Thanksgiving - the day Americans set aside for reflection upon all of the things in our lives that we are, or should be thankful for. I love Thanksgiving because it's one of a few days during the year when we all seem to be a little nicer, we seem to be a little more patient, and we act like the people we should be all year long.
When I reflect back on the past year, I realize that while it wasn't perfect, it was full of blessings. Even though both my Mom and Dad are no longer here, I am so thankful that they chose me to share their life with and instilled values in me that have made me the person I am today. I am thankful for my sister and her family and my friends who are like family. I am thankful that I have a job that I get up and go to every day; and while sometimes it is frustrating (tell me a job that isn't!), it is the greatest place to work and it brings me lots of joy and satisfaction. I look at my friends who have gone through so much this year and ask myself, "could I handle it like they have." Do you really value your friends, or do you just accept them because they are your friend? Do you truly realize how talented your friends are? Pick out your best friend and imagine for a moment that you didn't know them. Then imagine someone giving you their resume...what would you think of them? Or watch them interact with other people - what would you think of them. Now ask yourself...what if YOU were the friend? What would your friends think of you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here Comes The Bride

My youngest niece is heading to Las Vegas tomorrow to get married. She's 23 and she's marrying her long-time boyfriend Pat. Since I'm the one who "flies for free" in the family, I'm going to be the family representative - LOL.

Will write more tomorrow

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Living It Up?

Well, it's Friday night....watching Dolores Claiborne and thinking to myself, "I wonder if 9:30pm is too early to go to bed!" Exciting week at work; started up service to Montego Bay, Jamaica - flew down yesterday on the inaugural. Taking the day off on Monday for Memorial Day - then heading to Dallas Tuesday through Thursday.

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Clean Clothes

Did you ever wonder why your cat will go right for the clean clothes pile on the bed to lay down on when he could have the whole rest of the bed to stretch out in?

Enjoying some sweet tea for brunch in Salt Lake City at Market Street Grill

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
--- Max Ehrmann, The Desiderata

Back To The Gym

Well, today I finally went back to the gym. I can't believe it's been so long since I've been there (but you know I still pay for it every month!) . My gym is 24 Hour Fitness located over in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ and it's really cool! As their name states, they are actually open 24 hours. Some of the amenities (such as the pool, steam room, sauna, etc) are not available between midnight and 5am. Their facilities include: a downstairs area with a open basketball court, 2 racquetball courts and a weight lifting area. Upstairs there is studio for aerobics, a spinning room, a child care center, mens and ladies locker rooms, a lap pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna. They have the largest cardiovascular area that I've seen. My favorite cardiovascular device is called an "Adaptive Motion Trainer" Here is what one looks like:
It's really cool because you can step, run, or use it as an elliptical. It is very low impact and you can vary your routine so that you don't become bored. Oh, and the best thing is that there is a TV screen mounted right up front so I can watch TV while working out! How cool is that? Oh yeah, and there is a place to charge your iPod (it doesn't work with my iPhone, however).

If you have any encouragement you want to send me to keep going to the gym; It will be greatly appreciated!

Lessons from Pilot

When I came home, I realized the reason that everyone needs a cat. They are so good at correcting little errors you make. How many times have you forgotten and left the salt shaker on the table when you know it belongs on the floor?

My Earthquake Experience

It's a little after 8pm and I'm sitting in the Ft. Lauderdale airport awaiting my delayed flight home to LaGuardia. For the past 3 days I was in San Jose, Costa Rica on business. Actually we stayed in Cariari, Costa Rica near the SJO Airport which is actually located in Alajuela. Everything was fine until we started to depart on the 1:30pm flight to Ft. Lauderdale. We were seated the first row when at about 1:20pm, the aircraft began to sway from side to side. Initially I and my fellow co-worker who was seated right next to me thought the aircraft had been hit by a belt loader or by a tug. However, the aircraft continued to sway from side to side; so I looked out the window and saw the jetbridge at the adjacent gate moving. That's when I said to Kevin, "We're having an earthquake!". Sure enough...it lasted for about 10-12 seconds. Doesn't sound like a lot of time - but when you're in the middle of one, believe me..it is!

We immediately saw Customers running down stairs out of the Airport Terminal onto the tarmac. The airport was closed down while they inspected for damage and then it continued to be closed for a little while because of the aftershocks. All in all I think our departure was pushed back about 1 hour. The Captain told us it was a reported 6.1 magnitude quake centered near the local volcano.

When I got to Ft. Lauderdale and could get a look at news reports, it was determined that it was indeed a 6.1; the largest earthquake to hit Costa Rica in the past 30 years. The following information was obtained from The Huffington Post.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.1-magnitude temblor was centered 22 miles (35 kilometers) northwest of the capital of San Jose in the early afternoon, near the Poas Volcano national park.

The Red Cross said in a statement that a young girl, who hasn't yet been identified, was killed by a landslide unleashed by the quake near the city of Alajuela, north of the capital.

Local TV station Teletica showed broken windows, fallen ceiling panels and cracked walls in Alajuela. The quake was felt strongly throughout the small Central American country, Teletica said. Cell phone service was interrupted briefly.

Happy New Year! Welcome 2009!

The first day of 2009! Wow, it seems like only yesterday we said goodbye to the 20th Century! Now here we are, one year away from completing the first decade of the 21st! Enjoying the "rest" from the Holidays and spending time at home doing all the little things that I just didn't find time to do the first few weeks of December. Found out yesterday that I'm heading down to Costa Rica for a few days next week in anticipation of our service from Orlando. Also, today is the day Jose is heading home to Colombia to visit his family after a 7 year absence! I am so happy for him! He should be landing in Bogota around 1pm, and then will be with his family about 6pm tonight. Boy, the first day of the new year is freezing here in NY! I think it's like 18 degrees with a high of about 25 and wind chills in the teens.

Good Wishes to Everyone for 2009!