Great Old Amusement Parks

Husband and I happened to watch a documentary "Great Old Amusement Parks" on Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) (http://history.amusement-parks.com/reviewgpap.htm) and here is a list of some of the great old amusement parks that are still open for business. Some of them are opened since the 17th century!

Idlewild & Soak Zone (Ligonier, PA) http://www.idlewild.com/

Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio) http://www.cedarpoint.com/

Coney Island (Brooklyn, New York) http://www.coneyisland.com/

Lake Compoung (Bristol, Connecticut) http://www.lakecompounce.com/

Kennywood Park (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania) http://www.kennywood.com/

Playland (Rye, New York) http://www.ryeplayland.org/

Oaks Park (Portland, Oregon) http://www.oakspark.com/

Belmont Park (San Diego, California) http://www.giantdipper.com/

Lake Winniepesaukah (Chattanooga, Tennessee) http://www.lakewinnie.com/

Lakeside Amusement Park (Denver, Colorado) http://www.lakesideamusementpark.com/

Lakemont Park (Altoona, PA) http://www.lakemontparkfun.com/

Note: Whalom Park (Lunenburg, Massachusetts) was closed in 2000. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whalom_Park

Eye Injury

This morning at 6:30am, husband dragged me to walk with him and daughter at the park. Although I was very sleepy, I agreed to go with them. I was so sleepy at the park that I told husband I need to rest in the car for a while. When I opened the door while half asleep, I stood too close to the car door and it bang into my eye glasses, which hit my left eye. I was in enormous pain and called out to husband. I told him that I might need to see a doctor if the pain persists.

Funny thing is the same type of injury happened to me about 11 years ago. That time I waited for 3 days before seeing a doctor while trying to endure the enormous pain. The doctor at the time said that there was a scratch on the cornea, and I should not have waited so long to see him.

11 years later, the same type of pain brought back this memory and I know that I'll need to see a doctor. I took a nap after we got home and when I woke up at about 11am, the pain was still very bad. Husband then took me and daughter to the ER department at the local hospital. We waited for about one and half hours before Dr. Allen saw me. He dropped a few drops of dye, eye wash and local anesthetia medicine in my left eye before examining it. He said that there is quite a bad scratch on the cornea, so it'll take about 1 week to get better. I'll probably will be in pain for the next 2-3 days. In the meantime, I need to stay away from light and just rest in a dark place as much as possible.

Lesson learned: Sometimes sleeping can do more good than exercise!

Why is that when we ask, Allah SWT does not grant us?

I received an email from the school's parent mailing list and it contains the following reminders for us.

Has Your Heart Died?

Abu Is’haq Ibrahim was once passing through a bazaar in Basrah when he was asked: “O Abu Is’haq, verily Allah has declared ‘Ask Me and I will grant you your requests.’ Why is that when we ask, He does not grant us?” Abu Is’haq replied: “It’s because your hearts have become dead, and this is due to ten reasons”.

Ten reasons why hearts die?

1. You have known who Allah SWT is, yet have not fulfilled your duties.
2. You have read the Qur’an, yet have not practiced upon it.
3. You have proclaimed the love of the Messenger, yet you have not followed his traditions (sunnah).
4. You have declared that satan is your enemy, yet you have stood with him.
5. You have declared your desire for paradise, yet you have done nothing to achieve it.
6. You have declared your fear of Hell, yet you have done nothing to escape it.
7. You have proclaimed that there is no escape from death, yet you do not prepare for it.
8. You have indulged in searching the faults of others, yet you have not looked for your own faults.
9. You have enjoyed all the blessings and bounties, yet you do not give Him due praise for it.
10. You have buried your dead but you have taken no lesson from it.

Dedication, Diligence and Faith

Yesterday I was called to sub for the 3rd grade teacher, Sr. Shorouq as she was out sick. It was nice to see the 3rd graders as they have always put on their best behavior whenever they were in the school library during last school year (I was the librarian then).

One of the them asked me when they can start visiting the school library and I told them they'll have to check with the new librarian. After this question, I told them that I will not be answering any more questions about the library since my job there was as a substitute teacher.

During my breaks between periods I got lots of questions about the handmade Eid cards from elementary, middle and high school students who saw me in the hallway. They wanted to know if they could purchase some and I felt bad to see the disappointment when they were told that the cards were sold out. But I was glad to see the surprise look on their face when they heard the words "sold out". As the saying goes "the early bird catches the worm".

A fifth grade student was one her way to the restroom, saw me there and we had a brief talk. She asked me about the cards and I told her they are sold out. She said that she was surprise at this because her initial thought about me selling 150 handmade cards were "not even one will be sold". I told her that I shared her thoughts too, and that I never imagine (and still couldn't believe it) that the cards would be gone within 2 hours on the second day of the sale. Before we parted, I told her that anyone who has the intention to help others sincerely, Allah SWT will provide the assistance to that person. I hope that this teaches her that dedicated, diligence and faith can help to make miracles come true for believers.

On a different note, a first grade student saw me in the hallway and we had the following conversation.

Student: Sister, why aren't you working in the library?
Me: I can't work in the library because my two year old daughter wants me to play with her.
Student: She wants you to play with her everyday?
Me: Yes.
Student: So when she goes to school, are you coming back to the library?

At this point, I don't really know what to say. She was looking so hopeful for a positive answer from me, but I told her that I'm not sure and will have to see about that. Sigh... it's moments like this that makes my heart ache.

Handmade Eid Cards Sold Out!

All praise be to Allah SWT, all 150 handmade cards are sold out. Personally I am touched by the wonderful and positive comments from teachers and students about the card designs. I don't think that there is anything that I would have done differently, except to make more card designs that I really like because they happen to be everyone's favorites too!

This project has been well-planned and organized thanks to the support of teachers. It has also taught me some vaulable lessons during the process:

1. Have confidence in your own products
Although I love the card designs that I made, I did not expect that others will share the same interest. Being a first time card designer, I think this experience has given me a confidence boost in my ability as an artist and a sales person. Also, I didn't quite believe my ears when teachers told me that I should charge more for the cards because they are made so well. In fact I thought that no one would buy them for one cent! Sr. Brenda even suggested that I start my own business and sell the cards at the mosque, and I'm deeply flattered by her support.

2. Listen to your customers
I try to pay attention to teachers and students feedback on how to make this type of fundraising event better. E.g. sell 3 cards for $2 (thanks to Sr. Elora), make more child-friendly cards (thanks to Sr. Shearin), and advertise early about the sale (thanks to several teachers). Allah SWT willing I hope to incorporate these suggestions in the next fundraising event.

3. Try not to bark at your customers
Many students couldn't resist taking a closer look at the cards, so they were jumping the queue and touching the cards when asked not to do so. I literally have to bark at them to curb their enthusiasm. Probably have to try a different strategy next time to control students better.

4. Be flexible
Most of the tables in the cafeteria, where the sale is held, are now used for the community's breaking fast event. So at the last minute I decided to lay the cards on the floor and use the banner as a barrier between the customers and the cards. While teachers are encouraged to examine the cards before purchasing them (since I know that they will have clean hands!), students are told to look but not touch them. This strategy worked really well, so I might adopt it again.

5. Acknowledgement
I'm a big supporter of giving credit to people who deserve it. For this project, I emailed to teachers and parents a list of teachers who purchased cards to show their support for the school since proceeds go to the school. I think sometimes parents don't realize how much money teachers spent on their students and classroom supplies from their own pocket. So I think it is important to hightlight those who made the special efforts, and many teachers told me they appreciate this simple but touching act.

6. Effective Marketing
I planned to sell cards for two days based on past experience. The first day of sale is to drum up customers' enthusiasm by showing them samples and informing them about the next day sale. So naturally sale is slow on the first day. The second day's strategy is to keep customers updated about the sale progress. When I told several teachers and students that cards are selling out fast, they were anxious that they may not have a chance to purchase the cards and I have to ensure them that I will save some for them. I also sent out daily emails to teachers and parents to remind them of the sale. I think people appreciate about being informed in a timely manner. Thanks to Sr. Shearin, I came up with a plan to let upper grade students who reserved some cards yesterday to grab them before they are sold out.

Yesterday a good friend from school, Sr. Malika, came to help me decorate the banner and cards. We had a good time chatting and our daughters (hers is almost four years old) played together.

This morning at around 7am I got a call from school to substitute for the 5th grade teacher. Actually I plan to be at school for about two hours to sell these handmade greeting cards. So I agreed to stand in for the teacher and just sell those cards during my free time. I managed to get to school by 8:10am, and was just in time to inform teachers and students about the cards sale during morning assembly. A dear friend, Sr. Massouda, helped me to hold up the banner while I made the announcement.

During my break I brought some samples to the teachers in the portables and told them about the sale. During lunch time I put out the cards in the cafeteria. I am glad to have 3 students from 5th grade to help me during the sale (I had a lucky draw to pick 3 students because most students wanted to help). All praise be to Allah SWT teachers and students who saw these cards were very impressed. Teachers who saw the cards thought that I should sell them at $1 or $2 each. I told them that the rest of the "unseen" proceeds will go to my account in heaven, Allah SWT willing. Many students looked like they are in a candy store (can't wait to get the cards and having difficulty picking one because they all love the cards that I made). They even asked me to reserve cards for them when they bring money tomorrow. When asked who made these cards, I told them proudly but humbly that I made them. Boy it felt good to own my own handmade products! Several teachers bought cards immediately after they saw them, and I'm thankful for their support.

My intention to sell these cards is to show students a way to support the school just by trying our best. Allah SWT willing tomorrow I will be able to sell all the cards.

Hope - A Cure for Devastation

On Monday, my sister's friend residing in Massachusetts called to check if we are alright after Hurricane Ike left a path of destruction in Galveston, Houston and other coast cities along the Gulf of Texas. I'm so glad to hear her voice and she was relieved when she heard that we are not affected by the hurricane. (I did asked her how I can stay sane with my 2 year old "mini hurricane" tearing up my things and giving me headache during meal times.)

Yesterday I heard on the public radio station about how a Galveston resident's parents would throw hurricane parties to ride out the storm whenever the city was threatened by this devastating weather phenomenon. Sometimes they would get so drunk that when the hurricane hit their home, they were too dipsy to realize the danger and be indifferent to the storm. Each time the house withstood the storm, his father would feel a sense of pride in beating the storm and surviving it. And it is also the feeling of hopefulness that he can rebuild whatever that was taken away by the storm.

Well as many as ten thousand Galveston residents chose to ride out hurricane Ike just like they've always done, except this time nothing much of their houses is left due to the category 2 hurricane's devastating effect. Many people need to be rescued from the fast rising water and at this time it is not certain how many may have drowned in their own homes.

I truly feel sorry for those who suffer tremendous loss to their homes and physical possessions. I hope they'll recover emotionally soon from the hurricane's effects and remember that they will always have wonderful memories of their lifes in their hearts. If I were to be from those areas, I do not know if I will want to return to live in those damaged areas, and I admire those who chose to live their lives bravely and are determine to rebuild their lives where their hearts are.

Sad Goodbye

My daughter's favorite words now are "No, thank you./Please stop." and "I like it."

The first phrase is used most often when I want to hug/am hugging her. Somewhere in her, a switch for "no hugging" has been turned on, and she doesn't like me to hug her as much as before.

The second phrase is most often said when she sees her favorite snack, dried dates. Husband and I break our fast with dates, so she follows us in the kitchen and says "I like it." when she wants to eat a date.

Although I'm glad that she is more independent now, for me it is a sad goodbye to the sweet clinging, eager-to-please personality.

Domestic Divas

Praise be to Allah SWT, yesterday morning I brought my daughter to visit an Arabic language teacher, Sr. Nahil, who used to teach at the school where I am subbing this year. She is just so cheerful, happy and energetic and kids at school love her. I got to know her better towards the end of the 2006-2007 school year and I regret not knowing more about her earlier. She decided to stay at home after that school year to spend more time with her son who is now in 7th grade. We both agreed that it is hard to adjust staying home after working outside for many years. The greatest challenge is to find interesting tasks that engages us intellectually and to shift our emphasis from professional fulfillment to domestic accomplishments. Think of this as transferring our love and passion from our workplace to our home, and let our love spill into our cooking, interior decorating, cleaning and washing.

Come to think of it, I am more at peace with myself since I stay home with my daughter. I can attend to my daughter's needs more readily and help to soothe my husband's stress level after a hard day's work. Even husband has begin to shower more praises to my cooking lately (and this really surprises me!). I have to agree with Sr. Nahil that when we put our heart and love into the home, that's when everyone benefits. This also echoes my dear sister's experience as a SAHM. I've seen the term "domestic diva" and I personally think this is a much more politically correst term than SAHM.

I am looking forward to bringing my daughter to Sr. Nahil for Arabic lessons regularly after Ramadan. I do hope to learn the language well enought to read the Holy Quran in the Arabic language.

ABCs of Love and Friendship

ABCs of Love and Friendship

A friend and true lover:
(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "HI"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffer support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains thing you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality

(Source: http://www.joke-archives.com/)

Murphy's Law (Murphy was an optimist.)

(Selected ones as seen on a poster.)

Murphy's Law (Murphy was an optimist.)

If you try to please everybody, nobody will like it.

You will always find something in the last place you look.

There's never time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over.

Beauty is only skin deep. Ugly goes to the bone.

To know yourself is the ultimate form of aggression. (Freudian psychology)

If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on.

In case of doubt, make it sound convincing.

Never argue with a fool, people might not know the difference.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN
by Robert Fulghum

(a guide for Global Leadership)

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

(Source: http://www.robertfulghum.com/)

I Am Me (a poem written for a teenager)

(Note: A lot of teenagers today do not have a sense of their purpose in life, and have poor self-image. I hope more will have a chance to read this poem and love themselves for who they are.)

"I Am Me" by Virginia Satir

I am me.
In all the world, there is no one exactly like me.
There are persons who have some parts like me,
but no one adds up exactly like me.

Therefore, everything that comes out of me
is authentically mine because I alone choose it.
I own everything about me

my body including everything it does;
my mind including all its thoughts and ideas;
my eyes including the images of all they behold;

my feelings whatever they may be...
anger,
joy,
frustration,
love,
disappointment,
excitement

my mouth and all the words that come out of it
polite,
sweet or rough,
correct or incorrect;

my voice loud or soft.
And all my actions, whether they be to others or to myself.

I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears.
I own all my triumphs and successes,
all my failures and mistakes.
Because I own all of me I can become intimately acquainted with me.
By doing so I can love me and be friendly with me in all parts.
I can then make it possible for all of me to work in my best interests.

I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me,
and other aspects that I do not know.
But as long as I am friendly and loving to myself,
I can courageously and hopefully, look for solutions to the puzzles
and for ways to find out more about me.

However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I thinkand feel at a given moment in time is me.
This is authentic and represents where I am in that moment in time.
When I review later how I looked and sounded, what I said and did, and how Ithought and felt, some parts may turn out to be unfitting.
I can discard that which is unfitting, and keep that which proved fitting,
And invent something new for that which I discarded.

I can see, hear, feel, think, say and do.
I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive,
and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me.
I own me, and therefore I can engineer me.

I am me and I am okay.

(Source: http://www.avanta.net/writings/i-am-me.html)

Just for Mom

(Seen on a poster)

Just for Mom

Remember when Mom was your whole world?

Moms are magnets. Mom is wow upside down. Give

your mom flowers on your birthday. Remember the womb.

Moms always have kleenex (tissue). We only get one mom -

we can adopt others. Moms are human beans too.

Waltz in the kitchen with mom. Moms are mythical,

memorable and marvelous. Go curl up near

your mom and tell stories. Wear chenille

bathrobes together. Moms worry peep.

Bake cookies and argue gently. Write

down all the reasons you're mad at her

and deal with them. Make a list of

all your favorite things about

your mom. Play cards together,

eat M&M's and laugh

until your cheeks hurt.

Forgive all the old

junk. Call your mom

and tell her you'll

love her forever.

Tell

her

now.

How to be An Artist

(Seen on a poster)

How to be an Artist

Stay loose.
Learn to watch snails.
Plant impossible gardens.
Invite someone dangerous to tea.
Make little signs that say YES! and post them all over your house.
Make friends with freedom and incertainty.
Look forward to dreams.
Cry during movies.
Swing as high as you can on a swingset, by moonlight.
Cultivate moods.
Refuse to "be responsible."
Do it for love.
Take lots of naps.
Give money away.
Believe in magic.
Laugh a lot.
Celebrate every gorgeous moment.
Take moonbaths.
Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams, and perfect calm.
Draw on the walls.
Read everyday.
Imagine yourself magic.
Giggle with children.
Listen to old people.
Open up.
Dive in.
Be free.
Bless yourself.
Drive away fear.
Play with everything.
Entertain your inner child.
You are innocent.
Build a fort with blankets.
Get wet.
Hug trees.
Write love letters.

Instructions for Life

Found this list of instructions for life that really works.

Instructions for Life
Author Unknown
http://skdesigns.com/internet/articles/prose/anon/instructions_for_life/

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Memorize your favorite poem.
3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
4. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
5. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
6. Believe in love at first sight.
7. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
8. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
9. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
10. Don't judge people by their relatives.
11. Talk slow but think quick.
12. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
13. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
14. Call your mom.
15. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
19. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
21. Marry a man you love to talk to. As you get older, his conversational skills will be as important as any other.
22. Spend some time alone.
23. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
24. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
25. Read more books and watch less TV.
26. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
27. Trust in God but lock your car.
28. A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
29. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
30. Read between the lines.
31. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
32. Be gentle with the earth.
33. Pray — there's immeasurable power in it.
34. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
35. Mind your own business.
36. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
37. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
38. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
39. Learn the rules then break some.
40. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
41. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
42. Remember that your character is your destiny.
43. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Take time to...

I saw this poem on one of the stamps sold at addictedtorubberstamps.com and really like it. It is a meaningful poem that I think everyone can benefit from if we put the pointers into practice, Allah SWT willing.

Take time to work, it is the price of success.
Take time to think, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read, it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream, it is hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to love and be loved, it is nourishment for the soul.
Take time to look around, it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the heart.

Author Unknown

Teaching is the best job ever!

I subbed for a 2nd grade teacher on Monday, and had a good time with the students. The teacher left a very detailed and well-planned lesson plan, so it was a breeze for me to be with the students. Since I worked at the school last year, most students know that I'll provide fun activities when they follow directions, and they tried to put up their best behavior. Some of them even made these beautiful cards for me! A student wrote in her card "I like you Sr. because you let us do a lot of activities and nice..." I felt so loved when I read that. Now I know why some people would agree that teaching is the best job ever! And I'm really looking forward to subbing again soon, Allah SWT willing.

Homeschool for us?

Husband and I have been discussing about the possibility of me homeschooling our daughter. I'm actually quite interested in this since I love to discover new things with my daughter. Allah SWT willing it will be fun and exciting for us to explore this world together. I found the following article that is really helpful in our decision-making process.

The ten most important thing you need to know about homeschooling

1. Homeschooling is life changing.
2. You are qualified to homeschool your children if you love to read to them, ... and, most important, love them.
3. Children love to learn.
4. Homeschooling is legal everywhere in the United States, but homeschooling laws vary from state to state.
5. It does not take six to eight hours a day to homeschool your child.
6. Your child will not become a social misfit.
7. You will not have to teach algebra unless you really want to.
8. You will question yourself a lot.
9. You do not have to starve or live in a tent to homeschool your children.
10. Trust in your children.

Source: http://www.homeschool.com/articles/mostimportant/default.asp

Alif, Ba, Ta, Tha..

All praise be to Allah SWT, I ordered this Arabic alphabet letters set (costs about $33) via Amazon.com and it arrived yesterday. Husband is very happy and immediately used it to teach our daughter the prounciation. This morning, he even helped me to remember the pronunciation. I hope that by providing hands-on tools to educate our daughter, it will be easier and learning will be more fun for her, Allah SWT willing.

Fundraising Idea

I'm thinking of selling handmade cards to students to raise funds for the school. I have not seen many types of Eid Mubarak card at Islamic bookstores, and even if they are on sale they cost at least $1.50 each. These two cards are simple to make, and I think the design is attractive. Students can purchase these cards for teachers, classmates, parents and friends. We'll see how it goes when I have a chance to talk to the school administration about this when I go to the school on Monday to sub for a 2nd grade teacher.

Positive Adjectives of People

A-Z Positive Adjectives of People:
(Thanks to suggestions from my dear sister and http://www.crosswordsolver.org/)

Artistic, awesome, amiable (possessing sweetness of disposition), attentive, affectionate, approachable, adventurous, analytical

Beautiful, brave, bashful, brilliant, brainy

Caring, creative, considerate, cheerful, congenial, contented, candid, careful, cooperative, confident

Diligent, dedicated, determined, dreamy, dependable, delightful

Elegant, energetic, earnest, easy-going, excited, expressive

Fun, forgiving, fearless, free-spirited, faithful, fair, flexible, friendly

Gorgeous, graceful, gracious, generous, gentle, glamorous, grateful, good-natured, genuine

Humble, helpful, honest, happy, humorous

Intelligent, inspiring, imaginative, invaluable, independent, intuitive

Jolly, joyous, joyful

Knowledgeable, kind, kindhearted, ka-wa-i (Japanese for cute)

Loving

Memorable, mesmorizing, mirthful, methodical

Nice, natural ability (to...), neat, nimble

Observant, one of a kind, on the ball, openhearted, organized, outgoing

Positive, prompt, patient, peaceful, pleasant, pure at heart, priceless, persistent, precise

Quiet, quick-witted

Reliable, responsible, respectful, righteous, resourceful

Selfless, sentimental, sincere, sweet, special, spontaneous, sharing, sensible, sensational, supportive, spiritual, sharp, sensitive

Talented, trustworthy, thoughtful, truthful, tenacious, thorough, terrific, tough, tactful, team player, thrifty

Understanding, undivided, undoubtedly (another adj.), unique, utterly (another adj.)

Virtuous, vigilant, vigorous, valuable

Wise, witty, wacky, warmhearted, watchfulness, wonderful

X-cellent

Yielding, yummy (food that you cook), you go gal

Zealous, zippy

Top 10 Reasons why Blogging is like Dating

Praise be to Allah SWT, I found this interesting article about the similarities between blogging and dating and they really make sense. I think that these pointers apply to different aspects of life e.g. applying for a job, starting a business etc.

Top 10 Reasons why Blogging is like Dating

1. First impressions are everything.
2. You should never pretend to be someone you aren’t.
3. Finding the one for you can take time.
4. A bad reputation can ruin your chances.
5. Good communication is essential.
6. You should concentrate on what you have in common.
7. “Playing the field” can get you into big trouble.
8. There’s nothing more attractive than self-confidence.
9. You’ll improve your chances for success if you make sure things are right in your life first.
10. Learning to love yourself makes it easier for others to love you.

Source: http://www.romancetracker.com/10-reasons-why-blogging-is-like-dating/

No need to be perfect lah! I'm not Martha Stewart...

My dear sister said that artists are perfectionists. They will keep on trying to achieve their perfect masterpiece and if they should fail, they will sink into depression. I kind of agree with her on this, so I'm glad to officially declare that although I am an artist at heart, I'm NOT a perfectionist. I didn't bother to cut the lantern in this card into a perfect oval shape and that didn't bother me at all (the lantern opens up to reveal a brief message inside). I love the color combination and how the Chinese lantern design contrasts with the Western manuscript. The cute trailing butterfly placed strategically next to the Japanese flower print completes the design (thanks to Heroarts for the inspiration). Like I always tell people: "I'm not Martha Stewart, so no need to be perfect lah!"

In fact, I think that imperfection reminds us that we are after all human, so why not take it easy on ourselves and others when it comes to making mistakes. I find that this attitude makes me more forgiving towards people. I do have to stress that if the same mistake is repeated umpteen times, that is "stupidity dude"!

Here are ten traits of a perfectionist according to a doctor who contributed an article to About.com :

1. All-or-nothing thinking

2. Critical eye

3. Pushing towards goals

4. Unrealistic standards

5. Focus on result

6. Depressed by unmet goals

7. Fear of failure

8. Procrasination

9. Defensiveness

10. Low self esteem

Source: http://stress.about.com/od/understandingstress/a/perfectionist.htm

Interesting web sites

I've been digging around for traditional prints and patterns on the internet and came across two interesting ones.

Honors Algebra II: Mr. Higgins' Honors Algebra II Class at Norwalk High School (07-08)
http://mrhiggins.net/algebra2/?m=200804
Don't miss: There is a clock that shows all of the numbers in order using three 9’s in each expresion. Someone that really enjoys nines needs to see this clock.


Korea Playing Cards (University of Waterloo)
http://www.gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/VirtualExhibits/Playing%20Cards/decks/korea/index.html
Note: Love the prints of the cards that are sorted by months of a year.

Sending love across the seas

Husband likes the handmade cards that I shown him yesterday. He asked if we could send one to his father, sister and brother in Malaysia and I said YES! I'm so glad that he likes my designs enough to send them to his family. This morning he wrote messages in two cards; one to his father and the other to his sister and brother. I also printed our latest photos and pasted them in the cards. Allah SWT tomorrow husband will mail out the cards and I hope that they reach his family in good condition.

Oriental Art Rubber Stamping

I bought a Japanese art rubber stamp and made these cards. Its a wonderful experience to use the rubber stamp to make handmade cards. For all my cards, I stamped "Handmade from the Heart", and they are truly labor of love.

Stamping Craze

These days I am hooked on the art of rubber stamping. Actually I have been interested in this art since school days. I have always thought of sending handmade cards to family and friends and rubber stamping is an inexpensive way to let my creativity flow. Thanks to youtube.com, I learnt several techniques to create beautiful cards from Hero Arts.

Since Ramadan is a special month for us, I made these cards for 25 female teachers and staff at the school where I sub. It took me about 2-3 hours to design the layout, print name tags, cut out the pattern, and assemble them.