How to Get a Date Worth Keeping

On my last post of the year, I thought it would be good to finish off with a book that I highly recommend for singles. I think that if every single person read this book then it would revolutionize dating. It would help take away our preconceived ideas that each date must be "the one" and if he/she isn't then it isn't worth getting to know them. It also helps us to take a look at ourselves and what is preventing us from dating - what is going on the inside? One friend read this book with me and she had originally scoffed at the books’ ideas but she has taken them to heart and it has changed her approach to dating. I would say that for both of us it has opened up new doors and changed the way we look at and approach dating. Dating should be fun and not a chore so enjoy it! I recommend this book for all singles that struggle with dating and to any married person who has a single friend - tell them about this book! The book is "How to Get a Date Worth Keeping" by Dr Henry Cloud. He says you will be dating in 6 months if you follow his formula. I will keep you posted! So look for a post in June 2008!

Full 2007 book list and the rest of my Things to Do list summary coming soon.

Cities in 2007

As 2007 comes to a close, I am wrapping up my 29 themed Things to Do in 2007 list. You will see over the next few posts where I succeeded (and some cases excelled) and other places that I didn't come close. Either way, it was fun to track.

First up, all the cities I visited (and a cool feature I just found on google maps!). The final count is 23 cities - if I had only gone to a few more small towns in GA or counted all those cities I slept through on a 16 hr bus ride in Argentina...

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Eyes

I was told for the upteenth time today that I look like Erica Christensen. So I once again looked her up on IMDB and found one picture that if I squint, I can see it. I decided that we have similar eyes so that must be what people see and I guess we both sort of have round faces. So to prove this theory I put together a group of eyes - some are Erica's, some are mine, some are my sisters. So for those that know me, try to figure out which is mine vs Erica's and this will help prove my point.

Snoring on the Plane

This is not Snakes on the Plane but instead Snoring on the Plane. I wish I was able to blog this morning when I was experiencing the gentlemen next to me snoring firsthand. We sat on the tarmac for awhile and from the moment this rather large man sat down next to me, he was snoring. Of course it was distracting and rude and I kept thinking that I should tap him on the shoulder and politely say "Excuse me, just wanted to let you know you were snoring" but then the other part of me wanted to yell at him to stay awake and stop bothering other passengers. Of course, I was also upset because he was seeping onto my seat so I finally strategically placed my People magazine between my leg and his because I really don't like when strangers touch me. When we finally became airborne my dear seat mate decided to become very agitated and wouldn't stop moving, he reached over me and closed the shade (how rude), he jacked up the air so it was blowing directly on him and he wouldn't stop moving. So needless to say he has won the Worse Seatmate award. When we landed he immediately move the armrest up and by doing so hit my arm and he mumbled excuse me. I didn't want the barrier between us broken but I momentarily sucked it up because I knew my agony was about to end. What would you do in this situation? I immediately thought of weigh limits and requiring people to list their weight when booking a flight or do a weigh in at the gate. It is not fair for those of us that fit into seats to be taken over by the fat folks of the world. Sure they say it isn't their fault for being fat but do they exercise? Does their meal plan consist of McDonald's hamburgers? So that is my vent for today.

New Blog Title

After reading Eat Pray Love, I have had the inspiration to rename my blog. I have moved on from my list centering around 29 and I am embracing (at least trying to) the big 3-0 so in light of that, my blog will now be "Love Pray Eat".

Eat Love Pray

I justed finished reading Eat Pray Love: One Woman's Search for Everything across Italy, India and Indonesia be Elizabeth Gilbert. I didn't originally want to read this book but after searching the book store and picking up book after book that followed the CSI type of formula, I decided to go for something different. This afterall is a memoir about a woman finding herself and I thought at least she goes to Italy which is one country that I have fallen in love with.

So I began the book and I really should have blogged along the way because there are lessons she (and I) learned as she trekked through Italy, India, and Indonesia. As you can probably guess by the title she ate a lot in Italy, prayed a lot in India, and fell in love in Indonesia. What I like about the book is that she rediscovers herself and really takes an indepth look at herself and fixes what is wrong. She is finally honest with herself and why her life has taken the path that it has and she rights it. I think Ch 58 was among my favorite when she talks about prayer being a relationship and how it should be deliberate and specific and not lazy. I enjoy all of her tales of Italy and all the places she goes and all the places she eats and how she learns Italian along the way. I attempted to learn Italian before I went there but there was no hope for me. I loved learning about India and Indonesia - 2 places I have never been and really never thought about going. Reading about those cultures was fascinating to me.

The chapters are each centered around one central theme and some are as short as a page which made the book for quite an easy read. I don't agree with some of her beliefs on Christianity - I think she needs to do some more soul searching in this area but I do think she has some good ideas about quieting the mind and removing the distractions of life and being still. I don't think I will start daily hour long meditation sessions but I can see how those can be a useful tool as you navigate the busy American life style. Liz is quite candid in her storytelling and lets you see her most inner thoughts so that you feel like she is one of your best friends. I would love to take a year off and travel the world in 4 month increments. Where would you go if you did that? I think I would start with Italy but who knows where next...I will have to ponder that more. I do think it is good for all of us to take a step back and be introspective and not let life pass us by. What do we all really want out of life? What is life all about for us? We should answer these questions and make it happen.

So despite some disagreements with the author's religious beliefs and my initial hesitation in reading the book, I would definitely recommend this book.