Some questions for the universe...

Why in so many space programmes people from other worlds speak english?
Why do people fight each other in the name of religion when in all religions there is a rule that has an equivalent to "Love thy neighbour"?
e.g. (from Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethic_of_reciprocity#Hinduism
Hinduism
"This is the sum of the Dharma: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you" (Mahabharata 5:15:17)
Sikhism
"As you see yourself, see others as well; only then will you become a partner in heaven." Bhagat Kabir GGS 480
Buddhism
"Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." (Udana-Varga 5:18)
Judaism
"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18
Christianity
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39) (Mark 12:31) (Luke 10:27) (Romans 13:9) (James 2:8)
Islam
"No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." (Sunnah. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13)
Confucianism
"What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others."
-- Analects of Confucius, Chapter 15, Verse 3 [1], c. 500 B.C
Bahá'í
“Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. Blessed is he who prefers his brother before himself” Baha’u’llah Tablets of Baha’u’llah 6.71

Half way through the first week of my 2 week holiday

My hope to have a relaxing holiday is slowly getting there, there have been a few hiccups though, including the weather not wanting to play ball. Have painted a bit more of the fence, and I am presently relaxing in house instead of getting burnt.

Boxing Day

And I have survived Christmas, I have gained 2 pounds, I'm not too upset with this as I was starting to get a bit too thin. Present weight is now 123.6 pounds.
I don't think I could manage the Boxing Day sales, I don't like shopping during the best of times but there are a few things I have noticed that would be handy around the house, like extra cutlery (used some plastic forks for my family Xmas dinner because my cutlery set is only for 6) and I could also use some more pudding bowls. I saw a cutlery set similar to my own at the warehouse, so I am definitely considering it.
I bought a doll to go to a child with little, Kmart had a "wishing tree" and I got her in to the shop on Saturday (the 23rd of December), I was going to put the Doll in the Countdown box but they had already sent theirs away. The lady at the Kmart counter said "thank you very much" and I was happy just to get the little doll in in time for Christmas. My sorrow to joy quickly turned to sorrow again when I put the doll under the "Wishing tree" to see that on the 23rd of December in a middle to upper class area my little doll was only one of about 6 presents. I hope the child who got the little doll likes her.

Christmas Day

First Christmas Day away from my family for an extremely long time. I missed them, Dad called to say merry Christmas, my sister text to say merry Christmas. I had a pre Christmas with them on the Saturday night as that was the only time they could both make it to Auckland. It was great having them here. I hoped they all liked their presents. I got a fishing reel (a bait runner), I've been wanting one for years, 2 sets of underwear (very nice too), a lovely smelling soap and a little angel (which I thought was extra special).

Christmas was filled with running around getting the house ready for my boyfriends family, Richard was a great help getting the place vacuumed and chairs in from the garage, cutting up the pumpkin the night before, putting up with worrying about silly little things, hoping that I had not forgotten anything. My first Christmas where the main meal was vegan, chicken and roast veges and stuffing cooked in the roasting dish (the vegan chicken from blissful foods is very nice - for those meat lovers needing some hints http://www.blissfulvege.com/chicken.htm its called the vegetarian goodluck chicken) with some side meat for us meat eaters. Desert was fruit salad, soy ice cream, strawberries and for the non vegans there was also mini pavlovas and cream and Xmas cake. The first time I have hosted a Christmas meal, I think they lived through my cooking. I was getting worried for a while there that the meal was going to be over cooked (burnt even), but I'm getting better at working out temperatures and timing now. It was the first time my boyfriends mum would be eating my cooking and this was a bit nerve wracking as I know she is a great cook. Robyn gave me a bread roll serving plate (which came in really handy for the garlic bread), a serving dish for dips and chips etc, a makeup all in one compact. Caro and Dono gave me a red carry bag, which is going to come in really handy for the beach and going swimming. It was all very nice. I felt very spoilt. I hope they enjoyed their Christmas lunch here. I like being able to let people relax and just come over and enjoy themselves, as these are normally the people who do things for everyone else, and I like to let them know that they are just as special. My little way of showing I care about them.
The day ending quietly and the rest of the holidays to look forward to.

Christmas Day - diet (or lifestyle change)

I had always promised myself a calorie free day (as in no counting of calories) for my birthday and xmas. I was actually still sticking to calorie counting up to 4pm yesterday till I "gave in". I can't actually call it that cause I had promised myself this little pleasure. But to be very honest, I'm afraid. I have been so strict on counting calories and all that went bye-bye yesterday. Today is a new day. Today I have decided that I have enough knowledge to not have to track everything. Lets see how I go.

Wow the days are getting faster

Just changed my blog from the old version to the newer one. I seem to think that the availabity of making a blog private. Lets see what else this new version can do......
Xmas is getting close. Christmas tree is finally up. The warehouse comes in awfully handy.
Holidays are just around the corner and if I blink I might just miss them. I am maintaining my weight, I have got to start getting into exercise though. A few New Years resolutions for the new year won't go astray.
J

Time is ticking

it is the 8th of December already. I have forced myself through 2 public speeches which have destroyed my immune system. I still seem to be getting slowly better at this practice. Although the last one I was sick and people could see me physically shaking and one young lady kept voicing this all through my speech which was in my own language, maori and samoan. That was a bit extreme next time I will leave speeches to just my own language. Hope your xmas or other celebration preparations are going well. I have promised myself that I'll get the tree up and decorated by this Sunday.
Summer has decided to come visit New Zealand finally and there have been some exceptional days like last Saturday and Sunday. :-)
Chat you all later