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The Story of A Blind Girl

I found this on my brother’s Facebook status just recently and wanted to share this with everyone. I’m not sure who wrote it, or where it came from, but I want to thank them for writing this. Feel free to share.

“There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’ One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her,’Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’ The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: ‘Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.’

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. Today before you say an unkind word – Think of someone who can’t speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food – Think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife – Think of someone who’s crying out for a companion. Today before you complain about life – Think of someone who went too early to heaven. Before you complain about your children – Think of someone who desires children but they’re barren. Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn’t clean or sweep – Think of the people who are living in the streets. Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job – Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job. But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another – Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down – Put a smile on your face and be thankful you’re alive. Feel free to copy, paste and share..”

Pixar Tribute to Steve Jobs – Black Turtlenecks!

I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge Pixar fan. From movies Up, Monsters, Inc., to The Incredibles..just to name a few.

Just thought I’d share this awesome photo that Pixar put together in honor of the late, Steve Jobs. Pretty sweet if you ask me!

Black turtlenecks, rule!

“Pixar paid tribute to Steve Jobs with this image featuring Woody, Wall-E, Buzz Lightyear and other famous Pixar stars dressed in Jobs’ signature black turtleneck.”

Calling all Gamers! Play Games to help local kids!

To all you gamers out there who want to play for a good cause, here’s some inspiration for you!

My buddy Jud is starting his 24-hour video game-athon in order to help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network (helpin’ out the sick kids!)

He participated in this last year and raised over $1,000 for the charity. This year, he’ll be playing Minecraft the entire time and streaming for it LIVE for the full 24 hours!

Live stream starts tonight 10/14 at Midnight!
http://www.twitch.tv/generikb

Jud’s fundraising page!
http://www.extra-life.org/participant/generikb

Steve Jobs

I remember buying my first Apple (G4 Tower) computer back in 2001 when I had started at the Illinois-Institute of Art – Schaumburg. That thing lasted me until this year when it was considered “vintage”. 10 freakin’ years!

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for changing the world with your “Think Different” approach to innovation.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs

Fashion Fall 2011 is Here!

Ahhhh yes…One of my favorite seasons here in Chicago! I’m most excited because I get to revamp my wardrobe!

My co-worker (thanks, Cat!) introduced me to www.pinterest.com – A virtual pinboard where you can search anything and everything of interest and categorize it–by…PHOTOS! You can essentially collect everything you love, follow other people’s interests, see who’s re-pinned your interests, etc. It’s invite only–so if you’re interested, let me know and feel free to follow! You can pin anything from photography, interior design ideas, fashion, DIY projects, infographics, foods, motivational and inspirational quotes–the list goes on and on

Here are a couple of outfits that I’m diggin’ for this upcoming fall…(from my Style Pinboard)

For more style and fashion updates, check out my Style & Fashion Pinboard on pinterest.com!

The Hunger Games

It’s been an extremely long time since I’ve read a really good book. I have to (sadly) admit, that I was really into “The Devil in the White City” – then dropped off a little after halfway through the book I’m going to have to go back and start over! Sad.

Anyways, my boyfriend is getting into teaching and since he came from a family of educators, I kept hearing about “The Hunger Games.” Nothing but good things! He actually read the entire book in 3 days. Mind you–the book is over 350 pages long. (Okay, so maybe I’m not the reading type, but that’s a lot to read in 3 days!)

So far, I’m in HOOKED. I’ve completed Part 1: The Tributes and are starting Part 2: The Games shortly. I posted a facebook status letting everyone know that I was into this book–and man, the responses I got! I’m going to have to finish this, because this is only 1 of 3!

I’m stoked for March of 2012 – it’s the expected release date of “The Hunger Games” movie — let’s hope that I finish the trilogy by then!

Thank you Suzanne Collins for writing such an engaging novel! I look forward to the other 2!!

2011 Vacation at the Outer Banks, North Carolina

Forty-four individuals and 11 of them being children (6 under the age of 1 I believe) – ALL in a house for 7 days. “Wow, you say.” Still, can’t complain when you’re next to the ocean with great 80-something degree weather!

I got a taste of being completely useless for one week–and it was AWESOME. Thanks to Grandma Ruth Guercio for providing us an awesome vacation home this year

From boogie boarding to laying by the pool side, nothing can beat THAT. Ah yes, and we must not forget–EATING! The vacation was definitely needed. We got to try some great seafood right on the water at Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant in Nags Head. Delicious food & beautiful view. Definitely worth the wait (if you have one).

Job v. Career

I’d like to blog about jobs. Everyone’s got a job. We do it everyday. Get a paycheck every week. Same routine over and over and over. Well, for me it is. I like my job–the question I have for myself (and for you others out there) is do you LOVE your job? Because if you truly LOVE your job, it’s not a job. It’s a career. And to that, I applaud you!

What’s the difference? In my personal opinion based on “Gigi’s Mind Definitions”:

• job: n. a place where one goes to everyday and gets paid; Yay; (you may know the term ‘settling’)

So, how is this different that a career? Its quite simple actually:

• career: n. a place where one goes to everyday (routine) and gets paid while being engaged, learning new skills and loving it.

There’s the huge difference. I think the older many people get, they tend to just have “jobs.” Whereas, young striving individuals (i.e. those out of college) get their first “real job” or career. But, unfortunately, as the economy changes, so does the scope of companies, expectations as well as job objectives and skills. Not all college graduates stay at their jobs for 20+ years; If they did, nobody would learn and grow. Which is what companies nowadays are looking for 7+ years of experience.

I think it’s a constant struggle to keep up with the economy; especially with everything changes. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to find a “job” nowadays. However, I still have faith that many of you out there (as well as myself) who seek that career will get it someday. There may be a set back in some fields, but in the end, I’m confident that we’ll all find that career; and that the job is only a transition.

Center Stage Academy of Dance hosts 1st Annual Dancers Showcase

I remember years ago, Roberta said to me “My sister and I are going to own our own dance studio.”

It was just last year when they opened up their dance studio “Center Stage Academy of Dance” up in Highland Park, IL. And here they are, Carla & Roberta Garippo, hosting their 1st annual Dancers Showcase!

These two sisters are probably the most hardworking individuals I’ve ever come across. They live to dance – and they love it. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week – what are they doing? Dancing. And they absolutely love every minute of it.

Come see their dancers take the stage today for their Dancers Showcase at The Gorton Community Center located at 400 E Illinois in Lake Forest. The performances are at 2pm and 6:30pm! Tickets are available for purchase at the door! Be there or jazz square!

Best of luck to all dancers! Carla & Roberta – you girls are fabulous! Your hard work is paying off

High Speed Internet + Cable

For the past couple months, I’ve been trying to find ways to save a little more. One way is to maybe cut down on cable. We probably don’t need HBO, all movie channels, all the bells & whistles and fancy things that they offer on cable. We spend from $100-130 a month for our Cable + Internet service.

Maybe I’m being a cheapass, but that’s pretty damn high. With that said, we decided to downgrade to just BASIC cable. Our new monthly bill? Just $100! Now you tell me, is that worth it? We subscribed to netflix ($8-10/month) and are thinking about subscribing to HULU Plus ($8/month). So, basic cable (with HD + DVR service)  + HULU + Netflix = $120.

So, the question is this. Do we keep our original Cable + Internet service (HD, DVR, Basic + Extended) and be up to date on all shows, all the time? Or do we downgrade and pay for Unlimited movies & DVD’s and stream through XBOX Live?

What are your thoughts?

I’ll be honest, I can’t live without FoodNetwork, Travel Channel, MTV, Ghost Adventures, Giada, *sigh.