Thursday, July 9, 2009

1000 Places to See Before You Die (2)


The Heart of Bali

Indonesia


Package-deal tourists to Bali seem happy to stay in the Fort Lauderdale–like area of Kuta or to cocoon themselves in Sanur's toney hotels, but it's in the countryside—where Bali is vibrant with the theater of dance, prayer, and mystery—that you'll really be able to absorb the island's magic. Here it is still possible to imagine that the October 2002 bombing— which shook Asia as the earlier September 11 attacks did America—never happened. Serendipity will lead you to the haunting rhythms of a practicing village gamelan orchestra, past a procession of lithe women carrying impossibly high baskets of fruit offerings on their heads to the local temple, to preparations for a celebration that turns out to be a cremation. Bali's people are gracious and beautiful, a mix of Malay, Polynesian, Indian, and Chinese, and believe they are the chosen guardians of the Pulau Dewata, the Island of the Gods, whose hilly terrain is peppered with temples (Ulu Danu, beside Lake Bratan, is the most picturesque) and punctuated by constant temple festivals. Locals will direct you to tonight's tooth-filling ritual or tomorrow's performance of the kecak monkey dance. Visit the mist-shrouded Mount Agung, at the island's heart, considered by the Balinese to be the navel of the world.


Easy and Fun Recipe! Chicken In a Sleeping Bag


Ingredients
  • 2 cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls -- 8 oz each
  • 8 slices cooked ham
  • 8 cheese slices (your choice)
  • 16 frozen breaded chicken breast patties -- wing-shape, slightly thawed
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 375F. Separate dough into 8 (4 x 7 1/2") rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal.
  2. For each sandwich, place 1 rectangle of dough on ungreased cookie sheet. Top with 1 slice of ham. Place cheese at one end of ham slice. Place 2 chicken patties on cheese. Fold 2/3 of dough over chicken, leaving about 1 1/2" of chicken uncovered. Press sides of sandwich with fork to seal edges.
  3. Bake at 375 for 15-17 minutes or until crust is golden brown and chicken is hot.

20 Signs You Found True Love


The chemistry between a man and woman can be either good chemistry or bad chemistry. Many of us, through lots of experience know what it feels like to be in a relationship where the chemistry can be very strong, but it is destructive on an individuals level and as a couple. Relationships founded on this chemistry are often riddled with pain, guilt, fear and any number of thoughts and feelings that are energy depleting and can quickly spiral to obsessions and depression.

What about good chemistry, what does it feel and look like, and how do you know the chemistry between the two of you is good? How do you know you are with the right person?

1. You feel very comfortable with one another, as if you have known each other longer than you actually have.

2. You tend to agree with one another on most issues, and there is a feeling of warm familiarity surrounding your personal belief systems, values, philosophies and life goals.

3. You instinctively consider each other as equals and no one person does more sacrificing to be with the other.

4. You are very much involved in one another's daily affairs and conversations between the two of you are generally mentally stimulating and lively.

5. You joke around with each other a lot, and your relationship is spontaneous and light, adding a happy and friendly boost to your interactions.

6. You nurture each other with specialized attention, mutual appreciation, acceptance, admiration and playfulness; these keep the romance alive.

7. You enjoy spending plenty of quite time together in homely surroundings giving true meaning to the words feeling "at home" with one another.

8. Open communication is alive and thriving, making it possible to be yourselves with one another.

9. There is a shared feeling of growth and support of one another and both of you give each other room to grow as a self-directed independent individual.

10. You are more able than most couples to remain objective about your relationship and to work through problems that most couples find very difficult to deal with.

11. You are warm, gracious, compassionate and flexible with one another, and tend to expect the best from one another.

12. You easily forgive each other when things go wrong and trusting one another keeps you closer.

13. You are quite protective (not possessive or controlling) of one another and of the privacy of your romantic lives. Others see you as a positively bonded and caring couple.

14. There is no fear of losing the other and commitment to each other and dedication to your relationship are important for your sense of security as a couple.

15. There is an earthy sensuality to your relationship and the sexual chemistry between you is so apparent it's almost tangible.

16. Expressing yourselves emotionally and sexually comes naturally and without inhibitions. Feeling secure with one another puts you in the “mood" for intimacy and strengthens your affections for one another.

17. Together you are able to take big risks knowing that you will always have reach other and can always count on each other.

18. There is a whole lot of positive energy generated between the two of you, and together, you are enthusiastic about life itself.

19. The longer you're with each other, the stronger your relationship becomes.

20. The relationship is so life-changing that you know without a doubt in your heart that if it were to end, you will take something from it. You feel that you are somehow a different and better person.

Hopefully this information will put your heart and mind to rest. But if it causes you to feel “uneasy" then you need to really look at who you are with. You can be honest with yourself and face the pain that comes with the realization that you may not be with the right person for you, or you can ignore it now and later regret why knowing what you know you still pursued a relationship that was not good for you. The beauty of all this is that you have the power over what you choose to do!

Book Review: The Pursuit of Happyness


There are many stories of single mothers struggling to raise their kids against incredible odds, and with little help. But rarely do you hear of single fathers going through the same struggle. Chris Gardner is one of those fathers.

Gardner fought to raise his young son while homeless and living on the streets of San Francisco. Gardner, who served a brief stint in the Navy and had no education beyond high school, would eventually get back on his feet to become a millionaire stockbroker and business owner.

Gardner relates his rags-to-riches story -- and his concept of "conscious capitalism" -- in his memoir The Pursuit of Happyness. Gardner's saga is now the subject of a new film starring Will Smith, scheduled to be released later this year.

The misspelled "Happyness" of the book's title comes from when Gardner was looking for daycare for his son so Gardner could pursue his career. He rejected one facility because it misspelled "Happiness" in its name, but gained insight into what happiness meant to him personally when he explained the literal meaning of the word to his curious son.

THE CLIMB ~ Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith...

Inspirational Quote

"I chose to embrace the spirit of my mom—who despite the fact that she had too many of her own dreams denied, deferred and destroyed—still instilled in me that I could have dreams." - Chris Gardner on Oprah, December 2006

You Belong With Me ~ Taylor Swift

You’re on the phone with your girlfriend
She’s upset
She’s going off about something that you said
‘Cuz she doesn’t get your humor like I do…
I’m in the room
It’s a typical Tuesday night
I’m listening to the kind of music she doesn’t like
And she’ll never know your story like I do’

But she wears short skirts
I wear T-shirts
She’s cheer captain
And I’m in the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up
And find what you’re looking for
Has been here the whole time

If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can’t you see,
You belong with me
You belong with me

Walkin’ the streets with you and your worn-out jeans
I can’t help thinking this is how it ought to be
Laughing on a park bench, thinking to myself
Hey, isn’t this easy

And you’ve got a smile
That could light up this whole town
I haven’t seen it in a while
Since she brought you down
You say your fine
I know you better then that
Hey whatcha doing with a girl like that

She wears high heels
I wear sneakers
She’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up
That what you’re looking for
Has been here the whole time

If you could see that
I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along so why can’t you see
You belong with me

Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know
Baby
You belong with me

Oh’
I remember you drivin’ to my house
In the middle of the night
I’m the one who makes you laugh
When you know your about to cry
And I know your favorite songs
And you tell me about your dreams
Think I know where you belong
Think I know it’s with me

Can’t you see that
I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along
So why can’t you see
You belong with me

Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time
How could you not know
Baby you belong with me
You belong with me

You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me

You belong with me.