Skating!!! And a new LO!

You Are Figure Skating

Graceful and expressive - yet athletic and focused. You could bring the best of both worlds to this glamorous sport.

What Winter Sport Are You?

Speaking of skating, this past Thursday I took Lydia out skating for the very first time. My Dad made an ice rink in the back yard, just a little one to practice on. When we were little, my Dad used to always make a rink in our back yard. I remember going outside after dark and skating underneath of the stars. It was always just a part of what we did during the winter season. So, I wanted my daughter to enjoy the same experience that I had growing up. Her first time on skates, Lydia was a little unsteady and I didn't dare to let her go at all. We went around the little rink a few times, and we also had a yellow mini plastic chair outside that I set her on and pushed her around the ice. I was worried that she might be scared, being on the ice for the very first time wearing skates, but she wasn't scared at all. I had fun that day, and I think that she did
too. And by the time we were finished out there, I found that I didn't have to hold her up as much as I had to at the very beginning! If she is already starting to skate and she's not even 2 years old yet, imagine how good she'd be when she's 12! That's assuming that she'll stick with it of course! However, I predict many more days this winter of skating outside in the fresh air, enjoying the sunshine and learning how to stay upright! :)

Also, Friday night, I hosted my very first crop! I have a group on my facebook, called Digiscrapper's Have Fun!!! It's a small group, and it was an even smaller crop, but we had fun! I actually made a paper pack for the group! I've never designed anything before. Anyway, here's what the preview looks like:It's very simple looking, I use PSP 9, and I was just playing around with different effects. I had fun, and maybe I'll try designing again! :)

The theme of the crop was to create a LO using a colour extraction technique on the photo, so here is what I came up with.
This is a new kit up at Elemental Scraps, The Key to My Heart by Jannylynn Brokken.

Tag about Three

You Are a Jam Cookie

On the outside, you project a straight-laced, innocent vibe. But on the inside, you're complex, exotic, and full of flavor.

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

Jam cookies are really nice! My favorite kind of cookies to make are oatmeal raisin, and I also love making gumdrop cookies, they're nice and tasty!

OK, I was tagged by Jeniflower with this really fun questionnaire, so here I go!

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Paula
2. Paula May
3. Polly

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. pmhyns
2. ~May~
3. Paula May

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. My Hair
2. My eyes
3. My hands

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. My knees
2. My nose
3. The shape of my head

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. English
2. French
3. Nova Scotian (yeah, I know, couldn't think of anything else)

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Something horrible happening to my family or friends
2. Hornets
3. Mean dogs that have a vicious bark

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. Coffee
2. Computer time
3. Toothbrush

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. t-shirt
2. Sweat pants
3. Slipper-socks

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS:
1. Point of Grace
2. Sarah MacLachlan
3. Jars of Clay

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS:
1. December 1963
2. The Piano Man
3. Angel

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. Commitment
2. Trust
3. Love

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
1. I got lost in a city in Japan
2. I have eaten dog
3. I love going to public bath houses in Korea

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. A beautiful smile
2. Great eyes
3. Nice hands

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. Digital Scrapbooking
2. Playing piano
3. Writing

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. Get married
2. Find a job
3. Move into my own apartment

THREE CAREERS YOU’RE CONSIDERING/YOU’VE CONSIDERED:
1. Teacher
2. Missionary
3. International Student Coordinator

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. China
2. Brazil
3. Malaysia

THREE KID’S NAMES YOU LIKE:
1. Lydia
2. Rose
3. Emily

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. Publish a novel
2. Take a road trip across Canada from East to West and back again.
3. Raise a family

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
1. I love Tae Kwon Do
2. I enjoy camping
3. I don't mind getting my clothes dirty

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A GIRL:
1. I enjoy baking
2. I love wearing dresses and doing my make-up and hair
3. I love going to teas and coffee parties.

THREE CELEB CRUSHES:
1. Patrick Swayze
2. Jack Nicholson
3. Nicholas Cage

THREE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE TAGGING:
1. Amy
2. Amie
3. Brandy

Now, for some scraps!
This is one I did for a quote challenge on Elemental Scraps. The picture was taken by my friend Amy over the summer while we were at Sainte Anne's. The kit is Dream Believe Achieve by Faith True and Kelli Martin.
did this LO for the font challenge
Journaling reads:

You were so excited the last few days that were leading up to Christmas Day. We sang Christmas songs, such as Santa Claus is Coming to Town, except that we would sing "Santa Claus is coming to LYDIA'S HOUSE!!!" You knew exactly who Santa Claus was, whenever you saw him on TV or in a book you would point excitedly and say "That's Santa Claus". A few
weeks before Christmas, I gave you a couple of Kids Christmas CDs and we would listen and sing along. The day that we put up the tree, you were awe struck with the wonder and delight that only a child can experience. It held your attention as you learned the names of the different ornaments and their colours. Through your eyes, I saw Christmas with the same magical wonderment and amazement that you did. I wish that I could hold you in this moment of time forever, that you would never loose that childhood innocence of wonder and magic that awakens in us all at Christmas, both for the young and the young at heart.

Kit is Pajamas 4 Love: Hope by various designers.
This is just a really cute scrap! Kit is Pajamas 4 Love: Love. I love this charity kit there is just so much stuff to play around with!

Well, it seemed like the weekend just got here, and now its all over! Oh well, at least Desperate Housewives is on TV tonight!

Yay, its Friday!!!

You Are Quite Worldly

You've done a good bit of worldly exploring, and you have an international perspective. And you're definitely looking forward to your future adventures abroad. You've got the passport, the desire to travel, and maybe even the language skills. Now all you need are the means!

How Worldly Are You?

I miss traveling. I enjoyed traveling while I lived in Korea, I had the chance to visit Japan and the Philippines while I was there, as I had friends in both of those countries. Someday, I hope to travel again.

Here is the blog prompt from DSP for today:

Take the most boring job you've ever had and write a glowing job description for it.

Now you can work in the wonderful and exciting field of dish washing! Yes, that's right, you can make your dreams come true by becoming a dishwasher. This fabulous opportunity lets you explore the world of not only dirty dishes, but clean dishes as well. Plus, you will always be in style in the beautiful ensemble of disposable white plastic aprons and hairnets. In this position, you will train on the job for skills such as loading a huge dishwasher such as they use in University cafeterias, the proper method for scrubbing out those hard to clean stuck on burnt food bits at the bottom of pots and pans, and how to effectively stack and put away clean dishes. This job also entails outings to the garbage bins located outside the building, where you will enjoy taking out the garbage in all different types of weather, snow, rain, sleet, yes my friends, you'll see it all. And as a bonus, you will get to reheat a plate of whatever leftover food you can find at the end of your shift.

I used to work in the meal hall at my University, washing dishes. :)

Now, for some scraps!



I did this page for a friend of mine. Kit is Alma's For The Boys Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.



This is my daughter Lydia and myself on Christmas Day. Kit is Alma's Warm Memories Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.



This picture was taken on my Birthday. Kit is Alma's Friends Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.




Quote reads: Daughter are angles sent from above to fill our heart with unending love.
J. Lee. I used Alma's Love Letters Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.

Favorite Childhood Friend

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person. You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily. Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend. Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

I think that's actually not a bad assessment of my personality.

Today's DSP blog prompt:

Describe a favorite childhood friend and something you did with her or him.

When I was in Grade 5, I lived in Goose Bay, Labrador and I had two best friends, Heather and Danielle. We used to have sleepovers at each others houses, and we were always together at school. We had a lot of fun together. I remember that we started a Book Club in our class at school. We brought in all our books from home and traded them with each other and we kept them all together on a shelf at the back of the classroom. We loved reading and we had the same taste in books. This was back in 1989, when The Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley Twins and Sleepover Friends were all the rage with the elementary schoolgirls. I still have many of my books, packed away, that I've saved all these years.

Another memory that I have is the three of us performing together in what we called the 5th Grade Follies. We got together and on our own came up with various comical skits, practiced them with costumes and props, and performed them in front of the class! Oh my goodness, what fun that was! I moved away after grade 5, but I will never forget the memories of my friends.

OK, I was tagged a while ago by my friend Amy, but I just haven't responded, but I will now!

Here are the rules: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

1. 'Forever and Ever" sung by Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin
2. "Keep Christmas With You" sung by the Sesame Street Characters in A Sesame Street Christmas Carol.
3. "Keep the Candle Burning" by Point of Grace
4. "Mama Mia" by Abba
5. "The River" by Billy Joel
6. "Angel" by Sarah McLaughlan
7. "Rhapsody in Blue" by Gershwin

Yes, I know! That's a strange list! LOL! That's why I've been avoiding doing this tag!

OK, my seven people are: Melanie Cox, Marie, Jo , Petra AKA Milo , Cindy, Amy Gagne, and Jennifer

I have two LOs that I want to share today, that are very different from what I usually do. I've been spending some time at DSP and looking over their challenges, and two challenges that I decided to try was their Art Journal Challenge and their Freestyle Fandango Challenge.
For the Art Journal Challenge, we were to use a newspaper and create a layout that really depicted the mood of what we were doing. This is the front page of the newspaper for January 3rd, 2007. Journaling reads:
it's hard to read stories like this in the newspaper and wonder what the world is coming to.
such a tragical incident should never have taken place stories like this make me want to hold onto my daughter for dear life and pray that she will never know sorrow such as this.
Credits: Antiquing Pack Paper and Overlays by Lauren Bavin, grunge word paint brushes by Denise Docherty, Tape element from Cinnamon Swirls by Faith True, Stitching by Christine Nash, Cardboard element by Rina.
I did this challenge for the freestyle fandango challenge at DSP. This was so much fun to do! I made a brush with my main photo and I really like the effect. Credits: Basic Whites by Susan C. Walker, Magnetic Word Poetry Grunge Style by Amanda Rockwell, Brushstroke doodles from Scrapper's Toolbox by Misty Cato, Paperclip, chain and envelope tie from Scrapper's Toolbox by Marge Wirth, Purple paintstroke from Scrapper's Toolbox by Terry Maruca, Torn notepaper, straightpin and stitched corner from Scrapper's Toolbox by Rina, Brads by from Scrapper's Toolbox by Dana Fran.

I was very pleased with both of these challenges, because this is a style that I don't normally scrap, so it was good to get out of my safe little scrapping box and really stretch myself to try something completely different!

You Are A Good Friend

You're always willing to listen Or lend a shoulder to cry on You're there through thick and thin Many people consider you their "best friend"!

What Kind of Friend Are You?

I love my friends and I hope they know that I would do anything for them!

Today's blog prompt from DSP

If you could freeze time for less than an hour, and you’d be the only living thing that’s “alive” in that moment: What would you do? Why you wouldn’t be able to do it if everything were normal and the time weren’t frozen?

This is a really good question! If I could freeze time for less then an hour, I would go out into my neighborhood and sing and dance through the streets. I would run and jump and skip about and act totally undignified, and remember what it was like, if only for a moment, what it was like to be a child. I would climb trees and shout out loud and just let my spirit be free. I would take off my shoes and run barefoot through the grass and I would roll around in the leaves and the dirt, and then splash in every puddle I saw. I would just have the freedom to let my spirit soar.

I know that as a 27 year old woman, it's not likely that I could do these things in public without making a fool out of myself. I'd feel too self-concious, too afraid of what people would say when they saw me. But if I could stop time, and be assured that no one would see me, I'd do it without a second thought! Oh, feel as free as a child once again!

Now for the scraps!

Journalling reads: A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.
Winnie the Pooh, Pooh's Little Instruction Book

Kit is Alma's Perfectly You Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE

I love this picture of Lydia with her teddy bear! Quote reads: The nicest dreams that will ever be are the dreams shared by my teddy and me.
Kit is Alma's Sunset Roses Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @SBE.


This is one of my favorite photos of my daughter when she was only 4 months old!
Kit is Alma and Misty's Gratitude Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs and Misty Cato available at SBE.

Dressing Up

Your Vocabulary Score: B-

You have a zealous love for the English language, and many find your vocabulary edifying. Don't fret that you didn't get every word right, your vocabulary can be easily ameliorated!

How's Your Vocabulary?

Hmmmmmm, only a B-? That was a fun quiz! :)

Here is today's DSP blog prompt

Do you like to get dressed up? Why/why not? When's the last time you had a chance to dress formally?
I love to dress up formally. Most of the time I just wear plain old blue jeans and sweat shirts or t-shirts around the house. So, when I do get a chance to dress up in a beautiful dress and to do my hair and make-up, its a real treat for me! Putting on a dress and looking nice just instantly makes me feel better about myself and the way that I look. The last time that I dressed up was Tuesday night, I went to a meeting and wore a beautiful floor length black skirt and white silk blouse.
I wish that I had more 0pportunties to dress up then I do. These pictures were taken in August of 2005, I am dressed up for a wedding. The dress I am wearing is a Chinese style dress, that I bought from a dressmaker in Seoul, South Korea. I have to say, its my favorite outfit!

Here is my newest LO:I did this LO for my friend Monica. The kit is Loving Jacob by Lena Brandenburg.

My Dreams

You Should Travel to India

You're a passionate, gusty traveler - and India's gritty urban centers won't scare you away. Maybe you'll take in the Taj Mahal, eat the best curry of your life, or attend a huge street festival.

What Asian Country Should You Visit?

I think India would certainly be a very interesting country to visit! Now for the DSP Blog Prompt.

What do you dream about lately (literally or otherwise)?

Literally, my dreams have lately been fairly mundane. I usually dream about what's going on in my life. Perhaps if there is something coming up that I am looking forward too, or am anxious about, I'll dream about it. Sometimes, I dream about things that I have done in the past. For example, I will dream that I am back in high school, or that I am back in University or in Korea. Also, sometimes in my dreams, there is a goal that I need to achieve, or a destination that I need to reach. I am working towards something in my dream, but I wake up before its completed.

Sometimes, I will dream fantastical scenarios, such as having the ability to fly, or talking to animals. But those types of dreams don't happen too often.

For my personal life, my dream is to one day return to University and study for my Masters in Education, specializing in Special Education and Resource, in order to lean how to work with students that have learning disabilities and perhaps find ways to reach them in the classroom. Another dream is to someday marry someone who loves to teach and travel as much as I do, and spend our married life living and teaching in foreign countries. And to raise a family together. That is my dream.

Now for some scraps.

I just really like this photo! Kit is Alma's Roses in Winter Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE
This is me and my best friend from University. Quote reads:
I haven't seen you in a while
yet I often imagine
all your expressions.

I haven't spoken to you recently
but many times
I hear your thoughts.

Good friends must not always be together.
It is the feeling of oneness when distant
that proves a lasting friendship.
- Susan Polis Schutz

Kit is Alma's Friends Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE

This picture was taken on Mother's Day 2006!

Kit is Alma's Garden Grunge Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs.

kindness of a stranger

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

LOL that's interesting! I guess I am kind of a "life blogger" :)

Here is today's DSP prompt.

Describe a time when you have benefitted from the kindness of a stranger.

I was living in Daejon, South Korea, in 2003, teaching at Kids Herald School. I decided that I wanted to purchase a bicycle for myself, as my other two roommates both had bikes and I could see the benefits of owning one in the city. So, one day back in August after my work day was finished, I went to a bicycle store with one of my Korean co-workers. The woman at the bike shop couldn't speak any English, but she was pleasant, and with the help of my co-worker, I selected a beautiful red bicycle, with a white basket in the front.

I walked my new bike back to the bus stop with my co-worker, chatting along the way. Then, as she proceeded to get on the bus, I decided to ride my bicycle the rest of the way to my apartment. It wasn't that far, just down the street from where I was. However, I was wearing a rather long broomstick skirt at the time (you may remember that look from the 1990's, mine was purchased back when I was in high school at a time when they were actually in style) However, I decided to try and ride back in spite of this. Well, I was on my bike and doing fine, until I got to the middle of the road. I was going across on the cross walk, and in Korea, most of the time the bikers ride across, which is what I was doing. All of a sudden, I felt a tug on the back wheel of the bike. I couldn't move!!!! I looked back and my skirt was caught in the spokes! Then, the traffic light changed and cars were headed right for me!!!! So, I picked up my bike and high-tailed it to the other side.

I examined the damage, the skirt was wedged in tightly into the spokes, and there was a huge rip in the fabric. I sat there, struggling, trying to free myself, but to no avail. Finally, a kind Korean stopped and asked what the problem was. I gestured towards my skirt, indicating my predicament. He was nice enough to stop, bend down and help me out by freeing the torn remains of my skirt from the spokes. I thanked him very much, I was so relieved that someone had come by to help me! Imagine me, in a foreign city, not being able to speak the language, having only been here about 2 weeks prior. I had no idea what I was going to do if he had not stopped to help me.

Then, I found myself in another predicament. My skirt was torn so badly, it fell down to my ankles, and I found it very difficult to push my bike and hold my skirt up at the same time. So, again, he came to my rescue and pushed my bike for me back to my apartment. He was with his family and told them to go on ahead.

I have no idea who he was, but he was a stranger who showed kindness when I needed it!

Now for some more LOs with kits by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs.
Journaling reads:

My name is Paula and I am from Nova Scotia, Canada. I am a member of Alma’s ScrapHabit Design CT. I started digiscrapping about a year ago as a creative way to design my daughter’s baby book. It didn’t take long for me to become absolutely hooked! I love how creative I become when I design a layout. I enjoy trying new techniques and participating in challenges. Digiscrapping is not just a hobby - it’s a passion!

This is one of my best friends and her boyfriend while they were on their trip to China.

Kit for both LOs is Alma's Love Letters Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.


This picture was taken on Mother's Day 2006. Journaling reads:

Little girls love to dress up in pretty ribbons and bows. Dancing in their dresses with fine shoes on their feet.

Kit is Alma's Baby Doll Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs
I did this for a friend of mine. Journalling reads:
Maternal love, like an orange tree, buds and blossoms and bears at once. When a woman puts her finger for the first time into the tiny hand of her baby and feels that helpless clutch which tightens her very heartstrings, she is born again with her newborn child. Kate Douglas Wiggin

Kit is Alma's Little Guy Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE

I wish I could . . . . .

You Should Be A Poet

You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways. And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery... Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever. You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

I love writing poetry!

Here is today's DSP blog prompt.

Make a list in which you repeat the same form of words to introduce each item.

• I wish I could visit with friends who live very far away from me.
• I wish I could speak French better then I do now.
• I wish I could travel extensively through Asia.
• I wish I could meet all the wonderful people I've met online in real life.
• I wish I could find a permanent teaching job so that I no longer have to substitute.
• I wish I could go back in time and change some of the decisions I've made in the past.
• I wish I could someday return to University and study for my Masters.

Now, I also have some scraps that I want to share with you!

I wanted to highlight some of the scraps that I have done for Alma Townsend, Alma's ScrapHabit Designs CT. I love working with her kits, they are all so beautiful. You can see the kits in her store at SBE. As well, you can visit her website The ScrapHabit and check out the other CT members on her Creative Team Page. Every day this week, I am going to post some new LOs that I have done for Alma's CT.




This is a picture taken of my daughter over the summer.
Journaling reads: Summer is a time for youth, a time of endless days of songs and laughter and play. A time to free, to feel the soft green grass under your feet and the warm sun at your back.
Kit is Alma's Just Peachy Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.

This picture was taken a year ago in the summer, up at a cottage of a friends by Zwicker's Lake.
I did this LO for the Faith Book Challenge on The Scrap Habit.
Journalling says:
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3
Down at Zwickers Lake August 2005.
Kit is Alma's It's Family Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.
This is a favorite LO of mine of my daughter. The journaling says: The beauty of a girl cannot be mimicked, fabricated, or created by human means, it only occurs naturally.
Kit is Alma's Cat's Meow Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE.

Great Weekend Visiting Friends!

You Are 47% Perfectionist

No one would call you a perfectionist, but you definitely have a side of you that strives to be perfect. Try to see your mistakes as learning experiences, and don't be so hard on yourself when you screw up!

Are You a Perfectionist?

LOL, I guess I can live with 47% Perfectionist!
This weekend I spent visiting with a couple of good friends. I've known both of them for over 15 years now, we've been friends since high school. My friend Amy, on the left, lives in Halifax, so I don't get a chance to see her all that often. So, she came down to visit myself and Monica, who is my friend on the right. Monica just had a little baby boy, Mason, he is very cute indeed! Yesterday I went to pick Amy up and had a chance to visit with Monica and the new baby. He is so cute and soft and cuddly, I love newborn babies. Holding him, I was reminded of when Lydia was just a little baby herself. I'd love to have another little baby someday, but for now, I am quite happy and content with my little toddler.
I had a wonderful visit with Amy, we watched movies, Rumor Has It, and Nanny McPhee, both very funny! We had some great conversations this weekend, and it was just wonderful to be able to spend time with her again, and that she could spend time with Lydia as well.
I took Amy back over to Monica's this afternoon, I was sad to see her go, but I am looking forward to our next visit!

You Are 28% Nerdy

You're a little nerdy, but no one would ever call you a nerd. You sometimes get into nerdy things, but only after they've become a part of mainstream culture.

How Nerdy Are You?

Hmmmm, only 28 %? LOL! OK, here is today's blog prompt from DSP:

What do you sense you're supposed to do before your life is over?

Before my life is over, I sense that I am supposed to return to Korea.
I loved my life in Korea, I loved the people, the culture. I loved the fact that I was living in a foreign land, learning a new language, a new way of being and living. Even though I knew I had to return home, I miss it terribly. I often have dreams about the city I lived in, and in my dreams I am walking down familiar streets and it feels so real, it was as if I had never left. Other times, I dream that myself and my daughter are living in Korea, and I take her on the buses with me, and we go to bath houses and shopping and eating out.... I don't know why, but I have a strong urge to return. I do hope that someday, perhaps when Lydia is older and in school, that I can return, find a teaching position, and share with my daughter the rich culture that I grew to love over there.

Sometimes I wonder if its not so much Korea that I miss, as it is the life that I used to lead. It was a wonderful time in my life, and I doubt very much it would be the same, because time changes things, people change, many of the people I knew there are gone now and moved on.

Yet, I still have not given up hope that I will return there someday. I feel as though my life in Korea is not yet complete, and that there is still more for me to do over there.

Your 1996 Theme Song Is: Ironic by Alanis Morisette

It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take Who would've thought ... it figures

What's Your 1996 Theme Song?

LOL, I found this amusing, because I did listen to Alanis Morisette back in the day!

Lydia has quite the imagination, today we were playing outside and told me that the white garden stones outside were "Magic rocks". It was very cute, she kept saying "It's a magic rock" and picking them up, turning them over in her hand, looking at them. It was certainly one of those times when you wish that you had a camera! She is growing so fast and is so smart! She picks up on new words so easily and is becoming more creative in the way that she plays. I am so very proud of her!
This is my first layout for 2007! This photo was taken a year ago. It's amazing how much she has grown in one year. Some days I still long for my sweet little baby girl and I wonder where she went. But I have to say, I love having a toddler!
Journaling reads:
How does one describe a mother's love for her daughter? How can you capture that exact moment in mere words? The moment when you are holding your precious child, and the world around you ceases to exist. Love is a word that means everything, for if you have not love, you have nothing. Love is my world, and my world is my daughter.
Paula Haynes, Mom to Lydia

Kit is Alma's Romance Page Set by Alma's ScrapHabit Designs @ SBE

One Year in Review Video Montage!

Make video montages at onetruemedia.com

This video montage contains photos from Lydia's Life in 2006! You will have to turn off the music video I have in my sidebar to view this because it has music with it!

Enjoy!

Meeting My Goals

You Are 76% Peaceful

You are a very peaceful person. All is good in your world, no matter what's going on. Occasionally you let your problems get to you, but you generally remain upbeat. Your inner strength is inspirational - much more so than you may realize.

How Peaceful Are You?

I have to say that I am really enjoying these blog prompts from DSP.

Most major goals are achieved through small victories. What little things can you do to meet your goals?

I know that I have quite a list of goals, but they are all manageable.

For my Spiritual Goals, just setting aside a certain time each day when I say "OK, now I need to sit down and quiet myself and turn to God". I know that I need to give Him priority, so I've already set aside time in the evening, after my daughter is asleep, and the house is quiet, when I will spend time with just Him.

I've already started reading the book of Romans, and also, I've started reading The Ragamuffin Gospel which is an excellent book. So, I am slowly on my way!

For the rest of my goals, I have to decide what is important and remind myself of why I have decided to work towards them. For my family goals, I know that they will make my life better and easier here at home.

For my social goals, I plan on emailing my friends at least twice a month, even if its just group emails, to keep in contact with them.

For my professional goals, I know that again, its just a matter of setting aside time each day to work on my resume. Sometimes it gets overwhelming if you try to do too much all at once, but a little bit each day will help you greatly.

Finally, for my personal goals, again, its just a matter of setting aside time to do these things.

When I was in University, I used to write myself out a schedule. I would have a daily schedule, and then a weekly schedule. If I can plan it out on paper, it makes it a lot easier to follow. I know that I need to have more organization in my life, that's key.

And just remember, to do a little bit each day, and eventually it will get done!

Welcome 2007!!!!

Your Dominant Thinking Style: Visioning

You are very insightful and tend to make decisions based on your insights. You focus on how things should be - even if you haven't worked out the details. An idealist, thinking of the future helps you guide your path. You tend to give others long-term direction and momentum.

What's Your Thinking Style?

It's hard to believe that 2007 is already here. I am ready for a fresh start in life! I already talked a bit about my New Year's Resolutions in yesterdays blog entry, but today I want to narrow it down a little more specifically.

• Spiritual Goals

1. To read from my Bible every day.
2. To start writing again in my Spiritual Diary
3. To read Christian Literature and Devotionals on a regular basis

• Domestic/Family Goals

1. To keep up with my housework so that it doesn't pile up.
2. To spend more quality time with my daughter
3. To strengthen my relationship with my parents

• Social/Friends

1. To keep in better contact with my friends through emails/phone calls
2. To try and open up more when I am in a group of people
3. To make an effort to get to know people better

• Professional

1. To update my resume and take it around to potential employers
2. To make myself known by volunteering and showing an enthusiastic interest
3. To study French
   

• Personal

1. To take up knitting again
2. To read more novels
3. To play the piano more often

Phew! That's a lot of goals! I am not the best at keeping them, but I really hope that I am able to this year. Here's to all the best in the New Year!