Author Archives: Julie

Starting 2012 with wild abandonment.

Posted on December 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

Please be patient while my video is being processed.

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Posted in journal

Twitter Facebook Faceoff ► Which one do you prefer? #ff @jbuliesblog

Posted on December 30, 2011 | 15 Comments 
Hello!

I’m thinking about my friends clicking in here from all over the world. How awesome is the world wide web?

Today I’m talking about twitter and how hard it is to understand as least for someone like me.

Please tweet or pin. Thanks!

Please tweet or pin. Thanks!

I’ve had some great great comments in my facebook. Facebook rules by the way ~ twitter, well, it’s new all new to me. ~ Go facebook, go!

I got comments about how to use twitter since it’s such an enigma for me. David Letterman figured it out by getting a laptop and one of his techies to turn on his twitter page so he can update it during the show.

If David Letterman can do use twitter, certainly I can do it too, right?

Are you like me? Curious about new technology?

Keep a journal. Really. It's lovely.

Keep a journal. Really. It's lovely.

First step. I tried to google twitter tips. You know what you get? More questionable information.

Here are jbulie’s blogs, that’s me, @jbuliesblog. Please follow me on twitter.

Top ten reasons why I prefer facebook to twitter.

1) Because I can’t figure twitter out.

2) Because one of my favorite artists, Nev, has about 22,000 twitter followers, so obviously, he rules.

3) I added a ‘twitter’ expert to my friends list and tried to follow his instructions. He’s on my facebook account, check him out, 21 year old millionaire. Really. ;)

4) Need to fork out cash to automatically to add friends.

5) Nearly all articles I have read about twitter say how people don’t like twitter.

6) Celebrities are thriving on twitter. I love celebrities. I’m following them all. I can’t figure out twitter. I’m not a celebrity. Let’s do the math A + B = C No twitter followers over here, yet!

Yes. Please.

Inspired choices. Yes. Please.

7) Writer fell asleep. No number seven. Shout out to Apple and the ipad.

*8) The boy genius expert advised me to use his software to add all followers of a famous person, well, there is no add all followers button. I can’t even believe I spent time looking for it. Can I have my two minutes back?

9) Someone out there knows how it works. Now I am back to square one. I know my friends on facebook say leave it alone, but I cannot deny it is a big presence in social media.

I’m no social media expert, and in fact, I’m going back to being a mom and wife. It’s much more satisfying. Lots of hugs and kisses, and unexpected words.

Your turn. Going the extra mile here kids.

11) What is your take? Do you like twitter? Do you use twitter? Is it basically another social media network? Is it a cell phone application? The people who are bloggers with lots of twitter followers, do you think they did it by using automatic applications that tweet for them?

As always, thanks for following. I ♥ my readers. You guys are awesome. Hope your day is beautiful and filled with love.

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Posted in happiness, Italy, learning, motivation, teaching, writing

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Is your blog bloggalicious?

Posted on December 26, 2011 | 26 Comments
The wind longs to blow in your hair.

If someone is meant to be in your life, they will make sure they are. It is really that simple.

I saw a friend the other day. She asked me how I was. As a joke I said,

Haven’t you read my status update? Ba du dum.

We know we are in trouble when every real conversation we have ends with I’ll send you a link.

Are bloggers the new journalists?

Now that I’m a blogger, I approach life a little bit differently. When I go out and about I notice more details. I started to talk to people and I’ve started to listen to them as well. I’m thinking I’m just basically scouting for stories so I don’t run out of things to write about.

Lord knows it’s hard to get me to be quiet so I don’t know why I would run out of ideas. The point is it’s time for me to zip the gab smacker known as my mouth and start listening.

I’m learning this from a blogger friend of mine. The way it works is this. You offer your story and then you ask to hear their story. So, letting caution to the wind, I say, hey, why not? I’ll give it a shot.

Is your blog bloggalicious? Is your life life—alicous? Is your booty bootilicous?

Do you start every real conversation lately with I read your blog post or I saw your video on line?

Here’s a good one. When someone says they read your blog, do you sort of smile inwardly and think yeah, but did you leave a comment?

What do you think? People are reacting to me as if I were a writer. Now because I’m publishing a blog all of the sudden I’m a writer?

I’ll whip out some stories in the garage that I’ve kept for the last twenty years if you want to know that every day I’m a writer. The difference is that I’m now ready to share.

Did she just write what I think she just wrote?

Where’d I put the darn answer?

Joy. us.

Let your heart sing. Smile with your eyes.

I’m thinking Oscar buzz peeps.

I’m thinking Oprah’s on the phone spectacular.

I’m thinking out of control spectacular.

Did any of this make sense? Beuller? Beuller? Am I writing to myself again? Where’s my editor? Where’s my teacher? Anyone checking this for factual information?

Can I let this go? Will I let this go? When? Now. .•*¨`*•♫

Can I let this go? Will I let this go? When? Now. .•*¨`*•♫

If any of you are returning visitors here to my site I’ve been working hard updating it. If you are new here, well then *welcome*.

I’ve learnt a ton doing this blog about peer to peer marketing and overcoming fears. It’s actually increased my confidence as a writer. What do you think? Leave me a comment.

My friends have texted me that they find my blog and what I’m doing over here inspiring. If I had a dollar for every time.. ha ha ha.  That’s a good one.

I keep thinking about my blogger friend in Singapore who told me in a comment she thinks I’m technically gifted. It just makes me laugh.

I don’t know what happens but sometimes I am blogging and I get in a total programming zone where I have to get from point A to Z and until it’s there I don’t stop.

I’m super satisfied that I linked to five awesome charities in my right column. The one I hold dearest to me is for my high school friend Kelli, Living in Grace. I also made myself laugh in my Services tab up above. You’ll like it if you click on it. Want a link? ;)

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

Julie

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Posted in happiness, Inspiration, Italy, journal, writing

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31 things I am thankful for .¸.♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸.¸.♪♫•*

Posted on December 10, 2011 | Comments Off

This post is dedicated to a girl I met blogging who actually took the time to write 31 days of thanks in 31 days. I have absolutely no patience to write for 31 days. I’m like a kid like that. I always want dessert first so I’m just going to knock it out in one post.

31 things I am thankful for .¸.♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸.¸.♪♫•*

1. God and Life. I wake up every day and for that I’m thankful. I wake up with the hope and possibility of what that new day will bring.

2. The New Day. Remember when you were little and you learned your first little songs? When I open the window curtains in the morning and let the sunshine, many of these songs run through my mind. I like Rise and Shine.

3. Coffee. I was addicted to coffee when working in Corporate USA. I got up to six a day. Then I cut back to decaf. Then, when pregnant as a self challenge I quit all together to see if I could live with out it. I did for about eight years. Then I realized it’s okay to have a little bit. Now I will have maybe one cup or two max a day. I enjoy my coffee.

4. My sons watching cartoons in English on Italy on a Saturday morning. Sometimes they wrestle, sometimes they fight, but they always get in some good hugging time.

5. My friends on facebook who are full of funny and interesting links. I tell you the stuff they send around of facebook is at times entertaining, at times political, at times downright sad. I’m still thankful to be able to read it.

6. My blog. I love having a blog and a creative outlet.

7. My blog readers. I’m so thankful to see people stop in here to read my silly thoughts. Hello! Thanks for visiting.

8. My husband. I love my husband.

9. My family. I dream about them, I talk to them. I miss them. I’m on the floor, on my knees grateful to have them. xo

10. My friends. I’m so thankful to have you in my life.

11. The people who have clicked like on my blog and have supported me by doing so.

12. My first blog comment. I wrote an entire book about the subject of overcoming fear to set up my blog. It’s like when you are a public speaker and you have to over come fears of doing so. Then you get up there and do it and the rest sort of flows. I’m definitely over my beginning stage fright although still I’m not so comfortable with videos.

13. The girl who I’ve dedicated this post to. It’s funny how blogging changes your life. You might set up your blog because you want to share recipes. My might set it up to share pictures, to share home projects. There are millions of reasons to blog. The one unexpected blessing I’ve got out of this blog are the people I’ve got to know on a deep level through blogging.

I’ve seen some things in my in box that have literally made my heart skip a beat. For example the day this girl’s husband decided to rework my ad and make it look like I was a professional artist. It was stunning! He did this out of the goodness of his heart! I’m so thankful for these gestures of kindness.

14. My best friend. I’m so thankful I have a best friend. I didn’t meet my best friend until I was 20. She’s the best in the world and I love her with all of my heart. She knows this.

15. My relationship with my sister. The girl is amazing. She was a year and a half when I was born. If you know her, it’s most likely you admire her. Not only is she gorgeous, she was born with these golden angel like curls that look like sunshine is flowing through her.

When I was born I think I stole a little bit of her spotlight and I’ve been spending my life trying to make it up to her. There is no one I admire more. No one.

16. Food. I don’t like to describe myself as a foodie but I’m so thankful that I married one. Let’s put it this way, when we met he was fine wine and steak, I was hot dogs and Pabst. I’m thankful to have a husband who loves good food and wine. It’s awesome.

17. Education. I love learning. I truly do. Whenever I get a chance I look for opportunities to learn. My favorite resource lately is itunes university. I like virtually clicking on all of the campuses and discovering lectures at the best universities in the world for free in my living room.

18. Books. I am thankful for the books and their authors who have greatly influenced my life. I feel like their words and the time they took to write them have entered into my soul. It sounds far fetched but reading Hemingway, or I don’t know, I have a list of authors I love on my right side bar, have all become part of me.

19. My house. I’m so thankful for having a cozy home. Yesterday I had a friend over here and she stopped in and took it all in and just kept complimenting me. To me it’s every day. To her it was beautiful. I just laughed and giggled. I found it funny that she like it. I think it’s the fire that’s lit that creates a warm atmosphere in the winter months.

20. Our little cat. Oh, how we love our little cat! She’s been with us for a long time, but she’s a good kitty. Aren’t cats strange animals? Ours always has the same expression of boredom. She likes to plop her neck across my forehead while I’m sleeping and purr loudly. It’s the sweetest thing.

21. My art. I’ve been painting, giving away and selling for quite a while now. I set up an art shop online and have had 2,000 visitors and a few purchases. I love having my art up for sale. More than that, I love being able to create paintings. I’m thankful that God gave me a mom who had art she painted all over our walls growing up.

22. Our neighbors. I love and am grateful for our neighbors. People ask if I know my neighbors. Ha! Do I know them. We swap fresh vegis and plants. We watch each other’s kids. We have coffee and we chat.

23. Living on a safe street. About 200 yards from my house is a busy street. I’m thankful that we live on a street where cars rarely pass and my kids can get dirty finding worms.

24. Living in the country. I often teach a class where we do comparisons on life in the country verses life in the city. We like to say what we like better. I’ve lived in a city and I’ve lived in the country. To be honest, they both have positive aspects but for the moment with kids, I love living out in the country.

25. My country walks and bike rides. I’m thankful for the time I spend just walking. My mind is free to roam and somehow or another I seemed to always come back recharged.

26. Baseball. Baseball has been berry berry good to me. Nothing makes me happier than having the family together at a ball game. It’s so fun. I thank my sons afterwards every time for playing. I’m thankful they play.

27. Music. I can write an article. I can write a book. I can write a poem but I truly believe that nothing speaks right to the soul than a beautiful tune. When I find a song I like I can listen to it over and over again. I even think music has healing power.

28. Meditation. I have spent a lot of time meditating lately. I remember as a kid watching my uncle meditate and thinking it was really strange. I love how mediation has become part of my life.

29. Movies. I’m grateful for the creative souls and actors who have made movies. I love how a movie can transport you into another realm.

30. Electricity. I’m thankful that we live in a world where we have electricity that allows us the things we take for granted such as lights when it’s dark and television.

31. Water. I’m thankful that I have clean water running through my taps when one sixth of our world’s population doesn’t. In doing so, I urge you to be generous and donate time, effort or money to the families who desperately need water at this moment. The one that pops in my mind is the water bottle program Matt Damon has been promoting.

32. David Letterman. I knew could come up with one extra! He’s been my favorite tv program since I was 20.

33. My non stick pots and pans that I bought in USA. Oh! I forgot those. I’m thankful for those. Food doesn’t stick and they are easy to clean.

How about you? Did I overlook something? Let me know.

Much love and blessings to you. As always, I hope this post finds you lovely, lucky and in love.

Julie

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Life in a worldwide economy.

Posted on December 10, 2011 | 2 Comments

Hello friends. I’m interested in how our world is changing now that we have the internet so I read, get informed, take notes and share. I recently came across a great talk I think is packed with valuable information.

Do you ever wonder where your jeans come from? I watched a lecture online from Duke University on itunes U and saw a brilliant talk by a man called David Brady. I took notes that I’m sharing with you here.

Mr. Brady calls it a commodity chain.  He uses the example of your jeans by asking the question Where do your jeans come from?

Basically, a store gets their jeans from a buyer who buys  them from several factories.

For example, one buyer might by from a company in Mexico, another from China.

Not too long ago, Levis jeans, used to be produced in the United States. Now, they are contracted in the Dominican Republic.

It’s a combination of resources. They get their thread from South Carolina. They get their cotton from Texas.

The cotton is assembled in Haiti. Then it is sent back to the Dominican Republic for stone washing and fading.  Then the jeans are sent on a big container ship to Miami and finally to Walmart.

This same jeans’ buyer might also be using a Taiwanese company who also manufacturers in China, where the denim where the cotton comes from  is from India. The thread and denim come from China. It’s an amazing matrix, says Mr. Brady.

Goods and services are now provided faster and cheaper with an integration of more people.

It’s only since about 1970s that our lives have really changed and become what’s called a global economy. They made a floating dollar meaning that it was no longer attached to gold. When banks were first established, every dollar had real gold attached to it. That is no longer the case, hence a floating dollar.

In the old days they used ships to send things, it took a long time.

Nowadays, we use the internet and airplanes. With the internet, information is available immediately.

According to this Lecture, traditional media outlets are way behind the game, for example, CNN is telling us what the bloggers are reporting.

With twitter, you can have the latest information on any subject that interests you simply by typing a hash key # before the word you are interested in into the search box. For example, if you want to know what’s going on say for the floods in Italy and how you can help by donating to the red cross, type #cinqueterre to see how they are dealing with flood relief into the twitter search box.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion is the active dissemination of products, practice, policy or a set of values.

This also creates an interdependence meaning there is a two way street in an internet culture.

What is Internet Culture?

Internet culture means the flow of products, people and ideas. Where there is internet, culture, ideas, and awareness can be quickly spread.

For example,  India is now watching TV and making movies. Iran is having elections. China is exporting toys. US is importing beef from Brazil.

What’s interesting to see is the consequences. Sadly, when there are massive flows of people, there is also an increase of disease.

Life expectancy changes.

Economic Growth changes.

LIfe Expectancy Chart thx to D.Brady. How long will you live?

China and India have massive economic growth and represent half the world’s populations.

Where is the dilemma? Sadly, the bottom billion isn’t growing. It’s a puzzle. Sub Sahara Africa, there are no jobs and few economic opportunities.

The answer includes education

Take the example of a school without chalk, where nobody reads, kids have to only memorize and repeat. The Minister of education says they need more engineers to compete in the global economy. In this case, the government doesn’t meet reality.

In a progressive market, the international government organizations need to come up with plans where their words and promises meet the real needs of the people. For example, Amnesty helps to fuel positive social changes.

Now, the European Union has become a big economy. It represents a  massive player and  has the highest worldwide consumption. It is multi ethnic and multi cultural.

Which contries are engaged in Trade
50 – 60 percent of the global economy is involved in trade now 89 percent in Asia, that used to be only 10 percent. Affluent democracies include US, Japan, Western Europe, US went from 15-20 percent trade to its current 30-40% in terms of trade. Japan relatively behind Europe and U.S.

Look how trade has risen over the last 30 years for Asia!

Foreign born people in the United States is 2006 was 12 percent where as in 1970s it was 6 percent. Europe has increased foreign born 4 percent foreign born to now 10%. East Asia and the Pacific.

China in trouble because they depend so much on trade, that include layoffs where they feel the results of the economy.

The United Nations supports schooling and build schools for girls in developing countries.

Challenge of European Countries

Fertility rates are dropping in western Europe. In 1970, there were 2.4 children, now the fertility rate is 1.5. Put simply, people have fewer children. More children are needed to support an economy.

What does that mean? It means less and less kids are being born every year. To support and maintain our current economy, it is necessary to have a 2.1 children, according to this lecture.

This need has created a cultural conflict because of the need of immigrants to maintain population.

Which organizations are involved in worldwide economy?

The United Nations.The International Monetary Fund founded after WWII, US and Brittain got together and came up with the IMF in Washington DC with the goal of having stable exchange rates and  be a credit rating agency, so you could say what countries are having problems.

Then they started loaning. Post 1970 they said, we’ll give you the loan, stabilize your currency but your they installed conditions such as ensuring that they had to privatize energy. They loaned 16 billion dollars in 2008.

World Trade organization with protests since WWII.

It’s job is to be the judiciary for global trading, resolve disputes between countries. They are famous because they adjudicate the agreements and oversee them without getting involved.

The European Union

They say the European Union will one day be bigger than US and China. Now after two wars in the last century encouraged trade and migration of people in Europe, regional identity still exists but borders are open.

Iceland has been devastated perhaps the most because they poured all of their pension funds in mortgage-backed securities in US then did not controlling shares, and lost their backs. a Case of Portfolio investments.

To watch this lecture, I found it on itunes university, Duke University, entitled, David Brady – Understanding the Global Economy.

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Making it through the Christmas season with a smile.

Posted on December 9, 2011 | 1 Comment

I’m just going to say it.

It’s a lot of work being a mom. It’s a lot of work taking care of a house. I love it though. I don’t know about you but it’s non stop day after day cleaning, putting away, organizing, throwing away things you don’t need, buying things you do need.

Treat yourself a little bit extra nice today. xo

Treat yourself a little bit extra nice today. xo

I ran into a friend of mine at the grocery store yesterday. She’s a s super nice lady. Again, I find myself teary eyed like an idiot when people discover I’ve been fired from teaching at the public school system after eight years. They seem to want to fix it.

Strangely enough so did I! Until I realized God shut that door. It took me about six months of going back and banging my head until the light went on and I moved on.

It’s a grrrrrrrreat feeling to move forward. *Really!*

I’ve started working for myself as a freelance English teacher. I’m doing well. I’ve been contacted by quite a few people and things are looking up. I’m able to *pull off* Christmas for my gorgeous two boys.

That’s what I mean when I say it takes a lot of work to be a mom. I mean, you have to have that extra little bit of patience when you kid falls off his bike. You have to at times put your needs aside for the needs of others. If you do that too much, well, I risk exploding, so you have to do what you to do to make it through the day with a positive attitude.

I try to do things like eat well. Like fish and vegetables and stuff like that. I also like to get in a bike ride, yoga, or a long walk. Shopping is fun but I’m not a big shopper. I spend way too much time in the garage trying to figure out what to do with the things that accumulate so it makes it hard to buy more things.

I supposed I’m blessed in that way. I suppose! I’m not too sure. It’s all a balance act.

I also have a couple of strange thoughts that I don’t know if they belong to me or not. You can take them out of context if you’d like and copy and paste them on facebook and laugh at me, but I believe that sometimes it’s all a dream.

I believe that we have parallel lives. I believe we are all just holograms of ourselves. I believe we can control our destiny by choosing to think positive. I believe that if you look in the mirror and put on a smile even when you don’t feel like smiling, after about the tenth time, you are going to make yourself smile.

When I was a student at University I worked at the Clinique counter at Macy’s San Jose, as well as a computer store, but anyhow, my best friend and I worked together. One day we wanted to call in sick, so at the counter, we started putting on white make up, and making ourselves look sick.

We were laughing because we are goofy like that but after a while, we both ended up feeling sick.

I think the opposite is true too. If you put on a smile, after a while, you are going to feel a little bit happier.

That’s why I’m creating a little magical Christmas house for me and my family. It doesn’t include much BUT there are lights on the tree, there are candles and ornaments on the table. There is lavender in an angel vase. There is a Santa climbing up the balcony with twinkle lights. I listen to a lot of Christmas music. There are surprises for as many people as I can manage and there are chocolate chip cookies both in the fridge and freezer.

That’s the magic. It’s the best I can do but that’s about the most I can ask of myself.

Hope this holiday season is greeting you with love, lucky and happiness. If not, you can always try smiling in the mirror.

xo

Julie

What are your favorite Christmas tunes? I like Jingle Bells. My all time favorite is Silver Bells.

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Facebook ~ the good, the bad and the unexpected.

Posted on December 8, 2011 | 23 Comments

I like to see you on facebook.

I like to see you on facebook.

With half a 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.

Like

If you get far enough away you'll be on your way home

Seeing the name of an old friend after many years.

Like
Meaningful contributions.

Like
Links to cool articles, videos and songs.

Don’t Like
Mean spirited comments and insults.

Like
Status Updates.

Don’t Like
Too many status updates in a row.

Like
Chatting on line.

Don’t Like
Chatting on line when I’m trying to get out of the door.

Like
The love and support people give.

Don’t Like
To read about sad things happening in your lives.

Like
When I write a status update and people hit the ‘Like’ button.

Don’t Like
Certain sentences such as I’m just saying and bad use of punctuation, such as all caps, or lots of dots.

Like
Acronyms such as LMAO, LMFAO and lol. Parenthesis and dashes like this {hugs} and ~ instead of -.

Don’t Like
 Certain applications, some invitations, and farmville.

Like
 Long personal letters from friends.

Like
Seeing you smile.

Double Like
Long threads with many participants.

Like
Having a look into your lives through pictures.

Like
Facebook birthdays.

Like
Instant communication, sort of like instant gratification.

Like
Being connected to the world. Paying it forward.

Like Like
Compliments and thank yous. Love to hear thank you. :)

I’ve run out of dislikes.
How about you? Facebook ~ Like it, love it or leave it?

Add to FacebookAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to TwitterAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Yahoo BuzzAdd to Newsvine

Like This!

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Updating my #Zazzle Gallery.

Posted on December 7, 2011 | Leave a comment 
 Please click on image to enter store.


 fb comments.

Your paintings rival Mattisse.  Mika M.

I love these paintings. They remind me of a friend that I love and adore. Deb H.

It looks like Van Gogh stopped by your house. Tanya M.

I love mine. Kelli B.

Oh, these are just wonderful! What a great collection! Tracey H.

Love your art work Julie. Love that it comes from within and shows your true spirit about life, love and true happiness. Rose O.

I like the frame and picture.Jon D.

It looks even better on my wall! Chassity H.

Me too! LOVE love LOVE it! xox  Diana O.

I LOVE it!!! Stephanie M

Your painting looks amazing! Good job! Maria P.

So pretty julie bulie. you’ve got talent baby Reka C.

Are these for sale?  Nicholas M.

When I look at this it makes me feel happy, happy, happy! Rose O.

It’s very warm, I like it. Peter B.

Julie I just want to say good job! I have noticed that sverytime you post a painting they keep getting better and better! I think you are better than Picasso! James L.

Ma quanti…che belli! Deborah L.

Julie, don’t mistake innocence for childish, their beautiful! Dieter B.

Oh, Julie! These are just lovely! Tracy T.

I like the colors very much. Susan W.

Your brilliant. Many blessings to you. Go girl! Brenda W.

Sarah.
Fur Elise.

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Posted in journal

Andy Rooney on turning 50

Posted on December 4, 2011 | 11 Comments

Andy Rooney on Women Over 50

From Andy Rooney on CBS’s 60 Minutes:

Sometimes we discover gems of wisdom that have been right on our doorstep for, well… for a long time! CBS correspondent Andy Rooney shares his insight on what makes women over 50 so smart, sexy, and fun! Here you go:

As I grow in age, I value women over 50 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, ‘What are you thinking?’ She doesn’t care what you think.

If a woman over 50 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it’s usually more interesting.

Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age.

You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest.. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?Here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage.Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

_____________

♥ Hi. :) Hey friends, thanks for visiting. New visitors welcome. ♥

Writing you with an update from life in Italy. Be sure to check out my e~store. I just updated it with a bunch of paintings I love.

When I started this blog I truly had no idea what it would turn into. Every couple of days or so, I’d come up with another idea and then try to implement it. So far, I have to admit, so good ~ can’t complain.

Sorry to keep going back to it, but my stats and visitors are doing great. In the last months, I have written my downloadable ebook, Zero to Blog, posted two videos, hosted a give away for one of my paintings.

I have also managed to get up my e~store, my jbulie’s clothing line, my schools clothes, and a couple of other things I’m sure I’m overlooking.

Does it matter? Why do you do it?

I like to talk about what gets people motivated.

I had another opportunity to teach recently. We talked about US, I talked about Italy, I talked about the world.

Nulla si crea, nulla si distruge.

When you become a blog writer and you write to a number of people, you have to be careful what you say. I mean that in the nicest way. I just don’t want to go out and publicize the lives of people who are near and dear to me without their permission.

I try to choose safe subjects, like the weather, like being in the classroom and travel. It’s not enough though. I think we owe it to our selves to push the envelope and go a little bit further to figure out how to make this world a little bit better by our example, by our work.

Lead by doing.

In class, I opened my blog to see on an overhead projector. By the end of the lesson, the students clapped. To me, it is not uncommon to walk into a classroom and find a big message on the blackboard, Prof Angelos is the Best. Thanks guys, I love that. :) Or, I get a lot of little cards that have been designed with hearts and stars. These usually stop me in my tracks, especially if I’m lecturing. I’ll stop, read the card slowly, smile and usually change the tone of my voice very quickly.

Big scoop going down in the classroom.

We talked about the world, technology and airplanes, and how not having an airplane can change your life drastically. I decided to take a group of kids into the art room and make pictures that say We are sorry that you are far away from your home.

Everyone contributed, even three other teachers. I showed six girls how to make the flower pictures. They came out great. I’ll get a pictures up as soon as the paint dries. They are currently in the art room. When I finished my flower pictures, the girls and a couple of teachers were sitting around watching, learning and helping. When I finished, again, they clapped, incredibly so.

Now THAT floors me.

When one of my best friends in the world writes to me why don’t you come back home?, which in my case, is Los Angeles, I crumble. I think that might be the sweetest thing I could possibly hear. My home is where my family is, my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother, and all of the friends I grew up with. Right? Now my home is in Italy.

In the last fifteen years, I’ve slowly built a new home, career and family that is echos with laughter. I don’t think I could ever beat that by going backwards.

Those are my musings for a lovely day in Italy that has included sun, wind, clouds and now cold. Kids are still playing out in my garden. As always I thank my readers who email me because a friend has recommended my book and thinks I can help.

That’s why I do it.

As always, please leave your comments. I apologize if this post is a little bit non linear, but perhaps that’s how I’m feeling today.

Much love to you all.

Julie

Your turn. If you are a blog writer, how do you feel about writing about your friend’s lives? Do you think they mind? What is the last book you have read?

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Your turn. If you are a blog writer, how do you feel about writing about your friend’s lives? Do you think they mind? What is the last book you have read?

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Posted in happiness, Inspiration, motivation

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#5 My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS Guest Stars Paula Vizzini

Posted on December 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

I met Paula through my sister as they often travelled to the same trade shows together across USA. One day, they started talking about me living in Italy. Seeing that Paula has a knack for designing beautiful handbags, I knew we’d hit it off immediately.

Here she is, ladies and gentlemen, the lovely charming, Paula Vizzini, handbag designer extraordinaire.

Love Vizzini Handbags.Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? I am a family person have God in my life and love life. I am a self motivator not afraid of a challenge, love being an entrepreneur I find business very fascinating. I love to see what I can do! I would rather fail then not try at all. My down fall is that I am very hard on myself.

How do you define success? Success to me means different things. Success to me doesn’t mean how much money you have it is setting goals and accomplishing them.

Being a great mom, wife, great friend and having a lot of fun in life. Success is trying then not trying what you want to accomplish. Having a positive attitude is more contagious and will help with success. Loving what you do, you can look at yourself in the mirror knowing that you are doing the right thing.

I remember the day I felt that I had finally made it in my life. It was the day I had my 25 year reunion with my study abroad program. I looked around and thought, wow, that’s a pretty darn successful group, then I realized I was part of it. How about you? What was your I made it moment? I have to be honest. I’ve never really had that moment yet. I feel very successful in my handbag business but I have a long way to go to feel the I made it moment which to some people that is sad but I feel that I have just started my life in my career.

I feel very successful in my personal life and in my career but still have a long way to go.  I have a wonderful husband and two wonderful children my career is just an extra bonus.

It's Paula Vizzini.

It's a Vizzini handbag.

Have you ever come across an obstacle in your path to where you are today? Can you describe it to me and tell us how you got over it? I face obstacles daily in business. You question yourself all the time on decisions making and what is best for the company.

One big obstacle is dealing with different types of people and their personalities can be the most challenging. The way I over come that is doing the right thing.

Customer service is a must in my business.

I make sure the customer leaves happy because it always will come back to you. I truly believe customer service is going to keep your business alive. Face the problem. Don’t run from it. Stay open and honest!

In terms of education, did you find a university degree was necessary in obtaining your dreams or goals? What was? Yes, I believe my degree in Business Management and minor in Marketing Education is important in many ways. It has given me the confidence and the basics to start my business.

Then you add your experience on top of your education and you become a strong weapon. Always have an open mind and remember that you do not know everything.

What are you currently working on? I started Handbag line called Vizzini almost a year from Nov 2010. We are in about 80 boutique stores and you can find a location on my website at http://vizzinionline.com. Vizzini comes from my maiden name.

Can you tell me about someone you admire and why? Wow. Great question! I gravitate towards very strong people that have not been handed anything and have to work real hard or harder to get where they want to go. If I need to name someone the person that comes to my mind would be Erin Brockovich.

I am sure most people have seen the movie about her, but she worked very hard, single mom, asked for help, time management went against people with money to do what was right for the little people.  I love how strong she is as a person and how she was very determined.

Would you like to give me a word of advice on obtaining goals? I think I would have to say the most challenging for me is time management. You your time wisely because you can end up running in circles and get nothing accomplished. Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t worry about what other people say. Stay focused on your goals and don’t feel bad to ask for help.

Can I have a link for more information? You can follow Vizzini on twitter, facebook or click here to enter our online gallery.

Well Thanks Paula. That was super informative. I found the part I liked the best was what you wrote about ordinary people overcoming obstacles to help, to try to be good and honest. Good luck and continued success with your beautiful handbags.

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