Category: Personal Growth

Personal growth, parenting, more

Want to interview at Google? Check out these unbelievable…

Morning all,

As well as being an author, I also teach recruiters how to find candidates online.

This came by yesterday from Recruiters and Sourcers Exchange, and it’s quite an eye-opener!

From Google Job Interview Questions, Brain Teasers etc:

Example Brain Teaser Questions:

Personal Interview Stories:

Fascinating, no?

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – some more Google goodies:

Evening hot baths, morning coffee, listening to your body wrt fitness and more

Morning,

Well! It’s just after 5am and amazingly, I have NOT yet done my morning workouts!

My gosh why, I hear you ask?

Simple! On Monday, I did massive DDR with the kids, Tuesday was P90x Core plus Cardio GoGo plus two hours of advanced karate including 10 minutes of boot camp plus one hour of Kendo and let me tell you, boys and girls, I’m feeling it this morning.

Yes, it’s true – apparently the body at 43 ain’t the same thing as the body at 23! My gosh, how I wish I had valued this fact back then. :) Ah well.

So! It’s time for (drumroll please) modifications. I’ll still do my workouts, of course, but modify them to suit whatever my body says I should do. Today’s P90x workout is Kenpo, and I’ll make certain to use my Goju-ryu moves during the majority of it. Hey, might as well improve the form! Pivots will be lessened and I’m going to focus instead on balance today.

And that brings me to the important topic of the day. MODIFY WHEN NECESSARY! You never have to damage yourself when working out – go to the level of which you are capable and make it work THERE, not some idiotic level that will end up causing massive amounts of hurt to your body.

Let me explain the title of this post. Last night, I made myself a hot bath after returning from karate/kendo, and ended up relaxing for 15 minutes (without any kids bashing thru the door saying,
“Mom, I sensed you were relaxing so here I am!” Amazing, that). Upon staggering out, I slathered Tiger Balm on my ankles/thighs/lower back, and made my way whimpering to the bed where I collapsed. After 5 minutes, one of my kids came in and said, ‘Mom, are you okay? I heard you making weird noises!’ Apparently I was mewling to myself as I tried to get comfortable, and didn’t even realize that! Talk about hearing sensitivity. :)

This morning upon waking up, my body tactfully told me, coffee. Massive amounts of coffee. Bless thy system and imbibe the drink of the angels and that favors life. So here I am with my morning coffee, feeling energy starting to flow back into my zombie-like self.

So many people over 40 challenge themselves to surpass their own expectations. I’m highly in favor of that; heck, I’ve done it again and again. But there does come a point where your body says, woah! Slow down and modify and when you’re recovered, pounce at full force once again….and THAT is a good thing to which to listen.

You can take that to the bank.

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – if you enjoy hot baths like I do, consider:

Anti-military lawyer damages Marine’s car on eve of deployment

Morning,

I just read about the following on the self-defense mailing list I’m on. Do yourself a favor and read up on the background – it’s amazing what kinds of jerks live in the US.

…Marine Sgt Mike McNulty is on activation orders to Iraq (second tour). On December 1st, 2007, Mike went to visit a friend in Chicago before deploying to say goodbye. In order to get to his friend’s residence, and keep in mind that Chicago is a myriad of diagonal and one-way streets, the front entrance (right way) to the one-way street was blocked. Mike, being a Marine, overcame and adapted by driving around the block to the other end of the street and backing up all the way to his friend’s place.

While saying goodbye, at about 11am, he noticed a man leaning up against his car. Mike left his friend’s apartment and caught the man keying his car on multiple sides.

After caught in the process, the man told Mike, “you think you can do whatever you want with Department of Defense license plates and tags”. (In Illinois you can purchase veteran, Marine, or medal plates. Mike has Illinois Marine Corps license plates.)…..MORE…

And here’s the resolution:

Man who keyed car gets day in court; so do Marines

Jay Grodner, the Chicago lawyer who keyed a Marine’s car in anger because the car had military plates and a Marine insignia, finally got his day in court last week.

Grodner pleaded guilty in a Chicago courtroom packed with former Marines. Some had Marine pins on their coats, or baseball jackets with the Marine insignia. They didn’t yellor call him names. They came to support Marine Sgt. Michael McNulty, whose car Grodner defaced in December, but who couldn’t attend because he’s preparing for his second tour in Iraq.

Grodner was late to court for the second time in the case….MORE….

Amazing…absolutely amazing.

What do YOU think?

Barbara

ps – Marine keepsakes!

From mom to child – Bridging 21 years, Rutgers Math

Howdy all,

My gosh, it’s things like this that make being a mom all worth while.

Back when I was in college, I was the founder and president of the Rutgers University Math Club (loved the subject, couldn’t do it to save myself, but loved it nontheless…which is one reason why all of my kids are superior in it, I made certain they learned to love math at an early age). During my senior year, I decided to have a fund-raiser by designing and selling the Rutgers University Math Club t-shirts!

I vividly remember sitting outside Hill Center and drawing the building. Then I went home, added all the embellishments, and brought the finished product to a silk-screener close by the campus. To make a long story short, it turned out quite wonderful and when I graduated from college, I made certain to bring some back with me.

Fast forward 21 years. Last night, one of my kids brought out her sleeping mattress from my closet to sleep on the floor; somehow that hooked on one of the t-shirts. This morning as I was returning the mattress, I found that t-shirt on the floor, looked at it and told my eldest, hey look, Rutgers Math! And she said, math? I love math! Let me see!

She was absolutely entranced by the t-shirt, and more so that her mom was the artist. I found a medium size one for her, and told her the whole story of how it was made. Then she noticed how I signed it – “IKMP ’86” and asked what that was all about. And I told her, kid, when I was a senior, I made a promise to myself that I’d make a mark and nobody would ever forget me. That stands for:

I Kept My Promise, Class of ’86

Oh, the look in my daughter’s eyes – it was a keeping moment.

You know, back when I was at college, I never really thought of how my children would view my achievements. What an unbelievable feeling it was to see my kid appreciate my work. I was a child back then, I’m a mom right now….and yet it all became bridged during that moment.

I thank the universe for that experience, I shall never forget it.

Rutgers Math

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – Some nice Rutgers goodies:

DDR Dance Dance Revolution – oh what great fun and a calorie burner!

Afternoon everyone,

Oh I’m smooshed!

After several hours of patience marketing online, I challenged my kids to Dance Dance Revolution. Now, we used to do this all the time during the summer at Camp Ling, so it’s been quite awhile since I last put my feet on those mats.

My gosh, talk about, ahem, uncoordinated! My skills apparently have melted away during the months I’ve not tried it. I see the arrows on the screen and say to my feet, okay feet, move to the correct arrow…and it just doesn’t happen. :) But still, it’s great fun! We were at it for about an hour.

And for us parents/moms/dads/etc., DDR is a terrific calorie burner! There’s a practice and test mode as well, so you can train your feet to move to the correct arrows during specific beats. And don’t forget about

That’s where smart parents like us gather to share tips on doing well! And don’t knock Dance Dance Revolution as an extreme exercise – many people have lost dozens of pounds doing it. DDR Weight Loss Stories are most interesting to read.

Here are some more great DDR resources:

If you’re looking for something to do at home that really gets the blood pumping and your heart rate up, do yourself a favor and check it out; age is no factor! You’ll be happy you did.

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – Here are some nice DDR pads:

DIY Elmo birthday cake, Dollar Stores to the rescue and more

Morning,

Well! Today I had to give up my early morning P90x routine (’twill be Yoga Death when it does happen) so I could prepare for a child’s birthday.

It always amazes me how much money parents will spend on young children’s birthday parties, especially when with regards to gifts, the kids play with them for an hour or so and then whomp, into the toy bin it goes, never to be played with again.

Not in the Ling family! We live by some rather super Dollar Stores (it’s pretty amazing, actually, the things you can get for a dollar) and yesterday, I picked up 10 or so items I know will be adored for at least an hour before, you got it, they become forgotten. But at least, big chunks of money won’t have been wasted!

I also got the balloon, table decoration cover, sparklies, streamers, etc., and spent this morning setting up the kitchen for the birdieDay. The ice cream cake was especially unique – I always make them like so:

  • Go to Pathmark
  • Pick up cookie dough ice cream and chocolate chip cookies and vanilla chips
  • Return home, let ice cream melt for an hour
  • Get a bowl. Line it with plastic wrap.
  • Put softened ice cream in bowl up ’til one inch below the top
  • Mix in vanilla chips
  • In another bowl, break up cookies and mix with ice cream. Pour that on top TO the top (it’s the cookie base.
  • Cover and freeze

In the morning, the plastic wrap gives you hand holds to remove the ice cream – turn it upside down and voila, an ice cream cake you have! After that, I slathered on frosting and then designed an Elmo face on top. It’s currently back in the freezer, waiting for everyone to wake up.

I don’t mind spending money when kids are old enough to appreciate the adventure, so my little birthday route leaves the kids thrilled and me with some savings left. :-)

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – Elmo is very popular with Birthdays….

Life is a four letter word……..I think you spell it L-O-V-E

Morning,

I was reminded of the following poem from a conversation with a good friend yesterday. I first read this back in college, and have loved it ever since.

Life is a four letter word……..
I think you spell it L-O-V-E

It’s really as simple as that……

No, I don’t really think that I can totally describe love
but I do know some things about it.

Seems to me that in order to be in love, you have to be
able to be weak. Sure, certain aspects of love take
a real strength. But, it is true that in order to
experience love at its best, you have to be able to
be weak, vulnerable and accept the possibility that
you might get hurt. If you are too tough to let
yourself be so open for attack, then I am afraid you
can never feel love to its fullest.

Is it worth it to take such a risk. I don’t know the answer to
that….but I do know that even though I have gotten
hurt occasionally, I would do it all over again. The
Joys were more memorable than the pain.

Actually, most of the times that I ended up hurt were not because
I left myself vulnerable, but rather that my stupidity tricked
me into arming myself against “the one I loved”, so that she
couldn’t hurt me. Once I let myself take the defensive,
I usually ended up causing more problems than I solved.

What should a person do: Should a person be tougher and more
protective of themselves even though they take away from
the full effect of love….Or should you be more vulnerable
and weak and open to possible attack….

I am WEAK! Not because I choose to be this way….but rather because
in all honesty, I know no other way.

I am weak….I sometimes get hurt….but I have felt love….

-JT

You know, it’s been 20 years since I first read that poem….and I can honestly say, my life’s experiences have shown me that the above is so, so, so SO very true. I too have been hurt and decimated and burned to the ground by folks whom I chose to give the gift of love….but now with the benefit of hindsight, I thank the universe that I was able to have those experiences. They made me grow… and gave me the wisdom to choose better in the future and love my husband/family/friends with an open heart.

Love is just that….a gift. Give it wisely! and not to people who are not worthy of your own special inner beauty. The person who receives your love is under no obligation to treasure it as they should…and you must be open to that possibility. Once you accept that, any emotional hurts are reduced….for you can only feel sorrow for people who let such a treasure as yourself….get away.

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – here are some cute love thingees:

Never threaten consequences with which you cannot follow through

Morning,

You know, generally I’m quite superb about consequences with my kids. I hardly ever go over the top with them, because I know how incredibly important it is to hold the line and follow through.

Thus, I never (almost!) tell my kids, if ABC isn’t done, your consequences will be being grounded for 2 weeks or no computer for a month or … you get the idea. I always want to make certain I can comfortably implement anything I promise…without losing the point of the lesson.

Well, even super moms like me screw up every now and then. My daughter had brought home an 84 in last week’s Wordly Wise (something that is simply inexcusable in my family; we’re born knowing the English language). And I told her, okay, you can study this Wednesday and Thursday and if you get one wrong on Friday when I quiz you, no computer for this weekend.

Friday morning arrives, and I discover my charming youngster “forgot” her study words at school. Ooo was I peeved; one never takes the mother for granted! So I told her, kid, you had better bring home a 100 or else we’re talking major major major consequences! Got that????

After she had left for school, I realized I overdid it. Making the point is all very well and good; being smart about such point making is even better. But hey, maybe she’d bring home a 100 anyways, and I’d be off the hook!!

She got a 96.

Now, I ask you. A 96 is pretty darned good….but I had stipulated it had to be 100. Argh. I consequenced myself into a corner!! I honestly don’t know how I’m going to handle this. I don’t want to appear wishy-washy, and yet, I do want to acknowledge the grade is most acceptable.

Sigh. Parenting. A joy!

I’m hoping that the one mistake she made is one that I would have made myself (I always excuse such errors then). But if not…I need to think of a consequence that isn’t really a consequence but still makes the point that when Mom is serious, Mom is serious.

Perhaps the laundry can call. :-)

And life marches on,

Barbara

ps – here’s a good reward for when kids do well:

Murphy’s Lesser Known Laws

Morning,

This came by a self-defense mailing list I’m on. Love it!

Murphy’s Lesser Known Laws

1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

2. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

3. Those that live by the sword get shot by those who don’t.

4. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

5. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there’s a 90% probability you’ll get it wrong.

6. If you lined up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them, five or six at a time, on a hill, in the fog.

7. The things that come to those who wait will be the scraggly junk left by those who got there first.

8. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.

9. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

10. When you go into court, you are putting yourself into the hands of 12 people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.

Enjoy,

Barbara

ps – Other Murphy Law goodies: