PERCEPTION

We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.

-The Thalmud

For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 12: 13).

What we have to offer

Your Body is the harp of your soul. And it is yours to bring forth sweet music from it or confused sound.

MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER

THE BRAIN-OUR 3 POUND GEM.

BODY WORLDS 2 & The BRAIN– Our Three Pound Gem features the latest neuroscience findings on brain development and function; brain disease and disorders; and brain performance and improvement. The exhibit also incorporates 200 real human body specimens, including more than 20 full-body specimens in life-like, dramatic poses; healthy and unhealthy organs; body parts and slices—all preserved through a remarkable process called Plastination.
“We are thrilled to present another opportunity for people to experience this amazing exhibition, learn more about one of our most important organs, and hopefully, be inspired to make positive lifestyle-changes and improve their health,” said Joel A. Bartsch, president of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

So I went with my roommate and a couple new friends to see the Body Worlds 2 with focus on the brain. It was really amazing. All the bodies, organs, and diseases I am exposed to everyday at work were right before me exposed. I would recommend this segment...the 3 pound gem to anyone.

We had some fun in the museum afterwards! Check out those sharp teeth! We left Baltimore only to come back for some more exploring. The Inner Harbor is really the happening place, it was so busy with people and families. Then we made our way to the Little Italy of Baltimore. No, I didn't get to eat at my favorite gelato place in Baltimore found by my brother and sister-in-law when they lived here. There was some event in Little Italy with blaring music, and kiosks selling all kinds of junk for those that collect things. But it was a fun atmosphere and entertaining to watch people. The Italian place we chose to eat at was two thumbs down on my scale. I'd rather have eaten at Olive Garden.

Dyed in wool through and through

Your mind will be like its habitual thoughts, for the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.

-Marcus Aurelius

To love...is it so great.

Do I believe.

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved bring warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring. -Oscar Wilde

I know what it is like not to be filled with love and I'd say that being filled with love- at the very least towards God- fills life with something grand and gives me something worth living for.

I believe that the above statement may be true but a statement that I will contend with is, "It is better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all." I prefer to save myself from the pain and suffering inflicted by one who breaks your heart then turns around later and does it over again. Yet again I will oppose my own opinion and say without heartache, suffering, and pain how would I ever truly know the pain I inflicted upon my willing Savior for my faults, and then in turn become as He is being filled with empathy, love, and sorrow at another's pain. And that is it.

I had a patient last night who just doesn't have the will to live any longer. When I looked in his eyes the pain and suffering was so vivid it was like a mirror. He is disabled by illness and age, and dependent upon instruments to keep him alive. He carried a apathetic demeanor, and was reluctant to any offering of care I willingly provided him. It brought tears to my eyes to see this man hurting and without any passion, because I knew what that felt like. I wished for one moment that I could take away his pain and let him rejoice in the freedom of a soul not trodden down with discouragement and sorrow.

There is a quote which I can't find directly but it goes something like this: we should treat everyone we encounter as if they are going through a major crisis in life, and 90% of the time you will be right. You see everyone doesn't present face value, we have to go through life as if everything is fine, and move from day to day or else nothing would progress. We are all tried and tested to the very limit, that is how we reach new heights.

I wish life were a fairy tale, or as an Jane Austin novel which characters after turmoil much development eventually have everything they dreamed. Someone once asked me if I thought/expected that my love and relationship should happen like in the movies, or like chick flicks. At the time I said no...but now after really considering and pondering that I would say 'yes.' But just to the extent of which love is presented. Most happy couples are those in which the woman has been dazzled, loved as no other, treated like a precious gem and beloved queen (because truly that is what she is). If a man says she is a Queen...treat her like one and make her believe she is one. Every women deserves the man who will swim through the raging river, climb the highest peaks, and slay the dragon to rescue and win the love of the women he desires...if he is unwilling to do that than he really isn't that into the woman but what she can offer him. You know. I have seen countless men, my best friend's husbands or soon to be, and my brother do all those things for their wives and those are the couples that have never been happier. Never settle.

Disney says it best:

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're feeling small,
Alone in the night you whisper
Thinking no one can hear you at all
You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know, tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true,

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep

You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you

Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow

For all you know, tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true
No matter your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true
come true

So whatever you do keep believing!!!

Thomasin's 3rd Birthday

I drove out to Pittsburgh to celebrate Thomasin's birthday, to see the new baby, and help Cindy. My nieces are the cutest little girls. They are both so very different. Thomasin is a jabber box, generally sweet and tender hearted. Marta is quiet, and talks by herself, but is stubborn and has a will of her own. She lets you know what she wants by her grunts.

Thomasin came down on the morning of her birthday. Got a chair and moved it over to the stove, helped herself to one of her cupcakes and opened the present Cindy had left on the table before anyone had come downstairs. Thomasin was so excited by the new turtle sandbox she got.

The ice cream roll cake wasn't a hit. Thomasin took the cake and told us that she was eating around the brown stuff (the chocolate cake). And boy by doing that did she ever make a huge mess.

Thomasin got these craft balls for her birthday. I was entertaining myself by putting them in Marta's hair. At first she got frustrated and kept pulling them out, but as I laughed she'd grab them herself and put them in her own hair.

The last photo is my two week old nephew, Emil. He is darling. Just like any other baby he eats, sleeps, and gets his diaper changed. I loved just holding him in my arms.

Knock you down

Mai Thai and then Ghetto Bowling!!!

I went with my roommate and a few other friends to Mai Thai Restaurant in Old Town. It was right by the Potomac so after dinner we walked along the river, and watched the street performers. There was gentleman playing songs on the rim of crystal glasses. He was quite good. It was a beautiful evening. I’ve been lucky to have a mild summer thus far. There have only been a few weeks of really humid weather. I’m praying that it will stay that way.

My roommate and I decided that we didn’t want to go to the movies afterwards but bowling instead. We went to a place right by our house about a mile away. (This gives you some idea of the area I live in). The place was down a dark street every car in the lot was a beat-up piecer. My roommate and I were the only white girls in the place, the music was what the man called, ‘top hits.’ I made my roommate call on our way over there because I heard of a Bowling allery that played hip hop and htat is where I wanted to be. So it may have been top hits for some population but there were few songs in English. The alley we were given was broken. My ball was greasy. Pins weren't counted accurately, spares were given and some pins weren't even counted. I left the place after washing my hands. It wasn't a place I intended on going to again. But it was an experience to remember

Opening ceremonies

A little gathering to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. We had Chinese food, and a few of my friends played dress up in garb representing the country of their choice.

Our attempt to make the Olympic Rings...we did all get linked.

The Sisterhood

A night of sisterly sisterhood. I went with several of my friends to watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 on opening night. The movie was okay, the acting for some of the characters was below average...but it was so much fun to have a girls night.

This is us...tahdah!

I don't know what I was doing in this photo...hoarding the popcorn that I threw away moments later. :)