Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Russian Adoption Blog
I decided not to continue blogging here, so that I can leave this alone as simply an adoption blog resource for others who are looking for information concerning Russian Adoption.

There are links on the side that can guide potential adoptive parents.

Since our adopted daughter is now 5 years old and completely integrated into our family I no longer feel it necessary to have a special blog for only her. However, I will start blogging at www.threesonsandaprincess.com that previously was a photo blog, but will now be a personal blog and may include times when I mention (our Piney Princess) or some of my other children (three boys). Please join me there!




Written at 1/05/2010 02:52:00 PM by jeneflower.
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Monday, November 30, 2009
Cambodia Photos
Hey! We're Home

You can all see our Cambodia photos:

Written at 11/30/2009 08:37:00 PM by jeneflower.
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Reason for the Pause and Why I am Crazy
The reason I haven't updated in here for a few days is because I am focusing on my other blog:

That blog is actually a final project for a university course I am currently enrolled in. I need to have 21 posts written before the end of the first week of December and I am not going fast enough.

It is harder to write in there because unlike this blog, that one actually has to have some substance in order to get a good grade.

I wouldn't be worried about finishing in time except that we are leaving for Cambodia in a couple of days and I can't work on it on a family trip- it just doesn't work.

So, if you want to see updated blog posts you can look there for now. When I get that done and finish up FINALS I will tell you about Cambodia.

Then... on December 30, 2009 I Will Finally Graduate

Yes... sadly I am only now finally getting my Bachelors Degree. Sigh.

But let me tell you- I am going to party. Even if I am all by myself.

I'm going to dance crazy and scream "It's OVER!!" out the window and throw stuff...

and turn up the music tooo loud so the neighbors complain and... and... ya....stuff like that....

Do I have thoughts about going back for my Masters???

No Way.

But... I am not out of the clear yet. I am going to study to get the A+ IT Certification.

After that though... I'm done.

I'm only going to read stupid fluff novels and watch hours of stupid TV....

....this is my burned out brain speaking....

I'll let you know when my true self returns- although it may be too late for that.

Written at 11/24/2009 02:47:00 PM by jeneflower.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Self-Actualization and The President is Coming Over for Dinner
OK so I am stretching the truth a little tiny bit...

the truth is that I did contemplate life at the edge of the sea, climb to the top of a mountain in Korea, witness amazing waterfalls, visit a Buddhist temple, bow to some monks, and listen to a lecture on prosperity and spiritual well-being...

but there was no wise spiritual warrior at the top of the mountain who gave me the secrets to the universe...

The only wizeguy up there was my husband... ha ha - you can see pics of our experience here.

And so...

about the president coming for dinner.

Well, not exactly...

but he is going to drive his motorcade in front of my house in a few days...

See email I received:

President Obama and his National Security Advisor will be visiting Yongsan on (date omitted for security reasons). His motorcade will pass on 8th Army Drive.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the president and his motorcade up-close and personal. This is a historical event and you will have an opportunity to be apart of it.

So not quite dinner, but pretty close.

OK not pretty close. But... ya.
Written at 11/18/2009 08:22:00 AM by jeneflower.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Silent Thoughts Running Through My Brain
I started watching Heroes.

I'm behind like that.

I never watch TV- I like renting it after the fact so I can watch it when I want.

I like it so far.

I like having a series to look forward to- kind of like I am involved in their life for awhile.

If you have seen the first episode you know that part when this guy discovers he can hear people's thoughts. He goes into a bar and he hears everyone having all of these depressing or fearful thoughts and then he tunes into this one man and its just quiet.

The man is perfect stillness.

No thoughts screaming through his brain.

So it prompted me to try this. I have been focusing on moments of inner silence. I heard once that God speaks in the pauses between our thoughts. I don't know about that, but it is a lot more peaceful to simply be silent, observant and just listening to my own breathing or the sounds around me.

If I am having a hard time with this I try to focus on a peaceful song and a beautiful image (such as swinging above a beautiful garden or viewing a still lake at sunset)- this draws my thoughts away from random thoughts or distorted reconstructed memories that could potentially bring negative emotions.

I try to just live in the moment. Experience the moment. See. Hear. Be. Without any judgement about it.

I'm also reading the book The Help by Kathryn Sockett. It's great. Books are good for focus too, because you have to pay attention to the book and not let your mind wander. It's like exercising a muscle. Its easier if the book easily holds your interest like this one does. I have also been reading the book 1001 Books to Read before You Die. I'm on about page 500. I love to read books about books. I'm kinda crazy like that.

Well, now I get to tell you (after this awesome, transcendant post about meditation in every day life) that I am going to go climb to the top of an Asian mountain. Can mountains be Asian?

I think so. The mountains here exude Asia-ish vibes.

But, really I am. This is where I am going tomorrow.

I'm going to climb it....

And there better be some wise warrior guy who lives up at the top.

Or else...

So I'll let you know if I come back self-actualized.... ha ha





Written at 11/12/2009 06:44:00 PM by jeneflower.
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Catching You All Up
Wow... some comments already.

I figured everyone thought I had fallen off the edge of the flat world.

Well, I did actually, but I finally climbed back up...

and then the rain washed me down and I climbed back up.

Yes. The itsby bitsy spider is me.

So... outcomes the sun and ya... I should probably stop before it gets even weirder.

So here is what is going on in my life.

I work at the hospital in the IT help desk department as a volunteer.

I am also going to school- finishing up my IT degree.

In my spare time.... I floss.

Just kidding. Who has time for that?

No... in my spare time I clean my house, read, exercise, make plans, give my money away, relax in my massage chair, learn about gardening, think about practicing the piano, walk to the grocery store, go to the library, feed my family, read books to Pineapple and monitor homework...

I love having older kids.

For fun I watch DVDs, go out with my friends, and listen to my Ipod.

So M just started a movie and that sounds more fun than continuing to write in here....
so I'll catch you later...



Written at 11/11/2009 07:08:00 PM by jeneflower.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My Blog: Starting Up Again
So many things- crazy things have been happening in my life and I feel like they should be recorded SOMEWHERE. So here I am... back to blogging again after a l-o-n-g break. So... I don't have a lot of time now, but...here is a recap of recent and current events....

I recently traveled to a subway station in the middle of Seoul to meet up with Buddhist Monks, wear their clothes and bow to them and others while serving rice cakes and coffee to homeless Koreans. Following that I had a nice long chat with a homeless man.

A few days ago we had a pipe break in our apartment and we were flooded with about 2 feet of what looked like green anti-freeze, but I'm not sure what it was. We are on the 5th floor and all of the apartments under us also got soaked. We spent many hours with the help of one Korean man who didn't speak English, cleaning up our apartment.

In a few weeks we will travel to Cambodia and visit Angkor Watt. More to come on that.

I have to walk to the grocery store now for a few items. I'm starving! More to come later.
Written at 11/10/2009 12:11:00 PM by jeneflower.
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