Here's to a new year!

Even though I told myself to cut down on posting just horoscopes I HAD to post these. Here's to a new year full of LOVE AND HAPPINESS. ;)

Taurus Dec 31 2010
As we quickly move closer to 2011, think of the coming year as a brand new frontier, Taurus. You have learned your lessons well in 2010, and it is time to put those lessons to work for you as you face a new and exciting horizon. There are fabulous opportunities waiting for you in the form of relationships, money-making possibilities, and career changes. You may even choose to start your own business. Whatever you attempt with a full heart in the months ahead will be met with great success.
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Gemini Dec 31 2010
There are big changes ahead for you, Gemini. Your sign normally likes change, but you may be feeling rather nostalgic and even weepy at the thought of letting go of 2010 for good. After all, it was a pretty good year for you. Your relationships flourished and you were at least fairly popular among friends and family alike. But that's no reason to feel sad that the year is coming to a close. What lies ahead in 2011 will be even better - so look forward, not back.
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Copyright (c) DailyHoroscope.
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recovering-sexists

today, my boyfriend sent me this link via email:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/26/porter.men.violence/index.html?hpt=Sbin

after reading the headline to the article, i asked him what he got out of it and this is what he responded with:

"Its just a realization of how men are the leading cause of violence towards women because of superiority complexes."

this is a breakthrough, ladies. not just for me, or my boyfriend, or our relationship. but for all men and the perpetual cycle of violence that womyn continue to endure each and every day.

this is a testament to the ability for men to be "recovering-sexists" towards womyn in their lives. although it is impossible for men to be fully recovered-sexists, it is indeed the first step of recognizing the systems of oppression that we live in and the deep socializations that we operate under, that will liberate our minds and our hearts in a meaningful way.

"my liberation as a man is tied to your liberation as a womyn" -tony porter

this is progress.

christmas cards

this is from the card that took me thirty+ minutes to find for my boyfriend:

"For Christmas,

all I want is to love you

for the rest of my life...

to wake up every morning

with you by my side,

knowing that no matter what

the day brings,

I'll be coming home

to your loving arms.

All I want is to share

everything with you...

to talk to you about our ideas,

our plans, the little everyday things

that make us laugh,

and the not-so-little things

that we can't help

worrying about.

All I want is to grow old

with you...

to watch our lives unfold

and our dreams come true.

For Christmas,

all I want is to love you...

forever.

Merry Christmas"

-Renee Duvall

i love him dearly and im not ashamed to say it :) he's the one.

internal remodelling

Gemini Dec 23 2010
A new hairstyle or wardrobe can make you feel like a new person for a little while. But you are really in need of a change that will carry you for quite some time and will be much more than superficial. Although you may have a secret desire to brush up your appearance in some way, what you really need is some remodeling in your way of thinking. The stars favor introspection and self-improvement now, Gemini. So if you are inclined to do some soul searching in a quest to improve your life, the universe will support you and guide you forward.

relationship advice via sheknows.com

On my way to work this morning, i got this email from sheknows.com and i had to share these two pieces. its on relationship advice. how to make a new relationship successful and how to tell if your relationship isnt going anywhere; they are two separate pieces of course..lol..

and even though they may seem like two different (and opposite topics) you can certainly learn a lot about your relationship from reading the "writings on the wall" very clearly or even just understanding how to use those dead end signs to try to avoid dead end relationships in the future..or at the very least figure out what you're doing "wrong" to try and fix them..

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3 Tips to make your new relationship successful

GET THINGS OFF
ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Posted on Dec 10, 2010 8:00 AM by Kori Ellis

Congratulations, you've met someone new. He seems so wonderful and you don't want to screw it up. Follow these three simple tips to make your new relationship successful.

BE REALISTIC

No matter how perfect your new partner seems, no one is really perfect. Don't put him on a pedestal and set unrealistic expectations. Know that you are going to disagree at some point. Keep the emphasis on communication early on to avoid any conflicts and stop issues before they start.

DON'T OVERSHARE

You should definitely open up to your partner as you are getting to know each other, but be sure not to overshare. He doesn't need to hear all the intimate details of your prior relationships, and he certainly doesn't need to know about your neurotic mother or strange uncle quite yet.

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES

When something inevitable goes wrong between you are your partner, learn from it. Many couples repeat the same mistakes over and over early on, dooming their relationship from the beginning. After an argument or problem, take some time to think about what you said or did wrong and what led to the issue to make sure it doesn't happen again.

http://tinyurl.com/2fdzggb

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4 Signs your relationship is going nowhere

IS IT OVER?

Posted on Nov 05, 2010 10:00 AM by Kori Ellis

Are you in a dead-end relationship? Sometimes, it's easy to see the writing on the wall -- but other times, things aren't so clear. We talked to relationship advisor and therapist Dr. Terri Orbuch, author of Five Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great (Random House) for expert advice and signs your relationship is going nowhere.

Future discussions

Partners in love (or committed to one another) are comfortable talking and fantasizing about the future -- next weekend, holiday season or year. Imagining life together five or 10 years from now doesn't guarantee relationship success, but the absence of any such hopeful plans is not a good sign. Also, if you start talking about future plans and your partner changes the subject or gets defensive, you are getting a message you should heed -- even if you don't want to hear it.

Family introductions

Someone who is serious about you wants you to know and spend time with his friends and family. He wants to show you off. Ask yourself whether you know most or all of the people who matter to your partner. Also, just as important, someone who is sincere wants to know and impress your family and friends.

Good contact

Partners who are serious about each other know where and how to contact each other at all times. In case of an emergency, aren't the two of you a team? Also, if your partner is talking about how he needs space or privacy, ask for specifics (how long and for what?). It is one thing to want independence, and quite another to want space.

Expression of love

If your partner is serious about you, he should be able to say "I love you" without being prompted. So if you've been in a relationship for a long time and he isn't saying those three little words -- or is just saying them after you do -- be aware that this isn't a good sign.

http://tinyurl.com/2fgntqc

break room banter and grown folks

since my office is right next to the break room..(literally, we share a wall)..i always hear the random banter that goes on between people in the office. it's funny because i think to myself, "wow, they're having a really 'grown up' conversation right now..is that what im going to be talking about when i get older too???" siiigh..notable topics so far include:

-the weather: yesterday, today, tomorrow, last year, this weekend..

-the holiday season

-buying gifts

-vacation adventures and mishaps

-their childrens' events

-doctor's appointments

-sports teams/games--my favorite!

-the giants...and of course, the world series--courtesy of james lol always

-lunch--these take me back to kindergarten days..."so what'd you/your mom pack in your lunch pail this morning?"

-food in general

-the desserts that butu brings for the office

-leftover food from our public meetings

-tea, different kinds

-coffee and coffee making

-being tired

-washing dishes

-outfits..blouses :/

-recent events

-politics

-elections

-random gossip

-transportation projects and programs

-grants

-panda express

-getting married

-weddings

-buying houses

-having kids

-pregnancies

-children having the flu

oh my, the list goes on.....i guess the days of talking about cute boys, hooking up, and what we plan to do after school are no longer a part of my daily conversations...

this kinda makes me sad but last night when i talked to my boyfriend about credit scores, buying a house and moving in together..i realized that: i. am. right. there. right there, right at the brink of having 'grown up' conversations along with everyone else (mind you, i am at least 10 years younger than everyone in the office) whoa, what a realization.

strawberries and snickerdoodles

how cool is this!? kaiser hayward has a farmer's market right in front of the main hospital entrance!!! on my way home from doing the in service training with the coordination of care and medical social work departments' staff i decided to pick up some stuff-especially since it was already 1:30 p.m. and i hadn't had breakfast or lunch yet. :/ feeling ginig-ginig (sp?)

i picked up some bright red strawberries and some snickerdoodles--oh yum. i even paid more for the things that i bought, farmers and artisans always have a soft place in my heart :)

something this simple totally made my day!

also, much thanks to the random hospital staff/nurse? dude that helped me bring in my box of materials. he totally saw me struggling and taking breaks and offered to help me the rest of the way! the humanitarian spirit always warms my heart! thank you sir :)

no worries cafe

i finally went to no worries cafe, a filipino vegetarian restaurant in downtown oakland-a place that everyone has been talking about! lani and i stopped by before heading home and i must say it wasnt too bad! despite the really pa'it adobo that lani ordered (which was still really good and became my breakfast and dinner the next day), the sinigang actually tasted like fish and tamarind! yum :)

i would definitely go again and recommend it to other folks who want a healthier filipino food option. and i hope to see ms. hatty lee working next time too!