Saturday, November 29, 2008

Sad surprises

A friend from school passed away this week, in Mumbai.
I had seen the news of the terrorist attack on TV earlier, and was horrified. The report highlighted that the terrorists were scoping out people with US and British passports to be kept as hostages, the rest let go. Thus, I never thought anyone from home country would be hurt, but unfortunately, she was.
My heart goes out to her family.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Wall-E

I didn't think I'd like this movie much, but I do!
In fact, I feel like I could watch it a few more times. haha.
Things that were cool:

robot and cockroach dialogue

simple definition of intimacy

reversed roles of humans and machines

straightforward emotions we can relate to

*shing*....*shing*

*beep*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e16U8UsT4I

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder. (SAD)
It's when you are affected by the weather, mood-wise.
Its easy to see why... it looks bleak and un-green out of the window, temperatures do not promote outdoor living (unless you are a ski instructor).
Specifically, according to the Villanova University website,

http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/counselingcenter/infosheets/psych_topics.htm?page=winter_blues.htm

* SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance brought on by the shortening of daylight hours and a lack of sunlight in winter
* Your mood is partly influenced by sunlight, melatonin, serotonin, and vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
o Melatonin (sleep hormone) decreases when it is light
o Serotonin (hormone associated with wakefulness and elevated mood) increases when it is light
o Vitamin D helps the body maintain ↑ levels of serotonin during the winter
o Light stimulates the production of cholecalciferol, which the body eventually transforms into vitamin D

So basically, you tend to hibernate against your will.

Let's look at some risk factors,

* Limited light exposure -YES
* Younger people and women -YES
* Distance from the equator -YES

* January and February – the most difficult months - YES
* Feeling let down after the holidays - HUH?

Poem

Sent to me by someone special... hope it brings a good touch to your day.


IT MATTERS TO ME ABOUT YOU

My child, I know thy sorrows,
Thine every grief I share;
I know how thou art tested,
And, what is more - I care.

Think not I am indifferent
To what affecteth thee;
Thy weal and woe are matters
Of deep concern to Me.

But, child, I have a purpose
In all that I allow;
I ask thee then to trust Me,
Though all seems dark just now.

How often thou hast asked Me
To purge away thy dross!
But this refining process
Involves for thee - a cross.

There is no other pathway
If thou would'st really be
Conformed unto the image
Of Him Who died for thee.

Thou can'st not be like Jesus
Till self is crucified;
And as a daily process
The cross must be applied.

Just as the skillful gard'ner
Applies the pruning knife,
E'en so, I too would sever
The worthless from thy life.

I have but one sole object -
That thou should'st fruitful be!
And is it not thy longing
That I much fruit should see?

Then shrink not from the training
I needs must give to thee;
I know just how to make thee
What I would have thee be.

Remember that I love thee!
Think not I am unkind,
When trials come to prove thee,
And joy seems left behind.

'Tis but a little longer
Until I come again;
What now seems so mysterious
Will all be then made plain.

Take courage then; and fear not!
Press forward to the prize,
A crown of life awaits thee,
Glory before thee lies!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008