Monday, December 30, 2013

Another Year of Books Done


Gretel's bookshelf: read

The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life
21 Days to Master Success and Inner Peace
Dad Is Fat
Feminist Ryan Gosling: Feminist Theory (as Imagined) from Your Favorite Sensitive Movie Dude
Happy, Happy, Happy
Choosing Glee: 10 Rules to Finding Inspiration, Happiness, and the Real You
The Demigod Diaries
The Demigod Files
Consider the Blessings
Rude Bitches Make Me Tired: Slightly Profane and Entirely Logical Answers to Modern Etiquette Dilemmas
Honeymoon in High Heels
United We Spy
Suit Up
Do Cool Sh*t: Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, and Live Happily Ever After
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook
Infamous
Naked Heat
Beautiful Ruins
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Just a Little Crush


Gretel's favorite books »

Monday, July 15, 2013

It's Okay to Quit

I follow this blog, The Ramble.  It was so unusual to see someone post about quitting and making it something positive.  I wanted to share. 


It’s okay to quit.

It’s okay to start something and decide that you don’t like it.

You can quit after 10 years. You can quit after one day.

Quitting doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you a human being.

Human beings sometimes change their minds.

It’s not so unusual to start a job with all the hopes in the world…and discover later that you’d rather do something else.

It’s okay to change your life.

Our culture is so obsessed with not quitting that I think sometimes we don’t recognize the value of doing just that. There’s a balance to be struck here.

Don’t quit just because it’s hard. Don’t quit just because it’s not happening fast enough. Don’t bail on people. But don’t be afraid to change either.

Sometimes quitting is the brave choice.

If your job is zapping your creativity and your self-esteem, quit. If your boyfriend is cheating, leave him. If you hate the city you live in, move. If that diet is making you feel weak and ill, change it. If you secretly hate your major, switch. If you feel totally lost, take a year off. Do something different.

Give yourself time.

Quitting isn’t always evil. And sticking it out isn’t always healthy.

Find your balance.

Quit.

Friday, June 28, 2013

State #46 - Nebraska


I'm just gonna say it.  I think I am allergic to Nebraska. 


I headed over to Historic Winter Quarters to visit the Mormon Trail Center and the Omaha Temple.  I started outside with taking pictures of the Temple. Then I opted to visit the cemetery as the 2 charter buses, of what I am pretty sure was a Youth Conference Group, showed up.  I opted to let them go inside while I got an uninterrupted visit outside.




I was outside about 30 minutes or so and I couldn't take it.  I thought I was going to die.  I was having a hard time breathing.  There could have been a tree or plant that I am allergic to but I am just allergic to Nebraska.  I'm sticking with that!

I found refuge in my air conditioned car.  I headed over to the city to check out the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.  I think 2013 should be named the Year of the Bridges.  The universe must be trying to cure me of my fears.  As cool as this one is, it did sway slightly.




Luckily, I got off before it became a problem for me.  The gist I got about the City of Omaha is that it is an older city trying to revitalize itself.  It's looking to bring in young families and young professionals.  It has a ways to go but there are some fun things to do here.  Lots of outdoor spaces, sports and it is home of Omaha Steaks. 


In case you were wondering, I did not have trouble breathing while in the City.  Makes no sense, but what does?

Thursday, June 27, 2013

State #45 - Kansas


Originally, I planned to drive up to Omaha first thing in the morning.  I was watching the weather very closely, trying to avoid rain and tornadoes.  It was nice and sunny in Kansas City so I opted to go ahead and visit things.

As a last minute search of other things to do in Kansas I saw the World War I Musuem at Liberty Memorial.  It was my favorite thing on the trip.  It started off well.  Free and easy parking and surrounded by a beautiful park and grounds.


Obviously the giant tower is the Liberty Memorial and underneath it is the Museum.  This Museum does cost but I thought it was worth it.  Wonderful exhibits, informative movies and some interactive exhibits.  It was such a wonderful crash course in the War and I learned alot.  I was surprised about how many visitors where not from the US and many not speaking English.  By the time I was to the end of the exhibits I understood why.  This War impacted them far worse then is really discussed in school.  I don't understand why this War isn't talk about more. 

Also, the Musuem is not so big that you couldn't do it pretty quick and there are a number of places to sit.


Don't forget to go up to the top level so you can see a wonderful view of the city.  If you want you can go up to the top of the tower but I'm pretty sure it is all stairs.


Before I headed up to Omaha I stopped at the Hallmark Visitors Center.  It sounds so much better then it is.  Luckily it was free and I was in and out in 15 minutes.  However it is in the same area (same parking) as the Legoland Discover Center, a shopping center and Sea Life Aquarium.  If you have kids or like the other things near by then stop in real quick.  Just don't make a whole trip of it. 


I did get some Kansas City BBQ.  It was room service but at least is was from a really nice restaurant that was in my hotel on Sunday night.  It was super yummy and I was happy that I was in my PJ's eating it.  I would like to go back to Kansas City and visit the Pres Library, the College Basketball Experience, the WW1 again and see a baseball game.  There are alot of things to do, see, eat and play with in Kansas City.  That is what a big city can do. 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

State # 44 - Missouri


In my first trip all by myself I went for 3 states.  Why not?  I had a Memorial Day Weekend to burn and I wanted to get away.

I opted for my planned visit to Kansas City.  Kansas City was built just for my crazy goals.  A big city that straddles two states and not far from another big city in another state.

I flew into Kansas City Airport, got my car, got some dinner and went to the hotel.  As noted in my earlier posts I got in earlier then expected.  That made my, worked all day and then traveled halfway across the country self, happy.

Saturday I made a quick stop in snap some pics of the Kansas City Temple and then off to Liberty Jail.

Visit the restored Liberty Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith spent approximately five months awaiting trial.

The visitor center is actually built around the jail to protect it.  It was a cool place to visit and didn't take much time.



Not far from Liberty Jail is the Independence Visitors' Center.  There are some other cool buildings near the Visitor's Center that are from other religions but I didn't take pictures.  I guess you will have to check it out for yourself.  On my way to the Visitor Center I saw the Presidential Library for Harry Truman.  I didn't get to go but I welcome the opportunity to visit another time.  Actually I did have time to go on Saturday and on Sunday but I was enjoying taking it easy and relaxing in my hotel when possible.

Now that I was done looping around Kansas City it was time to head into the City which was graciously located in Kansas.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Please Secure Loose Articles

If you have flown more then once you have stopped really paying attention to the safety demonstration.  You might be hearing what they are saying and watching but you aren't paying attention.

Naturally on this flight we got to see the video version of the safety demonstration.  The video started and I went right back to reading my book.  However a few seconds into it I heard some laughing.  Especially Channing over to my left.  I stopped my reading and noticed they were laughing at the safety video.  This is the first time in 5 years that I have paid attention to the safety demonstration.  It was so very entertaining (for a safety video that is).  Turns out there are two verisons on this funny video.  I'm going to share the one I saw.

I was so happy I got up to see if I could make it to this early flight!

 

Monday, June 10, 2013

Flight with Channing Tatum.

That caught your attention!
 
I am going to continue on with my flight stories from Atlanta to Kansas City.  The plane was a bigger plane to there were monitors in the headrests.  While the plane is on the ground and below 10,000 feet there are advertisements that flash on these monitors.  They are usually Delta advertisements or in-flight movie advertisements.  These monitors are the reason for my last two funnies. 
 
Across the aisle from me was this little family.  Mom, Dad, Little Girl, and Really Little Girl.  The Really Little Girl would point to the screen and tell her parents who or what was on the screen.  Cue the next advertisement.

 


The Really Little Girl points and says Daddy.  To which Dad responds happily, "Suuuure, Daddy looks like Channing Tatum!" 
 
 
It took everything inside me to not bust out laughing.  It was just so funny. 
 
In case you were wondering Daddy does not look like Channing Tatum.