Paris has been on my "must-travel" list ever since I was a wee little girl learning about the Eiffel Tower. I think I would love it there, and I KNOW I would love it if I could travel there for FREE!
I want to go to there. In a bad way.
Jordan of Oh Happy Day is offering a very generous giveaway: airfare to Paris, a 7-night stay at the adorable and chic Mama Shelter boutique hotel, and a personal tour of Jordan's favorite Parisian sites.
If you want to enter for yourself, go here. You better hurry though. I'm posting this close to the deadline so fewer people will see this, and I'll have better odds of winning. ;) bahahaha.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage
"She grew as she played, not only in technique but in maturity. The great masters pushed her as she tried faithfully to go where they led. We do learn and develop when we are exposed to those who are greater than we are. perhaps this is the chief way we mature." page 13
"A love which depends solely on romance, on the combustion of two attracting chemistries, tends to fizzle out. The famous lovers usually end up dead. A long-term marriage has to move beyond chemistry to compatibility, to friendship, to companionship. It is certainly not that passion disappears, but that it is conjoined with other ways of love." page 76
"respond with excitement to the same beauty," "simultaneous recognition of wonder"
"Love of music, of sunsets and sea; a liking for the same kind of people; political opinions that are not radically divergent; a similar stance as we look at the stars and think of the marvelous strangeness of this universe--these are what build a marriage. And it is never to be taken for granted." pages 76 and 77
"But the wonderful thing, whether we are together or apart, is to know that he is in the world, and that we belong together. And what I must learn is to love with all of me, giving all of me, and yet remain whole in myself. Any other kind of love is too demanding of the other; it takes, rather than gives. To love so completely that you lose yourself in another is not good." page 103
"I do not want ever to be indifferent to the joys and beauties of this life. For through these, as through pain, we are enabled to see purpose in randomness, pattern in chaos. We do not have to understand in order to believe that behind the mystery and the fascination there is love." page 123
"We need to say "Thank you" whenever possible, even if we are not able to reconcile the human creature's free will with the Maker's working out of the pattern. Thanks and praise are, I believe, some of the threads with which the pattern is woven.
There are many times when the idea that there is indeed a pattern seems absurd wishful thinking. Random events abound. There is much in life that seems meaningless. And then, when I can see no evidence of meaning, some glimpse is given which reveals the strange weaving of purposefulness and beauty." page 125
"We learn to live in the cloud of unknowing, not only the cloud of God's mystery, but the cloud of unknowing waht is going to happen from day to day. That is always true, but when things go along routinely we are less aware of it." page 162
"If we are not willing to fail we will never accomplish anything. All creative act involve the risk of failure. Marriage is a terrible risk. So is having children. So is giving a performance in the theatre, or the writing of a book. Whenever something is completed successfully, then we must move on, and that is again to risk failure." page 173
"We don't have to understand that prayer is love, and love is never wasted."-- page 185
Music I heard with you was more than music, and bread I broke with you was more than bread."-page 232
Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L'Engle
"A love which depends solely on romance, on the combustion of two attracting chemistries, tends to fizzle out. The famous lovers usually end up dead. A long-term marriage has to move beyond chemistry to compatibility, to friendship, to companionship. It is certainly not that passion disappears, but that it is conjoined with other ways of love." page 76
"respond with excitement to the same beauty," "simultaneous recognition of wonder"
"Love of music, of sunsets and sea; a liking for the same kind of people; political opinions that are not radically divergent; a similar stance as we look at the stars and think of the marvelous strangeness of this universe--these are what build a marriage. And it is never to be taken for granted." pages 76 and 77
"But the wonderful thing, whether we are together or apart, is to know that he is in the world, and that we belong together. And what I must learn is to love with all of me, giving all of me, and yet remain whole in myself. Any other kind of love is too demanding of the other; it takes, rather than gives. To love so completely that you lose yourself in another is not good." page 103
"I do not want ever to be indifferent to the joys and beauties of this life. For through these, as through pain, we are enabled to see purpose in randomness, pattern in chaos. We do not have to understand in order to believe that behind the mystery and the fascination there is love." page 123
"We need to say "Thank you" whenever possible, even if we are not able to reconcile the human creature's free will with the Maker's working out of the pattern. Thanks and praise are, I believe, some of the threads with which the pattern is woven.
There are many times when the idea that there is indeed a pattern seems absurd wishful thinking. Random events abound. There is much in life that seems meaningless. And then, when I can see no evidence of meaning, some glimpse is given which reveals the strange weaving of purposefulness and beauty." page 125
"We learn to live in the cloud of unknowing, not only the cloud of God's mystery, but the cloud of unknowing waht is going to happen from day to day. That is always true, but when things go along routinely we are less aware of it." page 162
"If we are not willing to fail we will never accomplish anything. All creative act involve the risk of failure. Marriage is a terrible risk. So is having children. So is giving a performance in the theatre, or the writing of a book. Whenever something is completed successfully, then we must move on, and that is again to risk failure." page 173
"We don't have to understand that prayer is love, and love is never wasted."-- page 185
Music I heard with you was more than music, and bread I broke with you was more than bread."-page 232
Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage by Madeleine L'Engle
Friday, April 8, 2011
"This is not to say that parents don't matter. Plainly they matter a great deal. Here is the conundrum: by the time most people pick up a parenting book, it is far too late. Most of the things that matter were decided long ago--who you are, whom you married, what kind of life you lead. If you are smart, hardworking, well educated, well paid, and married to someone equally fortunate, then your children are more likely to succeed. (Nor does it hurt, in all likelihood, to be honest, thoughtful, loving, and curious about the world.) But it isn't so much a matter of what you do as a parent; it's who you are."
Freakonomics, p. 175
Freakonomics, p. 175
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Three Cups of Tea Wrap-Up
Sumi,
I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea. Have you finished reading it yet?
I don't know if I can adequately express my thoughts about Greg Mortenson's mission, but I will try. I will do so in a list, because I like lists. =)
1. I love that he shows that the majority of the people of Pakistan are honest, good people. It was so interesting to learn about the village cultures. I wish every American would read this book. It really upsets me when people make comments that insinuate that Muslims=terrorists (I can only imagine how you feel...though I can say I know how it feels when people attack my religion), and I think this book did a good job of showing that that assumption is simply not true.
2. It rekindled that feeling in me...the one that makes me realize just how much need there is in the world. The one that makes me want to go out and save it. I wonder what my life mission should be.
3. Greg Mortenson is now one of my heroes.
4. Can't wait to read Stones into Schools. I think I'll like the first-person perspective better.
""Before I met you, Dr. Greg, I had no idea what education was,' Jahan said, refilling his tea cup. 'But now I think it is like water. It is important for everything in life.'"-pg. 312
I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea. Have you finished reading it yet?
I don't know if I can adequately express my thoughts about Greg Mortenson's mission, but I will try. I will do so in a list, because I like lists. =)
1. I love that he shows that the majority of the people of Pakistan are honest, good people. It was so interesting to learn about the village cultures. I wish every American would read this book. It really upsets me when people make comments that insinuate that Muslims=terrorists (I can only imagine how you feel...though I can say I know how it feels when people attack my religion), and I think this book did a good job of showing that that assumption is simply not true.
2. It rekindled that feeling in me...the one that makes me realize just how much need there is in the world. The one that makes me want to go out and save it. I wonder what my life mission should be.
3. Greg Mortenson is now one of my heroes.
4. Can't wait to read Stones into Schools. I think I'll like the first-person perspective better.
""Before I met you, Dr. Greg, I had no idea what education was,' Jahan said, refilling his tea cup. 'But now I think it is like water. It is important for everything in life.'"-pg. 312
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Three Cups of Tea Favorite Quotes
"'I don't care where the money comes from. It's all washed clean in the service of God.'"-Mother Teresa, page 236
"'She looked so small, draped in her cloth. And I remember thinking how amazing it was that such a tiny person had such a huge effect on humanity.'"--page 237
"'These two Christian men have come halfway around the world to show our Muslim children the light of education," Abbas said. "Why have we not been able to bring education to our children on our own? Fathers and parents, I implore you to dedicate your full effort and commitment to see that all your children are educated. Otherwise, they will merely graze like sheep in the field, at the mercy of nature and the world changing so terrifyingly around us.'
...
"I request America to look into our hearts," Abbas continued, his voice straining with emotion, "and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people. Our land is stricken with poverty because we are without education. But today, another candle of knowledge has been lit. In the name of Allah the Almighty, may it light our way out of the darkness we find ourselves in."--page 257
"'Think of them,' he thought. 'Think always of them.'"--page 260
"'She looked so small, draped in her cloth. And I remember thinking how amazing it was that such a tiny person had such a huge effect on humanity.'"--page 237
"'These two Christian men have come halfway around the world to show our Muslim children the light of education," Abbas said. "Why have we not been able to bring education to our children on our own? Fathers and parents, I implore you to dedicate your full effort and commitment to see that all your children are educated. Otherwise, they will merely graze like sheep in the field, at the mercy of nature and the world changing so terrifyingly around us.'
...
"I request America to look into our hearts," Abbas continued, his voice straining with emotion, "and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people. Our land is stricken with poverty because we are without education. But today, another candle of knowledge has been lit. In the name of Allah the Almighty, may it light our way out of the darkness we find ourselves in."--page 257
"'Think of them,' he thought. 'Think always of them.'"--page 260
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Random Thoughts
Hey Sumi,
How far along in the book are you now? Now that I've started back at work I've slowed down a bit. I'm trying to read at least a chapter a day though. I'm now on Chapter 15.
I usually read before my (almost) daily afternoon nap--I'm so tired when I come home from work; I need the relaxation time. The only drawback? I have weird dreams about mountains, conflict, and the Pakistan of my imagination after reading before I sleep. It doesn't make for a very peaceful nap.
Anyway, I wanted to share some random thoughts I had so far.
1. I could never climb a mountain. No way. After reading Mortenson's account I have no desire to climb a mountain.
2. Pakistan sounds like it can be a very scary place.
3. I like reading books that remind me that there are people who live very differently than I do.
4. I love all the people in the book who were loyal to Mortenson. I can't remember his name, but the Balti man who helped Mortenson on his K2 trek. At first, during the trek chapter, I thought he purposely left Mortenson for dead and stole his gear, but I was so happy to learn the opposite was true. Another hero was that hotel owner in Rawalpindi who helped Mortenson buy all of the materials for the school. Even if I don't feel like I can do something as grandiose as Mortenson, I can learn from the example of these people. Without them, Mortenson would not have been able to complete his first school.
5. Haji Ali--I love him too. He is so wise.
Let me know where you're at and what you think!
How far along in the book are you now? Now that I've started back at work I've slowed down a bit. I'm trying to read at least a chapter a day though. I'm now on Chapter 15.
I usually read before my (almost) daily afternoon nap--I'm so tired when I come home from work; I need the relaxation time. The only drawback? I have weird dreams about mountains, conflict, and the Pakistan of my imagination after reading before I sleep. It doesn't make for a very peaceful nap.
Anyway, I wanted to share some random thoughts I had so far.
1. I could never climb a mountain. No way. After reading Mortenson's account I have no desire to climb a mountain.
2. Pakistan sounds like it can be a very scary place.
3. I like reading books that remind me that there are people who live very differently than I do.
4. I love all the people in the book who were loyal to Mortenson. I can't remember his name, but the Balti man who helped Mortenson on his K2 trek. At first, during the trek chapter, I thought he purposely left Mortenson for dead and stole his gear, but I was so happy to learn the opposite was true. Another hero was that hotel owner in Rawalpindi who helped Mortenson buy all of the materials for the school. Even if I don't feel like I can do something as grandiose as Mortenson, I can learn from the example of these people. Without them, Mortenson would not have been able to complete his first school.
5. Haji Ali--I love him too. He is so wise.
Let me know where you're at and what you think!
Friday, December 25, 2009
A new book for a new year coming up?
Hi guys,
Since Alli's email and meet up, I was wondering if you wanted to attempt another book for the new year. I'm halfway done with this one book, but I think that we should read the book - three cups of tea? I know we were interested in it a couple of years ago....a year. It may have been longer. Let me know!
Happy Holidays!
sumi
Since Alli's email and meet up, I was wondering if you wanted to attempt another book for the new year. I'm halfway done with this one book, but I think that we should read the book - three cups of tea? I know we were interested in it a couple of years ago....a year. It may have been longer. Let me know!
Happy Holidays!
sumi
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