Raw Emotion & Inspiration

My friend, and fraternity brother, Jason has picked a fight with cancer. He himself is not stricken with cancer, but cancer has stolen treasures from his life. For the past few years Jason has participated in the LIVESTRONG challenge, cycling for 100 miles to raise money in the fight against cancer. Jason trains for the challenge most of the year, and as he has participated for the past few years, I'd certainly say that he has dedicated his life to the fight.

Watch this video, and tell me you are not moved. Watch this video and tell me you will not support Jason and everyone else who is so brave as to stand up and pick a fight with cancer.



If you were as moved as I was, you can go here to join the fight, and/or here to make a donation in support of Jason.

THANK YOU!

I'm feeling inspired today. Jason inspires me. and there are two women out in the blogosphere who I am happy to have been acquainted with. They are strong, extraordinary women, mothers, friends. So I post this poem in their honor. For Kori and April - Thank you for being phenomenal!

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing of my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

from And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

Jason, Kori, April, you inspire and humble me. I am grateful to have you in my life.

Wisdom of Gandhi

I came upon this through Twitter. I have a vague recollection of hearing it before, but it's definitely worth repeating and remembering.

The Seven Blunders of the World

• Wealth without work
• Pleasure without conscience
• Knowledge without character
• Commerce without morality
• Science without humanity
• Worship without sacrifice
• Politics without principle

"This list grew from Gandhi's search for the roots of violence. He called these acts of passive violence. Preventing these is the best way to prevent oneself or one's society from reaching a point of violence."

Oh hi

Yeah, I know, I've been away for quite a while. Life is hectic and stressful right now. Found out I failed that damn test again. I got a 72 and all I need is a 75 to pass. Well, I'll pass next time. 4th time's a charm, right? I'll elaborate more in, like, May when I have time, but I have to take 2 exams in April. It's also busy season for accountants right now, and I'm required to work 50 billable hours per week. Not just 50 hours, but 50 billable hours. So if I do stuff that's not billable, those hours are on top of the 50 hours. Awesome, right? And of course that leaves plenty of time to study for 2 exams... I'm losing my mind. I really am.

But I'm not the only one who's a little ticked right now... Let's join Bobby in boycotting Orbitz.com, shall we? Yay for banding together against a-holes and companies that "provide" bad customer "service"!

I hope you all are well.

Peace and love.

Julie

Introducing Landon John!

Here are a few photos of my nephew Landon John. He was born Monday, February 9, 2009 at 11:32 pm. He weighed 7 lbs 15 oz and was 21" long. I can't believe how much he has changed in the last 3 weeks!





Mom, Dad & Landon


Loungin


Taking a nap on Grandma's shoulder


Landon & Auntie Julie

Studying again & other updates

I'm retaking the BEC portion of the CPA exam on Thursday, February 26th. I'm really nervous and as of now, I don't feel nearly prepared enough. I'm planning to study a TON tonight, tomorrow and every day after work. I'm also taking Wednesday off work to stay home and cram. Please pray for my memory, stress level, and motivation!

I spent the last 2 weeks in LA on a client I've worked on for 4 years now. I'm finally done, and I never have to see that horrible client again! YAY!! Before that I was working from my office in San Jose for a week, and before that I was working in Sausalito for 2 weeks! I've been traveling way too much and I'm happy to finally be home!

My beautiful, perfect nephew Landon John was born on Monday, February 9! I've only seen him twice since he was born. I missed his birth because I was in LA so I saw him Friday night and Sunday last weekend. I'm going to take a study break for a family dinner at my parent's house tonight, so I get to see him in a few short hours. I'll definitely post pictures after my exam on Thursday.

Another update - I still haven't heard from the pervert caller since January 11. I think my police report threat was effective!

Peace and love.
J