So I haven't forgotten...

I know this seems had to believe but I haven't forgotten about blogging. Or the challenges for that matter. I almost wanted to post last week that my challenge was going to be just making it through moving to a new place, working a new job, and dealing with sick children while fighting off illness myself. If that all wasn't a challenge I don't know what is. Or I was almost going to say moving a washer and dryer up stairs was a challenge enough as well. Wow do I never want to do that again. Plus now my one year old (Happy Birthday today Oliver!!) is breaking out in major rashes. Besides all of that however I still challenged myself to compliment at least ten complete strangers. Working in the customer service industry you think this would be an easy task. It was, until number four, then I got busy. By the time I got the phone call from the babysitter about my sons high fever I forgot about the challenge all together. SO, by the end of today I have five more random strangers to find and pay compliments to. I think I can do it.

Thanks..and other hard things to say.

So the last challenge was the challenge of giving thanks. I had to pick three people that I had felt affected me positively over the last few years or more. I chose a very old friend that I have lost contact with, a former professor, and a former boss. Although I they all were wonderful and the challenge sounds easy enough finding the right words to say really ended up being harder than I imagined.
As I sat staring at the blank paper I realized that it was harder to put into words how these people had made a lasting impression in my life.
I mean how exactly do you word "you were a hard ass but forced me to learn and I thank you for not sugar coating anything.."  See? It's harder than you think when the letter is suppose to be thanking/praising them.
Even now as I am describing everything I am at a loss for words. Lack of sleep is really taking it's toll today. I guess the most important thing right now is just to say "thank you" to you for taking the time to read this. Saying thank you randomly can make you feel good about making others feel good. I think that's what counts.

The challenge of Giving Thanks.

After stuffing my face at Thanksgiving dinner I was still contemplating on the challenge of the week. I was going to do an extra special challenge but due to lack of money- the plan fell through. I have to give an extra special thanks to my sister in law Amie for coming up with this wonderful, heartfelt challenge that is perfect for the holiday.
This giving thanks challenge will require me to find three special people from my life including an old teacher, a former boss, and a former or not so close friend- or a friend I have lost contact with. Each one of these people I must write a letter to- informing them of the impact that they had made on my life, and how them being a part of my life has changed me in some way or another. I must have these sent by Monday of next week.
I think this challenge is a fantastic idea, and I know that this will at least bring a smile to three faces and that is glorious.
Thanks for the challenge Amie.

Harry Potter and the Mostly Failed Challenge

SO last week I all of these things planned. One of them was to make a traditional English meal at least once. I chose Sheppard's Pie after hearing about it most of my life, and luckily I found a recipe that had beef instead of lamb. It was delicious!! I was very impressed with the meal and wondered why I had been so scared to try it before. The next and completely embarrassing challenge was the TALK BRITISH for a day challenge which I did on Friday. Let me tell you by Friday morning I was dreading this task and it was WAY harder than I predicted. Plus it was super embarrassing. I had to make a trip to the bank, sign my new lease, go out for diner etc all in the accent. At least my dad found humor in it, but even he admitted that it was getting quite annoying, and it was. By noon Friday I wanted SO badly to just end the challenge there. I kept it up, but by 9:00 pm when we were out and eating I found myself going in and out of accent (so one time when the waitress would ask us something I had an accent, the next time I didn't). I was literally forgetting I was suppose to be doing it and by 10:00 the challenge was over- two hours before I said I would end it. I guess as much as I tried with this one- I failed even though I managed to completely embarrass myself the whole day. Saturday was 1920s party day so I taught myself very briefly the Charleston. Sunday however the Tea Party completely fell through, and by Monday night I still hadn't tried to learn a magic trick.
Therefore I suppose for this challenge it was like a mostly fail- kind of like Voldemort won this one.

Major thing I learned during this challenge is - I like doing accents but only for a VERY limited time.

Harry Potter and the 6th Week Challenge

'Ello and welcome to challenge number 6! I am so happy you blokes have stumbled upon my blog!
Have you guessed the challenge yet? Bloody hell!! I bet you haven't! Well there are a few big events this week that I must admit I am excited about! The first being the brand new Harry Potter movie! Now, I am not a "super fan" of Harry Potter, but I do enjoy the movies and I would LOVE to camp out at midnight for the first showing. (Not let's face it- that is not happening this week, I am just saying I WOULD do it). To celebrate the event however, I am declaring this Harry Potter week. Here are the challenges:
I must at least once during the week cook and eat a traditional British meal. (Gosh I do love these food challenges don't I?)
Keeping in Harry Potter and the magic mode I must learn and demonstrate for you all a magic trick. (Yes this means another video!!)
Friday November 19th is the opening of Harry Potter so from 12:00 am the 19th- 12:00 am the 20th I MUST speak in a British accent this includes venturing out into the world and doing regular daily tasks WITH the accent. (OK disclaimer- the only way I cannot use the accent is if I receive a phone call from an place about employment). (There MAY be video of this too).
Sunday I must finish the week off with a TEA PARTY!! YESSSSS!!

Now if you remember I mentioned earlier that there are TWO things I am excited about. This week is my 1920's birthday party (on Saturday). (I am a huge 1920s fan obviously).
Challenge Bonus!! Saturday is 1920's day! That means learning the Charleston, and incorporating 20's speak into everything I do that day. I really like getting into character!!

Well I have some work cut out for me this week! But I am excited!! Stay tuned for more embarrassment...

The Ten Commandents of Faith

Alright. So the religion challenge is over. Overall I learned that no matter what religion or belief you choose to partake in- the majority of them have the same basic ideas.
Love they neighbor
Respect thy self and each other
Don't tell lies or speak ill of each other
To find peace you must search yourself
Give thanks for your blessings
Help others who need it
All is full of love
Do not cheat or steal
Be respectful
Believe and have faith

So really, no matter what it is you choose to believe in essentially the ideas are the same. Love each other, be gracious, find peace within yourself, and take the time to search your self and your soul. This week I learned that I still am terrible at meditation, that self control is harder when you are trying not to swear. That some things are easier said then done (especially when you have been a certain way all your life), and that donating a whole HUGE garbage bag of clothes to the Salvation Army not only feels good- it also clears the clutter from your closet and your life. I know religion is such a sensitive subject, and that really bothers me. I mean, really? The subject that starts so many wars comes down to the same basic ideas. Who cares who is right? At least that is what I think. Can't we just embrace the fact that we are all right in some way..Love each other, help each other, and most importantly just believe that things are bigger than us and that we may not always have the answers but we can find peace within ourselves- if and when we try.

Native American Code of Ethics

1. Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strengthto be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone).
   
   
2. Respect. Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or somethin with deference or courtesy". Showing respect is a basic law of life.
   
   a. Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.
   
   b. Special respect should be given to Elders, Parents, Teachers, and Community Leaders.
   
   c. No person should be made to feel "put down" by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.
   
   d. Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially Sacred Objects) without permission, or an understanding between you.
   
   e. Respect the privacy of every person, never intrude on a person's quiet moment or personal space.
   
   f. Never walk between people that are conversing.
   
   g. Never interrupt people who are conversing.
   
   h. Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of Elders, strangers or others to whom special respect is due.
   
   i. Do not speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where Elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt).
   
   j. Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not.
   
   k. Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute our Mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her.
   
   l. Show deep respect for the beliefs and religion of others.
   
   m. Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.
   
   n. Respect the wisdom of the people in council. Once you give an idea to a council meeting it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the people. Respect demands that you listen intently to the ideas of others in council and that you do not insist that your idea prevail. Indeed you should freely support the ideas of others if they are true and good, even if those ideas ideas are quite different from the ones you have contributed. The clash of ideas brings forth the Spark of Truth.
   


3. Once a council has decided something in unity, respect demands that no one speak secretly against what has been decided. If the council has made an error, that error will become apparent to everyone in its own time.
   


4. Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.
   


5. Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.
   


6. The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honor of one is the honor of all.
   


7. Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.
   


8. All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.
   


9. To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, and the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget your most important talks. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.
   


10. Observe moderation and balance in all things.
    


11. Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.
    


12. Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends

This is the Native American Code of Ethics as borrowed from http://www.sapphyr.net/natam/nacodeethics.htm