Don't think too much of yourself PEOPLE

I went to an event and there was a guy there who was complaining about the wait until he took the stage.

What I could gather from his rantings, it seemed as if he thought he was due some special consideration because he was a internationally known singer.
"Oh?" I said
Even though I refuse to be sucked into anyone's egotistical world as , I was intrigued. I know a little something about opera and classical music and some of the big names. If I was talking to a star, that would be something that I would share on my facebook page. When I pressed him for specifics about when and where he performed at the so-called international events, his answers were not of any substance.
At this point, I began to lose interest. My curiosity was no longer peaked and boredom was beginning to set inside my mind.
Since he was still talking (it sounded like "BLAH BLAH BLAH"), I now needed to formulate a plan to extricate myself from the conversation.
I effectively phone blocked him by pretending I had a message I needed to attend to.
The whole incident annoyed me. Here is a person who thinks so much of himself, that he is in desperate need of people to revolve around him. I know that people sometimes expect deference because of their accomplishments, but it pays to have some humility and realize we are all equal. Even if we, because of opportunities or talents or resources, are able to achieve more in our lives, that does not make us a better person than someone else.

Creation v Evolution (pure science)

I designed the picture #meme because I get tired of hearing science shows talk about evolution theory like it is a fact. Over the years that scientists have tried to prove evolution, they have done nothing but prove the strong likelihood of a creator. When doing science experiments, one cannot adopt a theory as fact because of the passing of time. Scientists have created an evolutionary story without proof and they expect people to go along even though it makes no sense.
I am not going to get into a theological discussion here, but I will say that creation blows my mind with its many intricacies.
Case in point: FRACTALS
The rules that apply for atoms are also in play on a larger scale for the universe.
In comparison to the universe, a house is simple and no one will argue that it would be possible if a house "evolved" from a pile of bricks and wood.
To say that everything in the universe came about by chance is to suspend belief. And I am not buying it.

50 vital questions Part 2

I got these questions from http://arabellafulloflife.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/50-vital-questions/

From Occupy Ottawa's Facebook page, this is the continuation of the questions

26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? This is a hard questions especially because losing old memories means living in the past but also means forgetting my mom. I think I will say lose old memories because I still would have the pictures of those times. I might not remember all what happened but at least I know that I looked happy so it must have been good.
27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first? No. In order to know what is truth, I think you have to be able to prove it or at least prove that the person speaking it is worthy of your confidence.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? Not yet. Hope that never happens.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now? I do remember a time when I was extremely upset and the person that was the cause. It does not really matter now and I actually feel sorry that the guy who made me upset still has no clue how to maintain friendships.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special? Summer projects with my mom. I was learning and having fun without a care in the world.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? When I got married over a year ago. What a rush!
32. If not now, then when? Not applicable
33. If you haven't achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? Not applicable
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? All the time with the hubby
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? The leaders are hypocrites that are not following the Bible
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? In some cases it is possible because the truth is plain to see.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? Probably
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? More work that I enjoy
39. Do you feel like you've lived this day a hundred times before? Yes my life is pretty routine
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? I don't think I have had to that yet
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? My nana
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Being alive means existing and going through the motions of what to do every day. Truly living means living life to the fullest and having enjoyable experiences.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? No time like the present
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? People equate mistakes with failure and everyone wants to be perfect and never fail.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? I don't know. I never thought about it.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? When I was exercising. Serious cardio workout had me breathing so hard.
48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? My God, my family, my friends. Yes
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? I doubt that because I have not done anything exciting lately. I probably will remember the upcoming weekend though. Nana and I are going on a trip together. Those are always memorable.
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? I try to make them for myself.

 

How did you do? Have any of these questions prompted you to make even a small change today?

What questions would you ask your family, your friends… and the people you dislike or who make you angry?

 

50 vital questions Part 1

I got these questions from http://arabellafulloflife.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/50-vital-questions/

From Occupy Ottawa's Facebook page, here are some questions for you. They might be easy to answer if you feel strongly, but some of them will be tough, and more will make you think very hard. As you read my answers, think of what your own answers would be to these questions.

In total, there are 50 questions and have no right or wrong answers because sometimes, asking the right questions is the answer.

1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? <Amaryllis> If I was to live forever, I would say 222,222,222 years (just a random even number). In the current life, 25 years (old enough to do everything I want to do).
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? <Amaryllis> Never trying is worse. At least if you try and fail, you have experiences to help you to be more successful in the future.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like and like so many things we don't do? <Amaryllis> We get caught up in mundane aspects and are not able to fully enjoy life as intended.

4. When it's all said and done, will you have said more than you've done? <Amaryllis> It depends on who I have affected and the impact I have been able to make on the lives of others.

5. What is the one thing you'd most like to change about the world? <Amaryllis> Remove the hate.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? <Amaryllis> Teaching and helping others to improve their lives.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? <Amaryllis> Doing what I believe in
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? <Amaryllis> Probably would have spent less time working and more time travelling the world.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? <Amaryllis> I have had a lot of control over the decisions I made in life.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? <Amaryllis> I try to cultivate in my heart the desire to what is right.
11. You're having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do? <Amaryllis> Defend my friend that is not there. Hopefully get the others to see a different viewpoint that will make them think twice about their criticism. If they are adamant, then change the subject to prevent any bad feelings or arguments. I would rather not lose respect for them over some thoughtless comments.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? <Amaryllis> Live and love life to the fullest
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? <Amaryllis> Probably
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? <Amaryllis> See it all the time in artwork and poetic pieces
15. What's something you know you do differently than most people? <Amaryllis> I don't know. Never thought about it.
16. How come the things that make you happy don't make everyone happy? <Amaryllis> Sometimes people don't take the time to appreciate the small things but an accumulation of small joys can create a large mound of happiness.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What's holding you back? <Amaryllis> Dive off of a steep waterfall in a tropical location into the lagoon below. I am afraid that I will freak out, forget how to swim and drown.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? <Amaryllis>
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? <Amaryllis> Belize because that is the country my family is from.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? <Amaryllis> I push the button more than once. I know it does not help but I do it anyway out of habit.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? <Amaryllis> I prefer to be a worried genius. Some people might believe that ignorance is bliss but I don't subscribe to that train of thought. The more knowledge, the better.
22. Why are you, you? <Amaryllis>
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? <Amaryllis> I think so.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? <Amaryllis> Losing touch with a  good friend that lives near me is worse because it means that we probably grew apart. In a way, that makes me sad.
25. What are you most grateful for? <Amaryllis> All the blessings in my life, my family, my hubby, my friends

Squash Casserole

I was feeling sentimental and wanted some comfort food from my childhood. One of the dishes I remember my  mom making in the summertime was squash casserole. This was something that only she and I ate because my brother did not (still does not like) squash. He liked okra and I didn't. And I liked squash and he didn't. And my lovely mom would cook both squash and okra to make sure we had our serving of vegetables at mealtime. I loved her for that. But I digress.
Every now and then, I get a desire to eat the food from my youth. Unfortunately for me, I did not pay attention to how my mom cooked the food that I took for granted. Thankfully though, I have Google. I try to find recipes that have similar steps that sound familiar to what she was doing while I half paid attention trying to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. And in the case of the squash casserole, one of my professors from my college days shared a recipe with me.
My hubby is working in a community garden and when the squash was ready to be harvested, I told him to set aside 2-3 pounds for me to make squash casserole.
The recipe was fairly easy to make. I thought that I would burn the flour-butter mixture, but I did not. If you decide to try this recipe and you are not sure, have the temperature is medium-low heat.
I shredded my cheese to make it easier to add. I added cheese on top at the same time I added the crackers because I like my cheese crunchy. If you just want it melted, add 10 minutes before cooking time is complete.
The good thing about casseroles is that everything is dumped into a dish, topped with cheese, and baked until done. EASY!
If my mom could see me now, she would be proud. She would laugh too. Funny how when we grow up we become wistful for those simple pleasures enjoyed in our childhood. And if we were fortunate to have good parents, we end up doing some of the same things they did.

A Firefighter's Wife

My hubby has been a volunteer firefighter for over a year now. At first I did not know how I felt about it when he told me that he was going to begin the training. He has always had a willing attitude to help others. Part of me was happy and part of me was worried. What is something happens like the roof caving in or an explosion? I don't want him to get hurt. But what about the people in the house or structure where the fire is occurring? There need to be people to help save them.
I am glad that he is doing his part to help the local community by being a firefighter. He gets calls to house fires, forest/brush fires, and car/motorcycles accidents. He has helped extricate people from vehicles after an accident, while others are taken away by the coroner. The experiences that he has had during this time have helped us both to enjoy life and be more careful.

We unplug electronics before leaving on long trips (he even unplugs the toaster oven when not in use)
We check the batteries in our fire detectors and in the detectors of elderly family members
We make sure everyone has their seat beat on in the car and no distracted driving!
Plus we do a lot of other safety related activities to try to prevent unwanted fire damage.

When the call comes in, day or night, I still feel nervous as he puts on his uniform to head out. But I know that he is going to be safe and try to help someone that is having a worst time than I am.