Monthly Archives: October 2008

Is it over yet?

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According to the news, 73% of John McCain’s political ads contain a negative message about Barack Obama. And 61% of Barack Obama’s political ads contain a negative message about John McCain. It’s getting old and annoying. Why can’t politicians concentrate on the country they are going to rule, and the things they are going to do to fix what they think (and we see) is wrong. Oh well, what do I know?

This weekend I had the opportunity to hear a lot about politics in the 8-hour trip to and from Chicago. POTUS 08 was on our XM radio most of the time because John likes to be informed about what’s going on. And then I had to hear all of the candidates, their vice-president options and their wives. I’ve always said I don’t dislike John McCain, but after hearing his warmongering discourse and how he tries to attack his opponent in every single sentence that comes out of his mouth, I was more than disappointed.

And what I heard is probably just a tiny part of what the presidential candidates have to offer, but Joe Biden’s rally discourse in Colorado was refreshing. And Michelle Obama’s discourse in Ohio was directed to the real people who make this country without having to criticize McCain’s plan once. Sarah Palin is a joke, I am convinced, and McCain’s voice is simply annoying to my ears –and his fight, fight, fight lines make me sick.

I hope this country will seek the change it needs. I hope the people of this country will choose their leader wisely. But most of all, I hope this negative cloud goes away.

Books & Books Meme

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What was the last book you bought?
I think it was The Audicity of Hope by Barack Obama. It was on sale, and I’ve been curious about it. I also bought Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult that day.

Name a book you have read MORE than once:
The Little Prince — It is my favorite book ever, and I try to read it at least every year.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
I wouldn’t say fundamentally, but reading The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale helped to understand many things about life, and how my increasing faith can help me to achieve my goals.

How do you choose a book?
I always read the summary. If it doesn’t catch my eye, I put the book back on the shelf. I also read reviews, and follow friend recommendations. And I have to admit that I have faith in Oprah’s Book Club suggestions. ;-)

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
I like them both. A good historical novel will always entertain me — It’s a mix.

What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
If the writing is so beautiful that it is difficult for me to understand, then give me a simple written piece with a gripping plot. I like the ups and downs of a story. If it’s too plain, I simply give up.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Hassan, from The Kite Runner — He never lost faith in the people he loved. And he always believed in Amir’s friendship, trusting that one day he would come back and help him. I wish I had that ability.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, The Bible and Twilight (I can’t put it down!)

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
It was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. And Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks before that.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
I put Water for Elephants down because I couldn’t get interested in it. I’ll give it another try, though. Also The Jane Austen Book Club didn’t seem to do it for me.

The Global Diabetes Handprint

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Another great achievement for TuDiabetes.com:

Inspired by the Word in Your Hand™ Project started on TuDiabetes.com®, The Global Diabetes Handprint is bringing greater diabetes awareness to the world – and giving back to it in the process.

We invite you to join our growing community at DiabetesHandprint.com by writing the one word on your hand that best expresses what diabetes has meant in your life, taking a picture and sending it to us. Or design your own hand here on the site.

For every hand submitted to The Global Diabetes Handprint, a $5 donation will be made to one of two non-profit organizations – Diabetes Education and Camping Association or Taking Control of Your Diabetes. The choice is yours.

What Really Matters

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Sometimes, for whatever reason, you may feel like a failure. The reason is usually something that has nothing to do with who you are, but what you do. And what you do does not define you.

Like me; I had to quit my job this week. I was tired, I felt unchallenged and it was time to let it go. And while I’m 100% convinced it was the right thing to do, now that I’m looking for something else I start wondering about the way I do things and what I do. But like I said, what I do does not define me.

So after a long afternoon of interviews and filling out applications, I came home and scanned a bunch of photos I have from childhood friends and posted them on Facebook. In each photo, there’s a good memory. In each good memory, there’s a blessing. And every single one of of those friends are a blessing themselves. To receive their messages saying thank you, to know they feel the same way I feel when looking at the photos, that is what defines me… defines all of us.

Life is not about what kind of job you do, or how many professional accomplishments you have, or how much your bosses like you. Life is about looking back and realizing you’ve left good things in people’s hearts, and that the friends you’ve made are forever. Because to them, you gave your best. And that is your success.