Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I just had to write something
So why I be the only one on pause
when the opponents and the supporters whiz pass
like a train with a whistle..
if dime a dozen, I foretell a million
I hear yall telling me what I be pursuing
I instead find rewind a worthy pursuit
and dreaming away the past..
oh, how do you overwhelm a tomorrow
when a past so glorious basks in your memory..
it might just be that I be a dreamer
and gotta wait for tomorrow to pass
so that I can dream away yesterday in peace..
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Papa John's founder pays $250K for beloved Camaro
Heard on the radio today ..the article below is copied from yahoo news
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the help of a $250,000 reward, the founder of the Papa John's pizza chain has finally reunited with the muscle car he sold years ago to help keep his family's business afloat.
John Schnatter sold the gold-and-black 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $2,800 in 1983. The money helped save his father's tavern in Jeffersonville, Ind., and he used the rest to start what would become a worldwide pizza business.
But he still missed his beloved Camaro and spent years searching for it. He created a Web site on the search, held promotional appearances and eventually offered $250,000 to whoever found it.
It turns out he didn't have to leave Kentucky, where the pizza chain is based in Louisville. The car only changed hands twice from the original buyers, ending up with Jeffery Robinson in Flatwoods, about 165 miles to the east.
"When I first saw it I still wanted to look it over to make sure it was the car even though I knew it," Schnatter told The Associated Press. "That kind of hit me emotionally. I was kind of numb."
The original buyers of Schnatter's car heard about the search when he appeared in a TV interview before an NFL game this month. An online search led them to the car blog Jalopnik, which has followed the search and tipped off Papa John's.
Robinson, who bought the car about five years ago for $4,000, recently delivered the Camaro to Schnatter, earning the $250,000 reward. The original buyers will get $25,000 for their help tracking it down.
Schnatter says it looks very much the same as it did when he sold it in 1983, but with a larger motor and fatter tires for drag racing.
The car will be displayed at the company headquarters in Louisville, replacing a replica Schnatter commissioned while he searched for his original car.
In honor of the reunion, Papa John's planned to offer all Camaro owners a free pizza at stores on Wednesday.
___
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the help of a $250,000 reward, the founder of the Papa John's pizza chain has finally reunited with the muscle car he sold years ago to help keep his family's business afloat.
John Schnatter sold the gold-and-black 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $2,800 in 1983. The money helped save his father's tavern in Jeffersonville, Ind., and he used the rest to start what would become a worldwide pizza business.
But he still missed his beloved Camaro and spent years searching for it. He created a Web site on the search, held promotional appearances and eventually offered $250,000 to whoever found it.
It turns out he didn't have to leave Kentucky, where the pizza chain is based in Louisville. The car only changed hands twice from the original buyers, ending up with Jeffery Robinson in Flatwoods, about 165 miles to the east.
"When I first saw it I still wanted to look it over to make sure it was the car even though I knew it," Schnatter told The Associated Press. "That kind of hit me emotionally. I was kind of numb."
The original buyers of Schnatter's car heard about the search when he appeared in a TV interview before an NFL game this month. An online search led them to the car blog Jalopnik, which has followed the search and tipped off Papa John's.
Robinson, who bought the car about five years ago for $4,000, recently delivered the Camaro to Schnatter, earning the $250,000 reward. The original buyers will get $25,000 for their help tracking it down.
Schnatter says it looks very much the same as it did when he sold it in 1983, but with a larger motor and fatter tires for drag racing.
The car will be displayed at the company headquarters in Louisville, replacing a replica Schnatter commissioned while he searched for his original car.
In honor of the reunion, Papa John's planned to offer all Camaro owners a free pizza at stores on Wednesday.
___
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Kindness
This article was forwarded to me by my friend Alicia.. I admire the taxi driver for his kindness..
Ariz. woman finds taxi driver is a kidney match
PHOENIX – Rita Van Loenen had no idea that a trip in Thomas Chappell's taxi cab could end up being the ride that saves her life.
"There are better odds of getting struck by lightning," Van Loenen said. "A random taxi driver offering to give me his kidney and all these pieces match. There has to be something behind this. How can this be?"
Chappell, who has been driving Van Loenen to dialysis appointments, shocked the Gilbert, Ariz. woman a month ago by offering to donate his kidney. But even more shocking to her was that doctors found they had the same blood type, that they were compatible.
"He calls me all excited. If we were a closer match, we would've been siblings. I was ready to fall off the floor," Van Loenen said.
The Phoenix taxi driver said he was a man of faith and that a higher power wanted him to step in.
"By then, me and the good Lord already had a talk. He said 'Tom, you go give her one. It will work," Chappell said.
Last year, Van Loenen, an instructor in special education methods, began feeling ill and experiencing water retention in her legs. She went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with kidney disease. With kidney failure setting in, friends and family were tested but there was no match.
In February, she received her cousin's kidney but that transplant failed. One day, Van Loenen, 63, found herself telling Chappell, 56, about how her son was now going to get tested. Chappell decided to add his name to the list.
"I said 'Rita, your son's a whole lot younger than me. He's got a lot more years. I'm gonna go down and go through the process and see if it will work.' I don't think she really believed I was going to."
The gesture evoked tears of gratitude from Loenen but she was still skeptical.
"A little bit in my heart I didn't believe it. He said 'give me the number' and I have transplant number at Mayo (Clinic in Scottsdale) memorized."
The two first met more than three months ago. It wasn't an auspicious beginning.
Chappell was half an hour late picking Van Loenen up for a dialysis appointment.
"When I got there she was not happy," Chappell said. "And I can understand it now. She's sick and all these things she goes through ... The next day, it just so happens I got her again."
Since then he has — and he insists it is by happenstance — been her taxi driver three to four times a month. For the last month, Chappell has started undergoing the arduous process of donor screening, undergoing numerous tests and exams. But none of it has brought second thoughts.
"This has put a whole new kind of lift in my boots. I never knew what it felt like to give somebody life and that's what I'm doing," Chappell said.
Van Loenen said Chappell never asked for any compensation. She still can't quite believe his level of commitment.
"I've never known anybody so enthusiastic to get a body part removed," Van Loenen said.
After the transplant, which hasn't been scheduled yet, Chappell will need to tread carefully. He will have to rest between four and six weeks but his work has promised to cover his lost wages.
"I've had drivers do some pretty incredibly amazing things for no charge. But this is just over the top," said Jim Hickey, national sales and marketing director for the company that owns VIP Taxi. "We're just so proud of him."
Van Loenen said that, thanks to Chappell, she can actually make plans for the future.
"Whenever I tell my friends or my family, they just find it so incredible," Van Loenen said. "They do call him an angel. My friend says there's angels everywhere. That's the right way to capture it."
Ariz. woman finds taxi driver is a kidney match
PHOENIX – Rita Van Loenen had no idea that a trip in Thomas Chappell's taxi cab could end up being the ride that saves her life.
"There are better odds of getting struck by lightning," Van Loenen said. "A random taxi driver offering to give me his kidney and all these pieces match. There has to be something behind this. How can this be?"
Chappell, who has been driving Van Loenen to dialysis appointments, shocked the Gilbert, Ariz. woman a month ago by offering to donate his kidney. But even more shocking to her was that doctors found they had the same blood type, that they were compatible.
"He calls me all excited. If we were a closer match, we would've been siblings. I was ready to fall off the floor," Van Loenen said.
The Phoenix taxi driver said he was a man of faith and that a higher power wanted him to step in.
"By then, me and the good Lord already had a talk. He said 'Tom, you go give her one. It will work," Chappell said.
Last year, Van Loenen, an instructor in special education methods, began feeling ill and experiencing water retention in her legs. She went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with kidney disease. With kidney failure setting in, friends and family were tested but there was no match.
In February, she received her cousin's kidney but that transplant failed. One day, Van Loenen, 63, found herself telling Chappell, 56, about how her son was now going to get tested. Chappell decided to add his name to the list.
"I said 'Rita, your son's a whole lot younger than me. He's got a lot more years. I'm gonna go down and go through the process and see if it will work.' I don't think she really believed I was going to."
The gesture evoked tears of gratitude from Loenen but she was still skeptical.
"A little bit in my heart I didn't believe it. He said 'give me the number' and I have transplant number at Mayo (Clinic in Scottsdale) memorized."
The two first met more than three months ago. It wasn't an auspicious beginning.
Chappell was half an hour late picking Van Loenen up for a dialysis appointment.
"When I got there she was not happy," Chappell said. "And I can understand it now. She's sick and all these things she goes through ... The next day, it just so happens I got her again."
Since then he has — and he insists it is by happenstance — been her taxi driver three to four times a month. For the last month, Chappell has started undergoing the arduous process of donor screening, undergoing numerous tests and exams. But none of it has brought second thoughts.
"This has put a whole new kind of lift in my boots. I never knew what it felt like to give somebody life and that's what I'm doing," Chappell said.
Van Loenen said Chappell never asked for any compensation. She still can't quite believe his level of commitment.
"I've never known anybody so enthusiastic to get a body part removed," Van Loenen said.
After the transplant, which hasn't been scheduled yet, Chappell will need to tread carefully. He will have to rest between four and six weeks but his work has promised to cover his lost wages.
"I've had drivers do some pretty incredibly amazing things for no charge. But this is just over the top," said Jim Hickey, national sales and marketing director for the company that owns VIP Taxi. "We're just so proud of him."
Van Loenen said that, thanks to Chappell, she can actually make plans for the future.
"Whenever I tell my friends or my family, they just find it so incredible," Van Loenen said. "They do call him an angel. My friend says there's angels everywhere. That's the right way to capture it."
Monday, August 24, 2009
These are a few of my favorite things (of and from India)
Inidan Culture, Christian worship, Women of India (the backbone of Indian Culture), Indian food, Spices, Dino Morea, Indian Architecture, Indian fabric, Jewellery, Bollywood, Indian love for music and the arts, and last but not least the backwaters of Kerala(one of the most beautiful places on the planet).
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
June 14, 2002
So I was glancing through my diary and came across interesting stuff I jotted down through the years...I am gonna blog down memory lane for a lil bit..more for my own pleasure than anything else :)
From June 14, 2002
Spirits are powerful
Binding one to the old
Tears that are shed
for one view of the old
Can one transform oneself
into a reflection of innocence
or into a new mode of the old.
Could be, could not be
Who is the judge.
Aug 14, 2003
My soul fills up with hope.
My mind flutters with aniticipation
of things to be..
Evil don't frighten me today.
I lean on my father today..
Certain of his compassion and mercy.
So I read through the rest, and I don't think I want to share those in a public forum hahah..
From June 14, 2002
Spirits are powerful
Binding one to the old
Tears that are shed
for one view of the old
Can one transform oneself
into a reflection of innocence
or into a new mode of the old.
Could be, could not be
Who is the judge.
Aug 14, 2003
My soul fills up with hope.
My mind flutters with aniticipation
of things to be..
Evil don't frighten me today.
I lean on my father today..
Certain of his compassion and mercy.
So I read through the rest, and I don't think I want to share those in a public forum hahah..
Musings after a nice weekend
Sierra, my lil mentee child bought me these gifts and made this lil note for me.. w/ a lil pix of me and her ..just adorable..I took her to Indiana to the dinner Laurie's parents threw for her before she left for Ireland..a nice 2 hr ride where she exhausted my ipod, and listening skills with her endless ghost stories :-)
So I just found out that my brother passed his boards. In his words, 'Nothing but God"!! It's amazing how God uses circumstance and situations to draw people to him in a way that those who are being molded realizes(YOU JUST KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW) it's nothing BUT GOD!!
Someone I knew from church passed away this weekend. But I know she is in a better place now. I pray for her husband to whom she was married for 45 years. They were an exemplary couple!
I almost bought my dec/ jan 10 day ticket to Israel..Hopefully I turn this one into reality..But I think Imma do it solo..ummm
This weekend I had Sushi.. pineapple fried rice , crab friedrice, and cocunut icecream w/ fried bananas, sesame seeds, and honey....just Divine!!
God is wonderful..I am soo glad he is a God who searches hearts, and not base his love on the works that I do...I thank God for his patience, for picking me up and shining his light on my path... so that I might not stumble..No other name, but the name of Jesus!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Anye LOVES Sushi!!!!!!
Honestly, I dream of Sushi mid-day..sooo wierd!!! By the way, I just got home after working out, and I am CRAVING Sushi..Hence the sushi post.. hahah
I wanna travel the world... Now!!
My second cousin has just got back from Europe ... looking at her pictures has intensified my desire to leave life as it is, pack my bags, and travel the world!!!!But reason has to prevail for now..but hey the day is coming when dreams become reality.......
Words to live by. Thanks, Dad.
This is a letter an acquaintence's dad wrote to her on her birthday. So beautiful and precious... I thank God for wonderful parents.
“In your patience possess ye your souls,” Luke 21:19. This is the verse that is in my heart for your birthday, dear Beck. A jewel of a verse to hold on to - Jesus was speaking about the trials of the end times. I have kept this verse in my heart for over 40 years. Now I need it more than ever before. The Church in Philadelphia was commended for her “work,” Rev. 3:8; her “work” was that she “kept my word,” (Rev. 3:8), and this “word” was “the word of my patience,” Rev. 3:10 - and such patience, though she had only “a little strength,” Rev. 3:8. Let us recall also James 1:3, 4: “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Some of the above was shared yesterday at the Sunday meeting here. The Lord bless you this morning as you begin another birthday, and a new year of your life. I pray that you will set your heart on the virtue of patience in all details of life. Mom was a visible example of patience for all of us day after day, for years and years – let us give thanks, and follow her example, and pass it on to the children and others. Happiest and most blessed birthday ever! [Please go out to dinner with all the family asap at my cost!] With love, dad.
“In your patience possess ye your souls,” Luke 21:19. This is the verse that is in my heart for your birthday, dear Beck. A jewel of a verse to hold on to - Jesus was speaking about the trials of the end times. I have kept this verse in my heart for over 40 years. Now I need it more than ever before. The Church in Philadelphia was commended for her “work,” Rev. 3:8; her “work” was that she “kept my word,” (Rev. 3:8), and this “word” was “the word of my patience,” Rev. 3:10 - and such patience, though she had only “a little strength,” Rev. 3:8. Let us recall also James 1:3, 4: “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Some of the above was shared yesterday at the Sunday meeting here. The Lord bless you this morning as you begin another birthday, and a new year of your life. I pray that you will set your heart on the virtue of patience in all details of life. Mom was a visible example of patience for all of us day after day, for years and years – let us give thanks, and follow her example, and pass it on to the children and others. Happiest and most blessed birthday ever! [Please go out to dinner with all the family asap at my cost!] With love, dad.
Monday, August 10, 2009
My Savior Leads Me.
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whatever befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whatever befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Girl America
My girl America is just a youth in this world
Her smile is more precious than the sparkle of pearls
And though her age reads she's just a young girl
The age behind her eyes show the pain that she's swirled
Through the hand that's been dealt though it's quiet as kept
The weight was all felt last night when she slept
And as she crept into the dreams of the things of her past
Seems to have grown so fast, way beyond her own class
Though they're right there with her, her brothers and her sisters
A natural born leader even when her peers diss her
My girl, she's at a crossroads, people praying for her
Some are preying on her magazine ads, sex, drama
Smoking marijuana, longing for a father to call her "daughter"
She's part of a generation longing for reconciliation
And this future that they're facing and this poison that they're tasting
My girl, I know this love that you're chasing
My girl America's crying when she's lying on her bed at night
I can see that she's screaming when she's dreaming for her freedom
My girl America's dying while she's trying just to stop this fight
Don't stop believing, my girl America
Boys with hungry eyes have been beating her door
Telling her that's what she's for, trying to rob her core
Then leave calling her a whore, but still she knows there's more
I know she knows there's more because there's a voice she can't ignore
'Cause it was founded in the foundations, from the day of her creation
In God we trust, engraved on the treasures of her nation
And the void that the boys can't fill
With the tipping of the bottle and the popping of the pill
But still most of her friends don't care as they glare
Ready to drown down the funnel as they frown down the tunnel
They stumble and they tumble breaking down into rubble
My girl America, stop can't you see
It's not the circumstances that determine who you're gonna be
But how you deal with these problems and pains that come your way
It's for you that I pray with hope for a brighter day
So I say, your deliverance is coming
Faith like a child from your first birth
You left it in the dirt on your worst hurt
And I see each tear and every scar
The hands that have held you where you are
And I can see we've strayed so far
A king born under that morning star
As a crown of thorns was placed to erase
Each tear that's touched your face
And his palms and sides were pierced with spears
He hung in love just to draw you near
My girl, out of this whole world
Can't you see this is where we started
And his palms and sides were pierced with spears
He hung in love just to draw you near
My girl, out of this whole world
Can't you see this is where we started
Where we started
My girl America
Friday, August 7, 2009
Letter to Laurie Michelle Adkins
The rain may be falling hard outside,
But your smile makes it all alright.
I'm so glad that you're my friend.
I know our friendship will never end." -- Robert Alan
aLL things change, grow, mature and change again..for a moment of time our lives were going parallel , and now our lives are slowly starting to diverge..but always remember some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same. You have been one such person Laurie..despite your yesterday and your today, you have always brought sunshine and laughter into my life..we might have had silent wars, but at the end of the day all I remember is the fragrance that you brought into my life..a scent that I admired .. there are going to be days when we fail to be perfect, selfless and thoughtful in this journey called life, but let us strive to never let go of this friendship we found in each other, the laughter that we shared and the memories that we created. I hope that Carlo would give you the moon when you ask him for a star and shower you with love and romance and beauty for you were created to be treasured..You are wonderful Laurie Adkins.
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend. AND you have always been that friend
Ciao Ann
Sierra
Sierra is a little angel that calls me sissy and holds onto me tight and gives me the cutest 'puhleeese' look when she wants something..someone I find really hard to say no to..she is my lil mentee..7 yrs old and growing fast..
With little Sierra I strive to position myself in her life in a way that I help her realise how precious she is in the eyes of God ...and that deep within her are buried treasures and gifts that only she can unlock..that in her determination lies the secret to a beautiful tomorrow..that through her trust and faith she would see doors open and mountains move..that she is beautiful despite what the world may tell her and that she is 'her' and no one else can be her and MUCH MORE.....
sO Here'S my lil SiErRa...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Race
Ok, so after the free laser show, (recession people..by the way I recommend it to you, you and you..maybe boat paddling and the laser show afterwards ?) me and my friend who happens to be African American were talking about the complexities of life..mainly surrounding religion, love, and lo and behold we hit the tabboo subject of race..So as a person who has her own biases and opinions, but who is also at the same time striving towards creating and maintaining relationships between people of all backgrounds , race, culture, I was all for hearing or more correctly put talking about what I think is "the problem". And before anyone starts rolling their eyes, I am not advocating any single idea or thought, and this is in no way a note about advices ..What I realise is that each and everyone has a piece of advise to share these days (no pun intended) :-)
I originate from a country where different religions, cultures, people groups co-exist, and where tomorrow is a question of survival to many. Religious intolerence, political upheavals and general discontent exists in India, but you put cricket on Tv, and you see a very patriotic India stand up united. It amazes me how in 2009 the significance of one's race has yet to dimnish in intensity from 10 years ago. What is astonishing to me is that we are still grappling with the injustice, but have yet to have a vision of a horizon where the goal is integrity and trust, and not division and justice.
Racial profiling is real . If you think otherwise educate yourself by reading into the American Court System..look at the stats..and talk to people. As much as racial profiling is a reality, and anger might be a subsequent reaction to that injustice, we can not move into a time where our children could roam free without the worries that go with that injustice until we are willing to put unity, peace and love as a goal rather than seperation. If we put justice as our ultimate motive, we miss the bigger ideal: of judging a person by the merits of his action.
I am a rebel, and I am judged as such whereever I go. I refuse to be confined to a box. I am not going to try to fit into a certain mold, and be what you want me to be. I am going to have white, black, yellow, blue, green and orange friends. I admire those who chose to be human first, and exhibit the color of their skin last. It takes strength, and I applaud your courage.
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