moved

now here

Scientists baffled

What MIT scientists baffled by Global Warming?!? link I guess this means Al Gore could be out of a job. I am continually interested in this subject, only because of statements made by politicians. I am hoping since the source is reputable, MIT, that the science community will finally explore other option instead of assuming one theory. Who know what they will find?

An Earthquake, Oh my!

At 1:30 today, I experienced an earthquake. The epicenter was less than two miles away from where I work. The funny thing is I really didn't feel anything. I just heard a loud BANG!

Skyline drive with the cousins

A few weekends ago, I went with my cousins, aunt and uncle to Skyline Drive. My cousins and I hiked a tiny portion of the Appalachian trail that crosses the road. I had a wonderful time hanging out with my cousins and seeing beautiful Virginia scenery.

Summer is here, put away the soup

Last summer, I scummed to purchasing a Pillsbury cookbook of summer fun recipes. The clincher was this recipe: Chicken and Mango Salad in Lettuce Bowl. Not an amazing name, but it is delicious.

Ingredients

1 cup frozen white corn

1 1/2 cup cooked chopped chicken (without skin)

1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend (4 oz.)

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 small cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, cut into 1/4 in. slices

1 jar (1 lb. 8 oz.) refrigerated mango, cut into chunks, or 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled fresh mango (about 2)

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed

1 large head Boston or Bibb lettuce, center removed

(Note: can add avocado to mix)

Directions:

1. Cook corn as directed on bag until crisp-tender. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool.

2. In large bowl, place corn and remaining ingredients except lettuce; toss gently to mix.

3. Place lettuce on serving plate; spoon chicken mixture into lettuce.

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms in DC - a site to see along with a million other people, except when the weather is dreary. Here is a glimpse of the day with my gal friends.

Global warming???

The temperatures for 2008 are forecast to be lower than in previous years. Is global warming really that much of a threat? For full article, go here.

A funny item about enviromentalism

I took a quiz of Presidential Political Myths and found the answer to this question a bit ironic. "Al Gore's Nashville home uses considerably more energy than George W. Bush's Crawford ranch. True or False." Is the infamous proponent of global warming actually making more of a carbon print than the current president?. Drum role please. The answer: "the Gores' 10,000-square-foot home near Nashville, Tenn., uses about 12 times more energy than the typical home in that area, due in part to its size and to the fact that both Al and Tipper Gore also use the home as an office. In contrast, President George W. Bush's 4,000-square-foot ranch near Crawford, Texas, was designed by an architecture professor and incorporates a number of "green" building practices, such as geothermal heating, a rainwater cistern and wastewater recycling systems." I will let you ponder this one. This article here explains a little more about Al Gore's views when confronted by this seemingly contradictory life style.

Politician Enviromentalists vs. Conservationists

I find environmentalist annoying at times. Most of the ones I have meet have been two faced. Preaching one thing and practicing another. For instance, in college most of the students in my class were telling me how important is was to not drive, that we all needed to take public transportation. A while later, my transportation professors decided to take a poll in his class to see who carpooled, took public transportation, biked, or drove individually to work. Out of the fifty plus students only two did not drive individually into work. What was surprising is that these two individuals never condemned or preached to other people on their mode of transportation. I remember asking a student who preached but didn't practise, why he didn't. He told me it just didn't work for his life, he needed to have the freedom his car provided. He just thought other people should submit themselves to that inconvenience. That is why I found this article fantastic: Greed In the Name of Green. It explained that people are making themselves feel better by purchasing green things, but have forgotten that they are still making a humongous carbon foot print.
I believe that there needs to be moderation and thought in being green. It is not just buying a more energy saving dryer or washer when the ones you own work perfectly well. We need to be stewards of the land given to us by the Lord. I want to be balanced and smart about my greenness.

30, Flirty & Thriving

Okay, those are not my goals by the time I am thirty, but today was spent looking at my goals for the future. Unlike the girl in 13 Going on 30, I do not get another chance at living life. No magic dust for me. I have to be wise, like the five virgins in Matthew 25, who planned ahead or the slaves who were entrusted with talents and invested. In the past, I thought it bad to plan ahead, for scripture does says "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself." (Matthew 6:34) I took this to mean I shouldn't plan out to much or at all. However, the day the Lord comes back is not known and I have been given jobs to accomplish and gifts to use. I hope to use however long I am here on earth to serve the Lord in what He has called me to do.

With that, I have many decisions to make, but the biggest I made up back in December. After living in northern Virginia for a year and a half, I am moving home to the desert. I had never planned to live here for the long haul, especially considering most of my family resides in the Phoenix area. Family is really important to me and in my life are the greatest influences. I am really going to miss my church, friends, and co-workers in Virginia. I wise person told me that those feelings are good, because that means I built into my community here.

I am back, I think

Sorry for the long sabbatical from blogging. It has been a crazy past two months. My neice was born in January while I was visiting New York. It was wonderful to see her as a new born. When I got home, my work amped up and is finally, I hope calming down. As of Wednesday, I turned in the 100% submission calculations. I hope to update all more on my life in Virginia soon. To all faithful checkers of my blog, I look forward to you reading my sometimes boring, sometimes random thoughts.

Fun in DC

It has been a long time since I last wrote. Work was insane last week. All the engineers were out of the office on Thurday and Friday, which normally would not be a problem. Last week just happened to coincide with a deadline. On Friday, I spent most of the day on the phone, e-mail, and pulling out my hair. Thank the Lord though, the drawings got out on time and my boss was happy with my work. He even laughed at my frustration, which in turn caused me to laugh. With that said, I had two wonderful trips to DC that week.

On Tuesday night, I discovered a new form of art in Shin Tanaka. He was at the Kennedy Center for the Japanses Culture month. To look at his creations go here: http://shin.co.nr/ The are amazing mostly because it is just paper and glue. These are his part time work. He actually has a real job! When work slows down, I want to try my hand at making one.

The real reward for me was Saturday. I told myself if I could make it through the week I would visit the American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery to look at the Katherine Heburn special exhibit. The two friends that went with me also wanted to check out another special exhibit, RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture. This exhibit was fasinating considering I do not know much about the culture and art of hip hop.

Random Quotes

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" -Ronald Reagan

"The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men." -George Eliot

"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length." -Robert Frost

"To read a newspaper is to refrain from reading something worthwhile. The first discipline of education must therefore be to refuse resolutely to feed the mind with canned chatter." - Aleister Crowley

"Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar." - Edward R. Murrow

"A liberal is a person whose interests aren't at stake at the moment." - Willis Player

Evangeline Came

I am an auntie to a girl! Evangeline came today while I was visiting in NYC with friends. Yeah! For the Vitals, check Keith and Bethy's blog.

Funny

Check out this article, especially if you keep up with the presidential race.

LIfe before TV

When I arrived home after New Year, my house no longer had this:My new year will now be filled with more of this:

Delicious meals of late

I just cooked two fantastic meals this week! I just have to say that I hightly recommend the recipes in Real Simple Magazine. The meals were easy and most the ingredients were easy to find. The first one from there is Sausage with Escarole and White Beans. I have to say that I typically do not like sausage, but this was so tasty, even two days later as leftovers. I also subbed the escarole with spinach. The second one was Potato and Leek Flat Bread. My roommate said that it reminded her of a California Pizza Chicken pizza. If your having a hard time finding the cheese, check out Whole Foods.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

While, I was listening to the Jars of Clay Christmas Album this song really spoke to me. I can relate with sometimes thinking there is no peace on earth. After googling the song, I found out it was a poem first written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He wrote it during the Civil War and the song excludes two stanzas. I find the two excluded stanzas give great power to the song. One that the peace on earth is referring to a war and good will to men to the enslaved. I am overjoyed that just as the blacks in the U.S. were freed, that Christ was born into this world to free me from enslavement to sin.

"Christmas Bells"
(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!



And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!



Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!



Then from each black accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!



And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

SNOW!!!

The progression - day, night, morning

Christmas Time

I am finally in the Christmas mood.

My roommate and I decorated the house yesterday. We purchased a beautiful tree in just about ten minutes. Amazing considering there was four opinions to consider. We decorated the tree, drank eggnog and made chocolate turtle cake while listening to wonderful Christmas music (Jars of Clay's Christmas album).