January Favorites

This is not in any type of order, shape, or form.

1.  Hot Chocolate

2.  Cinnamon Oatmeal
3.  Juice blend- raspberry lemonade + orange/mango

4.  Nutri garin bar

6. Boiled organic brown eggs
7. Stacy's Pita bread chips

8. Propel Strawberry Kiwi or grape zero water

9. Strawberry + Sweetened cream cheese

Insomnia

I'm sure everyone has experienced those nights- it's 3AM and everyone is sleeping; But by default your body seems to have a different idea.

The worst thing in the world is try to sleep and not to.  Okay maybe I'm over exaggerating but this is coming from someone that used to be able to sleep on command!  Now, that is a rarity... and I'm afraid I've lost the knack.

Insomnia is a gross feeder.  It will nourish itself on any kind of thinking, including thinking about not thinking.  Your pretty much stuck in between a rock and a hard place...  tossing and turning in torture.

So what is the best thing to do?  Let me clarify that I am speaking of acute, primary insomnia... I'm not even going to get into the different types but this is the most basic form that most people will experience in their lifetime.  

And the solution... If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying about not sleeping; It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep.  Don't get yourself all worked up and stressed that you can't sleep... in fact don't even think about sleeping!  You know the saying, if you can't beat them join them.  Do something productive and stay positive.  Seriously, many positive things can come out of insomnia -- you've heard this straight from the horse's mouth!

Point to Ponder:

The last refuge of the insomniac is a sense of superiority to the sleeping world -Leonard Cohen

Tea-rrific!

Hear Ye Hear Ye!  I have some important news... ready?  

I'm giving up coffee.

Alas!  The great days of hot condensation and coffee grains along the brim of my mouth are over.  Okay, enough old English... All those coffees and cappuccinos were not doing me any good... so what did I latch onto now?  TEA!

I know you don't get the same "kick" with tea, but the health benefits far outweigh that of coffee- especially green tea.  Research indicates that green tea can help prevent cancer, fight plaque on teeth, and lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure... and that's honestly just skimming the brim.  

Seldom do I drink green tea only because the first time I tried it I was scarred... the taste was so rustic I thought I was literally drinking earth debris.  That experience tainted the rep for me until I was brave enough (years later) to try another, more promising, brand.  Honestly, it wasn't half bad.  The brand is the deal breaker!  

Almost all tea contains high levels of anti-oxidants.  In terms of taste, however, black tea wins hands down... I prefer a loose black tea infused with fresh mint leaves and a few whole cloves - exotic and delicious!

So if your a coffee drinker, remember... the benefits of drinking tea far outweigh any possible benefits of drinking coffee - unless of course, your only goal is to get a large dose of caffeine... which as you know, is bad for you anyway.  So try tea and give it a go!  It's tea-rrific!

Point to Ponder:

Remember the tea kettle - it is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings!

 

Fortitude

Fortitude - Strength and firmness of mind; resolute endurance

Sometimes I wish I could just listen to Thoreau when he said:  Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you've imagined.  As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.

If that were the case I would be working at a high-end airport some place warm adequately managing my subordinates... but... I'm not.  There are still no jobs in Aviation these days without a proper connection!  If there is one thing I have learned through this whole process it is that patience and fortitude truly conquer all things.  


Most of the time when we hear the word "fortitude" we associate it with something spiritual or religious. However, one of the most valuable things I have learned is to have fortitude in your entire life... not just in your spiritual beliefs.


Thoreau said to go confidently in the direction of your dreams... he didn't say it would be easy... that is where patience and fortitude comes to play.  Live the life you've imagined and ultimately you will be happy.  Right Thoreau?  

Point to Ponder:

People need trouble - a little frustration to sharpen the spirit on, toughen it.  You have to learn fortitude -William Faulkner

Open Mic 1

Open mic time - These are the things currently on my mind:

1) My hobbies: cooking, baking, macbook, writing

2) Food Network has way too many repeats 

3) Cinnamon oatmeal is delicious

4) I really look forward to Pastry School - one day!

5) I wish I had a proper kitchen

Quotes 1

One of my more eccentric hobbies include reading and collecting famous historic quotes.  That's about the only thing I enjoy about history... And in between my classes, readings, homework, my online projects, cooking and baking, I often don't have time to enjoy this simple pleasure!

This blog will be the first of many I am sure.  I'm going to share some of my favorite quotes and the innovative minds behind them.  My first choice being the great American Author, Poet, Abolitionist, Naturalist, Tax-resister, Development-critic, Surveyor, Historian, Philosopher, and leading Transcendentalist:  

Henry David Thoreau

The intro alone sums it up.  Thoreau was a preeminent historic figure distinguished by his own acuity.  His quotes are pure genius, both influential and meaningful.  This man accomplished so many great things - it's absolutely aspiring.  He has hundreds of quotes, so with some restraint, I will only list a few of my favorites.

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." 

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." 

"If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment." 

"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something." 

"I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically."

For more quotes by Henry David Thoreau check out:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/10264.Henry_David_Thoreau

Alas!  As I type I am blissfully falling into the first stage of sleep!  So I salute you all and bid ye farewell... for now :-)

Point to Ponder:

All this worldly wisdom was once the unamiable heresy of some wise man -Henry David Thoreau

Smartie

The new official Smarties website:  www.smarties.com

 

What are Smarties, you ask?

One of my favorite candies ever!  These scrumptious sweets were created in 1949 by Ce De Candy, Inc.  These rarities are only sold in the United States, and get this: they were originally created to help make you smart...

...Well, maybe not... Hey, it's what you make of it!  Typically, they are the size of a finger (see picture above), but this gigantic smartie is bigger than a hand!  Can you say 'salivating'.

Astonishingly, a lot of people are not too fond of these sugar pills... yes I said sugar pills.  But don't be frightened... these candy rolls are gluten free and vegan-friendly!  One roll is only 25 calories, but they are SWEET and by sweet I mean a confection perfection.  

Coincidentally, or not... I have an Aquafina bottle of water right next to it!

Point to Ponder:

Stressed spelled backwards is desserts 

Addicted

There are few things that I'm "addicted" to and can't live without i.e. my macbook, Sprite, and desserts... and now there is a fourth contender-- cappuccino's!  Sure, I am no coffee connoisseur, but I do love my cappuccinos, macchiatos and lattes. 

There's something about the aroma of brewing coffee that hits all your olfactory senses, the way they want to be hit... the first whiff of steaming goodness that excites the pallet, and the first few sips that are so refreshing and revitalizing.  

Is it a coincidence that the staple for Pilots is coffee?  I think not...  This warm drink fills me with warmth inside and out.  Wow... that was cheesy.  Hazlenut is my favorite flavor, but I'll often do a classic English toffee with a splash of Caramel Latte.

And as I type... "there's too much blood in my caffeine system".  Check out these lattes from New York City-- How fancy!

Point to Ponder:

No one can understand the truth until he drinks of coffee's frothy goodness -Sheik Abd al-Kadir

Are You A Gamer?

I know what your thinking... it's 6:20AM and I am up writing a blog!  Who does that??  Ah... but there is reason to my madness see, its Ramadan so... I have to wake up before dawn and drink something otherwise I will be suffering from dehydration symptoms until dusk... the abominable headache and nausea... ugh!

Now back to the topic of my blog post... Are you a gamer?

I'm on vacation now so I finally have some leisure time to get back into my favorite games... and by games of course, I mean one in particular-- World of Warcraft

Yeah, that's my Avatar.  Call me vain... cause I created an Avatar of myself :-)

I know what your thinking... how nerdy can I get, right?  That was my first reaction too, when learning about WoW.  The name "World of Warcraft" pretty much sets the D&D nerd-ville tone... but its so much cooler than you would think.  My favorite part of the game is probably getting achievements, but there is so much more- raids, guilds, dungeons, quests, world events, professions,... Nerd jargon at its best.

"I'm Amena, and I'm a Human Paladin!"  (You'll get this, if you have seen any of the WoW commercials)

Favorite RPG game:  Chrono Trigger (the original super nintendo version)
Favorite Simulation game:  The Sims, 2, 3, Castaway
Favorite Characters:  Mario & Knuckles
Favorite PS3 game:  Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain is possibly the coolest game ever!  The BEST graphics you will find out there... seriously.  If your bored of the usual games, this one will definitely give you a nice fix.

Point to Ponder:

By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed 

New Chapter

My First Blog.

As I start a new chapter in my life I am very excited.  I finished the university with a 3.53 GPA (yes, I'm proud!) and I'm going to start graduate school in the Fall.  Getting a degree is such an accomplishment, and a feeling so great that I can barely put it into words.  Now I am going to have a relaxing two weeks vacation... ahhh

Okay, I'm bored...

I started to read a few online blogs that were very intriguing and creative.  I never really thought about it before, but I enjoy writing and I figured I would give it a go!  I have to admit its kind of weird to write like this... it kind of feels like I'm talking to myself... but I guess I will get used to it.

Today is Day 16 in Ramadan, halfway over.  Half more to go!

Point to ponder:
There's a hidden sweetness, in the stomach's emptiness