brought to you buy the fact I am trying to decrease my sugar intake. It turns out we were never meant to each quite so much sugar. Part of the reason we crave it is because it is a fast energy source. Enough to help us charge and find a bigger food source. 

I guess one note to self - is do not try to start being sugar free right near Halloween. 

Happy Haunts to all. May you find something more than sugar sweets to enjoy!

Walking a mile in another's shoes

Today is one of those days when I was faced with the reality that I as much as I thought I knew someone I hardly knew them at all. I always saw her as a single mother, well put together. Today I found out she is a recovering alcoholic and her husband died from an overdoes! :O I guess I have been realizing how caught up we all get in our little words. Really the only thing that matters is our health and happiness.

I am thankful that I have not had those struggles. I am saddened that she has.

I am blessed to know her story and realize this is was just part of her journey.

I know it is cliche but you really can never a person until you walk in their shoes. Maybe they are a fantastic pair of high heels today but they could have been steel toed boots a few years ago.

Trip To Italy!

So all my waiting and planning my trip is finally here. I am going to spend a little over two weeks in Italy!

I get to visit many cities:

Venice, Verona, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Florence, Siena, Assisi and Rome. 

My Italian is poor. I have been told eating is an Olympic sport in Italy. I also long to taste Italian wine. I have read most of "Eat, Pray, Love" (yes you can roll your eyes) as well as a few guidebooks in preparation for the journey. I am relying some what on that History of Architecture class I took during my undergrad to guide me through some of these amazing places and spaces. 

Besides see the churches and art, I hope I get to swim in the Mediterranean & eat really good Gelato.

I do plan on back filling this blog with details about each day of the trip.

 Happy reading as I get them posted. 

Ciao!

I HEART Japan

Except for Japan is really cold in the first few months of the year. 

I got to go back to Japan! Lucky me. 

Last time I went to Kyoto and it was September. Saying it was hot was an understatement.

This time I went to Yokohama. It was freezing. I almost fell on black ice. 

I got to see a completely different side of land of the rising sun. It is also crazy to think that where I live now shares that same ocean. It is also the same ocean shared by Hawaii.

Ferris Wheel near my hotel in Yokohama. I liked that it told the time.

I learned how to navigate the train system. I really miss it. I wish that the United States would invest in more reliable public transportation. However, it really makes me wonder what would happen to Japan if they lost power? 

It seemed like everyone road the train from their house, to do much of anything- shop, eat, go to work, go to school. One of the things I really like is that little- kindergarteners can ride the train alone! I can never envision that happening here.

Rather than writing a huge post on Japan. I will split up my trip into the highlights. When I have time I will fill in the blanks, with food, one weekend involved a Buddhist temple, another involved Disney, Tokyo, Shibuya to name a few places. 

 One of my authentic dinners. I had to figure out how to order this in Japanese. I'm glad I didn't end up with something unrecognizable!

Japan is a really interesting country. I after staying there longer this time. I have a greater understanding of the Japanese tourist in Waikiki. I also can appreciate the differences between the USA and Japan. Japan has a rich past and rich traditions. I hope that I am able to visit again maybe I will time in for the cherry blossoms!

Book Review: The Help

Like many people I saw the movie and then decided to read the book. I highly recommend the movie. I think some of the characters were nominated for awards and I agree with that decision.

I liked the majority of the book more than the movie. I appreciate the change they made to Skeeter's maid story. I was surprised that Stuart did not come back in the end.  I guess it make sense but I always hope for a little more romance. 

The most disappointing part was the ending.  True to form, I always appreciate a 'fairy tale' type story where good completely conquers all. You will have to read it to find out.  I can see why the author ended it that way.  I would have appreciated a five to ten year fast forward.  I enjoyed hearing the different characters perspective. I also wonder what any former maids would have to say about the inter thoughts of Minny and others.

The ending made me question how much we really have changed. Of course now there is not the white verses colored barrier but there are others; dare I say gay marriage, pro-choice verses pro-life, Republican verses Democrat. Perhaps this is all cropping up because I have been watching more news lately.

I would like to end this post with this quote: 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

I am going to try to love out the hate although it can be challenging. 

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe another year has come and gone. 

This year I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot at work. I learned how to travel. I pushed my body. I also learned how important it is to take care of myself; mentally, emotionally, and physically.

As for New Year's resolutions, last year I wanted to sleep more. I cannot say I completely failed or suceeded at that goal. It did help to have it on my mind. 

I look to 2012 for opportunity to work hard both personally and professionally. 

I had a crazy idea that I would try to run 365 miles, bike 365, and swim 365 miles. If I am able to complete this goal and show my progress to others. I was hoping that they would in turn make a donation to me or to a charity of their choosing in a quantity relating to 365.

I have realized work is not everything and I still want the challenge but I also want to make an impact. Hopefully, if someone reads this they might be interested in my proposition. I think I would like to check in monthly with my progress. 

This will also motivate me to train for triathlons. I plan to count my race miles as part of this exercise.

One other note I would like to try to mediate daily. I think having that quiet time can be beneficial for everyone.

Here is to hoping 2012 is a great year for everyone!