Lovely #KateMiddleton!

The Lovely Kate!

I’m absolutely fascinated by Kate Middleton. I ask myself what role she will take on as the future Queen of England.

Is there anyone out there who knows what that entails?

I think I read somewhere that the Queen’s wealth is the highest in the world. Is that right?

I’ve also heard she is the most powerful woman in the world. Do you think that is true?

I think she is just beautiful. Her hair looks like a model’s — her eyes are brilliant. I also love the way she speaks.

Brittain has every reason to be proud.

Like many of my readers, and probably most of the world with access to news, they watched the royal wedding.

I loved so many things about it. I loved the crazy hats. I think they are just fun.

30 things about the lovely Mrs. Mountbatten-Windsor:

1. Her official title is now Catherine, Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Cambridge.

2. She is the future Queen of England.

3. She was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9th 1982 in Bradford, England.

4. In April of 2011, Prince William, born in 1982, the eldest son of the Princess Diana, married Kate, or Catherine Middleton, in a highest ever ranked in person, television and internet viewing audience, 24.5 million people.

Flags at Royal Wedding

Flags at Royal Wedding

I loved the pomp and circumstance. I loved the crowds waving the flags and the flowers. I loved the uniforms, the hats and just the general excitement and buzz that was in the air.

We all remember Kate and William’s balcony kiss. Does anyone remember the sweet little girl on the balcony holding her ears due to all of the noise? It was precious.

5. Her mom, Carole, was an airline hostess and her dad, Michael worked at the airport.

The Middleton Family

Her mom is absolutely beautiful too as well as the rest of their family. In fact, what strikes me about their family is how downright lovely they are to look at.

They seem so approachable. The Middleton’s have three children, Catherine, or Kate, Pippa and James.

6. Kate goes running every morning around her palace, Kensington.

7. Kate likes photography. In fact, she had some of her own photos on her walls at University.

8. There was an untrue rumor that Kate had a picture of Prince William on her University wall. Kate smiles in interviews and says the picture was of the Levi’s model.

9. When Kate was younger, her mom ran a  successful online business called Party Pieces where they sold assembled party bags.

Pippa attracted quite a bit of buzz.

Pippa attracted quite a bit of buzz.

10. Kate and her sister Pippa attended Saint Andrews a private girls school for girls 3 to 13.

11. Kate was good at high jump.

12. Pippa’s bum has its own facebook page.

13. Kate later attended Downe House where she made fun of for being a good student. Later her mom took her out and she attended Marlbourough College.

14. Kate was thin and shy.

15. At Prince Andrews, she first studied Art History, then changed to Geography.

16. She met her future husband, Prince William, at a party.

17. She and Prince William were friends for a year before their love grew.

18. Kate met Will at Saint Andrews in Scottland while studying Art History.

19. Prince William’s last name is Mountbatten-Windsor.

20. When Kate first saw Will, she reportedly got flushed and walked away. Rumors say she went to Saint Andrews because she had a crush on him.

21. Kate befriended an American called Warshauer who says on November 1st, they met at a Harry Potter Castle Party and William bet 200 quid to dance with him. Apparently  girls would relentlessly flirt with William.

22.  In 2002, sophomore year, they moved into an apartment together after a courtship, where they led a normal life that included cooking.

24. Prince William was the guest of honor at Kate’s 23rd birthday party.

25. They were first photographed together skiing in Switzerland at Klosters.

Wills and Kate

26. In 2005, they were young and love. They split and then later went back together through a defining period.

She says she wasn’t happy about it, but she learned something about herself and grew in that period.

27. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge graduated with honors in Art History.

28. After University, prince William joined British Royan Naval Academy and Catherine worked for her parents.

29. Kate briefly worked at the high street store named Jigsaw as an accessories buyer but it didn’t work out — maybe because of being followed by paparrazzi.

30. She is currently a chic stylish lady with a model’s hair, charming hazel eyes and grace that are certain to win over fan after fan.

Julie

ㄥ❀∨モ criticism ♥

I have control over three things in m life: The thoughts I think, the images I visualize and the the actions I take.  ¸¸.·☆

A couple of things on my mind

that I’d like to share today that have to do with reading, writing, creativity and comments.

I am thankful for the positive comments and encouragement I get from people who read my blog. When I started off blogging, the idea was to share. I have written since I can remember.

In fact, I remember a time in my life where I would fill my days writing.

Everyone is a Critic

When I made the decision to share my words with the world it wasn’t based on a self satisfying idea to could help one person out there. It was more the idea that I wanted to learn how to blog. I thought of instead of writing in my journal, I’d do it online.

It’s actually a bit of a risk, if you ask me, putting yourself out on the line to be judged by your peers.

I'm okay with rejection.

►ㄥife is nσt abσut waiting fσr the storms to pass. it’s abσut ℓearning hσw tσ dance in the rain.►

I like the idea of learning by doing.

It’s one thing to think about doing something and a whole other ball game to put yourself out there and actually do something.

—What inspired this post was seeing the amazing things that are going on in your lives. I feel each one of you reading this is successful in your own way.

I’ve seen my friends overcome numerous obstacles to achieve their goals. I’ll give you some examples. One friend overcame the death of her parents at a young age to go forth and have a beautiful big family of her own.

I can make a living doing what I love and enjoy.

I can make a living doing what I love and enjoy.

She figured it out. Others have dreamt of becoming writers, business people, dads, teachers, artists, musicians, you name it. They haven’t given up and they are doing it — pursuing their dreams. Doing it. Loving it.

I have a friend who is scared of making a change in her life. Her entire family is relocating to a new city with completely new people, streets, smells, schools, every little thing in her life will be new.

But she did it. She said yes to life with the insecurity that comes from the future and not knowing what it would hold. Good for her.

Life is a journey. ♥ Set yourself up to play a winning game.

Another fantastic woman is traveling the world on her own. Such courage. Others dealing with heartbreak, love, life, raising families and work. They are figuring it out.

The more people who read my blog, of course, there seems to be always someone who doesn’t like it.

That leaves the question to me of how to deal with it. I either forgive, forget, overlook, pretend they aren’t there, or accept it.

Between saying and doing is an ocean of difference.

While I was on vacation for a week and didn’t have internet access I found myself missing my online community. I have made friends with unbelievable people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. We share videos, stories, pictures of our lives, you name it. For me being so far from my family I find it a great way of knowing what they are up to.

I have also met people from all over the world. I love that. Our world truly is getting smaller. So on a spiritual path to enlightenment, I believe we are all interconnected. All of our actions effect each other.

I’m working through these questions with the help of my friends and I am so thankful for them.

How do you deal with the critics? Is it better just to not share? You are welcome to leave your comments.

Thank you for visiting.

As always I hope this post finds you lucky and in love.

Julie
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My love affair with Apple, Mac and highest regards for Steve Jobs. ♥ ❒ Check ✔

♥ Why is it called Apple? Mouse over this picture to see.

It just works.

It started when I was working in the 80s at ComputerLand. I was hired by my mom’s friend the year after I had graduated high school. She hired me to be her assistant.

We sold IBM PCs to banks. There were no hard drives or memory on computers in those days. We saved our data on something called a 5 1/4 inch floppy disc.

One beautiful day a cute square box with an apple on it arrived that changed our lives. I got to open it. That was truly an exciting memory.

This is the first Mac that came out around 1984 I believe.

My very first computer purchase ~ the Mac Classic. I walked out of the SJSU Spartan Student Store with this in a box in 1986. It seems like yesterday.

It was the 1984 Macintosh also called the Mac Classic. We opened it up and I saw my first mouse. I couldn’t believe it. It was like a dream come true, someone, thank you Steve Jobs, had revolutionized the computer.

We had three programs to play with: a version of Word called MacWrite, a graphics program called MacPaint and solitaire.

Do any of you guys remember Wordstar? It was pre-word and used on IBM computers. Basically, you had to type a command-U before underlining and a command-U after the words to stop underlining. If you forgot the second command, your entire page would be underscored.

Bwah Ha ha ha.
That’s nerd humor for you.

Here kitty kitty kitty.  That's me talking again to my cat. : )

Here kitty kitty kitty. Click here to see my S.J. picks.

I hung out with the technicians. We got to open backs of computers and change mother boards and printer adapters. Fun stuff yet thoroughly educational and enjoyable. One day my friend Keary programmed a tiny musical symphony.

Why I love Apple and Mac Computers.

In 1986, after working at IBM, I bought my first Mac Classic at the student store at San Jose State University. The price was US$999. It was a bit of a novelty among my friends but me and my roommate got all of our reports done and WE COULD EDIT THEM.

Does anyone remember using white out on paper on a typewriter?

After university, I got my first job at big company in Los Angeles. There again, it was Mac all the way. To date, I have had and worked on

For my younger readers: This is what a computer screen looked like before there was a MOUSE!

For my younger readers: This is what a computer screen looked like before there was a MOUSE! See the Alt? Hold that with the U to start underlining! bwah ha ha ha, nerd humor again!

Macintosh ~ 1984
Apple IIgs ~ 1986
Macintosh LC 1990
Power Macintosh ~ 1994
Powerbook ~ 1996
iMac ~ 1998
Macbook ~ 2007
iphone – 2010

Talk about brand loyalty. The most difficult time in my life is when I moved to Europe in 1995 and couldn’t get support for my Powerbook to get my email going. I survived through it though. Europe has only embraced Apple in the last few years.

What I love about Macs?

Design. Intelligence. Font choice. The smile when you boot. User friendliness. The cool factor. That I have another mac or Apple and plan on getting more.

Thank you Steve Jobs and God bless.

How about you? Just how much do you love your Apple products? Are you loyal to any ONE brand?

Plug this into your cockpit.

ipad will replace books, in my humble opinion.

Also, I’ve never agreed with people who say Mac is just used for designers. I think ANYONE would love a mac product. Also I JUST had a long conversation how the ipad will revolutionize reading. I believe it will. I see kids with backpacks weighing 20 pounds and I get it big time.

Thank you for reading and commenting. please feel free to visit our gift store by clicking here.

How to increase blog traffic — 10 tips and tricks from jbulie’s blog.

If you want your blog or website to succeed, just love doing it.

Easy.
Even the what you can't imagine is possible. ♡ ㄥ❀∨モ

Even what you can’t imagine is possible. ♡ ㄥ❀∨モ

I’m sharing with you what I’ve been doing over here to attract visitors and increase blog traffic.

Don’t believe the people who say they get a million visitors a day. They are like kids in a candy shop, typing in numbers. Learn from doing first hand, and ask a blogger friend.

Here are the steps you can take to make your site grow.

1. Get to know your readers. Share.

Spend a lot of time looking at your stats feature and try to understand where your readers are coming from. A lot of my readers have become friends. Thanks guys. A lot are new, welcome. I’ve also found having a stats counter installed helps.

I’ve learned that they come from all over the world and different backgrounds and ages.

ㄥ❀∨モ

From Pauline to Helen Gurley Brown: She is an unsung, deliciously sybaritic, and downright cheeky feminist heroine. She will be sorely and dearly missed.

2. Participate in comments and conversations.

One of the best ways of inviting visitors to your site participate in conversations in the comment sections of blogs you like reading. Ever since I started my blog, I’ve learned a great deal in the comments section of articles.

3. Write good content.My highest ranked day was when I wrote a piece about motivation and being a better person.

4. Write from the heart.

Talk as if you were speaking to a few good friends. Write about what you care about people are going to be supportive.

5. Make it a goal.

I have also made it a goal of mine to have a lot of visitors so in my free time, I read as many articles I can on the subject.

6. Use your real voice.

When I write, I like to picture I’m either standing infront of my peers and explaining things simply. Or, I try to imagine I’m writing my sister or mom and telling them how simple it is to make a blog grow.

Wishing you flowers today.

Wishing you flowers today.

7. Enjoy

You guys might have noticed how much I love to play around with my readers. I enjoy writing. I write to share, to learn and to enrich life and the people around me.

8. Add extra value, then go the extra mile.

The more you give, the more you receive. It’s so easy to get great feedback ~ just give of yourself.

You are one person writing, right? Well, there are lots of people reading so the ratio is just immense. Give of yourself and you get back so much from some many people. I strive to constantly go the extra mile and provide excellent quality in all my endeavors.

9. Be inspiring

You can be inspiring, funny wonderful, full of life. If you don’t believe in yourself, well then I do! You can do it.

We all have the ability to push ourselves to learn and make our lives better. You can do it. I believe in you.

10. Pay it forward.

Without my visitors, I’d just be here talking to my cat. She’s a good listener, however. To pay it forward it’s super simple. Just hit the tweet button if you have twitter, or share on facebook by clicking the link below.

Thanks for visiting. I appreciate your comments.

My Amazing Students Success Stories #2 also known as #MASSS featuring Chiara S.

One day in class I asked my students to write about their best day ever when I came across this gem. I asked her if she wouldn’t mind me sharing it on my blog and she gave me the thumbs up. I hope you enjoy it as much I did. Julie

The Most Exciting Day of My Life by Chiara S.

I’ve got two best days of my life — the first is when I received my rabbit, Tipete eight years ago for Christmas. The second was when I won my first tennis tournament. I would like to talk about the second point, my tournament.

It was  August 2009 and I was 12. The tournament was in Ferrara and it was called Poggese, the same name as the tennis club. I remember that I had to play five matches after the final.

The first match was very easy. I won 6-2, 6-1 with a girl who was younger than me. She was ten.

I played the second match very badly and I don’t know how I won that game. When the time ended, I remember that my adversary cried. I was disappointed for that match.

Later, when I had finished and showered and I was in the car with my family, my father told me, “I thought you lost that match, but you must be happy because you were able to remain focused for the entire duration of the match.”

Good.

I played the third set well. During the second game, I fell down. I had to stop the match because I had to put some ice on my foot.

It was a terrible for me.

I played the fourth match very well, the same as the first one. The fifth match was beautiful. I played with a tall and thin girl. She was ten. Her name was Emma.

That was a long match. I won 6-7, 6-4 and 6-4. In the end, I remember that she too had cried because she was disappointed.

As for me, I cried because I had finally played in a finals game.

During the finals, I was very shaken. I always listen to music when I am shaken to relax but this on this day, I was on edge.

Later, I played with a girl named Michela who is now a friend. She is small and thin. When I went out onto the tennis court, there were about twenty to thirty people and I was scared.

My mom told me, “Play as you can.” When the match started, I decided to serve.

I began with an ace.

I thought to myself, “Not bad!”

The first game and point of the match are always important because it’s the first step in gaining confidence. People clapped and I was very embarrassed to see so many people that were in awe.

I don’t like people to stare at me because I’m shy. I lost the first set but I won the second one.

I was tired but I thought that my adversary was probably even more tired than me.

I began the third set with a double fault. After fifteen minutes, I was losing 4-0.

I said to myself, “Chiara! Wake up!”

So I continued to play with a single objective: not to make a mistake.

Michela changed her game and she began to play like me but I was more regular.

After thirty minutes, I was winning 5-4. Michela served in only one game. She served three aces. I couldn’t believe it.

There were five games all. I thought I wouldn’t have to play a tie breaker.

I was too tired. But during these  last two games, I made some horrible mistakes, so we ended up having to play the tie break.

I served. My service was very slow because I knew that she was very tired and I knew she wouldn’t let me win. After ten minutes the score was 6-5 for me.

The next ball was match point with me in the lead.

I committed a double fault. I was probably scared of winning. I only know that I wasted energy that I didn’t have to waste. After another ten minutes the score was 11 all.

I didn’t have any energy left so I tried to concentrate on making two aces.

The first point wasn’t an ace but she made a mistake. Now for me, it was the second match ball. Finally, I closed the match with an ace.

I was very happy.

After five minutes, I received my cup and I went back home.

In the evening my family and I went to a restaurant to celebrate my first victory in a tennis tournament. Now my tennis cup is on a shelf in my bedroom with the other trophies but this cup takes first place.

46 Ways to be a Better Person

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Here’s a quick list that will get your started on having a nicer day now. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

1. Take a deep breath now, hold it as long as you can. Count to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, release, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and now another.

2. OK, two more deep breaths. Relax.

3. Concentrate on this word <<oooaahhhhmmm>> and close your eyes and take another two deep breaths, in through your nose out through your mouth.

4. Meditate. Concentrate on your third eye and just be peaceful. You can stop reading this! It’s okay!

5. Slow down. Try moving slowly.

6. Start each day as Gandhi did: Be the change you want to see.

7. Look for ways to help others.

It almost always seems impossible until it's done. ♡

It almost always seems impossible until it’s done.x♡o

8. Treat yourself great.

9. Be your own friend.

10. Go to the mirror and make funny faces.

11. Make yourself and/or a friend a nice cup of tea or coffee.

12. Take a long walk without music or distractions.

13. Clean. Go left to right, it works.

14. Be young in your heart.

15. Hug a tree.

16. Jump on one leg. Now the other. Do this in your mind’s eye. Or for real.

17. Spin like a child with your eyes closed. Do this in your mind’s eye. Or for real.

18. Hug someone. Even yourself.

19. Next time you see someone on facebook that’s down, get involved. Try sending links, messages.  Or, how about a phone call?

20. Believe in miracles. :) I do.

21. Be inspirational.

22. Forgive yourself.

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy. Listen to the next sound you hear.

23. Push yourself to be a little bit better.

24. Count to ten before reacting. {or better yet, just let it slide.}

25. Pet an animal.

26. Turn off the tv.

27. Sell something on ebay.

28. Give something away to charity.

29. Treat yourself to a day spa.

30. Take a nice long relaxing bath or shower.

31. Bake.

32. Organize your files.

33. Make a list of three things you don’t want to do and then do them.

34. Eat well. How’s a salad sound for your next meal? A big one!

35. Exercise.

36. Take a risk with love.

37. Write a message on someone’s facebook wall saying thank you for being there.

38. Enjoy this moment.

39. You can reprogram your mind to believe anything you want it to. Triy listening to affirmations. There are tons on you tube.

40. Shine the light that God has given you.

40. Shine On!

40. Shine the light that God has given you.

41. Tell someone you love them.

42. No matter what your age, dream — even big if you’d like.

43. Remember a moment when you were blissful. Hold on to it.

44. Accept yourself for exactly who you are.

45. Send a REAL letter in the mail.

46. Give yourself a little break.

Thanks for reading and have a great day. I believe in you. I do.

In the comment section, I’d like to know what you can hear, smell and feel in this exact moment. What is around you? I can hear  boys playing, the washing machine spinning and a distant car passing.

Lessons from my Yia Yia — the most beautiful woman ever.

My sister Lisa and I made these glasses from wires we found in the garage. We had talcom powder in our hair to look old. My mom painted all the paintings behind us.

I find my life is truly blessed. I live in a spirit of thanks. When my husband walks home from work and asks me how my day was, he always likes to add how lucky I am. I think he’s right.

My road to where I am has been filled with bumps and jumps — beautiful, sometimes heart wrenching, highs and lows. Today, I look at the highs.

My grandmother, called YiaYia (Yiy yah), the most beautiful woman in the world, told me to find the good, find the positive.

When we were little, we’d spend a week, a weekend or a day at Yia Yia’s house. She had rosy cheeks, her hair done and she smelled like baby powder.

My beautiful Yia Yia. She's so beautiful.

Isn’t she just breath taking?

As we drove up to her curb in south Pasadena, we had troubles parking the car every time because the curb was too high to open the car door. My father would drive forward, us three kids would climb out, then we’d wait on the sidewalk while dad would park.

We’d walk up the sloped driveway to the front screen door. The five steps infront of the house were painted green. The dogs would jump and bark, the screen door would crack. Maxie. Maxie. I noticed the funniest long shoot drop mailbox, a chiming door bell and then there she was, Yia Yia, in all her smiling, sweet, come on it, glad you made it loving glory.

Is there anything more wonderful in this world than a grandmother for a child?

I remember if we would visit and she was ill, she’d stay in bed. She’d invite us kids on top of the comforter and she’d hug us. I remember looking at her arms. Her skin was smooth as silk with nice brown and pink spots on it. I’d ask what they were and she’d laugh and cover them. She said they were age spots.

Georgianna (Jane) Angelos, my mom and us three kids.

Her voice was always soothing. When my dad talked to her she used to look at him with listening ears and a smile. She’d say Ah, come on, Nicky, when she knew someone was teasing her, and then she’d laugh her lovely laugh.

She liked to apologize for her house disorder that I never saw and she loved girly things. I remember she had two alarm clocks and two big lamps with curious chain pulls to turn them on and off.

Her husband, Jack, my grandfather had passed away for at least 10 years but his clock was still on his night table. On the walls were framed pictures of ballerinas. On the pink and white cotton bedspread, she had her L.A. Times and her glasses. At the foot of her bed on her dresser, she had the TV turned on low. She liked to watch 60 Minutes.

She liked to write too. She liked Los Angeles. She’d write long detailed letters to her mom who was still back in Pennsylvania about the people she would meet at the Hollywood parties in the 50s, 60s, 70s.

She was lovely because she was. It was her essence.

Mike, Lisa and Julie circa 1968

When she passed, I was ready for it. I am sure I cried but it was through subtle acceptance and love that I knew she was ready to go.

If I had to sum up how beautiful the world is, I would say, it was when I laid my head on my Yia Yia’s chest and she would just hold me and caress my hair. It was as natural as birth, life and death.

If I had to sum up what she taught me in life, she’d say Julie, find the positive, find the good.

Facebook ► the good, the bad and the unexpected.

I like to see you on facebook.

I like to see you on facebook.

With nine hundred fifty five million active users and 10 billion private pictures, it’s no wonder that facebook is touching many of our lives in ways that are good and bad and unexpected. What do you think? Like it, love it or leave it?

Like

Sharing pictures of my life with friends and family.

Don’t Like
Choosing a profile picture.

Like
Reading and seeing pictures of your lives.

Don’t Like
Political threads.

Like
Unexpected laughter from funny stories.

Continue reading

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy.

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy.

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy.

Hi friends. Welcome back. New visitors welcome.

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy.

I started out the new day with gusto thankful that I have been able to laugh.

It’s a nice thing.

I like to making changes slowly, one step and a time, then implementing them into my life—much like getting into a swimming pool. I’ve always liked to take my time.

For some reason, I feel full of hope, full of possibility. Life is good.

I thinking writing down goals in specific terms is important. I know that when I have a list in front of me I tend to get it done. That does not exclude the fact that I at time goes for long periods of time without lists and still life goes on, doesn’t it?

For the sake of adventure, I’m going to attempt to make sense out of my goals and write them down. Here they are in specific terms.

My goals are to

1. Obtain a healthy balance of body, mind and spirit.

2. Continue with my walks. Do yoga, stretching and bike rides on a regular basis.  I love how walking clears my head. The most difficult part is just getting out the door, but I’ve noticed how simple life is on a bike. There are no keys and no cell. You just get the bike and ride.

3. Spirit. I belive in the power of prayer. I’ve also been doing some really nice healing meditaitons I found online. I love the way it calms me. I usually google Guided Healing Meditations.

4. Mind. The only way I know how to keep my mind healthy is to focus. I focus by pushing my limits. I love a clean house and that keeps me busy going room to room.

I’m also working hard on my house. I’ve made a list of things I need to accomplish around here, being a strong animated restructured house and all, and I’m just tackling it. We’ve been here now for quite some time so most of the hard work is out of the way.

Still, I enjoy keeping it in order and that takes time and dedication.

Well, as always I thank you for visiting. I pray this post finds you lovely, lucky and in love.

Julie

Change Your Thinking – Feel free to share.

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.
‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.’

The origin of this letter is unknown, but please pass it on.

Our eight page #newsletter went to print!

I am safe in the universe and all life loves and supports me. Thx LH.

I am safe in the universe and all life loves and supports me. Thx LH.

Hey! How are you guys? Thanks for stopping by. Today I’m sharing with you a project that my graphic students have just completed. My awesome co-teacher and I asked each of the 20 students to write an article on whichever subject they wanted, be it sports, music, technology, whatever.

Then came the corrections and the layout. It took us about a month to do and I’m certain we can find errors in this but it is a student project. It prints onto A3 paper which is European large size copy paper and then folds in half. If you can imagine taking two large pieces of glossy paper then printing on both sides.

Then flip it horizontally and fold in half. Put the center pages inside. It’s like a mini book. It comes out in eight pages. Get it?

I’m making it available to you for free here for your reading pleasure. Hope you like reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Julie

It’s 5 megabytes so make sure you have the hard disk space before downloading! 

Clicking here now will begin your free download. Thanks for reading!