Not only does The Friday Night Knitting Club have one sequel, it has two. Here again, in the novel Knit the Season, the story of Georgia Walker's daughter and the family and friends who support her after her mother's death, continues. No one is more surprised than I am that I actually care to read more about these characters. Looking back to the conclusion of the first book, it did end rather abruptly and left many of the character's fates hanging. So it shouldn't be surprising to realize that the story is not over yet.
Dakota Walker and her friend Anita, who is now 80 years old and is finally getting married, are back and it's Christmas, a season known for love and miracles. What will this season bring for Dakota and her friends? New romances, friendships, and happy memories will certainly play a part in the magic of the holidays. And amazingly enough, Georgia will also play a part here, as Dakota learns more about her mother through shared remembrances and a potential visit to Scotland where her mother spent her childhood. Thus, Georgia's legacy for her daughter continues. Dakota is surrounded by a family of friends intertwined by a love for Georgia and for the knitting club where it all began.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Feb. 23, 2010 - Knit Two by Kate Jacobs
Recently, while shopping, I discovered that a book I had read previously, The Friday Night Knitting Club, had a sequel. What was surprising was that I actually felt excited about it. I had found the book difficult to get into and yet by the end, without realizing it, I was hooked.
I am looking forward to reading Knit Two, especially after the sad ending of the first book. I am interested in finding out how the main character is coping without her mother, how her relationship with her father is progressing and what has happened to the store and to the other characters who were part of the knitting club.
Unfortunately, I will have to wait a bit longer. I am in the midst of working on report cards while trying to finish two other books. I still take time to read every day but am looking forward to finishing more books over the March break.
I am looking forward to reading Knit Two, especially after the sad ending of the first book. I am interested in finding out how the main character is coping without her mother, how her relationship with her father is progressing and what has happened to the store and to the other characters who were part of the knitting club.
Unfortunately, I will have to wait a bit longer. I am in the midst of working on report cards while trying to finish two other books. I still take time to read every day but am looking forward to finishing more books over the March break.
Feb. 22, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
"The days are long, but the years are short." How true this is, especially when you have children who seem to grow at an astonishing rate. How do we preserve those special childhood memories - the adorable sayings, funny comments or impulsive actions - in a timely way? In the August chapter of The Happiness Project, Gretchen discusses the one sentence journal, a technique she uses to reduce the anxiety and pressure of writing a lengthy account of events.
This got me thinking about the benefits of a one-sentence journal. It would surely be much easier to stay on top of writing when only one sentence is required. It wouldn't seem so much of a chore. Whether on the computer, in a small notebook or journal, on a pad by the phone or on the fridge, daily reminders of joyful moments would certainly improve our personal happiness quotient. As an extension, the sentence could also be accompanied by a picture of a great family moment. This would be quite a keepsake after a few years and something children would enjoy looking at when they are older.
A gratitude journal is yet another idea proposed in this chapter. We have many things to be grateful for but we sometimes don't appreciate them. Our health, our careers, our children - should all be treasured, although we lose sight of the blessings they provide when we get too busy or overwhelmed. For example, the fact that my husband cooks dinner for our family regularly is definitely something I am grateful for. I make sure to compliment him and try not to complain about the menu. He even does the grocery shopping every week. Now, I could complain that my cupboards are a mess after he shops, that he buys too much food, especially when something is on sale, and that he uses every pot and pan in the house to make a dinner, but that would be focussing on the negative. I'm sure many women would love to be in my position.
So, I'm learning to let go of the little things and be grateful for what I do have, to enjoy life from a new perspective, one of happiness and gratitude.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Feb. 21, 2010 - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Have you ever noticed that some people seem to make friends wherever they go? They know everyone, have been everywhere and have acquaintances in every social situation they may encounter. These people are what Malcolm Gladwell calls "connectors - special people with a gift of bringing the world together."
If we examine our social circles we will find in reality that they are not circles at all - they are pyramids, with one name at the top who connects all the rest. When I think about my own social circle of musician friends, I find that one name stands out above the rest. It was this person who connected me to everyone else. Because of this person, I recently played with a new orchestra in Stratford for a conductor who I had played for in university. During rehearsals, I also realized that everyone there had some connection to my past life - some were from my hometown of Woodstock, some were from my university days in London and others were musicians I play with currently in Waterloo in different freelance situations. "It's a small world after all."
Amazingly enough, I even experienced a connection to Malcolm Gladwell just before my concert on Saturday night. While talking to a friend who is a vice-principal and who also books musicians for the Kodaly festival, he mentioned a violinist who wants to join our group, a principal who recently moved into our area and who is the brother of Malcolm Gladwell. Recently, he was able to arrange for Gladwell to speak at a system leader's meeting.
Coincidence or connections, we've all experienced first-hand situations such as these. As Gladwell points out, the theory of six degrees of separation has been proven time and time again. So, examine your social pyramid. Who is at the top and has made it possible for you to meet people and become part of a circle of friends or acquaintances? Even Facebook and Twitter show us the power of social networks and it is often a small group of people who connect us to all the rest.
If we examine our social circles we will find in reality that they are not circles at all - they are pyramids, with one name at the top who connects all the rest. When I think about my own social circle of musician friends, I find that one name stands out above the rest. It was this person who connected me to everyone else. Because of this person, I recently played with a new orchestra in Stratford for a conductor who I had played for in university. During rehearsals, I also realized that everyone there had some connection to my past life - some were from my hometown of Woodstock, some were from my university days in London and others were musicians I play with currently in Waterloo in different freelance situations. "It's a small world after all."
Amazingly enough, I even experienced a connection to Malcolm Gladwell just before my concert on Saturday night. While talking to a friend who is a vice-principal and who also books musicians for the Kodaly festival, he mentioned a violinist who wants to join our group, a principal who recently moved into our area and who is the brother of Malcolm Gladwell. Recently, he was able to arrange for Gladwell to speak at a system leader's meeting.
Coincidence or connections, we've all experienced first-hand situations such as these. As Gladwell points out, the theory of six degrees of separation has been proven time and time again. So, examine your social pyramid. Who is at the top and has made it possible for you to meet people and become part of a circle of friends or acquaintances? Even Facebook and Twitter show us the power of social networks and it is often a small group of people who connect us to all the rest.
Feb. 20, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
July's chapter is about money - definitely a timely topic. Although our country and indeed the world is presently experiencing a recession, in some ways everyday life doesn't feel any different. I think in my case it is because I have a job that is not affected by the economy, at least at this point. So, reading a chapter on spending money to buy happiness, doesn't feel quite right. Shouldn't I be saving for a rainy day rather than spending?
Gretchen comes to the conclusion that money alone cannot buy happiness but, used wisely, it can help to buy happiness. "Whether rich or poor, people make choices about how they spend money, and those choices can boost happiness or undermine it." She identifies three factors in her quest to relate happiness to money. The first - it depends on what kind of person you are. The second - it depends on how you spend your money. Finally, the third - it depends on how much money you have relative to the people around you and relative to your own experience.
In considering these factors, she makes a revelation - "the lack of money, or health for that matter, brings much more unhappiness than possessing them brings happiness." We can squander our health or our money or make destructive choices and not be any happier. Taking anything for granted is a bad idea. Instead, we need to try to make good choices not only about our health but also as to how we spend our money. Gretchen's goals for the month included indulging in a modest splurge, buying needful things, spending out and giving something up.
In this chapter, she decides to use her money in a way that will support her happiness goals, being careful, however, to stay within her budget. None of her choices are cheap but it feels good to use products that are of better quality rather than scrimping all the time. She also makes a choice to donate money to a children's library program which gives her an immediate happiness boost. Although not admirable, spending money or "retail therapy" as it is often called, does give people happiness for a while, but that quickly wears off when the purchase just becomes one more thing in your home. That is why we need to be careful that our purchases are truly going to bring us joy or provide us with something that we need. If using a special pen brings you joy every time you use it at work, the the fact that you spent extra money on it is a reasonable compromise. Similarly, making an impulse purchase and then realizing you didn't really need the item or it doesn't fit into your lifestyle brings regret and unhappiness.
I think there is a long way to go in considering how money and happiness work together. I agree with some of the ideas presented here, but it is easy to think this way when money is available. How about those people who are not as fortunate? If you can barely afford to eat every day, then splurging or donating or going to a movie to make you happy is not a choice you can afford to make. Financial inequality is still prevalent in our world and so I find some of the ideas here to be materialistic. Our world is still divided between those who have and those who have not and we are often blind to the realities of hunger and homelessness. Let's face it, all the money in the world won't buy you happiness if you have a terminal illness or lose a loved one. So, I think, I have to stick with the advice of the well-known quote, "Money can't buy happiness", at least not on a permanent basis.
Gretchen comes to the conclusion that money alone cannot buy happiness but, used wisely, it can help to buy happiness. "Whether rich or poor, people make choices about how they spend money, and those choices can boost happiness or undermine it." She identifies three factors in her quest to relate happiness to money. The first - it depends on what kind of person you are. The second - it depends on how you spend your money. Finally, the third - it depends on how much money you have relative to the people around you and relative to your own experience.
In considering these factors, she makes a revelation - "the lack of money, or health for that matter, brings much more unhappiness than possessing them brings happiness." We can squander our health or our money or make destructive choices and not be any happier. Taking anything for granted is a bad idea. Instead, we need to try to make good choices not only about our health but also as to how we spend our money. Gretchen's goals for the month included indulging in a modest splurge, buying needful things, spending out and giving something up.
In this chapter, she decides to use her money in a way that will support her happiness goals, being careful, however, to stay within her budget. None of her choices are cheap but it feels good to use products that are of better quality rather than scrimping all the time. She also makes a choice to donate money to a children's library program which gives her an immediate happiness boost. Although not admirable, spending money or "retail therapy" as it is often called, does give people happiness for a while, but that quickly wears off when the purchase just becomes one more thing in your home. That is why we need to be careful that our purchases are truly going to bring us joy or provide us with something that we need. If using a special pen brings you joy every time you use it at work, the the fact that you spent extra money on it is a reasonable compromise. Similarly, making an impulse purchase and then realizing you didn't really need the item or it doesn't fit into your lifestyle brings regret and unhappiness.
I think there is a long way to go in considering how money and happiness work together. I agree with some of the ideas presented here, but it is easy to think this way when money is available. How about those people who are not as fortunate? If you can barely afford to eat every day, then splurging or donating or going to a movie to make you happy is not a choice you can afford to make. Financial inequality is still prevalent in our world and so I find some of the ideas here to be materialistic. Our world is still divided between those who have and those who have not and we are often blind to the realities of hunger and homelessness. Let's face it, all the money in the world won't buy you happiness if you have a terminal illness or lose a loved one. So, I think, I have to stick with the advice of the well-known quote, "Money can't buy happiness", at least not on a permanent basis.
Feb. 19, 2010 - Getting Ready for Oscar, Famous Magazine, February issue
The 82nd Academy Awards are taking place this spring on Sunday, March 7, 2010 and once again, a number of wonderful movies have been nominated. Although we share the excitement of another year of award winners and the traditional ceremonies involved, this year many changes will be noticed. The article examines what past tradition has been and what is new about this year's awards.
For the first time, all of the short films will be shown in Cineplex theatres prior to the awards show. Movie showings and times can be found at Cineplex.com. All the live action shorts and animated shorts will be available for viewing. In addition, the number of nominated pictures has been expanded to 10 from 5. Why the change? According to the article, it was to appease the fans. Many times, the nominated films have been what they call "erudite indie dramas" instead of the box-office hits that indicate favour by the general public. This in turn caused ratings to plummet in years where fan favourites were not the winners.
In my opinion, ratings have nothing to do with this. I wonder if other factors come into play - many people lead very busy lives, we have more choice than ever as far as media is concerned, and finances are a concern due to the recession. No longer do we sit around the television watching a limited selection of programs as a family. I remember "Little House" nights in our family when we all gathered together to watch one of our favourite programs. Back then, we had fewer stations, fewer choices and less busy night lives. Now with sports, music lessons, dance and other extra-curricular activities many of us are not at home. We can also watch TV shows on the internet or PVR episodes or catch them later on Rogers on Demand. I also wonder if the price of going to the movies has made an impact. It can be quite costly especially when factoring in snacks. Now that there is a recession, less people can afford to go see the wealth of films offered. For all these reasons, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been able to go to the theatre this year.
In any case, this year's awards promise to be exciting and entertaining. With Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin hosting, a partnership that has yielded stellar performances in "It's Complicated" and episodes of "30 Rock" as well as numerous co-hosting appearances on Saturday Night Live, a humorous show is guaranteed.
For the first time, all of the short films will be shown in Cineplex theatres prior to the awards show. Movie showings and times can be found at Cineplex.com. All the live action shorts and animated shorts will be available for viewing. In addition, the number of nominated pictures has been expanded to 10 from 5. Why the change? According to the article, it was to appease the fans. Many times, the nominated films have been what they call "erudite indie dramas" instead of the box-office hits that indicate favour by the general public. This in turn caused ratings to plummet in years where fan favourites were not the winners.
In my opinion, ratings have nothing to do with this. I wonder if other factors come into play - many people lead very busy lives, we have more choice than ever as far as media is concerned, and finances are a concern due to the recession. No longer do we sit around the television watching a limited selection of programs as a family. I remember "Little House" nights in our family when we all gathered together to watch one of our favourite programs. Back then, we had fewer stations, fewer choices and less busy night lives. Now with sports, music lessons, dance and other extra-curricular activities many of us are not at home. We can also watch TV shows on the internet or PVR episodes or catch them later on Rogers on Demand. I also wonder if the price of going to the movies has made an impact. It can be quite costly especially when factoring in snacks. Now that there is a recession, less people can afford to go see the wealth of films offered. For all these reasons, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been able to go to the theatre this year.
In any case, this year's awards promise to be exciting and entertaining. With Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin hosting, a partnership that has yielded stellar performances in "It's Complicated" and episodes of "30 Rock" as well as numerous co-hosting appearances on Saturday Night Live, a humorous show is guaranteed.
Feb. 18, 2010 - The Amazing Race by Rory Evans, Real Simple Magazine, March 2010 issue
This article was written by the sister of a woman who began a journey to complete a marathon before lung surgery that would have rendered her dream impossible. When a CAT scan revealed a lung nodule with only a 1 to 5 percent chance of being benign, Stephanie Andrew's first question was, "When can I start exercising again." When the doctor responded, "Well, you won't be running any marathons," the challenge to fulfill her dream became a personal goal that had to be achieved prior to the surgery.
The story chronicles the steps taken to reach this goal, the strength and determination of one very strong woman and the support of family and friends that made her dream possible. It was such an inspirational article to read and reminded me that even when we may feel helpless, we have the power to bring our positive thoughts and energy to any situation.
In the end, this particular story had a happy ending. During the operation, the lump was discovered to be an infection - not cancer! Stephanie realized that it was the power of everyone's prayers and support that had given her strength in this journey. I've read before that positive energy from friends and family can have a huge impact on people's attitudes and recovery when dealing with health issues. In some ways, it feels like a modern day miracle. Who is to say this wasn't?
The story chronicles the steps taken to reach this goal, the strength and determination of one very strong woman and the support of family and friends that made her dream possible. It was such an inspirational article to read and reminded me that even when we may feel helpless, we have the power to bring our positive thoughts and energy to any situation.
In the end, this particular story had a happy ending. During the operation, the lump was discovered to be an infection - not cancer! Stephanie realized that it was the power of everyone's prayers and support that had given her strength in this journey. I've read before that positive energy from friends and family can have a huge impact on people's attitudes and recovery when dealing with health issues. In some ways, it feels like a modern day miracle. Who is to say this wasn't?
Feb. 17, 2010 - The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
"The tipping point...the name given to that one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change all at once." In this book, Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and Blink, examines epidemics in a search to understand why some ideas or behaviours or products start epidemics while others do not. He is also interested in discovering if we can deliberately start and control epidemics that are positive and beneficial to mankind. If we indeed can control them, then educators, parents, marketers, business people and policymakers could make a big impact on the world at large. Sounds a little scary to me because we all know that a little power in the wrong hands could also have the opposite effect.
Gladwell outlines three principles in his study of epidemics - little changes have big effects, behaviour can be contagious and change happens dramatically not gradually. Numerous examples from the business, retail and health worlds are given to demonstrate the concept. The story of Hushpuppies and how they came back into style, the story of Baltimore's syphilis epidemic, the rise of AIDS and many other examples illustrate the three principles perfectly.
Furthermore, Gladwell uncovers three rules in achieving the tipping point - the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context. These can all be applied to situations to better understand the process of reaching the tipping point and to make sense of epidemics. I am interested to read more about these factors and how we can use them to understand and achieve positive "Tipping Points" in our own lives.
Gladwell outlines three principles in his study of epidemics - little changes have big effects, behaviour can be contagious and change happens dramatically not gradually. Numerous examples from the business, retail and health worlds are given to demonstrate the concept. The story of Hushpuppies and how they came back into style, the story of Baltimore's syphilis epidemic, the rise of AIDS and many other examples illustrate the three principles perfectly.
Furthermore, Gladwell uncovers three rules in achieving the tipping point - the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context. These can all be applied to situations to better understand the process of reaching the tipping point and to make sense of epidemics. I am interested to read more about these factors and how we can use them to understand and achieve positive "Tipping Points" in our own lives.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Feb. 16, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Friends...where would we be without them. Everyone needs a friend to confide in and to share experiences with. I've always taught my girls to expand their network of acquaintances and to socialize with different groups of people - to have violin friends, school friends, soccer friends. It is a healthy and necessary part of life.
The author, Gretchen Rubin, focusses the June chapter of her happiness project on this very important topic, filling the chapter with important quotes and suggestions for cultivating new and old friendships. She begins by quoting Epicurus - "Of all the things that wisdom provides for living one's entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship." Everything is more enjoyable with a friend. Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to exercise when you have a friend accompanying you? How much more enjoyable it is to watch TV or go to a concert with a buddy? You couldn't email or have a Facebook or Twitter account without friends. In fact, the whole premise of Facebook and Twitter is to collect friends and followers, the more the merrier. It makes us feel good and look good to others.
But, more than that, a good friend is there in times of need, to listen and to offer advice or to provide company when needed. How can one be a good friend? Several suggestions are given: remember birthdays, be generous, help people think big, bring people together, cut people slack, show up, and don't gossip. All of these strategies require time and effort to work. Who hasn't gossiped about someone and then felt awful about it? Or criticized someone without thinking about their situation? Forgotten a birthday lately? Sending a cheery message on a special day is heart-warming for all of us and we should do it more often. How do you feel when you receive a compliment? Isn't it even better to give one and watch how others respond? We need to take the time to cultivate our existing friendships, renew our old ones and challenge ourselves to meet some new people. We have nothing to lose and much happiness to gain.
The author, Gretchen Rubin, focusses the June chapter of her happiness project on this very important topic, filling the chapter with important quotes and suggestions for cultivating new and old friendships. She begins by quoting Epicurus - "Of all the things that wisdom provides for living one's entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship." Everything is more enjoyable with a friend. Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to exercise when you have a friend accompanying you? How much more enjoyable it is to watch TV or go to a concert with a buddy? You couldn't email or have a Facebook or Twitter account without friends. In fact, the whole premise of Facebook and Twitter is to collect friends and followers, the more the merrier. It makes us feel good and look good to others.
But, more than that, a good friend is there in times of need, to listen and to offer advice or to provide company when needed. How can one be a good friend? Several suggestions are given: remember birthdays, be generous, help people think big, bring people together, cut people slack, show up, and don't gossip. All of these strategies require time and effort to work. Who hasn't gossiped about someone and then felt awful about it? Or criticized someone without thinking about their situation? Forgotten a birthday lately? Sending a cheery message on a special day is heart-warming for all of us and we should do it more often. How do you feel when you receive a compliment? Isn't it even better to give one and watch how others respond? We need to take the time to cultivate our existing friendships, renew our old ones and challenge ourselves to meet some new people. We have nothing to lose and much happiness to gain.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Feb. 15, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
As an avid reader, there is nothing I enjoy more than a good book. I can remember already loving books from a very young age. I could read well by Kindergarten and in Grade 2, I was sent upstairs to read with the Grade 5 class during language time. There was nothing better than the smell of a brand new book waiting to be read for the first time. I visited the library daily and eventually became a library helper. Any time I could spend around books was a good time for me. Even now, I dream of being locked in a closed bookstore or library for the weekend with nothing to do but browse and read.
Despite being an adult, I have to admit that I still enjoy children's literature. Just like my teenage girls, I go crazy for the Harry Potter series, Twilight, and Vampire Diaries. I've read Lemony Snicket, Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, the Eragon trilogy, the Chronicles of Narnia, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie. They are amongst my favourites. I've gone to Harry Potter parties, I've pre-ordered new book releases, waited eagerly for movie premieres, taken the day off school to be the first to see a Harry Potter movie and watched Vampire Diaries on TV with my daughters.
Until now, it's been hard to admit to others that I actually enjoy these types of books. Reading that Gretchen Rubin also loves children's literature and that she was able to start a book club of like-minded adults made me feel much more comfortable about revealing this preference. In the May chapter of her book, she stresses the importance of doing what you enjoy and not what you think others expect of you. Certainly, I also read more adult selections but I have no problem immersing myself in junior novels. It makes me happy, helps me relate to my children and my students and gives us something to discuss at the dinner table or in class.
And let's not forget the number of movies that have been based on children's books, including the recent adaptation of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and Disney's new Alice in Wonderland (a film by Tim Burton) with Johnny Depp playing the Mad Hatter. Hollywood is on the right track - children's literature is definitely worthwhile and appealing to children young and old alike.
Despite being an adult, I have to admit that I still enjoy children's literature. Just like my teenage girls, I go crazy for the Harry Potter series, Twilight, and Vampire Diaries. I've read Lemony Snicket, Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, the Eragon trilogy, the Chronicles of Narnia, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie. They are amongst my favourites. I've gone to Harry Potter parties, I've pre-ordered new book releases, waited eagerly for movie premieres, taken the day off school to be the first to see a Harry Potter movie and watched Vampire Diaries on TV with my daughters.
Until now, it's been hard to admit to others that I actually enjoy these types of books. Reading that Gretchen Rubin also loves children's literature and that she was able to start a book club of like-minded adults made me feel much more comfortable about revealing this preference. In the May chapter of her book, she stresses the importance of doing what you enjoy and not what you think others expect of you. Certainly, I also read more adult selections but I have no problem immersing myself in junior novels. It makes me happy, helps me relate to my children and my students and gives us something to discuss at the dinner table or in class.
And let's not forget the number of movies that have been based on children's books, including the recent adaptation of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and Disney's new Alice in Wonderland (a film by Tim Burton) with Johnny Depp playing the Mad Hatter. Hollywood is on the right track - children's literature is definitely worthwhile and appealing to children young and old alike.
Feb. 14, 2010 - Organize Yourself by Ronni Eisenberg with Kate Kelly
I'm taking the time to skim through this book looking for any helpful "gems" before giving up on it altogether. I pride myself on being an extremely organized and detail-oriented person. It's actually part of my job and I'm quite good at it. But, I'm sure even an old dog can be taught new tricks. Are there any here?
The book goes through typical "dump zones" and problem areas in homes. Part Two deals with paperwork from books, to calendars, to the family computer, desk organization, filing systems and mail, with strategies for each area. Although the book tells you how to organize these spaces, it does so in a very impersonal, business-like manner. There are no suggestions as to how to sort, how to avoid collecting these items or how to deal with the underlying reasons for collecting them in the first place. The hint of a suggestion is only made at the very end of the chapter, briefly under other tips - use the library instead of buying more books.
Part Four deals with household matters like closets, the refrigerator, the laundry and the medicine chest. There is even a chapter on hiring household help. Again, the authors go through each of these areas methodically but the human warmth and understanding is missing. As for helpful hints, I didn't notice many, probably because I already know how to organize. What I need is some inspiration not endless lists of things to do and consider before even getting started. For example, the chapter on closets requires you to study the closet, take notes about your needs, measure everything (longest item, width of groups of items, etc.), categorize, adjust shelves, and the list goes on. When will you have time to get down to work and actually clear the clutter? Any helpful hints are again at the very end of the chapter under a heading called "general". This time the tip is "a place for everything, and everything in its place". While a good idea, this is exactly what people have difficulty doing and there are no strategies to promote its use.
I've spent enough time looking through this book and have decided to spend my time cleaning and organizing rather than just reading about it. I've read many more engaging books than this one. For assistance with a touch of humanity and inspiration try It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh. It's definitely a book I go back to when I need a little push to get started.
The book goes through typical "dump zones" and problem areas in homes. Part Two deals with paperwork from books, to calendars, to the family computer, desk organization, filing systems and mail, with strategies for each area. Although the book tells you how to organize these spaces, it does so in a very impersonal, business-like manner. There are no suggestions as to how to sort, how to avoid collecting these items or how to deal with the underlying reasons for collecting them in the first place. The hint of a suggestion is only made at the very end of the chapter, briefly under other tips - use the library instead of buying more books.
Part Four deals with household matters like closets, the refrigerator, the laundry and the medicine chest. There is even a chapter on hiring household help. Again, the authors go through each of these areas methodically but the human warmth and understanding is missing. As for helpful hints, I didn't notice many, probably because I already know how to organize. What I need is some inspiration not endless lists of things to do and consider before even getting started. For example, the chapter on closets requires you to study the closet, take notes about your needs, measure everything (longest item, width of groups of items, etc.), categorize, adjust shelves, and the list goes on. When will you have time to get down to work and actually clear the clutter? Any helpful hints are again at the very end of the chapter under a heading called "general". This time the tip is "a place for everything, and everything in its place". While a good idea, this is exactly what people have difficulty doing and there are no strategies to promote its use.
I've spent enough time looking through this book and have decided to spend my time cleaning and organizing rather than just reading about it. I've read many more engaging books than this one. For assistance with a touch of humanity and inspiration try It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh. It's definitely a book I go back to when I need a little push to get started.
Feb. 13, 2010 - Organize Yourself by Ronni Eisenberg with Kate Kelly
Yet another book about organizing. Lately, it seems everyone needs help getting their lives together. Perhaps, if we weren't so busy, if we didn't take on so many commitments, if we didn't put our children in every available activity to get them ahead of their peers, we would have time to take care of our household messes. I've noticed with my teenagers that when they are too busy and spend little time at home, their rooms are a disaster. Their is only time to dump and go. When we get some time off and actually use it to stay home, they have no problem keeping their rooms clean.
The first chapter in this book about organizing is on procrastination which I found ironic as I was reading it. Reading a chapter about procrastinating in a book about organizing while your house is still a mess, piles of unclaimed papers and junk, lying in heaps, doesn't make sense. I think we should forget about reading and discussing organization and take action instead. Certainly, it is a good idea to have some strategies in mind and I'm sure this book will suggest many. But in the long run, doing the job takes an effort and commitment which cannot be provided by a book. Some of the best organizing books will indeed give us inspiration to get started but the initiative must come from the individual.
I will definitely skim through some of the strategies here and note helpful suggestions but taking the time to read a 300 page book on the topic when there is work to be done will not help me take charge of my clutter. Time to stop reading and take action.
The first chapter in this book about organizing is on procrastination which I found ironic as I was reading it. Reading a chapter about procrastinating in a book about organizing while your house is still a mess, piles of unclaimed papers and junk, lying in heaps, doesn't make sense. I think we should forget about reading and discussing organization and take action instead. Certainly, it is a good idea to have some strategies in mind and I'm sure this book will suggest many. But in the long run, doing the job takes an effort and commitment which cannot be provided by a book. Some of the best organizing books will indeed give us inspiration to get started but the initiative must come from the individual.
I will definitely skim through some of the strategies here and note helpful suggestions but taking the time to read a 300 page book on the topic when there is work to be done will not help me take charge of my clutter. Time to stop reading and take action.
Feb. 12, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
A collection can be another source of happiness. The author believes that collecting something can give you a purpose and a unique identity. Shopping and travelling give us opportunities to find unique items that have meaning for us. Welcome to the queen of collections. Not only do I have many different collections, I also love visiting museums that house collections. From stamps and coins to books, magazines, videos, thimbles, teacups, bookmarks, music programs, violins, and postcards there is always time for a new collection.
The whole family enjoys collections. My younger daughter collects nutcrackers and coins, my husband collects sports cards and cookbooks, while my older daughter collects magazines, as well as Harry Potter and Twilight memorabilia. It is truly a family passion. Even on our vacation in Ottawa this past summer, we visited a number of museums in our nation's capitol. This month, we're excited to go to the King Tut exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto.
Our collections and our interests define us. We must take time to cultivate our passions in order to have more fun.
Feb. 11, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Leisure time often seems like a luxury we cannot afford. It's challenging enough meeting work and family commitments let alone having time to have fun. But, taking the time for activities that give us pleasure is extremely important for our well-being and our happiness.
Although it is obvious that not everyone considers the same activities fun, the author points out that sometimes we sacrifice our personal enjoyment for others or because we feel that there are certain activities that we should experience. Going to an opera may sound like a good idea but if it is not an interest for you, it will not bring you happiness. The idea of only partaking in pastimes that hold great personal interest is a revelation. I sometimes have difficulty with this idea because I feel a certain commitment to pleasing my family and friends, rather than focussing on myself. The author's advice is to "Be yourself."
I guess it's part of being a parent to sacrifice for our children. But, I think it's also important for our children to see us pursuing our own interests. For me, that involves music. Despite having a busy schedule, I take the time each week to practise my violin in preparation for my weekly orchestra rehearsal. Because I love playing, I also accept "gigs" when they come along and go to as many concerts as I can afford. I imagine that when I retire, I will become a full-time musician, something I've always wanted to do. The happiness and fulfillment I get from pursuing my passion for music is unmatchable, just like the beautiful arias of Mozart, Verdi, Bizet and Puccini.
Although it is obvious that not everyone considers the same activities fun, the author points out that sometimes we sacrifice our personal enjoyment for others or because we feel that there are certain activities that we should experience. Going to an opera may sound like a good idea but if it is not an interest for you, it will not bring you happiness. The idea of only partaking in pastimes that hold great personal interest is a revelation. I sometimes have difficulty with this idea because I feel a certain commitment to pleasing my family and friends, rather than focussing on myself. The author's advice is to "Be yourself."
I guess it's part of being a parent to sacrifice for our children. But, I think it's also important for our children to see us pursuing our own interests. For me, that involves music. Despite having a busy schedule, I take the time each week to practise my violin in preparation for my weekly orchestra rehearsal. Because I love playing, I also accept "gigs" when they come along and go to as many concerts as I can afford. I imagine that when I retire, I will become a full-time musician, something I've always wanted to do. The happiness and fulfillment I get from pursuing my passion for music is unmatchable, just like the beautiful arias of Mozart, Verdi, Bizet and Puccini.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Feb. 10, 2010 - The Secret Circle by L. J. Smith
Written by the same author as the popular Vampire Diaries, this book has teenagers in a swoon similar to the Twilight phenomenon. Vampires are all the rage right now but I'm not sure what the attraction is. I have noticed (through my daughters and her friends) that teenagers like watching horror movies at this age and they also like romance. Perhaps, the combination of these genres, which is prevalent in both series, is what attracts them to these books. I'm sure the fantasy elements are equally appealing and the fact that the movies and TV shows, teeming with attractive guys, have something to do with it too.
The Secret Circle, however, does not deal with vampires but witches and this is foreshadowed immediately in the opening chapters. The reader is introduced to the main character, Cassie who is away from home with her mother, renting a cottage in the Cape Cod area of the eastern United States. This is her mother's hometown area and they are there to reconcile with her grandmother who Cassie has never met due to a mysterious estrangement. Cassie's mother is acting strangely and has dark circles under her eyes. She seems to be worried about something. After overhearing a phone conversation, it is revealed that Cassie and her mom will not be going back home but moving in with her grandmother as she is very ill and needs help. Where does the grandmother live? In New Salem. This immediately induces memories of Salem and the infamous stories of witch hunts that occurred there. Could there be a connection?
Earlier, Cassie met a mysterious boy on the beach who she helped hide from her friend Portia's brothers. They were chasing him, threatening to beat him up because he is "different". In what way? He seems to be able to read Cassie's mind and then gives her a special stone to use if she ever needs help. Could he be a witch? Is there such a thing as a male witch?
So many questions, so many predictions. I am already hooked and can't wait to find out how Cassie adjusts to her new life, away from all her old friends, and how the mysterious boy and her grandmother fit into her destiny.
The Secret Circle, however, does not deal with vampires but witches and this is foreshadowed immediately in the opening chapters. The reader is introduced to the main character, Cassie who is away from home with her mother, renting a cottage in the Cape Cod area of the eastern United States. This is her mother's hometown area and they are there to reconcile with her grandmother who Cassie has never met due to a mysterious estrangement. Cassie's mother is acting strangely and has dark circles under her eyes. She seems to be worried about something. After overhearing a phone conversation, it is revealed that Cassie and her mom will not be going back home but moving in with her grandmother as she is very ill and needs help. Where does the grandmother live? In New Salem. This immediately induces memories of Salem and the infamous stories of witch hunts that occurred there. Could there be a connection?
Earlier, Cassie met a mysterious boy on the beach who she helped hide from her friend Portia's brothers. They were chasing him, threatening to beat him up because he is "different". In what way? He seems to be able to read Cassie's mind and then gives her a special stone to use if she ever needs help. Could he be a witch? Is there such a thing as a male witch?
So many questions, so many predictions. I am already hooked and can't wait to find out how Cassie adjusts to her new life, away from all her old friends, and how the mysterious boy and her grandmother fit into her destiny.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Feb. 9, 2010 - The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry
As a young student, one of my favourite genres was mystery. I remember devouring stories by Agatha Christie, and series such as Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, and Enid Blyton's adventure novels (The Castle of Adventure, The Ship of Adventure, etc). But, as an adult, I haven't read a good mystery in a long time. Presently, I lean towards non-fiction and historical fiction as I enjoy learning while reading. However, a good mystery where you can follow along with the characters and attempt to solve the crime before they do always makes for interesting reading.
One author that has been recommended to me by many avid mystery readers is Anne Perry, so I thought I would give The Cater Street Hangman a try. It is the first in the series of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels and as such, I considered it to be a good start. On top of this, the Victorian era setting and language was also attractive to me as I have an interest in the time period and have plenty of background knowledge as support. The writing is reminiscent of Jane Austen in some ways.
Although the beginning is tedious, I have high hopes for this novel since the author was so highly recommended. I hope that the rest of the book is engrossing and moves quickly into the mystery to be solved.
One author that has been recommended to me by many avid mystery readers is Anne Perry, so I thought I would give The Cater Street Hangman a try. It is the first in the series of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels and as such, I considered it to be a good start. On top of this, the Victorian era setting and language was also attractive to me as I have an interest in the time period and have plenty of background knowledge as support. The writing is reminiscent of Jane Austen in some ways.
Although the beginning is tedious, I have high hopes for this novel since the author was so highly recommended. I hope that the rest of the book is engrossing and moves quickly into the mystery to be solved.
Feb. 8, 2010 - Strings Magazine, March 2010
One of my favourite magazines as a violinist is Strings Magazine. Featuring articles on famous musicians, different genres of music, new products and resources and advertisements about music programs, this publication is a wealth of knowledge for all string players.
This month, an article about a new collaboration between three very famous musicians caught my eye - Yo Yo Ma (cello), Itzak Perlman (violin) and Emmanuel Ax (piano). What do you get when you combine three very talented performers with Mendelssohn's beautiful piano trio music? One amazing performance. Just hearing the names of these artists practically sells the CD "sight unheard". However, the live performance can be seen on PBS's Live at the Lincoln Center on May 5, 2010. You can also listen to part of the CD on the Rhapsody music site or you can buy it on the internet or at your local music store.
And what was the reason for this collaboration? Certainly, Mendelssohn's recent 200th anniversary had something to do with it. The quality of the music was also a factor. However, Itzak Perlman sees it otherwise. "People don't play chamber music just because they need to do a concert or do a recording. Chamber music is something that we do for fun."
This month, an article about a new collaboration between three very famous musicians caught my eye - Yo Yo Ma (cello), Itzak Perlman (violin) and Emmanuel Ax (piano). What do you get when you combine three very talented performers with Mendelssohn's beautiful piano trio music? One amazing performance. Just hearing the names of these artists practically sells the CD "sight unheard". However, the live performance can be seen on PBS's Live at the Lincoln Center on May 5, 2010. You can also listen to part of the CD on the Rhapsody music site or you can buy it on the internet or at your local music store.
And what was the reason for this collaboration? Certainly, Mendelssohn's recent 200th anniversary had something to do with it. The quality of the music was also a factor. However, Itzak Perlman sees it otherwise. "People don't play chamber music just because they need to do a concert or do a recording. Chamber music is something that we do for fun."
Feb. 7, 2010 - Ballad of the Broken-Hearted, Chatelaine Magazine March 2010
The March issue of Chatelaine features a comprehensive series of articles on heart health focussing on a famous Canadian opera singer, Measha Brueggergosman. Last year, Measha was the victim of an aortic dissection which nearly caused her to lose her life. It happened suddenly, at dinner one night, without warning. All of a sudden she felt a hard lump in her throat and her upper body began feeling numb. She didn't feel well so her husband took her home where things got worse. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance but was sent home to await an MRI in four days. However, after only a day and a half the pain was unbearable and she went back to a different hospital. Fortunately, the doctors this time caught the problem - an aortic dissection - and she was rushed to surgery with only a 50 to 70% chance of survival.
In hindsight, Measha realizes she should have known better - her father had had three heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, and a clot in his aorta. A genetic predisposition such as this should have been a warning. The possibility of never singing Mahler again or learning song cycles she hadn't done before helped Measha gain a new perspective on life. "There's no such thing as the best singer - that's a ridiculous pursuit - but there is such a thing as being the authority on something, and, part of me would just like to be the authority on living." Quite a digression from the lifestyle of an opera diva.
This article is followed by pages of information under the main heading, Love Your Heart. The heart is one of the most important organs in the body yet also one of the most neglected. What we eat, how we live and what we do affects our heart and by extension our overall health. It is important to know the risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, menopause, family history, lack of exercise, high blood cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and stress and depression. A diagram is provided to show the parts of the body where pain may indicate a heart attack. A daily planner for heart health describes a typical day and gives heart healthy advice. From what to do if you are having a heart attack to the truth about cholesterol and top tests, this article covers every imaginable heart topic.
It's time for a "heart-to-heart" with women, the main audience for Chatelaine magazine, whose chances of dying from heart disease are six times higher than from breast cancer. "A little awareness - combined with exercise and a healthy diet - can save your life."
In hindsight, Measha realizes she should have known better - her father had had three heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, and a clot in his aorta. A genetic predisposition such as this should have been a warning. The possibility of never singing Mahler again or learning song cycles she hadn't done before helped Measha gain a new perspective on life. "There's no such thing as the best singer - that's a ridiculous pursuit - but there is such a thing as being the authority on something, and, part of me would just like to be the authority on living." Quite a digression from the lifestyle of an opera diva.
This article is followed by pages of information under the main heading, Love Your Heart. The heart is one of the most important organs in the body yet also one of the most neglected. What we eat, how we live and what we do affects our heart and by extension our overall health. It is important to know the risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, menopause, family history, lack of exercise, high blood cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and stress and depression. A diagram is provided to show the parts of the body where pain may indicate a heart attack. A daily planner for heart health describes a typical day and gives heart healthy advice. From what to do if you are having a heart attack to the truth about cholesterol and top tests, this article covers every imaginable heart topic.
It's time for a "heart-to-heart" with women, the main audience for Chatelaine magazine, whose chances of dying from heart disease are six times higher than from breast cancer. "A little awareness - combined with exercise and a healthy diet - can save your life."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Feb. 6, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
April's goal is entitled "Lighten Up" and deals with the topic of Parenthood. There is nothing like our children to give us the utmost happiness but at times we also experience frustration, impatience, anger, and many other negative emotions. The advice here is to acknowledge the reality of people's feelings and that includes our children. Five strategies are given: write it down, don't feel as if you have to say anything, don't say no or stop, wave your magic wand, and admit that a task is difficult. The author discusses how these strategies worked for her and her children during the month of the experiment.
I have come in contact with many of these strategies through the Suzuki violin program. For example, admitting that something is difficult helps students realize they may not get it right the first time. Since it is hard, they don't feel bad if they need to try again. Even in teaching, telling children something is easy is not a good idea. Those students who don't get it the first time think they are not as smart as others since the task is supposed to be easy.
Another Suzuki strategy is the magic wand. "If I had a magic wand, I would make that shift easier for you to play." Acknowledging that you would like to make things easy for your child helps them understand that you would try if you could. Instead some work is required and it is no one's fault, it just needs to be done.
For years, books on parenting have advocated not using the word "no" or "stop" with our children. Instead, we need to find alternate ways of phrasing these requests. However, as a parent it is not easy to accomplish. You really have to be on your toes to avoid the "no" trap. Still, when time permits, finding other ways of communicating negative requests is preferable. I found with my own children, explaining a decision went a long way in helping them understand my reasons behind it. Even something as simple as a request to buy candy or a toy at the store can be phrased in a positive way. "Why don't we put that on your Christmas list." "Mommy doesn't get paid until Friday so we need to wait." I would even prepare my girls ahead of time for an outing by saying, "When we go shopping today, we are only getting the things we have on our list so other requests will have to wait for another time." This avoided any scenes while in public.
Acknowledging how our children feel is another very important strategy. It helps them feel that we are on their side even if we can't grant their request. Repeating their desire, for example, "I understand you are having fun with your dolls right now. You don't want to take a bath even though it's time", shows that you have heard what they are saying and feeling. Children can become frustrated if they feel they are being forced to do things and this helps them realize that you are not ignoring their feelings but the job needs to be done.
The book recommended by the author is How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Faber and Mazlish. Many of these strategies are from this book and it was one that we can all refer to refresh our parenting strategies from time to time.
I have come in contact with many of these strategies through the Suzuki violin program. For example, admitting that something is difficult helps students realize they may not get it right the first time. Since it is hard, they don't feel bad if they need to try again. Even in teaching, telling children something is easy is not a good idea. Those students who don't get it the first time think they are not as smart as others since the task is supposed to be easy.
Another Suzuki strategy is the magic wand. "If I had a magic wand, I would make that shift easier for you to play." Acknowledging that you would like to make things easy for your child helps them understand that you would try if you could. Instead some work is required and it is no one's fault, it just needs to be done.
For years, books on parenting have advocated not using the word "no" or "stop" with our children. Instead, we need to find alternate ways of phrasing these requests. However, as a parent it is not easy to accomplish. You really have to be on your toes to avoid the "no" trap. Still, when time permits, finding other ways of communicating negative requests is preferable. I found with my own children, explaining a decision went a long way in helping them understand my reasons behind it. Even something as simple as a request to buy candy or a toy at the store can be phrased in a positive way. "Why don't we put that on your Christmas list." "Mommy doesn't get paid until Friday so we need to wait." I would even prepare my girls ahead of time for an outing by saying, "When we go shopping today, we are only getting the things we have on our list so other requests will have to wait for another time." This avoided any scenes while in public.
Acknowledging how our children feel is another very important strategy. It helps them feel that we are on their side even if we can't grant their request. Repeating their desire, for example, "I understand you are having fun with your dolls right now. You don't want to take a bath even though it's time", shows that you have heard what they are saying and feeling. Children can become frustrated if they feel they are being forced to do things and this helps them realize that you are not ignoring their feelings but the job needs to be done.
The book recommended by the author is How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Faber and Mazlish. Many of these strategies are from this book and it was one that we can all refer to refresh our parenting strategies from time to time.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Feb. 5, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
The challenge for March is to improve happiness at work. When you think about it, a significant portion of our lives, eight to ten hours or one third of each day, is spent in the workplace. These days, work can easily become overwhelming. Not only do our employers expect more but we pressure ourselves to perform at our best, spending extra time to get ahead or make more money. It's easy to get into a rut at work, to let the responsibilities of the job take over the enjoyment of the career choice.
In researching this topic, the author discovered that working hard, especially when pursuing challenging or novel activities, was a source of happiness in itself. A challenge inspires us and pushes us to reach our full potential. The sense of satisfaction for a job well done is unmatched. Enthusiasm for our work translates into a willingness to practice and a desire to improve. This in turn makes us happy.
But, are we all lucky enough to be in a job that we love? How easy is it to choose a different career path after years of working in the same field? Discovering our talent and passion, then pursuing it requires courage, education and some sort of financial stability, especially when making a change later in life.
In any case, why wait...life is short, so we might as well be doing a job we love, in a field where we can network with others who enjoy the same type of work. And, who says we have to be crazy about every aspect of our job on a daily basis?
Give yourself permission to have good times and bad times in anything you do. I think you'll find the good will far outweigh the bad and you'll be happier for having tried.
In researching this topic, the author discovered that working hard, especially when pursuing challenging or novel activities, was a source of happiness in itself. A challenge inspires us and pushes us to reach our full potential. The sense of satisfaction for a job well done is unmatched. Enthusiasm for our work translates into a willingness to practice and a desire to improve. This in turn makes us happy.
But, are we all lucky enough to be in a job that we love? How easy is it to choose a different career path after years of working in the same field? Discovering our talent and passion, then pursuing it requires courage, education and some sort of financial stability, especially when making a change later in life.
In any case, why wait...life is short, so we might as well be doing a job we love, in a field where we can network with others who enjoy the same type of work. And, who says we have to be crazy about every aspect of our job on a daily basis?
Give yourself permission to have good times and bad times in anything you do. I think you'll find the good will far outweigh the bad and you'll be happier for having tried.
Feb. 4, 2010 - Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
A friend at school showed me this amazing book today about "Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide." Oprah invited the authors to speak about the book on a recent show which aired on Dec. 1, 2009. The book is also featured in Oprah Magazine and on her website. The website article proposes three things that we can do on a global level to help women who are oppressed - make girls smarter, support a woman's business and keep a girl in school.
The book is full of stories of the worst incidents of violence, oppression, and rape that I have ever read. I had goosebumps while reading the story of Tererai who was not allowed to go to school because she had to do the household chores. Her brother was forced to attend but he didn't care and never did his homework or paid attention to his studies. When he brought his books home, Tererai taught herself to read and write and completed his homework for him - until the teacher found out the truth. The teacher went to her parents to explain and Tererai was allowed to attend for some months. However, her father quickly married her off at the age of 11 and her husband beat her and refused to allow her to return to school. The story gets worse from there.
It's hard to believe that in today's society of endless opportunities and possibilities that there are still places in the world where oppression occurs. How sad it is to see our own youth not caring about school when so many other children would do anything to get an education. For them education means freedom. If only my students realized how fortunate they truly are.
The book can be purchased from Oprah's website where a portion of the proceeds will go to support women in need around the globe. I'm placing my order today and look forward to reading more about this important topic soon.
The book is full of stories of the worst incidents of violence, oppression, and rape that I have ever read. I had goosebumps while reading the story of Tererai who was not allowed to go to school because she had to do the household chores. Her brother was forced to attend but he didn't care and never did his homework or paid attention to his studies. When he brought his books home, Tererai taught herself to read and write and completed his homework for him - until the teacher found out the truth. The teacher went to her parents to explain and Tererai was allowed to attend for some months. However, her father quickly married her off at the age of 11 and her husband beat her and refused to allow her to return to school. The story gets worse from there.
It's hard to believe that in today's society of endless opportunities and possibilities that there are still places in the world where oppression occurs. How sad it is to see our own youth not caring about school when so many other children would do anything to get an education. For them education means freedom. If only my students realized how fortunate they truly are.
The book can be purchased from Oprah's website where a portion of the proceeds will go to support women in need around the globe. I'm placing my order today and look forward to reading more about this important topic soon.
Feb. 3, 2010 - Boost Your Immunity by Stacey Colino, Real Simple magazine
"Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings." This quote by Publilius Syrus, a writer of Latin maxims, begins the article on boosting your immunity in the December 2008 issue of Real Simple magazine. Now, you may be wondering why I am currently reading something that is so clearly out of date. Unfortunately, I don't get around to reading my magazines as quickly as I would like. In addition, I keep older issues of Real Simple magazine as many of their articles are relevant no matter what the year, which is the case here.
The article offers 10 "proven" strategies to help you stay healthier over the winter season. These include minding the fat, staying in motion, eating plenty of protein, showing off your musical talents, fitting into your skinny jeans (ie. losing weight), petting something fluffy (like an animal), getting three colours in every meal, resolving to really relax, eating good bacteria and making late nights an exception. Mind you, none of these are really a surprise - we all know what we should do. But, what do we actually do?
I connected immediately to the suggestion of getting to bed earlier through my happiness project goals and also because of school. At our school, we've been trying to get the kids to be on time. One of the strategies my class discussed was that of going to bed earlier and getting things ready the night before. Well. what's good for the goose, is good for the gander and if it helps all of us stay healthier, so much the better.
Another connection I made was to showing off your musical talents. I play the violin in a community orchestra as well as teaching music at school. Recently, I've been asked to play with another orchestra for an upcoming opera gala. The joy I felt at not only being asked but also the opportunity to perform one of my favourite tenor arias from the Pearl Fishers by Bizet boosted my happiness levels immediately. Any time I pick up my violin to play, it always gives me peace and enjoyment. I even find my students calmer and happier after music class. They always leave the room singing the pieces we just played. Behavioural issues are few in strings class even with students who normally have difficulty. Now, to discover that studies have shown a correlation between music and good health, is no surprise and an added benefit to an inspiring and heartfelt experience.
The article offers 10 "proven" strategies to help you stay healthier over the winter season. These include minding the fat, staying in motion, eating plenty of protein, showing off your musical talents, fitting into your skinny jeans (ie. losing weight), petting something fluffy (like an animal), getting three colours in every meal, resolving to really relax, eating good bacteria and making late nights an exception. Mind you, none of these are really a surprise - we all know what we should do. But, what do we actually do?
I connected immediately to the suggestion of getting to bed earlier through my happiness project goals and also because of school. At our school, we've been trying to get the kids to be on time. One of the strategies my class discussed was that of going to bed earlier and getting things ready the night before. Well. what's good for the goose, is good for the gander and if it helps all of us stay healthier, so much the better.
Another connection I made was to showing off your musical talents. I play the violin in a community orchestra as well as teaching music at school. Recently, I've been asked to play with another orchestra for an upcoming opera gala. The joy I felt at not only being asked but also the opportunity to perform one of my favourite tenor arias from the Pearl Fishers by Bizet boosted my happiness levels immediately. Any time I pick up my violin to play, it always gives me peace and enjoyment. I even find my students calmer and happier after music class. They always leave the room singing the pieces we just played. Behavioural issues are few in strings class even with students who normally have difficulty. Now, to discover that studies have shown a correlation between music and good health, is no surprise and an added benefit to an inspiring and heartfelt experience.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Feb. 2, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
"Bad marriage habits" - the term itself evokes feelings of guilt and remorse. It's easy to fall into a routine of mundane existence without thought for the needs of your spouse, focussing on getting jobs done rather than relationships. And, when kids are involved, the attention shifts entirely to their needs, with little time left to enjoy as a couple. I can't remember the last time my husband and I went out for dinner or to a movie, just the two of us.
At this point, Gretchen's "Week of Extreme Nice" sounds like a great idea as well as an insurmountable challenge. Would I be able to keep this up for an entire week? Could I ignore the irksome habits of my husband for this length of time? Could I stop nagging and pointing out mistakes? I think it is worth a try. Certainly, going to bed earlier has helped me feel less tired and irritated so perhaps this is a good time to attempt this strategy.
Maybe my husband is attempting the "week of extreme nice" even though he isn't reading this book. When I think of all the little things (and sometimes big things) he does for me, it really does make the problems seem insignificant. He sets my coffee for me each night so that it is ready in the morning. He makes my lunch every day. He cooks, which is a huge bonus, and on top of that even does the grocery shopping. This week, he even did laundry because I was so busy that he wanted to make the week easier. Today, he prepared tea and a snack for me to take to the workshop I was teaching after school. He brags about me and praises me when speaking to his mother. There are so many "proofs of love" here that I sometimes take for granted.
Mind you, he may sound like the perfect husband, but I assure you, he does have his faults. In the end, I am very fortunate to have his love, help and support.
At this point, Gretchen's "Week of Extreme Nice" sounds like a great idea as well as an insurmountable challenge. Would I be able to keep this up for an entire week? Could I ignore the irksome habits of my husband for this length of time? Could I stop nagging and pointing out mistakes? I think it is worth a try. Certainly, going to bed earlier has helped me feel less tired and irritated so perhaps this is a good time to attempt this strategy.
Maybe my husband is attempting the "week of extreme nice" even though he isn't reading this book. When I think of all the little things (and sometimes big things) he does for me, it really does make the problems seem insignificant. He sets my coffee for me each night so that it is ready in the morning. He makes my lunch every day. He cooks, which is a huge bonus, and on top of that even does the grocery shopping. This week, he even did laundry because I was so busy that he wanted to make the week easier. Today, he prepared tea and a snack for me to take to the workshop I was teaching after school. He brags about me and praises me when speaking to his mother. There are so many "proofs of love" here that I sometimes take for granted.
Mind you, he may sound like the perfect husband, but I assure you, he does have his faults. In the end, I am very fortunate to have his love, help and support.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Feb. 1, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
The other day, I found myself discussing Gretchen Rubin's book with two of my friends at school. I even brought in the copy I had from the library for them to peruse. Both of my friends were extremely interested, to the point that one of them went out and bought two copies - one for herself and one for me. What a nice gesture. Now we are both reading it and setting goals for ourselves. It's wonderful because not only are we inspired by Gretchen's journey but by our own personal findings. My other friend reported to me today that she is setting one specific goal each month, then adding another goal after the first has become a habit. She is also focussing on getting to bed earlier. With the three of us working on this project, it's great to be able to discuss our successes and failures. It inspires us to stick to our plan, knowing that we have support along the way.
My second goal, to exercise more frequently, is also one that my friend is tackling. I recently gave up my gym membership because I found I couldn't get to the club enough for it to be worthwhile. Instead, my husband and I bought an elliptical and set it up in the basement. One of the benefits of belonging to a club, is that another friend and I used to go together. Now that I'm not going, who will inspire me to show up? I do have self-discipline but everyone needs a boost once in a while. So, my friend and I decided to exercise together while in our own homes. (She has a treadmill in her basement.) We chose 3 nights during the week and made a pact to call each other just before starting. Sometimes, we talk on the phone while we exercise, other times, we watch a show and call each other afterwards to discuss it. Neither of us has to leave the house, but we still complete our exercise.
Just as The Happiness Project has inspired me, so I have helped my friends through reading and discussing Gretchen Rubin's wonderful experiment. I know it will make a difference in our lives and we have already begun to see the benefits.
My second goal, to exercise more frequently, is also one that my friend is tackling. I recently gave up my gym membership because I found I couldn't get to the club enough for it to be worthwhile. Instead, my husband and I bought an elliptical and set it up in the basement. One of the benefits of belonging to a club, is that another friend and I used to go together. Now that I'm not going, who will inspire me to show up? I do have self-discipline but everyone needs a boost once in a while. So, my friend and I decided to exercise together while in our own homes. (She has a treadmill in her basement.) We chose 3 nights during the week and made a pact to call each other just before starting. Sometimes, we talk on the phone while we exercise, other times, we watch a show and call each other afterwards to discuss it. Neither of us has to leave the house, but we still complete our exercise.
Just as The Happiness Project has inspired me, so I have helped my friends through reading and discussing Gretchen Rubin's wonderful experiment. I know it will make a difference in our lives and we have already begun to see the benefits.
Jan. 31, 2010 - The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Following in Gretchen Rubin's footsteps, I am attempting to set some personal goals by beginning my own "Happiness Project". This month I am focussing on increasing my energy levels by concentrating on two goals - getting to bed earlier (which includes not falling asleep on the couch) and exercising regularly.
In the evening, I often stay up too late trying to accomplish any number of household or school-related jobs. At other times, I stay up in order to have some time to myself after my husband and girls have gone to bed. In either case, being too active in the evening doesn't allow me to wind down and get ready for sleep. This week, I am ensuring that I relax well before bed time. Some jobs don't get finished but there is always tomorrow. I have also discovered that if I stay up much past 11:00 p.m., I get my second wind and then can't sleep until after 2:00 p.m. This sets up a vicious cycle of sleep depravity that causes me to be tired all day long.
So far, it has been a week and I am happy to report that for the most part I am accomplishing my goal. Some nights haven't been as early as others and one night I didn't sleep well because I was sick but otherwise I have been successful. I feel much more rested and energetic which has led to even better productivity. There are only 24 hours in each of our days and I know that using more of these hours to sleep has definitely helped make my daily life happier and more productive.
In the evening, I often stay up too late trying to accomplish any number of household or school-related jobs. At other times, I stay up in order to have some time to myself after my husband and girls have gone to bed. In either case, being too active in the evening doesn't allow me to wind down and get ready for sleep. This week, I am ensuring that I relax well before bed time. Some jobs don't get finished but there is always tomorrow. I have also discovered that if I stay up much past 11:00 p.m., I get my second wind and then can't sleep until after 2:00 p.m. This sets up a vicious cycle of sleep depravity that causes me to be tired all day long.
So far, it has been a week and I am happy to report that for the most part I am accomplishing my goal. Some nights haven't been as early as others and one night I didn't sleep well because I was sick but otherwise I have been successful. I feel much more rested and energetic which has led to even better productivity. There are only 24 hours in each of our days and I know that using more of these hours to sleep has definitely helped make my daily life happier and more productive.
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