My nephew Isaiah (aka Zae) and I
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Gym - Strong and Independent
I have been working out consistently at my gym since last July/August and by consistently I mean 3-5 times a week. It started with me wanting to lose weight for my friend's wedding. I got a trainer, started rolling the track, and did my best. Little did I know how much I could really do at my gym, how strong I could get, and the friends I would actually make. My trainer, Tom, has been very influential in this area of my life. I really consider him more of a life coach than just a personal trainer. :)
Tonight I was working out by myself. And it was one of those moments where being a strong, independent women working out did not benefit me. I had one of the least dramatic falls ever getting off a machine. I don't think a single soul noticed. So I was somewhat awkwardly sitting on the floor in a not so common place and needed to get back on to my chair. Not a soul, I repeat myself, not one person stopped by to see if I need help. In fact people did the opposite, I had people stepping over and around me to get to their next burn. I don't know if this has ever happened anywhere else. To be fair, I am really independent at the gym and get on and off the floor pretty regularly. But I only get on to the floor in the designated floor areas which this clearly was not one of those places.
It took me a couple of minutes and some deep breaths and I was able to get back into my chair with ease. I am thankful I started working out because I have gotten a lot stronger and didn't panic at this floor adventure. That's a day in my life....
Have you ever had one of those moments where it seems obvious that people around you should being paying attention but they aren't or choose not to??
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Jobs I'd like to do but it would be super ridiculous:
Being a home realtor - Great commissions but can you imagine me - "well I can't actually go upstairs with you but tell me what you think. Also could you help me up the front stairs?"
Deliver mail/pizza - this may be similar but can you imagine…"um I can't reach your maibox but can you take this from me? Or will you please take your boiling, lava hot pizza off my lap?"
Farm aid or large animal raiser: "Let me just get over this grassy area so I can help you get home and then milk you, Daisy.. Just give me three hours"
A barber/cosmetologist - Yeah sure, I can't even see over your head sitting, let along properly hold a pair of scissors but don't worry, "You're in good hands."
Thankfully this small list of professions took me a while to come up with because I generally am not limited by my wheelchair and have many goals or dreams that I can accomplish without much difficulty. What professions would be ridiculous for you to do? Or what are some others I could add to mine?
Deliver mail/pizza - this may be similar but can you imagine…"um I can't reach your maibox but can you take this from me? Or will you please take your boiling, lava hot pizza off my lap?"
Farm aid or large animal raiser: "Let me just get over this grassy area so I can help you get home and then milk you, Daisy.. Just give me three hours"
A barber/cosmetologist - Yeah sure, I can't even see over your head sitting, let along properly hold a pair of scissors but don't worry, "You're in good hands."
Thankfully this small list of professions took me a while to come up with because I generally am not limited by my wheelchair and have many goals or dreams that I can accomplish without much difficulty. What professions would be ridiculous for you to do? Or what are some others I could add to mine?
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Inspiring Leader
(I was asked earlier this week in the Movement 121 fellowhip that I am apart of to
write about my favorite inspiring leader. Visit here to find out more about Movement 121!!!
Here is the blog I wrote and thought I'd post it publically:
There are so many people who inspire me including many involved in movement 121 that it was hard to choose. But ultimately I picked Dave Ramsey as my inspiring leader. His books, lesson, and radio show have extremely influenced and changed my life over the past year and a half. My sister started to share some of his ideas with me as she was going through his financial peace class last September. I was fairly hesitant at first but one lesson in of hearing his perspective and I dove head first. My life has taken a huge 360 since taking on the principles he teaches for the better and as a whole, not just financially. For those who don't know, Dave is a huge proponent of getting out of debt and living in financial peace by using the money which is provided to you with wisdom
3 main reasons Dave Ramsey is my inspiring leader (and could be yours!)
1. He loves Jesus and truly showcases that financial peace can be found when He is in your life - Ramsey's teaching really showed me that the Bible has a lot to say when it comes to our finances. "A slave is subject to the lender" He has man other verses which have showed me and thousands of other that God does not want us to have debt in our life and that we need to be wise with our money and slave to the lender.
2. He provides small baby steps to accomplish this financial peace - in my life, it is much easier for me to follow a plan when I have the steps planned and accomplishable rather than just vague ideas set before me. I know that these are important things to complete and with the right discipline will help me accomplish so much more in life.
3. He applies these principles to finance but can used in everyday but especially Christian lives - A phrase he is constantly using in his financial peace class is "If you live like no one else right now, some day you can live like no one else." Applying some of his principles like cutting up personal credit cards and pay off all debt can be somewhat weird in this world where we are constantly being bombarded with the next credit card deal and accumulating debt because it's a "good thing." Basically his saying means that even if it looks weird now, later on you'll have the freedom to do with what you want to with your money. He especially focuses on giving it away. This is similar when comparing Christianity to the world. People will look at us weird when we pray in public or when they find out we believe in a God we cannot see. But believing in Jesus Christ is living like no one else in the world and someday we will live like no one else in heaven. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Dave also goes into the idea that we shouldn't just be giving handouts because they can hurt more than they can help which goes along well with the ideas of M121. I am actually going to hear Dave in person tomorrow at Willow Creek Church which is super exciting!!
His website is www.daveramsey.com - visit if you want to learn more about him! I totally recommend as he has changed my perspective on many facets in life.
Bek
write about my favorite inspiring leader. Visit here to find out more about Movement 121!!!
Here is the blog I wrote and thought I'd post it publically:
There are so many people who inspire me including many involved in movement 121 that it was hard to choose. But ultimately I picked Dave Ramsey as my inspiring leader. His books, lesson, and radio show have extremely influenced and changed my life over the past year and a half. My sister started to share some of his ideas with me as she was going through his financial peace class last September. I was fairly hesitant at first but one lesson in of hearing his perspective and I dove head first. My life has taken a huge 360 since taking on the principles he teaches for the better and as a whole, not just financially. For those who don't know, Dave is a huge proponent of getting out of debt and living in financial peace by using the money which is provided to you with wisdom
3 main reasons Dave Ramsey is my inspiring leader (and could be yours!)
1. He loves Jesus and truly showcases that financial peace can be found when He is in your life - Ramsey's teaching really showed me that the Bible has a lot to say when it comes to our finances. "A slave is subject to the lender" He has man other verses which have showed me and thousands of other that God does not want us to have debt in our life and that we need to be wise with our money and slave to the lender.
2. He provides small baby steps to accomplish this financial peace - in my life, it is much easier for me to follow a plan when I have the steps planned and accomplishable rather than just vague ideas set before me. I know that these are important things to complete and with the right discipline will help me accomplish so much more in life.
3. He applies these principles to finance but can used in everyday but especially Christian lives - A phrase he is constantly using in his financial peace class is "If you live like no one else right now, some day you can live like no one else." Applying some of his principles like cutting up personal credit cards and pay off all debt can be somewhat weird in this world where we are constantly being bombarded with the next credit card deal and accumulating debt because it's a "good thing." Basically his saying means that even if it looks weird now, later on you'll have the freedom to do with what you want to with your money. He especially focuses on giving it away. This is similar when comparing Christianity to the world. People will look at us weird when we pray in public or when they find out we believe in a God we cannot see. But believing in Jesus Christ is living like no one else in the world and someday we will live like no one else in heaven. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Dave also goes into the idea that we shouldn't just be giving handouts because they can hurt more than they can help which goes along well with the ideas of M121. I am actually going to hear Dave in person tomorrow at Willow Creek Church which is super exciting!!
His website is www.daveramsey.com - visit if you want to learn more about him! I totally recommend as he has changed my perspective on many facets in life.
Bek
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Chinese Order: Orange chicken
A few Friday's ago, I came home from a long 40 hours of work week and wanted to do nothing more than sit on the leather chair, I so often fall asleep in, and watch "Say Yes to the Dress." As everyone else was going out for the evening, I called the local Chinese place to find that they had recently changed owners and no longer went by "The Golden Palace" as they had been known for years. Actually they had no name and no menu for me to see. I decided to go for something that every Chinese place has: Orange Chicken. It took nearly 7 minutes just to give the woman my order and address for delivery before she told me my order needed to be 15 dollars for delivery.
"Fine add some crab Rangoon if that will make it 15." It took at least another 7 minutes of repeating my address, order, and giving my debit card number before I finally was able to put the phone down.
"I don't ever expect to see that Chinese order," I told my mom with a preceding roar of laughter from the both of us. I waited about 30 minutes until a man came to deliver my food which was handed to my dad. And we both completely forgot to tip as he signed the receipt.** I opened my bags to find an order a crab Rangoon, 17 packets of sweet and sour sauce, 3 fortune cookies, and an order of cashew chicken. Rather than starting the order process all over again, I settled in on the crab Rangoon and cashew chicken.
20 minutes later...I had already eaten my fill of Chinese food when there was a knock at the door. The Chinese man who had been at my door just earlier was there with another bag in his hand. Before I said a word, he handed me the bag and spoke only one word.
"Sorry" and ran away from the house. I chuckled at the quick yet awkward exchange and looked inside my bag to find a full order of Orange Chicken.
Morale of the story is....Wait to eat your food until the right order comes or order from the established Chinese place and avoid the start ups if you can't be flexible to eat Cashew Chicken when you ordered Orange Chicken.
**I never would promote not tipping - in fact I still feel guilty for forgetting this!
"Fine add some crab Rangoon if that will make it 15." It took at least another 7 minutes of repeating my address, order, and giving my debit card number before I finally was able to put the phone down.
"I don't ever expect to see that Chinese order," I told my mom with a preceding roar of laughter from the both of us. I waited about 30 minutes until a man came to deliver my food which was handed to my dad. And we both completely forgot to tip as he signed the receipt.** I opened my bags to find an order a crab Rangoon, 17 packets of sweet and sour sauce, 3 fortune cookies, and an order of cashew chicken. Rather than starting the order process all over again, I settled in on the crab Rangoon and cashew chicken.
20 minutes later...I had already eaten my fill of Chinese food when there was a knock at the door. The Chinese man who had been at my door just earlier was there with another bag in his hand. Before I said a word, he handed me the bag and spoke only one word.
"Sorry" and ran away from the house. I chuckled at the quick yet awkward exchange and looked inside my bag to find a full order of Orange Chicken.
Morale of the story is....Wait to eat your food until the right order comes or order from the established Chinese place and avoid the start ups if you can't be flexible to eat Cashew Chicken when you ordered Orange Chicken.
**I never would promote not tipping - in fact I still feel guilty for forgetting this!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Finisher Goals for 2012
If you've talked to me or even visited my Facebook page once recently, you'll notice two conversational pieces that have become quite overwhelming in my life. One is an adapted vehicle which I am currently saving, selling, and raising money for this year. There will be more details to come on this in the near future but if want to donate or learn more about this right now, click here. Two is John Acuff - my new favorite author, blogger, etc. I have posted his blog posts, chuckled at his statuses, read them to others, and probably annoyed people with my John Acuff obsession. Visit his blog here!
But at the end of 2011, he challenged his readers to put together finisher goals for 2012. These are similar and a more focused way of achieving New Years resolutions. Did I say easier? Nope, neither did he. You can read his blog to learn more about his challenge but basically making specific, realistic goals which if worked at can be achieved within or before the years end, if not much sooner. The idea being if I finish all my goals by June, I can always create new Finisher goals to work on. I loved this notion as last year I had a long list of resolutions, some completed and some not touched at all. Although creating my list of 5 finisher goals almost became a goal. :)
Bek's 5 (but actually 6) Finisher Goals for 2012:
1. Finish 12 books that I currently own but have not yet completed - one per month
2. Dedicate one workout a week to train and roll up to 5 miles inside and outside
3. Pay off two student loans
4. Study two major doctrinal points, first with the Bible and second Wayne Grudem
5. Obtain an adapted vehicle
6. Read through the Merrian-Webster 10th Edition dictionary
Rather than just making broad resolutions like "lose weight" or "read more" the finisher goals have allowed me to make achievable and specific outlines to work on the greater desires.
What New Year resolutions or Finisher Goals have you made for 2012??
But at the end of 2011, he challenged his readers to put together finisher goals for 2012. These are similar and a more focused way of achieving New Years resolutions. Did I say easier? Nope, neither did he. You can read his blog to learn more about his challenge but basically making specific, realistic goals which if worked at can be achieved within or before the years end, if not much sooner. The idea being if I finish all my goals by June, I can always create new Finisher goals to work on. I loved this notion as last year I had a long list of resolutions, some completed and some not touched at all. Although creating my list of 5 finisher goals almost became a goal. :)
Bek's 5 (but actually 6) Finisher Goals for 2012:
1. Finish 12 books that I currently own but have not yet completed - one per month
2. Dedicate one workout a week to train and roll up to 5 miles inside and outside
3. Pay off two student loans
4. Study two major doctrinal points, first with the Bible and second Wayne Grudem
5. Obtain an adapted vehicle
6. Read through the Merrian-Webster 10th Edition dictionary
Rather than just making broad resolutions like "lose weight" or "read more" the finisher goals have allowed me to make achievable and specific outlines to work on the greater desires.
What New Year resolutions or Finisher Goals have you made for 2012??
Sunday, September 25, 2011
"You blog? What's your blog about?"
The inevitable question comes up whenever you mention to someone that you have a blog, whether it be your best friend or a complete stranger. Well, this is a question that I have also been asking myself over the past few months which is on of the main reasons for the lack of posts over the past several months.
"What do I blog about? What is the purpose? And why would people care to read my blog?" There are thousands and thousands of blogs to read and choose from and have a variety of topics. Some use their blog as an everyday journal entry, some share their new food creations, and others take a more intellectual approach and post their papers or topical posts about their masters thesis. These are acceptable uses of this medium and can be quite enjoyable or useful.
But what do I want my blog to be proclaiming? This is a question I have been seeking out without being extremely proactive in finding the answer. Proactive in the sense of actually writing and looking at my own blog, but I have continued to be proactive in reading others which has offered a sense of direction and possible ways to find my answer.
I have been consistently reading John Acuff's blog and have found it to be quite helpful and inspirational to work on my own blog over the past few weeks. I highly recommend checking his out and even subscribing if you enjoy learning about writing, social media, general communications, public speaking, etc.
In a recent entry about blogging, he recommended a book called "31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo." by Bryan Allain. It is an ebook that you can buy for only $4.99 on Amazon. I am currently on day 4 or 5 and it has been extremely helpful in looking at my blog in a new and different way. I am currently working on answer the question of what my blog is about. Allain has these Mojo Actions that you do each day which are actions to help bring focus and newness to your blog. These actions vary from looking at the actual design, looking at the focus, and even figuring what you are feeling while writing your blog.
Over the next few weeks, I am hoping to hone in on the purpose and focus so that way I can continue to grow in my writing and share with others. Acuff recommends this book to people who have had a blog for 10 years or 10 minutes and I am going to do the same. It is funny, accessible, and thought-provoking when it comes to how you can properly use a blog. It is already helping me which I hope means that rather than leaving my blog in empty cyber-space, it can actually be used for a purpose and enjoyment.
Get Ready!!!
"What do I blog about? What is the purpose? And why would people care to read my blog?" There are thousands and thousands of blogs to read and choose from and have a variety of topics. Some use their blog as an everyday journal entry, some share their new food creations, and others take a more intellectual approach and post their papers or topical posts about their masters thesis. These are acceptable uses of this medium and can be quite enjoyable or useful.
But what do I want my blog to be proclaiming? This is a question I have been seeking out without being extremely proactive in finding the answer. Proactive in the sense of actually writing and looking at my own blog, but I have continued to be proactive in reading others which has offered a sense of direction and possible ways to find my answer.
I have been consistently reading John Acuff's blog and have found it to be quite helpful and inspirational to work on my own blog over the past few weeks. I highly recommend checking his out and even subscribing if you enjoy learning about writing, social media, general communications, public speaking, etc.
In a recent entry about blogging, he recommended a book called "31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo." by Bryan Allain. It is an ebook that you can buy for only $4.99 on Amazon. I am currently on day 4 or 5 and it has been extremely helpful in looking at my blog in a new and different way. I am currently working on answer the question of what my blog is about. Allain has these Mojo Actions that you do each day which are actions to help bring focus and newness to your blog. These actions vary from looking at the actual design, looking at the focus, and even figuring what you are feeling while writing your blog.
Over the next few weeks, I am hoping to hone in on the purpose and focus so that way I can continue to grow in my writing and share with others. Acuff recommends this book to people who have had a blog for 10 years or 10 minutes and I am going to do the same. It is funny, accessible, and thought-provoking when it comes to how you can properly use a blog. It is already helping me which I hope means that rather than leaving my blog in empty cyber-space, it can actually be used for a purpose and enjoyment.
Get Ready!!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Cash for Car!!!~~
Hey everyone!!!
Guess what?? I'm going to be driving in the next few months!!!! BAHHH!!!!! Driving will truly give me an independence from my family and friends that I have never had, which I cannot wait for!!! I'm soooo excited!
I'm trying to earn some extra money for the specialized car that I hopefully will be getting in the next few months!! I have passed an evaluation and will be starting lessons sometime this summer. I am looking for some extra work to buy my car with as it will have to a newer minivan so hopefully the adaptations will last several years as it is expensive to do. God has already provided the funding for lesson (5k) and the eventual adaption of the car (unsure but expensive).
Right now I am saving everything I can in "future pig" for the car. I love writing and tutoring on the side for people as it is truly my passion!! If you know anyone who needs resumes, cover letters, tutoring, editing, or anything else done (Including creative suggestions!) - please share with your friends!!! I would love to help out and all of the proceeds will be going towards the car!!! Call me if you need help or would like to refer a person (Donations of ideas, referrals, coins/bills for future pig, or any other encouragements are more than welcome!)!!! My cell is 630-967-4628 or email me at bek.soen@gmail.com or facebook me!!!
Thanks!! - Bek
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