let's get ready to rumble... and happy thanksgiving!

Last night I caught this episode of Friends, where they play touch football on Thanksgiving.  This is a tradition in my family and I couldn't help but laugh over a few similarities.  My cousin Detra is SO Monica, "Losers walk!".  And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm Rachel, always being picked last.  We still have a great time, and our football game has come to be a great tradition.

the girl who...

I am currently reading this book, which is the third in the trilogy by Stieg Larsson.  I love these books and can't get enough of them.  They have also been made into movies in Sweden, so I have watched the first two subtitled films.  I can't wait to catch the final one as soon as I finish the book.  Hollywood is remaking the first one, now as we speak, with Daniel Craig as the leading man.

  

lemon + water = joyous health

national geographic photography contest 2010

Just a few examples of some of the entries in this year's contest.  See more here.

mommy and me

This is a picture of my mom and I (1975) and I just love it.  She reminds me of me.  :-)

love means never having to say you're sorry

I finally saw the movie Love Story.  I had always wanted to see it since I'm pretty sure I was named after the the main character, Jennifer Cavalleri.  I thought the movie was sweet and a bit sappy.  What does, "Love means never having to say you're sorry," mean anyway?

hang ten

Surfers in Newport Beach in the 1940's.  I got it here.

tips for a better life

by Nithya Shanti 

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did the previous year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
31. The best is yet to come.
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
33. Do the right thing!
34. Call your family often.
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
36. Each day give something good to others.
37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
38. Share this with someone you care about

slow-vember

My friend, Kim, coined this term to be used during the month of November.  We are trying to slow everything down and take it easy after a fun-filled summer and hectic Halloween season.   I am looking forward to spending more nights at home, catching up on some sleep, focusing on work and finding the perfect lentil soup recipe.  Maybe this one?

t-shirt love

I recently bought this t-shirt at Urban Outfitters.  Made by Truly Madly Deeply.

miami horror :: sometimes

french fun

The Cherry Blossom Girl is my latest blog obsession.