31. Learn

I like to learn something new every day and I hope that my students learn something new as well each day. Today I learned some new doubles strategies that Amy and I are going to practice next time we play together which will be fun to try. I also learn something new from The Oprah Show every time I watch it. Yesterday I learned of the dangers of texting or talking on the cell phone while driving--such behavior can kill a child and no one would want to carry that burden on their conscience for the rest of their lives. Today, I stopped my hand from reaching for the cell phone. I wanted to grab it but I didn't, I stopped myself and waited until I was in the parking lot to talk to my husband.

What did you LEARN today?

30. Celebrate

Oprah celebrated her birthday today with over 100 people who were also born today! What fun! She adopted two new puppies that were adorable! Then, there was another puppy that she gave to another lady celebrating her birthday. Possibly the cutest pups ever--other than my Oreo! It was a very happy show! Then Ali came on, she is one of my favs because she makes me giggle every time she appears! She was tracking people down for texting while driving. No More Texting While Driving! I don't text but I have made phone calls while driving but I pledge to stop immediately! I guess I may just have to focus on my driving from now on!

How did or will you celebrate your birthday this year?

29. Explain

Explain yourself Jay Leno. Today, Oprah spoke to Jay about the 'Late Night Fiasco' between he and Conan and NBC. I didn't see the whole show so I don't know everything that Jay had to say. My opinion is that Jay should've walked away and let Conan continue with the Tonight Show. Jay could've retired or done his stand up routine in Vegas or wherever. I think he seems selfish to come back and want to take the show back. In these very tough economic times, NBC gave Conan a multi-million dollar 'bailout' that was amazing, so good for him, he isn't hurting right now. We will have to see if people watch Jay. I was also interested to see Oprah be so opinionated and ask the tougher questions that I certainly want to hear answered. She is more willing to share her opinions these days, since she has nothing to lose at this point. I like that!

28. Feed

Feed yourself well and with kindness. A very interesting topic today on Oprah about food and America. Food, Inc. is a dvd that I am going to order from Amazon with a special deal for only $10. if I get it within the next 24 hrs. The film is about the corporations making our food as opposed to grandma making homemade food. I must admit that I love to cook at home and feed my family and I believe my food is better than fast food or store bought food. There were all sorts of rules and information about the food that was quite interesting. I will have to flirt with the rules, and slowly adopt them because you can't change all at once, too tricky in the modern world, I don't live on a farm after all. Also, very funny at how reticent Oprah was to talk about cows or beef; and it reminded me of her 'mad cow' debacle and the Texas court case she went through. How stupid was that whole thing? Sheesh! Crazy Texans!

27. Forgive

Today on Oprah were two wives who were explaining their difficult husbands. Denise Richards was so nervous when talking about Charlie Sheen. Sheen seems to be like teflon by the media, nothing bad seems to stick to him. He pulled a gun on Kelly Preston when they were dating (she then married a good guy named John Travolta--good choice Kelly!) Then, Sheen was arrested and in jail on Christmas Day because he allegedly pulled a knife on current wife Brooke. The media somehow cast Denise Richards as the villian. Sheen must have a really good publicist! Why does the public continue to forgive Charlie Sheen when he continually abuses women?

The second wife was a Huge Puzzler to me. She was able to forgive her husband for lying about having 'a sexual relationship with a man' and 'doing drugs' as well. How could she forgive him AND allow him back into her bed and her family life? I am still stunned and amazed. I just don't think I could forgive all of that.

How much could you forgive?

26. Retrain

"Retrain your brain." I just read an article from a man who spent time in prison and told the youth offenders in his SLC audience that they can all retrain your brain and change your life. "Stop drinking alcohol and doing drugs," he told his young audience that with new more positive behaviors that they could change their lives for the better. Good advice!

Oprah is always encouraging people to change their very unhealthy lifestyles. I watched her show when an addict mother was supplying drugs to her teenage son. She would knock on his door and hand him the Oxycodon pain pills. They were both addicted, it was horrible. I can not believe how pervasive this problem is in today's American society. It is shocking and sad. I wish they could all retrain their brain!

24. Focus

Today, I have to focus on finishing my final edit for my Young Adult novel, Monet Moment. Why? I have to finish and submit tomorrow, Monday, Jan.25, because that is when the contest
opens. They only take the first 5,000 entries, which sounds like a lot, but isn't really when you consider all of the millions of wanna-be writers out there. So, today is the final day to focus on finishing. (Of course, Grandma is coming over so I will be cleaning the house, making my homemade meatballs over spaghetti (family favorite!) washing and drying clothes (the dryer is now in working order again! arghhhh!) oh, and I have a pile of papers next to me here that I need to read through and correct and enter the scores. See why I need to focus on finishing? :-)

I watched Oprah when she ran the marathon many years ago and I clearly remember her talking about how hard it was, around mile 22 (and I agree-- when I ran the St. George Marathon, same feeling occured around mile 21 or so) where you just have to focus in on finishing, on seeing yourself finishing the race and running through the ribbon. So, thanks Oprah for the inspiration! I will focus on finishing today!