Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D is one of the only vitamins produced naturally by the body. However, in order for the body to produce vitamin D, it has to be exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight.

Researchers have long known that the "sunshine vitamin" boosts bone strength by encouraging the body to absorb calcium. But a slew of new studies published in 2007 suggests that the vitamin has a lot of other benefits: Diets high in D may ward off diabetes, gum disease and multiple sclerosis and even cancer.

Info found: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686252_1690393,00.html

Happy New Year

I am really excited for the New Year this year because it is the year of the ox. The Ox years so far have been 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and now 2009 followed by 2021 (according to the 12 year cycle).

People born in the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2009 will preponderantly have the below mentioned traits in their character: Leadership qualities, dependable, great organizers, loyal, patient as well as strong and responsible. They are also some of the best people one can have as colleagues in the work place as they are believed to posses strong work ethics and display their creative side as well, especially when it comes to decorating their home.

Since the people born in the Ox year are also trusted to be reliable and logical, people generally turn towards them for suggestions and guidance. Their honesty and eye for details also helps them to prove their worth both in the workplace as well as in their personal lives.

However there are a few negative traits associated with the character of the Ox that also is reflected through the people born in the ox years. Attributes like being narrow minded, stubborn, with low public relations skills and also very far from being emotional are generally associated with people born in this year.

Preparations for Chinese New Year.

I went to this gross Chinese buffet, but it turned out to be awesome because my place mat was a Chinese Astrological guide. Ever since then I have been excited for the Chinese New Year (January 26, 2009) because it is my year, the year of the ox. The New Year is on the first new moon of the year.

According to the Chinese, clean your house before the new year, next Monday. They believe that when you 'wash away the dirt on the ninyabaat' you are cleaning out last years bad luck.

I will be periodically updating my blog with Chinese New Year celebration traditions. I think it is good to know and celebrate other cultures specifically the 1,330,044,544 (July 2008 est.)Chinese (not including Chinese people outside of China).

Fun Quiz

I want to know everyone's scores.

1. When do you feel your best...

A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night


2. You usually walk...

A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly


3. When talking to people you...

A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your h air


4. When relaxing, you sit with...

A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you


5. When something really amuses you, you react with...&nbs p;

A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes


8. Which of the following colors do you like most...

A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray


9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...

A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers


10. You often dream that you are...

A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINT: Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.

God Bless

My Uncle sent me this blessing- I thought I would pass it on.

I ask the Divine to help provide the guidance and clarity for President Obama to make the right decisions for these troubled times.

To provide him, his family, and the new administrative team with wisdom, and the health they will need to sustain the long hours, intense environment and pressures of their new duties.


Please note that this blessing is not just about Obama, but about uniting America and the world, all working towards a common goal, a common vision, regardless of background, race, or economic status--to truly come together as a nation and as a global community.

It's about all of us--as we are all ONE.

Let this blessing symbolize our love and dedication for the kind of America, the kind of world, and the kind of future we envision and will work towards.

God Bless!

Ricky Gervais

If you have ever watched the British office or The Extras you know how painfully funny Ricky is, if you haven't, here is a little snippet of him on The Office:

Winter Splendor

P.S. I didn't photograph any of these pics or did I?....I didn't.

I saw this movie last night with Heather. We have a secret secluded theater that gives a family night discount for $5.50. We are usually the only ones in the theater so we can do whatever we want....and we are pretty immature. As far as the movie is concerned, I liked it way better than I anticipated.

We are a Poweful Group, Us Women and Mothers

Growing up I was the girl who was breast feeding her stuffed animals and staging out every parenting scenario from conception (not to worry- when kissing meant creating babies) to birth to play time to disciplining my stuffed animals aka babies. With that said, I have had a clear desire to be a mother since I was small. Not all women have that same desire. Part of that desire for me was and is breast feeding. Breast feeding is just another major action of love and sacrifice that women do for their families and children. And all actions of love don't have to be sacrificial. Hopefully, women will use her own instincts when deciding to stop bfing her children and not cultural or social pressures. With that said, God bless all the women who sacrifice their bodies, time, and schedules to breast feed. Whether or not you've bfed, God bless women in general, who: grow and nourish life inside of them, who endure labor, and who raise and parent. We are a powerful group, us women and mothers, and don't forget it.

Hey Mama

I feel like a mom most of time partly because I am a second mother to Heather's children and partly because it is in my nature to mother everyone. So there is a topic that is sort of taboo I want to post about: How long do you breast feed your children? Do you bf until the baby weens himself/herself off? What if the baby still wants to bf when he/she is a toddler on up? Is it okay to bf a toddler? What is best for the child? What about tandem nursing? Is there actually harm in bf-ing a toddler? Public breast feeding? etc etc... And because we have breasts, we have opinions so please don't be shy. (if your opinions are private then please share some insight in the subject or links to info)

Tagged!
Rules:
Bold the ones you've done.
Then tag others.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Split your pants in public

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life ( "I save a life today, my own" - Michael Scott)

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

101. Learned to play an instrument

My results: I didn't want to count them. Heather will you count them for me?
What are your results?

I tag everyone who takes the time to read all of these