Value

If a true sense of value is to be yours it must come through service.

I suppose that if one must appreciate something...it has to be earned. I feel like that today (and here I probably sound like an old fogey, but I'm still in my 20's) that there is not as much pride or appreciation for what we have. Or for what we have earned in our lives. I don't mean money (though money has value). I'm talking about working toward a dream or goal--such as perhaps a degree or finishing a project, we have to work hard for that and not take an easy route or have it handed to us. I think there's been some of that lost as generations change. I guess I'm in a transitional generation where there still is some pride on our accomplishments in working toward goals.

And I see others (some whom are younger than me, but it's not just younger people) who expect that they automatically deserve things (such as A's on exams) when they did not work hard. Whereas I remember being proud of working for an A or earning recognition for activities.

Dreams

There are 365 days in a year, may all 365 of your dreams come true.

Now that sounds pretty darned good to me, despite the grammar in this fortune cookie.

Last night (and I'm being dead serious here), Rocco DiSpirito was in my dream, and not only was he cooking some sort of chicken, but he was crushing on me pretty hard. I say that's not a bad dream, and I wouldn't mind if that particular dream came true.

After all, who can resist a cute man who can cook? (and in my dream, he thought I was the bee's knees, so that's just as good as gourmet food). And inexplicably, there were shelves of bottled water (that I drank when I lived in Europe) in my dream, which made me incredibly happy. There may have also been some Quarkkaese (sigh).

So Rocco DiSpirito, if you read this (as if you have time, what with your fusion cooking, Italian-American cooking, writing cookbooks, and being on TV), would you mind coming over and cooking me some food, and coming with some Quarkkaese? And if you develop a crush on me in the meantime, I wouldn't mind, either.

http://thefortunecookies.blogspot.com/2008/11/dreams.html

Bravery and health

The healthy and strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it.

Sometimes, pride goeth before a fall. Sometimes, we learn that lesson too late. But the ability to know where one's limits are--that's good. But what's even better is knowing when to swallow pride and ask for help, especially in areas where one may not know enough.

Granted, there are times when I really hate asking for help or advice, but sometimes I have to. And it's not easy, but I think having the confidence to do so is a good thing. It's easy to keep on trying something idiotic or futile, but the results may not be as good in the end. And it may save you from embarassment over a mistake.

Golddiggers

You are surrounded by fortune hunters.

I think that says it all.

That old routine

You will enjoy doing something different this coming weekend.

Since this weekend is Halloween Weekend, I would hope this weekend would be different. But in a good way.

With that, I wish you all Happy Halloween and trick-or-treating! Do something out of the ordinary!

Future profession

You could prosper in the field of entertainment.

You know, once, long ago (like, when I was 10 or even younger), it was my secret ambition to be a rock star. Never mind that I am a terrible singer. Or, in fourth grade, I wanted to be a world-famous mystery writer a la (koff, koff), Carolyn Keene. Such ambitions are typical (I think; ranging from rock star, writer, actress, musician, model, and so on). But reality does sink in, and we do--or the majority of us do eventually become professionals in other fields, such as, say, being a teacher or perhaps a sales manager. Or a vet. But you know what? We all have to entertain somebody at some point in our lives, whether it's our children or our students (nothing like standing up in front of a classroom full of yawning students at 8 AM, and cracking a joke that makes them wake up. Or, telling a story -- or giving a lecture -- with such passion and fervor that students take notice and start thinking that they want to do whatever it is that you do for a living). One of my best-- or several of my best professors in college were the most passionate and animated lecturers who dove right into the material with such enthusiasm--is that not entertainment?

Or, the waiter who sings Happy Birthday at a restaurant, to an embarassed guest, or a pediatrician who makes a child smile (or laugh) after giving him a shot or a thorough check-up. So you see, we all use entertainment in our daily lives and professions. We just may not take notice, unlike people who do it on purpose (such as folks who are stars on The Bachelor or Survivor or whatever reality show is out there).

And you know what? I'd still like to be a writer. But maybe not Carolyn Keene.

Some healthy tips

Here we go, Low fat whole wheat green tea.

First things first: Why did this advice come after we have partaken in our Chinese food feast? Which was probably a buffet (so you know what that means: seconds and maybe thirds of deep-fried stuff, or pan-fried dumplings--my weakness). I sincerely doubt that it was low-fat, though.

Secondly, whole wheat? I don't think I saw anything whole wheat at the restaurant.

Thirdly, are there commas missing? Or am I supposed to have whole wheat green tea that is low in fat? You tell me. I don't think that exists (though the medincinal properties of green tea cannot be ignored)