Making Wise Decisions

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Decision making is the hardest thing in the world for me to do and is something I have always hated from simple things like which flavor Popsicle I wanted, what movie I wanted to watch, where to have my birthday dinner, what shirt to wear, etc. I seriously would have panic attacks all the time when I had to make even the simplest of choices. It was really rather pathetic but I honestly could not handle the possibility that I might pick something someone else wanted. Every time I did end up making a decision it wasn't my own, it was always what I thought someone else would want me to pick. I learned to read people and learned to decide based on them. Consequently decision making got a whole lot easier for me, or so I thought, but in reality I was no better off and in fact completely incapable of deciding things for myself. By the time I finished High-school I had lost my identity in what my friends liked, what my parents liked, etc. I had no idea what I liked. This proposed a big problem as some really big life altering decisions before me such as what was I going to do with my future. I began to realize that some decisions simply could not be made based on what everyone else wanted I was going to have to decide for myself! :(

But how?? I was totally clueless I literally choose my college by flipping a coin....after eminem moe eliminations. Totally scientific I know.... I did have other methods as too but nothing all that effective. So as you can prolly suspect when the important decisions began to arise I was totally clueless and flopped a lot of the time. Turns out my methods of avoiding making decisions got me in a lot more trouble then it would have been to actually take the time and thought to make them the right way.




Decision making is not easy especially when you desperately want to make the right decisions. For me the first thing I had to realize is that there is not always a right and wrong choice and that often times choosing to avoid making a decision or putting it off is far worse then taking a chance and making a decision to do something. Doing nothing is not in anyway helpful. Nevertheless I was able to compile a list of things to consider in making wise and biblical decisions, so I thought I would pass them along in hopes that you will not have to make the mistakes I have made and also in hopes that you might find them as helpful as I have found them to be in my life thus far.

I challenge you to ask yourself these 10 questions the next time you find yourself faced with a difficult decision.


1.) First and foremost ask yourself is there a direct command for it or against it in the Bible.

Exodus 24:7

Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

John 14:15

If you love me, keep my commands.

2.) Next ask is this decision going to cause others to stumble in the faith or will this hurt anyone? In the same way would the alternative do so?

1 Corinthians 8:13

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

Romans 14:21

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall

1 Corinthians 8:9

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

3.) Then next thing to ask yourself in making a decision is this activity necessary?

1 Corinthians 6:12

"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything.

4.) Then ask will this harm me?

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Matthew 5: 13-16

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

5.) Could this activity become addictive or rob me of my freedom?

Proverbs 6:27

Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.

6.) Will this decision or activity promote evil?

Romans 12:9

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

reject every kind of evil.

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

7.) Can I ask God's blessing on this activity?

John 8:28

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me

Deuteronomy 30:9-10

The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

8.) Would I act differently if Jesus were standing next to me?

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jeremiah 16:17

My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

9.) Can I glorify God in this thing?

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

10.) Lastly What would Jesus do?

1 John 2:6

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Let us start making decisions the right way, let us answer these 10 questions and march forth shining the light of Christ!

My Official Bucket List

Travel and Travel Related Adventures

There's something magical about traveling, it's as if the world opens up to you. I've experienced strangers acting like family and old friends opening their heart and homes along the way. I want to go so many places before I die I would like to see just about everything, but I have narrowed it down a little by giving myself these hopefully obtainable goals.

*To set foot on each of the seven continents. Antarctica will be the last, but I got to see them all once. Been to 2, 5 more to go...

*To go to all 50 states. I have been to 18 so far...32 more to go

*Travel around the world- like around the whole thing

*To go abroad and live like a local for 6 months +.

*Climb one of the world’s Seven Summits.

*Go on an African Safari

*Scuba dive ideally in the Great Barrier Reef, but at least somewhere.

*Spend 24 hours alone in the jungle, well with the animals of course


*Stand at the North or South Pole.

*Go to the Grand Canyon

*Go to Vegas

*See the Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis)

*Go to the Amazon Rainforest

*See the Acropolis in Greece

*Go to Hagia Sophia, Turkey

*See Italy all of it

*See the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt up close

*Go to the Great Wall of China

*See the Taj Mahal, India

*Ride a camel in the Sahara desert



*Go Backpacking through Europe

*See the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

*See Mount Rushmore

*Climb up the Statue of Liberty

*Visit Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

*Go to Israel

*Go Island Hopping in the Caribbean


Things I want to learn and do

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.

~Fire a Pistol

~Swim with dolphins



~Meet the love of my life

~Have sex

~Get a pet snake, lizard, puppy and calf

~Join a bowling league

~Learn to ski

~Learn to water ski

~Go to a dance with a date

~Climb an active volcano

~Go skydiving



~Surf

~ Experience being drunk or high

~Go sailing

~Hike the Appalachian Trail

~Ride a unicycle

~Learn to skateboard on ramps

~Go windsurfing

~Go deep sea fishing

~Go ice fishing

~Go alligator hunting

~Go snowboarding



~Go snowmobiling

~Learn to play an obscure musical instrument, such as The Hang

~Dive with a whale shark

~Fencing

~Learn to say “hello” in 50 languages

~Learn sign language

~Learn to play the guitar

~Compose a song

~Sing Karaoke in public

~Learn these dances; Salsa, Rhumba, the Cha-cha-cha, Tango, Waltz, the Foxtrot, Samba, Ballroom dancing, the Flamenco, the Jitterbug, and Hula.

~Ride in a hot air balloon

~Go paragliding

~Go snorkeling in a shipwreck

~Ride a mechanical bull




~Attend a Rodeo

~Go white water rafting

~Go rock climbing

~Race a sports car

~Go jet skiing

~Go paint balling, and play lazor tag

~Take a canopy tour (traversing between trees on a zip line)

~Ride the 10 largest roller coasters in the world

~Go on a cruise

~Experience weightlessness

~Learn how to use a pogo stick effectively

~Learn to let myself make mistakes and try new things even if I will fail

~Learn not to take what others do or say personally

~Learn to act within my sphere of influence and stop worrying about things which are not within my control

~Mush a Dog Sled

~Have an aquarium

~See a platypus

~Spend a week at a Silent Retreat

~Learn to forgive fully

~Bike through the entire Colorado Trail or Continental Divide Trail

~Go heli skiing



~Explore the depths of the ocean and sea in submersible or submarine

~Do 25 pull ups all in one set

~Milk a poisonous snake

~Ride something bigger than a horse. Trekking through the jungle on the back of a two story tall elephant will surely be something you remember forever.

~Learn to live in the now

~Go to A Broadway Play

~Go to the Kentucky Derby

~Go to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade

~Go to Times Square on New Year’s Eve

Things to Accomplish

Personal development is your springboard to personal excellence. Ongoing, continuous, non-stop personal development literally assures you that there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

*Make stained glass windows, or blow glass



*Let go of all of my negative emotions and limiting beliefs

*Discover my life’s purpose

*To live each day in search of bringing God glory

*Kick negative habits (caffeine addiction, overeating, watching too much television, spending too much wasted time online)

*To pray all day everyday

*To know what it means to follow ever Christ fully

*Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty

*Get married

*Write a book

*Save someone's life

*Have children



*Buy or build a house

*Get a PhD

*Cut the ribbon at a major opening

*Make the front page of the newspaper

*Make a difference in at least one person’s life

*Build a Habitat for Humanity Home

*Volunteer someplace making a great impact

*Donate blood

*Become a Mentor

*Write a children’s book

*Write a travel book

*Go on at least 2 game shows



*Leave a valuable contribution in my area of expertise what ever that ends up being

*Invent something amazing and patent it

*Create my own board game

*Make a documentary film of my life

*Have my blog get to the Technorati top 1000

*Create a home with an inviting, joyous, comfortable, loving atmosphere.

*Master DDR, get a C or higher on Expert in all the songs

*Shake hands with someone who has truly changed a country.

*Break a Guinness World Record

*Leave a Mark in this world


I will be keeping you all up to date as I meat each of these, shall be a mighty adventure....remember to live each day as your last and never take a moment for granted.

Surviving Dew Withdrawls

So as you may recall, I decided to give up Diet Mountain Dew for lent this year. Which has been extremely challenging for me. I was typically consuming a 2 liter a day sometimes more. So needless to say the last 311 hours, yes I have counted, have been some of the hardest of my life, or so it seems. I have passed out from exhaustion, been unable to sleep for nearly 5 days, laughed, cried, ached, you name it. It is like I have become a whole new person. I donno if any of you have ever been so addicted to something and then tried to live without it, it honest to goodness is crazy how different I feel although I am mostly getting used to the non-soda self again.

But as this has been a challenge like no other I thought I would pass on some survival tips that have helped me thus far. If you have any additional suggestions please share.... as I am not quite a third of my way there, and it certainly is still a struggle at times.



---After the first day I pretty much thought I was gonna die I was experiencing major caffeine withdrawals; major head-aches, depressed thoughts, fatigue yet restless nights, and constantly had to fight off my urges and sub- consciousness that kept drawing me to my delicious dew. I fought them off trying to focusing on why I was doing this in the first place. To go without to get a since of what Jesus did on that cross and that humbled me big time... Here I was barely able to give up soda a few hours and Jesus never even tasted the stuff, let alone all the beating and sacrifices he made for me I am pretty sure dew is nothing in comparison.


--- As for fighting some of the symptoms themselves I felt the need to counter act them slightly hoping to find a viable alternative I went to the drug store and decided to get some 5 hour energy hoping that could at least get me through work. Yet to my surprise they now card you for buying them, and since I still can pass for 12 at the buffet and had lost my licence somewhere admits the laundry, I was lost for hope. So I had to stick to drinking tons of water to keep me having to pee aka unable to sleep, and taking aspirin for the headaches.


---Also to help boast the energy and moral I played DDR whenever I got the chance...getting mighty good too as a result...see good things can come from sacrifice.

---To help reduce the cravings I would supplement them with Shamrock shakes!!!! Which are pretty much the best things on Earth.... Now up to 25 for the season!!!



Some other things that have helped me as I fight to stay true to my lent commitment are reading all the negative things about caffeine addictions and soda intake. As it turns out there is a lot of research out there to suggest that moderately high doses of caffeine (more than a few cups of caffeine-containing beverages per day I think a 2-liter of dew classifies) can lead to fertility problems, tachyarrhythmia (abnormally increased heart rhythm), high cholesterol, boost a woman's risk of osteoporosis and aggravate fibrocystic breast disease, heart rhythm abnormalities, high blood pressure, ulcers and premenstrual tension and cause panic attacks.

Yuck nothing I want... If you like me are addicted to caffeine I would suggest a more gradual reduction in your amount as going cold turkey was a real bare at first...yet I am doing a whole lot better each day and starting not to even miss my dew. Well at times any how.

It's The Most Shamrock-ful Time Of The Year!!!!!!!

Tuesday night after a super duper bible study, I got the most random urg to go to McDonald's before heading off to my night job. I had no idea why since I am not usually a big fan of McDonald's and hadn't been there in months. But I could not resist as I was craving something I knew not what. As I pulled through the drive through and looked at the sign I knew instantly that I had been guided there by God himself as I saw SHAMROCK SHAKES!!!!! I had no idea that they were ever offered this early, as early March was the earliest I had ever gotten one. And I was so so so excited!!!!! They are back my friends and just as delicious as ever, this year they are even offering whipped cream and a cherry to top them off!!!! And as I am now surrounded by McDonald's I see nothing stopping me from shattering last years record of 38! I am well on my way with 8 so far and it isn't even March. Just thought I would let you all know the Shakes are back get them while they last!!!!! Enjoy!!!!

Bye bye diet mountain dew I shall miss you

With the awesome warm temperatures today (reached 65 here in Binghamton, NY) I was reminded that Spring time is not too far off, aka round two of winter with a few nice days like today sprinkled into the mix of ickyness. Nevertheless, I am looking forward too having shamrock shakes again xD and on a more serious note got me wondering if I should participate in lent again this year, as Easter is right around the corner. Last year, I choose to participate in Lent for the first time, although in a somewhat less than traditional manner as I used the lent time to help me get my time priorities back in line. I was not totally successful in my attempt to give up my morning sleep, last year but it did help set a precedent for giving God the first hour of my day which I still do for the most part, and it did help me focus on the real reason for lent. So I think all in all it did far more good for me then harm even if I am not Catholic. So this year I have chosen to give up Soda! For me that is the equivalent of giving up Chocolate and Coffee for most normal people so this is going to be a hard one but I think it is for a good purpose after all, not to mention my soda habit is getting out of control averaging well over 2 liters a day! So this will certainly be a challenge for me.

As this season of lent approaches, I encourage us all regardless of if we choose to fast from anything in particular to focus on what this season is about. This time also gives us a great opportunity for each of us to assess our current spiritual state and see what areas God would have us grow in, and what things in our life we may need to purge out of our lives.

In order to figure out my current spiritual state I have found these questions helpful to contemplate.

What habits do I engage in that are destructive to my spiritual health?
What material things have I become too attached too?
What areas in my life are unbalanced?
To what do I devote too much or not enough time?

As I have only recently decided to participate in Lent I wanted to figure out a little bit more about it this year before giving up my beloved Deit Mountain Dew so that I might maximize this experience, as well as to better understand this tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years.

The Pope describes so of the benefits of Lent saying,

Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God.

Doing some quick research I found that the most common things to give up for lent include, sweets, T.V. watching, snacking between meals, coffee, soda (like me, this year) and video games. I also found out that many people will also use the lent period to add certain good things to there life such as spending more time with family, giving to the poor, doing an extra chore, volunteering, spending more time in prayer, doing random acts of kindness, etc.

Although Lent has become rather popular and socially accepted even despite not fully knowing what the lent season is really about. Lent is not really about giving up your favorite foods it is about focusing on what Jesus did for us on the cross 2,000 years ago. And by engaging in the activity of self denial, and fasting we as Christians have a great opportunity to grow closer in our walk with God. In today's world self-denial is sadly rare and far between as self-indulgence has become our rule so taking some time apart from this mentality and truing to solely focus on God can me immensely difficult and rewarding. By lifting a person's gaze to God, created goods point beyond themselves, to greater joys. Consequently, he who truly enjoys God's goodness in created things, such as food and drink, will not remain attached to them. Rather, he will go beyond them, readily giving them up, in order to enjoy the higher things. As Christians we are called to seek after God first and for most and not of the things in or off this world. In addition to fasting lent is also a time to purify ones heart. By turning away from his concerns personal pleasures and instead turning more wholeheartedly to God.

This year lent begins on Wednesday March 9th (Ash Wednesday) and goes till Easter Sunday April 24th (46 days latter). And in honor of this season I have decided that in addition to giving up Soda for 46 days, I have decided to also do my best to take this season to get my focus back on God first and eliminating all of my other wanna be gods/ idols. To effectively do this I have decided to write this list of things I will and need to do to make sure my focus and life is back in order and eliminate all the other gods in my life.

I am going to listen to Christian music instead of secular music.
Stop watching shows and movies with gratuitous sex and/or violence.
I am also going to only watch up to 10 hours a week of movies or TV.
Sit in fifteen minutes of silence each day.
Write a letter to God each day.
Set time limits on overall online time.
Resist making or adding to lists that rank people.
Share one spiritual video with your online network once a week.
Focus on the positive things going on in my life.
Leave an encouraging or positive comment on a different blog each day.
Each week I am going to write a letter of thanks to someone.
Write a poem of praise for each person in your family.
Write a list of the ways God has blessed you and add to it each day.
Exercise each day.
Give up foul language.
Give up gossiping.
Make time to pray for at least an hour throughout each day.
Keep up with my quite times and scripture reading.

Lent is a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth. I hope these suggestions re-energize you on your spiritual journey. If you try one or more of these ideas, or if you’d like to share your own Lenten practices, please leave a comment.

Spice up your Health

Chances are you sprinkle cinnamon into your morning oatmeal or add a dash of oregano to pizza without giving the spices much thought. But did you know that most ordinary spices and herbs can actually improve your health in a number of different ways? Well now you have no more excesses, start spicing up your life and enjoy some of the perks that come with that flavor.

Cardamom
This is a fruit of that comes of the Elettaria cardamomum plant which is in the ginger family.
Health benifits>: Eases belching, flatulence and indigestion; treats respiratory conditions like coughing, asthma and loss of voice; aids in the elimination of toxins through your skin.
Daily Dose: Stir a few freshly ground pinches of cardamom pods into a shot of OJ or your morning fruit salad, or mix it with white or brown rice before you boil it.

Cayenne
Comes from the fruit of the Capsicum annuum plant in the Solanaceae family, along with chile pepper- spicy.
Health benefits: Eliminates gas from the stomach and intestines; soothes sore throat, cold and flu symptoms; increases metabolism for weight control.
Daily Dose: Stir into a cup of hot chocolate or any sweet juice drink for a contrasting flavor kick. Or cook up something spicy :-D

Cinnamon
Comes from the bark of a small evergreen tree.
Health benifits: Tames nausea and stomach ulcers; functions as a mild anti-inflammatory; increases insulin sensitivity to help focus fat burn.
Daily Dose: Stir into coffee/tea, yogurt, oatmeal or any boxed cereal. Or my personal favorite-- Rice Pudding :-D

Cloves
Is a flower bud found at the base of an evergreen tree.
Health Benefits: Soothes digestive tract muscles and is a potent antihistamine.
Daily Dose: Mix into your nightly ice cream treat or sneak into mustard spread.

Nutmeg
Fruit of Myristica fragrans,an evergreen tree.
Health Benifits: Improves digestion; eases the symptoms of menstruation; induces calm and sleep.
Daily Dose: Grate a small amount into applesauce or plain yogurt.

Celery Seed
Is the seed of the Apium graveolens plant in the parsley family.
Health Benefits: Flushes the liver of toxins; lowers blood pressure; combats water retention.
Daily Dose: Various salads (tuna, potato and egg, etc.

Coriander
Also known as cilantro; the leaves and seeds of the Coriandrum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.
Health Benefits: Acts as a diuretic; eases seasonal allergies.
Daily Dose: Cook into couscous and quinoa, which you can store and eat with leftovers.

Fennel
Seed of the Foeniculum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.
Health Benefits: Calms bowel distress; supports milk production in nursing mothers; combats water retention.
Daily Dose: Add to canned minestrones and vegetable soups.

Oregano
Leaf of the Origanum plant in the mint family.
Health Benefits: Loosens mucus; helps treat respiratory illnesses; and calms indigestion.
Daily Dose: Use in any tomato-based foods, like marinara sauces, pizza and soups.

Thyme
Leaf of the Thymus plant in the mint family.
Health Benefits: Relaxes the muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract; stimulates immune system.
Daily Dose: Toss into any meat-based dishes.

Turmeric
Root of the Circuma plant in the ginger family.
Health Benefits: Reduces inflammation (joints, airways); detoxifies the liver.
Daily Dose: Mix in with oil-and-vinegar-based salad dressings.

Cows ....So yummy

Tax Tips

So as the year comes to a close, make sure you don't miss out one all the ways to stock up on tax deductions for this year.

Tip #1 Harvest capital gains
The current long-term capital gains tax rate is 15%. If Congress doesn’t act, that’s going up to 20% in 2011. So do it now. If you have appreciated assets (like a stock or mutual fund that went up) in a taxable account (not a retirement account or 529 plan), take the opportunity to sell and repurchase those assets. You’ll lock in any gains up to this point at the 15% rate. Granted, that means you’ll pay more capital gains tax now than you may have anticipated. But think long-term: If the tax rate goes up in the future, you win. If it stays the same, all you’re out is a few bucks in transaction fees. And I think we all know the tax rate isn't going to be going down any time soon.
So....sell the investments that have made you money, pay the tax, and—assuming you still like those investments—buy them back. “I’ve recommended this to a couple of people, too, and they look at me like I grew two heads,” says Fleming. Trust both of her heads: it’s a smart move.

Tip #2 Accelerate income, delay expenses
As most of us know by now you normally want to get in any deductible expenses before December 31 and delay income, to the extent possible, until the following year. However given the likelihood that taxes are going to go up, consider turning this strategy on its head, because deductions get more valuable as your tax rate increases. “Take income this year and delay expenses,”

Tip #3 Take advantage of education tax benefits
The Lifetime Learning Credit is available to most taxpayers and covers a wide variety of education expenses. And don’t forget to deduct student loan interest as well

Tip #4 Max out your retirement accounts — and consider a conversion
You can stuff extra money into your 401(k) and take the deduction until December 31. For IRAs, you have until April 15. As an alternative consider taking traditional IRA accounts and converting them into a Roth IRA. Normally, when you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you’d have to pay income tax on the full converted amount. But this year, the tax hit for Roth IRA conversions can be spread out over two years. And if you remember that today’s tax rates are ridiculously low by historical standards, and possibly the lowest they’ll ever be, any taxes you pay now will likely pale in comparison to the taxes you’ll end up paying in the future.

Tip #5 Spend your FSA balances
If you have money in a Flexible Spending Account for health care or day care, use it now or lose it. Also, as of January 1, over-the-counter medication is no longer eligible for FSA reimbursement, so buy it now. Now is also the time to submit your paperwork for next year’s FSA.

Tip #6 Take the Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit
This credit offers you up to $1,500 back for greening your primary residence. Water heaters, insulation, doors and windows, HVAC—it’s all good. But you only get until December 31, so start demolishing now.

Tip #7 Check for underwithholding
I know, I know, most people overwithhold so they can get a juicy refund (a.k.a. an interest-free loan to the government). But underwithholding can sock you with a penalty. This is especially common if you’re self-employed. It’s not too late to fill out a new W-4 or send in an extra 1040-ES payment to reduce or eliminate your penalty.

Tip #8 Make a 1099/W-2 checklist
This saves me a lot of tax worries every year. If you’re self-employed and get 1099-MISCs, or have money at a number of banks and brokerages, or worked several jobs this year, you need to collect a pile of paperwork before you can file the 1040. Make a list now and check it off in February as the paperwork arrives. No more of that “oh crap, I thought I was going to get my taxes done today but I’m short a 1099” feeling.

Tip #9 Contribute to a 529 Plan
There is no federal income tax deduction for 529 plan contributions, but some states do offer this perk. Here’s the master list.


Tip #10 Die
If all else fails death is a sure proof way to eliminate you having to worry about taxes. If you’re lucky to have enough assets to be eligible for the estate tax, remember that right now there is no estate tax. And if Congress doesn’t do anything about it until the end of the year, on January 1, 2011, estate tax will be back. Will Congress do anything? Maybe. The bottom line is, after the end of 2010, no one knows exactly who it is going to apply to or what the rate will be. Last year, people joked about hanging on a few more days until the tax expired. It turned out not to be a joke. I suspect this won’t be, either.

The Scoop on Poop

A true test of any friendship is when you are able to openly and honestly talk about your bowl movements with one another.

A pessimist sees the poop in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every poop.

~Winston Churchill


Now lets get to the facts...

Roughly 75% of the average turd is made of none other than our good friend and highly toxic dihydrogen monoxide. Of course, this value is highly variable from person to person and poop to poop, for instance the concentration of water is going to be much higher in diarrhea then in constipated poops. This is because water is absorbed out of fecal material as it passes through the intestine, so for people like my mommy that poop once a month the direr the poop. The next ~8% is composed primarily of dead bacteria yummy! These little buggers form the intestinal garden of microorganisms that assist us in the digestion of our food. Another ~8% of the turd is typically ingestible foods or the infamous fiber we have eaten such as cellulose. This helps move the poop through the intestines easily, providing the necessary traction. The rest of the poop is typically comprised of a cocktail of fats such as cholesterol, inorganic salts like phosphates, live bacteria, dead cells and mucus from the lining of the intestine, and protein.



Now that I have informed you of what poop is or what it typically is comprised of lets get to the tricky stuff like why does it stink so bad?



Well the really reason for why poop stinks is actually very biochemical and scientific so its a good thing you are being informed by such an expert like myself. Hehe, but for you simple fold poop stinks because of the byproducts of our bacteria friends that are breaking down our food for us. In this process they produce smelly, sulfur- or nitrogen-rich organic compounds such as indole, skatole, and mercaptans, and the inorganic gas hydrogen sulfide. Ever smelt sulfur? Smells just like rotten eggs and is sometimes in peoples water very smell and hence why poop is smelly. And just an FYI, these are the same compounds that give farts their odor.

Now why is poop brown?

Well to be frank really professionals like myself never poop brown or very rarely so poop isn't always brown :-P. But when it is brown it is the result of a pigment called bilirubin that arises from the breakdown of red blood cells in the liver and bone marrow. The actual metabolic pathway of bilirubin and its byproducts in the body is very complicated and only one such as I could comprehend so in short a lot of the bilirubin ends up in the intestine, where it is further modified by bacterial action. If you dare to know more ask and I will baffle you further. However with this said the brown color itself comes from iron, as iron in hemoglobin in red blood cells gives blood its red color, and similarly iron in the waste product bilirubin gives rise to its brown color.


Now for us cool people what do our poops and there colors mean and correlate with?

There are a variety of colors that can show up for a variety of reasons.

Black - typically indicates a bleeding ulcer is present in the body, and the black color is due to the presence of partially digested blood.

Red- Potential indication of bleeding in the intestine, from an anal fissure or split. Bloody poop can also be a sign of colon cancer, so you should get it checked out by a doctor if you see blood in your stool of if it is a consistent Black color. Other forms of red poop might also arise such as eating high abouts of red food coloring can produce bright red poop. Or it might turn red from certain foods like beats.

Blue- certain illnesses in babies will cause this Some illnesses in babies gives them green or even blue-green poop. Or might simply be due to eating a concentrated source of blue food coloring such as ice cream or slushies.

White- poop might result after consuming a barium milkshake for the purposes of getting an x-ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Yellow- May indicate Gilbert's Syndrome, where the red blood cells are broken down, and since the broken down blood cells is what gives poop a lot of its color people with this condition will tent to poop a pale brown or yellow color. Another cause of yellow poop is a giardia infection. Giardia are tiny Protozoan parasites that can invade the intestines and result in severe yellow diarrhea.

Green- Healthy people can have green poop if they eat a diet rich in leafy green vegetables, or if they consume large quantities of food coloring (in ice cream, cake frosting etc.). But green poop can also be caused by excess iron in the diet, from dietary supplements, for example. If the body does not absorb all the iron consumed, the iron may stain the poop green, the color of iron (II) salts. Ordinarily, the green color may be masked by the normal brown poop color, but if digestion is thrown off by illness so that bilirubin is less concentrated in the intestine, the green color may become apparent. This can happen when a person is afflicted with diarrhea.

Now what about bird poop, and why is it always white?


Unlike mammals, birds don't urinate. Their kidneys extract nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream, but instead of excreting it as urea dissolved in urine as we do, they excrete it in the form of uric acid. Uric acid has a very low solubility in water, so it emerges as a white paste. This material, as well as the output of the intestines, emerges from the bird's cloaca. The cloaca is a multi-purpose hole for birds: their wastes come out of it, they have sex by putting their cloacas together, and females lay eggs out of it.

Why do dogs and other animals like rats eat poop, other than the fact they are gross?


Many animals eat poop on a regular basis, and it is properly termed, Coprophagia. In the wild momma canines keeps her den clean by eating the poop of her young pups, and as the pups grow, they copy the behavior to help mom clean house. But, once weaned out of the nest, so to speak, most puppies typically stop eating poop. Generally, it takes a few weeks for pups to grow out of the phase of eating his own poop, but in some cases it can be a long-lasting problem. Although, coprophagia is a nasty habit that isn't desirable, it isn't a behavior that is dangerous as long as your dog is just eating his own poop. Now, if he tries to eat the cat's poop, that's a whole other issue that can become hazardous to his health. Or, if your dog eats another dog's poop, he may contract an illness, as most contagious canine illnesses are transmitted through feces, so if your dog ingests poop from a sick dog, he could become ill. Worms and other parasites can also be transmitted through ingesting poops, so ideally, it's just not something that you want your dog to do. Herbivores such as rabbits and rodents eat their own poop because their diet of plants is hard to digest efficiently, and they have to make two passes at it to get everything out of the meal. This is equivalent to a cow chewing its cud, only cows are able to re-eat their food without having to poop it out first. Another reason why animals eat poop is that poop contains vitamins produced by their intestinal bacteria. The animal is unable to absorb the vitamins through the intestinal wall, but can get at them by eating the poop. Another reason that animals such as dogs and flies eat poop is that poop contains a certain amount of protein.

Are there people who eat poop?

Yes, we all have, at one point or another. One of the main ways that diseases and parasites spread is through the consumption of food and water contaminated with feces. This happens because people don't wash their hands carefully after pooping or changing a diaper or scratching their butt. It can also happen through careless disposal of diapers. Our microbiologist here on Guam says that one dirty diaper in Tumon Bay can send the bacteria count through the ceiling.
But of course, what you want to know is, are there people who eat poop on purpose? Again, the answer is yes. In rare instances, people with severe developmental and psychological disorders practice pica, the consumption of non-food items, including coprophagy, the ingestion of feces. The behavior may also be observed among very young toddlers. Coprophagy is also listed as an unusual sexual practice in the encyclopedia of that name. Some people who practice sexual coprophagy say that only a lover's poop is good to eat; all other poop (including their own) makes them gag.

What causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea is caused by irritation in the intestines, resulting in the bowel passing its contents too fast for the water to be absorbed. There can be several causes, including infection by bacteria or viruses, irritation caused by unfamiliar foods, food allergies, chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance, medications, and nervousness. If it's a persistant problem, don't mess around - see a doctor.

Do most people wipe their left-over poop standing up or while sitting on the pot, and are there gender differences?
Sitting down seems to be more common at least in my social group. It seems that sitting down spreads the cheeks apart and makes access easier. However, if you travel a bit, you will discover that people deal with left-over poop in different ways in other parts of the world. In France, for example, that water fountain in the bathroom isn't for drinking. It's a bidet for hosing off after using the toilet.


In Southeast Asia, you don't sit on the toilet at all. The toilet is a low, porcelain-lined trench, and the user squats over it. Next to the toilet is a bin of water. You scoop water out of the bin with your left hand and use that to cleanse yourself. You aren't supposed to use your left hand for any other purpose. So don't shake Asian's left hands who knows what's on there.

Why does corn come out whole?
Corn poop is one of the greatest mysteries in life. I grew up pondering the same question. This is what I think is happening...When we chew corn, the outer coating slips off the inner kernal. This outer yellow coating is almost entirely cellulose, and is indigestible. It passes through the gut untouched, and emerges looking like a whole kernal, although it is mostly just the outer skin. The inside of the kernal is starchy and digestible, and that is the part that we succeed in chewing up.

How does poop stay together, like in links?
In humans, soft poop is really one long, mostly continuous sausage before it comes out. It gets its "link" look because we tend to pinch off lengths of it with the anal sphincter as the poop emerges. If a person pinches hard enough, the poop separates into several turd units. If the person doesn't pinch that hard, the turds may stay connected. If you can remain sufficiently relaxed, you can produce an awesomely long poop that will coil up inside the toilet.



Why does some poop float?

Floaters are turds that have an unusually high gas content. Sometimes the gases produced by bacteria in our gut don't have a chance to collect into a large fart bubble, but remain dispersed in the feces. The poop then comes out foamy, and has a lower density than water. Poop with a high fat content will also float.

What causes the burning sensation sometimes associated with poop?

This is generally caused by a recent meal of hot peppers or related spices. The oils associated with these foods remain intact and active all the way through one's gastrointestinal system. These oils can also generate hot farts.

Why does some poop hurt when it comes out?

Turds can get very large and dry if a person is constipated, causing painful stretching of the anal opening. Pooping can also hurt if the person has hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are engorged veins in the anal area. A doctor once described them to me as "varicose veins of the anus," which suggests that the valves in the veins that are supposed to keep the blood flowing in the right direction have gotten messed up. Pooping can also be painful if the person suffers from an anal fissure, a tear in the tissue of the rectum.



Why does poop sometimes fizzle when it hits the water?

Fizzling can happen if the poop is supercharged with bubbles of fart gas. After discharge from the body, the poop is in a lower pressure environment and it degasses.

Does eating meat make your poop smell worse?
Yes, meat protein is rich in sulfides, resulting in smellier farts and poop. This is the reason that the poop of carnivores such as dogs, cats and snakes smells worse than the poop of herbivores such as cows and horses.

What is the origin of the word "poop"?
"poop" comes from the Middle English word poupen or popen, and it originally meant "fart." The word was based on the sound of a fart. According to Robert Chapman, author of American Slang, "poop" came into use with its current meaning around 1900.


Got more poop questions? Let me know and I will try my best.

Ithaca Ice Wars

As we well know winter is upon us meaning time for ice and cold. But with all the freezing temperatures also comes the perfect conditions for the start of the Ithaca Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition, part of the downtown Winter Festival this Friday and Saturday.




Saturday's events also include the first Ithaca Chowder Cook-off. Modeled after the February Chili Cook-off, 20 restaurants will compete for the title of downtown's best chowder.



The popular and interactive Ice Throne will once again adorn the Aurora Street pavilion during the festival. I love ice sculptures and even better watching them be made with a bowl of chowder in hand hope you got to enjoy it.

2010 Budgeting in Review

So I have recently stumbled upon what is perhaps the best website ever created other than this blog and facebook of course. It's called mint.com and you can visit after reading this post by clicking the link in the title of this post. So in discovering this amazing site on top of being plopped into the real world following graduation with a handful of loans and a couple dollars in my pocket I have learned the importance of budgeting if I am ever going to get out of debt before say I die. So in setting up my budget and exploring what I have been spending all my money on this year I thought it was quite interesting and have to admit I was rather surprised by it. So I thought I would share my calculated break down just for kicks.

My number one spender was on wait for it wait for it....Student loans :-P yuck accounting for 26.8% of my spending poopy and I only really starting paying them all this month.

Close behind was for car expenses and care not counting gas at 22.3% of my spending

Next comes gifts/ donations at 14.6%

Then comes Taxes and State Fees/ Tickets an icky 12.9% of my spending

Next gas 12.2% - thats pretty sad

And I have to eat you know 8.4%

The last 2.7% was then on things like toothpaste, shampoo, and clothing

Pretty crazy to see just how much I spent in each of these categories also very depressing to calculate that my net worth was a stunning $73,354.42 in the whole. Donations at this time would gladly be appreciated.

Body Language and Communication Techniques

As we all know, communication is essential in society. Advancements in technology have transformed the way that we correspond with others in the modern world, yet when conversing face-to-face, it's not only speech we verbalize that matters. Body language is truly a language of its own. We all have quirks and habits that are uniquely our own.

I thought it would be fun to list some of the well-known signs that body language experts study and recognize. As you may know one of my favorite shows is Lie to Me. You should watch it if you haven't seen it yet its on fox. Its a great show and this subject has always fascinated me as I have always loved trying to get inside peoples heads. And have always loved reading and watching people. Its a great pass time next time you are out in public you should try it.

As you may have heard by know it has been shown that communication is 7% from actual words that are used, 42% from the tone and speed of voice, and then 51% is from their body language.

So what are some of these body language cues to look for and what do they mean? Well let the all knowing Krista enlighten you once again...

One often used body language is the positioning of ones head for instance lowering one's head can signal a lack of confidence. If someone lowers their head when complimented, they may be shy or timid, or insecure/ embarrassed.

Tilting one's head can symbolize interest in something or someone while overly tilted heads can be a sign of sympathy

Someone touching or tugging at their ear can indicate indecisiveness (hey that's me wonder if I tug at my ear all the time? - any one noticed?)

If someone touches or rubs their nose it may be an indication of doubtfulness or rejection of an idea

Type about detecting real happiness...Sincere smiles are typically ones that encompass the whole face (noticeable in the eyes) A false smile usually only engages the lips - not the eyes

Closing of eyes or pinching at the bridge of one's nose is often done when making a negative evaluation

When a listener nods, this is usually a positive message and relays that they are interested and paying attention However, excessive nodding can imply that the listener has lost interest but doesn't want to be rude, and has usually tuned out

Sticking out one's chin toward another may show defiance

Resting a hand on one's cheek is often done if they are thinking or pondering; and stroking the chin can mean the person is trying to make a decision- now I know I do that one a lot

Pushing back one's shoulders can demonstrate power and courage

Open arms means one is comfortable with being approached and willing to talk/communicate while Folded arms show that there is a sort of barricade between them and other people (or their surroundings) and indicate dissatisfaction - this prolly explains why I aways fold my arms

Resting one's arms behind their neck shows that they are open to what is being discussed and interested in listening more

Pointing one's finger can be construed as aggression or assertiveness

Touching the front of the neck can show that someone is interested and concerned about what another is saying

Hand movements that are upward & outward signify positive and open messages
Palms that are faced outwards towards another indicate one's wish to stop and not approach

If one's fingers are interlaced or if the finger tips are pressed together, it usually shows that a person is thinking and evaluating

If offering ideas to other people, many times the sides of one's palms are close together, with fingers extended

Putting your hands on your hips can show eagerness and readiness (also, at times, aggression)

Hips pushed forward, while leaning back can show that one feels powerful (also can be a suggestive gesture)

A wide stance - where one's feet are positioned far apart - signifies more power and dominance

When one sits with legs open and part, they might feel secure in their surroundings while crossed legs can mean several things: relaxed/comfortable, or defensive - depending on how tense the leg muscles are

When you cross your legs towards another person, you are showing more interest in them than when they are crossed away in the other direction

A confident and powerful position is the "Figure of Four Cross" when one's ankle is atop the other leg's knee and the top leg is pointed sideways

Bouncing your foot if your legs are crossed can show that you are bored or losing patience

The lowering of the eyes can convey fear, guilt or submission

Lowered eyebrows and squinted eyes illustrate an attempt at understanding what is being said or going on

A lack of confidence or apprehensiveness can be displayed when you don't look another person in the eyes

One tends to blink more often if nervous or trying to evaluate someone else
If you look directly into another person's eyes you are displaying self-assurance as wide eyes show more of an interest in a subject or person

If you are irritated with a comment made by another during a conversation, a common movement is to take a quick glance sideways

Staring at someone can be an aggressive gesture or suggest that the one staring feels dominant

Recalling a memory is usually done by looking up and to the right

Looking directly upwards can indicate that one is thinking

Eye contact is normally broken if someone feels insulted by another

There are some amazing drivers out there

Okay so I know I am really not one to talk about driving but these just made me feel good about driving and that really says something so I just had to share these with you I just donno how some of these are even possible pretty crazy.

Some of my Favorite Quotes

“A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave. A soul mate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, and make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life.”
~Elizabeth Gilbert


It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
—Aristotle

I’d rather live with a good question than a bad answer.
—Aryeh Frimer

We learn something every day, and lots of times it’s that what we learned the day before was wrong.
—Bill Vaughan

Don’t ever wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it.
—Cale Yarborough

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.
—Cyril Connolly

“You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you.”
– Joseph Campbell

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
– Gandhi

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.
- W.M. Lewis




“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.”
– Plutarch



“Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else” – Judy Garland

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
– Anne Frank

“Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.”
– Albert Einstein

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Oppenheim

"I have lived on the lip of insanity, wanting to know reasons, knocking on a door. It opens. I've been knocking from the inside."
-- Rumi




The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
– Mark Twain

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.
– Fyodor Dostoevsky

You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.
– Margaret Young

This is my “depressed stance”. When you’re depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you’ll start to feel better. If you’re going to get any joy out of being depressed, you’ve go to stand like this.
– Charlie Brown

Jumping for joy is good exercise.

My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.
– Thornton Wilder

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
– Robert Brault


All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
– Walt Disney



The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
– Eleanor Roosevelt

I am woman! I am invincible! I am pooped!

If you’re going through hell, keep going.
– Winston Churchill

Your problem is you’re too busy holding onto your unworthiness.
– Ram Dass

Action is the antidote to despair.
– Joan Baez

You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.
– Dr. Seuss

Today is a new day.
– Chicken Little

When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either.
– Leo Burnett

What the caterpillar calls a tragedy, the Master calls a butterfly.
– Richard Bach

She decided to enjoy more and endure less.

Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.
– Mae West

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
– Eleanor Roosevelt

Sprinkle joy.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I’ve ended up where I needed to be.
– Douglas Adams

What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.



When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.

When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it may be that they take better care of it there.
– Cecil Selig

Everything you do prepares you for the next thing.
– John Abel

It’s hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.
– Sally Kempton

A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at her.
– David Brinkley

You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.
– Mary Tyler Moore

Improve your spare moments and they will become the brightest gems in your life.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

While you are upon the earth, enjoy the good things that are here.
– John Selden

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
– Will Rogers

She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she could fly.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – -Henry David Thoreau

It doesn’t happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time.
– Margery Williams


As soon as people decide to confront a problem, they realize that they are far more capable than they thought they were.
– The Zahir

Being strong means rejoicing in who you are, complete with imperfections.
– Margaret Woodhouse

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.
– John Lennon



Happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.
– Roy Goodman

Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow but the rainbow won’t wait while you do the work.

One of the greatest weaknesses in most of us is our lack of faith in ourselves.
– L. Tom Perry

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.
– Hans Hofmann

Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose. – Bill Gates

Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are. – Marianne Williamson