Need a Tuesday Pick-Me-Up?

I love me some Coldplay! I especially love this rendition of Viva La Vida. This teacher and kidz brought such feeling and sunshine to this song. Makes me want to go out and sing as loud and carefree as my tone-deaf Asian voice will allow. Ahhhh, the ebullience of youth!!!

Viva La Vida!

Live the Life!

Happy Tuesday!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Your Blogging Type is Artistic and Passionate

You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great. One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog... And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes. Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

I came across this blogging gizmo which I thought was interesting. Not only does it summarize your blogging personality, but it also links you to other quizzes that you can virtually get lost in... it was interesting to take a couple of them to gather some intel on myself. What did you find out about yourself? Click here and find out.

Hair-Did Faux Pas

So, I'm getting my "hair-did" in a country where women predominantly cover their hair.

I'm always self conscious when I get a hair cut. I have short hair and long hair is the preferred length here, so I usually hide behind a magazine while I'm at a salon.

Today, I was looking at a magazine that was left behind by a German client. Flipping through it, a section featuring trendy pantsuits caught my eye along with the word "lesbisch", which was mentioned throughout the article. Turning to my multi-lingual hairdresser, I asked what the word meant.

Without skipping a beat, she pointed to my hair and said, "lesbian".

The ground opened up then, and I slithered through it.

Please call 911. I'm trapped in the Middle East with lesbian hair.

I married George Clooney

Never mix a recently returned dream vacation with a George Clooney movie fest. The combination of both could result in a very bizarre dream. Let's take me for example. Last night I dreamt I married George Clooney. (Didn't I say it was bizarre?) I'm still reeling from the morning after befuddlement, because after all I was married, albeit on a subconscious level, to George Clooney. It felt so real that when I awoke, it compelled me to write it all down. Coincidentally, I had found a kewl blogging project the day before. Uninspired, I had put it aside. My dream, however comma, was the catalyst that inspired the "I married George Clooney" sequence below. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did creating it. Shall we commence?



My dream opened to sparkling sapphire waters at an exotic resort on the sandy beaches of Bali, where George Clooney had defected from Hollywood to live the life of a half naked pool boy heavily oiled in Banana Boat products.

George, having only gazed at me for no more than a second (as he would in real life), fell madly in love and asked me to marry him.

George and I had an outdoor beach wedding that rivaled Pamela Anderson's. (The Baywatch bombshell had formerly walked down sandy aisles with Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and rock n' rap singer Kid Rock.)

The world heralded my marriage to the world's sexiest bachelor.

We celebrated our Bali honeymoon within the confines of a champagne fluted glass-tub filled with Dom Perignon. We were drunk with happiness.

But as true Hollywood romances go, signs of a troubling relationship began to present itself.

And soon, tabloids began airing pics of George's infidelity.

Our "W" to the "E" were no more, and I awoke from my dream somewhat sadden.... but inspired nonetheless, to record said events within this blogging project.

Now, it's your turn. Click on this link and populate the fields. Cut n' paste and enjoy the creative journey!

What a Wonderful World...

Hearing Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" has always evoked the most beautiful images in my mind, so imagine my delight when I stumbled across this lovely gem. I hope you enjoy it too.

Red-y to Vote?

Which Headline Best Fits This Photo?

• I spy with my little eye .... something red.


• Where's Waldo???


• Red Rover, Red Rover, send good decor over!


• I need Visine to get the red out!

I Shared a Toilet with Ann Curry

Today was a crazy day at work and one that was totally unexpected. First of all, we got word that Admiral Mullens (Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff) and a host of press people were coming to visit us today on their way to Afghanistan. What?!? And that wasn't all. Ann Curry from "The Today Show" was one of the news folks coming onboard. What?!?

Soooo, fast forward the situation. Ann Curry is sitting in the conference room across from my office. She has arrived early and I can hear her voice as I'm typing up a report on my computer. I eavesdrop shamelessly as she talked about growing up as a Navy brat and being familiar with the military life of moving around often.

I stayed in my seat, not wanting to appear as a rabid fan, by going in there to introduce myself and gush about how I enjoyed the show, blah, blah, blah... what she thought of Katie Couric's boyfriend... and what was her REAL opinion of the show since Merideth Vieira came onboard. You know. Girlfriend talk. But alas, I didn't go in there.

Instead, I continued to type up my report until I got up and used the private bathroom next to my office. As I was leaving the loo, I bumped into her as she was waiting to go inside. She smiled. I smiled back. I may have even given her the "Wazzsup?" nod. Who knows. It happened so fast.

As I returned to my computer, I heard the toilet flush... and realized that Ann Curry and I just shared the same toilet.

The End.

[Epilogue: Ann later approached me as she was leaving to see if I wanted her sandwich. She had ordered box lunches for her and the crew that went uneaten, and she didn't want them to go to waste. So, later on that afternoon after all the visitors left.... me... and Ann Curry's sandwich... had quiet time to reflect on the weirdness of the day.]

When I'm Feeeelin' Sad

I was feeling blue as I was returning home today, and as I was reaching for my happy chocolates....

a light turned on in my head:



What if I had a dose of color me therapy instead? Colors to soothe and make me happy again, and what better colors to do this but finding a "few of my favorite things" in Turquoise and Chocolate! So indulge me as I attempt to lift my spirits again, and if anything else... do so in a less fattening way. ;)

[To the tune of "My Favorite Things"]

kewl window distresses,

and outfits to shop,

krAZeE kaleidoscope views, and....

warm woolly wraps,

chunky eclectic bling,

that pops with a zing,

These are a few of my favorite things.

blue paper packages,

tied up with strings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

So when the trip ends...

and the burn stings...

when I'm feeeeeelin' sad...

I simply remember my favorite things,

and then I don't feel soooooooooooo bad.

Bikini vs. Burkini

While I was sunbathing today, beach goers in bikinis and banana hammocks walked around in mixed company and were completely at ease with what they were wearing. I doubt many of them were even aware that bikinis weren't the norm in the Middle East, where Muslim women prescribe to a strict code of modesty which only allows them to show face, hands, and feet. In fact there are segregated beaches, where "women's beaches" are the preference not the exception. At integrated beaches, Muslim women will sit fully clothed on the beach while the men cavort in the water. Thank goodness Sharm doesn't follow these practices!

I came across some interesting photos below. Although they're nearly a century apart, Muslim women in the 21st century ironically show less skin than their American vintage counterparts.

1920: American bathing suits exposed women's arms and lowered necklines, but shoes and stockings remained a requirement of respectability. The above pic shows vintage beauties sporting "tank suits".

2009: Muslim women still practice strict observances of modesty. The above photo is a Muslim woman sporting a "burkini". Egads. Can you imagine her tan lines?

Sharm Has Charm

Got up at o'dark thirty this morning so I could be on the road by 6 am for what was supposed to be a five hour road trip that turned into a six and a half hour "day"mare. Ugh! Traffic was congested due to the holiday weekend, and the umpteenth number of security checkpoints along the way delayed the beach trip even further. And did I mention that the 5 vehicle convoy I was in led to continual stressors along the way? Regardless, all the problems of my journey were worth it, because Sharm eased all my stressors upon arriving.

We drove through our final checkpoint with such relief and elation!

At the resort, we meandered to our bungalows following tiled pathways, breezy gazebos, and colorful blooms awaiting every turn.

Mine was a Spanish Moor design with sliding glass patio doors from my living room and bedroom that opened to ....

a fabulous view of the Red Sea, and a private path

leading to straw covered umbrellas and lounge chairs with attentive waiters serving frothy drinks in white cottoned uniforms ....

and if the beach wasn't enough, a hard right from my patio doors led me to one of five pools that the resort offered.

And now here I am typing this blog, as I await my first of several massage appointments scheduled on my li'l staycation. Tomorrow's agenda? Who cares? Stressors are gone!

Gotta Pack My Wheels B'Cuz....

I'm heading out for the beach tomorrow!

....but NOT in this car. LoL. It's holy week in Egypt as Coptic Christians (or Orthodox Christians) celebrate Easter this Sunday. Yep, we're a week behind Stateside observances. Heck, we haven't even gone to daylight savings time yet, which makes for even greater confusion.

So with a 4-day weekend in tow, I'm off to Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Known as the "City of Peace" because of international peace summits held there, it's also a favored holiday spot for Euro travelers, which means the dress code will be more "Westernized". Yaaay! I will be able to expose arms and legs again without getting stoned to death. Bonus!

So, tomorrow you'll find me multi-tasking beach resort style: lounging under one of these straw umbrellas, frolicking in the Red Sea, and seeking inner peace in the "City of Peace". Life is good in the Middle East. Peace Out.

Best Headlining Feet

Which Headliner Best Fits this kRAZeE Pic?

• I've fallen and I can't get up!
• Fashion Police: Save me I'm drowning!
• Rainbow Brite.... maniacally all grown up.
• Aaack! My feet are HUGE!

Created on Apr 19, 2009

View Results

Wanna Create Your Own Voting Poll?

• Click on poll by twiigs.com and create a free account
• Click on "Create Poll" on far right
• Select "List"
• Create Questions and Answers (populate optional fields as needed)
• Click "Allow Multiple Selections"
• Select a "Category"
• Select "Private" or "Public"
• Select a duration period, i.e. 30 days
• Type in the word verfication
• Cut n paste HTML onto your blog
• Voila! Now you're ready to poll!

Big Bird called.

...sez he wants his nest back.

DWTS Geek Alert

It's a no brainer. I'm a Dancing With The Stars dweeb. I don't know if it's all the sequins.... mens' unbuttoned silk shirts baring smooth lounge lizard chests.... golden spray-on tans... or the pure entertainment of the dances.... I LOVE IT ALL!!! [beep, beep, beep..... oops. There goes my geek-o-meter again.]

This season, I keep waffling from Euro Yum Yum Gilles Marini (and yes, Ladies, we all melted like buttah during his shower scene in Sex And The City The Movie)....

to Julianne's hottie man-toy Chuck Wicks ....

to The Bachelor's jilted betrothed Melissa Rycroft ....

to wardrobe malfunctioned rapper Lil' Kim.

These are my Final Four. Which team are you staking?

Well, tonight is elimination night ... and living abroad, I won't know the results until tomorrow. So if you watch it, keep it on the hush-low until then.

Word.

[Update: Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and partner Mark Ballas (his 2nd consecutive win!) took home the Mirror Ball Trophy for Season 8.]

Psssssssssst......

Haiku Cycling

kIssiNg At raNDom,

a deEp kISs nOt FoRsaKen,

....LOvE iS eLaTion.

~gina

Happy Easter To All My Peeps!

What Not To Do

As single galz often do, we lament over the state of man-qualities, or lack thereof, that's running loose in the "greener pastures" of the dating corral. Coming across this "Man-Style" video by underground celebrities, Max and Gabe, I now have a scapegoat on why my dating experiences here lately have ended in comical bemusement. Check out their video.

[Disclaimer: For my men viewers out there, beware the power of subliminal suggestion, as I am not a proponent of the opinions and ideals expressed on this video... but laugh, damn it, laugh with your head thrown back in utter abandonment, should the urge strike you.]

Kewl Album Project

Here's a fun blogging project! Create an album cover for a new rock band! What band, you ask? One that YOU create! Follow these directions and let loose the creative flow.

Instructions:

1 - Go to “wikipedia.” Hit “random”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

**The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to “Random quotations”or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3

**The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days

**The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together. (I used http://www.picnik.com/app#/home/welcome )

My Finished Design:

Wordless Wednesday

(randomly shot on my travels in Edinburgh, Scotland)