Category Archives: relationships

I don’t know about you but I don’t take criticism too well. ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

Posted on January 19, 2012 | 34 Comments

Clear your heart. Let it go.

Hi mom!

People who read this—God bless you—know that I had to overcome a lot of fears to set up this blog. Would you like to know why?

Love God. Love others. Love yourself.

Because writing for the public is similar to public speaking. You talk to people and they can smile, judge, laugh, agree or disagree. Sometimes they throw tomatoes right at the computer screen. I don’t suggest it.

Believe in yourself. I do, believe in you.

I like to to emphasize is a learning by doing aspect. For example, if any of you have ever travelled, I bet that what you saw first hand is different than what you read in books. It’s like a thousand reflections in a mirror. Until you go and experience something first hand, they are all just stories on a page.

Writing a blog is an ongoing learning experience. Please don’t think I know what I’m doing. I’m rather new to this @$#% blgng bznss.

almost late summer colors! Cheer up lovely Julie. You are smart, talented, beautiful and have an awesome family. You are more blessed then MANY so stop sulking and snap out of it...ha! xoxo

Beautiful happy, bright, Spring. My vase is over flowing.

When I put up my art work last week, it was the exact same feeling. Sure, some people have no problems writing and talking and showing off their work. I do. I have enormous insecurity problems.That is EXACTLY why I feel like this blog is growing steadily. It’s because I’m so darn afraid of failing, I putting every ounce of myself into making succeed.

I am willing to take a risk and show you my work. Put DOWN that tomato. If you want to succeed in today’s market, I believe you must be willing to talk about your work.

Newbie blogger tip ~ See how you can read words when you roll over my pictures? In your html code after the word title, change the text to what you see between the quotes. It’s really cool. Don’t forget that all of your pictures click through to links YOU choose, so you should do that too. {back to reading}

I don’t see what is wrong with it. Like I told my blogger friend, it’s fat free. Unless, of course, you are eating a lot of food while writing.

I also love reading and studying and learning from other people. That’s why I spend a lot of time on other people’s blogs to see how they approach the same question as mine.

How do you, as a blogger or website owner, reach an audience, connect with them, share information, and grow as an individual?

Give and ye shall receive. No, it’s ask and ye shall receive, isn’t it?

I’m willing to try. I’m willing to learn. In the meantime, I hope this post finds you happy, lovely, lucky and in love.

♥ Your encouragement is what pushes me forward. Leave your comments below where it says *comments*.

God bless.

Julie

She’s got gumption up the wazoo!

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Posted in happiness, Italy, learning, relationships, travel

Tagged Arts, Bless you, blog, blog giveaway, blogger, bloggers, blogging, Cafepress, God, Italy, julie angelos, learning, Learning-by-doing, Public speaking, Tomato, twitter, United States, Venice, Work of art, Writers Resources, writing, www.cafepress.com/jbulie, www.zazzle.com/jbulie, Zazzle, zero to blog

Facebook ~ the good, the bad and the unexpected.

Posted on December 8, 2011 | 23 Comments

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?

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Posted in Inspiration, relationships, writing

Tagged blog, blogger, blogging, facebook, jbulie, jbulie's blog, julie angelos, Microblogging, number-game, Online Communities, Social network, Social network service, Updates, Website

#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.

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 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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Posted in relationships

Tagged Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, education, Erin Brockovich, George Clooney, Handbag, Jennifer Aniston, Paula, Princess Bride, Time management, United States, Vizzini

#6 My Amazing Friends also known as MAFSS guest M. Risser

Posted on November 22, 2011 | 15 Comments

You might be new here, so please make sure to add a bookmark, follow me on facebook or follow me on twitter at jbuliesblog.

Running side by side friend.

Run the Hill by guest blogger Michele Risser

Run the hill is a phrase I use when things get hard. Run the hill is focus. Run the hill is determination. Run the hill is tenacity, strength and endurance. Running the hill is the thing you have to do to become a better runner.

On a long stretch of highway you can see the hill, ahead in the distance waiting for your arrival. There are certain things you must do as you approach it. You must unclench your fists and relax your shoulders. You must straighten your back and expand your chest. You must raise your head. Most importantly, you must turn up your music.

Stay focused.

As you begin the ascent, you must find a point just ahead of you to become your mini goal. It may be a crack in the road, a sign or a post, a tree or a flower. All you aim for is that next little goal. It is very important not to look, glance at, or focus on the top of the hill, it is overwhelming.

You must stay focused on your mini goal until you pass it and then hone in on the next crack, tree, post or flower until again you must select a new one.

As your music keeps your pace, as your eyes look forward, as your chest expands to receive oxygen and your head is held up to supply that oxygen, you begin to realize you are running the hill. Little by little, breath by breath, one leg and then the other stepping up, up, up. You are running the hill.

Jumping over obstacles.

Those things in life which are the hardest to do are the things we must do. They make us stronger, more patient, compassionate, they improve us.

They give us the experiences in life which require focus, determination, tenacity and perseverance.

Doing hard things helps us to grow. At times those hard things may seem overwhelming and so you set a mini-goal.

Perhaps solving one problem at a time, improving a fault little by little, mending a relationship, gaining knowledge, overcoming pain, hurt, anger, depression or addiction. One hour at a time, one day at a time, one lesson at a time, one achievement at a time.

Triumph

When you reach the crest of a hill and you know within a minute you are will be at the top, you must push with that one last burst of energy that is hidden deep inside of you, but is always there.

For a brief second, just an instant, you are able to see the view from the top of the hill. The view is glorious, spectacular, breath taking and not because of what you may see, but because of what you feel ~ your moment of triumph.

You will feel your strength, your determination, tenacity and endurance, all of the those characteristics that helped get you to the top of the hill.

You can do it. I believe in you.

Then, you begin to run, down, down. No longer is a mini goal needed. Your breath begins to relax, no need to concentrate on the song to keep pace.

For a moment you have a repose, a rest from the intensity of pushing yourself, from doing something physically and mentally challenging.

Even though you know that there will always be another hill, you immerse yourself in the glory of running without effort. You feel light, you are floating, you are free from the burden of climbing the hill and all you can do is look in wonder and gratitude at what is around you.

You feel like you can fly.

Becoming a stronger you.

We cannot avoid running the hill, we must run it when it is there before us. We must not be discouraged if it not our best run, or our strongest, or fastest or our most successful. Running the hill will be different every time, because all hills are different. The constant lies in us and the tools we use from experience, to make the run bearable, to finish. Remember that each time you run the hill, you become a stronger you.

Run the hill, run the hill, run the hill. It is what I repeat over and over in my mind as I make the climb, both in running and in life.

If you’d like more information about Michele and running you can leave a message here below, contact her on twitter, or contact her on facebook.

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Posted in happiness, motivation, relationships

Tagged Autos, blog, blogger, blogging, Christmas, Energy, guest post, Health, Hill, holidays, Long run, Long run and short run, Makes and Models, Michele Risser, Mile, New Year, Oxygen, Recreation, Road, Road running, run, runner, running, self help, shopping, Sports, United Nations, United States, Vocal folds

If I can figure out how to write a blog, anyone can.

Posted on November 21, 2011 | 14 Comments

Would you like to write a blog? Please do.

If you would like to be a published writer, it’s easy, just do it. I started writing as soon as I got a crayon in my hand.

When I was 11, I started keeping a small lock and key diary with a bright yellow and red Snoopy picture. I would write whatever came to a 11 year-old’s mind.

I have entries in my diary about what I would do for my birthday party, where my family went and who I liked and didn’t like at school. The diary entry that makes me laugh is My sister hit me. Now I realize the importance of those four words.

I found a place for myself, a place to put my own thoughts but most importantly I have proof 30 years later that my sister hit me.

As I got older, I started writing travel diaries. I have about 15 handwritten diaries in my garage that I wrote when I was between 19 and 30. Sometimes I would like to burn them because I’m afraid what my children will think.

They probably won’t be so interested in my life. Still, when I travelled I always kept a journal before I decided to give writing a try.

If you want to write, do it. Just take out a pen and write. open Word. I use WordPress to blog.

How to get published.

The first time I got published as a writer I was in high school. It helped to have friends. I was president of my high school so the job was sort of just assigned to me. One of my teachers came up to me and said Julie, you are going to have to write a weekly article for the school newspaper.

A couple of weeks later, I saw my name in print for the first time with a headline saying Howdy Cowboys. What a laugh.

From then, I moved to Europe and remained one of the few people who actually knew English so it was pretty much certain that I would get published in the first English magazine in our city. Luckily for me, the publisher was a good friend of mine. She had great taste in style and the magazine was a big success in my humble opinion.

From there, I just continued writing. I would write or suggest stories to my publisher and she usually printed them. Sometimes, my publisher friend, Ali, would give me assignments, for example she’d say Julie, there’s a new art opening on Friday, can you cover it? I continue to write for pleasure just as I continue to paint pictures of flowers, just as I love reading other people’s stories.

Also, I would suggest you write from the heart and write as you speak. Finally the easiest way to get published is to publish yourself ~ just as I am doing here.

Thank you for visiting. Comments are appreciated. Have a great day.

Have you ever been published? What sort of things do you like to write about?

I’d love to hear if you’d like to leave a comment below. Thanks.

Country Side Tulips Laptop Sleeve electronicsbag

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Posted in happiness, journal, motivation, relationships, writing

Tagged Ali, Arts, Diary, English language, High school, I, journal, live with passion, motivation, Publish, published writer, relationships, Student newspaper, Writer, Writers Resources, writing

#4 My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS Guest Stars my mom Elaine Roark.

Posted on November 17, 2011 | 7 Comments

Ladies and germs, I mean gents, this lady needs no introduction. She has not only influenced me from day one, she is full of valuable advice that I cherish.

She walks to the beat of her own drum often defying rules. I can’t think of anyone I admire more. Once my friend Mika called me and said ‘I saw your grandpa at Venice Beach’. Seeing how my grandfather was dead, I realized she had seen my mom’s scuplture of him.

Will and Jada Smith's house.

Her amazing designs can be seen in the homes of the likes of Will and Jada Smith. She’s truly an amazing artist and often can be found firing her clay.

Without further ado, I give you my mom, Elaine Roark.

I am an artist! Wow! The fact that I can write that sentence, and truly know and believe it, is wonderful and amazing. I have always loved doing art and watching other artists at work. I guess I was always good at it but never believed in myself.

When I was a young girl at camp the other kids would come to me to help them make their woven key chains, laniards. I could draw wonderful horses. There would often be an ad in children’s magazines from an art school featuring a picture that said Draw Me.

Even though I could reproduce that picture perfectly I never felt confident enough to submit my work. I knew that my parents would never send me to art school.

In college, I majored in education and I did minor in Art so I was qualified to teach. I thought of myself as a teacher not an artist.

Smoking ballarina. Reminder: Don't smoke.

Then one day in 1998 when I was in my late 50′s I noticed a class offering at Santa Monica College entitled Sculpting the Figure in Clay.

The words seemed to jump off the page at me and my whole world changed. I knew I had to take that class even if I never did anything else.

I bypassed all of the prerequisites and became passionate about working in clay and learning the human body often staying up half the night working on my pieces.

I would be so engrossed in muscles, body movement and expressions that when going to the movies, I would often miss much of the dialogue.

Three Ladies

My style followed classical sculpture, mostly nudes and portraits. I sold many pieces and people seemed to love my work.

Recognition and appreciation were wonderful.

But criticism was hard to take, especially when it came from my father. No matter what I did, he given me constant criticism for as long as I could remember. I remember one time, my dad looking at my sculptures and saying, It is too late for you. You will never make it.

As usual his words hurt but sculpting was so important to my soul that there was no way he could deaden my pleasure.

When my hands are in clay, I am completely engrossed in my work and my figures seem to come alive to me.

10 Women Venice, California

As time went on, my work was accepted in many galleries. One if the galleries, Ten Women Venice was a coop. Part of my responsibily there was doing a half day shift once a week. Through the years I displayed several sculptures there. One was a bust of my dad that was so realistic, it was scary.

I loved to watch people as they came in. They looked at the sculpture, looked at the picture, looked at the sculpture, looked at the picture. Then they would circle it and look at it again. I would get to say, I did that. That’s my dad.

Since then my work has been shown in in several cities throughout the US and Italy. And guess what dad, I was recently accepted by the American Museum of Ceramic Art AMOCA in Pomona, Calif. It is not too late for me. I am successful.

I hope that you will stop in and see my work, and at any rate, please see my website at elaineroark.wordpress.com. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them.

Thanks Elaine, Mom, for stopping by. It was lovely to have you. I know you inspire so many people through your work. We are looking forward to seeing your upcoming sculptures.

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Posted in relationships

A Blogger Blogging about her Blog {and such.}

Posted on November 7, 2011 | 12 Comments

Hello friends. Good to see you. New visitors welcome.

It’s another beautiful day. There is a smell of fresh brewed coffee. The kids are playing and the sun is shining. I live out in the country surrounded by fields of vegetables and orchards.

Because of what is called the lowlands, in the morning there is a nice white fog that extends the distance. It looks as if God painted a huge moving glorious postcard.

Sometimes while I’m driving to work, I see this white fog after a snow fall. It’s quite magical actually. It reminds me of the scene in Narnia when Lucy enters into the magical forrest.

I’d have to say it’s my favorite time of the day when you are between two places, home and work, just looking at the countryside, watching the birds take off. I see the same man jogging rain or shine.

Figure it out, figure it out, if you don't know how to do it, figure it out.

I notice the colors of the old withering farmhouses. I try to think of words that describe the soft colors of Italy.

The best words that I can come up with are soft butter, avocado and peach. Most of the old buildings are crumbling. I dream that I rebuild the home into a villa. Then I think, no, why would I do that? It’s so beautiful just the way it is.

The anticipation for spring is so strong, your hearts and minds start to see flowers. It’s a thrilling moment when the same snow covered field one day blooms. As we drive past fields of flowers, our family likes to say the colors, pink, pink, yellow, red, white, look, there’s purple.

Foggy mornings turning into sunshine days. Yeah!

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. Emmerson

It is nice to have you here with me. When I was just a little girl hum Doris Day, I wanted to be a published writer. I bought the beautiful empty diaries with angel covers. The first entry on the first page was always exciting with the anticipation of what I would write.

Life presents us with the solutions we are looking for.

As I write, I think of the people who have come across my words. Is writing crazy? Is it the same as talking to yourself in the mirror? If so, or, if not, even if people comment, the actual ACT of writing is me talking to me, right? Or is is you? See the confusion? I do. It’s ok though.

Be awesome. Be authentic. Be inspirational.

Zero to Blog ~~the film, the movie~~, the ebook

My ebook, Zero to Blog has been a journey of it’s own. I feel like the book wrote itself because it is information presented in a clear way to help people get their blogs on line.

I painted these for my sister. I see them when we Skype.

As a blog writer you have to figure it all out. I like that though. As my Uncle says, Figure it out, figure it out, if you don’t know how to do it, figure it out.

I suppose I watched too much TV and thought there was an actual book launch party. Maybe there are. In my real life, it didn’t quite go that way. The book launch party idea was to have a giveaway and a book signing. Well, it’s a digital book.

No bookstore. No signing. Or, digital bookstore online books signing party!

Beautiful just the way it is.

Now it’s your turn. I would like to know what you are working on. What is your favorite time of day? What images make you happy? What are ways can you describe color? What does your commute to work look like?

How do you sell your work. What has worked for you?

Thanks for stopping by, your comments are welcome.

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Posted in art gallery - if you're new start here, Italy, journal, motivation, relationships, teaching, travel, writing

Tagged Arts, blog, blogger, blogs, Book signing, Doris Day, E-book, facebook, Italy, julie angelos, shopping, teaching, top blogs, Writers Resources, writing, zero to blog

#1 My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS guest stars Francesca Frascaroli.

Posted on October 25, 2011 | 1 Comment

Play music. It's lovely.

Hello fellow blog readers. I came up with the idea of interviewing some of my friends, trying to learn about goals, overcoming obstacles and inpiration. We are talking about amazing friends and their personal success stories.

My first guest is a friend who I met in 2000 when we took an English course together. We had a good laugh and found out we had a love for languages, literature and blueberry muffins. She also went the extra step to guide me to some great books I needed to pass the class. Maybe you will be lucky enough to have her as your teacher here in Bologna. Friends, I bring you,

Francesca Frascaroli who I love to call Fra Fra.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? I’m the mother of three amazing boys and a teacher of English language and literature at liceo classico. I studied abroad for more than two years and completed my PhD at the university of Venice.

How do you define success? Success is feeling fulfilled and grateful for what you achieved in life.

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? When the doctors allowed me to hold my first born child right in the middle of caesarian surgery.

What was your I made it moment? When I lost my faith in the honesty and truthfulness of some of the people who were closer to me. I still don’t know how things are going to work out, but somehow I managed so far.

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? Not necessarily, but studying abroad gave me the chance to get to know some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.

Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul? John Keats

What are you currently working on? I’m working on a project on Romantic poets, particularly John Keats. And yes, I’m trying to attend all of Giacomo’s, my eldest, cello classes.

Can you tell me about someone you admire and why? My parents, both of them, for their courage and strength, and mutual affection which kept them together for almost half a century.

Would you like to give me a word of advice on obtaining goals? Obtaining goals, let me see: how about working hard, avoid complaints, never lose hope?

Big Bang or Evolution? Evolution.

George Clooney or Brad Pitt? Georgie.

Angeline Jolie or Jennifer Aniston? Neither.

Left handed or right? Right.

Existentialist or Fatalist? Existentialist.

Afterlife or end of life? Afterlife, still on a quest though.

Champagne or Beer (or both or other)? Champagne.

Cowboys or Aliens? Cowgirls.

Bisous.

Ahh! Thanks Fra Fra. Hope you had fun writing this. I’m sure my readers will love this. Comments are appreciated.

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Posted in relationships

Tagged Brad Pitt, Doctor of Philosophy, English language, George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, John Keats, Romantic poetry, Venice

I’m not the same person today that I was yesterday.

Posted on October 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

When I told someone close to me that I’m not going to be the same person that everyone expects me to be that I’m no longer the person of yesterday, she let out an audible gasp.

For me it was a huge positive step in turning into a new person by shedding my past, evolving, blooming, growing. It was about letting go of a past that quite frankly stays with me way too much.

I’m trying to learn to live in the present. To this friend, it was the loss of what she loves and loved. I move forward regardless loving her.

What I’m feeling at the moment is probably due to the fact that I had a hard day recently where I felt a bit of a winner a bit of a loser, the gambit of emotions.

For a moment I was on a roll where I was unstoppable. A few moments later when calm, I mean I am calm and confident, I was quite certainly defeated.

I realized that my hopes and dreams were and are lost. At least one specific hope and dream. Then I changed my mind. Then again. I’m in a discussion with myself as to what is my best plan. If you know me at all I have a couple of strange thoughts. One is that it’s all a dream.

When I told my eldest son this, he said, Okay then, can you feel this? Then he pinched me. I felt it.

Since I was little, what I do is look for the person who says Good job.

I suppose life could have gone the other way where I throw myself into drugs or stealing or something else negative. Instead, I throw myself into achieving, giving and giving back.

I live for the Thank you. I live for the You are great. I live for the any words that halfway resemble You are my inspiration. I thrive on those words. I cannot hear them enough. I realize that this is just out of insecurity.

I’m struggling. I’m struggling against a system I refuse to believe I’m going to lose against.

So my smart self says to my dumb self, listen to God. Listen.

This is Him talking to me. Can’t you see what He wants for you? Can’t you see what He wants for me?

Today I’d like to be someone else, someone with the answers. I would like to be higher form of who I am and live in the present just be happy, laugh, youthful and carefree.

Instead, I feel like responsibilities have set in and I pass my days worrying trying to have faith in God providing for me.

He always has. I know. I know.

I also know that worry won’t get me anywhere.

Would you like to know what inspired all of these thoughts? I’ll tell you. I spent four hours recently with the top boss at the school board trying to understand why my two credential courses have been invalidated. The first one I’ve come to terms with.

The second one. No.

It’s just unfathomable to me to think that I have been given this challenge. I am just stumped. So is the school board.

Here’s the story:

In 2000, I took a credential class together with 50 other teachers. At the end of the class there are two exams, one oral, one written. I passed them both. I saw my name on the list that they had put up on the wall of having passed the class and I went ahead teaching.

Then, because of a new law requiring certification of having completed the course, I blindly went into the school board and asked for the certificate. When they printed out the list of people completing the course, my biggest nightmare, seriously, not just theoretically a nightmare, truly one that I’ve had recurring since a child, is that my name was not on the list.

Now. You might say. Okay, Julie, Jules, you got caught up in a beaurocratic nightmare. There might be a mistake. There has to be a mistake. Of course there are witnesses.

Funnily enough, the only words I remember from our interview besides him me telling me, no, you’re not on the list, you’ll have to prove you took the exam, were the words,

I’ve checked with various sources on your teaching capabilities and I’d like to compliment you as you are highly regarded. I smiled of course. That’s what I work for.

I don’t know if any of you remember that I wrote that in my elder years I’m becoming more sensitive? Like crying when I see children? Well, I was moved to tears a few times yesterday because of the ABSOLUTE loveliness of the people who came to my aid.

There was a lady I casually met at the coffee machine when I had accidentally inserted 2 euro and hadn’t read that the machine doesn’t give change. So I offered her a coffee. Then I told her how I had worked for the last eight years as a teacher and had recently been fired due to lack of credential certification.

I saw her again yesterday talking to this lady and I was quite certain they were talking about me. I thought that they perhaps were saying mean things, but I asked them if they were talking about my situation and they said yes. Within the next 20 minutes the ladies had four friends looking through files and writing me letters and giving me helpful information on how I could prove to have passed this course.

I’m feeling a bit of a victim here, so please forgive me.

At the same time, I just think, it’s all a dream, it’s a ll a story, let go of the past, live in the moment, let go of the story.

So, I take that back. I’m not a victim. I’m looking for solutions. I thought, okay, I’m going to stay and look through every single box until I find my name on the paper that shows I took the course.

Then I thought, Julie. Give it up. When are you going to learn that it doesn’t matter? That’s all. One way or another, every day is a learning experience.

I’m letting go of the story.

Would you like to know how I’m taking my little fingers over for a walk and pushing that big blue button to my right that says publish. And letting it go.

Goodbye story.

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Posted in relationships

#3 My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS Guest Stars Jane DeRosa

Posted on October 18, 2011 | 2 Comments

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha {Bwah ha ha!}

Our next guest on My Amazing Friends Success Stories also known as MAFSS is a lady I met through her cool husband. He and I can both claim to have been in the high school marching band, but don’t tell. ha ha ha.

This funny bright brave lady asked me to mentor her on opening her blog, Secrets of the Soul, where we both got to know each other even better.

She currently runs a successful ebay store and is opening a brand new ebay store called the *love*laugh*boutique, where she’ll be showing off some of her artistic talent.

What I didn’t know is that she’s going to, wait, let her tell you.

Without further ado, ladies and germs, I mean gents, Welcome Jane.

{smattering of applause}

Jane, entrepeneur, writer, artist and friend.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? This is difficult for me, so I’ll just roll with what comes to mind. LOL. I am 45 years old, but feel, think, and act like a 25 year old.

I am so thrilled to be at this point in my life as it is the most excited I have ever been. I am a self taught artist, writer, entrepreneur and soon to be stand up comedian.

I look for the positive in life, love to connect with people and want to wake up every day being excited about what is in store for me next.

How do you define success? I define success as constantly striving to do what you love in life and never giving up on your dreams.

I feel successful overall but I do want great financial success as well because I think that will really free me up to be even more creative and have more energy to accomplish what I want in life.

It’s ironic that I feel so successful, because over the last few years we have lost so many material things and are basically starting over.

There is something pretty freeing about that.

If you could only be so happy.

I remember three days I felt that I had made it in my life. They were the birth of my two sons and my marriage. How about you? What was your I made it moment?

I still don’t feel like I have made it fully. I reach milestones and accomplish things I set out to do, but I think for me making it is when I can do exactly what I want to do every single day, be 100% in the zone where things just flow so perfectly, AND make a more-than-decent living from it.

Super cute things at live*love*laugh boutique.

I am excited because I am embarking on so many new things in my life ~ things that ARE what I love doing ~ and I have an excited expectation that this is a VERY good thing!

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 think life is full of obstacles, some real and some imaginary.

Obstacles actually inspire me as I love to figure out a way around them or through them.

I tend to put things into perspective so I really don’t dwell on obstacles. Most of them have turned out to be huge gifts, so I’m actually thankful for them. I have learned more and grown more because of the challenges in life.

The biggest obstacle I ever had was when I became extremely ill in 2001. By 2003 I was bedridden and had to figure out how to keep working with the illness. I would lay in bed, feel a tiny surge of energy, get up and work for a few minutes then go back to bed over and over again all day long.

I wasn’t thriving financially, but I did pay my bills. The lessons I learned from that is to work as much as possible when I feel great, and don’t get complacent as well as the most important lesson of all, to take care of myself and avoid as many chemicals as possible since that caused my illness.

In terms of education did you find a university degree was necessary in obtaining your dreams or goals? What was? I tried going to community college right out of high school but it wasn’t for me. I was so overwhelmed, so riddled with anxiety that I couldn’t handle it.

I chose to work full time instead. I did go back to college last year and took art and jazz history classes. I loved it!

However, I don’t need a degree for my work and there is nothing that I want to do in the future that would require a degree.

What was necessary for me was learning from other people, constantly implementing new ideas and staying on top of changes in my business. Also, I have learned to ask for help in the form of mentorship which is a fantastic way to learn from an expert! {editors note }

What are you currently working on? I am launching a new business selling items I create or recreate.

For instance, I buy old vintage mirror vanity trays and refinish them, or I make new jewelry out of old vintage jewelry. I love creating new things, hate wasting ANYTHING, and have always seen the beauty in old junk, so it’s the perfect type of business for me.

Also, I am starting to perform standup comedy in the next couple of months. I think this is why I’m here on earth ~ to make people laugh ~ but I avoided it for a long time because it was terrifying for me. Now, I’m ready to go for it.

Fun, simple, beautiful objects from her to you.

Can you tell me about someone you admire and why? I admire so many people. The people I admire most are those that made something out of nothing. Like a woman who started a business when she was on welfare, or another who worked three jobs to put herself through college at age 50, or another who wrote a book during her busride to and from work.

The spirit of these people really resonates with me.

I also admire people who are positive and make a difference in the world just by being in it. I think Facebook and Twitter are great gauges for this because it really gives you a glimpse into how people think and live their lives.

Would you like to give me a word of advice on obtaining goals? My best advice for obtaining goals would be NEVER give up. Learn to be flexible and find solutions to problems. Don’t take no for an answer. Just keep asking different people until you get to yes.

~~~~~

Thanks Jane. I know my blog readers are going to love reading about someone who manages a business from their own home and is a soon to be stand up comedian.

Friends, if you are interested in participating in out MAFSS series drop us an email at jangelos1@gmail.com.

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Posted in art gallery - if you're new start here, happiness, relationships

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