I grew up with Hello Kitty. Cute. But after a certain age, it's just cute to look at, but I don't need to be surrounded by it. Yes, even an adult can tire of a kitty with no mouth because she speaks from the heart.
However, the latest tredn in Taiwan, Hello Kitty maternity wards. Hello kitty decorations, blankets...you name it, it's there. Check out the picture:
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/articleslideshow?articleId=USTRE4B41WG20081205&channelName=lifestyleMolt#a=2
Apparently, they made a ward like this to "ease" child bearing for women. Honestly, if I was stuck in that room while in labour, I'd snap! Or maybe, they want women to snap so they'll push harder and quicker.
This hospital is definitely in the WTF category.
Monday, January 26, 2009
New Year
It is the first day of the Chinese New Year, I think year 4,707...something like that. And it's the year of the Ox. My husband is an ox so it's totally his year. But apparently, it's such an auspicious year that he actually has to curb some of that special light that comes down from the gods so that it doesn't actually overcome him or where he's given so much luck that it's unlucky. Something like that.
Anyways, I bought my hubby two charms made of jade. One was a rooster and one was a snake. These are small charms to ward off bad spirits...they are friends with the Ox. I asked him to put one by his computer and one at his office. And he was so funny...he asked where the 3rd one was. Huh? And he said, "one for my car." Guess I better get on that.
I'm a Tiger. More specifically, a wood tiger. Of course, I wanted to read some predictions to see what type of year to expect. Usually they have a bunch of good things and then they sandwich it with a bad thing or two. Ummm. Wood tigers are going to have a CRAP year. Every facet that they predicted, i.e. health, money, career, etc....pretty much terrible. I think I might have been given a poor or fair rating in some category. And that was the good news. Holy smokes. Given all these bad predictions, I better get a shrine of charms.
However, on my first day of the new year, the patullo bridge was fixed well ahead of schedule. That in itself was a miracle considering we all thought it was going to be 4-6 weeks. Work was kick ass good. Everything I needed to accomplish, and there was a very large to do list, was completed. Everybody I needed to contact was there. And nobody gave me attitude today. The drive home was great. The girls and I had some good quality time. And I got a quick back massage from my husband. I needed one.
I hope the rest of the year stays this way. Or maybe that's just the universe's way of playing a cruel joke on me....
Anyways, I bought my hubby two charms made of jade. One was a rooster and one was a snake. These are small charms to ward off bad spirits...they are friends with the Ox. I asked him to put one by his computer and one at his office. And he was so funny...he asked where the 3rd one was. Huh? And he said, "one for my car." Guess I better get on that.
I'm a Tiger. More specifically, a wood tiger. Of course, I wanted to read some predictions to see what type of year to expect. Usually they have a bunch of good things and then they sandwich it with a bad thing or two. Ummm. Wood tigers are going to have a CRAP year. Every facet that they predicted, i.e. health, money, career, etc....pretty much terrible. I think I might have been given a poor or fair rating in some category. And that was the good news. Holy smokes. Given all these bad predictions, I better get a shrine of charms.
However, on my first day of the new year, the patullo bridge was fixed well ahead of schedule. That in itself was a miracle considering we all thought it was going to be 4-6 weeks. Work was kick ass good. Everything I needed to accomplish, and there was a very large to do list, was completed. Everybody I needed to contact was there. And nobody gave me attitude today. The drive home was great. The girls and I had some good quality time. And I got a quick back massage from my husband. I needed one.
I hope the rest of the year stays this way. Or maybe that's just the universe's way of playing a cruel joke on me....
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Stuff
I was dreading the start of this week as there were a couple of things I just didn't want to deal with. I had to help proctor a board this week...but one of the exams and interviews was via videoteleconference. Let's just say my last attempt was BRUTAL and it didn't work. I needed this to work this time as the Assistant Deputy General (WHATEVER the title is)was flying out from Ottawa to be part of the interview. Well, thanks to people I've never met, they made it happen and everything went smoothly.
But then there were the other interviews that were being conducted in the office. Dealing with the candidate's anxiety was difficult because I don't want many of them to actually be managers in my office. Yet, as people trying to better themselves, I couldn't help but root for them. And I finally completed all the proctoring today...and I'm tired. It's just draining work that takes a long time.
However, I took a step back and realized again that my worries are small in the grand scheme of things. I know I need to step back more often to not take things for granted. And things happened the last couple of days that made me realize this.
First of all, the inauguration of Barrack Obama. Wow. What a moment! What history. Geez. I was crying my little eyes out when I heard At Last too. It's the first time I truly listened to the words and I thought how perfect for the 44th President of the US of A.
Of course, there are so many things that happen to people at the office that I'm humbled by. We had a new baby born and he's CUTE. Big ass feet. No wonder the mom wanted him out. And there was a baby lost when I finally found out my co-worker and friend had a miscarriage.
A co-worker of mine had a close friend pass away tragically. A co-worker and friend that is feeling the stress of all that is all around her and just needs a little break from it all.
That's just the tip of the iceberg of life at the office. But I realize that's also life. As I step back, I realize how lucky I am that my life is "stable." Perhaps it's a life that someone could look at and say it was boring and mundane. But I'm ok with that. Not having drama in my life is such a blessing as I can just live.
But then there were the other interviews that were being conducted in the office. Dealing with the candidate's anxiety was difficult because I don't want many of them to actually be managers in my office. Yet, as people trying to better themselves, I couldn't help but root for them. And I finally completed all the proctoring today...and I'm tired. It's just draining work that takes a long time.
However, I took a step back and realized again that my worries are small in the grand scheme of things. I know I need to step back more often to not take things for granted. And things happened the last couple of days that made me realize this.
First of all, the inauguration of Barrack Obama. Wow. What a moment! What history. Geez. I was crying my little eyes out when I heard At Last too. It's the first time I truly listened to the words and I thought how perfect for the 44th President of the US of A.
Of course, there are so many things that happen to people at the office that I'm humbled by. We had a new baby born and he's CUTE. Big ass feet. No wonder the mom wanted him out. And there was a baby lost when I finally found out my co-worker and friend had a miscarriage.
A co-worker of mine had a close friend pass away tragically. A co-worker and friend that is feeling the stress of all that is all around her and just needs a little break from it all.
That's just the tip of the iceberg of life at the office. But I realize that's also life. As I step back, I realize how lucky I am that my life is "stable." Perhaps it's a life that someone could look at and say it was boring and mundane. But I'm ok with that. Not having drama in my life is such a blessing as I can just live.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Teachers
Today is Thursday. And Thursdays are my French class. The teacher is a really great guy, always has the interests of the students...and ever so patient. He doesn't get paid enough to be with us sometimes. Yeah. We can be that bad at the language.
This class was actually the first class of the new semester for us. After Christmas break, after all the drinking and eating, and non-studying. One of the first questions he asked was whether or not we opened our French books and he wanted honesty. Wow. That's deviating from the "how was your break" question. Everyone answered and basically only 1 person actually studied. Good on them, bad on the rest of us. But Christmas is a crazy time and I just didn't have the energy.
Well, he was happy we answered honestly, then we all got our asses kicked. Holy smokes, full on lecture how studying is important and how he feels guilty when we don't well. He wonders if he's not taught us well or if he didn't teach us something. As a teacher, it's his job and his hopes for us to do well. But he can only do so much if we don't do our part. "I know you have lost some motivation and are not studying nearly or at all. There is no point leaving your French books in the office and not looking at them. It's a waste of your time and mine. I can tell you guys didn't open your books because I marked your exams. Yes, they were THAT bad. Your test scores totally reflected how much you studied. From now on, this is how it's going to be in this class if you want to learn."
So imagine my surprise when I got 88%. Hey, it's not 100% and I'm not bragging here. After getting the lecture, I thought I had failed miserably. Many of the people did do poorly in the exam and we're talking about close to failing. However, some of these folks weren't at half of the classes or they didn't study. This isn't a criticism. These folks fully admitted it.
At the end of the class, I was pretty whipped. But my teacher wanted to speak to me. Yeesh. Am I getting another ass whooping? Hee hee...he was so funny...he asked me what he thought of his lecture. Was it too strict? Did he come across as a changed teacher? And honestly, no. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have said anything. And I explained that I really felt that this French class was a privelage, not a right or entitlement. Then he laughed. "Good, we are on the same page. This is our little secret. I did all that not because I don't like all of you. I just wanted to motivate and scare some people in the class so that they will do better. Some really just need a small push right now. So if they come to you and ask why I am being mean, tell them it's because the teacher wants them to do well."
Now, if we could have all had great teachers like this throughout our lives.
This class was actually the first class of the new semester for us. After Christmas break, after all the drinking and eating, and non-studying. One of the first questions he asked was whether or not we opened our French books and he wanted honesty. Wow. That's deviating from the "how was your break" question. Everyone answered and basically only 1 person actually studied. Good on them, bad on the rest of us. But Christmas is a crazy time and I just didn't have the energy.
Well, he was happy we answered honestly, then we all got our asses kicked. Holy smokes, full on lecture how studying is important and how he feels guilty when we don't well. He wonders if he's not taught us well or if he didn't teach us something. As a teacher, it's his job and his hopes for us to do well. But he can only do so much if we don't do our part. "I know you have lost some motivation and are not studying nearly or at all. There is no point leaving your French books in the office and not looking at them. It's a waste of your time and mine. I can tell you guys didn't open your books because I marked your exams. Yes, they were THAT bad. Your test scores totally reflected how much you studied. From now on, this is how it's going to be in this class if you want to learn."
So imagine my surprise when I got 88%. Hey, it's not 100% and I'm not bragging here. After getting the lecture, I thought I had failed miserably. Many of the people did do poorly in the exam and we're talking about close to failing. However, some of these folks weren't at half of the classes or they didn't study. This isn't a criticism. These folks fully admitted it.
At the end of the class, I was pretty whipped. But my teacher wanted to speak to me. Yeesh. Am I getting another ass whooping? Hee hee...he was so funny...he asked me what he thought of his lecture. Was it too strict? Did he come across as a changed teacher? And honestly, no. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have said anything. And I explained that I really felt that this French class was a privelage, not a right or entitlement. Then he laughed. "Good, we are on the same page. This is our little secret. I did all that not because I don't like all of you. I just wanted to motivate and scare some people in the class so that they will do better. Some really just need a small push right now. So if they come to you and ask why I am being mean, tell them it's because the teacher wants them to do well."
Now, if we could have all had great teachers like this throughout our lives.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Ohms and such
So, I blogged about my ass setting off the iPod speaker player thingy. I'm so technical today. I've run to my husband each time freaking out. Guess I bugged him enough that he decided to find out what the heck was going on.
He's a very logical guy so he tried to "recreate" the situation by sitting on the john a number of times. I can only imagine how many times. But it was well worth it. He's figured out that my ass really isn't electrifying. It's actually the electricity hook up...when I turn on the light in the washroom, I guess the electricity flows or something to where the iPod thingy is hooked up (I'm so not an electrician or geek). It takes about a second and a half...enough time for me to just sit on the toilet and just when the music starts up.
I was getting to the point where I thought I'd have to talk to the spirits or something...you know, how all the shows tell you to tell spirits to get lost? "Don't bother me, you need to go away."
Well, thanks to my smarty husband, no spirit talk is needed and logic prevails.
He's a very logical guy so he tried to "recreate" the situation by sitting on the john a number of times. I can only imagine how many times. But it was well worth it. He's figured out that my ass really isn't electrifying. It's actually the electricity hook up...when I turn on the light in the washroom, I guess the electricity flows or something to where the iPod thingy is hooked up (I'm so not an electrician or geek). It takes about a second and a half...enough time for me to just sit on the toilet and just when the music starts up.
I was getting to the point where I thought I'd have to talk to the spirits or something...you know, how all the shows tell you to tell spirits to get lost? "Don't bother me, you need to go away."
Well, thanks to my smarty husband, no spirit talk is needed and logic prevails.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Odd
I have no idea what is going on, but it's weird. I bought my husband an iPod speaker system or whatever the hell it's called for his iPod. I figured that he could listen to his music on his iPod while taking a shower. We don't have a radio in the washroom. The system also has a remote control too so if he's somewhere else in the vicinity, he could use it to change up the music/radio, whatever.
But here's the odd part and I SWEAR this is the honest truth...almost everytime I sit on the toilet in the master suite, the system goes on. I told my husband about it and he thought that maybe because the remote is nearby, I'm jarring it so it is then sending a signal to the system. So, he was smart and he moved it. Imagine my surprise when I went to the washroom and the damn thing went on...again! And of course, the volume is up high so I'm freaking out.
I ran out to tell my husband and he just can't figure how I'm doing it. And really, why the heck would I lie about something like this?!! It's so freaky but amusing at the same time. My husband also has a theory that maybe it's my stomping around (something I call walking) that may be jarring the system. WEIRD.
But here's the odd part and I SWEAR this is the honest truth...almost everytime I sit on the toilet in the master suite, the system goes on. I told my husband about it and he thought that maybe because the remote is nearby, I'm jarring it so it is then sending a signal to the system. So, he was smart and he moved it. Imagine my surprise when I went to the washroom and the damn thing went on...again! And of course, the volume is up high so I'm freaking out.
I ran out to tell my husband and he just can't figure how I'm doing it. And really, why the heck would I lie about something like this?!! It's so freaky but amusing at the same time. My husband also has a theory that maybe it's my stomping around (something I call walking) that may be jarring the system. WEIRD.
Houses
I've been watching Flip This House a bit lately. It's just kind of fun...taking a junker, fixing it up and selling it off for a profit. I like the idea but I definitely don't have that cash lying around nor do I have the manpower to get work done like that. And I really don't think my heart could take that kind of stress. EEEKS. That many thousands on over runs, etc...would make me cry way too many times.
Each time I watch the show, I'm actually quite amazed at what they can do with the house. But the one thing that pisses me off is why then can't spend an extra $10 to get some decent light fixtures. Really, for an extra $10-$50, that can be a real selling feature for the house. It really is the finishing touch that can make all the difference. Cheap out when you can, but don't cheap out on things that can make that much of a difference.
It's a good thing I'm not on that show...I'd be all over them about this.
Each time I watch the show, I'm actually quite amazed at what they can do with the house. But the one thing that pisses me off is why then can't spend an extra $10 to get some decent light fixtures. Really, for an extra $10-$50, that can be a real selling feature for the house. It really is the finishing touch that can make all the difference. Cheap out when you can, but don't cheap out on things that can make that much of a difference.
It's a good thing I'm not on that show...I'd be all over them about this.
Jewellery
Can a women ever have enough jewellery? I don't think so. Anything along the lines of diamond rings, pendants, bracelets, etc., are a good thing. But some like them more than others. I guess I've always liked the look of jewellery, but part of me feels silly wearing it. Weird, I know. And I'm quite picky about the stuff.
What jewellery would I wear regularly? Besides my wedding ring, I'm not sure. Maybe earrings? But my ears aren't pearced...and I'm way too chicken to get it done. Yep, I can have 2 kids but I can't get my ears pearced. At least Oprah got over her fears.
I have a feeling I'd opt for something else before I wanted jewellery. Just not that kind of gal.
What jewellery would I wear regularly? Besides my wedding ring, I'm not sure. Maybe earrings? But my ears aren't pearced...and I'm way too chicken to get it done. Yep, I can have 2 kids but I can't get my ears pearced. At least Oprah got over her fears.
I have a feeling I'd opt for something else before I wanted jewellery. Just not that kind of gal.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2009
It just frightens me how quickly time is going by. How can it be 2009 already? Well it is. So, what do I have to be thankful for? Can't say the list has changed too much from last year...but here goes:
* healthy family
* roof over my head
* food on the table (well, maybe a little too much but always better more than not enough)
* I'm working - with the crazy economy these days...I'm truly thankful for a regular pay cheque.
* family and friends that love and support me
* having had some neat experiences in life
* my kids are actually decent kids so far...let's hope this keeps up
Some big things to be thankful for...I'm sure there are so many other things. But I'm sure that your list will be very similar...and I sure hope so. And if so, may you also realize how happy I am for you.
* healthy family
* roof over my head
* food on the table (well, maybe a little too much but always better more than not enough)
* I'm working - with the crazy economy these days...I'm truly thankful for a regular pay cheque.
* family and friends that love and support me
* having had some neat experiences in life
* my kids are actually decent kids so far...let's hope this keeps up
Some big things to be thankful for...I'm sure there are so many other things. But I'm sure that your list will be very similar...and I sure hope so. And if so, may you also realize how happy I am for you.
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