Vienna waits for you...

VIENNA!

I grew up listening to oldies-those classics written by talented musicians such as Michael Jackson, Sir Elton John, Billy Joel, Elvis, Diana Ross, The Eagles and the list goes on...

Although there are many songs I relate to, one has always stood out to me over the years; "Vienna" by Billy Joel.

I read some articles about this song, and the message it sends to those who listen intently. It is clear that Billy was trying to remind people (especially the youthful folks) to calm down, remind themselves "only fools are satisfied" and that life shouldn't be rushed in trying to accomplish every single thing right now. I listen to this song often because the message speaks to me in volumes. I am one of those people who has their hands in a billion things, and wanting to be a genius at all of them...right now, without practice. I want to speak every language, see every country, have the greatest and highest paid job, be the best cook, be an incredible singer and guitarist, read every book and be the most famous psychiatrist etc etc. I get so anxious about accomplishing these things all at once and am ultimately let down because I end up not pursuing any of them (because I am too overwhelmed to start one). My close friends and family know this about me and are constantly reminding me to relax, "slow down" and pursue ONE thing at a time. I don't know if it is because I have bad A.D.D. or because I want everything right now and never seem to be satisfied, but it is something I am trying to work on and I think a lot of you readers can relate to this feeling.

We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips and we are constantly stimulated. It is incredibly difficult to go against the daily grind of society and relax, to not do anything, to stop comparing ourselves to others and remember we are just where we are supposed to be. We are faced with ENDLESS choices it confuses us. For these reasons many people feel lost and take too much time in in making simple decisions, like what to make for dinner, or what blackberry cover they should get. I repeat myself, it is so important to be reminded "You can't be everything you want to be before your time".

And here follows the incredible song by the one and only Billy Joel:

                      Billy Joel himself!!

"Vienna"

Slow down you crazy child

You're so ambitious for a juvenile

But then if you're so smart

Tell me why are you are still so afraid?



Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?

You better cool it off before you burn it out

You got so much to do

And only so many hours in a day



But you know that when the truth is told

That you can get what you want or you can just get old

You're gonna kick off

Before you even get halfway through

When will you realize

Vienna waits for you



Slow down you're doing fine

You can't be everything you want to be before your time

Although it's so romantic

On the borderline tonight



Too bad but it's the life you lead

You're so ahead of yourself that you forget what you need

Though you can see when you're wrong

You know you can't always see when you're right



You've got your passion, you've got your pride

But don't you know only fools are satisfied?

Dream on

But don't imagine they'll all come true

When will you realize

Vienna waits for you



Slow down you crazy child

Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while

It's alright

You can afford to lose a day or two

When will you realize...

Vienna waits for you.

Wisdom with age

Watching the parade, originally uploaded by rpiker101.

I received this list through an e-mail from my mother. I recently came across it and felt the need to share it with everyone. I think wisdom comes with age and that the older we get the more "little things" in life make us happier! I think the overall lesson among these 45, is to appreciate all we have no matter how dark or bright times may be. Life is constantly changing and nothing lasts forever; so appreciate what's in front of you!




Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of
> The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
>
>
> "To celebrate growing older, I once
> wrote the 45 lessons life taught me... It is the
> most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer
> rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once
> more:
>
> >
> 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
>
> 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
>
> 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
>
> 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
> Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
>
> 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
>
> 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
> disagree.
>
> 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying
> alone.
>
> 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
>
> 9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay
> check.
>
> 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is
> futile.
>
> 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the
> present.
>
> 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
>
> 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what
> their journey is all about.
>
> 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't
> be in it.
>
> 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But
> don't worry; God never blinks.
>
> 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
>
> 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or
> joyful.
>
> 18. Whatever doesn' t kill you really does make you
> stronger.
>
> 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But
> the second one is up to you and no one else.
>
> 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
> don't take no for an answer.
>
> 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy
> lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is
> special..
>
> 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
>
> 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear
> purple.
>
> 24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
>
> 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
>
> 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ³In
> five years, will this matter?'
>
> 27. Always choose life.
>
> 28. Forgive everyone everything.
>
> 29. What other people think of you is none of your
> business.
>
> 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
>
> 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
>
> 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else
> does.
>
> 33. Believe in miracles.
>
> 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of
> anything you did or didn't do.
>
> 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it
> now.
>
> 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
>
> 37. Your children get only one childhood.
>
> 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
>
> 39. Get outside every day.. Miracles are waiting
> everywhere.
>
> 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
> else¹s, we¹d grab ours back.
>
> 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you
> need.
>
> 42. The best is yet to come.
>
> 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
> >
> 44. Yield.
>
> 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a
> gift.

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY!!!

HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY!!  I think these little cups of Jo are adorable and I am going to run home and make one (or two) for me and whoever will join!!

Argentina Anniversary

Argentina - Buenos Aires, Casa Rosada, originally uploaded by vtveen.

One year ago this past weekend I had just moved to Buenos Aires.  I remember skyping with some friends back in the states and they were showing me the snow outside their windows, while I showed them the palm trees outside of mine.  It is hard to believe that I have been home now as long as I was gone in Argentina.  Just goes to show that time really flies.  I was reading my journal today from last year and what I read was so interesting.  In my journal I stated how "at peace" and unafraid" I was about my trip to Argentina.  I also repeatedly wrote how "sure" I was about my decision to go.  I remember feeling more sure of this trip than anything I've ever made a decision about.  I recall being so mentally prepared to go abroad alone, so ready to experience a new culture, meet new people and just ready to take that trip.  Now a year later, it feels like that was all a dream.  Sometimes I wonder if I would be brave enough today to take that journey again (I like to think I would still be brave enough).  Although things in life are very unsettled right now and I really don't have a plan or any strong feelings about new roads to take,  I wouldn't change the process of events that got me to where I am now.  I grew so much from my experience abroad and hope and pray that I will get the chance to do it again sometime soon.  I can only hope my experiences and new found interests abroad will land me a job that I feel VERY passionate about and a job where I can use my talents to their utmost potential!

A simple life is a happy life!

One thing I know for sure is that if we "lived a little more simply",  we would all be a little more happy!



After coming across this quote today, I realized that so often expectations,  posessions,  hate,  anger and fear take over peoples emotions and bring poison to their every day lives. If we could all try to hate less,  judge less,  worry less,  expect less, but love and give MORE, I know for sure that our world would be a little less destructive and much more peaceful!