Bringing the Village to work

I've worked as an Executive Assistant for many years at some big companies and I noticed something that really not only made hungry but made me interested in being part of the Village so to speak.

Different cultures of course may prepare and serve their food in many different ways and that's what makes the world interesting but what I noticed about my Philippine co-workers is instead of individually bringing their own lunches like the rest of us shmucks they all prepare a dish and then share it. They feast while the rest of us bring our leftovers, hit up a McDonalds, go pay for an expensive meal at a local restaurant or go to the nearest sandwich shop. I would usually bring some leftovers or get a sandwich next store, but I would watch these ladies and maybe one man feast on 10-12 dishes that each of them brought. Yum.

Making one dish either in the morning if you have time or prepare an extra dish the night before to bring can save alot of money. You figure you spend anywhere from $6-$15 on lunch depending on whether or not you like to do the restaurant thing with friends and associates so it really adds up.

Think about this though, you can bring your on village to the office and start with a group of co-workers who want to save money and eat better. If someone doesn't cook but is a beast on the Barbie well buy a bag of drumsticks for around $5. Someone makes a delish salad and you get the idea. If you make a group of 5-6 people imagine how well you will eat and you all saved money plus you are working together like a village does. Before its time to clean up their might even be enough for another plate. So load up, then clean up quickly together and back to work. Everybodies full and happy.  Happy feasting!

Wondering where God went?

So I was sitting here today trying to figure out what to do after losing my job nearly a month ago. Not the best feeling when you have two young kids at home. If it were just me it's no big deal. I can go anywhere and create another income quickly. Being a single Mom on the other hand you have to have security for them and things become more complicated when they are young and a preschool/daycare/provider is required.

It seems to hard enough for two parents to support kids let alone a single parent. If you are fortunate enough in these times to have an income that sustains all your expenses including care costs then you are alright. This year has been the hardest of all for me. Last year I lost a job due to funding issues then my new position was temporary so that ended in February. Two months later I was able to get another position but unfortunately since 2006 my income dropped to a 50% loss with the economy and lower income bracket for the new area I was in.

Many people are unable to afford a good preschool and I am not unwilling to sacrifice my child's education whether or not he is of school age. My kids have always attended a preschool that provided structure, child development, and cleanliness. I was able to find a preschool education that was covered by my insurance. One of my children needed early development and I actively sought it out and found it. Even though I have had some small milestones the past few years I have been wrought with an ocean of challenges with an unrelenting massive waves pounding the shores of my life.

One of my strengths has been knowing that things will always turn around and get better. I have always believed that there is something greater and more intelligent then us who is overseeing our every move. Are we going to live up to our greatest strengths provided by the unknown? OK so I was taught that their is a God and have seen miracles with my own eyes. Of course we have a ton of books, film, TV, and news outlets claiming many different scenarios whether scientific or spiritual in nature about how life came about, who we are, that there's a God, aliens brought us here, this is a matrix we're in, or we are just here and why do you need explanation?

Well I have rambled my way through this journal type blog post and that can be annoying so let me get to the point of why I posted this crap.  Someone close to me told me just last week that they did not believe that there is a God anymore. A long dialog followed as to why this was. The explanation was not as important as was the fact I felt some sort of disappointment inside as if my teacher just told me "I'd failed a math test and I should just give up because you have no sense of numbers and I can't teach you."  When a peer or leader tells us something that goes against what they have been saying all along it rocks your world  bit. Now I have always formed my own opinion so nothing anyone says can give me a final verdict. I have to be the one to research whatever I question and not by using wikipedia. It's funny how TV show writers will come up with ideas like "Supernatural" for instance where as the show goes on God seems to be less and less of a possibility and Angel Castiel has decided that God no longer exists. All the Angels were wiped out and so on.

Humans want to believe that there is a reprieve from life's storms and that God or the Universe provides reward to the faithful, signs to those who pay attention, love from above, and the list goes on. Oh yea there are those who believe that we create whatever world we live in and our attitude and thoughts mold the very life path you have.

As you ponder that I offer the last comment from the former believer to me just hours ago after I professed that in desperation I asked for a sign as to what to do and where to go just two months ago, a decision that was life changing. I thought the answer came just the next morning. I asked for a clear message so I went with it. I said to the former believer that I wish I had went with the other idea I had because now I feel stuck and things are continuing to get worse day by day. I feel I made the wrong decision. She replied with "Like I said and this is why I do not believe there is a God anymore, Laurie you have to make your own decisions."

The decision seemed logical to me. How was I to know I'd lose my job and possibly a second home in one year? To me the answer or so called sign I got seemed sound. God wanted me to stay in Vegas. Ha ha ha. I have yet to see any reason what so ever, but anyway if God is on vacation then don't forget to write or send a postcard.

Remembering WTC

I wrote this on September 11, 2003 and thought I would share since Sept is almost here:

I was standing on a subway platform waiting for a train thinking about my failing relationship when I noticed a very handsome man looking over at me. I can’t remember very well but I think I asked him for the time. The wat...ch that my boyfriend had given was broken. We began a conversation and continued it on the train. I learned he owned a business at 2 world Trade Center. He asked where I’d come from and then told me he had come to San Diego once or twice to play football when he was younger. We learned a little bit about each other. We rode 2 different trains together and just kept talking. Before I got off he asked what made me come to New York. I said "a guy." His face said "Of course" all the great ones are taken. My stop was approaching and I knew this might be the last time I would see him, so as I got off the train I asked which building was his office in. He said "Number 2." As I stepped off the train I said, "Well, it was nice talking to you," and the doors shut…….soon the train was gone towards uptown somewhere. I never saw him again. I often looked around trying to find him in the crowds of people heading to and from work at the World Trade Center and after 9-11 I searched through pictures of those fallen and wondered if he made it out.

 Today I remember the cook, who made me breakfast every morning at the deli underneath the World Trade Center,

 I remember the "Off Broadway" store where I bought old classic films and the people who helped me and kept me entertained,

 I remember walking outside the Trade Center and ordering 2 dogs with ketchup, mustard, relish at my favorite hot dog cart and then watching the firemen across the street clean and prepare the fire engines and gear,

 I remember talking to the same acquaintances at the subway in the afternoon and sharing work stories and learning more and more about each of them everyday,

 I remember the afternoon concerts in the summer. The stage was set up downstairs in front of Number 1 WTC. I could here the music from the office on the 22nd floor,

 I remember Borders bookstore where I once took many breaks to read and listen to new cd’s,

 I remember that if I were lost that all I had to do is look for the 2 towers, then I would know where I was,

I remember a wonderful man named Peter Genova who barely got out, but not without leaving a scar on his heart. No one should have to go through such terrorism…….

 For all those faces I saw daily………I send my love

 For all the family of the faces I saw that never made it out……I cry tears for you and hope that peace will come to you and yours somehow…….

 With much love,

 Laurie Pierce
 

Stargate Universe

So I was watching a show that aired from 2009-2011, Stargate Universe. I had never seen it before,, but found it on Netflix. I got into the show, the characters, and the story. Got all the way to the last episode where one of the main characters was admiring the view from "Destiny" (an ancient spaceship) as they go into FTL drive through the Galaxy. The rest of the crew is a frozen sleep state and set to wake up in 3 years as the ship goes intto another Galaxy where they might find habitable planets to search for food and supplies and avoid the empending doom caused by drones.

How exciting the next episode must be. Yes really exciting until I realized that the show had been dropped by the network for ratings that were not acceptable. Well crap now I have to make up what will happen next. Damn SyFy channel replaced it with Wrestling. That's not exactly SyFy now is it? I needed an escape from reality and the show being canceled definately made me think more about important things which maybe I don't want to do but okay, I'll get back to work but I'm still pissed that I can't see what happened to these accidental passengers lost billions of light years away. Lol Yes I admit I'm a bit nerdy, but that's also awesome. Do you like Sci-fi? Here's the link to Stargate Universe: http://www.gateworld.net/universe/ I fully recommend this show and make sure to watch all of it and tell me what you think. If you feel like pulling the tv off the wall after the last episode you are not alone. Plenty of Sci-fi geeks have done it as well as write to SyFy and MGM. Good night.

"As much as we try to control where we take ourselves, life seems to have other plans."  I almost referred to a "What if" and "I should've done..." but being able to go back and changing the course of events does not mean it would end up different or better. 

I remember having a math teacher who told me he thought I would be famous someday. I smile to think of this however I haven't quite reached that prediction yet nor have I been trying to become famous. I have worked in radio and have done a couple commercials. The comment sticks with me though giving me hope that my thoughts would wander onto pages and into peoples libraries or maybe I will help lead others towards their dreams and goals just by being myself.

There is another me that continued taking chances and is now a strong leader. I see it in my dreams at night speaking to an audience in another language about peace and who knows what.  In this life I have struggles but just keep going and envision a life made easier. Lol Yes that's funny because if life was easy what in the world would I learn from? Do you have a speach that inspires you? Everytime I feel a bit out of sorts I read the following speach given by Nelson Mandela:

 "...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Ok before I run away with my words into another galaxy as I fall into some sort of zombie-like uninspired state producing gibberish I better get some rest.

I was inspired to respond to a post by a friend and reached this profound conclusion about life, here is what I wrote:

I have let both fear of failure and the pressure of success keep me from many notions and dreams. When we fear and let the dream go we tend to stand in one place, not moving forward. Life/God/the Universe will push you forward by making what doesn't work for you crumble. You wonder why life is against you when really you were against your true nature and yourself. So take a chance and take a risk but do your research and educate. Baby steps and you will be lifted to your goal.