The Top Good News Stories of 2010

This time every year, I like to reflect back on the year that has just passed, and I try to think of things that were positive and good about it.  Although the BP Oil Disaster was the top news story for Canadians in 2010, I did some google-searching, and came up with some good news stories that I wanted to highlight here.

On AOL News, there is a list of the The Top Good News Stories of  2010. In their list they included the Chilean Miners Rescue and they also listed a story about an unemployed man who gave away $10 a day in Washington DC and he wrote about who he gave the money to and what they did with it.

NewsOne for Black America lists their Top Ten "Good News Stories" for 2010 and in their list they include a story about twin girls with identical grades become joint valedictorians of their high school.

Canada's MuchMusic's Top Ten Moments of 2010 include the production of the song, Wavin' Flag - Young Artists for Haiti.

The Gazette HealthWatch's Top Ten Stories of 2010 include all those intriguing findings (mostly good news) that researchers were eager to share with us, including the good news about aspirin, vitamin D and smoking bans.

Canada AM's Top Tech Stories of 2010 series includes some great news about all the technology that has enhanced our lives - like the Apple iPad, Kinect for Xbox 360 and the Kobo eReader.

My personal favourite is the story about the Large's from Nova Scotia who won $11.2 million in July and have given away almost all of it.  Check out this video from CBC news: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/11/03/video-ns-lottery-winners-update.html

My greatest stories of 2010 were that I went on a fabulous cruise with relatives, I went on a road trip to the Black Hills with my family, and I got a new job.  What are your good news stories of 2010? 

Have a wonderful day!

~ Angela Gentile

Don't Keep Your Love Hidden Away

The newest music CD by Josh Groban, pop-classical artist, is called Illuminations.  It's his fifth album.  The first single off this new album is called, "Hidden Away".  This is a beautiful song where we find Josh making a heartfelt plea not to hide true love or one's true self.  There is a music video that shows some of the expressions of that love and that true self.  This song is really inspiring, and I wanted to share it here.




If you can't see this, go to this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnPICiigM5Q

Here are the lyrics to Josh Groban's, Hidden Away:

Over mountains and sky blue seas
On great circles will you watch for me
The sweetest feeling I've got inside
I just can't wait to get lost in your eyes
And all these words that you meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness than our poor hearts crave
Please don't keep them
Hidden Away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all you say
Holding out for something I believe in
All I really need today
I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don't keep your heart
Hidden Away

You're a wonder, how bright you shine
Flickered candle in a short lifetime
Secret dreamer that never shows
If no one sees you then nobody knows
And all these words you were meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don't keep them
Hidden Away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all you say
Reaching out for someone I believe in
All I really need today
I want to feel your love
Will you reveal your love
Please don't keep your love
Hidden Away

I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don't keep your heart
Hidden Away
 
Here's a link to a video of Josh on Oprah singing another song off his new album, it's called, "Higher Window":  http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Josh-Groban-Performs-Higher-Window-Video_1

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Top Ten New Year's Resolutions

As a new year approaches, it is a time of year when people all over the world think about what they would like to do to improve themselves, starting January 1.  For some ideas, I found this list on Squidoo.com, and it lists The Top Ten New Years Resolutions for 2011 - Trying to Improve, and I agree that many of these resolutions should be on my list, too. 

The Top Ten Resolutions List:

 

1.  Stop Smoking

2.  Get into a Habit of Being Fit

3.  Lose Weight - the Battle of the Bulge

4.  Enjoy Life More

5.  Quit Drinking

6.  Organize Yourself - This is one of the keys to reaching your goals

7.  Learn Something New

8.  Get Out of Debt

9.  Spend More Time With Family

10.  Help People

I also found this great YouTube video from CBS on Making New Year's Resolutions Stick, and wanted to share it here. 

What are your resolutions?

Good luck!

~ Angela Gentile

The Game Scribblish - Hilarious Confusion!

 

"We laughed our brains out, laughed until we cried and our stomachs hurt.  

Hilarious confusion at it's best!"

Remember the game, "Telephone"?  Well, we have found a hilarious drawing/guessing game that will have you in stitches - it's called, Scribblish.  Family get-togethers are always more fun when you can play a game that makes you laugh.  Scribblish is a "Telephone Game Meets Scribbling" experience that makes you laugh out loud as you ask the question, "How did THIS become THAT?".  We played it with four players, but found that it was WAY MORE FUN when we played with 6 players.  If the players are over 10 years old it makes for much more fun, too.  

A modern spin off traditional parlor games, Cranium Scribblish will have your friends and family trying to outdo each other with imaginative drawings and hilarious comments. Get ready to put your imagination to work and scribble your way to victory as this game tosses players into a world of hilarious interpretations. Creative and outrageous fun for the whole family, Cranium Scribblish is designed for ages eight and up.

I like that the competitive element isn't as important as the fun-factor.  We in fact didn't even keep score.  The only competition is you pushing yourself to complete the drawing before the timer is up (which is really weird timer by the way).  You could even choose to not use the timer if you wanted.  I wish there were more caption cards (there's 60 with three captions on each card), as we are finding we are already doing ones we've seen before. The captions are completely nonsensical and some have blanks that the player can fill in with their imagination. 

We kept the scribbles because some are so funny.  Make sure you have lots of pencils, erasers, and an empty bladder!  

Go to this link to see more about Scribblish: http://www.hasbro.com/games/en_US/shop/details.cfm?guid=613A693A-19B9-F369-1075-790FFED2E0E0&product_id=27426&src=endeca

Have a fun-filled games night!

~ Angela Gentile

Her Next Chapter is Her OWN - What's Yours?

"Let this be the year you release your fears about what you can achieve. Know for sure what you want and be willing to give yourself what you need to get it." -- Oprah

I picked up the January 2011 issue of  "O - The Oprah Magazine"  the other day.  The title on the front page intrigued me - "What's Your Next Chapter?".  Oprah Winfrey has had a talk show for 25 years and she is moving on to a new venture.  In the interview with O Editor in Chief Susan Casey, Oprah talks about her 18-year-journey to have her own network.  She said she wrote in her journal in 1992 that her partner Stedman had said to her, "Why don't you own your own network?".  She sat with the idea and thought of the letters OWN - standing for the Oprah Winfrey Network.  That was when the seed was planted.  She goes on to say in the article how she was looking for "signs and signals" and over the next 18 years this idea grew and now is ready to sprout.  She wants OWN to do what The Oprah Winfrey Show and her O Magazine have done for years - inspire and entertain.  It will be a channel filled with creative, meaningful, and mindful programming.  January 1, 2011 marks the beginning of her new chapter - the Oprah Winfrey Network.  With programming 24/7/365 she even admits they have a lot of work ahead of them.

"I would like for people to have that space to go to. A breathing space -

where you knew that something would always be there to fill you." -- Oprah

"Everything you've ever done prepares you for all that you can do and be.  

So I move forward to start a new chapter with the lessons I've learned 

and the strength I've gained."  -- Oprah

Oprah inspires me to "live my best life".  She has touched the lives and hearts of many all over the world.  She has encouraged people to think about "What's your next chapter?" As we head into a new year, it's a really good time to look at our lives from a fresh perspective and think about how we want to live our best life. What's your next chapter?

"Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, 

the way to do it becomes clear." -- Oprah

Why Oprah decided to start her OWN Network.  See the complete article here: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Oprah-Winfrey-Network-Sneak-Preview/1

Cheers!

~ Angela Gentile

Mini Gift War - A Fun Game

http://boyletocho.tumblr.com/

For the last few years, we have played a game on New Year's Eve.  I learned about this game from a good friend.  After Christmas is over, and all the gifts have been opened, it is fun to turn our attention to the dawning of a New Year.  To celebrate this festive time, we like to have fun and get together with friends and family on New Year's Eve.  To add a little excitement to our New Year's Eve, we like to play a game. A perfect name for this gift exchange is Mini Gift War.  It's a modified version of the White Elephant Gift Exchange Game, or Thieving Secret Santa.

Here's how it's done:

1. Gather/purchase a number of "little" inexpensive "gifts" for each player.  These could be gag gifts, recycled gifts (things you have or received that you don't use) or things you purchase for a dollar or so.  It could be an empty toilet roll or a hat.  Think of age-appropriate and gender-appropriate gifts. The more weird and wacky gifts get lots of giggles.
2. Wrap these items in newspaper, flyers or other scrap paper (eco-friendly!).
3. Bring them to your party.  Put all the gifts in a pile.  There should be an assortment, because all the other players would have brought a few gifts, too.
4. Sit around the gifts in a circle.  Get a die.  Start the game by rolling the die.  The highest number starts.
5. The game starts with the first person rolling the die.  If he/she rolls a 2, 4 or 6 they can pick a gift and open it.  If not, they pass to the left. This person rolls the die, hoping for a 2, 4 or 6.
6. When a 2, 4 or 6 is rolled, the person can either "steal" an opened gift or take a new, unopened one from the pile.  If a gift is stolen from someone, they have a chance to steal from someone else, or open a new gift from the pile. The game continues in a clockwise fashion until all the gifts are opened.

The rules are:

• The opened gifts can only be stolen three times.  The fourth person that has the gift can keep it.  It's "Safe".
• It's more fun to be greedy in this game - hence the name Mini Gift War.  It makes for more fun.  Dramatic responses make it even more exciting!
• If you can think of something really creative to wrap (like your sister-in-law's orange scarf without her seeing), it makes for a really interesting game!

We are always surprised when a small, insignificant type of gift suddenly becomes the most wanted, popular gift.  Creativity, humour, drama and participation makes for a fun night!

Have fun, and all the best to you in the new year!

~ Angela Gentile

The Christmas Spirit is Love

A beautiful story, especially for parents who get asked the question, "Is Santa real?".  It's long, but worth the read.  I found this on skywriting.net.

Enjoy this Christmas season.  Happy Holidays!

~ Angela Gentile

 

The Lady's Hug 

The traffic in town crawled. Shoppers walked faster than the bumper-to-bumper cars could move.

"Just a few more blocks," I muttered. There was so much to do and the heavy traffic was wasting precious time.

Mapes was one-of-a-kind store that sold hardware, sewing notions, corny greeting cards and household goods. It'd been a fixture in town for decades. The kids loved the toy aisle, which was stocked with board games, puzzles and "must-have" items like silly putty, jump ropes and slinkys.

This visit to Mapes had special significance because Christmas was just weeks away. Frankie, Sarah and Caitlin took the opportunity to verbally add things to their Christmas list as they went along. A school yard sage had informed them that Santa had super-duper ears and that writing letters to the North Pole was old-fashioned.

After shopping we walked back to the car. A station wagon was double parked next to the car in front of me. Pulling out would be tricky. The space was tight, the traffic was thick and now, I had to maneuver around the double-parked car. The kids had gained energy from the toy aisle and the back seat chatter was escalating.

As I pulled out I heard a loud crunch. The car was suddenly silent. In the rear view mirror, three sets of eyes were wide with fear.

"It's okay," I said calmly. "I'm just going to take a look."

I got out and winced when I saw the cracked taillight and scratched paint on the other car.

"Just a few more inches and I would've been clear," I mumbled. Unbelievably, my Jeep was unscathed.

A woman climbed out of the station wagon. She was in her mid-sixties, with a brown hat that matched her knee-length coat. She surveyed the damage. Before she could say anything I blurted out an apology.

"I'm so sorry! I thought the car was clear! The kids..." The woman smiled. I stopped mid sentence. The smile was unexpected and so I waited, unsure what would happen next.

The woman's grin broadened as she touched her cracked taillight. "Merry Christmas honey."

My confused look made the woman laugh. "I said, Merry Christmas honey. Don't worry about this here car. I'm fine and so are you. Go on and take care of those children. My husband will take care of this."

I suddenly noticed a gray haired man standing on the passenger side, nodding and smiling. Overcome with relief, I hugged the woman. The woman hugged back and whispered, "Merry Christmas sugar."

I got back in the car and watched the station wagon pull away. After hearing what happened, the kids chattered about how great "the Lady" was. The rest of the day took on a glow of grace because she gave us the gift of kindness. I was sure, although I'd never know her name, I would never forget her radiant smile.

Days passed and Christmas drew nearer.

One afternoon, Frankie seemed troubled when he came home from school.

"What's up?" I asked as Frankie slumped on the couch.

"Nothin'." Which, in boy-speak meant something. Frankie's feet kicked in an up and down rhythm that kept his body busy while his 9 year-old mind worked on an unnamed problem.

"Care to share?" I sat next to Frankie, carefully avoiding the scissor-chop movements of his snow boots.

"Nope." Frankie's feet stopped. "Maybe later." And then he was off to play.

At bedtime, Frankie didn't want to sing any songs, which he loved to do in the weeks before Christmas. Something was definitely up. I rubbed Frankie's head and asked, "Wanna talk about what's bothering you now?"

Frankie shrugged, but seconds later a question bubbled up. It was one of THE questions parents face. In the category of questions like, "Why do people die?" and "Where do babies come from?"

"Mommy, do you believe in Santa Claus?"

I silently prayed for the right words. Seconds later I saw the Lady's brilliant smile and felt her kindness wash over me. An idea came.

"What do you think?"

Frankie shrugged. "Some kids at school said Santa wasn't real. They said parents put the gifts under the tree."

"Are you asking me if there is a Santa, or if parents put the gifts under the tree?"

Frankie hesitated. "I guess I'm asking both."

I wrapped my arms around Frankie and gave him a big hug. "I am so proud of you!"

"For what?" Frankie looked puzzled as he sat up against his headboard.

"You're old enough now!"

I moved closer and continued. "You see Frankie, while there isn't a man in a red suit, there is something called the Christmas Spirit. But when children are very little, it's hard for them to understand the Christmas Spirit so we say that someone named Santa is responsible for Christmas. Parent's know when a child asks whether Santa is real that they're old enough to understand the Christmas Spirit."

Frankie looked surprised. "What's the Christmas Spirit?"

"The Christmas Spirit is love -- pure and simple. Every year, right around December, there's a special feeling in the air. People are kinder, they give to those who have little and spend time with friends and family. Have you noticed a change recently?"

Frankie thought for a moment. "Everything seems prettier. People seem happier."

"That's the Christmas Spirit at work. Do you remember the Lady at Mapes a few weeks ago?"

Frankie nodded and grinned. "Oh yeah! She was so nice!"

"She had the Christmas Spirit. She forgave me even though she didn't know me. She wished me a Merry Christmas and I can still feel that wish today. That's how I know she shared the Christmas Spirit with me. It's as real as if she'd given me a present with a pretty bow. The Christmas Spirit is a gift we all receive every year. And those who are most blessed, carry it with them all year."

"I felt her Christmas Spirit too!" Frankie beamed.

"Parents want their children to remember the gift of Christmas every year, so they put presents under the tree and say a man named Santa is responsible until each child asks the question you asked me tonight. Then they get to share the wonderful secret of the Christmas Spirit."

"A secret?" Frankie's voice was hushed with awe.

"Yes, now that you asked about Santa, I know that you're old enough to understand the Christmas Spirit. But until other children ask their parents, you shouldn't tell them there's no Santa because they may not be old enough to understand yet."

"Oh, like Sarah is too young." Frankie nodded and winked. "I won't tell her I promise."

"When people ask if I believe in Santa, I say yes. I absolutely believe that there is a Christmas Spirit that visits each house at Christmas. Does it matter whether that Spirit is wearing a red suit? Or what we call it?"

Frankie shook his head. "Nope!"

"So congratulations! You are officially old enough to start learning about the Christmas Spirit."

Frankie crinkled his nose. "Start learning?"

"Yep. It takes the rest of your life to figure out how to keep the Christmas Spirit in your heart all year long."

"Like the Lady at Mapes."

I hugged Frankie and felt the warmth and brilliance of the Lady's hug once more. "Yes Bud, just like her."

~ Teri Goggin-Roberts ~
Indigomuse63@aol.com

Teri says "This is a true story about the day my son learned 'the truth' about Santa. Frank is now 22 and Sarah is 18 and both are still big fans of Santa! I have shared this story with many friends over the years who faced being asked The Santa Question. I hope it helps you too!"   Please click on the link below and let Teri know what you think of her story.

 

[ by: Teri Goggin-Roberts Copyright © 2009, ( Indigomuse63@aol.com ) -- {used with permission} ]

Christmas Magic

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Jackie Evancho is a 10-year-old child prodigy.  This blonde, blue-eyed cutie has an amazing voice, and she sang "O Holy Night" for  at the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.  President Obama and his family were in the audience.   Her voice is so much bigger than she is, and she has such an amazing gift.  She was very honoured to perform at this event.  The first time I heard her singing on "America's Got Talent" I couldn't believe that that was her voice.  Jackie was the runner-up on "America's Got Talent".  "O Holy Night " is one of my favourite Christmas carols.



I also found this music video of Jackie singing "Silent Night".  Another one of my favourites. Very nicely done. 



These songs are definitely putting me into the Christmas spirit.  Children have a special way of ensuring there is magic at Christmas time. 

Have a wonderful Christmas!

~ Angela Gentile

Being Happy in Your Own Skin

"Being happy in your skin, that's what it's all about".  

 -- Koo Stark

As I was getting ready for my day, I noticed that most of my skin care products have something in common.  They all have Vitamin E and/or Aloe Vera.  I find that these two ingredients provide the nourishment that my skin needs, especially in this dry, cold climate.  Have you noticed what makes your skin feel good?  Here are some of the skin care products I use and find them to be quite effective:

• St. Ives Swiss Formula, Vitamin E Advanced Body Moisturizer
• St. Ives Elements Timeless Skin Daily Micro-Dermabrasion with fine mineral crystals, chamomile and vitamin E
• Lever 2000 Fresh Aloe with crisp cucumber and aloe extracts, Refreshing Soap Bars
• Balea Exfoliating Face Mask with Aloe Vera Leaf and Ginseng
• Avon Beauty Soap with Aloe and Vitamin E for Face and Body
• Equate Vitamin E Cream

"Skin creams containing Vitamin E play a critical task in the skin's overall appearance, reducing the development of discolorations, inflammations, irritations, lines, scar tissue, stretch marks, sun/age spots and wrinkles. With vitamin E cream, skin can appear healthy, youthful and undamaged". Read more: Vitamin E Skin Cream Benefits | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5166182_vitamin-skin-cream-benefits.html#ixzz18ZqYos4I

"Skin care products with Aloe Vera increase the availability of oxygen to the skin and thereby aid synthesis and strength of the skin tissues. Aloe Vera lotions are widely used for cleansing the skin. Many of the skin care products containing aloe vera are also fortified with Vitamin E and collagen to maintain the skin's elasticity and suppleness and keep the moisture in. You can pick up suntan lotions with aloe vera. The anti-burning properties of Aloe combined with SPF factors make this an excellent skin care product". Read more: http://www.targetwoman.com/articles/benefit-aloe-vera.html

Looking after our biggest organ is very important.  It is the outer expression of who we are and provides protection against all the elements. Drinking lots of water, avoiding the sun, using sunscreen, reducing alcohol intake and not smoking all aid in providing a healthy looking skin (and a healthy lifestyle!).

By the way - I just found a can of Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream in my bathroom cabinet.  It says "With Aloe".

Healthy skin is happy skin.  Be happy in your own skin.

Have a wonderful day!

~ Angela Gentile

Tasty Treats

Puffed Wheat Cake

 A few years ago, one of my good friends brought over a Puffed Wheat Cake for dessert.  I fell in love with it, and I asked her for the recipe.  I started making this tasty, gooey, chewy treat and now I bring it to family gatherings for special occasions. The kids really love it.  My daughter and I like to make this together.  It's really easy to make and I thought I'd share the recipe here.  Don't forget to lick the bowl!

     Puffed Wheat Cake

     3/4 cup butter

     3/4 cup corn syrup (Bee Hive is best - substitutions don't always work!)

     1-1/2 cups brown sugar

     4-1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder

     8 cups puffed wheat

In a large pot, mix the first four ingredients together (I use a rubber spatula).  Bring to a boil, stirring for 1 minute. Carefully mix in the puffed wheat.  Spread into a greased 9" x 13" pan.  Pat down with damp hands or the bottom of a glass.  If you'd like, you can keep some of the liquid mixture out and spread it on top.  I add sprinkles at the end for a festive touch.  Let cool.  Cut into squares and serve!

Happy holidays!

~ Angela Gentile

$aving with Groupons - Collective Buying Power

I was listening to Oprah Radio on XM Satellite the other day, and Dr. Laura Berman was talking to the people from Groupon.  Groupon.com is a new online business, (a group-coupon concept) and this is how they describe their business:

"Each day, Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, we get discounts you won't find anywhere else. We call it "collective buying power!"

In this day and age, everyone is looking for a good deal. $aving money on things to do, see, eat, or buy is something that I can't resist.  I immediately signed up, and saw the great deals that were happening in my city.  I looked at all the other cities that these Groupons are available in and figured that this is something I think I should share on my blog.

If you have a business that you want to promote, Groupon may be able to help.  If Groupon isn't in your city yet, you can email them to let them know you are interested in this concept. 

From Wikipedia:

"Groupon is a deal of the day website that is localized to major geographic markets in the United States, Canada, Brazil, France and the United Kingdom. Launched in November 2008, the first market for Groupon was Chicago , followed soon thereafter by Boston, New York City, and Toronto. As of October 2010^[update], Groupon serves more than 150 markets in North America and 100 markets in Europe, Asia and South America and has amassed 35 million registered users."

For the skeptics, here's an article on Groupon Revealed: The Pros and Cons of Daily Deals.

You can follow Groupon on Facebook, Twitter, or Email.  It's a good deal!

If you want an opportunity to save BIG money, check out Groupon.com.  http://www.groupon.com/r/uu14967249

Remember that saying, "There's strength in numbers".

Happy savings!

~ Angela Gentile

O Christmas Tree

I was inspired the other day by a Christmas tree I saw while at work on a home visit.  It was a white tree with beautiful blue ornaments.  There was a white angel on the top.  What was striking about this tree was that there were presents underneath that coordinated with the colours on the tree.  The presents were wrapped in blue paper, in two different prints.  The tree was just beautiful.  I found a picture on the internet that "kind of" resembles the idea I was talking about. It was truly striking.

That got me thinking.  We put up a tree every year.  This year we used a red and gold theme (the kids picked out the theme).  I then started looking at Google Images for different kinds of trees.  I wanted to share the most interesting pictures here.

A "Red and White" Tree

A "Singing" Tree

A "Book" Tree

An "Eco-Plywood" Tree

A "Teddy Bear" Tree

The "11-Million-Dollar" Tree

...and last but not least, the Charlie Brown Tree!



Click on the arrow to see the YouTube video, or go to this link to see the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Hv9YmhGpw

Whatever you have, whatever you do to celebrate this season, have fun!

Happy Holidays to all!

~ Angela Gentile

Hey, Soul Sister

Apple announced that the most popular downloaded song for the year of 2010 was "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train.  It's a fun song, about a man in love who has found his "soul sister".  Lot's of 80's references - Mister Mister, Madonna, Love Connection.  Patrick Monahan, the lead singer, is in his early 40's (born in '69).  It's a fun, catchy song.  Enjoy!



To find this on YouTube, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVpv8-5XWOI.

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

What Colour is Your Aura?

The other day I met a woman, named Terrie.  We were at a workshop together, and I sat beside her.  She looked familiar to me, and we decided that we had probably met before at another workshop.  The workshop ended at lunch time, and I invited her to have lunch with me.  She accepted.

We talked about our work and our interests and got to know each other a bit. The interesting thing about her is that she said that she could see the "aura" of the workshop facilitator.  She said it was blue.  She also said she sensed the room was full of "angels".  I was intrigued by her observation.  I asked her if she could see my aura.  She took a look at me, and I could see her looking "over" me, almost "through" me.  After a couple of seconds of deep concentration, she said my aura was yellow.  I asked if it was a bright yellow?  She said no, it was more pale, like the colour you would see on a baby. She also said that my aura was very tight and close to me.  She said I was "centered".

I could tell she was a bit hesitant to share this information, and she said that she had never talked to anyone else about this before (except her husband).  I encouraged her by telling her she had a wonderful gift.  She went on to share some personal stories about her intuitive/psychic abilities.  I told her about my interest in this field. 

I thanked Terrie for sharing her gift with me.  We exchanged particulars, and parted ways.  I then looked up on the internet what this pale yellow aura meant.  I went to Aura Color Meanings, and here's what it said about the pale yellow aura:

• The aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds the human body (Human Energy Field-HEF) and every organism and object in the Universe.
• YELLOW AURA COLOR:  Relates to the spleen and life energy. It is the color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared, creative, playful, optimistic, easy-going. 
• Light or pale yellow: Emerging psychic and spiritual awareness; optimism and hopefulness; positive excitement about new ideas. 

I felt a very positive feeling after spending some time with Terrie.  She confirmed for me what I was feeling inside, in terms of my outlook on life.  I especially like that for people like Terrie, my optimism and positivity is visible.  Terrie said that she's never looked into what the different colors mean.   I know that many people don't believe in this kind of thing, but I find it fascinating and I am always open to new ideas and new experiences.  It makes life interesting, doesn't it?

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

The Great Awakening - Mindfulness Meditation

"Mindfulness is...Paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." --Jon Kabat-Zinn.

The ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness is a way to help slow the mind and to reduce stress and anxiety.  I recently attended a 3-hour Mindfulness workshop that was led by an experienced facilitator, Elaine Bergen.  There were 20 participants, most from Pastoral Care and Health Care.  Our morning started off with an "informal" mindfulness exercise where we took a new look at a raisin.  We imagined we were from another world, and that we were taking a look at this raisin for the very first time.  We used all our senses to examine this small, interesting, sweet-smelling and sweet-tasting object.  We were even instructed to "listen" to it!  (not all of us could "hear" it).  Some people were laughing and giggling, and this was interesting to note because some people just couldn't get "into" the mindfulness experience as it was intended. I enjoyed the experience and one of the participants described the raisin as "beautiful".

The second experience was a 15-minute "Whole Body Awareness" meditation.  We were instructed to sit comfortably, (eyes closed or not) and focus our attention on our body, starting at the tips of our toes, all the way to the top of our head.  If thoughts came in (like trying to decide what to do about supper), we were instructed to bring our attention back to our body part.  As our mindfulness shifted to different areas of our body, we soon became aware of our thoughts, and feelings about each body part.  Some said they couldn't "feel" their nose, other's couldn't "feel" their ears.  Others said they felt all the aches and pains and planned to make an appointment with their doctor or chiropractor.

The third experience was a 10-minute "Breathing" meditation.  We were asked again to sit comfortably with both feet planted on the ground.  We focussed on our breathing, both the inhale and the exhale.  We were then told to zone in on the part of breathing that we were most acutely aware of.  For me, it was the rise and fall of my chest as I inhaled.  I imagined my lungs filling up with air.  This was the easiest meditation for most.  It is also easy to do as we always have our "breath" with us wherever we go.

The fourth exercise was a mini 3-minute "Whole Body" meditation, where we were to imagine ourselves like an hourglass.  We focussed on our body from the outside to the inside and honed in on the tight space and breathed into that area.  We then ended by being mindful of our "heart space" and opened up and breathed  deeply into that space.  This meditation went quickly.

The last meditation was one of "Loving Kindness" by way of Christopher Germer. We sat for 10 minutes, silently repeating the phrases, "May I be safe, May I be happy, May I be healthy, May I be at ease".  We also repeated these same phrases with reference to our loved ones.  This was very relaxing as well, and it left me with a sense of well-being.

Overall, I was very grateful for the variety of experiences in mindful meditation.  Being present in the moment is very relaxing, and can help with slowing down life's hectic pace.  Taking a slow, mindful, deep breath or two is really all you need to do sometimes to slow down (this is your cue to do it now!).

Cultivating Mindfulness and Suggestions for Daily Practice by Jon Kabat-Zinn from Oprah.com are great resources. Check out his website at http://www.jonkabat-zinn.com/.

Have a wonderful, mindful day!

~ Angela Gentile

White Christmas

Photo by Louis, The Weather Network

Many people all across Canada are getting oodles of snow these days. There is a 100% chance that most of us up here in the Great White North will be having what people are singing and dreaming of...a White Christmas.  The snow is coming down and it's really pretty some days.  It sparkles as the sun hits it; it rests heavily on the branches of the pine trees, and it forms mountains in the parking lots and driveways that kids love to play in.  People who skate, ski, toboggan, use snowmobiles and build snow forts are in their glory.  Winter sports are in full swing.

The Weather Network has some nice pictures of what winter looks like here in Manitoba.  Check it out for local photographers.

 Your Weather: omand's creek - The Weather Network
 
Yearning for nostalgia?  A black and white classic:  Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney's White Christmas, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA45TnJQxhU

Keep warm and have a wonderful day! 

~ Angela Gentile

(PS  Thanks to hubby for sending me this lovely picture!)

Living Well - Ideal Body Weight

At this time of year it's very difficult to avoid all the food and goodies that come along with all the festivities of the holiday season.  Lunches, dinners, treats, chocolates and other snacks seem to come fast and furious as the year comes to an end.

For some of us, it's quite a challenge to try to avoid all the "extras".  Go too far, and oops, there goes the last hole in that belt, or we may have to pull out the dreaded "fat pants" from the closet. Those pants we were so happy to put in the back of the closet, come in handy once again.

Today I wanted to share a couple of websites that can be used to determine ideal body weight.  The BMI, or Body Mass Index was designed to help people determine what weight is considered underweight, normal, overweight or obese.  It takes into account the height of the person as well as the weight and comes up with a number that is called BMI.

The Body Mass Index Calculator (for adults) can be found at http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/health_tools.asp?t=5&text_id=1855&channel_id=1055&relation_id=17522

Looking for a personalized ideal weight? Check out this website: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

For all ages and gender-specific information, go to this site: http://www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmi.htm

For those of us looking for weight loss or maintenance goals, these tools may come in handy.  I know I have a little ways to go to get into the "normal" range, and I know already that this season is going to pose some challenges.  Everything in moderation.  Plus, there is always New Year's Resolutions, right?

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Searching for Love

Did you know that in 2010 the most searched-for word on Google was "Love"?  Oprah talked about it.  It's so nice to know that what most people are looking for on the internet is positive. Love makes the world go around, and finding it on the internet is a great thing.  I plugged in the word "love" into my Google search engine, and it came back with "About 1,680,000,000 results" (or 1 billion, 680 million).  Not only is it the most searched word on the internet, but the internet has a lot of resources for those who are searching for love.

The first site that popped up for my Google search of the word "love," is the Love (disambiguation) page on Wikipedia.  The second is the Love Calculator.  By plugging in the names of two people the Love Calculator tells in a percentage what their chances are at love. After that comes videos, images, and love letters.

Have a great day filled with love!

Update: Love is no longer the top searched word on Google, but it gets about 25,270,000,000  (or 25 billion, 270 million!) results as of October 6, 2016! That's 25 times more than six years ago!

~ Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

Sending a Parcel in the Mail

"Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas."

- Johnny Carson

Care packages, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, and other packages can be sent through the mail to those we love.  At this time of year, I find it is nice to purchase gifts, wrap them up, and package them in a box and send them off to my loved ones.  There is a lot of time and planning involved in purchasing the gift, wrapping it up, finding a box, then putting it into the box, sealing the box up securely, putting the address on it and bringing it to the post office to get it weighed and measured.  The last step is purchasing adequate postage to get it to where it is going.  Pre-planning is also involved, as you have to give yourself extra time because "snail mail" is not always the fastest.

When I am wrapping up the gift and placing it in to the box I envision putting my care and love into the box, too.  When the gift arrives at it's destination, I envision the person opening up the box, and the "love" pouring out while they are taking out their treasures.  I like to put lots of tissue in the box, too, so that the "love" is captured in each tissue.  As each piece of tissue is removed, the crinkly sounds add to the excitement.  I always include a card or a personalized message in the parcel, too. 

For those loved ones across the miles who you can't be with over the holidays, please consider sending a parcel in the mail.  If you can't be together in person, you can be together in spirit with the act of giving.   Don't forget to put lots of care and love into the box, too!

Happy holidays!

~ Angela Gentile

The Social Network - Movie Review

I had heard that The Social Network (2010) was a movie about the founders of the multi-billion dollar, online social network, Facebook, and I have to admit that I didn't think the movie was going to be THIS GOOD! The audience was full of middle-aged people, and lots of couples of every age.

Based on a true story, a young college student, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg, pictured on the right), gets dumped by his girlfriend and it results in him making the most successful social networking site ever.  Break-ups can very emotionally charged, and it motivated Mark (now the world's youngest billionaire) to design a "cool" website that would allow college students to connect with each other.  The movie is about the legal battle that Mark had to go through to prove "ownership" of this social network idea.  Flashbacks of the events leading up to the legal battle are interspersed throughout the movie, forming the storyline. Passion fuels ideas, and at times Mark and his fellow students as well as an entrepreneur (Justin Timberlake, pictured on the left) are all wrapped up in the fast-pace and competition that accompanies the birth of "Facebook".  The only chase scenes in this movie were accompanied by beautiful cinematography - a rowing race for one, and Mark "chasing" his ideas across the Harvard campus.  Mark's friend Eduardo, and his competition, the Winklevoss twins were easy on the eyes, too.  It's also interesting to note that the twins were actually portrayed by one actor (I had no idea until I researched this movie on the internet) and there was a stand-in for the neck-down scenes of the "twins".

The movie also gives an important social message:  It is never a good idea to write something bad about someone on the internet.  A hurt, rejected Mark wrote some bad things on his blog the night he broke up with his girlfriend.  Those bad things cost him $65 million.  Mark was never really into money, and he was portrayed as a really good guy in the end. Justin Timberlake did a great job of acting, and I actually forgot it was Justin.  I also recognized one of the young female actors, Brenda Song (pictured on the right), from one of my 12-year-old daughter's Disney Channel's TV shows, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. In the Disney show, she plays the hotel owners spoiled daughter, London Tipton.  Talk about a different image on The Social Network.  She plays the psycho-groupie-girlfriend to Eduardo, Mark's (ex-)friend.  

There were a couple of laugh-out-loud moments, too.  The music was great, also.


Overall, this was a very entertaining movie and it is sure to please.  Not for the kids though, rated PG-13, has some sex, alcohol, drug scenes and strong language.


The Social Network - on the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285016/

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Family Fun Night

Game:  Homestyle Hedbanz

What you will need:

1.  Paper, tape, pens/pencils
2.  Imagination
3.  A fun, playful attitude
4.  A smile
5.  3 or more players is best

Whenever the kids tell us they are bored, and we all have some spare time, we have a fun game that we play at our house.  It's a version of the game, Hedbanz.  It's a "Twenty Questions" sort of game.  We play it around the kitchen table.  We each decide on a character, person or other fictitious figure for each of the other players.  We put the name or title on a piece of paper or tape, and put it on the person's forehead or shoulder so they can't see and don't know "who" they are. The purpose of the game is to try to figure out who you are by asking questions to the group.  Each question is a clue to getting you closer to figuring out "who you are". Each of player has a piece of paper and pen in front of them to help keep track of the clues. 

After everyone has been given a character, the game starts with the first person (doesn't matter who starts) asking a question about themselves.  For example, "Am I alive?", "Am I famous?", "Do I sing?", or "Am I a cartoon character?".  The fellow players all know who the person is trying to guess, so the group answers the question with a "yes" or "no", or "sometimes" response.  After this question is asked, the play goes to the next person, in a clockwise fashion.  Each person has their turn asking their one question.  This play continues until the first person guesses correctly who they are.  They are considered the "winner". 

We usually continue to play until everyone has guessed who they are.  Sometimes if the person gets stuck, they can ask for a hint.   The other night, my son came up with the idea that I was the "Tooth Fairy".  That was tough!  I needed hints for that one.  I had selected "Ellen" for my daughter (she guessed it after about 12 questions), and she had given her brother his own name!  It was so cute to see my son's smile and his face light up when he figured out he was himself!  My son gave my husband "Shaq".  We have lots of laughs, and sometimes it is really tricky.  When deciding on characters, it's best to pick ones that you know a lot about, and that is familiar to the to the person who you are giving it to.


To get more info on how to play the board game Hedbanz, go to this link: http://www.gamereport.com/tgr2/hedbanz.html.

Happy family fun night!

~ Angela Gentile

Your Duck is Dead - Joke

Your Duck is Dead-- 

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary 
surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet
pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's
chest. 

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and
sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has
passed away." 

The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?" 
"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the 
vet.. 

"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean
you haven't done any testing on him or anything.
He might just be in a coma or something." 

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the 
room. He returned a few minutes later with a black
Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on
in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his
front paws on the examination table and sniffed the
duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the
vet with sad eyes and shook his head. 

The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out
of the room. A few minutes later he returned with
a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately
sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back
on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and
strolled out of the room. 

The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry,
but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably,
a dead duck." 

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys 
and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman.. 
The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!"
she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!" The
vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my
word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the
Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."