A moment if you please....

So, here is an update...

I am fighting more and more with my parents. My Dad is constantly on my case. I feel more and more stuck in my current situation. I am looking to move out and to change paths in my life. I am currently working on being able to join the Army or Navy. Either full time active or the reserves. So this new idea has again renewed some life back into me. I am working out a ton again (which is a VERY good thing) and I am starting to eat healthier (again a VERY good thing). I was starting to get so lathargic with my life that I was gaining back some of the weight I have lost recently. So I am going to get that plus more off and work towards my first goal of being able to run 2 miles in 18minutes or less.

I went and looked at one place last night and the room was super tiny! So for as much as he is asking... no go. I am waiting to hear back from one other possibility. If that is a no go, then I will start my search over and look at the other places I didn't give more than a glance to.

I talked with someone from the Army today and I have to loose a min, of 10lbs before I am even qualified to join... how stinky is that. But I think if I keep working towards my running goal and continue eating well then it will all fall into place....

That is about all that is going on right now.... oooh wait, today I was gonna go running again but woke up with a sore throat, cough, achy body and stuffy nose. SOOOO, I think running or playing soccer is off for tonight.

I think I will take some good advice from a good friend, take a nice long hot bath, take a shot of warm buron then crawl into bed for a good nights sleep.

Global Warming - A Toad Effect

Apparently the threat if all the ice caps melting isn't the only threat we need to worry about now. It seems that now we have to worry about the exinction of toads.

"This is a global emerging amphibian pathogen which is one of the worst vertebrate infectious diseases found so far. It is causing a huge amount of extinction and disease within amphibian populations. More than 100 species of amphibians are known to be affected by the disease known as BD. Some are very susceptible and die quickly while others which are more resistant are carriers of the pathogen." (Click here for the full article)

I do find it sad that so many frogs are dying, but doesn't it also sound a bit like natural selection? Those who carry it don't die, but infect others who do die...

I find it odd that some people find it ok for people to talk about natural selection (for humans) when it comes to times of war. But frogs start dying and it's global warming. I am not discounting the fact that global warming probably does have something to do with it. I just think that our world is so full of change that not everything going wrong has to be equated to something bad the humans have done.

Just a thought I had when reading the article.

Queen Bee

Bow before your Queen!!! HEHEHEHE (Not really). But I do like this picture.

Get Up and Take My Hand

Sometimes I just can't help myself. If the mood strikes, you just gotta get up and DANCE! Living in a fantasy world for just a moment never hurt anyone ;-)

Strike a Pose!

This is me having fun because everyone was WAY too serious about taking pictures.

Just a random update

This past weekend did not end up the way I thought it would. Friday I had told Britany that I wasn't going to go to a party with her and then ended up not even coming home 'till 4:30am because I was having so much fun. I then had to do some work from 9-2 and almost cancelled going to Ann Arbor because I was hung over and really exhausted. But I got myself showered and ready to go in an hour and headed on out. I got to Ann Arbor to only sit in my car for an hour trying to get my drunk ass friend to give me some definate idea of what the hell is going on. He then decides that he is going to a party in Detroit for the Tigers. He never got back to me about that and after an hour told him he was being fucking rediculous and I am going home. I was LIVID! I was so fucking pissed I couldn't call anyone or talk to anyone or I might have blown up. I deserve so much more respect and consideration than that. So I called Whitney and I told her if she was free that I was going to come pick her up and we were going out to dinner. We both ended up being in the mood to party again (she was at the same party the night before) so we called Britany again. Her boyfriend's friend who was also at the party on friday night was having a party at his own place. So we all trooped on over there and again I didn't leave there till 4:15 and didn't get home 'till 5am. Good times all around. So that!, ladies and gentlemen, is the way I roll during the full moon. CHEERS!

To think I almost forgot...

Instead of my normal tradition of watching the U of M vs. State game with friends at a bar or home (by myself because I am the only one in my family who likes watching football), this year I have the priveledge of going to Ann Arbor with some friends, partying and watching the game. To think I almost forgot that I got to do this. Only problem was that I couldn't act too excited because the person that asked me to join him likes me "in that way" and I don't like him "in that way." LOL At least boys are good for something!!! LOL

Ciao tutte le persone!

I've Done it Again

I've gone too long without blogging. I have been so busy these past weeks I haven't even had a moment at work to write something on here. This week I am playing catchup with everything I was suppose to get done last week. Today I was put in charge of making sure every client's balance is correct - past, current, active, inactive - didn't matter... We have balances from 2002 not updated. I am very disapointed in the admin ass. before me. Looks like I will be getting a raise in the next couple of months. I also do beleive that my business is really growing quite rapidly and I may even be getting a bonus and money back to equal what I invest into it within the next 6months. Its very exciting. My parents entered into a qualification stage this month and looks like they will get a $30,000 bonus in 6months! That would be so awesome. I didn't make the same qualification so when I do my bonus will be different. Any way, I am well on my way to starting my modeling/acting career. I got all my outfits this past Sunday. Very excited about it. In exactly 1 week I will be getting my photos done for my comp card. YIPPY! So this means I have my plate pretty full. Especially since I am working 10-11 hour days. Between work, my business, soccer, helping my sorority, modeling/acting and occassionally going out with friends, I hardly have time to sleep let alone have me time. Oh well, I shouldn't complain. I am happy and things are going well.

My Feminist Rant

This so weird that I stumbled apon this article. I was actually just talking to a guy about what "societal" norms were for women. How I hate following them and tend to do my own thing but how women are stuck in this certain role. It was mostly based around a woman's sexuality... go figure... but anyway. I just found this article to ring very true. I have no problem being a woman, infact I love it. I am not going around being all mean, "I hate the world" and trying to act/look like a guy. But I have found that more and more people are trying to fit me into this role I am suppose to be in and I refuse. I have dreams and plans, I will not give them up!!! I plan on breaking some of these barriers people have placed around me. I plan on doing some major changing... speaking of which, little word of advise for any guys reading this, never blatenly look at a women's chest. I thought I was wearing a pretty conservative shirt seeing as how I was at a club and I guess as I was dancing it slid down a little and some guy came and stood right in front of me "dance" with my boobs not me. Then HE got all offended when I said, "My eyes are up here, not down there...." I didn't want attention towards my boobs, thats why I dressed conservatively, SORRY God gave me such huge boobs, its not like I asked for them... I actually enjoyed small boobs thank you... so anyway, just so you know, that has got to be the most disrespectful thing you could ever do to a woman.

Linky Dinks

Ok, so the links are still giving me problems. I am suppose to have three. You only see one. You click on it, which is the text for the second link, and it directs you to the first link, but still no third link. Way confused and will get help soon. So check back and I will post when the links are good to go.

Ciao, buono note!

Where Have All the Heroes Gone?

I read this article recently written by Orrin Woodward about the loss of heroes in our country today that really made sense to me. The thing is, our country is consumed with negativity. Even as the saying goes, "Negative publicity is better than no publicity at all." How horrible is that? People are not recognized for the good deeds they do, they are recognized for their wild, irresponsible, and negative behavior. There is a war going on and the article states it well by starting with this:

"Over a century ago, while touring this country, Matthew Arnold noted that, 'if one were searching for the best means to efface and kill in a whole nation the discipline of self-respect, the feeling for what is elevated; he could do no better than take the American newspaper.' We could update Arnold’s quote today and add T.V. and the Internet to his list. With few exceptions, most of what you read and hear has been 'dumbed down' to anti-heroic rhetoric and even the thought of the heroic is laughed at."

I think people today think of heroes as comic book super heroes. The examples that Orrin uses makes me think of heroes that perhaps I am able to encounter in my day to day business. It is a rather humbling thought.

"'Do not live useless and die contemptible' – John Witherspoon, signer of Declaration of Independence – hero
'One man of tolerable abilities may work great changes and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan and …makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business' – Ben Franklin – hero
'System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution, it renders every thing more easy.' – George Washington – hero
'We are always equal to what we undertake with resolution…It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate; to surmount every difficulty by resolution and contrivance.' – Thomas Jefferson – hero
'First was the creation of a ‘natural aristocracy,’ as Jefferson put it, of genius and virtue. This would be no aristocracy of wealth, caste, or privilege. Because genius and virtue are not limited to any particular class, but scattered randomly throughout the polity…By separating the ‘wheat from the chaff,’ as Jefferson starkly put it, he hoped to elevate worthy persons to guard the sacred rights of liberty.' – Bill Bennett, summarizing Thomas Jefferson – hero"

To think, people we know today would be a hero in a history book tomorrow. What are you doing to mark your place in the history books? Are you allowing all this negativity to rule your thoughts and how you view people and choose your actions? Or are you fighting the fight against such thoughts? I hope people will choose to fight. This country is too great to loose to the media. We built the media and we can rebuild it if need be.

I know that Orrin is much more articulate in being able to verbalize these thoughts, but I just found too many thoughts of my own stewing in my head to just sit there and not write them down. How lucky am I that I am able to associate with this person fronting the war to bring back heroism? How lucky are you, that I am able to share this person with you?

Nothing beats sisterly love

The Habit of Discipline

From Orrin Woodward: Achievers have Self-Discipline
by Team on Tue 14 Mar 2006 09:28 AM EST
Written by Orrin Woodward

What do all great achievers have in common? During my life-long study of high achievers, and especially during these past few years while I have been building the Team, I have discovered one common trait that stands out above all others. Every great achiever has amazing self-discipline. What is self-discipline? Here are a few synonyms – self-control, discipline, willpower, restraint, strength of mind, strength of will, self-will.

I am regularly amazed by the number of people looking for shortcuts on their way to success. There is no quick or easy path to accomplishing any great achievement – at least no path I have discovered. Outstanding success is realized by disciplining yourself for longer periods of time and at a greater level when compared to your peers. And with discipline, your success over time begins to compound itself. It has been said that the toughest million you will ever earn is the first million dollars – and I agree with that statement. Olympic athletes, to the person, have amazing discipline when it comes to preparing, training and continuously visualizing.

There is no easy way to achieve great things - I recommend you introduce the habit of self discipline into your daily life, and grow to your potential.

*Now this is something I truly need to continue working on. Slowly but surely I will make progress and stick with it.

Bad Blog, BAD!

The stupid template won't change the way I want it to! I can't get the links to show up! (Notice the link bar but nothing there? There really are links!!!!) And then I wanted to change my templates but the ones on blogger are BLAH so went searching on the good old internet for some good templates. But everything is so difficult. I really am not THAT computer savy. I do have a life you know!! BBBAAAHHH!!!

Dreamscape

Ok, so normally I like dreaming because I have been able to FINALLY have good dreams. But last night I had this crazy dream. It actually made me wake up because I got so freaked out. I don't know what my problem is, what I am worried about or even how I came up with this....dream. The dream was it was just... *shivers* well... lets put it this way, I have been procrastinating going to bed for 3 hours now!! :-O So, I have to be up at 8:15 to get ready to go to the AIDS Walk Detroit tomorrow in Downtown Royal Oak. I am helping my sorority out and I really do believe in this organization. So hopefully we reached our goal of $500.

Night all...


....think fuzzy rabbits, pink skies, purple flowers, green soft grass, bright yellow sun, bright blue water, and warm, soft protecting arms of Jesus....

Leave a Legacy

It was another dreary winter day and after 10 hours of walking the factory floor my body was exhausted. There had to be more to life than just working to pay the bills. My mind drifted back to my youth and all the crazy dreams I had as a child. I was going to be someone and believed I would succeed. I chuckled at my youthful fantasies and thought how naïve I had been, but inside was the small voice that whispered to me of my destiny. It whispered of a legacy that I was leaving unfulfilled. It's not like I hated my life, but it just wasn't a life that was making a difference. Yes, yes the fuel pumps I worked on as an engineer were quieter than the model before and yes I did receive four patents and a national benchmarking award for the design, but would anyone claim the sound of their fuel pump was the difference maker in their life? If significance was possible, why not strive for it? I am going to work hard whether I achieve great things or not, so why not shoot for leaving a legacy?

My mind argued with itself, "Legacy? Legacies are for Washington's, Franklin's, Lincolns, Edison's, Ford's, and the like. But didn't they start out as just kids with a dream just like me? Wasn't it possible for a kid growing up in Columbiaville Michigan to achieve just as much as anyone else? Maybe I would achieve more if I just set bigger goals for life?" Getting into my car, I vowed that I would pursue my dreams no matter what. That I would endure any criticism, fight any battle and surmount any obstacle to live a life of meaning and significance. Legacies are not handed out at birth; they are crafted through dreams, goals, personal development, courage and commitment. Anyone can claim a spot among the legends of American heroes if they are willing to dream, believe, and work towards their legacy, regardless of the criticism and setbacks. A legacy is a gift given back to your family name and something that future generations of your family will look to in times of hardship. Imagine if you were a descendant of George Washington and were going through struggles. You could look back to President Washington's life and realize that he surmounted many struggles on his journey of leaving a legacy also. If we are going to live a life, then we might as well make it a life that counts.
As a child growing up I always had to work hard in sports to make up for my lack of size. As a freshman I weighed 98 pounds soaking wet and stood a massive 5 ft tall. Why I went out for the basketball team is a good question, but I believed I could work hard and achieve. Many of life's greatest lessons are learned in your losses and we endured a winless season with many embarrassing losses. I had my share of losing enough to last a lifetime, but life continued to give me more than my fair share. The next debacle was my attempt at playing baseball as a sophomore. I played "left out" and deserved the position. It wasn't until my junior year that I started playing the sports that suited my abilities. In cross country, wrestling, and track it wasn't size that counted as much as heart. I learned that hard work, basic training, and focus can produce better results than dabbling a little in everything. I would go home after a successful day of running and tell my mom and dad about the race. Many times my dad would share about his races when he ran cross country. Some times he would talk about his dad and how he was a top track star and this would feed my faith that I could achieve more. I loved when my dad would tell the Woodward children about the history of our family. What a loss that more families do not instill the pride of their family name to their children. I grew up learning about my great-great-grandfather who pulled himself out of poverty and owned a hotel and restaurants through hard work and big dreams. I learned about Woodward's who owned hotels in Florida and how the Woodward's once had been successful and owned many properties. Dad would then regretfully add that the prodigal spending habits had made the Woodward's a lower middle class family again. These stories fueled my dream to return the Woodward family to its former stature. What is your family's history? Have you ever thought about your family's legacy to date and what part you will play in this legacy?

Each individual family member has a choice of what to do with their family's legacy. Some may say, "My family does not have a legacy. No one has ever achieved anything of significance in my family." My answer is if that is true then you will be the first to strive for greatness. Be a script changer for your family. Every legendary family started with no legacy, but with a man or woman with a dream in their heart. Others may say, "My family is already very successful and I have nothing to add." My answer is to be a script completer and continue your family legacy. You have greatness inside of you and your family has already displayed the way. . Maybe your family legacy is an embarrassment to you, but this should be looked as a challenge to change your family's legacy. Each generation that is born has a responsibility to make, change or continue their family legacy. Many choose to ignore their responsibilities of their family name and never attempt anything great to enhance their family name. I believe that every family has greatness inside of them and for many it is just a question of changing their limiting beliefs. As individuals have limiting beliefs, so do whole families. I tell my children that when the going gets tough, just remember that you are a Woodward and you will find a way to endure and win. We must help generate the winning beliefs in our families that will help them overcome the obstacles on their way to their legacies.

All of this has been said to get to this question, "What family legacy will you leave to posterity?" If you are like many then you have never asked this question before. This is alright, because we are asking it now and it is never too late. As you realize that your life is part of the chain that links the past to the future though the present, then you will understand your responsibility to make your life count. Every successful leader develops their legacy through character, relationships and task. Laurie and I have been blessed with great parents, mentors and friends who are constantly encouraging us in our endeavors, but it wasn't always this way. When Laurie and I first started to dream big, our families thought we were crazy. We heard so many negative comments that we almost believed it and gave up. This is where character comes in. If you are going to achieve anything worthwhile you must sell yourself first. After you are sold yourself, remember that being true to yourself is the beginning of character. When a person makes a decision to move ahead in life, they must also expect obstacles to test their character and resolve. No one achieves greatness without strength of character and I am encouraging you to work on this first. Without character the other two do not matter.

Relationships help you to develop your legacy, because no one achieves lasting success by themselves. No one is truly a self-made person. Laurie and I have been blessed with some incredible friends and mentors. These are people who will give you perspective when you are struggling, encouragement when needed, and cheers during your victories. Cultivate friendships through being a friend. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than receive." What if everyone lived by this motto? Can you imagine a world where everyone attempted to out serve one another? I know this is idealistic, but I would rather be an idealist and be let down once in a while than be a pessimist and be right all the time. The people who have achieved the most have achieved through helping others achieve their best. Be a servant to others and you will be amazed at the harvest you reap from sowing into others lives. This will greatly enhance your legacy, because your greatest legacy will be in the lives you made a difference in. If I asked you to name the last five Super Bowl winners, last five World Series winners, and last 5 NBA champions and you will struggle to get them right, but if I asked you to name 5 people who have made a difference in your life, you will have no problem. Why is that? Even though the teams listed are champions, they made no impact into your personal life. A leader makes a personal impact and this makes all the difference.

Task is the last factor in building a legacy. You can have character, have strong relationships, but you must also press towards the goal. This involves setting goals and accomplishing task. The key here is to never accomplish task and blow the relationship. Remember your true legacy is in teaching others how to accomplish in life and this is impossible if we offend them in the lessons. A leader constantly asks how they can accomplish this task through teaching others. The more that is accomplished without one person doing it all, the more someone is leveraging their character and relationships to achieve the specific task. One of the greatest joys of a legacy builder is for them to help a team accomplish a task and give all the credit away to the team. A leader is less interested in recognition for themselves and more interested in recognition for the team. We will accomplish much more with a large team ego and not a large personal ego. Legacies are achieved through leadership which is accomplished through the development of character, relationships and task.

Many will tell me, "But I don't think I have what it takes to be a great leader." I am living proof that everything it takes to lead is already inside of you and it is your responsibility to develop the hunger to bring it out. No one would have accused me of being a leader in high school. I had no concept of what it meant to positively influence anyone. To learn leadership, start a program of personal development. Begin to read life enhancing books, listen to leaders on CD, and associate with as many leaders as possible. The old saying, "If you hang out with dogs you get fleas" is so true. Hang out with leaders and capture the vision of your family legacy. I dare you to attempt something great! I dare you as you walk out of work tomorrow to dream bigger! I stopped waiting for my ship to come in and decided to build my own. We will help you build your ship and sail to your legacy. One of my favorite quotes is "When all is said and done, much more is said than is ever done." I do not want to be remembered as someone who talked a great game, but never played. It has been 8 years since that dreary winter day when I decided to make my life count for something more than designing fuel pumps. We are in the business of building legacies. We are developing a leadership team to make a difference in this world and you are invited to be part of the Team. May God grant you wisdom on your journey to your legacy, past and future generations of your family are counting on you.

Orrin A. Woodward
Posted: 05-09-2006

Job Whore

Frustration, NOTHING BUT PURE FRUSTRATION. I hate this whole job hunt. I can't seem to progress very far. Looks like another dreary Michigan winter for me *sigh*. At least now I am looking for jobs in the record label industry. I actually have a friend of the family who knows some people in the industry helping me. Now that I am stuck I can ask her for some help and guidance, its all about who you know in this field of work. At least I have some very exciting things going for me here in the good 'ol MI. Working on achieving one dream at a time...

And so it goes...

So here is the latest update. I went to Fort Lauderdale, FL for a couple days and ended up sleeping and reading the whole time. I was so beat from working 7 days a week for 9 -10hrs each day that I just crashed. I am glad I did that though because this meant I was able to thoroughly enjoy being in the Keys. I got to see Key West which is fun. Talk about your party city. I also got to go snorkeling. That experience was simply amazing! I bought an underwater camera and am hoping that everything turned out. I have yet to get the film developed. I got to see beautiful sunsets and beautiful weather. It rained for a bit each day, but nothing to put our plans completely on hold. I could not have asked for a better vacation. I got home and had my week planed out. For once I thought I was going to make it through an extremely stressful month without incident. I got in 1 day of work when out of no where I got an AWFUL case of strep. I was in so much pain when I woke up that I actually called the doctor that day. I was in bed for the rest of the week and most of the weekend. I am still getting better and am able to barely get through an 8hrs day of work. I am back on some of my supplements and vitamins and it is making me go through this detox phase that keeps giving me these awful headaches. It doesn't help that I have been at a computer for the past 4 days. I have yet another stressful month ahead of me. I have planned another trip down to Atlanta with Somé so we can look at apartments and I can get some more interviews in. It looks like Somé will be moving down with me. If she can save enough money that is.. so I am not counting on her moving the same time as me. We shall see. It seems like my plan of moving there by October will not happen. It might be as late as after the new year seeing as how it is already September and I still don't have a job. Well I must get back to work. I have to finish up this document.

Smooth Sailing

I had my interview this past friday in Atlanta. I think it went well. I really like Atlanta too. I think I would be very happy moving there and making my own roots. Now I just need to find a good job that is a go ahead and I will start looking for an apartment. I am really excited about this change in my life. Now I have a hectic week ahead of me trying to get in as many hours as possible before I head on down to Florida. I am so glad I finally have a vacation even if it means I have to work some long days before hand. Then its another 2 weeks of long hours and a trip to Vages. Yet another thing I am excited about. Everything seems to be well and thats because I am not letting the little flaws bother me or ruin anything.

"Where ever the wind blows..."

Now the nervousness and doubt is setting in. I am nervous about my interview and going to a city with no family there to see if I would like living there. I am excited about the adventures I will have and the fact that I will truly be on my own. I am nervous about being there and then not liking it... so I am going to go with an open mind. I might like it, I might not. If not, then I will pursue the jobs I have applied for in other cities. I have been praying to see if I am suppose to go somewhere and I just don't know. I guess a person never will know until they visit the place and get a sense of the city.
So Atlanta is stop number 1.