What Motivate You?

I was looking into the topic of Motivation.  Steven Reiss, Ph.D from Ohio State had done some interesting work on the subject.  I am already familiar with personality theories.  His is one that emphasize on "Desires" as the driving force to happiness and life satisfaction.

Reiss has defined 16 basic desires as the fundamental psychological impulses that define an adult’s personality. 

Overview of the 16 Basic Desires/Personality Traits:

Power tells us whether an individual craves leadership or responsibility, or would rather work in a service capacity. 

Independence reveals how a person forms their relationships with regard to autonomy or in association with other people.

Curiosity reveals the importance of ‘knowledge’ in a person’s life, and why they want to acquire knowledge.

Acceptance shows who, or what a person uses to construct a positive self-image.

The strength of the basic desire of Order shows how much structure or flexibility a person needs in their life. 

Saving has its evolutionary origin in the storing of supplies. The strength of this basic desire shows how important it is emotionally for a person to have possessions.

Honour reveals whether an individual seeks to remain true to their principles, or is goal-oriented.

Idealism considers the altruistic element of morality, and reveals the importance of responsibility with respect to fairness and social justice. 

Social Contact shows the importance of social acquaintances. Here, the quantity of contacts is significant. 

Family reveals how strong the desire to care for others is (with regard to a person’s own children).

Status is the desire either to be ‘conspicuously different’ from others in an elitist sense, or to be ordinary and like everyone else. 

Vengeance is chiefly about comparing oneself to others. It includes on the one hand aggression and retaliation, and harmony and conflict-avoidance on the other. 

Romance reveals the importance of sensuality in an individual’s life. Besides sex, this desire includes all other aspects of sensuality, e.g. design, art, and beauty. 

Eating seeks to determine the importance of eating in a person’s life. How much does the pleasure of eating well contribute to a satisfying life?

Physical Activity reveals the importance of physical activity (at work or playing sport) for a satisfying life.  

Tranquillity can also be described as emotional stability. It identifies the importance of stable emotional relations for a satisfying life. 

According to Reiss, we are a combination of these 16 desires. Life Successes are dependent on the extent to which the strength of any particular desire is matched by the opportunity of satisfying it.

I cannot say that I agree 100% to what he is indicating.  I believe that we as human are always a product of natural and nurture.  But it does give a more practical "Maslow hierarchy like" perspective to why we do what we do.

What Motivate You Today To Make A Difference?

Good Eats Monday - Sushi Go 55

Sushi, as in raw fish, is one of our favorite things ever!
Coming from the East Coast where you will be "look down" upon if you order California roll, we were amazed by how many people in Southern Cal believe that "specialty rolls" are sushi. Sorry, not exactly.

Living in suburbia, it took us a while to find some authentic Japanese sushi places (without costing us a 2nd mortgage).  We don't need to sit next to some movie stars in Beverly Hills, we just want a piece of fresh, raw fish!

After exploring and paying for our mistakes, we concluded that Little Tokyo is our best bet.  Among the list we truly enjoy, Sushi Gen, Hama, Restaurant Komasa, Mako & our personal favorite Sushi Go 55.  These are hard core sushi, more raw than cook, pure and simple rather than sauces and mayo.

http://www.sushigo55.com/

So when you are in the mood for sushi purist, dive in, make a splash and go for it. Drop the sauce and the goop, you will be "free" from the condiment trap once and for all. Enjoy! 

Sunday Meditation - I Want To See

Life can speed up without us noticing.  In order to keep up, we miss out on things.  Often, we miss out on important things, valuable things, things that are not things but of people, of our loved ones.

It's been a week of noticing things.  Things about people that I care about; it's about people whom I love, of people whom I am responsible for.  These happened to be negative things, things that need attention, need correcting, need remedying. It's easy to lose sight of what's really important.. The task is not the value I seek...it's the people, the relationship, the maturation of life.

I need a reminder, a new way to see, "Give Me Your Eyes...so I can see."

Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes

I Wish You New Sight To See Today.

The Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign Org.

http://www.hollywoodsign.org/

We were tourist for the day.  It included Hollywood and Highland, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and four (4) Spiderman standing side by side on the Hollywood sidewalk. Most importantly, The Hollywood Sign.  I know it's the most touristy thing to do. But every time we have friends coming to L.A. for a visit, we take them to see the Hollywood sign. We make the drive up the narrow whining road of Beachwood Canyon.  It goes through beautiful homes and almost dangerous curves.  But at the end, it is always worth the extra effort. The unobstructed view and the closeness of the sign, make it all worthwhile.

What Is One Thing That Is Worth Going That Extra Mile For?

Six Word Memoirs - What's Your Story?

Your Story...In Six Words.
http://www.smithmag.net/

It's a website, a magazine, a blog, a story project.
About...
Life, Love, Happiness, Resolutions, Moms, Teens, Food, America, Green Life, Digital Life, War.

Choose a topic and put in your 6 words...
It's harder than I thought.  Yet amazing how much you can say with 6 little words.  

My Today's Six-Word:  Bitter, Sweet Mommyhood, would not trade.

What's Yours?

Be Positive - It Can Make Life More Fulfilling!

Working as a Psychotherapist, I am at time forced to see people at their worst. I am asked by others if I have ever worked with someone I dislike.

My answer has always been, "There is at least one thing I can find that is likable in everyone."

In the last decade, a new emerging movement in the field of psychology identify as Positive Psychology.

Its emphasis is shifting away from the disease model and building toward the following 3 areas.

- Human Strengths
- Building Human Strengths
- Building Human Strengths Toward Making Life More Fulfilling

Googling Positive Psychology will point you toward
Martin Seligman, Ph.D from UPenn - http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/index.html
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Ph.D from Claremont - http://www.cgu.edu/positivepsych


Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The Positive Psychology Center promotes research, training, education, and the dissemination of Positive Psychology. This field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.

Here is an intriguing introduction to the subject.  

Find One Thing You Can Like 

About The People With Whom You Come In Contact Today

Temptations Without the Calories - Shoes

My Wish List on

www.Mod Cloth.com

http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Shoes

I am on the lighter side of life today...Let's talk about one of my favorite things...Shoes!

Shoes have always been my "Thing."

Typical conversation with Nerdy Hubby as follows.

"I got a pair of new shoes today."  I honestly confessed.

"Again...let me guess...black or brown...looks exactly like the last pair..."  NH is then smart enough to stop before my evil dagger eyes laser straight at him. And he's right, black or brown, 1 inch heel, kind of conservative looking...Boring!

Then, some time in my later 30s and definitely after turning 40...I started noticing heels, wedges, platforms, any  heels that I can walk and stand in for maybe 10 mins.  I feel taller (literally), more confident, almost feel safer (can you imagine kicking someone with one of them heels).  Painful, it can be; it may be, but definitely More Exciting!

When someone finally turned me onto ModCloth.com, I felt in love...really.

Clothes and shoes, accessories and vintage, stuff that are current yet timeless, cute yet sophisticated...so chic and so fun...It's a blog and a shopping site.

Whether to shop or just shop for styles...it a site worth checking out. 

Put Those Heels On And Stand Tall

You Are Ready To Face The World With A Grin Today

Re-Engaging Boys In Learning

Ali Carr-Chellman 

http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/in-sys/research/ali-carr-chellman

A former third-grade teacher, Ali Carr-Chellman realized that traditional elementary classrooms weren't for her, in part because she was frustrated by the lack of innovation, agility, and readiness to change in traditional schools. She's now an instructional designer, author and educator, working on how to change and innovate within schools to make education work better for more kids. She teaches at Penn State University in the College of Education, working primarily with doctoral-level students to help produce the next generation of faculty with inspired research ideas and methods. Carr-Chellman also teaches online courses focused on helping practicing teachers learn how to improve their own instructional design practices and how to improve their classrooms.

Her recent research projects include "Bring Back the Boys," looking at ways gaming can be used to re-engage boys in their elementary education. Another projects asks prisoners and homeless people to think about how to reform schools, bringing new voices to the policy-making table.



___________________________________

We are deep in the home stretch of school with the kiddies.  It's been a particular challenging year for the 10 y.o.  4th grade has not exactly gone his way. The transition of moving from being younger to stepping into a more mature part of boyhood has not been easy.  

The learning style of boys is a consistent topic at our household.  It was good to hear that we are not the only one feeling that boys do learn differently.  Current expectations and teaching methods may or may not be promoting successes in boys.  As we continue our search to help our son excel and succeed, the road feel just a bit less lonely.

Do One Thing To Help Our Boys Feel Successful Today  

Good Eats Monday...Fresh Strawberry Pie

Fresh Strawberry Pie – Irresistibly Good

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked

1 ½ quart fresh strawberries

(Set aside enough to mash up to 1 cup for the glace)

¾ cup white sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

¾  cup water

¼ tsp salt

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream                                                                   

Directions:

Arrange strawberries in baked pastry shell.

Mash up the berries for the sauce

Combine water and cornstarch until dissolved and no lumps

Add sugar, salt, and the mashed strawberries in a medium saucepan

Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly

Cook for 2-3 minutes, sauce will thicken quickly

Remove from heat and add lemon juice

Set aside to cool

Pour mixture over berries in pastry shell.

Chill for several hours before serving.

Serve with whipped cream.

Note:

I prefer halved or sliced berries and mix them with the glace before pouring everything in the crust.

Also, a delicious trick for not getting the bottom of the crust soggy is to melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and then pour over the bottom of the pie. Let it set before putting the strawberries in.

Enjoy A Slice Of Summer!

Sunday Morning Inspiration - A New Day...

It's A New Day...
Tommy Walker's "I Have A Hope"

I have a hope, I have a future

I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me

My life's not over, a new beginning's just begun

I have a hope, I have this hope...

As the song continues, I can't help but to feel the resounding words of hope lead to a wave of hopefulness...

Steps are quicker, Footing is stronger, the sun is brighter, the sky is bluer...

Faith is clearer and Love is truer...

May this bring not just a ray of sunshine, 

but the entire spectrum of the rainbow 

to brighten your day!  

Quicken Your Step Today...Just Because You Can.

Doomsday - Music to Go Out On

Personally, I don't understand Doomsday Predictions.  If we are to be ready to meet our Maker...we need to be ready at any time.  Also, why do people think that the human mind can predict, calculate, or figure out the mind of the One who created it all.  If they genuinely believe God is God, then how does the finite makes conclusion on the Infinite.  I can go on and on, but I won't.

This is actually a pretty light-hearted entry.  With all the news surrounding doomsday, I googled "music + do not be afraid."  All the "gamers" out there will love me today...seriously!

"Final Fantasy" showed up as a result on Youtube.  I know nothing about Final Fantasy.  So I turned to Wikipedia.

Final Fantasy is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and owned by Square Enix 

that includes video games, motion pictures, and other merchandise...

You can read more for yourself (sadly,it's a foreign language to me) 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_concerts

I did conclude that if "I was to go" on May 22, 2011.  This would be great music to go out on.  Enjoy!

Cherries For the Picking

We are starting to see cherries in our local markets.  This always indicate (at least to us) summer is upon us.  Living in Southern California, one can argue that it's always summer.  True as it may be, there is ONLY a few weeks that the family can go cherry picking.

Leona Valley is the land of U-Pick Cherries.  Small farms are dotted along a road or two, signs and arrows will lead those in search toward them.  And for about a month around June to early July, cherries enthusiastists will fill those buckets full of precious jewels. From Bing to Rainier, Brooks to Utah Giant, Tartarian for your pies to no idea that there is a variety called Andy Gee's Son, all are to be had.

In praise of technology, we will now go sign up for cherry alerts. Patiently we will wait for those sunny picking days.  If you live locally, here are some of the more popular farms.

Villa Del Sol - Sweet Cherry Farms

 http://www.upickcherries.com/index.htm 

Ambers U-Pick Cherry Farm

http://www.ambersfarm.com/index.html

The Cherry Pit Ranch

http://www.thecherrypitranch.com/

What Spells Summer For You...

Make Plan To Do Something About It

And Enjoy

Self-Care Today

Following up on yesterday's post on self care.  Here is a nice little reminder of what we can do to keep us healthy inside and out...

Self Care Tips for Mothers  

(based on an article by Amy Tiemann, Ph.D.)

 www.http://www.mojomom.com/

• Fill Your Own Cup - tend to your basic needs and avoid burnout; sleep, eat well and stay health                
• Give Yourself Time to Adjust – parenting is a process
•  Reclaim Your Mind Space – invest in yourself, creatively, intellectually, refocus personal priorities
•  Allow Interest to Surface – reclaim old hobbies or try out new ones
•  Express Your Creativity  - in new and inventive ways
•  Take Small Spiritual Retreat – regardless of religious affiliations, slowing down, find the time and space for contemplation individually or in spiritual community
•  Use Family Teamwork – share household responsibilities with your partner or even involve the kids
•  Build Your Support Network – with family and friends; it’s important to know that there people you can count on when in need
•  Keep Investing in Yourself - take a life long view of personal and professional development; look for educational or professional opportunities
• Stay Open to the World -  Motherhood gives us an understanding of the world’s deep hunger and the capability to fill those needs through our skills, empathy, and leadership.  Where are our gifts and leadership needed? 

Take It All In Today...Just For Yourself.

A Case Of Spring Sickness

It all started with an innocent little sneeze...then it grew...
the coughing, the congestion, the tightness, the boxes of tissues, the hot soup, the giant mug of tea.

I never used to get sick.  Maybe once a year I would be down for the count.  Now, with aging, I feel like I am sick all the time. Ok, that was an exaggeration. But, it's definitely more than I would like.  Life doesn't stop when a working mother is sick.  It's so much easier now that the kiddies are older.  The nerdy hubby has always been helpful. I think I am just not used to slowing down...being sick is like an inconvenience.  You can tell that I am all work up over it.

Then, all of a sudden, I realized that being sick IS the only time that I slow down.  Even today, I am checking, scheduling and planning (into the future plans of summer).

I have a good friend Andrea Schneider, LCSW, who is a wonderful advocate of self care for mothers.  She is also a specialist in the area of perinatal mood disorders. I can hear her saying, "slow down, take time for yourself, a happy mom makes a happy home..." Thank you my friend for the reminder.  And now, I will go take a nap.

You can find out more information about Andrea Schneider, LCSW 

Website www.embraceMotherhood.com

or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/EmbraceMotherhoodcom/125478894159044

Do One Thing To Care For Yourself Today

iphone Photography

Believe it or not, I am much more of a gadget person than Nerdy Hubby, the tech guy.

When I ask him about taking pictures for my blog, he actually suggested for me to get the iphone...Interesting!

So as I check it out on google, I realize that there is a whole sub-culture of iphotography.  While my contract is not up (I am frugal) and there is the talk of iphone5 coming out in the summer...I will wait :(

Meanwhile, I will study up on the top photography apps...
Here are some additional info:

iphone photography on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/groups/iphonephotography/

the photo argus

http://www.thephotoargus.com/gear/10-must-have-apps-for-iphone-photography/

iphone photography

http://www.iphoneography.com/

Let's Look At The World With A Different Lens Today. 

Good Eats - Ultimate Chocolate Chips Cookies!

Crazy Good Chocolate Chips Cookies.

They are Giggantic!!!  

Had the recipe for a while now...Here is to Dark Chocolate Chips.

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies - adapted from a recipe by Jacques Torres, et al.
Makes about 18 cookies

These are the cookies that appeared in the July 9, 2008 edition of the New York Times.

They are 4 inches big and close to perfect!

Ingredients:

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate chips/disks
Sea salt

Method:
1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.

3. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds.

4. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate.  (Refrigerate for 3 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours)

5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.

6. Scoop six 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie.

7. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes.

8. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes. Eating them warm is wonderful. 

Yes.  These are my pictures.
Kiddies JUMPED at them as soon as they came out of the oven.
Also sent some to friends to try.
As yummy as they are, I am just so proud of how they look...Truly Almost Perfect.

Wishing You a Giant Hint of Sweetness Today.

Don't Forget to Share.

Life's Possibilities - For Your Sunday Encouragement

It is never too late to be what 

you might have been.

George Eliot (debatable Dinah Maria Mulock Craik 1826-1887)

Yesterday I posted a question of :

What Do You Want To Be When You "Grow Up?"

On and off, Nerdy Hubby and I engage in these deep philosophical discussions of life.  As techic as he is, he is a philosopher at heart.  Life choices, situations, and obligations led him to his current profession. Yet, we have often joked about  what he might be if he had made different choices.

"Growing up" in my thought process have very little to do with physical development and life stages.  Growing up the "self" have much more to do with mental and emotional maturity.  It is an openness to take on responsibilities, ability to cope with changes and crisis, look toward options and alternatives in life.  Growing up means to face life boldly and not bow out quickly.  I must offer the disclaimer that this is purely my opinion.

May You Look Toward The Possibilities In Your Life Today.

God Is Not Finish Yet.

From Book Report to Millions of What If(s)

It's Book Report Weekend, aka...pulling hair out weekend.
Trying to get a 4th grader and a 1st grader to FOCUS takes superhuman strength (at least at our house).

Rather than rewriting the draft, clarifying the plot, deciding on the artwork and preparing for the presentation...it becomes a time of "a million questions!"

What if I was diving to the bottom of the ocean?

What if I fly to the sky like a bird?

Why are there germs in the world?

What is the purpose of salt? 
How long do you think I can survive without water?
Etc. Etc. Etc.

Some of these questions are related to the books, others being asked, just because...  As I try to stop them from these "distraction," I am reminded of the values of questions...the curiosity of life.

Questioning is the process of finding out what is of value, what is sacred, what is worth, what is life?  So as I attempt to tamed the process long enough to get the reports done, I must remember to treasure and to ensure that the questions keep coming.

The timing may always be wrong, the patient may always be a bit short, the free association may always be a distraction.  Yet...the end result will always bring on more life.

What is One of the Million Questions You Have?

Ask It Today.

Blog Suffered Technical Difficulty

Experienced my first Blog Crisis today.
Blogger went down...over 24 hours.
Lost a few entries.
Lost time and effort.
Luckily, Nerdy Hubby came to save my day.

Technology...can't live without it...at times, can't live with it either.
More accurately, can't trust it.
Info and data live in the "cloud."  It's a pretty strange concept, if you ask me...almost Sci-Fi like.  How secure is it any way?  But technology is moving at the speed of light and in today's society, you just have to go with it.  Watch out for wipe-lash!

Will be back tomorrow with a more inspiring entry. Could be about Flying, Dancing, Laughing, or Eating. But it will definitely be more interesting than today.

There Will Always Be A Down Day In Life...Roll With It!

Mind Our Manners

From the March issue of Parents Magazine:

25 Manners Every Kid Should Know
1.  Please
2.  Thank You
3.  Do Not Interrupt
4.  Say "Excuse Me"
5.  Ask Permission
6.  Keep Negative Opinion to Self
7.  Do Not Comment on People's Physical Characteristics
8.  When Other Ask "How Are You?" Ask Them How They Are In Return
9.  Always Acknowledge and Address Friends' Parents When Visiting Their Home
10. Knock On Closed Doors
11. Address Yourself When Making a Call
12. Be Appreciative of Any Gifts
13. Do Not Use Foul Language In Public
14. No Name Calling
15. Do Not Tease
16. Do Not Show Disinterest Even If Bored
17. Do Write Thank You Notes
18. Cover Mouth When Cough or Sneeze
19. Do Not Pick Nose In Public
20. Open Doors For Others
21. Offer To Help
22. Eat With Utensils
23. Keep Napkin On Lap and Use It to Wipe Mouth
24. Do Not Reach Over Table
25. Do Not Complain About the Food When Visiting People's Home

I am sure I can add to this or remove others.  But generally, I am in agreement with this.
What's interesting for me is how this list reminds me to teach by example. How many of us adults mind our manners everyday.  Ultimately having manners means showing proper respect for ourselves and for others.

Today I Will Respect Myself Enough to Mind My Manners.

Smile, Smile Big Today

Scientists are now studying and measuring the effects and impacts of

"Smiles."

They found that people who smile often...

Live Longer
are More Successful
are More Inspiring to Others
has More Life Satisfaction

Smiling have positive biologic/neurological benefit similar to...
2000 bars of Chocolate
Sudden riches equal to $25,000

Now I have to admit, I'll take the money in a heart beat but until then, I'll give myself a few extra smiles.

Watch the Entire Video Here:  The Hidden Power of Smiling

Ron Gutman: The hidden power of smiling | Video on TED.com

Smile, and Smile Big Today...

It's Been Scientifically Proven to Improve Your Day!

The Dance of Disagreement

I can do a little boogie, But, I can't dance.
Tried it a couple of times, Nerdy Hubby's feet were complaining very quickly.
Ouch...sorry...oh, the other side...It was crazy...we did have a good laugh or two.

Relationship is like a dance, it has to be learned. There are techniques, skills, timing, styles.  Then, there are the togetherness, connectiveness and practice.

One of the toughest issue in relationship is conflict. Read an interesting perspective.
It starts out with...

Promise me that you will never agree with me. At least not completely, and never automatically. It's important for you to disagree with me, to bring your perspective, to look for the exception to my premise. That is what I need from you to keep me growing, to keep me connecting to you.

Disagreement is the reason communication exists.  It's a tool to gain perspective, to built empathy, to reason, to learn tolerance.  Contrary to the common belief, disagreement does not create conflict, the demand for agreement is the root of conflict.

The art of disagreeing is a balancing act of active engagement and critical thinking. With the right timing, an expression of openness, responsive communication style and an empathic intent, this too can be a demonstration of love.

How Will You Dance Away Your Disagreement Today?

Good Eats Monday - Mini Cheesecake

I decided to get more organized with my "blog" week.

With 47 more weeks to go, in sustaining my commitment to my blog, I have to work a little smarter.

Sundays, naturally evolved into Meditative/Contemplative Sunday.
As I am looking at my week, I realized that I mainly do my cooking on the weekend.

So Good Eats Monday seems appropriate. Now I just got to figure out how to quickly take and load pictures onto the blog.  Today's cheesecake is a stock picture.

It was a fun weekend of baking:  Cinnamon Bun Cupcakes for sharing, Sugar Cookies for decorating and My Favorite Mini-Cheesecakes for showing.


My Favorite Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

Crust:

1 cup (100 grams) graham wafer crumbs or crushed vanilla wafers

1 tablespoon (15 grams)  granulated white sugar

4 tablespoons (55 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

2 - 8 ounce (454 grams) packages of cream cheese, room temperature (use regular, not reduced or fat free cream cheese)

2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

- Line 12  muffin tins with cupcake liners

- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.

- For Crust:

1. In a small bowl combine the cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.

2. Press about a tablespoon of crumbs on the bottoms of the 12 muffin cups lined with parchment paper. Cover and refrigerate while you make the filling.

- For Filling:

1.Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer, on low to medium speed until smooth. 

2.Add the sugar and beat until combined.

3.Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the eggs, one at a time, beating about 30 seconds.

4.Add the vanilla extract and sour cream and beat just until incorporated. 

- Remove the crusts from the refrigerator and evenly divide the filling among the 12 muffin cups. 

- Bake for about 20 minutes or until firm but the centers of the cheesecakes still wobble a little.

- Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool and then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (a few hours or overnight).

- Garnish: (Optional):  strawberry, cherry or any fresh berries & a dollop of whipped cream

Makes 12 - 1/2 cup cheesecakes. 

Wishing You Good Eats This Monday.

Maybe You Will Have Dessert First Today.

Sunday Meditation - Never Alone

Following up from yesterday's thought.
Once you became a mother (a parent), your job will never be done.  More accurately, your role will never cease.

From the moment the baby is born, that first cry ...we innately become hyper alert. We become super sensitive...
About their needs, their pains, their tears

About their potential, their success, their path

If we do right by them, they will never feel alone.  Prompted my thoughts toward these songs this morning...

...How did you find me?  How did you pick me up again?

...And I Can Feel Your Presence Here With Me

...Suddenly I'm Lost Within Your Beauty...

...You're Everywhere I Go...I Am Not Alone...

Wishing You To Know

You Never Have To Feel Alone

Reflections on Motherhood

I LOVE my children.
They are the best thing that ever happened to me.
I am a more "realized" person because of them.

I contemplated  motherhood long before I became a mother.
Because of biological circumstances (fertility issue), babies did not come to be until years after the decision of motherhood.

When the gift of a child finally came, my neurology decided to work against my reality (postpartum depression).  It was a desperate road of recovery.  I overcame, we as mother-child overcame, us as a new family unit overcame.  Yet it wasn't without the cost of doubts, guilts and painful memories.

The blessing of the second child was then granted.  Now came the task of expanding our capacity, our beings and our love. The growth of appreciation for differences, preferences, and  flexibility became undoubtedly necessary.

I have often expressed myself as a student of my children.  My first born taught me how and what it means to be a mother and my second affirmed me into the status of motherhood.  They opened the door for me into the never ending, ever circular, philosophical differences of "Doing and Being."

And everyday, I continue to learn, to gain, to lose and sometimes, to fail. Fortunately, by now, I know the difference between "Doing For" and "Being With."  The ultimate goal for me in mothering, is to nurture not just the persons I gave birth to, but also the bond we co-created.

If we are not Mothers, then we are a Mother's Child

How will you express that bond today?

My Many Colored Days

Some Days Are Yellow
Some Are Blue
On Different Days
I'm Different Too
The first few lines From 
     My Many Colored Days, By Dr. Seuss

At my house, we read this book for years...from the older child to the younger one.  We used to be able to recite the entire book without the slightest pause.  The pages were chewed on, poked at and drawn upon.  Then...the kids got older...

As we were sorting out the book shelves recently, this copy jumped off the top shelf.  As if to remind us that it was still here, waiting and hoping that we would remember to turn its pages. Begging us to revisit the hidden messages once more.

It was such a treasure during the early days of motherhood. The nostalgia of fond memories and the uncertainty of babyhood; the assurance of Different Days Will Be Different Too...and therefore, Today will be okay.

Colors can bring on emotions, can express feelings, symbolically speak without words.  Nature calls us out  on the concept of color. Marketing executives use it to entice our impulses.  Innate longings draw us to create it. Our visual sense confirms it.  Such Glorious Expression of Life!

What Is The Color For You Today?

Display It, Express It, Wear It Well Today! 

Love Songs

Love

When I am Working, Love is defined as Connections, Attachment, Openness, Availability, Accountability, Responsiveness, Engagement, Empathy,etc.  

In Reality, sometimes Love just means, for bad or for worst, you will be here for me, you won't leave me or drop me. We will go through the good and the bad times "Together."

Another time, another blog, I will expand on my thoughts. But for today, these songs will do.

Love Someone With A Song Today

& Put A Smile In You Heart

New York Public Library - THE GAME???

On May 21, 2011
500 People will stay overnight at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (The New York Public Library)
and become the first in the world to play a new game

Find the Future
at The New York Public Library
Winning the Game Means Writing a Book...Intriguing

To Register and Get the Details of this Game, 

follow the link

http://game.nypl.org/#/menu

As I follow the clues, they led me to conclude that the "Game" is to inspire people to make history and change the world. By taking one step at a time, one mission at a time, one page at a time and hopefully, pen these ideas into reality, into history and into the future.

What Are Your Ideas About Making History 

and Possibility Change the World?

U Got 2 Laugh Out Loud

Laughters remind me of A Pink Balloon.  It's bright, happy, uplifting and upraising. Sometimes we just got to Laugh Out Loud...real loud.

One of my favorite persons who can make people laugh real loud is Anita Renfroe.  She has a Youtube channel under anitarenfroe3's.
Her official website. http://www.anitarenfroe.com/

She is also featured on Kraft's Website for You Gotta LOL.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/yougottalol.asp

I am sure that you will recognize her in her most infamous video "Momism"
So in honor of an early mother's day greeting...
This one includes the words to the song...

Take the Time to Laugh Out Loud Today...Real Loud

Your Soul Will Thank You for It.

The Search for Meaning (of life)

Came across a brief Youtube video on Viktor Frankl talking about "Believing in Others."  The only other time I saw a video of him was in grad school. His accent is heavy but his hopeful attitude is through and through.

Another video here provides a short introduction to who Viktor Frankl was.  He was one of the most influential thinker in the area of modern day psychotherapy (IMHO).  He was also a survivor of Theresienstadt and Auschwitz.  He had seen and experienced one of the darkest acts of evil, yet, all his work was focused on the Hope of Human Potential.  

Today, Let's Not Grumble About Our Current State of Being

But Celebrate the Potential Of A Future That Can 

Be Co-Created

Sunday Morning Tea Wisdom

I am having my morning cup of tea.
Never notice the writing on the label of the actual tea bag.
I have been drinking "yogi" tea for a long time.  Just realized that I have missed out on all "its wisdom!"

I have to admit that I do find it complementary to this blog.  So, today's wisdom is:

"The Beauty of Life is to Experience Yourself"

As I seep the tea and mouth the words to myself, I was overcome with a sense of incomplete.

...Experience myself... in what?  with whom? for what purpose?

Realizing that was how I got in trouble as a small child in school...always asking questions. But???

The Beauty of Life is to Experience Myself...

In the Meaning and Meaningfulness of Life

In the World which was Created and Redeemed

With the People that God Has Entrusted Me With

With the People Whom I Love and Whom I Will Humbly Learn To Love

For the Purpose of Searching Out God in This Life

For the Purpose of Living Out The Life I was Given and Meant to Live

Hope You Will Enjoy the Wisdom You are Given Today

And...Be Bold to Seek Out  the Questions Behind It.