First and Foremost::: RESPECT Respect does work both ways::: my respect for my friends opinions, values & time (punctuality) ; and the reciprocation of respect. Self-respect is also a good trait to carry. Honesty is another important element in a friendship. Good sense of humor... not taking *everything* so seriously. OK, life does bring with it sometimes unwelcome or uncomfortable surprises, but how we work through these and how we grow from these is important. Similarities in movie, music, style-of-dress isn't _that_ important. Commonalities are important, but I guess it's more what's on the inside that really matters. Materialism does not impress me. There seem to be many people in this local geographical area that are impressed by what car one drives, what designer labels one wears, what cologne (-y-u-c-k-) one wears, and all that superficial b.s. Good character supersedes all of those fake façades.

. . . Birthdays are quite important to me. For me it's a day of reflection but more importantly a time of renewal and rebirth. I look at the path I've been on and ask myself if there's anything I'd do differently? I'm not one to have regrets, I choose to live life to its fullest. Enjoying each moment, understanding it has purpose. I observe my birthday for the entire week. It's a sort of New Year for me. I treat myself to some things that I don't customarily do. Last year it was two days/one night at a local Spa Hotel, enjoying a massage, facial, quiet/alone time, great dinner, and some bowling with friends. When I was in my mid-20's, I found solace in cemetaries. I discovered one that had rolling hills, with a constant, soft breeze in the summertime. As I perused the grounds I encountered an area that was designated for babies who had passed on/thru. There was one that caught my attention-- the boy was born and died the same date (and year) as my birthday. I silently made a promise to him: that I'll live a good, honorable life, being a productive member of society. As I make this entry, I realize I've been true to that oath. My birthday falls one day before the summer solstice and this year I'll be celebrating my birthday and the winter solstice (as I'll be in the Southern Hemisphere) on the Inca Trail in Peru. I specifically timed my vacation so my birthday celebration will be amongst the Incas. So as my birthday rapidly approaches, I don't dread it. As I advance one more year, I welcome the fun, excitement, and bliss and also greet life learnings, challenges, knowledge & wisdom with the maturity of knowing deep within myself that it happens for a reason. . . .

. . . The weather & the nearby Ocean & the majestic sunrises/sunsets and colorful sky. There is a walkway filled with green tropical shrubs, sweet flowers and tall palm trees and harmless lizards before I get to the door to my building. I do take the time to smell those delicious flowers. MmMmMmmm. I really like my apartment now, as I had an opportunity last October to perform some redecorating/enhancements. And its completion is comforting to me. Shiny & clean hardwood floors, freshly painted walls & ceiling, one wall with detail color and bamboo stenciling, touches of color here and there to compliment the wall and add warmth to my living space. -=-=-=-=--==-=-=- ••••••••••••••••••• =-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=- ••••••••••••••• -=-=--=-=-=-==--=-=-=-=-= ••••••••••••••••••••• I was raised in the midwest, experiencing the typical cold, cloudy, & snowy winters. The snow provided me an opportuinty to go door-t-door to offer local residences my snow-removal services. Equipped with determination and a snow shovel, I'd head out into the snow covered neighbor and make some nice spending money. The month of February was always dreary, rare that we'd have an entire day filled with sun. I did like the season changes, witht he spring flowers popping up, sometimes through the snow after early warm temps. Summertime in the midwest was nice, with extreme high temps, but those fronts moved through after a few days or a week, and the temp would flucuate to a more bearable temp. Until the next heat wave. And I especially enjoyed the leaves changing colors in autumn falling on the ground. I loved walking through the leaf-strewn floor of the woods, the whoosshing sound of the rustling, dry leaves around my feet and ankles. The lingering rays of warm sunshine piercing through my sweater before the grip of Old Man Winter made his appearance. -=-=-=-=--==-=-=- ••••••••••••••••••• =-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=- ••••••••••••••• -=-=--=-=-=-==--=-=-=-=-= ••••••••••••••••••••• The consistently sunny skies here in Florida are a delight for me. In the wintertime I can have my windows open and enjoy the mild temps. I can sit on a blanket in the park absorbing the gentle tropical breezes. Listening to the wild parrots in the nearby trees screeching their songs. And watching the lizards perched in the sun warming themselves is another treat of the sub-tropics. Having lived in the Sunshine State for close to 8 years now, I still appreciate the location. I don't take the sunny days for granted, because I know the rainy season (and also hurricane season) looms. The rainy season is just starting, which isn't that bad. It's usually sunny & dry in the morning, the afternoon heats up and with it come thunderstorms. Those pass through, and we have another magnificent sunset as our gift. Today another rainfall passed through and I opened my windows just so I could enjoy its splendor. =) So what do I love most about where I live? The climate. .

here are some updates::: My Peru trip is just 2 1/2 weeks away... I can't even tell u how excited I am. 2 1/2 weeks away... that time went fast =) -=- I'm going to LA in July... visiting my good friend Robi and doing a little sight seeing as well. -=- Rainy Season has begun. When the roof of this building was replaced last October, significant problems ensued. I'm still truamatized by that, so each time a heavy rain occurs, I scan the ceiling, fearful of leaks and a collapse. That sux. But the good news is that my ceiling has *not* leaked. And we've had some really heavy rains. On Sunday we received 5 inches of rain. Yes, 5 inches, flooding occurred all over, the worst of what I'd seen was at work. The street was flooded for like 5 hours with knee-deep water, with cars driving thru and then stalling out. The very heavy rainfall coincided with a high-tide, and further exasperating the problem is strom-drain construction work happening at the same time. So the result was a ridiculous amount of deep-water flooding the area. I've not seen it that bad until now. Kinda scares me for hurricane season. -=- I've been have recurring dreams (for about 6 months now) about my former workplace. I'm cordial with Brenda and I'm working there (as a sales person, not a mgr) to help them out. There's a good sense of productivity with no hard feelings, but do I say I'm sorry in each dream. I know I've forgiven Brenda, so that's what throw's me off. -=- I'm addicted to Cartoon Network's Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy... it's hilarious. Ed, Edd, & Eddy and Camp lazlo are also very funny. And I've always liked Tom & Jerry. My new favorite reality tv series is On The Lot... I missed the premiere episode (I fell asleep before it started) but I watched it in its entirity online, the first time I've sat and watched an entire episode of anything online... YAY for the internet and high-speed connections. I watched the LOST season finale, but I missed many of the episodes from this season, good thing they had a season-overview special. I get it again. L0L -=- I watched the Grease dvd last week and I *loved* it!!! I found the dvd @ spec's (FYE) for $5.99 WOW... _and_ it includes a sing-along-booklet =) -=- .