After reading In Search Of A Greener Tomorrow's post on the smallest car, I came across the one he spoke of as well as another [see below]. I thank him for such stimulating articles and posts.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10201922-1.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo

I watched the rays of sunlight spill unto my carpet.
Lifting my head I stared at the window for a long time.
Then I parted the shades and peered out.
Overhanging branches of the big pine tree obstructed my view.
My gaze moved between the branches and dangling moss,
and I looked past the thick white clouds overhead.
Into the deep blueness of the sky; so I followed the path of light.
Traced it as far as I could towards its source.
Way beyond my ken. . . somewhere out there was God.

Doodles & Me

This is really cool stuff.

Today I was getting some information over the phone. Glancing at the sheet of paper I wondered about my age-old habit of doodling. I consider myself an anxious personality, inherited from my mother I believe, yet was never a fidgety or hand-wringing sort. People always admire how calm I am, knowing not how my stomach is either secretly turning somersaults or being invaded by butterflies. Anyway, I decided to research the significance of doodles, if any. I used to be interested in the study of handwriting - Graphology. Maybe because I have always had various regular handwriting patterns and I think it unusual to have more than one prominent handwriting style. I have a slanted neat cursive which I proudly consider evolved from my father's penmanship that I have admired since childhood. Then I have the bold bubbly type that caused friends to tease me that I waste paper. Then there are the careless characters of rushed work that developed in my college/pre-med days to cope with work loads that realistically needed extra hours in a day.

Anyway, this is what I found out about me and my doodles based specifically on today's pattern of triangular shapes. I am: strong-willed, have a masculine streak and like facts. I am determined and need an outlet for my mental & physical energy. This is so true. Currently I am bored and have been since 2006. In spite of over 8 years working as a doctor overseas, I can't practise as a physician here until I get into a residency training position and this has proved impossible and frustrating. On top of this, I just relocated to GA where getting into a simple diploma course is hard because I am not a state resident yet. I am broke after using up all my savings paying for medical courses and living in NY/NJ for three years. Desperate for anything I applied (and later interviewed) for a receptionist post. They sent a polite email saying that its only $8 an hour and I have too much experience, so I didn't even get that... E.t.c. You get the picture? I need an outlet alright :)

I have good organization & I am methodical. Queen of logic, that's me- lol! If it doesn't make sense it shall nag me and I shall nag you until it does. I like order & control. Yes, yes, yes. Everything has its place & purpose. Now my husband is an artist... suffice it to say that we are at either ends of the spectrum on this. At the time of doodling, I was dwelling on the future & outside world. True. I was chasing up something in connection with immigration paperwork, which once approved will relieve the causes of my pent up energy mentioned above. Interesting stuff. Check out what your doodle means --> DOODLE MEANINGS.

Joel 1v13-15

Queen Esther had an important assignment to do that required God's wisdom and direction so she sought His face. She (and others on her behalf) fasted for 3 days & nights before she set off to address the problem. Jesus had a habit of fasting before certain big assignments. He did 40 days and nights before his temptation by satan. It is amazing how often we take decisions without committing it to the Lord. Big or small, dilemmas or successes... we should involve God in all areas of our lives & trust His promptings.

Joel's reading is about priests being called to consecrate a fast for a problem. Everyone in the land needed to be in the house of God crying unto Him. Likewise we should declare a fast from time to time. We can fast alone, call a fast in our home or join fasts called by our churches. Sometimes this will be when there's a tough task or decision ahead. Other times we may fast for spiritual cleansing. This benefits us physically too because our stomachs rest and our bodies get time to recuperate. One might do a weekly or monthly fast from 6 a.m. until noon (or until 3 p.m.). On the day of the fast pray intermittently with a thankful heart. Petition Him if you have a need and ask for divine cleansing of body, mind, soul & spirit.

Fasting is to sacrifice something. For instance, giving up food and drink in order to focus on your spirituality & being at one with the creator. Keeping the body empty brings it under the control of your spirit. This enables your spirit man to rise above carnal and worldly thoughts and draw closer to God's spirit. Being in tune with the Holy Spirit opens you up to the mind of God and allows you to pray and live out His will.

SONG: Goodbye World

Remember my blog post called Edge Runner?

I had written that the Edge Runner had a crooked back wheel. We had another older yet sturdy bike which was in worse shape and needed more serious repairs. Well, the other day my husband got a new bicycle for me to practice on. Although new to us, it was actually second-hand. It was slightly smaller, faster and named the Mongoose. At his insistence, I went on a trial ride... all the way down our road which lacks any pavements and back again. By pavements I mean what is known here in America as sidewalks. I succeeded somewhat in overcoming my fear of the traffic, holding my ground and not falling off as passing cars whizzed by. I looked forward to perfecting my confidence and turns with Mongoose in the coming weeks. Sadly though, my plans were shattered.

Today we left home at 0955h for an appointment. The three bicycles were lined up against the wall. Upon our return at 1420h my husband immediately noticed that the latest addition was missing. Mongoose was gone. Taken from where she'd stood behind the others only hours earlier. A sudden sadness overcame me. Why would someone steal our bike? It was unfair, for one thing. My husband works hard and saves his money to purchase a bicycle; then someone comes along and just takes it without sweat. Going online I realized that bike thefts are not uncommon. Still, I felt violated. Had the thief been watching us to know that we were out. This incident, minor as it may seem, challenges my sense of security and safety. Some consolation is that Edge Runner was spared, because of her wonky wheel - no doubt.

Back in New Jersey, a man had broken into my apartment at three o'clock one morning a year ago when I stayed in Irvington. Of course I moved out within twenty-four hours to a safer neighborhood in Newark. Over there you leave nothing outside. Here everyone leaves stuff lying around in open and often gate-less yards. Perhaps this caused me to let down my guard when I moved to this seemingly quiet street in this small town. Today's episode was a necessary reminder to be ever careful wherever I am... and prayerful too.


Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. [Psalm 127:1]